oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | crime, criminal justice, international relations, politics, politics and law
Senator Risa Hontiveros appealed to the global community for assistance in dismantling transnational criminal organizations in the Philippines.
“Hontiveros stated that the Philippine government cannot manage this on its own,” she remarked, expressing her relief over the return of 176 Filipinos who were freed from fraudulent operations in Myanmar.
“Governments and global organizations should collaborate to ensure the safety of our citizens,” she stated.
The senator greeted more than 100 Filipinos who landed in Manila from Myanmar on Wednesday.
Hontiveros, along with Akbayan Partylist candidate Chel Diokno, met with some of the repatriated individuals who had contacted them seeking assistance.
She mentioned that the victims recounted horrific tales of torment, sexual assault, and various types of abuse.
“I hope that the victim-survivors receive appropriate psychosocial support due to the trauma they endured,” Hontiveros stated.
“Our administration should firmly guarantee that no additional Filipino ends up in that nightmare again,” stated Hontiveros.
In 2022, she initiated the Senate investigations into human trafficking within scam operations following her office’s role in rescuing Filipinos who had been trafficked to Myanmar.
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | military, politics, politics and government, russian politics, ukraine politics
As Belarus grows more volatile within Eastern Europe, the nation becomes increasingly ensnared by Russian control, according to opposition figurehead Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s remarks during an interview with Euronews. She cautioned that this situation might position Belarus as a potential starting point for military hostilities targeting Ukraine and other Western neighboring countries.
In February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed during an event in Munich that Russia intends to deploy as many as 150,000 soldiers in Belarus within the year, possibly posing a threat to NATO nations. Given Belarus’s increasingly close ties with Moscow, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya contends that the country’s autonomy is endangered, casting doubt over its prospects and the safety of surrounding states.
For Tsikhanouskaya, sanctions continue to be an essential means of preventing additional Russian aggression. She stated, “The focus is on transforming our nation, and sanctions serve as one of the most potent tools.” According to her, “A steadfast strategy is necessary when dealing with dictators; we firmly believe that sanctions should act as leverage to modify their actions.” Furthermore, she explained, “We advocate using these measures until significant progress towards negotiations occurs, aiming ultimately to secure the liberation of everyone and conduct unbiased elections,” she emphasized.
The Europe Conversation.
Recent indications of increasing integration between Russia and Belarus have sparked concerns. Although Belarusian residents can now take part in voting processes, Tsikhanouskaya views this as an incremental move towards Belarus being absorbed by Russia. She stated, “This is a gradual annexation happening with Lukashenko’s consent, knowing he acts like Putin’s marionette. He is willing to trade away our autonomy, self-governance, and nationhood simply to retain his grip on power.”
She contended that the policy of Russification has been progressively moving forward, as agreements have been reached without regard for Belarus’s national interests. “Regardless of voter turnout, these events cannot be classified as genuine elections. It is indeed alarming that Lukashenko, through his actions, is steering Belarus towards Russia,” Tsikhanouskaya stated.
Although Tsikhanouskaya doesn’t view the situation as involving direct territorial seizure akin to what happened in Ukraine, she thinks it revolves around ensuring a leadership aligned with Moscow. She explains, “Their aim is to establish a compliant administration that gives the semblance of sovereignty while having this government act according to Putin’s wishes. In essence, their objective is to create a regime that could be used anytime for additional incursions—perhaps into the European Union—or merely serve propaganda purposes. They desire nothing less than a marionette government within the nation.”
Launchpad for an invasion
At the Munich Security Conference, Zelenskyy delivered a strong caution that Russia could potentially utilize Belarus as a staging ground for an assault, akin to the 2022 strike against Ukraine. Tsikhanouskaya echoed these apprehensions. She stated, “As long as Lukashenko remains in control, Belarusian territory may serve once more as a starting point for an offensive either toward Ukraine or towards our western neighbors.”
The possibility of such an invasion still remains uncertain. “This situation demonstrates that the democratic world struggles to clearly state whether they would tolerate oppression or if invasions of sovereign nations can occur unchecked. They lack effective means to address this threat. There is a chance that these forces could reach the borders of the European Union.”
Tsikhanouskaya contended that autocrats only comprehend the discourse of authority, stating: “When you fail to deliver this strength, when you do not demonstrate courage and audacity, dictators will assert, ‘Very well, we shall trample over the subsequent red line.'”
