Japan PM unveils $113-B stimulus
"For the first time in 30 years, we are facing a great opportunity to move to a new economic stage," he added. Japan was for decades beset by deflation but like other economies around the world, prices have risen since the Ukraine war began in February 2022. A weaker yen, meanwhile, while welcome news to Japanese exporters, makes imports pricier and stokes inflation for households. But its stance has added to pressure on the yen, one of the world's worst-performing major currencies in 2023. "I don't think [the stimulus] is going to change much...
Source:Manila Times
November 03, 2023 11:44 UTC
US manufacturing shrinks in October
WASHINGTON, D.C.: US manufacturing activity contracted in October by more than analysts had expected as new orders fell sharply, survey data showed on Wednesday. The Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) manufacturing index came in worse than expected at 46.7 percent last month, down from 49.0 percent in September. "The US manufacturing sector continued to contract and at a faster rate in October," ISM survey chief Timothy Fiore said in a statement. Of the five subindexes that directly factor into the manufacturing index, only the production index was expanding, he said. He added that recent Chinese manufacturing data indicates the US may also benefit from a modest boost from external demand.
Source:Manila Times
November 03, 2023 11:44 UTC
Philippines does not need Chinese permission to operate at Bajo de Masinloc — DFA
Philippines does not need Chinese permission to operate at Bajo de Masinloc — DFAThe Chinese Coast Guard has installed a floating barrier in the southern portion of Bajo de Masinloc, a traditional fishing ground off the coast of Zambales. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines does not need to seek approval from another country to operate in its territorial sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Thursday. “There is no obligation for the Philippines as the sovereign state to seek the approval of another when navigating its own territorial sea,” the statement added. Citing international law, the DFA has urged Beijing to withdraw its vessels from the West Philippine Sea. Despite the 2016 arbitral ruling favoring the Philippines, China does not acknowledge Philippine sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea and its EEZ.
Source:Philippine Star
November 03, 2023 05:52 UTC
Huge 'blobs' inside Earth are from another planet – study
The leading theory is that the Moon was created 4.5 billion years ago when a would-be planet the size of Mars smashed into the still-forming Earth. A video developed by the team simulating this process illustrates how clumps of Theia's mantle tens of kilometers wide swirled inside Earth. Over the years it accumulated into two separate blobs — officially called large low-velocity provinces (LLVPs) — that are now each larger than the Moon, Yuan said. Earth remains the only planet in the universe known to be capable of supporting life. Theia "left something in the Earth — and that played a role in Earth's subsequent 4.5 billion years of evolution," Yuan said.
Source:Manila Times
November 02, 2023 22:05 UTC
Lawmaker questions telco’s P50 late payment penalty
Lawmaker questions telco’s P50 late payment penaltyBroken down, the Speed Score takes into account 80% of the download speed while the remaining 20% is based on a telco operator's upload speed, as Ookla clarified surfing the Internet is typically "more affected" by the former. MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker has urged a telecommunications giant to reconsider its new policy of charging customers P50 for late payments, stressing that internet and mobile communications are now considered essential services for Filipinos. Mobile and internet services are “no longer a luxury but a necessity in this day and age,” the lawmaker stressed. The lawmaker also scored the telecom giant for imposing penalties on late payments even as its services allegedly remain unstable. However, if a subscriber is a bit late with their payment, there's an immediate penalty," Castro said in Filipino.
Source:Philippine Star
November 02, 2023 20:54 UTC
China cremates 'people's' premier, lowers national flag amidst outpouring of grief
(Xinhua) Previous NextChina lowered the national flag Beijing's Tiananmen Square on Thursday amid an outpouring of online grief as the country cremated Li Keqiang, known as "the people's premier" for his down-to-earth, hands-on leadership. Messages for the late premier flooded social media platforms as Chinese citizens mourned his death. "It can be said that he has made a great contribution to people's lives, to the improvement of living standards. Some businesses such as international coffee chain Starbucks turned their app interface black and white in mourning for Li. Photographs of Li were shared on Weibo by Xinhua news agency, including those of him with Xi, Hu and former leader Jiang Zemin.
Source:The Standard
November 02, 2023 20:42 UTC
Over 90pc mothers play vital role in taking care of health of three generations: survey
According to a survey on women's living habits conducted by an insurance firm, 92 percent of mothers agreed that they play an indispensable role in taking care of the health of family members across three generations. However, the mothers largely overlooked their health as nearly half do not have regular health check-ups for themselves. FWD Hong Kong commissioned ESDlife to conduct the survey, with 301 women were interviewed through the online questionnaire in September. The result shows that 92 percent of respondents believe they are vital in "taking care of the health of three generations." Despite the respondents agreeing that strong personal health is necessary for caring for the health of three generations, there needs to be more action to enhance their health awareness.
Source:The Standard
November 02, 2023 17:47 UTC
Texas Rangers capture first World Series title
(UPDATE) LOS ANGELES: The Texas Rangers captured the World Series for the first time in the team's 63-year history on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), defeating Arizona 5-0 to complete a historic playoff championship run. AT LONG LAST The Texas Rangers celebrate after beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-0 in Game 5 to win the World Series at Chase Field on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, in Phoenix, Arizona. The D-backs suffered their first World Series defeat, having won the 2001 crown in their only prior appearance. Bochy gets fourth titleBruce Bochy, who came out of retirement last year to manage the Rangers, won his fourth World Series title at age 68 after three with San Francisco. The Rangers had missed the playoffs in six consecutive losing seasons before this year's title run.
