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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/europe/40021028

UK Finance Minister Kwarteng rushes home for crunch talks over tax plans

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022

UK Finance Minister Kwasi Kwarteng cut short his trip to Washington to return early to London, where pressure is mounting for the new government to scrap an economic policy that unleashed turmoil on financial markets.

The battered pound and government bonds rallied on Thursday as Prime Minister Liz Truss’s government began re-examining a package for unfunded tax cuts that have sent borrowing costs surging and forced the Bank of England to intervene.

Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that Kwarteng left a meeting of global finance ministers in Washington to join colleagues who are looking at how to balance the books for a fiscal plan announced just three weeks ago.

Truss and Kwarteng are now under huge pressure to reverse course as polls show their support has collapsed and colleagues have started openly discussing whether they should be replaced, just 37 days after they entered office.

With pressure mounting on financial markets, the UK government has already brought forward an announcement for a full fiscal plan that will set out the cost of the unfunded tax cuts and whether they will spark economic growth.

Greg Hands, a junior trade minister, suggested people would now need to “wait and see” what Kwarteng announces at that event, scheduled for October 31.

Asked if the government was preparing to change course, he told Sky News: “I saw the prime minister yesterday. The prime minister and the chancellor are absolutely determined to deliver on the growth plan.

“I think we’re just going to have to wait and see what the chancellor says in the medium-term fiscal plan on the 31st of October.”

Mel Stride, a backer of Truss’s leadership rival Rishi Sunak and head of the influential parliamentary Treasury Select Committee, said that suggestion was unacceptable.

“I think we have reached a point now where we need this very powerful, significant signalling to the market that fiscal credibility is now firmly back on the table. And I think that means doing something right now,” Stride told BBC radio.

The sense of chaos at the heart of the government has fuelled speculation as to whether Truss and Kwarteng can survive. Truss was elected by the members of the party, and not the broader electorate, as the fourth prime minister in six politically turbulent years in Britain.

Reuters

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asean/40021022

Women being kept away from leadership posts in Southeast Asia, new report finds

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022

Asean countries must double their efforts to correct the slim representation of women in leadership posts, or they will risk holding back the region’s full potential for post-pandemic recovery and sustainable growth.

The Asean Women Leaders’ Summit this week, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Finance Ministers’ Meeting next week and the Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November should pay heed to the findings of the new report, “Data Snapshot: Women’s Leadership in the Asean Region”, co-written by UN Women and the Cambodian government as chair of Asean.

“In the Asean region, there is increasing recognition of the role of women as leaders and agents of change,” the report says. “However, more efforts are still required to promote their roles in accelerating productivity, enhancing ecosystem conservation and creating more sustainable and inclusive development.”

“Gender equality is everyone’s business and a smart investment. Leadership positions and decision-making power for women are crucial to ensure that their voices are heard and their roles are acknowledged and harnessed both in public and private sectors of Asean,” said H.E.Dr. Ing Kantha Phavi, Minister of Women’s Affairs, Cambodia.

“Including more women in leadership is important to promote a more equitable recovery from the pandemic in Asean countries. There is increasing recognition of the gendered impact of Covid-19 and the critical role that women played in the response. We need to ensure they can continue to participate and have a greater leadership role in the Covid-19 recovery,” said Sarah Knibbs, Regional Director, a.i. of UN Women in Asia and the Pacific.

The report showed that across the 10 Asean countries as a group:

The share of women managers rose only 2 percentage points in 20 years (from 39 per cent in 2000 to 41 per cent in 2020), while the share in middle and senior management stands at a much lower 26 per cent.
In political governance, women hold 22 per cent of parliament seats, but women ministers are often relegated to leading committees on gender equality and women’s affairs.

Even though women make up 67 per cent of healthcare workers, the front-line responders to the pandemic, only 11 per cent of chief executive officers in the region’s biggest hospitals are women, and ASEAN’s ministers of health are all men, except for Vietnam’s.

Women-led only 6 per cent of environment and related ministries in 2020. Further opportunities to engage in environmental decision-making could enable them to promote environmental conservation, including indigenous women, who are typically holders of traditional ecological knowledge.

UN Women

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asean/40021019

Vietnam’s Son Doong tops list of 10 greatest natural caves in the world

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022

US website Wonderslist recently announced its top 10 most magnificent natural caves in the world, with Son Doong Cave in Vietnam’s central Quang Binh province topping the list.

According to Wonderlist: “Son Doong is the world’s largest cave that is formed by the erosion of limestone underneath the mountains by the river water, and causing the ceiling to collapse, thus creating huge natural skylights.

