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US holiday shoppers shake off economic blues for online spending spree

A Black Friday sale sign is displayed outside a makeup store at Roosevelt Field shopping mall in Garden City, New York, U.S., Nov. 24, 2017. — REUTERS

US CONSUMERS shrugged off worries about the economy after their Thanksgiving dinners and went on a $23.6-billion three-day online shopping frenzy that exceeded analyst expectations, kicking off the holiday season.

Adobe Analytics said online spending on Monday was up 4.5% from last year’s $9.1 billion from midnight through 6:30 p.m. ET (2330 GMT). Adobe projected that before the end of Cyber Monday, consumers would spend between $13.9 billion and $14.2 billion online, which would bring online spending to roughly $43.7 billion for the five-day period including Thanksgiving.

Expectations were mixed heading into the holiday weekend due to weak consumer confidence and tariff-fueled inflation. Yet wealthy consumers spent freely, while others made room in tight budgets to buy presents for loved ones. Big discounts helped tempt buyers, and some Americans even took on short-term debt to buy gifts.

Adobe projected that Americans would spend up to 6.3% more online than last year’s Cyber Monday, traditionally the country’s biggest online shopping day.

Holiday shoppers “spent their wallets, not their psyches,” said Mark Mathews, chief economist with the National Retail Federation (NRF). Despite the recent US government shutdown and weak consumer confidence, he said, other indicators like wage growth remain strong.

US online spending on Black Friday hit a record $11.8 billion, according to Adobe, which tracks shopper visits to online retail websites.

But consumer unease is emerging in other ways.

Analysts at Kantar, who run shopper surveys and visit stores, said consumers made fewer impulse buys this year, while signs at brick-and-mortar stores like Walmart and Target contained language about discounts that was clearer and more specific and detailed than usual.

It reflects shoppers who were “on alert for being misled” about Black Friday deals, said Rachel Dalton, Kantar’s head of retail insights. She said big retailers like Amazon were running more discounts than usual on higher-priced items like tech gadgets, suggesting even wealthy consumers were growing more price-conscious.

MORE DISCOUNTS
Some stores extended Black Friday discounts to items they normally would not, like household essentials, said Jack O’Leary, e-commerce thought leader at consumer intelligence firm NielsenIQ.

Amazon was running discounts on both higher-priced items like earbuds and computers, and essentials like batteries. “We have prices that are 30%, 50%, 60% off,” said J. Ofori Agboka, Amazon’s vice-president of people experience and technology. “People can enjoy to their heart’s content.”

Early data suggest wealthier consumers spent more freely, said Marshal Cohen, chief retail advisor at consumer research firm Circana. Lower-income shoppers, who received government stimulus funding during the pandemic, have spent those funds, noted NRF’s Mr. Mathews.

Overall growth in online holiday spending has slowed since the pandemic. Adobe data show single-digit upticks each of the last five years, after double-digit growth each year between 2015 and 2020.

BUY NOW, PAY LATER
As finances have tightened, short-term loan services like Affirm and Klarna have grown more popular.

CivicScience, a research firm that embeds consumer surveys in news and lifestyle websites, found that 38% of respondents used buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) services for at least one purchase over Black Friday weekend — the majority being young, lower-income shoppers.

Adobe’s data show that Black Friday BNPL use grew 9% from last year. For Cyber Monday, Adobe expects it to top the $1-billion mark, a 5% uptick over last year.

Consumers also made strong use of chatbots and other artificial intelligence (AI) features to compare prices and secure discounts. AI-driven traffic to US retail sites is expected to increase nearly eightfold from last year, Adobe said, when AI-driven shopping companions like Walmart’s Sparky or Amazon’s Rufus did not exist.

CivicScience found that 40% of survey respondents over the weekend used AI tools to help with purchases or shopping decisions. Among serious users — those who used it for multiple items — 87% were under age 45, CivicScience found. — Reuters

South Korea’s Lee calls for tougher penalties after Coupang data breach

SOUTH KOREA’S President Lee Jae-myung delivers a speech after taking his oath during his inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly in Seoul on June 4, 2025. — REUTERS

SEOUL — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday called for increased penalties for corporate negligence in data breaches, saying a massive leak at e-commerce giant Coupang had served as a wake-up call.

The breach — resulting in personal data for some 33 million Coupang customers being leaked — was South Korea’s worst in more than a decade. Coupang, which saw its New York-listed stock tumble 5% overnight, is now grappling with a police investigation, potential hefty fines as well as a possible class-action suit.

Ordering a review of fines and punitive damages in such cases, Mr. Lee told a cabinet meeting it was “astonishing” that Coupang did not detect the breach for five months, adding those responsible must be quickly identified and held accountable.

“The wrong practice and the idea of not giving necessary care for personal data protection, which is a key asset in the age of artificial intelligence and digitalization, must be completely changed,” he said.

Under current South Korean law, companies that fail to implement adequate data protection measures can be fined up to 3% of revenue.

That could mean a fine of more than 1 trillion won ($680 million) for Coupang, which reported 38.3 trillion won in revenue in 2024.

Coupang’s Chief Information Security Officer Brett Matthes told a parliamentary hearing that the perpetrator obtained a private encryption key, which allowed them to generate a forged token to impersonate a customer.

“We do believe that this person, if it is the person, had a privileged role within the organization that would have given him access to the key that has been taken,” Mr. Matthes said.

