DA: 2.4M rice farmers to get P5,000 aid each in September
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) plans to distribute in September some P12 billion in cash aid to help rice farmers meet their daily subsistence and personal needs. The DA is providing P5,000 to each of the 2.4 million rice farmers who are eligible beneficiaries under the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) program, which is funded from the excess tariff collections from the importation of the staple food. READ: Review of rice tariffication law pushedAny amount exceeding this can then be used for the RFFA and other programs to help rice farmers. Compensation schemeThe RFFA seeks to provide relief to eligible rice farmers throughout the implementation of the RTL, which was enacted in 2019 and will lapse in 2024. Under this program, rice farmers who are tilling two hectares or less are compensated for their projected reduction or income loss as a result of the lifting of the quantitative restriction on rice imports.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
June 27, 2024 09:33 UTC
John Lee says he led successful cultural change in govt, with more than 200 KPIs met
When asked how he intended to prevent Hong Kong from further sanctions, Lee said “building a strong team” is what he could do to ensure the city can protect itself and win support from allies. He noted that the world is not monopolized by one or two countries, with the world shared by almost 200 countries holds a lot of new opportunities for Hong Kong to capitalize on. He said places like Asean, Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries as well as Peru are full of investment and business potential. Lee, who is currently subject to US sanctions, did not participate in last year's APEC meetings in San Francisco, citing "scheduling conflicts." In his absence, Hong Kong was represented by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po.
Source:The Standard
June 27, 2024 08:19 UTC
‘Prosperity of the desert countries’
‘Prosperity of the desert countries’I am taking a vacation, and along with this vacation is my choice of topics. On my way to this vacation, I spent two highly packed touristic days through one of the typical prosperous countries in the Middle East -- Qatar. The oil embargo that OPEC (Organization of Oil Exporting Countries) initiated on oil-importing nations in 1973 was led by Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is the most powerful nation in this region with a per head GDP of $71,370 and a population of 37 million people. The World Bank describes countries with gross incomes between $4,466 to $13,847 as upper middle income developing countries.
Source:Philippine Star
June 27, 2024 07:27 UTC
Multilingual versions of 'Keywords to Understand China' released
BEIJING, June 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This is a report from China.org.cn about multilingual versions of "Keywords to Understand China: Organizational System of Governance":Fourteen bilingual versions of "Keywords to Understand China: Organizational System of Governance" were unveiled at the 30th Beijing International Book Fair on June 20. The book series aims to help people around the world understand China's new ideas and measures in modernizing its state governance system and governance capacity. Gao Anming, editor-in-chief of China International Communications Group (CICG), addressed the event. He said that after years of development, the "Keywords to Understand China" program has expanded its scale and presence both domestically and internationally, effectively enhancing global understanding and recognition of Chinese civilization, China's development path, and China's propositions, thereby helping the world better understand China. AdvertisementMultilingual versions of 'Keywords to Understand China' releasedhttp://www.china.org.cn/china/2024-06/26/content_117274750.htm
Source:Manila Times
June 27, 2024 07:16 UTC
Boracay, Tokyo top Filipino travelers' mid-year searches — Google
Boracay, Tokyo top Filipino travelers' mid-year searches — GoogleBoracay and Tokyo are among the top destinations for Filipino travelersMANILA, Philippines — TTourist haven Boracay and Japanese capital Tokyo are the top destinations among Philippine travelers, according to mid-year data collected from Google Flights. Google looked at the most-searched locations on Google Flights between the months of June and August, with the results released by end-May. The highest international destinations were Tokyo at #3 and Hong Kong at #5, both cities longtime favorites of Filipinos to visit. Google noted that travelers are looking to build deeper connections with the destinations they visit, seeking opportunities for more enriching cultural exchanges with local cuisine exploration a growing trend. RELATED: Airline raffles off free international roundtrip flights to OFWs
Source:Philippine Star
June 26, 2024 23:34 UTC
Getac's Next Generation K120 Tablet Enables Customers Across the Rugged Industries to Meet Their Digital Transformation Goals
News in brief:Getac's next gen K120 tablet is a highly versatile solution for professionals who need a device they can rely on in a diverse range of operational scenarios. The next gen K120 is ideally suited to professionals in industries including public safety, manufacturing, and utilities, where accidental drops, bumps and exposure to inclement weather are all regular occurrences. AdvertisementOn top of its upgraded specification, the next gen K120 is incredibly versatile, offering multiple operating modes to accommodate the needs of the user. The next generation K120 fully rugged tablet is available in July. ©2024 Getac Technology Corporation.
