Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf dies
KUWAIT — Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah died on Saturday aged 86, according to the royal court, just over three years after assuming power in the US-allied Gulf oil producer. ADVERTISEMENTCrown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, 83, who has been Kuwait’s de facto ruler since 2021, when the frail emir handed over most his duties, was named as Sheikh Nawaf’s successor. Since he took over in 2020, Sheikh Nawaf maintained a foreign policy that balanced ties with those neighbours, whilst domestically eight governments were formed under his rule. Analysts and diplomats say that Sheikh Nawaf and his crown prince Sheikh Meshal both appeared to align Kuwait more closely with regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia. Subscribe to our daily newsletter SIGN ME UPEmirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed wrote on X that Sheikh Nawaf had been a wise leader who played a major role in strengthening Kuwait-UAE relations.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 17, 2023 03:19 UTC
LTO announces end of paper licenses with 4 million plastic cards procured
LTO announces end of paper licenses with 4 million plastic cards procuredMANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is saying goodbye to paper licenses, with around four million plastic cards now secured for drivers. LTO Chief Vigor Mendoza announced this on Saturday as a strategic move aimed at enhancing efficiency and streamlining the agency's operations. (We would like to announce to our clients, to the Filipino people that there's no more paper licenses. The LTO chief said the secured plastic cards would effectively address the existing backlog in driver’s licenses, catering to both pending applications and daily renewal requirements. If the Court of Appeals sides with the OSG petition, the LTO expects an extra 3.3 million plastic cards alongside the scheduled delivery of four million cards next month.
Source:Philippine Star
December 17, 2023 02:34 UTC
Shipping firms suspend Red Sea traffic
DUBAI: Two of the world's largest shipping firms, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, said on Friday they were suspending passage through a Red Sea strait vital for global commerce after Yemeni rebel attacks in the area. German transport company Hapag-Lloyd said it was halting Red Sea container ship traffic until December 18 after the Houthis attacked one of its vessels. "Hapag-Lloyd is interrupting all container ship traffic across the Red Sea until Monday," the company said in a statement sent to Agence France-Presse (AFP). Iran's Defense Minister Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani warned on Wednesday against the possible deployment of multinational forces in the Red Sea, which he said would lead to "extraordinary problems," the ISNA news agency said. The area leads to the Red Sea, Israel's southern port facilities and the Suez Canal, making it part of a strategic route for Gulf oil and natural gas shipments.
Source:Manila Times
December 17, 2023 02:31 UTC
Cold weather expected for tonight and tomorrow morning
Cold weather is expected in Hong Kong tonight and tomorrow morning as the observatory issued this year’s first Cold Weather Warning on Saturday. Under the influence of the winter monsoon, the minimum temperature tonight and tomorrow morning will be about 12 degrees Celsius in the urban areas, and a couple of degrees lower in the New Territories. The weather will be mainly cloudy and cold with one or two light rain patches. The temperature felt by the body will be lower than the actual air temperature. They should not light fires indoors as a means to keep warm.
Source:The Standard
December 16, 2023 21:46 UTC
Three Gaza hostages killed by mistake
TEL AVIV, Israel: Israel on Saturday mourned the deaths of three Gaza hostages killed when troops mistook them for a threat, with the military expressing remorse over a "tragic" incident that sparked protests in the western city of Tel Aviv. "During combat in Shejaiya, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) mistakenly identified three Israeli hostages as a threat and, as a result, fired toward them and the hostages were killed," IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said. "All of Israel is grieving their loss," he said, while the White House called the incident a "tragic mistake." 'More careful'But the hostages' deaths have heightened already fierce scrutiny of how Israel is conducting its ground and air assault on Gaza. Since the war began, a trickle of aid has been squeezed into Gaza through the Rafah crossing with Egypt.
Source:Manila Times
December 16, 2023 16:28 UTC
Freezing temperatures in China trigger alert
BEIJING: China on Saturday issued a low-temperature alert, warning that the mercury could drop to historic lows in some areas of the East Asian country, a day after President Xi Jinping urged "all-out efforts" to ensure safety. LET IT SNOW A snow-covered section of the Great Wall of China at Shuiguan, north of the capital Beijing, is seen after snow fell overnight on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. The country's meteorological authorities on Saturday morning issued a low-temperature warning that forecasted a cold wave across "the greater part" of China that will last until Tuesday. Facing "high disaster risks" posed by the impending cold spell, "Xi said close attention must be paid to the disaster prevention and relief work," Xinhua reported. The freezing temperatures follow a summer of record heat and devastating flooding in northern China, as climate experts warn of an increased risk of extreme weather caused by global warming.
Source:Manila Times
December 16, 2023 16:28 UTC
Beautifully Broken
Beautifully BrokenI am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. Digging up broken shards of pottery, we felt as though we were touching history. After an extended time, we were led to a workstation where those broken pieces — from huge vases shattered long, long ago — were being put back together. Those artisans reconstructing centuries-old broken pottery were a beautiful representation of the God who loves to fix broken things. The song describes him as being broken down by danger, enemies, and despair.
