Cambodian PM congratulates Paetongtarn
Several neighboring nations are now both dominated by kids of previous nominees.
Described: 16 Aug 2024 at 18: 21
Paetongtarn Shinawatra has received a message of congratulations from Thai Prime Minister Hun Manet on her election as Thailand’s new prime minister.
In the treatment released by his company, Hun Manet wrote,” This stands as a testament to the trust and confidence the Thai citizens have in your leadership.”  ,  ,
Cambodia and Thailand appreciate longstanding diplomatic relations and near assistance, which have had a long history of cultural relationships and mutual respect, and have benefited our peoples. I strongly believe that, under your leadership, we may continue to increase our corporate partnership”.
The neighboring nations then share one more thing in common: prime ministers who are the offspring of previous leaders.
Hun Manet, 46, assumed the prime ministership after his parents, Hun Sen, stepped down in August 2023 following primaries in which his Vietnamese People’s Party ran almost uncontested.
Paetongtarn, 37, the youngest child of former top and Pheu Thai father Thaksin Shinawatra, was elected as Thailand’s 31st prime minister on Friday, two weeks after the court-ordered expulsion of Srettha Thavisin. She becomes the youngest excellent minister in the country’s history.
Hun Sen, 72, and Thaksin, 75, have long been great friends. Thaksin also briefly served as an economical adviser to the Vietnamese leader during his self-imposed banishment from Thailand.
After being released on parole in February of this year, Hun Sen was one of the first people to make a first appearance at Thaksin’s Bangkok house.
‘Very strong’ Typhoon Ampil buffets Japan’s Pacific coast
Tokyo, August 16: A “very powerful” typhoon slammed Japan’s Pacific coast with strong winds and heavy rainfall, causing the withdrawal of lots of flights and railways in the Tokyo region and causing over 2, 000 homes to be without power.
Located about 170km south of Tokyo, Typhoon Ampil was packing winds of up to 216kmh as it headed north, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
Instead of making ashore, the typhoon’s eye traveled northeast along the Honshu coast, passing through the Tokyo region, which has a population of about 40 million, before returning to the Pacific on Saturday.
The climate system was described as “very strong,” one notch below what it referred to as as a “violent typhoon,” with peak wind speeds of 195 kilometers per hour.
The company warned people to be “on high alert for violent winds, coastal waves, floods, flooding in low-lying lands, and valley storms”.
According to a statement, the risk of severe rain-related disasters may raise through Friday evening in the Kanto region close to Tokyo and through Saturday day in the northern Tohoku region.
By 3am Saturday ( 1800 GMT Friday ), the US military’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center off the coast of the east of the capital’s coastal Chiba region, was able to forecast maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour.
More than 18, 000 people were given instructions to leave Chiba district south of Tokyo, according to a speech from the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
Some 2, 000 communities in Tokyo’s neighbouring counties, generally Chiba, were without electricity as of Friday afternoon due to the storms, according to the energy controller.
Phayao on alert for more floods
After the main path was flooded, the liquid recedes, but some reservoirs are nearly overflowing.
Discussed: 16 Aug 2024 at 17: 32
Authorities in Phayao issued a warning that more reservoirs does flow and cause problems as residents cleaned up on Friday after heavy rain and flooding.
A pond was breached due to ongoing weighty rain on Thursday night, flooding a major road in the northern state.
After flooding flooded the path between Chiang Rai state and Chun area, which temporarily slowed the flow of traffic between Chun and the Ban Si Chom Chaeng group in tambon Hong Hin, some land was damaged.
On Friday, the street was restored to normal and the water started to recede. However, workers were rushing to fix the dam to stop flooding from returning.
A little tank containing 95, 000 cubic meters of water was the broken Huai Kha San tank.
Since two other pools in the area were reportedly nearly complete, people were alerted to plan for subsequent storms.
On Friday, liquid floods into the Ban Si Chom Chaeng area in the Chun region of Phayao’s Chun area. ( Photo Fm 95.25 MHz Facebook page )
Singapore shuttler Yeo Jia Min on her Paris Olympics experience
Q. What did you eat initially when you arrived in Singapore?
Bird rice at the airports.
I feel very happy to be back home and spending time with my family.
I’ve taken a week off, then I’ve started training afterwards, because my next competition is in less than two months. I’m trying my best. I first need to get over the virus.
