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Denmark shuts down cannabis street in Christiania hippie enclave

REUTERS

COPENHAGEN — Residents in Copenhagen’s famous hippie enclave Christiania began digging up its main street known for its cannabis trade on Saturday, hoping to free the area of criminal gangs following multiple deadly shootings.

After tolerating the illegal sale of cannabis for more than 50 years in the former army barracks claimed by hippies during the 1970s, authorities and the residents of Christiania decided this year to dig up what is known to locals as ‘Pusher Street.’

Freetown Christiania has developed into a major tourist attraction with more than half a million visitors a year, but an increase in gang violence linked to drug trafficking in the area has concerned both residents and authorities.

“We have always said we support free hash but it’s not possible,” said Hulda Mader, a spokesperson for Christiania. “We want the street to be ours again.”

Police have in recent years removed the cannabis booths from time to time only to see them rebuilt shortly after.

“Pusher Street has to die in order for Christiania to live,” the Mayor of Copenhagen Sophie Hæstorp Andersen told Reuters.

“The crime scene we have seen here has been so violent … we cannot have a Christiania that is dying out because people don’t dare to be here and where we see the local Christianites being threatened by greedy pushers and dealers.”

In August, a 30-year-old man was fatally shot and four more were injured in the streets of Christiana, the most recent in several deadly shootings linked to organized crime.

Locals were invited to claim cobble stones as souvenirs from the famous street on Saturday, after police tore down the booths.

“To me, Pusher Street is actually the least unique, right? It is what I associate with violence, gangs, murder, threats, and everything which are actually antonyms to what Christiania is,” said Mathilde Brandstrup, a Christiania local.

Danish police will remain present in Christiania and in the surrounding area “as long as it is necessary” to prevent sales of illegal drugs resuming, Deputy Chief Superintendent Simon Hansen said. 

The residents in Christiania live autonomously with self-declared rules, although they are not recognized as their own town by Copenhagen authorities.

Danish pop singer Lukas Graham was born and raised in Christiania, and has written several songs about his life growing up in the hippie enclave. — Reuters

Climate activist Greta Thunberg detained twice at demonstration in The Hague

TINYURL.COM/3XF3XVJY | CC BY-SA 4.0

THE HAGUE – Climate activist Greta Thunberg was detained twice by police at a demonstration in The Hague, the Netherlands, for several hours on Saturday.

Thunberg was initially detained and held for a short time by local police along with other protesters who tried to block a major highway into The Hague.

After she was released Thunberg quickly rejoined a small group of protesters who were blocking a different road leading to the railway station. There, she was detained a second time and driven off in a police van.

After being held for several hours she was released again in the evening, a spokesperson for protest organisers Extinction Rebellion told Reuters.

Before she was detained Thunberg told journalists she was protesting because the world is facing an existential crisis.

“We are in a planetary emergency and we are not going to stand by and let people lose their lives and livelihood and be forced to become climate refugees when we can do something,” she said.

Activists had been trying to block the nearby A12 highway. That road has been blocked for several hours dozens of times in recent months by activists demanding an end to all subsidies for the use of fossil fuels.

At previous protests police drove detained protesters to another part of town, where they were released without further consequences.

Local police would not comment on individual cases but said everyone who tried to block roads was detained. On social media site X, police posted that 412 protesters had been detained, mostly for participating in a banned protest. — Reuters

[B-SIDE Podcast] Safeguarding the Philippine gambling sector from online scams

Follow us on Spotify BusinessWorld B-Side

Online gambling has evolved, thanks to advancements in technology and innovations within the industry. With this evolution, however, also comes the rise of sophisticated gambling fraud. In this B-Side episode, BusinessWorld speaks with Frederic Ho, Jumio Corporation’s vice president of Asia Pacific, on how online gambling has evolved, and how both consumers and the authorities can protect themselves against fraudsters in this digital space.

Recorded on March 21, 2024. Produced by Earl Lagundino.

Follow us on Spotify BusinessWorld B-Side

Sun Life reigns as the no. 1 life insurance company for the 13th year in a row

Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. continues to reign as the no. 1 life insurance company for 13 consecutive years after garnering PHP 55.79 billion in Total Premium Income.

This is according to the 2023 report released by the Insurance Commission based on submitted unaudited Quarterly Report on Selected Financial Statistics. In the same report, Sun Life also ranked no. 1 in Total Assets with PHP 306.33 billion, and Net Income with PHP 8.79 billion.

“Being consistently no. 1 means that our clients continue to trust us to help them secure a brighter future for themselves and their loved ones,” Sun Life Philippines CEO and Country Head Benedict Sison said. “It is a privilege to be their chosen partner in their financial journey, and we will continue to honor their confidence by serving them with excellence.”

