A BALLOON believed to have been sent by North Korea, carrying various objects including what appeared to be trash, is pictured in Incheon, South Korea, June 2, 2024. — YONHAP VIA REUTERS
SEOUL — South Korea plans to suspend a military agreement signed with North Korea in 2018 aimed at easing tensions, the presidential office said on Monday, after Seoul warned of a strong response to balloons launched by Pyongyang carrying trash to the South.
North Korea has launched hundreds balloons carried by wind across the border that dropped trash throughout South Korea, which called it a provocation and rejected Pyongyang’s claim it was done to inconvenience its neighbor.
The National Security Council said it would raise the plan to suspend the military agreement for approval by the cabinet at a meeting on Tuesday.
Suspending the agreement will pave the way for the South to conduct training near the military border and take “sufficient and immediate measures” in response to North Korea’s provocation, the Council said in a statement.
It did not elaborate what those measures may be.
South Korea has previously said it would take “unendurable” measures against North Korea for sending the trash balloons over the border, which could include blaring propaganda from loudspeakers positioned at the border directed at the North.
North Korea has said the balloons were in retaliation for a propaganda campaign by North Korean defectors and activists in the South, who regularly send inflatables containing anti-Pyongyang leaflets with food, medicine, money and USB sticks loaded with K-pop music videos and dramas across the border.
North Korea has reacted angrily to the campaign because it is worried about the potential impact of the materials on the psychology of the people who read or listen to them and on the state’s control of the public, experts said. — Reuters
NEW DELHI — India saw nearly 25,000 cases of suspected heat stroke and 56 people lost their lives after several heat wave days across the country from March-May, local media reported, citing government data.
May has been a particularly bad month for the region, with temperature in capital Delhi and nearby state of Rajasthan touching 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit).
In a contrast, parts of eastern India have been reeling under the impact of cyclone Remal. Heavy rain in the northeastern state of Assam has killed 14 people since Tuesday.
In the island nation of Sri Lanka, at least 15 people have died due to flooding and landslides after heavy monsoon rain lashed the region, the country’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said on Sunday.
A confluence of factors has led to a very hot summer in South Asia, a trend scientists say has been worsened by human-driven climate change.
At least 33 people, including election officials on duty in India’s just-concluded general election, died of suspected heatstroke in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in the north, and Odisha in the east on Friday.
Data from the National Centre of Disease Control (NCDC)showed that the situation was worst in May, with 46 heat-related deaths and 19,189 suspected heat stroke cases, news website The Print reported.
Including suspected cases, the total number of deaths in India could be much higher at 80, newspaper The Hindu reported.
Over 5,000 cases of heatstroke were detected in the central state of Madhya Pradesh alone.
The weather office has predicted that heat wave conditions will be less severe till Wednesday and an early arrival of monsoon in the southern state of Kerala last week is expected to bring more relief. — Reuters
BRUSSELS — The European Union’s (EU) disinformation-busting team last month debunked a Russian-language video on YouTube that said citizens were fleeing dictatorship in EU member Poland and seeking refuge in Belarus, a close ally of Moscow.
The story peddled recurring pro-Kremlin narratives of Warsaw holding aggressive militaristic intentions and of democratic failings in Poland and the wider EU, the team known as Stratcom said.
It was also part of what Stratcom says is a broader Russian disinformation campaign that Europe is widely seen as struggling to counter before an election to the European Parliament on June 6-9.
The video fitted a pattern: Russia-linked websites take pro-Kremlin content from state-controlled outlets or pro-Kremlin social media accounts, repackage it, including with translation, and spread it via new channels to target EU audiences, EU officials say.
Russia is widely accused of having waged disinformation campaigns targeting elections in the United States, Europe and Britain over the last decade although Moscow had denied it uses disinformation to influence public opinion.
A US intelligence assessment in 2023 found Moscow was using spies, social media and Russian state-run media to erode public faith in the integrity of elections worldwide.
European capitals have warned of a pre-election surge in disinformation, but its impact is hard to gauge.
“Influence operations by Russia, China and other actors, including domestic groups, have the potential to disrupt online conversations around the EU election,” said Jack Stubbs, chief intelligence officer at social network analysis firm Graphika.
“We’ve seen evidence to suggest that even the people conducting the operations can struggle to understand if they are having an impact.”
Russia’s foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment. Moscow dismisses Western allegations that it is spreading disinformation.