Q. You had just entered the second Olympics. Did you think your album performed better than you did?
Overall, the whole Olympic knowledge was quite different, as my first Games was during the COVID-19 crisis. This time, straight from the first day, it was so crowded. There was so much more help. My home, my kids were there, and every fit I could see them.
Preparing was also quite different. Going into the competition this time, I was healthy, not ( affected ) by injuries, so physically and mentally, I was definitely more prepared.
Q. What was most crucial in your Olympic planning?
There were months of preparation. Leading up ( to the Games ), it was definitely to make sure I did n’t fall sick or get any new injuries. Sometimes I experience these small jitters to make sure I’m in the best condition possible. Only mentally staying grounded, believing in myself, a lot of good self-talk, and excitement.
Q. In Paris, you’ll have the opportunity to fulfill world leaders. What did you take away from them?
For us, getting to know these racquetball people is like happening every other week. But at the Olympics, there are so many athletes from various activities, and they all have their own story to tell. It’s so exciting how we are all different, but there’s a little bit of similarity in terms of what we have experienced.
It’s generally that spirit of the confidence to come back, to believe in themselves once more, and to challenge one’s limitations. And often, at the end of the day, they surpass their limitations. The motivation of these sports inspires me.
Q. At the Olympic Village, did you experience any sense of community?
When I went to the gym it, I felt like, well, there was so much noise going on and people from all sorts of activities, and they were so laser focused. There were so many countries, some that I ca n’t even pronounce. It felt incredibly strange to be a part of our individual wealthy elite.
Q. Do you feel pressured to play basketball at an elite level?
I put myself under some pressure to stay where I’m at and gradually get close to where I want to get. More than the ranks, I focus on how I perform.
I’m trying my best to think of what I may do different and improve upon as I come back from this Olympics, and I hope to continue to rise up the ranks.
Backlash after Filipino MP says husbands have ‘sexual rights’
After he asked in congress whether men have” physical privileges” to their wives, a senator from the Philippines has received online criticism.
Former artist Robin Padilla was given the opportunity to speak at a reading on sexual abuse in the entertainment industry.
He also inquires about what men should do if their wives are n’t in the feelings, to which Lorna Kapunan, the attorney, replies that they can “watch Netflix.”
Mr Padilla, one of the country’s most famous artists, ran for office in 2022 where he emerged as the country’s best votes member.
In a reading on Thursday, Mr. Padilla made the remarks while leading a Senate investigation into allegations of sexual abuse and harrassment in the internet business.
He inquires to Ms. Kapunan if a spouse may ask his wife for sexual if she is “in the mood” but never his wife.
What if your wife does n’t want to? Is there no other means for men? If you look to different people, you might get sued”, Mr Padilla said in Tagalog.
Ms Kapunan said in such conditions, men should instead” get counselling, pray or enjoy Netflix”.
He then goes on to say that some wives feel like their wives are there to” serve” them, to which Ms. Kapunan replies that it is” not the wife’s obligation to serve her husband.”
Mr Padilla’s comments sparked a storm of virtual responses, with one calling him “disgusting”.
One post on X said:” So does that make ladies their father’s individual sexual workers”?
” Husbands do not have’ physical right’ over their brides. Equal freedom and free would are available to women. No means no. Respect is everything, according to renowned animal rights attorney Jose Manuel Diokno in a blog on X.
Another X users claimed that Mr. Padilla’s comments are an explanation to eventually legalize divorce in the nation.
Eight in 10 of the Philippines ‘ 110 million individuals are Catholic, which greatly influences views on marriage and family. It is the only country in the world, aside from the Vatican, where divorce is illegal.
Mr Padilla is one of the country’s most famous artists. Before becoming an artist, he rose to fame in the 1990s with his comedian roles in Robinhood.
He was later found guilty of possessing illegal weapon, and he received an eight-year prison sentence before receiving a pardon. He then resumed his film and television occupation and gained a lot of praise for turning his life around.
His family Mariel Padilla, a Filipino-born American, is also an artist and type in the Philippines.
With 26 million seats, Mr. Padilla won the 2022 congressional election, giving him a program to get higher business. In 2022, he made the decision to run for public office.
‘Stain on legal community’: Malaysian Bar president warns errant members after police flag criminal cases against lawyers
The leader of the Malaysian Bar has issued a strong statement against some accidental professionals ‘ behavior for the second time in two weeks, warning that it will take legal action against those who have “breached the faith bestowed upon them by the public.”  ,
In a statement released on Friday ( Aug 16 ), Mr. Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab said,” We condemn such actions in the strongest and most unequivocal terms.” He made reference to the Malaysian Bar’s position against some of its members ‘ dishonest and fraudulent behavior.
