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PH team tops int’l math contest in Indonesia

 News
Dec 302013
 
PH team tops int’l math contest in Indonesia

RP math team photo taken during the awarding ceremonies of the 2013 Asian Intercities Teenagers’ Mathematics Olympiad (AITMO), held on Dec. 29 in Sentul City, Bogor province in West Java, Indonesia.(Photo courtesy of the Mathematics Trainers Guild-Philippines) MANILA, Philippines—A group of mostly high school students from Metro Manila topped the just-ended 2013 Asian Intercities Teenagers’ Mathematics Olympiad held in West Java, Indonesia, the Inquirer learned Monday. The news was relayed to the Inquirer by Dr. Simon Chua, president of the Mathematics Trainers’ Guild-Philippines (MTG) and head of the Philippine delegation to the 10-nation competition held Dec. 28. The MTG trained the Filipino math wizards, who won three gold, four silver and one bronze medals, as well as eight merit awards, in the contest, Chua said. “The Philippine math team has been declared overall champion by AITMO contest organizers here in Sentul City in Bogor province,” Chua said in his e-mail. He cited the team for “another job well done,” noting “these kids and other team members have bagged a number of medals in about a dozen foreign math contests this year.” The teams from Taiwan and Thailand placed second and third, respectively, Chua said. Other countries represented in the contest were China, India, Bulgaria, Malaysia, Iran, Kazakstan, and host Indonesia. The Philippines’ gold medals were won by Adrian Reginald Sy from St. Jude Catholic School in Manila; Clyde Wesley Ang from Chiang Kai Shek College, also in Manila; and Kelsey Lim Tiong Soon from Grace Christian College in Quezon City. Read More …

BTr to offer securities worth P135B in Q1

 Economy
Dec 292013
 
BTr to offer securities worth P135B in Q1

By Michelle V. RemoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 8:42 pm | Sunday, December 29th, 2013 The government plans to sell P135 billion worth of treasury bills and bonds in the first quarter of the coming year, according to the Bureau of the Treasury. The amount represents a nearly 10-percent rise from the P122.96 billion worth of government securities sold in the domestic market in the same period of 2013. The decision to raise domestic borrowings came on the heels of the government’s announcement to hike public expenditures for infrastructure and social services. The government has been forced to beef up spending and support reconstruction activities in areas affected by Supertyphoon “Yolanda,” which devastated the Visayas last month. To accommodate the higher spending, the government is ready to post a higher budget deficit and borrow more in 2014. In the notice posted on its website, the Treasury said P60 billion worth of T-bills and P75 billion worth of T-bonds would be auctioned off in January to March. About P4 billion worth of 91-day T-bills and P6 billion worth of 182-day bills, as well as P10 billion in 364-day notes will be sold each month. Also, P25 billion worth of bonds will be sold each month. Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima told reporters that the government would continue to borrow more from the domestic than the foreign market in the coming year. This will allow the government to minimize its exposure to foreign-exchange risks, he explained. The government does not need to borrow abroad if Read More …

China retaliates, accuses Japan of stirring up trouble in sea row

 News
Dec 122013
 
China retaliates, accuses Japan of stirring up trouble in sea row

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 7:04 pm | Thursday, December 12th, 2013 Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei PHOTO FROM CHINA-EMBASSY.ORG MANILA, Philippines – It’s now China’s turn to point a finger at Japan saying that it was the one stirring up trouble in the East China Sea and that it has “ulterior political motives” in making a big issue out of the Chinese Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). “The one who stirs up troubles and changes the status quo on the Diaoyu (Senkaku) islands and in the East China Sea is no other than Japan,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said in a press conference in China Wednesday, the transcript of which was posted on its website. “Japan makes irresponsible accusation of China’s normal maritime and air activities and hypes up ‘China threat’ since it has ulterior political motives,” he said. The Diaoyu or Sankaku Islands are several disputed islands in the East China Sea being claimed by China but currently under the control of Japan. China’s recently established ADIZ covers the airspace above the disputed islands. Japan and the United States (US) previously criticized China for the ADIZ saying that it unilaterally changes the status quo in the East China Sea. Japan, US, and South Korea defied the ADIZ by sending airplanes into the zone and not identifying themselves with China. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a previous statement that the ADIZ “increases tensions in the region and create risks of an incident.” Lei reiterated that China Read More …

Binay condemns Yemen attack as ‘senseless act’

 News
Dec 062013
 
Binay condemns Yemen attack as ‘senseless act’

