Group of seven

Viktor Vekselberg (Photo by Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg) - A + A The soft power tussle was on show in Africa last month, when Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov won praise for Moscow’s nuclear power technology BERLIN/HONG KONG/JOHANNESBURG (Aug 8): When Group of Seven leaders gathered in the Bavarian Alps in June, they pledged to stand with Ukraine for the long haul. Their Group of 20 counterparts are proving less supportive. Comprising nations that account for some 85% of global economic output, the G-20 is supposed to be more reflective of the world. Yet only half its number has joined the international sanctions imposed on fellow member Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Senior officials from the smaller group of wealthy nations have been traveling the world to make the case for a tougher economic net around Russia. They’ve been surprised by the lack of sign-on from G-20 states, even if those countries aren’t going out of their way to help … [Read more...] about The US-led drive to isolate Russia, China falls short

- A + A NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Aug 8): A popular cryptocurrency service that allows users to mask their transactions was sanctioned by the US Treasury Department based on evidence North Korean hackers relied on it to launder illicit gains, officials announced on Monday. Tornado Cash, a type of anonymizing virtual currency exchange designed to preserve the privacy of blockchain users, has laundered more than US$7 billion in virtual currency, a senior Treasury official said in a press conference. North Korea’s Lazarus Group has laundered US$450 million through Tornado Cash, according to the official. It was also used to launder almost US$100 million in the June hack of the Harmony Bridge, a platform that allows crypto trading between blockchains, the official said. Tornado Cash, which was created in 2019, couldn’t immediately be located for comment. Administration officials declined to provide details on where Tornado Cash is based or who is behind it. The Treasury … [Read more...] about Crypto mixer Tornado Cash sanctioned by US Treasury Department

Story highlights People who perform same-sex marriages could face up to seven years in prison Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed an anti-homosexuality bill Monday The White House says Museveni took his country a "step backward" Museveni changed positions on the bill several times before signing it President Yoweri Museveni, who made anti-homosexuality laws in Uganda much tougher Monday, told CNN in an exclusive interview that sexual behavior is a matter of choice and gay people are "disgusting." After signing the bill that made some homosexual acts punishable by life in prison, Museveni told CNN's Zain Verjee that, in his view, being homosexual is "unnatural" and not a human right. "They're disgusting. What sort of people are they?" he said. "I never knew what they were doing. I've been told recently that what they do is terrible. Disgusting. But I was ready to ignore that if there was proof that that's how he is born, abnormal. But now the proof is not … [Read more...] about Uganda president: Homosexuals are ‘disgusting’

Maroon 5 American pop-rock band Maroon 5 is set to hold its sixth concert in Manila on Dec. 8 at SM Mall of Asia Arena. Mounted by Live Nation Philippines, the upcoming show is part of the Grammy-winning group’s 12th world series “2022 Tour” (also previously known as “2020” and “2021”). The Philippines is one of five countries included in the recently announced Asian leg, which will conclude the tour. “We look forward to seeing you at the end of the year!” the band said in an Instagram post. General public ticket-selling goes on sale on Aug. 6 at 10 a.m. via the SM Tickets website and outlets; call 8470-2222. Meanwhile, members of Live Nation Philippines will have a chance to purchase tickets earlier through an exclusive online window on Aug. 5 at 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. at www.livenation.ph. The tour—which kicked off in Mexico City on Feb. 2020, in support of Maroon 5’s seventh album, “Jordi”—was postponed the following month because of the COVID-19 pandemic, before … [Read more...] about Maroon 5 set to rock PH fans for 6th time in December

Photo Courtesy of Ka Leody De Guzman Facebook Page MANILA, Philippines — Labor leader and former presidential candidate Leody de Guzman on Monday blasted the administration for arresting his former running mate, Walden Bello, calling it an act of political persecution. “Hindi kailanman magiging makatwiran ang kasong cyberlibel laban kay Walden Bello dahil malinaw na ang motibasyon sa likuran nito ay pampulitikang panunupil,” said De Guzman in a statement. (The cyberlibel case against Walden Bello will never be justified because it is clear that the motivation behind it is political repression.) “Panunupil laban sa kritiko, pati na rin sa lahat ng kritikal sa kanilang administrasyon,” he added. (Repression against the critic and all those who are critical of their administration.) De Guzman then called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to revoke the warrant against Bello, and also called on lawmakers to decriminalize libel. Bello was arrested on Monday afternoon … [Read more...] about Walden Bello’s arrest an act of political repression, says Ka Leody

Former Akbayan Rep. .Walden Bello in a photo posted on his Facebook page April 20, 2022. MANILA, Philippines — “Pure political harassment and persecution. No way I will let these people intimidate me and suppress free speech,” former Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello said in a statement he issued after his arrest for cyberlibel on Monday, Bello, who ran for vice president in the May elections this year, was arrested by officers of the Quezon City Police District at 5:00 p.m. The case against him was filed by Davao City Information Officer Jefry Tupas, who worked under Vice President Sara Duterte during her mayoralty in Davao City. “Arrested this afternoon for cyberlibel charge filed against me by the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte. I’ll have [to] spend the night in jail since it’s too late to post bail,” Bello said. The former lawmaker was indicted by a Davao City prosecutor for violation of the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 in a seven-page … [Read more...] about ‘Pure political harassment and persecution,’ says Bello of his arrest

A man who fired shots from a vehicle into a crowd — killing one man and wounding two others while fleeing a confrontation at an Adams County trailer park — was convicted Monday of second-degree murder. Brandon Karr, 25, also was convicted of nine counts of attempted first-degree murder in connection with the Aug. 16 shooting at the Berkley Village Mobile Home Park at 5400 Sheridan Blvd. A second man involved in the altercation, Rojelio Heredia, 25, fired at Karr’s vehicle and killed Karr’s cousin, Dustin Karr, 23. Heredia has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, heat of passion. An Adams County District Court jury deliberated about six hours before convicting Karr of one count of second-degree murder heat of passion, nine counts of attempted first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree assault, according to a 17th Judicial District release. “When you empty a gun into a crowd of people less than 10 feet away, you know your conduct is going to kill people,” Chief … [Read more...] about Man convicted of killing one, wounding two others at Adams County trailer park

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Just three of seven midsize cars evaluated in an updated, tougher side-impact crash test earned decent ratings, but only the Subaru Outback earned the top rating. Three popular models – the Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry – each earned the lowest rating. The results of the recent assessments were released on Thursday by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety , a nonprofit funded by the insurance industry that conducted the evaluations. "With vehicles that sit lower to the ground, the striking barrier hits higher on the door panel,” David Harkey, president of the Insurance Institute, said in a statement. “That potentially puts sedans and wagons at a disadvantage in this evaluation but reflects what happens in a real-world crash when these vehicles are struck by a higher-riding pickup or SUV.” The institute’s ratings, which range from highest to lowest, are: good, acceptable, marginal or … [Read more...] about Midsize Cars Do Poorly In New Crash Test, But Subaru Outback Excels