The Malaysian Bar is a professional figure charged with overseeing the legal system in Malaysia.  ,
A total of 33 criminal breach of trust ( CBT ) cases involving attorneys were reported nationwide last year, according to Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID ) director Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf, who made the statement on August 13.  ,
These cases resulted in costs of over RM33 million ( US$ 7.4 million ).
Additionally, Mr. Ramli warned that there are likely to be more legal cases involving these offences, with losses totaling over RM20 million recorded so far this year.  ,
In 2022, 29 Psychotherapy cases involving attorneys were recorded equivalent to loss of RM13 million, Bernama reported.  ,
But, Mr. Ezri claimed in his speech from Friday that there appears to be an “alarming craze” that has unfairly diminished the importance of doctors in culture.  ,
The focus is now more on the misbehavior of a few, which, he said, “unfortunately casts a shadow on the whole profession,” rather than the major contributions that lawyers make to society.  ,
Mr. Ezri warned that lawyers across Malaysia are facing unprecedented challenges due to the current economic environment and the growing political pressures on the job.
” In addition, the rising need for savings and the weakening of legal services only add to the challenges that lawyers are currently facing.  ,
This pattern threatens the conservation of constitutional practices, especially smaller firms and only practitioners, and undermines the worth of the important job we do. Legitimate companies are not a product that can be bargained, they are important services that require specialised awareness, knowledge, and a commitment to fairness, “he said.  ,
According to records, Mr. Ezri noted that there were 33 cases that the police investigated last year, including 14 cases involving individuals who were n’t members of the Malaysian Bar, as well as eight cases in which the Advocates and Solicitors Disciplinary Board ( ASDB) had issued orders to its members.  ,
According to its site, the ASDB handles complaints of specialized misconduct filed by an advocate, attorney, student, or unusual attorney licensed under Section 40J of the Legal Profession Act of 1976.  ,
Mr. Ezri added that the Bar Council, which oversees the interests of the Malaysian Bar and performs its duties, has filed six police reports against those who use fake documents or defraude to carry out dishonest and deceptive business since 2023.
He also urged the general public to complain to the ASDB if they thought the lawyer and activist had engaged in misconduct.
Unscrupulous lawyers stow a shack in the legal system, and their inaction undermines the integrity of the many honorable and attentive members who uphold the highest standards of our profession, asserted Mr. Ezri.  ,
The Malaysian Bar has made a number of claims over the years expressing its concern for users ‘ dishonesty or fraudulent behavior.  ,
Two lawyers claimed they were being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission ( MACC ) in their capacity as lawyers for a building’s management committee in a strata management case, according to a report released by news website Free Malaysia Today in June.
Mr. Ezri had previously stated that while they were strong against unscrupulous practices and doctors ‘ dishonest behavior, he had also cautioned all enforcement systems, including the MACC, to regard lawful professional privilege and the right to legal representation.  ,
Mr. Ezri also disclosed to FMT that the Malaysian Bar had introduced Elevate, a fresh risk management tool, to address the issue of law firms stealing money from trust accounts.
The CCID producer, Mr. Ramli, was quoted by Bernama as saying in May that the government had received 22 studies of scenarios involving law firms, with losses totaling RM19 million.
After failing to move the property rights to the new consumer, authorities in Selangor had also arrested a prosecutor who had received RM2.7 million for the purchase of a plot of land in the city in November.
MaNaDr ordered to suspend telemedicine services after MOH uncovers possible wrongdoing such as issuing multiple MCs
Following a Ministry of Health ( MOH) investigation that found potential wrongdoing, including the issuing of multiple medical certificates (MC) over a short period of time, a clinic at Beach Road has been directed to suspend its outpatient telemedicine services from Friday ( Aug 16 ).
According to a press release released on Friday, MaNaDr Clinic, which is located at City Gate along Beach Road, is “probably engaged in regularly engaging in therapeutically and ethically improper practices for its outpatient health services.”
The clinic is now licensed to offer outpatient health services , via three modes – at its everlasting premises, any momentary premises as well as electronically.
According to MOH, its preliminary results revealed that there were” a large number of people who had undergone very little teleconsultations, and circumstances of various medical certificates issued over a short period of time to the same patients.”
