After a three-year hiatus due to Covid, MINDSET - Jardine Matheson's registered mental health charity - held its signature fundraising event, Walk Up Jardine House. The event featured more than 300 enthusiastic steppers running up 49 floors - 947 steps - from the ground floor to the Penthouse of Jardine House, raising a record HK$5 million for mental health. "Your Mind Matters, aims to raise awareness of mental health practices and emotional well being so that everyone is empowered to take control of their own mental health," said Andrew Wong, chairman of MINDSET. Altogether, 65 teams and 28 individuals took part in the physically grueling event. Danny Luk from Jardine Matheson, a 17-time racer, said the 'magnificent view at the top' keeps him motivated to run the race.

RARE APPEARANCE | British-US author Salman Rushdie (center) is applauded as he receives the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, awarded annually by the German Publishers and Booksellers Association which runs the Frankfurt Book Fair. Rushdie, in his remarks, tackled AI and other challenges facing the publishing industry. Among book industry players there is “a deep sense of insecurity,” said Juergen Boos, director of the Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s biggest, where the topic was in focus last week. ADVERTISEMENTStill, critics say the works are of low quality and sense little threat from AI for now. British author Salman Rushdie told a press conference at the fair that recently someone asked an AI writing tool to produce 300 words in his style.

ADVERTISEMENTThe ceiling for four-story socialized condominium projects are now set at P933,320 for 22 sqm; P1,060,591 for 25 sqm and P1,145,438 for 27 sqm units. If the land development cost is included, the socialized condominium projects’ price ceiling is set at a maximum of P1,800,000. ADVERTISEMENTHousing backlogThe current price ceiling for social housing was last adjusted on April 27, 2018, through Resolution Nos. This “discourages” the private sector from building affordable houses for low-income and underprivileged families, they noted. “To address the housing needs of approximately 6.5 million Filipino households, a two-pronged approach is necessary, which involves encouraging private sector participation in constructing socialized housing units,” Acuzar and Balisacan said.

59 Filipinos in Lebanon ask for repatriationProtesters clash with Lebanese security forces outside the US Embassy in Awkar east of Beirut, during a demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip, on October 18, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — At least 59 Filipinos in Lebanon have requested to return to the Philippines amid escalating tensions between Israel and Lebanon’s military group Hezbollah, Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Raymond Balatbat said on Monday. The number of Filipinos eyeing to be repatriated could increase in the following days following escalating tension between Israel and Hezbollah, Balatbat added. The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon on Sunday has opened applications for repatriation for any of the 17,500 Filipinos in the country who wish to be repatriated. This comes after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)’s decision to raise Alert Level 3, or voluntary repatriation, due to the clashes between Israel and Hezbollah.

STOCKHOLM: French veteran Gael Monfils rallied past Russian qualifier Pavel Kotov to win the 12th ATP title of his career and first this season in Stockholm on Sunday. Monfils, ranked 140th, won 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-3 against his 109th-ranked opponent for his second title in the Swedish capital after 2011. He is just the fourth player above the age of 37 to win an ATP Tour title since 1990, joining Roger Federer, Ivo Karlovic and Feliciano Lopez. Monfils dropped just two sets on his way to the trophy, his first since Adelaide in January last year, and will move up to 89th in the ATP rankings. Kotov, 24, was aiming to win his first title on Sunday in his maiden final.

ADVERTISEMENTThese are the statements of Guadiz as he appeared at the hearing of House committee on transportation on Monday. The bribe was reportedly in exchange for the approval of franchise applications and route alterations. At the hearing on Monday, Guadiz told lawmakers the routes are created by local government units (LGUs) and not LTFRB. Guadiz was ordered suspended by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. after Tumbado accused the LTFRB head of corruption and irregularities. One of the messages claimed the suspended chairperson was supposedly informed about franchise applicants who were willing to pay grease money.

Doing its share to help the country achieve food security while addressing environmental challenges, Robinsons Offices, one of the country’s leading providers of quality, flexible workspaces, has partnered with lifestyle brand FarmTop for the development of “sky farms” or soilless vegetable gardens on building roof-decks. The joint initiative promotes technologically enhanced but sustainable agriculture. The project envisions the setup of strategically located sky farms atop office buildings around the country, where crops are cultivated through hydroponics or soilless farming in a controlled environment. The method, which also does away with conventional pesticides, is also described as “post-organic” as it reduces the risk of attacks from soil-based pests and weeds. Company officials led by JG Summit president and chief executive officer Lance Gokongwei formally unveiled the project’s first rooftop farm—and enjoyed its first harvest—on Oct. 10 at Robinsons Cyberscape Alpha in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

(File Photo)The Philippines said Monday that Chinese vessels "intentionally" hit Philippine boats in the South China Sea, escalating a diplomatic row over two collisions at the weekend in the disputed waters. Manila also called China an "aggressor" and accusing it of "increasing tensions" in the South China Sea. China's coast guard said on Sunday there had been a "slight collision" between one of its ships and the Philippine boat while the coast guard was "lawfully" blocking the boat from transporting "illegal construction materials". It was not the first time that China's coastguard, backed by its maritime militia boats, have interfered with the Philippines' resupply mission. One of the images shared by the Philippine coast guard showed three of the four boats carrying out the resupply operation on Sunday surrounded by seven bigger Chinese coast guard vessels.

TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa knows the challenges the team is facing as the Tropang Giga prepare for the PBA Season 48. Mikey Williams PBA PHOTOWorse, Filipino-American guard Mikey Williams is still on extended vacation in the U.S., a situation Lastimosa would rather not discuss. Other than the Season 48, Lastimosa is also preparing for the Tropang Giga for the East Asia Super League home-and-away tournament that got underway over a week ago. The Tropang Giga, however, have a chance to get back at the Jets on November 1 when they host the visiting Chiba side in Sta. Veteran slot man Kelly Williams, at 41, will be entering his 16th season in the PBA.

Philippines distances from Locsin's comment on 'killing' Palestinian childrenA Palestinian child injured in an Israeli air strike is carried inside the Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern of Gaza Strip, on Oct. 17, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has disassociated itself from a remark made by one of its diplomats inciting violence upon Palestinian children who he said would grow up to tolerate the actions of militant group Hamas. They could stage mass suicide against Hamas until the latter ran out of bullets,” Locsin said. After deleting the post, Locsin apologized for his remarks and said that his comment — which was shared with his more than 662,000 followers — was a “sarcastic response” to another user on the platform. Gaza officials reported 900 people killed so far, and Israel's army said the bodies of roughly 1,500 militants had been found.

Crude oil’s roller coaster rideCrude oil prices have seen a whirlwind of volatility over the past month, driven by various factors ranging from demand concerns to geopolitical conflicts. October 11: As the situation appeared to stabilize and concerns of a regional conflict subsided, Brent crude retreated to $85 per barrel. These warnings sent Brent crude prices higher from $85 to $90 per barrel. Brent crude prices surged to an intraday high of $93.76 per barrel before closing at $92.39. This strategic shipping route facilitates the transit of one-fifth of global oil supply and 40 percent of global seaborne crude.

BEIJING: China's financial system will continue to improve its ability to serve the real economy, according to a report from the State Council. The report on financial work was submitted on Saturday to lawmakers for deliberation at the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. China’s financial system will continue to improve its ability to serve the real economy, according to a report from the State Council. XINHUA PHOTOSince the fourth quarter of 2022, the financial system has precisely and effectively implemented a prudent monetary policy, provided stronger support for the real economy, and ensured the smooth operation of the financial market, said the report. The financial system will also back up infrastructure and the construction of major projects and will prop up support for real estate firms to ensure the delivery of housing projects, it added.

A Philippine flagged boat is blocked by a China Coast Guard vessel during an incident that resulted in a collision between the two vessels, in the disputed waters of the South China Sea in this screen grab obtained from handout video released October 22, 2023. (Reuters)The Philippines repeated its call for China to stop "provocative actions", warning that its attempts to block Manila's resupply missions to a disputed atoll in the South China Sea could have "disastrous results". It has also summoned the Chinese ambassador and has filed a diplomatic protest, its foreign ministry said. NSC's Malaya accused China of "increasing tensions" in the South China Sea and maintained it was China's actions that caused Sunday's collision. But we are concerned by the escalation and provocations by Chinese vessels who have no business being in the West Philippine Sea," Malaya said.

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos working and residing in Lebanon can opt for voluntary repatriation following the Philippines' decision to place the Middle Eastern country under Alert Level 3 due to the conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon released an online form for Filipinos who want to be repatriated due to heightened tension in the country’s southern border. Casualties were reported along the Israel-Lebanon border Saturday as Israel’s army traded fire with Hezbollah amid fears of a new front opening while Israel battles Palestinian militant group Hamas. The Shiite military group Hezbollah is the only Lebanese faction to have kept its weapons after the 1975-1990 civil war, and now has an arsenal more powerful than the army's. Hezbollah fought a war with Israel in 2006 that left more than 1,200 dead in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and 160 dead in Israel, mostly soldiers.

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis pleaded Sunday for an end to the Hamas-Israeli conflict amid fears it could widen, and called for more humanitarian aid to be allowed into to the Gaza Strip. Stop!” Francis said after his traditional Angelus prayer in Rome’s Saint Peter’s Square. ADVERTISEMENT“I renew my call for spaces to be opened, for humanitarian aid to continue to arrive and for hostages to be freed,” the 86-year-old pontiff said. Hamas militants stormed into Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, killing at least 1,400 people. ADVERTISEMENTAlarm has grown about a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Israel has cut off water, food and power.