This milestone comes on the heels of Sun Life’s 129th anniversary, making it the first and longest-standing life insurance company in the Philippines. As a further testament to its dedication in delivering excellence, the company also received accolades from regional award-giving bodies recently. Sun Life was recognized as one of the Industry Champions of the Year at the Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability (ACES) Awards. Likewise, it was also bestowed with the Corporate Excellence Award at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) for demonstrating effective talent mobilization and organizational capability that deliver consistent business results while remaining aligned to the company’s purpose.

“We would not be where we are today if not for the passion and dedication of our advisors and employees,” Sison added. “We would like to thank them for their commitment to our mission of helping Filipinos achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives.”

 


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Asian Hospital, Inc. to hold virtual Annual Stockholders’ Meeting on April 30

 


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Globe triumphs at Marketing-Interactive PR Awards 2024 with impactful digital safety campaigns

Globe earned multiple accolades at the esteemed Marketing-Interactive PR Awards 2024, showcasing its creative and socially responsible campaigns that foster a safer digital environment for Filipinos.

Globe has earned multiple accolades at the esteemed Marketing-Interactive PR Awards 2024, showcasing its creative and socially responsible campaigns that foster a safer digital environment for Filipinos.

The company’s initiatives, “SIM Registration: Number Mo, Identity Mo” (Your Number, Your Identity) and #MakeITSafePH, stood out among fierce competition from Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Oceania, securing coveted Gold and Silver awards across various categories.

“We are honored to receive these prestigious recognitions from Marketing-Interactive Asia-Pacific and lead the creative award wins for the Philippines,” said RG Orense, Head of Digital and Social Channel Strategy at Globe.

“These awards are a testament to our relentless pursuit of innovative narratives that not only captivate audiences, but also drive meaningful change. By raising awareness about the threats of cybercrime, fraud, and cyberbullying, we aim to empower Filipinos with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world safely and confidently,” he said.

Globe’s campaign “SIM Registration: Number Mo, Identity Mo” (Your Number, Your Identity) clinched the Gold award for Best PR Campaign: Government/Public Services.

This ingenious effort staged an online identity heist featuring celebrity influencers Kuya Kim Atienza and Kiray Celis to expose the harsh realities of scamming and identity theft. Through impersonations and realistic scam scenarios, it ignited an important dialogue, urging Filipinos to safeguard their identities by registering their SIMs.

Meanwhile, the #MakeITSafePH campaign got the Gold award for Best Use of Social Media and the Silver award for Best PR Campaign for a Specific Audience. The program tackled the pervasive issue of cyberbullying head-on, utilizing its very essence to educate parents and guardians about the devastating consequences of online harassment.

#MakeITSafePH’s innovative tactics, such as digital and physical flashcards, served as powerful tools for bridging the generational gap, enabling parents and guardians to understand the changing language of cyberbullying and its far-reaching impact. Each flashcard contained a real-life story, collected through user submissions and social listening, offering a poignant glimpse into the harsh realities faced by victims.

Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, receives Globe’s awards at the recent Marketing-Interactive PR Awards 2024 in Singapore.

“The #MakeITSafePH campaign is a shining example of our commitment to creating an ecosystem of support and education,” said Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer at Globe. “By partnering with various organizations, we were able to bring together a powerful coalition dedicated to protecting the mental well-being of our communities, particularly our youth.”

Marketing-Interactive PR Awards 2024 recognizes exceptional work in the public relations and communications industry across Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Oceania. Globe’s multiple wins at this year’s event solidify its position as a leader in creating impactful campaigns that drive positive change and foster a safer digital landscape.

As the digital world continues to evolve at a rapid pace, Globe remains steadfast in its mission to spearhead initiatives that prioritize online safety, security, and well-being for all Filipinos, paving the way for a more responsible and inclusive digital future.

To learn more about Globe, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.

 


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The Travel Club+ adds more to your travel moments

Ready to transform your ordinary travels into elevated journeys?

As travels continuously evolve, so does The Travel Club. With over thirty years of being every traveler’s trusted partner and a go-to concept store for all things travel, from luggage and accessories, The Travel Club continues to innovate to enrich every traveler’s experience.

Introducing The Travel Club+, their newest flagship store that aims to add more to travel moments.

Catering to the new breed of travelers’ needs, The Travel Club+ ushers people to a kind of travel that goes beyond the usual.

Meet the Plus

The evolution of their journey begins with a plus.

