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It was a stunning denouement for the self-proclaimed appointed son of God, a Filipino evangelist preacher who had millions of followers and influence at the highest levels of government but was wanted by Philippine authorities and the FBI on charges of human trafficking and sexual abuse. That changed in March, when a Philippine court ordered the arrest of Quiboloy and several other people on suspicion of child and sexual abuse and human trafficking. After he surrendered, officials said, Quiboloy was flown by military transport to Manila, the capital, and placed in police detention. After he won the presidency in 2022, Marcos set about dismantling Duterte’s power alliances, including the one with Quiboloy. Marcos said that he did not understand Duterte’s apology but that it was “her prerogative” to make it, local media reported.

Persons: God, Apollo Quiboloy, Rodrigo Duterte, Duterte’s, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Marcos, Quiboloy, ” Marcos, of Jesus Christ, ”, “, Jean Fajardo, ” Sen, Risa Hontiveros, Benhur Abalos, Duterte, Ted Aljibe, colluding, Sara Duterte, Christ Organizations: Philippine, FBI, Philippine Department of Justice, U.S . Treasury Department, Police, Philippine Senate, Getty, U.S Locations: Philippine, Davao, U.S, of Jesus, Philippines, Torreon, Davao City, of, Manila, AFP, Hawaii

☆ This is the conflict-ridden, tension-filled world that the next US president may have to face
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-08 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Issues range from China and Taiwan to the Middle East to the Ukraine war. AP Photo/Evgeniy MaloletkaOver two and a half years in, the war in Ukraine has no immediate end in sight. Trump has said, without reason or evidence, that he'd end the Ukraine war in 24 hours and has repeatedly threatened to undermine the NATO alliance's collective defense. Tensions with North KoreaSince North Korea's failure in Hanoi at the Trump summits in 2019, the nation's trajectory has shifted upwards. Spencer Platt and Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesBoth Trump and Harris find themselves running for president at a particular tense time in global politics.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Trump's, he's, Harris, Joe Biden's, Trump, Biden, Daniel Ceng, Amir Cohen, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoon Suk, Spencer Platt, Brandon Bell Organizations: Service, Business, NATO, Hamas, Anadolu, Getty, Pentagon, Pacific Command, Trump, Reuters, Human Rights Watch, Gaza Health Ministry, US, Israel, VIA KNS, Getty Images, South Locations: China, Taiwan, Ukraine, Gaza, Russia, North Korea, Kursk, China China, Anadolu, Philippines, South China, Philippine, Beijing, Israel, Iran, Gulf of Oman, North, Hanoi, AFP, Korea, Pyongyang

CNN —Filipino pastor Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, who is wanted by both the FBI and local law enforcement officers on sexual abuse and human trafficking charges, has been arrested weeks after a standoff with the police. The arrest concludes a fraught showdown between the pastor’s supporters and police who had surrounded a compound in the country’s south where Quiboloy had holed up. ET), the detainees were issued a 24-hour ultimatum to come out from the church’s sprawling 30-hectare (75 acre) compound. Nearly 2,000 officers surrounded the church compound where Quiboloy was believed to be hiding. “Although he is a very prominent person… we will treat him like any other arrested person and will respect his rights.

Persons: Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, Quiboloy, Benhur Abolos, “, God ”, of Jesus Christ, Nicolas Torre III, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, ”, Israelito Torreon, Rodrigo Duterte Organizations: CNN, FBI, Facebook, Philippines ’, ” National, Philippine News Agency, Police, PTV Locations: Philippines, of, Davao, Manila, Brig, California, Philippine

☆ This 70-year-old med student just graduated. He has this advice for others
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-07 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Toh Hong Keng/Henry Ahn Photo StudioHis family constantly checked on him, helping to dispel many waves of doubt. “The only reason why I decided to study medicine was because I wanted something useful to do,” he said. “If I can’t be a practicing doctor, at least I can look after myself somewhat,” he said. Feeling a little dejected, he got in touch with his family’s former domestic worker whose daughter recently graduated from medical school in the Philippines. A week later, in 2019 he packed his bags, found a small apartment on the island and started his medical school journey.

