Games Sunday (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 3 p.m. — Gerflor vs Nxled 5 p.m. — PLDT vs Cignal 7 p.m. — Choco Mucho vs Creamline
A PAIR of new teams, a record number of participants, a couple of foreign coaches plus two female ones, and a perennial champion seeking to extend its reign will spice up the Premier Volleyball League’s (PVL) season-ending Second All-Filipino Conference unfurling on Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Creamline, which topped the first All-Filipino Conference early this year and finished runner up in the Invitationals months later, has remained the team to beat despite losing top setter Jia de Guzman, who was recruited by Denso Airybees in Japan.
The Cool Smashers tackle the vastly improved Choco Mucho Flying Titans, their sister franchise, in the main offering of a triple bill at 7 p.m. eyeing to extend the former’s record seventh title.
Creamline has also made it to the podium in all the 12 conferences it participated since joining the league six years ago.
Apart from their championships, they also have three runner-up finishes and the same number of third-place efforts.
The Nxled Chameleons and Galeries Tower Highrisers will be the two new teams that hiked the league’s total number of participants to 12 — the highest since the league turned pro three years ago.
Nxled will usher in the conference against a Gerflor team mentored by multi-titled Sammy Acaylar at 3 p.m.
It will be followed a PLDT-Cignal showdown in a sibling rivalry set at 5 p.m.
The Highrisers take the floor versus the Petro Gazz Angels at 7 p.m. Tuesday also at the Big Dome.
Interestingly, Galeries Tower will have a coach in Lerma Giron, who will be the second female to get a coaching job in the PVL next to F2 Logistics Regine Diego.
Interestingly, Nxled has one of the league’s two international coaches after tapping Japanese Takayuki Minowa, who happens to be former Chery Tiggo star Jaja Santiago’s fiancée.
The other foreign mentor is Jorge Souza de Brito, who will be handling the Akari Chargers.
“It’s going to be an exciting season,” said newly appointed PVL competition director Sherwin Malonzo, who was accompanied by commissioner Tonyboy Liao and Cignal’s Sienna Olaso and Carissa Guilas. — Joey Villar
AFTER an extended break in support of Gilas Pilipinas, the PBA is preparing to roll out a new season featuring the return of activities it was forced to do away with the past three years due to pandemic.
“First time after COVID-19 (outbreak in 2020) that we have an big opening (ceremonies) on Nov. 5,” PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said in The Game on One Sports.
The elaborate opening rites being prepared by broadcast partner TV5, the first since March 8, 2020, will likely be highlighted by the presentation of the PBA-backed Gilas crew that won the country’s first Asian Games gold in 61 years.
As a sneak preview of the upcoming out-of-town sorties, Mr. Marcial said official games would be staged in Cagayan de Oro, San Jose, Batangas, and Camarines Sur, among others.
The pro league has shortened its Season 48 to two conferences to give way to the FIBA World Cup hosting in August and the triumphant stint of Gilas in the recent Asiad in Hangzhou, China.
From Oct. 15, the PBA moved the new season’s tip-off to Nov. 5. This put the league out of action for nearly 200 days since wrapping up Season 47 last April 22.
“The PBA has sacrificed for the national team all the way to the Asian Games and this directly affected our revenues,” said PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas. “So I’d like to thank each and every (team) governor and team owners. By bringing back the Asian Games gold I hope they will feel good about it also.” — Olmin Leyba
WORLD-ranked no. 2 pole vaulter EJ Obiena launches his fundraising initiative “Katapulting an Athlete’s Dream” to help Filipino pole vaulters by creating pole vault training pits across the country. Fresh from his win at the 19th Asian Games, Mr. Obiena is back in Manila to spread the word about his mission to give back to the country and the sport that made him a global icon.
Mr. Obiena is partnering with Katapult Digital, a Marketing Technology agency with offices based in the Philippines, Singapore, and Dubai, to auction off his kits from the 2023 Asian Games and Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, his SEA Games custom Puma spikes, and his World Championship Puma suit. Proceeds from the auction will go to the “Katapulting an Athlete’s Dream” initiative.
“I believe the Filipinos can win at a global level but we can’t do this alone,” Mr. Obiena says about the communal effort it takes to elevate athletes to world-class status. “The Philippine pole vaulting community holds much potential. All stakeholders and supporters need to band together to maximize the possibilities,” he reiterates.
“EJ Obiena inspires and reminds us that the Philippines is truly world class when it comes to talent,” Francis Uy, CEO of Katapult Digital, says in full support of Mr. Obiena’s fundraising efforts.
