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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40011442

In the same way, people believe in the Marcos myth that the father’s reign was the “golden age” of the Philippines, they hold on to the notion that Marcos Jr. will bring back that fairy-tale kingdom.

MANILA – The reason why there’s a sizeable number of die-hard supporters of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., no matter how many inconvenient truths are thrown his way, is because a myth has been created around  Marcos name. His father has been turned into some kind of a mythical creature immune from any kind of truth to the contrary. To a large extent, it’s no different from the phenomenon that makes people believe in the existence of the mythical creatures of our folklore. People believe in the existence of the enkanto, higante, diwata, kapre, nuno, and aswang, regardless of the amount of scientific evidence that disproves their existence.

In the same way, people believe in the Marcos myth that the father’s reign was the “golden age” of our country, regardless of historical evidence to the contrary. This is the reason why, notwithstanding final court decisions that prove massive corruption and tens of thousands of human rights violations during the Marcos dictatorship, a big group of Marcos supporters refuse to believe these facts. They hold on instead to the notion that Marcos Sr. was some kind of an enkanto who turned the Philippines into a magical kingdom. His son, Marcos Jr., will bring back that fairy-tale kingdom, and make all the poverty, corruption, and violence disappear.

The campaign to portray the Marcoses as a virtual family of enkantos was implemented through a massive myth-making operation undertaken in social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Deceptive and fake information was spread online to create the Marcos myth. In particular, the myth created about Marcos Sr. as the strong leader our country needs was parlayed to extend to his son, Marcos Jr., with the latter peddled in the presidential campaign as the “Tiger of the North.” The myth-making achieved massive success as shown by the huge lead of Marcos Jr. in recent presidential surveys.

Then came the Jessica Soho interview of the presidential candidates last Saturday, and the mythical image of Marcos Jr. suddenly came crashing down. Because Marcos Jr. chickened out of the interview, he has become the butt of jokes on social media, describing him as a “coward” and similar belittling names.

The Jessica Soho interview has become a monumental watershed in the presidential election. Prior to the interview, it was Leni Robredo who was constantly subjected to ridicule by groups supportive of Marcos Jr. Before the interview, anyone who came out publicly for Robredo in Northern Luzon, where I’m based, was mocked by Marcos supporters. After the Soho interview, the tide suddenly shifted and a tsunami of ridicule has inundated Marcos Jr. From an enchanted higante, Marcos Jr. has essentially been mocked as a nuno after the interview.

It’s clear now that the multiple presidential interviews and debates that will happen in the course of the campaign will be the kryptonite that will strip the candidates of whatever mythical pretensions they have been garbed with. And it will be Marcos Jr. who will suffer the most. He will be forced to admit that news about the Tallano gold or Yamashita treasure that his family will supposedly share with the public after he wins are nothing but fake news. He will be asked to confirm that he didn’t graduate from college. He will be grilled on the hundreds of billions of Marcos ill-gotten wealth that have been confiscated by the government, and the thousands of human rights victims who suffered during his father’s dictatorship. He will be confronted with the cases still pending against his family in courts here and abroad. In other words, he will be forced to strip Marcos name of all the invented myths.

The morning after the Jessica Soho interview, I started reading posts of Marcos Jr. supporters expressing a change of allegiance, admitting disillusionment with Marcos Jr., and professing appreciation for Robredo’s clear answers. It was the turn of Robredo supporters to pillory Marcos Jr. One online post stood out for its first-rate mocking humour—“Yung ‘tiger of the north’ ninyo naging Hello Kitty.”

Published : January 24, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40011436

The Nhat Tan village is located in Hanoi and is considered one of the largest suppliers of peach flowers in the Vietnamese capital.

Hanoi – Farmers in Nhật Tân village are in a rush to harvest blossoms as Tết fast approaches.

Nhật Tân village is located in Tây Hồ District, Hà Nội. This place is considered one of the largest suppliers of peach flowers in the capital.

Peach trees here are diverse in types, from bonsai to large trees, mini peaches and natural peaches. However, those that are most popular with customers are bonsai peaches, antique peaches and peach blossom branches.

The working day of the peach farmers in Nhật Tân starts very early. They travel to the garden to select the most beautiful branches, carefully cut and sell them at the nearby Quảng Bá flower market.

Quảng Bá Market sells all kinds of peach blossoms. — VNS Photo Trương Vị

This market is open from morning to late at night, selling all kinds of peach blossoms.

Nhật Tân peach branches are quite reasonably priced, from VNĐ100,000 (US$4.4) to 500,000 depending on size. They are the first choice of many customers because of their low cost and space-saving when displayed at home.