“The cave hides a whole world inside it, with its own river, jungle and climate. Some of the world’s tallest stalagmites are found here.

“The solutional cave has a large calcite wall called ‘The Great Wall of Vietnam’, behind which were found abnormally large cave pearls the size of baseballs. It is a popular tourist spot, now, with its vastness providing a humbling experience,” Wonderlist wrote.

Apart from the Vietnamese cave, the US website also announced nine other greatest natural greatest caves in the world, including Ice Cave near Mutnovsky Volcano (Russia), caves of Algarve (Portugal), Marble Caves (Chile – Argentina), Antelope Canyon (American Southwest), Waitomo Glowworm (New Zealand), Cave of Swallows (Mexico), Caverns of Sonora (US), Fingal’s Cave (Scotland), and Painted Cave (US).

Originally discovered in 1991 by a Vietnamese man called Ho Khanh, Son Doong Cave is located in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh, and was recognised as a world natural heritage site by Unesco.

It was surveyed by the British Royal Cave Research Association (BRCA) in 2009. Measuring a total of 38.5 million cubic metres, Son Doong Cave is currently the largest natural cave in the world, recognised by Guinness in 2013.

The cave has become the backdrop for many internationally famous programmes like Good Morning America of US channel ABC in 2015, or MV Alone Pt II by British-born Norwegian DJ Alan Walker in 2019, which has promoted it as a new symbol of Vietnam’s tourism sector.

Adventure travellers can book a tour exploring the largest cave on the planet via Oxalis, the only private company licensed to launch tours to Son Doong Cave. The Son Doong tour is open from January until the end of August, with a maximum of 100 groups, with 1,000 guests as the total limit.

Visitors who are interested but have not yet had the opportunity to visit can explore the place through Wonders of Vietnam – an online exhibition on Google Arts & Culture launched in early 2021.

Viet Nam News

Asia New Network

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https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/world/asean/40021018

As 2024 presidential elections get closer, Jakarta’s flood problems take a political turn

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022

Days after receiving the NasDem Party’s backing for the 2024 presidential race, outgoing Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan is facing renewed criticism over his handling of the city’s perennial flooding problem.

The central government and the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) have also joined the critics.

Anies, who served as Jakarta’s governor since 2017, will leave office on Sunday, and an interim governor will fill the position until a definitive one is elected in 2024 to accommodate a shift in the regional election schedule.

On Friday, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo appointed a member of his inner circle – presidential secretariat chief Heru Budi Hartono – to the position and has since instructed Heru to prioritise flood mitigation in what some observers have taken as a swipe against the outgoing governor.

“Flooding and traffic jams are the two most pressing problems facing Jakarta, and I expect to see [Heru] making significant inroads in handling them,” Jokowi said.

After heavy downpours last week, floods were reported along six major roads and in 80 neighbourhood units (RTs) across the capital, with pictures on social media showing South Jakarta, among the hardest hit.

Amid the reports, Anies claimed the city’s flooding problem was perceived to be much worse than it actually was.

“Jakarta has around 30,000 RTs and only [80] were flooded. That’s not even 1 per cent,” Anies was quoted by kompas.com as saying on October 5.

In response, PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto accused Anies of falling short of his duty.

“Politics is not about a 1 to 5 per cent calculation, but about taking on the burden of leading the nation,” Hasto said on Sunday as quoted by kompas.com.

History of politicisation

Political researcher Arya Fernandes of the Jakarta-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said political squabbles over the city’s flooding problems were not a new phenomenon.

“Back when Anies was running in 2017, and when Jokowi ran against Fauzi Bowo [in the 2012 Jakarta gubernatorial race], flooding was a political issue as well,” Arya told The Jakarta Post.

This was partly because flooding was a universal issue that impacted Jakartans of every socioeconomic class, said Bawono Kumoro of pollster Indikator Politik.

“No matter who’s in office, flooding has always been one of the main issues used to target Jakarta’s governors,” Bawono said.

Now that NasDem had nominated Anies for president and he was preparing to leave office, Bawono said, the moment was perfect for opponents to link Anies to Jakarta’s flooding problems.

“The idea is to create the perception that in his last days as governor, Anies was unable to mitigate flooding and that he is not ready to run for president just yet,” Bawono said.

Most polls name Anies as one of the three leading hopefuls for the 2024 presidential election, along with Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo of the PDI-P and Defence Minister and Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto.

The Democratic Party and the Prosperous of Justice Party (PKS), the two remaining opposition parties in the House of Representatives, are openly considering backing Anies for president as well.