Aside from the auction, a donation drive will also be available on Obiena’s website (https://ejobiena.katapultdigital.com/) for fans and supporters who want to join in the bayanihan effort.
Deserving schools and students from across the Philippines will be chosen as beneficiaries for the training pit construction and pole vaulting program led by EJ’s father, SEA Games medalist and pole vaulting mentor, Coach Emerson Obiena himself. The younger Mr. Obiena is currently on the lookout for promising student athletes and communities to support. Interested donors and schools may reach out to EJ Obiena’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/EJObiena).
NYON, Switzerland — The United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland will host the 2028 European Championship, while Italy and Turkey will stage the 2032 edition of the tournament, UEFA announced on Tuesday.
By accepting a joint Italy-Turkey bid for Euro 2032 last week, and with Turkey withdrawing from the race for Euro 2028, the hosts for both tournaments were already all but assured.
Turkey’s withdrawal from the 2028 race left England, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland and Wales as the sole joint bidders for that tournament.
Both sets of bids, however, still needed final approval from UEFA’s executive committee that convened on Tuesday.
“Nothing is ever a formality even right until the last minute,” said Debbie Hewitt, chair of the English Football Association (FA). “We took nothing for granted.”
Ms. Hewitt said efforts to organize the tournament had united the five soccer associations.
“There’s so many things that you might think might divide, but actually it has really unified,” she said. “I think that will be something that we all feel very proud of.”
Euro 2028 will be the largest major sporting event the UK and Ireland have jointly staged. It will be held in 10 stadia, including Wembley in London, the National Stadium of Wales in Cardiff, Hampden Park in Glasgow and Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
FIVE HOSTS Ms. Hewitt said it was still unclear how the matches would be divided among the five hosts. Wembley, with a capacity of 90,000, could be expected to host the final and possibly the semifinals. The venue hosted the semifinals and final of Euro 2020, which saw Italy beat England on penalties.
Because of the five different hosts, UEFA will reserve two “safety net” berths for host teams that do not qualify on merit.
If more than two host nations fail to qualify, only the two with the best record will get a place. This would mean that some of the host nations will not feature in the tournament.
Former Welsh international Gareth Bale, who retired in January, said the tournament would boost soccer in Wales. “I think it’s important especially for Wales to keep on the map, to keep pushing forward, to keep trying and better ourselves,” he said.
The English FA said some three million tickets would be available for the tournament, more than at any previous European Championship. Matches will be held in stadia with an average capacity of 58,000, it added. England also hosted the Euros in 1996.
For the 2032 tournament, Italy and Turkey presented 20 stadiums in their bid but that list will be narrowed down to five per country by October 2026, UEFA said.
Italy, the reigning European champions but who failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, will be hosting Euro matches for the fourth time. They staged the tournaments in 1968 and 1980, and hosted games during Euro 2020 in Rome.
Turkey — who have not played at the World Cup since 2002 and have gone out at the group stage in the last two Euros though they reached the semifinals in 2008 — will be hosting Euro matches for the first time.
European qualifiers are currently underway for Euro 2024, which Germany will host across 10 stadiums. — Reuters
RAFAEL Nadal will play at the Australian Open in January, tournament director Craig Tiley said on Wednesday, as the 37-year-old former world number one returns to the sport after undergoing hip surgery earlier this year.
The Spaniard, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, has been out of action since January after hurting his hip flexor in a second-round defeat at the Australian Open.
He underwent surgery on a hip muscle in June and was expected to be sidelined for about five months.
“We can reveal exclusively here that Rafa will be back,” Mr. Tiley said on The Today Show.
“He’s been off for most of the year and in talking to him over the last few days he confirmed he will be back, which we’re really excited about, the champion of 2022. That’s awesome.”
Mr. Tiley also said Australian Nick Kyrgios could return at the Melbourne Park Grand Slam after he underwent knee surgery in January.
Mr. Nadal has said he expects to retire following the 2024 season, with a series of injuries limiting his appearances on Tour.
The Spaniard has slipped to number 240 in the rankings but is eligible to receive a protected ranking having been injured and not competing in any tennis event for at least six months.
In Mr. Nadal’s absence, Novak Djokovic has gone on to win a record 24 Grand Slams.
Mr. Nadal has won the Australian Open twice, with his last victory coming in 2022 when he beat Russia’s Daniil Medvedev and became the first man in the Open era to come back from two sets down in the final to win. — Reuters
A WOMAN in a remote meeting via videoconference works from her living room. — REUTERS
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region should strengthen their cybersecurity measures amid the increased adoption of a hybrid work environment, according to experts.
