SANAA: Yemen's Houthi forces fired drones and missiles at the heart of Saudi Arabia's oil industry on Sunday, including a Saudi Aramco facility at Ras Tanura vital to petroleum exports, in what Riyadh called a failed assault on global energy security. Announcing the attacks, the Houthis, who have been battling a Saudi-led coalition for six years, also said they attacked military targets in the Saudi cities of Dammam, Asir and Jazan. The Saudi energy ministry said an oil storage yard at Ras Tanura, the site of an oil refinery and the world's biggest offshore oil loading facility, was attacked with a drone coming from the sea. The defence ministry said the armed drone was intercepted and destroyed prior to reaching its target. Shrapnel from a ballistic missile fell near a residential compound in Dhahran used by state-controlled Saudi Aramco, the world's biggest oil company, the ministry said, adding that neither attack resulted in casualties or loss of property. "Such acts of ... » Learn More about Yemen’s Houthis attack Saudi oil heartland with drones, missiles
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U.S. commits to Saudi defence after Houthi attacks on oil heartland
DUBAI (Reuters) - The United States said on Monday it is committed to defending Saudi Arabia following drone and missile strikes claimed by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement, including on a Saudi facility vital to oil exports. Saudi authorities said there were no casualties or property losses from Sunday's attacks targeting an oil storage yard at Ras Tanura, site of a refinery and the world's biggest offshore oil loading facility, and a residential compound in Dhahran used by state-controlled oil giant Saudi Aramco. [L1N2L502H] The attacks, which drove Brent crude prices above $70 a barrel to their highest since January 2020, come at a time of friction in the decades-old alliance between Saudi Arabia and the United States as President Joe Biden puts pressure on Riyadh over its human rights record and the ruinous Yemen war. "The heinous Houthi assaults on civilians and vital infrastructure demonstrate lack of respect for human life and disregard for peace efforts," the U.S. ... » Learn More about U.S. commits to Saudi defence after Houthi attacks on oil heartland
Asian Insider, March 8: More deaths in Myanmar protests; US-China rivalry extending to space
Hi all, In today's bulletin: Two people were killed and several others injured when Myanmar police fired on protesters in northern Myitkyina town; American and Chinese spacecraft reach Mars in quick succession last month, sparking talk of a space race between the two major powers; Indonesia eases rules to attract foreign investment; and more. Reading this on the web or know someone who might enjoy receiving Asian Insider? Our sign-up page is here . More killed in Myanmar protests as unions call for economic shutdown Two people were killed and several others injured when Myanmar police fired on protesters in the northern town of Myitkyina on Monday (March 8), witnesses said. This was as shops, factories and banks were closed in Myanmar’s biggest city Yangon on Monday (March 8), after major trade unions called for a shutdown of the economy as part of the uprising against the country’s military rulers who had ousted the civilian government in a Feb 1 coup. ... » Learn More about Asian Insider, March 8: More deaths in Myanmar protests; US-China rivalry extending to space
Review of the Coolest and Best Sneakers Made in 2020
We are almost through the worst year of all time. This year has brought with it practically every misery, from global lockdowns and economic uncertainty to persistent depression and mental unrest. However, if you are a sneaker fan, this article has some good news for you. Although in confinement, you can still flex the bunch of freshly released sneakers. This year has been a busy one for the sneaker industries. We are only halfway through 2020, and almost every awaited sneaker has been released. Not to mention, the retro releases and the futuristic Adidas models makes you stay enthused and keen towards the sneaker industry, even in the times of sheer uncertainty. In this article, we will share the most underrated and coolest sneakers of 2020. As the pandemic seems to be ending, and the winters are getting near. You are vacationing and planning to ski in the cold regions . You may want to equip yourself with the best ski bindings. To learn about the best Ski Bindings of 2020, ... » Learn More about Review of the Coolest and Best Sneakers Made in 2020
Betting Boom Expected for the Japan 2020 Olympics
While the summertime can prove a rather dry period for sports fans, this year the return of the oldest and most beloved sporting event in the world will mark a season of excitement instead. The Japan 2020 Olympics, held in its capital Tokyo, will run from July 24th to August 9th, with over 11,000 athletes ready to compete. The games are expected to bring a surge in betting across the country, with the various sports offering an alternative way to get involved with the games. It will surely be an exciting time for both punters and online bookmakers , who will look to capitalize on this massive event and its betting opportunities that the Japanese public isn’t accustomed to. Japan and betting In Japan, the only sports that its people are officially allowed to bet on are horse, bicycle, motorcycle and motorboat racing – with motorboat racing standing as the most popular one. On the streets, Pachinko remains a hot favourite for the Japanese people, with the game ... » Learn More about Betting Boom Expected for the Japan 2020 Olympics
