GENEVA, Switzerland — The World Trade Organization (WTO) raised its outlook for global goods trade this year slightly, but cautioned on Thursday that increasing geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over economy policy pose "substantial" risks to its forecast. The World Trade Organization on Thursday slightly raised its trade outlook this year but is proceeding with caution amid the problems the world is facing. AP PHOTOThe Geneva-based WTO projected that global goods trade will increase by 2.7 percent this year, compared with the 2.6 percent it forecast in April. Last year, the volume of world merchandise trade was down 1.1 percent, pushed lower by high inflation and rising interest rates. The global trade body cautioned that "rising geopolitical tensions and increased economic policy uncertainty continue to pose substantial downside risks to the forecast."

REUTERS - AMMAR AWADA year on from Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, unsubstantiated claims about the number of children killed have maintained traction, whereas an AFP tally established that 37 minors died, including two babies. According to an AFP tally based on data from Israeli authorities, only two children under the age of five were confirmed killed during the onslaught. In total, 10 minors were killed at Beeri on October 7, and 10 others were taken captive to Gaza, AFP's tally showed. Six Bedouin children aged between five to 15 and a 12-year-old Jewish boy were also killed on October 7 by rockets fired from Gaza into southern Israel. The other minors killed by Hamas commandos died in kibbutz communities, on Zikim Beach north of Gaza.

Tax revenues rise to P2.77 trillion in 9 monthsPreliminary data released by the Department of Finance showed that tax collections from January to September reached P2.77 trillion. Preliminary data released by the Department of Finance showed that tax collections from January to September reached P2.77 trillion. This is nine percent higher than the P2.54 trillion revenues in the same period last year. Tax revenues are expected to account for 89 percent of overall revenue collections for the year at P4.269 trillion. For September alone, tax revenues reached P212 billion, 9.2 percent lower than the P233.53 billion in collections last year.

Not one of them so far commits to bring down the national debt during their tenure. The debt has become an inexorable force in our nation’s life. Unfortunately, any politician who commits to bring down the national debt will never win an elective post. Bringing down the national debt will require a lot of fiscal discipline. When the Philippines experienced a debt crisis in the early 80s, the event nearly killed our economy.

AP PHOTO Rafael Nadal reacts waves after the men's doubles quarter-final tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. Nadal won that one, 9-7 in the fifth set amidst the dying evening light, part of the left-hander's supremacy head-to-head. I always hoped this day would never come," Federer posted Thursday. A few months after that Laver Cup, Nadal hurt his hip and eventually would have surgery in June 2023. He went 112-4 in the Slam held at Roland Garros, with titles arriving in 2005-08, 2010-14, 2017-20 and 2022.

SUSTAINABILITY as a business practice entails reducing waste, saving energy and using resources wisely to lessen the impact on the environment. For SM Markets, it also means integrating into their operations like-minded partners to bring about responsible development in the communities they serve. PHOTO FROM SM MARKETSFor example, Sanitary Care Products Asia Inc., an SM supplier partner since 2000, sources paper from sustainable tree farms and avoids harmful chemicals in its products. It recycles and upcycles waste, repurposing food scraps into fertilizers and fish feed for local ecosystems like the Samal Island fish sanctuary. Jojo Tagbo, SM Supermarket president, says they are "continually finding ways to be more sustainable in our operations and bring our partners along on this journey."

MANILA, Philippines — A Supreme Court (SC) ruling recognizing that an employee’s resignation due to workplace mistreatment is considered a constructive illegal dismissal upholds workers’ protection from toxic work environments, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said on Friday. The SC Second Division ruled that verbal abuse, indifferent behavior, and demotion towards employees which force them to leave their jobs can be considered constructive illegal dismissal. READ: Constructive illegal dismissal“The Commission believes that this ruling reaffirms the protection of employees from coercive work environments and underscores the accountability of employers who subject their staff to hostile treatment,” the CHR said in a statement, commending the SC for the ruling. “This ruling serves as a strong reminder that all workers, as right-holders, deserve to work in environments free from abuse, coercion, and hostility,” it added. CHR reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights of workers and said it will continue to push for policies and actions that respect dignity in the workplace.

