China urges Myanmar to cooperate on maintaining stability on border
BEIJING: After a flurry of battle between junta forces and insurgents erupted in Myanmar on Monday( Nov 6,) the country’s government said that Myanmar should work with China to retain balance along their shared border. An ally of racial minority armies fighting for self-determination launched a series of coordinated attacksContinue Reading
Very heavy traffic expected at land checkpoints for Deepavali long weekend amid tightened security: ICA
ICA even advised drivers not to cut the line.
According to the power,” line cutting should be avoided by motorists using the land checkpoints because it can result in significant traffic congestion and endanger the safety of various drivers.”
To ensure street control at the crucial intersections and bridges leading to the land gates,” ICA works closely with the Traffic Police.” If wayward drivers are caught cutting the line, they will be forced to re-line.
” In a current event on October 15, 2023, ICA turned away four vehicles from Tuas Checkpoint because they sped up the line as they approached Singapore.”
The Children’s Day trip from October 6 to October 8 saw more than 1.27 million individuals use the property gates, the ICA also reported in its advice.
On October 6, alone, there were more than 460 000 border bridges, with roughly 260 000 of them being made by departing travelers.
Since the land edges between Singapore and Malaysia were entirely reopened last year, this was the most travelers who had passed through the gates.
During the top,” Those who left by car had to wait up to three hours before they were cleared through immigration ,” according to ICA.
Fancy staying in a bus? The Bus Collective at Changi Village offers 20 suites made from repurposed buses
The areas still have some of the accoutrements of an actual vehicle, which will please those who are intrigued by the innovation of sleeping inside a past mode of transportation. In addition to the apparent wheels and panels, the area also has a vehicle driver’s seat that you can relax in, which is something you most certainly cannot do while on your daily commute.
The partnership between WTS Travel and its associates is the first of its type in Southeast Asia.
By introducing The Bus Collective, we are redefining comfort kindness and pioneering an eco-conscious approach to commerce in Singapore, according to managing producer Micker Sia of WTS Travel. We are giving retired buses new life through creative thinking and competent performance, giving our passengers an unmatched experience.
Busking duo The ETC wins Battle Of The Buskers competition
as the & nbsp’s winning act; The ETC won the Battle of The Buskers with S$ 10,000 in cash and a JBL PartyBox Ultimate speaker worth$ 2,000 in prize money.
The Head of Commissioning & amp at Mediacorp made a statement to the media. Neighborhood involvement and nbsp & nbsp, Sabinitha Shanmugasundram declared. The goal of” Battle Of The Buskers” was to highlight the regional musical scene; And we’re thrilled that our streets musicians’ music and nbsp have gained more recognition; through Mediacorp’s system, reach a larger audience with your prowess.
” The competitors have also & nbsp ;” brought us incredible live performances every week, and we are incredibly proud of them, especially & nbsp; Congrats on your victory afternoon, The ETC! We sincerely hope that all of our performers will keep bringing joy to our roads. And we eagerly anticipate their upcoming achievements! “”
China’s Xi Jinping to welcome Australian PM Albanese in Beijing
BEIJING: Following years of conflicts that reduced billions of dollars in trade, Chinese leader Xi Jinping will welcome Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Beijing on Monday( Nov 6 ). Beijing is Canberra’s largest trading partner, but relations deteriorated in 2020 as a result of an investigation into the COVID-19Continue Reading
China’s Xi Jinping meets Australian PM Albanese in Beijing
BEIJING: Following years of hostilities that reduced billions of dollars in trade, Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Beijing on Monday( Nov 6 ), according to state media. Beijing is Canberra’s largest trading partner, but relations deteriorated in 2020 as a result of anContinue Reading
Singapore bank DBS posts 18% jump in third quarter profit, beating estimates
SINGAPORE: Singapore’s largest bank, DBS Group, reported on Monday( Nov. 6 ) a better-than-expected 18 % increase in third-quarter net profit on the back of higher interest rates, which it predicted will also help keep its profit steady next year.
The largest merchant in Southeast Asia, DBS, has already predicted a report full-year profit for the current year.
According to CEO Piyush Gupta in results presentation materials,” Net profit ( for 2024 ) to be maintained around record 2023 level.”
Higher-for-longer interest rates will be beneficial to earnings as we enter the upcoming year, according to Mr. Gupta, while our strong balance sheet, enough liquidity, wise general allowance reserves, and wholesome capital ratios will give us powerful buffers against macro uncertainties.
