By Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times (TNS) LOS ANGELES — Each day, an army of trucks delivers tens of thousands of pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables to Mexico City’s Central de Abasto, one of the world’s largest wholesale food markets. Most of the produce finds its way to people’s kitchens, and eventually their stomachs. But around 420 tons goes bad each day before it can be sold. It ends up, like so much food around the world, in a landfill. Globally, a staggering one third of all food that is produced is never eaten. That waste — more than 1 billion tons annually — fuels climate change. As organic matter decomposes, it releases methane , a greenhouse gas that is much more potent than carbon dioxide when it comes to warming the planet. The United Nation estimates that up to 10% of all human-produced greenhouse gases are generated by food loss and waste. That’s nearly five times the emissions from the aviation industry. For many years, scientists and policy makers have been largely focused on addressing other drivers of climate change, especially the burning of fossil fuels, which is by far the largest contributor to global emissions. But food waste has recently been drawing more international attention. The issue was on the agenda at this month’s United Nations climate summit in Azerbaijan, where for the first time, leaders signed a declaration calling for countries to set concrete targets to reduce methane emissions caused by organic waste. Only a handful of the 196 countries that have signed the Paris Agreement on climate change have incorporated food waste commitments into their national climate plans, according to the UK-based nonprofit Waste & Resources Action Program. Many more nations are like Mexico, which is just beginning to assess how it can reduce the 20 million tons of food wasted annually here. A recent report by the World Bank identified several waste hotspots in the country, including the Central de Abasato, which stretches across 800 acres on the south side of the capital. In the dense warren of stalls, the best-looking produce is displayed prominently: ripe bananas, glistening limes and orderly rows of broccoli and asparagus. In the back are fruits and veggies that no longer look perfect: mushy papayas, wilting spinach and bruised tomatoes. A few years ago, market organizers launched an initiative to collect the produce that looks too old to sell but is still perfectly usable. They donate it to food banks and soup kitchens. Organizers say they’ve reduced the amount of food that is thrown out by about a quarter since 2020 — and have provided meals to tens of thousands of hungry people. “It’s much better to donate,” said Fernando Bringas Torres, who has sold bananas at the market for more than four decades. “This food still has value.” Environmental activists say reducing food waste is one of the most attainable climate solutions, in part because its not politicized. Asking companies and consumers to cut back on the food they send to landfills is far less charged than urging a reduction in meat consumption, energy use or the number of gas-fueled cars on the road. “People on the left and the right both have a gut reaction to it because it is a waste of resources,” said Christian Reynolds, a researcher at the Center for Food Policy at City University in London. Reducing waste “is not a silver bullet” to stop global warming, Reynolds said. “But it’s up there with the things you’ve got to solve, and it’s a useful way to open doors around climate change.” Scientists say cutting back on waste is valuable because methane traps heat at a much higher rate than carbon dioxide. Methane emissions are to blame for about 30% of the recent rise in global temperatures. U.N. climate leaders say slashing them is a vital “emergency brake” that will help curb the extreme weather already seen across the world today. About 20% of methane emissions come from food loss and waste, an umbrella term that describes all food that is produced but not eaten. It includes crops destroyed by pests or extreme weather, produce or meat that spoils in transport because of faulty packaging and food that goes bad at market before it can be sold. It also includes all food purchased by individuals or served at restaurants that ends up in the trash. The data on food waste are stunning: Experts say some food waste in inevitable. Humans need food to survive and it degrades quickly. Modern food systems are built around the transport of products across long distances, increasing the likelihood that some things will spoil. But they say there are relatively pain-free ways to reduce waste at all stages — from producer to consumer. The simplest thing is to reduce the amount of extra food being produced in the first place. But other solutions include fixing inefficient machinery that makes it hard to harvest all of a crop, bettering poor roads that prevent food from making it from farm to table and improving packaging, so food stays good for longer. At the end of the chain, restaurant workers can be better trained to prepare food in a way that avoids waste. Retailers can be encouraged to avoid over-buying and to stop the practice of stocking only perfect-looking produce and discarding the rest. And consumers can be encouraged to eat all of what they buy and lower the temperatures on their refrigerators to