US senators urge Biden for 'visible' response to help Philippines thwart ChinaPhilippine coast guard personnel wave US and Philippine flags as the US coast Guard cutter Midgett docks at the international port in Manila on August 30, 2022. MANILA, Philippines — Two ranking United States senators have urged US President Joe Biden to present military, economic and diplomatic options to help the Philippines stave off China's further aggression in the South China Sea. “Limiting our response to verbal assurances of the applicability of Article IV undermines the credibility and value of these commitments," the senators added. Bersamin initially described the incident as "probably a misunderstanding," pointing out that the Chinese crew members only used bladed weapons. Earlier in 2023, the Philippines announced four new military bases open to US troops under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, prompting China to rebuke the Philippines for "[endangering] regional peace and stability."
Source:Philippine Star
July 18, 2024 20:26 UTC
About Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd.Hollysys is a leading automation control system solutions provider in China, with overseas operations in eight other countries and regions throughout Asia. In rail transportation, Hollysys provides advanced signaling control and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems for high-speed rail and urban rail (including subways). AdvertisementSafe Harbor StatementsThis release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements, based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Hollysys' management, are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
Source:Manila Times
July 18, 2024 19:47 UTC
JVs and associates) was SEK 8.2 bn , up 28 per cent vs Q2 2023, up 28 per cent vs Q2 2023 Q2 operating profit was 8.0 bn SEK, up 60 per cent vs Q2 2023Q2 EBIT margin (excl. This has been reflected in Volvo Cars' gross margins, which increased to 22.8 per cent from 19.0 per cent last year. The EX30, EM90 and EX90 are clear examples of where Volvo Cars is going, as it continues its journey towards full electrification. Volvo Cars continues to invest across the breadth of its product range, both in new models and ongoing improvements to existing ones. Looking aheadYet like all global companies, Volvo Cars operates in a complex geopolitical environment that impacts trade and tests supply chain resilience.
Source:Manila Times
July 18, 2024 18:13 UTC
A viral video showing a member of Cathay Pacific ground staff roughly throwing passengers' luggage down the stairs at the airport has sparked public outrage. The 15-second video shows a female worker throwing multiple checked-in bags down the stairs, causing some bags to tumble and pile up. Some empathized with the workload of the female staff member, while others suggested that luggage is designed to be thrown around. Cathay has confirmed that an employee of its ground handling service contractor was involved in the incident. The female worker was immediately transferred out of her position, pending further investigation.
Source:The Standard
July 18, 2024 15:20 UTC
STOCKHOLM, July 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Electrolux Group has signed an agreement to divest its water heater business in South Africa under the Kwikot brand for an enterprise value of ZAR 2.4bn (approx. The divestment includes the Kwikot brand and the production facilities for water heaters (geysers) located in Johannesburg, and is part of the previously communicated work to sharpen the Group's strategic focus by divesting non-core assets. The water heater business in South Africa is profitable and the Kwikot brand is well-known in the market. Net sales in 2023 related to this business amounted to approximately ZAR 1.9bn (approx. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, on 18-07-2024 09:00 CET.
Source:Manila Times
July 18, 2024 14:19 UTC
New Senate building costs could still be ‘conservative’, says senatorMANILA, Philippines — Sen. Alan Cayetano on Thursday said that earlier estimates of the cost of the Senate building could still be conservative, hinting that he has discovered that there are people who are “blatantly lying” about the structure. Binay and Cayetano had butted heads over the costs of the new Senate building, since the former had chaired the Senate Committee on accounts prior to Cayetano. While Cayetano said that conciliation was a good idea, he would rather focus on the new Senate building. According to Cayetano, technical decisions on the new Senate building will be done by August to avoid further delays. The construction of the new Senate building has been delayed for over two years.
Source:Philippine Star
July 18, 2024 14:14 UTC
Work-life balance index: Philippines ranks 59th of 60 countriesJobseekers fill out forms for work opportunities during the overseas job fair at a mall in Baguio on May 23, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines obtained the second worst work-life balance score among 60 countries analyzed in the latest report of a global human resource services firm. The country's capital, Manila, scored 27.46 out of 100 in work-life balance, just above Nigeria's capital Abuja, which earned a score of 16.15 at the bottom of Remote's Global Life-Work Balance Index. Why the Philippines ranks lowDragging down the Philippines' score this year is its relatively few statutory annual leaves granted to employees. Those who enjoy better work-life balance in other countries benefit from a universal government-funded system or a universal public insurance system.
Source:Philippine Star
July 18, 2024 13:51 UTC
With the anticipated commercialization of PBV-based fleet services, the demand for passenger safety technologies in this sector is expected to increase. Hyundai Mobis is the first to apply a wire mechanism to curtain airbags. Moreover, Hyundai Mobis is focusing on the scalability of airbags for PBVs. Hyundai Mobis has outstanding expertise in sensors, sensor fusion in ECUs and software development for safety control. Hyundai Mobis operates its R&D headquarters in Korea, with four technology centers in the United States, Germany, China and India.