Democratic aspirations remain intact
Tsikhanouskaya stayed optimistic about Belarus’ future, acknowledging that transformation could occur via multiple pathways. She stated, “Transformation in Belarus might transpire through various channels, yet the crucial aspect is that democratic entities, our community, and Europe should be ready for such transformations.”
Even though the present situation may seem challenging, Tsikhanouskaya felt that the desire for democracy in Belarus has not disappeared. She stated, “It’s important to keep in mind that those protesting in the streets are just one segment of the opposition against the government. The appearance of tranquility within the nation does not imply that citizens have surrendered; rather, they are strategizing and will be prepared once an opportunity for transformation arises.”
According to Tsikhanouskaya, there are greater opportunities for changing the government in Belarus compared to Russia.
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | football clubs, football players, soccer, soccer player transfers, sports
The top teams in La Liga have consistently possessed many of the most renowned figures in global soccer, while the standard of play within the league ranks among the finest worldwide.
Several of their top players have come from different regions, with numerous global superstars following the path from the Premier League to La Liga.
Reports indicate that Trent Alexander-Arnold might be the next player to make the move from Liverpool to Real Madrid. In light of this news, we’ve examined the 10 most expensive players who previously made similar transfers to La Liga and analyzed their performances.
10. Conor Gallagher
In his final season at Chelsea, Gallagher appeared to be an essential player for the team. He was thriving as an academy graduate, experiencing the most successful campaign of his career in terms of both goals scored and assists provided. Additionally, he frequently took up the role of captain by wearing the armband.
However, since he was a local talent, and Chelsea aimed to clear their accounts purely through profits, they offloaded the midfielder to Atletico Madrid for around £35 million.
He appears to be an ideal match for Diego Simeone’s team, although he has shared playing time with other midfielders. During a round-of-16 Champions League match against Real Madrid, Gallagher netted a crucial goal, but Atletico was unfortunately eliminated through penalty kicks.
So far, with three goals and five assists from the midfield position, although he hasn’t stood out dramatically, Gallagher has proven to be a valuable addition.
9. Ferran Torres
Barcelona
He was acquired for around £46 million from Manchester City in 2022, but he hasn’t truly justified this cost so far.
Before this season, the winger had never managed to score more than 10 goals in a single season with the La Liga heavyweights.
Out of his 145 matches with Barcelona, Torres has started nearly precisely half of them (73). This indicates that the various managers he has worked under were conscious that although he can influence games, they do not consider him their top option among available assets.
8. Raphinha
Before joining Barcelona, Raphinha wasn’t yet considered a superstar, and compared to transfers to major La Liga teams, his move carried the least amount of hype. At Sporting CP and Rennes, he hadn’t made much of a splash, but he truly flourished when he joined Leeds.
During his debut season in the Premier League, Raphinha contributed to 15 goals, and in his subsequent season, he played a part in scoring or assisting 14 goals. His performances were instrumental in preventing Fulham from being relegated during the 2021-22 campaign, which also attracted interest from Barcelona.
Initially, his tenure in Spain was somewhat lackluster but not entirely so; it might best be described as rather gradual. In his debut season, he netted 10 goals and provided 12 assists, which was then succeeded by another tally of 10 goals along with 13 assists in the subsequent term.
However, in the 2024/25 season, following reports suggesting that Barcelona might sell him to generate urgently required capital, Raphinha has emerged as a force to be reckoned with. As of this writing, he boasts an impressive tally of 27 goals and 20 assists for the current campaign.
Should Barcelona manage to clinch the La Liga title or triumph in the Champions League this campaign—Raphinha contributed with 11 goals and five assists in the latter—if they succeed, the winger will be pivotal to their achievement, having emerged as a megastar this season.
7. Diego Costa
Costa represented Atletico Madrid multiple times throughout his career. After departing initially, he returned in 2010 before transferring to Chelsea in 2014. Four years following this move, he rejoined the team, with Atleti allegedly shelling out £57 million for him.
During his last campaign before moving to the Premier League, Costa found the back of the net 36 times. Over three years at Stamford Bridge, he accumulated an impressive tally of 59 goals along with 21 assists.
Therefore, Atletico likely expected to welcome back an elite forward, yet Costa found it challenging to readjust to Spanish football, with his recovery from injuries compounding the issue.
