Warriors at ‘inflection point’ after Christmas Day lossA major political storm set off by a bitter feud between the Philippine president and the vice president is testing an Asian democracy that has long been troubled by rowdy politics, poor law enforcement and bareface impunity. Just over two years ago, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte won in landslide electoral victories on a campaign battle cry of national unity. But their fragile alliance rapidly floundered over major differences, including their leanings toward either the United States or China, and Marcos’ rejection of the bloody crackdown on illegal drugs launched by his predecessor and Duterte’s father, Rodrigo Duterte. The hostilities came to a head over the weekend when Sara Duterte told reporters she had arranged for Marcos, his wife and his cousin and speaker of the House of Representatives, to be assassinated if she were fatally attacked herself. Marcos went on TV and declared he was ready to fight back. Here are the key figures in the unfolding political crisis: Like her father, ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, the 46-year-old lawyer is a populist politician known for profanity-laced outbursts and temper that often clashed with official decorum. She made the political elites wary but endeared herself to ordinary people in a nation where name recall, political patronage and star-studded campaigns matter more than policy and governance platforms. As a provincial city mayor, Duterte successfully ran as Marcos' running mate in the 2022 race. But soon rifts appeared, including Duterte's opposition to congressional inquiries led by Marcos' allies into the thousands of deaths in the crackdown on drugs during Rodrigo Duterte's presidency 2016-2022. Also being investigated is her alleged misuse of funds while she served as education secretary. When Duterte's chief of staff was temporarily detained by legislators after refusing to cooperate with the inquiry, Duterte made the threats in an online news conference against Marcos, his wife and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. She also accused Marcos’ family of responsibility for the 1983 assassination of an opposition leader, which sparked a 1986 pro-democracy uprising that ousted Ferdinand Marcos, the current president's father. Marcos' resounding electoral victory in 2022 was regarded as one of the most stunning reversal of fortunes for his family, which had fled the Philippines following the 1986 army-backed “people power” revolt and returned years later. He inherited a battered economy, divisive politics and calls for him help prosecute his predecessor for the drug killings, which are being investigated by the International Criminal Court. Rodrigo Duterte has accused Marcos of being a weak leader and a drug addict, accusations the president denied. The new course Marcos chartered for the Philippines broke away with Duterte, who built close ties with China and Russia and antagonized the U.S. Marcos broadened defense ties with Washington and began going public with China’s aggressive actions to claim territory in the disputed South China Sea. In a sign of growing enmity, first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos disclosed her ill-feelings toward Sara Duterte in a radio interview in April. Duterte resigned two months later as Marcos' education secretary and head of an anti-insurgency body. She said last month that her relationship with Marcos had “gone so toxic” she has imagined “cutting his head.” Addressing the country on Monday, Marcos said he would fight the vice president’s “criminal plot” and uphold the rule of law. “The truth should not be summarily executed,” Marcos said in Tagalog, using a term associated with Rodrigo Duterte’s drug killings. One of Asia’s most unorthodox contemporary leaders until his six-year term ended in 2022, Duterte, 79 and in frail health, has retained a sizable following and remains one of the president's harshest critics. In his decades-long political career, he carved a name for his profanity-laced outbursts and disdain for human rights and the West while nurturing close ties with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. He has accused Marcos, his wife and the House speaker of financial anomalies and once warned Marcos could be ousted like his father if they attempt constitutional reforms to allegedly prolong their grip on power. In a news conference on Monday, Duterte asked the military how long it would continue to support a president “who’s a drug addict." “There is a fractured governance ... It is only the military who can correct it,” Duterte said, but clarified that he was not calling for a coup. Widely speculated to be harboring plans to run for the presidency in 2028, House Speaker Martin Romualdez has been accused by Sara Duterte of trying to destroy her reputation to eliminate a future contender. The 61-year-old member of a wealthy clan in the central Philippines, he has played a crucial role as head of the lower chamber, which is dominated by Marcos' allies. He will be key to handling a possible impeachment complaint against the vice president for the alleged misuse of funds. Addressing the House on Monday, Romualdez stressed that Sara Duterte should be held accountable for the death threats against him, the president and his wife. “The gravity of such a confession demands accountability. It demands answers. It demands that we, as the representatives of the Filipino people, take a stand to protect our democracy from any and all forms of threats,” Romualdez said. Associated Press video journalist Joeal Calupitan contributed to this report.
