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LAS VEGAS — San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama said Thursday, July 6, 2023, he believes Britney Spears grabbed him from behind as he was walking into a restaurant at a Las Vegas casino, and that the security detail he was with pushed the pop star away.

Wembanyama said he wasn’t told that Spears was the person who grabbed him until hours later, and that he never actually saw her.

Police report

Spears, who filed a report with Las Vegas police, said in posts on Twitter and Instagram that the run-in was “super embarrassing,” and denied grabbing Wembanyama, saying she only “tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention.”

She said she had recognized him earlier in the evening and when seeing the No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA draft — a 7-foot-3 French standout who is entering the NBA with as much acclaim as anyone since LeBron James 20 years ago — she “decided to approach him and congratulate him on his success.”

Spears said, “His security then back handed me in the face without looking back, in front of a crowd. Nearly knocking me down and causing my glasses off my face.”

Police said a report was filed on an incident at the Aria Resort & Casino, but gave no further details.

Spears’ attorney Mathew Rosengart declined comment, citing the police investigation.

Never stopped

Wembanyama said security advised him to not stop for anyone as he walked into the restaurant, mindful that pausing could cause a stir and allow a crowd to build.

“We were in the hall. There was a lot of people, so people were calling (at) me, obviously. There was one person who was calling me but we talked before with security. I couldn’t stop. That person was calling me, ‘Sir, sir,’ and that person grabbed me from behind,” Wembanyama said. “I didn’t see what happened because I was walking straight and didn’t stop. That person grabbed me from behind — not on my shoulder, she grabbed me from behind. I just know the security pushed her away. I don’t know with how much force but security pushed her away. I didn’t stop to look so I could walk in and enjoy a nice dinner.”

Spears said in her social media posts that she gets swarmed by people all the time, including that same night, but her “security team didn’t hit any of them.”

Debut

Wembanyama will make his NBA Summer League debut with the Spurs on Friday night (Saturday morning, July 8, PH time) in Las Vegas against the Charlotte Hornets. He signed some autographs for fans at the Aria on Wednesday night and did the same for a small number of onlookers as he entered a local high school for practice with the Spurs on Thursday morning. (AP)

The violence was the latest in a series of deadly clashes between two rival insurgent groups and came hours after the murder of a refugee community leader.

MANILA, July 7 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said that five people sustained burns after their motorboat caught fire in the waters off Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines.

The coast guard said the accident occurred at about 8 p.m. local time on Thursday. The boat, carrying eight people, 100 liters of gasoline, and various essential goods, caught fire while sailing to Basilan, an i

CEBUANO teenager Grace Pauline Quintanilla is making a remarkable stride in the US golfing scene as she chases her dream to land a college scholarship.

Quintanilla, 16, flew to the US last May after qualifying in the prestigious 74th US Girls’ Junior, which will be played at the Eisenhower Golf Club—Blue Course in Colorado Springs on July 17 to 22, 2023.

The incoming Grade 11 student from Cebu is penciled to join nine tournaments in the US, and it did not take long for her to show her potential, winning the girls’ category of the AJGA Patrick Reed Junior Championship in The Woodlands, Texas last month.

It was her first win in the premiere American Junior Golf Association circuit.

“Winning is part of the goal, but most importantly it’s to land a scholarship for college hopefully,” said Quintanilla.

For the month of July, Quintanilla will be playing in California: first, at the IMG Junior Worlds Golf Championships at the Torres Pines Golf Club in San Diego on July 9 to 13, then the US Women’s Amateur Qualifier at the La Rinconada Country Club in Los Gatos and finally the Ping An Ban Junior Open at the Morongo Golf Club in Beaumont.

The teenage prodigy from Alta Vista Golf & Country Club was already making waves in regional and national tournaments in the country prior to her trip to the US.

Quintanilla said that before going to the US she prepared herself both physically and mentally, and she continues to dream big and overcome obstacles on the fairway.

With her recent feat and journey in golf, one thing is certain: The teenage girl from Cebu is writing her own story on the greens.

July 07, 2023 6:40 PM

Mr Xi said China should accelerate the upgrades of key technologies and core products.

July 07, 2023 6:30 PM

The Canadian and Chilean leaders have also reached out to the American star to perform in their countries.

The Department of Education will launch three new national programs focused on reading, science and mathematics this school year as part of its latest efforts to address students’ poor competencies in core subjects.

YouTube banned channels tied to controversial religious leader Apollo Quiboloy due to violations of the video-sharing website’s terms of service.

SPANNING six months, from July to December of this year, Cebu Business Months (CBM) 2023 will feature a series of activities aimed at promoting regional development, introducing new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), and highlighting entrepreneurship in Cebu.

