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Posts published in “News & Current Events”

New iMac now available for Pre-order in Jarir in Saudi Arabia

he new iMac is now available for pre-order in Jarir.

Below are the pricing;

  • M4 (8-Core CPU/GPU) + 16GB RAM + 256GB Storage – SR5,999.00
  • M4 (10-Core CPU/GPU) + 16GB RAM + 256GB Storage – SR6,949.00
  • M4 (10-Core CPU/GPU) + 16GB RAM + 512GB Storage – SR7,899.00
  • M4 (10-Core CPU/GPU) + 24GB RAM + 512GB Storage – SR8,849.00
  • Pre-order period will be from October 30th until November 8th, 2024 (or while supply last). Shipping and collection will then start between November 8th at 4:00 PM to November 16th, 2024. Unfortunately, the new iMac from Jarir is not configurable.

    New iMac: Blue

    Apple officially announced the new iMac with the new M4 chip last Monday, Oct. 28th.

    Here are the key specs of the new iMac;

    • 24-inches 4.5K Retina display (4480 X 2520) , an optional nano-texture display
    • M4 chip (8-core CPU/8-Core GPU, 10-Core CPU /10-Core GPU)
    • macOS Sequoia
    • Apple Intelligence
    • 12MP Center Stage web camera
    • up to 32 GB of RAM
    • up to 2 TB of storage
    • High-fidelity Six-speaker System, Support for Spatial Audio
    • up to 4X Thunderbolt 4
    • Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
    • Colors: Blue, Purple, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Green and Silver.
    • Dimension (WxHxD): 54.70 cm x 46.10cm x 14.70cm

    290 Overseas Filipinos have returned home safely from Lebanon – DMW

    Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has announced that “a total of 290 overseas Filipinos from Lebanon have returned home safely via Philippine-government chartered flight landed today, October 26, 2024 at 3:03pm at NAIA Terminal 1 in Pasay City.”

    This is the largest batch of repatriates that is composed of 233 OFW with 13 dependents, and 21 Filipinos with 23 dependents. The returning Filipinos were accompanied by MWO Attaché to Alkhobar, Hector B. Cruz, Jr. from Beirut to Manila.

    The repatriation of this batch brings to a total of 903 OFWs and 47 dependents from Lebanon who have been repatriated through the Government’s voluntary repatriation program, under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

    Last batch of OFW crew members of the the M/V Minoan Courage which was attacked by Houthi Rebels now back in the Philippines

    DMW – Ten Filipino crew members from the M/V Minoan Courage safely returned to the Philippines on October 23, 2024. They were the last group of 21 Filipino seafarers aboard the Greek bulker that was attacked in the Red Sea on October 1. The previous groups of 11 seafarers returned on October 9 and October 13.

    The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) worked together with the manning agency and the shipowner to bring the seafarers home. The agency provided hotel accommodations for the repatriates while they await psychiatric evaluations.

    DMW and OWWA will provide assistance to the seafarers, including through the DMW AKSYON Fund. DMW Seabased Accreditation Bureau Director Augusto San Diego III, OWWA Director Falconi Millar, and manning agency representatives welcomed the seafarers upon their arrival.

    via @dmw.gov.ph

    BYD Cars Philippines opens its first dealership in Central Luzon

    BYD Philippines just opened its first dealership store in Pampanga. BYD Pampanga is located along the Olongapo Gapan Road in the City of San Fernando, Capital of the province of Pampanga, the 4,000sqm facility is a showroom, test drive and service center rolled into one.

    BYD Pampanga also has 3 charging stations, an ideal for those travelling in their BYD EVs then passing Central Luzon. The EV chargers of varies in capacity (7kW AC, 22kW AC, and 60kW DC) to cater to each customer’s charging needs.

    For more information, you can go to their official FB page @bydpampanga or website BY Pampanga

    BYD Pampanga is one of the 24 facilities nationwide that BYD Philippines plans to open by the end of 2024.

    This article was originally published on allthingsev.net as BYD Cars Philippines opens its first dealership in Central Luzon.

    76 more OFW arrived from Lebanon who – DMW

    Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announce that seventy-six overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with two dependents from Lebanon arrived safely at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Sunday, October 20, 2024, aboard Emirates EK 334.

    This batch of repatriation brings the total number of 636 OFWs and 32 dependents from Lebanon who have been repatriated under the government’s voluntary repatriation program.

