ASEAN NOW News

Vietnamese who escaped from a Cambodian casino stay at the Da Phuoc Cultural House in An Giang's An Phu District, August 19, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Tai

 

The body of a 16-year-old boy, part of a group of 42 people escaping from a Cambodian casino Thursday, was found in a river section of An Giang's An Phu District.

 

According to VN Express, Dinh Van Noi, director of the police department of southern Vietnam's An Giang Province, said on Saturday authorities were performing an autopsy and would hand over the body to the victim's family in Gia Lai Province in the Central Highlands for funeral purposes.

 

Police said an investigation was ongoing to bust potential human trafficking rings involved in the case.

 

Escapees from the casino said there were over 2,000 Vietnamese brought to Cambodia as illegal workers in several casinos.

 

An Giang police cooperated with counterparts of Cambodia's Kandal Province on Friday to search for all illegal workers being held at local casinos so they could return to Vietnam.

 

Cambodian police said they found 11 people being held at casinos in Chrey Thum Commune.

 

Nguyen Thanh Binh, chairperson of An Giang People's Committee, said authorities have assessed the escapees for Covid-19 and narcotics, and all tests returned negative.

 

Once the investigation is complete, the escapees would return to their families, he added.

 

On Thursday, 42 Vietnamese working in a casino in Cambodia's Kandal Province escaped and swam across a river to return to Vietnam due to their imprisonment and torture.

 

A total of 40 succeeded, but one was swept away by the water, and another was recaptured by the casino guards.

 

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang on Friday said Vietnam has requested Cambodia to assist in the investigation and help find missing people in the case.

 

People wearing masks in the central business district in Singapore on Mar 25, 2022. (Photo: CNA/Gaya Chandramohan)

 

SINGAPORE: The Government is ready to do more if the situation of rising costs worsens, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday (Aug 21) reported CNA.

 

Speaking at the National Day Rally, Mr Lee acknowledged that the cost of living is something that is at the “top of everyone’s minds.”

 

Even before the Russia-Ukraine war, inflation was already becoming a problem, he said.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted supply chains and prompted developed countries to roll out huge spending packages.

 

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February worsened the situation by disrupting supplies of oil, gas, and grain, pushing up global prices.

 

The Prime Minister said the Government is “doing everything necessary” to support Singaporeans, especially middle- and lower-income families.

 

This includes cash payouts, rebates under the GST Voucher-U Save scheme and for service and conservancy charges, Community Development Council vouchers and MediSave top-ups.

 

All these mean that a middle-income family with two young children and living in a four-room Housing Board flat can expect an additional S$2,200 in support this fiscal year. A lower-income family living in a three-room HDB flat can expect more support of about S$3,700.

 

“This will not cover fully every cost increase, but it will help lighten some of the burden on Singaporean households,” Mr Lee said. “And if the situation worsens, we stand ready to do more.”

 

The Monetary Authority of Singapore has also tightened monetary policy four times since October last year, allowing the Singapore currency to strengthen.

 

A stronger Singapore dollar makes travelling overseas more affordable and imported goods cheaper.

 

But there is “a limit” to this approach, cautioned Mr Lee, noting how a stronger currency also makes the country’s exports more expensive and less competitive against other countries.

 

“So, we have to be very careful not to overdo things,” he said.

 

Earlier in his Mandarin speech, the Prime Minister also touched on the need to raise the Goods and Services Tax (GST) even amid concerns about the cost of living.

 

“Some have asked: Why not just postpone, or even scrap the GST increase? I understand these sentiments."

 

“Not raising the GST would be a politically expedient move. However, it would be irresponsible,” said Mr Lee, pointing to the country’s rapidly ageing population and in turn, sharp increases in healthcare and social spending. 

 

“While the people worry about not having enough money to spend, the Government also worries about not having enough money. We are concerned about not having enough resources to take care of low-income families and the healthcare needs of our elderly,” he added.

 

The Government was able to “cope better than others” with the pandemic due to its prudent management of finances and sufficient reserves.

 

“We should continue to save for a rainy day and plan for the future,” he said.

 

Global Economic conditions have changed

 

On the economy, Mr Lee said Singapore has emerged strongly from the pandemic, with most sectors steadily recovering.

 

Although the war in Ukraine has clouded the outlook, authorities continue to expect growth this year.

 

Official estimates are for the economy to grow between 3 and 4 per cent in 2022.

 

But the “basic reality is that international economic conditions have fundamentally changed,” he said.

 

Mr Lee described the recent decades as “an exceptional period” with globalisation in full swing, international trade seeing rapid growth, China’s economy growing exponentially and exporting goods at highly competitive prices to the world.

 

This brought down the cost of many products and kept prices around the world very stable, he added.

 

However, “this era is now over” as China’s growth and exports slow.

 

Some countries, particularly the United States and China, are raising tariffs against each other, while others are relooking supply chains to prioritise resilience and self-sufficiency. Meanwhile, companies are opting for “just-in-case,” instead of “just-in-time” production.

 

All these trends are raising costs and pushing up inflation everywhere, including in Singapore, he said, adding that Singapore does not “have much influence over this global inflation picture.”

 

“What is within our power is to make ourselves more productive and competitive. Then our workers can earn more, and more than make up for the higher prices of food, fuel, and other imports,” the Prime Minister said.

 

“That way we can all become better off, in real terms.”

 

To achieve that will require Singapore to press on with economic upgrading and restructuring, double down on transformation efforts and encourage workers to upgrade their skills at every opportunity, he said.

 

Apart from rising prices, there are also disruptions in physical supplies.

 

Apart from Malaysia’s export ban on chickens, Indonesia also temporarily halted palm oil exports when high cooking oil prices became a political issue.

 

India also recently banned wheat exports to keep domestic wheat prices down.

 

“Under pressure, faced with food shortages and rising prices, governments will put their domestic needs first,” said Mr Lee.

 

“So, we must expect more arbitrary actions like these, which will impact us.”

 

While Singapore, as a small and open economy, is heavily dependent on imports, it is “not helpless” as authorities have been actively diversifying the country’s import sources.

 

These range from building up adequate stockpiles of food and medical essentials, investing in Agri-tech to make local farms more efficient and productive, as well as pushing ahead with the goal to be able to produce 30 per cent of the country’s nutritional needs locally by 2030.

 

These efforts were redoubled during the pandemic, Mr Lee said.

 

“It costs money to make our supplies more resilient. Buying from diversified sources means we don't just buy from the cheapest or the most convenient producer. Maintaining stockpiles requires space and incurs costs."