One in three SMEs in Southeast Asia is not confident in its pursuit of cybersecurity breaches amid a hybrid work arrangement, cybersecurity company Palo Alto Networks said in its 2023 State of Cybersecurity ASEAN report.
Cloud infrastructure and processes for onsite and work-from-home setups account for 41% among SMEs in the region, the report said.
Top concerns include password attacks (63%), malware attacks (56%), and account takeovers (53%).
The Philippines’ electronic security rank fell to 45th this year out of 121 countries, down from 44th last year, according to the latest edition of the Digital Quality of Life Index by virtual private network service provider Surfshark.
Electronic security factors in cybersecurity and data protection laws, the company said.
In its 2022 study, technology company Cisco found that only 27% of the Philippine companies it surveyed possess “mature” defenses against cyber threats.
Cisco also noted that 43% of the local companies are at the “beginner” or “formative” levels in cybersecurity.
Readiness must be upheld across the five key pillars, such as identity, devices, network security, application workloads, and data, the report said.
“While organizations in the Philippines are faring better than the global average (15% of companies in the ‘mature’ stage), the number is still very low, given the risks,” Cisco said in an e-mailed press statement.
Steven Scheurmann, ASEAN vice president at Palo Alto Networks, said that risks continue with unsecured home networks and personal devices, which lead both SME employees and customers to identity theft and unauthorized financial transactions.
He also noted that non-negotiables, even in resource-constrained businesses, must be set in place to maintain a formidable security posture.
“Holistic visibility, a zero-trust approach, and AI [artificial intelligence] integration will help ensure that SMEs can scale up their cloud security,” Mr. Scheurmann said in an e-mailed press statement on Wednesday.
“Imagine your company’s network as a bustling airport, where employees work from different ‘terminals’ or physical locations, such as offices, homes, or remote sites,” he said regarding holistic visibility of network traffic.
“The challenge resembles airport security—knowing who’s allowed to board ‘network flights’ and who’s not,” he added. “The airport needs to have visibility on every ‘passenger’ (devices and users) and verify their ‘boarding passes’ (access permissions).”
“This holistic visibility ensures SMEs that only authorized users and devices get access to data and applications.”
Mr. Scheurmann also said that SMEs must operate on the principle of ‘never trust, always verify,’ or a zero-trust network access that manages each entry to and exit from the corporate network.
He added that sophisticated, AI-driven firewalls equipped with machine learning can help SMEs analyze network traffic while predicting and preventing imminent threats.
“Organizations must stop approaching defense with a mix of point tools and instead consider integrated platforms to achieve security resilience while reducing complexity,” said Jeetu Patel, executive vice president and general manager of security and collaboration at Cisco.
“As people operate from multiple devices in multiple locations, connecting to multiple networks in a dynamic hybrid world today, it is crucial for organizations in the Philippines to adopt an integrated platform approach,” he added. — Miguel Hanz L. Antivola
JERUSALEM/GAZA/WASHINGTON — Israel vowed to escalate its response to an attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas with a ground offensive, while US President Joseph R. Biden pledged support for Israel and issued a warning to anyone who might seek to take advantage of the situation.
Israel said dozens of its fighter jets struck more than 200 targets overnight on Wednesday in a neighborhood of Gaza City that it said had been used by Hamas to launch its unprecedented wave of attacks.
Gaza’s health ministry said at least 900 people have been killed and 4,600 wounded in the crowded coastal enclave.
On Saturday, Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip rampaged through parts of southern Israel, in the deadliest Palestinian militant attack in Israel’s history.
Israel’s military said the death toll in Israel had reached 1,200 and more than 2,700 people had been wounded.
“We have sustained extremely heavy casualties,” military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus said in a video briefing on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The victims were overwhelmingly civilians, gunned down in homes, on streets or at an outdoor dance party. Scores of Israelis and others from abroad were captured and taken to Gaza as hostages, some shown on social media being paraded through the streets.
Hamas militants holding Israeli soldiers and civilians hostage on Monday threatened to execute a captive for each home in Gaza hit without warning, but as night fell on Tuesday there was no indication they had done so.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, speaking to soldiers near the Gaza fence, said: “Hamas wanted a change and it will get one. What was in Gaza will no longer be.”
“We started the offensive from the air, later on we will also come from the ground. We’ve been controlling the area since Day 2 and we are on the offensive. It will only intensify.”
Israel withdrew troops from Gaza in 2005 after 38 years of occupation and has kept it under blockade since Hamas seized power there in 2007. The siege it announced on Monday would keep out food and fuel.
