by admin | Mar 30, 2025 | government, news, politics, politics and government, politics and law
Amos Khaemba, who works as a journalist for SANGGRALOKA.co.ke, has accumulated more than four years of expertise in reporting on politics and contemporary issues within Kenya.
Nairobi –
The head of the Wiper Democratic Movement, Kalonzo Musyoka, has presented fresh conditions to President William Ruto and ODM chief Raila Odinga prior to the 2027 General Election.
In a missive directed at Raila and also sent to the president, Kalonzo voiced his apprehensions about the current restructuring of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
In his correspondence, the ex-vice president emphasized the importance of appointing impartial electoral officers and organizations.
Kalonzo asserts that the president must confer with the opposition prior to appointing members to the new electoral commission.
Nevertheless, the Wiper leader maintained that Raila could not anymore advocate for the opposition’s interests after his recent agreement with Ruto.
Kalonzo stated emphatically that both the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the OrangeDemocratic Movement (ODM), which have united on our side, must participate in talks with members ofthe opposition to guarantee a fair and all-encompassing procedure.
Kalonzo, who leads the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party, cautioned both Ruto and Raila not to proceed with appointing the head of the polling agency and the six specified commissioners without involving the opposition in discussions.
He asserted that this action would be viewed as an attempt by the ODM-UDA coalition to predetermine the outcome of the 2027 elections.
“To avoid any ambiguity, if the UDA/ODM Alliance proceeds with appointing the IEBC chairperson and commissioners without significant involvement from the opposition, this move would be seen as an effort to create a politically biased election commission and potentially rig future elections beforehand,” he cautioned.
Even as he expressed hope that the president would make the correct choice, Kalonzo pledged to resist any attempt to erode the sovereignty of the Kenyan people.
More to follow…
by admin | Mar 28, 2025 | business, citizenship, crimes, government, immigration
MANILA, Philippines —
On Thursday, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) disclosed that they have discovered a plan where foreigners adopt false Filipino personas to set up enterprises and potentially hire unauthorized employees in Mindanao.
Following this, the BI arrested five Chinese citizens during two distinct operations: one involved an illegal immigrant “running” a hardware shop listed under what appears to be a non-existent Filipino resident in Davao del Sur; another operation targeted four people who were employed unlawfully at a chemical facility located in North Cotabato. The said factory was supposedly owned by a Filipino individual but is believed to actually belong to a Chinese national residing in Manila.
Labeling the scheme as a “troubling development,” Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado cautioned that fake documents might also be used for spying purposes.
“These papers and altered identification records might be employed by outsiders who have [sinister] motives and could potentially be misused by undercover agents infiltrating our community by posing as locals,” he stated.
READ:
Adiong: Those issuing counterfeit Philippine birth certificates are linked to an extensive network.
READ:
Government blocks 1,600 birth certificates wrongly acquired by non-citizens.
Nonexistent owner
On March 20, the Bureau of Immigration, working alongside the Philippine Army and local police forces, apprehended Bangdie Pan, who goes by the alias Ditdit, a 50-year-old Chinese citizen, in Digos City, located in Davao del Sur.
Pan was arrested due to violations of Philippine immigration regulations during an operation backed by the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion, the 1002nd Brigade, the 10th Infantry Division, the Philippine National Police, and governmental intelligence agents in Region 11.
Based on the BI statement, the foreign national was actively running a hardware store that is officially registered under a purported Filipino citizen, whose identity is currently being looked into.
” Records showed that Pan had a work visa issued for a firm based in Pasig City, yet she was discovered performing duties outside her authorized scope in Davao del Sur,” the agency stated.
Staff members at the hardware store allegedly confessed that the claimed Filipino proprietor does not actually exist and that the establishment’s licenses were acquired through fraudulent papers.
After four days, agents from BI Intelligence, working alongside several governmental organizations, apprehended four Chinese citizens at a chemical production facility in M’lang, located in North Cotabato.
The people identified were Zhongyi Tang, aged 62; Tianbei Wu, 51 years old; Dezhen Liu, also 62, and Wang Lianxu, who is 53.
The BI mentioned that they acquired birth certificates and paperwork indicating that Liu had falsely presented himself as a Filipino.
The agency’s probe also revealed that the firm was registered under a Filipina, however, workers at the plant stated they hadn’t laid eyes on her ever since the business started operations.
The BI stated, “Employees at the plant acknowledged that the actual owner is a Chinese national residing in Manila.”
The five individuals from China are now facing charges related to deportation.