According to the government, MaNaDr Clinic’s telehealth services are being investigated by the MOH after receiving numerous complaints over the past few months through its website and mobile app.
” To protect the health, safety, and happiness of individuals, MaNaDr Clinic has been directed to prevent the provision of inpatient health services via teleconsultation starting on August 16 until further see.”
Small TELECONSULTATIONS, MULTIPLE MCs ISSUED
A “very large number of cases seen by MaNaDr Clinic involved pretty little teleconsultations”, said MOH on Friday.
” For instance, in a sampled month, more than 100, 000 teleconsultations included movie calls with patients of one second or less in length, with the least being one minute”.
” These brief interviews raise questions about the patient safety and quality of diagnostic attention.”
Some patients received several MCs in a short amount of time, usually within a fortnight.
More than 1, 500 people were given MCs on five or more occasions, according to MOH, with 19 being the highest amount of MCs given to a single person in a fortnight.
Although these teleconsultations were brief, some of the corresponding case notes also contained in-depth details that did n’t seem to be” commensurate with the duration of teleconsultation.”
” In other instances, the situation notes were really limited or small, potentially compromising the consistency of individual care”, it added.
Next year,  , CNA reported , concerns about particular telemedicine apps reportedly issuing MCs when exceedingly short consultations. After a distant conversation that lasted only 43 moments, a CNA writer obtained an MC from MaNaDr.
MOH stated that it will continue to look into MaNaDr Clinic and will not be hesitant to take any additional legal action against the doctor and its essential appointment holders.
Additionally, it stated that it is looking into any potential breaches of the Singapore Medical Council’s ( SMC) ethical code and guidelines.
MOH may refer any health professionals to the SMC for disciplinary action if they have possible ethical violations of the moral code and guidelines.
The ministry added that it will be monitoring and auditing another licensed providers of ambulatory medical care via teleconsultation, especially those who do so via platforms like the MaNaDr platform.
According to MOH,” All healthcare companies who are authorized under the Healthcare Services Act to offer outpatient medical solutions remotely via teleconsultations are reminded to follow their legal obligations under the Healthcare Services Act, as well as the appropriate regulations and appropriate licensing conditions ( including the Licensing Conditions for Remote Provision of Outpatient Medical Service ).”
” Medical practitioners who practice telemedicine are re-arrested that they must always adhere to the SMC’s ethical code and ethical guidelines when doing so.”
Paetongtarn Shinawatra: Thai heiress brings back divisive dynasty. But for how long?
Getty ImagesPaetongtarn Shinawatra brings a new, young face, and yet another part of the strong Shinawatra community, to the country’s best work.
She is the child of Thaksin Shinawatra, the ousted former prime minister who came back to Thailand past August after 15 years of exile.
The 37-year-old is also the youngest prime minister in Thailand’s history, and only the second woman – the first was her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra.
Since leading her party, Pheu Thai, in the public vote next year, Ms. Paetongtarn, who is known in Thailand as Ung Ing, has come to be a pretty well-known number. She became a well-known advocate, speaking at gatherings right after her second child was born.
But, her family did not want her to become prime minister because they were afraid she would be reliant on legal procedures that had forced both Ms. Yingluck and Mr. Thaksin to live in exile, especially her family Potjaman, who is still a prominent figure in Pheu Thai.
However, the family was forced to accept the surprising court ruling that earlier this week downgraded Srettha Thavisin’s championship. With the exception of Mr. Srettha, Pheu Thai only had two additional documented PM candidates who could take his place: one was an elderly former judge who the party’s MPs thought did not have the charisma or energy to lead them to the upcoming election, which is scheduled to take place in three years.
Ms Paetongtarn’s primary practice has been working in the Shinawatra-owned Rende resort group. She did n’t want to run for office, so she only joined the Pheu Thai party in 2021.
In taking on the job of prime chancellor, she is entering a political labyrinth.
She describes herself as a sympathetic entrepreneur, a social progressive who fully supports Thailand’s fresh equal relationship law.
However, the expression “daddy’s girl” is the one that most people will recall her using. She will always be assumed to be acting in accordance with her father’s instructions no matter what she does in the state. Additionally, Mr. Thaksin continues to be a pretty antagonistic number.
His returning from captivity a year ago was the result of a big deal with strong conventional forces. They include the defense, which deposed two Shinawatra institutions in dictatorships, and parties close to the king, which have opposed Mr Thaksin for more than two years.