 

“But we must think of it as paying for insurance.”

 

Not sure if the TAT realise what incredible publicity Thailand and its golf industry will get when the 6th round of Greg Norman’s LIV Golf tour arrives in Bangkok in October.

 

Not since the Thailand Golf Championship hosted by Amata Springs a few years back will so many star golfers arrive in Bangkok altogether.

 

Stonehill GC is the venue and although it has not opened yet, the word is it is a very worthy course for the  LIV Golf tour.

 

Many of the golfers and caddies will also find staying in a 5-star hotel in Bangkok a lot more fun than staying in a city hotel in Bedminster or Portland in the States.

 

Lee Westwood was quoted as saying that staying in the St Regis in Bangkok was the best hotel on tour by far.

 

Not sure what will be the official hotel however with their wage packets expect them to stay in some swanky establishment.

 

 

Tickets for Stonehill have now gone on sale at https://tickets.livgolf.com/2022-bangkok starting at THB800 for a day pass.

 

I would expect many Asian-based golfers will be tempted to come and see close up these golfing stars during the three days.

 

Nikanti

 

If you are thinking of coming over to the Stonehill tournament, then why not combine it with a few rounds of golf yourself on some of Bangkok’s finest tracks like Thai Country Club, Nikanti, and Riverdale.

 

Golfasian the leading Asian-based golf tour operator can set you and your golfing buddies up with your own personal tour including hotels, preferential tee times, and ground transport.

 

They can’t offer you any mega dollar prizes, but they can guarantee you will have a great few rounds of golf in Bangkok.

The World Cup winner's trophy is seen during the 68th FIFA Congress at the Expocentre in Moscow on Jun 13, 2018. (File photo: AFP/Kirill Kudryavtsev)

 

SINGAPORE: Singtel and StarHub are in negotiations with FIFA over broadcast rights for the 2022 World Cup, said the two pay-tv operators.

 

They confirmed this in response to CNA's queries on Thursday (Aug 18), but said they are unable to comment further on the matter.

 

The 2022 World Cup kicks off in Qatar on Nov 20, with the opening match pitting the host against Ecuador.

 

It will be the first time a World Cup is staged in the Middle East.

 

To avoid the region's punishing summer heat, the tournament has been pushed back to later in the year than its typical June to July schedule.

 

Providing CNA with his analysis, Deloitte Southeast Asia's Sports Business Group leader James Walton said he expects that "the deal should be sealed and formally announced by the last week of September".

 

"With the World Cup, broadcasters need people to sign up and buy packages, and they would need a two-month runway at least," he said.

 

"The longer runway means that they can offer price differentiation and early bird packages, allowing the broadcasters to market the packages at lower prices even if the ultimate price may be a little bit higher.

"So, it is unlikely they would want to go past the first week of October to start promoting these packages."

 

During the last World Cup in 2018, Singtel, StarHub and Mediacorp collaborated for the first time to offer complete coverage of the tournament, with all three broadcasters showing all 64 games.

 

The World Cup package was priced at S$94.16 in an early bird promotion, and thereafter cost S$112.35  - unchanged from the rates during the 2014 World Cup.

 

Mr Walton said that he expects package prices to remain in the same ballpark, amid concerns in Singapore about inflation and the rising cost of living.

 

"We can expect that these telcos and broadcasters will be cautious about further exacerbating these concerns and potential backlash. Also, competition from over-the-top platforms will affect the pricing," he said.

 

"It is very likely that the packages will stay as close to (the) same pricing of previous similar packages as possible."

 

During the 2018 tournament, Mediacorp also broadcast nine matches for free on Okto, five more than in previous years. 

 

The People's Association had in the past organised free live screenings for the public.

 

Four years ago, it screened the World Cup games at 55 community clubs and Our Tampines Hub.

 

MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude 4.1 earthquake jolted Davao Occidental while a magnitude 4.2 earthquake hit Ilocos Sur on Friday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

 

 

The Inquirer reported that State seismologists recorded the earthquake in Davao Occidental at 2:20 a.m. and traced its epicenter some 137 kilometers southeast of Balut Island in the municipality of Sarangani, Davao Occidental.

 

 

Phivolcs said that the Davao Occidental earthquake was tectonic in origin with a depth of focus of 120 kilometers.

 

No damage or aftershocks are expected, Phivolcs said.

 

Meanwhile, the earthquake in Ilocos sur was recorded at 2:43 a.m. Its epicenter was traced some four kilometers northeast of Quirino, Ilocos Sur. 

 

The Ilocos Sur earthquake is another aftershock of the magnitude 7 earthquake that jolted Abra and many other parts of Luzon last July 27, Phivolcs said. 

 

The earthquake, which was of tectonic origin, had a depth of three kilometers and was measured at Instrumental intensity II in Basista, Pangasinan. 

 

Phivolcs said that no damage or aftershocks are expected. 

 

Heavy burden workers lifting flour at a bakery supplies warehouse in Pasig City, in this photo taken on July 8, 2022.

 

Bread makers are hurting from rising costs not only of flour, but also of sugar, and will seek an increase in prices.

 

There seems to be no end to the increasing prices of basic commodities to the detriment of ordinary consumers—first, it was rice, followed by fuel, and lately sugar.

 

In the next few weeks, the price of the ordinary tasty bread and “pandesal” may have to go up as well reports the Inquirer.

 

The country’s biggest bakers said they would submit this week or the next a request for a P4 increase in the price of bread to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to help them recover the higher costs of ingredients.

 

Pinoy Tasty and Pinoy Pandesal sell today for P38.50 per 450-gram pack and P23.50 for a pack of 10 pieces, respectively.

 

The last time bread prices were adjusted was in February this year when Pinoy Tasty and Pinoy Pandesal increased in price by P3 after local bread manufacturers grappled with the rising cost of flour, which had increased by nearly 45 percent. Starting Feb. 8, the retail price of Pinoy Tasty rose to P38.50, while Pinoy Pandesal increased to P23.50.

 

“We are affected. That’s the reason we must file for an increase,” Philippine Baking Industry Group (PhilBaking) president Johnlu Koa told the Inquirer when asked about the effects of high sugar prices on the bread industry.

 

Koa said they had submitted a similar request about two months ago, before the assumption of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

 

The PhilBaking official said the petitioned increase was due mainly to the rising cost of flour and sugar at that time.

 

However, Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ruth Castelo, who heads the DTI’s Consumer Protection Group, said in a phone interview that the same P4 price increase request has previously been withdrawn by the group after coming to terms with the government, but she did not elaborate.