Source:Manila Times
July 18, 2024 13:22 UTC
The Consumer Council apologized on Thursday for mislabeling and retested Nongfu Spring's water sample, raising its overall rating. The Consumer Council today clarified the sample, stating that after meeting and having an in-depth exchange with the representatives of Nongfu Spring yesterday (Jul 17), it learned that the product in question is neither "natural mineral water" nor "purified drinking water", but just "drinking water". It also added that the standard adopted by the company is the "National Food Safety Standard Packaged Drinking Water" from the place of production - the mainland. In light of this, the council reclassified the sample into the independent category "natural drinking water" and scored the sample again. The watchdog confirmed that it is within the range of the limit for "drinking water" and is well below the maximum limit, making it safe to drink.
Source:The Standard
July 18, 2024 12:22 UTC
Duterte to DepEd execs: Stay until new secretary removes youMANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte instructed officials of the Department of Education to remain in their positions "until the new secretary will remove you." "The day I resigned, I sent [DepEd officials] a message and then invited them for dinner... I told them: '[Undersecretaries] and [assistant secretaries], please stay until the new secretary will remove you," the outgoing DepEd secretary said. "Because otherwise, if everyone leaves... it will be detrimental to the department," Duterte said in a mix of Bisaya and English. The vice president submitted her resignation from all Cabinet positions on June 19, which takes effect on Friday.
Source:Philippine Star
July 17, 2024 21:17 UTC
Comelec chair mulls suing ex-lawmaker over 'Bahamas files'MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia announced on Wednesday that he is considering filing a counter-charge of falsification against former Rep. Egay Erice, who accused the poll body official of owning foreign bank accounts and assets. On Monday, Erice presented what he called the “Bahamas files,” which allegedly list 14 bank accounts amounting to P877 million belonging to an unnamed Comelec official and his wife. Erice also mentioned that the unnamed Comelec official received $1 million (approximately P58.3 million) from Miru Systems, the South Korea-based service provider for the 2025 midterm elections. On Tuesday, Erice requested the Supreme Court (SC) to cite the Comelec chair in contempt for his statements regarding the petition Erice filed, which challenges the poll body’s P17.9-billion contract with Miru Systems. The SC has required Erice to comment on Miru’s gag order petition, which aims to prevent the disclosure and discussion of information by third parties.
Source:Philippine Star
July 17, 2024 20:29 UTC
Rafa Nadal marked his return to singles tennis with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Leo Borg, son of Swedish great Bjorn Borg, to reach the last 16 in Bastad as he prepares for the Paris Olympics. Nadal's last singles match was his first-round defeat by Alexander Zverev at the French Open in May. He skipped Wimbledon to prepare for the Olympic tennis tournaments at Roland Garros. "I haven't been playing a lot of tennis," said Nadal, who faces Cameron Norrie today. Nadal, 38, missed most of 2023 with a hip problem and his comeback earlier this year was stalled by a muscle tear.
Source:The Standard
July 17, 2024 19:13 UTC
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday said her self-appointment as “designated survivor” during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation address was “neither a joke nor a bomb threat.”She, however, refused to clarify what she meant. “It’s not a joke, and it’s not a bomb threat either. READ: A first: Sara to skip Marcos’ Sona, names self ‘designated survivor’Duterte named herself as the designated survivor when she confirmed that she would not be attending Marcos’ Sona on July 22. In the United States, a designated survivor is an official in the presidential line of succession intentionally kept away from gatherings to ensure that someone can assume the presidency in the event of a mass casualty incident. Duterte’s comment drew the ire of some lawmakers and the public alike, with some pointing out that the comment was made “in poor taste.”ADVERTISEMENTREAD: VP Duterte’s ‘designated survivor’ joke ‘poor in taste’ – lawmaker
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
July 17, 2024 17:56 UTC
HANGZHOU, China, July 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cloud Music Inc. (HKEX: 9899, "NetEase Cloud Music" or the "Company"), a leading interactive music streaming service provider in China, today announced that it has entered into a special partnership with Timbaland's Beatclub™ ("Beatclub") to unleash creativity and foster innovation across China's growing music scene. Under the collaboration, hundreds of signature, premium Beatclub beats will be introduced to NetEase Cloud Music's Beatsoul, China's premier beat transaction platform, marking a significant milestone in China's music industry. Aligned with NetEase Cloud Music's emphasis on fostering independent artists, GRAMMY Award-winning producer Timbaland co-founded Beatclub to nurture new music creators. By the end of 2023, NetEase Cloud Music had approximately 149 million cumulative music tracks, securing a wide range of copyright content and enhancing its content ecosystem. Its focus on discovering and promoting emerging musicians has made Cloud Music Inc. a destination of choice for exploring new and independent music among music enthusiasts in China.
Source:Manila Times
July 17, 2024 14:16 UTC
BEIJING, July 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report by China.org.cn on China's deepening reform practices: With China's deepening reform practices, what opportunities will arise? Discussions are being held during the session about further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernization. In the past decade or so, the world has seen evident progress in China's efforts of comprehensively deepening reforms. As a forerunner of China's reform and opening-up, Hainan has gradually built itself into a free-trade harbor. China Mosaichttp://chinamosaic.china.com.cn/index.htmWith China's deepening reform practices, what opportunities will arise?
Source:Manila Times
July 17, 2024 14:16 UTC