Source:Manila Times
November 02, 2023 15:44 UTC
WATCH: Fire hits ship off Sorsogon
Fire breaks out from MV Ken off Castilla in Sorsogon shortly before noon on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it has coordinated with the Philippine Navy (PN) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for joint search and rescue (SAR) and firefighting operations. The ship is owned and operated by Pherwin Shipping Corp. at Milaor in Camarines Sur. No other details are available as of posting time. Video courtesy of the Philippine Coast Guard
Source:Manila Times
November 02, 2023 13:30 UTC
LIVE updates: Undas 2023
LIVE updates: Undas 2023Civilian volunteers inspect lighted candles over the graves of fallen soldiers at the heroes' cemetery in Manila on October 31, 2023, a day before people head to cemeteries for All Saints Day in the annual remembrance of loved ones. MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos are observing Undas on November 1 and 2. November 1 (All Saints’ Day) and November 2 (All Souls’ Day) have been declared holidays through Proclamation No. Large crowds are expected to visit their departed loved ones in various cemeteries and several are also expected to return to their homes in provinces. Bookmark this live blog for the latest updates on Undas in various cemeteries and traffic information.
Source:Philippine Star
November 02, 2023 11:51 UTC
Japan to give Philippines free military equipment
Japan to give Philippines free military equipmentFILE - This March 11, 2022 photo shows the Philippine Coast Guard's new flagship vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) upon its arrival in Manila. MANILA, Philippines — The Japanese government will give Philippines free defense equipment, Japanese government said. According to multiple reports, Japan will give small patrol boats and radars to the Philippines as a part of its Government Security Capacity Development Assistance (OSA) program to keep China in check in the West Philippine Sea. The OSA program aims to enhance the military capabilities of similar nations through defense equipment provision and infrastructure development promotion. The ODA is a program that seeks to help developing countries with supplies, civil engineering and other assistance.
Source:Philippine Star
November 02, 2023 11:49 UTC
6.1-magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia’s Timor island – USGS
Kupang, Indonesia — A 6.1-magnitude quake hit the eastern Indonesia island of Timor on Thursday, shaking the provincial capital and forcing residents to run outside, US seismologists said. The quake struck at a depth of 36.1 kilometers (22.5 miles) on the west of Timor Island near the city of Kupang, according to the US Geological Survey. ADVERTISEMENTIndonesia’s geophysics agency, or BMKG, said the quake had a higher magnitude of 6.6. Debris had fallen from buildings in the city and some residents were forced to evacuate their homes. In November last year, a 5.6-magnitude quake hit the populous West Java province on the country’s main island of Java, killing 602 people.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 02, 2023 11:32 UTC
MTR offers 30 pc off discount to Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau
The MTR Corporation provides a 30 percent fare discount for traveling to Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau Stations following the lift of the health declaration requirement from the mainland. The discount applies to journeys departing from 26 designated stations to the border stations after 9am, and will be available until February 29 next year. Passengers have to redeem the offer at a digital service kiosk with their Octopus card before entering the gate on the same day. The designated MTR stations included Sha Tin, Tai Wai, Tai Wo, Tai Po Market, Prince Edward, Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, Jordan, Tsim Sha Tsui, East Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok East, Lam Tin, Kwun Tong, Ngau Tau Kok, Kowloon Bay, Choi Hung, Diamond Hill, Wong Tai Sin, Lok Fu, Kowloon Tong, Yau Tong, Tiu Keng Leng, Tseung Kwan O, Hang Hau, Po Lam and LOHAS Park.
Source:The Standard
November 02, 2023 00:03 UTC
PH jail congestion so bad it now needs a summit
The answers may not be as simple or obvious as you think, hence the need for a National Jail Congestion Summit. The JSCC is composed of the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. READ: Gov’t starts jail decongestion; new city jails chief namedADVERTISEMENTREAD: PCIJ audit finds PH prison system gaps: Congestion, kids in jailAccording to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, agencies in the justice sector will work on establishing new policies and initiatives to expedite the processing of criminal cases and alleviate jail congestion. These will be the bases in formulating policies that shall enhance jail management and ensure the humane safekeeping of PDLs. Earlier, Gesmundo also assured PDLs that the Supreme Court would examine the “compassionate interpretation” of Republic Act No.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 01, 2023 23:12 UTC
A figure of speech that can subvert reason and logic
If so, then the speakers must have been using chiasmus, a figure of speech that surpasses all the other rhetorical devices in its power to demolish our built-in defenses and arouse our emotions. Or did he become so good at coining chiasmus because his wealth had allowed him the leisure to craft it? By now you must have already discovered for yourself that chiasmus reverses the order of words in two parallel phrases. The parallel word reversals arouse our senses, disarming us so we readily accept their claim as truthful. You can follow me on Facebook and Twitter and e-mail me at [email protected].
Source:Manila Times
November 01, 2023 18:14 UTC