The Armed Forces of the Philippines needs to keep its eyes on the ball. While the key political families in the country are fighting for power and survival, China awaits in the wings as the unintended beneficiary of our current state of discord. It is in their interest for the Philippines to be divided at various levels and aspects; for the national government to be distracted by domestic issues, and for the general public to be agitated against its leaders. Under these circumstances, the AFP will be compelled to veer away its focus from the South China Sea again and attend to potential scenarios of domestic instability. The infighting between the Marcos and Duterte families is the current centerpiece of political discourse in the country. As the political alliance slowly broke up, we witnessed how the Dutertes “doublespeak” their way in public rallies and social media forays in trying to “incite” the AFP to break the chain of command and oust President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. From the other side of the fence, certain elements of civil society have joined the chorus of critics against the proposed national budget for 2025 and the overall quality of its governance in the country. They think a military uprising is a viable proposition, as a prelude to a “revolutionary government.” The clamor for military intervention in domestic politics is not new. The AFP as an institution is historically one of the country’s consequential “political actors,” along with our political and economic elites, civil society, religious communities, and the media. However, after the EDSA Revolution of 1986 and the series of coup d’etats in the 1990s, the AFP has embarked on a journey of redemption. From one of the most vilified institutions during the Martial Law years, it is now one of the public’s most trustworthy bureaus in the government. The security sector reform program it underwent for about three decades was intended to align the institution’s values with that of a liberal democratic society, to strengthen professionalism in the military, to wean the officer corps away from domestic politics, and to inculcate respect for human rights across the rank and file. It was not an easy journey, for interspersed in this transformation were acts of military adventurism, corruption among its top leadership, and the occasional discord in civil-military relations. There may have been a lingering distrust of the military persisting across the different administrations, perhaps causing the suppression of the AFP’s budget and capability development programs to ensure that it does not threaten their terms of office. The Dutertes may have believed they retained residual influence in the AFP, just enough to summon the military’s support when needed. President Rodrigo Duterte astutely “piggy-backed” the AFP’s preoccupation with the counterinsurgency campaign to resurrect a faltering local communist movement. He wisely used the NPAs as a convenient “bogeyman” to rally the public to his side, “ red-tagged” those opposing his policies , and securitized as much of his programs as possible. However, the AFP has calibrated its compliance to some of Duterte’s contentious national security policies. It did not buy into Duterte’s appeasement posture towards China, it has maintained the PH-US alliance despite his efforts to displace it, and it has insulated the rank and file from involvement in the controversial “ drug war .” On the other hand, the ranks of the outraged civil society , including retired members of the various uniformed services, have issued a manifesto calling on President Marcos to rectify the problems arising from the national budget bill submitted by Congress. The submission to President Marcos saw a significant budget reduction for education, public health, and defense. They may have lost faith in the way democracy in the Philippines has been bastardized, and have grown frustrated with the performance of the various institutions of government. Given these circumstances, what could be a viable way forward for the Armed Forces to help pacify a disgruntled public, to quell the idea of extralegal measures from gaining traction, and to blunt potential interference by China in domestic politics? Clearly, in the near term, the nexus of our regional and domestic security problems is the Dutertes. China will benefit from the restoration of the Dutertes to power in 2028. Considering that the presidency is the center of gravity of our national defense posture and foreign policy, we expect a return to a pro-China stance across the government, and the compromise of our maritime and economic interests in the West Philippine Sea in favor of Beijing. On the domestic front, the Dutertes are fighting for their survival, and the only path to victory available is a regime change either through a very convoluted political jujitsu or by extralegal means. Both pathways can destabilize the body politic, and distract the AFP from focusing on the problems with China at sea and in the home front. The logical move is for the AFP to cut all vestiges of its links with the Duterte family. The low-hanging fruits available are: (1) shutting down the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group, (2) transferring back the responsibility for the security of the Vice President to the General Headquarters, (3) directing the Inspector General to investigate the dysfunction in the operations of the VPSPG, (4) directing the Internal Auditor to investigate how the confidential funds received by the VPSPG was liquidated and obligated. This sends a message to China that the Dutertes are not “sacred cows” that the AFP will defer to easily; it conveys a message to the general public that it will honor the trust accorded to the institution by doing what is morally and ethically right; and, it will signal to our political personalities that the military is non-partisan and constructively neutral to the vagaries of Philippine politics. The long-term view is more problematic. Here, the