China's Dong Feng 21 missile, a serious concern for the US Navy

Reports of China's new anti-ship missiles capable of penetrating US Carrier battle group defense and hitting aircraft carriers at moving speed with an estimated range in excess of 1,500 kilometers is a serious concern for the US Government.

While the US Navy maintains superiority over the Pacific, China now seems to be in a position to seriously challenge this role.

Lets all hope things don't get any worst. All for world peace..

recommended reading,

US-China-EU Relations: Managing the New World Order


US-China-EU Relations: Managing the New World Order (Asian Security Studies)

P-Noy gets first paycheck of P63,002

While most of us opt to keep our earnings a secret, P-Noy is more than happy to show his paycheck to the public. The amount may be miniscule for a person holding the highest office in land. But for the average Filipino, its a lot.

A photo of P-Noy holding his paycheck was released by the Malacañang Photo Bureau on Wednesday. The check was dated July 30 but was released on Monday, August 2. Aquino's salary is pegged at over P90,000, equivalent to Salary Grade 33 (SG 33), which is accorded to the highest position in the Philippine government, according to Republic Act 6758 or the Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989.

However, the Chief Executive gets a 35% pay cut from his monthly salary due to mandatory deductions such as withholding tax, Pag-IBIG, Philhealth and GSIS.

P

PAL cancels more flights, braces for long impasse

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has canceled six of its flights until November due to the resignation of more than 20 of its pilots.

PAL is contacting all the affected passengers to help them rebook their flights. In a Balitanghali report on Tuesday, PAL spokesman Jonathan Gesmundo said from August 2 to November 30, these flights are canceled:

PR 143 Manila - Iloilo
PR 148 Iloilo - Manila
PR 135 Manila - Bacolod
PR 136 Bacolod - Manila
PR 181 Manila - Cagayan
PR 182 Cagayan - Manila

PAL has reduced its Iloilo and Cagayan flights from four to three and its Bacolod flights from five to four. However, PR 181, the 4:45 am flight from Manila - Cagayan will still be available every Thursday.

PAL hopes to hire new pilots by November 30. For inquiries and other concerns, the PAL hotline numbers are: 855-8888 and 777-4800.

source: inquirer.net

Ahmadinejad offers to talk one-on-one with Obama

Here's one for world peace. Lets hope both parties are sincere.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is willing to hold one-on-one talks with U.S. President Barack Obama in September, he said Monday.
Ahmadinejad expects to visit New York then for the annual United Nations General Assembly meeting, he said at a speech in Tehran.
"I will be ready for talks, for one-on-one talks, with Mr. Obama in front of the media, of course," he said, posing the offer as a repeat of one he has been making to the U.S. president for years.

Recommended reading,


Ahmadinejad: The Secret History of Iran's Radical Leader



The Iran Threat: President Ahmadinejad and the Coming Nuclear Crisis



Iran under Ahmadinejad: The Politics of Confrontation (Adelphi series)


Recommended viewing,


Charlie Rose - An hour with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (September 24, 2007)

Pinoy-made photo mosaic of Cory is world’s largest

Here's a feat that deserves attention. A FILIPINO attempted to break world records by unveiling a 250 feet x 200 feet photo mosaic of Philippine democracy icon and former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino on Saturday at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

Revoli Cortez, award-winning photojournalist and photo mosaic artist, first began with the idea right after the death of President Cory Aquino in August last year. The emotions that overflowed during the Cory’s wake and the pile of pictures he had while covering the former president for two years were the inspiration behind his masterpiece.


People Power, The Greatest Democracy Ever Told: An Eyewitness History (First Edition)

DepEd chief backs 12-year education cycle

Education Secretary Armin Luistro on Friday said he is giving his full support to President Benigno Aquino III's plan to add 2 more years to the country's basic education cycle.

Reaction --> Adding number of years to a child's education does not necessarily improve the educational system. What should be improved is quality of the teachers, facilities, equipments and infrastructure. But then again they have probably already figured this out.

P-Noy's First SONA Address

Now that P-Noy's State of the Nation Address (or SONA) is already old news, nevertheless here's my take on that event. It was an honest speech with all good intentions intended. Starting out with the bad news first and ending with the good news.

For many Filipinos around the world who wish to see a brighter future for our homeland Philippines so that they may come home for good, each small step for change eventually leads to a giant leap towards genuine progress.

But let us not forget our part in helping our Nation. Our government can only do as much, the rest is up to us...