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☆ US sends land-attack missile system to Philippines for exercises in apparent message to China
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The presence of the US Army’s Mid-Range Capability (MRC) ground-based missile system, increases the risks of “misjudgment and miscalculation” in a region already on edge over Chinese-Philippines face-offs in the South China Sea, Beijing says. It’s the first-ever deployment of the MRC missile system, also known as the Typhon system, to the Indo-Pacific theater, and it comes amid a series of US-Philippine military exercises, including the largest-ever edition of the bilateral Balikatan exercises beginning Monday. It also can fire the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile, a maneuverable cruise missile with a range of 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles), according to the CSIS. Those are the same rules Washington and Manila accuse Beijing of ignoring with aggressive Chinese actions that have injured Filipino sailors and damaged vessels around disputed features in the South China Sea. US Army PacificChina’s missile advantageAnalysts say the deployment of the Typhon missile battery is the first signal of US plans to address what has long been an advantage for Beijing in the region.

Persons: Lin Jian, ” Lin, Stephen Koehler, “, equalizes, ”, Collin Koh, Christopher Milhal, Koh, Rupert Schulenberg, Donald Trump “, Thomas, CNN’s Steven Jiang Organizations: South Korea CNN, US, MRC, US Army, Missile Defense, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Foreign, US Pacific Fleet, Sunday, Xinhua, CNN, US Air Force, US Army Pacific, Beijing, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, ”, don’t, International Institute for Strategic Studies, South, Lewis, McChord, Nuclear Forces Treaty, Russian, Philippine News Agency, CNN Philippine Locations: Seoul, South Korea, China, United States, Philippines, South China Sea, Beijing, Philippine, South China, Taiwan Strait, Qingdao, Washington, Manila, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Taiwan, Guam, Singapore, South, Soviet Union, Palawan, Sulu, Spratly

☆ A global scramble to make humanoid robots is gearing up to be the 21st century's space race
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Joshua Zitser | Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Humanoid robots are symbols of power and technological capability, a geopolitics expert says. An incident earlier this month involving a Saudi humanoid robot inappropriately touching a female reporter might not at first seem even remotely connected. AdvertisementHumanoids are visual representations of breakthroughs in AIIn Italy, the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia is working on iCub, a research-grade humanoid robot. AdvertisementChina wants to take the leadWhen it comes to humanoid robots, China is vying for the top spot, so it's no wonder other nations are getting nervous. "The vast magnitude of the market offers an unmatched chance to test, improve, and expand the uses of humanoid robots," he said.

Persons: —, Neil Armstrong's, Muhammad, Elie Metri, Giorgio Metta, Metta, there's, Zen Koh, Koh, Peggy Johnson, Johnson, it's, David Becker, OpenAI, Mercedes, Tesla, Julian Mueller, Kaler, Mueller, Tang Ke, Li Boyang, Will Jackson, Johannes Simon, you've, Jackson, we're, Gartner, Nvidia's, Melonee Wise, Justin Sullivan, Metri Organizations: Service, Robotics, QSS Robotics, Muhammad, Istituto, Tecnologia, European Union, Ministry of Industry, Information Technology, Fourier Intelligence, Getty, BMW, Strategic Foresight, Stimson, TIME, Beijing, Conference, Boston Dynamics, Arts, Engineered Arts, GTC, Getty Images Saudi Locations: China, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Soviet Union, Saudi, DeepFest, Riyadh, Robotics Saudi Arabia, India, Nigeria, Shanghai, Oregon, Las Vegas, Texas, Beijing, China's Liaoning Province, San Jose , California, Getty Images Saudi Arabia, QSS, Europe

☆ This small Southeast Asian country has 'engineered' a society that lives to 100 – here's how
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Ernestine Siu | In Ernestinesiu | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Blue zones are places that have 10 times more centenarians compared to the U.S. on a per capita basis. While the original blue zones came about by natural circumstances, blue zones 2.0 are man-made. "The old blue zones are disappearing because they're becoming Americanized," Buettner said. Keep loved ones closeResearch shows that people in blue zones tend to prioritize their loved ones and keep them nearby. Accessible health careSingaporeans enjoy universal health care which means residents have access to quality medical care, including health services such as prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care.

