DoF studying two-tier tax on sugary drinks
THE Department of Finance (DoF) is still open to a two-tier sugar-sweetened drinks tax as a means of minimizing consumption of the drinks, despite its earlier opposition.
Michelangelo’s unrealized marble dream comes true in Italian quarry
QUERCETA DI SERAVEZZA, ITALY — In 1517, Michelangelo climbed Mount Altissimo in Tuscany and found the marble of his dreams.
Gov’t makes full award of bonds
THE GOVERNMENT yesterday made a full award of reissued seven-year Treasury bonds (T-bonds) after bids by banks declined and fell within market expectations amid favorable developments offshore and at home.
Japan defense review warns of enhanced North Korea threats
TOKYO — Japan warned on Tuesday of the acute threat posed by North Korea’s weapons programs as Pyongyang’s continued series of missile and nuclear tests, in defiance of UN sanctions, brings technological progress to the reclusive state.
Strong demand for pipes boosts Crown Asia income in 2nd quarter
CROWN ASIA Chemicals Corp. grew its earnings by 5% in the first half of 2017, on the back of double-digit increase in revenues due to strong demand for pipes amid the country’s infrastructure program.
Walking away from the ASEAN meets
Four ideas stand out from the news coverage of the ASEAN-related events. The heated debates and late-night meetings over the Foreign Ministers’ communiqué show the continuing divides within ASEAN. The communiqué, and more importantly the framework, do not specify that the eventual Code of Conduct will be binding. The much-anticipated framework on the Code, however, will be kept under wraps. Finally, there are still preconditions to negotiations that appear to keep the ball outside of ASEAN’s court.
Ducati freshens up styling of Hypermotard 939
DUCATI’S Hypermotard 939 gets a new Star White Silk color scheme, in which a satin white paint job on body panels is combined with a red frame and matching red wheels. The new livery, Ducati said, previews the 2018 version of the bike — which would still be offered in the classic Ducati rosso with black wheels.
French Open champ Ostapenko falls to US qualifier Lepchenko
TORONTO, CANADA — Qualifier Varvara Lepchenko shocked the reigning Roland Garros champion while 37-year-old Venus Williams got off to another shaky start in the opening round at the WTA hardcourt tournament in Toronto on Monday.
PCC looking into alleged cartel controlling garlic
THE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has launched its 90-day preliminary investigation into the alleged cartel controlling the garlic industry a day before its two-year transitory period lapsed yesterday.
BSP requires money service businesses to tighten internal controls
THE CENTRAL BANK has required money changers and remittance agents to set up internal control systems and follow stricter rules on record-keeping, as the regulator tightens its watch on non-bank channels to curb shady transactions.
Anti-IS operations enter fourth year
WASHINGTON — The US-led coalition campaign to destroy the Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq and Syria enters its fourth year this week, and the Pentagon believes the jihadists’ defeat is inevitable.