National anthem singing the louder the prouder, says education chief
Hong Kong’s education chief said on Monday that people who sing the national anthem louder mean they are prouder of who they are. The Education Bureau previously criticized pupils and teachers for singing the national anthem too softly, with its “Inspection Annual Report 22-23” noting that “teachers and students sang the national anthem together, but the singing was a little soft.” The bureau also suggested that “schools must boost students’ confidence and habit in singing the national anthem.”Read more: No student disciplined for singing the national anthem too softly, Tai Po school clarifiesSpeaking in an interview on her two-year anniversary in office, Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin said it is important for the Chinese to understand Chinese culture, also noting that Westerners lack the values of "filial piety." The official said although a recent review of schools’ national education did not focus merely on students’ singing of the national anthem, she noted that the volume people sing reflects their emotions and their level of engagement. A case in point is that teachers encourage students to sing louder in music lessons, which is normal, said Choi. She believes it is appropriate for authorities to remind students to be engaged during ceremonies and to sing louder regardless of the song, adding that schools would not feel pressured by such a suggestion.
Source:The Standard
June 17, 2024 15:31 UTC
Consumer Council finds air purifiers claimed applicable area not directly proportional to purification capacity
The Consumer Council tested ten air purifiers on the market and found that some manufacturers claimed that larger air purifier-applicable areas would have stronger purification capabilities, but the test results showed that the two are not necessarily directly proportional. The Council purchased ten models of air purifiers from different retailers and conducted the test in collaboration with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD). Priced between HK$1,798 and HK$7,880, all tested models came with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, which claim to effectively filter cigarette smoke, dust, viruses, bacteria, etc. The Consumer Council pointed out that the applicable room area test standards and calculation methods claimed by manufacturers are different, making direct comparison difficult. It is recommended that manufacturers instead use the value of clean air volume to show the air purification ability of the product.
Source:The Standard
June 17, 2024 10:45 UTC
Musk's $44.9B Tesla pay package draws comparisons
EVEN though the median pay package of chief executive officers (CEOs) in the United States last year was nearly 200 times more than a worker in the middle of their company pay scales, Elon Musk's record-setting Tesla compensation dwarfs them by comparison. Tesla CEO Elon Musk leaves the Tesla Gigafactory in Berlin, Germany, on March 13, 2024. Here's how the package compares:With median CEO payThe median pay package for an S&P 500 CEO in the United States last year was $16.3 million, according to data analyzed for The Associated Press by Equilar. But he stands to get even richer if his pay package goes through. According to the company's proxy filing this year, the median annual pay of a non-CEO Tesla employee last year was $45,811.
Source:Manila Times
June 17, 2024 04:18 UTC
China sustains partnerships for NEV leadership
Since 2019, the two companies have worked in cooperation to explore the NEV market. Their partnership exemplifies the growing integration between Chinese and foreign companies in the NEV industry, encompassing production cooperation, stake acquisitions, and market expansion both domestically and internationally. These closer partnerships come as an increasing number of foreign companies in the industry seek to capitalize on the booming market. AdvertisementChina remains the most promising market for the global automotive industry, especially in the NEV market, Tao said. Its NEV tire output for this year is projected to grow by over 30 percent compared to 2023.
Source:Manila Times
June 17, 2024 04:18 UTC
'Meloni-Modi' video goes viral in India
"Hello from the 'Melodi' team," Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a video posted to social media on Saturday, waving next to her fellow right-wing leader Modi, beaming a wide grin. The duo have a close public friendship, seen during the G20 summit in India last year and the COP28 climate talks in Dubai. He wrote he had meetings with Meloni to bolster ties "in areas like commerce, energy, defense, telecoms and more." AdvertisementAI-generated videos watched by millions show Modi crooning a love song every time Meloni appears with a political leader other than him. "Like other women in high offices, Meloni is being seen through a male prism — hot or not?"
Source:Manila Times
June 16, 2024 22:24 UTC
(Pictures) Cancer recovery patients crowned champions of Dragon Boat Fancy Dress Competition
The Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races were held in Tsim Sha Tsui on Sunday, with the famous "Fancy Dress Competition" also making a comeback, which saw patients who had recovered from breast cancer winning first place by dressing as clowns. The Fancy Dress contest that many people look forward to is also held today. The Fancy Dress Competition ended with the Dragons Abreast Hong Kong team, who wore clown costumes and won the championship. Award presenter Anson Cheung Ho-yin, Vice President of the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association, emphasized the team's strong unity and collaboration, embodying the true spirit of the competition. In addition to exploring Hong Kong, international tourists can take a short ferry ride to the vibrant city of Macao.
Source:The Standard
June 16, 2024 22:08 UTC
Zelensky seeks internationally agreed peace plan
Zelensky seeks internationally agreed peace planUkranian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañan on June 3, 2024. In his opening remarks, Zelensky told the assembly: “We must decide together what a just peace means for the world and how it can be achieved in a lasting way. ‘Capitulation’The summit comes as Ukraine is struggling on the battlefield, where it is outmanned and outgunned. On June 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded Ukraine’s effectively surrender if it wanted to even begin peace talks. “Just as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was unlawful and unacceptable, the unilateral appropriation of Russian assets is equally unlawful,” Ruto said.