    Department of Foreign Affairs’ Level 3 travel advisory for Lebanon still stands even though the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has escalated after “Hezbollah confirmed that its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, had been killed in an Israeli air strike on residential buildings in Beirut.”

    DFA’s Level 3 travel advisory means repatriation is still voluntary for all OFW in the country.

    Source: @dmw.gov.ph

    Riyadh City as Seen on Space

    European Space Agency;

    Situated in the central region of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh serves as the nation’s legislative, financial, administrative, diplomatic and commercial hub, home to over seven million inhabitants.

    Covering an area of around 1550 sq km, the city sits at approximately 600 m above sea level on the eastern part of the Najd plateau in the Arabian Peninsula. Like much of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh has a desert climate with extreme summer temperatures that can reach up to 50°C.

    The image prominently features the city’s grid-like street system, which consists of square blocks measuring around two km one each side, forming an extensive network across the urban landscape.

    Earth from Space: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    It’s hard to get lost when you know that you will always end up on same road if you keep turning right. Also, as beautiful as this picture, the photo of Riyadh at night that NASA released in 2012 is much dramatic and detailed.

    PRC announces the October 2024 Physicians Licensure Examination Results

    The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) just release the result for the October 2024 Physicians Licensure Examination. Out of the 6600 examinee, 3845 passed the board exam, a 58.26% passing rate. PRC also said that they will release the result this Monday, October 21, 2024.

    Top performing Schools with more than 100 examinees with at least 80% Passing rate;

    1. UP Manila – 96.97% Passing rate
    2. Cebu Institute of Medicine – 95.31% Passing rate
    3. St. Luke’s Medical Center College of Med – William H. Quasha Mem. Inc. – 95.19% Passing rate
    4. Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila – 95.16% Passing rate
    5. University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Mem Medical Center – 92.92% Passing rate
    6. UST – 89.29% Passing rate
    7. West Visayas State University – La Paz – 87.00% Passing rate
    8. Ateneoi School of Medicine and Public Health – 86.18% Passing rate
    9. Saint Louis Univerity – 83.23% Passing rate

    Top 10 Examinees in the October 2024 Physicians Licensure Examination;

    1. Isaac Edron Jones Orig – Davao Medical School Foundation – 89.33%
    2. Rolter Lorenz Mispenas Lee – University of Santo Tomas – 89.25%
    3. Jerickson Rodney Ngo Cua – UP Manila – 89.17%
    4. Nijell Tui Potencioso – Cebu Institute of Medicine – 89.8%
    5. Kiel Christian Dimaculangan Alday – University of Santo Tomas – 88.83%
    6. Ryan Delfin Parungao Encarnacion – UP Manila – 88.33%
    7. Frances Dominique Velasco Ho – UP Manila – 88.00%
    8. Anne Corine Arellano Ramos – FEU Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation – 87.83%
    9. Christian Lloyd Ang Loo – Cebu Institute of Medicine – 87.75%
    10. Chelseah Denise Hernandez Torres – University of Santo Tomas – 87.67%

    For the complete list of Physicians Licensure Exam passer, you can click here.

    Eight New Electric Bus to arrive in Quezon City to provide Free Transport Services

    Eight (8) new electric bus have been acquired by Quezon City to expand its bus fleet to provide free rides to residents and reduce air pollution. The new buses will join the existing fleet of gasoline-powered buses, which serve over 145,000 commuters weekly. This initiative aligns with the city’s broader goal of transitioning to electric vehicles and improving air quality.

    This initiative aligns with the city’s broader push towards electrification to combat air pollution, as transportation accounts for 69% of particulate emissions (PM2.5). With Manila’s air quality exceeding WHO recommendations, the electric buses are an important step toward cleaner, healthier air for all.

    The new electric buses join a fleet of over 100 gasoline-powered buses currently serving 145,000 commuters weekly. As part of its commitment to sustainable transportation, Quezon City aims to transition its entire fleet to electric vehicles, including e-trikes, in the near future. Charging infrastructure is already in place to support this transition.

    Top gear Philippines reports that “The electric buses have a 41-passenger seating capacity, plus space to accommodate standing passengers. Safety features include handrails, fire suppression and emergency equipment, CCTV cameras, and smart TVs. For persons with disability, there are also wheelchair ramps to aid ingress and egress”

    This initiative aligns with the city’s participation in the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, its commitment to the Paris Agreement, and its compliance with the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA Law).