Persons: Koh Sze Kiat, Dan Buettner, Loma, Buettner, That's, Grant, Lee Kuan Yew Organizations: Getty Images Singapore, CNBC, Loma Linda, National Geographic, National Institute of Aging, Toyota Camry, Research, Pew Research Center, Pew, Health Locations: Singapore, Greece, Okinawa, Japan, Costa Rica, Sardinia, Italy, United States, walkability, U.S, America

TOKYO (AP) — Health supplement products believed to have caused two deaths and sickened more than 100 people have been ordered to be taken off store shelves in Japan. The products from Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co., billed as helping to lower cholesterol, contained an ingredient called “benikoji,” a red species of mold. The ministry has put up a list on its official site of all the recalled products, including some that use benikoji for food coloring. The recalled products could be bought without a prescription from a doctor, and could be purchased at drug stores. The ministry official warned there could be more victims in the days ahead.

Persons: Kobayashi, ___ Yuri Kageyama Organizations: TOKYO, —, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co Locations: Japan, Osaka

☆ Fans of Netflix's 'Physical: 100' can expect an underground mine setting and these 3 notable contestants in season 2
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Reena Koh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

"Physical: 100" was the first unscripted show to top Netflix's non-English TV chart. "Physical: 100 Season 2 — Underground" premieres on March 19. Season one was heavily inspired by ancient Greece, but contrasting themes aside, the crux of "Physical: 100" remains the same. Part of the "Physical: 100 Season 2 — Underground" set. He's the captain of a leading acrobatics tricking team "Team 1llusion."

Persons: —, Jang Ho, Jang, Kim Dong, Kim, Kim Donghyun, Kang, didn't, Noh Sung, yul, Noh Organizations: Service, Netflix, UFC, Cosmopolitan, YouTube Locations: Greece, South Korea, Korea

☆ South China Sea: On board an outnumbered Philippine ship facing down Chinese aggression
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Rebecca Wright | Ivan Watson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

Near Second Thomas Shoal, South China Sea CNN —As dawn slowly broke on the horizon, a large fleet of Chinese vessels came into view from the deck of a Philippine Coast Guard ship as it entered the contested waters of the South China Sea. Filipino soldiers on the dilapidated Sierra Madre ship, anchored near the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, on May 11, 2015. The US military also maintains a regular presence in the South China Sea, with aircraft overflights, so-called “freedom of navigation” operations, and patrols and exercises with allies and partners to assert that the South China Sea is an international waterway. The Philippine Coast Guard said it counted five China Coast Guard vessels and 18 boats belonging to Beijing’s “maritime militia." Rebecca Wright/CNNTarriela, the Coast Guard spokesperson, said a China Coast Guard vessel had come within 20 yards (60 feet) of the Cabra.

Persons: David, Goliath, “, ”, Thomas Shoal, Rebecca Wright, Sabina, Ritchie, Jiao, –, Jay Tarriela, Mao Ning, China Coast Guard “, Thomas, Ferdinand “ Bongbong ” Marcos Jr, Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos Jr, Jose Manuel Romualdez, CNN Tarriela, Tomas Etzler, Erik de Castro, month’s, ” Tarriela, ‘, Collin Koh, ” Koh, Ray Powell, SeaLight, “ Will, ” Powell, we’ve Organizations: South China, CNN, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine, Armed Forces, China Coast Guard, ” CNN, Philippine Navy, Coast Guard, Foreign Ministry, Sierra Madre, Center for Strategic, Studies, China Power, Ministry, Washington, Philippine News Agency . Diplomacy, Coast Guardians, Guard, Madre, Reuters, USS, China, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, National Security, Stanford University Locations: South, South China, Philippines, United States, Philippine, China, Bulilyan, Palawan, Sierra Madre, Sierra, The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, Madre, Hague, Beijing, China’s, Manila, Shanghai, Singapore

☆ Why Australia keeps an arm’s length from South China Sea tensions, even as it draws closer with the Philippines
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —When Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. addressed the Australian Parliament last week there was no mistaking the fighting talk. The Philippines accused China's coast guard of setting up the barrier at the mouth of the disputed fishing ground. That meeting will also be attended by several other nations with territorial disagreements with China – including Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia. Collin Koh, research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said Australia was unlikely to back any tough language at the summit pertaining to the South China Sea or any other hot-button issue. As Bisley put it, “We don’t like what China does, but we’re not going to put ourselves in harm’s way.”