recurring lament of the late General Rodolfo Biazon when he was still in active service comes to mind, and to paraphrase: “Give us institutions that the soldiers of the Republic will find worthy of fighting and dying for.” Alas, we are confronted with political dynasties that currently rule our national and local governments, narco-politicians and criminals lording over our cities and provinces, and the decline of meritocracy in politics, among others. And sadly, our voters keep electing these types of leaders into office. Perhaps, what the AFP can do is to make voter literacy and education the flagship program of its civil-military operations efforts. The AFP is facing an ethical dilemma that is not of its own making. Its prior entanglements in the past administrations compel it to avoid politics. Unfortunately, politics and its practitioners are interested in the AFP. During these times it should gently remind itself, and those with vested interests whispering in its institutional ears; that the military conforms to the guard rails placed upon it by the Constitution. And that at the end of the day, it serves and protects the interest of all the Filipino people, not just those vested with power and privilege. – Rappler.com Retired Rear Admiral Rommel Jude Ong was formerly vice commander of the Philippine Navy .NEW YORK — There's a Christmas Day basketball game at Walt Disney World, featuring Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Wemby. An animated game, anyway. The real game takes place at Madison Square Garden, where Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs face the New York Knicks in a game televised on ABC and ESPN and streamed on Disney+ and ESPN+. The special alt-cast, the first animated presentation of an NBA game, will be shown on ESPN2 and also stream on Disney+ and ESPN+. Madison Square Garden is a staple of the NBA's Christmas schedule. Now it merges with a bigger home of the holidays, because the "Dunk the Halls" game will be staged at Disney, on a court set up right smack in the middle of where countless families have posed for vacation photos. Why that location? Because it was Mickey Mouse's Christmas wish. People are also reading... "Basketball courts often have the ability to make a normal environment look special, but in Disney it can only turn out incredible," Wembanyama said in an ESPN video promoting his Christmas debut. The story — this is Disney, after all — begins with Mickey penning a letter to Santa Claus, asking if he and his pals can host a basketball game. They'll not only get to watch one with NBA players, but some of them will even get to play. Goofy and Donald Duck will sub in for a couple Knicks players, while Mickey and Minnie Mouse will come on to play for the Spurs. "It looks to me like Goofy and Jalen Brunson have a really good pick-and-roll at the elite level," said Phil Orlins, an ESPN vice president of production. Walt Disney World hosted real NBA games in 2020, when the league set up there to complete its season that had been suspended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Those games were played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. The setting for the Christmas game will be Main Street USA, at the entrance of the Magic Kingdom. Viewers will recognize Cinderella's castle behind one baseline and the train station at the other end, and perhaps some shops they have visited in between. Previous alternate animated broadcasts included an NFL game taking place in Andy's room from "Toy Story;" the "NHL Big City Greens Classic" during a game between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers; and earlier this month, another NFL matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys also taking place at Springfield's Atoms Stadium as part of "The Simpsons Funday Football." Unlike basketball, the players are helmeted in those sports. So, this telecast required an extra level of detail and cooperation with players and teams to create accurate appearances of their faces and hairstyles. "So, this is a level of detail that we've never gone, that we've never done on any other broadcast," said David Sparrgrove, the senior director of creative animation for ESPN. Wembanyama, the 7-foot-3 phenom from France who was last season's NBA Rookie of the Year, looks huge even among most NBA players. The creators of the alternate telecast had to design how he'd look not only among his teammates and rivals, but among mice, ducks and chipmunks. "Like, Victor Wembanyama, seeing him in person is insane. It's like seeing an alien descend on a basketball court, and I think we kind of captured that in his animated character," said Drew Carter, who will again handle play-by-play duties, as he had in the previous animated telecasts, and will get an assist from sideline reporter Daisy Duck. Wembanyama's presence is one reason the Spurs-Knicks matchup, the leadoff to the NBA's five-game Christmas slate, was the obvious choice to do the animated telecast. The noon EST start means it will begin in the early evening in France and should draw well there. Also, it comes after ABC televises the "Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade" for the previous two hours, providing more time to hype the broadcast. Recognizing that some viewers who then switch over to the animated game may be Disney experts but NBA novices, there will be 10 educational explainers to help with basketball lingo and rules. Beyond Sports' visualization technology and Sony's Hawk-Eye tracking allow the animated players to make the same movements and plays made moments earlier by the real ones at MSG. Carter and analyst Monica McNutt will be animated in the style of the telecast, donning VR headsets to experience the game from Main Street, USA. Other animated faces recognizable to some viewers include NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who will judge a halftime dunk contest among Mickey and his friends, and Santa himself, who will operate ESPN's "SkyCam" during the game. The players are curious how the production — and themselves — will look. "It's going to be so crazy to see the game animated," Spurs veteran Chris Paul said. "I think what's dope about it is it will give kids another opportunity to watch a game and to see us, basically, as characters." Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Published 11:33 pm Sunday, December 29, 2024 By Data Skrive The Charlotte Hornets (7-24) will look to end a seven-game losing streak when they host the Chicago Bulls (14-18) on Monday, December 30, 2024 at Spectrum Center as 5.5-point underdogs. The matchup airs at 7:00 PM ET on CHSN and FDSSE. Want to gain an edge on Monday’s game? Discover the best bets available for this matchup (based on our computer predictions) right here. Watch the NBA, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up. Sign up for NBA League Pass to get access to games, live and on-demand, and more for the entire season and offseason. Place your bets on any NBA matchup at BetMGM. Sign up today using our link. Bet on this game’s spread with BetMGM Over (227.5) Bet on this game’s total with BetMGM Bet on this game’s moneyline with BetMGM Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .An animated game, anyway. The real game takes place at Madison Square Garden, where Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs face the New York Knicks in a game televised on ABC and ESPN and streamed on Disney+ and ESPN+. The special alt-cast, the first animated presentation of an NBA game, will be shown on ESPN2 and also stream on Disney+ and ESPN+. Madison Square Garden is a staple of the NBA's Christmas schedule. Now it merges with a bigger home of the holidays, because the "Dunk the Halls" game will be staged at Disney, on a court set up right smack in the middle of where countless families have posed for vacation photos. Why that location? Because it was Mickey Mouse's Christmas wish. "Basketball courts often have the ability to make a normal environment look special, but in Disney it can only turn out incredible," Wembanyama said in an ESPN video promoting his Christmas debut. The story — this is Disney, after all — begins with Mickey penning a letter to Santa Claus, asking if he and his pals can host a basketball game. They'll not only get to watch one with NBA players, but some of them will even get to play. Goofy and Donald Duck will sub in for a couple Knicks players, while Mickey and Minnie Mouse will come on to play for the Spurs. "It looks to me like Goofy and Jalen Brunson have a really good pick-and-roll at the elite level," said Phil Orlins, an ESPN vice president of production. Walt Disney World hosted real NBA games in 2020, when the league set up there to complete its season that had been suspended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Those games were played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. The setting for the Christmas game will be Main Street USA, at the entrance of the Magic Kingdom. Viewers will recognize Cinderella's castle behind one baseline and the train station at the other end, and perhaps some shops they have visited in between. Previous alternate animated broadcasts included an NFL game taking place in Andy's room from "Toy Story;" the "NHL Big City Greens Classic" during a game between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers; and earlier this month, another NFL matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys also taking place at Springfield's Atoms Stadium as part of "The Simpsons Funday Football." Unlike basketball, the players are helmeted in those sports. So, this telecast required an extra level of detail and cooperation with players and teams to create accurate appearances of their faces and hairstyles. "So, this is a level of detail that we've never gone, that we've never done on any other broadcast," said David Sparrgrove, the senior director of creative animation for ESPN. Wembanyama, the 7-foot-3 phenom from France who was last season's NBA Rookie of the Year, looks huge even among most NBA players. The creators of the alternate telecast had to design how he'd look not only among his teammates and rivals, but among mice, ducks and chipmunks. "Like, Victor Wembanyama, seeing him in person is insane. It's like seeing an alien descend on a basketball court, and I think we kind of captured that in his animated character," said Drew Carter, who will again handle play-by-play duties, as he had in the previous animated telecasts, and will get an assist from sideline reporter Daisy Duck. Wembanyama's presence is one reason the Spurs-Knicks matchup, the leadoff to the NBA's five-game Christmas slate, was the obvious choice to do the animated telecast. The noon EST start means it will begin in the early evening in France and should draw well there. Also, it comes after ABC televises the "Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade" for the previous two hours, providing more time to hype the broadcast. Recognizing that some viewers who then switch over to the animated game may be Disney experts but NBA novices, there will be 10 educational explainers to help with basketball lingo and rules. Beyond Sports' visualization technology and Sony's Hawk-Eye tracking allow the animated players to make the same movements and plays made moments earlier by the real ones at MSG. Carter and analyst Monica McNutt will be animated in the style of the telecast, donning VR headsets to experience the game from Main Street, USA. Other animated faces recognizable to some viewers include NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who will judge a halftime dunk contest among Mickey and his friends, and Santa himself, who will operate ESPN's "SkyCam" during the game. The players are curious how the production — and themselves — will look. "It's going to be so crazy to see the game animated," Spurs veteran Chris Paul said. "I think what's dope about it is it will give kids another opportunity to watch a game and to see us, basically, as characters."
