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History of Kulbhushan Jadhav's arrest
- Kulbhushan Jhadav is a retired Indian Navy Officer who was arrested by military forces in Pakistan on 3rd March 2016.
- India was informed of this only after 22 days of the arrest.
- Pakistan claims that Jadhav was arrested at the Pak-Afghan border in Balochistan for illegally entering into Pakistan.
- India refuted Pakistan's claim stating that Jadhav was abducted by Pakistan forces from Iran.
Pakistan's course of action
- Jadhav's case was conducted by a military court in Pakistan. The court awarded a Death Sentence in April 2017.
- India pushed for consular access several times after the sentence was passed, but he was denied access all the times on the grounds of espionage and spying
- Consular Access can be defined as the right of the foreign nationals that are arrested or detained should be given notice without delay of their right to have their embassy or consulate notified of that arrest. In layman's language, it is the ability of the citizens of a country to have communication with the diplomats and officers of their country while held in a foreign location.
- Consular access would have hampered the death sentencing of Jadhav after a secret trial conducted by Pakistan.
ICJ's intervention
- India approached the International Court of Justice in May 2017 after repeatedly being denied consular access.
- India accused Pakistan of violation of the Vienna Convention for denying consular access.
- India also argues that the process of the case was also questionable since it was handled by the military court. On the basis that the Judges of this court are not required to possess any law degrees.
- Pakistan refuted the argument by India that the Pakistan military courts do not have/require a legal understanding.
- Pakistan contested that Jadhav was an Indian spy sent to Balochistan to destabilise the country and therefore was not entitled to consular access.
- Pakistan was directed to take no actions against Jadhav until the final hearing of the case.
ICJ's Verdict
- The ICJ bench comprising of 16 members passed the verdict on 17th July 2019, nearly two years after the case was first submitted.
- Only one Judge had a dissenting voice, and it belonged to the former Chief Justice of Pakistan - Tassaduq Hussain Jillani.
- The court clarified that Pakistan failed to inform Jadhav of his rights, and failed to inform India about the arrest his without any delay.
- It was held that Pakistan had violated the Vienna Convention and consular access should be granted.
- By staying the execution of Kulbhushan Jadhav, Pakistan is directed to review his death sentence.
India Vs Pakistan: Kulbhushan Jadhav's Case
By: admin Others 18 Jul 2019
Introduction To, The Transgender Persons (Protection Of Rights) Bill, 2016
By: admin Others 16 Apr 2019
The Transgender Persons Bill,2016, defines transgenders and prohibit discrimination against them, this bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha a couple of years ago and after a lot of discussions and deliberations, the Bill was passed with 27 amendments.
The Transgender Persons Bill was an outcome of the NALSA Vs India judgment by Supreme Court in the year 2014, which ruled that transgender people should be legally recognized according to their gender identity, enjoy all fundamental rights, and receive special benefits in education and employment.
The objective of the bill is to protect interests of the transgenders and defining the term 'transgender', to give them recognition and also setting up of a national transgender council.
The amendments passed includes a change in the previous definition of transgender persons as "neither wholly female or wholly male", to the new definition - "the person whose gender does not match the gender assigned to that person naturally at birth and includes trans-men or trans-women, persons with intersex variations, gender -queers, and persons having socio-cultural identities such as kinnar, hijras, aravani and jogta.
• It defines a transgender person as someone who is persons with intersex variations, trans-men or trans-women, gender-queers, and persons having socio-cultural identities such as kinnar, hijras, aravani and jogta.
• A district screening committee will determine if a person is a transgender and issues a certificate.
• If the person undergoes sex change surgery, the doctor will issue the certificate.
• They can't be discriminated in education, employment, and housing.
• The right against discrimination at work, the right to not be extended from property.
• Setting up of Vocational Training Institutes and providing relevant medical facilities.
While it is a positive sign that the government is taking some interest in the rights of transgender persons but this Bill has been criticised on various aspects by experts and the transgender community itself as it lacks details and seems to be passed hurriedly without taking the actual demands of the transgender community.
• Bill negates sself-identificationas prescribed by the SC in NALSA judgment as the bill provides for sex identification by District Magistrate issuing certificates after screening.
• Definition of transgender includes intersex persons, it is not the case that all intersex persons are trangenders.
• It criminalises begging, their main occupation as they are left with no option as being discriminated of education, job and healthy wellbeing.
• Bill proposes national transgender commission but nothing about its composition, structure, grievance redressal.
• Supreme Court in NALSA judgment directed to provide for reservation, bill totally ignores the part of the reservation.
• Punishment of imprisonment for a period of six months to two years for sex crimes against transgender people which is much lighter punishment as compared to similar crimes against women.
This bill is a welcome step for rights of transgenders but several amendments are needed in order to do justice with transgenders, empower them as they have been deprived, and denied access to the economic, social, and cultural opportunities that are necessary for leading a dignified life in society.
Note: To learn more about the laws and procedures, you can contact us at Legato app where we help you in connecting with experienced lawyers who can assist you with the documentation and procedural aspects.
Rafale Deal And All About The Controversy
What is Rafale?
Dassault Aviation built a series of a twin-engine fighter jet by name Rafale. They are one of the best combat jets.
Controversy, How It started?
UPA Deal: India under the UPA government began the process to buy a fleet of 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) in 2007 under the then Defence Minister, A.K. Antony.
Lockheed Martin's F-16s, Boeing's F/A-18s, Eurofighter Typhoon, Russia's MiG-35, Sweden's Gripen, and Dassault Aviation's Rafale were the contenders for the deal.
After a long process, Dassault Aviation emerged as the lowest bidder in December 2012, the original proposal was manufacturing 18 planes in France and other 108 in collaboration with the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. at India. Lengthy negotiations took place between the then UPA government and Dassault on prices and transfer of technology. The negotiations continued till 2014 but the deal could not go through.
NDA Deal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to France, announced India will purchase 36 Rafale jets in a government-to-government agreement. On April 10, 2015, a joint statement was issued after talks between Modi and the then French President Franois Hollande, which said they agreed to conclude an Inter-Governmental Agreement for the supply of 36 Rafale.
The statement said the Inter-Governmental Agreement for supply of the aircraft in terms of agreement and the delivery would be in such time-frame that it would be compatible with the operational terms of IAF; and that the aircraft and related systems and weapons would be delivered as the same configuration which was tested and approved by Indian Air Force, and longer maintenance responsibility by France.
Chronological order of whole Rafale deal:
- 30th December 2002: Defence Procurement Procedures (DPP) adopted to streamline procurement procedures.
- 28th August 2007: Ministry of Defence issues Request for Proposal for procurement of 126 MMRCA (medium multi-role combat aircraft) fighters.
- 4th September 2008: Reliance Aerospace Technologies Ltd (RATL) incorporated by Reliance group.
- May 2011: Rafale and Eurofighter jets shortlisted by Air Force.
- 30th January 2012: Dassault Aviation's Rafale aircraft comes up with the lowest bid.
- 13th March 2014: HAL and Dassault Aviation signed a Work Share agreement which made them accountable for the 70 per cent and 30 per cent of the work, respectively, for 108 aircraft.
- 8th August 2014: Arun Jaitley, the then defence minister tells Parliament that 18 direct 'fly-away' aircraft expected to be delivered in 3-4 years and remaining 108 aircraft to be delivered in the next seven years from signing of the contract.
- 8th April 2015: The then foreign secretary says detailed discussions underway between Dassault, MoD and HAL.
- 10th April 2015: New deal for the acquisition of 36 direct 'fly-away' aircraft from France announced 2016.
- 26th January 2015: India and France sign MoU for 36 Rafale aircraft.
- 23rd September 2015: Inter-governmental agreement signed.
- 18th November 2015: Government states in Parliament that all aircraft will be delivered by April 2022 and the cost of each aircraft to be approximately Rs 670 crore.
- 31st December 2015: Dassault Aviation's Annual Report shows the actual price paid for the 36 aircraft at about Rs 60,000 crore, more than double the government's stated price in Parliament.
- 13th March 2018: PIL in SC seeks independent inquiry into Centre's decision to procure 36 Rafale fighter jets from France and revealing of the cost involved in the deal before Parliament.
- 5th September 2018: SC agrees to hear PIL seeking a stay on Rafale fighter jet deal.
- 18th September 2018: SC adjourns hearing on PIL seeking a stay on Rafale fighter jet deal to October 10.