Source:Manila Times
June 26, 2024 21:21 UTC
SC awards grandparents custody over father after mother's death
SC awards grandparents custody over father after mother's deathThis file photo taken April 13, 2022 shows the Supreme Court of the Philippines in Manila. MANILA, Philippines — In cases involving illegitimate children where the mother is the sole legitimate parental authority, the grandparents shall exercise "substitute parental authority," as specified in the Family Code, the Supreme Court (SC) said. In a June 26, 2023 decision, the Supreme Court's second division "partially granted" a petition by a minor's grandparents challenging the award of custody to the minor's father following the mother's death shortly after childbirth. The SC also pointed out the lack of marriage between Stolk and Daen, which the High Court said the RTC did not consider. The SC remanded the case to the RTC, instructing it to consider the factors and measures outlined in the Rule on Custody of Minors when deciding Winston's custody.
Source:Philippine Star
June 26, 2024 15:31 UTC
Smart agriculture
But through innovative technology, smart agriculture practices and government support that goes beyond rhetoric, Taiwanese farm production is among the highest in the world. Under new President William Lai, Taiwan is pursuing a policy of “smart, resilient, sustainable and healthy” agriculture, according to a ministry official. * * *I think of Taiwan’s agriculture following the launch this month of a project that aims to promote climate-resilient agriculture in the Philippines. The “Adapting Philippine Agriculture to Climate Change” or APA Project is a joint undertaking of the Department of Agriculture, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Organization. Maybe if national food security in the Philippines’ faced the same threats as in Taiwan, the FAO can be assured of that “good level of commitment and passion.”For Taiwan, smart agriculture goes beyond aspiration.
Source:Philippine Star
June 26, 2024 12:51 UTC
Hongkongers prioritise financial stability and seek equal growth opportunities: Randstad
Randstad - the world's largest talent company - today revealed its complete findings of the 12th annual Employer Brand Research in Hong Kong SAR. Benjamin Elms, Managing Director at Randstad Hong Kong said, "Our latest survey reveals that employees are laser-focused on their finances, as they ranked EVP factors like salary, benefits, company's financial stability and job security highly. Our research and talent engagement have consistently emphasised the need to address this by driving inclusion alongside equal opportunity. The launch of the 2024 Employer Brand Research took place on the Clipper Stad AmsterdamThis year's Employer Brand Research was launched exclusively at a Randstad event that was held on the Clipper Stad Amsterdam - a three-masted tall ship affiliated to Randstad through its founder, Frits Goldschmeding. Download Randstad Hong Kong's 2024 Employer Brand Research digital report via this link: http://www.randstad.com.hk/hr-trends/employer-brand/randstad-hong-kong-2024-employer-brand-researchAbout Randstad Employer Brand ResearchThe Randstad Employer Brand Research is the most comprehensive, independent and in-depth employer brand research amongst working-age adults in the world, exploring talent insights into the perceptions and drivers that influence workers and identifying the most attractive employers.
