diversity – Page 24 – Author Carlo Carrasco

17 Men Arrested For Stealing 150-Meter Copper Cable In Las Piñas City

January 17, 2026January 12, 2026carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, seventeen men were apprehended for the theft of an underground copper cable along Alabang-Zapote Road which affected more than a thousand Internet service customers, according to a GMA Network news report. Now in custody, the suspects claimed they were hired by someone who promised to pay them.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from news report of GMA News. Some parts in boldface…

A group of men was arrested after allegedly stealing an underground copper cable belonging to an internet service provider along Alabang-Zapote Road in Las Piñas City.

According to Jamie Santos’ exclusive report on 24 Oras Weekend on Sunday, an investigation by the Las Piñas Police found that the 17 suspects are from Manila.

The suspects claimed they were recruited by an unidentified individual who promised to pay them P1,200 each in exchange for carrying a cargo.

They also claimed they were loaded into a closed van and brought to Las Piñas City, where they later discovered that the cargo contained internet cables, the report added.

Roving guards of the internet service provider allegedly caught the suspects loading the cables into the van, triggering a chase.

“Nagkaroon sila ng habulan. Paakyat ng Skyway ang van hanggang sa tumigil ito sa toll gate. Binangga ang barriers ng toll gate kaya hinold sila ng mga guwardiya.

(A chase ensued. The van was heading up the Skyway until it stopped at the toll gate.)

“Pagkatapos, tumawag ang toll gate security personnel sa HPG-Bicutan,” said Police Major Bobbe Imbo, chief of the Investigation and Detective Management Section of Las Piñas Police Station.

(After it crashed into the toll gate barriers, the guards held them, then the toll gate security personnel called the HPG-Bicutan.)

“Possible po na hindi nila alam ang bubuhatin. May isang tao lang na nag-recruit sa kanila at sinabi na may bubuhatin sila. Hindi nila nire-reveal ang pangalan,” he added.

(It is possible they did not know what they were carrying. They said there was only one person who recruited them and told them they had something to carry, but they are not revealing the name.)

Authorities seized a 150-meter cable valued at more than P500 million, as well as a bolt cutter. An estimated 1,400 subscribers lost internet connection due to the incident, the report said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Were you one of the many Internet service subscribers who lost connection due to the theft committed by the suspects? Who do you think hired them?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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America and Japan Confirm Strong Alliance

January 17, 2026January 16, 2026carlocarrasco

As America prioritized its position in the Western Hemisphere, there is concern in Asia that a decline of American military presence in the Indo-Pacific could follow and allow Communist China to be an even bigger threat. That, however, is not the case at all as US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi confirmed that their alliance remains strong and it will be backed up with action, according to a report by Kyodo News.

For the newcomers reading this, Japan is currently dealing with the aggression of Communist China. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan officially set its fiscal 2026 defense budget at 9 trillion Yen. Recently, Japan signed new agreements with the Philippines related to security and logistics support between their respective military forces. Prime Minister Takaichi will soon meet US President Trump in America.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Kyodo News report. Some parts in boldface…

The defense chiefs of Japan and the United States on Thursday agreed to reinforce the deterrence and response capabilities of the bilateral alliance amid concerns in Asia that Washington’s focus is drifting from the region.

“We confirmed that the Japan-U.S. alliance remains completely unshaken and that both countries are cooperating closely,” Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told reporters following his meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon near Washington.

Koizumi said he was reassured that the United States remains committed to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, even as President Donald Trump’s administration has designated the Western Hemisphere its top priority.

While Trump has downplayed Chinese military activities around Taiwan, his administration is seeking to strengthen its position in North and South America and the surrounding waters, as evidenced by its recent intervention in Venezuela and designs on Greenland.

In some Asian capitals, Trump’s increased focus on the Western Hemisphere has prompted concerns about a potential decline in U.S. engagement in the Indo-Pacific, creating a security vacuum in the region as China accelerates its military buildup.

“Our job and our goal here is to continue…to strengthen that in every way possible,” Hegseth said as they began talks, referring to the decades-old security alliance.

After welcoming Koizumi in an honor cordon ceremony, Hegseth hailed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s resolve to increase Tokyo’s defense spending.

According to Koizumi, Hegseth did not call on Japan to raise its defense spending during their meeting, which lasted about 50 minutes.

Koizumi said he told Hegseth that Japan will do its utmost to beef up its defense capabilities and the alliance.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the United States has something planned to enhance its alliance with Japan which could create a bigger challenge towards China in the Indo-Pacific region? What do you think will be announced once Trump and Takaichi meet in America?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Japan And Italy Agree On Strategic Cooperation

January 17, 2026January 16, 2026carlocarrasco

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and they agreed to cooperate with each other on enhancing economic security, according to a report by Kyodo News. Meloni is on her first official visit to Japan since taking office in 2022.