Stratcom, a team of 40 that runs on a shoestring budget of 15 million euros ($16.3 million), is on the front line of Brussels’ battle against disinformation. But the 27-nation bloc is under-resourced for the fight, two EU officials said.
“We cannot stage an offensive from Brussels,” said Peter Stano, spokesperson for the European Commission’s diplomatic service, adding such action had to happen at member-state level.
Most, though not all, EU countries do wage their own fight against disinformation, but resources vary, and experts say the European effort is disjointed.
This has left mainstream parties vulnerable to disinformation campaigns that amplify grievances that are fueling voter discontent and underpinning support for nationalist parties in France, Germany and elsewhere.
According to the EU’s second annual disinformation report published this year, Poland and Germany were the most targeted nations inside the EU. France and non-EU member Serbia were also among the top targets.
FRAGMENTED RESPONSE Moscow, whose relations with Western governments have sunk since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, says the West is waging an information war involving fake claims aimed at destroying Russia’s reputation and casting it as an enemy.
Officials in Russia, which has suppressed dissent under President Vladimir Putin, say the West has become so intolerant that it refuses to accept any view that contradicts the prevailing dominant narrative.
France’s European affairs minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, told newspaper Ouest France in April that his country was “pounded” by Russian disinformation.
Attacks against France include the creation of a fake French government website alleging 200,000 citizens were being called up to fight in Ukraine and a Paris bed bug scare that was amplified by Kremlin-backed activities and went viral.
“Not a week goes by without France being the target of coordinated and deliberate maneuvers to disrupt public debate and interfere in the campaign for the European elections,” Mr. Barrot told the newspaper.
Tomasz Chlon, the Polish government’s international disinformation commissioner, told Reuters that blocking websites was like squeezing a balloon because they crop up elsewhere.
Efforts to fight disinformation vary across Europe.
France has tasked its Viginum foreign disinformation watchdog — which has a team of 42 and is growing — with monitoring Russia-linked social media accounts and uncovering influence operations. Spain has a dedicated taskforce that uses hardware designed by Europol to coordinate its state response.
Italy’s political opposition has drafted legislation that would create a unit dedicated to identifying acts of disinformation. Slovakia, whose government faces accusations of favouring Russia, has mostly gutted a unit it said was staffed by “activist clerks” in charge of ensuring “there is only one correct opinion.”
“The overall response is very fragmented,” said Valentin Chatelet, a researcher at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensics Lab.
In a sign of Europe’s intent to act more forcefully, EU nations last month suspended four Russian media entities, including Czech-registered website Voice of Europe, calling them Kremlin-linked propaganda networks.
The Kremlin said there would be repercussions for Western journalists in Moscow in retaliation.
The EU’s new Digital Services Act (DSA) requires Big Tech to do more to counter illegal and harmful content. Generative AI has made it faster and easier for foreign actors to spread misinformation, EU officials say.
“Before with trolls and bots, there was usually a person behind it. With AI, everything has multiplied,” Stano said. — Reuters
LONDON/DUBAI — OPEC+ agreed on Sunday to extend most of its deep oil output cuts well into 2025 as the group seeks to shore up the market amid tepid demand growth, high interest rates and rising rival US production.
Brent crude oil prices have been trading near $80 per barrel in recent days, below what many OPEC+ members need to balance their budgets. Worries over slow demand growth in top oil importer China have weighed on prices alongside rising oil stocks in developed economies.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies led by Russia, together known as OPEC+, have made a series of deep output cuts since late 2022.
OPEC+ members are currently cutting output by a total of 5.86 million barrels per day (bpd), or about 5.7% of global demand.
Those include 3.66 million bpd of cuts, which were due to expire at the end of 2024, and voluntary cuts by eight members of 2.2 million bpd, expiring at the end of June 2024.
On Sunday, OPEC+ agreed to extend the cuts of 3.66 million bpd by a year until the end of 2025 and prolong the cuts of 2.2 million bpd by three months until the end of September 2024.
OPEC+ will gradually phase out the cuts of 2.2 million bpd over the course of a year from October 2024 to September 2025.
“We are waiting for interest rates to come down and a better trajectory when it comes to economic growth … not pockets of growth here and there,” Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman told reporters.
OPEC expects demand for OPEC+ crude to average 43.65 million bpd in the second half of 2024, implying a stocks drawdown of 2.63 million bpd if the group maintains output at April’s rate of 41.02 million bpd.
