Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube
Home Blog Page 3889

US-led Red Sea patrol force to respond to Houthi rebels’ attacks

GAZA/MANAMA/JERUSALEM — Several countries have agreed to jointly carry out patrols in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to try to safeguard commercial shipping against attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who say they are supporting Palestinians under siege by Israel in the Gaza Strip.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, on a visit to Bahrain, identified several countries taking part in an international force. It was unclear whether those countries are willing to do what US warships have done in recent days — shoot down Houthi missiles and drones and rush to the aid of commercial ships under attack.

“This is an international challenge that demands collective action. Therefore today I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative,” Mr. Austin said in a statement on Tuesday.

It identified participating nations led by the United States as including among others Bahrain, Britain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain.

The Iran-backed Houthis have waded into the Israel-Hamas conflict by attacking vessels in vital shipping lanes and even firing drones and missiles at Israel, more than 1,000 miles from their seat of power in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa.

Houthis attacked two commercial shipping vessels in the southern Red Sea on Monday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement. The chemical/oil tanker motor vessel Swan Atlantic was attacked by a drone and an anti-ship ballistic missile, it said. At about the same time in a separate incident, the bulk cargo ship MSC Clara reported an explosion in the water near its location, CENTCOM said.

There were no injuries reported by either vessel.

Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sarea on Monday identified the same vessels as being attacked and said drones were used because the crews failed to respond to calls from the group.

The Houthis have threatened to target all ships heading to Israel, regardless of their nationality, and warned international shipping companies against dealing with Israeli ports.

Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthi politburo, told Al Jazeera on Monday his group would be able to confront any US-led coalition that could deploy to the Red Sea.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a call with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Monday, condemned the Houthi’s attacks on commercial vessels, the State Department said.

Meanwhile, Israel’s assault continued in Gaza where it has vowed to annihilate Hamas, the Islamist movement that like the Houthis is aligned with Iran.

A World Health Organization (WHO) official said on Monday that the Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza that Israeli troops raided last week is no longer functioning and patients including babies have been evacuated.

“We cannot afford to lose any hospitals,” said Richard Peeperkorn, WHO representative for Gaza.

Peeperkorn also said about 4,000 displaced people taking refuge in the grounds of the Nasser medical complex in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis were at risk as Israel pursues military operations there.

Early on Tuesday residents in areas of Khan Younis reported fierce gun battles between Palestinian fighters and Israeli forces. Israeli tanks and planes bombed areas near the city centre, residents said.

The Gaza health ministry said on Monday that 19,453 Palestinians had been killed and 52,286 wounded in the Israeli assault on the Hamas-ruled enclave in more than two months of warfare.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to achieve total victory over Hamas, whose fighters killed 1,200 people and took 240 hostages in a surprise Oct. 7 raid into Israel, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel’s intensifying retaliation against Hamas has increased concern among governments and international organizations over the Gaza civilian death toll, hunger and homelessness.

Father-of-four Raed, 45, who has moved his family twice, said Gazans were exhausted trying to stay alive.

“Money has lost its value, most of the items are not available. We rose from our beds after surviving a night of bombardment to tour the streets searching for food, we got tired,” he said in the Rafah area. “We want peace, truce, ceasefire, whatever they call it, but please stop the war.”

While in Israel on Monday, US defense secretary Mr. Austin said Washington’s support for Israel was “unshakable” but he urged its ally to do more to protect civilians.

HAMAS RELEASES HOSTAGE VIDEO
Three elderly Israeli hostages, identified by Israel as 79-year-old Chaim Peri, 80-year-old Yoram Metzger and 84-year-old Amiram Cooper, were seen in a video released by Hamas on Monday.

The three men, all with beards, are seen sitting next to each other in the video, which Hamas posted to Telegram.

Sitting in the middle, Mr. Peri speaks to the camera, saying he and other elderly hostages who have health issues are “suffering greatly in very harsh conditions.”

He pleaded for Israel to secure their unconditional release.

Israel and Hamas agreed to a week-long ceasefire at the end of November, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, that included the release of more than 100 hostages in Gaza in exchange for 240 Palestinian women and teenagers from Israeli jails.