Source:Manila Times
June 26, 2024 09:06 UTC
Customs seize HK$52m in fake goods amid sports fever
Hong Kong Customs have arrested nine people and seized more than 68,000 suspected counterfeit sports equipment valued at over HK$52 million, amid a sports fever that saw plenty of Copa America and European Championship action, and the Paris Olympics closing in. A Customs spokesman said the suspected fakes are extremely close in appearance to the genuine ones, yet the material used on the jerseys are less breathable, with the tags on the fakes poorly printed. Customs said two arrests were made on June 22 in a Yuen Long raid, with officers seizing some 1,000 suspected counterfeit sports equipment valued at HK$700,000. The counterfeit goods were sold at a discount of up to 50 percent from the authentic ones, the spokesman added. Officers also raided over 60 logistics companies located in Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Lau Fau Shan, Kwai Tsing, and Kowloon Bay.
Source:The Standard
June 26, 2024 08:30 UTC
Ericsson Mobility Report: 5G driving change in service providers' FWA strategies
Of these, 128 - about 53 percent - included a 5G FWA offering. Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Networks, Ericsson, says: "The June 2024 Ericsson Mobility Report shows continued strong uptake of 5G subscriptions. About 160 million 5G subscriptions were added globally in the first three months of 2024 - bringing the total to more than 1.7 billion. Year-on-year mobile network data traffic has been adjusted downwards by Ericsson Mobility Report researchers compared to the November 2023 report. The 40-page June 2024 Ericsson Mobility report includes four case study articles:How the NorthStar 5G network inspires innovation (with Telia and AstaZero, Sweden .
Source:Manila Times
June 26, 2024 07:41 UTC
'Digong', sons to seek Senate seats in 2025 -- Sara
In an interview in Cagayan de Oro City, where the Vice President hosted the annual OVP Pride Reception, she dropped the news that her father and brothers plan to see a national post next year. READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/25/digong-sons-to-seek-senate-seats-in-2025-saraSubscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletinVisit our website at http://mb.com.phFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletinTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletinInstagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletinTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin#ManilaBulletinOnline#ManilaBulletin#LatestNews
Source:Manila Bulletin
June 26, 2024 02:12 UTC
Comelec inks deal for online voting, counting system for overseas voters
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday sealed a deal with the joint venture of SMS Global Technologies Inc. and Sequent Tech Inc. for the first-ever online voting and counting system (OVCS) for Filipino overseas voters. The joint venture had the lowest calculated bid for the procurement of OVCS among four bidders for the upcoming 2025 midterm elections. In his speech, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia stressed that online voting would encourage more Filipinos to exercise their right to vote. There’s no difference with internet voting.) “Nag-comply fully itong joint venture sa ni-prescribe naming terms of preference,” he added.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
June 26, 2024 00:25 UTC
INQToday: My father, brothers ‘eyeing’ Senate run in 2025 polls – VP Duterte
Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:Former President Rodrigo Duterte, Davao 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte will run for senator in the 2025 elections, Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed on Tuesday. PRD for senator, my brother Paolo Duterte, currently a congressman, for senator, and Sebastian Duterte,” the Vice President said in Filipino in an ambush interview in Cagayan de Oro City. Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday said becoming a part of the political opposition is not yet in the picture, as her “priority” is the turnover of leadership in the Department of Education (DepEd). Duterte has resigned as DepEd chief and vice chair of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. Lawmakers are asking them to answer issues involving alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the Duterte administration’s drug war.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
June 25, 2024 22:14 UTC
PLDT blocks over 500 million smishing tries
PLDT blocks over 500 million smishing triesPLDT, together with its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc., is beefing up its cybersecurity protocols to block messaging scams and unmask the masterminds behind them. PLDT, together with its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc., is beefing up its cybersecurity protocols to block messaging scams and unmask the masterminds behind them. Likewise, Smart is easing the process for reporting messaging scams to encourage subscribers to be proactive in flagging fraudulent activities. Recently, Smart’s parent company PLDT introduced a cybersecurity tool called Watchdog, where PLDT employees can submit screenshots of smishing attempts. To date, Globe maintains a subscriber base of about 58.5 million, removing more than 30 million SIMs during the registration period from Dec. 27, 2022 to July 30, 2023.
Source:Philippine Star
June 25, 2024 20:49 UTC