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, ”, Marcos, Rodrigo Duterte, –, Thomas Shoal, David, China’s, Marcos ’, China –, Scott Morrison, Collin Koh, Penny Wong annouced, Anthony Albanese, Albanese, Lukas Coch, Susannah Patton, it’s, ” Patton, China’s aggressions, Wang Wenbin, Nick Bisley, Bisley, we’re Organizations: CNN, Maxar, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, China, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, Australia, Australian, Partners, Reuters, South China, Southeast Asia, Lowy Institute, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, La Trobe University Locations: Philippines, China, South China, Manila, China’s, Philippine, Scarborough, Scarborough Shoal, Hague, United States, Canberra, Australia, Melbourne, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, Beijing, Singapore, South, Penny Wong annouced Canberra, Southeast Asia, Japan, India

☆ Charmed by a City Off Thailand’s Beaten Path
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Patrick Scott | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Thailand is renowned among hard-charging tourists for nightlife in Bangkok, full moon parties on Koh Phangan island and hedonistic walking streets in Pattaya. It’s also a magnet for the bohemian and wellness crowds who flock to the mountain destinations of Chiang Mai and Pai. But mostly ignored by foreign tourists is Lampang, in Northern Thailand. This utterly charming, riverside city of about 90,000 people has preserved the historic architecture and stately squares from its days as a major city in the ancient Lanna kingdom and a hub in the teak lumber trade. Wooden temples from centuries ago and two-story teak mansions from the late 1800s and early 1900s still stand, and alongside the Wang River, the streets in the Kat Kong Ta enclave are like an open-air museum of well-preserved Chinese shophouses and European gingerbread-style buildings.

Persons: Koh, Chiang Mai, Pai Locations: Thailand, Bangkok, Pattaya, It’s, Lampang, Northern Thailand

☆ Australia unveils plan for largest navy buildup since World War II
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Australia on Tuesday announced plans to build its largest navy since World War II, allocating more than $35 billion for the defense project over the next 10 years, in a move analysts said pointed to heightened tensions with China in the Indo-Pacific. The independent review noted Australia had “the oldest fleet Navy has operated in its history,” according to the government statement. John Bradford, Council on Foreign Relations international affairs fellow, said Australia would need to be steadfast in sticking with the plan. “This investment provides a clear pathway for the shipbuilding industry and workforce in South Australia and Western Australia,” the release said. However, the opposition Greens party called the plan a “multi-billion-dollar mistake” driven by local political concerns to protect shipbuilding jobs – and political ones.

Persons: ”, Mark Hammond, Collin Koh, ” Jennifer Parker, Parker, John Bradford, Bradford, Andrew Hastie, ” Hastie, that’s, ” Koh, Pat Conroy, Sen, David Shoebridge, CNN’s Angus Watson, Hilary Whiteman Organizations: CNN, Australia, Royal Australian Navy, US Navy, Navy, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, UNSW Canberra, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, ABC, Hobart, Foreign Relations, Greens, ” Greens Locations: China, Australia, United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, South, Northeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Spain, Australian, South Australia, Western Australia

☆ Comac C919: China’s homegrown passenger aircraft makes international debut
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

China calls the C919, which can carry just under 200 passengers, its first large homegrown passenger jet. It s certified to carry passengers only within mainland China and flies with China Eastern Airlines. The C919’s overseas debut comes at a time when Boeing is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. “There is a lot of interest to see the actual aircraft, how it performs and how it is in flight,” he said. “It will become a competitor in a small way, but it won’t be in the same league as Airbus and Boeing,” he said.