The stunning success of the liberal Move Forward gathering in last week’s vote, pushing Pheu Thai and the Shinawatra community into second place for the first time, forced liberals, whose parties fared perhaps worse, to adjust.
Getty ImagesPheu Thai, whose free-spending democracy is now being copied by many other events, was no longer the main threat, with Move Forward pushing for reform of the stability majetse law and the military’s power.
But Pheu Thai was allowed to scrape together a partnership of 11 events, many of them long-term opponents of Mr Thaksin, to preserve Move Forward up.
But Mr. Thaksin’s suspicion endured forever.
The implicit state of his returning, and the aristocratic forgive given to him by King Vajiralongkorn, was that he would keep a small account and, as he had promised from captivity, spend his time with his children.
Actually, Mr. Thaksin is not even a Pheu Thai part. But even in captivity Mr Thaksin frequently interfered, often to the expense of his party. He is also regarded as the Pheu Thai’s principal monetary supporter. And he has been both visible and outspoken at group activities since being released on parole earlier this year.
Some claim that Mr. Thaksin is pushing for the nomination of a lawyer who was convicted in 2008 of trying to bribe a supreme court judge with a cash-filled shopping bag.
The prosecutor was about to act on a legal case against Mr. Thaksin at the time.
The constitutional court, which has frequently ruled against the Shinawatra clan, decided on Wednesday that Mr. Srettha’s appointment was irresponsible and provided ample grounds for dismissal. The decision serves as a reminder to Mr. Thaksin to curb his interests in Thailand.
He was even accused of lese guess earlier this year of comments he made while in exile nine years ago. This case has potentially serious consequences that may stand over him for years.
All of this makes Ms Paetongtarn’s task even more difficult. The popularity of Phue Thai for boosting the economy and raising the standard of living among the poor was the foundation of its success in the past.
But Thailand’s market is now being held back by long-term architectural challenges- and they are indifferent to the nationalist steps tried by past Shinawatra-led governments.
The central bank and other parties have objected to the party’s signature policy in the most recent election, which is a one-time payment of 10,000 baht ($ 284 ) to nearly all Thais ($ 284 ) via a digital wallet.
The party has little else in its policy arsenal to lift its political fortunes over the next three years. It will also face constant and effective opposition from the reformist Move Forward Party, now reconstituted as the People’s Party, after being dissolved by the constitutional court last week.
And Pheu Thai finds itself in a coalition where it has for the first time lost more than half of its seats. Additionally, its conservative political partners have little incentive to see a Pheu Thai-led administration have enough success to begin rebuilding its once-distributable support base among voters.
By constitutional court rulings or military coups, all four of the previous Shinawatra-led governments had been ousted before serving their terms.
Given the unending turbulence in Thai politics, Ms. Paetongtarn hopes to overthrow that disappointing record.
China’s new maritime goliath poised to patrol disputed seas – Asia Times
With a fierce new navy vessel poised to proclaim its extensive regional states, China is upping its match in the South China Sea.
China is expanding its maritime capabilities, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP ) reporting this month. A new navy vessel is being built in the style of a sophisticated warship with state-of-the-art security systems.
SCMP says that the vessel, spotted at Shanghai’s Jiangnan Shipyard, is intended for implementation in the controversial East and South China Seas, particularly in areas disputed with the Philippines. According to the report, China’s new ship growth occurs as these parts ‘ growing territorial disputes escalate.
SCMP says that the ship, based on the Type 052D guided-missile warship, has been modified for navy jobs, seen in the treatment of the horizontal build system and installation of a 76mm primary weapons. It notes that the fleet, equipped with Model 382 air search transponders, boasts enhanced heat monitoring capabilities.
The same statement says that China’s fresh navy vessel, with a movement selection of 6, 000 to 7, 000 lots, fills a proper distance and is comparable to Japan’s larger navy vessels. The ship has a range of over 6, 000 nautical yards, which enables extended guards in the South China Sea without numerous supplies, according to the report.
The massive new vessel may be a follow-on design of its Zhaotou-class maritime law enforcement ( MLE ) vessels.
The school is the largest fleet of its kind in the world, according to Andrew Erickson and other authors in a 2019 Naval War College Review post.
These enormous cutters, each measuring 165 meters in length and exceeding ten thousand lots, are a testament to China’s manufacturing skills and its proper emphasis on MLE, according to Erickson and others.
