Teen Pregnancy Crisis in Philippines: Government Reports 138,697 Teen Mothers

Bad news!

(194) Teen Pregnancy Crisis in Philippines: Government Reports 138,697 Teen Mothers | WORLD DNA - YouTube

How the 'First Island Chain' became one of the world's geographically most important territories

Recommendable! Military buildup in the Philippines!

Japanese Convenience Stores install shelf restocking Robots tele monitored and operated by staff in the Philippines

Amazing stuff!

"“Inside a multistory office building in Manila’s financial district, around 60 young men and women monitored and controlled artificial intelligence robots restocking convenience store shelves in distant Japan.

Occasionally, when a bot dropped a can, someone would don a virtual-reality headset and use joysticks to help recover it. 

The AI robots are designed by Tokyo-based startup Telexistence, and run on Nvidia and Microsoft platforms. Since 2022, the company has deployed the machines in the back rooms of over 300 FamilyMart and Lawson stores in Tokyo. It is also planning to use them soon in 7-Elevens. ..."

Japanese Convenience Stores Hire Robots Run by Workers in the Philippines - Human Progress

Japanese convenience stores are hiring robots run by workers in the Philippines "Filipino tele-operators remotely control Japan’s convenience store robots and train AI, benefiting from an uptick in automation-related jobs."

Seven-Eleven Japan and Telexistence Partner to Pioneer Humanoid Robots with Generative AI (original news release)

Telexistence (website)

Credits: Human Progress weekly newsletter

Philippines omits Israeli Elbit from howitzer tender

The many ways Israel is being ostracized? The Philippines is a little surprising with a minority Muslim population, but majority Catholic population.

"Philippines Minister of Defense Gilbert Teodoro recently told parliament in Manila that his country would not be procuring any more arms from Israel. ..."

Philippines omits Elbit from howitzer tender - Globes "According to local media reports, Philippines army omitted Elbit in a new self-propelled gun system tender, leaving the Czech-made DITA cannon and the French-made CAESAR to compete."

How a Wild Philippines Political family Feud Could Affect Asia

Recommendable!

China approves nature reserve at contested Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea

That is a very nice/clever trick by China to claim disputed territory! You have to give the Communist Party of China some credits. Caution: satire!

China approves nature reserve at contested Scarborough Shoal | South China Morning Post "The South China Sea feature is also claimed by the Philippines and is a major source of tension between the two countries"

Filipinos prefer e-wallets to banks as financial services entry point

Who needs traditional banks in the age of digital currency?

Filipinos prefer e-wallets to banks as financial services entry point - Nikkei Asia "Report says 35% of population use digital services like GCash in country where 50% are unbanked"

India's Indo-Pacific Powerplay: Why Philippines is Crucial for New Delhi with Palki Sharma

Good news! Very recommendable! Foreign relations are elevated to a strategic partnership and much more!

In the Philippines, Communist guerrillas make a last stand

Recommendable!

Philippines waives visas for visitors from Taiwan in boost for ties

Good news! Bravo!

China should be like Taiwan, not the other way around!

"The Philippines has waived tourist visa requirements for Taiwan passport holders, in the latest sign of warming relations between Taipei and Manila as both face pressure from China.

The Philippine government announced Thursday that starting July 1, visitors from Taiwan can enter the Philippines for 14 days without a visa. The Manila Economic and Cultural Office, the de facto embassy in Taipei, said the waiver only applies for tourism purposes, and is not extendable or convertible. ..."

Philippines waives visas for visitors from Taiwan in boost for ties - Nikkei Asia "Move continues Marcos' outreach as both sides face pressure from China"

Japanese Troops to Be in Philippines Soon plus a common defence framework? with Molly Gambhir

Very recommendable! Good news! Japan is trying to form a defence alliance with multiple countries in the region!

Living among the dead in a Manila cemetery

Recommendable!

Southeast Asian businesses tap into lucrative deathcare for humans and pets trends

Sounds spooky?

Apparently, the subject is not new! Here is an article about it from September 2022.

"In Southeast Asia, deathcare for both people and pets is evolving into a thriving industry, with the biggest companies in nations like the Philippines earning hundreds of millions of dollars a year as they cater to diverse needs and preferences."

Southeast Asian businesses tap into lucrative deathcare trends - Nikkei Asia

Why the Philippines' Government is at War With Itself

Recommendable! When two powerful families have a feud!

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte Publicly Threatens To Have The President, his wife and the speaker of the parliament Assassinated using a contracted assassin

When a powerful woman's gloves come off! 😊

Alaska: The US state trying to attract more migrants from the Philippines and Mexico

Recommendable!

Chinese Ship Rams into Filipino Vessel: Latest West Philippine Sea Clash with Palki Sharma

China is a bully!

China & The Philippines Accuse Each Other of Deliberately Ramming their Ships in South China Sea

Let's hope this does not escalate!

China’s high stakes and deepfakes in the Philippines

Bad news! A bully at work!

"A covert social media campaign operated by the Chinese government appears to be spreading a deepfake video seeking to undermine support for Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, according to new research conducted by ASPI. China is conducting the campaign amid a high-stakes standoff with the Philippines over claims in the South China Sea.

Hours before Marcos gave a state-of-the-nation Address on 22 July 2024, a video of him appearing to take illicit drugs was circulated by supporters of the previous president, Rodrigo Duterte. The video was a deepfake and soon debunked by Philippine authorities, but it was shared quickly across social media and fuelled anti-Marcos sentiment among hardline Duterte supporters.

ASPI has identified a network of coordinated inauthentic accounts across X and YouTube amplifying the video. We [ASPI] assess the accounts as very likely linked to the Chinese government. ..."

China’s high stakes and deepfakes in the Philippines

Philippine army test fires Israeli Elbit tanks

Israeli war tested weapons to deter the Chinese bully!

Philippine army test fires Elbit tanks - Globes A Philippine army armored corps battalion has completed its first test-fire training using the Sabrah light tank, with 105 millimeter main cannon.