- 8th October 2018: SC agrees to hear on October 10 fresh PIL seeking direction to Centre to file in "sealed cover" the details of the agreement for buying 36 Rafale fighter Jets.
- 10th October 2018: SC asks Centre to provide details of the decision-making process in the Rafale fighter jet deal in a sealed cover.
- 24th October 2018: Former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie and activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan moves SC and seeks for filing of FIR into Rafale fighter jet deal.
- 31st October 2018: SC asks Centre to give pricing details of 36 Rafale fighter jets within 10 days in a sealed cover.
- 12th November 2018: Centre provides the price details of 36 Rafale fighter jets in a sealed cover to SC. Along with details of steps that led to finalisation of the Rafale deal.
- 14th November 2018: SC reserves order on pleas seeking court-monitored probe in Rafale deal.
- 14th December 2018: SC says there is no occasion to doubt the decision-making process of the Modi government and dismisses all the petitions seeking direction to the CBI to register an FIR for alleged irregularities in the jet deal.
- 15th December 2018: Government moves SC and seeks correction in para which makes reference to CAG report and PAC.
- 2nd January 2019: Former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie and activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan moves SC and seeks for review of Rafale verdict.
- 14th January 2019: Sanjay Singh, AAP MP, moves SC seeking review of Rafale verdict.
- 21st February 2019: Activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan seeks to hear on a plea seeking perjury prosecution of some officials for misleading court.
- 26th February 2019: SC decides to hear pleas seeking review of Rafale verdict in open court.
- 6th March 2019: Documents related to Rafale deal stolen from Defence Ministry, Centre tells SC, threatens The Hindu newspaper for publishing articles against them.
-8th March 2019: K.K. Venugopal, Attorney General explains that Rafale documents not stolen, petitioners used photocopies.
- 13th March 2019: Centre tells SC, review plea based on leaked secret documents endangers national security.
- 14th March 2019: SC says, Will first decide preliminary objection raised by Centre and reserves verdict.
- 10th April 2019: SC dismisses Centre's objections claiming privilege and allows use of leaked documents.


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Self-Guided Walks
A Century of Architecture
A Popular Temple and a City Transformed
Cornucopia of Delights
Dr Sun Yat-sen Historical Trail
Evolvement of a Fishing Village
Markets for Leisure and Pleasure
The First Heritage Trail in Hong Kong
Walled Village
Where Modern Classics Meet Historical Charm
Home>Things to Do>Tours & Walks>Self-Guided Walks>Where Modern Classics Meet Historical Charm
If 'East meets West' is what you see in Hong Kong, Wan Chai is where you soak up the gist of it!
While the adjacent areas of Central and Admiralty were mostly inhabited by Westerners and functioned as the centre of commerce and politics, Wan Chai was, from very early on, settled by the Chinese population. Today, the area has developed a fashionable charm, but there are still a number of well-preserved temples and historical Chinese architecture. Explore the heritage of traditional Hong Kong culture in this neighbourhood.
1. Golden Bauhinia Square & HKCEC
From MTR Wan Chai station you have easy access to the extensive seaside promenade, where the sculpture of a blooming bauhinia overlooks the gorgeous Victoria Harbour — it was a gift from the Chinese Central Government to commemorate the 1997 Handover. Start your day with a panoramic view of the Central and Tsim Sha Tsui skyline at Golden Bauhinia Square & HKCEC.
Next to the Golden Bauhinia lies the state-of-the-art Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), which is a major exhibition venue and where the Handover took place. If there happens to be an expo that catches your eyes, like the annual Book Fair or Food Expo, get a ticket and drop in!
MTR Wan Chai Station Exit A5, walk along the footbridge of O'Brien Road, pass through Immigration Tower and Central Plaza to the Convention Plaza and HKCEC. Turn right and head straight to the footbridge to Great Eagle Centre. Get off the footbridge on the first exit. From there, follow the signs and head to Golden Bauhinia Square through Fleming Road and Expo Drive East.
2. Ani-Com Park@Harbour"FUN"
Have more fun at the harbourfront! Meet the 36 local animation and comic statues installed at Ani-Com Park@Harbour"FUN" at the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade. It's a selfie-themed garden where visitors can immerse themselves in comic scenes that reflect Hong Kong culture and interact with classic characters.
Just next to the Golden Bauhinia Square.
3. The Pawn
In the earlier years before Hong Kong's economy took off, the pawn shop business flourished by helping to tide those with financial difficulties over. It was not uncommon for people to make ends meet by exchanging their belongings for quick cash to last them till the next paycheque. As evidence to this heritage, The Pawn is renovated from four conjoint tong lau buildings (old-style tenement) housing the former Woo Cheong Pawn Shop and some more neighbouring shops such as beauty salons, photo studios and bird shops. The Urban Renewal Authority took over in 2002, kept the building façade on G/F and the shop sign of Woo Cheong while introducing a gourmet restaurant and a furniture shop. Savour a good meal here overlooking the the iconic trams passing by.
On your way to The Pawn, stop by the quiet tree-lined Lee Tung Avenue to check out quirky shops and catch the latest exhibitions and events.
Get back to the O'Brien Road footbridge. Walk till the end down to Johnston Road, turn right, walk two minutes.
At pawn shops, the loan period is usually four months, during which customers can get the item back at any time by repaying the loan plus the interest, or choose to extend the loan period by paying the interest. The pawning counter is usually higher than the height of a standing person, showing that the pawnbroker has a higher status so that the customer would not bargain with him.
4. Hung Shing Temple
Hung Shing Temple was an altar built on a rock that stood on what used to be the shoreline, since Hung Shing is the deity of the ocean and weather, worshipped by fishermen, farmers and sea traders. But now, it has been 'pushed' into the heart of Wan Chai after land reclamation throughout the years.
Estimated to be built between 1847 to 1852, it underwent its first renovation in 2015. It is now reopened and continues to preserve traditions and accommodate worshippers.
From The Pawn, walk along Tai Wong Street East till the end and you'll see Hung Shing Temple on the opposite street.
5. The Blue House Cluster
Its eye-catching colour reminds us of The Smurfs, when in fact it is an old residential building which took on the dazzling shade unwittingly during a renovation on its walls in the 1990s and caused it to remain standing to this day. The Blue House is a typical Lingnan-style house built in 1922 with wide balconies. Its tenants once included kung fu studios, Chinese clinics and a free school. There are still residents living here.
The nearby Yellow House and Orange House share a similar fate. Here, you will find Hong Kong House of Stories, with everyday home articles from Hong Kong residents in the past for a glimpse of Hongkongers' lives in the bygone era.
Walk along Queen's Road East, turn right at Stone Nullah Lane.
Blue House is an example of tong lau — a century-old architectural style which is unique to southern China, Hong Kong, Macao and Chinese communities in Southeast China that merges local and Western influences while adapting to local environment. In the case of Blue House, its primarily wooden interior is oriental, while the paired windows and carved railings of the balcony reflect Western styles.
Residents of these houses have stuck to the lifestyle of decades ago — there are no modern conveniences such as flush toilets.
6. Pak Tai Temple
Officially named 'Yuk Hui Kung' (Jade Void Palace), Pak Tai Temple was built by Wan Chai residents during 1863 (Qing Dynasty, second year of Emperor Tongzhi's reign). The Pak Tai statue inside the main hall is three metres tall and about 400 years old, much older than the temple itself. On either side there are halls for the Three Pristine Ones, Lung Mo (Dragon Mother), and the God of Wealth. Don't miss the murals inside the halls which reveal life in the olden times — such as how Cantonese opera was staged.
Walk up Stone Nullah Lane until you reach Pak Tai Temple.
Pak Tai, literally 'Emperor of the North', is the God of Water, believed to be capable of preventing floods and fires, and blessing you with longevity. Pak Tai also symbolises the Polaris which guides ships on seas.
7. 7 Mallory Street
Comprising a cluster of 10 pre-war Grade 2 historic buildings, 7 Mallory Street retains and preserves original structures such as balconies, a tiled pitched roof, timber French doors and a timber staircase.
7 Mallory Street serves as the venue for different events and activities such as art and cultural exhibitions, community workshops, performances, screenings and special events. The site is open for the public to visit free of charge, while some events might charge a fee. The cluster includes a 300-square-metre open space for the enjoyment of the community, exhibition areas and multi-function rooms for public hiring, as well as retail and food and beverage outlets. If you are interested in culture and historic buildings, this place is not to be missed.