delay food from going bad. There has also been a major push to get retailers to change how they label foods, given that many consumers throw out products if they are past their sell-by date. “We should be making sure that our food safety policies are not getting in the way of our climate goals,” Reynolds said. California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed a bill, AB 660, that would bar food-sellers from using the term “sell by” on packages, requiring them to switch to “use by” or “best if used by.” Advocates say it would dissuade Californians from throwing away food that is still good. Other efforts are focused on recovery and redistribution — getting food that is about to spoil into the hands of hungry people. Each year 783 million people around the world go hungry, with a third of the global population facing food insecurity. World leaders “are starting to make the connection between the the climate impact and social impact,” said Ana Catalina Suárez Peña, an advocate with the Global FoodBanking Network, which works with food banks in more than 50 countries. Her organization recently developed a calculator for food banks and businesses that allows them to measure the volume of methane avoided by curbing food waste. The group found that six community-led food banks in Mexico and Ecuador prevented a total of 816 metric tons of methane over a year by redistributing food that would otherwise have gone to landfill. That is the equivalent of keeping 5,436 cars off the road for a year. Tools to measure food waste — and the savings generated from avoiding it — are an important part of tackling the problem, said Oliver Camp, a food systems adviser at the COP summit. Though he was heartened by the summit declaration calling on countries to set targets for avoiding food waste in their climate plans, he said there was still much progress to be made. Countries need to implement a “comprehensive, costed national strategy based on data as to where food loss and waste is occurring, and evidence-based interventions to avoid it,” he said. The World Bank analysis of Mexico found that most of the country’s emissions come from the energy and transportation sectors, but that the food wasted here is the fifth biggest contributor. “There is an overproduction by farmers,” said Adriana Martínez, 48, who runs a stall at the Central de Abastos that she inherited from her late father. She said customers “only want food that looks perfect.” Each week, about 30% of her product begins to go bad. In the past, she would have sent it to the overflowing dumpsters that sit behind the market. But now she calls up a market organizer who connects her with a local food bank. Martínez said her father, who grew up poor, would be happy knowing that food from the stand is helping other people instead of decomposing in a dump. “He knew hunger,” she said. “And he hated waste.” ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.gal sport betting south sudan 。

Francis' 23 lead NJIT over Navy 69-64Shopping on Shein and Temu for holiday gifts? You're not the only onePrime Minister Justin Trudeau says a new chapter for Syria can begin that’s free of terrorism and suffering for its people. In a social media post on X on Sunday, Trudeau said the fall of the Assad dictatorship “ends decades of brutal oppression.” Syrian President Bashar Assad fled the country on Sunday and is now reported to be in Moscow, bringing to a dramatic close his nearly 14-year struggle to hold onto control as his country fragmented in a brutal civil war. The toppling of Assad comes after opposition forces entered the Syrian capital of Damascus, ending half a century of rule by his family. Trudeau said Canada is monitoring the transition closely, and he urged “order, stability, and respect for human rights.” Ottawa is urging Canadians to avoid all travel to Syria and to consider leaving the country if it’s safe to do so. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre told a news conference on Sunday that Assad “was a puppet for the tyrants of Tehran.” “He has carried out genocides against the Sunni people in his own country, and now he appears to have been toppled,” Poilievre said in Ottawa. Poilievre said it’s unknown who will replace Assad, adding it isn’t Canada’s fight and that he doesn’t believe Canada should get involved. “We should stand with our allies, including Israel, against the terrorists. We should focus on protecting our own country.” Ottawa describes the security situation as volatile, and said the Damascus and Aleppo airports as well as some border crossings are closed. An updated travel advisory from the Canadian government warns people to avoid the Middle Eastern country due to what it calls “ongoing armed conflict, terrorism, criminality, arbitrary detention, torture and forced disappearance.” Canada has urged its citizens to leave Syria since November 2011, and its embassy in Damascus suspended its operations in 2012.LeBron James decided to take a break from social media on Wednesday due to the excess “negativity” it generates. The Lakers star took to X to share a post to declare his temporary absence from the internet. However, that didn’t spare the NBA’s all-time leading scorer from criticism from infamous LeBron critic Skip Bayless. Before LeBron announced his break from social media, he shared a lengthy post from Kevin Durant’s longtime agent, Rich