Signal No. 1 still up in Batanes as ‘Hanna’ slightly intensifies

Signal No. 1 still up in Batanes as 'Hanna' slightly intensifies
(CNN Philippines) Metro Manila — Signal No. 1 is still hoisted over Batanes as Typhoon Hanna (international name: Haikui) slightly intensified while moving towards the sea east of Taiwan, the state weather bureau said Saturday.

According to the 11 a.m. bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible in Batanes.

Hanna is reported to have maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometer per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph.

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon enhanced by Hanna and two other tropical cyclones (Saola and Kirogi) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) will continue to bring rains in parts of Luzon.

“Itong tatlong bagyo na ito ang nagpapa-iral sa ating southwest monsoon o hanging habagat na nagdudulot ng pag-ulan sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon at kanlurang bahagi ng Visayas,” weather specialist Daniel James Villamil said in a press briefing late Friday evening… Read More

China lays bare its territorial ambitions in new map showing claims to neighbouring territory

China lays bare its territorial ambitions in new map showing claims to neighbouring territory
(NewsComAu) Beijing has demanded the world respond to a new map showing its claims over vast swathes of neighbouring territory in an “objective” and “responsible” way.

It’s just released a revised 2023 edition of its “Standard National Map”.

It’s gone down like a lead balloon over Central and Southeast Asia.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin appeared surprised at the international response, telling a press briefing that “China hopes relevant parties” consider the map in an “objective and rational way” and not “over-interpret” its meaning.

Objectively, the map shows Beijing believes it owns parts of China, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Russia.

Rationally, that means these neighbouring countries are in for tough diplomatic, economic – and potentially military – times ahead.

Exactly how Beijing attempts to enforce its claims is open to interpretation… Read More

China’s neighbors reject new territorial map

China’s neighbors reject new territorial map
(Radio Free Asia) Manila slams ‘latest attempt to legitimize China’s purported sovereignty’ in the South China Sea.

Southeast Asian countries and Taiwan on Thursday objected to China’s latest version of its territorial map because of new boundaries that reach waters they claim as well in the South China Sea.

Beijing released the map on Monday amid tensions with the United States over Taiwan, and days after China Coast Guard ships formed a cordon to block Philippine supply boats delivering supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre, Manila’s military outpost in Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), in the disputed waters.

“This latest attempt to legitimize China’s purported sovereignty and jurisdiction over Philippine features and maritime zones has no basis under international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila said in a statement… Read More

Manny Pacquiao, 44, ‘ready to come out of retirement at Olympics

Manny Pacquiao, 44, ‘ready to come out of retirement at Olympics
(TheSunUK) But the 44-year-old has aspirations of representing his homeland of the Philippines at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

President of the Philippine Olympic Committee Abraham Tolentino said: “Senator Pacquiao’s camp reached out saying our Filipino ring idol wants to fight in Paris.”

Conversations between the POC, the Association of Boxing Alliances and the International Olympic Committee over Pacman representing the Philippines at Paris 2024 are already underway.

But Tolentino revealed: “The Senator can no longer vie for qualification in the Asian Games in Hangzhou next month.”

Pacquiao is ineligible to qualify for Paris 2024 via the Asian Games as they have a 40-year-old age limit for all athletes.

But he could still book his place in the competition through two qualifying tournaments next year.

Boxing fans were quick to react to the possibility of Pacquaio competing at the next Olympics, with one tweeting: “I doubt he medals but I can’t wait to see it.”

Another said: “This would be pretty cool! & a hell of an accomplishment if he wins.”.. Read More

Grundfos introduces new range of end-suction pumps to advance the Philippines’ smart green cities

Grundfos introduces new range of end-suction pumps to advance the Philippines' smart green cities
(PRNewswire) As demand for intelligent solutions accelerates to build more connected, resilient, and sustainable cities, Grundfos, a global leader in advanced pump solutions and water technologies, today launched its new NK and NKE range in the Philippines. The new long-coupled end-suction pumps feature industry-leading energy efficiency, with the premium NKE range utilising smart technology to bring ease of use, monitoring capabilities, and greater connectivity.

