oleh admin | Mar 28, 2025 | business, commerce, news, payment processing, technology
A few weeks following the announcement,
strategic partnership
With the technology solutions company Mosaic Solutions, PayMongo—a prominent local fintech platform—has recently partnered with emerging fintech start-up Mochi to enhance payment and invoicing procedures for their customers. As stated in an official announcement, this partnership aims at streamlining “the way businesses handle accounts receivable and cash flow, guaranteeing quicker transactions and decreased operational bottlenecks as electronic payments gain more popularity.”
As a result, the collaboration intends to provide a cohesive solution aimed at removing manual procedures, boosting transaction security, and improving financial operations efficiency.
This collaboration arrives as the nation intensifies its focus on digital payments, with projections indicating that it will surpass PHP 100 billion this year. Data from 2023 shows that the proportion of digital payments by value surpassed 55.3%, whereas the number of transaction volumes hit 52.8%.
Venture Capital Report
by Foxmont Capital Partners and The Boston Consulting Group.
ALSO READ
Philippine startup Mosaic Solutions is set to acquire HelixPay.
Report: In spite of the subdued investment climate, deals hit an all-time high in 2024.
Moreover, an impressive 91.3 percent of people in the Philippines stated that they utilized online financial services in 2024, significantly above the worldwide average of only 37.8 percent.
Partnering with Mochi reinforces our dedication to fostering the expansion of MSMEs and fintech within the Philippines,” stated Jojo Malolos, CEO of Paymongo. “By incorporating Mochi’s sophisticated billing and collection automation into PayMongo’s payment solutions, we’re enabling local enterprises to thrive in the digital marketplace with assurance.
We are excited to join forces with PayMongo in transforming the way businesses manage payments and collections,” said Guaya Melgar, CEO of Mochi. “This partnership will equip firms with the necessary tools to streamline financial management and concentrate on expanding their operations.
PayMongo serves as a streamlined solution for business payments. As the initial Philippine Fintech company nurtured through the prestigious Y Combinator program in Silicon Valley, PayMongo stands out. On another front, Mochi operates as an accounts receivable tool designed specifically for Filipino enterprises aiming to enhance their invoicing efficiency, minimize errors and fraudulent activities, and offer flexible payment options to clients.
oleh admin | Mar 28, 2025 | democrats, news, politics, politics and government, politics and law
Democrats
had been covertly plotting regarding the previous President
Joe Biden
to
step down from the presidential contest
Or even “pass away in office” as early as 2023, according to a scathing new book.
Top party officials, led by former Vice President
Kamala Harris
Communications Director Jamal Simmons drafted backup strategies for numerous scenarios ahead of the 2024 election.
One scenario included that ‘Biden might die in office,’ according to Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes’
forthcoming book “Fight: The Most Wild Struggle for the White House”
The book states, ‘They aimed to ensure the party was prepared for all potential scenarios should Biden initiate his campaign and subsequently withdraw before the primaries; or if he secured numerous primary victories but became unable to proceed.’
according to The Guardian.
‘If he obtained sufficient delegates to secure the nomination but withdrew prior to the floor vote at the convention and consequently created an opening at the head of the ticket after accepting the nomination.’
The secret discussions centered around what the party guidelines outlined for such situations and how those regulations might require modification should the president lose either the willingness or the capability to continue leading.
One of the plans they came up with was a ‘hit list’ of judges who could administer the oath to Harris if the 81-year-old president at that time died, according to the book, which refers to two anonymous sources for this information.
Simmons ‘never told the Vice President about the death-pool roster before leaving her camp in January 2023, but he advised colleagues that he should be notified immediately if something happened to Biden, because he had worked out an entire communications strategy,’ the book says.
He then left the spreadsheet with another Harris aide.
One official participating in confidential discussions emphasized the concern that Biden might not be able to make it,
election
As they noted by Allen and Parnes, ‘This demonstrates the efforts required to adapt under such extraordinary conditions—we were dealing with someone over 80 years old who was leading the charge.’
Nevertheless, Biden stayed resolute about securing a second term, supported greatly by his spouse, the former First Lady Jill Biden—even as he did so.
had a string of public missteps and blunders.
But when Biden
came face-to-face with Republican nominee Donald Trump
During a summertime debate, the president’s diminishing mental sharpness became undeniably clear.
Later, ex-President Barack Obama and other prominent figures such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi,
moved forward to attempt persuading Biden to resign.
At the same time, they began to see Harris as the only alternative.