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American Electric Power Co. Inc. stock outperforms competitors despite losses on the dayMickey, Minnie, Goffy and Wemby
Pre-made meals, a convenient dining option widely accepted in many Western countries, have sparked heated debate on China's social media in recent years over concerns about safety, hygiene, and nutrition. Experts attribute the disparity in acceptance to differing levels of industry development and public understanding. China's pre-made meal industry, which experienced a boom during the COVID-19 pandemic, is still in its infancy compared to its Western counterparts, according to Zou Jian, an executive expert with China's Pre-Made Meal Professional Committee. Zou noted that similar concerns were voiced in Europe and the United States decades ago when the industry was developing in those regions. "Western consumers have a higher level of understanding of premade meals thanks to decades of industry development and robust information disclosure," Zou said. "In China, however, the industry is new, and public awareness is still growing." Zou emphasized that pre-made meals in China are "very safe and clean," citing three key factors: reliance on physical processing methods by food prep companies like Huayu Holding Co, the use of fresh ingredients directly sourced from plants, and strict government regulations overseeing the sector. Efforts to address consumer concerns are underway. In March 2024, China introduced nationwide standards to bolster supervision of the fast-growing market. On Dec 20, Henan province established a premade dish industrial alliance aimed at enhancing transparency through expert-led research and public outreach. Zou acknowledged the challenges ahead for the industry, particularly given the diversity of Chinese cuisine. "With over 18,000 types of cuisine featuring different cooking methods like frying, steaming, and stewing, the techniques for transforming them into pre-made dishes are inevitably complex," he said. Despite the hurdles, the sector's growth is expected to have broader economic benefits. Zou noted that developing pre-made meals drives integration across primary, secondary, and tertiary industries and supports rural vitalization. Huayu Holding Co, which operates facilities in Henan, Jilin, and Tianjin, has significantly boosted rural employment, employing around 300,000 workers, 85 percent of whom are from rural areas. The company sources an average of five million pigs annually from nearby plants, addressing sales challenges for scattered farms while providing fresh food to consumers, said Liu Chaoyang, the company's general manager. "If the Huayu model-from farm to table-can be replicated nationwide, it will harness idle resources in the countryside and further rural vitalization," Zou said. China's pre-made meal industry generated 550 billion yuan ($69.4 billion) in revenue last year, according to Xinhua News Agency. Zou sees opportunities for international growth, particularly as pre-made meals could serve as a gateway for foreigners to experience Chinese cuisine. Zou shared an anecdote from his time abroad when friends from New Zealand's Silver Fern Farms were surprised by the quality of the premade hotpot he served. "Pre-made meals can make Chinese cuisine more accessible to international consumers, fostering a deeper appreciation for Chinese culture," he said. However, the industry faces challenges expanding overseas due to varying inspection and quarantine standards for meat products. "We are working to smooth out these processes," said He Shaojun, general manager of Henan Dongfang Yichu Food Co, a subsidiary of Huayu Holding.Kolkata, Dec 30 (IANS): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be making a trip on Monday to Sandeshkhali, a conglomeration of islands in North 24 Parganas district, after avoiding such initiatives during the entire period of crisis there earlier this year, following allegations of sexual harassment of local women and land grabbing of people by her party member and local leader, Sheikh Shahjahan. On December 26, the Chief Minister announced that she would be going there to attend an official programme on December 30 and hand over documents of public services to 100 beneficiaries there. "On Monday, a total of 20,000 individuals will be handed over such papers from different camps established there on that day," Banerjee said. Doubts were raised from different quarters, including the opposition parties in the state, as to why the Chief Minister was avoiding a visit to Sandeshkhali while it witnessed violence earlier this year, following a protest by local women there against sexual harassment and land grabbing. Political observers feel that the Chief Minister's visit to Sandeshkhali on Monday is significant as she is expected to make important announcements from there on that day. In January this year, Sandeshkhali for the first time hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons as a group of Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials and their escorting central armed forces personnel (CAPF) personnel attempted a raid and search operations at the residence of Sheikh Shahjahan in connection with the multi-core ration distribution case in West Bengal. Shortly after that, when the entire focus of the media and central agencies was shifted over to Sandeshkhali, the local people whose land was allegedly grabbed by Shahahjan and his associates and the women becoming victims of sexual harassment by them came out on the streets protesting on the issue. Shahjahan is currently in judicial custody.
