DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

This month, President Biden threw one of the most lavish state dinners in Washington’s recent memory. Celebrities and billionaires flocked to the White House to dine in honor of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan, posing for photos in front of an elaborate display of Japanese fans. The spectacle was part of a carefully orchestrated series of events to showcase the renewed U.S.-Japan relationship — and the notable transformation of the United States’ security alliances in Asia. Over the past several years, Washington has built a series of multilateral security arrangements like these in the Asia-Pacific region. Although U.S. officials claim that the recent mobilization of allies and partners is not aimed at China, don’t believe it.

Persons: Biden, Fumio Kishida, Jeff Bezos, Paul Simon, —, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Kishida Organizations: United Locations: Japan, U.S, United States, Asia, Philippines, China, Washington, Pacific, South China, Taiwan Strait

☆ I read my grandparents' love letters from the 1920s. It was a gift to see how their relationship began.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Courtenay Rudzinski | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

But tucked away securely in a string-wrapped envelope was a stack of love letters my grandfather wrote to her when they were dating. These treasured notes from the 1920s were fragile and falling apart — and a time capsule of what dating was like 100 years ago. I know how it ended — my grandparents sitting at their Formica kitchen table, watching the hummingbirds and sharing the daily newspaper — but what a gift to see how it began. I saved notes my husband wrote me when we were dating, but my kids and their friends don't communicate this way anymore. Love letters, written in cursive and sealed with a kiss, may truly be a relic of the past.

Persons: She'd, Austin — Uber, Alice, I'm Organizations: Service, Business, Texas, Sears Roebuck, tote Locations: San Marcos , Texas, Austin, Fort Worth, Waco

☆ Biden warns on Beijing's South China Sea moves in Philippines-Japan summit
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Leaders from the three nations are meeting in a first-ever trilateral summit in a show of solidarity as China's assertiveness in the South China Sea has raised tensions in the region. Topping the meeting's agenda is China's increasing pressure in the South China Sea, which has escalated despite a personal appeal by Biden to Chinese President Xi Jinping last year. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including the maritime economic zones of neighboring nations. Japan has a dispute with China over islands in the East China Sea. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said "China's activities in the East China Sea and South China Sea fully comply with international law" and that they were prepared to resolve issues through "dialogue and consultation" but criticized both the U.S. and Japan for ratcheting up tensions.

Persons: Joe Biden, Fumio Kishida, Ferdinand Marcos, Andrew Harnik, Beijing's, Joe Biden's, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Biden, Xi Jinping, Thomas Shoal, Marcos, Thomas, Mao Ning Organizations: Japanese, White, Washington , DC, South China, Getty, East China, U.S Locations: Washington ,, South, China, U.S, Japan, Philippines, Manila, . U.S, American, Washington, South China, States, East

☆ Japanese PM Kishida tells Congress the U.S. must play leading role in the world
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Ryan Anastasio | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged the U.S. Thursday to continue playing a leading role in the world as it faces threats to democracy and the economic order. Kishida told lawmakers at a joint meeting of Congress that the world is at a pivotal moment that will define the next stage of history. "The world needs the United States to continue playing this pivotal role in the affairs of nations," Kishida said. The prime minister pledged that Japan would not sit on the sidelines and require the U.S. to defend international order on its own. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated in 2022 after leaving office, became the first Japanese leader to speak to a joint meeting of Congress in 2015.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Mike Johnson, Fumio Kishida, Kishida, Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin, Antony Blinken, Biden, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Shinzo Abe Organizations: U.S, Capitol, U.S ., State Department, White, Philippine, Former Locations: Washington , U.S, United States, U.S, Japan, China, Russia, Congress, North Korea, Ukraine, East Asia, Philippines

☆ White House says it’s very concerned by China’s actions in the South China Sea ahead of key trilateral meeting
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Samantha Waldenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington CNN —The White House is very concerned by China’s actions in the South China Sea, a senior administration official said, as President Joe Biden prepares to draw two Asian allies closer at a historic meeting on Thursday. Japan and the Philippines both have separate territorial disputes with China, in the former’s case the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea and in the latter’s areas of the South China Sea. Meanwhile, China claims the shoal, which is in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, as its sovereign territory, as it does much of the South China Sea, in defiance of an international arbitration ruling. CNN has previously reported that the three leaders will hold private discussions on the South China Sea. A senior administration official also said that on Thursday the White House will be announcing a new infrastructure project in the Philippines.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Fumio Kishida, Thomas, Kishida, Marcos, Rodrigo Duterte, “ We’re, ” Biden, Australia –, ”, Brad Lendon, Arlette Saenz, Kayla Tausche Organizations: Washington CNN, Japanese, East China, China Coast Guard, CNN, American, White, Clark Air Base, Subic Naval Base, Coast Guard Locations: South China, Japan, Philippines, China, East, Philippine, Palawan, Taiwan, South, North Korea, Russia, Kishida, Ukraine, Manila, Asia, Pacific, United States, Beijing, India, US, Australia