    Source: Quezon City Local Economic Investment Promotions Office (LEIPOQC)

    45 OFWs with two children repatriated from Lebanon – DMW

    In a facebook post, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said that “another batch 45 OFWs with two children from Lebanon have safely returned home, bringing to a total of 525 OFWs and 30 dependents who have been repatriated through the government’s voluntary repatriation program.”

    DMW added that “the batch arrived at NAIA Terminal 1 in Pasay City this afternoon, October 17, 2024, via Kuwait Airways 417.”

    OFW in Lebanon have been affected by the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which started with Israel’s war on Gaza last October 2023. The conflict only escalated when “Hezbollah confirmed that its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, had been killed in an Israeli air strike on residential buildings in Beirut, which Israel claimed were above Hezbollah’s headquarters, on the night of Friday, September 27.” as reported by Aljazeera.

    Aster Sanad launches Specialized Philippine OB/GYN Clinic in Riyadh

    In a special ceremony, Aster Sanad has announce that they are opening a specialized Philippine OB/GYN clinic in Riyadh. The ribbon cutting ceremony was held last Wednesday, October 10th with their special guest Ms. Lucille Gayaman, Assistant Labor Attaché of the Embassy of the Philippines in Riyadh with Aster Sanad CEO, Dr. Essam Algamdi and OB/GYN Doctor Allyn Abuy.

    We are pleased to announce the opening of our specialized Philippine OB/GYN clinic in Riyadh, dedicated to serving Filipino women!

    A special thanks to Ms. Lucille T. Gayaman for attending the opening ceremony with our CEO, Dr. Essam Algamdi.

    We also offer special discounts and exclusive packages on all hospital services to ensure high-quality, affordable care.

    Because we always care about you at #Aster_Sanad_Hospital, you can now #book your #appointment by contacting us at 📞 920004417

    Law removing mother tongue in K-3 to improve education quality — Romulo

    Giselle Ombay, GMA Integrated News;

    House Basic Education Committee Chairperson and Pasig lawmaker Roman Romulo on Sunday said that the law discontinuing the use of the mother tongue as a medium of instruction from kindergarten to grade 3 could help improve the quality of education in the country.

    I can list a number of countries that uses their “mother tongue” or “native language” as a medium of instruction and they are one of the places in the world that have “high quality of education.”

    With Republic Act No. 12027, the medium of instruction shall revert to Filipino and, until otherwise provided by law, English.

    Meanwhile, the regional languages shall serve as auxiliary media of instruction.

    The best solution for this is to just give the teachers a very competitive compensation, a great career development and incentives if they stay in the profession.

    Here’s a comparison, in Thailand in English teacher can earn an average salary of THB 35000 (Thai Baht) or around ₱60k per month, while in the Philippines, Filipino English teachers earn an average salary of ₱23,000 per month.

    Classes and Government Work in Manila and Pasay Suspended

    Malacañang suspends class and government work in the Manila and Pasay City from Monday to Tuesday, October 14th-15th, to give way to the opening of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

    The announcement was made via Memorandum Circular 66 issued by Malacañang.

    192 OFWs in Lebanon set to be repatriated from October 11-28 — DMW  

    Sherylin Untalan, GMA Integrated News;

    A total of 192 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Lebanon are set to be repatriated until the end of the month, according to Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac on Thursday.

    At a Palace briefing, Cacdac said the Filipinos are being booked in different commercial flights starting Friday, October 11, while 11 are set to arrive this weekend.

    Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), posted on their official facebook page that the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon “has received 1,721 applications for repatriation, with 511 Filipinos successfully returned home.”

    And in a press briefing with DMW and OWWA, an additional 400 Filipinos, today.

    Converge announces Netflix and Fiber X bundle

    Converge, one of Philippines leading ISP, announced “the new Converge Netflix Bundle, where new and existing FiberX customers will be able to have both an internet and Netflix plan, all in one. The new offering aims to provide countless entertainment options and a better streaming experience for FiberX users.”

    The new Converge Netflix Bundle will include a FiberX plan that offers 325 Mbps speeds, a Netflix subscription with a lock-in period of 36 months, a new WiFi-6 Next Gen Modem, and a Converge Xperience Box with Freemium Channels — all put together into one subscription for the convenience of the customer.