Persons: Cindy Koh, Shukor Yusof, ”, Edgar Su, Yusof, TransNusa Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Boeing, Airbus, Singapore Airshow, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, China Eastern Airlines, Singapore’s Economic, Board, Sunday, Max, Air, Endau, Singapore, Reuters, Center for Strategic, International Studies, American Locations: China, Hong Kong, Western, Air Alaska, United States, Washington, Hong, Victoria, Beijing, Southeast Asia, Africa, Central Asia, Indonesian

☆ What the Year of the Dragon means for businesses, according to Maybank's fengshui report
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

In Maybank Investment's fengshui report for 2024, its head of research Thilan Wickramasinghe, along with fengshui master Ken Koh, take a look at which sectors will outperform and which will face headwinds in the Year of the Dragon. 2024 is the year of the wood dragon and will be "unique," according to the report. Earth, metal and fireSectors under the earth element will also benefit from the dominant fire element, Maybank said, identifying sector winners as waste management, real estate, data warehousing and urban farming. "Despite rising interest rates and inflationary costs, the dominant Earth industries have shown resilience and continue to break new grounds," the Maybank report said. Most notably, in industries under the metal element — such as banking, engineering, mining and automotive — the wood element will be prominent and will bring prosperity to the metal industries.

Persons: Roslan Rahman, Investment's, Ken Koh, Koh, Maybank Organizations: Afp, Getty Locations: Singapore

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is sending several senior aides to Michigan to meet with Arab American and Muslim leaders, according to three people familiar with the matter, as his administration's handling of the Israel-Hamas war frustrates members of a key constituency in a 2024 battleground state. Also expected to attend are Tom Perez, who leads the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, as well as Mazen Basrawi, the White House liaison to American Muslim communities, and aides Jamie Citron and Dan Koh. Siblani was one of the few Arab American leaders to meet with Rodriguez when she visited Dearborn at the end of January. The White House says administration officials have been in regular contact with Muslim and Arab American leaders in Michigan and across the country. He did not meet with Arab American and Muslim community members.

Persons: Joe Biden, Samantha Power, Jon, Steven Benjamin, Tom Perez, Basrawi, Jamie Citron, Dan Koh, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, ”, Osama Siblani, “ I’m, ” Siblani, Siblani, Rodriguez, Alabas Farhat, “, ” Farhat, Farhat, “ it’s, Debbie Dingell, Biden, I’ve, ” Dingell, Biden hasn't, Abdullah Hammoud, ” ___ Cappelletti Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S . Agency for International Development, Public, White, Intergovernmental Affairs, Biden, Arab American News, Associated, AP, U.S . Rep, Health Ministry, CNN, United Auto Workers, Palestinian, UAW, Dearborn Locations: Michigan, Israel, American, Detroit, Dearborn , Michigan, Gaza, Dearborn, White, Arab, Eastern, The U.S, Warren, Lansing , Michigan

☆ US aircraft carriers lead ‘large deck’ exercises with Japan east of Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —A dozen United States and Japanese warships, including two US aircraft carriers, have been putting on a show of military might this week in the Philippine Sea east of Taiwan. The US Navy aircraft carriers USS Carl Vinson and USS Theodore Roosevelt were joined by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter destroyer JS Ise, seven US guided-missile destroyers and two US cruisers for what the Navy calls a Multi-Large Deck Event (MLDE). An F/A-18E Super Hornet takes off from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson during exercises in the Philippine Sea on Jan. 31. Potential maritime flashpointsThat broad area reaches as far south as islands and reefs in the South China Sea, where Chinese and Philippine vessels have been in recent confrontations. “The coercive pressure campaign against Taiwan continues, and we’re watching it in the wake of the elections,” Aquilino told the Pacific Forum.

Persons: Carl Vinson, Theodore Roosevelt, ”, Carlos Sardiello, Vinson, Collin Koh, ” Koh, Ronald Reagan, Dwight D Eisenhower –, Carl Schuster, ” Schuster, Xi Jinping, John Aquilino, ” Aquilino, “ I’m Organizations: South Korea CNN, United, Analysts, US, US Navy, Japan, Self, Defense Force, Ise, Carrier Strike, Navy, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, CNN, USNI, Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, East China, Democratic Progressive Party, Communist Party, Clinton, Party, Taiwan, Pacific Command, Pacific Locations: Seoul, South Korea, United States, Philippine, Taiwan, China, U.S, Japan, Pacific, Singapore, Asia, Red, Yemen, Hawaii, South China, East, Senkaku, Beijing, fmr

