ez jili Highlights innovation to empower business, enrich lives Spanning five decades of promoting transformative agenda for the country, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) recently celebrated 50 golden years of the Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC&E), the biggest and most-highly anticipated in the country. Over 1,500 local and international delegates trooped to the Marriott Grand Ballroom for the 50th Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBCE) with the theme “Embracing Innovation. Empowering Business. Enriching Lives” chaired by Mr. Raymund Jude Aguilar, PCCI Vice President for International Affairs. PCCI President Enunina V. Mangio welcomed the delegates as she underscored the role of PB&E as an important platform where leaders in government, the private sector and other stakeholders converge to discuss paramount agenda of business growth and economic progress. “Through the years, we have seen how the insights, ideas, and recommendations from this annual conference have played a critical role in fostering economic development, promoting trade and investments, and generating jobs that contribute to the growth of our nation,” Mangio said. Aguilar acknowledged the contributions of the PBC&E over the years, becoming a venue where economic forces have traditionally converged to discuss concerns and create solutions to improve business and stimulate growth. He likewise gave tribute to past PCCI leaders for bringing the chamber movement to where it is today. "From its birth in 1974, the PBC&E has become the venue where economic forces converge, delving into exciting topics on current and emerging issues of concern, new trends, exciting technologies and their implications on business,” Aguilar said. Vice President Sara Duterte led the opening ceremonies while Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, Secretary Frederick Go ably represented President Ferdinand B. Marcos who, unfortunately, was unable to grace the occasion as he had to attend to efforts related to typhoon Kristine. The two-day event was filled-up with renowned experts and visionaries led by one of Singapore’s well-known diplomats, Professor Kishore Mahbubani, alongside young and dynamic future business leaders. On the other hand, officials of key government agencies took turns in presenting the government’s agenda to the private sector. Marcos, in his message delivered by Go underscored the important role of the business community in steering the country’s direction towards greater prosperity. "The PBC&E embodies the enduring partnership between the government and the private sector, with our relationship built on mutual trust, respect, and a shared vision of equitable growth. None of this would be possible without the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Your unwavering dedication to uplift the business sector mirrors this administration’s commitment to steer our economy towards greater prosperity,” Marcos said. The President made a commitment to improve the business climate and elevate the status of the Philippines as a top investment destination. He assured the private sector that his government will continue to work to harmonize all efforts of all Investment Promotion Agencies, government agencies, and local government units to create synergies. Duterte, on the other hand, underscored the importance of innovation to business, adding that the government and private sector should collaborate to create innovation centers and foster an environment that encourages risk-taking and experimentation. “Ultimately, humans should ensure that AI becomes our partner in improving our lives. We should consider the urgency of re-skilling and upskilling of our workers, and equip them with new skills in this technologically advancing environment,” Duterte said. The conference successfully concluded with the handing over of the 10-point agenda of PCCI to President Marcos, which encapsulates the collective aspirations of the Philippine business to the new administration particularly in steering the country towards a higher growth trajectory. PCCI submits wishlist to government At the culmination of the 50th PBCE Aguilar handed over to Go the resolutions that focused on critical areas covering food security, human resources development, and investment generation aimed at enhancing the Philippines' global competitiveness and ensuring the well-being of its citizens. “These proposals are designed to foster an environment where businesses can thrive, investments can flow, and every Filipino can benefit from a more robust economy. We stand ready to work hand-in-hand with the government to turn these proposals into actionable policies,” Mangio said. Mangio recognized that successful implementation of these resolutions requires the strong collaboration between the government, private sector, and local communities. Achieving food security Recognizing the need for a stable and sustainable food supply, the PCCI proposes a multi-faceted approach to bolster agricultural production and access to markets. Among the key initiatives are the establishment of a Technology Task Force, which will introduce modern farming technologies like climate control and precision farming. The resolution also calls for strengthening public-private partnerships (PPPs) and revitalizing key sectors such as coconut, hog, and aquaculture industries through financial aid programs, disease control measures, and support for cooperatives. Furthermore, it seeks to amend the Agrarian Reform Law, advocating for an increase in the land retention limit from 5 to 24 hectares to promote larger, more efficient farming operations. Human resources development Aimed at creating a more skilled and capable workforce, the PCCI urges reforms in the education system and healthcare sector to create a more skilled and capable workforce. The organization proposes amendments to the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) Law, calling for the establishment of a Philippine Qualifications Authority to ensure that the trifocalized education agencies coordinate and work together so that educational outcomes align with industry needs. To foster innovation, the PCCI is pushing for the establishment of Research and Development Centers within DepEd, TESDA, and CHED and the enhancement of curricula through collaboration with global technology and R&D companies. In healthcare, the Chamber emphasizes the need for improved facilities, particularly in underserved regions, and a stronger focus on tackling malnutrition through community-wide campaigns. Investment promotion and job creation The PCCI also outlines strategies for attracting more investments and generating jobs. This includes advocating for comprehensive Investment Promo tion Legislation that will provide incentives for key sectors such as manufacturing and green technologies. The