Persons: ”, Hong Keng, Toh, ” Toh, didn’t, flashcards, Toh Hong Keng, Henry Ahn, “ Sir Toh, Marvi Dulnuan, “ Mr Toh, “, Hong, Atomic Leow Chuan Tse, Dr Howard Tucker, Tucker, he’ll Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Southwestern University PHINMA, “, Southwestern University, American Medical Association, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Guinness World Records, University of Bradford, Association of American Medical Colleges, Private, Southwestern University for Toh Locations: Hong Kong, Malaysian, Cebu, Philippines, ”, Kyrgyzstan, Asia, 2019, United States, Romania, Europe, Cleveland , Ohio, Malaysia, Britain, London, jetting

☆ Boeing Starliner capsule is back on Earth while crew will hitch a SpaceX ride home in 2025
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-07 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The spacecraft successfully launched and delivered NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station in June. But what seemed like an eight-day jaunt turned into months of questions surrounding Starliner’s ability to return the crew safely to Earth. NASAAfter nearly three months, the Starliner spacecraft returned to Earth without the two test pilots after undocking from the space station Friday night and parachuting into the New Mexico desert early Saturday. Starliner is the first US-made capsule to parachute to a ground landing, rather than splashing into the ocean. It remains to be seen how and when Starliner will be certified to carry astronauts regularly to space.

Persons: Boeing’s, —, Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, jaunt, Starliner, Williams, “, Butch, Suni, ”, Steve Stich, mako, Guillermo López, Wells, Ashley Strickland, Katie Hunt Organizations: CNN, Radian Aerospace, NASA, International Space Station, Boeing, Starliner, European Union, Spanish, NSF, Cornell University, CNN Space, Science Locations: Seattle, New Mexico, Cod, Massachusetts, Zamora, Philippines, Luzon, Scotland

☆ A Gen Z left a $70,000 salary in the US and moved to Thailand without a job. He says he's better off financially and happier in Bangkok.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-06 | by ( John Towfighi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewMyles Simms-Aur had a $70,000 salary, a nice car, and a stable routine living in Maryland. But he wanted to experience the world and felt financially restrained by the cost of living in the US. As of 2022, 132 US Navy veterans lived in Thailand, according to a Department of Defense report published in October 2023. He hopes to save and build wealth by living abroad before eventually returning to the US to further his career in cybersecurity. Given the low cost of living, he can afford to explore more of the world while still saving.

Persons: —, Myles Simms, Aur, Simms, " Simms, Aur Simms Organizations: Service, Business, Navy, Department of Defense, US, US Navy, Facebook, University of Maryland Global, Thai Locations: Maryland, Mexico, Brazil, Portugal, Bangkok, Thailand, Philippines, Japan, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, St Mary's County , Maryland, cybersecurity, Malaysia, Singapore, American

☆ One of China's neighbors is sending out more naval patrols to challenge its attempts to dominate the South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-04 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewThe Philippines says it has stepped up its naval patrols and air surveillance around a disputed island in the South China Sea to counter the growing number of Chinese vessels in the area. In June, Chinese coast guards armed with swords and knives attacked Philippine vessels in the contested waters, resulting in injuries and one soldier losing a thumb. Chinese coast guards holding knives and machetes as they approached Philippine troops in the disputed South China Sea in June. "We once again warn the Philippines to face reality and give up illusions," Liu Dejun, a spokesperson for China's coast guard, said. Advertisement(Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also lay claim to parts of the South China Sea.)

Persons: —, Roy Vincent Trinidad, BRP Teresa Magbanua, Trinidad, Sabina Shoal, Jay Tarriela, Tarriela, Teresa Magbanua, Liu Dejun, Liu, Sari Arho Havrén, Collin Koh, Koh, Adm, Samuel Paparo, Alexander Lopez Organizations: Service, Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, Daily Tribune, Business, BRP, Armed Forces, AP, The Daily Tribune, Liberation Army Navy, US Department of State, Royal United Services Institute, Institute of Defence, Strategic, Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, CNN, Pacific Command, Mutual Defense, Philippine National Maritime Council Locations: South, Philippine, Sabina, Escoda, China, Philippines, South China, China's, Sabina Shoal, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, Washington, Manila

☆ Asteroid 2024 RW1 burns up in Earth’s atmosphere over Philippines
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-04 | by ( Monica Garrett | Steve Tuemmler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —A roughly 1-meter (3-foot) asteroid burned up in Earth’s atmosphere over the Philippines near Luzon Island early Wednesday afternoon, according to NASA. This screen grab taken from a video shows an asteroid burning up in the night sky as witnessed from Gonzaga in Cagayan province, Philippines, on September 4. Allan Madelar/FacebookThe Catalina Sky Survey discovered the object, initially called CAQTDL2 but now named 2024 RW1, this morning. “This is just the ninth asteroid that humankind has ever spotted before impact,” ESA tweeted. The object was harmless as it was small enough to burn up in the atmosphere upon entry.