6A working day of the peach farmers in Nhật Tân starts very early. — VNS Photo Trương Vị

Potted peach trees often require more sophisticated care and cost from a few million to several tens of millions of đồng per tree.

In recent years, many companies and offices often rented giant peach trees to decorate the lobby of their buildings. These trees have rental prices ranging from VNĐ5 million to 20 million. At the end of Tết holiday, peach growers come to pick up the trees to continue renting the following year.

Besides business, Nhật Tân village also offers free entry for visitors to visit and take photos.

In the midst of the chaos of life, watching the peach blossoms, enjoying the wonderful scenery of Nhật Tân, will definitely be an unforgettable experience for any visitor.

Customers buy peach branches at Quảng Bá Market. — VNS Photo Trương Vị

Published : January 24, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40011425

SINGAPORE – Ms Lim Poh Tee, 56, had hoped that larger groups of visitors would be allowed this Chinese New Year, so that her sons and their families could celebrate together.

But when she heard that the group size of only up to five will remain for the festive period, she and her children made slight adjustments to their planned visitations. The group size allowed last Chinese New Year was up to eight.

The retiree, who has three sons in their 20s and 30s, and five grandchildren ranging from 1½ to 12 years old, is understanding of the situation, adding that prevention is better than cure.

She told The Straits Times in Mandarin: “My sons and their families will be visiting me separately on the first day and second day of Chinese New Year.”

At a press conference last Friday, the multi-ministry task force tackling the Covid-19 pandemic said Singapore is likely to see a “significant wave” of cases as the more infectious Omicron variant spreads through the community.

Noting that about 70 per cent of daily cases are now of the Omicron variant, Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong said existing safe management measures will be maintained through the festive period to lower the risk of transmission and reduce the stress on the healthcare system.

Most of the people The Straits Times spoke to said they are going ahead with their Chinese New Year plans despite the surge in cases.

A bank employee, who wished to be identified only as Ms Goh, said her family will continue last year’s practice of visiting only immediate family members.

The 35-year-old also plans to take her two sons, aged five and eight, to the zoo on the second day of Chinese New Year.

“We will likely move on or keep our distance at a particular exhibit when there is a large group of people,” she added.

Ms Goh said her family has also been taking antigen rapid tests weekly as a precaution.

Secretary Jana Tee said she and her siblings will take turns to visit their mother with their families, so they can adhere to the safe management measures.

They will also take measures such as wearing masks and washing their hands frequently.

She added: “(Covid-19) has been going on for two years. We will just have to carry on with how we are doing things currently. It has already become the norm.”

Dr Leong Hoe Nam, an infectious diseases specialist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, said people should maintain safe distancing in homes that they visit.

He also suggested keeping homes well ventilated and avoiding the use air-conditioning if possible.

“Use a KF94, KN95 or N95 mask if you have one. Double-mask your surgical mask and tie it with a mask extender tightly,” said Dr Leong.

Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang from the National University of Singapore’s Saw Swee Hock School Of Public Health said it would be best if the public could either avoid visiting elderly persons who are unvaccinated or take a swab test before doing so.

As Singaporeans stay home for reunion dinners, some businesses in Chinatown are seeing an improvement in sales compared with Chinese New Year last year.

Madam Low Sai Teng, 68, who owns a seafood stall with her husband in the Chinatown Complex wet market, said business has increased by about 40 per cent this year.

She said in Mandarin: “I think that because of the restrictions (of five people) this year, more people are intending to buy ingredients and cook at home.”

Mr Yip Wei Keong, 59, who owns a Chinese sausage and waxed meat stall in Chinatown Street Market, said his business has gone up by about 20 per cent this year.

He said in Mandarin: “Most people have taken their booster shots so it’s safer for them (to go out). The weather has also been quite good recently, so people are more willing to come out for a walk and immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere.”

By Yeo Shu Hui and Dominic Low

Published : January 24, 2022

By : The Straits Times

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40011424

Hyundai Motor said Sunday it has won five US News and World Report 2022 Best Cars for the Money Awards, outpacing rivals in the awards that put a spotlight on cars and SUVs that represent the best combination of long-term value and excellent ownership experience.

The Hyundai winners include: the Elantra hybrid, Tucson hybrid, Kona subcompact SUV, Tucson compact SUV and Santa Fe 2-row SUV.

Its smaller sibling Kia Motors’ Telluride also topped the best 3-row SUV for the money category.

The award covers a total of 11 automotive categories and the scores are based on safety and reliability data as well as the collective opinion of the automotive press. The process includes real-time transaction prices and five-year total cost of ownership data.