The heads of the US CIA and Israel’s Mossad and Qatar’s prime minister were expected to meet and discuss the possible release of more hostages, US officials said on Monday. — Reuters

Greece to give migrants 3-year permits to tackle labor shortage in key sectors

ATHENS — Greek lawmakers prepared to vote late on Monday on a bill allowing migrants to obtain a three-year residency and work permit, a step to tackle labor shortages in key sectors of an economy recovering from a debt crisis.

Greece has been a gateway to the European Union for thousands of migrants and asylum seekers from the Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe. Many of them have ended up working illegally, in sectors such as construction, farming and tourism.

After emerging from three international bailouts in 2018, Greece, like other European peers, was also hit by an exodus of workers from the labor force during the 2020-21 COVID pandemic, many of whom have never returned.

The conservative government, which was re-elected in June and has toughened Greece’s policy to curb migration by hiring more border guards and increasing patrols, estimates that roughly 300,000 undocumented migrants now live in the country.

“We don’t want invisible people,” State Minister Akis Skertsos told ANT1 television on Monday, adding that the permit would help attract workers for jobs that unemployed Greeks have appeared unwilling to do and safeguard public order.

According to the conservative government’s bill, migrants and asylum-seekers who have been living in the country for at least three years, have no criminal record and have been offered a job, can apply by December 2024 for the new residency permit.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis party controls 158 seats in the 300-seat parliament and therefore the bill, which also creates the post of national coordinator on migrant returns, was expected to be approved on Monday evening.

An estimated 30,000 people — many of them from Albania, Georgia, Pakistan and Philippines — are likely to apply for the new type of permit, migration ministry officials have said. — Reuters

Iran petrol stations hit by cyberattack, oil minister says

PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

DUBAI — Iran’s Oil Minister Javad Owji on Monday confirmed that a nationwide disruption to petrol stations was caused by a cyberattack.

A hacking group that Iran accuses of having links to Israel claimed it carried out the attack which disrupted services at petrol stations across the country on Monday, Iranian state TV and Israeli local media reported.

Owji had earlier told Iranian state TV that services had been disrupted at about 70% of Iran’s petrol stations and that outside interference was a possible cause. He later said 1,650 petrol stations were operational. The ministry supervises 3,800 petrol stations.

Iran’s state TV news said a group called Gonjeshke Darande or “Predatory Sparrow” had claimed it was behind the disruption. Israeli local media outlets also reported the claim.

“This cyberattack was carried out in a controlled manner to avoid potential damage to emergency services,” the group said in a statement on Telegram.

The digital strike was “in response to the aggression of the Islamic Republic and its proxies in the region”, it added.

Asked about the cyber attacks, Israeli government spokesperson Tal Heinrich told a press briefing on Monday: “We have nothing to say about Iran’s claims.”

Iran’s civil defense agency, which is responsible for cybersecurity, said it was still considering all possible causes for the disruptions as it investigated.

Iranian state media added that the hacker group had in the past claimed cyberattacks against Iranian petrol stations, rail networks and steel factories.

Last year, Predatory Sparrow posted video showing an explosion inside one of those steel factories which it said was caused by a hack.

In an interview with Reuters five days after the Oct. 7 attack in Israel, a representative of the group said they targeted Iran for its support of Hamas, adding they were preparing for future attacks and “keeping some ‘buttons’ on hold.”

They added “in the event that we detect any kind offensive action in any realm from any proxy against our country we will attack and cause permanent and unimaginable damage to any target we see fit via Air, Sea, Land and Cyber,” the group said at the time. “When we will start, the gates of hell will open.”

A major cyberattack in Iran in 2021 also disrupted the sale of fuel, causing long queues at stations across the country where pump prices are heavily subsidized. Iran had said Israel and the United States were the likely culprits behind those attacks.

Monday’s disruption began early and was especially acute in Tehran, forcing many petrol stations to operate manually, Iranian media reported.

Reza Navar, a spokesperson for Iran’s petrol stations association told the semi-official Fars news agency that there was no fuel supply shortage but called on drivers to not go to petrol stations.

“A software problem with the fuel system has been confirmed in some stations across the country and experts are currently fixing the issue,” Navar said.

The oil ministry earlier told state TV that the disruption was not linked to plans to increase the price of fuel, a policy that caused widespread protests in 2019 and led to violent repression.

State TV said petrol stations were seeking to provide fuel manually adding that over 50% of the stations were providing services and trials to get more back online were underway.

