Mekong bursts into Nong Khai and Bueng Kan

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People jump to shield property after the river’s maximum is 12 meters.

PUBLISHED: 14 Sep 2024 at 14: 06

An aerial view of flood-hit Nong Khai province on Saturday. (Photo: Nouz Trip Facebook)
An underwater view of flood-hit Nong Khai state on Saturday. ( Photo: Nouz Trip Facebook )

Residents of Nong Khai state have been forced to take immediate action to protect their homes after two days of heavy rains that have caused up to two meters of flooding in some areas.

The valley filled by 1.47m following the recent storms reached a stage of 13.67m at around 9am, an increase of 57 centimeters from the previous evening, according to the Nong Khai Mekong Hydrological Cycle Observation Station, on Saturday.

According to network’s analysts, water levels will continue to rise until Monday, due to continuous precipitation, possibly causing flooding to intrude further into the state’s financial center.

Typhoon Yagi, which has caused extensive damage and lots of fatalities across Southeast Asia, from the Philippines to Myanmar, has been the source of new heavy rains. Flooding in parts of northern Thailand, somewhat Chiang Rai, has been the worst in decades.

Local inhabitants have moved their personal vehicles to higher ground and placed boulder barriers around their homes as the flood in Nong Khai has reached over a centimeter in some areas.

Rescue personnel have been dispatched in flat-bottomed ships to help those affected, including medical staff who are looking for ways to provide patient care.

Men and municipal cattle officials are assisting in relief efforts by designing obstacles and moving farm animals to safer areas.

On Saturday evening, discharge from the Mekong River storms into private areas in the Nong Khai region of Phon Phisai. ( Video: National Broadcasting Services of Thailand )

The Mekong’s highest levels of the year, at 13 million, threatens four provinces, in the neighboring province of Bueng Kan, which is located there.

Many of the tambon Pak Khat’s locations have already been submerged beneath 10 to 50 meters of water.

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‘Ideal candidate’: FAS names ex-Lion City Sailors CEO Chew Chun-Liang as new general secretary

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DAUNTING IN-TRAY

Working closely with Lions head coach Tsutomu Ogura will be at the bottom of Chew’s plan to improve the team’s riches.

Singapore has struggled in recent years to move beyond the Southeast Asia Games team step after failing to do so since 2013.

In their last group game, brutal rivals Malaysia defeated them 7-0 in their final encounter at the previous edition in 2023, which saw them fail to win a single match. Singapore suffered its heaviest loss at the Games since the opposition changed its focus to age groups in 2001.

Singapore even failed to qualify for any of its four 2026 World Cup matches, drawing 2-2 against China, losing twice to South Korea, and finishing third overall in their group, with only one victory to go.

However, FAS noted a number of goals that may have a positive impact on the Lions during Chew’s time with the Seafarers from 2020 to 2022.

The SPL outfit won their first league title&nbsp, in 2021 and opened Singapore’s first integrated training football facility at Mattar Road a year later, with the state-of-the-art centre costing&nbsp, S$ 10 million ( US$ 7.7 million ).

Chew said his time at the Seamen had given him a “deeper knowledge” of the local sports brotherhood, and that it was evident to him that sports holds a” unique place in the hearts of Singaporeans”.

Chew thanked Tan and the FAS ‘ executive council for giving him the ropes, adding,” I’m convinced that I will be able to relate to guiding the organization in the way that Bernard, the FAS committee, and Singaporeans want football to go in.”

” I will be building on a basis that Yazeen helped place, and I hope to carry on the good work in a way that will enable Singapore sport to develop even more in the years to come,” said Yazeen.

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Emerging markets soon-to-be back in vogue – Asia Times

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For over a century, the narrative around emerging markets has been one of disappointment. Some emerging countries now find themselves trailing behind the developed world, especially the United States, despite being again hailed as the future development vehicles of the global market. &nbsp,

Many of these developing countries have experienced economic slowdown or even analysis as China’s rapid rise has slowed and global commodities prices have slowed. &nbsp, Concurrently, the US market, bolstered by record-breaking gains in its tech field, has retaken middle stage in the world markets. &nbsp,

But, now on the verge of a new global financial cycle, the sea is shifting once again in emerging markets ‘ pursuit. This writer believes should n’t be overlooked or missed because savvy investors are beginning to notice the resurgence of emerging markets.

