S&P affirms Israel's unchanged AA-rating
JERUSALEM: Credit rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) has kept the rating for Israel unchanged at AA-, said a statement issued by Israel's Finance Ministry on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), citing the agency's report. While the analysts at S&P decided to keep Israel's rating unchanged, they raised concerns over the political and security risks in the country, including the governing coalition's loss of its thin majority in the parliament and the widespread violent attacks in recent weeks. "The stable outlook balances elevated geopolitical and domestic political risks and the pandemic-induced deterioration of Israel's fiscal position, against the state's persistently resilient economy, improving budgetary performance and strong balance of payments," they explained. The report expects Israel's economy to expand by 5.5 percent in 2022, following a very strong 8.2-percent growth in 2021 and a 2.2-percent contraction in 2020. "The affirmation is a direct result of the strong performance of the Israeli economy and of the promotion of structural reforms that encourage growth," said Israeli Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
Source:Manila Times
May 16, 2022 04:00 UTC
Deluge to fade away amid cooler days
The mercury dips to 19 degrees Celsius today as a northeast monsoon brings cooler weather after a week of virtual nonstop rain that was almost as bad as a Covid-mandated shutdown. But conditions will improve further with a dry continental airstream making itself felt later this week. There will be sunny periods and little chance of rain, though showers and isolated thunderstorms could return on Thursday. The system currently in use takes about six minute for each scan, but other radar systems can complete the task in about one minute. Cheng also believes refined radar systems could see Hong Kong issuing rainstorm warnings more frequently in future when the SAR is under the influence of extreme weather.
Source:The Standard
May 16, 2022 01:51 UTC
Finland, Sweden already at heart NATO members – Germany’s Baerbock
BERLIN — Germany’s foreign minister said on Sunday that Finland and Sweden were already in essence members of NATO, but that they were just missing the official membership card. “Sweden and Finland are not just our partners, not just our friends, they have long been our European family members. Therefore, you have our full support in all decisions you are now making with view to your own security,” Annalena Baerbock told reporters at the end of a NATO foreign ministers meeting. ADVERTISEMENTRELATED STORIESWe are 100% behind Finnish, Swedish NATO membership, Norway tells TurkeyGreece says ready to welcome Finland, Sweden in NatoPutin tells Finland that swapping neutrality for Nato is a mistakeATMSubscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy PolicyRead Next
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 15, 2022 22:12 UTC
NKorea reels from Covid outbreak
SEOUL: North Korea on Sunday reported 15 additional deaths from "fever" after the country recently announced its first-ever cases of Covid-19 and ordered nationwide lockdowns. Leader Kim Jong Un has said the outbreak has caused "great upheaval" in North Korea. North Korea confirmed Thursday that the highly contagious Omicron variant had been detected in the capital Pyongyang, with Kim ordering nationwide lockdowns. North Korea has a crumbling health system — one of the worst in the world — and no Covid vaccines, antiviral treatment drugs or mass testing capacity. Analysts have warned Kim could speed up his nuclear test plans in a bid to distract North Korea's population from a disastrous Covid-19 outbreak.
Source:Manila Times
May 15, 2022 16:01 UTC
North Korea reports 15 more 'fever' deaths amid Covid outbreak
SEOUL: North Korea on Sunday reported 15 additional deaths from "fever," days after officially confirming its first-ever Covid-19 cases and ordering nationwide lockdowns. North Korea has no Covid vaccines, antiviral treatment drugs or mass-testing capacity. "The spread of malignant disease comes to be a great upheaval in our country," Kim said Saturday. People watch a TV screen showing a news report about the Covid-19 outbreak in North Korea at a train station in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, May 14, 2022. Despite the public health crisis, new satellite imagery indicates North Korea has resumed construction at a long-dormant nuclear reactor.
Source:Manila Times
May 15, 2022 15:31 UTC
Klopp calls for final quadruple push after FA Cup victory
Jurgen Klopp urged Liverpool to give one last push for the quadruple after they beat Chelsea on penalties in the FA Cup final to keep their history bid alive. Kostas Tsimikas scored the decisive penalty after Alisson Becker saved Mason Mount's effort, sparking wild celebrations from Liverpool boss Klopp and his players. Having already beaten Chelsea on penalties in the League Cup final in February, Liverpool remain in contention to become the first English team to win all four major trophies in a single season. The Reds face Real Madrid in the Champions League final in Paris on May 28 and still have an outside chance of catching Premier League leaders Manchester City. Liverpool's first FA Cup triumph since 2006 was especially meaningful for Klopp, who saluted his players for matching Chelsea blow for blow after such a gruelling campaign.
Source:The Standard
May 15, 2022 13:15 UTC
Crossing harbor on East Rail Line "much more comfortable”: passenger
Tens of thousands of citizens went to the Exhibition Centre station to take the train on the first day of operation. A shoe was left behind at the station in the early morning after railroad fans rushed to get on the first special train of the East Rail cross-harbor extension. One passenger said crossing the harbor is “much more comfortable” as the East Rail Line is the only MTR line with a first-class carriage. A railroad fan dressed up in a T-Rex costume to catch the first train at the Exhibition Centre Station. The cross-harbor section of the East Rail Line commenced service on Sunday.