 

Castelo said any new request would have to wait until the next publication of their suggested retail price bulletin as they have just issued the latest one days ago.

 

The DTI official said the date of the next issuance would depend on the volume of the request that they would get.

 

Still, Koa said they were not pressuring the government to immediately grant the P4 price increase, saying they could “wait within a reasonable amount of time.”

 

“Since we are supportive of government initiative and efforts to combat inflation, a week’s wait is alright with us,” he added.

 

Affected sectors

 

Other industry groups have recently complained about the excessive cost of sugar, which now retails for P90 to P100 in the market, apart from the scarcity of supply as pointed out by some companies.

 

Last Tuesday, the country’s three leading brands of carbonated drinks said they were experiencing a shortage of premium refined sugar, a major ingredient in their products.

 

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has also come forward to say that many of its members were experiencing the same shortage in supply, warning of price increases for beverage and processed food products and factory slowdowns if the problem persisted.

 

PCCI president George Barcelon told the Inquirer in a phone interview that there was an “urgent need” for the government to address the issue as many of their members were already affected by the shortage.

 

“Somebody told me that if there is no solution at the end, there may be certain factories that may have to slow down,” he said, adding that it might be too late if the government’s only plan was to import additional sugar by October.

 

However, the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship said the government’s timing and decision to import a limited amount of sugar supply was correct, saying the measure would protect both consumers and sugar farmers.

 

“The importation plan that the President has directed is correct and can help us achieve a more inclusive economy. It will allow our small farmers to make a living,” Joey Concepcion, the founder of the nonprofit group’s advocacy campaign Go Negosyo, said in a statement.

 

US-PH TIES. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. meets with the US Congressional Delegation head Senator Edward Markey at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Thursday (Aug. 18, 2022). Marcos expressed hope for an improved Philippines-US cooperation in the fields of economics, energy, and agriculture. (Photo from PBBM's official Facebook page)

 

MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday expressed hope for an improved cooperation between the Philippines and the United States (US) in the fields of economics, energy, and agriculture.

 

Marcos bared his intent to strengthen Manila's cooperation with Washington after his meeting with the US Congressional Delegation headed by Senator Edward Markey at Malacañan Palace in Manila.

 

In a Facebook post, Marcos said it was a “pleasure” meeting the US lawmakers.

 

Marcos said he and the US Congressional Delegation also sought improved cooperation between the two countries to combat illegal drugs.

 

“We look forward to continuing our partnership with the US in the areas of renewable energy use, agricultural development, economic reform, and mitigation of drug problem,” he said.

 

The US government has been among the Philippine government’s strong partners in terms of aid and support.

 

The Philippines’ bid to increase the share of renewable energy among its sources got a boost following the Aug. 6 awarding of the US government’s grant to a local firm to develop up to three-gigawatt wind power capacity.

 

The grant, which was extended through the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), was given to Aboitiz Renewable Inc. to allow the latter to conduct a feasibility study to develop up to three gigawatts of the offshore wind project.

 

The USTDA has provided funding for several projects involving smart grids, renewable power generation, distributed energy, and energy storage systems, according to the data from the US Department of State.

 

Also on Aug. 6, the US and the Philippines agreed to continue talks on ensuring food security for the Southeast Asian nations amid global supply disruptions driven by the climate crisis, the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said.

 

The two countries also acknowledged the importance of human rights and democracy under the watch of Marcos, Manalo said.

 

Malacañang on Aug. 11 vowed that the Marcos administration will adhere to the rule of law while sustaining the fight against illegal drugs. (PNA)

 

A Vietnam Airlines aircraft lands at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, June 15, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

 

Vietnam Airlines has just announced plans to resume regular flights from Da Nang to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur next month as international tourism gradually recovers.

 

Starting September 1 there will be four weekly flights on the Da Nang-Kuala Lumpur route.

 

The Da Nang-Bangkok service will restart two weeks later with daily flights.

 

Da Nang, with its beautiful beaches and other stunning tourist sights, expects to receive 180,000 foreign visitors this year.

 

In 2019, 3.5 million foreign visitors visited the central city.

 

Vietnam reopened its borders to tourists and has been allowing quarantine-free entry since March 15.

It has also scrapped Covid testing requirements.

 

Hanoi Train Station on Le Duan Street, Hanoi's Dong Da District. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

 

The railway infrastructure of Hanoi and Giap Bat train stations will be relocated to make room for the Yen Vien-Ngoc Hoi metro line, the transport ministry says.

 

In accordance with the Law on Railway Transport, the Hanoi People’s Committee will be the main investor for the Yen Vien-Ngoc Hoi metro line reported VN Express.

 

The Ministry of Transport will invest in the national railway, while Hanoi will invest in the depot area for the project.

 

The transport ministry has instructed the Railway Project Management Unit to hand over documents on the Yen Vien-Ngoc Hoi project to Hanoi authorities to speed up the process.

 

As the stations will change from being national terminals to metro stations.

 

The transport ministry will cooperate with relevant authorities to relocate the national railway infrastructure at the Hanoi and Giap Bat stations to make room for the Yen Vien-Ngoc Hoi project.

 

The Yen Vien-Ngoc Hoi project, spanning 28.7 km, would have two new railway bridges over the Red River and the Duong River to replace the Long Bien Bridge and the Duong Bridge.

 

The North-South Railway would begin from the Ngoc Hoi Station instead of the Hanoi Train Station.

 

When you are lucky enough to live in SE Asia or maybe go there on holiday, you never know where your next great meal could come from.

 

It could be from a street vendor in a quiet soi in Bangkok.

 

It could be smack in the middle of noisy Old Town Hanoi, from a street chef.

 

Sometimes if you have the budget, it’s at high-end establishments, replete with white tablecloths and clinking champagne flutes.

 

In Southeast Asia, however, the best meals are usually at the humblest of eateries: a street cart, a fluorescent-lit dining room with plastic chairs, or a roadside shack with a hand-painted sign.

 

This part of the world doesn’t care about ambiance — it’s all about flavor.

 

And Southeast Asian cuisine brings the flavor in spades.

 

It’s difficult to narrow down such a breadth of culinary choices into one small list, however, here are five top meals in Southeast Asia:

 

1. Banh Xeo — Crispy Pork and Shrimp Pancake — Vietnam

 

Photo: Anthony Tong Lee, Creative Commons

 

This simple-yet-delicious Central Vietnamese meal, Banh Xeo brings it all: contrasting textures, hearty and satisfying flavor, and a dash of freshness. Juicy shrimp and hearty minced pork are fried in a wok, then stuffed into a gorgeously crispy rice-and-turmeric shell.

