Indiana governor latest official to visit Taiwan amid China tensions
TAIPEI — The governor of Indiana arrived in Taipei on Sunday, becoming the latest U.S. official to visit Taiwan and defying pressure from China for such trips not to happen. Governor Eric Holcomb tweeted that he would also be visiting South Korea, while Taiwan’s presidential office said he would meet President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday morning. “I’m energized to spend this week building new relationships, reinforcing long time ones and strengthening key sector partnerships with Taiwan and South Korea,” Holcomb tweeted. He termed his visit to Taiwan and South Korea an “economic development trip”, saying he was the first U.S. governor to come to Taiwan since the COVID-19 pandemic began more than two years ago. “Our delegation will spend this week meeting with government officials, business leaders and academic institutions to further strengthen Indiana’s economic, academic and cultural connections with Taiwan and South Korea,” Holcomb tweeted.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
August 22, 2022 08:24 UTC
RCEP preferential tariffs up for grabs
Trade Assistant Secretary Allan Gepty PNA FILE PHOTOTHE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is urging exporters to review and comply with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership's (RCEP) rules of origin (ROO) to avail of preferential tariff treatment. "It is a must that you comply with the rules and the requirements before any exporter or importer can avail of the preferential tariff arrangement," the DTI official added. The first category includes goods wholly obtained or produced in an RCEP party. Since all ingredients come from RCEP parties, the product meets ROO's "produced entirely in a party" criteria. He added that the exporters should prove compliance by obtaining proof of origin from the respective issuing authority to claim preferential tariff.
Source:Manila Times
August 22, 2022 04:23 UTC
Somali forces end 30-hour hotel siege, army officer says
MOGADISHU — Somali forces have ended a siege at a hotel in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, an army officer told Reuters on Sunday, adding that they were still clearing explosives scattered around the building. ADVERTISEMENT“We are still investigating the explosions of many plastic bags that have been scattered around the hotel,” said Mohamed Ali, a military officer at the scene. The al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group claimed responsibility for the attack. Al Shabaab has been fighting to topple the Somali government for more than 10 years. RELATED STORIESAt least 12 killed as Somalia hotel siege enters second dayAl-Shabaab gunmen attack Mogadishu hotel, casualties reportedADVERTISEMENTDeath toll in Somalia hotel blast rises to 26, police sayIslamic extremist attack on Somali hotel leaves 26 deadRead Next
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
August 21, 2022 18:28 UTC
At least 12 killed as Somalia hotel siege enters second day
Somalia’s al Shabaab insurgents claimed responsibility. As the siege entered its second day on Saturday evening, authorities had secured 95% of the building, the state broadcaster Somali National Television said. The al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group claimed responsibility for the attack, according to a translation by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist group statements. Al Shabaab has been fighting to topple the Somali government for more than 10 years. RELATED STORIESAl-Shabaab gunmen attack Mogadishu hotel, casualties reportedDeath toll in Somalia hotel blast rises to 26, police sayIslamic extremist attack on Somali hotel leaves 26 deadExtremist gunmen storm hotel in Somali capital, 11 killedRead Next
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
August 21, 2022 08:14 UTC
ABS-CBN taps Sun Life as insurance provider for Star Magic Games
THE country's most popular celebrities thrilled fans as they showcased their athletic prowess in the Star Magic Games, the sports event organized by ABS-CBN's talent management division, which was held recently at the Araneta Coliseum. To further ensure that they can confidently participate in the games, Star Magic teamed up with Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) Inc. to provide celebrities with free life insurance protection through Life Armor, a digital life insurance product with coverage against accidents and illnesses. "We thank Star Magic for the chance to support their stars, and we also congratulate the players and organizers for a great turnout in this year's games." The collaboration with Star Magic Games aligns with Sun Life's current campaign "Partner in Health," which rallies Filipinos to secure their health. To know more about Sun Life's health protection plans, connect with a Sun Life advisor via http://www.sunlife.co/TalkToAnAdvisor.
Source:Manila Times
August 21, 2022 02:11 UTC
Another isolation facility back online as HK sees 6,389 Covid infections
Hong Kong reported 6,389 new Covid infections on Saturday, while health authorities have opened another community isolation facility in Kai Tak in the face of mounting cases. He continued that the Health Bureau has also opened the community isolation facility in Kai Tak in case more and more cases are reported. On another note, Au appealed to students, teachers, and workers of elderly homes to undergo RAT every day. Public hospitals and treatment facilities are now housing 1,904 Covid patients. In the past 24 hours, 256 patients have recovered from Covid, and 211 of them have been discharged.
Source:The Standard
August 20, 2022 22:06 UTC
Boy remanded in custody over fatal fire in Lok Fu Estate
An 11-year-old boy has been remanded in custody after he was arrested for arson on Thursday in Lok Fu, as he suspectedly started a fire when playing with incense sticks in the corridor, which caused the death of a 66-year-old woman. The tragedy occurred on Thursday afternoon on 3/F of Lok Tung House in Lok Fu Estate as the boy was playing with the incense sticks, which accidentally set fire to the curtain on the neighbor's door. The boy was arrested that day by police for arson and is still in custody. Another neighbor – a woman surnamed Wong – said she didn't know how the fire started. She recalled she was sleeping in her room and found smoke filling her unit after her daughter smelt of burning.