Widespread problem
Viado has pushed for more stringent rules governing the issuance of Filipino identity papers and documentation to curb potential misuse by undocumented individuals, an issue that came to light last year amid Senate investigations into the recently prohibited Philippine offshore gambling enterprises (POGOs).
In July 2024, the NBI office in Davao disclosed the discovery of nearly 200 forged birth certificates that were provided to Chinese citizens by the civil registry of Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur during the years 2018 and 2019.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago subsequently revealed that as many as 1,200 Chinese citizens were issued birth certificates by the Santa Cruz local civil registry from 2016 onwards. This number is six times greater than what the agency initially reported.
It is alleged that these counterfeit papers allowed individuals from abroad to partake in actions reserved solely for Filipino citizens, such as buying property, establishing enterprises, and even seeking elected positions, similar to what was seen with former mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac, who is suspected to be a Chinese national and has been arrested due to her involvement in unlawful Pogo ventures.
Suspected spies
Previously, the government had shown worry over the accounts regarding the existence of Chinese spies within the nation.
In January, the NBI apprehended five alleged Chinese spies accused of keeping an eye on the operations of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy in Palawan, particularly focusing on the supply efforts for forces stationed in the West Philippine Sea.
In the subsequent month, the NBI apprehended two additional Chinese nationals alongside three Filipinos on charges of espionage.
The NBI stated that its cybercrime division along with a specialized task force was notified regarding unusual cars equipped with devices for intercepting messages. These vehicles have been spotted near the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police headquarters, as well as around Malacañang and various governmental buildings within Metro Manila.
by admin | Mar 28, 2025 | business, government, government regulations, laws and regulations, smuggling
MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized an estimated P30 million worth of allegedly contraband sugar at the Port of Subic, as reported by the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).
Pablo Luis Azcona, the SRA administrator, stated that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) detained the release of 10,000 sacks holding 500 metric tons of incorrectly declared sugar imports from Vietnam.
The SRA refrained from revealing the consignee, stating that it was still unaware of the importer’s identity.
During a press briefing on Tuesday night, Azcona stated that the substance seized roughly three weeks prior consisted of 88% sucrose and 12% dextrose but was falsely identified as simply white sweetener.
‘Not sugar’
“It is officially classified as something other than sugar. Nevertheless, they are undergoing tests to assess their sugar content,” he explained, noting that the SRA sent out staff members to collect samples for chemical examination.
“I get this impression from the packaging and overall look of it; it appears to be meant for reselling. However, that’s just my personal view,” he stated to the press.
Azcona stated that the tests will determine whether the substance is actually sugar. Should this be verified, the BOC will either seize it or auction it off through the Kadiwa store.
Up for auction
“Typically, seized sugar is either sold or put up for auction. Nevertheless, our proposal suggests that prior to being auctioned off, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) ought to categorize it for use within households. This reclassification would allow us to keep track of the quantities involved,” he explained further.
Azcona highlighted that an increase in these products might destabilize the whole sugarcane sector.
“If items are slipping through undetected this way—since our strategies rely on our output and the sugar we lawfully bring in—it could spoil our plans,” he further stated.
According to the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law, acts such as smuggling, stockpiling, and engaging in cartels related to farm produce are classified as economic sabotage.
The illegal transport and stockpiling of farm produce can be classified as economic sabotage if the worth of the items goes beyond P10 million.
by admin | Mar 28, 2025 | economics, government, international trade, politics, politics and government
MANILA, Philippines – Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque plans to meet with her American peer to address the possible negative effects on the economy due to President Trump’s suggested reciprocal tariffs, which have unsettled financial markets and heightened anxiety among traders and investors.
“I have scheduled a meeting with my peer. Therefore, I am merely awaiting the details of the appointment,” Roque stated to journalists during his break at the Asia CEO Forum on Thursday when questioned regarding the matter.
Roque mentioned that things will continue “as normal” for the moment, dismissing worries regarding the impact of the tariffs set to begin next week.
READ:
Surge of Trump tariffs expected to impact family finances
“So, let’s keep doing what we’re doing, focus on the bright side, and continue to develop and truly elevate ourselves. We should also seek out opportunities to genuinely become experts in our field,” Roque stated.
Trump just announced a 25-percent tariff on imported vehicles and automotive parts, effective April 3.
The automotive sector in the United States has raised worries that such actions could result in increased vehicle costs along with decreased availability, causing shares of leading companies like General Motors and Ford to decline after the news was released.