Source:Philippine Star
December 16, 2023 16:01 UTC
Sara Duterte takes on 'caretaker' duty as Marcos heads to Japan
Sara Duterte takes on 'caretaker' duty as Marcos heads to JapanVice President Sara Duterte gives a speech during the Philippine Councilors League-Iloilo Chapter year-end assembly at SMX, Davao City. MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte steps in as a "caretaker" while President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. attends the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo. "The Vice President will discharge her duties and will preside as Chairperson of the Executive Committee meetings in Davao City during the official travel abroad of President Marcos from December 15 to 18," said the Office of the Vice President in a statement this Saturday. "She will hold office in DepEd NEAP Davao and OVP Davao Satellite office." Marcos left for Japan last Friday for the three-day summit, a meeting which will commemorate the "50 years of friendship and cooperation" between the ASEAN region and the north Asian country.
Source:Philippine Star
December 16, 2023 15:34 UTC
WATCH: Japanese PM Kishida, wife welcome Marcoses
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Mrs. Yuko Kishida welcome President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos at the Akasaka Palace Moto-Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo during the reception at the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-Japan Friendship and Cooperation on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. Video by PPA PoolGet 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
Source:Manila Times
December 16, 2023 15:08 UTC
Ocean Park celebrates world’s first successful artificial insemination of cownose ray
Dr Lee Foo Khong from Ocean Park Hong Kong. Mr Lell Luk from Ocean Park Hong Kong. Previous NextOcean Park Hong Kong brought forth a delightful female cownose ray (viviparous ray) into the world through the world’s first successful artificial insemination (AI) procedure this April. Ocean Park said the breeding program for cownose rays holds immense significance, given the challenges to the oceans and the growing threats to aquatic biodiversity. Ocean Park is also mulling to extend the breeding programs to other elasmobranchs.
Source:The Standard
December 16, 2023 11:12 UTC
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort collaborates with Make-A-Wish® to fulfill children’s dream
Teamed up with Make-A-Wish®, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) hosted Summer Snow Day Wishes celebration at the immersive new land World of Frozen today. They are among the approximately 130 guests traveling from local Make-A-Wish affiliates from Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines and Taiwan. For the first time ever, we are granting wishes from the Southeast Asia region at Hong Kong Disneyland,” said Dr Kevin Lau, Board Director of Make-A-Wish International. To grant wishes and make lifelong memories for Wish children living with critical illnesses and their families, HKDL will keep working with Make-A-Wish Hong Kong and other Make-A-Wish International affiliates. HKDL intends to contribute a total of HK$600,000 to the development of Make-A-Wish Hong Kong, including proceeds from the resort's recent "Wish Upon A Chocolate Cake" charity sales.
Source:The Standard
December 15, 2023 21:49 UTC
Toyota, TeaM Energy ink retail supply deal
TOYOTA Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) has signed a retail supply contract with TeaM Energy Corp. to provide power for its manufacturing plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna beginning December 26. Together with an existing 1.46-megawatt rooftop solar power system, the deal will allow TMP to achieve 100 percent renewable energy (RE) ratio. "This energy transition will neutralize TMP's Scope 2 Emissions, particularly the indirect carbon dioxide emissions from purchased electricity for manufacturing operations," TMP President Atsuhiro Okamoto said in a statement. In June 2022, Okamoto said the company planned to make its Santa Rosa production plant carbon-neutral by 2035. TMP created a carbon neutrality roadmap in 2021 under the pillars of renewable energy use and energy efficiency, which local dealers and suppliers supported.
Source:Manila Times
December 15, 2023 16:45 UTC
Festive gifts to keep beyond the holiday
COS introduces a curated edit of gifts for the holiday season and beyond. Seasonal red tones and metallic shine finishes blend seamlessly with winter neutrals and playful prints. Seasonal red tones and metallic shine finishes blend seamlessly with winter neutrals and playful prints. Soft winter jumpers, scarves and hats feature Good Cashmere Standard or recycled cashmere fibres alongside RWS wool and RMS Mohair styles. COS' festive gift edit is available now in stores and online globally.
Source:Manila Times
December 15, 2023 16:31 UTC
Duterte absent again at second preliminary probe on grave threat raps
Duterte absent again at second preliminary probe on grave threat rapsPresident Rodrigo Roa Duterte updates the nation on the government's efforts in addressing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on March 30, 2020. MANILA, Philippines — Former President Rodrigo Duterte once again missed the preliminary investigation into the grave threats complaint lodged against him by Rep. France Castro (ACT-Teachers). (Former President Duterte didn't arrive again. (Former President Duterte might have previously made those threats and disrespectful remarks, including red-tagging, in a casual or jesting manner. In his counter-affidavit, Duterte denied Castro’s accusations of grave threats, saying that he was only recounting a conversation with his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.
Source:Philippine Star
December 15, 2023 16:02 UTC
Philippines to study charter change for investment push — Marcos
Philippines to study charter change for investment push — MarcosThe National Economic and Development Authority Board, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., approves on Dec. 14, 2023 four high-impact projects, plans and policies crucial to the country’s social and economic transformation. MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos said Friday he has ordered a study on whether the country's constitution needed to be revised to draw more foreign investment. Guided by economic provisions from the constitution, Philippine law outrightly bans foreign equity in mass media and small-scale retail trade. "My primary interest is to try and make our country an investment-friendly place," Marcos said Friday, adding the study was at an early stage. House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez -- the president's cousin -- has separately said he would push for changes to the economic provisions of the constitution next year.
Source:Philippine Star
December 15, 2023 15:59 UTC