A former Coupang engineer who took part in developing the system’s authentication protocol is the suspected perpetrator, Chief Executive Officer Park Dae-jun said, adding that other people may have been involved. Mr. Park did not name the person.

Coupang has apologized for the incident, but members of parliament called for founder Bom Kim, a Korean American who established the company in 2010, to come forward and personally apologize.

Coupang, which is backed by Japan’s SoftBank Group, has said customer names, e-mail and home addresses and phone numbers were exposed by the data leak. The number of people affected by the breach far exceeds Coupang’s active users of its online retail services, which the company said was 24.7 million.

The breach is believed to have first occurred in June, but Coupang’s report to government authorities was made in November. ($1 = 1,469.65 won). — Reuters

China, Japan give conflicting accounts of confrontation around Senkaku Islands

ONE of the seven China Coast Guard ships monitored by the Philippine Coast Guard during the resupply mission. — PCG

BEIJING/TOKYO — China and Japan gave conflicting versions of a maritime confrontation involving their coast guards and a Japanese fishing vessel around the disputed Senkaku Islands on Tuesday.

China’s Coast Guard said the Japanese fishing vessel had illegally entered the waters of the Senkaku Islands, which Beijing calls the Diaoyu Islands, before being expelled, in a statement which also claimed the islands are Chinese territory.

However, Japan’s Coast Guard said it intercepted and expelled two Chinese Coast Guard ships as they approached the fishing vessel in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

A diplomatic spat between China and Japan has intensified since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament on Nov. 7 that a hypothetical Chinese attack on democratically ruled Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo. — Reuters

Philippines delays award of key bridge project amid China risk

Manila Bay / Credit: VEEJAY VILLAFRANCA/BLOOMBERG

(UPDATE) The Philippines deferred the awarding of a project that’s part of a plan to build one of the world’s longest marine bridges after local opposition over the potential involvement of a Chinese company due to national security fears.

The proposals are “undergoing thorough review” by the Asian Development Bank, which acts as a lender and an overseer of the project to ensure it meets international environmental and governance standards, Manila’s public works department said in a statement on Monday in response to queries from Bloomberg. 

The agency said it will announce the winning bidder once ADB has fully evaluated the proposals for technical and financial compliance and has given a “no-objection letter.” The agency, which initially targeted to issue the award notice on Nov. 29, did not directly refer to national security concerns raised by a local shipping groups against a Chinese bidder.

“The target date of award and notice to proceed for the project will be announced in the coming weeks,” it added.

Andrew Jeffries, country director for the Philippines at Manila-based ADB, said the project follows the bank’s rules. The public works agency “is undertaking the procurement while ADB provides oversight of the process to ensure compliance with our policy and regulations,” Mr. Jeffries said in a statement on Tuesday.

Chinese companies offered some of the most competitive tenders for the P7.25-billion ($124 million) land approach project, a section of a $3.9 billion plan to build a 32-kilometer (20 miles) bridge across the mouth of Manila Bay. But their bids have faced opposition in Manila, threatening to delay a key infrastructure project that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed will improve transport and logistics in the nation’s main Luzon island. 

The bridge project will get $2.11 billion funding from ADB, with $1.14 billion to be co-financed by Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, according to Manila’s finance agency.

In a letter addressed to Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., the Philippine Interisland Shipping Association and other maritime industry stakeholders urged the government to reject the bid of China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd., which offered to construct the project for 4.87 billion pesos, the lowest of all bids.

Awarding the project that will link Bataan and Cavite provinces, to a Chinese state-owned company “creates an untenable and unacceptable risk of sabotage and intelligence gathering on vital national assets,” the association said in a letter posted on its Facebook page in October. The group also cited “unmitigated national security risks and serious concerns over business integrity” of the Chinese firm.

China Harbour is a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company Ltd.. The US State Department had sanctioned units of China Communications in 2020 for the “destructive dredging” of Beijing’s outposts in the South China Sea and for engaging in “corruption, predatory financing, environmental destruction, and other abuses across the world.”

China Harbour didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Marcos administration has challenged Beijing’s expansive claim over the strategic waterway and has stepped up maritime patrols which have sometimes led to collisions between Philippine and Chinese vessels. But the government has also tried to insulate the Philippines’ economic ties with its top trading partner China from the geopolitical tensions.

Andres Centino, a former military chief who’s currently Marcos’ adviser on the South China Sea, said he’s heard about other government security agencies looking into the bridge project. “There really are agencies that advise on whether a particular project can go ahead just because there is this company which perhaps has a spurious background,” he said. — Bloomberg 

America the Bespoke: Brand USA invites travelers to indulge in luxury experiences around the nation

From vineyard tastings and rooftop cocktails to wellness resorts and high-end shopping districts, the USA offers a rich spectrum of luxurious escapes. Whether you’re chasing bold flavours, stylish stays or a view worth toasting, Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, is here to help you find inspiration for your next escape where indulgence is part of the journey.

“From coast to coast, the United States offers a range of bespoke travel options found nowhere else.” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of Brand USA. “As travelers increasingly seek out exclusive experiences — often hyper-personalized and meaningful — the US is the go-to location for the best of the best in luxury, wellness, and adventure journeys. We invite travelers to explore the hottest US products and trends inspiring travel today.”