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 4:10 pm | Friday, December 6th, 2013 Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Vice President Jejomar Binay condemned as a “senseless act” the suicide bomb attack in Yemen capital of Sana’a that left 52 people killed, including seven Filipinos. “I condemn the bombing in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. It was a senseless act that has no place in the modern world,” Binay said in a statement Friday. “I hope the Yemeni government will make sure that the families of the bombing casualties are extended all possible assistance they will be needing, particularly in the recovery and repatriation of the victims,” he said. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that one Filipino doctor and six medical workers were among the casualties, while 11 other Filipinos were injured. Binay, who is the presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers concerns, said that the families of the victims will be given help from the Philippine government. DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez likewise condemned the attack calling it a “barbaric act.” “We condemn this senseless and barbaric act and we call on the Yemeni government to bring the masterminds to justice and to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of Filipinos and other foreigners in Yemen,” he said. There are some 1,000 Filipino workers in Yemen. Manila has raised crisis alert level 1 in the Arab state, advising Filipinos there to take all necessary precautions to ensure their personal safety, Hernandez said. “We are still doing a thorough assessment Read More …

Taiwan lawmakers denounce China air defense zone

 News
Nov 292013
 
Taiwan lawmakers denounce China air defense zone

Associated Press 9:36 pm | Friday, November 29th, 2013 TAIPEI — Taiwan’s legislature attacked China’s newly declared air defense zone on Friday, with lawmakers demanding in an unusual joint statement that President Ma Ying-jeou’s government lodge a “stern protest” with Beijing. They admonished Ma’s government for its cautious response to China’s announcement last Saturday, including agreeing to supply China with flight plans for planes entering the zone. The statement, signed by caucus leaders of the ruling Nationalists and pro-independence opposition parties, said Taiwan should work together with Japan, the U.S. and other “friendly states in the region” in multilateral negotiations with China. The government said later Friday it will communicate its “stern position” to Beijing. China said all aircraft must notify Chinese authorities before entering the zone, which includes islands controlled by Japan but claimed by Beijing. The U.S., Japan and South Korea have sent flights through the airspace in defiance of China’s rules. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: air defense zone , airspace , China , Diplomacy , Global Nation , Taiwan Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Read More …

Devastation left by ‘Yolanda’ moves Muslim aid workers to tears

 News
Nov 292013
 
Devastation left by ‘Yolanda’ moves Muslim aid workers to tears

In this Wednesday Nov. 20, 2013 photo, a typhoon survivor walks past debris and coconut shells which will be used for charcoal at a coconut farm in Tanuan, Leyte, central Philippines. As Typhoon Haiyan tore across the eastern Philippines, coconut plantations older than the fathers of the men who tend them were smashed like matchsticks. AP FILE PHOTO ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—Muslim humanitarian workers from such countries as Malaysia and Turkey said they shed tears on seeing the devastation wrought by Supertyphoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in Leyte and cebu. “I felt so sad to see how disaster destroyed the lives of Filipino people in Leyte and Cebu,” Mohammad Safaruddin Jhinku, head of the training department of Global Peace Mission Malaysia, told the Inquirer upon their arrival here on Thursday. “Tears fell from my eyes.” Jhinku and his group had joined a mission to Leyte, mounted by the Turkish welfare and solidarity association Deniz Feneri Dernegi, which was initially intended to find out if there were Muslim victims so they could get food aid. They ended up giving food aid to many victims, regardless of creed, he said. Rameer Tawasil of the Golden Crescent Consortium said the devastation was so immense and he was “grateful that Muslims around the world shared resources not just to help Muslim Filipinos but all the Filipino victims.” Ali Karayilan and Suleyman Enes Kiliç of Deniz Feneri Dernegi told the Inquirer that their hearts bled when they saw people in some areas who have yet to receive assistance. Read More …

EU appeals for calm in East Asia over air defense zone issue

 News
Nov 292013
 
EU appeals for calm in East Asia over air defense zone issue

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 6:17 pm | Friday, November 29th, 2013 Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, left, and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, right, arrive at a press conference at the end of the Iranian nuclear talks in Geneva, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013. The European Union’s top diplomat and Iran’s foreign minister said nuclear talks between six world powers and Tehran did not seal a deal. (AP Photo/Jason Reed, Pool) MANILA, Philippines – The European Union (EU) on Friday called for calm over East Asia after China established an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and which the United States and its key allies refused to recognize by sending airplanes and defying China’s rules. “The EU calls upon all parties to take steps to calm the situation, to promote trust building measures and reach out diplomatically to seek peaceful, cooperative solutions according to international law, in order to defuse tensions and resolve differences constructively,” EU High representative Catherine Ashton said in a statement. China had earlier announced the establishment of the East China Sea ADIZ covering the airspace above waters in between its coast and Japan. Disputed islands in the waters between the two countries were covered in the zone. China listed rules of identification that aircraft must comply with when they enter the zone otherwise “China’s armed forces will adopt defensive emergency measures to respond to aircraft that do not cooperate,” the Ministry of National Defense said in their announcement. The United States, however, defied the ADIZ Read More …