On Monday, Hasto defended his criticism of Anies, which had drawn an irritated response from senior NasDem politician Willy Aditya.

Hasto highlighted the differences in how Anies and Jokowi had handled flooding during their respective tenures as Jakarta governors, tempo.co reported.

While Jokowi conducted several river “normalisation” projects that involved the installation of concrete pilings along waterways, Anies had opted for a more nature-based approach, focusing on absorbing rainwater through infiltration wells, small reservoirs and revitalised city parks.

Anies was not immediately available for comment.

Infiltration wells

While Anies initially drew criticism for not continuing the river normalisation projects of his predecessor, data from the Jakarta government shows that the region has been getting better at dealing with flooding. In 2020, after Jakarta endured massive floods when 377 millimetres of rain fell in 24 hours starting on New Year’s Eve, the highest daily rainfall in over a decade, water levels in 95 per cent of the flooded areas receded in under 96 hours, according to Kompas.

In comparison, it took 168 hours for water levels to recede in 95 per cent of flooded areas after 277mm of rain fell in 2015, when Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama was governor.

Incoming interim Jakarta governor Heru has said he plans to continue Anies’ infiltration well programme.

“These infiltration wells are not a bad idea, but we still have to look at the volumes and where they’re placed,” Heru said, as quoted by tempo. co.

The Jakarta Post

Asia News Network

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asean/40021012

Japan prepares action as yen falls to 32-year low against dollar

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022

Japan’s Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki reiterated the government’s readiness on Thursday to take “appropriate action” against excessive currency volatility in the wake of the yen’s fall to 32-year lows driven by red-hot US inflation data.

“We cannot tolerate excessive volatility driven by speculative moves. We’re watching market developments with a strong sense of urgency,” Suzuki said in a news conference on Thursday after attending the G20 finance leaders’ meeting in Washington.

Speaking at the same news conference, Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko said it was “inappropriate” to raise interest rates now in light of Japan’s still-weak economy and modest inflation.

The dollar briefly hit a 32-year peak of 147.665 yen after the release of stronger-than-expected US inflation data, before falling below 147 yen. It stood around 147.275 yen in early Asia trade on Friday.

Japan intervened in the currency market last month to arrest sharp yen falls, driven largely by the policy divergence between aggressive US interest rate hikes and the Bank of Japan’s resolve to keep monetary policy ultra-loose.

Reuters

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asia-pacific/40021005

A pictorial glimpse of Hindu women observing Karwa Chauth in New Delhi

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

Every year married Hindu women in India observe Karwa Chauth for the welfare of their husband, in many parts of the country. The festival falls on the fourth day of Kartik month as per the Hindu lunar calendar and is being celebrated on Thursday (October 13) this year.

On this day, women observe a day-long fast for the longevity and health of their husbands. The fast begins with a pre-dawn meal called sargi, which is lovingly prepared by the mother-in-law of the fasting woman. It is eaten before sunrise after which 12-15 hours of fasting begin. This year, the Karwa Chauth fasting will last 14 hours.

According to drikpanchang, a religious calendar, the auspicious Karwa Chauth hour for prayers began at 6.36am and ends at 7.50pm. The fasting time will be from 7.01am to 9.01pm on Thursday (October 13). The expected moonrise time on Karwa Chauth is 9.01pm.

Take a look at how people are celebrating Karwa Chauth this year:

The Statesman

Asia News Network

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asia-pacific/40021003

Japanese film modelled on Abe shooting suspect draws controversy

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

A film modelled on the suspect in the fatal shooting of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe three months ago is drawing controversy as it was screened at some theatres on the day of his state funeral.

One theatre ended up cancelling the planned screening after receiving a wave of protests against the film, which is based on the 42-year-old suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami.

The film “Revolution+1” was directed by Masao Adachi, an 83-year-old former member of the now-defunct Japanese Red Army, which carried out terrorist attacks around the world in the 1970s and 1980s.

It depicts how the main character, modelled on Yamagami, made a gun and used it. This time, a special 50-minute version of the movie was released that was filmed in eight days from late August.

The full-length version is scheduled to be completed in November and to be shown at theatres across the country. Abe was gunned down while delivering a campaign speech in Nara on July 8.

The special version was to be screened at 13 theatres, but the plan was shelved at one theatre due to a series of threatening phone calls and emails.

“Protests were received even by the commercial facility housing the theatre,” an official of the theatre said. “We cancelled the screening for the safety of customers,” the official said.

“I wonder what had forced Yamagami into a corner,” Adachi said in an interview. “I wanted to depict the background of one young man, instead of seeing him as a hero.”