7 Mallory Street was formerly named Comix Home Base and has been renamed since August 2018.
Walk back down Stone Nullah Lane, cross Queen's Road East to reach Wan Chai Road. Continue along Wan Chai Road, then turn left onto Mallory Street.
8. Tai Yuen Street (Toy Street) & Cross Street Bazaar
Looking to add to your toy collection? Come to this long-established bazaar at the junction of Tai Yuen Street and Cross Street. Apart from the array of daily goods, clothing and souvenirs sold for affordable prices in green hawking carts, Tai Yuen Street is also home to a cluster of shops with everything from classic local toys to the latest anime figures. The area near Wan Chai Road is an open-air wet market that is also worth a gander.
Getting hungry? Grab a bite at local cha chaan teng diners or one of the many eateries nearby.
Go left from 7 Mallory Street, turn left onto Johnston Road and walk for about five minutes before turning left onto Tai Yuen Street.
9. Star Street Precinct
Star Street, Moon Street and Sun Street, as their names suggest, shine when the night gets darker. During the day, the Star Street Precinct is a peaceful residential area with boutiques, galleries, art workshops and chic cafés; at night, you'll see it transform into a cool wine-and-dine neighbourhood, featuring everything from high-end restaurants to cosy pubs. Take a stroll around the area and enjoy its quaint charm! Don't forget to walk through St. Francis Yard, where there is a staircase leading to Sau Wa Fong, an even quieter cluster of intimate cafés and boutiques.
Turn right onto Queen's Road East, walk about five minutes before turning left into St. Francis Street. Enter the precinct through St. Francis Yard.
Star Street, Moon Street and Sun Street used to be home to Hong Kong's first power plant.
A scenic journey through Fanling, into the history of one of Hong Kong's most powerful clans
Read more about Walled Village
Immerse yourself in Hong Kong's most popular temple in Wong Tai Sin and wander through the remnants of Kowloon City — an infamous walled city.
Read more about A Popular Temple and a City Transformed
Dive into some of the world's most fascinating street scenes in Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok.
Read more about Markets for Leisure and Pleasure

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


It was amusing watching announcers Matt Dillon and Taraji Henson maul the global Independent Spirit Awards nominees live on UStream Tuesday morning: they couldn't wrap their tongues around many of the names. Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire and The Last Station dominated with five nominations apiece. Best feature and best actor nominee 500 Days of Summer and best director James Gray (Two Lovers) were other big surprises. The announcement of Paramount's breakout thriller Paranormal Activity for best first feature (made for $15,000), brought gasps in the room. Excellent move: that film defines an indie breakout.
UPDATE: The films that will get the most award-season boost from these noms are Lionsgate's Precious (which was already well on its way) and Sony Pictures Classics' The Last Station, which needs a higher profile; best actress nominee Helen Mirren should repeat on Oscar nominations morning. (UPDATE: The Palm Springs Fest just added her to its tribute list.) Precious stars Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique are inevitable Oscar noms at this point, and could win Indie Spirits for actress and supporting actress respectively. Fox Searchlight's 500 Days of Summer is an unlikely Oscar contender (except for best original screenplay), as is best actor nominee Joseph Gordon-Levitt, a surprise entry, given the film's comedic slant.
Oddly, the Coen brothers' A Serious Man failed to land best feature or screenplay noms, but was recognized for director, cinematography (Roger Deakins) and the coveted Robert Altman Award for director, casting director and acting ensemble. The best actor race will be between Crazy Heart's Jeff Bridges and A Single Man's Colin Firth, who will also be duking it out for the Oscar. Maggie Gyllenhaal and Julianne Moore both failed to win noms here. [Movieline spots some Spirit snubs.) Slowly but surely, Oren Moverman's The Messenger is moving into awards contention, with four Spirit nominations. Its best Oscar shot: Woody Harrelson for supporting actor.
Among the docs, Gotham-winner Food, Inc. continues its push for Oscar glory, while I was glad to see Anvil! The Story of Anvil and SXSW winner 45365 get recognition. On the foreign front, SPC gets a slight leg up for An Education and director Lone Scherfig, and I was thrilled to see my favorite film of 2008 get a nom, Jan Troell's Everlasting Moments, which was submitted by Sweden last year but did not land an Oscar slot.
Distribs Fox Searchlight and Sony Pictures Classics tied with seven noms apiece, followed by Focus Features, Lionsgate and upstart Oscilloscope with six and Magnolia with five. Several of the nominated films, in a sign of the times, were released through service distributors, including Me and Orson Welles, That Evening Sun and Anvil! The Story of Anvil, while three had no distribution at all, October Country, Easier with Practice, and Zero Bridge. Hopefully that will change.
If you're wondering why big Gotham award-winner The Hurt Locker didn't do better, it earned several nominations last year. The 25th anniversary Indie Spirits will take place downtown at L.A. Live this year on Friday March 5 instead of the Saturday before the Oscars, moving away from the customary day time beach-front tent. The telecast will air on IFC.


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Dan Stevens Net Worth 2022, Age, Height, Weight, Biography, Wiki and Career Details
Real Name/Full Name Daniel Jonathan Stevens
Nick Name/Celebrated Name: Dan Stevens
Birth Place: Croydon, United Kingdom
Parents Name: Father –N/A
Mother –N/A
Siblings: James Stevens
School: Tonbridge School
College: Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Wife/Spouse Name: Susie Stevens (m. 2009)
Kids/Children Name: Willow Stevens, Aubrey Stevens, Eden Stevens
Profession: Actor
Dan Stevens is an actor from England. He first gained international recognition for his portrayal of Matthew Crawley in the critically praised historical drama "Downton Abbey" on ITV. In 2014 he appeared in 2 movies. They were "The Guest" and "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb." The movies "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Man Who Invented Christmas" also had his appearance in 2017. "Legion," a popular television series of the Marvel franchise, offered him a starring role from 2017 to 2019.
Well, how well do you know about Dan Stevens? If not much, we have compiled all you need to know about Dan Stevens's net worth in 2022, his age, height, weight, wife, kids, biography and complete details about his life. Well, if you're all set, here is what we know about Dan Stevens to date.
In the year 1982, Dan Stevens was born. He celebrates 10th October as his natal day. Croydon, London, England, happens to be his birthplace. He was raised in Wales and the Southeast of England. Unfortunately, we have no information about who the biological parents of this actor were as he was adopted at birth. His foster parents are teachers by profession who have adopted another child, named James, apart from Dan Stevens.
Training and performing at the National Youth Theatre in London was his routine for summer at the age of 15. He graduated from Emmanuel College at the University of Cambridge. His subject of choice in the undergraduate years was English literature. He was affiliated with the Cambridge University Footlights dramatic club, at Cambridge, as a member. The Marlowe society also witnessed his active participation in it. His success in the Marlowe Society's presentation of "Macbeth" caught the attention of Peter Hall, a well-known director.
So, how old is Dan Stevens in 2022 and what is his height and weight? Well, Dan Stevens's age is 39 years old as of today's date 18th January 2022 having been born on 10 October 1982. Though, he is 6′ 0″in feet and inches and 183 cm in Centimetres tall, he weighs about 170 lbs in Pound and 77kg in Kilograms.
Stevens attended Tonbridge School after getting a scholarship. Tonbridge School is an independent school located in Kent. Later, Stevens attended Emmanuel College in Cambridge, where he pursued English Literature.
Dan Stevens With Wife Susie Stevens
Dan Stevens is known to have tied the knot with Susie Harriet in 2009. Susie Harriet is a well-known South African jazz artist and teacher. They are parents of 3 children. Their first daughter, Willow, was born in 2009. Eden, their second daughter, was born in 2016. Aubrey is their only son. He was born in 2012. Willow's godmother is the well-known actress Rebecca Hall.
Is Dan Stevens Gay?
No, Dan Stevens is not gay as he is married to Susie Harriet. Moreover, Dan Stevens has three children. Therefore we can conclude that Dan Stevens is not gay and has an interest only in women.
Dan Stevens's acting career began in 2004 when you got the chance to act in "As You Like It" in the production of Peter Hall. He appeared in a small role in "The Line of Beauty," which was a miniseries of 2006. The famous film "Maxwell" was his next big project. The following year, he performed in the "Sense and Sensibility" miniseries.