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FOCUS: Social media changing Japan election landscape with risksOur community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info "Disaster" struck for a group of 16 Scots pensioners when they were stranded in the snow during Storm Bert before they were "unexpectedly" rescued by selfless strangers. On Saturday, November 23, the elderly Edinburgh women - between the ages of 50 and 80 - were en route to Pitlochry to celebrate one of their 70th birthdays when the inclement weather derailed their plans. The friends boarded a coach from St Andrew’s Square, but traffic and poor road conditions meant it took over two hours just to travel 3.5 miles to Queensferry Road. However, due to the snow , the bus driver informed passengers that the coach was only able to travel as far as Perth. The women decided to disembark but found themselves at the bottom of the steep Corstorphine Hill - with three of their group limited in mobility. Margo Blyth, one of the women, said that what might have been a “disaster” ended up being “an unexpectedly wonderful day thanks to the kindness of strangers.” She told Edinburgh Live that she and her friends planned to walk nearly a mile uphill to the Leonardo Hotel for refuge. However, some of the women who used walking sticks encountered difficulty. Margo said: “Some of our group started to panic a wee bit. One of ours fell in the snow .” Residents began to take notice and selflessly intervened after seeing the women stranded on the side of the street in heavy snow. A man named Michael who was driving with his wife and son pulled over. The ladies were astounded when he offered to shuttle them up the hill to the Leonardo Hotel. Michael’s wife even waited on the pavement with the women as Michael drove car-fulls of the women to safety. Another local named Brian was passing by at the time and returned with his own car to help shuttle the women up the hill. The pensioner’s luck was not yet over, for they were met with even more goodwill upon arriving at the Leonardo Hotel Edinburgh Murrayfield on Clermiston Road. Despite being fully booked, the hotel staff found a room for the 16 friends where they could wait out the weather. They even brought Prosecco for the birthday girl, all free of charge. Margo said : “The hotel was fantastic. They were like a refuge . We had a laugh. There’s never a dull moment with us pensioners.” She also expressed her and her friends’ gratitude to the locals and hotel staff for making their snow day so memorable. Margo continued: “Complete strangers went out of their way to help complete strangers struggling in the snow . It was just us ladies with walking sticks and cases falling about in the snow up the hill. It was so nice. All of us were astounded by it.” She took to social media praising the hotel for going “above and beyond,” adding: “Despite our unplanned arrival , they made sure we had everything we needed and helped us celebrate my friend’s milestone birthday in style. "A special shout out to Bryony and John Macdonald who truly pulled out all the stops to make it a day to remember ." Leonardo Hotel staff responded to the post saying: “We are so glad to have been able to step in to help your special day !” Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile , select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
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Transrail Share Price Today, December 30: Transrail Lighting Limited Stock Opens in Green Today After Making Debut With Nearly 37% PremiumLewandowski scores his 100th Champions League goal. He is the 3rd player to reach the milestone BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Robert Lewandowski converted a first-half penalty kick to become the third player to score 100 goals or more in the Champions League, behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Canadian Press Nov 26, 2024 3:02 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski celebrates his side's third goal during a Champions League phase soccer Matchday 5 between Barcelona and Brest at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort) BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Robert Lewandowski converted a first-half penalty kick to become the third player to score 100 goals or more in the Champions League, behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Lewandowski calmly sent a low shot into the net from the spot in the 10th minute to give Barcelona a 1-0 lead against Brest. He scored his 101st goal from inside the area in second-half stoppage time to seal the Catalan's club 3-0 victory. Lewandowski trails the 129 goals of Messi and the 140 of Ronaldo, according to UEFA. Lewandowski needed 125 games to reach his milestone — two more games than Messi and 12 fewer than Ronaldo, who also scored once in the qualifying round. “I'm delighted, it's a nice number,” Lewandowski said. “In the past I didn’t think I could score more than 100 goals in the Champions League." It was Lewandowski's sixth and seventh Champions League goals this season. It's the ninth season in which the Poland striker has scored six or more goals. The 36-year-old Lewandowski is having a standout campaign, having scored 22 goals for Barcelona in 19 appearances. He is the Spanish league’s scoring leader with 15 goals from 14 matches. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Soccer Lewandowski joins Ronaldo and Messi in Champions League 100-goal club. Haaland nets 2 but City draws Nov 26, 2024 2:58 PM Gabriel mimics Gyokeres in cheeky goal celebration in Arsenal win over Sporting in Champions League Nov 26, 2024 2:56 PM Bayern Munich fans protest against PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi Nov 26, 2024 2:26 PM
