Former Hong Kong actress Amy Yip to open a ‘durian hotel’ in Penang with Jack Neo as creative director

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Neo has even been&nbsp, invited to offer as the restaurant’s creative director. He will use his artistic skills from his movie career to include visual aesthetics into the hotel’s design to create a unique lodging experience.

While Neo admits conceptualising the” Durian Hotel” will be challenging, it is” not too difficult”.

When shooting 2023 drama The King Of Musang King, he realised fruit as a design “offer unlimited creative options”.

He said that durians represent presence, splendor, and fragrance, and believes the fruit deserves a higher visual status beyond being viewed merely as food:” I see giving durians a more enhanced status. I’ve gathered a lot of evidence to illustrate how fruit may transform into abstract craft.

Neo revealed that interested parties have already contacted him about extending the concept to Pahang even though the” Durian Hotel” is still in the planning stages.

He also did not oppose returning the notion to Singapore, despite noting the high cost of land here.

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What challenges lie ahead for Macao as it marks 25 years of Chinese rule?

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TACKLING SOCIAL Disparity

Coutinho stated to CNA that he also wants more stringent laws to be developed to address cultural injustice.

” We have already witnessed a huge and growing inequality here since the COVID ( pandemic ) epidemic. Inequality is a very significant matter to remain tackled”, he added.

” We are currently addressing these concerns with the government’s policies, such as subsidizing, providing direct grants to the poor people and the middle-income,” the statement continued.

Social service organizations like Caritas Macau predicted that more individuals would need assistance, particularly the older and migrant workers.

Under the direction of the Chinese central government, the Macao officials have been placing a solid emphasis on social security since the state’s handover to China in 1999. &nbsp,

Through programs like food bank handouts and elder care services, Caritas, which has been providing assistance to poor residents for more than 40 years, helps at least 10,000 people each year.

” Macao has 170, 000 migrant workers, among them more than 70, 000 are non-Chinese talking. They require our assistance because they are incredibly diverse and need it. However, our support to them is extremely limited”, said Caritas ‘ secretary-general Paul Pun.

” Fundamentally, there’s no social security or financial aid for them”.

Some citizens believe that the authorities should work to promote a society that is both abundant with Chinese and Portuguese heritage and pursuing higher economic growth.

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What challenges lie ahead for Macau as it marks 25 years of Chinese rule?

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TACKLING SOCIAL Injustice

Coutinho added that he wants more comprehensive policies to address social injustice.

” We have already witnessed a significant and pervasive inequality in our society since COVID ( pandemic ). Inequality is a very significant issue to remain tackled”, he added.

” We are currently addressing these concerns with the government’s policies, such as subsidizing, providing direct grants to the poor people and the middle-income,” said the minister.

Social service organizations like Caritas Macau predicted that more people would need assistance, particularly the older and migrant workers.

Under the direction of the Foreign central government, the Macau specialists have been placing a solid emphasis on social security since the state’s handover to China in 1999. &nbsp,

Caritas, which has been providing assistance to impoverished occupants for more than 40 years, is able to assist at least 10,000 people each year with the support of the authorities through services like meals bank handouts and elder care services.

” Macau has 170, 000 migrant workers, among them more than 70, 000 are non-Chinese talking. They need our assistance because they come from many various nations. However, our support to them is extremely limited”, said Caritas ‘ secretary-general Paul Pun.

” Fundamentally, there’s no social security or financial aid for them”.

Some citizens believe the authorities should work to promote a group that is both abundant with Portuguese and Chinese history and pursuing higher economic development.

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Commentary: Thaksin’s return to ASEAN issues may seem questionable – but it’s really a no-brainer for Anwar

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WHAT CAN THAKSIN BRING TO THE TABLE?

Although some claimed that Anwar’s selection was unheard of in ASEAN background, casual advisers are frequently assembled on a global scale. &nbsp,

You get retired people with extensive knowledge and experience to offer insights and suggestions informally. Without having to commit to taking behavior, you have access to tips and varying viewpoints. &nbsp,

This kind of system is usually referred to as a” council of elders” in various locations and settings. Most people in these groups usually have personal sites that go beyond the bureaucratic and administrative restrictions of established ones. This is an especially good aspect, one that many people may not completely understand. &nbsp,

When it comes to the Myanmar problem, Thaksin is especially important. &nbsp,

He is well-known to all of the Myanmar junta’s prominent images and has a strong connection to them. He is positioned to make things happen because Thailand and Myanmar reveal a long borders. &nbsp,

Also, most people overlook Thaksin’s strong links to Cambodia, which is commonly accepted in ASEAN lines as being too close to China. Thaksin is known to have high-level connections in Singapore and Brunei in addition to a rumoredly close relationship with previous Cambodian head Hun Sen.

Thaksin may also encourage Thailand’s” Six Countries, One Destination” strategy, modelled after Europe’s Schengen card, which may allow tourists to visit Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Brunei with a single card. &nbsp,

Border problems such as human and drug trafficking, as well as road, rail and customs links to increase growth and industrial exercise, are also great on Malaysia’s plan. In the next three decades, Malaysia is eager to begin building a new bridge connecting the Narathiwat district’s Sungai Kolok area with Rantau Panjang, Kelantan. &nbsp,

In all of these situations, Thaksin is well-positioned to offer some much-needed social stimulation.