Kleiman. In the post, he expressed his feelings toward the current landscape of sports media, which is centred around “negative takes .” Bayless didn’t hold any problems with Kleiman’s comments. However, he criticized James for the irony in his method of announcing his break from social media. He said , The former Fox Sports media personality called out James for following Kleiman’s advice when his client, Kevin Durant, didn’t. In 2017, Durant was exposed for using a burner account to defend himself against fans on X (formerly known as Twitter). Durant’s actions led Bayless to call the two-time champion “thin-skinned” for being irritated by others’ words. He didn’t hold back from criticizing James for announcing a break from social media. “You’re pissy about a few people on the internet? Are you kidding me? You’re so beneath your kingly royal dignity,” Bayless said. “What is happening to you? Thin-skinned.” James’ current break from social media is different from his once famous “Zero Dark Thirty-23 Mode” ahead of the postseason. In addition, he hasn’t taken such a break since 2020. Bayless’s confusion stems from James taking advice from Kleiman when Durant isn’t abiding by it. The NBA analyst is implying that the advice can’t be worthy of the weight LeBron is giving it since it hasn’t worked with Durant. LeBron James addressed claims that he always lies An ongoing joke within NBA circles is that LeBron is a chronic liar. The accusation comes from his outlandish stories, such as predicting Kobe Bryant would score 81 points against the Raptors. However, he seemingly had enough of the claims when asserting his truth. Following the Lakers 124-118 victory over the Jazz, rookie Dalton Knecht finished with a career-high 37 points. LeBron gave high praise to the rookie out of Tennessee before the start of the season. He used his performance to clear the air on the claims of his lies. “Everybody on the internet calls me a liar all the time,” James said. “They say I lie about every f**king thing. So, what am I now? I’ve been said it.” His comments to the media eventually sparked his announcement on X regarding his break from social media. Looking at his track record, LeBron James doesn’t engage in back-and-forth interactions with Bayless. It’s safe to assume he’ll let the sports analyst’s words enter the void of X without responding.

Feddersen's 17 help North Dakota State defeat West Georgia 73-61

Rodgers says he'll enjoy the rest of the Jets' season and 'let the future take care of itself'SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — A political party in North Macedonia on Saturday demanded authorities ban social networks whose content incites violence and self-destructive behavior after several young people were seriously injured in connection with the popular “Superman challenge” on TikTok. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — A political party in North Macedonia on Saturday demanded authorities ban social networks whose content incites violence and self-destructive behavior after several young people were seriously injured in connection with the popular “Superman challenge” on TikTok. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — A political party in North Macedonia on Saturday demanded authorities ban social networks whose content incites violence and self-destructive behavior after several young people were seriously injured in connection with the popular “Superman challenge” on TikTok. Health authorities said at least 17 students, ages 10 to 17, were brought to hospitals in the capital Skopje and other towns over the past week with broken bones, contusions and bruises. The children were injured after being thrown into the air by their friends to fly like superheroes and get applause on the internet. The Liberal-Democratic Party, which was part of the left-led coalition that ruled the country from 2016 to earlier in 2024, issued a press statement Saturday strongly condemning “the irresponsible spread of dangerous content on social media, such as the latest TikTok ‘challenge’ known as ‘Superman,’ which has injured six children across (the country) in the past 24 hours.” “The lack of adequate control over the content of social media allows such ‘games’ to reach the most vulnerable users,” the party statement said. It demanded the “immediate introduction of measures to ban content that incites violence and self-destructive behavior, increase surveillance, and sanction platforms that enable dangerous trends.” North Macedonia’s education minister Vesna Janevska said students should focus on education, not TikTok challenges. “The ban on mobile phones in schools will not have an effect. Phones will be available to children in their homes, neighborhoods and other environments,” she said. Psychologists have warned that the desire to be “in” with the trends on social networks, combined with excessive use of mobile phones, is the main reason for the rise in risky behaviors among children. They urged parents and schools to talk with students. AdvertisementNonePresident-elect Donald Trump has tapped television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) administrator. Oz is the latest Trump leadership pick designed to shake up the federal government and reward loyal supporters with prime positions. Oz's nomination has garnered praise from those hoping to reform Medicaid to caution from