The drawdown will be less when OPEC+ starts phasing out the 2.2 million bpd voluntary cuts in October.
The International Energy Agency (IEA), which represents top global consumers, estimates that demand for OPEC+ oil plus stocks will average much lower levels of 41.9 million bpd in 2024. “The deal should allay market fears of OPEC+ adding back barrels at a time when demand concerns are still rife,” said Amrita Sen, co-founder of Energy Aspects think tank.
Prince Abdulaziz said OPEC+ could pause the unwinding of cuts or reverse them if demand wasn’t strong enough.
QUICK DEAL Analysts had expected OPEC+ to prolong voluntary cuts by a few months due to falling oil prices and sluggish demand.
But many analysts had also predicted the group would struggle to set targets for 2025 as it had yet to agree individual capacity targets for each member, an issue that had previously created tensions.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), for instance, has been pushing for a higher production quota, arguing its capacity figure had been long under-estimated.
But in a surprise development on Sunday, OPEC+ postponed the discussions on capacities until November 2025 from this year.
Instead, the group agreed a new output target for the UAE which will be allowed to gradually raise production by 0.3 million bpd, up from the current level of 2.9 million.
OPEC+ agreed that it would use independently assessed capacity figures as guidance for 2026 production instead of 2025 — postponing a potentially difficult discussion by one year.
Prince Abdulaziz said one of the reasons for the delay was difficulties for independent consultants to assess Russian data amid Western sanctions on Moscow for its war on Ukraine.
The meetings on Sunday lasted less than four hours — relatively short for such a complex deal.
OPEC+ sources said Prince Abdulaziz, the most influential minister in the OPEC group, had spent days preparing the deal behind the scenes.
He invited some key ministers — mostly those who contributed to the voluntary cuts — to come to the Saudi capital Riyadh on Sunday despite meetings being largely scheduled online.
The countries which have made voluntary cuts to output are Algeria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
“It should be seen as a huge victory of solidarity for the group and Prince Abdulaziz,” said Ms. Sen, adding the deal would ease fears of Saudi Arabia adding barrels back due to Aramco’s share listing.
Saudi Arabia’s government has filed papers to sell a new stake in state oil giant Aramco that could raise as much as $13.1 billion, a landmark deal to help fund Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s plan to diversify the economy.
OPEC+ will hold its next meeting on Dec. 1, 2024. — Reuters
DUBAI — Global airlines on Monday raised their profit forecast for 2024 and projected industry-wide revenues just shy of $1 trillion as a record number of travelers board flights.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said it expected the worldwide industry to generate $30.5 billion of profit this year, higher than an upwardly revised $27.4 billion in 2023 as carriers keep a lid on underlying labor costs despite recent strikes.
That comes just four years after the industry collapsed to a $140-billion loss in 2020 as a result of the pandemic.
“The environment is better than we had expected, particularly in Asia,” Director General Willie Walsh told Reuters on the sidelines of an annual meeting of IATA’s more than 300 members, which account for more than 80% of global air traffic.
However, the airline industry warned its ability to serve a strong rebound in travel demand is being hampered by disruption to global supply chains, including deliveries of its own fleets.
Passenger yields — or the average amount paid by a passenger to fly one mile —are expected to strengthen by 3.2% compared with 2023, IATA said in a twice-yearly economic outlook. In part, that is because capacity growth is constrained, driving up average fares.
By contrast, the corresponding figure for cargo is expected to fall 17.5% in 2024 as freight markets return towards normal patterns after booming during the pandemic.
Airline activity is widely seen as a litmus test for business or consumer confidence, as well as trade.
The industry has high fixed costs and regulations that discourage most cross-border mergers, meaning it remains fragmented.
“The margin remains wafer thin; we’re still looking at a margin of just over 3%,” Mr. Walsh said. “(That) performance is still well below where the industry needs to be.”
In Asia, IATA more than trebled its industry profit forecast for 2024 to $2.2 billion despite a sluggish recovery in international travel in China.
At $14.9 billion, unchanged from earlier forecasts, North America remains the most profitable region with “strong consumer spending despite cost-of-living pressure,” IATA said.
IATA said airlines had been hit by unforeseen maintenance issues. That appeared to be a reference to repair bottlenecks for engines built by Pratt & Whitney, which are expected to leave hundreds of Airbus jets grounded this summer.
Industry sources said on Friday that Airbus, the world’s largest planemaker, was itself facing a new surge in supply problems, casting doubt on output plans for the second half. The planemaker has said it is sticking by full-year delivery goals.