Train union backdown gives businesses, revellers Sydney NYE reprieveDusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie scored to lead Juventus to a 2-0 Champions League win over Manchester City on Wednesday, a major blow to the English champion’s hopes of clinching a top-eight spot in the group stage of Europe’s elite competition. City, which lifted the 2023 Champions League title, continued a poor run of form which has brought only one victory in its last 10 games across all competitions. “(Confidence) is a big part of it, obviously it’s a mental issue as well. You can see that. You can see that sometimes one action we miss the ball or lose a duel and you can see that we drop immediately,” City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan told Amazon Prime . “It has such a big effect on us right now. At the crucial moment right now we are doing the wrong things.” Vlahovic scored by the narrowest of margins in the 53rd minute when Kenan Yildiz swung the ball in and City ‘keeper Ederson fumbled the Serb’s header from close range and the ball sneaked just across the line, according to the goalline technology. Vlahovic of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match against Manchester City. | Photo Credit: Getty Images “The whole team played an excellent match, we prepared well and did everything what we had to do,” Vlahovic told Amazon . “The result is amazing and can give us a great boost for the rest of the season.” City picked up the tempo in a desperate attempt to equalise and sent numbers forward, but Juve capitalised to double its lead against the run of play when McKennie hooked Timothy Weah’s cross in with a sumptuous volley in the 75th minute. Pep Guardiola’s team squandered several chances, one of the best falling to Erling Haaland late in first half. ALSO READ: Griezmann brace powers Atletico Madrid to 3-1 win over Slovan Bratislava Kevin De Bruyne sent a beautiful through ball to the Norwegian who got in behind the defence before trying to chip goalkeeper Michele di Gregorio who threw up his arm to block the shot. Gundogan unleashed a blistering strike from long range that Di Gregorio stretched to just push wide. “We have done it really, really well, we didn’t lose many balls that happened in the past, and we arrived in the positions,” Guardiola said. “But the Italian teams that defend so deep and so compact it is not easy, they are masters of these kinds of situations.” Manchester City’s head coach Pep Guardiola reacts during the Champions League, opening phase match against Juventus at the Allianz stadium in Turin, Italy. | Photo Credit: AP With two games remaining in the group phase, Juventus is 14th in the table while City plummeted to 22nd, three places out of automatic elimination from the competition. Since the start of November, City has conceded more goals (21) across all competitions than any other team in Europe’s big five leagues, the worst spell in Guardiola’s otherwise sparkling managerial career. ALSO READ: Saka brace powers Arsenal to 3-0 win over Monaco; Feyenoord eases past Sparta Prague City, which hosts Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday, continues its Champions League campaign at Paris St Germain on January 22. Juventus travels to Brugge on January 21. Wasteful Benfica struggled to a 0-0 home against Bologna in the Champions League on Wednesday as visiting ‘keeper Lukasz Skorupski made crucial saves to keep the hosts out. Benfica is 15th in the standings with 10 points while Bologna’s campaign is on the brink of ending with only two points and a six-point gap to the last playoff spot. Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis shoots at goal as Bologna’s Lukasz Skorupski makes a save in their UEFA Champions League group phase match. | Photo Credit: REUTERS Benfica thought it had got off to a flying start after two minutes when Vangelis Pavlidis scored, but a VAR check ruled out the effort for offside. ALSO READ: Super-sub Torres helps Barcelona beat Dortmund 3-2; Stuttgart scores five past Young Boys Pavlidis was denied from close range by Skorupski with a superb reflex save in the second half and Benfica wasted late chances as the points were shared in the first-ever meeting between the teams. Comments Related Topics UEFA Champions League 2024-25 / Manchester City / Pep Guardiola / Juventus / Bologna / Benfica Latest on Sportstar
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