"Downtown Abbey" is the series that earned him a lot of fame and praise. He started working in it in 2010. The show, as well as his depiction of Matthew Crawley, was a huge hit. After moving to NYC with his family in 2012, he made his Broadway breakthrough in the play "The Heiress."
He received critical acclaim for his performance in the 2014 suspense movie "The Guest." He has been a part of the superhero TV series "Legion" since around 2016. 2017 brought him the opportunity to star in the romantic fantasy film "Beauty and the beast." The film was a smash hit at the box office, racking up more than $1.2 billion globally. It was also the year's second-highest-grossing film.
Furthermore, he starred in "The Man Who Invented Christmas," a biographical drama film within that same year. The Netflix thriller "Apostle" in 2019 was his next big project. He made his return to Broadway and starred in the leading role in "Hangman."
In 2013, Dan Stevens, in recognition for his work in "Downtown Abbey," was awarded the Screen Actors Guild Award. He received it in the category of Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Drama Series.
His role in the romantic fantasy film "Beauty And The Beast" earned him the "Teen Choice Award for Choice Liplock" in 2017.
"Beauty and the Beast" got him a second award in 2017. This was the "Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie"
He received the Galaxy National Book Award in the category of Audiobook of the Year.
In 2012, he was nominated for the Specsavers National Book Award for being the audiobook narrator of Casino Royale.
In 2004, he was nominated for Ian Charleson Award for his role in the movie As You Like It.
Net Worth, Salary & Earnings of Dan Stevens in 2022
Dan Stevens Net Worth
As of 2022, Dan Stevens has accumulated a personal net worth of $5 million. His acting career has provided him with the majority of his wealth. He has also worked in television advertisements which increased his net worth.
About 30 audiobooks have been voiced by him, including the likes of "Casino Royale," "Frankenstein," and "War Horse."
He is also a frequent columnist for the Sunday Telegraph and has a love for writing and literature.
Dan Stevens is a fantastic actor who is shown by his performance, as a result of which, he received critical praise and a host of honors. He rose to fame after his work in movies such as Beauty and the Beast, The Guest and Legion. His desire to keep learning new things and better himself is one lesson we should all take away from his life.


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kannst du mir das bitte in deutsch schreiben?
Thank you for accepting my invitation it's very kind of you..
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text:
NPA turns 50 today; CPP calls for intensified guerrilla warfare
March 29, 2019 /in News /by Kodao Productions
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) called on the New People's Army (NPA) to boldly intensify guerrilla warfare and wage all-out resistance against the Rodrigo Duterte government as the revolutionary army celebrates its 50th founding anniversary today.
Congratulating Red fighters all over the country, the CPP's top leadership said the NPA continues to advance nationwide and succeeded in surmounting Duterte's all-out offensives and focused military operations in 2018.
Founded by the CPP in March 29, 1969 in Sta. Rita, Capas, Tarlac, the NPA started with only nine rifles and 26 inferior firearms for 60 Red fighters consisting of veteran guerrillas and new recruits from Manila and Isabela.
CPP founding chairperson Jose Maria Sison and local rebel leader Bernabe Buscayno were among the prominent personalities present in the event.
After five decades of continuous guerrilla warfare, the NPA said it has 110 guerrilla fronts all over the country, majority of which are composed of company-sized formation of full-time Red fighters.
The NPA's guerrilla war is the longest-running in the world today.
Major victories in 2018
Last year, the CPP said the NPA mounted several hundred tactical offensives across the country, seizing at least 107 high powered rifles from government forces and even from security agencies serving big mining operations.
The underground party said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police and their paramilitary forces suffered at least 600 casualties in 2018 with more than 380 killed in action.
One hundred eighty five AFP soldiers were killed in action across eastern Mindanao, the CPP claimed.
The group added that the numbers of government casualties were more than 40 percent higher than in 2017.
Units of the AFP that suffered the most casualties were those deployed in focused military operations in north central and north eastern Mindanao provinces where NPA units were able to carry out active defense operations against AFP offensives.
The CPP said the AFP's decision to reduce its troop deployment in Mindanao to as low as 60 percent from a high of 80 percent in previous years is added proof that aims to crush the NPA in eastern Mindanao is failing.
"In the face of the steady nationwide growth of the NPA, Duterte's security officials have already toned down on their earlier braggadocio of defeating the NPA by middle of 2019. They have instead moved their 'deadline' to the end of 2022," the CPP said.
Even as it successfully frustrating Duterte's all-out war, the CPP called on the NPA to boldly intensify guerrilla warfare nationwide and wage all-out resistance against the Duterte regime.
The CPP said the call is in accordance with the Central Committee's five-year program (2017-2021) to continue developing nationwide strength, spread and advance.
"We must strengthen the NPA several times over and raise its capability in annihilating enemy units," the CPP said.
The program includes the building of more units of people's militias, self-defense units of mass organizations, partisan units, as well as raising their capability in waging mass guerrilla warfare, the CPP said.
"With its current nationwide strength and spread, the NPA is in a position to carry the people's war forward to unprecedented levels in the coming years," the group added. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
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NPA in Bicol celebrates CPP's 50th anniversary
January 1, 2019 /in Videos /by Kodao Productions
The Romulo Jallores Command of the New People's Army invited journalists of select local and international media groups to a press conference in a guerilla camp deep in the Bicol Region.
The event was part of the nationwide celebration of the 50th anniversary of the reestablishment of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
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CPP successfully celebrates 50th anniversary
December 27, 2018 /in News /by Kodao Productions
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) successfully celebrated its 50th founding anniversary yesterday in many regions nationwide despite the government's refusal to reciprocate its unilateral ceasefire declaration, the group's information bureau announced.
"In the guerrilla areas, NPA (New People's Army) Red fighters and Party members gathered in fiesta-like assemblies together with the peasant masses from nearby barrios with food and cultural programs," the CPP said in a statement.
The NPA's temporary ceasefire held since December 24 despite relentless military offensives by the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), the group said.
No fire fights happened during the NPA's unilateral ceasefire from December 24 to 26.
"In the cities, Party members and activists held meetings and small gatherings under the nose of police and military intelligence agents," the group's information bureau revealed.
Last week, members of the Revolutionary Council of Trade Unions, an underground organization of workers, held a rally in downtown Manila as a "warm up" activity prior to yesterday's anniversary.
Abroad, a rally was held in Hong Kong last Sunday by Filipino migrants in unity with the CPP celebrations.
An assembly was also planned in The Netherlands where the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) International Office is based, the CPP said.
President Rodrigo Duterte ordered Saturday the destruction of all Reds, both combatants and civilians, marking the first Christmas and New Year that his government refused to declare a ceasefire.
A platoon of the Romulo Jallores Command of the New People's Army parades before members of the media and civilian supporters in a camp in the hinterlands of Bicol. (Photo by R. Villanueva)
NPA victories
In response to ongoing military operations against communists, NPA guerrillas struck in the Bicol region, Kalinga Province in the North, Compostela Valley in Mindanao and Northern Samar in the Visayas, scoring massive victories that netted them dozens of firearms while inflicting casualties on both AFP and paramilitary forces.
In Barangay Western Uma in Lubuagan, Kalinga last December 23, Sunday, the NPA's Lejo Cawilan Command overran a detachment of the 77th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (PA) and carted away 30 firearms.
The detachment's commander, a Sergeant Elon D. Bayang, was reportedly killed while three paramilitary troopers were injured. The NPA said they also suffered one casualty in the attack.
The NPA accused the PA unit and its Civilian Auxiliary Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) paramilitary of harassing and restricting the movements of residents in the area whom they accuse of being rebel supporters.
The government troopers also instigated gambling and "anti-social" activities in the communities, the NPA said.
The raid followed a massively successful NPA raid of a military patrol base in Barangay New Tubigon, Sibagat town, Agusan del Sur where they carted away 24 high powered firearms "without firing a single shot."
The Red Fighters also took two soldiers of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion and 12 paramilitary troopers captive. The NPA assured that their prisoners of war are being treated humanely under International Humanitarian Laws.
Earlier, the NPA also launched successful tactical offensives in Sorsogon and Northern Samar provinces.
In Las Navas town in Northern Samar last December 22, a government soldier was killed while two others when attacked by the NPA.
