Many Chinese maritime proposals against national interests — DFAThis photo taken on March 5, 2024 shows journalists filming as a China Coast Guard vessel (R) sails in front of the BRP Sindangan during a supply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea. “While a few proposals were deemed somewhat workable, many of the remaining Chinese proposals were determined, after a careful study, scrutiny and deliberation within the Philippine government, to be contrary to our national interests,” the department said in a statement. The agency said the Philippines submitted counter proposals, but China did not consider them. Instead, Beijing presented its own counter proposals, which like the previous ones, did not reflect Manila’s interests, particularly on issues such as the South China Sea. Improved communication, ‘calm approach’The DFA said the proposals of the two countries were further discussed during a bilateral consultation meeting on South China Sea matters last January in Shanghai.

Mike Hutchings/AFP/Getty ImagesIndia on Tuesday rejected Chinese objections to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's weekend visit to Arunachal Pradesh, saying the northeastern border state has always been "an integral and inalienable part of India". New Delhi rejects the claim, saying Arunachal Pradesh has always been a part of India. "Indian leaders visit Arunachal Pradesh from time to time, as they visit other states of India. Objecting to such visits or India's developmental projects does not stand to reason," said Randhir Jaiswal, India's foreign ministry spokesperson. Last year, China ratcheted up tensions with India by giving Chinese names to 11 locations in Arunachal Pradesh.

Over 8,000 square feet of the Center are dedicated to the animal adoption department, while the additional 14,000 square feet are allocated for animal birth control and welfare work. The center also features the largest animal hospital in the New Territories, with the operating room and ward area occupying 16,500 square feet, expected to be rolled out in the second half of the year. The adoption center is already in full service and the dog foster care service is set to commence in late March. The education hub will feature four classrooms and include the first-ever immersive animal welfare classroom in Hong Kong. The location of the new center also helps the SPCA shorten its response time for animal rescue calls in the New Territories, where rescue demand is the greatest.

Love songHe will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. She sits gazing into his eyes while he, without a hint of self-consciousness, sings to her a love song in his own tongue, carried on the breeze for us all to hear. Out of that dark day will emerge a people who wholeheartedly love God (vv. To these people God will be like a bridegroom who delights in His beloved: “In his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing” (v. 17). But how many of us see God as a Singer with a love song for us on His lips?

MANILA, Philippines—The ban on e-bikes on major roads in Metro Manila will take effect starting on April 15, 2024, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes said on Monday. Artes said the prohibition will be enforced on the following national roads in Metro Manila:Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (Edsa)C.M. Recto Avenue, ManilaPresident Quirino Avenue, ManilaAraneta Avenue, QCKatipunan/C.P. Artes also cited an increase in fatal accidents among e-bike users as a reason for the measure. ADVERTISEMENTBut for e-bike stakeholders, banning it on major thoroughfares is not the solution.

Some staff members are questioning the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Medical Centre's handling of several sexual harassment cases involving a male Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse, as he was only deployed away from his existing duty by the hospital after the allegations. However, some were disappointed with the hospital's response as the male nurse involved was only removed from ICU duties and reassigned to other departments. Sources said the male nurse has not been demoted, and the hospital also urged the staff members to keep the incident confidential, raising concerns about the arrangement of the incident. CUHK Medical Centre confirmed on Monday that they have received the complaints and launched an internal investigation. Based on the outcome of the internal investigation, the hospital believed there was insufficient evidence that the complaints involved criminal offenses.

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. She also reaffirmed the United States' alliance with the Philippines, calling it "ironclad". The Philippines has a 73-year-old mutual defence treaty with the U.S., making it Washington's oldest treaty ally in the Asia-Pacific region. After her Manila visit, Raimondo will travel to Thailand for two days of meetings.

TOYOTA Motor Philippines (TMP) honored its dealership network and recognized its top-performing outlets in 2023 at the Toyota Dealer Awards held during the mobility company's annual Dealer Conference. (From left) Toyota Motor Philippines Senior Vice President for Marketing Masahiro Haoka, TMP Vice Chairman David Go, TMP Chairman Alfred Ty, lawyer Reginaldo Oben, Gina Loo, Don Juan Miguel Oben, TMP President Masando Hashimoto, and TMP Executive Vice President Jing Atienza. TMP also recognized winners of the Toyota Dealer Achievement Award for Overall Performance, the Toyota Dealer Award of Excellence and other special awards. Newly appointed TMP President Masando Hashimoto recognized Team Toyota Philippines' commitment to promoting mobility for all. I believe we are in a good position to help define and create the future of mobility in the Philippines," Hashimoto said.

