Asia shares slip, China inflation surprisingly soft

Despite US stock futures rising from an early dip and bond yields coming off their lowests, Asian share markets slumped on Monday ( Sep 9 ) after worries about a potential US economic downturn weighed on Wall Street. The Asian giant’s consumer price index ( CPI ) data revealed thatContinue Reading

Climate change leaves future of Pacific Islands tourism ‘highly uncertain’

Christopher Cocker Christopher Cocker, the chief executive of the Pacific Tourism OrganisationChristopher Cocker

Some of the finest waters in the world, as well as picturesque beaches and forest, are scattered across the Pacific Islands, which are scattered across a sizable region of sea.

They are a magnet for commerce, which is essential for many of the countries ‘ markets.

But the state’s travel market, and those who rely on it, are extremely wary of the effect of continuing weather change.

” Pacific Island officials have declared climate change as the main threat to the livelihoods, safety, and well-being of Pacific areas”, says Christopher Cocker, the deputy executive of the Pacific Tourism Organisation.

The region’s future of tourism is still very uncertain without urgent and revolutionary action.

He continues,” All territories of the Pacific are prone to the effects of climate change. But, low-lying island states like Tuvalu, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia are more susceptible.

These islands are prone to flooding from rising seas, particularly during prince seas, and having access to safe, clean drinking water is difficult due to prolonged drought and unpredictable rainfall patterns.

Then there’s the threat of erratic and potentially devastating tropical storms, which are ranked from one ( the weakest ), to five ( the strongest ).

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology has said that culture versions of the Pacific Ocean have suggested” there could be a potential shift towards fewer, but more intense, hurricanes”.

Citizens in Tonga claim that they are now seeing stronger hurricanes hit more frequently.

Nomuka is a small rectangular area in Tonga’s Ha’apai island, about 3, 500km (2, 175 yards ) north-west of Sydney, Australia. Surrounded by sea, its population of about 400 individuals feels at the mercy of humanity’s wishes and fury.

” We nearly always experience storms.” Sione Taufa, an associate professor of the University of Auckland Business School and a member of the New Zealand-Tonga Business Council, recalls that there were typically one or two that had a clear hit as a result.

” But today we are seeing many more frequently that those group four or five cyclones.”

Getty Images A beach in FijiGetty Images

The peril that Pacific Islands states face has been highlighted recently by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. Last month he attended the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga, and called for the world’s most polluting countries to cut their greenhouse gas emissions.

” The small]Pacific ] islands do n’t contribute to climate change but everything that happens because of climate change is multiplied here, “he said.

A two-hour trip heading north-west from Tonga are the islands of Fiji, a former British colony.

Last year Fiji welcomed 929,740 visitors, mostly from Australia, New Zealand, North America and China.

These, too, there is worry about a shifting environment.

Marica Vakacola is from the Mamanuca Environment Society, a group company based in Nadi, by Fiji’s major international airports.

The organization promotes responsible travel and environmental protection, and it is planting trees and restoring trees. But Ms Vakacola tells me that this piece of Viti Levu, Fiji’s biggest area, is now living with the effects of warming heat.

Saltwater from the intruding sea is contaminating bore water, and more and more water must be collected during the wet season.

” Water protection is a great risk in terms of culture shift, “explains Ms Vakacola.

” Most of the water sources that were once great enough to be consumed are now being ingested by water waters. Rising sea levels are causing coral bleaching, and the seawater’s temperature changes are causing shore sides to erode.

Marica Vakacola Marica Vakacola, second right, and colleaguesMarica Vakacola

Susanne Becken, a professor of sustainable hospitality at Griffith University in Australia, sees potential for conflict due to the Pacific Islands ‘ limited water resources.

” Drinking fluids is increasingly becoming an issue in some places,” she says.

Because tourists successfully use the liquid that the locals need, there might be issue with the community.

In Fiji and the Cook Islands, Prof. Becken has just completed his study. It revealed some sudden sentiments toward culture change and the danger it poses to island countries.