“We are greatly honored to win more 2022 US News Best Cars for the Money awards than any other automotive brand,” said Olabisi Boyle, vice president of product planning and mobility strategy at Hyundai Motor North America. “The Hyundai Santa Fe, Tucson, Elantra Hybrid, Tucson Hybrid and Kona are just a few of the superior products that we offer, and we are pleased that US News recognizes their collective excellence.”

“Buying a new car is a big decision and finding a car that is a good value requires more than just a low price,” said Jim Sharifi, managing editor of US News Best Cars. “A Best Cars for the Money award represents strong value at the dealership and over the course of ownership. These vehicles also provide a rewarding ownership experience, with comfort, features and performance that buyers will appreciate.”

By Hong Yoo

Published : January 24, 2022

By : The Korea Herald

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40011423

HÀ NỘI — The Immigration Department of Việt Nam has announced new policies on easing entry procedures for foreigners and overseas Vietnamese as well as their family members with valid visas or visa exemptions.

The move was made in accordance with directions stated by Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Phạm Bình Minh in Government Office Document No. 450/VPCP-QHQT dated January 18, 2022.

Foreigners and overseas Vietnamese, who hold valid permanent or temporary residence cards, visas and visa exemption certificates, can enter Việt Nam in accordance with the Law on foreigners’ entry without having to obtain prior approval from ministries, sectors, and local authorities or undergoing pre-clearance procedures.

Foreigners who wish to enter Việt Nam for market research, business, investment, work, conferences, study, family visits but do not have one of the above-mentioned documents must obtain approval from the provincial People’s Committees or ministries, sectors, and central authorities before undergoing sponsoring, inviting procedures for visas at the Immigration Department.

All entrants must adhere to applicable COVID-19 prevention regulations by the Ministry of Health, which means having a negative RT-PCR test results taken within three days prior to entry, submitting an online health declaration at https://tokhaiyte.vn, taking a rapid antigen COVID-19 tests at the airport if one arrives from a country with Omicron, and serving three day quarantine at home/place of accommodation (for fully vaccinated/recently recovered patients) or seven-day quarantine at hotel for the not fully vaccinated.

Those wishing to enter Việt Nam for tourism purposes can do so by joining tour groups under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism’s pilot inbound tourism programme for fully vaccinated arrivals.

Under this vaccine passport-based scheme aimed at reviving international tourism after two years of pandemic, foreign tourists could go to five destinations in Việt Nam – Phú Quốc (Kiên Giang Province), Nha Trang (Khánh Hoà), Đà Nẵng, Hội An (Quảng Nam), and Quảng Ninh, with Bình Định and HCM City soon to reopen as well.

The Immigration Department asked the Consular Department (under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to notify Vietnamese missions abroad to issue guidance for Vietnamese people residing overseas and relatives.

The Civil Aviation Authority also requested to notify airlines, domestic and overseas, on the protocols for boarding, while municipal and provincial authorities should issue guidance for overseas businesses and foreign nationals in their jurisdiction. — VNS

Published : January 24, 2022

By : Vietnam News

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40011422

JAKARTA (BERNAMA) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo expressed regret that the Myanmar military junta “did not commit to implement the 5PCs (five-point consensus)” during the Cambodian Prime Minister and current ASEAN chair Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s visit recently.

The disappointment was conveyed during his second conversation with Hun Sen this month.

The phone call took place on January 21 at the Cambodian government’s request to update on the results of Hun Sen’s two-day visit to Myanmar, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

During the talks, the ministry said Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi, emphasised that ASEAN’s approach towards Myanmar should be based on agreed principles, particularly the 5PCs.

He reiterated that implementing the 5PCs shall not be linked to the five points roadmap proposed by Myanmar’s military authority (State Administration Council).

Myanmar should only be represented at a non-political level at ASEAN meetings if there is no significant progress in implementing 5PCs, the statement read.

Jokowi also urged Myanmar military to provide access for the ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy to communicate with all concerned parties in order to achieve an inclusive national dialogue.

Touching on Hun Sen’s proposal to establish a troika to monitor the implementation of the 5PCs, the ministry said the president suggested that ASEAN Foreign Ministers should discuss the matter.

He also agreed to the proposal to establish a consultative meeting to provide support for the distribution of humanitarian aid without discrimination.

Published : January 24, 2022

By : Borneo Bulletin

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40011421

Pact to add more resilience to regional industrial, supply chains, experts say

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership is set to accelerate regional economic integration, inject more growth impetus into the world’s economic recovery and shore up multilateralism and free trade, experts said on Sunday.

They made the remarks at the RCEP Media & Think Tank Roundtable Forum with the theme of “The RCEP comes into effect: New prospects for regional cooperation and development”.