Source:The Standard
August 20, 2022 20:33 UTC
Abandoned yacht carrying guns sparks terror scare in India
Mumbai, India — An unmanned yacht carrying assault rifles and ammo triggered a brief security scare after it mysteriously washed up on the Indian coast, officials said. British maritime security company Neptune P2P Group claimed ownership of the weapons and said it had been engaged to protect the vessel against pirates during its voyage through the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden and Southern Red Sea. The yacht had set off from the United Arab Emirates and was slated to sail into the Mediterranean. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said late Thursday that authorities had for now ruled out “any terror angle” but added that the official probe would continue. The incident was one of the deadliest terror attacks in India’s history and worsened the perennial diplomatic tensions between the countries.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
August 20, 2022 02:03 UTC
Three more Hongkongers report being held captive in Southeast Asia
Undersecretary for Security Michael Cheuk Hau-yip said on Friday that three Hongkongers have sought help from the authorities saying they are being held captive in Southeast Asia, in addition to eight others officials were already aware of. Cheuk told RTHK this morning that the three latest suspected victims are in Thailand and Myanmar and although they are being held prisoner after apparently falling prey to job scams, they are able to maintain communication with their families. But if they didn't do well in their work, or refused to work, they would be beaten or abused," he said. Asked about this, Cheuk said he wasn't sure which person the reports referred to, but authorities will help arrange quarantine facilities or travel documents for trafficking victims if necessary. The undersecretary said the police's organized crime and triad bureau are investigating all the suspected trafficking cases and whether the gangs involved have accomplices in Hong Kong.
Source:The Standard
August 19, 2022 17:31 UTC
Nadal loss secures Medvedev's No. 1 status
Nadal was ambushed 7-6 (11/9), 4-6, 6-3 in his second-round start by Croat Borna Coric, ending his hopes of overtaking Daniil Medvedev for the world number one rankings. Third-ranked Nadal was rocked by his loss after six weeks away as he healed an abdominal muscle injury that forced his withdrawal from a Wimbledon semifinal against Nick Kyrgios. Now Nadal goes into the US Open, which begins on August 29 in New York, with only one summer hardcourt match. The 36-year-old Spaniard with 22 Grand Slam titles said he hopes to feed off fan energy at the US Open, where Nadal won titles in 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2019. "I've had unforgettable moments there and I'm going to try my very best every single day to be ready for that."
Source:Manila Times
August 19, 2022 04:10 UTC
Indian gang ran fake police station for eight months
An Indian gang operated a fake police station from a hotel for eight months where they dressed up as officers and are believed to have extorted money from hundreds of people, an official said Thursday. They would then charge money from locals coming into the fake station to file complaints and cases, while pocketing cash from others by promising to help them secure social housing or jobs in the police. They also paid people from the largely rural area daily wages of about 500 rupees (around $6) to pretend to be other police officers working at the station. But the scam fell apart when a genuine police officer spotted two members of the gang carrying guns made in local workshops instead of service-issue weapons. At least six members of the gang including two women were arrested but the ringleader is still at large, Srivastava told AFP.
Source:The Standard
August 18, 2022 19:43 UTC
Thirty arrested over corruption in Three-runway System Project
Thirty people were arrested for alleged corruption over the Three-runway System Project (3RS Project) of the Hong Kong International Airport, according to the Independent Commission Against Corruption. The four arrested Airport Authority staff were also treated to restaurants, nightclubs, and other entertainment establishments by staff members of the relevant main contractors and subcontractors on several occasions. The 3RS Project was launched in 2016 by the Hong Kong International Airport. Some engineering professionals, including the four arrested Airport Authority staff, were employed on short-term contracts to assist in managing the Project. They were responsible for handling various contracts of the Project, including the main reclamation works and works for the new runway.
Source:The Standard
August 18, 2022 18:32 UTC
Charter flights proposed for HK students missing registration at mainland universities
Lawmakers in the Legislation Council today pushed for discussing with Beijing the chartering of flights to the mainland for Hong Kong students. Hong Kong students have reported not arriving in time for registration at mainland universities under the current quarantine rules. The government currently provides only 2,000 quotas for booking designated quarantine hotels in Shenzhen daily. Yang added that a male Hong Kong student lost the opportunity to register at his university in Shanghai due to not being able to book a quarantined hotel. Over 13,000 student Hong Kong secondary school graduates chose to go to the mainland for further study in 2022, according to a report.
Source:The Standard
August 18, 2022 02:48 UTC
Russia’s daily COVID-19 cases cross 30,000 for first time since mid-March
MOSCOW — Russia reported 33,106 new daily coronavirus cases on Wednesday, authorities said, the highest figure since mid-March this year. Sixty-three people in Russia died of coronavirus over the past day, the country’s taskforce against the virus said. ADVERTISEMENTRussia said in early July that it was ending all restrictions to combat the spread of COVID-19, including the requirement to wear masks, citing a steady decline in deaths from the virus. RELATED STORIESRussia reports highest number of COVID-19 cases since late MarchRussia sees largest COVID-19 cases daily increase since AprilRussia’s daily COVID-19 deaths hit new record highRussia’s daily COVID-19 death toll hovers near all-time highFor more news about the novel coronavirus click here. For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
August 17, 2022 21:57 UTC