Custom Travel Personalized For You

Achieve the heightened style of luxury that can only come from an expertly crafted, custom-built itinerary with personalized touches by choosing a luxury custom tour operator or luxury travel agency to plan your next trip.

Brands like Adventure International Tours, Amkor Travel & Tours, Inc., Baron Travel, Pan Pacific Travel Corp., Skynet Travel Corp. and Travel Warehouse, Inc. all specialize in building bespoke itineraries, including private villas, charters, guided tours, and exclusive experiences found only in the USA.

Secluded Stays

Villa stays offer the perfect blend of seclusion and comfort. Nocturne Villas has a collection of carefully vetted villa properties, including in three US cities — Telluride, Colorado; Emerald Coast, Florida; and Santa Barbara, California — all of which come with personalized concierge services.

Remote stays in luxury lodges and glamping sites are also great options. In the high plains of western South Dakota, Shortgrass Resort is an adults-only private sanctuary offering stand-alone bungalows on a 52-acre property located at the centre of iconic national sites, including Mount Rushmore, Badlands and Devil’s Tower. Escalante Yurts offers remote luxury escapes in Southern Utah’s high desert. The new Será at Sandy Ridge micro resort in Wardensville, West Virginia features two-bedroom villas equipped with a chef’s kitchen, in-unit washer and dryer and a private heated plunge pool, all surrounded by George Washington National Forest.

And in Big Sky, Montana, the One&Only Moonlight Basin spans three main guest buildings with 73 rooms and suites, in addition to 19 freestanding cabins and private homes. The multi-storey homes provide ample indoor and outdoor living spaces, gourmet kitchens, an outdoor hot tub and oversized bathtubs for maximum relaxation in this wilderness retreat.

Unlock Access

Glamorous Hollywood parties, red carpet events, and award shows are not only for movie stars and entertainment elites. Luxury travel agencies like Embark Beyond, Avenue Two Travel provide VVIP access to coveted events such as the Met Gala, New York Fashion Week, the Vanity Fair Oscars Party, Art Basel Miami, the Super Bowl and more.

In Austin, you can arrange a private music and songwriting session and co-write a short piece, receive a private performance and get a signed, unique recording. A similar VIP experience in Nashville through the Four Seasons Songwriter Experience pairs you with a Nashville-based hit songwriter.

In Aspen, experience Snowcat dinners at the Cabin at Aspen Snowmass, where you hop on a snowcat at dusk to reach your reservation-only dinnertime destination that’s only reachable by snow machine during the season.

All-Inclusive All the Time

Sometimes the less you have to worry about, the better on a luxury trip.

Vermejo, a Ted Turner Reserve in New Mexico, is a luxury all-inclusive wilderness resort that offers two half-day activities each day during your stay, such as fly fishing, horseback riding, and snowshoeing, as well as three meals a day, and upscale lodges, cabins and historic cottage accommodations.

Paws Up Montana is a two-Michelin Key all-inclusive resort offering a cowboy-style vacation that embodies the heart of the American West. This sprawling property offers spacious lodge homes, glamping tents, and 12 treehouse-style indoor-outdoor properties at the adults-only Green O located next door.

LUXURY EXPERIENCES AROUND THE USA

Stargaze in Style

In Utah, choose a boutique resort like the Compass Rose Lodge, which has its own observatory and 16-inch aperture Ritchey-Chretien style telescope designed with mirrors like the Hubble Space Telescope, or Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon’s panoramic glass Sky Domes that can fit the whole family.

Near Grand Canyon West and the Hualapai Nation in Arizona, guests can stay at The Outpost at Grand Canyon Glamping Resort for a stargazing escape with rim views and VIP amenities, then join the Hualapai Nation’s One-Day Rafting Helicopter Adventure for a day of river rapids, a hike to Travertine Cavern Falls, and a helicopter ride back to the rim.

Sports Luxury

With the 2026 World Cup staged across the United States, Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Formula 1 adding Las Vegas as its third American stop, the country remains a premier sporting event destination.

On Location Experiences is the official hospitality partner and ticket provider for the 2026 World Cup, the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Super Bowl LX. The company creates VIP experiences that include tickets to games and access to exclusive events and parties related to these sports.

The Formula 1 Paddock Club is the ultimate VIP for motorsport spectators. Access includes pit walks, private lounges, and premium hospitality.

Theme Park Luxury

VIP packages at America’s premier theme parks provide customizable private experiences, giving you behind-the-scenes tours and express access to rides. Experiences to consider are the Walt Disney World VIP Tours, Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience, Sea World’s Ultimate VIP Tours, and Legoland’s Ultimate VIP Experience.

Festival Luxury  

The US hosts several of the most popular music festivals in the world. Headlining this lineup is Coachella in Indio, Calif., with VIP packages available through On Location’s Platinum Service, which comes with a luxury private home and hotel rentals, personal concierge service, private in-venue transportation and premium festival access. Book the same level of VIP service for Stagecoach, the country music counterpart to Coachella, through the company as well.

Luxury off the Mainland 

Puerto Rico has entered a new chapter of elevated hospitality with the debut of the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Puerto Rico at Coco Beach, the island’s first Four Seasons. The resort is also home to the Bahía Beach Golf Club, an 18-hole Robert Trent Jones Jr. course recognized as a Silver Signature Sanctuary by Audubon International and known for its stunning rainforest and ocean views.