 

Bean sprouts and fresh herbs punctuate the savoriness, giving it a lift that keeps you coming back for more. Wrap it up in a rice paper, dip it into briny nuoc cham, and you’ll have a flavor explosion that will linger in your memory for years to come.

 

It’s a specialty of Hoi An, but you can also find it on menus in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

 

2. Babi Guling — Slow-Roasted Pork — Indonesia

 

Photo: Rollan Budi, Creative Commons

 

It was a tossup between Indonesia’s babi guling and the Philippines lechon baboy — both slow-roasted pork dishes that are delicious. 

 

The babi guling just wins for a couple of reasons: consistency and spice.

 

In the Philippines, the best place to get lechon is in Cebu, where the Sprite-soaked crispy skin is a piece of crackly heaven.

 

The Indonesian dish not only includes the same ingredients all over the island, but it also packs in several layers of spice.

 

Sweet spice from ginger, galangal, and lesser galangal.

 

Earthy spice from fresh turmeric and black peppercorns. And fiery spice from loads of birdseye chilis. In addition to the briny shrimp paste that pervades all things Balinese, it obliterates all corners of your palate.

 

You can eat it in mostly Muslim Indonesia, it’s hard to find pork outside of Bali. There are several famous babi guling restaurants throughout Bali and the Gilis.

 

3. Khao Soi — Crispy Noodle Curry — Thailand or Laos

 

 

Some call it a curry; some call it a soup.

 

Its true nature is entirely dependent on where you’re eating it. In Laos, it’s a clear-broth soup with egg or rice noodles and minced pork.

 

But in Northern Thailand it achieves legendary status.

 

A coconut milk and turmeric sauce cradles pillowy-soft, cooked, and crispy-fried egg noodles, giving a texture bite that most curries are missing.

 

Fried shallots bring a hint of sweetness, fried chilis a hit of tempered spice.

 

A shot of lime rounds everything out with just enough tang to lift everything up from “just another meal” to “one of the best meals you have ever had.”

 

Usually served with chicken or beef, you’ll have a tough time not eating this every day.

 

This dish is a staple of Northern Thailand — good luck finding it in the south, or anywhere outside of the country. 

 

Chiang Mai‘s restaurants are a fun way to find your favorite version of this dish, but it can be found in Pai, Chiang Rai, and other Northern Thai cities.

 

4. Fish Amok — Fish Curry — Cambodia

 

A pretty package: Fish Amok

 

Poor Cambodia. It’s so often overlooked as a culinary destination in Southeast Asia. Yes, Cambodia is sandwiched between spicy Thailand and French-influenced Vietnam.

 

But it has plenty to offer the hungry traveler, if only they knew where to look.

 

And nothing is a better testament to the cuisine than Fish Amok.

 

If you like your sweet with hit of tart, you’ll fall in love with the thick, almost custard-like sauce that forms the base of this dish.

 

The ginger-galangal-turmeric trifecta is back, ground down into a paste. Into all this spicy, earthy goodness, tart lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves create the perfect tart tang to cut through it.

 

A little hint of chili a splash of coconut milk round everything out. Tossed into a banana leaf with freshwater white fish and steamed until done, it is perfection on a plate.

 

You will find this dish on menus all over Cambodia, no need to make a special trip for this one!

 

5. Chili Pan Mee — Stir-Fried Wheat Noodles — Malaysia

 

This iconic noodle dish is served two ways: wet or dry. Both are excellent, but the dry version really speaks to my soul. Thick, hearty wheat noodles are smothered in a just-fiery-enough caramelized chili sauce.

 

This is then topped with seasoned minced pork, crispy fried shallots, dark and light soy sauce, and crispy-fried anchovies. Yes, anchovies. It sounds gross, but they lend the perfect umami crunch to offset the fiery chili. Many places also serve this with a poached or soft-boiled egg — break the yolk, shovel it down, and thank the universe that you are a human with tastebuds.

 

The best place to find this is in Kuala Lumpur — there are several restaurants and food stalls in the markets that offer it.

 

Of course, we are sure you will have your own favourites so do let us know by posting a suggestion and why.

The Philippines needs to foster long-term cooperation with like-minded nations to protect its strategic interests and become a "constructive" player in the region amid a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, a political analyst from the Stratbase ADR Institute said this week.

 

Sounds like the super powers are ganging up to set up alliances and the Philippines is the piggy in the middle of this potentially delicate situation.

 

Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista and Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian in August talks

 

On the one hand, we have the Chinese re-opening talks with the Marcos government on investing in the Philippines railway system.

 

While the US sent over US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his official visit to Manila in August.

 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Manila

 

Blinken was the first major overseas top diplomat to actually sit down and hold serious talks with the newly elected President.

 

It showed the world how much the mighty US is taking the South China Sea issue as a serious threat to global peace.

 

The political analyst from the Stratbase ADR Institute added this week, “Given the current geopolitical landscape and the emergence of various security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, the Philippines should maximize its engagements and foster long-term cooperation with like-minded states such as the United States (US), Japan, Australia, and the European Union in order to protect strategic interests and manage threats collectively,"

 

"These engagements would also enable the country to become a more constructive and relevant player in the region, particularly in promoting a rule-based international order that recognizes shared democratic values," he added.

 

The statement came as Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo affirmed on Tuesday that Manila is "fully prepared" to enhance existing relationships as well as cultivate and bridge new ties-- a position Manhit said demonstrates the direction the country is taking in terms of its position in the region.

 

The Philippines is a middle power

 

The Philippines is deemed a "middle power" in Asia, ranking 16th in overall comprehensive power out of 26 countries and territories included in the Lowy Institute's Asia Power Index 2021.

 

The report said Manila performs best in the defense networks measure, where it places 9th while its lowest ranking occurs in the resilience measure, coming in at 20th place.

 

Lowy Institute, meanwhile, reported that the Philippines' power gap or how well it converts its resources into influence in Asia has "improved" in 2021.

 

The annual Asia Power Index measures power by looking into a country's economic relationships, defense networks, diplomatic influence, cultural influence, economic capability, military capability, resilience, and future resources, with a scope reaching as far west as Pakistan, as far north as Russia, and as far into the Pacific as Australia, New Zealand, and the US.

 

The US and China were the only two countries tagged as "superpowers" in the latest index for garnering scores greater than 70.