Trump defended the tariffs as a step to safeguard American manufacturing positions and suggested the possibility of imposing additional duties on various sectors.
In the case of the Philippines, these duties might bring about considerable economic impacts.
As the United States is a key market for Philippine exports, notably in the automotive industry.
In 2024, the Philippines shipped around $1.89 billion worth of machinery and electric goods to the United States, as stated in a CPBRD document. The CPBRD serves as the research wing of the House of Representatives.
The Philippines is cautious about the new U.S. tariff policy since the country exports significantly more than it imports from the United States, leading to a trade surplus of $4.9 billion in 2024, which marks a 21.8 percent rise compared to the prior year.
This excess might attract unwelcome notice from the Trump administration, viewing trade surpluses as evidence of imbalanced trading tactics.
by admin | Mar 28, 2025 | foreign policy, government, military, petroleum, venezuela
GEORGETOWN, Guyana – On Thursday, high-ranking U.S. official Marco Rubio straightforwardly cautioned Venezuela about potential aggression towards oil-abundant Guyana, emphasizing the might of the United States Armed Forces as a safeguard for the tiny South American country.
Venezuela, led by the left-wing president Nicolas Maduro who is disliked by Cuban-American Rubio, has been asserting its claims over the contested Essequibo area governed by Guyana with greater frequency. The country faced accusations recently for allegedly encroaching into the territory.
“I have full confidence saying it now as secretary of state — there will be consequences for adventurism. There will be consequences for aggressive action,” Rubio told a joint news conference on a visit to Guyana.
When asked about the potential U.S. response if Venezuela were to attack ExxonMobil’s oil operations in Guyana, Rubio stated: “That would turn into a very bad week – a very bad week indeed for them.”
Abstaining from explicitly mentioning a military strategy, Rubio stated: “Our naval forces are substantial and capable of reaching nearly every corner.”
Maduro reacted furiously to the threat, labeling Rubio as an “idiot” and stating, “No one threatens Venezuela.”
During his time in Guyana, Rubio entered into an accord aimed at enhancing security collaboration between the two nations, which involves increased data exchange. This development follows several years after Guyana and the United States consented to conduct shared naval missions.
The President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali, expressed his approval of Rubio’s position, who described Venezuela’s assertions as “unlawful.”
“I am highly satisfied with the assurance from the U.S., which guarantees the protection of our territorial integrity and sovereignty,” stated Ali.
The Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil stated in aTelegram message that Venezuela does “neither require nor pursue conflicts; however, we also won’t permit foreign interests to attempt altering the truth regarding our Essequibo.”
He added, ‘Take your noses out of this dispute!’
Mauricio Claver-Carone, the U.S. special envoy for Latin America, previously stated that the United States foresaw a future “binding” security alliance with Guyana akin to the one seen in the Gulf area, wherein American forces safeguard oil-rich Arab monarchies, notably from threats posed by their bigger neighbor, Iran.
Later, Rubio went to visit nearby Suriname, where oil production has likewise seen an increase.
The US aims for an edge over China.
Guyana, an English-speaking country that was formerly a British and Dutch colony, remains home to most of its 800,000 inhabitants living in poverty. For many years now, this nation has hosted a small but persistent group advocating for Guyana’s integration into the United States.
This kind of official inclusion wasn’t part of the plan, yet Trump hasn’t hidden his enthusiasm for expanding influence in the Americas, sometimes even at the cost of long-standing partnerships.
The wealthy Republican has pledged to seize control of Greenland from Denmark and reclaim the Panama Canal, citing increasing Chinese dominance.
Even though Exxon has been dominant in the oil sector, China — considered by the Trump administration as the primary global rival — has swiftly gained ground in Guyana through various infrastructure initiatives such as upgrading the international airport which Rubio arrived at.
Trump has proposed imposing major fees on vessels linked to China, but the idea has hit opposition from US farmers as well as Caribbean nations which say they have little option and will take a hit.
Rubio stated that it was “risky for just one nation worldwide to construct all the vessels.”
However, departing from Trump’s typical hardline stance, Rubio recognized the worries expressed by Caribbean countries and mentioned that he would suggest US trade officials be aware of the dangers posed by potentially damaging relationships with American allies.
“You can be confident that we will convey your message,” Rubio stated.
Rapid oil growth
The legislature in Caracas passed a bill last year to designate the Essequibo area, comprising two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass, as Venezuela’s 24th state, an action dismissed on the global stage.