Source:Philippine Star
June 16, 2024 20:40 UTC
How things look
How things look“Optics” refers to how things may look and how they influence perceptions. It’s no wonder that less crowded restaurants may employ “window sitters” to occupy tables and project the optics of a well-patronized establishment. Perhaps the worst example of how terrible things look when two discordant images are juxtaposed is the probably apocryphal historical instance of Emperor Nero playing the lyre while Rome burned. While many will dismiss the fuss over “how things look” with a shrug, as in the case of anonymous individuals that draw no instant or even belated recognition, they too are affected by optics. Even the optics of un-patronized cinemas with their free popcorn and iced tea provide the optics of alternate viewing.
Source:Philippine Star
June 16, 2024 20:27 UTC
EPD leveraging AI dog to trace air pollution sources
An AI robotic dog that can identify the properties of unknown gases and search for pollution sources was introduced by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to aid in the probe of air pollution incidents. Equipped with advanced computer vision and gaseous sensors, the “AI Environmental Air Nuisance Investigation Robot Dog” can infer the origins and activities causing such pollutants. The smart device will raise its paw to indicate the presence of gas and guide EPD officers to the source of pollution. The AI dog has already proven its worth, assisting the EPD in solving a mystery behind an air pollution case in the Yuen Long Industrial Estate on its first mission. Excitingly, the authorities are not stopping at the current capabilities of the AI dog.
Source:The Standard
June 16, 2024 18:59 UTC
Pagasa predicts humid weather, some rains in late Sunday afternoon
MANILA, Philippines — Most parts of the country, including Metro Manila, will have generally fair and hot weather on Sunday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). Although the country could have hot and humid weather for the rest of the day, Pagasa said rain showers may persist from late afternoon to evening. (For the next 24 hours, the country, including Metro Manila, will experience hot and humid weather.) (Generally fair weather conditions, which means warm weather, but we are still not ruling out the possibility of late afternoon to evening rain showers and thunderstorms.) ADVERTISEMENTBased on Pagasa’s report, the western section of Southern Luzon and Visayas, including Mimaropa, Western Visayas and Batangas, are most affected by habagat.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
June 16, 2024 15:14 UTC
Who will win the superpower rivalry? God will
THE global rivalry between the West, led by the United States, and the "East" bloc of Eurasian mega powers Russia and China hit a high point at the peace conference in Switzerland on June 15. In pondering complex and fast-shifting events, it often pays to wait till things settle down after a major flurry. OK, so God gets His way in the end, especially with the so-called Four Last Things: death, judgment, heaven and hell. The heavenly lesson that one may draw from these earthly events is that God will not let any empire stand forever. Or will it end in this century as other global powers retreated from the 16th to the 20th centuries?
Source:Manila Times
June 16, 2024 04:07 UTC
My imperfectly perfect dad
My imperfectly perfect dadIf you look at my passions for cooking and designing, it’s obvious that the women in my life — my mom and her mom — passed their loves down to me. While fashion, writing and teaching kids to cook have become bread-and-butter jobs, I inherited a love for travel from my dad. My dad loved the sea, while my mom shaded herself from the sun, for fear of getting dark. My dad was not a perfect father — no, he was perfectly imperfect. I think that our Heavenly Father, who is perfect, sends down to us these imperfect men to give us just a taste of the unfailing and perfect love He has for us even now.
Source:Philippine Star
June 16, 2024 00:59 UTC
NUPL: IFTD chooses PH as focal country with systemic problems
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines was chosen by the International Fair Trial Day (IFTD) Steering Group as the focal country for IFTD 2024 for various problems the nation faces. According to the group, this was due to alleged problems in judiciary independence, human rights violations, and challenges in fair trials. ADVERTISEMENTREAD: Many attacks on legal experts tagged ‘cold cases’ too soon – CaravanaNational Union of Peoples Lawyers (NUPL) Secretary-General Lawyer Edre Olalia lamented on Friday the situation in the country as observed by the IFTD. Olalia likewise expressed hope that the commemoration of IFTD in the country will raise awareness on the importance of fair trials. The IFTD, which started in 2021, is commemorated by lawyers’ groups nationwide to stress the importance of fair trials.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
June 15, 2024 21:41 UTC
PAOCC plans to file criminal raps vs Alice Guo for Pogo connections
MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said on Saturday that it plans to file criminal cases against Bamban Mayor Alice Guo for alleged association in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) activities. ADVERTISEMENTREAD: Alice Guo ordered suspended as mayor of Bamban, Tarlac“Ang masasabi lang po namin, we have strong evidence that would support the criminal allegation against Mayor Alice Guo, and a good number of people in the Bamban operations,” Casio said in a news forum. In addition, the PAOCC earlier said on June 3 that it is also preparing a tax evasion case against Guo. READ: DILG files graft charges vs Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice GuoAs of writing, Guo is facing a Senate investigation for her alleged involvement with POGOs. ADVERTISEMENTOn June 3, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered Guo’s preventive suspension as Bamban mayor, with two other municipal officials.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
June 15, 2024 17:50 UTC
Getting the global economy out of the slow lane
WASHINGTON, D.C. — With global growth stabilizing for the first time in three years, inflation reaching a three-year low and financial conditions brightening, the global economy seems to be on its final approach for a "soft landing." But there are also bright spots in the global economy. US dynamism is a key reason the global economy has some upside potential over the next two years. But they must also recognize that, in much of the world, growth remains too slow to support progress on development and poverty reduction. Without stronger international cooperation and policies that advance shared prosperity, the global economy will remain stuck in the slow lane.
Source:Manila Times
June 15, 2024 16:40 UTC