Rival Boeing is producing far fewer of its best-selling 737 MAX jets than originally planned after a mid-air cabin panel blowout in January prompted US regulators to cap its production. — Reuters
LONDON — Zara will expand its live shopping broadcasts to the United Kingdom (UK), Europe and the United States this year, testing a format that is already wildly popular in China but one with which Western shoppers are less familiar.
The fast-fashion brand, whose parent Inditex reports quarterly results on Wednesday, is investing in new ways to engage shoppers as analysts expect sales to grow less stronglyafter an extraordinary post-pandemic surge.
Five-hour long live shopping shows in China, broadcast weekly on Douyin, TikTok’s Chinese sister site, have helped boost Zara’s sales since they launched in November, according to retail analytics firm EDITED.
“We want to take this to the Western countries, where livestream is not as popular…but we think why not — from an entertainment perspective this is like an evolution,” said a Zara spokesperson for the initiative, which is expected to launch between August and October.
Shopping as entertainment isn’t new — TV shopping channels where viewers phoned in to buy featured products were popular for decades — but social media and e-commerce have triggered a new era of livestreaming, led by China where influencers sell everything from cosmetics to snacks at a frenetic pace.
Brands looking to create a more rarified experience have sought to do live shopping differently.
Zara’s show on Douyin features Chinese models wearing Zara dresses, trying on shoes and jewelry. It also includes catwalk sequences and “backstage” make-up shots, while its conversational, leisurely style is in contrast to the hard-sell livestreams that hosts like “Lipstick King” Li Jiaqi are famous for.
A team of 70 people works on the live show, which is streamed from a 1,000-square metre space in Shanghai, switching angles between seven cameras, Zara said. On average, it attracts around 800,000 unique viewers per show. “Zara’s livestream approach built significant brand awareness in China,” EDITED analyst Krista Corrigan said. Zara sold out of most sizes in 50% more products in China in the first three months of this year than in the same period of 2023, according to EDITED data.
The livestream also allows Zara to reach shoppers even as its physical presence in China has shrunk from 570 stores in 2019 to just 192 as of Jan. 31 this year.
FRIENDLY, CASUAL AND FUN In the UK, US and still to be announced European countries, Zara has chosen to host live shows on its app and website instead of a third-party social media platform to ensure control over aesthetics.
Alfonso Segura, who runs Barcelona-based fashion retail consultancy TFR, said this would also allow it to boost engagement and leverage its database of registered users.
The ad-hoc livestreams will highlight specific Zara Woman collections, and will be hosted by two “very well-known” fashion personalities, the brand said, without naming them.
Aiming for a “friendly, casual and fun” experience, the shows will be shorter than those on Douyin, lasting 45 minutes to an hour, but viewers will still be able to react in real time with questions, comments and emojis.
“We can’t always read across what has worked in China, to whether that’s going to work in western Europe or in the UK,” said JP Morgan analyst Georgina Johanan.
But, she added, Inditex’s investment in live shopping is an example of its momentum and ability to be at the forefront of experimenting with new formats.
“This is a business that, 10 years ago, most people were saying was behind in online, and here they are one of the first to trial this in the UK,” Ms. Johanan said.
Asos, L’Oréal and Puma are among brands to have launched on TikTok Shop in the UK in recent months, the platform said, while AliBaba platform AliExpress launched a UK livestream show in March called “It Girls” featuring influencers including Olivia Attwood.
Asos said its first order came within 30 minutes of launching, and new shoppers account for 57% of those buying its products via TikTok Shop.
Madrid-based Carmen Muley started out hosting AliExpress’ first livestream in China in 2016 and now advises brands on live shopping strategy through her company Paragon Social Commerce.
“Here in Europe, we don’t really like having someone selling something to us aggressively — of course the end goal of a live shopping event is to sell a product, but consumers don’t want to feel like they have the obligation to buy,” she said.
“Offering something the consumer would not normally find in stores is a good idea — you need to make the event special, otherwise why would they join?”
Inditex declined to say how much it is investing in the new format but the family-owned company is sitting on an 11 billion euro cash pile, giving it the firepower and a safety net to experiment with new ways of selling, even if success isn’t guaranteed. — Reuters
Puregold proudly presents "Nasa Atin ang Panalo" concert, to be held in the Araneta Coliseum on July 12, 2024, featuring acts from chart-topping Filipino music talents SB19, BINI, and Flow G, and a special performance from SunKissed Lola.