After returning, the forward played in 81 games over four seasons but managed only 19 goals during this period. Released in 2021, his stint of being without a team for several months underscores how unsatisfactory his performance had been.
6. Luis Suarez
In just two and a half years at Liverpool, Barcelona recognized enough potential in Suarez to bring him aboard with an initial transfer fee reportedly set at £75 million. It wasn’t surprising when he went on to greater heights following his last season in the Premier League where he scored 31 goals and provided 13 assists.
In his sophomore year at Barcelona, he broke that record by netting an astonishing 40 La Liga goals, coupled with 18 assists. Throughout all tournaments that campaign, Suarez registered 54 goals and provided 24 assists.
During his entire tenure at Camp Nou, the Uruguayan striker netted 195 times and provided 113 assists across 283 matches. He claimed victory in the Champions League once, which was during Barcelona’s win in the 2014/15 season, and secured the La Liga championship four times prior to achieving this feat again with Atletico Madrid in the 2020/21 campaign.
Having already established himself as a top forward at Liverpool, Suarez’s tenure at Barcelona further solidified his reputation as one of the premier strikers of his time.
5. Julian Alvarez
Among the latest footballers to make a switch between the Premier League and La Liga, Alvarez transferred from defending Premier League champs Manchester City to prospective La Liga winners Atletico Madrid during the summer of 2024.
Although he was a consistent presence during his last season with City, the abundance of talented players meant that the game didn’t revolve around him as much as it does now at Atletico.
He has accumulated 23 goals along with five assists this season, which includes eight significant contributions directly leading to goals in the Champions League. Up until now, the transfer appears beneficial for Alvarez.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo’s
It was unquestionably the most remarkable transfer from the Premier League to La Liga ever. His move shattered records at around £80 million from Manchester United. This transaction surpassed the former world-record fee set when Zinedine Zidane joined Real Madrid, which had lasted for eight years.
Throughout his tenure at Real Madrid, Ronaldo stood out as one of the most formidable strikers globally, netting an impressive 450 goals and providing 131 assists in 438 matches.
In 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017, he claimed the Ballon d’Or award when playing for Real Madrid, and he also secured 16 team titles with the club, which included winning five UEFA Champions League trophies.
3. Gareth Bale
When Bale moved to Real Madrid for roughly £85 million, he set a new world record. Having quickly evolved from a troubled full-back into a formidable striker at Tottenham, he went on to maintain his impressive form playing as a winger for Real Madrid.
During his inaugural season with the team, Bale netted 22 goals and delivered 19 assists across all contests. This tally featured six goals and four assists throughout their victorious UEFA Champions League run, which culminated in him scoring in the final match. Over time, Bale secured an additional five UEFA Champions League trophies along with three La Liga championships for the club, amassing numerous accolades.
Throughout seven seasons, he managed to score 106 goals and provided 67 assists. Although his performance waned toward the latter part, leading him to be sent back to Tottenham on loan, his tenure with the La Liga heavyweights can certainly be deemed a major success.
2. Eden Hazard
After moving to Real Madrid for a transfer fee of up to £130 million including add-ons, Hazard struggled significantly to recreate the level of play he demonstrated during his time at Chelsea.
Among the most skillful talents in the Premier League’s history, this Belgian player concluded their tenure at Stamford Bridge with an impressive tally of 21 goals and 17 assists during their last season.
In 76 matches throughout his entire Real Madrid career, he was unable to reach that one-season tally. Hazard began with a sluggish start, scoring only once and providing seven assists during this period.
The fact that he didn’t feature in more than 20 La Liga matches during one campaign—largely due to recurring injuries—highlighted how poorly Hazard adapted, leading him to retire at only 32 with just 10 appearances in his last season.
QUIZ:
Could you list all the players Real Madrid has signed from the Premier League?
1. Philippe Coutinho
Barcelona broke the bank with a record-breaking transfer fee of £142 million to sign the talented attacking midfielder Coutinho away from Liverpool, making him the costliest player ever recruited by a La Liga team.
At Anfield, he transformed into an iconic figure, contributing directly to 97 goals across 201 matches. However, his time at Barcelona did not meet the high standards he had established nor justified the significant cost of his transfer.
Following 13 direct goal contributions in his initial 18 La Liga matches, Coutinho’s performance dipped significantly, contributing only seven goals over the next 32 appearances. Later, he went on loan to Bayern Munich, regaining some of his former prowess; however, he failed to recapture his earlier form upon returning to Barcelona.