There is a little bit of rejection, where there is little that we can do about it. It was viewed with ease as a world issue that the Pacific Islands were unable to solve effectively. I was a little surprised, to be honest, that people even feel a little bit vulnerable.

” It is almost like’ let’s not talk about it’. Perhaps they are anxious to see the expansion of the tourism industry return. It is not part of the story. It is a truly tricky issue”.

The location of Fiji and Tonga

The Cook Islands, a popular tourist destination for both Australians and New Zealanders, are facing difficult realities, though, because the majority of the tourism infrastructure is enlarging around the main islands ‘ shores.

The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation’s director of location growth is Brad Kirner. He acknowledges that society discussions can be heated over global warming.

” If we accept fact, it will require some very serious adaptation strategies put in place. It’s a tough dialogue.

” There’s also the hard protection that, yes, vacation is a major contributor to global warming, and we need to face that reality. How do we come up with solutions?”

We are only a small percentage of the world’s population, and as a result, we have a very small carbon footprint. However, he continues,” We are on the front line of climate change.”

Getty Images A cyclone-damaged home in FijiGetty Images

While there might be a sense of despair, it should n’t be mistaken for an admission of defeat. Far from it. Persistence runs deep in some of the nation’s most isolated countries.

Social networks vary across the archipelago, where the impact of brotherhood parties, area networks and the community in Australia, New Zealand and beyond is paramount.

” Naturally, they will enjoy all the help that is given especially in the fallout of any natural disaster, but being treated with a victim mentality is n’t very good,” says the University of Auckland’s Sione Taufa.

” If any assistance comes we’ll be grateful for it, and if it does n’t we’ll try our best to survive. In times of need, you rely on your neighbors. Most importantly, it is a trust system.”

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Do you know your egg count? A doctor suggests women should consider fertility screening from their late 20s

Self-administered injections are a common problem for people who are egg-freezing and IVF. According to Lee, the first step in the two procedures involves 10 to 12 days of normal fertility hormone injections. &nbsp,

Some people are concerned about the knife entering their personal body or care that it is not being used correctly, Lee said.

To dispel individuals ‘ issues, Taylor offers a home-injection services where trained caregivers go to the person’s home to help her. It costs S$ 85 per visit. &nbsp,

” Having one expert doing it for you can give you a peace of mind, and in some cases, lower few friction”, Lee added.

Lee, who is married and went through egg freezing as part of home planning last year at the age of 31, described it as difficult and wants to assist other people.

Additionally, Taylor provides the general public with a free app called Hey Taylor that includes a variety of services, including period monitoring and alerts for excessive symptoms based on specific medical algorithms.

For instance, if you experience time pain, large periods, or a combination of other symptoms, the software will give you a push notification with information about related conditions and recommend a medical consultation.

Beyond reproduction, Taylor’s goal is to help women through major existence transitions, from reproductive and physical health through pregnancy and menopause.

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Consumer council backs 20 baht cap on fares

Although the policy will lower the cost of living, it wo n’t take effect until the government relinquishes control over Bangkok’s electric train lines.

The Thailand Consumer Council (TCC ) supports the Transport Ministry’s plan to cap the fare on mass transit electric train services at 20 baht per trip, according to Saree Ongsomwang, TCC secretary-general.

She also suggests that the government set aside a “fair” resources for all provinces ‘ public bus service.

Ms. Saree claimed that Pheu Thai’s campaign promises made before the election next year included the 20-baht energy coach fare in an interview with the Bangkok Post.

In his” Vision for Thailand 2024″ talk, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra also touched on the subject.

If the authorities recovered exclusive electric train projects from businesses, he claimed the 20-baht cover might be achieved.

He claimed that the government had fixed the ticket prices and start introducing congestion fees for car users, as well as that the money could be used to pay for the subsidy of public transportation.

” Setting the flat rate at 20 baht can definitely be done”, Ms Saree said, adding that if it is successful, it will be an unprecedented reform of the mass transit system.

Similar to the 30-baht general care policy in the past, it was likely to receive sizable support.