resolutions emphasize the importance of improving infrastructure particularly in logistics, ensuring energy availability while maintaining competitive costs, and digitalizing local government services to streamline processes and attract more investors. The PCCI is committed to working with the government to develop a long-term Infrastructure Master Plan that will enhance transportation, energy, and communication networks “We at the PCCI believe that we have what it takes to become one of the most robust economies in the world. Through the resolutions that we have submitted, we offer doable recommendations, proposed legislations and executive actions to guide our economic managers to ensure sustainable economic development and societal progress,” Aguilar said. PCCI recognizes business ingenuity, excellence At the PBCE, the PCCI conferred numerous awards to individuals, professionals, companies, chambers of commerce and local government units that have exemplified business development ideas and excellence in business.LEIPZIG, Germany :Aston Villa substitutes Jhon Duran and Ross Barkley bagged second-half goals to salvage a 3-2 victory over RB Leipzig on Tuesday in a Champions League match marked by a stunning error from keeper Emi Martinez that gifted Leipzig a goal. With 13 points after six games, Unai Emery's men are provisionally third in the table and just a win away from booking their berth in the Champions League last 16. Leipzig have zero points and their loss means they cannot advance. "I thought overall we were the better team and we could have scored more," Villa captain John McGinn told Amazon Prime. "We dealt with their problems well and what we needed today was substitutes to come on and make a difference. "It is exciting. It is great to be in the top three." McGinn put Villa on the scoresheet inside three minutes when he fired in Ollie Watkins's header past Peter Gulacsi. Lois Openda levelled against the run of play in the 27th minute when Martinez ventured well out of his net but misjudged the bounce of the ball, allowing Openda to nudge it past him and score. "One mistake and they score but then we played very well," Emery said. "Champions League is very difficult and we have to expect that every team playing at home are feeling strong. We played with consistency and domination. "Today we were thinking if we won we could be a contender in the last two matches to be in the top eight. We achieved this." Super sub Duran, who has six goals off the bench this season - the most by any player in Europe's big-five leagues in 2024-25 - was electric from the moment he entered the game after the break. He put the visitors up in the 52nd minute when he latched on to a pass from Youri Tielemans before unleashing a blistering shot from nearly 30 metres out that sailed over Gulacsi's head. Duran had the ball in the back of the net again minutes later but it was chalked off for offside in the build-up. The home side levelled 10 minutes later when a 40-metre pass from Benjamin Henrichs found Openda, who floated the ball to the back post for Christoph Baumgartner to steer in with a volley. Two minutes after he entered the game, Barkley bagged a fluke winner in the 85th when he slipped while firing a shot from long range that took a big deflection off defender Lukas Klostermann and went in. Leipzig manager Marco Rose said: "It seems it's not our Champions League season, now we have no chance to go for the next stage." The new Champions League format sees the top eight teams in the league phase after eight rounds advance into the round of 16. The teams from ninth to 24th will go into two-legged play-offs, with the eight winners moving into the last 16. Villa's final two games of the first round are at Monaco on Jan. 21 and against Celtic at Villa Park on Jan. 29.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Friday the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) issuing of an for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He maintained that the ICC’s actions were “ and that he would defy it by inviting the Israeli leader to Hungary. In a on X (formerly Twitter), Orbán said that the ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu is “brazen, cynical and completely unacceptable.” Orbán also invited Netanyahu to visit Hungary with a guarantee of freedom and safety. In the video interview, he continued: I would say cynical decision that is fundamentally wrong that is discrediting of international law. But it can also add fuel to the flames. Therefore, there is no other option but to oppose the decision. For this reason, later today I will extend an invitation to the Israeli Prime Minister Mr Netanyahu to visit Hungary. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations has also on countries to the decision of the International Criminal Court, calling it the “pinnacle of diplomatic terrorism that gives impetus to the barbarism and violence of the extremist terrorist organizations.” According to of the Rome Statute of the ICC, Hungary’s selective application of justice potentially violates its obligation to cooperate with the court in its investigation and prosecution. Relatedly in October, the ICC also Mongolia to the Assembly of State Parties for its non-compliance with the ICC’s request to arrest and surrender Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit. UN Security Council called for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied in Six Days' War On November 22, 1967, the UN Security Council called for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied during the Six Days' War, and for respect of the right of all States in the area to "live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries."Read , which remains a cornerstone of efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East. President Kennedy assassinated, VP Lyndon Johnson sworn inin On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Later that day, Vice-President Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States. Earl Warren, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was later tasked with leading a commission to investigate the assassination. President Johnson received the final report of the Warren Commission on September 24, 1964. the Warren Commission Report.Ghanaians Demand Arrest of Gifty Oware-Aboagye Over Alleged GHS 68.64 Billion NSS Fraud