Persons: Allan Madelar Organizations: CNN, NASA, European Space Agency, Sky Survey, ESA Locations: Philippines, Luzon, Gonzaga, Cagayan province

☆ Who is the real Alice Guo? Fugitive mayor accused of spying for China faces legal reckoning after weeks on the run
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-04 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The official inquiry into Alice Guo, disgraced former mayor of a small town not far from the capital Manila, has been compulsive viewing for Filipinos since it began in May. But who exactly is Alice Guo? The Bureau of Immigration (BI) says Indonesian authorities have informed them that former Mayor Alice Guo has been arrested in the country on September 4, 2024. Guo shows her chicken farm in Bamban, Tarlac province, in the Philippines in a YouTube video posted on April 20, 2022. The real concern about Guo arose from her alleged ties with business associates from China currently in prison.

Persons: Alice Guo, Guo, “, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, lawbreakers, ”, Alice L, David Buenaventura, Ditjen, she’s, Alice Leal Guo, scammers, Senator Risa Hontiveros, Marcos Jr, ” Marcos, Guo Hua Ping, hasn’t, Zhang Ruijin, Lin Baoying, Zhang, Lin, AMLC, Shiela, Cassandra Li Ong Organizations: CNN, absconding, Ang Law, Immigration, Philippine Bureau, YouTube, Philippine Offshore Gaming, Philippine News Agency, Philippine senate, Facebook, National Bureau of Investigation, Money, Yuan Technology Inc, Hongshen Gaming Technology Inc, QJJ, Inc Locations: Philippines, Manila, China, South China, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Bamban, Tarlac province, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippine, what’s, POGOs, Beijing, Singapore

"Our research infers that fliers are doing more research to understand and potentially avoid Boeing aircrafts," she said. "First of all, there are more discount carriers operating Airbus (A320s) than Boeing (737s) particularly in Asia," he said. watch nowThe study is a historical analysis of commercial flight safety, which does not predict how Boeing's issues may play out in the future. But Barnett indicated he's confident about the future of commercial aviation. Why avoiding Boeing is difficultThough competition among airlines is fierce, aircraft manufacturing has long been dominated by the United States' century-old Boeing company and its European competitor, Airbus.

Persons: Danielle Harvey, Brendan Sobie, Arnold Barnett, Barnett Organizations: Boeing, Alaska Airlines, Sobie Aviation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, of Air Transport Management, MIT, U.S . Federal Aviation Agency, National Transportation Safety Board, European Union, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, CNBC Travel, Airbus, Airlines, Max Locations: Asia, United States, Europe, Australia, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, New, Bahrain, Bosnia, Brazil, Brunei, Chile, Hong Kong, India, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Alaska

☆ Travel news: World’s best city for nightlife, according to Time Out
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Editor’s Note: Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter. Get the latest news in aviation, food and drink, where to stay and other travel developments. CNN —In travel news this week: the world’s best party spots, the city taking a stand against electric scooters, plus the story of how the world’s tallest bridge transformed a continent. Best nightlife citiesSun, sea and samba: Rio de Janeiro in Brazil has been declared the best place in the world to party right now, according to Time Out’s new survey of thousands of people worldwide. The best place to party in Europe, unsurprisingly, is Germany’s legendary clubbing capital Berlin.

Persons: Dolly Parton —, we’ve, Dolly Parton, you’ve, James Beard, Harry Styles, they’ve Organizations: CNN, Rio, •, CNN CNN Travel, Wall Street Locations: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Manila, Philippines, Europe, Berlin, Melbourne, New Jersey, Monterey , California, California, Knoxville , Tennessee, Tennessee

☆ Philippines says China shot flares near its aircraft from a 'militarized' island and a fighter jet
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The Philippines said China has repeatedly fired flares at its aircraft over the South China Sea this week. It said that in one incident on August 19, a fighter jet fired flares just 15 meters from its aircraft. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementThe Philippines said China has repeatedly fired flares at its aircraft over the South China Sea in the last week.