She claimed that those who currently drive personal vehicles will be more likely to realize the advantages of using public transportation as more people begin to use the affordable and convenient mass transport system.

They will gradually begin using the electric rail company, which may lead to a decrease in industrial waste, she said.

The state is now unable to fully utilize the flat rate fare because of agreements made by the government to private companies for the construction and operation of some energy train lines, she said.

” Commuters must spend varying expenses while using various train service”, she added.

” One guest’s round-trip suffer from their house to their office may total between 100 and 200 baht.

” Many folks would ]rather ] pay for their own automobile in instalments given this price,” she noted.

She claimed that the TCC conducted an analysis of the possible costs associated with using an electronic train service and discovered that the average cost per person would only be 16 ringgit for each trip if the registration fee, which is collected by electric train operators, is not paid.

” The 20 bass level fare for the whole range is achievable when every column is owned by the government,” she said.

She suggested that the government should think about shifting funds to be used to purchase electronic train concessions from private companies for building expressway projects.

If a private company wo n’t let the government buy the concession, the ministry is n’t required to act right away.

They ought to keep off until the agreement period is over. For instance, the BTS Green Line concession’s commitment will disappear in 2029.

But, if it’s a unique line– such as the recently-introduced Yellow and Pink Lines– the government may deal with the companies to get them to market their concession.

According to Ms. Saree, the agreement cost should also be good to the personal business.

Exploiting money from the Land Transport Department’s car registration registration fees is a further way to determine the budget for the purchase of the agreement.

According to Ms. Saree, the division can use this strategy to bring in about 50 billion baht periodically.

She said the money can be used to purchase the electric train concession and that it can also be used to obtain public trucks for every state.

” Vehicle purchases usually cost 6 million rmb,” she said.

” The government will need to spend about 33 billion ringgit on 5, 390 cars if it can get 70 buses for each of the 77 provinces.”

” More people will benefit if the funds are used in this way ]rather ] than if they were used to build an expressway,” she added”. The Expressway Authority of Thailand, for instance, intends to build a 34 billion ringgit double-decker bridge job.

She added that while great cities should think about implementing a monorail project, the government should pay more attention to the demand for public transportation in rural areas.

To link commuters to those electric rail services, the capital city needs a more intensive intermediate transportation system, with more common buses and boats.

” Every state has an obligation to offer the most effective, inexpensive and most suitable mass transit system probable,” she said.

The government will be able to collect money from the cost that private car [drivers ] pay to enter the inner parts of the city, which would help to ease traffic congestion, if this is accomplished.

All of this is done in accordance with the tenet that the minimum income may not exceed 10 % of regular traveling charges, according to Ms. Saree.

Saree: Railways may be cheap

Saree: Railways may be cheap

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The Big Read: ‘Excuse me, are you gifted?’ A deeper look at gifted education and its relevance to society

In 1981, Dr Tay Eng Immediately, subsequently Minister of State for Education, led a team to examine brilliant training programs in Germany, Israel and Russia. The team determined that Singapore’s best fit for the Jewish model, which features classrooms designed specifically for professionally inclined students, was the model. In MayContinue Reading

Commentary: As taxi industry shrinks, it’s worth rethinking their role in our transport network

DUAL CHALLENGE

If an application is the only method to get a car, taxi services would be just a tap away from ride-hail solutions. From the client viewpoint, taxis may drop the competitive advantage of fast, easy availability on the street without any booking.

On the phone ( even in the same app ), the battle boils down to how quickly we can get a ride and how much it costs. On both matters, it might be challenging for vehicles.

The presence of cars is a problem as the number of cars shrinks. Over the last 10 years, between 2014 and 2023, the number of cars fell by more than quarter from over 28, 700 to 13, 300. It is no accident that, during that same time, the number of private rent cars exploded from 1, 600 to 53, 400 as Uber, next Get followed by Gojek entered the Singapore business.