The emerging earth holds a lot of promise for the upcoming five times. One recent study found that the proportion of emerging businesses poised to surpass the United States in per capita GDP growth is expected to rise to almost 90 %, a high not seen since the early 2000s. &nbsp,

The underlying economic wellbeing of many of these economies is what makes this resurgence so convincing, not just the rate of growth. &nbsp, Unlike in the 2000s, when the emerging world was generally buoyed by China’s increase and a product supercycle, today’s restoration is probably built on stronger economic basics.

A number of reasonable economic policies that many emerging markets have adopted over the past ten years have laid the groundwork for this reversal. &nbsp, Countries that were once plagued by monetary instability, such as Argentina and Turkey, are now embracing transformation. &nbsp,

The times of excessive government saving and accumulating debts are over. Alternatively, many emerging nations have reduced their current accounts inequities and budget deficits, giving them the financial support needed to propel their economic growth in the future.

However, in contrast, the United States appears to be grappling with overstimulation. The long-term viability of American financial dominance is being questioned by record budget deficits combined with rising debt. &nbsp,

For decades, the US has leveraged its position as the country’s supply money lender, allowing it to fund deficits and promote growth with several fast consequences. However, this approach is beginning to show flaws.

The growing stigma of America as a responsible gap contributor may include a wide-reaching impact, especially on the value of the franc.

Generally, periods of US dollars weakness have been positive for emerging industry. As the dollar declines, money tends to flow toward higher-growth markets with lower prices, exactly where many emerging marketplaces stand now. &nbsp,

The US share industry, especially its tech industry, has been a magnet for shareholders over the past 15 years. However, with the revenue growth of big tech companies expected to decline considerably, the appeal of National equities is waning. &nbsp,

In contrast, many emerging markets ‘ revenue growth is picking up, but their share prices are still significantly undervalued in comparison to US. This presents a unique opportunity for investors who are willing to look beyond the typical suspects in international stocks.

Despite these positive developments, the majority of international buyers have not yet recognized the potential in emerging markets. In many of these areas, trading volumes have fallen to their lowest levels in the last two decades, which suggests a general encounter of their improving fundamentals.

This may be due in part to lingering suspicion after the previous season’s weakness. However, the charm of emerging marketplaces is becoming too overstated as the US struggles to meet its growing governmental challenges and the dollar loses heat.

Among the emerging markets with powerful effectiveness are Saudi Arabia and India. Both countries benefit from a stable and expanding base of home buyers, which protects their marketplaces from the dictates of foreign capital flows. &nbsp,

India, in particular, has emerged as a new industrial powerhouse with a rapidly expanding middle class, while Saudi Arabia, driven by its ambitious Vision 2030 program, is making substantial achievements in diversifying its market beyond oil.

However, the opportunities extend far beyond these two nations. Southeast Asia, Latin America, and some of Africa’s economies are the backbone of economies that are not only expanding rapidly but are also improving in terms of governance and financial stability. &nbsp,

Investors who want to capitalize on this growth story should take into account a diversified strategy that targets a broad range of emerging markets as opposed to just one region.

Exchange-traded funds ( ETFs ) and mutual funds focused on emerging markets provide an easy way to gain exposure to a wide array of high-potential economies.

Now is the ideal time to diversify portfolios and position for the future. Despite the fact that they have been obscure for the past ten years, emerging markets are now enjoying a significant recovery.

Global investors must pay attention otherwise they run the risk of missing out on the upcoming boom and bust.

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AI in Southeast Asia: Innovation revolutionises healthcare but experts diagnose a need for greater trust in new tech

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Enhancing AND CANCER COSTS

However, major care centers in Asia have begun using AI-powered medical tools to help detect tuberculosis and lung cancer.

The use of AI-aided neck X-rays may help identify people with cautious heart markers and help their recommendation to ensure a diagnosis, according to Madam Sylvia Varela, vice-president of AstraZeneca, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology company behind for tools.

To enable algorithms to perceive imaging images, AI technology is integrated with convenient X-ray systems.

