TOKYO, Sept 22, 2023 (AFP) – The Bank of Japan stuck to its ultra-loose monetary policy Friday, though officials face increasing pressure to turn more hawkish as the yen weakens and after fresh data showed inflation remained stubbornly high. While most other major central banks have pressed ahead with a campaign of interest rate hikes in a bid to tame prices, the BoJ has refused to shift from its long-term programme of sub-zero borrowing costs […]
Other News
Cancelled flights on Friday, Sept. 22
(Eagle News)–Several flights on Friday, Sept. 22, were cancelled due to unfavorable weather conditions. The Manila International Airport Authority said the following are canceled as of 8:20 a.m.: Cebu Pacific (5J) 5J 321/322 Manila-Daraga-Manila This list shall be updated as information becomes available. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the Intertropical Convergence Zone is affecting Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
ITCZ affecting Southern Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao: PAGASA
(Eagle News)–The Intertropical Convergence Zone is affecting Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Visayas, and Mindanao will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms as a result. Flashfloods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains are possible. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, meanwhile, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. PAGASA […]
Zelensky warns in Washington that Ukraine will lose without US aid
WASHINGTON, Sept 21, 2023 (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Thursday as he faced Republican skeptics in the US Congress that Kyiv will lose its war against the Russian invasion if the flow of billions of dollars in aid gets cut. Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer, a major supporter of President Joe Biden’s pro-Ukraine policies, said Zelensky had told him “if we don’t get the aid, we will lose the war.” The United States […]
Embracing extraordinary times! ASEAN in Focus – Sept. 21, 2023
Volcanic Smog (VOG) Alert for Taal Volcano
As of 12:30 PM today, volcanic smog (VOG) has been observed over Taal Lake, persisting in the region. Continuous upwelling at the Taal Main Crater Lake is generating steam plumes reaching 2,400 meters high, drifting west-northwest. A total of 4,569 tonnes/day of volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emission was measured today, September 21, 2023. VOG contains acidic volcanic gases like SO2 and may irritate the eyes, throat, and respiratory tract, particularly for those with health […]
South Korea parliament clears way for opposition leader’s arrest
SEOUL, Sept 21, 2023 (AFP) – In a surprise move, South Korea’s opposition-controlled National Assembly voted Thursday to strip the leader of the opposition of his parliamentary immunity, potentially allowing his arrest over corruption allegations. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, has been accused by prosecutors of bribery in connection with a firm that is suspected of illicitly transferring $8 million to North Korea. He is also accused of breaching his duties, which allegedly […]
Israel fires on Syria targets from occupied Golan: AFP, army
MAJDAL SHAMS, Sept 21, 2023 (AFP) – Israeli tanks fired on Syrian targets from the occupied Golan Heights Thursday, an AFP photographer and the military said. The strikes targeted “two temporary structures” used by the Syrian army in violation of the 1974 disengagement agreement between the two countries, the military said in a statement. The AFP photographer witnessed an Israeli tank firing at least two shells. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria during the […]
Rupert Murdoch hands leadership of media empire to son Lachlan
NEW YORK, Sept 21, 2023 (AFP) – Rupert Murdoch will step down as chairman of his media empire, a conservative behemoth that helped shape politics around the world, and hand control to his son Lachlan, Fox Corp. and News Corp. announced Thursday. The Australian-born 92-year-old, who built a global entertainment and news juggernaut that shaped events from Brexit to the rise of Donald Trump, will shift into an emeritus status at both companies in mid-November, […]
Russia curbs fuel exports to avoid shortages
MOSCOW, Sept 21, 2023 (AFP) – Russia’s government announced Thursday it was temporarily limiting exports of petrol and diesel fuel to avoid shortages on the domestic market. The exchange price of domestic petrol soared to a record high this week, in part due to a weaker ruble, rising global oil prices and repair work at refineries curbing supplies. The announcement comes weeks after Moscow decided to extend a voluntary cut of oil exports until the […]
UK to charge five Bulgarians with spying for Russia
LONDON, Sept 21, 2023 (AFP) – Five Bulgarian nationals suspected of spying for Russia will be charged with conspiracy to conduct espionage, UK prosecutors said Thursday. Three men and two women “will be charged with conspiring to collect information intended to be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy for a purpose prejudicial to the safety and interest of the state”, the Crown Prosecution Service said in a statement. The charges relate to alleged offences […]
Zelensky faces Republican skeptics in Washington trip to counter war fatigue
WASHINGTON, Sept 21, 2023 (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky went to the US Congress on Thursday to face skeptical Republicans threatening to cut off massive aid for his country’s fight against Russia and to reassure his American backers that Ukraine can win. The United States has spearheaded Western support for Ukraine in its desperate fight against the full-scale invasion launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2022. To date, more than $100 billion in […]
