INTERNATIONAL NEWS Bezos dethrones Musk to reclaim title of world's richest man Agence France-Presse By Agence France-Presse March 5, 2024 WASHINGTON, D.C.: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos took back his spot as the world's richest man on Monday, dethroning Elon Musk on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Bezos' net worth stands at $200 billion, according to the tracker, surpassing the Tesla chief's $198 billion. Musk, who also heads X (formerly Twitter) and SpaceX, has seen his riches fall by more than $30 billion as Tesla's share price has dropped 25 percent in recent months. Adding to Musk's woes, a court in January approved the annulment of his enormous Tesla compensation agreement, worth $55.8 billion and originally struck in 2018. Bezos, who no longer runs Amazon, has meanwhile benefited from the ecommerce giant's rising stock price. Even after recently selling off $8.5 billion in stocks he remains the company's largest shareholder. The French CEO of the luxury group LVMH, Bernard Arnault, remains in third place in the rankings of the world's richest people, worth $197 billion. INTERNATIONAL NEWS FACT SHEET What: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos reclaimed his position as the world's richest man, surpassing Elon Musk on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. When: The event occurred on Monday. Where: The event took place in Washington, D.C. Why: Bezos' net worth surged to $200 billion, overtaking Musk's $198 billion, primarily due to the rising stock price of Amazon. Who: - Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, reclaimed the title of the world's richest man. - Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, X (formerly Twitter), and SpaceX, was dethroned from the top spot. - Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, holds the third position in the rankings of the world's richest people. What (additional information): - Musk's net worth decreased by more than $30 billion due to Tesla's declining share price and the annulment of his enormous Tesla compensation agreement worth $55.8 billion. - Bezos no longer runs Amazon but remains the company's largest shareholder. NATIONAL NEWS $1.53B in deals shown to Bongbong Marcos in return to Australia By: Dona Z. Pazzibugan - Reporter / @dpazzibuganINQINQUIRER.net / 04:40 PM March 04, 2024 Melbourne—Twelve business deals worth an estimated $1.53 billion (P86 billion) were presented to Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at a business forum here on Monday (March 4). The 12 business deals, presented to Marcos at the forum on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations—Australia Special Summit, consist of 10 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between Filipino and Australian business leaders and two letters of intent (LOIs) from Australian business leaders who intend to invest in the Philippines. “These agreements signify our unwavering commitment to excellence and fruitful partnerships spanning diverse sectors,” said Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual at the forum at the Ritz Carlton Hotel here. These investment sectors, Pascual said, included renewable energy, waste-to-energy, organic recycling, countryside housing, the establishment of a data center, manufacturing of health technology solutions, and digital health services. The MOUs involve the development, design, construction, commissioning and funding of a Tier-3 data center with a capacity of 30MW-40MW at the Poro Point Freeport Zone. The other deals would expand next-generation battery manufacturing in the Philippines and: —Deploy decarbonization solutions for renewable energy, storage and related technology to the New Clark City Stadium and other Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) sites —Partnership in developing an electric transport framework in BCDA lands —Housing for the poor in the countryside through Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) -Setting up collection centers and building recycling facilities for plastics using innovative technology developed by an Australian university —Manufacture of portable and affordable defibrillator machines —Partnership between the Philippines’ National Development Co. and an Australian firm for the transfer of Australian technology converting wastes into energy The NDC aims to set up a globally recognized institute in the Philippines, to be known as Southeast Asia Biosecurity Institute, to develop biosecurity supply chains across Southeast Asia. The LOIs cover biomass fuels for safe CO2-free energy in the Philippines and the development of AI health services to improve health care in the Philippines. Marcos returned to Australia for the summit after a two-day official visit. NATIONAL NEWS FACT SHEET What: Twelve business deals worth an estimated $1.53 billion were presented to Philippines President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. at a business forum in Melbourne. When: The presentation of the business deals occurred on Monday, March 4. Where: The business forum took place in Melbourne, Australia, specifically at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. The 12 business deals, presented to Marcos at the forum on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations—Australia Special Summit Why: The purpose of the business forum was to strengthen economic ties and partnerships between the Philippines and Australia, with a focus on various sectors such as renewable energy, housing, technology, and health care. Who: - Philippines President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. was presented with the business deals. - Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual represented the Philippines at the forum. - Various Filipino and Australian business leaders were involved in the presentation of 10 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and two letters of intent (LOIs). How: - The MOUs and LOIs encompassed various sectors, including renewable energy, waste management, housing, technology manufacturing, and health care services. - The agreements involved activities such as developing data centers, manufacturing health technology solutions, establishing electric transport frameworks, providing housing for the poor, and implementing recycling facilities. - The