PA Private First Class Alvin Avila died on the spot while Private Ivan Anthony Ignao Michael Ocasla were wounded.
The NPA in Sorsogon Province attacked a Philippine National Police station in Magallanes town, inflicting injuries on three police personnel before withdrawing after a ten-minute fire fight.
Aside from projecting nationwide strength on the CPP's 50th founding anniversary, the successive NPA attack are seen as the NPA's response to massive military operations against civilian communities.
Since early December bombings and military operations in the Kalabugao plains straddling the tri-boundary of Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental in Mindanao have forced indigenous peoples and civilian communities to flee.
Col. Edgardo de Leon, commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade said the bombings and military operations are meant to disrupt the CPP's anniversary celebrations.
"We discovered a major NPA hideout that is probably a projected venue of the CPP anniversary celebration," de Leon said.
Meanwhile, CPP and NDFP's respective websites, prwc.net and ndfp.org have become inaccessible since yesterday.
"The CPP's website became inaccessible as it was under attack likely by the US-trained AFP cyberwarfare group. But in social media, the hashtags #CPP50 and #LetsCelebrate were the top Twitter trending topics in the Philippines for several hours since early morning and was still trending as of mid afternoon," the CPP Information Bureau said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
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CPP hails Sison, heroes and martyrs on 50th anniversary
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) hailed Jose Maria Sison and its thousands of martyrs and heroes in a message on the revolutionary group's 50th founding anniversary today.
"The Central Committee gives highest honors to Comrade Jose Ma. Sison, the Party's founding chairman, who masterfully applied Marxism-Leninism-Maoism to the concrete conditions of the Philippines and set the revolution along the correct path and steered it from strength to strength," the CPP said.
Celebrating a rare milestone in the history of armed uprisings in the world, the party said Sison continues to be a leading light of the longest-running Maoist revolution in the world.
"Even during his prolonged incarceration and exile since 1987, [Sison's] theoretical, socio-historical and practical insights continue to illuminate the Filipino people's revolutionary path, help guide the Party as well as rouse the international proletariat and people to wage anti-imperialist resistance and socialist revolution," the CPP said.
Aside from Sison, the revolutionary party said it salutes all revolutionary heroes and martyrs who gave their all for the people and served revolution to their last breath.
"It is with their dedication and sacrifices that made possible the revolutionary victories of the Filipino people," the CPP said.
The CPP was founded in the province of Pangasinan in 1968 by a small group of intellectuals and activists led by Sison on a date that coincided with the 75th birth anniversary of the revolutionary thinker, poet and leader Mao Tse Tung.
The CPP said it celebrates its anniversary while it wages "all-out resistance against Duterte's fascist tyranny, corruption and puppetry."
"The rise of the US-Duterte fascist regime and its reign of terror and tyranny is, symptomatic of, and aggravates the grave conditions of the semicolonial and semifeudal system in the Philippines," the CPP said.
The party added that the killings and many other forms of human rights violations is the Duterte regime's way of countering the Filipino people's growing resistance against old methods of political rule characterized by political dynasties, corruption and neglect.
Worsening crisis under Duterte
Under Duterte, the CPP said, social crises have grown even more grotesque as shown by fiscal deficits and debts.
Last September, the budget deficit widened by almost 80 percent to P378 billion from P213.1 billion during the same period last year, the group said.
To finance its programs and operations, the CPP said the Philippine government plans to borrow as much as P624.4 billion next year as Duterte seeks excessive amounts of loans from China, as well as from the Asian Development Bank and other financial institutions in order to spend for his Build, Build, Build Program.
"Under Duterte, Philippine public debt rose by more than 17 percent to P7.167 trillion from P6.09 trillion in 2016. Over the past 15 years, the Philippines allotted P10.741 trillion in debt payments and services," the CPP said.
Against this backdrop, the CPP said the Duterte regime has become outright fascist, unleashing martial law in Mindanao until the end of next year and implementing its counter-insurgency scheme Oplan Kapayapaan to bloody results.
But the CPP said Duterte cannot defeat the NPA with such schemes, owing to widespread and deep support to its revolution.
NPA is growing
The CPP said that amidst Duterte's harsh rhetoric against the party and the NPA, the armed revolution still grows five decades after it began.
"Duterte and the AFP have repeatedly boasted of crushing the NPA. Their claim last year that the NPA will be defeated before the end of 2018 has been frustrated and proven a big lie. This year, they proclaim that the NPA will be completely finished by mid-2019. As in all previous regimes, they keep on moving their impossible deadline," the CPP said.
The CPP said the NPA has more than 110 guerrilla fronts in 80 provinces throughout the country, a great majority of which boasts of company-sized or bigger fighting units that are augmented by people's militias.
"Even with US military advice and support, Duterte's pipedream of crushing by mid-2019 the people's armed revolution and other forms of resistance will fail," the CPP declared.
"With the nationwide spread and growth of the NPA, it is practically impossible for Duterte to achieve superiority on all fronts at any given time. The NPA enjoys such widespread and deep support among the masses rendering the AFP incapable of encircling or constricting every guerrilla unit without rousing widespread resistance," the group explained.
The CPP said the NPA has recently stepped up "annihilative tactical offensives" from north to south, wiping out small enemy units and seizing firearms and other war materiél while carrying out numerous attritive actions against fascist troops with the help of people's militias and self-defense corps of revolutionary mass organizations.
In Mindanao, the NPA continues to persevere and succeed in launching successful tactical offensives despite being focus of military offensives, most notable of which is the recent overrunning of a paramilitary detachment and capture of 24 firearms in Agusan del Sur.
The CPP also said the three-week long offensives by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the Bukidnon-Misamis Oriental-Agusan del Sur triboundary allegedly aimed at driving away the Lumad from their lands have been roundly frustrated.
"The enemy desperately wants to duplicate its concentrated and sustained offensives in the Davao region in North Central Mindanao, Samar, Bicol, Southern Tagalog and Negros. It will, however, be roundly frustrated as it faces a stronger nationwide force of the NPA that is ever more capable and determined to mount annihilative attacks on its weak and vulnerable points, to make it bleed with countless attritive actions while avoiding its attacks," the CPP said.
Duterte's November 28 order deploying more AFP troops in Bicol, Samar and Negros lessens the 75 percent concentration of government troops in Mindanao to 65 percent, the CPP said.
"[It] provided the NPA in the Luzon and Visayas regions the opportunity to mount a growing number of tactical offensives. Duterte's order to deploy more troops in Bicol, Samar and Negros is an admission of the growing strength of the NPA in Luzon and Visayas. In doing so, the AFP is being further overstretched, increasingly exposing thinner parts to NPA annihilative offensives," the group revealed.
CPP challenges members
The CPP's 50th anniversary statement challenged its members to intensify their anti-feudal struggles and other mass struggles in the countryside.
"Amid worsening conditions and worsening forms of exploitation and oppression, the broad masses of peasants must intensify the land reform movement across the country and raise the demand for free distribution of land to the tiller. Mobilize the peasant masses in their millions," the group said.
The party called on workers, students and other democratic sectors to carry out mass struggles in the advancement of their rights and welfare amid worsening socio-economic conditions against "Duterte's heavy taxation, inflation, corruption, misuse of public funds and other anti-people policies."
It also called on underground organizations and network to frustrate and defeat the Duterte regime's surveillance, arrests, extrajudicial killings and other forms of attack against the legal democratic forces.
"Activists and mass leaders who are being targets of liquidation or abduction can avail of the security of the guerrilla base areas of the NPA," the CPP said.
"As we mark and celebrate the Party's 50th anniversary, we look forward to accomplishing ever bigger achievements and revolutionary victories," it said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
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Generations of fighters | Bicol as hotbed of revolution
A few weeks ago, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the deployment of more troops to crush the "insurgency," but the men and women, both old and young, of this armed revolution just laughed.
BICOL REGION – Somewhere in the mountainous part of the region, there were makeshift huts made of freshly cut pieces of wood, leaves and plastic waterproof sheets. A few hammocks made of taffeta hung in between trees. These served as temporary sleeping quarters for the mobile army composed mainly of peasants, some workers and intellectuals.
There was a kitchen, a meeting place and a stage. Slits of bamboo were used as poles for the flags of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), New People's Army (NPA) and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
Electricity came from a generator. Water was sourced from the nearby brook.
The temporary camp was only a two-hour walk (for the urban-raised but less than an hour for those who know the terrain by heart) from the cemented road.