Experience Kaua‘i’s famed Nā Pali Coast in style aboard Lady Kailani, a new 65-foot luxury catamaran from Kauai Sea Tours offering spacious decks, ocean access, and intimate small-group excursions.

The Ultimate Overnight Volcano Tour offers a two-day exploration of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, featuring a 45-minute helicopter flight over Kīlauea, an overnight stay at Volcano House on the crater rim, and private guided tours through lava fields, rainforest, and dramatic volcanic landscapes.

Southwest Luxury

Connecting with the outdoors in the Southwest often means connecting with unique cultures, too.

Taos, New Mexico, is teeming with Indigenous history and culturally immersive experiences. Whitefeather Native Cultural Tours and Heritage Inspirations Tours are the area’s leading tour operators, offering bespoke cultural tours that dive into the history, legacy, and traditions.

For a truly luxurious and immersive experience in the Southwest, reserve a stay at the Inn of the Five Graces in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Once a neglected cluster of traditional adobe homes, this five-star luxury hotel features a collection of suites, including a private, two-storey, three-bedroom villa with a chef’s kitchen, adorned with colourfully exquisite antiques, mosaic tiles, craft woodwork, and hand-painted ceilings.

In Utah, Ancient Wayves is an Indigenous-owned adventure tour operator offering guided hiking, backpacking, river rafting and photography tours across the Monument Valley. Tours operate within Bears Ears National Monument, a historic archaeological site known for its canyons, red rock formations and cliff dwellings.

Guests staying at Amangiri, and its satellite, Camp Sarika, in Canyon Point, Utah, can deepen their connection to the landscape through outdoor yoga on the rocks, guided mindfulness walks across the desert, and restorative treatments at the resort’s ultra-luxury desert spa.

A brand-new luxury train experience is coming to the Southwest in 2026, and its short itineraries will make it the perfect side quest to incorporate into your visit to the US. The new Canyon Spirit train will offer two- and three-day journeys between Utah and Colorado with mid-rail overnight stays at area hotels.

Southern Luxury

In Asheville, North Carolina, stay on the grounds of America’s largest private home at The Inn on Biltmore Estate. Enjoy refined rooms, exclusive access to historic gardens, and proximity to the estate’s famed winery. And at the Raleigh Denim Workshop in Raleigh, North Carolina, you can work with owner-designer Victor Lytvinenko to create your own custom pair of denim in this one-of-a-kind experience.

Taste the soul-stirring cuisine on a Charleston, South Carolina, Culinary Experience with acclaimed chef and culinary historian Kevin Mitchell, who hosts private dinners within the storied walls of Edmonston-Alston House. This experience, available exclusively through Destination South DMC, pairs dishes with rich storytelling, revealing the origins, traditions, and cultural significance of Lowcountry foodways.

In Walland, Tennessee, barefoot luxury reaches its pinnacle at Blackberry Farm, a 4,200-acre retreat in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Guests can enjoy farm-to-table dining at The Barn, holistic treatments at The Wellhouse Spa, and signature activities such as fly-fishing, horseback riding, clay shooting, cycling, and seasonal food, wine, and wellness events.

Savannah, Georgia, embodies the heart of southern charm and luxury, with plenty of five-star and historic hotels like the Perry Lane Hotel and upscale culinary experiences such as the Olde Pink House. And now there’s a new way to experience the Belle of the South through a first-of-its-kind fashion collaboration between Visit Savannah and women’s clothing brand LoveShackFancy.

Along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, visitors can elevate their tasting journey with Bottle Your Own experiences at distilleries such as Angel’s Envy — choosing a single barrel, filling and sealing their own bottle, and leaving with a rare, limited-edition release available only on-site.

Nestled in the heart of Fort Worth, Texas’s cultural district, Bowie House blends Texas-sized heritage with modern luxury. The Two MICHELIN Key hotel offers contemporary Texas hospitality with stylish suites, chef-driven dining, and a full-service spa featuring locally inspired treatments.

Pacific Northwest Luxury

Oregon is well-regarded for its truffles, found mostly west of the Cascade Mountains in the Willamette Valley, a region already world-renowned for its Pinot Noirs. Black Tie’s truffle-hunting tours take guests on guided wilderness treks with a truffle dog team that demonstrates the history of truffles and how to use the delicacy in your kitchen. This experience also offers truffle-based meals and wine tastings, so you can combine the best of both worlds.

Unwind with a spa retreat in Washington, just outside of Seattle at the newly renovated Salish Lodge & Spa in Snoqualmie and the new SOMM Hotel & Spa in Woodinville.

Don’t miss a spa day inside the wood-fired floating saunas at Wild Haus, where the beauty of the Pacific Northwest meets the glittering skyline.

In Washington’s Hood Canal, guests can book Olympic Oyster Co.’s Shuck & Savor experience. During this private low-tide excursion where you walk the tide flats with an expert guide, hand-pick oysters straight from the water, and learn the art of shucking before enjoying them fresh against a sweeping coastal backdrop.

City Luxury  

Many of the nation’s cities offer exceptional luxury experiences — here is just a sampling of what’s available across the country.

Detroit

Motor City offers a unique paddle-to-table experience at Coriander Kitchen, a working farm and eatery focused on hyper-local dining. The Paddle-to-Table Dinner is a guided 1.5-hour kayak journey along the Detroit River, during which guests learn about the city’s evolution, followed by a seasonally driven, multi-course dinner crafted entirely from ingredients grown on the restaurant’s own farm.