deals also included partnerships for the transfer of technology, development of biosecurity supply chains, and improvement of health care services through AI. - The presentation aimed to signify the commitment to excellence and fruitful partnerships between the Philippines and Australia, spanning diverse sectors. - “These agreements signify our unwavering commitment to excellence and fruitful partnerships spanning diverse sectors,” said Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual at the forum at the Ritz Carlton Hotel here. LOCAL/REGIONAL NEWS 9 villages in Samar Island declared as ‘drug-cleared’ by PDEA By Web Master -March 5, 20244 0 TACLOBAN CITY – The regional oversight committee on the barangay drug clearing program (ROCBDC), led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in this region, announced the clearance of nine villages on Samar Island from illegal drugs. According to a statement from PDEA-8, the drug-cleared barangays include Banuyo in Borongan City; and Banuyo, Cag-abaca, Galutan, JP Rizal, and McKinley in Catarman town, as well as Binay, Monbon, and Sangay in Palapag town, all located in Northern Samar province. Additionally, seven barangays have been declared drug-free, namely Gebonawan, Maghipid, and San Jose in Lope de Vega town; Maragat and Sangputan in San Vicente town; Seven Hills in San Isidro, and San Antonio in Catubig, all situated in Northern Samar. Furthermore, 13 barangays have maintained their status as drug-cleared barangays. These include Anglit, Balud, Bulao, Burgos, Camabayan, Dolongan, May-it, New San Agustin, Roxas, San Fernando, Serum, and Sulod, all located in the municipality of Basey in Samar province. Meanwhile, 34 barangays across Samar Island have retained their drug-free status following monitoring and validation by PDEA and the Philippine National Police, indicating the absence of active illegal drug personalities in their respective areas. These barangays encompass Cagmanaba, Cahicsan, De Maria, Flormina, Hinabangan, Mirador, San Antonio, San Isidro, San Jose, and Santa Catalina in Mondragon town, as well as Guindaulan and Kailingan in Rosario town, all situated in Northern Samar province. In Samar province, the barangays include Cancaiyas, Balante, Baloog, Binongtu-an, Buenavista, Canabay, Del Pilar, Guintigui-an, Iba, Inuntan, Loog, Mabini, Manlilinab, Mongabong, Old San Agustin, Panugmonon, Pelit, Salvacion, Sawa, Sugca, Sugponon, and Villa Aurora in Basey town. LOCAL REGIONAL NEWS FACT SHEET What: The regional oversight committee on the barangay drug clearing program (ROCBDC), led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), announced the clearance of nine villages on Samar Island from illegal drugs. When: The announcement was made recently, but the specific date is not provided in the article. Where: The clearance of barangays from illegal drugs occurred in various locations across Samar Island, specifically in Borongan City, Catarman town, Palapag town, Lope de Vega town, San Vicente town, San Isidro, Catubig, and Basey town. Why: The announcement was made as part of efforts to combat illegal drug activities and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of communities in the region. Who: The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) led the regional oversight committee on the barangay drug clearing program (ROCBDC), which made the announcement. How: The clearance of barangays from illegal drugs involved a process of monitoring, validation, and efforts by PDEA and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure the absence of active illegal drug personalities in the respective areas. Barangays were declared drug-cleared, drug-free, or maintained their status based on these efforts and assessments. LOCAL/REGIONAL NEWS FACT SHEET What: The regional oversight committee on the barangay drug clearing program (ROCBDC), led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), announced the clearance of nine villages on Samar Island from illegal drugs. When: The announcement was made recently, but the specific date is not provided in the article. Where: The clearance of barangays from illegal drugs occurred in various locations across Samar Island, specifically in Borongan City, Catarman town, Palapag town, Lope de Vega town, San Vicente town, San Isidro, Catubig, and Basey town. Why: The announcement was made as part of efforts to combat illegal drug activities and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of communities in the region. Who: The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) led the regional oversight committee on the barangay drug clearing program (ROCBDC), which made the announcement. How: The clearance of barangays from illegal drugs involved a process of monitoring, validation, and efforts by PDEA and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure the absence of active illegal drug personalities in the respective areas. Barangays were declared drug-cleared, drug-free, or maintained their status based on these efforts and assessments. LOCAL/REGIONAL NEWS FACT SHEET What: The regional oversight committee on the barangay drug clearing program (ROCBDC), led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), announced the clearance of nine villages on Samar Island from illegal drugs. When: The announcement was made recently, but the specific date is not provided in the article. Where: The clearance of barangays from illegal drugs occurred in various locations across Samar Island, specifically in Borongan City, Catarman town, Palapag town, Lope de Vega town, San Vicente town, San Isidro, Catubig, and Basey town. Why: The announcement was made as part of efforts to combat illegal drug activities and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of communities in the region. Who: The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) led the regional oversight committee on the barangay drug clearing program (ROCBDC), which made the announcement. How: The clearance of barangays from illegal drugs involved a process of monitoring, validation, and efforts by PDEA and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure the absence of active illegal drug personalities in the respective areas. Barangays were declared drug-cleared, drug-free, or maintained their status based on these efforts and assessments.