In this same region, military operations continue. A few weeks ago, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the deployment of more troops to crush the "insurgency." But the men and women, both old and young, of this armed revolution just laughed at their enemy's dream.
Why such confidence? What sustains the NPA? Who supports them?
Four NPA guerrillas from different generations shared their stories.
Taking roots
The NPA prides itself as the people's army.
Samuel Guerrero, the 69-year-old spokesperson of the NPA-Celso Minguez Command, has devoted 27 years living among the poorest. Like many NPA units, 70 percent of his time is devoted to organizing and the other 30 percent to military work.
"In some villages, the poor eat lima-lima (a Bicolano term for pig's food) because they could not afford to buy rice. If you are immersed among the poor, your resolve to fight is strengthened all the more. Even the fatigue disappears when you are with the masses," Guerrero said in Filipino.
He himself came from a poor peasant family. At the age of 12, Guerrero's small hands became familiar with soil. His family cleared portions of public land and planted abaca, corn, sweet potatoes, banana and coconut. Sometime in 1975, the soldiers came and destroyed their crops. The men in uniform also accused his father of being a NPA. Out of fear, the family left and went back only in 1986.
When his father was confined in a hospital due to a disease affecting his spine, the family became deeply indebted. They were able to pay it many years after.
"The poorest just waits for death to come," Guerrero said. "The system only works for the rich."
And so, it was easy for Guerrero to embrace the alternative society espoused by the revolutionary movement. On May 10, 1991, Guerrero sought out the NPA to join them.
Guerrero explained that the NPA does not only fight their enemy but also help the masses in agricultural production, wage agrarian revolution, provide health services, build organs of political power, among others.
His hair, beard and moustache already white, Guerrero does not have any plan of retiring yet. He guides the younger ones, often talking to them and helping them in even the menial tasks of preparing food and fetching water.
"The leader should be the role model in strict discipline. He should have a good relationship with his troops," he said.
His wife and their three children are also active in the revolutionary movement in the village.
Peasant and worker
A few years younger than Guerrero, Ka Cedric, 53, also came from a poor peasant family. He grew up in a village considered as NPA mass base and decided to join the guerrillas when he reached 18, the minimum age set by the CPP to join its army.
Asked if his parents agreed with his decision, Ka Cedric paused, his face distorted, his shoulders stiffened and he broke into tears. After a minute or so, he related that the 52nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army took his father when he was eight years old. "They tortured him for one week. When he came home, bruises were all over his body," he told Bulatlat in Filipino.
After the incident, Ka Cedric's father joined the NPA. When his father died, he was not able to pay his last respects because he was assigned in another province.
In 1983 Ka Cedric was wounded. A grenade exploded as they took soldiers' firearms after a successful ambush. The left side of his body and his left leg were hit by shrapnel; it took him eight months to recover.
He soon rejoined the NPA, performing organizing tasks and technical work. In 1990, problems arose within the NPA and Ka Cedric decided to leave.
Ka Cedric's family decided to go to Manila where he worked as a construction worker for more than ten years. He became active in their union and held a strike to demand wage hike, remittance of their social benefits, among others.
When all of his children already finished high school, the family went back to the province.
In 2017, he rejoined the NPA. "I have always believed there is no other solution," Ka Cedric told Bulatlat.
Women guerillas
For Ka Arianne, 43, becoming a guerrilla was a fulfilled dream.
Born in a middle class family, Ka Arianne grew up in the city. As a young girl, she remembered her mother, a lay leader who was active in the movement against the Marcos dictatorship, welcoming NPA guerrillas in their home.
In 1998, after earning a degree and passing the licensure examinations, Ka Arianne was dead set to join the NPA. Finishing her studies was sort of a concession, she said. Her parents eventually respected her decision.
Even when she got married and gave birth to her two sons, Ka Arianne never thought of leaving the NPA. Her husband, a NPA fighter of peasant origin, is assigned in another unit. Once a year, they are able to spend quality time with their sons, now aged 13 and 8.
"I never imagined life outside the movement. Raising a revolutionary family is part of our plan," the guerrilla with a fair complexion and her long, black wavy hair tied in a ponytail, said.
Last summer, her eldest was able to attend an educational discussion about the Philippine Society and Revolution. "He was shocked to know that Cory [Aquino] was far from being saintly," Ka Arianne said smiling.
"We do not want to impose [upon our children] but we make it a point to expose them to the kind of life we have here, a communist way of living, that is, from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs," she said. "At the very least, we want them to learn how to care for others and not to think only of personal satisfaction."
Asked what sustains her, she replied, "The best part is being able to help resolve the problems of the masses."
Ka Arianne said they form revolutionary committees, the concrete manifestation of red political power, in villages, municipalities and provinces, depending on the level of consolidation of the mass base. These committees perform the functions of revolutionary government, including the dispensation of justice, setting up people's militia and provision of social services.
Asked what she thought of Duterte's pledge to crush the revolutionary movement, Ka Arianne let out a gentle laughter and said, "Hindi niya kaya." (He is not capable.)
She said government troops are afraid of the NPA. "They dare not go to the mountains. They often stay in urban areas, terrorizing the people," she said.
One of the youngest NPA in the camp also dismissed Duterte's threats. Ka Kim, 20, said the masses love the NPA so much. "They would invite us to their homes, offer us coffee and whatever food they have," she said, her eyes glowing.
Like Ka Arianne, Ka Kim grew up seeing NPA guerrillas in their home. "They would give us rice whenever we did not have anything to eat."
At the age of 11, Ka Kim, the fifth of six siblings, helped in planting banana, vegetables and root crops. "Whenever NPA fighters pass by, they would also help us in our work," she said.
Her parents and siblings are active members of organizations in the village. When she reached 18, she joined the NPA.
In the first few months, Ka Kim admitted getting homesick. Whenever melancholy strikes, she performs her tasks or talk to her comrades. "They are all inspiring, especially the old ones," Ka Kim said.
Ka Kim looks forward to the NPA growing bigger and stronger in the following years.
With the CPP turning 50 this year, Guerrero said they adhere to the resolutions last 2016 to overcome conservatism and achieve more gains for the Filipino people.
"This is a protracted people's war. When I'm gone, my children and my grandchildren would be there to continue breaking the yoke of imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism," Guerrero said.
Imperialism refers to foreign domination and control over the country's economic, political and military affairs. Feudalism refers to the feudal bondage of farmers and agricultural workers while bureaucrat capitalism is the use of public office to plunder the nation's wealth.
For less than a week, the temporary camp was undisturbed. Several farmers came to visit, bringing vegetables and other supplies. Members of cultural group Armas performed revolutionary songs and skits.
Despite the cold December breeze, their hearts were on fire. #
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Duterte ouster more likely than CPP's defeat, Sison says
September 19, 2018 /in News /by Kodao Productions
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison laughed off President Rodrigo Duterte's claim that the revolutionary movement would be finished by the middle of next year.
Sison said he thinks Duterte is taking too much of the anti-pain drug Fentanyl, leading him to have "pipe dreams."
"Duterte is delusional by claiming that he shall have destroyed the CPP-New People's Army (NPA) and the entire revolutionary movement of the people by the middle of next year," Sison said after Duterte said in a speech his government is winning the war against the rebels.
In a speech at Camp Melchor dela Cruz, headquarters of the Philippine Army's 5th Infantry Division, in Gamu, Isabela Tuesday, September 18, Duterte claimed his government is winning the war against the revolutionary movement.
"I think, God willing, this will be over by about the second quarter of next year. Many are surrendering," Duterte said.
Duterte commended the 5th ID for its active and relentless efforts against threat groups in Cagayan Valley.
But Sison said Duterte forgets that his government's "campaigns of mass murder, mass intimidation, fake surrenders and fake encounters under Oplan Kapayapaan are angering the people and inciting them to íntensify their resistance."
Sison added it is Duterte's bankrupt and weakened government that is ready to be toppled due to corruption as well as soaring prices of basic goods and services that make him the target of the "people's rising hatred."
"The people consider Duterte a clown" as they "reject the traitorous, tyrannical, murderous and corrupt character of his regime," Sison said.
The communist leader said it is more likely that Duterte would be ousted from power than that he could destroy the people´s revolutionary movement by the middle of next year. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
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NPA to carry out rescue, relief and rehab after 'Ompong'
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) announced Saturday, September 15, that New People's Army (NPA) units are ready to conduct humanitarian activities for victims of Typhoon "Ompong".