☆ Biden Aims to Project United Front Against China at White House Summit
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Michael D. Shear | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden intends to use a first-ever joint meeting with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines on Thursday to send a blunt diplomatic message to an increasingly aggressive China: Beijing’s harassment of Philippine ships in the South China Sea is a violation of international law and must stop. In recent months, Chinese coast guard ships have been ramming Philippine vessels, blasting them with water cannons and aiming lasers at their crews in what the United States condemns as “coercive and unlawful tactics” in one of the most crucial waterways in the world. So far, the Chinese provocations, asserting disputed claims to the international waters, have fallen short of the kinds of attacks that would trigger the military defense pact that the United States and the Philippines signed in 1951. But Biden administration officials said the meeting of the three leaders on Thursday is intended to demonstrate to China even stronger military and diplomatic unity among the leaders of the three allies. One U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the meeting in advance, called the issue of security in the South China Sea a “pillar” of the discussions between Mr. Biden, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines.

Persons: Biden, Fumio Kishida, Ferdinand Marcos Jr Organizations: Biden, U.S Locations: Japan, Philippines, China, South China, United States, South

☆ To Counter China’s Rising Power, Biden Looks to Strengthen Ties With Japan
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Michael D. Shear | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The United States and Japan, faced with the challenges posed by an increasingly hostile China, are expected to further integrate their militaries and announce new agreements on technology and defense on Wednesday as President Biden hosts Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a state visit to Washington. The talks are part of the Biden administration’s diplomatic outreach to counter China, which includes recent war games with Seoul. On Thursday, Mr. Biden and Mr. Kishida will meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines, another Pacific islands nation that finds itself the target of a mounting Chinese military presence in the South China Sea. The Biden administration is signaling the importance of its relationship with Tokyo by holding an official state dinner on Wednesday evening in honor of Mr. Kishida, something reserved for America’s closest allies. During a day of meetings, the two leaders will announce new plans designed to confront the far-reaching ambitions of China, which Mr. Biden has described as the only global rival to the United States with the “intent to reshape the international order and, increasingly, the economic, diplomatic, military and technological power to advance that objective.”

Persons: Biden, Fumio Kishida, Kishida, Ferdinand Marcos Jr Organizations: Biden, Seoul Locations: States, Japan, China, Washington, Philippines, South China, Tokyo, United States

☆ Biden Pulls Closer to Japan to Counter China
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Matthew Cullen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden today hosted Japan’s prime minister, Fumio Kishida, at the White House for a pomp-filled state visit. The tightening of the U.S.-Japan relationship is an important part of the Biden administration’s efforts to counter China’s aggressive actions in the Indo-Pacific region. Tomorrow, Biden and Kishida will meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines. Biden and Kishida today outlined the formation of a joint defense council that could support more exports of equipment produced in Japan, new cooperation on ventures in space and collaboration between research institutions. Biden announced that NASA’s Artemis program would take a Japanese astronaut to the moon, which would be a first for a non-American.

Persons: Biden, Fumio Kishida, Kishida, —, Paul Simon, Donald Trump, Ferdinand Marcos Jr Organizations: White, U.S ., Biden Locations: U.S, Japan, Philippines