critics noting his penchant for pushing medical misinformation. Trump said in a statement that Dr. Oz will “cut waste and fraud within our country’s most expensive government agency,” He also said Oz will “work closely” with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his nominee for Health and Human Services secretary, “to take on the illness industrial complex, and all the horrible chronic diseases left in its wake.” During his first term, Trump appointed Oz to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. Oz said on X that he was honored to be nominated by Trump to lead CMS. “I look forward to serving my country to Make America Healthy Again under the leadership of the HHS Secretary, Robert Kennedy Jr.,“ who called Oz, a friend in his own X post and said his nomination was “outstanding.” Subscribe to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail. Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail. Oz’s claim to fame Dr. Oz became a household name on Oprah Winfrey’s daytime television show before spinning off his own series, "The Dr. Oz Show," in 2009. Although he no longer does surgeries, his physician license remains active in Pennsylvania. His other accomplishments include writing several New York Times bestsellers and hosting an Emmy-winning TV show. He founded the HealthCorps initiative, a national nonprofit that educates teens about healthy habits. In 2022, Oz ran for U.S. Senate as a Republican. Although he was a longtime resident of New Jersey and worked in New York City, Oz ran in Pennsylvania, noting a connection to the state through his wife’s parents. Oz narrowly won the primary but lost to Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) in the general election. Qualifications and controversy As administrator of the CMS, Oz would influence the medical care and insurance of large swaths of Americans. About 66 million people rely on Medicare , and almost 80 million Americans are enrolled in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) . He would also oversee the Affordable Care Act marketplace , which insures over 21 million people. Oz would also take the helm of an enormous bureaucracy and budget. The CMS is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that sets Medicare payment rates for hospitals, doctors, labs, and other service providers. The agency's budget is nearly $1.5 trillion yearly, about 14% of the federal government’s annual spending. Oz has impeccable medical training. He is an alum of Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Wharton Business School. Trump also noted that Oz was a professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Columbia University. As a television personality, however, Oz has a spotty record and a penchant for pushing unproven products. One study in the BMJ journal found that less than half of the products he promoted on his show were medically proven and 13% contradicted known medical advice. Sen. Patty Murray (D., Wash.) said it was “deeply disappointing” to see someone “with zero qualifications” picked to lead CMS. “We need serious leaders when it comes to protecting Americans’ healthcare and bringing down costs — not TV hosts whose main qualification is their loyalty to Donald Trump,” she said. The CMS administrator is not part of the Cabinet but requires Senate confirmation. How Oz might change Medicare, Medicaid and the ACA The incoming CMS administrator will face several challenges to ensure the quality and sustainability of programs. For example, should the administrator fight to extend government subsidies to enable people to buy coverage in the Affordable Care Act exchanges? The administrator will likely also address payments for the Medicaid program and negotiations with drugmakers over the prices of some medications under Medicare. On his 2022 Oz Senate campaign website , Oz suggested that, if elected, he would “work to dismantle policies that lead to more expensive prescription drugs for our seniors.” Oz strongly supported Medicare Advantage , promising he would “expand access to private sector plans expanded by President Trump and beloved by seniors for their low costs and high quality that could be available to all Americans who want them.” Just this month, Republicans in Congress discussed cuts to Medicaid, which could threaten health coverage for roughly a fifth of poor Americans. At a similar crossroads is Medicare, the federal government’s second-largest budget item (as part of the larger health spending category), accounting for $848 billion, or roughly 12% of the budget last year . If confirmed, Oz would likely reduce Medicaid spending, encourage privatization of Medicare through Advantage plans, build on the Biden administration's drug price negotiation efforts and reform the ACA marketplace. Related Content What Does the Trump Presidency Mean for the Fed? Can Trump End Taxes on Social Security Benefits? Can a President Fix Inflation? Here's What Donald Trump Could Do 5 Stocks to Buy for a Trump Presidency

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David Covucci is the senior politics and technology editor at the Daily Dot, covering the nexus between Washington and Silicon Valley. His work has appeared in Vice, the Huffington Post, Jezebel, Gothamist, and other publications. He is particularly interested in hearing any tips you have. Reach out at dcovucci@thedailydot.com.