For the newcomers reading this, Japan is currently dealing with the aggression of Communist China not only diplomatically but also economically. Prime Minister Takaichi will soon meet US President Donald Trump in America.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni agreed Friday to cooperate in strengthening economic security including supply chains of critical minerals as they aligned their nations more closely in the face of China’s growing clout.

The two countries upgraded their “strategic partnership” to a “special strategic partnership” to boost ties in “all sectors” including security and culture, Takaichi and Meloni said in a joint statement released after their meeting in Tokyo.

The leaders “shared grave concern for all forms of economic coercion and for use of nonmarket policies and practices and use of export restrictions which disrupt global supply chains for key goods and components,” they said, in an apparent reference to China.

Japan and Italy will also establish a consultative body to promote cooperation in space technology and will advance collaboration in areas such as artificial-intelligence robotics and semiconductors, the statement said.

“As the international community faces a complex crisis and the strategic environment surrounding the Indo-Pacific region has become severe, close collaboration between like-minded countries has become more important than ever,” Takaichi told a joint press appearance with Meloni after the talks.

Japan and Italy, both Group of Seven members, will also work together on securing liquefied natural gas in case of emergencies, among other infrastructure and energy issues, Takaichi said.

Meloni said that the alliance between Japan and Italy has “high potential” and that she discussed with Takaichi diversifying critical mineral providers and reinforcing the resilience of their supply chains.

Japan and Italy share concerns over China, a dominant producer of rare earths essential for cutting-edge products whose trade practices are often criticized as coercive.

Beijing imposed stricter controls on exports to Japan of dual-use items last week, escalating a bilateral spat sparked by Takaichi’s remarks in November suggesting an attack on Taiwan could trigger a response by her nation’s defense forces. The targeted goods may include rare earths.

Japan and Italy are heavily dependent on imports from China for their rare earth supplies.

Finance ministers from the G7 nations and some other countries agreed Monday to accelerate the reduction of their overreliance on China for critical minerals during their gathering in Washington.

Tokyo and Rome have also been ramping up defense collaboration against the background of China’s growing military reach in the Indo-Pacific region and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, taking the view that security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic is inseparable.

The two countries have a joint trilateral project with Britain to develop a next-generation fighter jet they aim to deploy by 2035.

For added insight, watch the Nippon TV videos below.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think big developments will happen once Japan and Italy start a new series of cooperation tackling economics and military matters? Do you think Italy and Japan will be able to find alternative sources of rare earth supplies and heavily cut their dependence on China? Do you think China will react angrily at Japan and Italy?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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83 Illegal Aliens Arrested In Parañaque City

January 15, 2026January 11, 2026carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Parañaque, a raid happened at a certain shopping mall which resulted in the apprehension of more than eighty illegal aliens, according to a news release by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). A great majority of the suspects were from Bangladesh.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Saturday reported the arrest of 83 foreign nationals during a large-scale operation at a shopping mall in Baclaran, Parañaque City.

The operation, which stemmed from intelligence reports, was carried out on Jan. 7, following weeks of surveillance and verification, according to a belated news release.

The apprehended foreigners were 68 Bangladeshi nationals, 14 Chinese and one Indian. There were 2 females in the group.

Initial records check showed that while some held valid visas, they were engaged in retail trade activities prohibited under Philippine law. The report added that 18 of the foreigners are holding tourist visas, while the identities of six are under verification.

The foreign nationals are facing charges of immigration violations including undocumented stay, misrepresentation and violation of Republic Act 8762 or the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, which prohibits foreigners from engaging in retail trade without proper authority, regardless of visa status.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado explained that the possession of a visa does not grant blanket authority to work or do business in the country.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be foreigners secretly working illegally at the nearest commercial center?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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US State Department Imposes Terrorist Designations Against Muslim Brotherhood Chapters Of Three Countries

January 15, 2026January 14, 2026carlocarrasco

Remember a few months ago when US President Donald Trump made it clear that the Muslim Brotherhood will be officially declared a terrorist organization? America made its move by imposing terrorist designations against the Egyptian, Jordanian and Lebanese chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood, as announced very recently by the US State Department.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the complete US State Department’s announcement. Some parts in boldface…

Today, as a first step in support of President Trump’s commitment to eliminate the capabilities and operations of Muslim Brotherhood chapters that pose a threat to the United States as described in Executive Order 14362, the United States is imposing terrorist designations against the Lebanese, Jordanian, and Egyptian chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood.

The Department of State is designating the Lebanese Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), and the group’s leader Muhammad Fawzi Taqqosh as an SDGT. Concurrently, the Department of the Treasury is designating the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood as SDGTs for providing material support to Hamas.