In order to save time, money, and resources for the healthcare system, she told CNA,” This technology can help doctors identify heart nodules in less than a second and manage the diagnosis and localization of up to 29 tumor markers, including those indicating possible lung cancer.” &nbsp,

She said that since the start of the project, over 2.5 million images have been performed worldwide, with more than 1.5 million images coming from Asia, particularly in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. &nbsp,

According to estimates from their recently launched Saving Life from Lung Cancer system, she said that based on data from seven geographies, including Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand, early testing programs and proper treatment could improve the patient’s five-year survival rate by 73 % in the first year of use. &nbsp,

Integrating AI into existing lung monitoring programs can help identify and possibly distinguish between different respiratory illnesses such as tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder ( COPD), asthma, and heart cancer more effectively, according to Mdm Varela, who is based in Singapore.

” For instance, patients with lung cancer are sometimes misdiagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. With the aid of AI-powered screening tools, patients can get the right diagnosis at a later stage of the disease, potentially turning lung cancer from a fatal condition to a treatable one, she said.

Lung cancer is the most fatal cancer worldwide, according to Mdm Varela, who recently surpassed breast cancer in incidence. &nbsp,

AI has also entered some nations ‘ efforts to combat declining fertility rates. &nbsp,

During the in vitro fertilization ( IVF ) process, the Virtus Fertility Centre Singapore (VFCS) claims that the embryo selection process is performed 10 times faster than the embryologist.

In a press release released on August 13, VFCS scientific director Dr. Liow Swee Lian stated that during an IVF cycle, embryos are grown in an incubator with time-lapse cameras to monitor them non-invasively throughout the five days of incubation.

” Traditionally, embryologists use a standard grading system to assess the appearance of each embryo under a microscope. &nbsp,

The AI-based software now uses time-lapse imaging data that is collected every ten minutes to identify the embryos with the best chance of developing a foetal heart by giving each embryo an embryo score.

The embryologist then chooses the embryo with the highest grade and transfers it to a new embryo.

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PM to launch policy ‘whirlwind’

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‘ Quick results ‘ Wallet scheme

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, centre, and cabinet ministers at Government House last Saturday. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, center, and government officials at Government House next Saturday. ( Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut )

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed assurance that the president’s plan, which will be announced before Parliament on Thursday, does act as a storm to help accelerate the business.

On Thursday and Friday, the prime minister will give an outline of the policy speech in Parliament. The government must make its speech public before beginning its work, as required by the constitution. She said she will offer a comprehensive overview of government policy, while cabinet ministers will detail the procedures under her control.

After the plan speech, the online budget program will be evident. The financing minister did explain facts, while I will give an overall picture, said Ms. Paetongtarn. The modern wallet program’s goal is to boost the business. If a similar stimulus is still insufficient, she said,” We are ready to restructure the economy to become a digital one.”

” The modern bag is not the only plan. Additionally, there are a number of different financial signal initiatives. But this is the principal one to produce speedy outcomes,” she said. She downplayed criticism of the plan to separate the 10-millennium pay into two tranches under the handout plan.

People can wait for a while to install the electric pocket system, so we need to make adjustments to make sure they receive the funds as quickly as possible, she said. The installment payments will be made. Payments in tranches, along with other financial stimulus measures, will help boost the economy,” she said.

Starting September 20, the federal says 145 billion baht in cash will be given to people who need state security cards and are vulnerable. If the digital wallet system is n’t finished in time, those who have already signed up through the Tang Rat program will get 5, 000 baht by the end of the year. The remaining portion of the payment will be made in online forex starting in 2017.

The system is the basis of the administration’s plan to start Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, which grew 2.3 % in the second quarter. Due to the judge’s elimination of Srettha Thavisin as prime minister, a change of government next month caused confusion as to when the promised stimulus measures will begin. Mr Srettha’s leader, Ms Paetongtarn, said last week that part of the flyer will now be given in dollars.

The electric pocket handout plan will be presented to the government for authorization on September 17th, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. According to the president’s latest revised characters, the 450 billion baht for the handout plan may be sourced from the expenses for fiscal times 2024 and 2025. Around 140 billion ringgit did come from the governmental time 2024– with about 23 billion baht coming from 2024’s core budget and 122 billion baht from 2024’s more budget.