Also, car charges seem to keep going up. Taxi operators added a&nbsp, a fresh weekend peak hour surcharge, and an hour-long extension of the normal evening peak surcharge in December 2023. Comfort DelGro, the largest car operator, furthermore increased its flagdown suffer and distance-based prices for supplied rides.

The two aspects – accessibility and prices– are gently related. Recently, my study group surveyed over 800 ride-hail vehicles and found that 45 per share drove or had earlier driven cars. In order to stop vehicles from moving to ride-hail systems, taxi operators are reportedly going to raise prices.

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Hong Kong is trying to lure travellers from elsewhere beyond the mainland. Who else is on its wishlist?

To plug into the educated Middle Eastern industry, the Hong Kong government has been promoting its products to people of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

By establishing stronger collaborations and attracting more traders and travelers from this crucial place, these initiatives aim to expand Hong Kong’s economy.

Finding trip guides who can talk Arabic or Farsi, as well as other Middle Eastern dialects, is challenging, according to Mr. Lam from HKFTU, but efforts are being made to find more English-speaking guidelines.

While South Asian and Muslim markets are “growing quickly,” mainland visitors continue to be the main group, according to Assoc Prof. Wan. &nbsp,

As such, even as Hong Kong aims to tap other areas, it is very unlikely these efforts may reduce the push to get mainlanders, she noted.

CHASING MICE AND OTHER Businesses

Hong Kong has also been training its sights on rebuilding the key MICE ( meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions ) sector, which was decimated by the pandemic.

The town welcomed 700, 000 MICE guests in the first quarter of 2024, about 80 per share of 2018 rates. Officials anticipate that this year’s number of major activities will increase from 150 to over 210, probably attracting 1.7 million visitors.

MICE travellers are usually bigger spenders, forking out an average of Supplier$ 8, 000 per explore- 20 per share to 30 per cent higher than the average spend of another over visitors, according to HKTB.

Discussions &amp, Exhibitions Hong Kong, a division of HKTB, claims that Hong Kong will variety over 60 MICE activities from September to the end of the year.

More away, the area is set to welcome activities like SIGGRAPH Asia, a computer graphics agreement, in December 2025. It was last held in Hong Kong in 2013. &nbsp,

One of the biggest events taking place in the country in 2026 is the World Cancer Congress and the International Federation of Landscape Architects World Congress.

Beyond chasing MICE, Hong Kong is also looking to tap other businesses. Regulators have been positioning the area as a social hub on the global stage by fostering local skills in music, video, style, and architecture.

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PM notches up cabinet record

The new government, led by just appointed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has the highest number of women in Thailand’s social background.

Women hold eight of the 36-member case, which was approved by the royal family on September 4. Each minister’s short entry is listed below.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra

Prime Minister/ Age: 38

The youngest child of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Ms Paethongtarn is the third part of the Shinawatra home to be appointed as prime minister, following her father Thaksin, Somchai Wongsawat ( father of Thaksin’s younger sister, Yaowapa), and her uncle, Yingluck Shinawatra.

Ms. Paetongtarn holds a master’s degree in resort management from the University of Surrey in England and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Chulalongkorn University.

She joined the Pheu Thai Party in 2021 as a social activist. Before she became the chief of the Pheu Thai community in 2022, she held the position of president of the Advisory Board on Political Participation and Innovation.

Ms Paetongtarn was one of the group’s prime ministerial prospects for the 2023 public vote.

She was appointed prime minister on September 4 after the court suspended former prime minister Srettha Thavisin for his nomination of ex-convict Pichit Chuenban as a government minister on August 14.

The youngest Vietnamese prime minister ever, achieving MR Seni Pramoj, who succeeded him in 1945 at the age of 40, is Ms. Paetongtarn.

Jiraporn Sindhuprai

Prime Minister’s Office Minister/ Age: 37

Nisit Sindhuprai, former leader of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship ( UDD), and Aim-orn Sindhuprai, former member of the Pheu Thai list, are her oldest children. Her girl, Chayapa, is also an MP for Roi Et.

She graduated from Notion University with a bachelor’s in liberal arts, and the University of Reading in England, both with a master’s degree in international business.