Israel’s Cyber Unit on Monday said Iran and Hezbollah were behind an attempted cyberattack on a hospital in northern Israel about three weeks ago. It said the attack was thwarted but hackers were able to retrieve “some of the sensitive information stored in the hospital’s information systems”. — Reuters

IMF governors approve 50% increase in lending resources with no shareholding changes

A participant stands near a logo of the International Monetary Fund at the annual meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, Oct. 12, 2018. — REUTERS/JOHANNES P. CHRISTO/FILE PHOTO

WASHINGTON — The International Monetary Fund’s governing body has approved a 50% increase in quota resources to be contributed by member countries in proportion to their current IMF shareholding, bringing total quotas to $960 billion, the IMF said on Monday.

Governors representing nearly 93% of the total voting power of the fund voted for the 50% increase the IMF’s executive board recommended last month, exceeding the 85% required. The voting deadline ended on Friday.

The quota increase, which follows years of extensive discussions among members, will become effective by Nov. 15, 2024 once member countries agree to their respective quota changes, which requires legislative approval in many cases.

The decision largely follows a U.S.-backed plan that would enhance IMF lending resources but delay any IMF shareholding increases for China, India, Brazil and other fast-growing emerging market economies.

But the governors asked the IMF to develop possible approaches for a new quota formula by June 2025, in line with the executive board’s recommendation.

The 50% increase in quota funding — equivalent to about $320 billion at current exchange rates — will not increase the fund’s overall lending firepower of about $1 trillion, but would shift the composition to about 70% more permanent resources while reducing reliance on borrowed resources, the IMF said.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva called the decision “a strong vote of confidence for the work of the Fund. It will reduce the reliance of the Fund on borrowed resources, restore the primary role of quotas in our lending capacity and reinforce the role of the IMF at the center of the Global Financial Safety Net,” she said.

Georgieva said the move would strengthen the IMF’s capacity to help “safeguard global financial stability and respond to members’ potential needs in an uncertain and shock-prone world.”

Currently, the IMF relies on bilateral borrowing arrangements and pledges to a crisis lending fund called the New Arrangements to Borrow. 

The executive board will discuss proposals for reducing the crisis lending fund in early 2024. Zuzana Murgasova, deputy director of the IMF’s finance department, told Reuters that work on the guidance for a further quota realignment would begin very soon, but declined to provide further details since the discussions were confidential.

“What is really important is that the membership has recognized that this is an urgent priority, and the work will start very soon,” she said.

Murgasova said the governors’ votes were also confidential, and declined to say which country or countries did not approve the quota increase. — Reuters

US court approves order for Binance to pay $2.7 billion to CFTC

REUTERS

WASHINGTON — A United States court entered an order against crypto exchange Binance and its former CEO, Changpeng Zhao, approving billions of dollars in fines for money laundering following a case brought by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the agency said on Monday.

Zhao will pay $150 million and Binance will pay $2.7 billion to the CFTC as a result, the agency said in a statement.

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois approved the previously announced settlement and entered a consent order of permanent injunction, civil monetary penalty, and equitable relief against Zhao and Binance, the CFTC said in its statement. The settlement was reached in late November.

The court imposed a $150 million civil monetary penalty personally against Zhao, and required Binance to disgorge $1.35 billion of ill-gotten transaction fees and pay a $1.35 billion penalty to the CFTC, according to the agency.

In November, Zhao stepped down and pleaded guilty to breaking U.S. anti-money laundering laws as part of a settlement resolving a years-long probe into the world’s largest crypto exchange.

At the time, Binance said the resolutions acknowledged the company’s responsibility “for historical, criminal compliance violations, and allow our company to turn the page.”

Binance broke U.S. anti-money laundering and sanctions laws and failed to report more than 100,000 suspicious transactions with organizations the U.S. described as terrorist groups, authorities have said.

The exchange also failed to report transactions with websites devoted to selling child sexual abuse material and was one of the largest recipients of ransomware proceeds, they added. — Reuters

Zarah Juan’s empowering collection ‘The Tarp Project’ unveiled at SM Aura

“The Tarp Project” launch was marked with an unboxing by (from right): SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, SPARK! Philippines Executive Director Mikaela Luisa Teves, bag designer Zarah Juan, and Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap

In a remarkable collaboration of fashion, sustainability, and social impact, SM Supermalls, in partnership with women’s rights organization SPARK! Philippines, the Tagbilaran City Government, renowned fashion brand Zarah Juan, and the Pilipinas Shell Foundation, recently launched “The Tarp Project” at the Outside the Box pop-up shop at SM Aura.