The forum was jointly organized by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Hainan Provincial Committee, China Daily, the Hainan-based China Institute for Reform and Development and the Hainan Institute for Free Trade Port Studies.

The agreement came into force on Jan 1 in 10 of the 15 RCEP member states. The world’s biggest trade pact, it covers one third of the global population and domestic gross product and will add more resilience to regional industrial and supply chains, the experts said.

While speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, Zhou Shuchun, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily, said a unified regional market will unleash the huge potential of trade growth in the region. It will also vigorously promote regional economic integration of a higher quality and at a deeper level, and strengthen the presence of the Asia-Pacific region in the global economic and trade arena, he added.

The trade pact’s implementation is a testimony to true multilateralism and free trade, which also indicates a future of mutually beneficial cooperation with opening-up practices and win-win outcomes, Zhou said.

“Removing wall-like barriers instead of building more is the trend of history, and it is in line with interests of people in the world to firmly support a multilateral trading system,” he said.

The free trade agreement was signed by 15 Asia-Pacific countries, including all 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, in November 2020. It came into effect in China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and six ASEAN states－Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam－at the start of the year and will be implemented in South Korea on Feb 1.

With provisions on liberalization and facilitation in both trade and investment, it is widely expected the pact will provide an all-around boost to regional economic growth and global free trade.

Hong Nanwei, general manager of Fujian Chuangxing Ocean Sci-Tech Co, a frozen seafood processor and exporter in Quanzhou, Fujian province, said thanks to reductions and removals of tariffs in the pact, the company is more confident of better growth in overseas markets.

Chi Fulin, president of the China Institute for Reform and Development, said tariffs on about 90 percent of goods traded within the region will eventually be eliminated and significantly reduce trade costs and product prices.

The cumulative rules of origin, which allow products to have just 40 percent of their value added within the region to enjoy tariff reduction or elimination, will encourage enterprises to source from the region. That will then promote the formation of a closer, more stable and more competitive regional industrial cooperation system, according to Chi, who is also president of the Hainan Institute for Free Trade Port Studies.

Chen Geng, chairman of Fashion Flying Group, a large-scale outdoor garment manufacturer based in Fuzhou, Fujian province, said the RCEP agreement will help the company tap the potential of Southeast Asian markets.

Citing a study by the Asian Development Bank, Bert Hofman, director of the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore, said the pact will increase member economies’ income by over half a percent by 2030, adding some $245 billion in annual income and 2.8 million jobs in regional employment.

“It is important for mankind to work together and to benefit from globalization and to benefit from high standards in trade,” Hofman said.

Chi suggested member economies strengthen efforts to accelerate alignment of market regulations and share and recognize customs clearance information to accelerate the formation of a united regional market. Efforts are also needed to advance the construction of integrated markets in key areas such as agricultural products, services and the digital economy, he said.

Ong Tee Keat, president of the Center for New Inclusive Asia in Malaysia, and also Malaysia’s former minister of transport, said the regional free trade deal can serve as a building block for multilateralism in the future.

By LIU ZHIHUA in Beijing, HU MEIDONG in Fuzhou,HU MEIDONG and MA ZHIPING in Haikou

Published : January 24, 2022

By : China Daily

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40011410

People eating a variety of carp will not have to worry about getting tiny bones stuck in their throats thanks to researchers at the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences’ Heilongjiang Fishery Research Institute who have cultivated the world’s first crucian carp lacking intermuscular fish bones.

Academicians, including teams of experts led by Gui Jianfang from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the CAFS’ Chen Songlin, examined the new variety at the institute on Jan 14.

They validated the new variety, which was created by gene-editing techniques, Science and Technology Daily reported.

Crucian carp is a popular freshwater fish with tender meat and a fresh flavor, but its many tiny bones make it difficult to eat or process industrially.

It is a member of the cyprinid family, the most numerous of the vertebrate families.

A research team at the institute started a project to tackle the problem in 2009 and identified the key gene, from 1,600 candidate genes, to control the growth of the fish’s intermuscular spine.

After a decade of research, the team created the mutant population of crucian carp through gene-editing techniques, with a heritable population of the new variety achieved last year.

The new variety grows well and is superficially indistinguishable from normal crucian carp.

The expert teams said its creation is a major breakthrough in improving the quality of carp varieties and will boost the consumption of aquatic products.

They urged biologists to continue conducting basic research and promote industrialization so that people will no longer have to pick out fish bones.