On Israel’s northern border, a salvo of rockets was fired from southern Lebanon towards Israel, prompting Israeli shelling in return, three security sources said.
More shells launched from Syrian territory landed in open areas in Israel, further raising fears that the violence could lead to a wider war.
“We do not yet know if these rockets were fired by the Syrian armed forces, by any of the many Iranian militias that exist and are welcomed by the Syrian regime, or Hezbollah or any other action,” said Israel’s Lieutenant Colonel Conricus.
“What we do know is that we retaliated fire toward the sources of fire, and currently the situation there is quiet.”
Sirens warning of incoming rocket fire blared overnight in Israeli communities near the Gaza border.
At the White House, Mr. Biden called the Hamas attacks “an act of sheer evil” and said Washington was rushing additional military assistance to Israel, including ammunition and interceptors to replenish the Iron Dome aerial defense system. He called for Israel to follow the “law of war” in its response.
He told reporters the United States had “enhanced our military force posture in the region to strengthen our deterrence,” including by moving an aircraft carrier strike group and fighter aircraft.
“Let me say again to any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation, I have one word: don’t,” said Mr. Biden, in an apparent reference to Iran and its proxies in the region.
US officials say they do not have evidence Iran orchestrated the attacks, but point to Iran’s long-term support for Hamas.
Mr. Biden also despatched his top diplomat Antony Blinken to Israel, who will deliver “a message of solidarity and support,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right wing coalition and opposition leaders were close to forming an emergency unity government.
A meeting between Mr. Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Benny Gantz was scheduled for Tuesday but was delayed to Wednesday.
‘NO PLACE IS SAFE’ Israel’s military said its forces, backed by a helicopter and drones, clashed with militants inside Israeli territory late on Tuesday.
Soldiers killed three militants in the incident in Ashkelon, near an oil terminal located just over 10 km (6 miles) from the Gaza Strip that has been shut in the wake of the attacks, it said.
Palestinian media said Israeli airstrikes hit homes in Gaza City, the southern city of Khan Younis and in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza.
One home struck belonged to the father of Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas’ armed wing in Gaza, reports said. Mr. Deif’s brother and other family members were killed, according to the reports.
Residents appealing for help on social media said many buildings had collapsed, sometimes trapping as many as 50 people inside with rescue workers unable to reach them.
The United Nations said more than 180,000 Gazans had been made homeless, many huddling on streets or in schools.
At the morgue in Gaza’s Khan Younis hospital, bodies lay on the ground on stretchers with names written on their bellies. Medics called for relatives to pick up bodies quickly because there was no more space for the dead.
A municipal building was hit while being used as an emergency shelter. Survivors there spoke of many dead.
“No place is safe in Gaza, as you see they hit everywhere,” said Ala Abu Tair, 35, who had sought shelter there with his family after fleeing Abassan Al-Kabira near the border.
Two members of Hamas’ political office, Jawad Abu Shammala and Zakaria Abu Maamar, were killed in an air strike in Khan Younis, a Hamas official said.
They were the first senior Hamas members killed since Israel began pounding the enclave. Israel said Abu Shammala had led a number of operations targeting Israeli civilians.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said Israeli strikes had since Saturday destroyed more than 22,600 residential units and 10 health facilities and damaged 48 schools.
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, who denounced the Hamas attacks, said: “International humanitarian law is clear: the obligation to take constant care to spare the civilian population and civilian objects remains applicable throughout the attacks.” — Reuters
THE World Bank-International Monetary Fund annual meetings are being held in Marrakech, Morocco, Oct. 9, 2023. — WORLD BANK / GRANT ELLIS
MARRAKECH, Morocco — World Bank President Ajay Banga said on Tuesday that the Israel-Gaza conflict is an unnecessary global economic shock that will make it harder for central banks to achieve soft landings in many economies if it spreads.
“It’s a humanitarian tragedy and it’s an economic shock we don’t need,” Mr. Banga told Reuters on the sidelines of the World Bank-International Monetary Fund annual meetings in Morocco.
Central banks were “beginning to feel a little more confident that there was an opportunity for a soft landing, and this just makes it harder,” Mr. Banga said.
Mr. Banga said there was less immediate economic impact than at the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year because the Israel-Gaza conflict does not impact exports of oil, grains and fertilizers.
But it does transmit through financial markets, with dollar assets suddenly rising, he said. Inflation has come down in recent months, prices and wages were stabilizing and markets had become used to the idea that rates would stay higher for longer, Mr. Banga said, adding that another prolonged conflict could upset those dynamics.
“It’s the side effects of all that. That’s not a good feeling,” Mr. Banga said.
