US approves sale to upgrade Taiwan warjets’ air tracking
WASHINGTON: The United States said on Wednesday (Aug 23) it approved the sale to Taiwan of advanced sensor equipment for its fighter jets, the latest upgrade as fears rise over China. The State Department said it informed Congress of the US$500 million sale of F-16 Infrared Search and Track systemsContinue Reading
US expands sanctions on Myanmar jet fuel, cites junta airstrikes
WASHINGTON: The United States on Wednesday (Aug 23) expanded its sanctions against Myanmar to include foreign companies or individuals helping the country’s military junta to procure jet fuel that it uses to launch airstrikes on its own people, the US Treasury Department said in a statement. The Treasury was alsoContinue Reading
US expands sanctions on Myanamar jet fuel, cites junta airstrikes
WASHINGTON: The United States on Wednesday (Aug 23) expanded its sanctions against Myanmar to include foreign companies or individuals helping the country’s military junta to procure jet fuel that it uses to launch airstrikes on its own people, the US Treasury Department said in a statement. The Treasury was alsoContinue Reading
Taliban stopped 100 women flying to Dubai for university scholarships, UAE billionaire says
The head of a Dubai-based conglomerate on Wednesday (Aug 23) said Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities had stopped around 100 women from travelling to the United Arab Emirates where he was to sponsor their university education. Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, founding chairman of Al Habtoor Group, said in a video posted onContinue Reading
Vietnam’s iconic ‘kissing rocks’ at risk of collapse
Getty ImagesVietnam’s iconic “kissing rocks” in the heart of Ha Long Bay are at risk of collapse, a report has warned.
Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh province is dotted with hundreds of tiny islets, attracting 4 million tourists in 2019.
The twin rocks, which rise out of the bay and appear to touch – or “kiss” – are highly popular with visitors.
But experts warned in a July report that rising sea levels and fishing boats travelling too close are causing the rocks to erode.
Ho Tien Chung of Vietnam’s Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources said illegal fishing and unregulated tourism were helping to speed up the erosion of the rocks.
While the institute was carrying out research for the report, workers observed one tourist boat stopping within just 19 metres of the islet.
Experts observed deep fissures crossing the rocks, warning that they could collapse if action is not taken to preserve them.
“Tourists can see the rocks that are precarious at low tide,” Ho Tien Chung said.
“The water level then is low, exposing the supporting foot of the rocks which are gradually being eroded, causing a risk of collapse if no measures are taken to protect and reinforce them soon.”
Islets in the bay have long been buffeted by coastal erosion and several other notable tourist attractions have been heavily damaged in recent years by buffeting seas.
To counteract the effects, the report urged officials to introduce new regulations to the bay, including limiting the speed of boats passing through it to just 5-10kmh (3-6mph).
Local fishermen should also be encouraged to avoid fishing around the rocks to reduce churn and cement could be inserted into cracks in the islet to sure up its foundations, the report added.
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‘We did consider durian as well’: Tharman on using the pineapple as his presidential campaign logo
Mr Tharman’s campaign posters have been put up around Singapore since Tuesday.
This is in contrast to the approach by Mr Ng, who had cited a shortage of resources and sustainability as reasons for not putting up posters and banners around Singapore. Mr Tan decided against holding a rally, saying it was too expensive.
Asked about how his competitors have cited a lack of resources, Mr Tharman said he had spent “a lot of time in the last month” mobilising volunteers with his team.
“You know the reality is that many people don’t have access to social media. We wanted to show that the Presidential Elections are important. They’re not less important than General Elections when all parties put up posters all around the island,” he added.
“The elections are important, and I wanted to convey that, particularly to people who are not on social media. The day may eventually come when we don’t need it. I think it will take a long time before everyone is really monitoring social media very closely.”
Addressing the issue of sustainability, Mr Tharman said the team kept that in mind “from the very start” – from the type of paper and ink used to a recycling plan.
“In fact, I insisted on it. And in fact, I had a range of proposals as to how we could make it more sustainable without, of course, busting our budget,” he told reporters.
The paper is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and the ink is soy-based, he noted.
“But the reality is, posters are necessary in our electoral landscape, and I don’t want the Presidential Elections to seem unimportant. I do want to reach out to everyone in our heartlands and have put great effort into mobilising volunteers,” he added.
Apart from walkabouts, Mr Tharman will hold a townhall on Friday to reach out to voters.
“I don’t think I have any big advantage, to be frank. We all come in with positives of our own as the three candidates, each of the three candidates. I’m not taking anything for granted. I think it’s going to be a real contest. I’m taking it very seriously,” he said in response to a question about plans for his campaign.
Mr Tharman was also asked about allegations by Iris Koh, founder of anti-vaccine group Healing the Divide, of his “foreign affiliations” with groups such as the World Economic Forum where he sits on the board of trustees.
Mr Tharman replied: “I haven’t looked seriously into that consideration because … it’s not based on a very good understanding of my relationship with the different international organisations, be it the UN or any other organisation. I’ve been flying the Singapore flag high for years now and for good purpose, it is is in our national interests. And I do it with our national interests in mind.”
He added he will continue to hold on to some international appointments even after the election, regardless of whether he wins.
“Every appointment I take is with the approval of the Prime Minister when I was in the government, but of course in the future it will be different – but it’s Singapore’s interests.”
Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft lands on moon in ‘victory cry’ of new India
BENGALURU: An Indian spacecraft landed on the moon on Wednesday (Aug 23), the country’s space agency said, in a mission seen as crucial to lunar exploration and India’s standing as a space power, just days after a similar Russian lander crashed. “This is a victory cry of a new India,”Continue Reading
MP faces legal action for craft beer video
Public health office in Padipat Suntiphada’s home province joins the fray
PUBLISHED : 23 Aug 2023 at 20:08
The provincial public health office in Phitsanulok is seeking to prosecute Deputy House Speaker Padipat Suntiphada for publicising craft beer.
The office is acting as the law enforcement agency under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act in the case against Mr Padipat, who is also a Move Forward MP from the province.
Dr Nipon Chinanonvech, director of the Office of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee, said other parties had filed similar complaints against Mr Padipat over a video that circulated on social media showing him raising a glass of craft beer supposedly produced in Phitsanulok.
Mr Padipat has denied the video was an advertising stunt. He also criticised the ban on promoting craft beer, saying it was deterring local brewers from spreading the word about their products.
It was later reported that the beer in question was being produced on an industrial scale in another province.
The Move Forward Party has been outspoken in its support of small-scale brewers and distillers. It has championed what it called a Progressive Liquor Bill that would remove some of the impediments in the current laws, which effectively prevent all but a handful of giant players from competing successfully.
Last week, political activist Srisuwan Janya submitted a petition with the Department of Disease Cntrol against Mr Padipat.
Mr Srisuwan said the law bars politicians from committing any act intended to persuade people to drink alcohol. The offence is punishable by up to a year in prison, a maximum fine of 500,000 baht, or both.
Numerous people, including some celebrities, have been brought to book for posting pictures of themselves with a glass or bottle of their favourite tipple, on their personal social media. If a label, logo or brand name is visible, fines can range from 50,000 to 500,000 baht.
Media outlets routinely receive warnings from authorities if they carry pictures or video in their news reports of alcoholic beverages with product labels.
Dr Nipon said the provincial public health office had written to the governor of Phitsanulok to inform him about the case of Mr Padipat.
A similar letter was sent to other agencies including the provincial excise office. They might also lodge a legal complaint against Mr Padipat if they establish that he has broken any law they have a duty to enforce.
“Once we’ve finished interviewing witnesses, we might invite the MP to provide information,” Dr Nipon said.
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