Another research team at Huazhong Agricultural University has found the key gene that controls the development of intermuscular fish bones in Wuchang bream, another species of cyprinid that is native to water bodies throughout the Yangtze River Basin, the university announced on its WeChat account late last month.

Professor Gao Zexia, the leader of the research team at the university, said she decided to study the subject in 2012.

“Many people have swallowed fish bones and got them stuck in their throats, so I wanted to cultivate a boneless fish variety that can be a future trend for the fish industry,” Gao said.

Her team found the first fishbone gene expression and obtained a patent.

They spent seven years using gene-editing techniques to test 50 gene candidates on zebrafish, a fast-growing cyprinid, by removing the genes one by one and observing the growth and changes in fish bones.

Gao said the team found an effective gene able to reduce fish bones by 70 percent in 2018 but it was not the key gene that would ensure bream grew no intermuscular bones at all.

That was finally discovered in 2019, with hundreds of zebrafish and their offspring all proving to be boneless fish. The key gene is common to all fish with bones, she said.

After finding the key gene, researchers transplanted the gene into boneless fish to see if they would grow bones again, reaffirming the key gene’s function.

The removal of the key gene has been tested on Wuchang bream, grass carp, and crucian carp.

“I believe that the boneless domestic fish will lead to an upgrade of the freshwater fish industry and family diets,” Gao said.

Published : January 23, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40011407

The Myanmar State Administration Council- (SAC) appointed foreign ministry on January 21 described the skirmishes in Kayah state capital Loikaw 10 days earlier as an attack staged by “terrorists”.

It said in a statement that the ethnic armed group Karenni National Progressive Party and civilian militias known as People’s Defence Forces had conducted a raid by “taking positions in residential areas – houses, governmental and religious buildings”, among other locations.

“The ’terrorist groups’ … [were] using local civilians as human shields and deliberately attacking civilian targets”.

“The ‘terrorists’ did not allow the innocent local civilians who wished to move to safe places during the incident. Instead, they used the civilians as human shields,” the statement said.

Myanmar has been in chaos since February 1, 2021, when the military dissolved the civilian-led administration over alleged election irregularities and declared a one-year state of emergency.

The Tatmadaw, as the military is known, formed the SAC the following day, as the primary ruling body, with Defence Services commander-in-chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing as chairman.

The January 21 statement comes in response to concerns raised by a number of countries and international organizations, the authority noted.

It underlined that while it found that some observations were offered in a constructive manner, others were ostensibly made with the intent to “exert undue political pressure on Myanmar based on information emanating from unverifiable sources, anti-government organizations, media and ‘terrorist groups’”.

The state’s “security forces responded [to] the ‘terrorists’ with utmost restraint not to harm innocent civilians. The ‘terrorist groups’ also launched attacks on Loikaw prison to instigate unrest and disrupt stability in the city”, the statement said.

“The security forces were compelled to seek aerial and artillery supports in countering the ‘terrorists’. However, they did not attack innocent civilians. It is learned that no innocent civilian was injured and some of the buildings in the prison and civilian buildings suffered collateral damages during the attacks.

“As such, countries and international organisations should reject and condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” it added.

The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has also expressed serious concern over the intense clashes in Loikaw.

Ministry spokesman Chum Sounry on January 20 said the ongoing violence is jeopardising the progress achieved during Prime Minister Hun Sen’s recent visit to Myanmar.

During his Myanmar trip, Hun Sen spoke of the success of Cambodia’s win-win policy, which he said eventually brought about national reconciliation, comprehensive peace, stability, development and prosperity in the Kingdom, according to Sounry.

“In this spirit, we are of the view that all parties concerned must accept the ceasefire and end all acts of violence while exercising the utmost restraint in order to start a dialogue that will establish favorable conditions leading to the re-establishment of peace in the country,” he said.

The Phnom Penh Post

Published : January 23, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40011404

Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad is currently in stable condition at the National Heart Institute (IJN), says his daughter Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir.

KUALA LUMPUR: Dr. Mahathir has been receiving follow-up treatment at IJN over the past two days, following a successful elective procedure he had on Jan 8.

“He (Dr. Mahathir) is currently stable and he is responding well to treatment. Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali and family ask Malaysians to pray for Dr. Mahathir’s full and speedy recovery,” Marina said in a statement on Saturday (Jan 22).

Members of the press have begun gathering at IJN since Saturday (Jan 22) afternoon following talk that Dr. Mahathir had been readmitted.

According to a spokesperson from the Langkawi MP’s office, Dr. Mahathir is being warded in IJN’s coronary care unit (CCU).

The 96-year-old was previously admitted to IJN on Jan 7 for an elective medical procedure and was discharged on Jan 13.

Published : January 23, 2022