 

These were followed by middle powers or countries and territories that scored points greater than 10 –Japan (38.7), India (37.7), Russia (33), Australia (30.8), South Korea (30, Singapore (26.2), Indonesia (19.4), Thailand (19.2), Malaysia (18.3), Vietnam (18.3), New Zealand (17.8), Taiwan (16.2), Pakistan (14.7), the Philippines (13.1), and North Korea (11.5).

 

Nine others, with scores less than 10 points, were ranked as "minor powers". 

 

1951 Mutual Defense Treaty

 

Meanwhile United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier this month assured President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that the US would honor its decades-old commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).

 

Signed on Aug. 30, 1951, the MDT is an accord that stipulates that the Philippines and the US would support each other if either of them was to be attacked by an external party.

 

Blinken described the US commitment to the MDT as "ironclad," adding that "an armed attack on Philippine Armed Forces public vessels or aircraft in the South China Sea would invoke the US Mutual Defense commitments under that treaty."

 

Strong words for sure.

 

The new Philippine government now has a tricky road ahead, especially after the heavy-handed bullying tactics shown this month with missiles being fired over Taiwan.

 

 

 

 

file photo

 

SINGAPORE - There is a bubble tea craze sweeping across Singapore again, and it is catching on elsewhere across SE Asia too, even as related products are popping up according to the Straits Times.

 

Etude House, a South Korean beauty label, released bubble tea-inspired sleeping masks in 2016, while local bakery BreadTalk launched bubble tea cake rolls and buns last year.

 

YouTubers around the world also hopped onto the bubble tea craze, posting videos about consuming and interacting with the drink in extreme ways.

 

One YouTuber even made giant tapioca pearls (a common bubble tea topping), while another made milk tea in a bathtub and soaked herself in it.

 

Billion Dollar Industry

 

The global bubble tea market was valued at US$1.96 billion (S$2.67 billion) in 2016 and is projected to reach US$3.21 billion by 2023, according to research firm Allied Market Research.

 

In 2016, North America and the Asia-Pacific accounted for more than 83 percent of the global bubble tea industry, in terms of value.

 

Despite the growing thirst for bubble tea around the world, the drink came to Singapore's shores much earlier in 2001. The fad peaked from March to October 2001, when shops sold about 800 to 1,000 cups a day.

 

Competition among bubble tea shops was so fierce that one store even used scantily clad models to entice customers.

 

"Models can move around and they are attractive. People can look at them, get closer, and hear what you want to say about your product," said Mr Jeffrey Chung, the director of Jeffrey Chung Models. He was the owner of Fei Fei Bubble Tea from 2001 to 2003.

 

Bubble tea shops proliferated, with a whopping 5,000 shops in 2002.

 

But the bubble burst in 2003 and many stores eventually closed.

 

Even so, the craze saw a resurgence in 2011 as new Taiwanese bubble tea chains entered the local market. Since then, Singapore has seen two more waves in the drink's popularity - in 2018 and 2019.

 

A crab at a farm in southern Ca Mau Province. Photo by VnExpress/Chi Lam

 

Vietnam crab exports rose 41% to $111 million between Jan. 1 and July 15 this year, according to data from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

 

According to VN Express the U.S, China, Japan and France were the four major markets accounting for 92% of the value.

 

China was the fastest growing market as exports surged 74% year-on-year to $37 million, followed by France (up 60%) and Japan (51%).

 

Exports to the U.S. grew 27%, though the country was Vietnam’s top market with a value of $38 million.

Crab prices have surged amid domestic shortage and rising demand from major markets in the U.S., China and Japan.

 

Hoang, a crab seller, said prices at the farm have risen 20% since last month to VND400,000-600,000 ($17-26) a kilogram but there was hardly enough for him to sell.

 

A VnExpress survey showed crab prices in HCMC have risen to the highest in the year-to-date at VND900,000 a kilogram.

 

VASEP expects crab exports to thrive in the second half this year thanks to rising demand driven by holidays like Christmas and Lunar New Year.

 

A bowl of thick noodles "cao lau" is served at a stall in Hoi An ancient town. Photo by VnExpress/Di Vy

 

Scotland-based travel agency Skyscanner has named Vietnam among six best foodie destinations "without worrying about blowing your budget" alongside Mexico, India, Thailand, Nepal, and Singapore reports VN Express.

 

"If you've ever tucked into a steaming bowl of pho, you'll understand why foodie travelers fall in love with Vietnam," Skycanner said.

 

Though pho originated in Hanoi, it has gradually become a favored dish in the south as well, with options that include the original raw beef, a mix of raw and cooked beef, brisket, and tendon.

 

Foodies can try a perfect bowl of pho for less than £1 ($1.21) and a local beer for about £0.5, the agency notes.

 

A bowl of pho in Ho Chi Minh City normally costs VND40,000 ($1.71), according to VnExpress survey.

 

Don't forget to enjoy banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) served with stuffed rolls and goi cuon (fresh summer rolls) filled with shrimp and mint leaves, it adds.

 

It also says that the ancient town of Hoi An in central Vietnam is considered as Vietnam's foodie capital where Chinese, French and Japanese influences combine to create a unique take on Vietnamese cuisine.

 

The signature dishes in Hoi An are cao lau (Vietnamese thick noodles) and chicken rice.

 

(File photo)

 

MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) are planning to hold several two-day job fairs in various parts of the country next month.

 

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said Wednesday the collaboration will help boost employment in the hospitality industry.

 

“It will be a series of job fairs to be held in various cities and provinces with an initial focus in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao,” he said in a statement.

 

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) will be issued to formalize the partnership of the two agencies for the job fairs dubbed "Trabaho Turismo Asenso" which will be launched from Sept. 22 to 24.

 

The number of jobs has yet to be announced.

 

Laguesma noted that the hotel sector is lacking manpower based on the findings by the DOT as revealed by tourism stakeholders led by hotel establishments.

 

“What we’re about to undertake aims to support the government’s economic recovery program by providing a platform for job seekers for job opportunities in various tourism sectors and allied services. Through the job fairs, we can help organizations find the best candidates for their vacancies, thus bridging industry gaps,” he said.

 

He added that they are already coordinating with the Philippine Hotel Owners Association for the specific types of jobs required and the number of vacancies in the sector.

 

The DOLE said the country recorded a total of 1.1 million foreign travelers since it reopened in February this year.

 

The figure surpassed the full-year arrivals in 2021 where only 163,879 foreigners entered the Philippines. (PNA)

 

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan (Screengrab)

 

MANILA – Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan said at least 86.7 percent of the elderlies in the city are now considered fully inoculated after receiving two doses of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine.