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TOMS River, N.J. (AP) — A U.S. senator has called for mysterious drones spotted flying over sensitive areas in New Jersey and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region to be “shot down, if necessary,” even as it remains unclear who owns them. “We should be doing some very urgent intelligence analysis and take them out of the skies, especially if they’re flying over airports or military bases,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said Thursday as concerns about the drones spread across Capitol Hill. People in the New York region are also concerned that the drones may be sharing airspace with commercial airlines, he said, demanding more transparency from the Biden administration. The White House said Thursday that a review of the reported sightings shows that many of them are actually manned aircraft being flown lawfully. White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said there were no reported sightings in any restricted airspace. He said the U.S. Coast Guard has not uncovered any foreign involvement from coastal vessels. “We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus,” Kirby said, echoing statements from the Pentagon and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. The drones appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio, according to a state lawmaker briefed Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security. The FBI has been investigating and has asked residents to share any videos, photos or other information about the drones. On Wednesday, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said they are not U.S. military drones. The number of sightings has increased in recent days, though officials say many of the objects seen may have been planes rather than drones. It’s also possible that a single drone has been reported more than once. The worry stems partly from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. In a post on the social media platform X, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia described the drones as up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in diameter and sometimes traveling with their lights switched off. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use but are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified. Most, but not all, of the drones spotted in New Jersey were larger than those typically used by hobbyists. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey said he was frustrated by the lack of transparency, saying it could help spread fear or misinformation. “We should know what’s going on over our skies,” he said Thursday. Fantasia, a Morris County Republican, was among several lawmakers who met with state police and Homeland Security officials to discuss the sightings from the New York City area across New Jersey and westward into parts of Pennsylvania, including over Philadelphia. It is unknown at this time whether the sightings are related. Two Republican Jersey Shore-area congressmen, U.S. Reps. Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew, say the military should shoot down the drones. Smith said a U.S. Coast Guard commanding officer briefed him on an incident over the weekend in which a dozen drones followed a motorized Coast Guard lifeboat “in close pursuit” near Barnegat Light and Island Beach State Park in Ocean County. Coast Guard Lt. Luke Pinneo on Wednesday told The Associated Press “that multiple low-altitude aircraft were observed in the vicinity of one of our vessels near Island Beach State Park.” Associated Press reporters Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and reporter Darlene Superville and videojournalists Serkan Gurbuz and Nathan Ellgren in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!By DARLENE SUPERVILLE WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he is “so proud” that a women’s health research initiative he launched last year at his wife’s urging has already invested nearly $1 billion because a healthy female population improves U.S. prosperity. “That’s a fact,” he said in closing remarks at the first White House Conference on Women’s Health Research. “We haven’t gotten that through to the other team yet,” Biden said, referencing President-elect Donald Trump and his incoming administration. Trump’s three conservative nominees to the Supreme Court from his first term as president voted to overturn a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion . Democrats campaigned on reproductive rights and women’s health issues in this year’s elections. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump’s transition team, said the president-elect will keep his promise to improve health in the U.S. “President Trump campaigned on making America healthy again for ALL Americans including men, women, and children, and he will deliver on that promise,” Leavitt said in an email. Women make up half of the U.S. population, about 168 million people, but medical research into their unique health circumstances has largely been underfunded and understudied, officials have said. Jill Biden has said she brought the idea for the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research to the president after Maria Shriver, herself a women’s health advocate and member of the influential Kennedy political family, brought it to her. The first lady told the researchers, advocates, and business and philanthropic leaders attending the conference that she will keep pressing the issue after she leaves her role. “My work doesn’t stop in January when Joe and I leave this house,” she said. “I will keep building alliances, like the ones that brought us here today, and I will keep pushing for funding for innovative research.” The first lady said the U.S. economy loses about $1.8 billion in working time every year because of how menopause affects women. And she is interested in learning more about extreme morning sickness during pregnancy. “I heard this a couple weeks ago and I was particularly interested because my own granddaughter was going through the same thing, ’cause we’re going to be great-grandparents,” Jill Biden said. Related Articles Health | For now, ‘Dreamers’ will be shut out of the health care marketplace in 19 states Health | US health panel adds self-testing option for cervical cancer screening Health | Do weighted blankets help you sleep better? Here’s what to know Health | How measles, whooping cough, and worse could roar back on RFK Jr.’s watch Health | Work-life balance isn’t working for women. Why? Granddaughter Naomi Biden Neal and her husband, Peter Neal, are expecting their first child. Since its launch, the women’s health research initiative has attracted nearly $1 billion in federal funding, including from the Defense Department and National Institutes of Health. “In one year, everybody in this room kicked butt,” Shriver said at the conference. “Not until the Bidens did anyone ever think to make women’s health and research a priority for the federal government, so let that sink in.” President Biden closed the conference with a nod to the influence of his wife, who, after her remarks, sat in the front row beside their daughter Ashley Biden, who runs a women’s shelter in Philadelphia. ‘You stepped up kid,” Biden told the first lady. Then he told the audience, “In case you wonder, when she speaks, I listen.”