"The NPA and all revolutionary forces in North and Central Luzon, as well as in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, are geared to carry out rescue, relief and rehabilitation work for millions of people whose homes and livelihood were ravaged by strong winds and rains brought about by typhoon Ompong," the CPP said in a statement.
The CPP said that while remaining vigilant over "relentless" offensive operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, local NPA commands shall primarily concentrate in civic action amid the disaster in the next few days.
The CPP announcement was issued even as tropical cyclone "Ompong" (International name: Mangkhut) is still barrelling across extreme northern Luzon, packing sustained winds of around 205 kilometers per hours (kph) and gusts of up to 285 kph.
"Ompong" made landfall at 1:40 am at the rice-producing town of Baggao in Cagayan Province and moved west-northwest at a speed of 25 kph after hitting the Sierra Madre mountain range.
Billions of pesos in damages to crops are expected as rice and corn, both major crops in Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Abra and Ilocos Sur, have yet to be harvested before "Ompong" ravaged the area.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has yet to announce any casualty from the typhoon.
As of 1 pm Saturday, the typhoon has weakened and its center was located off the coast of Laoag City in Ilocos Norte.
The typhoon's path closely followed the trajectory of Supertyphoon "Lawin" which hit the same area in late 2016, killing eight victims and causing an estimated P60 billion in damages to crops and properties.
Typhoon Ompong's aftermath in Cabagan, Isabela.
Extending all help
In light of the widespread destruction, the CPP urged the Filipino people and international humanitarian agencies "to unite and extend all possible help to address the welfare of the people. "
"[The CPP] urges all democratic sectors to establish Serve the People brigades to help collect and distribute relief assistance. The broad masses of workers, peasants, minority people, fisherfolk and other basic sectors suffer the most from the damage wrought by typhoon Ompong," the CPP said.
The revolutionary group added there is urgent need to mobilize peoples and groups to facilitate the entry and equitable distribution of all financial and material assistance.
The CPP warned that rampant corruption and inefficiencies by the government may hijack relief operations, as when Supertyphoons Pablo, Sendong, Yolanda and Lawin devastated large parts of the country in recent years.
The group also urged the Rodrigo Duterte government to implement wage increases, land distribution, cancellation of debt, agricultural subsidies, free irrigation and livelihood assistance and economic relief to help the victims. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
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Duterte an 'arrogant fake'–CPP
October 19, 2017 /in News /by Kodao Productions
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) called President Rodrigo Duterte an "arrogant fake" for cussing the drivers and small operators who recently held a two-day nationwide transport strike against the government's planned phase out of the iconic jeepney.
"Nagpupuputok ang butse mo sa ibinubugang usok ng mga jeep, pero tameme ka naman sa napakakapal na usok ng mga coal-fired power plant na lumalason sa kapaligiran sa buong bansa," the CPP said in a statement. [You are angry at the smoke belched by the jeepney but you are silent about the thick smoke from coal-fired power plants that poison the entire country's environment.]
"The truth is, you just want drivers and small operators to die in hardship and poverty in order to serve your true masters," the group added.
In his speech at the Federalism Summit in Naga City Tuesday, Duterte unleashed another cuss-filled tirade against the protesters,
"Mahirap kayo? P*******a, magtiis kayo sa hirap at gutom. Wala akong pakialam!" Duterte told the protesters. [You say you are poor? You sons of bitches, put up with hardship and hunger. I don't have a care!]
The CPP said Duterte again showed his true color.
"[G]alit sa mga gutom at mahirap, laluna ang mga marunong manindigan at lumaban para sa kanilang interes," the CPP said. [He is against the hungry and the poor, especially those who know how to stand up and struggle for their interests.]
In his speech, Duterte also branded transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide, human rights group Karapatan and Kilusang Mayo Uno as CPP fronts.
Dictator's mindset
Other groups also condemned Duterte's statements against the protesters.
"We say to Mr. Duterte: please stick to the issue! His self-indulged blabbing over the national television, refuses to address the real threat to the livelihood of the country's jeepney drivers being posed by the Jeepney Phaseout Scheme," KMU said.
KMU said Duterte refuses to listen to the jeepney drivers and operators' legitimate demand and logical reasoning to junk the jeepney phaseout scheme.
"Duterte is proving he himself is a front of the oligarchs, such as the Ayalas, Pangilinan, and Cojuangco, who will be raking super profits from this scheme. The same oligarchs whom he handed control over MRT/LRT, express ways, telecommunication, power, and water," KMU said.
"Duterte has the mindset of a dictator! When the poor exercise their right to speak up against threats to their livelihood, he brands their actions as 'conspiracy' and 'rebellion'," the group added.
Anakbayan Metro Manila burns an image of Duterte following the President's cuss-filled tirade against striking jeepney drivers. (Photo by Kathy Yamzon)
Meanwhile, youth group Anakbayan-Metro Manila slipped through heavily-guarded Mendiola Street to hold a lightning rally at Malacañan Palace Thursday and condemn "Duterte's inhumane and anti-poor statement" on the recently concluded transport strike.
The group burned Duterte's image depicting him as "anti-poor, anti-people, and subservient to foreign masters" at the Palace's Gate 7.
Anakbayan said it also holds Duterte accountable for the extrajudicial killings as well as the violent demolition and harassment of residents in Floodway, Pasig. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
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Groups deny conspiracy vs Duterte
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) denied having a formal alliance with the Liberal Party (LP) to overthrow the Rodrigo Duterte regime.
In a statement, the CPP denied Duterte's allegation there is a conspiracy between the Left and the "yellow" (LP) to oust the President, even as it praised initiatives against "Duterte's tyranny."
"The CPP and other Left political forces may have no formal alliance with the Liberal Party and its affiliates but can recognize their initiatives and action as serving the same purpose of resisting Duterte's tyranny," the CPP said.
In a speech Wednesday, Duterte alleged that the Left, including Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), had joined forces because "gusto nila ako paalisin dito sa Malacañan," a move the CPP fears stages attacks on the political opposition.
"It appears that such claims aim to set the stage to clampdown on the political opposition and all other forces standing up against moves to establishing Duterte's authoritarian rule," the CPP said.
What Duterte claims to be a "conspiracy" is the broad community of various political and social groups have been roused against rampant extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations by the Duterte regime, the revolutionary party added.
Creating his own ghosts
Bayan for its part flatly denied the existence of a Left-Yellow conspiracy against Duterte.
"The President is the one creating his own ghosts. There is no Left-Yellow conspiracy," Bayan said in a statement, adding it has always been transparent with its activities including the September 21 rally it helped organize.
"The broad movement involves different groups and personalities with different political affiliations. Church groups, students and artists are also part of the growing movement," the group said.
"Instead of complaining about an imagined Left-Yellow conspiracy, Duterte should explain why the DOJ (Department of Justice) is backing what appears to be a pro-Duterte vigilante group in the form of the Citizens National Guard. Also, more alarming than the imagined Left-Yellow conspiracy is the proliferation of disinformation using government resources," it added.
Senator and LP President Francis Pangilinan for his part described Duterte's allegation as a "fake ouster plot."
"They're (administration) just looking for something to divert attention of media and the public from the controversies of corruption, drug smuggling of the Davao group, and the ineffective war on drugs that only resulted in killings every day," Pangilinan said.
Strong arm tactics
The CPP said Duterte is intolerant of all opposition and dissent, intent on monopolizing political power.
"Duterte wants to clampdown and silence all who disagree with his policies and methods. He has threatened to impose martial law. His officials and loyalists have openly declared plans to use all means to have all those who dissent to be imprisoned,' the Party said.
The CPP said the so-called Citizen National Guard, a group endorsed by Duterte's justice secretary, is more brazen in encouraging attacks against declared dissenters whom they declared as "enemies of the state."
"Duterte's resort to such strong-armed tactics show desperation and underscores his political isolation. His triple war of death and destruction, his fascist and bureaucrat capitalist rule, corruption and US subservience have roused widespread people's resistance," the CPP said.