 

During the Pinaslakas vaccination event held at the SM Manila on Wednesday, Lacuna-Pangan reiterated her stand that vaccination is the solution to the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

“We ourselves conduct home vaccination for our senior citizens, especially the bedridden. Here in our city, 86.7 percent of seniors have already received the full dose, while more than 50 percent of the total target population has received the first booster,” Lacuna-Pangan said.

 

She also assured that the city remains committed to working with the national government to vaccinate as many citizens against the dreaded Covid-19.

 

K R de Asis of the Manila Public Information Office said 86.7 percent accounts for a total of 138,332 elderlies in the city, out of the target number of around 160,000 who have completed their second dose of the Covid-19 jabs.

 

Data from the Manila Health Department shows that as of 5 p.m. on  Aug. 16, the city government has already administered a total of 3,505,030 Covid-19 vaccine doses.

 

Of the number, at least 1,818,763 received their first dose while 1,732,237 got their full dose, which includes the single-dose Janssen vaccine.

 

The city has also administered 627,857 doses of the first booster shot and 66,864 second booster doses. (PNA)

 

 

MANILA – The Philippines should foster long-term cooperation with like-minded nations to protect its strategic interests and become a "constructive" player in the region amid a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, a political analyst said Wednesday.

 

"Given the current geopolitical landscape and the emergence of various security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, the Philippines should maximize its engagements and foster long-term cooperation with like-minded states such as the United States (US), Japan, Australia, and the European Union in order to protect strategic interests and manage threats collectively," Stratbase ADR Institute president Dindo Manhit told the Philippine News Agency.

 

"These engagements would also enable the country to become a more constructive and relevant player in the region, particularly in promoting a rule-based international order that recognizes shared democratic values," he added.

 

The statement came as Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo affirmed on Tuesday that Manila is "fully prepared" to enhance existing relationships as well as cultivate and bridge new ties-- a position Manhit said demonstrates the direction the country is taking in terms of its position in the region.

 

For the next six years, Manhit said the Marcos administration must strategize and closely monitor the region's changing dynamics while considering the risks and opportunities they present.

 

By doing so, he said Manila could elevate its economic and security potential while implementing an "independent and inclusive foreign policy that can accommodate the Filipino people's priorities and interests."

 

The Philippines is deemed a "middle power" in Asia, ranking 16th in overall comprehensive power out of 26 countries and territories included in the Lowy Institute's Asia Power Index 2021.

 

The report said Manila performs best in the defense networks measure, where it places 9th while its lowest ranking occurs in the resilience measure, coming in at 20th place.

 

Lowy Institute, meanwhile, reported that the Philippines' power gap or how well it converts its resources into influence in Asia has "improved" in 2021.

 

The annual Asia Power Index measures power by looking into a country's economic relationships, defense networks, diplomatic influence, cultural influence, economic capability, military capability, resilience, and future resources, with a scope reaching as far west as Pakistan, as far north as Russia, and as far into the Pacific as Australia, New Zealand, and the US.

 

The US and China were the only two countries tagged as "super powers" in the latest index for garnering scores greater than 70.

 

These were followed by middle powers or countries and territory that scored points greater than 10 –Japan (38.7), India (37.7), Russia (33), Australia (30.8), South Korea (30, Singapore (26.2), Indonesia (19.4), Thailand (19.2), Malaysia (18.3), Vietnam (18.3), New Zealand (17.8), Taiwan (16.2), Pakistan (14.7), the Philippines (13.1), and North Korea (11.5).

 

Nine others, with scores less than 10 points, were ranked as "minor powers". (PNA)

 

 

Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat is ready to fight and save his PGA TOUR career at the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, a three-tournament series that will award 25 PGA TOUR cards starting on Thursday.

 

This will be the second successive year the 33-year-old will face the pressure of TOUR survival after finishing a lowly 190th on the FedExCup standings, well outside the top-125 required to retain playing rights on the world’s elite circuit.

 

A tied 13th finish at the Wyndham Championship, the final tournament of the PGA TOUR’s Regular Season two weeks ago, where he produced cards of 65 and 63 in the second and third rounds, has given him some self-belief ahead of a crucial next few weeks.

 

Thai caddie Prajak Khaoprathum

 

Kiradech also reunited with his first ever caddie from Thailand, Prajak Khaoprathum who flew out to the U.S. to carry his bag at the Rocket Mortgage Classic last month which snapped a run of five straight missed cuts.

 

The Korn Ferry Tour Finals begins on Thursday with the Albertsons Boise Open presented by Chevron at Hillcrest Country Club in Boise, Idaho.

 

“One thing I need to do is just go out there and play again. I was about to give up, so I’ve got nothing to lose. If I don’t get it (TOUR card), I can go back to Europe or Asia. If I get it back, it’ll be a bonus. I’m not forcing myself. Will just go out and play my own game. I just want to feel comfortable,” said Kiradech.

 

Ranked as high as 29th in the world previously, Kiradech, who holds four victories on the DP World Tour, started playing full time on the PGA TOUR in 2019 but a knee injury led to a big dip in form which also dented his confidence greatly.

 

He said he was on the verge of giving up his American dream this season after missing nine cuts from 19 starts but a commendable outing at Wyndham, and with Prajak back by his side, changed his mind.

 

“I was ready to go home, to be honest,” said Kiradech, who has nine career top-10s from 104 PGA TOUR starts.

 

“I felt like I would give up on the PGA TOUR and staying in the U.S. When I walk out of my house, it feels like I’m on my own, and I couldn’t speak the same language with my American caddies. Then when I got my first Thai caddie to come out here, I thought let’s give it another shot at the Korn Ferry Tour Finals. I wasn’t planning on the Finals but I just can’t give it away by not trying. A million other people would want to be in this spot. I have nothing to lose.”

 

Kiradech feels his ball-striking has improved vastly over the last few weeks, but knows his putter must work like a magic wand if he is to succeed in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals.

 

He has been tinkering with various equipment in recent weeks in hope of landing the right flatstick. Prajak’s presence has also been a massive boost to his confidence as his caddie is also a close friend.

 

“I feel comfortable when I have my friend on the bag. We talk the same language. We believe I can do something better than before. We trust each other and I’m swinging it nicely. You can also see I’m making less bogeys, less mistakes in the last few weeks,” said Kiradech.

