OFFBEAT MAIL

Pres. Aquino with MILF officials. The stalled peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) may breed contempt. Over the years, attempts by the government to put an end to the atrocities in Mindanao, especially in areas where the MILF groups are encamped, have failed. As time passes by, new demands are laid out on the table during negotiations until such time that the government negotiators are no longer able to decipher what to do.  If they did, they couldn't implement the proper strategies that are applicable and acceptable to the other party for a million reasons. And it seems the ball is now in the hands of the MILF.  Try to go to Mindanao and you will see that MILF forces are still occupying territories that they claim are theirs. For many years now, the MILF occupied Al-Barka Camp and converted it as their headquarters. I think it is a stupid idea of the MILF to claim that Al-Barka belongs to them. Did the MILF buy ...

Morsi casts his vote in Egypt. Egypt has elected a new leader, after the ouster of its former president Hosni Mubarak who is confined in the hospital for a long time. Mohamed Morsi, who is educated in America and a member of the Muslim Brotherhood,  garnered a total of 13 million votes, or 52% of the total votes cast against Ahmed Shafik who only got 48%. Muslim Brotherhood, where the newly elected president belongs, came into the international spotlight for killing the former president Anwar Sadat many years back. And this is what makes millions of Egyptians apprehensive as to what kind of future that awaits them under a conservative leader whose personality could be put under the influence of a foreign power. Morsi's winning the Egyptian presidency has kept many international political observers asking as to what will happen now that Egypt is under an Islamic leader, next to Iran? Based on the CNN analyses, tension in Egypt's capital is growing as police and  the...

Traffic gridlock in Metro Manila. RIO DE JANEIRO - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and seven other multilateral development banks (MDBs) today announced their commitment to provide more than $175 billion of loans and grants for transport in developing countries over the next decade. “Rapid motorization is creating more congestion, air pollution, traffic accidents and greenhouse gas emissions – especially in developing countries,” said ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda, speaking on behalf of the MDBs at a news conference in Rio de Janeiro. “Developing countries have the opportunity to leapfrog to a greener future of less motorization, shorter commutes, and more energy efficient transport systems.” Global CO2 emissions from the transport sector are projected to increase nearly 50% by 2030 – with profound environmental, economic and social consequences – unless dramatic changes are adopted. In many Asian nations, losses from traffic-related congestion already amount to 5% of GDP.  Ma...

Map of Maldives President Waheed has announced that the whole of the Maldives will become a marine reserve by 2017. The announcement was made during the Rio de Janeiro meeting on Wednesday (June 21st). The commitment would see the Maldives become the first country in the world to become a marine reserve. Marine reserve status for all 1,192 islands is likely to attract international investment in pilot schemes to explore new approaches to conservation and sustainability. A number of islands in the Maldives are Biosphere Reserves. In July 2011 Baa Atoll which consists of 75 islands, was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the Government is working to ensure it maintains this status.  It is a model that can be replicated throughout the rest of the Maldives. President Waheed, who made the commitment while addressing the Rio +20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development, said, "I take this opportunity to announce my Government's commitment to make the entire Maldives, by 201...

Oil refineries emit heavy smokes. Investments in sustainable development projects worldwide have been the focus of discussions by six multilateral development banks (MDBs) at the Rio+20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Currently, total investments for sustainable development project totals $93 billion annually, and the six MDBs have expressed interest to expand their investments in support of global development priorities that are expected to be agreed upon at this week's Rio+20 summit meeting in Brazil, a press statement from the ADB said. According to Bindu Lohani, ADB's vice president for knowledge management and sustainable development, one of the greatest challenges facing developing countries is how to find ways to promote growth that will address the negative impacts of climate change, food security and water scarcity while at the same time, eradicating poverty. "Working together is the best way for multilateral development banks to leverage funds, technology ...

President Obama's decision to allow young illegal immigrants to stay spawned a lot of mixed reactions from the citizenry. In a CNN discussion hosted by Don Lemon, he asked why he did it only this time when he could have done it three years ago. Is this because of national elections fast approaching? Or President Obama only wanted to comply to his campaign promise of fixing the obsolete immigration system in the United States? Well, the announcement Friday earned positive praises from the Latino communities, where a lot of children who were brought to the U.S, by their illegal immigrant parents who crossed the borders from Mexico to seek for a much better life in America. However, Republicans were caught by surprise with Obama's announcement  that the government would no longer deport young illegal immigrants who finished their high school studies in America, and are not more than 30 years old at the time of the president's new policy. Speaking at CNN, Maria Cardona said...

 My guess was right. And there are reports that former WBO welterweight champ Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley Jr. will slug it out once more comes November this year. However, there's no specific place and date of the rematch yet. But at least, many boxing analysts and writers are already putting their reassurance that the rematch will finally resolve the controversy. This early, millions of Filipino boxing fans are clamoring for the fight to be held in Manila. I don't have any hint as to why they wanted it to be held in the Philippines? Of course, Pacquiao will feel at home to fight in his home turf with Bradley. But wherever it may be held doesn't matter at all. What is important is for the promoters to approve of the fight. It is given that whenever Pacquiao fights in Las Vegas, the Sin City and gambling capital of the world generates millions of revenues for its coffer.   And even the mayor of Las Vegas had expressed gratitude every time Pacquiao comes to f...