☆ Visits from Japanese and Filipino leaders highlight Biden’s efforts to blunt China’s aggression
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Arlette Saenz | Kayla Tausche | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Biden’s week also includes an official visit for Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, reinforcing his commitment to cultivating partnerships in the Indo-Pacific in the face of China’s rising economic and military power. The historic leaders summit on Thursday between Biden, Kishida and Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos is expected to produce announcements relating to infrastructure, energy security, digital connectivity and maritime security. Meanwhile, Japan has recently loosened restrictions on the export of military technology – paving the way for deeper collaboration with like-minded allies. The first virtual meeting with the four leaders took place in March 2021 with subsequent in-person summits in the years that followed. Biden and his team also have sought to draw in smaller regional neighbors concerned about China’s military and economic aggression.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kishida, Biden, Jake Sullivan, “, Jill Biden, Kishida Yuko, They’re, Ferdinand Marcos, Marcos, ” Sullivan, ”, John Neuffer, ” Biden, ” Rahm Emanuel, Sullivan, zeroed, Japan’s, Yoshihide Suga, Korea’s, Moon Jae, Yoon Suk Yeol, Rodrigo Duterte, Donald Trump, ” Kishida Organizations: Washington CNN, Japanese, CNN, Biden White House, Australia, US Steel, APEC, Washington, Semiconductor Industry Association, Clark Air Base, Subic Naval Base, American, White, Kishida, White House, Pacific, PBS Locations: Japan, Philippines, North Korea, Ukraine, Gaza, India, South Korea, China, Manila, ’, lockstep, Netherlands, Taiwan, Beijing, Thursday’s, US, Australia, South China, South, Russia, Kishida, United States, Tokyo, Seoul, David, United Kingdom, Washington, Vietnam, U.S

☆ China concerns bring new unity to once-turbulent US-Japan-Philippines relationship ahead of major White House summit
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Both the Philippines and Japan are US defense treaty allies, and the US military retains permanent bases in Japan and has base rights in the Philippines. That threat is manifested in three key areas – Taiwan, the South China Sea and the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, analysts say. Here's why 03:27 - Source: CNNJapan and Philippines both have separate territorial disputes with China, in the former’s case the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea and in the latter’s areas of the South China Sea. Meanwhile, China claims the shoal, which is in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, as its sovereign territory, as it does much of the South China Sea, in defiance of an international arbitration ruling. “Alliance building is the most practical way to deal with China’s moves” in the South China Sea, he said.

Persons: ”, James D.J, Brown, Joe Biden, Fumio Kishida, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Xi Jinping, Biden, Micah Jeiel Perez, Marcos, Kishida, ” Marcos, Shinzo Abe, Ricardo Jose, ” Jose, Thomas, CNN Marcos, Shoal, China –, Masaharu Homma, –, Perez, Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos Jr’s, Duterte, Thomas Shoal, Veejay Villafranca, Robert Ward, BRP Antonio Luna, you’ve, Donald, Trump, ” Brown, “, Ward Organizations: South Korea CNN, White, Temple University, Japanese, Taiwan –, Communist Party, Taiwan Relations, University of, Nikkei Asia, University of the, “, CNN, East China, Philippine, China Coast Guard, US, US State Department, Gen, “ Alliance, Clark Air Base, Naval, Bloomberg, Getty, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Cooperative, Philippine Navy, BRP, Royal Australian Navy, Self, Defense Forces, JS Akebono, US Navy, USS, Multilateral Maritime Cooperative, Armed Forces, AP Analysts Locations: Seoul, South Korea, United States, Japan, Philippines, China, Tokyo, Philippine, Taiwan, Washington, South, Senkaku, East China, University of the Philippines, CNN Japan, East, South China, Palawan, China – Washington, Beijing, Spain, Spanish, Imperial Japan, New Orleans, Bataan, Subic, Manila, US, Australia, India, Vietnam, Warramunga, IISS

☆ U.S. loses its spot to China as Southeast Asia's most favored ally, survey finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Sheila Chiang | In Sheilachiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This is the first time Beijing has edged past Washington since 2020 when the annual survey first posed the question. China's aggressive behavior in the South China Sea is the Philippines' (90.2%) and Vietnam's (72.5%) top concern, the region's two frontline South China Sea claimant states. The Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told Bloomberg last month that his government's claims on certain parts of the South China sea should not be viewed as provoking China. Vietnam has also asserted sovereignty over islands in the South China Sea though Beijing has brushed aside those claims. ASEAN should build up its resilience and unity to fend off pressures from the two major powers, the U.S. and China, nearly half of the survey respondents said.

Persons: ISEAS – Yusof, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Kenddrick Chan Organizations: ASEAN Studies, Jan, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, China, Bloomberg, Philippines, U.S, LSE, London School of Economics, Political Science Locations: China, U.S, Washington, Beijing, Singapore, ISEAS, Indonesia . China, Japan, South China, Philippines, Vietnam, Southeast Asia

☆ North Korea tests missile, Seoul says, ahead of vote seen as gauge of support for hardline South Korean leader
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —North Korea test-fired a presumed intermediate-range ballistic missile on Tuesday, South Korean officials said, its latest military maneuver since leader Kim Jong Un’s New Year declaration that he was ending a policy seeking reconciliation with the South. Pyongyang’s shows of power included long-range artillery and multiple rocket launchers, which pose a threat to the South Korean capital Seoul and other key areas near the border. But Leif-Eric Easley, professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said Tuesday’s suspected missile test by North Korea won’t have much effect on the vote. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui last week quashed recent speculation that Kishida could meet with North Korea’s Kim. North Korea “will not allow any attempt of Japan to contact” Pyongyang, he said, according to KCNA.