Prepare for the ultimate celebration of today’s Original Pinoy Music (OPM), and the stories of success behind these chart-topping hits, as Puregold presents “Nasa Atin ang Panalo” concert on July 12, 2024, 7 p.m., at the iconic Araneta Coliseum.
The thanksgiving event, which will feature acts by phenomenal Filipino music talents SB19, BINI, and Flow G, and a special performance by SunKissed Lola, celebrates Puregold’s remarkable milestone of reaching 500 stores on its 25th year. Through “Nasa Atin ang Panalo,” Puregold expresses its gratitude to its loyal customers, dedicated employees, and supportive partners who have long played a role in the company’s very own panalo story.
As can be gleaned from Puregold’s recent announcement on its social media pages, the star-studded “Nasa Atin ang Panalo” is set to be an unforgettable night of music, inspiration, and pure entertainment. This was affirmed by Puregold Price Club Inc. President Vincent Co who relates that from the get-go, they envisioned “Nasa Atin ang Panalo” to be more than just a concert.
“We want it to be a heartfelt tribute to Filipino stories of grit, courage, change, and success—panalo values that our concert artists possess and hope to inspire among their fellow Filipinos,” Co says. “And we are excitedly presenting these top musicians not only to showcase their talent and spotlight local music, but to highlight the stories of SB19, BINI, Flow G, and SunKissed Lola as they pursue their dreams.”
Puregold shares why they have chosen to collaborate with these artists:
P-Pop idols SB19 weathered a roller-coaster journey, staying resilient to sustain their rise in the music industry.
BINI, the nation’s girl group, sings about youthful romance, fun, and empowerment. The group continually evolves to tell its stories in the most profound ways.
Flow G, now one of the icons in Philippine rap, has hurdled numerous challenges but has remained steadfast in his pursuit of hip-hop, relentlessly moving forward toward his goals.
Well-loved band SunKissed Lola, united by their passion for creating music, has transformed their dreams into reality, achieving success through their unwavering love for their craft.
“Nasa Atin ang Panalo” promises to bring joy to A’Tins, Blooms, Dolores, and fans of Flow G. Surprise guests are also lined up to boost concert-goers’ thrill and excitement.
Loyal Puregold customers can also look forward to Tita and Ninang Zones, where featured products and brands will offer a number of fun activities.
Fans and followers can also check out the venue’s VIP Section where one can get the best view in the house; coliseum group photos that will capture moments with fellow fans celebrating the night together; and exclusive merchandise giveaways that will keep memories alive long after the event.
Additionally, as Puregold has teased the release of original music in partnership with these top artists, fans have more drops to look forward to as well.
Puregold is mounting the concert in collaboration with Wish 107.5, a partnership that has been instrumental—since 2021—in discovering and highlighting OPM talents. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to promote and nurture local music artists through platforms that enable them to reach wider audiences.
As “Nasa Atin ang Panalo” draws near, Puregold encourages OPM enthusiasts, music lovers, and Puregold customers to witness the convergence of talent, passion, and pure Filipino pride in the musical event. Ticket mechanics will be announced soon on Puregold’s official channels.
Stay tuned in! Subscribe now to Puregold Channel on YouTube, like @puregold.shopping on Facebook, follow @puregold_ph on Instagram and Twitter, and @puregoldph on TikTok for more updates.
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From left: ACEN RES Senior Account Manager Ann Gabrielle Joseph and AVP for Commercial Operations Sheila Mina with Mandarin Plaza General Manager Harvey Ho, Managing Director Anton Ho, and Administrative Manager Hannah Ho
Mandarin Plaza, a business hotel in Cebu City, solidified its commitment to environmental stewardship by transitioning to a 100% renewable energy supply through a strategic partnership with ACEN Renewable Energy Solutions (ACEN RES) of the Ayala group.
This collaboration is facilitated by the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP), a government initiative empowering eligible customers — those with an average monthly demand of at least 100 kilowatts — to exclusively source their power from renewable energy sources through their preferred supplier.
Harvey Ho, General Manager, expressed: “Mandarin Plaza Hotel is proud to embrace renewable energy, aligning with the sustainability values of our clientele of planet-conscious travelers. Our commitment reflects a dedicated contribution to fostering sustainability within the hospitality industry.”
