Polls congress 2018

MANILA, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte has urged Congress, especially the Senate, to fast-track three bills which will further open up the economy to more foreign investors and, according to his economic managers, help the economy recover from pandemic-induced recession. In an April 12 letter to Senate President Vicente Sotto III, the President said he certified the immediate passage of amendments to the Public Service Act, the Foreign Investments Act, as well as the Retail Trade Liberalization Act. Amendments to the antiquated public service and foreign investment laws would allow greater foreign participation in sectors that had been restricted only to Filipino investors. The proposed amendment to the Retail Trade law seeks to bring down the ceiling for capital required of foreign-led retailers for setting up shop in the Philippines. Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco was also furnished the letter, a printed copy of which was sent by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez to ... » Learn More about Duterte asks Congress to give priority to new laws removing barriers to foreign investments

BEIJING — China’s imports and exports boomed again in March, data showed Tuesday, reaffirming the recovery in the world’s number-two economy continues apace and demand picks up in key overseas markets as they emerge from last year’s virus crisis. The readings highlight the impact of vaccines and the easing of containment measures are having, with expectations for further improvement over the next few months. Imports soared a forecast-busting 38.1 percent on-year as the country’s army of consumers increasingly returned to some form of normality after last year’s crisis forced businesses to shut and people to stay at home. The figure was a huge increase from the 22.2 percent rise seen in January-February and the biggest hike since February 2017. Exports rose 30.6 percent, well off the 38 percent increase tipped in a Bloomberg forecast but still among the highest readings since early 2018. Overseas shipments jumped more than 60 percent in January-February. The outsized increases ... » Learn More about China’s imports pick up further, exports strong in March

SINGAPORE - After years of putting up with a husband who abused her, did not allow her to go out of the house and often failed to provide for the family, Vietnamese bride Lyly, 30, decided to leave the Singaporean for good. Lyly (not her real name) said her former husband, a driver in his 60s, often hit her when he was angry, drunk or lost money at gambling. Lyly said in English: "I asked him for money (for family expenses) and he always said 'you need money for what? To give to another man?'" Once, he did not buy any food for her and their son, six, for a week and in desperation after finishing all that could be eaten at home, she called the police for help. She said of the dire straits she was in then: "I don't know where the market is, where the bus stop is. I have no money and I have no friends." She fled with her son to a crisis shelter at least three times, but returned to her former husband each time he promised to change. Still, he continued to hit her and ... » Learn More about Abused Vietnamese bride gets free legal aid to divorce Singaporean husband

SINGAPORE - Men have become as keen as women on calling for more flexible work options, according to a new survey. Women have traditionally tended to favour flexi-work due to their roles as primary caregivers but there has been a shift, as the poll outlined. It found that 71 per cent of men and 76 per cent of women surveyed here wanted to work more flexible hours. The poll out last week also noted that 55 per cent of men already had flexibility at work while 43 per cent of women were in the same position. The desire among men for more flexi-work options is driven by millennials, said Mr Abhijeet Mukherjee, chief executive of the Asia-Pacific and Gulf regions at recruitment site Monster.com, which did the survey. "As Singaporean families move towards a more balanced share of the load between partners, men are starting to demand greater flexi-work options so that they can better support their families." This finding was also reflected in the other countries surveyed - ... » Learn More about Nearly as many men as women want flexi-work: Survey

PARIS (Reuters) -The European countries party to the Iran nuclear deal told Tehran on Wednesday its decision to enrich uranium at 60% purity, bringing the fissile material closer to bomb-grade, was contrary to efforts to revive the 2015 accord. But in an apparent signal to Iran's arch-adversary Israel, which Tehran blamed for an explosion at its key nuclear site on Sunday, European powers Germany, France and Britain added that they rejected "all escalatory measures by any actor". Israel, which the Islamic Republic does not recognise, has not formally commented on the incident at Iran's Natanz site, which appeared the latest twist in a long-running covert war. Last week, Iran and its fellow signatories held what they described as "constructive" talks to revive the deal, which the Trump administration quit in 2018 saying its terms favoured Tehran, in a move welcomed by Israel. But Britain, France and Germany said Tehran's new decision to enrich at 60 percent, and activate 1,000 ... » Learn More about European powers warn Iran over ‘dangerous’ uranium enrichment move

