PR in the Philippines

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey's leader for over two decades, has navigated numerous crises that would have toppled lesser leaders: economic downturns, a coup attempt, a refugee influx, a failed assassination attempt, corruption allegations, international criticism, and a war. A shrewd populist, Erdoğan skillfully manages alliances and rivalries, prioritizing electoral success above all else. By weakening Turkey’s independent institutions – the military, judiciary, and media – he's consolidated power despite fluctuating popularity. Following setbacks in March's local elections, Erdoğan initiated a strategic recalibration. He's exploring reconciliation with Kurdish insurgents, engaging in dialogue with the center-left Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader, and improving relations with the U.S. for economic benefits. He's also employing politically sensitive measures to curb inflation, confounding his opposition. However, Turkey's presidential term limits pose a challenge. The next election is approaching, and Erdoğan aims to retain power. He could trigger early elections or amend the constitution. Erdoğan favors constitutional revision, a tactic he employed in 2017 to shift Turkey to a presidential system. He'll frame this as a necessary break from the past, enabling him to lead Turkey into a new era. He also intends to modify the electoral system to ease his path to a third term, potentially removing the majority vote requirement. Yet, securing parliamentary support is problematic. His alliance lacks the necessary votes for a constitutional referendum. To achieve this, Erdoğan is courting former allies, including those with pro-Kurdish leanings, hoping to garner enough support for the referendum. Success is uncertain. A deal with the jailed PKK leader, while potentially easing the Kurdish conflict, could easily collapse, jeopardizing his plans. Regardless of his chosen strategy, one truth persists: Erdoğan remains Turkey's unparalleled political strategist.

A storm system brought heavy snow and record rainfall to California, triggering minor landslides and street flooding. Simultaneously, blizzard or winter storm warnings were in effect across the Northeast and central Appalachia. Another weather system is anticipated to reach the Pacific Northwest during Thanksgiving week, persisting into Tuesday, and bringing rain and higher-elevation snowfall, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Torry Dooley. The Midwest and Great Lakes regions will experience rain and snow on Monday, while the East Coast will face the most significant weather impact on Thanksgiving and Black Friday. A low-pressure system will introduce rain to the Southeast early Thursday before moving northeastward. Areas from Boston to New York could see rain and strong winds; northern New Hampshire, northern Maine, and the Adirondacks might experience snowfall. The amount of mountain snow will depend on the storm's inland track; a more inland path would result in less snow and more rain. Potent ‘bomb cyclone’ hit the West Coast The West Coast storm earlier this week caused two fatalities and widespread power outages, primarily affecting the Seattle area, before its strong winds reached Northern California. The system intensified rapidly upon landfall as a “bomb cyclone,” causing widespread damage, including trees falling onto roads, vehicles, and homes. Santa Rosa, California, recorded its wettest three-day period on record, receiving approximately 12.5 inches (32 centimeters) of rain by Friday evening, according to the Bay Area National Weather Service. Flooding closed a section of Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) in Mendocino County, with no reopening estimate available from the California Department of Transportation. Meanwhile, on the East Coast, another storm delivered much-needed rain to drought-stricken New York and New Jersey and heavy snow to northeastern Pennsylvania. Parts of West Virginia were under a blizzard warning until Saturday morning, with up to 2 feet (61 centimeters) of snow and strong winds creating hazardous travel conditions. Tens of thousands lose power in Seattle area As Seattle-area residents began their weekend, over 87,000 remained without power due to the season's most powerful atmospheric river—a long plume of moisture forming over an ocean and flowing over land. Crews worked to clear downed power lines, branches, and debris, while cities opened warming centers offering food and charging stations for those in their fourth day without power. Gale warnings were issued for waters off Washington, Oregon, and California, and high wind warnings were in effect across parts of Northern California and Oregon. Winter storm warnings were issued for portions of the California Cascades and the Sierra Nevada. Forecasters anticipate a break from storms on both coasts as the northeastern system moves into eastern Canada and the western system heads south. By Friday night, some relief was evident in California, where the Humboldt County sheriff’s office downgraded evacuation orders to warnings for those near the Eel River after forecasters predicted moderate, but not major, flooding. Northeast receives vital precipitation In the drought-affected Northeast, over 2 inches (5 centimeters) of rain was expected north of New York City by Saturday morning, with snow at higher elevations. This precipitation was anticipated to alleviate drought conditions in a region experiencing an exceptionally dry fall. “It won’t eliminate the drought, but it will definitely help once it all melts,” said Bryan Greenblatt, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Binghamton, New York. Heavy snow fell in northeastern Pennsylvania, including the Pocono Mountains, leading to numerous school closures. Higher elevations reported up to 17 inches (43 centimeters) of snow, with lesser amounts in valley cities such as Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Less than 80,000 customers across 10 counties lost power, and the state transportation department imposed speed restrictions on some highways. Parts of West Virginia also experienced their first significant snowfall of the season Friday and overnight Saturday, with up to 10 inches (25.4 centimeters) accumulating in the higher elevations of the Allegheny Mountains. Some areas were under a blizzard warning due to gusty winds making travel perilous. The precipitation helped ease the state’s worst drought in at least two decades and boosted West Virginia ski resorts preparing for their upcoming season.

