Anger over 'incorrect signals' to Taiwan
After Lai won the election on Saturday, several ministers and politicians from other countries sent congratulatory messages. The ministry described a statement from US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who congratulated Lai, as "sending a seriously incorrect signal" to "Taiwan independence separatist forces." China pointed out that most electors voted against Lai, with its Taiwan Affairs Office saying the DPP "cannot represent the mainstream public opinion." American President Joe Biden, meanwhile, said the United States does not support the independence of Taiwan. Meanwhile, a delegation of former top US officials is set to arrive in Taiwan today to meet leading political figures.
Source:The Standard
January 15, 2024 08:15 UTC
Don't let this turn into a rubbish joke
Come April 1 and a landmark pay-as-you-throw scheme aimed at reducing waste kicks off following many months of waiting. The Municipal Solid Waste Charging Scheme has been passed for awhile and its implementation is overdue, given the amount of waste disposed at landfills each year. Environment Secretary Tse Chin-wan and his predecessor who initiated the charging scheme knew it would need the public to change their habits. First, do these cleaning workers need to check whether all the bags in an estate's storage areas are legal - that is, government designated bags purchased from approved outlets? Unless it is better clarified, April 1 could turn out to be April Fool's Day for those serving in the frontline.
Source:The Standard
January 14, 2024 19:47 UTC
Philippines reaffirms adherence to One-China Policy after Taiwan elections
Philippines reaffirms adherence to One-China Policy after Taiwan electionsFile photo of the Department of Foreign Affairs building along Roxas Boulevard in Manila. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will continue to adhere to the One-China Policy, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Sunday, following the victory of a pro-independence presidential candidate in Taiwan’s elections. Taiwanese voters elected Lai Ching-te as president, strongly defying the warnings of China’s ruling Communist Party. Lai, branded by Beijing as a threat to peace in the region, secured an unprecedented third consecutive for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to take the democratic island one day—by force, if necessary.
Source:Philippine Star
January 14, 2024 17:39 UTC
HEADLINES: South China Sea biodiversity at risk | Jan. 15, 2024
Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Monday, Jan. 15 2024. The South China Sea is home to 571 of the world's 1,683 reef-forming coral species and eight of the 10 global species of giant clam. The CSIS found that several species of giant clams were vulnerable as a direct result of the destructive poaching methods. READ: UN: Gaza war staining humanityThe United Nations said on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) that the Gaza war was "staining humanity" on the eve of its 100th day as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doubled down on vows to defeat Hamas. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and LinkedIn; and be part of our communities on Viber, Telegram, and Mastodon.
Source:Manila Times
January 14, 2024 17:11 UTC
South Koreans top list of foreign fugitives nabbed in Philippines in 2023
South Koreans top list of foreign fugitives nabbed in Philippines in 2023Passengers line up to go through immigration counters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on March 4, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested a total of 128 foreign fugitives last year, with South Koreans making up the largest group. Offenses committed by the foreign fugitives include involvement in economic crimes, investment scams, illegal gambling, money laundering, telecommunications fraud, robbery, and smuggling. “Our country is off limits to these foreign fugitives,” BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said. The foreign fugitives were apprehended in various operations conducted by FSU agents in areas where they had been hiding or residing since arriving in the Philippines.
Source:Philippine Star
January 14, 2024 17:05 UTC
Fil-Canadian advances in Australian Open
(UPDATE) MELBOURNE: Filipino Canadian Leylah Fernandez bucked a slow start to beat Sara Bejlek of the Czech Republic 7-6 (5), 6-2 to advance to the second round of the 2024 Australian Open on Sunday. Fernandez, who represents Canada, will face American Alycia Parks who defeated qualifier Daria Snigur of Ukraine 2-6, 6-2, 6-4. Fourth seed Jannik Sinner fired up his bid for a maiden Grand Slam title with a hard-fought straight-sets victory over Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in the men's division. Filipino Canadian Leylah Fernandez serves against Czech Republic’s Sara Bejlek during their women’s singles match on Day One of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. "Physically I feel good in good shape, the first round is never easy so I can be happy with today."
Source:Manila Times
January 14, 2024 16:20 UTC
Customs combats unfair trade practices at a medicine shop
Customs arrested two sales assistants at a medicine shop after they were suspected of engaging in unfair trade practices involving misleading omission in selling Chinese herbal medicine. However, the store employee was suspected of having misled the customer into believing the unit price of the concerned Chinese herbal medicine was calculated per catty. After the Chinese herbal medicine was ground into powder, the staff members revealed that the medicine was priced per mille, with the charged price being 160 times higher than what was expected. Customs arrested two men aged 31 and 33 of the medicine shop concerned after the investigation. With the Lunar New Year approaching, Customs stated they will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to vigorously combat unfair trade practices.