Los Angeles

Arrive in style at Los Angeles International Airport with PS LAX, the private terminal for commercial flights that lets guests bypass traditional TSA screenings for a more high-end experience. Personalized service, door-to-plane-door private transportation, private suites to relax, and gourmet food and beverages are available before takeoff.

When checking into LA’s luxury hotel scene, consider the glamorous stays in West Hollywood along the Sunset Strip, like the new Sun Rose hotel, EDITION, 1 Hotel, the storied Mediterranean-style Sunset Marquis and the opulent Petit Emeritage, a Michelin Guide property. 

Before heading out on the town, enjoy a personalized styling session with the Albright Styling Team in Beverly Hills, where you can select and rent looks from an archive of more than 30,000 pieces. Then make your way to Rodeo Drive, the palm-lined shopping district home to more than 100 design houses and the European-inspired Two Rodeo Drive.

San Diego, California 

Fresh off a multi-year restoration, San Diego’s iconic Hotel del Coronado now pairs its fully refreshed Victorian charm with modern, high-end comforts including updated guestrooms, a revived garden courtyard and event spaces, plus standout new dining like Nobu Del Coronado and the oceanfront Veranda.

Miami, Florida

Miami Beach continues to evolve its luxury scene with the Andaz Miami Beach, a design-forward oceanfront resort bringing contemporary style, vibrant culinary concepts, and a fresh perspective to one of the country’s most iconic beach destinations.

At the legendary Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Lapis Spa spans 40,000 square feet across two levels, offering an expansive menu of high-end treatments. Highlights include the European-style Aufguss sauna ritual, a theatrical infusion of heat, aromatics, and music led by a trained sauna master.

Naples, Florida

In Naples, experience re-imagined coastal luxury at the Four Seasons Naples Beach Club on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Here, the 1,000-foot beach meets modern elegance, ocean-view pools, a two-level spa, and a private charters program linking it to the broader lifestyle of Old Naples and the nearby 5th Avenue South dining and shopping district.

New York City

The Waldorf Astoria reopened in July 2025 following a historic eight-year, $2-billion renovation that introduced contemporary design updates, state-of-the-art technology, and modern amenities. Faena New York is a bold new luxury hotel in Chelsea with a highly curated art collection and an open-fire cooking restaurant called, La Boca, led by Argentinian chef Francis Mallman.

Washington, D.C.

Private tours and exclusive experiences at the museums of the nation’s capital are a must-try. Consider Smithsonian Sleepovers, where families can spend a night exploring the National Museum of Natural History after hours, and VIP tours led by a private guide at the International Spy Museum.

For more information and to start planning your next luxury vacation to the USA, visit AmericaTheBeautiful.com/Luxury. 

 

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Vietnam 2025 rice exports seen falling 11.5% on Philippines import ban

A farmer harvests rice by a paddy field outside Hanoi, Vietnam on June 10, 2019. Vietnam’s rice exporters have raised concern over the impact of the Philippines’ ban on rice imports and urged their trade ministry to contest the measure. — REUTERS/KHAM

HANOI – Vietnam’s rice exports are forecast to fall 11.5% this year to around 8 million metric tons due to a sharp fall in shipments to the Philippines, the chairman of the country’s food association said on Tuesday.

Vietnam is the world’s third-largest rice exporter, after India and Thailand, and its key markets are the Philippines, Indonesia and Africa.

Its shipments to the Philippines, its largest market, came to a halt after Manila put a ban on rice imports in September to protect local farmers. The ban is set to last until the end of this year.

“It’s very likely the ban will be extended further,” Vietnam Food Association chairman Do Ha Nam told Reuters.

Rice shipments from Vietnam to the Philippines fell 18.5% in the first 10 months of this year from the same period in 2024 to 2.96 million tons, according to Vietnamís customs data.

Nam said global demand for rice remains strong and Vietnam will seek to boost exports to other markets, while focusing on the production of higher-quality rice.

“We are not facing fierce competition in the market for rice of higher quality,” Nam said, adding that he was confident exports will be maintained at 8 to 9 million tons a year.

In the longer term, Nam said the government has plans to cut rice exports and to use the land to grow other crops to adapt to market conditions.

In the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s rice bowl, some farmers have previously switched to shrimp farming and other crops due to the effects of climate change. — Reuters

CoA mandates geotagging to strike out ‘ghost projects’

The Commission on Audit (CoA) today announced it is fast-tracking the final approval of a new policy that will require mandatory GPS-based geotagging for all government infrastructure projects.

This move is aimed squarely at eliminating ghost projects, stopping falsified billings, and ensuring the verifiable use of public funds.

The proposed issuance, formally titled “Mandatory Geotagging for All Infrastructure Projects of National Government Agencies, Local Government Units, and Government-owned and -Controlled Corporations” mandates verifiable, location-based photographic evidence at every stage of project completion and within the warranty period after completion.

CoA Chairperson Gamaliel A. Cordoba emphasized “the public has repeatedly demanded tighter safeguards against the misuse of funds, and this policy is our direct response. Geotagging that will ensure that when the government pays for a project, we know exactly where it is, when it was done, and what was actually built.”

CoA Chairperson Gamaliel A. Cordoba

No payment without verification

Under this new policy, government agencies and contractors must submit geotagged photos that include the exact GPS coordinates of the project, along with the date and time of the photo was taken. Crucially, no infrastructure project can be reported as completed, and ideally no payment may be released, unless the required geotagged photos are submitted and verified by the CoA auditing teams.