The World Bank has temporarily closed its operations in the Gaza Strip, evacuating a number of employees because it has become a “war zone,” but its operations in the West Bank Palestinian Territories remained open, Mr. Banga said.
The European Union initially “made a mistake” in announcing a cut-off of all aid to the Palestinian Territories in response to the Hamas attack on Israel, which was later reversed, he said, adding that he will leave others to sort out the politics of the conflict.
“I’m in the development business. And in the development business they feel, at the end of the day, when all this is done, places need to be helped,” he said. “And we will try our best to help.” — Reuters
UTAH sued Chinese-owned app TikTok on Tuesday, accusing it of harming children by intentionally keeping young users spending unhealthy amounts of time on the short-video sharing platform.
The Utah suit is the latest action challenging the popular app in the United States, with Indiana and Arkansas bringing similar suits.
Last month, a federal judge blocked California from enforcing a law meant to protect children when they use the Internet.
“What these children (and their parents) do not know is that TikTok is lying to them about the safety of its app and exploiting them into checking and watching the app compulsively, no matter the terrible effects it has on their mental health, their physical development, their family, and their social life,” said Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes in a filing.
Utah’s suit filed in state court said the videos leverage “highly powerful algorithms and manipulative design features — many of which mimic features of slot machines” and the result “of these manipulative tactics is that young consumers become hooked.”
ByteDance-owned TikTok, which has more than 150 million US users, said in response to the suit it “has industry-leading safeguards for young people, including an automatic 60-minute time limit for users under 18 and parental controls for teen accounts.”
Mr. Reyes said the state’s investigation is ongoing and he will ask a court next week to compel TikTok’s compliance with investigative subpoenas.
Utah is seeking civil penalties as well as an injunction prohibiting TikTok from violating state law that protects consumers from deceptive business practices.
Indiana’s lawsuit against TikTok, brought in December, is pending in state court.
Arkansas also sued both TikTok and Facebook-parent Meta in March “for pushing addictive platforms.”
Last year, a group of Republican lawmakers said that “many children are exposed to non-stop offerings of inappropriate content that TikTok’s algorithm force-feeds to them.”
On Thursday, a judge will hear arguments in TikTok’s lawsuit seeking to block Montana’s first-of-its kind state ban on the use of TikTok before it takes effect Jan. 1. Montana’s legislature approved legislation to ban TikTok citing spying concerns.
Congress has been considering legislation for months that would enable the Biden administration to restrict or ban TikTok over concerns of potential spying. TikTok has said it has spent more than $1.5 billion on rigorous data security efforts and rejects spying allegations. — Reuters
People walk in front of the Hong Kong Observation Wheel in Hong Kong, China, Sept. 5, 2019. — REUTERS
HONG KONG — Hundreds of executives, diplomats and foreign business chambers congregated at Hong Kong’s landmark M+ art museum over canapés and cocktails last month with a clear mission — reinvigorate appeal for the financial hub.
Anti-government protests in 2019, followed by Beijing’s swift imposition of a sweeping national security law in 2020 and three years of draconian COVID lockdowns prompted an exodus of tens of thousands of people from Hong Kong, taking a toll on its reputation and economy.
Sino-US tensions and China’s slowing economy have piled additional challenges on Hong Kong, hurting its traditional role as a gateway between the West and the mainland, said diplomats and business executives.
“The last few years have created a very negative image of Hong Kong,” said Inaki Amate, chairman of the European chamber in Hong Kong, one of the speakers at the M+ event.
Other speakers included government officials, European Union representatives and executives including from the city’s banks, aviation industry and its stock exchange.
The event is among many trying to rebuild ties between the West and the former British colony, with visitors mainly coming from the mainland and Asia, while visa applicants are primarily from China, said Mr. Amate.
Executives point to the changing fabric of Hong Kong with mainlanders making up more than nine-out-of-ten of all those approved to work under government talent schemes.
“If we believe that Hong Kong will be able to recover its most international Asia city status by continuing on this trend, we are very wrong,” said Mr. Amate. “Hong Kong needs diversity.”
Finance Secretary Paul Chan held a marketing blitz tour in European cities in September, while Hong Kong’s Monetary Authority is holding a high-profile banking conference in November to enable people to see Hong Kong’s “vibrancy” and “show guests the best” of the city.
For many outside Hong Kong however, the perception is still very negative, said executives.
“For people who haven’t lived in Hong Kong, they see a really battered and negative image that’s been present since the protests in 2019,” said former American Chamber of Commerce President Tara Joseph.