☆ Book a stay at the rumored luxury hotels from next season of HBO's 'White Lotus' before the fans flock there
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewLuxury hotels in Thailand will be hosting "The White Lotus" season three cast in February, and they're just as swanky as the last locations. That means travelers have a limited amount of time to book their luxurious hotel stays before they get the "White Lotus" treatment from fans. It boasts 83 pool villas designed after a Southern Thai village, award-winning Japanese restaurant Tree House, and Muay Thai kickboxing lessons. While season one of "White Lotus" was airing, web traffic to the Four Seasons Maui went up 425% year over year. If a luxe trip to Thailand is on your travel bucket list, you have until 2025 to book your stay at the resorts before "White Lotus" fans are rushing to plan similar vacations.

Persons: —, Ken Seet, Koh, Anantara didn't, Hopper Organizations: Service, Business, HBO, Bloomberg, Koh, Tree, Ken Seet Staff, Maui Locations: Thailand, Khao Villas Phuket, Anantara, Phuket, Southern Thai, Thai, Sicily, Domenico Palace

☆ China says US military makes region more dangerous after Navy ship sails through Taiwan Strait
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —China accused the United States military of “abusing international law” and continuing a pattern of “dangerous provocations” in East Asia Thursday, after a US Navy destroyer made the service’s first transit of the Taiwan Strait of 2024. The USS John Finn (DDG 113) conducts routine operations in the East China Sea, on January 24, 2024. John Finn’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States’ commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for all nations as a principle,” Greene said. While the John Finn’s transit of the Taiwan Strait was the first of 2024, US warships and warplanes regularly travel through and over the waterway. Aquilino told a defense forum in Hawaii that he expected a show of force from China against Taiwan in the wake of the election result.

Persons: ”, John Finn, Xi Jinping, reunify, Justin Stack, Cmdr, Meagan Greene, John Finn’s, ” Greene, John, Collin Koh, Washington, Wu Qian, “, John Aquilino, Aquilino, ” Aquilino, ” Koh Organizations: South Korea CNN, United, US Navy, Democratic Progressive Party, Party, Taiwan, Taiwan Relations, U.S . Navy US Navy 7th Fleet, Coast Guard, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, China’s Defense Ministry, Xinhua, China -, Defense, Pacific Command, Communist Party, Clinton, CNN, Pacific Locations: Seoul, South Korea, China, United States, East Asia, Taiwan Strait, Taiwan, Beijing, East China, State, States, Singapore, China - U.S, U.S, Hawaii, Honolulu ., Washington

☆ The top 9 'must-have' travel experiences of 2024, according to luxury advisors
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | Jonathan Delise | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

If that sounds like a tall order for a summer getaway, the luxury travel company Virtuoso asked 20,000 of its travel advisors to share their top experiences for 2024. Dark sky tourism focuses on rural locations without light pollution, such as Greece's Olympus Mountain National Park. Departing in August, Virtuoso recommends travelers first take in the Olympic Games before departing the city in style. Passion travelsHobbies may be associated with the home, but Virtuoso recommends taking your passions on the road. Virtuoso recommends exploring Peruvian cuisine at the Mistura Food Festival, or checking out the street food of Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Persons: Nicolas Economou, Manoj Shah, Belles, Bhutan's, Young, Peter Adams, Chiang Mai, Koh, Wiphop, Sakura, James Cole, Hillary, Cousteau, Shackleton, pricey, Yasin Akgul, bookworms, Wolfgang Kaehler, Brian Curtice, Levente Bodo, ERNESTO BENAVIDES Organizations: Nurphoto, DarkSky, Stone, InterContinental, UNESCO, Istock, Expedition, Getty, CNBC Travel, Orient, Afp, Departing, Olympic Games, Chelsea Flower, Lightrocket, Festival Locations: stargazing, Norway, Iceland, Canada, Northern Mexico, Blanco , Texas, Albanya, Spain, Africa, Bhutan, Thailand, Pana, Yai, Bangkok, Japan Japan, United States, North America, Japan, Hakodate, Hokkaido, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Fuji's, Antarctica, Paris, Istanbul, Turkey, Asia, Europe, Venice, Turkish, Strahov, Riau, Isla, Ljubljana, Slovenia