Ms. Jiraporn is now the Pheu Thai Party’s deputy president and has half won the Roi Et vote as the MP in 2019 and 2023.

She is regarded as a new-generation lawmaker who has an impressive track record since joining the previous government as the youngest Minister in Prayut Chan-o-cha’s cabinet and serving in the previous government.

Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol

Culture Minister/ Age: 42

Ms Sudawan is the oldest daughter of Weerasak Wangsuphakijkosol, Pheu Thai MP for Nakhon Ratchasima, and Yonlada Wangsuphakijkosol, chief executive of the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Administrative Organisation ( PAO ).

Before beginning her political career, she worked in the tapioca starch stock of her family and received a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Suranaree University of Technology.

Under Srettha Thavisin, Ms. Sudawan was appointed as minister of tourism and activities, before becoming the secretary of culture in the interim.

She was selected as a Pheu Thai MP-list for the first time in the 2023 public vote.

Narumon Pinyosinwat

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister/ Age: 51

Ms. Narumon is a graduate of the University of Georgia in the United States and holds a bachelor’s degree in records from Chulalongkorn University.

She received a doctorate in finance from Pennsylvania University, before joining the Palang Pracharath Party ( PPRP ) for the 2019 general election.

Ms Naruemon was appointed Deputy Labour Minister and Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson during Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s case. She is currently the Kla Dharma Party’s head.

Supamas Isarabhakdi

Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister/ Age: 51

Ms. Supamas received degrees from Chulalongkorn University with a bachelor’s degree in business executive and a master’s degree in engineering administration.

She began her political job in 2001 as the Thai Rak Thai Party’s former Thai MP. She was a part of the now-defunct Palang Prachachon Party. She is currently the group manager for the Bhumjaithai Party.

Manaporn Charoensri

Deputy Transport Minister/ Age: 58

The Nakhon Phanom local, Ms Manaporn is a well-known local legislator who participated in the 2010 social problems as a UDD, or so-called red-shirt part.

She holds political science bachelor’s and master’s degree from Ramkhamhaeng University and a social public relations degree from Kirk University. Additionally, she holds a diploma from St. Teresa International College, or presently St. Teresa International University.

Ms. Manaporn served as the Nakhon Phanom Provincial Administration Organization ( PAO )’s deputy leader and its chief executive from 2004 to 2008. She joined the state’s Pheu Thai Party red-shirt party in 2006.

Ms. Manaporn was elected in 2011 as the Pheu Thai Party’s Nakhon Phanom MP, granting her a successful social career. She was elected as MP three days, including the 2023 general election.

The company in the northeast of the Pheu Thai Party now has Ms. Manaporn as its minister. She likewise works as the group’s inside consultant. She was Deputy Transport Minister in Mr Srettha’s authorities.

Theerarat Samrejvanich

Deputy Interior Minister/ Age: 45

Ms Theerarat is the daughter of the late Wiboon Samrejvanich, past Bangkok MP in the Lat Krabang district.

Ms Theerarat graduated with a bachelor’s degree in conversation art from Bangkok University. She therefore holds a degree in collaborative research from Central Queensland University in Australia and a master’s degree in global business from the University of Wollongong.

Ms. Theerarat began her political career as Bangkok MP in the Lat Krabang district in 2011 by using her home as a foundation for her election-planning. She even won the elections in 2019 and 2023, making her the just Pheu Thai MP to get the Bangkok region’s general election in 2023.

Sabeeda Thaised

Deputy Interior Minister/ Age: 39

Ms. Sabeeda and Chada Thaised, the former assistant interior minister, are the subsequent children. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Abac and a master’s degree from London, both in law.,

Mr Sabeeda worked in the case as a member of Mr Chada’s working council and represented her father during an occasion in their home, Uthai Thani, before succeeding in her father’s place.

Ms. Sabeeda joins her dad and her uncle Mananya Thaised, who served as the former Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister in Gen Prayut’s case, as the second Thaised person to be elected as chancellor.

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