Academic Year 2020-2021 is consequential for Philippine online education. Prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic, education institutions in the country have resorted to online teaching to mitigate the impact of the crisis. Sensing an opportunity, the Educational Policy Research and Development Center (EPRDC) is pushing for legislation to institutionalize online or “blended” education, which, according to the Department of Education (DepEd), also involves the traditional face-to-face system and the use of radio and television. EPRDC said repeated studies by the Philippine Normal University (PNU) have been proving that online education is “creating renewed zealousness for learning among young students across all levels.” The education think tank said research over the last 10 years, as compiled by PNU’s Dr. Edna Luz Raymundo-Abulon, even indicate that technology, as part of other education strategies, may reverse the “brain drain” phenomenon. “The brain drain phenomenon — where ... » Learn More about Education think tank bats for law institutionalizing online learning

LONDON (AFP) - A drip-feed of revelations over the collapse of an opaque financial firm is raising serious questions about cosy ties between UK politicians, civil servants and big business as the government spends lavishly on fighting the coronavirus pandemic. Greensill Capital risks turning into the worst Westminster scandal since 2009, when it emerged that many MPs had been fudging their expenses, fuelling public disgust with the political class in the years leading up to Britain's 2016 Brexit referendum. "Every day there's further evidence of the sleaze that's now at the heart of this Conservative government," opposition Labour party leader Keir Starmer told Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Parliament on Wednesday (April 14). Mr David Cameron, the prime minister who made a catastrophic bet that Britain would opt to stay in the European Union, stepped down after the 2016 referendum and went on to become a paid adviser to Greensill, amassing share options potentially worth ... » Learn More about Sleaze scandal infects UK politics amid Covid spending spree

Petaling Jaya: He is one of the most wanted men in Malaysia. Datuk Seri Nicky Liow Soon Hee, who thrives on being in the limelight, must be wishing that he had kept himself away from public attention. Malaysians who have seen pictures of this brash young man posing with his piles of cash and luxury cars must have wondered why anyone would ever want to do that. Some blamed it on the fugitive’s Instagram generation which values image over substance. Liow, who celebrates his 33rd birthday at the end of this month, is known to throw lavish parties with free-flowing booze. That won’t happen this year. Police want him to face charges on organised crime, money laundering, Macau scam and commercial crime cases, and likely involving drugs too. Recently, police arrested 68 individuals, including his two brothers, also Datuk Seri titleholders, and a Datuk who are believed to be gang members. Police also seized 16 luxury vehicles, including a Rolls Royce and five Alphard MPVs, and hard ... » Learn More about Unmasking fugitive Nicky Liow

WASHINGTON, D. C.: President Joe Biden’s Covid-19 vaccination campaign hit a snag on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) when federal regulators recommended a “pause” in administering Johnson & Johnson shots. But the White House portrayed the action as important validation of his measured approach Biden declared that even with a temporary loss of J&J’s one-shot vaccine, there is a huge supply of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, enough that “is basically 100 percent unquestionable, for every single solitary American.” Perhaps more concerning than any worry about supply, however, is the potential blow to public confidence in all of the vaccines, as polls suggest potentially tens of millions of Americans are hesitant to get the shots that public health experts say are necessary for the nation to emerge from the pandemic. The pause should have the opposite effect, boosting confidence that the government is putting safety first, Biden and top health officials said at a White House ... » Learn More about US stops using J&J vaccine

KUDOS to President Rodrigo Duterte for following the recommendation of his economic team and certifying as urgent proposed amendments to the Public Service Act, the Foreign Investments Act and the Retail Trade Liberalization Act. The ball, as the saying goes, is now in Congress’ court. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd said the President had certified as “urgent” Senate Bill 2094, or “An Act amending Commonwealth Act 146, otherwise known as the Public Service Act”; SB 1156, or “An Act promoting foreign investments, amending thereby Republic Act 7042, otherwise known as the Foreign Investments Act of 1991”; and SB 1840, or “An Act amending Republic Act 8762, otherwise known as the Retail Trade Liberalization Act of 2000.” In a letter to Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd on April 12, Duterte said the passage of the measures will “address the immediate and continuing need for legislative reforms to provide a more conducive investment climate, increase job opportunities, foster ... » Learn More about Economic bills are not just urgent but imperative