BAKU, Azerbaijan — Negotiations between developed and developing nations at the UN climate talks entered overtime on Saturday, with intense discussions focused on securing funding for climate change mitigation and adaptation in developing countries. However, a draft proposal faced significant opposition, particularly from African nations and small island states, leading to several nations leaving the negotiations due to their dissatisfaction with the proposal. Evans Njewa, chair of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) group, stated the current proposal was unacceptable, highlighting the need for consultation among developing nations before proceeding. Echoing this sentiment, Colombian environment minister Susana Mohamed described the situation as one of "high dissatisfaction." Heightened tensions resulted in climate activists confronting U.S. climate envoy John Podesta, accusing the U.S. of insufficient contributions and historical environmental damage. Friday's official draft proposed $250 billion annually by 2035, a significant increase but still far below the estimated $1 trillion needed. Saturday's revised draft suggested $300 billion. Accusations of protracted negotiations Developing countries accused wealthier nations of employing delaying tactics to secure a smaller financial aid package. Small island states, particularly vulnerable to climate change, criticized the host country's lack of attention throughout the two-week summit. Panama's chief negotiator, Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez, expressed frustration with the protracted negotiations, highlighting the disparity between the resources of developed and developing nations' delegations. Gomez emphasized the detrimental impact of these prolonged talks on developing nations' negotiating capacity, asserting that the wealthy nations intentionally prolong the process to exhaust their counterparts. Mohamed Adow of Power Shift Africa warned that a lack of resolve from developing nations could lead to compromises that hinder climate action. Teresa Anderson of ActionAid urged the summit presidency to present a substantially improved proposal, emphasizing the need for significantly increased financial commitments from wealthy nations. Climate funding remains unresolved Developing nations require $1.3 trillion to address climate change impacts, including adaptation measures, loss and damage compensation, and clean energy transitions. This financial obligation is enshrined in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Even the increased $300 billion figure is considered insufficient by Panama’s Monterrey Gomez, who questioned whether it represents even half of the requested amount. Monterrey Gomez further indicated that the developing world has requested $500 billion in climate finance through 2030, a shorter timeframe than the initially proposed 2035 target. A response from developed nations is awaited. Irish environment minister Eamon Ryan emphasized that securing the necessary funds is as critical as the final financial figure, advocating for diverse funding mechanisms, including carbon markets. The final agreement's financial commitment will likely be leveraged to attract greater climate spending, although this often involves loans, posing challenges for debt-burdened nations. Negotiations fraught with tension Alden Meyer of E3G expressed uncertainty regarding a conclusive finance agreement in Baku, acknowledging the possibility of an impasse. Ali Mohamed, chair of the African Group of Negotiators, stated that the bloc is committed to reaching an agreement but would not compromise on key priorities. Despite existing challenges, some negotiators remain optimistic. Nabeel Munir of Pakistan expressed hope for a successful outcome. The Alliance of Small Island States affirmed their continued participation contingent on an inclusive process. Panama’s Monterrey Gomez stressed the critical importance of a successful agreement, emphasizing the severe consequences of failure for both the climate process and the planet. ___ Associated Press journalists Ahmed Hatem, Aleksandar Furtula and Joshua A. Bickel contributed to this report.