Persons: —, Jay Tarriela Organizations: Service, of Fisheries, Aquatic Resources, National Task Force, West Philippine, Philippine Coast Guard, Business Locations: Philippines, China, South China, South

☆ Harris' foreign policy record suggests focus on China, Indo-Pacific, CFR political scientist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-21 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., along with their partners, meet at the Vice President's residence in Washington, DC, U.S., on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesVice President Kamala Harris would likely prioritize countering China and strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region if she were to win the White House, according to American political scientist Rush Doshi. watch nowOn Sunday, the DNC released the 2024 policy platform document ahead of its convention. For insight into Harris' position on the Indo-Pacific, Doshi instead suggested taking into account the policymaker's past work there. Those leaders include now Taiwanese President William Lai in January while he was still vice president and Chinese President Xi Jinping later that same year.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Rush Doshi, Harris, Doshi, shouldn't, Joe Biden, William Lai, Xi Jinping, Fumio Kishida, Mike Johnson, Win Mcnamee Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, White, Democratic, Committee, Europe, China Strategy Initiative, Council, Foreign Relations, DNC, Biden, U.S, Capitol Locations: Philippines, Washington , DC, China, Pacific, Europe, Asia, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Philippine, Australia, United Kingdom, India, Japan

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government said Tuesday that it had filed a diplomatic protest against Beijing after Chinese jets flew dangerously close and fired a volley of flares in the path of a Philippine air force patrol plane over a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army said Saturday that a Philippine air force aircraft “illegally” entered the airspace above the shoal, which China claims, disrupting its combat training activities. The command sent jets and ships to identify, track and drive away the Philippine aircraft, it added. In 2013, China announced a new Air Defense Identification Zone over the East China Sea that covers a chain of disputed islands also claimed by Japan. Washington has repeatedly warned that it is obligated to defend the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, if Filipino forces, ships and aircraft come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea.

Persons: Romeo Brawner Jr, ” Brawner, Teresita Daza, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, ”, Jay Batongbacal, ” Batongbacal, Thomas Shoal Organizations: Philippine military’s, Scarborough, seaway, ” Department of Foreign Affairs, ”, China, Southern Theater Command, People’s Liberation Army, Philippine, U.S, Air Defense, East China, Institute for Maritime Affairs, Law, University of the, Washington Locations: MANILA, Philippines, Beijing, Philippine, South China, Manila, China, People’s Republic of China, United States, Australia, Canada, East, Japan, Washington, University of the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Scarborough, Asia

☆ China's air force is again being called out for 'dangerous' moves over the South China Sea, this time for popping flares in front of a US ally's aircraft
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The Philippines said two Chinese jets flew dangerously close to one of its planes over the South China Sea. It said the Chinese aircraft also released multiple flares in the plane's path. It's not the first time China has been accused of aggressive flight behavior in the region. AdvertisementA key US ally has accused China of dangerous behavior in the skies above the South China Sea, saying two Chinese Air Force jets flew close to a Philippine transport plane and released flares in its flight path. The Philippines accused China of provocative actions violating lawful international flight operation on Saturday, saying two Chinese Air Force aircraft endangered a Philippine Air Force NC-212i light transport plane flying above the South China Sea last Thursday.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Air Force, Philippine Air Force, Business Locations: Philippines, South China, China, Philippine

☆ The Filipinos Living in the Shadow of China’s Military Might
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Camille Elemia | Jes Aznar | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For travelers flying into the tiny island of Thitu, the reality of China’s territorial ambition becomes instantly clear. There they are: dozens of Chinese ships surrounding a speck of land that a few hundred Filipinos call home. Small wooden fishing boats line a white sand beach on the eastern shore. On a neighboring reef, it has constructed a military base whose lights shimmer at night like a city. So it is upgrading its crumbling military facilities that lie on the island’s southern end.

