Idled
By the latest reports, the Palace has suspended the activation of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) pending restudy of its implementing rules and regulations (IRR). All the flaws of this concept now come into sharper relief.
Norway latest news
Norway to support Filipino law enforcers in rescuing child sex abuse victims
MANILA, Philippines — The Norwegian government has committed to helping train Philippine law enforcers to more effectively identify potential child sex abuse victims by teaching them to access available sources of information on perpetrators overseas.
Tran Anh Hung Set as Shanghai Film Festival Jury Chief – Global Bulletin
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Vietnamese French director and screenwriter Tran Anh Hung has been named as president of the jury for the upcoming Shanghai International Film Festival. The festival, which runs June 14 to 23, said that his works “blend the expressions of Eastern and Western cultures, with sensitivity, delicacy, and a romantic style.” His films include: 1992’s “Scent of the Green Papaya”; 1995’s “Cyclo,” starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai; 2009 English-language thriller “I Come With the Rain,” starring Josh Hartnett; and “The Taste of Things,” which earned him the best director prize at Cannes last year. The jury president role marks a return and a promotion for the director. He was previously on the Shanghai festival’s jury in 2011, when he also screened his “Norwegian Wood.” SM Cinema, the largest exhibitor in the Philippines, is to open giant screen Imax cinemas in three new venues.
Iced coffee is Filipinos' favorite coffee beverage — data
MANILA, Philippines — Iced coffee is the most popular coffee beverage in the Philippines, according to data collated by coffee-centric creatives at Coffeeness.
PH supports peace between 2 Koreas
PHILIPPINE Ambassador to South Korea Theresa Dizon-de Vega reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula during a United Nations Command (UNC) meeting at Seoul's Ministry of Defense Convention Center on April 5.
Most Filipinos support reducing plastic to fight pollution, climate change — poll
MANILA, Philippines — A new survey by an environmental group suggested that nine in 10 Filipinos support reducing plastic production to combat plastic pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change.
‘Mai’: Vietnam Box Office Smash Reaches Historic Milestone With International Debut
EXCLUSIVE: After smashing records in Vietnam, Tran Thanh’s hit romance drama Mai has now set a new milestone for an opening weekend at the international box office, becoming the first Vietnamese title to score a $1M debut outside the home market.
A quick look at the week ahead
This is a holiday-shortened three-day trading week; on the PSE, the scheduled events start (and end) today with the Alternergy [ALTER 0.76 unch] ownership group’s shares coming out of mandatory lockup. Approximately 50% of ALTER’s 3.9 billion common shares will become active and available for trading this morning. In international markets, there aren’t really any big events scheduled either. The parade of central banks announcing interest rate decisions will continue, but this is more of the B-tier and C-tier markets that don’t have a big impact on global sentiment, like Ghana (today), Hungary (tomorrow), and Nigeria (tomorrow). That said, we’ll hear from Sweden and South Africa on Wednesday. It’s not like last week when we had Japan, Australia, Indonesia, USA, Brazil, Taiwan, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK, and Mexico announce.
Consider alliances with Netherlands, Norway, DFA urged
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) should consider alliances with non-defense allies like Norway, the Netherlands and other countries for maritime exploration, research and development amid conflict with China over the West Philippines Sea (WPS), Sen. Francis Tolentino said yesterday.