Parliament has approved a secondary bill that seeks to increase the budget for the current fiscal time by 122 billion ringgit to partially finance the system. Also, about 187 billion ringgit of that 450 billion baht may come from the 2025 core budget. The 450 billion bass system is also about 117 billion bass brief, that is.

Wanwichit Boonprong, a political science professor at Rangsit University, told the Bangkok Post the Paetongarn administration’s policy is nothing novel as it continues what the Srettha leadership was doing. He claimed that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s procedures reportedly influenced them at a nearby forum last month.

Some federal laws, such as the construction of a casino, were not included in the government’s election commitments, according to Olarn Thinbangtieo, a professor in political science at Burapha University in Chon Buri state. Some policies are similar to those put forth by Thaksin at the conference, which suggests that the state may have been influenced by Thaksin, according to Mr. Olarn.

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Pope Francis: How Singapore prepared for the historic visit

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EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock Pope Francis waves to the faithful as he arrives to lead a holy mass in Jakarta, Indonesia.EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Singapore’s finest industry, which has hosted Taylor Swift and Madonna, is getting ready to welcome an probably bigger image- Pope Francis.

The pope may enjoy Mass on Thursday night at the National Stadium with 50, 000 spectators, packing the facility as his 12-day Asia-Pacific trip comes to an end.

The 87-year-old has been to Indonesia, Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea- the attend to the Pacific Island, one of the most Roman Catholic places on Earth, was the furthest he has travelled to join followers.

He arrived in Singapore, where less than 10 % of the populace- around 400, 000 individuals- recognize as Catholic, on Wednesday evening. The three-day attend includes meetings with government officials, spiritual leaders and individuals.

Individuals claim that the visit was unimaginable merely a year ago because his weak health made this his longest foreign attend of his church. He had to cancel a trip to the UAE because a period of disease at the time had made traveling abroad challenging.

” Since we were told that he was coming]to Singapore], we’ve been praying”, says Karen Cheah, one of 5, 000 individuals who have been recruited for jobs ranging from song in the chorus during Mass to protecting the Pope.

” When he got on the plane and visited the other nations, the reality hit that it’s coming up: we are future”.

Hosting the Pope for even a one evening, as the facility will, is no little miracle.

The day before Mass, there is a hive of activity there. The ball is covered with plastic floor. As employees unload more of the chair, the columns are growing.

At the other end of the market, the chorus is closely watching the directors as they play songs at full volume, the sound blending in with the routines being practiced by the event’s hosts.

A volunteer pushes a wheelchair during a rehearsal for the Papal mass in Singapore.

One charity maneuvers an empty chair while performing the Mass segments. Due to a hip condition, Pope Francis is expected to use a wheelchair for the majority of his events.

In Singapore, safety volunteers are assisting the police in securing an area around the Pope and guarding his residence.

These participants have completed weeks of instruction, where they learned techniques like how to withdraw from a strong grasp and react to a blade attack.

The authorities have been very effective in working with us because of the latest heightened sense of security, according to Kevin Ho, who leads the security volunteer team.

” Our individuals have been working the administrative duties and sleeping through the nights. We are making every effort to make the attend as enjoyable and secure as possible.

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore Security and safety volunteers get basic defence training to prepare for Pope Francis' visit to Singapore.Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

A new menace has also increased the measures. Next year, seven people were detained in Indonesia for a failed attempt to attack the Pope. Police claimed they had taken away bow, arrows, a helicopter, and leaflets that apparently connected to the Islamic State violent team.

The Pope, born in Buenos Aires as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is known to be unafraid to address issues including LGBT inclusion and inter-religious tensions. On this trip, he made a joint call for peace in Jakarta alongside the grand imam of Southeast Asia’s largest mosque and met other religious leaders.

He praised Citizens for choosing to have large people over their pets, a glaring observation given the fallout from China, South Korea, and Japan in terms of infant mortality. However, critics argued that his claims that Indonesian families are having up to five children were centuries away. According to UN data, Indonesian women currently have only marginally more than two children per year.