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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 29, 2024-- Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating whether the merger of Better Choice Company Inc. (NYSE American: BTTR) and SRx Health Solutions Inc. is fair to Better Choice shareholders. Upon completion of the proposed transaction, Better Choice shareholders will own approximately 15% of the combined company. Halper Sadeh encourages Better Choice shareholders to click here to learn more about their legal rights and options or contact Daniel Sadeh or Zachary Halper at (212) 763-0060 or sadeh@halpersadeh.com or zhalper@halpersadeh.com . The investigation concerns whether Better Choice and its board violated the federal securities laws and/or breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders by failing to, among other things: (1) obtain the best possible consideration for Better Choice shareholders; and (2) disclose all material information necessary for Better Choice shareholders to adequately assess and value the merger consideration. On behalf of Better Choice shareholders, Halper Sadeh LLC may seek increased consideration for shareholders, additional disclosures and information concerning the proposed transaction, or other relief and benefits. We would handle the action on a contingent fee basis, whereby you would not be responsible for out-of-pocket payment of our legal fees or expenses. Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors all over the world who have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct. Our attorneys have been instrumental in implementing corporate reforms and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241229018924/en/ CONTACT: Halper Sadeh LLC Daniel Sadeh, Esq. Zachary Halper, Esq. (212) 763-0060 sadeh@halpersadeh.com zhalper@halpersadeh.com https://www.halpersadeh.com KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LEGAL SOURCE: Halper Sadeh LLC Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/29/2024 10:47 AM/DISC: 12/29/2024 10:46 AM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241229018924/enArmani Simmons Releases Update to Book "The No-Code Playbook - Your Guide to Building Seamless Apps with No Code" 12-10-2024 09:30 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Comms Factory Image: https://www.getnews.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1733756837.jpg "The No-Code Playbook - Your Guide to Building Seamless Apps with No Code" by Armani Simmons Multi-talented entrepreneur bridges technology, entertainment, and startups ATLANTA - December 10, 2024 - Author and entrepreneur Armani Simmons today announced that he has added new content to his ebook The No-Code Playbook - Your Guide to Building Seamless Apps with No Code [ https://armanib2b.com/shop/ed780d8d-393f-44bf-b815-a37e5275d136?pageViewSource=lib_view&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Farmanib2b.com%2F&show_back_button=true ]. Armani "B2B" Simmons is renowned in the tech industry as the founder of Suhloo. He is also a well-known content creator with significant influence on many social media platforms. His name, @armanib2b, represents a person who motivates and educates aspiring entrepreneurs. The book is for sale at armanib2b.com [ http://www.armanib2b.com/ ]. Simmons' newly expanded book, originally published last summer, is the result of his inspiration to help entrepreneurs build and launch their own startup apps, even if they have no coding experience by leveraging no-code technology. It's an informative, instructional directory providing incremental advice for building functioning and scalable startup apps, using no-code tools. "My goal is to bridge technology, entertainment, and entrepreneurial endeavors and inspire others to add to their knowledge base and education in order to have a foundation as they follow their dreams," said Simmons. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/0bef1b791a62b3442cc10e32a7cf0629.jpg Armani Simmons The updated book launch marks a significant milestone in Simmons' mission to make entrepreneurship more accessible. The book provides actionable steps and insights drawn from his extensive experience in tech, business, and blockchain. With Suhloo, Simmons has built a personal venture studio dedicated to the next generation of software applications. Suhloo has recently announced the expansion of its offerings, with the goal of providing individual and personalized mentorship app development services. Widely recognized as Armani B2B on social media and Armani Sosa in the entertainment world, Armani Simmons is a dynamic entrepreneur, visionary founder, content creator, and creative innovator. Recently, Armani appeared as the lead in the play, "Suffering," which deals with the topic of human trafficking. His creativity does not stop there. Simmons has also developed an innovative Web3 music project, which features a 3D functional NFT. For more information visit https://www.armanib2b.com and @armanib2b on Instagram [ https://www.instagram.com/armanib2b/?hl=en ]. Media Contact Company Name: Armani Simmons Contact Person: Media Relations Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=armani-simmons-releases-update-to-book-the-nocode-playbook-your-guide-to-building-seamless-apps-with-no-code ] Country: United States Website: http://www.armanib2b.com This release was published on openPR.