Situated in the heart of Cebu City’s bustling commercial district, Mandarin Plaza remains the preferred choice for discerning businessmen and travelers seeking a seamless integration of work and leisure. Boasting modern amenities, an inviting outdoor pool, and well-appointed, air-conditioned rooms, the hotel continues to enhance the guest experience. Culinary enthusiasts can indulge in a diverse range of international dishes at the lobby lounge.
“We are honored to be chosen by Mandarin Plaza Hotel as their renewable energy partner. We commend their bold move to lead the charge in promoting renewable energy in the hospitality sector. We hope that more businesses consider embracing sustainably sourced power and benefit from savings with Zero-Rated VAT, and a reduced carbon footprint,” said Ela Mina, Assistant Vice President, Commercial Operations at ACEN.
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Glitter and sparkle illuminated the Shangri-La The Fort Grand Ballroom on May 31, 2024, as Watsons, the leading health, wellness, and beauty retailer, hosted its most prestigious annual award ceremony — the Health, Wellness, and Beauty (HWB) Awards. With the theme “Night of the Brightest Stars,” the event was a dazzling gala that celebrated excellence and sustainability in the industry.
Entering the HWB Awards Night 2024 was like stepping into a world where art meets sustainability. The entrance was illuminated with a brilliant display of colored lights and an immersive digital art tunnel that captured the beauty of the Aurora Borealis. The foyer of the Grand Ballroom had been transformed into an exhibition space, showcasing 20 captivating artworks from the first-ever Watsons Sustainability Art Competition in partnership with Dry Brush Gallery. This creative display set the tone for an evening that celebrated not just stellar achievements but also the organization’s steadfast commitment to sustainability.
The HWB Awards was well-attended, with over 700 top executives from top health and beauty companies gracing the event. A pioneer in the industry, the HWB Awards have become the standard of excellence among the brands and suppliers working with Watsons. The night became a heartfelt tribute to the partnerships that have solidified Watsons’ position as the most loved health, wellness, and beauty retailer in the country.
Jefferson Go, Watsons’ Chief Operating Officer
“Watsons has redefined the retail experience with our trailblazing O+O platform, pioneering industry events, and member-led programs. Through our Beauty Convention, Health Expo, and Playlist Concert, we’ve brought our brands closer to our customers. We are committed to do more sustainable practices for our Planet, People, and Products. Together with our partners, we inspire passion and purpose,” said Jefferson Go, Watsons’ Chief Operating Officer, during his opening speech.
The HWB Awards reached new heights with the DARE Segment, where Watsons Directors Kim Reyes (Trading Beauty) and Sonny Cuenco (Trading Health) shared key achievements of Watsons in the past year as well as robust strategies for the future.
What made the HWB Ball extra special was the presence of world-renowned marketing guru, strategist, and New York Times best-selling author, Seth Godin, marking a significant milestone as the first in the Health & Beauty industry to host such a luminary.
During his segment, Seth Godin delved into the essence of customer value for brands. Anticipating needs, personalizing interactions, and staying relevant emerge as crucial strategies for brand success. Ultimately, it’s about forging meaningful connections and demonstrating genuine care for customers — a philosophy that lies at the heart of enduring brand success. Select guests were lucky to be given the opportunity to ask relevant questions, which Seth eagerly answered.
A captivating sustainable fashion show added a unique flair to the event. Sustainability fashion designers and advocates Niña Corpus and Adrienne Charuel showcased their talent for creating stunning pieces that were both stylish and environmentally friendly. Corpus, with her brand Nina Isabel, highlighted the beauty of Inabel or Abel Iloco, supporting Ilocano weavers and cotton farmers. Charuel’s Maison Métisse celebrated Filipino heritage through hand weaving, sacred embroidery, and natural dyes, aligning perfectly with the event’s sustainability theme.
The highlight of the HWB Awards 2024 was the announcement of the winners. This year, the spotlight wasn’t just on the awardees but also on the stunning trophies. Handcrafted from 100% recycled glass by talented local artists, these Grand Awards trophies symbolized excellence and embodied Watsons’ unwavering commitment to sustainability.
Danilo S. Chiong, Managing Director of Watsons Philippines
“It is a privilege to work alongside you as partners in serving all our Watsons customers. Your hard work and unwavering passion for excellence have made Watsons the most loved Health and Beauty Retailer in the Country. With this, we’d like to give our biggest appreciation to all our partner suppliers, because we were able to bring more to the lives of our shoppers by putting a smile on our customers’ faces anytime, anywhere!” says Danilo S. Chiong, Managing Director of Watsons Philippines during the commitment toast.