Scarce pension fund due to 2020 budget cuts? That’s baseless – Ungab
FILE PHOTOS: Combination pictures of Rep. Isidro Ungab and Rep. Eric Yap (left). MANILA, Philippines — Deputy Speaker Isidro Ungab has dismissed as “baseless” allegations that deficient pension and gratuity funds for uniformed personnel was due to slashes in the 2020 national budget. Ungab, who previously served as chair of the committee on appropriations in the House of Representatives, was responding to the remarks made by current appropriations panel head Eric Yap that the P74 billion cuts in the 2020 budget were the reason for the inadequate pension fund. “The accusation therefore of Congressman Eric Yap that the supposed fund deficiency in the pension and gratuity fund budget was brought on by the P74 billion 2020 budget cut is actually baseless, again baseless, as the same is disputed by the cited report by the Department of Management (DBM),” Ungab said in his speech on Monday. Ungab explained that both the House and the Senate were responsible for the P74 billion ... » Learn More about Scarce pension fund due to 2020 budget cuts? That’s baseless – Ungab
Deliveroo launches London IPO after business surges in 2020
LONDON (Reuters) - British food delivery firm Deliveroo announced plans to launch its hotly anticipated London listing on Monday after recording a surge in business during the COVID-19 pandemic, although it still posted a loss for 2020. The initial public offering (IPO) is expected to value Deliveroo at more than $7 billion, based on a private funding round it completed in January, and will be one of the largest London listings in several years. The company published a registration document and an expected "intention to float" -- which signals the start of the listing process -- on Monday, capping what has been a busy start to the London IPO season. In an accompanying trading update, the company said it had grown the total number of transactions processed on its online platform, the so-called Gross Transaction Value, by 64.3% last year to 4.1 billion pounds from 2.5 billion in 2019. It also narrowed an underlying loss to 223.7 million pounds ($308.93 million), from 317.3 ... » Learn More about Deliveroo launches London IPO after business surges in 2020
Malaysia-Thailand border trade falls 9.1% in 2020
Foreign Trade Department director-general Keerati Rushchano said Thailand’s cross-border trade with four neighbouring countries, namely Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, stood at 760 billion baht, down 8.01 per cent year-on-year. He said Malaysia remained as Thailand’s biggest border-trade partner followed by Laos with border trade standing at 190 billion baht, sliding 3.85 per cent, Myanmar at 165 billion baht, dropping by 14.7 per cent, and Cambodia at 156 billion baht, falling by 3.15 per cent. "Thailand’s cross-border trade is expected to recover and expand between 3.0 and 6.0 per cent this year following the distribution of Covid-19 vaccine, as well as global economic recovery,” he said in a statement. Keerati said Thailand’s cross-border trade, including transit trade is projected to generate between 1.36-1.40 trillion baht compared to 1.31 trillion baht in 2020. Overall border trade, including transit trade, declined 1.7 per cent last year due to closure of border ... » Learn More about Malaysia-Thailand border trade falls 9.1% in 2020
Govt subsidies to GOCCs bigger in 2020
The national government forwarded higher subsidies to state-run firms last year compared to what it provided for them in 2019, data from the Bureau of the Treasury showed over the weekend. Forty-three government-owned firms secured P230.41 billion in 2020, a 14.33-percent surge from the P201.52 billion in 2019. The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) accounted for the bulk, or P62.39 billion, of total subsidies last year. PhilHealth is responsible for administering the country’s health insurance program, particularly the Universal Health Care program that aims to provide Filipino families equitable access to quality and affordable health care services. Under the expired Republic Act 11469, or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” (Bayanihan 1), the state-run firm is also tasked to shoulder all medical expenses of public and private health workers in case of exposure to coronavirus disease 2019, or any work-related injury or disease during the duration of the pandemic. ... » Learn More about Govt subsidies to GOCCs bigger in 2020
ICTSI’s 2020 income climbs to over $101M
Razon-led International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) reported on Thursday that its net income attributable to equity holders improved to $101.8 million last year despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. In a statement, the listed port operator said the amount — or P4.94 billion — was a 1-percent increase from $100.4 million a year earlier. It attributed the growth to “higher revenues; lower cash operating expenses resulting from Revenue from port operations reached $1.505 billion, up 2 percent year-on-year from $1.481 billion. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) reached $876.8 million, 6 percent higher than 2019’s $830.1 million. Consolidated volume handled reached 10,193,384 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a 0.2-percent rise from 10,178,018 TEUs a year earlier. The firm partly attributed this to operations at its Rio terminal and improved trading activities in the second half following relaxed lockdowns in some parts ... » Learn More about ICTSI’s 2020 income climbs to over $101M