LIST: Oscars 2024 winnersHOLLYWOOD — Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" was the big winner of the night with seven awards out of 13 nominations, while "Poor Things" — a female take on the Frankenstein story — won four. Here are the winners in key categories for the 96th Academy Awards, which were handed out in Hollywood on Sunday. Best picture: 'Oppenheimer'Best director: Christopher Nolan, "Oppenheimer"Best actor: Cillian Murphy, "Oppenheimer"Best actress: Emma Stone, "Poor Things"Best supporting actor: Robert Downey Jr., "Oppenheimer"Best supporting actress: Da’Vine Joy Randolph, "The Holdovers"Best international feature film: "The Zone of Interest"Best cinematography: "Oppenheimer"Best animated feature: "The Boy and the Heron"Best documentary feature: "20 Days in Mariupol"Best original song: “What Was I Made For,” "Barbie"Best original score: "Oppenheimer"Best Film Editing: "Oppenheimer"Best Sound: "The Zone of Interest"Best Production Design: "Poor Things"Best Makeup and Hairstyling: "Poor Things"Best Costume Design: "Poor Things"Best Visual Effects: "Godzilla Minus One"— With reports from Agence France-PresseRELATED: 'Oppenheimer' starts strong in bid for Oscars glory

Traffic in Sai Kung was affected this afternoon after a sedan burst into flames. Plumes of thick black smoke and flames billowed from a sedan on Po Tung Road, along with the sounds of explosions at around 3 pm today. One water jet and one breathing apparatus team were deployed to fight the fire, which was extinguished shortly. The car was burned out, and no one was injured during the incident. All lanes of Po Tung Road and Man Nin Street were closed to all traffic during the accident.

The terrifying violence as anti-government gangs battle police in the streets has crippled the fragile economy and made it extremely difficult for many of the country's most vulnerable to feed themselves. Street vendors run during clashes between police and gangs in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. "Because of gang violence, people will go hungry." He arrived in Puerto Rico on Tuesday after he was unable to land in the Dominican Republic, which borders Haiti. As more and more people are left unemployed, street vendors are selling smaller amounts of essential goods.

Hong Kong: Asian markets mostly fell Monday after a forecast-busting jobs report dampened US interest rate cut hopes, with attention now turning to the release of key inflation data this week. Traders are now factoring in three rate cuts this year, compared with six that were penciled in three months ago. The latest reading on the consumer price index on Tuesday is now in traders' view. The data provided some much-needed good news for the struggling economy, though observers warned it continued to face headwinds. "Therefore, it is too early to say China has emerged from consumer deflation from just one data point."

NEW DELHI: India's second-highest ranked election commission official has resigned, the justice ministry said, days before the expected announcement of general elections in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will seek a third term. Arun Goel resigned Saturday, leaving the election commission of India with only one of its three top officials to conduct what will be the largest exercise of the democratic franchise in human history. The dates for the election, conducted in several phases, are likely to be announced next week, according to local media reports. Venugopal, general secretary of the main opposition Congress party, said Goel's resignation was a concern. Several opinion polls have indicated an easy win by Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party in the general election.

The Manila Times Chairman and CEO Dante 'Klink' Ang 2nd talks to Consul General Ivy Banzon-Abalos of the Philippine Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany about how an ubiquitous root crop united a Filipino community in Europe, and how it elevated the cultural heritage of the Philippines abroad. Get the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao del Norte — Two alleged members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were killed in a clash with government forces in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town early at the dawn hours of Saturday, March 9, the Army here said. Gen. Jose Vladimir Caraga, 1BCT commander, said the remains of the two slain BIFF members were retrieved in the village of Kitango in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town, an area where the BIFF operates. At least 20 BIFF members were seen in the village by residents who alerted a military checkpoint nearby of the presence of the armed group. READ: 2 gunmen in doctor’s ambush in Maguindanao surrenderRillera said the Army had been prepared for possible retaliatory attacks from the extremists believed to belong to the Kagi Karialan faction of the BIFF. Earlier on March 3, a BIFF member was killed and another one who turned out to be the father, was arrested in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur, following a firefight that ensued at 1:30 a.m. Edwin Fernandez, Inquirer Mindanao.