These designations reflect the opening actions of an ongoing, sustained effort to thwart Muslim Brotherhood chapters’ violence and destabilization wherever it occurs. The United States will use all available tools to deprive these Muslim Brotherhood chapters of the resources to engage in or support terrorism.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think this newest move by the United States will help the government of Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon corner the Muslim Brotherhood chapters and bring them down somehow? Do you think the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas will be severely affected now that the Egyptian and Jordanian chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood have been tagged by the US? Do you think America will eventually crack down on the Muslim Brotherhood’s deep connections with the pro-terrorist government of Qatar?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Health And Nutrition Program For Children Of Las Piñas

January 14, 2026January 8, 2026carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, the City Government’s nutrition committee announced the local health program for younglings which aims to emphasize better health and proper nutrition, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The (Las) Piñas City government, through its City Nutrition Committee, is set to conduct the annual Operation Timbang Plus (OPT) to promote the health and proper nutrition of young Las Piñeros.

Mayor April Aguilar said the program will cover infants and children up to four years old, ensuring early monitoring of their growth and nutritional status.

Aguilar said Operation Timbang Plus plays a vital role in assessing the weight, height, and overall health condition of children, serving as an important basis for the city in crafting and strengthening health and nutrition programs for the youth.

She encouraged parents and guardians to participate in the activity, noting that the data gathered from OPT will help guide the local government in addressing malnutrition and promoting healthier lifestyles among Las Piñero children.

The City Nutrition Committee assured the public that the schedules and additional details of the activity will be announced soon through official channels.

Residents are advised to stay updated by following announcements from the city government and the official Facebook page of the City Nutrition Committee.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are parents in your local community bringing their children to the announced health and nutrition program?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Vietnam Attracts All-Time High 21.2 Million Foreign Tourist Arrivals In 2025

January 10, 2026January 6, 2026carlocarrasco

Vietnam, a nation ravaged by war decades ago, has emerged as a major tourism magnet in both Southeast Asia and Asia as a whole after successfully attracting more than twenty-one million foreign tourists in 2025, according to a VnExpress International news report. The figure is a new all-time high. What Vietnam achieved was more than 20% higher than its 2024 foreign tourist numbers. For 2026, Vietnam is aiming high with a target of 25 million foreign visitors.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam welcomed a record number of foreign tourists in 2025 with 21.2 million, up 20.4% from the previous year and the highest ever, according to General Statistics Office.

Mainland China was Vietnam’s biggest source of visitors last year with 5.2 million arrivals, up 41% year-on-year, followed by South Korea with 4.3 million and Taiwan with 1.23 million.

The U.S. ranked fourth with 848,000, followed by Japan with 814,000. The rest of the top 10 were India (746,000), Russia (689,000), Cambodia (687,000), Malaysia (573,000) and Australia (548,000).

Tourism industry insiders attributed Vietnam’s strong performance to visa reforms.

*Foreign tourists welcomed in Vietnam. (photo credit: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism)*

In March the government decided to extend visa exemptions until 2028 for citizens of 12 countries: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K.

In August it waived visa requirements for stays of up to 45 days for citizens of 12 more countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland.

This expanded the unilateral visa waiver list to 24 countries and the total number including bilateral waivers to 39.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Considering the strong international tourism momentum it has right now, do you think Vietnam will succeed in attracting 25 million foreign tourists this year? Do you think a lot more visitors from Europe will come to Vietnam this year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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America Withdraws From Wasteful, Ineffective, Or Harmful International Organizations

January 9, 2026January 8, 2026carlocarrasco

America’s impact on the world was felt yet again as it has officially withdrew itself from more than sixty-five international organizations declared as wasteful, ineffective, and harmful, the US State department announced.

For the newcomers reading this, the administration of President Trump conducted an in-depth review of many international organizations and eventually it led to the execution of Executive Order 14199. In short, America will halt funding the mentioned international organizations as many of them were found redundant, dishonest, irresponsible and even abusive over the handling of American taxpayer funds. America has its own interests and it is simply exerting its muscle on the global stage. Trump’s America is clearly rejecting the globalists and other sinister forces from around the world.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from US State Department’s official announcement. Some parts in boldface…

Today, in furtherance of Executive Order 14199, President Trump announced the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organizations identified as part of the Trump Administration’s review of wasteful, ineffective, and harmful international organizations. Review of additional international organizations pursuant to Executive Order 14199 remains ongoing.

The Trump Administration has found these institutions to be redundant in their scope, mismanaged, unnecessary, wasteful, poorly run, captured by the interests of actors advancing their own agendas contrary to our own, or a threat to our nation’s sovereignty, freedoms, and general prosperity. President Trump is clear: It is no longer acceptable to be sending these institutions the blood, sweat, and treasure of the American people, with little to nothing to show for it. The days of billions of dollars in taxpayer money flowing to foreign interests at the expense of our people are over.