UN: More funds for ‘Yolanda’ victims

 News
Nov 232013
 
UN: More funds for ‘Yolanda’ victims

U.S. Marines provide safe drinking water to typhoon survivors Thursday Nov. 21, 2013 at Tacloban city, Leyte province in central Philippines. Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful typhoons ever recorded, slammed into central Philippine provinces Nov. 8, leaving a wide swath of destruction. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) MANILA, Philippines – The United Nations appealed for more aid for typhoon victims in the Philippines on Friday, increasing the original amount it sought to raise by $47 million (P2 billion) to $348 million (P15 billion). UN Undersecretary General Valerie Amos, the world body’s humanitarian chief, made the announcement at the UN headquarters in New York after seeing for herself the situation in the hardest-hit areas of the Visayas, including Tacloban City, which she visited twice in two weeks. “A massive disaster like this requires a massive response,” a UN press statement reported Amos as saying at a news conference in New York on Friday. “Much more needs to be done. Food, clean water and shelter remain the top priorities. Vast numbers of vulnerable people are still exposed to bad weather and need basic shelter. Families who have lost their homes will need substantial longer-term support from the international community to ensure they have the means to rebuild their houses,” she added. The UN launched on November 12 an action plan seeking to raise $301 million (P13 billion) from the international community to support six months of relief and recovery operations in Eastern Visayas, including the provision of emergency food, shelter and water Read More …

Online gambling billionaire eludes arrest in Manila

 News
Nov 232013
 
Online gambling billionaire eludes arrest in Manila

By Julliane Love de JesusINQUIRER.net 6:31 pm | Saturday, November 23rd, 2013 MANILA, Philippines – Police raided the Makati office of an online gambling billionaire, considered one of America’s most wanted, but failed to arrest him, an official has said. Calvin Edward Ayre, a Canadian businessman, is facing illegal gambling charges in the US, said Senior Superintendent Roberto Fajardo, chief of the Crime Investigation and Development Group-National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR). CIDG elements raided Ayre’s office around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday at the 22nd floor of the Enterprise Tower. Ayre, however, was not in his Makati office and Fajardo told INQUIRER.net that they have yet to confirm to Bureau of Immigration if Ayre has left the country. He was said to have operated call centers or Business Process Outsourcing firms while taking illegal casino and sports bets from international clients. Fajardo said in a phone interview that Ayre’s offices, two more at the RCBC building in Makati and Eton Building in Quezon City, were granted permits to operate by the Security Exchange Commission. Ayre, who used the false name “Calvin Wilson” while in the country, was listed in the US Department of Homeland Security as most wanted for illegal gambling and money laundering charges. The 52-year-old businessman is the founder of Bodog Entertainment Group, an online-based sports betting and casino games. American business magazine Forbes said Bodog is one of the world’s biggest online gambling firms with total winnings of $100 million as of 2012. Fajardo said the CIDG has seized Read More …

Japan medics bring high-tech fixes to Tacloban

 News
Nov 162013
 
Japan medics bring high-tech fixes to Tacloban

Villagers, isolated by super typhoon Haiyan a week ago, scramble for relief goods being dropped by Philippine Air Force at La Paz, Leyte province in central Philippines, Friday Nov. 15, 2013. Survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful typhoons ever recorded, have only now begun to receive some aid, a week after their homes and lives were torn apart. AP FILE [HOTO TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines—Japanese medics working to help victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) have deployed wireless mobile X-ray kits using tablet computers, a world first in a disaster zone, a team spokesman said Saturday. The technology, which was developed after the huge tsunami that hit Japan in 2011, allows doctors to take a look inside patients instantly, and even lets them enlarge the image with familiar iPad gestures. Joji Tomioka, coordinator of the Japan Medical Team for Disaster Relief, said the system had been created in response to what doctors needed in the aftermath of the Japanese disaster. “This is the first time that we are deploying it in a disaster situation,” Tomioka told Agence France-Presse at a modern tent medical clinic put up by the Japanese government to help victims of the typhoon, which crashed through the central Philippines on November 8. At the partly air-conditioned clinic in the ruined city of Tacloban on Leyte island, a radiologist placed a camera on the chest of 72-year-old Carlos Llosa as he sat in his wheelchair. The X-ray image was instantaneously transmitted through a wireless router to an Read More …

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