“One seasoned agent encapsulated the sentiment of Democrats who were concerned about potentially ending up with Harris but still wanting Biden to step down by saying, ‘At least she has a heartbeat,'” Allen and Parnes write in their upcoming book set for release next week.
On July 21, Biden finally declared that he wouldn’t run for re-election anymore—instead, he backed Harris to take his place as the party’s candidate.
Yet he still demanded complete loyalty from his vice president, according to the book.
It
states that on the day of Harris’ initial debate with Trump, Biden phoned the vice president for some encouragement.
However, it turned out to be more instructions to protect Biden’s legacy, with a three-word warning.
‘No daylight, kid,’ Biden reportedly said to the then 59-year-old Harris.
The former president would
often used that phrase to connect John McCain with George W. Bush before the 2008 election when he was running alongside him.
Obama
.
In the end, Allen and Parnes suggested whether Harris won or lost in her race against Trump ‘she would only harm him by publicly distancing herself from him’ as Biden staffers remained with her campaign.
At some point, according to the authors, Sean Clegg—a Harris aide distrusted by the Biden staff—was assisting the vice president get ready for an event alongside his running mate, Tim Walz. During this preparation, she began enumerating various achievements they had both made together.
According to the book, Clegg swiftly intervened.
‘Wait, wait, wait! Let’s not do this. Let’s not go down memory lane,’ Clegg said, according to an excerpt previously published by
The Hill
.
For the remark, Clegg was reportedly disinvited from future media prep sessions by longtime Dem communications staffer Stephanie Cutter.
Harris aides have also claimed that the Biden team was deliberately not working with them as a result of the president being forced to drop out.
Previously, Biden was blamed by senior Harris advisor David Plouffe for her loss because he refused to drop out of the race sooner.
He had claimed no Democratic candidate could have won without a proper primary process—what he called ‘the cardinal sin’ of this race.
And he mentioned that he was taken aback by the internal poll results once he eventually became part of the team.
Biden
left just before completing four months, describing his exit as ‘disastrous.’
“When I entered, it was the first time I actually saw the figures behind the scenes. These numbers were quite shocking,” he shared with The Atlantic.
Ultimately, Harris and Walzoczny
lost each individual battleground state to Trump
resulting in a decisive electoral college victory.
This signifies the first defeat for a Democrat ticket in the popular vote since 2004, and only the second time since 1988.
Read more
oleh admin | Mar 28, 2025 | business, education, higher education, news, technology
The Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) aims to be among the top 100 institutions in Asia by 2045, as per a plan that has been endorsed by Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long.
As part of this initiative, HUST will transform into a cutting-edge tertiary educational establishment, positioning itself amongst the foremost institutions across Asia within the domains of engineering and technological studies. Its mission includes serving as a focal point for cultivating expertise through training programs, fostering groundbreaking research activities, and spearheading advancements in Vietnam’s academic landscape—particularly in critical sectors like AI, cyber security, blockchain, electronics, semiconductor manufacturing, digital tech solutions, robotic systems, automation processes, renewable energies, environmental management, bioengineering practices, and sophisticated material sciences. The anticipated impact encompasses significant contributions towards socioeconomic progress not only in Hanoi but also throughout the Red River Delta area and nationwide.
According to the plan, by 2030, 85% of its faculty members should possess doctorates, with 30% holding positions as professors or associate professors and another 10% being distinguished international educators and researchers. Additionally, at least 25% of educational programs must be conducted in English. The initiative seeks to educate a minimum of 8,000 engineers, master’s degree recipients, and Ph.D.s specializing in areas critical for advancing strategic technologies and sectors. Furthermore, they aim for each instructor to produce approximately 1.6 scholarly articles annually published in Web of Science and Scopus databases. They also target securing between 25 to 30 intellectual properties yearly such as patents and utilities, ranking four to six academic programs within the global top 300-500 listings, and ensuring that at least six items resulting from the university’s scientific endeavors achieve successful market integration.
The aim is to incubate at least 10 spin-offs and startups with mobilized capital exceeding $10 million each.
By 2035, the HUST aims to rank within the top 100 to 150 educational institutions in Asia as per respected global ranking systems, with ambitions to advance into the top 100 by 2045.
As part of the recently approved initiative, additional funding will be required to enhance the university’s expansion and bolster its facilities. This includes establishing a new campus in nearby Hung Yen Province as well as modernizing laboratories located in Hanoi.
An innovation center for HUST will be established and cultivated as part of Hanoi’s innovation ecosystem.