The winners of the top awards in different categories:
International Partner of the Year for Beauty Unilever Philippines, Inc.
Local Partner of the Year for Beauty Genson Distribution, Inc.
Consignor Partner of the Year for Beauty IFace, Inc.
International Partner of the Year for Health Bayer Philippines, Inc. — Consumer Health
Major Awards for Health Bayer Philippines, Inc. — Consumer Health, Unilab, Inc., Haleon Philippines, Inc., Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Philippines, Inc., Mosbeau Philippines, Inc., Glaxosmithkline Philippines, Inc., Viatris Inc., Abbott Nutrition International, UL Skin Sciences, Inc.
Special Awards for Health DKT Health, Ritemed Philippines, Inc., Unilab, Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines, Glaxosmithkline Philippines, Inc., Collins International Trading Corp., Intermed Marketing Phils., Inc., Opella Healthcare Philippines, Inc., Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare (Philippines), Inc., MUNDIPHARMA DISTRIBUTION GMBH (PHILIPPINES BRANCH), Wyett Philippines, Inc., Pascual Consumer Healthcare Corp., Haleon Philippines, Inc., A.T.C. Healthcare Int’l Corp., Absolute Sales Corp., Abbott Nutrition International, UL Skin Sciences, Inc., Zuellig Pharma Therapeutics, Mosbeau Philippines, Inc.
Key Account Manager Cosmetics Hebe Beauty Cosmetics, Inc.
Key Account Manager Oral Care Colgate-Palmolive Philippines, Inc.
Key Account Manager Bath, Deo & Talc Unilever Philippines, Inc.,
Key Account Manager Skin Care Galderma Philippines, Inc.
Key Account Manager Hair Care Procter & Gamble Philippines, Inc.
Key Account Manager Baby Care Kenvue
Key Account Manager Men’s Grooming Beiersdorf Philippines, Inc.
Key Account Manager Prestige Brands Luxasia, Inc.
Key Account Manager Health (Ethical Categories) Glaxosmithkline Philippines, Inc.
Key Account Manager Health (OTC) Unilab, Inc.
Key Account Manager Health (VDS) Bayer Philippines, Inc Consumer Health
The success of the HWB Ball 2024 reinforced Watsons’ commitment to continuously innovating and improving its strategies, promotional efforts, and sustainability initiatives. Attendees left with memories of an unforgettable evening, eagerly anticipating the next year’s celebration of health, wellness, and beauty. The HWB Awards 2024 not only honored the best in the industry but also set a new standard for excellence and sustainability, making it truly a stellar night to remember.
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SYDNEY – Australia’s independent wage-setting body on Monday raised the national minimum wage by 3.75%, largely in line with inflation, as families tackle soaring living costs.
The minimum rate will rise to A$24.10 ($16.05) per hour from July 1, resulting in an extra A$33 per week for about a fifth of the Australian workforce or about 2.6 million employees.
In its annual review, the Fair Work Commission said cost-of-living pressures have hit low-income employees the most, though inflation is considerably lower now than it was at this time last year, when it awarded an increase of 5.75%.
But the report said it was not “appropriate at this time to increase award wages by any amount significantly above the inflation rate principally because labour productivity is no higher than it was four years ago.”
Australian consumer price inflation rose at an annual pace of 3.6% in April, the highest level in five months, adding to risks the next move in interest rates might be upward. – Reuters
Roughly a day since joining TikTok, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump had attracted 3 million followers on the short video social media platform that he tried to ban as president on national security grounds.
The decision to join the platform on Saturday could help the former president reach younger voters in his third bid for the White House. He is in a close race with Democratic incumbent Joe Biden ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential election.
Mr. Biden’s election campaign is already on TikTok, with over 340,000 followers, although Biden has signed a bill that would ban the app, which is used by 170 million Americans, if its Chinese owner ByteDance fails to divest it.
Mr. Trump posted a launch video on his account, which has the address @realdonaldtrump, on Saturday night. The video, which has more than 56 million views, showed Mr. Trump greeting fans at an Ultimate Fighting Championship fight in Newark, New Jersey.
Mr. Trump said a statement he would “use every tool available to speak directly with the American people…”
ByteDance is challenging in courts the law that requires it to sell TikTok by next January or face a ban. The White House says it wants to see Chinese-based ownership ended on national security grounds.
