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Debate is raging on social media following a claim from the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, that Thailand’s plan to orbit the Moon is going ahead. Anek Laothamatas adds that it will be “mission accomplished” within the next 7 years, costing, “only 3 billion baht”. A report in the Bangkok Post says that, according to Anek, Thailand will be producing satellites weighing 50–100 kilograms within 5 years, and in the following 3 years, will start building spaceships capable of going beyond the Earth’s orbit. He says we can all look forward to an official announcement on January 13. “The new economy of space travel will be a way for Thailand to overcome the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and then to escape the middle-income trap, and the ministry will embrace creativity and innovation.” Anek’s announcement has sparked debate on social media, with some saying the poverty and other social issues facing their fellow countrymen should take ... » Learn More about Minister’s insistence Thailand’s moon mission will go ahead sparks social media debate

Senate President Vicente Sotto at the Senate session hall. (File photo by EDWIN BACASMAS / Philippine Daily Inquirer) MANILA, Philippines— Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III shot back at Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya on Monday as the latter unleashed fresh attacks following the signing of the 2019 budget into law. Andaya hinted that the Senate’s alleged pork was still intact in the budget, despite the deletion of P95.3 billion as funding for infrastructure projects, including the P75 billion “unconstitutional” realignments made by the House of Representatives. “My friends in the Senate are going to town claiming victory over the deletion of the House amendments. Does this mean that the Senate pork remains intact?” the congressman said. “Could this be the reason for their celebratory mood? Hindi Biyernes Santo sa Senado ngayon kundi Pasko,” Andaya said. Sotto retorted: “It’s the people’s victory, silly!” “We do not need to pay attention to brickbats. It’s the ... » Learn More about Sotto to Andaya: ‘It’s the people’s victory, silly!’

Philippine Senator Christopher Go posted photos of President Rodrigo Duterte that show “proof of life”. REUTERS, CHRISTOPHER BONG GO/FACEBOOK via The Straits Times/Asia News Network MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has not made any public appearance for close to two weeks now, fueling speculation that his health is declining, with some even claiming that he has died. His aides and sources have dismissed the rumors – one was that he had suffered a mild stroke and was taken to Singapore where he purportedly died, another was that plans were being drawn up for a military junta to run the Philippines. Adding to the fog was a disclosure that his daughter, Davao Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, flew to Singapore last week. Senator Christopher Go, who remains Mr Duterte’s closest aide and confidant, has been posting photos and short clips that showed himself and Mr Duterte in good health and working in his office in Manila. “Nothing to worry about. In fact, we are ... » Learn More about Aides dismiss rumors circling Duterte’s health, including one which said he has died in Singapore

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodia called on U.S. media group VICE to withdraw an article featuring newly colourised photos of the Khmer Rouge "killing fields" victims, saying the images were an insult to the dead because some mugshots had been altered to add smiles. At 1200 GMT on Sunday, the article later was no longer available on the VICE.com website. In the article published on Friday, artist Matt Loughrey said his project to colourise images from the notorious Tuol Sleng prison, or S-21, aimed to humanise the 14,000 Cambodians executed and tortured there. However, the article caused a backlash on social media after comparisons with the original black-and-white photos showed that some subjects were smiling only in Loughrey's colour images. The VICE article did not contain the original images. "To play around by using technology to put make-up on the victims of S21 ... is a very grave insult to the souls of the victims of #genocide," exiled Cambodian politician Mu Sochua ... » Learn More about Cambodia condemns VICE for images by artist who added smiles to Khmer Rouge victims

The USS John Paul Jones "asserted navigational rights and freedoms," inside India's EEZ in line with international law by sailing about 130 nautical miles (241 km) west of India's Lakshadweep islands, the US Seventh Fleet said in a statement on Wednesday (April 8). But an Indian foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement that UN rules did not allow such passage without consent. "The Government of India's stated position on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is that the Convention does not authorise other States to carry out in the Exclusive Economic Zone and on the continental shelf, military exercises or manoeuvres, in particular those involving the use of weapons or explosives, without the consent of the coastal state," the spokesman said. India's military monitored the movement of the John Paul Jones as it transited from the Persian Gulf towards the Malacca Straits, the foreign ministry said. The US Navy has previously conducted so-called freedom of ... » Learn More about India protests US Navy’s transit through its exclusive economic zone

SUMMER is here and with the temperature climbing in many parts of the country, keeping our homes cool and comfortable should be one of our priorities. While the temperature outside our homes cannot be controlled, we can choose the right home appliances that can help bring the temperature down in our households, especially now in the midst of community quarantine when most of our time is being spent at home. Luckily, Xtreme Appliances launches exciting bundle promos with its 2021 Summer Is Xtreme Cool from March 1 to May 31. Buy participating Xtreme Cool products such as window type air-conditioning units (A-Cs), split type A-Cs, chest freezers and refrigerators to get a free item. The said promo is exclusively available at any Xtreme Appliances concept stores, dealer stores and branches nationwide. Surviving the heat waves and high humidity this summer season requires quality home appliances, and Xtreme Appliances offers innovative and affordable solutions that will help you live ... » Learn More about Get free appliances from 2021 Summer is Xtreme Cool promo