As full salary increased to a report due to higher interest margins and cost earnings, the bank’s net profit from July to September increased from S$ 2.24 billion( US$ 1.94 billion ) to S$ 2.63 billion.
That exceeded the median measure of S$ 2.5 billion from four LSEG-surveyed experts.
A crucial indicator of success, DBS ‘ net interest tolerance, increased from 1.9 % in the prior quarter to 2.19 percent during the current quarter.
For the fourth quarter, it announced a payout of 48 cents per share, bringing the payment for the nine month of 2023 to S.$ 1.38.
Additionally, Mr. Gupta anticipated that the company’s net interest revenue in 2024 would be comparable to that of this year, with money management and cards continuing the momentum of fee income.
According to the statement, he also predicted that full accommodations would normalize to 17 to 20 basis points of funding and a higher profit for the following year. & nbsp,
Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Indians who need $2.1m drug to fight a rare disease
Gufran ZebaTo keep their kids intact, the Gufrans are paying a high price.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy( SMA ), a rare genetic disorder that impairs breathing and causes muscle deterioration, affects Affan, seven, and Erhan, five. The family’s monthly physiotherapy appointments alone cost them 40, 000 rupees($ 480,$ 395 ), and their sons require ongoing care because they are unable to stand, sit, or walk on their own.
” We want to try gene therapy for our sons, but one dose alone costs about 175m rupees($ 2.1m,£ 1.7m )” Zeba Gufran, their family, says,” We simply can’t afford it.
One of the priciest medications in the world is Zolgensma protein remedy, which the Gufrans want to try. It is typically administered as a one-time injection to young children under two, but the Gufrans are in desperate need and believe in miracles.
In some nations, the cost of rare disease therapies is covered by the government or health insurance, despite the fact that they are expensive everyday. Australia provides available people with subsidised access to pricey life-saving medications, while the UK has made SMA medications accessible through the National Health Service.
People frequently use fundraising to get access to these remedies in India. However, as interest in unusual hereditary diseases rises, patients and their families are banding together to demand that the federal government lower the price of these medications.
Recent medical advancements have made treatments for genetic conditions like SMA and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy ( DMD ), which causes muscle weakness and degeneration, available, despite the fact that about 95 % of rare diseases have no approved treatments. Indians who are battling these illnesses therefore claim they want to get the applicable medications.
Specialists claim that India’s rare diseases plan, which aims to offer financial assistance, has not yet been properly implemented.
Due to some recent effective fundraising campaigns, SMA is one of the lesser-known rare diseases in India. The condition is brought on by an SMN1 protein fault that results in a protein deficit that is essential for motor neurons to function. A woman’s ability to walk, talk, eat, and breath is affected as SMA worsens over time.
There are four main types of SMA, according to Dr. Sheffali Gulati, a baby neurologist at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi:
- Type-1: The most significant and prevalent variant, in which symptoms manifest at birth or by six months of age. Most individuals don’t live past two years, children’s limbs are puffy, and they never reach motor milestones.
- The onset of Type 2 occurs between the ages of three and fifteen weeks. These kids may remain, but they are unable to stand or walk on their own.
- Types 3 and 4 are less severe, but in these conditions, the child’s lifespan will be cut short by an excessively slow strength deterioration.
Although SMA cannot be cured, there are solutions that can slow or halt the disease’s progression, extending a person ‘ life and enhancing its value, according to Dr. Gulati.
Three medications have so far received FDA approval:
- The most expensive is Zolgensma gene therapy, which costs about 175m pounds for a one-time extract that swaps out the defective SMN1 for an improved, efficient one. A spokeswoman for Novartis, the company that makes the substance, said they were unable to comment on the price. Doctors and parents estimate that a dose in India costs about 175m rupees, excluding taxes.
- For the first four concentrations of Spinraza, the price is around 50m pounds; after that, it costs about 30m Rs per year. It needs to be taken continuously.
- The cheapest of the lot, Risdiplam, costs about 7.2 million rupees for a week’s source. It is offered for purchase below after receiving Indian approval. This also needs to be done over a lifetime.
There are no less expensive generic choices because none of these medications are produced in India and they are all patentable.
The majority of clients in India obtain SMA medications through charitable programs provided by the pharmaceutical producers. These programs only provide free medications to a select group of patients, but kids claim that this doesn’t always maintain an endless supply.
Additionally, a person may be unsuitable for these programs due to factors like age or health problems. Zolgensma is produced by Novartis, which distributes it to kids under two through a drawing program.