In resource-rich Papua New Guinea, which has been drawing foreign corporations and shareholders, the Pope called for staff to get treated fairly. In Timor-Leste, he also argued that young people may be kept safe from misuse after a popular local priest was accused of sexually abusing young boys there in the 1980s and 1990s.

” Of course, the Pope has a message. But at the same moment, he is also the text”, says Monsignor Stephen Yim, co-chair of the organising committee at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore.

This is Singapore’s next papal visit.

In 1986, the late Pope John Paul II officiated Mass at the ancient National Stadium and spent just five hours in the city position.

Mr Ho, who was a scholar therefore, remembers that evening well. He claims that the audience roared when the pope circumnavigated the location in the popemobile, unaffected by the pouring rain.

” The old venue had no roof and we all got rained on”, Mr Ho recalls. The only thing I can recall is that real sense of excitement when the Pope arrived. It was energy. I will not miss that”.

Need for Thursday’s Mass was likewise large- nearly half of those who tried to get a seat were fruitless. Unhappy people got a reply with an icon and a lyric from the Bible in it.

” Seeing the Pope in individual feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”, says Stephanie Yuen, who managed to get a seat at the facility. ” As a Catholic, that’s something I do n’t want to miss, especially in my own country”.

Sherilyn Choo, another delighted visitor, describes the Mass as” a very serious spiritual practice that I will get to discuss with hundreds of my brother Catholics in Singapore.”

The visit has even touched non-Catholics, such as carpenter Govindharaj Muthiah, who built two chairs for the Pope’s usage in Singapore.

” Hostilities are very large all over the world. It’s heartwarming that he made journeys to places with several different faiths”, Mr Muthiah says. ” Unity is the text he is putting across”.

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Carsome announces most successful quarter with over US0mil revenue in 2Q2024, new financing line from Maybank

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  • Revenue grew 9 % QoQ &nbsp, with over 3x EBITDA jump, GPU up by over 5 %
  • Push secondary business, particularly Carsome Capital with&nbsp, working funds ranges from banks

Carsome has just added a new working capital facility from Maybank to add to the RM100 million facility it got from AmBank in July. While it has not disclosed the amount yet, it is believed to be more than RM100 million.

The most profitable quarter to date for CARSOME Group Inc., the largest included car e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia, announced another significant step in the direction of its much-anticipated future IPO.

According to the company, in 2Q2024, it maintained a leadership position with about 35, 000 vehicles traded ( includes cars sold through Carsome&nbsp, via retail and B2B&nbsp, and CarTimes in Singapore ) and claimed it grew revenue by 9 % quarter-on-quarter ( QoQ ) to above US$ 310 million ( RM1.3 billion ). The EBITDA increased over 3x Ruler, and the gross margin increased by over 10 %. Despite the challenging macroeconomic environment, this continues the profitable development speed that Carsome first demonstrated in December 2023.

In line with the strong results, Carsome announced various new financing partnerships, such as with Ambank Group ( announced in July ) and Maybank ( not officially announced yet ), which will provide over US$ 46.17 million ( RM200 million ) in new working capital lines to support Carsome’s expansion plans. Carsome intends to utilize its market-leading level to promote its financing, plan, aftersales, and another auxiliary offerings to provide its dealers and customers with a complete one-stop option.

Carsome announces most successful quarter with over US$310mil revenue in 2Q2024, new financing line from MaybankEric Cheng ( pic ), Carsome’s co-founder, chairman and Group CEO, said,” This quarter’s results are a continuation of our profitable growth strategy. Our GPU ( Gross Profit per Unit ) is up by more than 5 % QoQ, even as customer acquisition costs continue to come down significantly, which is a testament to our strong execution, our value proposition, and our brand equity. We will remain on the right track to record-setting time. He cited the benefits of Carsome Capital’s support for expanding its secondary products, particularly Carsome Capital.

With NPL below 2 % for retail and 0.1 % for wholesale ( referring to B2B), we have established a strong operational track record. We are well positioned to utilize our magnitude to develop this business more thanks to the extra funding support and our demonstrated capabilities. This will keep Carsome top-of-mind as we better serve both current and new customers throughout the duration of their car ownership trip.

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