 

“My game felt good starting from the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Ball striking has been much better, and tee to green has been consistent. I shot two of my lowest rounds at Wyndham. I have been on and off the PGA TOUR since 2014 and I showed I was always up there in the top-50 in the world. But after my injury and loss of confidence, it’s just one bad moment in this lifetime. I don’t know when I can get back my form but everything can come back.”

 

Kiradech finished T20, T34 and T27 in the three tournaments on the Korn Ferry Tour Finals last season to grab the 21st card available for the PGA TOUR. He feels upbeat of his chances. 

 

“I like those courses, played well last year,” he said.

 

“What I’m doing right now is coming at the right way and I just need to bring everything together at the same time.”

 

The website Numbeo has published its current Healthcare index for the wider Asia regions.

 

Their global health care survey was taken by 41072 people in 3,969 cities.

 

Numbeo allows you to see, share and compare information about health care systems worldwide.

 

It surveys the following information and details about health care:

 

Skill and competency of medical staff

Speed in completing examination and reports

Equipment for modern diagnosis and treatment

Accuracy and completeness in filling out reports

Friendliness and courtesy of the staff

Responsiveness (waitings) in medical institutions

Convenience of location for you.

 

We have listed here their list of the top 72 healthcare cities across Asia, by rank, City and Health care index.

 

1. Al Fujayrah, United Arab Emirates  89.74

2. Kaohsiung, Taiwan  87.95

3. Taipei, Taiwan  86.23

4. Chiang Mai, Thailand  83.81

5.Makati, Philippines  83.29

6.Seoul, South Korea  82.80

7.Tokyo, Japan  80.71

8. Bursa, Turkey  78.96

9. Mangalore, India  78.16

10. Qingdao, Shandong, China  77.48

11. Bangkok, Thailand  76.97

12. Antalya, Turkey  75.92

13. Pattaya, Thailand  75.40

14. Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel  74.32

15. Haifa, Israel  74.27

16. Navi Mumbai, India  74.02

17. Doha, Qatar  73.62

18. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates  73.10

19. Izmir, Turkey  72.70

20. Colombo, Sri Lanka  71.94

21. Singapore, Singapore  71.09

22. Coimbatore, India  70.76

23. Jerusalem, Israel  70.51

24. Chennai, India  70.37

25. Istanbul, Turkey  69.31

26. Ankara, Turkey  68.87

27. Visakhapatnam, India  68.67

28. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia  67.92

29. Dubai, United Arab Emirates  67.92

30. Astana (Nur-Sultan), Kazakhstan  67.33

31. Noida, India  66.78

32. Beijing, China  66.57

33.Pune, India  66.47

34. Ahmedabad, India  66.43

35. Kochi, India  66.33

36. Hong Kong, Hong Kong  66.07

37. Manama, Bahrain  65.77

38. Bangalore, India  65.74

39. Delhi, India  65.64

40. Beirut, Lebanon  65.15

41. Hyderabad, India  65.13

42. Amman, Jordan  65.01

43. Mumbai, India   64.89

44. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia  64.79

45. Guangzhou, China 64.72

46. Islamabad, Pakistan  64.23

47. Gurgaon, India  63.85

48 Manila, Philippines  63.36

49  Chandigarh, India  62.85

50  Lahore, Pakistan  62.52

51  Shanghai, China  62.41

52  Thiruvananthapuram, India  61.89

53  Sharjah, United Arab Emirates  61.16

54. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam  59.84

55 Muscat, Oman  59.41

56 Jeddah (Jiddah), Saudi Arabia  59.19

57 Kuwait City, Kuwait  58.97

58 Kolkata, India  57.87

59 Hanoi, Vietnam  57.59

60 Karachi, Pakistan  57.18

61 Yerevan, Armenia  57.02

62. Jakarta, Indonesia  56.89

63. Kathmandu, Nepal  55.76

64.Tbilisi, Georgia  54.39

65. Nicosia, Cyprus  54.22

66. Tehran, Iran  52.57

67. Limassol, Cyprus  50.54

68 Phnom Penh, Cambodia  49.00

69 Almaty, Kazakhstan  47.74

70 Baku, Azerbaijan  46.86

71. Dhaka, Bangladesh  39.68

72. Baghdad, Iraq  33.86

 

Showing 1 to 72 of 72 entries.

 

HCMC hospital

 

The top SE Asian city was Chang Mai in Thailand coming in at 4th and the top Vietnam city was HCMC at 54th and Hanoi at 59th out of 72 cities listed.

 

 

MANILA – The country has detected 1,011 more cases of the Omicron BA.5 subvariant of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Department of Health (DOH) reported Tuesday.

 

In a Viber message to reporters, the DOH said at least one person from all regions except Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has tested positive for the BA.5 subvariant.

 

About 336 are from Western Visayas, 82 from the National Capital Region (NCR), 79 from Central Luzon, 75 from Calabarzon, 72 from Ilocos Region, 70 from Bicol Region, 67 from Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), 48 from Soccksargen, 44 from Mimaropa, 34 from Northern Mindanao, 27 from Caraga, 26 from Central Visayas, 25 from Cagayan Valley, 17 from Davao Region, five from Zamboanga Peninsula, one from Eastern Visayas, and three returning overseas Filipinos.

 

Of the tally, 690 are fully vaccinated, 12 are partially vaccinated, three are unvaccinated, while the vaccination status of the remaining 306 individuals is still being verified. Their exposures and travel histories are also being verified.

 

About 907 individuals are now tagged as recovered, 53 are still undergoing isolation, two have died, and the outcomes of the remaining 49 are still being verified.

 

There were also 19 additional BA.4 cases -- 12 from Soccsksargen, three each from Bicol Region and Western Visayas, and one from CAR.

 

Thirteen individuals are fully vaccinated, one is partially vaccinated, while the vaccination status of the remaining five individuals is still being verified.

 

Five individuals are now tagged as recovered, three are still undergoing isolation, and one has died.

The DOH is still verifying their exposures and travel histories.

 

All the reported cases are based on the latest genome sequencing results from August 12 to 15. (PNA) 

 

TEMPORARY CLOSURE. People are advised not to use the pedestrian overpass in Matina Crossing, Davao City, after the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office found visible cracks on the structure following the 5.6 magnitude quake Monday afternoon (Aug. 15, 2022).  The overpass will be assessed by the City Engineer’s Office to ensure its structural integrity. (Photo courtesy of Matina Crossing BDRRMC)

 

DAVAO CITY – A pedestrian overpass in Barangay Matina Crossing here was temporarily closed as more cracks were found on the structure after an intensity 5 temblor hit the city on Monday afternoon.

