World Roundup: & bull; 10M Chinese tested amid new outbreak & bull; HK-SG bubble up
Almost 10 million people in the Chinese city of Qingdao have now been screened for the coronavirus, officials said Thursday, as authorities rushed to quash an outbreak through an ambitious program of mass testing......»»
ChatGPT – Year of the Dragon
The bull market in stocks was driven by the enthusiasm over artificial intelligence and the myriads of possibilities that it offers. Considering this and the upcoming Chinese New Year, we thought it was appropriate to ask ChatGPT, OpenAI’s chat bot, about its forecasts for the year of the dragon......»»
Gaza open-air cinema a breath of fresh air for Palestinians
Gaza residents took their seats in front of a large projector screen set up on a sandy beach, a rare event in the Islamist-ruled blockaded enclave that has no operating cinemas. Over two weeks in summer, the "Cinema of the Sea" festival which ended Monday screened some 15 films, many of them with Palestinian actors or producers. Providing a respite from the heat, the waterfront "is the only outlet for the residents" in the impoverished territory, said Ali Muhanna, a theatre director involved in the initiative. Around 2.3 million Palestinians live in the Gaza Strip, which has been under a crippling Israeli-led blockade since the Islamist group Hamas seized power in 2007. Sitting barefoot in a pink dress at the open-air cinema on Gaza City's beach, seven-year-old Salma Shamaleh was transfixed by the screen. "I have never seen a TV this size," she told AFP as she watched "Ferdinand", an animated blockbuster that tells the story of a giant but soft-hearted black bull. The first film screenings in Gaza date to the 1940s, with the opening of the Samer Cinema, whose building now houses a car dealership. Cinemas were forced to close in the late 1980s during the first Palestinian uprising, or intifada. They reopened following the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in the 1990s but for years have largely been gathering dust. In 1996, Islamists set a Gaza cinema ablaze. While not explicitly banned, Hamas authorities fear cinemas may amplify what they view as foreign or Western beliefs that go against Islamic traditions. There have been some outdoor screenings in recent years, most notably amid the rubble of buildings destroyed in Israeli air strikes during wars fought with Gaza militants. Like across much of the eastern Mediterranean, Gazans have flocked to the seaside in recent weeks to escape soaring temperatures. Shamaleh was thrilled by the cinematic experience. "Our house is nearby, I'll ask my mum for us to come every day," she said. - 'Happy' - The festival's program featured "Farha", a Jordanian film which, through a young girl's perspective, depicts atrocities committed against Palestinians during the 1948 conflict that led to Israel's creation. The hard-hitting film resonated with Mona Hanafi, 50, who watched it with her daughter and dozens of other spectators. "The film is brilliant in addressing a realistic Palestinian story... The performance and directing are impressive," she said. "Seeing the children and people watching the open cinema in Gaza made me happy," added Hanafi. Another audience member, Hadeel Hajji, said she had "never seen anything like that in my life". "I was with my family when I saw the screen from far away, so I came to watch," she told AFP. "Cinema of the Sea" was organized by Al-Bahr Elna Cooperative Cafe in partnership with the culture ministry. The cooperative was established in 2020 by a group of artists, with start-up funding from Palestinian institutions. Since that initial cash dried up, the group has relied on donations. For Muhanna, the cafe's founder, the festival has been an opportunity to show films which demonstrate how "Palestinians contributed to producing (cinema) and conveying the values of society". Atef Askoul, head of the Hamas-appointed body responsible for approving public art events, said Gazans who suffer from miserable living conditions under the blockade have "the right to watch films and cinema". my-gb/rsc/jd/ami © Agence France-Presse The post Gaza open-air cinema a breath of fresh air for Palestinians appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Dow, S& P 500 gain amid signs of broadening market rally
Wall Street stocks mostly rose early Tuesday amid signs of greater broadening in the equity market beyond technology. Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare pointed to greater momentum for industrials and other "cyclical" sectors tied to economic growth "suggesting that there was a rotation of money within the stock market," he said in a note. "That is what one typically sees in a bull market," O'Hare said. Energy and materials were two other sectors showing early gains, while technology was lower. Tech gains were at the heart of the stock market's buoyant first semester of 2023. About 25 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.3 percent at 34,060.67. The broad-based S&P 500 added 0.1 percent at 4,415.35, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index dipped 0.1 percent to 15,017.45. Markets are looking ahead to Wednesday's consumer price index report, a critical data point for the upcoming US Federal Reserve decision. The yield on the 10-year US Treasury note, a proxy for interest rates, dipped below 4.0 percent. The post Dow, S&P 500 gain amid signs of broadening market rally appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Clark Freeport Zone ready for business