“You’ve got what happened with the national security law, the pandemic and now you’ve got a pretty big problem with China’s economy. People have a very deeply damaged image and it’s going to take more than having a banking conference in the Four Seasons hotel to really get people to go ‘wow this is exciting.’”
BAD PR Hong Kong’s efforts to attract high caliber talent are hindered by concerns over Beijing’s imposition of the security law, said a diplomat in the city, citing the bounty on opposition figures which have fueled adverse publicity.
“Life is great here, particularly if you are an expatriate. It’s safe, great nature and so much going on, but the image is still very negative,” the diplomat said.
Many in the legal sector said the law has stoked concerns over judicial independence, while some executives are concerned that Hong Kong is losing relevance as some businesses relocate to Singapore and Dubai.
More than one-fifth of Hong Kong’s office tenants are likely to reduce office space in the coming two years with more than half citing shrinking business demand, according to Colliers.
A survey by recruiter Robert Walters in September said that more than half of Hong Kong professionals are considering or planning to move out of the city.
Companies such as National Bank Australia have left Hong Kong, whilst dozens of bankers and corporate lawyers have been fired due to a lack of business.
“Hong Kong is a barometer of the economic activities in China,” said Patrick Ip, managing director at China-ASEAN Investment Cooperation fund. “Because of the recent China economic downturn and regulatory policy changes in some key sectors, the capital market is suffering due to weak investment sentiment.”
Hong Kong’s IPO market has lost momentum with only around $2.7 billion raised so far this year compared with $4 billion a year earlier and at least $35 billion at the market’s peak during COVID.
Asia Pacific funds that include China are now harder to arrange due to concerns over the country’s political and economic outlook, said a senior banker.
Overall visitor levels are 70% of pre-pandemic levels, with tourism from mainland China recovering much faster than those from Europe and the US.
David Baverez, an investor in Hong Kong and author of China & Europe: The Turning Point, said the city will adapt and thrive, with inflows from the Middle East and the mainland replacing money from the West.
“Old Hong Kong is not back,” Mr. Baverez said. “A new Hong Kong will emerge. It will continue to thrive but only because it succeeds in reinventing itself.” — Reuters
THE RAPID spread of misleading claims and doctored images in the aftermath of a deadly rampage by Hamas gunmen in Israel has put the focus on Elon Musk’s X platform, which has drawn the ire of the European Union.
Part of the challenge for those combating fake information online is that changes made by Mr. Musk earlier this year have made it more difficult to track the full scale of deception on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, social media researchers told Reuters.
Researchers studying the origins and proliferation of misinformation said they have lost the ability to automatically track keywords, hashtags and other information about real-time events, as X eliminated access to a data tool that was free to academics before Mr. Musk’s acquisition of the platform in October last year.
Without the tool, researchers now need to manually analyze thousands of links, said Ruslan Trad, a resident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab).
Asked for comment, an X representative said more than 500 unique Community Notes, a feature that lets users add context to potentially misleading content, have been posted about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In a post on the social media platform on Monday, X said it removed newly created accounts affiliated with the Islamist group Hamas and had “actioned tens of thousands of posts for sharing graphic media, violent speech, and hateful conduct.” X did not disclose the actions it took on the posts, which can be removed or have their distribution reduced by the company.
One false claim that spread on X and Meta Platform’s Facebook showed a US government document edited to look like approval for $8 billion in military funds to Israel, according to a report by the Reuters Fact Check team.
A Meta spokesperson said a team of experts including Hebrew and Arabic speakers were monitoring the “rapidly evolving situation in real-time.”
Others include a falsely labeled video purporting to be Hamas militants with a kidnapped child, and video from a concert by American singer Bruno Mars miscaptioned as footage from an Israeli music festival that was attacked by Hamas, according to Reuters Fact Check.
In a surprise attack on Saturday, Hamas gunmen rampaged through towns, taking captives and killing hundreds of people in the deadliest Palestinian militant attack in Israel’s history.
REGULATORY SCRUTINY While disinformation has spread on all major social media platforms including Facebook and TikTok, X appeared to be the most recent to draw scrutiny from regulators.
On Tuesday, European Union (EU) Commissioner Thierry Breton warned Mr. Musk that X was spreading “illegal content and disinformation,” according to a letter Mr. Breton posted on X. The EU is home to some of the strictest internet laws in the world which require platforms to fight fake content.
Mr. Musk challenged Mr. Breton’s post and responded, “Please list the violations you allude to on X, so that the public can see them.”