The new flagship store showcases the iconic The Travel Club logo affixed with a plus symbol, which is stylized like an airplane that’s circling the globe.

However, the “+” is more than just a symbol — it represents their commitment to provide new products that are suited to new ways of travel, gateways to customizing travel experiences, and a home that nurtures a community of travelers.

The “plus” embodies the store’s dedication to making every journey more meaningful.

Step into a Garden-inspired Store

Nowadays, being exposed to the busy world, travelers seek solace wherever possible. This is what The Travel Club+ offers to modern travelers — a comfortable place to find travel essentials amidst surroundings that hint at the tranquility that they desire.

The new flagship store welcomes travelers with a sleek, artistic design that perfectly blends modern aesthetics with minimalist elegance. Modules with a light wood finish and earthy tones inspired by nature give shoppers the feeling that they’ve been transported to the most scenic destinations.

Discover an Ever-Evolving Product Offering

Explore a wider range of products at The Travel Club+, which is home to premium brands and high-quality travel essentials like Ace, Briggs & Riley, Delsey, LOJEL, Piquadro, World Traveller and more. 

In addition, The Travel Club+ has added curated products tailored to the specific needs and wants of the new breed of travelers, whether for traveling with little ones, with fur babies, for artistic endeavors, or for adventure.

Brands like Ergobaby that produces award-winning ergonomic baby carriers, together with Jet Kids, Baby Zen, Miamily, and Beaba will ease traveling with kids to add more joy and meaning to every family trip. 

For fur parents, Vetreska is among the brands that caters functional must-haves to make seeing the world with furry pets even more memorable.

For those traveling for creative inspiration, the flagship store also carries art supplies and stationery brands like Canson, Nara, Pepin, and more. 

And for those who seek to add more thrill to their trips, The Travel Club+ features must-haves for every expedition, including innovative and expertly-designed outdoor gear from bespoke Japanese brand Snow Peak as well as stylish and adventure-ready travel wear from Montbell.

The products available at The Travel Club+ are indeed specially curated to cater to the new kinds of travelers who look for more in their journeys.

Own Your Travel

As The Travel Club+ goes above and beyond, they offer the ability to make every journey a uniquely personal experience.

Inside the experiential store is the Custom Corner where travelers can add a personal touch to their luggage and other travel essentials. This area offers people customization to their accessories, including monogramming services, heat press and sticker printing.

The Custom Corner is a wonderful resource for creating thoughtful and personalized gifts, ideal for sharing with customers’ nearest and dearest. 

Immerse in Meaningful Moments

The Travel Club+ also hopes to foster community building by providing a space for passionate travelers to come together and share stories and their experiences.

Travelers can also enjoy the rich coffee bean flavors of the world through Everyday Coffee Roasters in a cozy cafe and lounge area where people are free to read about travels, research about communities, and plan their next trips. Here, they can also connect with fellow travelers to share enriching experiences and build a growing community.

At The Travel Club+, your adventure begins the moment you walk through the door and immerse yourself in all that awaits for your next journey.

Ready for the plus experience? Visit The Travel Club+, the new flagship store from The Travel Club at the 2/F Main Wing, The Shangri-La Plaza.

 


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Cooperation with South Korea, Philippines important for regional security, says Japan’s Kishida

Japan-Philippines Summit Meeting: (L) Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (R) Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Friday he wanted to cooperate with neighbors South Korea and the Philippines and even engage with North Korea to ensure regional security.

“”The current security environment is tough and complex, and we are at a turning point in history,” Mr. Kishida said in a group interview.

The Japanese leader spoke ahead of a planned summit next week with US President Joe Biden. The state visit will be the first by a Japanese leader in nine years.

He will also address a joint session of the US Congress, only the second Japanese leader to do so. — Reuters

Inflation accelerates for a second month in a row in March

A rice vendor waits for customers at the Paco Market in Manila, March 13, 2024. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

By Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson, Reporter

Headline inflation quickened for a second straight month in March as prices of rice continued to surge, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.

Preliminary data from the PSA showed the consumer price index (CPI) accelerated to 3.7% year on year in March from 3.4% in February. This was slower than the 7.6% clip in the same month last year.

While inflation settled within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 3.4-4.2% forecast for the month, it was slightly below the 3.8% median estimate in a BusinessWorld poll of 17 analysts conducted last week.

Inflation rates in the Philippines

March marked the fourth straight month that inflation was within the BSP’s 2-4% target range.

Month on month, inflation picked up by 0.1%. Stripping out seasonality factors, month-on-month inflation rose by 0.3%.

For the first quarter, inflation averaged 3.3%. The BSP expects average inflation to settle at 3.6% this year.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile prices of food and fuel, eased to 3.4% in March from 3.6% in February and 8% a year ago.