Guyana maintains that the border was established by an arbitration panel in 1899. However, Venezuela asserts that the Essequibo River to the eastern part of the area serves as a natural boundary, one they claim has been acknowledged since 1777.
ExxonMobil from Texas has become the frontrunner in offshore oil exploration, with operations expanding quickly after the significant discovery of large crude deposits in 2015.
ExxonMobil expects the total production from Guyana to reach 1.3 million barrels per day by the end of the decade, far surpassing the current output levels in Venezuela.
Under pressure from anti-communist Latino lawmakers, the Trump administration has revoked the sanction waiver for U.S. oil company Chevron, which allowed them to continue operations in Venezuela.
by admin | Mar 28, 2025 | government, greenland, politics, politics and government, politics and law
Lawmakers in Greenland reached an agreement on Thursday to establish a new government as they faced increased pressure along with fresh threats from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the potential annexation of this Danish-controlled Arctic territory.
Four out of the five political groups that won seats in Greenland’s Parliament last month have decided to join forces and create a coalition with control over 23 of the 31 available legislative positions. This deal is expected to be formalized on Friday, as reported by regional news outlets.
The accord occurs as Trump escalates and strengthens his attempts to take command of the Arctic territory “by one means or another”.
The US Vice President, JD Vance, is set to arrive in Greenland on Friday. Accompanied by his spouse, Usha Vance, he plans to visit the United States’ Pituffik Space Base, an installation involved in missile monitoring and defense activities.
Initially, Usha planned to make the trip alone, but on Wednesday, JD declared he would join her so she wouldn’t have “all that fun by herself.”
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who leads the Demokraatit party—the largest group in parliament—has been keen on establishing a wide-ranging coalition. Ever since his center-right party unexpectedly won the elections on March 11th, Nielsen has maintained that swiftly forming such a coalition is crucial for withstanding American influence.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede has strongly criticized the Vance family’s planned visit, referring to it as “highly provocative.”
“Up until recently, we could confidently depend on the Americans, who were our allies and friends, and with whom we enjoyed working very closely,” stated Egede to the local press.
“But those days are gone, we must acknowledge this, as the new American leadership is entirely and totally unconcerned with what we’ve jointly upheld until now; they’re simply intent on seizing control of our nation above our heads,” he said additionally.
Trump covets Greenland, a self-governing region of Denmark, because it has rich mineral deposits and straddles strategic air and sea routes at a time when the US, Russia and China are all vying for position in the Arctic.
Putin isn’t taken aback by the revived U.S. interest in Greenland.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday that Trump’s initiative to gain control over Greenland was not unexpected, considering the long-standing American interest in the mineral-abundant region.
At a policy discussion held in the Arctic city of Murmansk, Putin pointed out that the U.S. contemplated strategies to gain dominance over Greenland during the 1800s, and later proposed purchasing it from Denmark following World War II.
“It might appear astonishing initially but it would be incorrect to think this as mere sensational rhetoric from the present US administration,” Putin stated.
It’s clear that the United States will keep pushing forward with its strategic goals related to geopolitics, military presence, and economics in the Arctic region.
Trump irked much of Europe by suggesting that the United States should in some form control the self-governing, mineral-rich territory of Denmark, a US ally and NATO member.
Being the maritime entry point to the Arctic and North Atlantic routes towards North America, Greenland holds significant strategic importance due to China and Russia’s interest in utilizing its sea passages and exploiting its natural wealth.
Putin stated that Russia is concerned about NATO’s actions in the Arctic and plans to address this by bolstering its own military presence in the area.
“We are definitely worried about NATO members referring to the Far North as an area where potential conflicts might arise,” he stated, pointing out that neighboring countries to Russia—Finland and Sweden—are now part of the alliance.
Russia has not posed any threat to anyone in the Arctic region; however, we will keep a close watch on the unfolding events and respond appropriately by enhancing our military capabilities and upgrading our military facilities.
Russia has aimed to extend its control across large parts of the Arctic, contending with the United States, Canada, Denmark, and Norway. This push comes as global warming leads to diminishing polar ice, opening up fresh possibilities for resource extraction and navigation pathways.
China has likewise exhibited growing interest in the area, thought to contain as much as one-quarter of the planet’s untapped oil and natural gas resources.
“We will not permit any violations of our nation’s sovereignty, steadfastly protect our national interests, and at the same time advocate for peace and stability in the polar regions,” stated Putin.
As he committed to bolstering Russia’s military presence in the Arctic, Putin emphasized that the Kremlin remains open to wider global collaboration in the area.
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