Persons: Kim Jong, Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim, Yoon’s, Democratic Party –, Yoon, Leif, Eric Easley, ” Easley, Easley, Tuesday’s, Fumio Kishida, Joe Biden, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Choe Son Hui, North Korea’s Kim, CNN’s Yoonjung Seo Organizations: South Korea CNN, North, South, Korean Central News Agency, CNN, Yoon’s People Power Party, Democratic Party, Ewha Womans University, Assembly, Korean, Philippine, North Korean Foreign, North Korea “ Locations: Seoul, South Korea, North Korea, Pyongyang, United States, North, Japan, Washington, China

☆ Why investors should check the outstanding share count before buying a stock
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

But what if I told you this group shrunk its share count dramatically since 2019? The numbers tell the story: Lennar now has 276 million shares outstanding, down from 318 million five years ago. Other than Toll, most of the homebuilder management teams do not emphasize this fundamental change in share count. Management has been buying hand over fist since 2019, shrinking the share count to 215 million from 264 million. My rather unassailable conclusion is pretty simple: Check the share count before you buy a stock.

Persons: PulteGroup, DR Horton, —, Douglas Yearley hadn't, homebuilders, Jim Umpleby, Eaton, Dow, Cummins, Elliott, Marc Benioff, Colette Kress, Williams, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim, Mike Blake Organizations: Federal Reserve, DR, Management, Dick's, Goods, Abercrombie, Fitch, Williams, Walmart, Caterpillar, DuPont, Marathon Petroleum, Elliott Management, Valero Energy, Pacific, Norfolk Southern, CSX, Apple, Microsoft, NFL, Jim Cramer's Charitable, CNBC Locations: tatters, California, Sonoma, America, Williams Sonoma, San Marcos , California

☆ Why School Absences Have ‘Exploded’ Almost Everywhere
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Sarah Mervosh | Francesca Paris | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +14 min

Increase in chronic absenteeism, 2019–23 By local child poverty rates By length of school closures By school district size By district racial makeup Source: Upshot analysis of data from Nat Malkus, American Enterprise Institute. Sara Miller, a counselor at South Anchorage High School for 20 years, now sees more absences from students across the socioeconomic spectrum. But after a visit from her school district, and starting therapy herself, she has settled into a new routine. Nationally, about 26 percent of students were considered chronically absent last school year, up from 15 percent before the pandemic. Kaylee Greenlee for The New York TimesThe Ypsilanti school district has tried a bit of everything, said the superintendent, Alena Zachery-Ross.

Persons: Nat Malkus, ”, Kaylee Greenlee, Katie Rosanbalm, —, can’t, Adam Clark, Sara Miller, Miller, Ash Adams, Tracey Carson, Ashley Cooper, she’s, ’ ”, Cooper, Rosanbalm, Duke, Quintin Shepherd, The New York Times Quintin Shepherd, Shepherd, Michael A, Gottfried, “, Nicholas Bloom, Lakisha Young, Charlene M, Russell, Tucker, Regina Murff, Sylvia Jarrus, Ann Arbor, Murff, Alena Zachery, Zachery Organizations: D.C, American Enterprise Institute, New York Times, The New York, Center of Child, Duke University, The New York Times, Missing, South Anchorage High School, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, Companies, Stanford University, Oakland Locations: Anchorage, Michigan, Washington, Victoria , Texas, Mt, Northern California, Hawaii, Mason , Ohio, Cincinnati, San Marcos , Texas, California, Connecticut, Ypsilanti, Mich, Ann, Ross

☆ A historic and clubby group in London could face billions in claims from the Baltimore bridge collapse
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Claims from the container ship Dali's crash into Baltimore's Key Bridge could cost insurers a lot. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . With the crash of the container ship Dali into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on Tuesday, insurance underwriters are updating those books as a picture of the true cost of damages emerges. Economists told Business Insider the port closure itself will cost $15 million a day in lost economic activity, with other disruptions pushing the total into the tens of millions a day. AdvertisementStill, the collapse of the Key Bridge could lead to "one of the largest claims ever to hit the marine (re)insurance market," John Miklus, the president of the American Institute of Marine Underwriters, told Insurance Business.