Under Mr. Musk, X has allowed users to pay to verify their accounts and lets certain users earn a portion of ad sales under a revenue share program. The changes now offer paid accounts the incentive to spread provocative or false claims to rack up followers, said Renee DiResta, a research manager at Stanford Internet Observatory.
“Some of these accounts (on X) appeared to have been set up recently to gain virality … and spread popular misinformation about the war,” said Jack Brewster, enterprise editor at Newsguard, which creates reliability ratings for news websites.
Mr. Musk himself recommended that X users follow two accounts that had previously spread false claims for “real-time” updates on the conflict, the Washington Post reported. The billionaire owner of the platform posted the recommendation on Sunday and later deleted the post, according to the Washington Post.
Misinformation appeared to be most prevalent on X, according to Brewster and Tamara Kharroub, deputy executive director at Arab Center Washington DC, a nonpartisan research center.
False information has also spread on messaging app Telegram and short-form video app TikTok, said DFRLab’s Trad.
A Telegram spokesperson said the company does not have the “power to verify information.” TikTok did not respond to request for comment.
Social media platforms face the challenge of straddling a line between moderating content to protect users while allowing information to spread in real time, something that has also helped the news media and investigators track civilian deaths.
Towing the line is difficult even when platforms plan months in advance for planned events like elections, said Solomon Messing, a professor at New York University’s Center for Social Media and Politics who previously worked at Twitter and Facebook.
“It’s much more difficult when there’s a surprise terrorist attack, particularly one with this much video footage,” said Mr. Messing.
Some Community Notes on X have appeared after misleading narratives were viewed by thousands of users, Kharroub said, making them less effective at correcting false information.
X said in its post on Monday that Community Notes typically appear within minutes of content posting. The company said while it may be “incredibly difficult” to see certain content, it was in the public interest to see information in real time.
A YouTube spokesperson said some violent or graphic content may be allowed if it provides sufficient news or documentary value about the conflict, adding the company prohibits content that promotes violent organizations, including video filmed by Hamas. Like other online platforms, YouTube has moderation employees and technology to remove content that violates its rules.
Snap, owner of messaging app Snapchat, said its map feature, which lets users view public posts from anywhere in the world, will remain available in the region with teams monitoring for misinformation and content that incites violence. — Reuters
(From left) Cathy Yang, First Vice President and Group Head of Corporate Communications of PLDT and Smart; Chet Alviz, Vice President and Head of Enterprise Marketing of PLDT Enterprise; Mitch Locsin, First Vice President and Head of Enterprise and International Business Groups of PLDT and Smart; Melissa Vergel de Dios, First Vice President, Chief Sustainability Officer, and Head of Investor Relations of PLDT and Smart; Nina Posadas, Vice President and Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications of ePLDT; Victor Genuino, President and CEO of ePLDT
PLDT Enterprise is calling on innovation enthusiasts and forward-thinkers to mark their calendars for a digitally transformative experience.
The corporate business arm of PLDT, the country’s largest integrated telecommunications group, announced that PH Digicon 2023 is set at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay this Oct. 12 to 13.
A digital convention where global industry mavens, thought leaders, and pioneers in technology come together to help drive technological enablement for enterprises, PH Digicon has served as a hub for innovation, digital transformation, and technology advancements in the Philippines.
As with previous renditions, the PLDT Group and PLDT Enterprise are hosting the highly anticipated annual meet.
The last PH Digicon in 2022 saw over 2,700 delegates from multiple countries with over 2,200 companies participating. Building on that success, the upcoming event is poised to raise the bar even higher.
For 2023, the theme “VISION: Reimagine Tomorrow’s Enterprise” reflects the goal to empower tomorrow’s tech titans and enterprises, ignite future-forward thinking, explore cutting-edge technologies, and inspire leaders and business owners to drive success in the evolving business landscape.
“This theme aligns perfectly with our overall VISIONARIES brand campaign of inspiring visionary leadership and innovative thinking, which are essential for navigating the digital landscape,” said Chet Alviz, Vice President and Head of Enterprise Marketing of PLDT Enterprise.
Meanwhile, today’s technology giants are among PH Digicon’s esteemed event partners.
Zaza Soriano-Nicart, Managing Director, Cisco Philippines, explained how Cisco is proud to be part of PH Digicon 2023, saying, “we look forward to collaborating with tomorrow’s innovators to drive meaningful change.”
Adam Liu, Vice President of 5G & LTE FDD Domain of Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. echoed the sentiment. “Huawei is committed to being a catalyst for digital transformation. We’re thrilled to be part of PH Digicon 2023 in shaping the future of technology,” he said.