With big-scale events in full swing once, Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga is ready to host various MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events with essential infrastructures, from transportation to recreational facilities, already in place to accommodate local and international guests. Supporting Clark Freeport Zone’s business tourism initiatives is Filinvest Mimosa+ Leisure City, the only leisure township in Central Luzon well-equipped with top-notch amenities to ensure personal and business travelers’ stay is as convenient and relaxing as possible. Strategically located at the heart of Clark Freeport Zone, Filinvest Mimosa+ Leisure City is a two-hour drive from Manila via NLEX, SCTEX and TPLEX and a short eight-minute drive from Clark International Airport. Access by sea is possible through the Subic Freeport Zone, while public transportation is available through Mabalacat Regional Bus Terminal. Meanwhile, guests from major cities such as Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Seoul can have three- to five-hour direct flights. Additionally, the new state-of-the-art Clark International Airport can accommodate eight million passengers annually and is equipped with the latest technologies to make travel easier. The North-South Commuter Railway, once completed, will also help reduce travel time from Clark to Metro Manila to less than an hour. Award-winning amenities Filinvest Mimosa+ is a leading MICE destination in Central Luzon, providing award-winning amenities catering to various business events. At the heart of the property is Quest Plus Conference Center Clark, which received the 2021 Sports Tourism Awards Hotel of the Year for hosting the PBA & Asian Cup Qualifiers’ bubble in 2020 and 2021. It offers the Magellan Ballroom, a 2022 ASEAN MICE Venues Tourism Awardee that can accommodate up to 550 guests. Aside from the renowned venue, Quest Plus Conference Center Clark also offers 304 rooms and luxurious grand villas, four multiple meeting rooms, and two Hilltop Convention Rooms. Mimosa+ also offers a diverse range of dining and entertainment options for guests. Food enthusiasts can relish the culinary delights of Mequeni Live, Mequeni Lounge and Charley’s Bar. Additionally, they can explore the breathtaking 128-hectare Mimosa Plus Golf Course, recently awarded Best Golf Course in the Philippines at the World Golf Awards 2022. This golf course now boasts two 18-hole courses — the Mountainview, known for its challenging terrain, and the Acacia Lakeview, renowned for its stunning scenery. The newly-furbished Mimosa Plus Golf Course Clubhouse has also added amenities such as the Mimosa Plus Golf simulators to help golfers practice their swing. Afterward, they can proceed to the recently opened Baker J Café, the new go-to café for French cuisine. The ideal destination for large-scale events The outstanding features found within Filinvest Mimosa+ allow guests to enjoy many fitness and recreational activities. They can utilize the property’s vast open spaces by running quickly or biking around Acacia Park, which features tree-lined biking and jogging lanes, a pavilion and seating areas. The enormous green landscapes of Acacia Open Grounds are available for recreational activities, perfect for families and friends. It houses fun and creative installations where some of the biggest cycling and leisure events were held. This includes the Philippine Cycling Festival Fun Ride, the Tri-Factor Duathlon, Titan 77.7 Philippines, and the Clark City Marathon. It also recently hosted The Bull Runner Dream Marathon and the two-day Philippine Cycling Festival 2023, an annual cycling event with more than 3000 participants. Soon, the Mimosa Basketball Court will be transformed into a multi-purpose court that can cater to sports such as Basketball, Volleyball, and Badminton. [caption id="attachment_134421" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Without a doubt, Filinvest Mimosa+ is a vibrant live-work-play township.[/caption] Thriving live-work-play township Complementing this well-balanced nature landscape, Filinvest Mimosa+ offers other developments worth visiting for investment and retail opportunities. The state-of-the-art WorkPlus, which already has four completed buildings and one more underway, offers business spaces conducive to growth and work-life balance. The Crib, a co-living residential area for the contemporary, has two available buildings for leasing and is set to launch two more buildings. There is also the Mimosa+ Retail Strip, a lifestyle and recreational strip that will soon open with various high-end retail and dining options, open for leisure and sports facilities partnerships. For residents looking to relocate to Clark, the Golf Ridge Private Estate, now available for pre-selling, offers an exquisite country-club lifestyle with a picturesque view of the neighboring golf course. Lastly, with the construction in full swing, the Mimosa+ Lifestyle Mall will be the new regional shopping and dining center destination. Moreover, investors and end-users looking to relocate or set up their business in the area can already find foreign investors, including the USA, Japan, Australia and South Korea, as Clark Development Center offers business-friendly terms and incentives. Processing of permits, license registration, and application are made more efficient, with approvals in less than three weeks. Without a doubt, as a vibrant live-work-play township with a host of award-winning amenities, Filinvest Mimosa+ is the destination in Clark Freeport Zone that’s ideal and capable of business tourism and leisure travel with family and friends. The post Clark Freeport Zone ready for business appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
How BYD Transformed from Battery Maker to Electric Vehicle Leader, Surpassing Tesla
Chinese automaker BYD, backed by Warren Buffett, has overtaken Tesla to become the world’s top electric vehicle (EV) maker in the fourth quarter of 2023,.....»»