The policy is moving through the review process

The initial draft was completed in September and shared with internal stakeholders in October for comments and suggestions. On Nov. 7, 2025, the revised version was circulated to major implementing agencies for their technical and operational inputs, with a request for comments on or before Nov. 25, 2025.

The issuance aligns with Article IX-D of the 1987 Constitution, which empowers the CoA to define audit techniques and methods to ensure the proper use of government funds, and reinforces existing transparency provisions in the General Appropriations Act.

CoA Chairperson Cordoba said: “Let this be clear, the proper use of taxpayer funds is non-negotiable and we will hold projects accountable to deliver measurable benefits for every Filipino community.”

The CoA is currently participating in an interagency coordination on the use of satellite imagery data through the Philippine Space Agency, led by the Department of Economy, Planning and Development, which is seen to complement the geotagging requirements.

 

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Hong Kong leader orders independent probe into fire that killed 151

A DRONE view shows flames and thick smoke rising from the Wang Fuk Court housing estate during a major fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, Nov. 27. — REUTERS/TYRONE SIU

HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s leader said on Tuesday an independent committee would be established to investigate the cause of the city’s deadliest fire in decades, including oversight of renovations blamed for the disaster that has claimed 151 lives.

Police have arrested 13 people for suspected manslaughter in a criminal investigation into last week’s disaster, and the anti-corruption body has also arrested 12 people in a probe into possible graft. It is unclear if any of those people were arrested on both counts.

Authorities have pointed to substandard plastic mesh and insulation foam used during renovation works at Wang Fuk Court as fueling a blaze that quickly spread to seven high-rise towers, home to more than 4,000 people.

“In order to avoid similar tragedies again, I will set up a judge-led independent committee to examine the reason behind the cause and rapid spreading (of the fire) and related issues,” John Lee, Hong Kong’s chief executive, told a news conference.

Investigators have combed all but two of the seven burnt-out towers, finding bodies of residents in stairwells and on rooftops, trapped as they tried to flee the flames. Around 30 people are still missing.

With pockets of public anger simmering, some groups have called for more transparency and accountability, amid warnings from Beijing and Hong Kong that any attempts to politicize the disaster would be severely punished.

Asked about the detention of a student from one of the groups, and two others who media reported are being investigated for possible sedition, Mr. Lee said: “I will not tolerate any crimes, particularly crimes that exploit the tragedy that we are facing now.” He did not comment on the specific cases.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both issued statements criticizing the reported arrests.

“Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the causes of the devastating fire…rather than silencing those who ask legitimate questions,” Amnesty International said.

China’s national security office has warned individuals against using the disaster to “plunge Hong Kong back into the chaos” of 2019, when massive pro-democracy protests challenged Beijing and triggered a political crisis.

“We sternly warn the anti-China disruptors who attempt to ‘disrupt Hong Kong through disaster’,” the office said in a statement. “No matter what methods you use, you will certainly be held accountable and strictly punished.”

Legislative elections due to take place on Sunday will go ahead as planned, Lee said.

RESIDENTS WARNED OF FIRE RISKS
Residents of Wang Fuk Court were told by authorities last year they faced “relatively low fire risks” after complaining about fire hazards posed by the renovations, the city’s Labor Department said.

The residents raised concerns in September 2024, including about the potential flammability of the mesh that contractors used to cover the scaffolding, a department spokesperson said.

Tests on several samples of a green mesh that was wrapped around bamboo scaffolding on the buildings at the time of the blaze did not match fire retardant standards, officials overseeing the investigations told a news conference on Monday.

Contractors working on the renovations used these substandard materials in hard-to-reach areas, effectively hiding them from inspectors, Chief Secretary Eric Chan said.

Foam insulation used by contractors also fanned the flames and fire alarms at the complex were not working properly, officials have said.

Thousands of residents have turned out to pay tribute to the victims, who include at least nine domestic helpers from Indonesia and one from the Philippines. Vigils are also due to take place this week in Tokyo, Taipei, and London.

SEARCH MOVES TO WORST AFFECTED BUILDINGS
The remaining buildings being scoured for remains are the worst damaged and the search may take weeks, authorities have said.

Images shared by police showed officers clad in hazmat suits, face masks and helmets, inspecting rooms with blackened walls and furniture reduced to ashes, and wading through water used to douse fires that raged for days.

More than 60 pets, including 34 cats, 12 dogs and 7 turtles, perished in the fire, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said. More than 200 were rescued.

The apartment blocks were home to more than 4,000 people, according to census data, and those that escaped must now try to get their lives back on track.

Nearly 1,500 people have been moved out of evacuation centers into temporary housing, with a further 945 put up in youth hostels and hotels, authorities said.

With many residents leaving behind belongings as they fled, authorities have offered emergency funds of HK$10,000 ($1,284) to each household and provided special assistance for issuing new identity cards, passports and marriage certificates.— Reuters

US Senate panel looks to fast-track NASA nominee

Painting of the NASA logo, also called the meatball, continues on the 525-foot-tall Vehicle Assembly Build ing (VAB) at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 23, 2020. — NASA/BEN SMEGELSKY

WASHINGTON — The US Senate Commerce Committee said on Monday it plans to hold a December 8 vote on President Donald Trump’s nomination of Jared Isaacman, the private astronaut and ally of billionaire SpaceX founder Elon Musk, for the post of NASA administrator.