☆ What we can expect from season 3 of 'The White Lotus'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementA new batch of wealthy vacationers will check into the lavish White Lotus resort when HBO's "The White Lotus" returns for season three. The new cast includes Carrie Coon, Jason Isaacs, and Michelle MonaghanFrom left: Carrie Coon, Jason Isaacs, and Michelle Monaghan. AdvertisementMike White described the new season as 'supersized'Meghann Fahy, Theo James, Aubrey Plaza, and Will Sharpe on season two, episode five of "The White Lotus." "It's going to be a supersized 'White Lotus,'" White told Entertainment Weekly in November. Season 3 will likely be released in 2025Aubrey Plaza on season two, episode one of "The White Lotus."

Persons: Natasha Rothwell, Belinda, Carrie Coon, Jason Isaacs, —, Mike White's, Thailand Sabrina Impacciatore, Valentina, White, Belinda Lindsey Natasha Rothwell, Jennifer Coolidge, Tanya, Mario Perez, HBO Rothwell, Jennifer Coolidge's, Tanya McQuoid, Rothwell's, Wonka, " Rothwell, Michelle Monaghan, Evan Agostini, Scott Garfitt, Jordan Strauss, Leslie Bibb, Dom Hetrakul, Harry Potter, Parker Posey, Beau, Tayme Thapthimthong, Mike White, Meghann Fahy, Theo James, Aubrey Plaza, Will Sharpe, Aubrey, Fabio Lovino, Max, Casey Bloys, Koh Organizations: Service, White, Variety, HBO, LA, AP HBO, Entertainment, WGA, SAG Locations: Thailand, Hawaii, Sicily, Italy, Asia, Koh Samui, Phuket, Bangkok

☆ Singapore's 'ice cream uncles' are disappearing. Blame old age and bureaucracy.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-24 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Most hawkers collect their ice cream and dry ice from wholesale distributors around the country. Lester Ledesma for Business InsiderLiang is one of Singapore's remaining traditional ice cream sellers and part of a bygone era. Buying one from one of Singapore's "ice cream uncles" is almost a right of passage. But Liang, Tan, and many other traditional ice cream sellers in the country find themselves working well into their golden years. In addition to the ice cream cart, the ice cream hawkers often also use big cooler boxes for additional storage.

Persons: hawking, —, Liang, Lester Ledesma, Insider Liang, Kenneth Goh, Chip Guan Heng, Goh, Koh Poh Koon, That's, Koh, Tan Ah Hock, He's, " Tan, Tan, There's, Wang, she's, Chan Yong Leng, Chan, TikTok, Darren Tan, it's Organizations: Service, Business, Insider, Singapore Food Agency, SFA, Social Service Office Locations: Singapore, Orchard

☆ Life insurers binge on US financing aimed at helping housing
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Koh Gui Qing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

It has been predominantly used by life insurers, because they need to boost their investment returns with cheap funding to meet long-term liabilities. They provide the cheap funding to banks and insurers in exchange for collateral to ensure they get their money back. Insurers are entitled to tap FHLB funding. Insurers’ borrowing from FHLBs picked up in 2008 financial crisis, as those that spread themselves thin with aggressive investments scrambled for cash. They did not explain why insurers need FHLB funding to invest in mortgages.

Persons: Sarah Silbiger, Ryan Donovan, CMBS, Lawrence White, White, Graphics JUICING, Cynthia Beaulieu, Cornelius Hurley, Hurley, FHLBs, ’, Michael Ericson, Jack Dolan, Koh Qui, Greg Roumeliotis, Anna Driver Organizations: REUTERS, Loan, Federal Housing Finance Agency, of Federal Home Loan, FHLBs, FHLB, National Association of Insurance, New York University, MetLife Inc, Equitable Holdings Inc, Corebridge, Brighthouse Financial, MetLife, TIAA, Equitable, Graphics, Wellington Management, Boston University School of Law, Coalition, Silicon Valley Bank, First, American, of, Insurance Coalition, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, Boston, Silicon, First Republic, Chicago, New York