Persons: —, Dali, Francis Scott Key, Marcos Álvarez, Edward, doesn't, Lloyd's, John Miklus Organizations: Service, Barclays, Bloomberg, Port, Reuters, Lloyd's, American Institute of Marine Underwriters, Insurance Business Locations: London, Baltimore, Port of Baltimore, Britannia

☆ A complex and clubby group in London could face billions in claims from the Baltimore bridge collapse
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. With the crash of the container ship Dali into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on Tuesday, insurance underwriters are duly updating those books as a picture emerges of the true cost of damages. Economists told Business Insider the port closure itself will cost $15 million per day in lost economic activity, with other disruptions pushing the total into the tens of millions per day. All told, Barclays said insurance companies could be looking at claims as high as $3 billion as a result of the crash, Bloomberg reported. AdvertisementStill, the collapse of the Key Bridge could lead to "one of the largest claims ever to hit the marine (re)insurance market," John Miklus, president of the American Institute of Marine Underwriters, told Insurance Business.

Persons: —, Dali, Francis Scott Key, Morningstar, Marcos Alvarez, Edward Lloyd, doesn't, Lloyd's, John Miklus Organizations: Service, Business, Barclays, Bloomberg, Port, Reuters, Lloyd's, American Institute of Marine Underwriters, Insurance Business Locations: London, Baltimore, Port of Baltimore, Britannia

☆ Biden to host Japan PM Kishida, Philippines President Marcos for White House summit
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

President Joe Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a White House summit next month amid growing concerns about North Korea's nuclear program, provocative Chinese action in the South China Sea and differences over a Japanese company's plan to buy an iconic American steel company. Eugene Hoshiko | AFP | Getty ImagesPresident Joe Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a White House summit next month amid growing concerns about North Korea's nuclear program, provocative Chinese action in the South China Sea and differences over a Japanese company's plan to buy an iconic American steel company. The announcement came as North Korea's state media reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a live-fire drill of nuclear-capable "super-large" multiple rocket launchers designed to target South Korea's capital. Biden argued in announcing his opposition that the U.S. needs to "maintain strong American steel companies powered by American steelworkers." Meanwhile, long-running Philippines-Chinese tensions have come back into focus this month after Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea.

Persons: Joe Biden, Fumio Kishida, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Eugene Hoshiko, Karine Jean, Pierre, Kim Jong Un, Biden, Thomas Shoal, Thomas Organizations: AFP, Getty, White, Steel, Nippon Steel of, American steelworkers, " Nippon Steel, BRP, BRP Sierra Madre Locations: Philippines, South, American, Japan, North, Korea, U.S, Pittsburgh, Nippon Steel of Japan, Philippine, China, BRP Sierra, Thomas Shoal, Sierra

☆ Standing Up to China, Philippine Leader Courts New Network of Partners
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | Camille Elemia | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

With China aggressively asserting its claims on the South China Sea, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of the Philippines spent his first year on the job beefing up Manila’s alliance with its oldest ally, the United States. Mr. Marcos is adding a new intensity to his muscular foreign policy at a critical moment in his country’s territorial dispute with Beijing. In January, Mr. Marcos and the leaders of Vietnam, another country fighting off Chinese claims to the crucial waterway, pledged closer cooperation between their coast guards. This month, Mr. Marcos clinched a maritime cooperation deal with Australia. “It has to be recognized that the South China Sea handles 60 percent of the trade of the entire world.

Persons: Ferdinand R, Marcos Jr, Marcos, it’s, Mr Organizations: Maritime, Australia, South China, ASEAN, Association of Southeast Asian Nations Locations: China, Philippines, United States, Beijing, Vietnam, Europe, South, Berlin

☆ U.S. companies to announce over $1 bln of investments in the Philippines, Commerce Secretary Raimondo says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo speaks during a Senate hearing in Washington, D.C., on May 16, 2023. American companies are set to announce investments amounting to more than $1 billion in the Philippines, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said during an official visit to Manila on Monday. Raimondo is heading a two-day trade and investment mission, the first of its kind for the Philippines. The delegation includes executives from 22 companies including United Airlines , Alphabet's Google , Visa , KKR Asia Pacific, and Microsoft . United said last week it would launch new flights from Tokyo-Narita to Cebu, Philippines starting July 31.