In a radio interview Tuesday, Alfredo Baloran, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief, said they immediately assessed buildings and other structures to ensure the safety of their continued use following the tremor.

Baloran said no one was hurt in the tremor and the overpass will be further assessed by the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) to ensure its structural integrity.

“We have coordinated this with the CEO because they have technical people who can determine if the structure is still safe for public use,” he said.

Landslide-prone areas have been inspected amid the heavy rains during the past few days, he added.

“The rainy weather experienced in the city has only increased the risk in foothills and mountainsides,” Baloran said, even as he reminded Dabawenyos to be on guard in times of natural calamities.

He also urged the Dabawenyos to immediately report any cracks found in office buildings, schools, bridges, houses, and other structures to authorities.

The tremor was felt in the city after a magnitude 5.6 quake shook parts of Mindanao, with the epicenter traced in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur. (PNA)

 

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PNA photo by Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

 

MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Tuesday night told travelers that measures are in place to ensure their safety while visiting destinations across the Philippines.

 

The statement came after the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) placed the country under alert level 3 for "high-level of coronavirus disease 2019" (Covid-19).

 

Seeking to allay fears, the DOT noted that more than half of the roughly 235 places the CDC monitored have also been placed under the said level.

 

“The global pandemic continues to expose the tourism industry to challenges, but our travelers can rest assured that the Philippine government continues to ensure that minimum public health and safety standards are in place, coupled with the precautionary measures observed by our partners from the private and public sectors. Therefore, our guests can safely enjoy any of our 7,641 islands even in the time of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said.

 

“We are confident of the measures and guidelines that we have instituted to strike a balance between safety and travel in the new normal.”

 

Unlike many other countries in the west, the Philippines maintains a strict policy on wearing face masks to prevent the spread of the virus.

 

More than 72 million Filipinos have also been fully vaccinated as of Aug. 15, 2022.

 

In addition, the department said there is a stark difference between the Covid-19 positivity rate in the Philippines, which averages at 4,001 daily, compared to that of the US, which recorded 13,609 new cases in the last 24 hours as of August 16.

 

Citing the Department of Health, the DOT said the country gives "more weight to the health care utilization rate rather than the number of new cases.”

 

Nationwide, 29.3 percent or 838 out of 2,887 intensive care unit beds and 31.9 percent or about 8,165 out of 26,266 non-ICU beds are in use.

 

“What we learned from the advent of Covid-19 is that we cannot continue to allow the fear of it to negatively shape our lives and our travel plans. So much has been lost to this pandemic," Frasco said.

 

"We need to revise our perspective and learn how to live with this virus in a manner that is reasonable, rational, as well as responsible of health protocols so not only lives but livelihoods of people dependent on tourism may be saved in the process.” (PNA)

 

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (C) and leaders of telecommunication groups Viettel on August 16, 2022. Photo by Viettel

 

Telecommunication giant Viettel has proposed that it produces chips to meet domestic demand and for export in addition to offering e-payment services.

 

Leaders of the military owned Viettel Group made the proposal at a Tuesday meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

 

VN Express reported that the proposal was made in the context of the recent global chip shortage, which has seriously affected many manufacturing sectors and business areas, prompting several countries to promote chip production as a national security measure.

 

In this context, the group was also asked to be assigned the tasks of ensuring national defense and security, promoting its strengths, and demonstrating the pioneering role of state-owned companies in the fields of high-tech defense, construction, and cyber security and safety.

 

Viettel said it wanted to deploy a national digital conversion platform and work as an intermediary for financial switching services and electronic clearing services to facilitate the transfer of funds from one bank account to another.

 

The group also wanted permission to research green energy technology and modernize important infrastructure in the field of transportation, logistics, urban areas, and science and technology.

 

It also asked for more leeway in deciding investment capital and salaries, as well as organizing its internal units.

 

At the same time, it suggested that the government adds a new legal corridor for state-owned firms, such as a mechanism to make evaluations based on the principle of overall investment efficiency instead of relying on individual investment items and projects, and a mechanism to establish a Venture Capital Fund for investment in innovative start-ups.

 

PM Chinh said Viettel should research and produce chips to serve the country’s digital transformation process effectively and efficiently, including building a digital government, digital economy, and digital society. He said Viettel must be a corporation that plays a leading role in this process.

 

He also agreed that the group works as an intermediary for financial switching and electronic clearing services and assigned related ministers to study the plan and report on it to the government.

 

Viettel has been maintaining an average pre-tax profit of over VND40 trillion ($1.7 billion) each year for several years.

 

The group is doing business in ten markets with a total population size of 260 million in three continents and has so far reported profits in seven markets, at $250-350 million per year.

 

UK Home Office Permanent Under-Secretary Matthew Rycroft (C) and his entourage drink at a street-side cafe inside Hanoi's Old Quarter, August 15 2022. Photo courtesy of UK Embassy in Hanoi

 

On Monday, U.K. Home Office Permanent Under-Secretary Matthew Rycroft visited the Old Quarter, one of Hanoi's most popular tourist attractions, during his two-day visit to Vietnam, reported VN Express.

 

The U.K. Embassy in Hanoi posted some photos on its Facebook page, showing Rycroft and his entourage enjoying drinks at a street-side café.

 

The Old Quarter used to be a residential, manufacturing, and commercial center consisting of guild streets, each specializing in a particular trade, and is now a nightlife symbol in the capital dotted with an array of cafes, restaurants, street food stalls, and bars.

 

Rycroft is in Vietnam to strengthen U.K.-Vietnam migration cooperation.

 

On Monday, the first U.K. – Vietnam migration dialogue was held in Hanoi to improve cooperation and prevent human smuggling.

 

File photo of a police officer arresting a suspect. (Photo: CNA/Hanidah Amin)

 

SINGAPORE: A 14-year-old was among six men arrested for their suspected involvement in two cases of car theft, the police said on Wednesday (Aug 17).

 

According to CNA, the police had received reports on Monday that two cars were stolen from car parks at Jurong West Street 52 and Boon Lay Drive.

 

"Through ground enquiries and with the aid of images from police cameras and CCTVs (closed-circuit television), officers from Jurong Police Division, Clementi Police Division, Police Operations Command Centre, Criminal Investigation Department and Police Intelligence Department established the identities of the six men," said the police.

 

The suspects, aged between 14 and 32, were arrested on Monday and Tuesday.

 

The two stolen cars were recovered, said the police, adding that the six men will be charged in court on Wednesday and Thursday with theft of motor vehicles with common intention.

 

The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years and a fine.