☆ I traveled to over 7 countries in 2023. Here are 4 of the most affordable cities I visited.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Dominique Mills | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I traveled to over seven countries in 2023, and some places stood out for being budget-friendly. Porto, Portugal, and Chiang Mai, Thailand, offered affordable accommodations and fun activities. Here are the four most affordable places I visited in 2023. Chiang Mai, Thailand, was culture-rich and inexpensiveChiang Mai, Thailand, was inexpensive but beautiful. Dominique MillsNestled in the lush greenery of Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is one of my favorite cities to visit.

Persons: Chiang, —, Dominique Mills, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Dominique Mills I've Organizations: Service, UNESCO, US Department of State Locations: Porto, Portugal, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Hanoi, Vietnam, Douro, Northern Thailand, Bangkok, Old City, Soi, Prabang, Laos, Luang Prabang, Asia, Vientiane, Indochina

☆ CNN took an 11-day cruise through some of the most-contested waters on Earth. Here’s what we learned
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

China claims almost all of the 1.3 million-square-mile South China Sea as its sovereign territory. In daylight hours in the South China Sea, from Ottawa’s flight deck or outdoor bridge wings, Chinese warships are often visible to the naked eye. Aviator Gregory Cole/Canadian Armed Forces PhotoOn October 29, things take a potentially dangerous turn, one that could have cost lives and ratcheted up tensions in the South China Sea to new levels. Radar operators scan their instruments in a Canadian antisubmarine warfare helicopter over the East China Sea. Hammerhead targets drones await their fate on the deck of the frigate HMCS Ottawa in the South China Sea.

Persons: Sam Patchell, Jacob Broderick ,, Ben Hughes, Gregory Cole, he’s, “, King Neptune, Xi Jinping, Brad Lendon, Rafael Peralta, Collin Koh, ” Patchell, Patchell, Aviator Gregory Cole, ”, haven’t, Xi, Rob Millen, they’d, Long, Peralta, It’s, Qinetiq, Noble, That’s, Cmdr, Sean Milley, Christine Hurov, Wally Shirra, it’s, Wally Schirra, Loverboy’s, Australia’s, doesn’t, We’ll Organizations: HMCS, HMCS Ottawa CNN, Royal Canadian Navy, Canada, United, Naval Warfare Officers, Canadian Armed Forces, US Navy, Ottawa, CNN, Canada’s Defense Ministry, Chinese Communist Party, Coast Guard, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, People’s Liberation Army Navy, PLA Navy, United Nations, Ottawa's, Cyclone, Canadian, Royal Canadian Air Force, Chinese Defense Ministry, Pentagon, troika, Peralta, Brisbane, CNN Radio, New, New Zealand Navy’s, Cmdr, HMNZS Aotearoa, Australian, Southern Hemisphere, One Locations: HMCS Ottawa, Taiwan, Ottawa, China, United States, Canadian, South China, Gaza, Ukraine, East, Washington, Singapore, Beijing, Spratly, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Chinese, South, East China, CNN Beijing, Canada, Gulf of Mexico, West Coast, Australian, Brisbane, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Okinawa, replenishments, Aotearoa, American, Ottawa’s

☆ I traveled to 7 countries this year. Here are 3 places I'd love to return to in 2024.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Dominique Mills | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

I traveled to seven countries this year, and some experiences convinced me to book a return trip. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Here are the three countries I'd love to visit again in 2024. I'd never sailed before, and it was one of the best challenges I'd taken on all year. Laos exceeded my expectations, making it one of my favorite countries to dateLaos was even better than I expected, and I hope to return in 2024.