Business leaders and members of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) gathered at SM Seaside City Cebu in South Road Properties, Cebu City on Wednesday night, July 5, for the opening salvo of CBM’s 27th edition.

The months-long business activity, which carries the theme “Cebu 'ta Bai! Moving forward and Shaping the Future,” has four sectors, namely tourism, entrepreneurship, technology, and creative entertainment.

The sectors will hold events and discussions on tourism, regenerative tourism, product development, artificial intelligence, startups, leadership, and corporate innovation. It also aims to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and improve the livelihoods of local artists.

CCCI president Charles Kenneth Co said CMB 2023 “aims to highlight regional development by inspiring and motivating through impactful stories while introducing new tourism programs and interventions.

"Entrepreneurship lies at the heart of every Cebuano,” he said.

The overall chairman of CBM 2023 is John Paul “JP” Chiongbian, who said that their goal is to maintain Cebu’s entrepreneurial spirit and position Cebu in the global arena by embracing AI.

“To position Cebu in the global arena in this digital age of technology, start-ups, and A.I. while promoting authentic destinations and stamping our local food culture and elevating creative artists, anime, film, animation, gaming, and content creators while maintaining a purposeful and conscientious approach in doing business while supporting our MSME's which is the cornerstone of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry the voice of Cebu's business industries now on its 120th year," said Chongbian.

"The CBM on its 27th year with the theme "Cebu 'ta Bai" reaffirms the Cebuanos' resilience and bayanihan spirit in paving the way to a new and progressive tomorrow for our home, Cebu!” he added.

Tourism

On the tourism sector, Chiongbian said it is one of the key drivers in Cebu’s economy.

“We want to promote authentic destinations and food stamping our local cuisines,” he said.

In the coming months, CBM participants will attend various tourism-based events, including the Tourism Congress, Safari Adventure Race, Golf Tournament and Cebu Food Congress.

These events will be led by tourism chairperson Cathleen “Kate” Anzani.

Technology

Explaining why businesses must adopt technology, Chiongban’s avatar or the digital representation of himself appeared on screen and told the audience: “Technology will support and promote startups.

We’ll be showcasing smart homes, offices, and personal spaces.” Chiongban’s avatar was just made in five minutes. Artificial intelligence refers to computer programs or algorithms that can imitate cognitive processes such as problem-solving and simulate human intelligence.

Under the leadership of Information and Communication Technology and Business Process Management chairman Ryan Tan Yu, CBM’s Innovation and Technology for All 2023 will be providing immersive experiences, learning opportunities, and networking platforms.

The collaboration with technology leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators will enable participants to explore, learn, and connect through various activities such as panel discussions, programs, pitching sessions, and demos.

Entrepreneurship

Leading the entrepreneurship committee is Anne Gretchen Choa, vice president of the Camden Trading Corp.

The theme for the entrepreneurship sector is “creating conscious and purposeful collaborations,” focusing on establishing connections and collaborations, driving and celebrating innovations, and fostering community and mentorship.

The aim is to make business decisions that not only lead to profits but also prioritize sustainability.

The committee will concentrate on MSMEs, which are the fundamental pillar of Cebu’s economy. It strives to create business decisions that not only generate profits but also promote sustainability.

According to the CBM leadership, it is crucial to protect the players in the food ecosystem, including SMEs, startups, and proprietors of home-based businesses.

Creative entertainment

The creative entertainment sector, led by Lawrence Po Panganiban, aims to showcase prominent artists and writers who will share their wisdom and insights on how to enhance the local artists of Cebu.

Before the opening salvo ended, CCCI officials went on stage and touched the screen to signal the start of CBM 2023. (UP CEBU INTERN CHRYS CHELSEA BERNALES & CNU INTERN CLAUDINE FLORES)

SPANNING six months, from July to December of this year, Cebu Business Months (CBM) 2023 will feature a series of activities aimed at promoting regional development, introducing new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), and highlighting entrepreneurship in Cebu.

Business leaders and members of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) gathered at SM Seaside City Cebu in South Road Properties, Cebu City on Wednesday night, July 5, for the opening salvo of CBM’s 27th edition.

The months-long business activity, which carries the theme “Cebu 'ta Bai! Moving forward and Shaping the Future,” has four sectors, namely tourism, entrepreneurship, information technology, and creative entertainment.

The sectors will hold events and discussions on tourism, regenerative tourism, product development, artificial intelligence, startups, leadership, and corporate innovation. It also aims to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and improve the livelihoods of local artists.