NEW YORK (AP) — He's making threats, traveling abroad and negotiating with world leaders. Donald Trump has more than a month and a half to go before he's sworn in for a second term. But the Republican president-elect is already moving aggressively not just to fill his Cabinet and outline policy goals, but to achieve those priorities . Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, prompting emergency calls and a visit from Canada's prime minister that resulted in what Trump claimed were commitments from both U.S. allies on new border security measures. The incoming president has warned there will be “ALL HELL TO PAY" if, before his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, Hamas does not release the hostages being held in Gaza . He has threatened to block the purchase of U.S. Steel by a Japanese company, warning "Buyer Beware!!!” And this weekend, Trump was returning to the global stage, joining a host of other foreign leaders for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral five years after it was ravaged by a fire. On Saturday, he met with French President Emmanuel Macron — joined at the last minute by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — and had plans to see Britain's Prince William also in Paris. Absent in Paris: lame duck President Joe Biden, who has largely disappeared from headlines, except when he issued a pardon of his son , Hunter, who was facing sentencing for gun crimes and tax evasion. First lady Jill Biden is attending in his place. “I think you have seen more happen in the last two weeks than you’ve seen in the last four years. And we’re not even there yet,” Trump said in an over-the-top boast at an awards ceremony Thursday night . For all of Trump's bold talk, though, it is unclear how many of his efforts will bear fruit. The pre-inauguration threats and deal-making are highly unusual, like so much of what Trump does, said Julian Zelizer, a political historian at Princeton University. “Transitions are always a little complicated in this way. Even though we talk about one president at a time," he said, “the reality is one president plus. And that plus can act assertively sometimes." Zelizer said that is particularly true of Trump, who was president previously and already has relationships with many foreign leaders such as Macron, who invited both Trump and Biden to Paris this weekend as part of the Notre Dame celebration. “Right now he’s sort of governing even though he’s not the president yet. He’s having these public meetings with foreign leaders, which aren't simply introductions. He's staking out policy and negotiating things from drug trafficking to tariffs," Zelizer said. Trump already has met with several foreign leaders, in addition to a long list of calls. He hosted Argentinian President Javier Milei in Florida at his Mar-a-Lago club in November. After the tariff threat, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a pilgrimage to Mar-a-Lago for a three-hour dinner meeting. Canadian officials later said the country is ready to make new investments in border security, with plans for more helicopters, drones and law enforcement officers. Last Sunday, Trump dined with Sara Netanyahu, wife of the Israeli prime minister. Incoming Trump aides have also been meeting with their future foreign counterparts. On Wednesday, several members of Trump's team, including incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz, met with Andriy Yermak, a top aide to Zelenskyy, in Washington, as Ukraine tries to win support for its ongoing efforts to defend itself from Russian invasion, according to a person familiar with the meeting. Yermak also met with Trump officials in Florida, he wrote on X . That comes after Trump's incoming Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, traveled to Qatar and Israel for high-level talks about a cease-fire and hostage deal in Gaza, according to a U.S official familiar with the efforts, meeting with the prime ministers of both countries. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity. There is no prohibition on incoming officials or nominees meeting with foreign officials, and it is common and fine for them to do so — unless those meetings are designed to subvert or otherwise impact current U.S. policy. Trump aides were said to be especially cognizant of potential conflicts given their experience in 2016, when interactions between Trump allies and Russian officials came under scrutiny. That included a phone call in which Trump's incoming national security adviser, Michael Flynn, discussed new sanctions with Russia’s ambassador to the United States, suggesting things would improve after Trump became president. Flynn was later charged with lying to the FBI about the conversation. Trump’s incoming press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that, “All transition officials have followed applicable laws in their interactions with foreign nationals.” She added: “World leaders recognize that President Trump is returning to power and will lead with strength to put the best interests of the United States of America first again. That is why many foreign leaders and officials have reached out to correspond with President Trump and his incoming team.” Such efforts can nonetheless cause complications. If, say, Biden is having productive conversations on a thorny foreign policy issue and Trump weighs in, that could make it harder for Biden “because people are hearing two different voices” that may be in conflict, Zelizer said. Leaders like Russia's Vladimir Putin and Netanyahu may also anticipate a more favorable incoming administration and wait Biden out, hoping for more a better deal. It also remains unclear how extensively the Biden administration has been kept apprised of Trump transition efforts. Although there is no requirement that an incoming