World of spies

A US diplomat was detained in Moscow following allegations that the American had tried to recruit a Russian intelligence officer to become a “spy.” The American, identified as political section Third Secretary Ryan Fogle, was reportedly disguised in a blond wig (shown in photo) and a baseball cap, and was carrying a large amount of money when arrested by Russian counter-intelligence agents.  The incident came just after US Secretary of State John Kerry visited Moscow ostensibly to discuss relations between the US and Russia as well as the crisis in Syria, with some saying the “spying” incident could set back moves for a new era of cooperation between the erstwhile “Cold War” rivals. 

Members of the intelligence community, however, downplayed the incident, saying more and more countries have stepped up coordination and intelligence cooperation to strengthen the war against terror. Russia itself is engaged in a serious fight against terrorism particularly from Chechen hardliners. If people can recall, the suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing are said to be “religious radicals” from Chechnya. Long before the Boston blasts, Russian intelligence authorities had issued terror warnings to the Federal Bureau of Investigation against slain suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev and his mother.

Advanced technology has also taken the fight against terror to a whole new level, with operatives no longer engaged in simple cloak and dagger operations. Cyberspace has become the new frontier and laptops, cellphones and smart gadgets are now the new tools of the spy trade. 

Incidentally, an inquest into the death of an American working as a technology researcher in Singapore has started. In June last year, Shane Todd was found hanging in his apartment by his Filipina girlfriend, with the death ruled as a suicide by Singapore authorities. Todd’s parents, however, strongly suspect foul play, alleging that their son might have been killed because he was working on a highly confidential project for a government research organization collaborating with controversial Chinese telecommunications technology firm Huawei. The company has been accused of launching cyber espionage for the Chinese government and has been tagged as a serious national security threat by both the US and Australia.

Tourism getting a fresh wave from surfers

Surfing is turning out to be a big tourism draw for the Philippines whose warm seawater makes it perfect for the sport. According to the Philippine Association of Surfers, there are some 10 million active enthusiasts in 56 countries, many of whom are “cash-rich, time-poor” professionals who have made it part of their lifestyle to travel to surfing destinations.  The Philippines has a lot of viable destinations like La Union, Camarines Norte and Cloud 9 in Siargao Island which was dubbed by CNN GO as the 8th top surfing destination in the world.

Tourism Secretary Mon Jimenez avers that surfing is one of the most sustainable sports activities because it is “kind” to the environment – something that surfing groups are banking on to promote the sport here in the country. In fact, the DOT and the Academy of Surfing Instructors of the Philippines have produced a video

telling enthusiasts why they should surf here in the Philippines. Check out this link: http://www.youtube.com/Watch?v=kflf_5y8SXw.

Cold Stone opens in Global City

Arizona-based ice cream chain Cold Stone Creamery is opening its first branch in the Philippines next Thursday at Serendra in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig with no less than US Ambassador Harry Thomas gracing the grand opening.  The American chain has been in existence for over 25 years, famous for serving customized premium products such as ice cream, pies, cakes, smoothies and shakes, among many others.

Last year, high-end ice cream brand Häagen-Dazs ceased its operations in the Philippines (allegedly because of some corrupt Customs personnel), and the presence of Cold Stone will most certainly be welcome to many who have been missing the premium brand, some observers noted.

Readers react

Our Tuesday column on the Bonifacio Global City blockage elicited numerous reactions from readers who admitted they, too, were disgusted with the rerouting, saying they could not understand the logic behind it. Worse, it has caused even more traffic at Bonifacio Global City, our readers said. “These power trippers imbued with hubris are playing with our lives,” one of them commented, saying those people should be given a lesson in humility

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