Locations: Thitu, China, Philippines

☆ Philippines condemns China’s ‘illegal and reckless’ actions for dropping flares in the skies above South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-11 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The Philippine military condemned “dangerous and provocative actions” when two Chinese aircraft dropped flares in the path of a Philippine aircraft during a routine patrol around the shoal on Thursday. The Chinese military’s Southern Theater Command countered that the Philippines had disrupted its training, accusing Manila of “illegally intruding” into its airspace. On Sunday, Marcos urged China to act responsibly both in the seas and in the skies. Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. China rejects a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that Beijing’s expansive claims had no basis under international law.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Marcos, ” Marcos, Chester Cabalza, ”, Cabalza Organizations: Sunday, South China, Southern Theater Command, Presidential Communications Office, International Development, Security Cooperation Locations: South, Manila, Beijing, Scarborough, Philippines, Philippine, “, China, South China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, The Hague

☆ Philippine military condemns China air force for ‘dangerous’ acts in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-10 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

The Philippine military said on Saturday it strongly condemns “dangerous and provocative actions” by China’s air force at a contested shoal in the South China Sea. It was the first time the Philippines has complained of dangerous actions by Chinese aircraft, as opposed to navy or coast guard vessels, since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr took office in 2022. Two People’s Liberation Army Air Force aircraft executed a dangerous maneuver and dropped flares in the path of a NC-212i Philippine air force propeller aircraft conducting a routine maritime patrol over the Scarborough shoal on Thursday morning, the military said in a statement. Filipino fishermen frequent the Scarborough Shoal one of two flashpoints in a longstanding maritime rivalry with China. A China Coast Guard ship monitors a Philippine fisherman aboard his wooden boat in the disputed South China Sea.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Romeo Brawner, Ted Aljibe Organizations: People’s Liberation Army Air Force, China Coast Guard, Getty Locations: Philippine, South China, Philippines, Scarborough, Manila, China, Beijing, Bajo, Masinloc, AFP, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Hague

Two executives at Smartmatic, a voting machine company, were indicted in Florida on Thursday for allegedly bribing officials in the Philippines to secure contracts ahead of the 2016 election there, the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of Florida announced. “No voter fraud has been alleged and Smartmatic is not indicted. These are the values that Smartmatic lives by,” the company said in a statement. Smartmatic has since filed a major defamation suit against Fox News and its parent company over the network’s reporting on the stolen election claims. Fox News promoted the indictment of the Smartmatic executives in an email to reporters.

Persons: Roger Piñate, Jorge Miguel Vasquez, “, Vasquez, Smartmatic, J, Erik Connolly, ” Organizations: Attorney's, Southern District of, Philippine, Fox News, NBC News Locations: Florida, Philippines, U.S, Southern District, Southern District of Florida, Venezuelan, Los Angeles

☆ I gave more attention to my demanding job than to raising my 4 kids. I'm heartbroken over what it cost me.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-10 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

I instantly regretted my decision because I knew my son needed me. The chances of my husband getting a job that would pay enough to cover the cost of childcare were very low. My children needed their mother, and I needed my children. When I was focused on work and they needed my attention, I would redirect them to ask their dad instead. I realize now that all those years, I was bringing my stress and fear from work into my family life.

Persons: Abigail DeGuzman, It's, I've, we're, I'm, wasn't, inattentive, —, There's, Jane Zhang Organizations: Service, Strategic, Business Locations: Brookhaven , Pennsylvania, Philippines, Atlanta, Pennsylvania, janezhang@businessinsider.com

A British crocodile expert was sentenced Thursday to more than 10 years in prison in Australia after admitting to sexually abusing, torturing and killing dozens of dogs. He filmed videos of himself torturing dogs to death and then shared the videos online under pseudonyms, the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory in Australia heard. The “unalloyed pleasure” Britton took in torturing the animals was “sickeningly evident,” the BBC quoted Grant as saying. According to the court documents, Britton sexually abused his own pets, Ursa and Bolt, for years but sought out other dogs as well. “My own dogs are family and I have limits,” he said in a Telegram message cited in the documents.

Persons: Adam Britton, Britton, Richard Grande, Michael Grant, ” Britton, Grant, ”, “, I’ve, David Attenborough Organizations: BBC, National Geographic, Getty, NBC News Locations: British, Australia, Northern Territory, Philippines, AFP, Britain, Darwin

☆ Smartmatic Executives Charged With Bribery of Philippine Official
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Katie Robertson | More About Katie Robertson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Justice Department on Thursday charged three current and former executives at Smartmatic, the voting technology company, with taking part in a bribery scheme in the Philippines. In the indictment, which was released publicly on Friday, prosecutors said that from 2015 to 2018, Smartmatic’s president and co-founder, Roger Piñate, and other executives funneled “at least $1 million in bribes” to Juan Andres Bautista, the former chairman of the Philippine elections commission, so that their company could obtain and keep a contract providing voting machines and election services for the 2016 Philippine elections. A Smartmatic spokesman said in a statement that two of the people charged remain at the company, including Mr. Piñate, and each has been placed on a leave of absence, though he noted that “our accused employees remain innocent until proven guilty.”“No voter fraud has been alleged, and Smartmatic is not indicted,” the spokesman said. “Still, voters worldwide must be assured that the elections they participate in are conducted with the utmost integrity and transparency.”

