Latest news with #Freeman
GMA Network
7 hours ago
- Business
- GMA Network
UK urges PH to expand energy options, include renewables
'The Middle East crisis, as it has always done, puts pressure on oil prices, it's inflationary, and it drives costs up for business around the world,' Freeman told a group of journalists in a briefing in Manila. 'If the Philippines has more renewables, it's much more independent and more secure as its supply is more secure.' The United Kingdom is urging the Philippines to diversify its energy options and include renewable sources to reduce its exposure to geopolitical risks such as the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, which has already affected global oil prices. George Freeman, the United Kingdom's trade envoy for the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei, said investing in other energy sources would provide the country protection against external disruptions, such as Russia's war in Ukraine and the raging armed confrontation in the Middle East. 'The Middle East crisis, as it has always done, puts pressure on oil prices, it's inflationary, and it drives costs up for business around the world,' Freeman told a group of journalists in a briefing in Manila. 'If the Philippines has more renewables, it's much more independent and more secure as its supply is more secure.' The shift from oil and coal – the Philippines' main energy sources – to renewables not only brings greater energy independence, but also helps reduce global warming and create job opportunities, Freeman noted. 'Renewable transition is key for economic security and prosperity,' he said. 'If the Philippines generated more of its own electricity from solar, from wind, from geothermal, from tidal. It's much more secure and much less exposed to price volatility internationally. The Ukraine war, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has caused a surge in energy prices, and now the Middle East.' By investing in and attracting investment into these industries, 'you create new jobs and clean jobs,' said Freeman, adding that renewables present 'wonderful opportunities for Filipinos.' Freeman said the UK is eyeing more 'heavy' investment opportunities in clean and renewable energy in the country and that it is committed to bringing its 'expertise here and to help the Philippines' to ensure that it will not be exposed to 'those same geopolitical supply chain risks. 'Renewables create opportunities for Filipinos not to work in coal mines and not to work in dangerous old industries, but to work in clean new industries, and the Philippines develops a clean energy sector,' Freeman said. Asked about U.S. President Donald Trump's imposition of very high tariffs against China and America's security allies worldwide, Freeeman said the effect may be 'too early' to tell. However, he said the UK is determined to keep its 99% tariff-free policy on the Philippines, which he described as Britain's 'close, important ally,' to ensure two-way trade between the two countries would remain robust. Freeman also cited the recent approval of Britain's £5-billion funding facility from UK Export Finance (UKEF) aimed at supporting key infrastructure projects in the Philippines and the 'extra allocation for defense and security' to highlight his country's pledge to bolster ties with Manila. 'We know how important that is. They're real commitments, and they're working today,' he said. –NB, GMA Integrated News
The Advertiser
19 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'Fun and dangerous' Lions ready to lift off in Dublin
Tommy Freeman is adamant the British and Irish Lions' heavyweight three-quarters are ready to give the Australia tour lift off by leaving a lasting impression on Argentina in Dublin. Andy Farrell is fielding the biggest centres and wings he has available in his squad with England try machine Freeman joined by Duhan van der Merwe, Bundee Aki and Australian-born Sione Tuipulotu. All four weigh over 100kg and the muscular midfield partnership of Aki and Tuipulotu in particular is generating excitement ahead of Friday's curtain raiser to the expedition Down Under. Freeman is keen for them to make a statement by going for the jugular against a dangerous Pumas side ranked fifth in the world. "Without giving away too much, hopefully there will be a lot of tries and instinctive playing. It's going to be a lot of fun - and dangerous," Freeman said. "We're not going to be there to set stuff up and go through phases for the sake of going through phases. We want to score off the back of anything we can. "There are threats that players have to offer and we have ball players who can put us into space." The first outing of a 10-fixture itinerary that culminates in a three-Test series against the Wallabies will provide an early indication of the Lions' tactical identity under Farrell. Richard Wigglesworth hinted at the creative prowess of English half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith and their compatriot full-back Marcus Smith when analysing the potential to trouble Argentina. Yet even the tourists' attack coach concedes it is the combination of Aki and Tuipulotu that really captures the imagination. "We've