Philippines got an economic upgrade, yet many Filipinos feel it’s no ‘big deal’
The World Bank recently upgraded the Philippines to an upper-middle-income country, but that classification makes little difference to many Filipinos grappling with rising cost of living, debt and stagnant wages.
Manila resident Ann Michelle Federez-Abato, 35, said her entire salary goes towards her parents’ mortgage, while she and her two-year-old daughter subsist on a monthly remittance of 20,000 pesos (US$324) from her husband, who works abroad as a production officer
Lions dead, zebras on the run as floodwaters devastate zoo in southern China
A zoo in Guangxi Zhang autonomous region has lost more than 100 animals in the flooding that is affecting southern China, with the zookeeper calling for help from the public on social media.
According to an official notice on Wednesday, two zebras, 30 peacocks, two ostriches, nine deer and multiple parrots were among the animals lost when some of the cages at the Guigang Zoo were damaged.
“To ensure public safety and that of those animals, we implore the public to provide tips to assist in finding them
Democrat Graham Platner exits key US Senate race, but denies rape allegation
Graham Platner, a scandal-plagued Democratic Senate nominee whose insurgent rise had drawn comparisons to Donald Trump, ended his campaign on Wednesday after a rape allegation threatened to derail one of his party’s best chances of flipping a Republican-held seat.
Platner, a Marine veteran, oysterman and political newcomer, won last month’s Democratic primary in the northeastern state of Maine to face Republican Senator Susan Collins in November’s midterm elections.
His withdrawal gives Maine Democrats only days to regroup in a race central to the
Goldman Sachs forecasts 50% jump for battery giant CATL’s shares as energy storage takes off
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Limited (CATL) will see 50 per cent growth in its share price to a record high over the next 12 months, as it benefits from rising demand for energy independence, according to Goldman Sachs.
The Wall Street investment bank expected CATL’s battery energy storage system business to be its next value-creation engine, though the market is viewing the business more for its potential to increase battery volumes.
“We see a strategic integration push that can lift margins, earnings quality, share
Woman, 50, arrested for murder after minibus stop fight in Hong Kong
Dispute reportedly began after accidental footstep at an Aberdeen minibus stop, escalating into confrontation that continued after both women alighted
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Is China’s biggest daily US soybean order confirmation of Xi-Trump summit pact?
China made its largest daily purchase of soybeans from the United States since November on Wednesday, the latest sign of improving trade ties as Beijing moves towards fulfilling commitments announced after US President Donald Trump’s summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
The US Department of Agriculture said private exporters reported sales of 472,000 tonnes of soybeans for delivery to China, the greatest daily export sale to the country since November.
“China has a
Malaysians in Hong Kong locked out of state elections amid tight voting deadlines
Jack Yu wants to vote in Saturday’s crucial election in his home state of Johor, Malaysia , but being based in Hong Kong has left him frozen out after he missed the short window to register for a postal vote.
Hong Kong is home to an estimated 15,000 Malaysians working across finance to hospitality, according to the Southeast Asian nation’s
Legal tender and electronic payments – can we insist on paying in cash?
When a tourist tried to pay for a burger in cash at a Tsim Sha Tsui restaurant in 2023, staff refused. The outlet accepted only cards and electronic wallets.
The episode went viral, with debate raging over whether or not this is legal.
After all, Hong Kong bank notes and coins constitute legal tender in Hong Kong under the Legal Tender Notes Issue Ordinance and the Coinage Ordinance, and the concept of legal tender is enshrined in the Basic Law (Article 111). What’s
Sexual offences law review a chance to make clear what constitutes abuse
Martin Hui SC is the current vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association, a former deputy director of public prosecutions of Hong Kong and a criminal litigator.
In recent years, Hong Kong society has repeatedly confronted the realities of sexual violence, sexual harassment and online sexual exploitation. Survivors’ experiences have made it clear that our sexual offences law is no longer adequate for the world we live in today.
Against this backdrop, the government has issued