CCCI president Charles Kenneth Co said CMB 2023 “aims to highlight regional development by inspiring and motivating through impactful stories while introducing new tourism programs and interventions.

"Entrepreneurship lies at the heart of every Cebuano,” he said.

The overall chairman of CBM 2023 is John Paul “JP” Chiongbian, who said that their goal is to maintain Cebu’s entrepreneurial spirit and position Cebu in the global arena by embracing AI.

“To position Cebu in the global arena in this digital age of technology, start-ups, and A.I. while promoting authentic destinations and stamping our local food culture and elevating creative artists, anime, film, animation, gaming, and content creators while maintaining a purposeful and conscientious approach in doing business while supporting our MSME's which is the cornerstone of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry the voice of Cebu's business industries now on its 120th year," said Chongbian.

"The CBM on its 27th year with the theme "Cebu 'ta Bai" reaffirms the Cebuanos' resilience and bayanihan spirit in paving the way to a new and progressive tomorrow for our home, Cebu!” he added.

Tourism

On the tourism sector, Chiongbian said it is one of the key drivers in Cebu’s economy.

“We want to promote authentic destinations and food stamping our local cuisines,” he said.

In the coming months, CBM participants will attend various tourism-based events, including the Tourism Congress, Safari Adventure Race, Golf Tournament and Cebu Food Congress.

These events will be led by tourism chairperson Cathleen “Kate” Anzani.

Technology

Explaining why businesses must adopt technology, Chiongban’s avatar or the digital representation of himself appeared on screen and told the audience: “Technology will support and promote startups.

We’ll be showcasing smart homes, offices, and personal spaces.” Chiongban’s avatar was just made in five minutes. Artificial intelligence refers to computer programs or algorithms that can imitate cognitive processes such as problem-solving and simulate human intelligence.

Under the leadership of Information and Communication Technology and Business Process Management chairman Ryan Tan Yu, CBM’s Innovation and Technology for All 2023 will be providing immersive experiences, learning opportunities, and networking platforms.

The collaboration with technology leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators will enable participants to explore, learn, and connect through various activities such as panel discussions, programs, pitching sessions, and demos.

Entrepreneurship

Leading the entrepreneurship committee is Anne Gretchen Choa, vice president of the Camden Trading Corp.

The theme for the entrepreneurship sector is “creating conscious and purposeful collaborations,” focusing on establishing connections and collaborations, driving and celebrating innovations, and fostering community and mentorship.

The aim is to make business decisions that not only lead to profits but also prioritize sustainability.

The committee will concentrate on MSMEs, which are the fundamental pillar of Cebu’s economy. It strives to create business decisions that not only generate profits but also promote sustainability.

According to the CBM leadership, it is crucial to protect the players in the food ecosystem, including SMEs, startups, and proprietors of home-based businesses.

Creative entertainment

The creative entertainment sector, led by Lawrence Po Panganiban, aims to showcase prominent artists and writers who will share their wisdom and insights on how to enhance the local artists of Cebu.

Before the opening salvo ended, CCCI officials went on stage and touched the screen to signal the start of CBM 2023. (UP CEBU INTERN CHRYS CHELSEA BERNALES & CNU INTERN CLAUDINE FLORES)

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)-Visayas Region is conducting the BSP Piso Caravan simultaneously in Western, Central and Eastern Visayas regions for two days.

In Cebu, the BSP Piso Caravan is being held at Mandaue City Public Market in Barangay Mantuyong. It will run from July 7 to 8.

Dr. Gregorio Bacay III, head of the Economic Affairs Staff of the BSP-Central Visayas, said on Friday, July 7, that the caravan aims to encourage the public to preserve the integrity of local currency and promote digital payments, which will expand the country’s financial inclusion.

Bacay said the program also aims to get partners or currency exchange partners or centers.

"Amung kuhaun ang mga hugaw nga kwarta gikan sa sirkulasyon ug ilisan namu adto sa bag-o or limpyo nga kwarta, apan kani nga programa nag promotar makakuha kami og mga partners or gitawag namu siya og currency exchange partners or centers sama sa mga pawnshops, mga money services business, mga dagku nga malls, nga mu partner sa amua," Bacay said.

(We will remove dirty money from circulation and replace it with new or clean money, but this program aims to get partners, or currency exchange partners or centers such as pawnshops, money services businesses, and big malls, who will partner with us.)

Bacay said the public can go to their partners and exchange their mutilated, old money there. The target is to have a "stakeholders approach," which means that there is participation from retail establishments especially those who use more on coins in large establishments like malls.