got power, pace and no little skill in between. I'm excited to see the centre partnership as they can play through and around teams. They should create some space for those boys outside," Wigglesworth said. "They can definitely test the gain line, but they've also got really high-level skill with a short passing game and balls out the back." Farrell has lit a fire under those players involved against Argentina by declaring the race for Test places is wide open. Finlay Bealham, Tuipulotu and Mack Hansen are the three Australian-born players ready to make an impression at Lansdowne Road. The challenge facing Freeman and his teammates is to capture the eye of the Lions' head coach with individual performances that will propel them into his thinking against Australia, while also serving the greater cause. "Andy has been really good talking about us impressing each other rather than anyone else outside the picture," Freeman said. "You want to obviously play well for yourself and get yourself selected for these Test matches and doing that on Friday night would help, but at the end of the day you have to play well and do your role for the team. "This week will there will be pressure in the back of your mind and you can't ignore it, but every time you put that shirt on or training gear you want to put your best foot forward and do the best you can for the team and yourself." Tommy Freeman is adamant the British and Irish Lions' heavyweight three-quarters are ready to give the Australia tour lift off by leaving a lasting impression on Argentina in Dublin. Andy Farrell is fielding the biggest centres and wings he has available in his squad with England try machine Freeman joined by Duhan van der Merwe, Bundee Aki and Australian-born Sione Tuipulotu. All four weigh over 100kg and the muscular midfield partnership of Aki and Tuipulotu in particular is generating excitement ahead of Friday's curtain raiser to the expedition Down Under. Freeman is keen for them to make a statement by going for the jugular against a dangerous Pumas side ranked fifth in the world. "Without giving away too much, hopefully there will be a lot of tries and instinctive playing. It's going to be a lot of fun - and dangerous," Freeman said. "We're not going to be there to set stuff up and go through phases for the sake of going through phases. We want to score off the back of anything we can. "There are threats that players have to offer and we have ball players who can put us into space." The first outing of a 10-fixture itinerary that culminates in a three-Test series against the Wallabies will provide an early indication of the Lions' tactical identity under Farrell. Richard Wigglesworth hinted at the creative prowess of English half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith and their compatriot full-back Marcus Smith when analysing the potential to trouble Argentina. Yet even the tourists' attack coach concedes it is the combination of Aki and Tuipulotu that really captures the imagination. "We've got power, pace and no little skill in between. I'm excited to see the centre partnership as they can play through and around teams. They should create some space for those boys outside," Wigglesworth said. "They can definitely test the gain line, but they've also got really high-level skill with a short passing game and balls out the back." Farrell has lit a fire under those players involved against Argentina by declaring the race for Test places is wide open. Finlay Bealham, Tuipulotu and Mack Hansen are the three Australian-born players ready to make an impression at Lansdowne Road. The challenge facing Freeman and his teammates is to capture the eye of the Lions' head coach with individual performances that will propel them into his thinking against Australia, while also serving the greater cause. "Andy has been really good talking about us impressing each other rather than anyone else outside the picture," Freeman said. "You want to obviously play well for yourself and get yourself selected for these Test matches and doing that on Friday night would help, but at the end of the day you have to play well and do your role for the team. "This week will there will be pressure in the back of your mind and you can't ignore it, but every time you put that shirt on or training gear you want to put your best foot forward and do the best you can for the team and yourself." Tommy Freeman is adamant the British and Irish Lions' heavyweight three-quarters are ready to give the Australia tour lift off by leaving a lasting impression on Argentina in Dublin. Andy Farrell is fielding the biggest centres and wings he has available in his squad with England try machine Freeman joined by Duhan van der Merwe, Bundee Aki and Australian-born Sione Tuipulotu. All four weigh over 100kg and the muscular midfield partnership of Aki and Tuipulotu in particular is generating excitement ahead of Friday's curtain raiser to the expedition Down Under. Freeman is keen for them to make a statement by going for the jugular against a dangerous Pumas side ranked fifth in the world. "Without giving away too much, hopefully there will be a lot of tries and instinctive playing. It's going to be a lot of fun - and dangerous," Freeman said. "We're not going to be there to set stuff up and go through phases for the sake of going through phases. We want to score off the back of anything we can. "There are threats that players have to offer and we have ball players who can put us into space." The first outing of a 10-fixture itinerary that culminates in a three-Test series against the Wallabies will provide an early indication of the Lions' tactical identity under Farrell. Richard Wigglesworth hinted at the creative prowess of English half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith and their compatriot full-back Marcus Smith when analysing the potential to trouble Argentina. Yet even the tourists' attack coach concedes it is the combination of Aki and Tuipulotu that really captures the imagination. "We've got power, pace and no little skill in between. I'm excited to see the centre partnership as they can play through and around teams. They should create some space for those boys outside," Wigglesworth said. "They can definitely test the gain line, but they've also got really high-level skill with a short passing game and balls out the back." Farrell has lit a fire under those players involved against Argentina by declaring the race for Test places is wide open. Finlay Bealham, Tuipulotu and Mack Hansen are the three Australian-born players ready to make an impression at Lansdowne Road. The challenge facing Freeman and his teammates is to capture the eye of the Lions' head coach with individual performances that will propel them into his thinking against Australia, while also serving the greater cause. "Andy has been really good talking about us impressing each other rather than anyone else outside the picture," Freeman said. "You want to obviously play well for yourself and get yourself selected for these Test matches and doing that on Friday night would help, but at the end of the day you have to play well and do your role for the team. "This week will there will be pressure in the back of your mind and you can't ignore it, but every time you put that shirt on or training gear you want to put your best foot forward and do the best you can for the team and yourself."
South Wales Argus
21 hours ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Tommy Freeman promises ‘fun and dangerous' Lions approach to Argentina clash
Andy Farrell is fielding the biggest centres and wings he has available in his squad with England try machine Freeman joined by Duhan van der Merwe, Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu. All four weigh over 100kg and the muscular midfield partnership of Aki and Tuipulotu in particular is generating excitement ahead of Friday's curtain raiser to the expedition Down Under. Sione Tuipulotu is a heavyweight option for the British and Irish Lions (John Walton/PA) Freeman is keen for them to make a statement by going for the jugular against a dangerous Pumas side that is ranked fifth in the world. 'Without giving away too much, hopefully there will be a lot of tries and instinctive playing. It's going to be a lot of fun – and dangerous,' Freeman said. 'We're not going to be there to set stuff up and go through phases for the sake of going through phases. We want to score off the back of anything we can. 'There are threats that players have to offer and we have ball players who can put us into space.' The first outing of a 10-fixture itinerary that culminates in a three-Test series against the Wallabies will provide an early indication of the Lions' tactical identity under Farrell. Lions threequarter Tommy Freeman during a training session (Niall Carson/PA) Richard Wigglesworth hinted at the creative prowess of half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith and full-back Marcus Smith when analysing the potential to trouble Argentina, but even the tourists' attack coach concedes it is the combination of Aki and Tuipulotu that really captures the imagination. 'We've got power, pace and no little skill in between. I'm excited to see the centre partnership as they can play through and around teams. They should create some space for those boys outside,' Wigglesworth said. 'They can definitely test the gain line, but they've also got really high-level skill with a short passing game and balls out the back.' Farrell has lit a fire under those players involved against Argentina by declaring the race for Test places is wide open. The challenge facing Freeman and his team-mates is to capture the eye of the Lions head coach with individual performances that will propel them into his thinking against Australia, while also serving the greater cause. 'Andy has been really good talking about us impressing each other rather than anyone else outside the picture,' Freeman said. 'You want to obviously play well for yourself and get yourself selected for these Test matches and doing that on Friday night would help, but at the end of the day you have to play well and do your role for the team. 'This week will there will be pressure in the back of your mind and you can't ignore it, but every time you put that shirt on or training gear you want to put your best foot forward and do the best you can for the team and yourself.'
South Wales Guardian
21 hours ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Tommy Freeman promises ‘fun and dangerous' Lions approach to Argentina clash
Andy Farrell is fielding the biggest centres and wings he has available in his squad with England try machine Freeman joined by Duhan van der Merwe, Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu. All four weigh over 100kg and the muscular midfield partnership of Aki and Tuipulotu in particular is generating excitement ahead of Friday's curtain raiser to the expedition Down Under. Sione Tuipulotu is a heavyweight option for the British and Irish Lions (John Walton/PA) Freeman is keen for them to make a statement by going for the jugular against a dangerous Pumas side that is ranked fifth in the world. 'Without giving away too much, hopefully there will be a lot of tries and instinctive playing. It's going to be a lot of fun – and dangerous,' Freeman said. 'We're not going to be there to set stuff up and go through phases for the sake of going through phases. We want to score off the back of anything we can. 'There are threats that players have to offer and we have ball players who can put us into space.' The first outing of a 10-fixture itinerary that culminates in a three-Test series against the Wallabies will provide an early indication of the Lions' tactical identity under Farrell. Lions threequarter Tommy Freeman during a training session (Niall Carson/PA) Richard Wigglesworth hinted at the creative prowess of half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith and full-back Marcus Smith when analysing the potential to trouble Argentina, but even the tourists' attack coach concedes it is the combination of Aki and Tuipulotu that really captures the imagination. 'We've got power, pace and no little skill in between. I'm excited to see the centre partnership as they can play through and around teams. They should create some space for those boys outside,' Wigglesworth said. 'They can definitely test the gain line, but they've also got really high-level skill with a short passing game and balls out the back.' Farrell has lit a fire under those players involved against Argentina by declaring the race for Test places is wide open. The challenge facing Freeman and his team-mates is to capture the eye of the Lions head coach with individual performances that will propel them into his thinking against Australia, while also serving the greater cause. 'Andy has been really good talking about us impressing each other rather than anyone else outside the picture,' Freeman said. 'You want to obviously play well for yourself and get yourself selected for these Test matches and doing that on Friday night would help, but at the end of the day you have to play well and do your role for the team. 'This week will there will be pressure in the back of your mind and you can't ignore it, but every time you put that shirt on or training gear you want to put your best foot forward and do the best you can for the team and yourself.'
Perth Now
a day ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
'Fun and dangerous' Lions ready to lift off in Dublin
Tommy Freeman is adamant the British and Irish Lions' heavyweight three-quarters are ready to give the Australia tour lift off by leaving a lasting impression on Argentina in Dublin. Andy Farrell is fielding the biggest centres and wings he has available in his squad with England try machine Freeman joined by Duhan van der Merwe, Bundee Aki and Australian-born Sione Tuipulotu. All four weigh over 100kg and the muscular midfield partnership of Aki and Tuipulotu in particular is generating excitement ahead of Friday's curtain raiser to the expedition Down Under. Freeman is keen for them to make a statement by going for the jugular against a dangerous Pumas side ranked fifth in the world. "Without giving away too much, hopefully there will be a lot of tries and instinctive playing. It's going to be a lot of fun - and dangerous," Freeman said. "We're not going to be there to set stuff up and go through phases for the sake of going through phases. We want to score off the back of anything we can. "There are threats that players have to offer and we have ball players who can put us into space." The first outing of a 10-fixture itinerary that culminates in a three-Test series against the Wallabies will provide an early indication of the Lions' tactical identity under Farrell. Richard Wigglesworth hinted at the creative prowess of English half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith and their compatriot full-back Marcus Smith when analysing the potential to trouble Argentina. Yet even the tourists' attack coach concedes it is the combination of Aki and Tuipulotu that really captures the imagination. "We've got power, pace and no little skill in between. I'm excited to see the centre partnership as they can play through and around teams. They should create some space for those boys outside," Wigglesworth said. "They can definitely test the gain line, but they've also got really high-level skill with a short passing game and balls out the back." Farrell has lit a fire under those players involved against Argentina by declaring the race for Test places is wide open. Finlay Bealham, Tuipulotu and Mack Hansen are the three Australian-born players ready to make an impression at Lansdowne Road. The challenge facing Freeman and his teammates is to capture the eye of the Lions' head coach with individual performances that will propel them into his thinking against Australia, while also serving the greater cause. "Andy has been really good talking about us impressing each other rather than anyone else outside the picture," Freeman said. "You want to obviously play well for yourself and get yourself selected for these Test matches and doing that on Friday night would help, but at the end of the day you have to play well and do your role for the team. "This week will there will be pressure in the back of your mind and you can't ignore it, but every time you put that shirt on or training gear you want to put your best foot forward and do the best you can for the team and yourself."