Calls for Duterte's ouster continue to mount, the group added. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
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Carol Pagaduan Araullo's STREETWISE: Duterte and the Left
May 24, 2016 /in News, Opinion/Analysis /by Kodao Productions
The right is always the party sector associated with the interests of the upper or dominant classes, the left the sector expressive of the lower economic or social classes, and the center that of the middle classes. Historically this criterion seems acceptable. The conservative right has defended entrenched prerogatives, privileges and powers; the left has attacked them. The right has been more favorable to the aristocratic position, to the hierarchy of birth or of wealth; the left has fought for the equalization of advantage or of opportunity, for the claims of the less advantaged. Defense and attack have met, under democratic conditions, not in the name of class but in the name of principle; but the opposing principles have broadly corresponded to the interests of the different classes. — Robert M. MacIver, The Web of Government (1947)
Rodrigo Duterte, longtime mayor of Mindanao's premier city, Davao, will be the sixteenth president of the Republic of the Philippines upon his inauguration on 30 June 2016. He is a conundrum to many people both to the left and right of the Philippine political spectrum.
For those on the Right who support him — who comprise the socio-economic elite, the dominant classes, the status quoers, the political conservatives, and reactionaries — Duterte is what the ruling system needs to "fix" what is broken and in so doing maintain and strengthen it further.
During the campaign, they lapped up his diatribes against rampant criminality especially drug abuse. They applauded when he railed against corruption in government. They cheered when he denounced incompetence and the lack of political will to crack down on both. They jeered with Duterte when he spat out the Aquino administration's "Daang Matuwid" catchphrase.
For the Rightists who believe in Duterte, he is just what the system needs at this time. Not so much to bring about any substantive changes, but to act as the charismatic demagogue who can make the people believe that the system can still be fixed and that he is the one to do it.
Whether they are gleefully cheering Duterte on or warily accepting his ascent to the presidency despite his pedestrian language, controversial record, and association with the Left, it is mainly because he appears to have succeeded more than any of the other presidential candidates in doing so.
For one, his law and order tag line, while neither new nor original, resonated with even the lower to middle income classes. Those who live hardscrabble lives are much more vulnerable to being victimized by the anarchy, violence and rough-and-tumble of the mean streets of the country's cities. The upper and elite classes who live in exclusive subdivisions, work and play in highly-secured environs, and travel using tinted, air-conditioned luxury vehicles are relatively spared the aggravations of petty criminality and street-level lawlessnes.
The Leftists, more specifically the Makabayan bloc of progressives in Congress, officially supported Duterte's closest rival, Senator Grace Poe, but saw many of its avowed constituency either gradually shifting to Duterte or, as was the case in Davao City and most of Mindanao, stubbornly backing Duterte from the very beginning.
It didn't help that Poe's campaign failed to energize Makabayan's mass base and other staunch oppositionists to Aquino's rule with its weak and halting critique of the outgoing administration. Poe's fairly progressive platform she shared with Makabayan was not highlighted during her campaign and did not quite make its mark in the public consciousness. Poe's slogan "Puso at Galing" could not sustain its feel-good vibe as the campaign polemics heated up and rivals had to starkly differentiate themselves from the Aquino-backed candidate, Mar Roxas.
In the thick of his campaign, Duterte agreed to a high-profile role in the release of policemen held captive by the New People's Army (NPA) or what the latter calls their prisoners-of-war. This was followed by his well-publicized Skype conversation with Prof. Jose Maria Sison, Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman.
Duterte said he would immediately resume peace talks with the underground umbrella organization, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) representing the CPP, NPA and 16 other revolutionary organizations should he win. He has even stated that he is open to entering into a "coalition" with them. He has also unabashedly described himself as a "Leftist" and "socialist."
Upon his victory in the presidential race, he announced his willingness to set aside four Cabinet positions — labor, agrarian reform, social work and environment and natural resources — to be filled by nominees of the CPP.
These pronouncements taken together with his record of non-antagonistic and, even more so, friendly ties with the New People's Army in Davao City, as well as support for the Leftist movement in general, underscore three aspects of Duterte that distinguish him from other run-of-the-mill bourgeois politicians.
First, he does not harbor a rabid, anti-communist bias having had exposure to revolutionary concepts and organizations since his youth. He does not consider revolutionaries as terrorists nor traitors but as patriots who are seeking radical societal change for the good of the majority of the people. While his views may not coincide completely with the communist-led movement, he recognizes that the objective conditions of social injustice and vast inequality are the fertile ground on which the entire national democratic movement thrives. He shows respect for the movement's leaders; he acknowledges the CPP-NPA-NDFP as a significant force to contend with.
Second, because he acknowledges the deep socio-economic and political underpinnings of armed conflicts, he knows these cannot be resolved by military means alone. Thus, he has publicly-announced his commitment to resume peace talks with the NDFP until a negotiated political settlement or, even much earlier, an agreement for immediate truce and cooperation is reached.
He has also repeatedly declared his intention to release all political prisoners, most specially the 18 NDFP consultants covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees and the sick, women and elderly, for humanitarian reasons.
Third, Duterte has a strong, idiosyncratic character manifested in his refusal to kowtow to conventional ideas and norms about how a presidential aspirant or an elected president should behave towards the country's former colonizer, the US of A; or how the presumptive president should relate to the pillars of the reactionary system — Congress, the Supreme Court and the judiciary, the civilian bureaucracy, and the military, the hierarchical church foremost of which are the bishops of the Catholic Church, the big landlords and big business including multinationals and their local comprador partners and dummies.
More than a month away from his inauguration as President of the Republic, Mayor Duterte has stepped up the momentum for change during the transition with statements and decisions no one had expected or predicted. The difficulty in anticipating these lie partly in their being apparently inconsistent or contradictory and irreconciliable, such as continuing the neoliberal economic policies of the Aquino government while offering socio-economic cabinet posts to the communists. But these could also be seen as bold, if unorthodox, yet carefully calibrated measures towards his vision of a reformed "socialist" society while maintaining the tenuous equilibrium between the status quo and reform.
Mayor Duterte has displayed exceptional brinksmanship in proving that an avowed Leftist and Socialist can win and wield the Presidency while reassuring the Right that he will keep his oath to preserve the system. So far, these are positive signs of how well, how fast, and how far he will and can go towards instituting genuine change with the Left behind and alongside his Presidency.
–Carol Pagaduan-Araullo is a medical doctor by training, social activist by choice, columnist by accident, happy partner to a liberated spouse and proud mother of two. Her column STREETWISE is originally published by BusinessWorld. http://www.m.bworldonline.com/m_content.php?section=Opinion&id=127956)
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text:
layout: page
title: Mesa Corporation Party
date: 2016-05-24
author: Linda Hale
tags: weekly links, java
status: published
summary: In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Vivamus pharetra.
banner: images/banner/wedding.jpg
booking:
  startDate: 04/20/2016
  endDate: 04/21/2016
  ctyhocn: GALTNHX
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Home Startup Technology start-up Voyager raises $210 million to become 2nd Philippine "Unicorn"
Technology start-up Voyager raises $210 million to become 2nd Philippine "Unicorn"
The latest funding increased the valuation of the technology start-up to $1.4 billion
On Tuesday, the Philippine technology start-up Voyager Innovations said it has raised $210 million in its latest funding round, making the company country's 2nd "unicorn" with a valuation of more than $1 billion.
The fresh capital will fund the firm's digital banking venture and other services like crypto-currency and micro-investments, said the technology start-up that serves 47 million people through its consumer platforms including e-wallet and digital payments.
In the funding round participated SIG Venture Capital as a new investor, the firm which is the Asian venture capital arm of SIG, Singapore-based global investor EDBI, and investment holding company First Pacific Company Ltd, said Voyager.
The capital injection was also joined by Voyager's existing shareholders like PLDT, private equity firm KKR & Co Inc., China's Tencent Holdings Ltd and International Finance Corp (IFC).
The latest funding increased the valuation of the technology start-up to $1.4 billion, it said. In June, Voyager raised $167 million for its expansion programme, bringing in a unit of the World Bank Group's IFC as a new investor.
Mynt, the technology start-up's rival, is the only other Philippine unicorn, or start-ups that have reached at least $1 billion in valuation. Mynt is partly owned by Globe Telecom, Bow Wave and Ant Financial, the financial technology arm of Alibaba.
With adoption of digital services surging during the pandemic, the Philippines is among the fastest-growing fin-tech markets in Southeast Asia. Its internet economy grew 93% to $17 billion in 2021, and is expected to expand to $40 billion by 2025, according to a report by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Co.
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