In the 2025 QS Asia University Rankings (QS AUR 2025), the Hanoi University of Science and Technology ranks 388th.
The QS rankings rely on an extensive evaluation of 11 metrics such as academic standing, employer feedback, teacher-to-student ratios, citation frequency per publication, and global teaching staff presence. In the 2025 release, which assessed 984 tertiary institutions across Asia, 142 were new entrants. Notably, seventeen higher education institutions from Vietnam appeared in the QS ranking for Asian universities.
oleh admin | Mar 28, 2025 | elections, news, news media, politics, politics and government
MANILA, Philippines
– Over 41,000 aspirants for local offices in the May 12 election will begin their campaigns on Friday.
According to data provided by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), there will be a total of 41,342 contenders vying for positions such as district representative, governor, vice governor, member of the provincial board, mayor, vice mayor, and councilor in the forthcoming elections.
The 45-day campaign period for local candidates will run until May 10.
In light of this, Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia cautioned all contenders on Thursday to adhere rigorously to the established campaign regulations.
READ:
Operation Baklas was stepped up as the election season for local positions approaches.
Where can we typically find campaign posters in Cebu for the 2025 elections?
Local election intensifies as posters are layered one over another – Comelec
To local candidates, always keep in mind the guidelines set by the Comelec,” he stated. “Avoid being obstinate.
According to Comelec Resolution No. 11086, acceptable forms of campaign materials include pamphlets, flyers, cards, decals, stickers, or similar documents where neither dimension exceeds 8 1/2 inches wide nor 14 inches long. Additionally, hand-drawn or printed messages encouraging votes for specific parties or candidates for public positions are permitted. Posters or stands limited to sizes up to 2 feet tall by 3 feet wide, as well as banners measuring a maximum of 3 feet high by 8 feet long when shown during gatherings or rallies at the venue, also comply with these regulations.
Applicants can utilize campaign resources through mobile units and vehicles, be they powered by engines, people, or animals, with or without audio equipment like loudspeakers and lighting fixtures; purchase ads in printed publications or broadcasts; leverage privately-owned outdoor structures such as static posters or LED billboards; employ moving advertisements inside public transportation vehicles; and display signs at their party offices.
Campaign period: Materials
In contrast, individuals aiming to secure positions at the local level are barred from using LED displays situated alongside roads and streets for their promotional materials. They’re also not allowed to use LCD screens mounted on public building walls or comparable equipment managed by local government entities, GOCCs, or governmental departments and offices. Additionally, they cannot utilize motor vehicles employed as police cruisers, emergency response units, or other related functions—vehicles which may belong to local governments, GOCCs, or state-run organizations, especially those with official tags—and this restriction extends to publicly operated transit systems like MRT, LRT, PNR trains, among others.
Additionally, it is deemed unlawful to place election propaganda on waiting sheds, pavements, streets, lampposts, electrical poles and lines, traffic signs, and various billboards installed on state-owned land. This also includes pedestrian overpasses and underpasses, elevated roadways, bridge structures, major arterial roads, median strips of highways and city streets, educational institutions, community shrines, village administrative centers, governmental facilities, healthcare centers, publicly funded constructions, and any building therein. Furthermore, placing such materials inside areas managed by the government and used for public transportation—such as bus depots, airports, harbors, docking points, piers, railway stations, and similar locations—is prohibited.
Political advertisements
According to Comelec regulations, for political ads on TV and radio, each local candidate can broadcast up to 60 minutes of television commercials per channel and up to 90 minutes of radio spots per station.
For every candidate vying for either national or local elective posts, the largest permissible dimensions for their politically themed print ads are restricted to one-quarter of a page in broadsheet format and half a page in tabloid format. Additionally, these adverts may not appear more frequently than thrice weekly within any single newspaper.
Those who participate in outdoor campaign ads are limited to just one month of advertising on either a static or an LED billboard, with these billboards spaced at least 500 meters apart from each other.
Garcia mentioned that he instructed the local Comelec staff to install additional shared poster spaces in their respective zones.
Regarding the conduct of campaign rallies, Garcia stated that aspirants and political organizations must follow guidelines set forth by local government entities, which includes obtaining the required permissions.
“Additionally, ensure that you won’t create disruptions in the streets or lead to major traffic jams,” he said.
The election official stated that those who violate these guidelines will receive notifications that will be sent to the relevant candidates.
“Do not ignore the notifications to take down. This is preliminary to filing a case against you,” Garcia further stated.