Business leaders and markets have reacted positively to President-elect Donald Trump's choice of hedge fund manager Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary, relieved that a decision has finally been reached after a competitive selection process. Several CEOs, previously anxious about the protracted search and the various concerns surrounding other candidates, expressed relief. Bessent, a global macro investor, was widely seen as the only contender possessing the necessary qualifications, competence, and ability to collaborate effectively with Trump. As one source stated, "Bessent has the backing of everybody on Wall Street." Despite a career largely out of the public eye, Bessent enjoys a strong reputation as a seasoned investor, shrewd businessman, and entrepreneur with extensive experience in navigating global markets. His network of supporters, mentors, and business partners represents a veritable who's who of Wall Street, spanning various institutions and political affiliations. Beginning his career on Wall Street as an intern for renowned investor Jim Rogers, Bessent worked at Brown Brothers Harriman before joining Jim Chanos, the short-seller known for accurately predicting the failures of Enron, Wirecard, and other companies. He later partnered with George Soros at Soros Fund Management, where, alongside Stanley Druckenmiller, he played a crucial role in Soros's highly successful 1992 shorting of the British pound, generating over $1 billion in profit. Approximately half of the $4 billion in capital backing Bessent's own firm, Key Square, originated from Soros investments. If confirmed by the Senate, Bessent would be the first openly gay Treasury Secretary in U.S. history. He is a Yale alumnus and a significant benefactor of the university. The business community anticipates Bessent will foster strong relationships with business leaders and policymakers across the political spectrum to stimulate economic growth and realize Trump's vision of a "golden age" of American economic opportunity. Unlike some of Trump's other cabinet appointees, Bessent is viewed as a problem-solver with broad-based support that transcends ideological and sectoral divides. While a longtime Republican and loyal Trump supporter, Bessent has also contributed generously to Democratic presidential campaigns, including those of Al Gore and Barack Obama. His nomination for Treasury Secretary was backed by a diverse group including former Trump National Economic Council director and Fox Business anchor Larry Kudlow, former Trump advisor Steve Bannon, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, Evercore Senior Chairman Roger Altman, and Hayman Capital Founder Kyle Bass. Bessent's approach is expected to be particularly valuable in addressing contentious issues like tariffs, a source of significant apprehension among business leaders regarding Trump's economic policies. While Bessent has voiced strong support for tariffs, many CEOs concur—provided they are targeted, selective, and carefully implemented. Bessent downplays the inflationary concerns of most economists and the potential for retaliatory measures from trading partners that many CEOs fear, suggesting Trump intends to use tariffs primarily as a negotiating tactic. Balancing American economic growth with Trump's tariff preferences will undoubtedly present challenges for Bessent, but the business community is eager to collaborate in forging a constructive path forward. Trump's selection of Bessent significantly improves the prospects of achieving this goal. Bessent's successful nomination demonstrates his ability to prevail against powerful opponents within the Trump camp. While economists and business leaders may disagree with some of his decisions, they are likely to respect his decision-making process. Bessent's history of engagement offers genuine cause for optimism regarding the future growth of the American economy.

MANILA — On Saturday, Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte publicly declared that she had hired someone to assassinate President Marcos, his wife, and the House Speaker if she herself were killed, emphasizing that this was not a joke. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin forwarded the “active threat” against President Marcos to an elite presidential guard unit for immediate action. The response to the Vice President’s threat remained unclear. The Presidential Security Command immediately increased Marcos’ security detail, classifying the Vice President’s openly stated threat as a national security concern. The security force reported coordinating with law enforcement agencies to prevent and counteract any threats to the President and his family. Marcos and Duterte ran together in the May 2022 elections, winning by a landslide on a platform of national unity. However, the two leaders and their respective groups quickly developed a bitter rivalry due to significant disagreements, including their approaches to China’s assertive actions in the disputed South China Sea. Duterte resigned from the Marcos Cabinet in June, leaving her positions as education secretary and head of an anti-insurgency agency. Like her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Vice President became a vocal critic of President Marcos, his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez (the President’s cousin and ally), accusing them of corruption, incompetence, and politically persecuting the Duterte family and their allies. This latest outburst followed a decision by House members aligned with Romualdez and Marcos to detain her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, who was accused of obstructing a congressional inquiry into the possible misuse of her budget as Vice President and education secretary. Lopez was later hospitalized after falling ill and wept upon learning of plans to temporarily incarcerate her in a women’s prison. In a pre-dawn online press conference, an enraged Sara Duterte verbally attacked Marcos, his wife, and the House Speaker, using expletives to describe their alleged incompetence and dishonesty. When questioned about her safety, the 46-year-old lawyer implied there was a plot to kill her. “Don’t worry about my security because I’ve talked with somebody. I said ‘if I’m killed, you’ll kill BBM, Liza Araneta and Martin Romualdez. No joke, no joke,’” the Vice President stated, declining to provide further details and using the initials commonly used to refer to the President. “I’ve given my order, ‘If I die, don’t stop until you’ve killed them.’ And he said, ‘yes,’” the Vice President added. Under Philippine law, such public statements may constitute the crime of threatening harm to a person or their family, punishable by imprisonment and a fine. Amidst the political turmoil, military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner issued a statement assuring the public that the 160,000-member Armed Forces of the Philippines would remain impartial, respecting democratic institutions and civilian authority. “We call for calm and resolve,” Brawner stated. “We reiterate our need to stand together against those who will try to break our bonds as Filipinos.” The Vice President is the daughter of Marcos’ predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, whose war on drugs, enforced by police during his time as mayor and later President, resulted in the deaths of thousands, mostly petty drug suspects, prompting investigations by the International Criminal Court as a potential crime against humanity. The former President denied authorizing extrajudicial killings during his crackdown but has offered conflicting accounts. Last month, he admitted to maintaining a “death squad” of gangsters to eliminate other criminals while mayor of Davao City during a Philippine Senate inquiry.