Mr. Isaacman’s nomination was withdrawn in June but Mr. Trump last month renominated him. Mr. Isaacman, an e-commerce mogul who flew to orbit twice on all-private astronaut missions as a customer and collaborator with SpaceX, faces a second confirmation hearing before the committee on Wednesday.

Mr. Isaacman’s nomination was withdrawn five months ago amid a high-profile falling-out between Mr. Trump and Mr. Musk. Sean Duffy, the head of the US Department of Transportation, was named interim NASA chief in July.

At the time, NASA’s workforce of 18,000 and the space industry at large were being whipsawed by looming layoffs and proposed budget cuts threatening cancellation of dozens of US science programs. Nearly 4,000 NASA employees took buyouts the Trump administration offered in January and April.

The return of Mr. Isaacman as Mr. Trump’s nominee to fill the NASA vacancy on a permanent basis came about two weeks after Mr. Duffy said he was inviting other companies to compete with SpaceX for the agency’s marquee lunar landing contract, leading to a public dispute between Mr. Duffy and Mr. Musk over who should be leading the space agency.

Mr. Duffy said earlier that SpaceX’s development of its next-generation moon rocket, Starship, was falling behind schedule and could undermine NASA’s goal of returning humans to the lunar surface under the agency’s Artemis program, an effort rivaling China’s lunar ambitions.

The committee has also scheduled votes on December 8 for John DeLeeuw, managing director of safety and efficiency for American Airlines and a Boeing 787 captain, to serve on the National Transportation Safety Board as well as for a new term for NTSB board member Michael Graham.— Reuters

Why your holiday trip with the squad should be at Astoria Current

Getting pumped over your next holiday trip with your friends? This is your sign to take your much-anticipated holiday to the vibrant Astoria Current! Located in the lively Station 3 of Boracay Island, this resort welcomes every group of friends to their beachside home for days filled with nothing but fun, laughter, and pure relaxation. 

Home Base for the Barkada!  

Let the excitement start straight from Astoria Current’s colorful rooms. With more than 200 spaces available, there is surely a perfect one for you and your squad!  

For comfort without the hefty price tag, you may choose between their Standard Room, Superior Room, Deluxe Room, Deluxe Pool View Room, Premier Room, or Superior Deluxe Room. Ranging from 30-35 square meters in size, each option offers the comforts of home with complete room amenities. 

If you are planning to swim to your heart’s content, then booking the 30-square meter Deluxe Pool Side Room is a no-brainer. With the resort’s most famous amenities right outside of your doorstep, you will surely have the grandest time. 

If indulging in much-needed rest is your squad’s goal for the trip, then you should definitely choose Astoria Current’s One- or Two-Bedroom Suite. Extremely spacious at 53 to 85 square meters, the whole group will surely experience comfort at its finest! 

Unpack, relax, and let the island pace take over!   

Hit the Gym with Your Buddies! 

If staying active is part of the plan, Astoria Current is ready. Head to their modern and well-kept gym for a quick cardio run or a simple strength session. Stretch, breathe, and begin the day strong. It is a small but meaningful routine that builds the kind of energy friends share all day.   

R&R? Yes, Please!  

After a workout session, make sure to pamper yourself with a relaxing treatment, too. Astoria Current is equipped with its very own in-house spa and sauna, so you and your closest friends can enjoy some R&R! If you are too tired from exploring the island, you may also call their team and just request for massage services straight from the comforts of your room. 

Splash Right into the Fun!  

 

Upon entering the resort, you will be greeted by the gorgeous lap pool equipped with jacuzzi loungers and kiddie pool at the far end. Walk further down the property and you will find yet another charming pool that is triangular in shape! Start with a dip, cool down between beach walks, and circle back after sunset for one last swim.  

Make It a Cheat Day!    

No vacation is complete without amazing food! Great thing Astoria Current not only has one, but three, dining outlets to cater to hungry travelers like you. Its main restaurant, Parasol, offers a wide variety of dishes that please every palate, from savory Filipino favorites to international comfort food. It also features breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets for days when you want to indulge a bit more. If refreshing drinks and small bites by the pool are your preferences, then you will surely love Citrine. But if sipping on cocktails and special beverages while watching the sunset is what you are looking for, then make sure to stop by the resort’s rooftop bar, Stratos! 

Special Milestone in Paradise 

If you are planning to throw a big celebration – whether for the holidays or for a special occasion – then you are in luck! The resort is equipped with its very own function rooms for events of all sizes! For big affairs, the 247-square meter Dreamscape Hall is perfect with a seating capacity of up to 140 guests. For events of smaller scale, choose the 223-square meter Bright Horizon Hall, which can accommodate up to 80 attendees.   

But First, Selfie! 

Astoria Current is bold and bright, with playful corners and flattering light. Stairways, pool edges, and beachfront paths turn into instant backdrops. Golden hour is generous here, and group shots come out as happy as the day felt. 

Let’s Go to the Beach!     

The shore is just a few steps away, thanks to Astoria Current’s beachfront location. Make sure to swim when the water turns bright turquoise and walk the shoreline as the sky warms to gold. Because of its prime location in the heart of Station 3, its area is buzzing with shops, bars, and dining outlets which you and the squad will surely enjoy!  