“The Tarp Project” is a pioneering initiative aimed at economically empowering women and addressing environmental challenges associated with tarpaulin production. The project involves upcycling used tarps sourced from landfills in the province of Bohol and Shell gasoline stations. Bag designer Zarah Juan transforms these discarded materials into beautifully designed and meticulously crafted bags together with the women in Tagbilaran City who earn from the sale of these bags.

Fashion with a purpose. Zarah Juan and the women of Tagbilaran transform used tarpaulins – what could have been discarded waste in landfills – into these fashionable tarp tote bags.

During the launch, Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap said, “What I’d like people to take away from this partnership is how it’s not just about upcycling used tarpaulins into material for the tote bags – it’s also about engaging with a local Tagbilaran community of women to put the bags together, it represents livelihood opportunity as well”.

(From left) Bag designer Zarah Juan, Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan and SPARK Philippines Executive Director Mikaela Luisa Teves display the tote bags from The Tarp Project collection.

SM Supermalls becomes a key partner in this endeavor by providing a physical space to showcase the bags in SM Aura and making them more widely available for purchase through its online shopping app, SM Malls Online. The partnership underscores the importance of multi-sectoral efforts in creating positive change and SM’s reaffirmation of supporting innovative and socially impactful initiatives.

“SM has always been a strong supporter of women’s empowerment. When you provide women with livelihood opportunities, you have an opportunity to positively change lives, uplift families, and build more resilient communities,” said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan. “More than a venue to showcase these stylish upcycled totes, SM is honored to be part of a project that highlights women as catalysts for change, both for economic growth and environment protection,” Tan added.

Mikaela Luisa Teves, Executive Director of SPARK! Philippines, emphasized the importance of the partnership, saying, “The bags not only represent a unique and stylish accessory but also contribute to a larger mission of supporting women and mitigating the environmental impact of waste”.

“The Tarp Project” collection is available at Outside the Box, located at the Upper Ground Level of SM Aura, and on smmallsonline.com and zarahjuan.com.

 

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by enabling them to publish their stories directly on the BusinessWorld website. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

Join us on Viber at https://bit.ly/3hv6bLA to get more updates and subscribe to BusinessWorld’s titles and get exclusive content through www.bworld-x.com.

DITO bigay todo ang Pasko

DITO's new Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Eric Alberto reaffirmed the brand's commitment to uniting communities with an empowering 5G technology and network that enhances lives.

DITO celebrates Christmas to the fullest and goes TODO with generous offerings

The Filipino Christmas is always about giving and spreading joy. The fastest growing telco, DITO Telecommunity goes all-out in enabling DITOZENs to fully enjoy 5G-powered mobile and internet experiences throughout the longest, happiest festivity in the country.

This year’s theme, “DITO Bigay Todo Ang Ating Pasko,” is comprised of generous deals and value-packed offerings- all-out data promos, affordable & premium mobile postpaid plans​, and high-speed 5G-powered broadband products- that allow DITOzens to level up their digital experience.

DITO’s Chief Commercial Officer Ms. Evelyn Jimenez expressed her gratitude for the brand’s customers, partners, and supporters for supporting its products and services. She also highlighted the youngest telco player’s commitment to enable Filipinos to enjoy the full benefits of the TODO lifestyle – one that is digitally connected and thus able to unlock vast opportunities to move ahead in the future.

Subscribers can avail of DITO Advance Pay this holiday season, which allows them to enjoy data, calls, and texts for only P713 for one year!

DITOZENs can get a free Samsung case with their free Samsung Galaxy A23 5G smartphone when they avail of a DITO FLEXPlan Handset 1688. The FLEXPlan Handset 1688 comes with 50GB data and bonus 50GB 5G data per month, UNLI all-net calls and texts and 12 months of Prime Video subscription.

DTO Home’s UNLI 5G Postpaid WiFi also makes the perfect gift! Customers can enjoy the introductory offer of P745 per month for the first six months with internet speeds of up to 500Mbps+.

Meanwhile, DITO Rewards also gives more reasons to be merry this Christmas with huge prizes to be won by all DITOzens – from gadgets to all-in local and international trips. These are just a sneak peak of the many offerings DITO is rolling out especially for the holidays. 

