By Elodie MAZEIN LAS VEGAS, Jan 11, 2024 (AFP) – To the believers, the oft-promised autonomous car revolution is “clearly happening” — they point to the myriad displays at the Consumers Electronics Show in Las Vegas that defy the industry’s bad headlines. “Companies are deploying robotaxis in larger scale than before and in more cities,” insisted Kersten Heineke, partner and codirector of the McKinsey Center for Future Mobility. Even “in times where money is scarce…we’re […]
Other News
Brunei’s polo-playing prince to marry commoner
By Martin ABBUGAO BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei, Jan 11, 2024 (AFP) – Brunei’s polo-playing Prince Abdul Mateen, one of Asia’s most eligible bachelors, is set to marry his commoner fiancee on Thursday as part of a lavish 10-day celebration in the oil-rich sultanate. An Islamic marriage ceremony for the 32-year-old prince and Yang Mulia Anisha Rosnah, 29, will be held inside a gold-domed mosque in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. Mateen is the 10th child […]
US regulators authorize first bitcoin funds on public markets
NEW YORK, Jan 10, 2024 (AFP) – US securities regulators gave the green light Wednesday to a group of bitcoin exchange-traded funds, a keenly anticipated decision expected to boost the cryptocurrency. Regulators approved proposals for 11 ETFs to list on leading exchanges including the New York Stock Exchange “on an accelerated basis,” the Securities and Exchange Commission said in a 22-page order. ETFs are traded on public markets, granting investors exposure to price movements in […]
Shouting match in US Congress as Biden son makes surprise show
By Frankie Taggart and Caitlin Wilson WASHINGTON, Jan 11, 2024 (AFP) – Republicans recommended Wednesday that Hunter Biden be held in criminal contempt of the US Congress for snubbing a summons — after scenes of chaos erupted on Capitol Hill when the president’s son turned up in person to defend himself. Two Republican-led House of Representatives committees — oversight and judiciary — had gathered separately to debate contempt resolutions after the younger Biden defied their […]
Ecuador president says ‘in state of war’ against cartels
By Santiago PIEDRA SILVA QUITO, Jan 10, 2024 (AFP) – Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa said Wednesday the country was in “a state of war” against drug cartels who have carried out a wave of kidnappings and deadly attacks in response to government crackdown. Hundreds of soldiers patrolled near-deserted streets in Ecuador’s capital, where residents were gripped by fear over a surge of violence that has prompted alarm abroad. The small South American country has been […]
Living in extraordinary times! ASEAN in Focus – January 10, 2024
PBBM highlights contribution of Indonesia to Mindanao peace, dev’t
(Eagle News)–President Bongbong Marcos on Wednesday, Jan. 10, highlighted the contribution of Indonesia to the peace and development of Mindanao. The President also expressed hope hope that Indonesia “will continue to extend its helping hand to building the institutions of local governance, particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.” He said Jakarta continues to be one of the Philippines’ closest friends. Their “many commonalities” in geography, history, and culture, he said, “have fostered deeper and more […]
PHL, Indonesia agree to work together to tackle regional challenges
(Eagle News)–The Philippines and Indonesia have agreed to work together to tackle regional challenges, the Presidential Communications Office said. According to the PCO, in particular, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of energy, with another MOU on science and technology nearing completion. Indonesia President Joko Widodo, who is on a three-day official visit to the Philippines, also committed to working hand in hand with the Philippines on defense […]
Indonesia’s Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano erupts, on highest alert level
JAKARTA, Jan 10, 2024 (AFP) – Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted anew Wednesday, spewing ash clouds two kilometres (6,561 feet) above its peak as authorities raised the volcano’s alert status to the highest level. The eruption follows weeks of heightened volcanic activity on the mountain, located on eastern Indonesia’s Flores Island, and prompted the local government to issue an evacuation order for nearby residents. “The communities are urged to immediately evacuate to safe points to […]
Northeast monsoon affecting Northern and Central Luzon
Rest of country affected by easterlies (Eagle News)–The northeast monsoon is affecting Northern and Central Luzon. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the easterlies are also affecting the rest of the country. PAGASA said, as a result, Cagayan Valley and Aurora will have cloudy skies with light rains. Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and the rest of Central Luzon, meanwhile, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains. Metro […]
At CES, tech knows if you’re sick and rocks babies
LAS VEGAS, Jan 10, 2024 (AFP) – CES, the annual high tech gadget extravaganza in Las Vegas, again delivers its wave of new inventions and cutting edge technology with artificial intelligence this year’s unavoidable buzzword. Here’s a look at some selected examples shown to the media, ahead of the official opening on Tuesday. – Mirror, mirror on the wall… – …who’s the healthiest of them all? Called “MagicMirror,” NuraLogix’s connected mirror scanned the face of […]
Biden in dark over defense chief’s cancer for month
By W.G. DUNLOP WASHINGTON, Jan 9, 2024 (AFP) – President Joe Biden was kept in the dark over his defense secretary’s cancer diagnosis and subsequent hospitalizations for about a month, the White House admitted Tuesday, as details of Lloyd Austin’s deeply unusual disappearance raised questions about leadership of the world’s top military. The 70-year-old’s failure to disclose his hospitalization has prompted an extraordinary row in Washington and could be embarrassing for Biden, who faces multiple […]