Advocacy groups say there’s scope to make Risdiplam cheaper in India. “We have been asking the government to strike a deal with the manufacturer,” says Sharma, Alpana, co-founder of CureSMA India, a parent-led advocacy group.
The foundation has also requested the removal of the drug’s goods and services tax, which is 12 %, and has made these calls to the national health ministry, the finance ministry and best state physicians.
Emails sent to the national health and funding ministries have not yet been responded to by the BBC.
However, the content also notes that the legislation has put undue strain on a public health system that is already in trouble and used up an excessive amount of resources.
People plan experts like Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya claim that India might encounter comparable difficulties. ” Governments must always prioritize the interests of many people over those of a select some.” It’s a morally and financially challenging choice to make, he claims.
According to Ms. Sharma, some individuals and parents might be able to raise money to pay for SMA care, but not right now.
However, people’s lives are being put on hold due to a lack of access to these life-saving medications.
At the age of two, SMA sort 3 was discovered in 35-year-old associate professor of biology Abhinand. At the age of 12, he stopped walking, and over time, his biceps have deteriorated. He uses a wheelchair and has intense spine, which impairs his ability to breathe.
After years of struggle, the recent availability of new procedures has given him some promise. Through fundraising, he was able to raise enough money in 2021 to purchase 30 bottles of Risdiplam for an entire year, and a family agreed to pay for his treatment the following year. Abhinand is unable to participate in sympathetic programs due to his health conditions, so when his medications run out, he is uncertain of what to do.
He claims that for the past seven years, he has been in a partnership with an incredible woman.
However, I don’t have the courage to propose to her until I am certain that I will be able to obtain enough medicine to succeed. I simply cannot harm her in that way.
Learn more BBC stories about India here:
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13 August 2022
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The US is quietly arming Taiwan to the teeth
shabby picturesChina expressed regret and opposition to what Washington had done when US President Joe Biden recently approved an$ 80 million grant to Taiwan for the purchase of American military equipment.
It didn’t seem like a rough amounts to the casual observer. It was less than one contemporary champion jet’s price. More than$ 14 billion worth of US military equipment is already on order for Taiwan. Does it matter if I have an extra$ 80 million?
Beijing’s default answer to any military support for Taiwan is rage, but this time everything was different.
The$ 80 million is not a loan. It is funded by citizens in America. America is sending arms to a country it formally does not recognize for the first time in more than 40 years. This is taking place as part of a program known as foreign military finance ( FMF ).
FMF has been used to send Kyiv about$ 4 billion in military aid since Russia invaded Ukraine last year. It has been used to take additional billion to places like Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel, and Egypt. However, up until this point, it has only ever been given to governments or organizations that are recognized by the UN. Taiwan isn’t.
The US continued to sell arms to the area in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act after switching diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979. The secret was to buy just enough weapons — enough to protect Taiwan from a potential Chinese attack— but not too many to jeopardize ties between Beijing and Washington. The US has long relied on this so-called strategic misunderstanding to do business with China while still being Taiwan’s most steadfast friend.
However, over the past ten years, China has seen a sharp increase in the military balance across the Taiwan Strait. The tried-and-true method is ineffective. Washington claims that while its plan hasn’t changed, it has in important way. The US State Department has been swift to claim that FMF even remotely acknowledges Taiwan. However, it is clear from Taipei that America is changing its stance on the island, particularly in light of the intensity with which Washington is pressuring Taiwan to re-arm. And Taiwan, which China outperforms, needs the assistance.
The US is emphasizing how urgently our navy needs to be strengthened. According to Wang Ting – yu, a ruling party legislator with close ties to Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing – wen and to US Congressional chiefs, it is sending Beijing the clear message of strategic clarity that we stand together.
The$ 80 million, according to him, is just the beginning of a very big iceberg. He also mentions that President Biden approved the sale of$ 500 million worth of military supplies and equipment to Taiwan in July using his discretion. For the first time since the 1970s, according to Mr. Wang, Taiwan is getting ready to take two battalions of ground forces to the US for education.
The beginning of what, according to him, could be up to$ 10 billion over the next five years, however, is the money.
Deals involving martial products may take up to ten years, according to I-Chung Lai, president of the Prospect Foundation, a think tank based in Taipei. However, with FMF, the US is sending munitions directly from its own companies using US funds, so we don’t have to go through the entire approval procedure.
Taipei’s Ministry of National Defense will respond with a knowing grin and firmly sealed lips when asked what US funds will be used for.