(PNA)
oleh admin | Mar 28, 2025 | climate, meteorology, news, rainfall, weather forecasts
The state weather bureau reported on Tuesday that Metro Manila and the entire nation will encounter the easterly winds, which originate from the eastern regions and traverse the Pacific Ocean, bringing along warm and moist conditions, within the next 24 hours.
Chenel Dominguez, a weather forecaster from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), stated that they have yet to detect any tropical storms within the country’s jurisdiction. She also mentioned that there is no anticipation for disturbances likely to develop into typhoons over the next few days.
At the same time, she mentioned that the northeast monsoon, commonly referred to as ‘amihan,’ is gradually losing strength. It now impacts primarily the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Cagayan Valley, with sporadic light showers expected in these areas.
The winds from the east have been dominant in numerous regions across the nation such as the Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Romblon, and Palawan, as reported by the national meteorological office.
The other weather system — known as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which is essentially an invisible band where northerly and southerly winds converge — will bring intermittent rain showers and thunderstorms to both the Davao Region and the Zamboanga Peninsula.
This would also impact SOCCSKSARGEN (which includes South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos) as well as BARMM (the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao), with widespread cloud cover expected according to Pagasa’s 5:00 a.m. bulletin.
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | business, celebrities, journalism, news, news media
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Sophie Ikenye is an experienced journalist with a background in both domestic and global media outlets like NTV and the BBC.
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Throughout her career as an experienced journalist, Ikenye has interviewed prominent figures who have shed light on the challenges facing Africa.
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Kenyan people empathized with the journalist and expressed their wishes for a swift recovery as she proceeds with her medical treatments.
During the final week of March, Kenyans experienced varied outcomes, with numerous individuals speaking up against outdated cultural traditions during this period.
Here are the top-series of this week:
1. The family of renowned journalist Sophie Ikenye seeks assistance to gather KSh 5 million for her surgical procedure.
Kenians were taken aback upon discovering that experienced writer Sophie Ikenye has been unwell for the past eight months.
Even though the family has been diligent about covering her medical expenses, they have reached a challenging point where they must seek assistance.
The family states that they must raise KSh 5 million to cover her immediate surgery costs and continued medical care.
2. Nyamira: A new video reveals a woman was abducted from a tea plantation and compelled to toss dirt onto her husband’s burial site.
During the week, Mellen Mogaka gained attention for standing up for her right not to toss dirt into the grave of her former spouse as part of a funeral custom.
In a scene, the woman fought hard against visiting the gravesite; a man roughly pulled her as others assaulted her.
A few witnesses asked the men to let her be left alone, whereas some agreed with their actions; however, those who approved ultimately prevailed, leaving the young mother helpless.
3. A man from Uasin Gishu who studied alongside William Ruto shared a letter he penned to him in 1983 titled “Namesake.”
Francis Samoei of Uasin Gishu County remained optimistic about his chance to reconnect with his former classmate, President William Samoei Ruto.
Samoei shared some cherished recollections from their time together at Wareng High School with young Ruto back in 1983.
One of the cherished items he holds onto is a personally penned success letter from the president addressed to him during that period.
4. Emmy Kosgey’s spouse shares his continued involvement in Freemasonry after becoming born again: “For success.”
Famous gospel artist Emmy Kosgei and her spouse Apostle Anselm Madubuko have arrived in Kenya, where he spoke openly about his membership in Freemasonry.
Madubuko became part of Freemasonry when he was 21 years old during his time at university, primarily seeking influence and security.
The preacher said he remained part of the secret society even after experiencing rebirth.
5. Nick Mudimba: The last days of the celebrated journalist who died following a sudden collapse
Acclaimed reporter Nick Mudimba passed away after falling ill at his residence in Syokimau, within Machakos County.
It is said that the CGTN Africa correspondent had been unwell and receiving medical care prior to his unexpected passing. Just before his untimely death, Muidmba had encouraged Kenyans to tune in for the Harambee Stars game versus Gabon.
His passing stunned many within the media community, and his coworkers honored him with heartfelt praises.
This week’s viral story: A Kenyan man residing in the US passes away in a heartbreaking traffic incident during his visit with relatives in Kisii
During the third week of March, the untimely demise of Bernard Makabe following an incident right after his arrival from the United States stunned numerous individuals.
During the same week, people in Kenya anxiously awaited to see if the government would intervene to save Margaret Nduta from being executed in Vietnam.
Cyrus Jirongo, once a prominent member of KANU, tragically lost his daughter, Lorraine Jelagat. Many Kenyans flocked to social media platforms to offer their condolences to the family.