Source:The Standard
January 14, 2024 15:23 UTC
'Very big gap' ahead of Asian Cup return, HK football coach says
Hong Kong will play their first Asian Cup match in 55 years on Sunday with their coach admitting that the "gap is very big" to the continent's footballing elite. "I think the gap is very big with these teams," Andersen said. "But football is football. "We are here to enjoy the competition and try our best to show our good performances," said the team's all-time appearance record-holder. "And we will hopefully get some good performances and good results."
Source:The Standard
January 14, 2024 02:29 UTC
Biden: US does not support Taiwan independence
WASHINGTON – U.S. President Joe Biden said on Saturday the United States does not support the independence of Taiwan, after Taiwanese voters rebuffed China and gave the ruling party a third presidential term. ADVERTISEMENT“We do not support independence…” Biden said, when asked for reaction to Saturday’s elections. The United States is Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties with the island. China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. In a show of support for the government, Biden plans to dispatch an unofficial delegation to the self-governed island, according to a senior Biden administration official.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 13, 2024 23:05 UTC
China coal mining accident kills 10
The accident, a likely coal and gas explosion described as an "outburst," happened at about 2:55 p.m. in the city of Pingdingshan on Friday, state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) said. READY TO RESCUE Rescuers go into the site of a coal mining accident in the city of Pingdingshan, Henan province, central China on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. Those in charge of the mine, operated by the Pingdingshan Tianan Coal Mining Co., have been taken into custody by authorities, Xinhua said. Last month, 12 people were killed and 13 injured in a mining accident on the outskirts of the city of Jixi in northeastern Heilongjiang province. Eleven people were killed last November in an accident at another coal mine in the same province.
Source:Manila Times
January 13, 2024 22:12 UTC
Oil prices rise on Red Sea escalation
NEW YORK, United States — Oil prices climbed Friday after US and UK forces launched strikes against Iran-backed Huthi rebels, while global stocks were mixed following the kickoff of corporate earnings season. Crude prices spiked more than four percent before ebbing somewhat after the allies launched deadly strikes following weeks of disruptive rebel attacks on Red Sea shipping. The Huthis have carried out a growing number of strikes on vessels in the Red Sea, a key international shipping route, since the Gaza war erupted in October. The attacks have affected trade flows at a time when supply strains are putting upward pressure on inflation globally. Leading banks were mostly lower following a deluge of quarterly results, while airlines were hammered after Delta's forecast disappointed investors.
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2024 22:01 UTC
Modest financial guide including budget hacks, investment tips for New Year
Modest financial guide including budget hacks, investment tips for New YearTake time to view your financial status and start setting new goals that you seriously commit to working hard for and achieving this year. Take time to view your financial status and start setting new goals that you seriously commit to working hard for and achieving this year. From investment tips to budgeting hacks, here is a modest financial guide with suggestions from RCBC:Create a budget from scratch. RCBC Credit Card holders aged 18 to 64 may also enroll in the Easy Health Insurance Plan, which is a simple health insurance plan that covers medical expenses such as hospital room and board fees. OneAccount also has add-on features, such as life insurance and personal accident insurance, which you can add or remove as needed.
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2024 17:34 UTC
Customs bust HK$5m worth of endangered softshell turtle cartilage, one arrested
A 63-year-old man was arrested after customs seized about HK$5 million worth of endangered softshell turtles’ cartilage, weighing about 1,400 kg. Upon examination, officers found the batch of suspected cartilage inside the container. After a follow-up investigation, customs arrested a 63-year-old male director of the consignee company suspected to be connected with the case on Friday. “The investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation,” customs said in a statement. Customs reminded that importing or exporting an endangered species without a license is an offense under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance.
Source:The Standard
January 13, 2024 17:20 UTC
HP's new portfolio to power the personal
HP INC. ushered in a new era of computing with its latest portfolio of PCs, monitors, and peripherals designed to reimagine how we interact and live with technology. "We believe that the best innovations are also the most personal ones," said Kong Meng Koh, managing director, Southeast Asia and Korea, HP. New technologies from HP deliver solutions that allow us to be more personalized than ever, taking advantage of game-changing innovations like AI that will alter the way that technology moves us forward."
Source:Manila Times
January 13, 2024 16:06 UTC
Alternative energy seen as solution to NGCP woes
With the recent problems faced by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), GoSolar Philippines President and CEO Bhong Bibi say that solar energy could be a solution. Video and interview by Ezrah Raya
Source:Manila Times
January 13, 2024 07:03 UTC