Persons: —, Dominique Mills, Koh Tao, Koh Samui, I'd, Don Det Organizations: Service, Volkswagen, I'd Locations: Thailand, Laos, Bangkok, Krabi, Northern Thailand, Portugal, Porto, I'd, Lisbon, Camino, Santiago, Spain, Dominique Mills Laos, Luang Prabang, Vang, Vientiane

☆ Tesla launched its own car insurance. These drivers say it's a lemon.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +20 min

Tesla Insurance, launched in 2019 by the electric-car company, has promised policyholders “vastly better” service than rivals, as Tesla chief Elon Musk put it in April 2022. “What do they have, three people answering phone calls?”Complaints about Tesla Insurance are drawing scrutiny from state regulators and the plaintiffs’ bar. And there’s no way to know exactly how many have been made against Tesla Insurance and how its record compares with competitors’. That fall, Tesla launched InsureMyTesla, a new insurance offering for U.S. Tesla owners, in partnership with Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. Lester F. Aponte, a Los Angeles attorney who signed up for Tesla Insurance in August, described a maddening ordeal to obtain proof of insurance.

Persons: Mark Bova, lurched, “ I’m, ” Bova, policyholders “, Elon Musk, Musk, Bova, he’s, Tesla, ”, Musk’s, Virginia –, Phil Fioresi, Tesla’s adjusters, adjusters, ” Zachary Kirkhorn, ” Kirkhorn, Teslas, InsureMyTesla, it’s, It’s, Chanda Santiago, ” Santiago, Lester F, Aponte, haven't, Understaffed, “, —, Policyholders, Jonathan Garcia, Garcia, adjuster, Scott Sawyer, Sawyer, Lauren Lee Sawyer, ” Sawyer, –, Steve Stecklow, Koh Gui Qing, Norihiko, Mike Scarcella, John Emerson, Brian Thevenot Organizations: Green, U.S . Army Special Forces, Tesla Insurance, Tesla, Reuters, Bureau, Twitter, U.S, SpaceX, Ohio Department of Insurance, California Department of Insurance, Data, AAA, The Auto Club Group, Liberty Mutual Insurance Co, Liberty Mutual, Markel, National Insurance Company, State National, State, Facebook, Better, policyholders, Better Business Bureau Locations: Maryland, That’s, California , Utah , Illinois, Virginia, South San Francisco , California, California, Draper , Utah, Texas, policyholders, InsureMyTesla, U.S, Illinois, Colorado, Ohio, Florida , Georgia, Washington, Santiago, Los Angeles, Draper, North Carolina, Riverside , California

[1/3] Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., October 27, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON/NEW YORK, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Global stocks traded cautiously on Monday as the market's focus turned to U.S. inflation data for more clues on whether global interest rates really have peaked. Economists polled by Reuters expect to see headline consumer price inflation in the U.S. slow to 3.3% in October from 3.7% the month before, although the so-called core inflation rate that strips out volatile components is seen unchanged. "But now, the Treasury market has already priced in a pause, so there's not much room for Treasury yields to fall further," removing a support for the stock market. "In short, I don't think the stock market rally is going to continue."

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Naka Matsuzawa, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Naomi Rovnick, Nell Mackenzie, Kevin Buckland, Jacqueline Wong, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Global, Dow, Nasdaq, Barclays, Federal Reserve, Reuters, Nomura Securities, Treasury, Economic Cooperation, Brent, . West Texas, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Israel, United States, Asia, San Francisco, Iraq, London, Tokyo

☆ China chases US and Russia guided-missile submarine capabilities with new vessels
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Greg Torode | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Pentagon report, published Oct. 20, marks the first apparent confirmation that modified submarines seen in Chinese shipyards over the last 18 months are Type 093B guided missile submarines. The confirmation comes amid an intensifying submarine arms race as China constructs a new generation of nuclear-armed boats as part of its evolving deterrent force. Singapore-based security scholar Collin Koh said the SSGNs were an important new capability for the Chinese navy. Naval War College in May noted that the PLA was close to breakthroughs in making its nuclear-powered submarines far quieter and more difficult for the U.S. and its allies to track. "But we know the submarine force is a priority for Xi Jinping, and this is one more sign they are getting there."

Persons: Jason Lee, Collin Koh, Koh, Xi Jinping, Greg Torode, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Liberation Army Navy, REUTERS, Pentagon, Reuters, U.S . Navy, Cruise, Libyan, PLA, Rajaratnam, of International Studies . Research, U.S . Naval, College, U.S, Thomson Locations: Qingdao, China, HONG KONG, U.S, Huludao, Soviet Union, Florida, Singapore, Asian

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