Ligand Pharmaceuticals: Buy This Strong Growing Pharma And Get A Stake In Dozens Of Therapies( MENAFN - Caribbean News Global) – The project will support companies in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru WASHINGTON, USA – IDB Invest announced a $15 million investment in the Blue like an Orange Sustainable Capital Latin America Fund II (Sub-Fund II), part of the Blue like an Orange Sustainable Capital Fund SICAV-SIF SCS. This impact investment private structured credit fund aims to foster inclusive and sustainable development by delivering strong social impact and market-based risk-adjusted returns in emerging markets. The project seeks to increase the availability of long-term financing for companies in Latin America and the Caribbean with proven business models that have a measurable positive impact. By providing tailored financing and a sustainability-driven approach to its investments, Blue like an Orange will support companies in achieving their growth objectives while promoting sustainability, innovation and gender equality. The Sub-Fund II seeks to invest in companies that deliver social impact in direct support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to foster inclusive and sustainable growth in healthcare, education, financial services, agriculture, housing, and technology. The investment focus will be on companies based or active in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a special focus on Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. Private sector investment and innovation are crucial to achieving the SDGs. Despite progress, business engagement remains limited, with only 6 percent of companies reporting both positive and negative impacts on the SDGs. In Latin America and the Caribbean, challenges such as informal labor markets, gender inequality, and limited adoption of sustainable practices hinder progress. Addressing these gaps requires innovative financing solutions. Structured credit products have emerged as critical tools, offering growth capital for mid-sized companies unable to access traditional funding. Blue like an Orange provides structured credit solutions, mobilizing new investors, and fostering sustainable development across the region. IDB Invest will also provide advisory services to strengthen Blue like an Orange's climate change and gender, diversity, and inclusion (GDI) strategies. The climate focus includes enhancing finance solutions and nature-based policies, while the GDI component will help improve diversity practices using IDB Invest's Diversity Tool, focusing on indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, afro-descendants, and LGBTQ+ individuals. IDB Invest will also require Blue like an Orange to implement an Environmental and Social Action Plan to improve climate risk management and grievance mechanisms. This deal is expected to contribute to the following SDGs: Gender Equality (SDG 5), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Industry, and Innovation & Infrastructure (SDG 9), Reduce Inequalities (SDG 10), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Climate Action (SDG 13). The post IDB Invest – Blue like an Orange to advance sustainable development in Latin America appeared first on Caribbean News Global . MENAFN26122024000232011072ID1109033657 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Free residential training programme on agricultural entrepreneurshipSAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 26, 2024-- Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL), a leading provider of daily data and insights about Earth, today announced that Robert Cardillo, Chief Strategist and Chairman of the Board of Planet Federal, will participate in a fireside chat at the Goldman Sachs Industrials & Materials Conference on December 5th, 2024, at 9:20 a.m. Eastern Time. The discussion will be hosted by Noah Poponak, Managing Director and U.S. Aerospace & Defense Equity Research Analyst at Goldman Sachs. The company will also be available for 1x1 meetings with investors. As the Chief Strategist and Chairman of Planet Federal, Robert is responsible for supporting strategic decision-making for future products and services, driving meaningful partnerships, and increasing the utility of commercial innovations for global government agencies. Robert also serves as an active member of the Planet Labs PBC Executive Team. Robert has a distinguished career as former Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) from 2014-2019, where he successfully transformed the Agency’s future value proposition through innovative partnerships with the growing commercial geospatial marketplace. Prior to NGA, Robert served in leadership positions with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. From 2010 to 2014, Robert managed, edited, and delivered the President’s Daily Brief to President Obama and Vice President Biden – over 1400 editions – while also serving on the Deputies Committee of the National Security Council. The fireside chat will be webcast and accessible at Planet’s Investor Relations webpage ( https://investors.planet.com/ ). About Planet Planet is a leading provider of global, daily satellite imagery and geospatial solutions. Planet is driven by a mission to image the world every day, and make change visible, accessible and actionable. Founded in 2010 by three NASA scientists, Planet designs, builds, and operates the largest Earth observation fleet of imaging satellites. Planet provides mission-critical data, advanced insights, and software solutions to over 1,000 customers, comprising the world’s leading agriculture, forestry, intelligence, education and finance companies and government agencies, enabling users to simply and effectively derive unique value from satellite imagery. Planet is a public benefit corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange as PL. To learn more visit www.planet.com and follow us on X (formerly Twitter). View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126843457/en/ CONTACT: Investor Contact Chris Genualdi / Cleo Palmer-Poroner Planet Labs PBC ir@planet.comPress Contact Claire Bentley Dale Planet Labs PBC comms@planet.com KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DATA MANAGEMENT DATA ANALYTICS SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY PHOTOGRAPHY SOFTWARE SOURCE: Planet Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/26/2024 04:17 PM/DISC: 11/26/2024 04:17 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126843457/en