Gift of color and connection

Just in time for the Christmas season, DITO also collaborated with emerging creators from the digital art community and veteran artists from the Art Association of the Philippines (AAP), the longest-running and one of the most influential art organizations in the country.

DITO also collaborated with emerging creators from the digital art community and veteran artists from the Art Association of the Philippines, the longest-running and one of the most influential artist organizations in the country. The youngest telco player worked with emerging and veteran artists to develop custom designs for DITO Jackets.

As part of the “DITO Bigay Todo Ang Ating Pasko” campaign, the collaboration called the “DITO Art Collab,” empowers the Filipino creative collective by giving them a platform to showcase their work and use their creations to inspire and connect communities.

DITO worked with emerging artists, Ginoe and Jomer Haban and AAP’s several veteran artists including Robert Fernandez, Angelito Florendo, Danilo Santiago, and the organization’s President, Fidel Sarmiento,  to develop custom designs for DITO Jackets. This unifying fashion piece harps on the company’s brand values, from its commitment to bringing the Filipino forward and contributing to nation-building to offering simple but innovative products that disrupt the norm and foster authentic connections.

According to DITO’s Chief Commercial Officer, Evelyn Jimenez, “Our aim is to reflect the Filipino culture of giving, which becomes more salient and alive during the Christmas season. For us, it is all about giving back to our customers and empowering communities through our products and services. We want them to be able to enjoy the full benefits of the TODO lifestyle – one that is digitally connected and thus able to unlock vast opportunities to move ahead in the future.”

DITO Chief Enterprise Revenue Officer Atty. Adel Tamano thanked the brand’s media friends and partners for their constant support, which has helped the telco achieve company milestones such as successful product launches, network expansion, and the growing number of DITO subscribers.

To know more about the valuable offerings and promos inspired by the “DITO Bigay Todo Ang Ating Pasko” campaign, check out @DITOphofficial on Facebook and Instagram or visit https://dito.ph.

 

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by enabling them to publish their stories directly on the BusinessWorld website. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

Join us on Viber at https://bit.ly/3hv6bLA to get more updates and subscribe to BusinessWorld’s titles and get exclusive content through www.bworld-x.com.

Taiwan reports another suspected Chinese weather balloon crossing Taiwan Strait

WINSTON CHEN-UNSPLASH

TAIPEI – A suspected Chinese weather balloon flew across the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Monday but stayed well north of Taiwan, the island’s defense ministry said on Tuesday, the third time this month Taipei has reported them nearby.

The potential for China to use balloons for spying became a global issue in February when the United States shot down what it said was a Chinese surveillance balloon. China said the balloon was a civilian craft that accidentally drifted astray.

Taiwan is on high alert for Chinese activities, both military and political, ahead of Jan. 13 presidential and parliamentary elections. Taipei has warned of Beijing’s efforts to interfere in the ballot to get voters to pick candidates China may prefer.

Taiwan’s defense ministry said the single balloon was detected at 9:09 a.m. after crossing the strait’s median line 67 nautical miles (124 km) northwest of the northern Taiwanese port city of Keelung.

The balloon flew at an altitude of about 15,000 feet (4,572 meters), headed east and disappeared at 11:52 a.m, the ministry added.

The ministry said its initial judgement is that it was a weather balloon.

Taiwan has reported two other incidents of suspected Chinese weather balloons crossing the strait this month.

Taiwan’s defense minister has said the ministry was announcing the detection of such balloons in the interest of transparency.

China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, has increased its military pressure against the island over the past four years as Beijing seeks to press its sovereignty claims.

Chinese warplanes and warships now regularly operate around Taiwan, which has denounced China’s activities.—Reuters

Moldovan PM says anti-aircraft system needed to counter Russia

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting via video link in Sochi, Russia, Sept. 27. — SPUTNIK/GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/POOL VIA REUTERS

CHISINAU – Prime Minister Dorin Recean said on Monday that Moldova needed an upgraded anti-aircraft defence system to counter threats from Russia heightened by Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, its eastern neighbor.

Recean was speaking to a television interviewer three days after Moldova’s parliament approved a new security strategy identifying Moscow as the biggest security threat to the country and its pro-European government.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu has denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and accused the Kremlin of plotting to oust her.