Ask their team to help map out a full day: snorkeling spots, a food trip in town, paraw sailing at dusk, or a simple beach picnic. 

Have the Time of Your Life! 

Astoria Current is more than a resort. It is a beachside home where friends create priceless memories and celebrate the holidays in style. The island is ready, and Astoria Current’s doors are open. 

Book your holiday now via www.astoriacurrent.com or reach out to their team via:
Email: rsvn@astoriacurrent.com
Mobile: (+63) 998-968-1265  

A world of endless fun and memories await you at Astoria Current! 

 

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White House defends US attack on boat from Venezuela as lawful

VENEZUELAN FLAG flutters outside the Torrejon de Ardoz Air Force Base outside Madrid, Spain, Sept. 8, 2024. — REUTERS

WASHINGTON — The White House on Monday defended a US admiral’s decision to conduct multiple strikes on an alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling vessel in September, saying he had Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s authorization, even as critics questioned the legality of a strike on survivors.

The Washington Post had reported that a second strike was ordered to kill two survivors from the initial strike and to comply with an order by Mr. Hegseth that everyone be killed.

President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he would not have wanted a second strike on the boat and said Mr. Hegseth denied giving such an order.

But White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on Monday that Mr. Hegseth had authorized Admiral Frank Bradley to conduct the strikes on September 2.

“Secretary Hegseth authorized Admiral Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes. Admiral Bradley worked well within his authority and the law directing the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat to the United States of America was eliminated,” Ms. Leavitt said.

Ms. Leavitt said the strike was conducted in “self defense” to protect US interests, took place in international waters and was in line with the law of armed conflict.

“This administration has designated these narco terrorists as foreign terrorist organizations,” Ms. Leavitt said.

Starting in September, the US military has carried out at least 19 strikes against suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean and off the Pacific coasts of Latin America, killing at least 76 people.

Critics have questioned the legality of the strikes, and both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have pledged to look into them.

International humanitarian law prohibits attacks on incapacitated combatants. The Defense Department’s Law of War Manual states that shipwrecked persons cannot be knowingly attacked and must receive medical care unless they act with hostility or attempt escape.

George Washington University law professor Laura Dickinson said most legal experts do not believe the boat strikes qualify as armed conflict, so lethal force would only be allowed as a last resort.

“It would be murder outside of armed conflict,” she said. Even in war, the killing of survivors “would likely be a war crime.”

A group of former military lawyers, the JAGs Working Group, called the order “patently illegal,” saying service members have a duty to disobey it and that anyone who complies should be prosecuted for war crimes.

On X, Mr. Hegseth defended Mr. Bradley, calling him “an American hero” and saying he has his “100% support.”  Mr. Hegseth said he stands by Mr. Bradley’s combat decisions “on the September 2 mission and all others since.”

Mr. Trump on Monday discussed with top advisers the pressure campaign against Venezuela, among other topics, a senior US official said.

US OPTIONS INCLUDE EFFORT TO OUST MADURO
Mr. Trump has flagged the possibility of US military intervention in Venezuela. On Saturday, he said the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela should be considered “closed in its entirety,” but gave no further details, stirring anxiety and confusion in Caracas.

Mr. Trump confirmed on Sunday that he had spoken to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom the US considers an illegitimate leader, but Mr. Trump declined to provide details of the conversation.

The Trump administration has been weighing options to combat what it has portrayed as Mr. Maduro’s role in supplying illegal drugs that have killed Americans. Mr. Maduro has denied having any links to the illegal drug trade.

Reuters has reported the options under US consideration include an attempt to overthrow Mr. Maduro, and that the US military is poised for a new phase of operations after a massive military buildup in the Caribbean and nearly three months of strikes on suspected drug boats off Venezuela’s coast. Mr. Trump also has authorized covert CIA operations in the country.—Reuters

Australian teen challenging social media ban says internet will be less safe

PIXABAY

SYDNEY — A teenager suing the Australian government to overturn a ban on social media for under-16s says the measure would make the internet more dangerous for young people and be widely circumvented.

Noah Jones, 15, is a co-plaintiff in a High Court case against Communications Minister Anika Wells and eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant.

The law, due to take effect on December 10, would block minors from platforms such as Meta’s Instagram, TikTok, and Snap’s Snapchat. The government says the ban will protect children from harmful content and online predators.

Jones argues the policy will isolate teens and push them into riskier behavior.

“We should be cutting off the bad things about social media,” he told Reuters from his home in Sydney. “When kids do things in secret, that’s when things can be really harmful.”

Mr. Jones said social media is essential for staying connected and sharing ideas, likening it to a modern-day town square.

“I have almost all the people in my year on Snapchat. It’s a light way of being connected. Most people will get quite separated,” he said.

Mr. Jones warned the ban would create a “social divide” between those who evade restrictions and those who do not. “I most likely will get around the ban. I know a lot of my mates will,” he said.

Mr. Jones said parents, not the government, should decide how children use social media.

The Communications Minister and eSafety Commissioner were not immediately available for comment. Wells has said the government stands by the law regardless of any legal challenges.

The lawsuit, which includes another 15-year-old student, argues the ban infringes constitutional rights and should be replaced with targeted measures against cyberbullying and predatory behavior. It is backed by an advocacy group run by a Libertarian Party member of the New South Wales state parliament.

The case has yet to be scheduled for hearing. — Reuters

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