    The new Converge Netflix Bundle starts at Php 1,798 per month, inclusive of a Converge FiberX plan with boosted speeds of 325 Mbps, a WiFi6 modem, a Converge Xperience Box, and a Basic Netflix subscription that can support one HD stream at a time. Customers can avail of more premium bundles that can support multiple devices streaming at the same time and can offer additional Boost Modes with speeds of up to 200 Mbps. For existing subscribers, the Converge Netflix Bundle is available as an exclusive add-on starting at Php 298 per month.

    OFW acquires house and lot, car selling ‘binatog’ in UAE

    Jojo Dass, writing for GMA News;

    An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) here, who used to work as gym receptionist, now runs a bakeshop selling “binatog.” And it has been such a big hit that he was able to buy a house and lot plus a car in the Philippines from sales.

    An inspiring story for all OFW, including me, who left our home country to find a living in a foreign land.

    I also someone who works as a tea boy/cleaner here in Saudi Arabia but building his dream house in the Philippines… paycheck after paycheck!

    I encourage you to read the whole story from GMA News Pinoy Abroad.

    Filipino executed in Saudi Arabia for murder  

    Michelle Abad with reports from Bea Cupin, reporting for Rappler;

    A Filipino on death row in Saudi Arabia has been executed, the Philippine government said on Tuesday, October 8.

    “We regret to confirm the news that a Filipino has been executed in Saudi Arabia for murder,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

    The Philippine government provided legal assistance and exhausted remedies to save the Filipino’s life, including sending a presidential letter of appeal to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman. But the victim’s family refused to accept blood money in return for forgiveness of the Filipino, and so the death penalty was meted, the DFA said.

    According to Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, the overseas Filipino worker pleaded guilty to the crime. The victim was the OFW’s Saudi Arabian business partner, and the incident happened in 2020.

    Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia release the following statement;

    A very sad moment for all OFW in Saudi Arabia.

    The Rappler also reports that according to DFA there are still “nine Filipinos remain on death row in Saudi Arabia.”

    Riyadh Season 2024 to start this 12th of October

    What is Riyadh Season?
    Riyadh Season is one of the world’s largest winter entertainment event. Variety of food from around the world, courtesy of exclusive restaurants — plus countless exciting surprises. The festivities capture the essence of Saudi, from its Najdi heritage to its present-day dynamism.

    When will it start?
    Riyadh Season will kick-off this October 12th.

    Where to get more information?
    To know more about Riyadh Season and the events, you can go to https://riyadhseason.com/en-US or the Riyadh Season section of https://webook.com/.

    Sandiganbayan dismisses P276-M ill-gotten wealth case vs Marcoses  

    Rappler;

    The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has dismissed a 37-year-old ill-gotten wealth case against the Marcos family, citing the defendants — which includes Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and wife Imelda — “can no longer be afforded a fair trial” in a “chronology of events” that have contributed to an “inordinate delay.”

    Associate Justice Geraldine Faith Econg wrote the 30-page resolution, dated October 4, 2024, noting that the defendants “can no longer be afforded a fair trial.” Associate Justices Edgardo Caldona and Arthur Malabaguio concurred.

    So the SC dismisses the case because it was delayed for too long?!

    NY Liberty eliminates LC Aces to advance to the WNBA Finals (76 – 62)

    ESPN;

    Ionescu rebounded from a rare off game to score 22 points, and nearly a year after the Aces ended the Liberty’s dream of a championship, New York returned the favor Sunday afternoon by defeating Las Vegas 76-62 to advance to the WNBA Finals.

    It was a masterful performance by the New York Liberties, the team was able to keep their composure and lead despite their key players, Jonquel Jones and Leonie Fiebich, being in the foul trouble for most of the game.

    The Liberty was lead by Sabrina Ionescu who scored a team high of 22 points and 7 rebounds, followed by a double-double from Breanna Stewart, who scored 19 points and 14 rebounds. They will face the winner of Game 5 of the Lynx-Sun series this Tuesday, 8th of October. Game 1 of the WNBA Finals is scheduled this Thursday, October 10, 2024 hosted by the NY Liberty in Barclays Center.

    Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese named as one of the 2024 WNBA All-Rookie Team

    Together with the announcement of the Rookie of the Year, WNBA also announced the players for the 2024 WNBA All-Rookie Team, that includes Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, arguably the two most popular of the 2024 rookie class.

    • Caitlin Clark (IND)
    • Rickea Jackson (LAS)
    • Angel Reese (CHI)
    • Kamilla Cardoso (CHI)
    • Leonie Fiebich (NYL)

    PH Consulates in U.S. to roll out online voting for Eleksyon 2025  

    Dave LLavanes Jr., writing for GMA News;

    All Philippine consulates in the United States will implement online voting for the upcoming midterm elections in May of next year.

    New York Consul General Senen Mangalile said this is part of Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Resolution No. 11061 which directs Philippine embassies and consulates in the US to implement internet-based online voting.

    Hopefully they also implement online voting in other embassies and consulates, so other OFW can place their votes.

    Thai police arrest driver of school bus fire that killed 23  

    News.az;

    The bus carrying six teachers and 39 students in elementary and junior high school was travelling from Uthai Thani province, about 300 kilometres (186 miles) north of Bangkok, for a school trip in Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi provinces on Tuesday.

    The fire started while the bus was on a highway north of the capital and spread so quickly many were unable to escape.

    Trairong Phiwpan, head of the police forensic department, said 23 bodies were recovered from the bus.

    The recovery work and confirmation of the total dead had been delayed earlier because the burned vehicle, which was fueled with natural gas, remained too hot to enter for hours.

    A real tragic accident that could have been be avoided just by doing a quick checkup on the bus.

    Marcos signs law imposing 12% VAT on Netflix, Spotify, other digital services  

    JM Chavaria, writing for Yugatech;

    In a move aimed at bolstering government revenue, the Philippines has introduced a 12% value-added tax (VAT) on digital services offered by foreign firms. This includes popular platforms like Netflix, Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon, among other digital service providers (DSPs) — which have previously enjoyed tax exemptions.

    Duey Guison, of Unbox.ph explainsRepublic Act 112023, all services provided by resident and non-resident digital service providers regardless if they have a physical presence in the Philippines are subject to an additional 12% VAT. The law also adds a new provision to the Tax Code, where ‘”digital services delivered by foreign digital service providers are considered performed or rendered in the Philippines if the digital services are consumed in the Philippines.’

    The law does not only cover streaming service but basically “most” online service like ecommerce, digital platform or online merchant that caters to the Philippine market even if the company does not have any physical store or office in the Philippines.

    In a press release, “Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero said the bill imposing a 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) on digital transactions will level the playing field for local and foreign digital service providers (DSPs), streamline tax administration and shore up government coffers by at least P80 billion in revenues.”

    “Digital service is defined as any service supplied over the internet or other electronic network with the use of information technology and where the supply of the service is essentially automated. These include online search engines, online marketplace or e-marketplace, cloud service, online media and advertising, online platform, or digital goods.”

    The law basically covers every companies doing online transaction.

    Filipino Barista Darwin Pontanos wins the International Qualification of Espresso Italiano Champion last September 17th

    OFW Darwin Pontanos took home the International Qualification of Espresso Italiano Champion last on September 17 at Esse Caffé, Bologna, Italy. Darwin Pontanos works as the Operation Supervisor at Dan Cafe, where started as a barista 11 years ago.

    On SaudiBuzz, “Darwin Pontanos from Saudi Arabia’s Dan Café wins during the international qualification of Espresso Italiano Champion on September 17 at Esse Caffé, Bologna, Italy.”

    Darwin Pontanos and his team was greeted by Saudi Ambassador to Italy, Faisal bin Sattam Abdulaziz Al-Saud for their win.

    Darwin Pontanos will represent Dan Café (Saudi Arabia) and compete for the title in the world final on 26th November in Milan, Italy. Last year’s champion was Korean barista and coffee trainer Song Hye-Jin, she the first woman to win the international title of Espresso Italiano Champion.