The player from Brazil was permitted to depart for Aston Villa following just 39 goal involvements in 106 matches with Barcelona.
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Could you list all the English players who have played for Real Madrid since 1990?
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | government, government regulations, politics, politics and government, politics and law
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos’ declaration that he will “never abolish” the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) proved that his administration continues the same repressive policies of his predecessor former president Rodrigo Duterte, according to House assistant minority leader and Gabriela women’s party Rep. Arlene Brosas.
“Marcos is no different from Duterte. His refusal to disband the NTF-ELCAC despite its documented human rights violations and partisan political activities shows that this administration remains committed to the same tactics that terrorize activists, progressive organizations, and ordinary citizens,” Brosas said.
Marcos’ comment followed shortly after when Gabriela, a women’s party, submitted an official grievance to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against the NTF-ELCAC due to their persistent red-tagging operations. These actions breach electoral regulations that forbid government entities from engaging in partisan political acts during elections.
During her campaign trip in Tuguegarao, Cagayan, Brosas shared that one of her backers found some black propaganda material which branded her as a terrorist and encouraged people not to back her bid for office.
She pointed out that billions of pesos are being allocated to the NTF-ELCAC’s operations, including the P10 million per barangay under its Barangay Development Program, while essential social services remain severely underfunded.
For its part, rights group Karapatan vowed to block efforts by the government to further fund the NTF-ELCAC.
Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay has criticized Marcos for ignoring the crimes committed by the NTF-ELCAC.
Of these, there are 119 instances of extrajudicial killings and 76 attempted extrajudicial killings.
They likewise accused the task force of being responsible for 14 forced disappearances and the imprisonment of 762 political detainees.
In the meantime, Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya from the National Security Council verified that President Marcos has instructed for the continuance of the NTF-ELCAC.
— Delon Porcalla, Emmanuel Tupas
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | business, news, news media, scams and frauds, scandals
MANILA, Philippines – Business tycoons Ramon Ang and Enrique Razon Jr. have warned the public about deepfake scams and counterfeit advertisements on social media platforms that misuse their identities for deceptive investment opportunities.
Yesterday, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Chairman and CEO Ramon Ang once again cautioned the public regarding the proliferation of counterfeit videos and internet advertisements that misuse his name and likeness to endorse unlawful financial schemes.
The video content, appearing as sponsored posts on Facebook, Instagram, and various social media channels, employs sophisticated techniques such as deepfakes to mimic genuine news reports, thereby deceiving viewers.
“These deceptive advertisements are causing significant harm to many individuals. We must take action against them. I urge government organizations, social media platforms, and citizens to collaborate in order to halt those responsible for these frauds and protect others from falling prey,” Ang stated.
Ang reaffirmed that he is not promoting any investment plans and is neither backing nor participating in any type of online financial opportunity.
He mentioned that SMC is considering taking legal action and is prepared to assist with investigations as well as potential prosecutions of those involved in the scams.
In order to safeguard the community, SMC has been working alongside officials to locate those accountable.
Ang also called on Meta and other platform proprietors to enhance their verification procedures for sponsored advertisements – particularly those that utilize the names and images of public figures without consent.
“These technology platforms possess the means to halt this situation. We’re requesting they take additional steps to safeguard their users,” he stated.
The International Container Terminal Services Inc. has alerted the public about online frauds that involve doctored videos and voice recordings purportedly featuring Razon, the company’s chairman, as well as other high-ranking officials.
As stated by the firm, the fake content surfacing on social media wrongly depicts Razon endorsing investment chances.
The company stated, ‘These allegations are completely false. Neither Mr. Razon nor ICTSI have supported any such ventures.’
ICTSI stated that the fraudulent content appears credible and might encompass proposals that look genuine.
“ICTSI stresses that these are unauthorized and meant to deceive viewers,” the statement read.
ICTSI is advising everyone to take precautions when interacting with online material related to ICTSI or the Razon Group, as this can aid in preventing online scams.
Similarly, the public is advised to refrain from disclosing their personal or financial data to unknown entities and to inform the relevant platforms about any dubious content or impersonation efforts they encounter.
Fraudsters are leveraging technology as a tool and utilizing well-known business figures and organizations to carry out their unlawful investment scams.
In addition to Ang and Razon, other magnates like Manuel Villar Jr. have similarly fallen victim to involvement in scam operations.