Persons: Roger Piñate, ”, Juan Andres Bautista, Piñate, “ Organizations: Department, Smartmatic Locations: Philippines, Philippine

☆ DOJ accuses Smartmatic's president of overseas bribery, complicating defamation lawsuits against right-wing media
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

In reality, Smartmatic's technology was used in only one county during the 2020 election, Los Angeles. AdvertisementBut the indictment can still help Fox News, Newsmax, and other defendants in Smartmatic's many defamation lawsuits. Following the 2020 election, Smartmatic and Dominion both launched civil defamation lawsuits against Trump allies and right-wing media organizations that pushed false claims about the companies. But some of its defamation lawsuits have been snagged by claims of wrongdoing in the Philippines. AdvertisementDefendants in Smartmatic's defamation cases have argued that Smartmatic has vastly overstated its the amount of damages it says it should get.

Persons: —, Roger Piñate, Andres Bautista, Smartmatic, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Piñate, Department's, Bautista —, Bautista, Trump's, Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, Mike Lindell, Reid Hoffman, Giuliani, Powell, COMELEC Organizations: Service, The Justice Department, Business, Fox, The, Department, Prosecutors, CNN, Justice Department, Dominion, Trump, Fox News, Democratic Party, One America Locations: Philippines, Philippine, Los Angeles, Asia, Europe, Florida, Smartmatic

☆ Everyone from Starbucks to Chinese giants wants in on the boba tea craze. Meet the family who says they started it all.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-08 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Chun Shui Tang founder Liu Han-chieh and managing director Angela Liu at one of their company's teahouses in Taichung. Chun Shui Tang's executives appear unperturbed by the many shapes and forms boba tea takes these days — Heinz ketchup boba tea, anyone? AdvertisementIn 2008, Chun Shui Tang introduced a boba tea hot pot with a savory tea-infused broth. Huileng Tan/Business InsiderChun Shui Tang OG shop in Taichung is a tourist hotspotToday, Liu's OG Chun Shui Tang teahouse in Taichung is on many tourists' checklists. Chun Shui Tang founder Liu said he isn't worried about the competition, because the market is big enough for everyone.

Persons: —, Chui, Chui Shui Tang, Chun Shui Tang, Liu Han, Liu, It's, Lin Hsiu, Chun, Huileng Tan, Lin, Angela —, doesn't, he's, Tang, He's, boba, Tu, Liu's, Angela, Chun Shui, Angela Liu, Heinz, they've, Liu wasn't, Mark Anthony Villones, Villones, Filippino Mark Anthony Villones, Kayne Sy, China Chun Shui Tang, Jason Yu, Kantar, Aly Song, Yu, it's Organizations: Service, Business, Chun Shui, Starbucks, Purdue University, Chun Shui Tang, Liu's, BI Locations: Chui Shui, Taiwan, Taichung, Japan, Tainan, China, Huileng, —, Philippines, Central China, Hong Kong

☆ He won gold for the Philippines. Then the gifts started pouring in — including a $600,000 condo and a lifetime supply of ramen.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-07 | by ( Erin Liam | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

These freebies are in addition to the Philippine House of Representatives' cash incentive of 3 million Philippine pesos granted to all gold medalists. In the US, gold medalists take home $37,500. Hong Kong — which offers the highest bonus — awards 6 million Hong Kong dollars, or about $768,000, to its gold medalists, per CNBC. AdvertisementCorrection: August 7, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misdescribed Hong Kong. It's 6 million Hong Kong dollars, not 600,000 Hong Kong dollars.

Persons: —, Carlos Yulo, freebies, Yulo, Megaworld, Virgil Lo, Bucket, Marcus Luer, Luer, James Crane, Buchwald, Joseph Schooling, Nestlé's Milo, Yakult, Hugo Boss, it's Organizations: Service, Olympics, Paris, McKinley, Business, Apollo Home Depot, Philippine, Hong, CNBC, Total Sports Asia, Olympic Games Locations: Megaworld, Taguig, Manila, Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines, China

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