    Price of DJI NEO in Saudi Arabia

    If you’re in Saudi Arabia below are the price of DJI NEO from Advanced Media;

    DJI Neo Drone – SAR 939.55
    Includes;

    • 1x DJI Neo Aircraft
    • 1x DJI Neo Intelligent Flight Battery
    • 1x DJI Neo Propeller Guard (Pair)
    • 1x DJI Neo Spare Propellers (Pair)
    • 4x DJI Neo Spare Propeller Screw
    • 1x Screwdriver
    • 1x DJI Neo Gimbal Protector
    • 1x Type-C to Type-C PD Cable
    • Documents (Quick Start Guide, Safety Guidelines, and DJI Logo Stickers)

    DJI Neo Fly More Combo Drone – SAR 1,589.30
    Includes;

    • 1x DJI RC-N3 Remote Controller
    • 1x DJI RC-N3 RC Cable (USB-C Connector)
    • 3x DJI Neo Intelligent Flight Battery
    • 1x DJI Neo Two-Way Charging Hub
    • 1x DJI Neo Propeller Guard (Pair)
    • 1x DJI Neo Spare Propellers (Pair)
    • 4x DJI Neo Spare Propeller Screw
    • 1x Screwdriver
    • 1x DJI Neo Gimbal Protector
    • 1x Type-C to Type-C PD Cable
    • Documents (Quick Start Guide, Safety Guidelines, and DJI Logo Stickers)

    DJI officially announced the NEO drone earlier this month and claim that the NEO Drone is the “lightest and most compact drone to date.”

    Connecticut Sun defeated Indiana Fever in their First Playoff Game since 2016 (93 – 69)  

    Branden Kaneshiro, writing for The Lead;

    The Sun cruised to a 93-69 victory in Game One. Led by a triple-double from Alyssa Thomas and 22 points on 63.6% shooting from DeWanna Bonner, the Sun completely outmatched the Fever.

    The offensive firepower was not all that went well for Connecticut in game one. The Sun’s defense was their key to victory on Monday. Connecticut was able to contain Mitchell and Clark to 45% and 23.5% shooting, respectively. If the Sun can replicate their defensive success in game 2 (and the rest of the playoffs) they will be a hard team to beat.

    It was not just Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, who had a bad Game 1, as a team Indiana Fever shot 27-67, 40.3%!!! from the field and 6-28, that’s a measly 21.4%, from the three-point line, the Fever did manage to reduce their turnover to just 13 TO.

    Game 2 will be this Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

    German Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke reminds us to be vigilant on “Historical revisionism” regarding the Martial Law in the Philippines  

    Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke, as posted on @germanyinphl;

    As the country marks the imposition of Martial Law in the Philippines by the Marcos Sr. Administration 52 years ago, we remember the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom and democracy during this dark period in history.

    The distortion of history can pave the way for the return of authoritarianism and the erosion of human rights. It is through a clear understanding of our past that we can build a better future.

    Let us honor the memory of those who suffered under Martial Law and work together to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again. By upholding historical accuracy and promoting human rights, we can create a more just and equitable world for all.

    #MartialLawAnniversary

    On September 23, 1972, then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. officially proclaim the State of Martial law in the Philippines, it’s formal proclamation is contained in Proclamation No. 1081.

    Proclamation No. 1081 started a “14-year period of authoritarian rule, which would include eight years of Martial Law (de jure ending on January 17, 1981, through Proclamation No. 2045), but not de facto : followed by six more years where Marcos retained essentially all of his powers as dictator. Marcos was eventually ousted on February 25, 1986, as a result of the EDSA People Power Revolution.” via wikipedia.

    Also on Wikipedia, “This 14-year period in Philippine history is remembered for the administration’s record of human rights abuses, particularly targeting political opponents, student activists, journalists, religious workers, farmers, and others who fought against the Marcos dictatorship. Based on the documentation of Amnesty International, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, and similar human rights monitoring entities, historians believe that the Marcos dictatorship was marked by 3,257 known extrajudicial killings, 35,000 documented tortures, 737 ‘disappeared’, and 70,000 incarcerations.”

    The reasons and justification are also indicated in Proclamation No. 1081.

    Qualcomm Approached Intel About a Takeover in Recent Days  

    Lauren Thomas, Laura Cooper and Asa Fitch, reporting for WSJ;

    Chip giant Qualcomm made a takeover approach to rival Intel in recent days, according to people familiar with the matter, in what would be one of the largest and most consequential deals in recent years.

    A deal for Intel, which has a market value of roughly $90 billion, would come as the chip maker has been suffering through one of the most significant crises in its five-decade history.

    This is big in so many different levels!

    In a report by NY Times, “Qualcomm has not yet made an official offer for Intel.”