SHANGHAI, May 8, 2024 PRNewswire -- The seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE), hailed as an access point for global companies looking to expand their presence in the Chinese market, is scheduled to take place this November in Shanghai. MNCs see fruitful results at past CIIEsOver the years, companies from 173 countries and regions have made appearances at the CIIE and carried out tentative transactions worth $424.23 billion. AdvertisementLast year, the expo saw the participation of over 230 US companies, including major companies such as Ford, Tesla, and Johnson & Johnson, making it the largest US delegation in history. In addition to the Business Exhibition, 72 countries and international organizations wowed visitors with their scientific and technological achievements, culture and art at the Country Exhibition of the sixth CIIE in 2023. AdvertisementThe first list of exhibitors of the seventh CIIE, including 252 companies and institutions specializing in food, automobiles, green energy, artificial intelligence, chemicals, electronic components, consumer goods and other fields, has been officially released.

BEIJING, May 8, 2024 PRNewswire -- Baidu, Inc. ("Baidu" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: BIDU; HKEX: 9888 (HKD Counter) and 89888 (RMB Counter)), a leading AI company with strong Internet foundation, today announced that it will hold its annual general meeting of shareholders (the "AGM") at Baidu Campus, No. 10, Shangdi 10th Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, People's Republic of China on June 26, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. (BeijingHong Kong time). Holders of record of the Company's Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares as of the Shares Record Date are entitled to receive notice of and attend the AGM and any adjourned meeting thereof. Baidu is a leading AI company with strong Internet foundation, trading on Nasdaq under "BIDU" and HKEX under "9888". One Baidu ADS represents eight Class A ordinary shares.

A male secondary school teacher was arrested on suspicion of soliciting prostitution while participating in a mainland study tour sponsored by the Education Bureau, according to rumours circulating online. The bureau said it dealt with the case seriously and asked the teacher and the school where he teaches to submit a report. At the same time, the Education Bureau reiterated its commitment to comprehensively review the relevant information and will not make further comments at this stage, ensuring a fair and thorough investigation. A netizen posted on the online discussion forum "LIHKG" on Saturday (May 11) that a male teacher from a secondary school in Tin Shui Wai was arrested on suspicion of soliciting prostitution while participating in a study tour to the mainland. According to the "Training Calendar System" of the Education Bureau, it was found that the bureau held a "Mainland Study Tours for Newly-joined Teachers" on May 8 (Wed) and visited Wuhan for four days.

Former Senator Leila de Lima on Monday said Marcos’ move to create a human rights body is a correct move, and shows the intention of the administration to prioritize the protection of Filipinos’ rights. READ: Marcos creates special committee for human rights protection in PH“BBM’s creation of a human rights coordinating body is a step in the right direction. Feedback, consultation from the CHR“However, the body should institutionalize feedback and consultation from the CHR and human rights NGOs so as not to become an echo chamber of government propaganda of its human rights record. 22 creating a so-called inter-agency “super body” which will require government agencies to boost and promote universal human rights protection. 22 will allow for a better coordination between stakeholders in the human rights sector.

MANILA, Philippines — Over 4,200 new contractual jobs have been created for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Monday. The 4Ps program is the government’s flagship anti-poverty program, implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). ADVERTISEMENTREAD: DSWD to work on adjustment of 4Ps grants“Supporting the 4Ps is crucial in inclusive development, empowering families, and breaking the cycle of poverty in the Philippines,” DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said in a statement. READ: DBM supports salary increase for gov’t workers; study underwayAccording to the DBM, the jobs created are Project Development Officers II. “The Project Development Officer II contractual positions were created to augment the existing staff of the DSWD to manage their workload better, aiming for a caseload of one case manager for every 300 households,” said the DBM.

MANILA, Philippines — The return to the old school calendar that begins in June may come sooner after the Department of Education (DepEd) announced plans to open school year 2024-2025 on July 29 and end it on March 31 next year. This will pave the way for the June opening of the 2025-2026 school year, and also a marked acceleration of the DepEd timetable. ADVERTISEMENTLast February, DepEd announced the gradual return of the old calendar. READ: June opening possible with shorter school calendar, says teacher’s groupThus, this “aggressive shift” to the old school calendar will mean that this coming school year will just have 163 days, short of the usual 180 days. She also revealed that there was actually no law that sets a minimum number of school days, although Republic Act No.

DFA probes ‘illegal’ activities by diplomatsMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday it would investigate alleged illegal activities by foreign diplomats, following calls to probe China’s possible violation of Philippine laws over a phone call recording. “The Department of Foreign Affairs will look into any reports of illegal and unlawful activities by diplomatic officials, and undertake necessary action in line with existing laws and regulations,” the DFA said. “Foreign diplomats accredited to the Philippines are accorded the necessary liberties to conduct their diplomatic duties, with the expectation that they, in turn, will conduct their diplomatic activities with the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, in pursuit of common interests and mutually beneficial outcomes,” the DFA said. The DFA earlier said the Philippines had not made any agreements with China concerning the Ayungin Shoal. Relations between Manila and Beijing have deteriorated following incidents involving Philippine and Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea, including collisions and the firing of water cannons.

First Best Outside Spiker Sisi Rondina remains faithful that the Choco Mucho Flying Titans will finally win their first championship in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL). In their second finals appearance, Rondina and the Flying Titans fell short anew in capturing the crown, yielding to the Creamline Cool Smashers in Game 2 of their 2024 All-Filipino Conference championship series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on May 12. Video by Niel Victor MasoyGet the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Discover what’s next for retail at 30th NRCEMANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Retailers Association is set to deliver an unparalleled series of sessions to equip retailers with the tools to maximize available avenues and trends to meet the evolving needs and desires of consumers at the 30th National Retail Conference and Expo (NRCE) with the theme “Retail Today, Empowering Tomorrow” on Aug. 29 to 30 at the SMX Convention Center Manila. Diverse businesses are emerging across various platforms and channels, introducing new formats tailored to meet the needs of consumers across different age groups. As we usher in a new era of retail, the PRA ensures that retailers stay ahead of the curve with a robust arsenal of strategies to propel their businesses forward. Anticipated with great excitement, this forward-thinking session will delve into the dynamic intersection of youth culture, technology, and consumer behavior, shaping the future of retail. Secure your seats now at http://www.nrce-ph.com or call the PRA Executive Secretariat at 8687-4180 to 81.

Modi remains popular across much of India, and his Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is widely expected to win the poll when it concludes early next month. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence from the United Kingdom in 1947. But voters are expected to back one of two established Kashmiri political parties calling for the Modi government's changes to be reversed. More than 968 million people are eligible to vote in India's election, with the final round of polling on June 1 and results expected three days later. Analysts have blamed widespread expectations that Modi will easily win a third term and hotter-than-average temperatures heading into the summer.

Aragones, who has led Catalonia for three years, said his party would not back the Socialists, telling them to call on hardline separatist party Junts instead. The fruits of that more conciliatory approach were reflected in Sunday night's good result for the Socialists, while the ERC lost significant support. Now, it must decide whether to remain firm in rejecting the Socialists' overtures to support it to form a government, potentially forcing a fresh vote. The more hardline separatist Junts party has also backed the minority Socialist national government. Cristina Monge, an independent political analyst, said the continued support of the ERC and Junts was crucial for the stability of Spain's national government.

The DHSUD and DENR-LMB will also coordinate with the local government units (LGUs) regarding the inventory of lands, in accordance with Republic Act No. 7279, or the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992. ADVERTISEMENTAO 21 is also based on RA 11201 (the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Act of 2019), which mandates the DHSUD, DENR and DAR to jointly identify government lands suitable for housing and rural development. Your subscription has been successful. Subscribe to our daily newsletter SIGN ME UP“This order is a big deal for our poor countrymen, who are always on the mind of our beloved President,” he also said.

The first-ever ethnic minority female driver in the city's bus industry encouraged others on Mother's Day to be brave enough to pursue their dreams by breaking the convention. However, there is a trend of ethnic minorities and women joining the industry, creating a harmonious working environment. Farzana is the first female ethnic minority to serve as a bus captain at CityBus. She is also a professional bus captain, responsible for the safety and comfort of thousands of passengers. She decided to join CityBus after seeing a female bus captain driving the double-decker bus and thought that she could also do the same.

MANILA, Philippines — The controversial National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) welcomed on Sunday the Supreme Court’s landmark decision recognizing red-tagging as a real threat to the lives and civil liberties of Filipinos. In a statement over the weekend, the NTF-Elcac, which has been blamed for the harassment of activists since its creation in 2018, cited a part of the SC ruling that granted a writ of amparo to former Bayan Muna Rep. Siegfred Deduro. Torres, a retired major general who was once at the forefront of the army’s counter-insurgency operations, graduated from the Philippine Military Academy a year ahead of Vinoya, who has not made a statement about the SC decision. Abolition movesTorres made the remarks in an apparent bid to deflect demands that the NTF-Elcac be abolished or defunded because of allegations of repeated violations of democratic freedoms. ADVERTISEMENTIn its decision, however, the SC cautioned judges against making summary judgments without ventilating the concerns of both the petitioner and respondent, as required by judicial rules on the writ of amparo.

IN an exciting development for the Philippine ready-to-drink market, Jack Daniel's and Coca-Cola launched the Jack Daniel's and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar alcoholic ready-to-drink (ARTD) beverage this May. This innovation continues the legacy of the cherished popular whiskey and soda cocktail, now using Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, packed for convenience and enjoyment. This new option meets the demand, reinforcing our dedication to innovation and satisfaction in the company's partnership with Jack Daniel's," he said. This year, we are letting the fans of the drink enjoy Jack Daniel's with Coca-Cola Zero Sugar. Visit http://www.coca-cola.com.ph or follow the Jack Daniel's and Coca-Cola official Facebook page for more information.