As such, the United States will be withdrawing from the 66 organizations that can be found here.

As this list begins to demonstrate, what started as a pragmatic framework of international organizations for peace and cooperation has morphed into a sprawling architecture of global governance, often dominated by progressive ideology and detached from national interests. From DEI mandates to “gender equity” campaigns to climate orthodoxy, many international organizations now serve a globalist project rooted in the discredited fantasy of the “End of History.” These organizations actively seek to constrain American sovereignty. Their work is advanced by the same elite networks—the multilateral “NGO-plex”— that we have begun dismantling through the closure of USAID.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think America’s withdrawal from the 66 international organizations will have a huge impact worldwide? Do you think the foreign abusers of American taxpayers’ money will eventually be exposed and held accountable for financial crime? Are you convinced that there are Islamo-Leftist elements working secretly among international organizations that received money from the United States?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Chinese National Rescued In Parañaque City, Foreign Suspects Arrested

January 9, 2026January 4, 2026carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Parañaque, local police officers rescued a Chinese national and apprehended two foreign suspects, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The police received an emergency call which led to the rescue.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…

Police rescued a Chinese national after receiving a 911 emergency call and arrested two of his compatriots who allegedly held him captive in Parañaque City on Dec. 27.

The Southern Police District (SPD) identified the victim as Zhenhai, a Chinese national, who was rescued at around 10:40 p.m. inside a condominium unit in Barangay Don Galo, Parañaque City. The suspects were identified as Haoxin, 38, and France, 37, both Chinese nationals and residents of Pandacan, Manila.

According to police, a duty officer at the Parañaque City Police Station Tactical Operations Center received a call through the 911 emergency hotline reporting that a Chinese national was being held against his will and threatened at gunpoint for allegedly refusing to pay a P25,000 debt, which he claimed he did not owe.

Personnel from the Parañaque City Police Station Niño Substation immediately responded to the report, leading to the rescue of the victim and the arrest of the two suspects.

Recovered from the suspects were a 9mm caliber pistol without a serial number, one magazine, and nine rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be more Chinese nationals kidnapping their fellow people and detaining them within the city? Do you think criminal activities in Parañaque involving Chinese nationals will only get worse over the next six months?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Venezuela To Turn Over 30 Million to 50 Million Oil Barrels To America

January 8, 2026January 7, 2026carlocarrasco

Following the capture of socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro, US President Donald Trump announced that Venezuela will turn over to America thirty million to fifty million barrels of oil which will benefit people of both nations, according to a news report by Newsmax.

For the newcomers reading this, Maduro ruled Venezuela for more than a decade and his predecessor was none other than the demon Hugo Chavez. Maduro brutalized his fellow Venezuelans and is responsible with the intense deterioration of their national economy. Under Maduro, Venezuela cooperated with the terrorist state of Iran, Communist China and Putin’s Russia. Maduro is also involved in drug trafficking and narco-terrorism.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from a Newsmax report. Some parts in boldface…

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Venezuela is turning over 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, with proceeds he said will benefit both the Venezuelan people and Americans.

Trump made the announcement in a post on Truth Social, just days after he authorized U.S. military action to remove socialist strongman Nicolas Maduro from power in Venezuela.

“I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America,” Trump said in the post.

“This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!” he added.

Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president Monday. Rodriguez indicated she would cooperate with Washington.

“I have asked Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute this plan, immediately. It will be taken by storage ships, and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States,” Trump concluded his post.

Before the arrest of Maduro, Venezuela’s oil sector was a shadow of its former self despite holding the world’s largest proven oil reserves — estimated at over 300 billion barrels.

Decades of socialist mismanagement, expropriation of foreign assets, and U.S. sanctions decimated output, which fell from over 3 million barrels per day in the early 2000s to roughly 1 million barrels per day by 2025.

Sanctions forced much of the crude trade underground and shifted exports mainly to China, with Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA) struggling to generate cash revenue. Production bottlenecks, lack of investment, and aging infrastructure kept Venezuela’s oil influence weak on global markets.

For additional insight about Venezuelan oil and what it means to America and the world, watch the selected videos below.

In other developments, Venezuelans are celebrating the capture and downfall of Maduro. Switzerland announced that it has frozen Maduro’s assets and will redistribute the funds to the people of Venezuela after the dictator’s trial.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? With Maduro on trial in America, are you confident that he will be found guilty on each and every charge against him? Do you think the announced high amount of barrels of Venezuelan oil will be a big economic boost for America? Do you think China, Russia and terrorist state Iran are panicking now that they lost their access to Venezuela’s oil? Do you think it is a matter of time before the military hardware of Russia, China and Iran in Venezuela will get dismantled?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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