The European Union last week agreed to start talks on expanding its membership to both Moldova and Ukraine. But, unlike Ukraine, Moldova has neutral status anchored in its constitution and is not seeking membership of the Atlantic Alliance.

Recean said Moldova intended, with the help of its EU and NATO allies, to acquire a modern air defense system to defend its airports and major infrastructure sites.

“If the Kremlin decides to attack us, just what are we going to do?” Recean told a TV8 interviewer. “Neutrality will not protect Moldova.”

Recean said developed countries “invest in their security to ensure that their citizens and businesses feel safe. If they don’t have that, people leave and take their capital with them. And that is what is now happening in Moldova.”

Moldova, one of Europe’s poorest countries, currently has only a rudimentary air defense system, a remnant of its time as a Soviet republic.

Ukraine has identified improved air defenses as a critical element in countering what is expected to be a new wave of air strikes on its energy and other infrastructure sites — as occurred repeatedly last winter.

Recean repeated the main thesis of the new security strategy in singling out Russia as the biggest threat facing his country.

“The threat to our security is the Kremlin, the Russian Federation and how it relates to our neighbors and to us,” he told TV8.

He noted that Russia had halted imports of Moldova’s key farm goods this month and he cited a decree signed on Monday by Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin simplifying procedures for Moldovans to become Russian citizens. This, he said was “a bid to recruit cannon fodder for its war in Ukraine”.—Reuters

US finds no evidence of foreign interference in 2022 midterm elections

STOCK PHOTO | Image from Pixabay

WASHINGTON – A US government report on Monday found that hackers linked to Russia and China targeted some election systems during the 2022 midterms, but found no evidence that foreign governments compromised the vote.

The US Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security issued a public report concluding that no foreign government or agent undermined the security or integrity of election systems.

The report found that pro-Russian activist hackers claimed to have temporarily restricted access to the website of a state election office. Hackers the United States accused of having links to China also scanned both election related and non-election related state government websites, the report found.

“There is no evidence that this activity prevented voting, changed votes, or disrupted the ability to tally votes or to transmit election results in a timely manner; altered any technical aspect of the voting process; or otherwise compromised the integrity of voter registration information or any ballots cast during the 2022 federal elections,” the report concluded.

The public report followed a classified assessment on foreign election interference delivered to President Joe Biden earlier this year.

Republicans captured a narrow majority in the House of Representatives in the 2022 midterms, while Democrats defended their narrow Senate majority.—Reuters

SM SuperMoms Club celebrates the Anniversary Meetup with its newest community partner, FHMoms

SuperMoms gathered for a group selfie celebrating the SuperMoms Club First Year Anniversary Meetup.

On Dec. 2, SM Supermalls’ SuperMoms Club hosted a year-end bash to celebrate the Anniversary Meetup, marking one year of the community’s meetups at SM malls nationwide. Hundreds of SuperMoms and their families gathered on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Main Atrium to celebrate the #SuperMomsClubAnniversaryMeetup, which was preceded by an afternoon panel discussion led by Filipina Homebased Moms or FHMoms’ (FHMoms) founder, MK Bertulfo.

Founded in 2018, the SM SuperMoms Club has grown into a 275,000-strong online community who encourages, inspires, and uplifts each other to #KeepGoingSuperMoms. Bertulfo then took the stage to deliver a keynote speech before the launch of the official partnership between the marketing award-winning SuperMoms Club and its newest community partner, FHMoms.

The pre-program panel moderated by MK Bertulfo featured special guest Ms. Dimples Romana, and business owner Princess Canal, corporate professional Lorena Gonzales, and VA Christine Marie Carpio from FHMoms.

The pre-program panel led by Bertulfo featured inspiring women who shared their learnings on life as a SuperMom balancing their careers and professional responsibilities while raising their children and running their households. The panel was also graced by award-winning actress Dimples Romana, who shared words of wisdom with the community, “[It’s] very, very important that we take care of our health, mentally, physically, and emotionally.”

The actress and mom of three added, “We are entitled and we are deserving to be both strong and beautiful for everything that we have to do in a day.”