administration coordinate calls and meetings with foreign officials with the State Department or National Security Council, that has long been considered standard practice. That is, in part, because transition teams, particularly in their early days and weeks, do not always have the latest information about the state of relations with foreign nations and may not have the resources, including interpretation and logistical ability, to handle such meetings efficiently. Still, the Biden and Trump teams have been talking, particularly on the Middle East, with the incoming and outgoing administrations having agreed to work together on efforts to free hostages who remain in held in Gaza, according to a U.S. official, who, like others, was not authorized to comment publicly about the sensitive talks and spoke on condition of anonymity. That includes conversations between Witkoff and Biden’s foreign policy team as well as Waltz and Biden national security adviser Jake Sullivan. Last month, Biden administration officials said they had kept Trump’s team closely apprised of efforts to broker a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah on the Israel-Lebanon border. “I just want to be clear to all of our adversaries, they can’t play the incoming Trump administration off of the Biden administration. I’m regularly talking to the Biden people. And so, this is not a moment of opportunity or wedges for them," Waltz said Friday in a Fox Business interview. But when it comes to immigration, Biden administration officials haven’t been entirely in the loop on discussions around how to execute on Trump’s pledge to deport millions of migrants, according to four administration officials with knowledge of the transition who spoke on condition of anonymity. That’s not terribly surprising given how differently the teams view migration. Trump’s team, meanwhile, is already claiming credit for everything from gains in the stock and cryptocurrency markets to a decision by Walmart to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion policies Trump opposes. “Promises Kept — And President Trump Hasn’t Even Been Inaugurated Yet,” read one press release that claimed, in part, that both Canada and Mexico have already pledged "immediate action” to help “stem the flow of illegal immigration, human trafficking, and deadly drugs entering the United States." Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has stopped short of saying Trump mischaracterized their call in late November. But she said Friday that Trump “has his own way of communicating, like when we had the phone call and he wrote that we were going to close the border. That was never talked about in the phone call.” Earlier this week, Mexico carried out what it claimed was its largest seizure of fentanyl pills ever. Seizures over the summer had been as little as 50 grams per week, and after the Trump call, they seized more than a ton. Security analyst David Saucedo said that "under the pressure by Donald Trump, it appears President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration is willing to increase the capture of drug traffickers and drug seizures that Washington is demanding.” Biden, too, tried to take credit for the seizure in a statement Friday night. ___ Associated Press writers Matthew Lee, Aamer Madhani, Colleen Long and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington and Mark Stevenson in Mexico City contributed to this report.None“Has Burner Accounts!”: Skip Bayless Points Out Irony in LeBron James Sharing Kevin Durant’s Agent’s Post About Toxicity

Trump selects longtime adviser Keith Kellogg as special envoy for Ukraine and Russia

Ensure surveillance in Bodh Gaya: DMTAKING THE UNBEATEN PATH From left: Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio; IBP Human Rights Award recipients Edre Olalia, Kristian Jacob Lora and Antonio Azarcon; and fellow human rights lawyer Evalyn Ursua. Carpio and Ursua were on the panel of judges for the award. —Jane Bautista MANILA, Philippines — Brave clients, according to the late “people’s lawyer” Romeo Capulong who dedicated his life to defending human rights victims, deserve brave lawyers. And for the first time since its formation 51 years ago, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) has cited three members of these “endangered breed” for their “exceptional contributions in the protection and advancement of human rights through the practice of law.” Named as recipients of the inaugural IBP Human Rights Awards were Edre Olalia for Luzon, Kristian Jacob Lora for the Visayas, and Antonio Azarcon for Mindanao, all members of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL). READ: NUPL: IBP award affirms human rights lawyering, shields vs red-tagging “It is now the 51st year of the existence of IBP and it is only now that the IBP has engaged in this kind of activity to honor an endangered breed of lawyers who risk their lives and their limbs to defend human rights,” IBP president Antonio Pido said at the awarding ceremony held on Dec. 5 in Mandaluyong City. Olalia, the incumbent NUPL chair who has been advocating for over three decades for human rights, was the legal counsel of Flor Contemplacion, an experience he described as his “baptism of fire.” The Filipino domestic worker was executed in Singapore in 1995 after she was convicted in court for killing a fellow Filipino helper and a boy in her care four years earlier. While Contemplacion’s case ended in tragedy, it led Olalia into a career that has left an “indelible mark” on the human rights landscape in the country—from saving another overseas Filipino worker, Mary Jane Veloso, from being executed by the Indonesian government on drug charges, to securing the conviction of Army Gen. Jovito Palparan for the disappearance of University of the Philippines students and