However, he eventually got tired of being in the financial sector, especially after a controversy over alleged insider trading accusations and decided to become a politician. However, he eventually got tired of being in the financial sector, especially after a controversy over alleged insider trading accusations and decided to become a politician. Joey is also advocating for the regulation of cryptocurrency, which, unfortunately, the Philippines continues to be unfamiliar with and suspicious of, leading to scams. Joey points out that the outflow of Chinese funds is due to the collapsing real estate economy of China. Proceeds from the golf tournament will go to the charitable projects of the embassy.

READ: Marcos challenges China over clashesPresident Ferdinand Marcos challenged Chinese Premier Li Qiang over recent clashes in the South China Sea at regional summit talks on Thursday, as fears grow that conflict could erupt in the disputed waterway. Garcia said that the 155 accredited party-lists were comprised of 113 groups that were previously accredited in past elections while the 42 others were newly accredited groups. He pointed out that the number of partylist groups for the 2025 elections is lower compared to the 177 filers in the last 2022 polls. Electronics remained the country's top export, accounting for $3.57 billion or 52.9 percent of total exports in August. The United States was the biggest buyer of Philippine-made goods during the month, having purchased $1.22 billion or 18.1 percent of total exports.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Republican White House candidate Donald Trump praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "total killer" on Wednesday as he discussed foreign leaders during a media blitz for the final stretch of his election campaign. He's a friend of mine," Trump told a podcast with millions of subscribers hosted by standup comedian Andrew Schultz. Modi hosted Trump at an even bigger US-style rally in his home state of Gujarat during Trump's last year in office, before an estimated 100,000 supporters. AdvertisementTrump — who, like Modi, has been accused of discriminating against Muslims — has stood by the Indian leader through multiple controversies, including the revocation of autonomy for Muslim-majority Kashmir. "We had a couple of occasions where somebody was threatening India," Trump told Schultz.

00:00 How are we going to bring the Filipinos back home to Lebanon? 00:08 There are more than 400 now who would want to be repatriated. 00:18 Sir, does this mean a mandatory repatriation? 00:23 Sir, when are we going to call for a mandatory repatriation? 00:27 When are we going to raise the alert level 4?

00:00 What is the position of the Philippines regarding the five points of consensus? 00:30 We have not been very successful in actually changing the situation, so we are trying to formulate new strategies. 00:40 What could be the new orders?

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Taal Volcano experienced a minor phreatic or steam-driven eruption at 7:21 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, which produced a plume that reached a height of 2.8 kilometers. Phivolcs said Alert Level 1 is still in effect for Taal Volcano, which has been under this alert status since July 11, 2022. READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2024/10/10/taal-volcano-spews-2-8-km-plumeSubscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletinVisit our website at http://mb.com.phFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletinTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletinInstagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletinTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin#ManilaBulletinOnline#ManilaBulletin#LatestNews

But on Thursday, the central bank fleshed out plans to encourage "the healthy and stable development of the capital market" by opening up a "swap facility" worth 500 billion yuan ($70.6 billion) that will allow firms to access cash to buy stocks. 'Fully confident'People's Bank of China (PBOC) chief Pan Gongsheng said at the time the plans would "significantly enhance" firms' ability to access funds to buy stocks. An analyst told Agence France-Presse (AFP) the central bank had been "doing much of the heavy lifting in the latest wave of stimulus." "The PBOC recognizes the urgency needed to address the economic issues in China," Heron Lim, an economist at Moody's Analytics, said. "What is required now is the action plan for fiscal support to come through."

PEPSICO lowered its sales forecast for the year as consumers in the United States, China and elsewhere continued to pull back on buying its snacks and drinks. PepsiCo said its organic revenue rose 1.9 percent in the first three quarters of this year. Globally, PepsiCo said it raised prices 3 percent and sales volumes fell 2 percent. PepsiCo's quarterly revenue growth — which had frequently grown by double digits in recent years — has slowed sharply in the last few quarters. Adjusted for one-time items, PepsiCo earned $2.31 per share, which was higher than the $2.29 per share analysts were expecting.