Adachi also said the special version contained a message of protest against the state funeral, which was held in Tokyo on September 27 amid divided public opinion. “I welcome criticism and objections,” he said.

Kenta Yamada, professor of speech law at Senshu University in Tokyo, said that “there should be no obstruction to the screening of films in terms of freedom of expression even if strong voices are raised against different principles and claims”.

Mafumi Usui, professor of social psychology at Niigata Seiryo University in Niigata, said that the production side “should have been a little more careful before releasing the film”, as the shooting incident is still under investigation. “The feelings of bereaved family members should also be considered,” he said.

The Japan News

Asia News Network

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asia-pacific/40020996

Thai tourists first to return to Taiwan after island ends Covid quarantine rules

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

Dozens of excited tourists from Thailand were the first to return to Taiwan, being welcomed by officials with cuddly teddy bears as they stepped off the plane on Thursday shortly after midnight.

Taiwan had kept some of its entry and quarantine rules in place as large parts of the rest of Asia relaxed or lifted them completely, but announced last month that it was finally ending its mandatory Covid-19 quarantines on Thursday.

Some rules remain, including a requirement for people to monitor their health for seven days after arrival and perform rapid tests on themselves.

Prior to the pandemic, Taiwan was a popular tourist destination mostly for travellers from Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia, attracted by the island’s cuisine and natural beauty.

Reuters

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/russia-central-asia/40020995

Ahead of UN vote, nations warn of the effects of sanctions and more invasions

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday overwhelmingly condemned Russia’s attempted annexation of four Ukrainian areas while Kyiv’s allies committed more military aid after intense Russian missile strikes.

In New York, three-quarters of the 193-member General Assembly – 143 countries – voted in favour of a resolution that called Moscow’s move illegal, deepening Russia’s international isolation.

Ahead of the vote, delegates expressed concern with what they deemed as violations of the UN Charter. Other representatives, like the ambassador for China, voiced harsh criticism against sanctions and “taking sides”.

Only four countries joined Russia in voting against the resolution – Syria, Nicaragua, North Korea and Belarus. Thirty-five countries abstained from the vote, including Russia’s strategic partner China, while the rest did not vote.

Reuters

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asia-pacific/40020990

North Korea says it has deployed ‘nuclear-capable’ cruise missiles

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the launch of two long-range strategic cruise missiles, state media reported on Thursday, calling it a test to confirm the reliability and operation of nuclear-capable weapons deployed to military units.

The test was conducted on Wednesday and was aimed at “enhancing the combat efficiency and might” of cruise missiles deployed by the Korean People’s Army “for the operation of tactical nukes”, state media Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

Stressing that the test was another clear warning to its “enemies”, Kim said the country “should continue to expand the operational sphere of its nuclear strategic armed forces to resolutely deter any crucial military crisis and war crisis at any time and completely take the initiative in it”, according to KCNA.

On Monday, KCNA said Kim had guided nuclear tactical exercises targeting South Korea over the past two weeks in protest over recent joint naval drills by South Korean and US forces involving an aircraft carrier.

KCNA reported that the two missiles test-fired on Wednesday flew for “10,234 seconds to clearly hit the target 2,000km away”.

North Korea first tested a strategic cruise missile in September 2021, seen by analysts at the time as possibly the country’s first such weapon with nuclear capability.

Wednesday’s test confirms that nuclear role and that it is now operational, although it is unclear whether North Korea has mastered the technology needed to build warheads small enough to be carried on a cruise missile.

The cruise missiles are among a number of smaller weapons recently developed by North Korea seen as being able to fly low and manoeuvre in order to better evade missile defences.

Kim said last year that developing smaller bombs is a top goal, and officials in Seoul have said that if the North resumes nuclear testing for the first time since 2017, developing smaller devices could be among its goals.

North Korea’s cruise missiles usually generate less interest than ballistic missiles because they are not explicitly banned under UN Security Council resolutions.

Cruise missiles and short-range ballistic missiles that can be armed with either conventional or nuclear bombs are particularly destabilising in the event of conflict as it can be unclear which kind of warhead they are carrying, analysts said.

US President Joe Biden’s administration rolled out a long-delayed national security strategy on Wednesday with only a lone reference to North Korea, underscoring limited options to contain its nuclear and missile programmes.

Daniel Russel, the top US diplomat for East Asia under former president Barack Obama, said this was striking, “not only because it passes so quickly past a persistent and existential threat, but also because it frames the strategy as ‘seeking sustained diplomacy toward denuclearisation’, when North Korea has so convincingly demonstrated its utter rejection of negotiations”

The Japan Times

Asia News Network