TikTok has argued it will not share US user data with the Chinese government and that it has taken substantial measures to protect the privacy of its users.
Mr. Trump’s attempt to ban TikTok in 2020 when he was president was blocked by the courts. He said in March that the platform was a national security threat but also that a ban on it would hurt some young people and only strengthen Meta Platforms’ Facebook, which he has strongly criticized.
Mr. Trump already has an active social media presence with more than 87 million followers on X and over 7 million followers on his own platform, Truth Social, where he posts almost daily.
A US appeals court last week set a fast-track schedule to consider the legal challenges to the new law.
The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ordered the case set for oral arguments in September after TikTok, ByteDance and a group of TikTok content creators joined with the Justice Department earlier this month in asking the court for a quick schedule. – Reuters
WASHINGTON – Donald Trump said on Sunday he would accept home confinement or jail time after his historic conviction on criminal charges by a New York jury last week but that it would be tough for the public to accept.
Mr. Trump is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11, four days before Republicans gather to formally choose their presidential nominee to face Democratic President Joe Biden in November’s election.
Prison time is rare for people convicted in New York state of felony falsification of business records, the charge Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, faced at his trial. The maximum sentence for such a charge is four years imprisonment.
“I’m not sure the public would stand for it,” the former president told Fox News of a potential prison sentence.
“I think it’d be tough for the public to take. You know, at a certain point, there’s a breaking point.”
Mr. Trump has vowed to appeal his conviction by the New York jury, which found him guilty of 34 felony counts over falsifying documents to cover up a payment to silence a porn star ahead of the 2016 election.
To succeed on appeal, Mr. Trump, 77, must demonstrate that Justice Juan Merchan made significant errors overseeing the trial.
His lawyers have said they expect to take the case to the Supreme Court. On Sunday, Mr. Trump, who tried to disqualify Mr. Merchan from the case, repeated allegations of bias by the judge and the district attorney who prosecuted the case.
“The United States Supreme Court MUST DECIDE!,” Mr. Trump wrote on social media.
Mr. Trump plans to appeal after his July 11 sentencing date, his lawyers say. If an appeal in New York state courts proves unsuccessful, he could appeal to the Supreme Court. Mr. Trump’s attorneys would have to persuade at least four of the court’s nine justices to hear his case.
To prevail, Mr. Trump would then have to demonstrate that the state prosecution violated his federal constitutional rights and that his legal team followed proper procedures during earlier stages of his legal proceedings.
‘SPEAK OUT AGAINST THIS’
Mr. Trump has used his conviction to step up his fundraising efforts but has not otherwise sought to mobilize his supporters, in contrast to his comments protesting his 2020 loss to Mr. Biden that were followed by a deadly attack by his supporters on Jan. 6, 2021 on the US Capitol.
Asked what Mr. Trump supporters should do if he were jailed, Republican National Committee Co-Chair Lara Trump told CNN: “Well, they’re gonna do what they’ve done from the beginning, which is remain calm and protest at the ballot box on November 5th. There’s nothing to do other than make your voices heard loud and clear and speak out against this.”
Some Mr. Trump supporters have hung US flags upside down following the verdict. The inverted flag has been a symbol of distress or protest in America for over 200 years.
At least one Democratic lawmaker expressed concern on Sunday about the potential for Trump’s supporters to respond violently to his conviction.
“His base listens to him. They don’t listen to Lara Trump. And this is another dangerous appeal to violence,” Democratic US Representative Adam Schiff told CNN.
But US House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Trump ally, said any response must be lawful.
“We are the rule of law party – chaos is not a conservative value. We have to fight back and we will with everything in our arsenal. But we do that within the confines of the rule of law,” Mr. Johnson told “Fox News Sunday.”
The matter is unlikely to be resolved before the November presidential election, when he will seek to take back the White House from Mr. Biden. Opinion polls show a close race between the two men and suggest that his conviction could hurt him with some Republican voters and independents.
Mr. Trump still faces three other criminal cases, including two over alleged efforts to overturn his 2020 loss, although they are not likely to come to trial or conclude before the election. He denies wrongdoing in all the cases and has called the charges a Democratic conspiracy to prevent him from competing.
Mr. Biden has sought to defend the nation’s justice system, saying it is “reckless” and “dangerous” to call the verdict “rigged.” The US Justice Department denies any political interference. – Reuters