And Daniel Jaeger, Vice President of South East Asia of Nokia, similarly said, “We are delighted to join PH Digicon 2023 in their vision for a digital future. As a B2B technology innovation leader, Nokia plays an active role in shaping it. Together, we will pioneer innovative solutions that revolutionize businesses and realize the potential of digital in every industry in the Philippines.”
For his part, Mitch L. Locsin, First Vice President and Head of Enterprise and International Business Groups of PLDT and Smart, expressed his excitement over the coming conference.
“We’re thrilled to bring together visionary leaders, business owners, and professionals to explore the dynamic intersection of humanity and technology. Our aim is to empower enterprises across various sectors to embrace forward-thinking strategies and the latest technological advancements,” said Locsin.
(From left) Cathy Yang, First Vice President and Group Head of Corporate Communications of PLDT and Smart; Mitch Locsin, First Vice President and Head of Enterprise and International Business Groups of PLDT and Smart; Melissa Vergel de Dios, First Vice President, Chief Sustainability Officer, and Head of Investor Relations of PLDT and Smart; Victor Genuino, President and CEO of ePLDT
At PH Digicon 2023, attendees can look forward to:
Innovation Showcase: A chance to witness groundbreaking solutions from the top 10 startups, focusing on areas like IoT, AI, 5G, and automation.
Immersive Experience: The Digi Grounds offers a captivating journey, crafted to provide a dynamic experience.
Cutting-Edge Technologies: Dive into the creative booths of the MVP Group and its technology partners at the Digi Booths.
Insightful Tech Forums: Learn about the latest tech developments, engage with industry innovators, and hear success stories from enterprises that have deployed outcome-based solutions.
In-Depth Discussions: Engage in insightful conversations at the Digi Hub, focusing on stakeholder management and sustainability.
Support for SMEs: The SME Zone will feature booths and mentoring sessions with seasoned business experts.
Another event highlight, Simon Sinek, a renowned speaker and author of bestselling books on leadership and innovation, will address attendees on the topic of “INFINITE VISION” in an exclusive live broadcast. His insights into leadership have inspired millions worldwide, making him the ideal keynote speaker for PH Digicon 2023’s vision.
“I’m deeply impressed by the Philippines’ growing digital footprint in the region. The enthusiasm for innovation and the commitment to harnessing technology’s power are truly remarkable. It’s a privilege to be part of PH Digicon 2023, and I look forward to addressing the conference attendees, sharing insights, and exploring the limitless possibilities that lie ahead for the Philippines in this digital era,” Sinek said.
Day 1 and Day 2 of PH Digicon 2023 are set to be a whirlwind of innovation and collaboration.
On Day 1, Oct. 12, attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Digi Grounds, a space crafted to offer a dynamic journey through the latest in digital advancements. The Digi Booths and Digi Hub will be the epicenters of cutting-edge technologies and in-depth discussions, fostering a rich environment for learning and networking.
The SME Zone will be a haven for budding entrepreneurs, offering them a platform to connect with seasoned business experts and gain insights to fuel their entrepreneurial visions.
Day 1 will also feature high-level keynote presentations, including that from Sinek. The evening will culminate in a Fellowship Night, a grand event designed to foster connections and celebrate the spirit of innovation.
Moving into Day 2 on the 13th, the spotlight will be on the PLDT and Smart Innovation Challenge, where the top 10 startups will showcase their groundbreaking solutions. The day will also feature Tech Leadership Forums, offering deep dives into key technology trends and industry advancements, particularly on data centers, multi-cloud, AI, and smart cities. The event will wrap up with a Networking Night, providing a perfect setting for delegates to broaden their connections and interact with the brightest minds in the industry, setting the stage for future collaborations and partnerships.
The two-day event kicked off with a media launch on Sept. 29, also at the Marriott Grand Ballroom.
With a blend of immersive experiences, networking opportunities, and a lineup of esteemed speakers, PH Digicon 2023 promises to redefine the digital horizon. It is the definitive place to be for those eager to be at the forefront of the coming digital transformation.
“PH Digicon 2023 is not just an event; it’s a movement. We’re creating a platform where innovation meets inspiration, and we invite everyone to be a part of this transformative journey,” said Victor S. Genuino, President and CEO of ePLDT, the ICT subsidiary of PLDT.
PH Digicon 2023: VISION is powered by Amdocs, Cisco, Huawei Technologies Phils. Inc., Nokia, Google Cloud, Samsung, ZTE Corporation, Avolution, Inc., Fortinet, Soprano Design, CSG, Dell Technologies Philippines, Ericsson Telecommunications, Inc. and Maya Philippines, Inc.
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