Source:The Standard
May 15, 2022 11:00 UTC
US inflation becoming everyone's problem
Transmission mechanisms of a country's inflation to other countriesAny inflation problem in a major economy has a spillover effect on other countries. This round of global inflation has a feature markedly different from the earlier episodes. The current round of global inflation hit two commodities particularly hard, energy and food. It should be noted that monetary policies help attenuate the demand side of inflation and minimize imported inflation. The US inflation has become everyone's problem, and how to mitigate its adverse impact is a test for their economic managers.
Source:Manila Times
May 15, 2022 06:09 UTC
Congratulations to BBM, all poll winners, Comelec
THE Manila Times congratulates President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (BBM), Vice President-elect Sara "Inday" Duterte-Carpio and the others who won in the last elections. President-elect Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos, Jr. and vice president-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio. Kudos to ComelecBesides the poll winners, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) also deserves to be congratulated. Still, some remain upset about a few vote counting machines (VCMs) malfunctioning, even though the Comelec quickly handled those problems. It remains to be seen whether the Comelec will recommend buying new VCMs or overhaul the system.
Source:Manila Times
May 15, 2022 04:19 UTC
Twenty-two arrested over low-interest rates loan scams
Twenty-two people were on Thursday and Friday arrested for conspiracy to defraud and money laundering for cheating over HK$1.9 million from seven people after claiming to offer loans at low interest rates. The 17 men and five women, aged 19 to 38, are now remanded in police custody. Officers seized over 10 computers, 60 smartphones, about HK$1.2 million in cash, and some documents during the operation. The crime came to the police’s attention after four men and three women filed reports to police between September and December last year. Police investigation showed the fraudsters pretended to be staffers of local finance companies and cold-called the victims, claiming they could offer loans at low interest rates.
Source:The Standard
May 14, 2022 23:03 UTC
Beijing hits back over G7 criticism of election
Beijing has hit back strongly at foreign countries over criticism of the chief executive election on Sunday. In a post on WeChat, the embassy in Tokyo criticized Japan for signing a G7 statement that bashed the election. They also said that the despicable acts "will only further reveal their bandit-like double-standard logic and their sinister intention of 'using Hong Kong to curb China.'" The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office said the election was another successful exercise in the development of a democratic system that is in line with Hong Kong's realities. He said "it cannot stop the general trend of Hong Kong's development from chaos to governance and from governance to prosperity."
Source:The Standard
May 14, 2022 13:46 UTC
Financial freedom is freedom from fear
— Thomas EdisonLAST week, we have explored the different kinds of fear that we face: Fears that hold and bind us, fears that paralyze us, and fears that chain us. These fears of our psyche consequently manifest in our financial decisions that ultimately affect our financial life. Lastly, with every bit of courage we can muster, then we are able to boldly take action and pursue that life-long dream: your dream financial life, your dream business, your dream investment. With courage, we can live a life from fear to freedom. Rienzie Biolena is a registered financial planner of RFP Philippines To learn more about personal financial planning, attend the 95th RFP program in May 2022.
Source:Manila Times
May 14, 2022 11:06 UTC
4 ways to protect your small business against cyberattacks
Learn how to protect your small business from cyberattacks with these four tips. Before you can effectively protect your business from cyberthreats, you should have a complete understanding of your current ecosystem of online computer operations. You and your employees are often the first line of defense in protecting your business from cyberattacks. Free virtual and in-person cybersecurity training events are available from the US Small Business Administration and its partners. Cybersecurity insurance can help protect your business from financial losses caused by incidents such as data breaches, ransomware attacks and hacking.
Source:Manila Times
May 14, 2022 10:50 UTC
HK sees 284 Covid cases as transmission chains mount up
Among the new cases, 116 were confirmed PCR tests, and 168 were positive rapid antigen test results reported by citizens. The Centre for Health Protection’s Chuang Shuk-kwan said the tally of the fifth wave of pandemic now stands at 1,195,616. Among the new cases reported today, two were staff members who prepared food and worked at the bar. Twenty-two cases were identified at designated quarantine hotels between the third and sixth day of patients’ arrival. A total of 106 patients have recovered from Covid in the past 24 hours, and 80 of them have been discharged.
Source:The Standard
May 14, 2022 09:56 UTC
NZ prime minister Ardern tests positive for COVID-19
WELLINGTON – New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who has overseen her country’s world-leading response to the coronavirus pandemic, has tested positive for COVID-19, her office announced Saturday. ADVERTISEMENTShe has already been in isolation since last Sunday, when her partner Clarke Gayford tested positive, and was due to resume her parliamentary duties on Monday. However, it has experienced an Omicron surge since restrictions were loosened in March, with Ardern’s positive case among more than 50,000 recorded over the last week. Ardern will not be present in parliament for two high-profile domestic announcements — the release of the government’s emissions reduction plan on Monday and the unveiling of the annual budget on Thursday. “Our emissions reduction plan sets the path to achieve our carbon zero goal and the budget addresses the long-term future and security of New Zealand’s health system.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 14, 2022 05:51 UTC