They say that the Zhaotou-class, part of China’s following water pressure centered on the consolidating China Coast Guard (CCG), has been designed to operate anywhere worldwide with maximum energy.
Regarding the tools, Erickson and people mention that the Zhaotou can be equipped with a 76mm key weapon and has a helicopter board.
But, they note that despite the Zhaotou’s remarkable size and features, the logic behind its development remains speculative, suggesting that it was built in response to Japan’s implementation of its Shikishima-class cutter.
The Zhaotou MLE deployment in the South China Sea may provide some insight into how China intends to use a vessel that is even bigger than that.
Collin Koh mentions that China has been using its formidable Zhaotou MLE vessels to assert its territorial claims and rule in the South China Sea in an article from May 2023 Proceedings.
Koh notes that these vessels, exemplified by the Haijing 3901 recently deployed off the Philippines, are a significant part of China’s maritime strategy, blurring the lines between military and nonmilitary actions.
He notes that China’s strategy, often referred to as “gray zone” aggression, involves coercive tactics that stop short of prompting a conventional military response.
Koh points out that Southeast Asian nations actively resist Beijing’s maritime coercion by deploying their encroaching naval and coast guard assets despite being outmatched by China’s naval power. He claims that their opposition is essential because the region must maintain relations with China while upholding their national interests.
Koh adds that the US and the rest of the world support these smaller nations by raising awareness of the maritime domain and providing capacity-building assistance.
He points out, however, that the disparity between maritime force levels persists and calls for greater regional cooperation and indigenous shipbuilding capabilities to strengthen Southeast Asian countries ‘ ability to defend themselves from China’s “gray zone” tactics.
China’s introduction of its new coastguard vessel further highlights the disparity between China and other nations claiming territory in the South China Sea, particularly the Philippines.
The CCG has larger, more effective vessels than the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which gives it an advantage in terms of sea endurance and operational abilities, especially in troubled areas like the Second Thomas Shoal.
These Chinese vessels are designed to operate continuously for an extended period of time, giving China a strategic advantage in enforcing its maritime claims and controlling disputed waters.
The PCG’s smaller fleet, in contrast, struggles with limited endurance and frequent resupply and maintenance, which prevent it from maintaining its position in the area.
Manila’s difficulties in enforcing its territorial claims in the South China Sea are made worse by China’s blocking and harassing its resupply missions to the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, its underfunded military and coast guard, and US ambiguity regarding supporting Philippine territorial claims under the two parties ‘ mutual defense treaty.
In order to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity in the South China Sea, the Philippines has launched an “assertive transparency” campaign in spite of those difficulties. The intent of the strategy is to draw attention to China’s assertive actions at sea, galvanize domestic and international support, and impose reputational costs on China through visual proof and media attention.
To further its assertive transparency strategy, the Philippines uses various resources, including deploying PCG and PN vessels with embedded journalists to document Chinese harassment, enhancing maritime patrols, and improving its maritime domain awareness through technological advancements.
Additionally, the Philippines makes use of international support by negotiating with allies for joint patrols, military support, and diplomatic support, which are essential to the success of the strategy.
In a March 2024 article for the Center for Strategic and International Studies ( CSIS ) think tank, Josiah Gottfried mentions how the PCG has undergone significant changes in recent years, strengthening its maritime security capabilities in the face of growing regional tensions and territorial disputes.
Following the 2012 Scarborough Shoal standoff with China, which glaringly exposed its limitations, the historically underfunded and underequipped PCG began its modernization.
He points out that the PCG’s fleet has more than doubled, its maritime domain awareness has increased, and its workforce has increased from 4, 000 to 30, 000 thanks to increased domestic priority and international assistance from Japan.
Gottfried makes note of Japan’s significant support for the PCG, which includes the US’s support for its National Coast Watch System (NCWS), as well as its support for 12 large ships and radar stations.
He says other global partners like France, Germany, Australia, Canada and the EU have also provided valuable support. Gottfried adds that the PCG’s budget has quadrupled, reflecting its enhanced role in Philippine maritime security.
He points out, however, that it is still difficult for the PCG to maintain a consistent presence in the South China Sea.
Pakistan reports first case of deadly mpox virus
Pakistan’s health officials announced on Friday ( Aug 16 ) that this was their first case of the deadly mpox virus this year after the World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared a global emergency over its spread. ” The afflicted person has come from a Gulf state”, a MinistryContinue Reading