From L-R: SM Mall of Asia Mall Manager Rosaly Anne F. Salazar, FHMoms’ MK Bertulfo, Juana Manahan-Yupangco, ULSSI’s Christiana Maglalang, Dimples Romana, and SM Supermalls’ “Dealing with the Dela Cruzes” stars, Deborah (Lesley Ann Lina), Darla (Sofia Louise Jahrling), and Dana (Maria Trina Dela Rosa)

SuperMoms were treated to a toast to the Anniversary Meetup, which marked one full year of heartfelt gatherings that enabled SuperMoms to connect and meet each other in person. Ms. Christiana Maglalang of brand partner Fortima then took to the stage to highlight the importance of “lakas at ganda” among all SuperMoms and honor one SuperMom with the Gandang Hindi Napapagod Award.

Unilab Skin Sciences’ Christiana Maglalang and Fortima Gandang Di Napapagod Award winner Akina Megan Pereabras with Ms. Dimples Romana

During the event, the SM SuperMoms Club and award-winning cookbook author Ms. Juana Manahan Yupangco introduced one lucky SuperMom who was the beneficiary of the group’s #100DaysOfChristmasSurprisesWithSM, Ms. Rose Ann Poquita. SuperMom Rose is one of the many notable SuperMoms in the group who consistently shares uplifting stories about how she single-handedly raises her children. Her relatable anecdotes about life as a SuperMom have embodied what it means to #KeepGoingSuperMoms.

Award-winning cookbook author and SuperMom Juana Manahan-Yupangco with SuperMom Rose Poquita, the recipient of the SuperMoms Club’s #100DaysOfChristmasSurprisesWithSM

As a treat, SM Supermalls and the SM SuperMoms Club paid a visit to SuperMom Rose’s home in Bulacan and treated her and her family to an all-expense paid trip to SM Mall of Asia to attend the Anniversary Meetup. The mom of four was also presented with P10,000 worth of SM Gift Certificates, P13,000 worth of groceries from SM Markets, and a brand new 43-inch TV from SM Supermalls. It was a meaningful meetup between Yupangco, whose advocacy is ensuring families get the best nutrition without breaking the bank, and the inspiring SuperMom Rose, who finds ways to feed her children healthy vegetables that she grows and gathers herself.

SuperMoms toast to the Anniversary Meetup, held at the SM Mall of Asia Main Atrium.

SM Supermalls closed the program with an exciting raffle that gave away much-coveted appliances such as washing machines, water dispensers, and air fryers courtesy of SM Markets to several lucky SuperMoms.

The SM SuperMoms Club 1st Anniversary Meetup was held in partnership with SM Deals, SM Markets, Krispy Kreme, Watsons, Fortima, and Our Home; powered by SM Malls Online. Stay updated on the latest news and gatherings hosted by the SM SuperMoms Club by joining the community: www.facebook.com/groups/SMSuperMomsClub.

 

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by enabling them to publish their stories directly on the BusinessWorld website. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

Join us on Viber at https://bit.ly/3hv6bLA to get more updates and subscribe to BusinessWorld’s titles and get exclusive content through www.bworld-x.com.

Marcos says diplomatic efforts with China heading ‘in poor direction’

PHILIPPINE STAR /KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

MANILA – Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said a “paradigm shift” was needed in how his country approaches the South China Sea issue, as diplomatic efforts with Beijing were headed “in a poor direction”.Mr. Marcos, in an interview with Japanese media on Dec. 16, parts of which were shared with Philippine media on Monday, said traditional diplomatic efforts were being disregarded by China, according to a presidential palace release.“To this point, we have resorted to the traditional methods of diplomacy … but we have been doing this for many years now, with very little progress,” said Mr. Marcos, who was in Japan for Tokyo’s commemorative summit with the Association of Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN).“It’s time that the countries that feel that they have an involvement in this situation, we have to come up with a paradigm shift,” Mr. Marcos said, while reiterating the Philippines wants to avoid violent conflict.He added his government will continue talking to its partners and come up with a joint position stating their responsibilities as far as the West Philippines Sea is concerned.The Philippines refers to the part of South China Sea within its exclusive economic zone as the West Philippines Sea.Last week, Manila and Beijing traded accusations over a collision of their vessels near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea as tensions over claims in the vital waterway escalate.In addition to the Philippines, ASEAN members Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have overlapping claims with China in parts of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce.The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said China’s claims had no legal basis, a ruling the United States supports but Beijing rejects. – Reuters

1...3,8883,8893,890...14,244Page 3,889 of 14,244
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube