SEOUL – North Korea will convene two key meetings, including one to review the country’s anti-epidemic policy, in coming weeks, state media said on Monday, as it claims no new COVID-19 cases since late July. The North Korean Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA), the isolated state’s rubber-stamp parliament, will meet on Sept. 7 to discuss laws on medicines, self-guard and space development, according to the official KCNA. ADVERTISEMENTSeparately, North Korea decided to hold a national meeting for emergency anti-epidemic review early August “to confirm the new orientation” in its policy. The COVID meeting comes as North Korea has said last week all of its patients with fever have recovered, marking the end of its first wave of the coronavirus pandemic since its admission of the virus outbreak in mid-May. Space launches have long been a sensitive issue on the Korean peninsula, where North Korea faces international sanctions over its nuclear-armed ballistic missile programme.

RENNES, France — Hopes of saving a malnourished beluga whale that has swum up the Seine river were receding on Sunday, but rescuers said they have ruled out “euthanasia” for now. “He has to be moved in the coming 24-48 hours, these conditions are not good for him,” Sea Shepherd France head Lamya Essemlali told AFP. Specialists held out “little hope” for the visibly underweight whale, Essemlali said. Small spots that were reported on its pale skin on Saturday were likely due to the fresh water, Sea Shepherd said. It is only the second recorded sighting of a beluga in a French river since 1948, when a fisherman in the estuary of the Loire river found one in his nets.

RENNES, France — French authorities were preparing Saturday to give vitamins to a beluga whale that swam way up the Seine river, as they raced to save the malnourished creature, which has so far refused food. The visibly underweight whale was first spotted Tuesday in the river that flows through Paris to the English Channel. On Saturday it had made its way to around 70 kilometers (44 miles) north of the French capital. It is hoped that injecting the animal with vitamins will stimulate its appetite, she said. It is only the second recorded sighting of a beluga in a French river since 1948, when a fisherman in the estuary of the Loire river found one in his nets.

For Bertch Ian Ranis, managing director of Fil-Global Immigration Services Corp., it was a turning point and an eye-opener. Ranis started out in the medical field and initially worked as a registered nurse. Ranis learned the ropes of migration while working in the United Kingdom, where he started Fil-Global which now also operates in the Philippines. "I am proud to say that we are the only ISO-certified immigration services company in the Philippines. Employees of Fil-Global Immigration Services Corp. enjoy a treat courtesy of Ranis.

IF the Marcos government is still looking for sources of funds, it should consider selling the casinos owned and operated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor). It is a government-owned and -controlled corporation that also regulates the gaming industry. And with a private gaming industry thriving in the country, can a regulator ensure a level playing field when it is also a competitor? The entrance of a casino run by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) in Malate, Manila on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILANYears ago, some already suggested the privatization of Pagcor's gaming business based on moral grounds.

Updated 12:02 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022KABUL — A bomb blast in a busy shopping street in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul on Saturday killed at least eight people and injured 22, hospital officials and witnesses said. ADVERTISEMENTThe bomb exploded in a western district of the city where members of the minority Shi’ite Muslim community regularly meet. Islamic State, a Sunni Muslim militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack, the group said on its Telegram channel. On Friday, at least eight people were killed and 18 injured in a blast in Kabul carried out by Islamic State. RELATED STORIESBlast in Kabul, Afghanistan kills 8; Islamic State claims responsibilityBlast kills more than 50 at Kabul mosque, its leader saysBlasts hit Kabul high school, killing at least 6atmSubscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – A regional envoy tasked with brokering peace in Myanmar admitted Saturday that “even Superman cannot solve” the crisis, capping a week of foreign ministerial meetings that ultimately yielded little progress. ASEAN special envoy Prak Sokhonn, who has made two trips to Myanmar since the coup, dampened expectations for major progress in the short term. “I am just a special envoy, I am not a superman,” he told reporters in Phnom Penh Saturday. After two visits of the special envoy, two visits only, some people start to lose patience and ask for results,” he added. The minister flagged a possible third trip to Myanmar in early September — contingent upon progress on the five-point plan.

With his penchant for being flamboyant and dramatic, Cocoy wanted an ultra-spectacular party with non-stop excitement that will stimulate all senses bringing his "wickedly wild party" concept to the fore. The following day, Cocoy invited his friends who could not come on the first day. Alice Samson and Cocoy Cordoba Ricky Davao and Tessa Prieto Cocoy Cordoba Celine BautistaThe second day had ledge dancers and the iconic '80s DJ Jon Tupaz. To sum it up, the second day party was a fabulous and fun filled night. Celine enjoyed this kind of celebration rather than one big party because she is able to talk to all her guests.

Alegarbes took off like a torpedo in ruling the men's 50-meter freestyle S14 race in 25.74 seconds in securing his third straight gold medal, duplicating the feat of female teammate Angel Otom last Thursday, in the stint supported by the Philippine Sports Commission. Fellow newcomer Marco Tinamisan sustained his sweet performance with his second straight gold medal, while Gary Bejino finally scored a breakthrough after two runner-up finishes in capturing his first gold in the swimming competition. Tinamisan bagged the gold in the men's 100-meter freestyle S3 event in a winning time of 1:54.15, while Tokyo Paralympic veteran Bejino ruled the men's 100-meter freestyle S6 race in 1:13.80 to raise the Philippine para swimming team's gold total to 12. At press time, the 11th Asean Para Games official website shows that Malaysia has a tally of 24-13-5. Sander Severino bagged four gold medals in chess — the most by any of the 144 Filipino athletes sent to Sukakarta — to lead the Philippines' campaign.

Youngsters take center stage ahead of the iron-willed men of endurance racing as they clash for top honors in four age-group divisions in the IRONKIDS Philippines reeling off today, August 6, at The Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. The centerpiece 13-14 class drew 54 entries, including 37 boys, in a race set over over 400-m swim, 12-km bike and 3-km run. For details, or visit http://ironkidsphil.com/site/ or social media accounts ironkidsphil on Facebook and Instagram. The relay events will start at 7:20 a.m. with the awards rites set at 8:30 a.m. The IRONKIDS has served as a side event to the IRONMAN series for years with the event not only contributing to the growth of the sport but also ensuring the steady flow of talents.

Banyan Tree Group, a leading multi-branded hospitality group, is expanding in Japan with the introduction of five hotels and resorts. With a multi-branded portfolio of hotels, resorts, spas, galleries, golf and residences, Banyan Tree Group is making its first-ever entry into Japan since its inception in 1994 with an aim to reinforce its stronghold in Asia. Five properties will launch in Japan under the Group’s four brands – the flagship brand Banyan Tree, together with Cassia, Dhawa and Garrya. Three other hotels and resorts will also make their debut from now through 2026; a beautiful ski resort – Cassia Hirafu – will open in 2025 in Niseko, the country’s most popular ski resort destination; Banyan Tree Higashiyama and Banyan Tree Ashinoko Hakone are also set to open in 2024 and 2026 respectively. More can be expected from the Banyan Tree Group in the future as it aims to double its global footprint by 2025 with a promise of signature standard of service and design-led experiences rooted in sustainability and wellbeing.

Folks with “braveness” would put up with these poisonous leaders daily as a result of they wanted work and a wage. Worse, these poisonous leaders drive away promising expertise. Micromanagement kills motivation. Moving into fixed conflicts, preventing with presidents or bosses from different departments kills motivation. Spoiling a whole lot of “Motivational clichés” and jargon kills motivation.

Great tech and gaming deals are coming your way this August! Delightful, tech-citing deals are up for grabs at SM Cyberzone, SM Appliance, and The SM Store Gadgets! Grab the special deals exclusive via the SM Online AppBut if you can't go to any SM Cyberzone branches in the Philippines, there's still a way for you to score these offerings and discounts. For first time shoppers, SM Malls Online is offering a P200 OFF when you use voucher code SMGOESONLINE upon checkout. Download now the SM Malls Online app here - https://click.smmallsonline.com/DFqS/btxb3s1w

Police said on Friday that 13 people were arrested between September last year and May this year for their alleged roles in laundering more than HK$1.4 billion. The arrestees include three core members of the crime syndicate, while the other 10 were arrested on suspicion of lending their bank accounts for money laundering. A police spokesperson said part of the criminal proceedings were swindled from victims in 17 alleged scams, including eight phishing email scams and two investment scams. The force said the syndicate offered payments to the suspects to set up shell corporations or stooge bank accounts and borrowed them to handle the criminal proceedings. Committing money laundering offenses carries a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment and a fine of HK$5 million.

A Russian court on Thursday sentenced US basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison over drug smuggling as US President Joe Biden called the ruling “unacceptable”. (AFP)The court “found the defendant guilty” of smuggling and possessing “a significant amount of narcotics”, judge Anna Sotnikova told a court in the town of Khimki just outside Moscow. “I love my family,” Griner told journalists after the ruling as the six-foot-nine (2.06 metres) athlete was led away by members of Russia’s law enforcement. Griner’s trial accelerated in recent days as the United States and Russia discuss a potential prisoner swap that could involve the basketball star. National Basketball Association and Women’s National Basketball Association leaders said the athlete’s sentence was “unjustified and unfortunate, but not unexpected”.