However, Dr. Lai claims that it is possible to make educated guesses about the highly successful Javelin and Stinger anti-aircraft weapons, which forces you quickly learn to use.
He claims,” We don’t have enough of them, and we need a bit.” The Stingers have quickly run out in Ukraine, and given how they have been used, it appears that we may have ten times as many as we now have.
Long-term observers’ analysis is unambiguous: the island is terribly under-prepared for a Chinese attack.
There are many issues on the list. There are too few contemporary, gentle missile systems in Taiwan’s army compared to its hundreds of outdated war tanks. Its military order structure, strategies, and doctrine haven’t changed in fifty years. Some front-line units only have 60 % of the required hands. According to reports, Taiwan’s counter-intelligence businesses in China are nonexistent, and its military recruitment system is flawed.
Taiwan reduced military assistance from a full year to only four months in 2013 before resuming it the following year. There are, however, greater difficulties. The young people who pass through it jokingly refer to it as a” summer camp.”
There was no standard training, according to a recent grad. We may use vintage firearms from the 1970s and go to a shooting range about once every two months. We did engage in target-shooting. However, there was no proper instruction on how to target, so people kept going missing. We didn’t exercising at all. At the conclusion is a health exam, but we did not prepare for it.
He described a method in which older army commanders have no interest in training these young men because they will only be there for so little time.
There is a strong belief in Washington that Taiwan is out of time to reform and restore its military. As a result, the US is also beginning to teach Taiwan’s military.
Political and military leaders on the island have long held the opinion that China should not attempt an invasion because it would be too difficult and hard. Taiwan prioritized its navy and air force over its troops, much like Britain did.
The plan was to destroy them on the shores by entangling them in the Taiwan Strait. Therefore, Dr. Lai says,” we invest a lot of tools in air and sea defense.”
Taipei is changing to a” stronghold Taiwan” strategy under intense pressure from Washington, which would render the island very challenging for China to win.
The People’s Liberation Army( PLA) will be fought in the towns and cities, as well as from bases deep within the jungle-covered mountains of the island, while ground troops, infantry, and artillery will take the place of an invasion on the beaches. But as a result, Taiwan’s out-of-date troops is once again in charge of defending the country.
” Our infantry experienced almost total isolation after the US severed ties in 1979. They are therefore stuck in the Vietnam War age of US government theory, according to Dr. Lai.
Taipei and Washington weren’t concerned about this until more lately. Chinese and US businesses built businesses all over China in the 1990s and 2000s. Beijing successfully lobbied to become a member of the World Trade Organization. The US believed that trade and investment may bring about peace in the Taiwan Strait as the world embraced the Chinese market.
But those reassuring presumptions have been disproved by the increase of Xi Jinping, his model of patriotism, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The lessons learned from the invasion of Ukraine have been disturbing for Taiwan. The field has been dominated by artillery, which is frighteningly accurate and has a higher rate of fire. Ukrainian crews have learned that once they fire a burst of shells, they must be on the move; otherwise, Belarusian” shop – power fire” will descend on their jobs within minutes.
However, a large portion of Taiwan’s gun forces are armed with weapons from the Vietnam War or perhaps World War Two. These are laboriously loaded and take a while to proceed. Ducks may be sitting there.
Taiwan’s exposure is compel Washington to take action. Because of this, US trainers are traveling to Taipei to integrate with Taiwan’s soldiers and special forces, and Chinese ground troops are being sent to the US to teach.
Taiwan still has no chance of stopping China on its own, according to William Chung, a research fellow at Taipei’s Institute for National Defence and Security Research. The conflict in Ukraine has taught us another session.
According to him,” International world must choose whether Taiwan matters.” We must internationalize the Taiwan position if the G7 or Nato believe it is crucial to their own interests because doing so will cause China to reconsider the price.
According to Dr. Chung, China’s actions have unintentionally assisted Taiwan in doing that.
China is attempting to alter the current situation throughout the place, he claims. And that implies that Taiwan’s protection is linked to the East China Sea and the South Chinese Sea. It implies that we are no longer alone.
Washington is currently engaged in a contentious discussion about how far the US does support Taiwan. Any open commitment from the US, according to many longtime China watchers, would provoke Beijing more than hinder it. Washington is also aware that Taiwan cannot possibly hope to support itself on its own.
We need to keep silent on the whole matter of strategic ambiguity, while arming Taiwan to the teeth, as one seasoned China witness put it.
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What exactly does” control up” mean? Teo Jiayi, the profile manager at HighSpark, is this year’s host. & nbsp,