activists Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno. For Olalia, the IBP award was both a “vindication” and a “shield against the vicious Red-tagging” of his comrades-in-law. “This recognition is a sort of vindication against struggles with our families, colleagues, friends and classmates who cannot, do not and will not understand fully why we took this option,” he said in his acceptance speech. “In a nation where lawyers abound and battalions are added every single year, justice is inaccessible to many. We at NUPL took the unbeaten path, taking on causes and clients that many of our fellow lawyers do not, cannot or will not handle,” Olalia added. Lora, who has been practicing for just six years, is the youngest among the three awardees and represents the “new generation of people’s lawyers.” He is a member of NUPL-Cebu and a litigator of the Visayas Community Law Center, a law office that provides pro bono services to marginalized communities in the region in human rights and public interest litigation. His legal victories include securing the release of political prisoners like Liezyl Anne Gomez and defending those wrongfully accused under the Anti-Terrorism Act. He also worked for the acquittal of wrongfully accused individuals in the “Escalante 6” and “Himamaylan 3” cases. Lora said in his acceptance speech that he was still a law student when a group of protesting Kidapawan farmers was brutally dispersed by the police under the Aquino administration in 2016, and when thousands of drug suspects were killed under the Duterte administration. “The Duterte administration has diminished the value of human rights and embedded into the minds of our people that human rights are diametrically opposed to human lives. Evidently, we have a lot of work to do and, tonight, we begin,” Lora added. Azarcon, a seasoned lawyer who stood his ground during martial law, was later arrested in 1983 for his role in the Coalition of Organizations for the Restoration of Democracy (CORD), an alliance of groups opposed to the Marcos dictatorship. He was just 26 years old when he joined the Free Legal Assistance Group, offering pro bono legal assistance to victims of political persecution, extrajudicial killings and torture. “As a member of the Parliament of the Streets, I took on cases defending political prisoners and those subjected to arbitrary detention. My active role in Democracy CORD Mindanao led to my detention in 1983, but even then, I continued to advocate for justice through writing and other means,” Azarcon said. “These experiences only deepened my resolve and love for our country, driving me to fight for a future where every Filipino’s rights are respected and upheld,” he added. As NUPL assistant vice president for Mindanao, Azarcon vowed to remain committed to defending the rights of people in his region, especially against the threats of Red-tagging and extrajudicial killings. “While receiving this award is a moment of celebration, it is also a poignant reminder of the work that still lies ahead. The fight for human rights is ongoing, and we must remain vigilant and committed to addressing the challenges that persist,” he said. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . This year’s IBP human rights awardees were chosen by a panel of judges composed of retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, retired Court of Appeals Associate Justice Alfredo Ampuan, former University of the Philippines College of Law dean Pacifico Agabin, Adamson University College of Law dean Maria Anna Abad and human rights lawyer Evalyn Ursua.

To play Maria Callas, Angelina Jolie had to lean how to breathe againEnzo Maresca has lifted the lid on Leicester’s promotion celebrations and revealed Jamie Vardy and co still know how to party. Maresca led the Foxes to the Sky Bet Championship title last season before joining Chelsea over the summer. Leicester famously toasted their improbable Premier League success in 2016 with an impromptu bash at Vardy’s house. But the venue for last April’s party was not at the striker’s abode, but at Maresca’s house when the players turned up unannounced at 2am. Maresca recalled: “The best present I had from last season was when we got promoted and they arrived at my home. All the team. “This showed the connection between the players; they could go for a party at a different place but they all arrived at my home. It was a fantastic connection and I will always be thankful for them. “I was at home celebrating with my staff and my family and about two o’clock in the morning all the squad was there. We celebrated all together. Last night at Enzo’s 🏡 💙 pic.twitter.com/dqP8BFsDn3 — Leicester City (@LCFC) April 27, 2024 “When I was a player and I won things I never thought to go to the manager’s home. That shows the connection.” Similarly to when they clinched the Premier League crown, Leicester were not actually playing when they found out they were promoted after Leeds lost at QPR. “To be honest I was at home watching the game and when it finished all the staff came over – and later the players,” added the Italian. “They didn’t knock on the door, they were in the garden and knocked on the window. What time did they leave? I don’t remember.” Vardy might not be having a party at the end of this season but he is still banging in the goals at 37 and Maresca rates the striker even more highly than England’s two top goalscorers – Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney. “People don’t realise how good he is,” added Maresca. “I know England have been quite lucky because of Kane and Rooney, this type of striker, they are fantastic. “But Jamie is, if you ask me, the best one.” Maresca returns to the King Power Stadium for the first time with Chelsea on Saturday, but he will be without captain Reece James due to a hamstring problem.