For those who want to exchange their mutilated money, there are three requirements needed by the BS: 3/5 inches or 60 percent surface area, a portion of any facsimile signature, and the security thread is not willfully removed.

Facsimile is an exact copy, especially of written or printed material.

Norecris Pulvera, 36, from Barangay Ibabao-Estancia who has a sari-sari store, joined the caravan to exchange her old money. She brought with her 233 pieces of P20 bill and other banknotes (P50 and P100), and coins. She brought a total of P6,675.25.

"Kaning mga karaan kasagaran mubayad mga tigulang na gani nya maikog ko mubalibad. Ako na lang sa dawatun nya hipuson. Kung mga bata, akong ingnon nga dili ko mudawat og gisi," said Pulvera.

Pulvera said her exchange money will be used to buy goods for her sari-sari store.

Another resident, Vicente Pila, 60, from Barangay Alang who is a market vendor, also exchanged his old money amounting to P3,200.

The mutilated money collected by the BSP will be shredded.

BSP Piso Caravan was programmed in 2022, but Bacay said they also had the same program many years ago.

The BSP Caravan will be held simultaneously in parts of the Visayas, particularly in Mandaue, Iloilo, Dumaguete, Tacloban, Bacolod, Roxas, and Kalibo. (HIC)

July 07, 2023 6:00 PM

The government blames higher prices on a lean production season as monsoon rains disrupt transport and distribution.

July 07, 2023 6:00 PM

Kannauj is a sleepy Indian town that has managed to nurture a prized skill for generations.

The opposition leader was sentenced to two years in 2019 for comments said to be insulting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and those sharing his surname, and this verdict leaves him ineligible to stand in next year’s election.

ADDITIONAL 100 policemen from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB 7) were sent to Negros Oriental to beef up security there in preparation for the Barangay and Sanguniang Kabataan Election in October.

The send-off ceremony was held on Friday afternoon, July 7, 2023, at the Police Regional Office (PRO 7) headquarters on Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City.

According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, the spokesperson for Police Regional Office (PRO 7) Director Brigadier General Anthony Aberin, the strong presence of police and military in Negros Oriental should not alarm the locals because it is for their safety.

Their task at the moment is to guard the ports and borders of the province as ordered by Aberin.

Pelare said there is also a possibility that the PRO 7 will dispatch more troops to Negros Oriental if necessary.

Pelare acknowledged that they have already designated some barangays in the province as areas of concern, but they will bring this up at their upcoming Regional Joint Security Control Center meeting with the Commission on Elections. (AYB/TPT)

A party-list lawmaker has proposed specific social security benefits and retirement protection for overseas Filipino workers.

July 07, 2023 5:35 PM

The boys were caught by two factory workers.

Taiwan’s exports plummeted by 23.4 per cent to US$32.3 billion last month compared to a year earlier, marking the fastest pace of declines since August 2009, data released on Friday showed.

July 07, 2023 5:20 PM

The 6.9 million mostly young new voters largely swung towards rival Perikatan Nasional at the November 2022 GE.

THE two men who attacked a dentist inside his clinic in Queens Road, Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City have already been identified.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesman for the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO 7), the victim, Dr. Charles Pactol Sia, 41, of Cebu City, has already identified the perpetrators, whose names are withheld pending further investigation.

The Abellana police are now preparing the charges against the criminals,

who hit the doctor’s eyes with a blunt object while he was attending to a patient around 2 p.m. last Wednesday, July 5.

Sia was rushed to a private hospital in Mandaue City after the incident.

He is now in safe condition.

Pelare said that the investigators are still collecting the evidence for the filing of the case.

The police have been able to identify the suspects based on the statements of some witnesses but they will not name them for the time being since the case has not yet been filed in court.

“They are preparing the charges against the suspects in other words identified na ang suspects and they are just completing the pieces of evidence before they can file it in court,” Pelare said.

The doctor reportedly gave the police the names of the suspects.

The police then looked for pictures of the suspects and showed them to the witnesses, who were able to positively identify the criminals.

“Yes, kaila sila (suspetsado) sa biktima, naa na silay previous dealings sa biktima that is the reason why upon investigation ang atong investigator nakakitag witnesses naka produce og photograph which led to the identification of the suspects,” Pelare added.

(Yes, the suspects know the victim and have dealt with him in the past, which is why, upon investigation, our investigator found witnesses who provided a photograph that led to the identification of the suspects).

Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin, the PRO 7 chief, denounced the crime.

To ensure that the doctor would obtain justice, Aberin ordered the Cebu City Police Office to resolve the issue as soon as possible and prosecute those guilty.

Personal grudge and work-related are among the motives being looked into by the police.(AYB, TPT)