Persons: Gina Raimondo, Raimondo, United, Joe Biden, Ferdinand Marcos Jr Organizations: Commerce, Washington , D.C, U.S . Commerce, United Airlines, Google, Visa, KKR Asia Pacific, Microsoft, U.S, Philippine Locations: Washington ,, Philippines, U.S, Manila, Tokyo, Narita, Cebu, China, South, Taiwan

☆ 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

☆ Researchers Dispute Claim That Ancient Whale Was Heaviest Animal Ever
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Carl Zimmer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Last August, a team of paleontologists announced that they had discovered the fossilized bones of a gigantic ancient whale. Perucetus, as they named it, might have weighed over 200 tons, which would make it the heaviest animal that has ever lived. But in a study published Thursday, a pair of scientists have challenged that bold claim. The bones had many hallmarks of whales’ bones. Dr. Urbina and his colleagues reconstructed the full skeleton of Perucetus by studying the much smaller whales that lived at the same time.

Persons: ”, Nicholas Pyenson, Pyenson, Ryosuke, Perucetus, Mario Urbina, Urbina Organizations: Smithsonian National Museum of, University of California, Museum, National University of San Locations: Davis, National University of San Marcos, Lima , Peru, Peru

We'll also guide you step-by-step on how to use a VPN to watch UFC 298, no matter where you are. ET / 3 a.m. GMT (Sun) / 11 a.m. AWST (Sun)How to watch UFC 298 in the USUS viewers can watch the main event of UFC 298 on ESPN Plus tonight at 10 p.m. UFC PPV + Annual ESPN+ Membership (Bundle) ESPN+ is the home of UFC PPV events, meaning that fans need to purchase a subscription in addition to buying the one-off cards. Where to watch UFC 298 everywhere elseIf you're not in the US, you still have a few options to watch UFC 298. In Canada, UFC 298 will be available as a pay-per-view through most TV providers and directly via UFC Fight Pass.

Persons: Whittaker, Costa doesn't, We'll, ExpressVPN, Alexander Volkanovski, Ilia Topuria, Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, Geoff Neal, Ian Machado Garry, Merab, Henry Cejudo, Anthony Hernandez, Kopylov, Amanda Lemos, Mackenzie Dern, Marcos Rogerio de Lima, Justin Tafa, Rinya Nakamura, Carlos Vera, Zhang Mingyang, Brendson Ribeiro, Josh Quinlan, Danny Barlow, Val Woodburn, Andrea Lee, Miranda Maverick Organizations: Business, Volkanovski, Honda Center, UFC, ESPN Plus, ESPN, TNT Sports, Amazon, Apple, PlayStation, Samsung, BT, BT Sport, League, LG, Elliott Locations: Anaheim, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Switzerland, Asia, Africa, Brazil

☆ Philippines' Marcos Says Secessionist Threats 'Doomed to Fail'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Thursday that calls for independence for the country's southern island of Mindanao were a "constitutional travesty" and "doomed to fail." "The new call for a separate Mindanao is doomed to fail, for it is anchored on a false premise, not to mention a sheer constitutional travesty," Marcos said in a speech on Constitution Day without naming his outspoken predecessor. "I strongly appeal to all concerned to stop this call for a separate Mindanao. "This is not the new Philippines that we are trying to mold. That was followed by Marcos' defence chief on Monday vowing to strictly enforce the country's sovereignty after Duterte's secessionist threats.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos, Duterte, Karen Lema, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Sunday Locations: MANILA, Philippine, Mindanao, Philippines, Republic

☆ Philippines Wards off Cyber Attacks From China-Based Hackers
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA (Reuters) - Hackers operating in China attempted to break into websites and e-mail systems of the Philippine's president and government agencies, one promoting maritime security, but failed, an information and communications ministry official said on Monday. But using the internet protocol addresses, we pinpointed it to China," Paraiso said, adding the hackers were traced to be using the services of Chinese state-owned Unicom. "We are appealing to the Chinese government to help us prevent further attacks." The thwarted cyber attacks came at a time of heightened tensions with China, largely over disputed territory in the South China Sea. The Philippines is currently working on a five-year cybersecurity strategy to beef up its cyber defences to combat attacks and digital crimes.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, DICT, Renato Paraiso, Paraiso, Neil Jerome Morales, Michael Perry Organizations: Department of Information, Communications Technology, National Coast Watch, Philippine Locations: MANILA, China, China's, Manila, South China, Philippines

Search resuls for: "Marcos"

25 mentions found