In a letter to his wife, Olga, Václav Havel, playwright and political dissident, wrote, “Hope is a dimension of the spirit. It is not outside us, but within us.” Havel penned this message from a Prague prison, where he was incarcerated from 1979 to 1983 for criticizing his nation's government. Havel's embrace of hope might seem surprising. Following the Prague Spring, a brief period of liberalization, Czechoslovakia returned to Soviet rule. Authorities tightened control over law, media, and culture, leaving Havel to witness it all from a small cell. Many Americans might see parallels between Havel's situation and their own, particularly after a president's reelection. A significant number of Democrats have traded hope for cynicism, believing that most voters are self-serving, prejudiced, and anti-democratic. This is understandable, but not necessarily constructive. Dismissing large groups of Americans fuels undesirable trends. Research indicates that citizens distrustful of their fellow citizens are more likely to support authoritarian leaders who promise protection while eroding freedoms. Donald Trump exploited this, presenting a distorted vision that appealed to many. For example, violent crime has fallen for decades, yet many Americans—particularly those who support Trump—falsely believe it's rising. This misperception favored Trump by over 25 percentage points. This isn't limited to crime; Americans' trust in institutions—education, science, and government—has declined significantly, most sharply among Republicans. The 2024 election showed deep voter cynicism. The outcome might reasonably instill fear about the future. Optimism—believing things will turn out well—might seem absurd given current events. But hope, as Havel understood in his cell, is different: it's the belief that things *could* improve. It acknowledges the future's uncertainty, while affirming the significance of our actions. Hope is often mistakenly seen as naive, privileged, or even harmful—ignoring the world's problems. This is inaccurate. Centuries ago, Thomas Aquinas described hope as striving for challenging goals, hardly effortless. Modern psychologists concur, viewing hope as a defense against despair in difficult times. So, how does hope function, and how can it bring about change? Hope involves three elements: a goal, the desire to achieve it (willpower), and a plan to pursue it (waypower). While optimists wait for a better future, hopeful individuals actively work towards it, often with great effort. This active approach strengthens people's ability to achieve their aims. Following this year's election, hope can be used in two ways. First, it enhances well-being. Studies show hopeful individuals are more resilient during hardship, such as trauma and loss. Hope focuses us on what we can control, fostering agency, peace, purpose, and strength. This isn't simply self-care. Hope has fueled social movements globally. Psychologists have studied collective action, focusing on people's willingness to fight for their beliefs. A key factor is a sense of efficacy—the belief that victory is possible. In other words, hope. One source of hope among activists is the understanding that even when systems are unjust, most people are not. After prison, Havel resumed his activism. He wasn't alone. His group, Charter 77, organized massive protests. Citizens displayed homemade protest signs, risking safety but also demonstrating the movement's popularity. Within years, the regime fell, and Havel became the Czech Republic's first president. Today, too, good citizens abound. While conservative voters are incorrect about crime statistics, both sides misunderstand each other. Research reveals that over 80% of Americans—Democrats and Republicans alike—want more bipartisan cooperation and respect for the rule of law. A large majority support policies protecting the poor and vulnerable. But few know this. Democrats and Republicans overestimate the extremism and hostility of their opponents. Media thrives on outrage, presenting exaggerated and inflammatory images of the "other side." This prevents us from recognizing shared values. Cynicism might feel comforting, but it's a trap that hinders progress. Instead, we should embrace the hard work of hope: acknowledging shared humanity, seeking common ground, and building coalitions that transcend divisions. This isn't naive; it's strategic and necessary. Democrats must build broader coalitions to counter cynical populism. In this, hope isn't just an attitude—it's the strategy.