Grundfos launched its new NK and NKE range of end-suction pumps in Asia-Pacific, boasting greater energy efficiency, connectivity, and durability.

Being among the countries most affected by climate risks[1], the Philippines has seen growing interest in smarter and greener buildings that help to mitigate the impacts of climate change, with over 200 green buildings developed to date[2]. Smart city initiatives, such as those adopted in Manila, Cebu City and Davao City[3], are also on the rise, leveraging intelligent technology to improve urban sustainability – including through smart energy- and water-efficient solutions.

As multi-purpose pumps that play a role in a variety of different applications in areas including cooling and heating in commercial buildings, Grundfos introduced the new and improved NK and NKE range to complement its strong portfolio of energy efficient water solutions, providing customers with a holistic range of highly efficient solutions at every level… Read More

As Australia strengthens its ties with the Philippines, it’s wading even further into the dangerous South China Sea

As Australia strengthens its ties with the Philippines, it’s wading even further into the dangerous South China Sea
(Conversation Australia) At the end of last week, 1,200 Australian troops took part in a joint military exercise in the Philippines with hundreds of Filipino and American forces. Their mission: simulating the retaking of an island by a hostile force, presumably in the South China Sea.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles joined Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to observe the drills, reportedly the largest ever between the two nations. Marles then announced Australia would begin joint maritime patrols with the Philippines in the contested South China Sea very soon.

Next week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will also visit the Philippines, with maritime issues, defence and security on the agenda.

Although Marles was careful not to reference China directly during a press conference in the Philippines, Australia’s push to deepen its strategic ties with Manila comes at a time of heightened tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea. (It’s known as the West Philippine Sea in the Philippines)… Read More

PH, Australia to conduct joint patrols in South China Sea soon

PH, Australia to conduct joint patrols in South China Sea soon
(CNN Philippines) Metro Manila – The Philippines and Australia will soon hold joint patrols in the hotly contested South China Sea, it was announced by Australia’s defense chief.

“We are working closely together, doing joint sails is something that we’ve been keen to pursue now for some time,” said Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles in a press briefing on Friday.

“And our two defense forces have been working closely together about how to make that happen and to do that in the most effective way,” he also said.

“And we’re really pleased with the progress of those discussions, and we expect that the first of those joint patrols will happen in the not too distant future,” Marles added.

Troops from the Philippines, Australia, and some reinforcements from the United States conducted on Friday a combined amphibious assault exercise in Zambales.

The joint activity is part of Australia’s Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023 program, where it seeks to strengthen its defense cooperation with 14 countries in a period of four months.

“We want to see a free and open Indo-Pacific and we want to see that operating on the basis of an established rules-based order which exists,” said Marles.

“And in order to see that, countries which want to live by those rules, it’s really important that they are standing up and asserting those rules,” he added. “And we see that happening through what the Philippines does.”

Aside from the Philippines, other ASEAN member-states such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei, as well as Taiwan, also have claims to certain areas of the South China Sea… Read More

More German firms eyeing Phl investments

More German firms eyeing Phl investments
(Daily Tribune) More German firms are inclined to invest in the country given the Philippines’ good economic and investment posture, according to a recent survey from the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.

This was revealed by GPCCI President Stefan Schmitz during his meeting with Philippine Economic Zone Authority director general Tereso Panga last Tuesday, 22 August.

During the meeting, GPCCI presented to PEZA the results of its bi-annual AHK World Business Outlook survey conducted among the GPCCI members.

According to GPCCI, the results of the Spring 2023 survey revealed that the Philippines generally exhibited a better/higher result in the areas of economy, investments, employment, overall situation and expectations.

In terms of investments, the survey revealed that 46 percent of the participating GPCCI members are likely to invest more in the country within the next 12 months… Read More