Beijing 2008 Olympics: one world, one dream
For the 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing advocated the idea of "One World, One Dream." However, the dream of the Chinese government is not the dream of everyone. In a vast social system long known for its tight control over its population, it's difficult for controllers and the controlled to share the same ideas.It had been a dream for Beijing to host the Olympic Games ever since the International Olympic Committee (.....»»
Xinhua world economic news summary at 0900 GMT, March 17
MANILA -- The number of Chinese inbound travelers to the Philippines surged by 235 percent year-on-year in the first two months of 2024, a Philippine lawmaker said Sunday. Citing data from the Philippines' Department of Tourism, Representative Marvin Rillo, vice chairperson of the committee on tourism in the House of Representatives, said that 82,314 Chinese travelers entered the Philippines in January and Febru.....»»
Biden to Host Japan PM Kishida, Philippines President Marcos
WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a White House summit next month amid growing concerns about North Korea's nuclear program, provocative Chinese action in the South China Sea and differences over a Japanese company's plan to buy an iconic American steel company.White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in a sta.....»»
USJ-R Jaguars rule Red Bull 3-on-3
USJ-R Jaguars rule Red Bull 3-on-3.....»»
FACT CHECK: No Marcos order expelling China from West PH Sea
Marcos says the government will defend the Philippines’ territory amid ‘worrisome’ Chinese presence in the West Philippine Sea but does not make reference to any expulsion of China.....»»
PCG sends vessel to Philippine Rise
Amid reports that two Chinese research ships were spotted in the Philippine Rise, the Philippine Coast Guard yesterday deployed one of its biggest vessels, the BRP Gabriela Silang, to conduct a maritime domain awareness patrol in the area......»»
Red Bull Half Court Returns with 3-on-3 Streetball, Seeking Top Talent for Thrilling New York City World Finals!
Red Bull Half Court returns for another year, calling out to the best ballers for the ultimate 3-on-3 streetball showdown. This time the competition is set to be even more intense, as players from Luzon to Mindanao battle it out in the regional qualifiers in Manila, Cebu, and Davao to determine who will secure a […].....»»
West Philippine Sea: Guard PH shoal, fishers with frequent patrols
The Philippines will take “decisive action” in securing one of its traditional fishing grounds amid growing Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea by establishing a constant presence at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal through rotational patrols of that area by government ships starting this month. National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Friday said vessels from the Philippine Coast.....»»
US leads bull market
Last week saw a significant surge in US stocks, with record highs attained across major indices......»»
Philippines, Japan military chiefs reaffirm alliance
The military chiefs of the Philippines and Japan have reaffirmed their commitments toward strengthening alliances amid growing Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea......»»
China, Philippines Highlight Dialogue Amid South China Sea Tensions
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo of the Philippines said in a statement Thursday that he had a 'frank and candid exchange' with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and that the two sides have a 'clearer understanding of our respective positions on a number of issues.'Manalo added that China and the Philippines each noted the need to use dialogue to address issues between the two countries amid tensions in t.....»»
China, Philippines hold 'frank and candid exchange' amid South China Sea tensions
Manlia [Philippines], December 21 (ANI): The Foreign Affairs Secretary of the Philippines, Enrique Manalo, issued a statement revealing that he engaged in a "frank and candid exchange" with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Voice of America reported. According to Manalo, this dialogue has led to a "clearer understanding of our respective positions on a number of issues."Highlighting the importance of diplomatic discourse,.....»»
China, Philippines Highlight Dialogue Amid South China Sea Tensions
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo of the Philippines said in a statement Thursday that he had a 'frank and candid exchange' with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and that the two sides have a 'clearer understanding of our respective positions on a number of issues.'Manalo added that China and the Philippines each noted the need to use dialogue to address issues between the two countries amid tensions in t.....»»
China, Philippines hold 'frank and candid exchange' amid South China Sea tensions
Manlia [Philippines], December 21 (ANI): The Foreign Affairs Secretary of the Philippines, Enrique Manalo, issued a statement revealing that he engaged in a "frank and candid exchange" with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Voice of America reported. According to Manalo, this dialogue has led to a "clearer understanding of our respective positions on a number of issues."Highlighting the importance of diplomatic discourse,.....»»
China urges dialogue amid Manila s South China Sea provocations
A Chinese diplomatic vehicle leaves the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines after a bilateral meeting in Manila, the Philippines, December 11, 2023. /CFPEditor's note: Ruqiya Anwar, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a PhD scholar of Media and Communication Studies in Pakistan. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessari.....»»