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Hong Kong arrests 25 people, identifies 14 ‘unscrupulous’ agencies amid university admissions fraud crackdown

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The operating security minister of Hong Kong confirmed that the city’s authorities had made 25 arrests in the last three years as they had been claiming they had used forged academic credentials to enroll in nearby universities.

According to Acting Secretary of Security Michael Cheuk Hau-yip in the Legislative Council on Wednesday ( Dec. 18 ), police have also identified 14 “unscrupulous” mainland Chinese organizations or intermediaries that are suspected of being involved in the crimes and have contacted Chinese authorities.

Cheuk was responding to a problem from Hong Kong’s senator Chan Wing-kwong, who requested a list of how many people lied about applying for study in Hong Kong.

Chan cited instances of “unscrupulous and unlawful middlemen” in mainland China soliciting businesses by” spreading rumours” about Hong Kong’s several skill registration schemes, even “going as far as concealing educational qualifications”.

At the University of Hong Kong’s ( HKU) business university, two people were detained by Hong Kong authorities in July over an admissions controversy involving about 30 Chinese graduate students.

In later May, HKU made the announcement that it had conducted a police report following an international research. According to reports, the dean of the HKU business school at the time speculated that up to 100 individuals might be involved.

Since Jan 2022, 25 individuals have been arrested for allegedly using false qualifications to secure areas in local colleges, shared Cheuk. Three of the eight people who were charged and ultimately found guilty were later sentenced to a maximum sentence of 17 month in prison.

Immigration officials have determined that those who have been found guilty have their visas or entry permits deemed irrelevant. The 17 never charged are still under inspection.

Any person or business giving false information or attempting to reflect an candidate for a card or access force is a crime in Hong Kong. The maximum penalty is 14 years ‘ jail and a HK$ 150, 000 ( US$ 19, 300 ) fine.

ASSESSING APPLICATIONS IN” RIGOROUS MANNER”

According to Cheuk,” The Immigration Department has established procedures for evaluating each card or access permit application in accordance with the skill admission schemes.”

Also, the law will revoke those’ visas or entry permits if they are discovered to have been obtained there illegally. Additionally, they will be brought back to their country of nature. &nbsp,

According to Cheuk,” Even if the individual has obtained the right of sanctuary in Hong Kong, it will be declared invalid under the laws, and he will be subject to removal back to his place of origin.”

Citing the state’s education ministry, Cheuk said that officers have reminded people who intend to study in Hong Kong not to “easily and naively think” claims of “guaranteed registration” from third-party agencies. &nbsp,

He added that upon identification of any violations, post-secondary institutions may “take fast and decisive administrative actions”, including withdrawing entrance offers or expulsion, and send the cases to law enforcement agencies.

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Philippines VP Duterte hit by third impeachment complaint

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In a third attempt to remove Vice President Sara Duterte following a furious dispute with President Ferdinand Marcos, Philippine Catholic priests on Thursday ( Dec. 19 ) filed an impeachment complaint against her. The 46-year-old ran for vice chairman on his seat after being predicted to take her parents RodrigoContinue Reading

Wang Zibo: China’s ‘wealth-flaunting’ influencer fined 13.3 million yuan for tax evasion

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A Chinese influencer was fined 13.3 million yuan ( US$ 1.8 million ) for tax evasion after previously being banned from his social media accounts for flaunting his lavish lifestyle and excessive wealth, according to Shanghai tax authorities in a statement released on Wednesday ( Dec. 18 ).

Wang Zibo, also known as” Bo Gongzi” or Master Bo, had underpaid his income including his personal income tax and value-added income totalling 7.49 million renminbi, the Shanghai Municipal Tax Service said. &nbsp,

This is part of China’s wider assault on tax evasion and money flashing.

The Shanghai-based influence was well-known for his passion of Hermes comfort goods, and he was a part of a flood of high-profile social media account suspensions in May that hit China’s super-wealthy sun influencers, many of whom became well-known website for displaying gorgeous designer bags, sports cars, and high-end jewelry.

On Douyin, the type of TikTok in China, Wang’s bill had been muted and restricted from gaining fresh fans, &nbsp, checks by CNA showed. &nbsp,

According to Chinese media reports, his accounts on different social media platforms, including the Sina Weibo blogging site and the Xiaohongshu app, were even deleted. &nbsp,

China takes a strong stand on tax avoidance and under the law, officials are entitled to recover tax volumes, unpaid or underpaid, with surcharges imposed. &nbsp,

Those who defraud, mask, or fail to pay their fees are subject to severe fines and criminal charges under the law. &nbsp,

Another Chinese A-listers have also been charged with income crimes.

In 2018, superstar Fan Bingbing, one of China’s highest paid stars, was blacklisted from the entertainment business and fined around 883 million yuan for tax avoidance and other crimes. &nbsp,

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China calls Pentagon report on Chinese military corruption ‘irresponsible’

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WASHINGTON: &nbsp, China’s foreign government urged the United States to prevent issuing “irresponsible information” after the Pentagon said that fraud in the Chinese government may have disrupted the government’s military reform goals. The report ignores facts and is full of prejudice, Lin Jian, a ministry spokesperson, said in a ThursdayContinue Reading