“The inflation outturn is consistent with the BSP expectations that inflation will likely remain within the target range in the first quarter of 2024 due largely to negative base effects,” the BSP said in a statement.

“However, inflation could temporarily accelerate above the target range in the next two quarters of the year due to the possible adverse impact of adverse weather conditions to domestic agricultural output and positive base effects,” it added.

National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa said March inflation was mainly driven by the heavily weighted index for food and nonalcoholic beverages, which quickened to 5.6% from 4.6% in the previous month. However, it was much slower than the 9.3% print in 2023.

Food inflation rose to 5.7% in March, its fastest print in four months or since the 5.8% recorded in November 2023. This was also faster than the 4.8% logged in February but slower than the 9.5% in the previous year.

“Food inflation shared 55.2% or 2.0 percentage points (ppt) to the overall inflation in March 2024,” the PSA said.

HIGH RICE PRICES
Among the top food groups that contributed to food inflation were cereals and cereal products and meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, it added.

Cereal and cereal products, which includes rice, quickened to 17.3% in March from 17% in the previous month and 5.5% in the same period in 2023.

Rice inflation climbed to 24.4% in March, from 23.7% in February and 2.6% a year ago. This was also its fastest print since the 24.6% in February 2009.

March rice inflation soars to 15-year high

“Since this particular commodity started increasing in terms of its prices and inflation, our expectation is that it will remain high until July,” Mr. Mapa said.

Rice inflation contributed 1.8 ppt to headline inflation or around 48% of the total.

For the bottom 30% households, the contribution of rice inflation was at 3.7 ppt or almost 80% of overall inflation for the month.

“Just to give you an idea, the weight of rice in our commodity basket for all incomes is almost 9%. That’s the highest in terms of weight in our commodity basket. It’s even higher for our bottom 30% income households, it reaches 17.9%, so close to double,” Mr. Mapa said.

Rice inflation is expected to remain in the double-digit area over the next few months, he said.

“Our expectation is that it will actually increase strongly until around July because of the base effects, unless there is really some intervention that will happen in the markets to cause prices to decline,” Mr. Mapa added.

PSA data showed that the average price of a kilogram of regular milled rice increased to P51.11 in March from P50.44 a month ago and P39.90 a year earlier.

Well-milled rice rose to P56.44 per kilogram in March from P55.93 in February and P44.23 in the previous year. Special rice averaged P64.75 per kilogram in March from P64.42 in the previous month and P54 a year ago.

Mr. Mapa also attributed faster rice inflation to elevated world rice prices and higher palay (unmilled rice) prices.

“The price of palay is high. Our February average is at around P28.29 (per kilogram). This has been increasing,” he said.

“Although of course, the farmers are worried about the weather. I think for the first quarter, there were farms that still had high production although there were also farms, especially those without access to irrigation, that’s where there are problems. But the price of palay is increasing, so that is one major factor why rice is increasing.”

The El Niño weather event has caused dry spells and droughts in parts of the country. Agricultural damage caused by the El Niño has risen to P2.63 billion, with rice being the most affected crop.

How much did each commodity group contribute to March inflation?

“The government is closely monitoring weather conditions and their effects on the supply of key commodities, such as food and energy, to protect Filipino households from sudden price increases,” National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said in a statement.

Meanwhile, inflation for meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals increased to 2%. This was faster than the 0.7% a month ago but slower than the 4.6% a year earlier.

Mr. Mapa said that prices of meat, particularly pork, increased in March.

The average price of a kilogram of pork shoulder (kasim) rose to P329.52 in March from P315.29 a year ago. Prices of pork belly (liempo) increased to P344.29 per kilo from P327.27 in the previous year; while prices of a kilo of pork meat with bones went up to P297.30 from P286.49 in 2023.

Meanwhile, transport inflation rose to 2.1% in March from 1.2% in the previous month. However, it was slower than the 5.3% a year ago.

“Month on month, there is an increase in the prices of oil products, gasoline and diesel. There’s really an impact there. We see that in the increase of tricycle fares, that’s one of the contributors,” Mr. Mapa said.

In March alone, pump price adjustments stood at a net increase of P2.30 a liter for gasoline, P0.65 a liter each for diesel and kerosene.
Mr. Mapa noted that the higher tricycle fares was largely felt outside of the National Capital Region (NCR).

Data from the PSA showed that the average fare for tricycles outside of NCR rose to P17.80 in March from P17.72 in February and P17.50 a year ago.

Meanwhile, the inflation rate for the bottom 30% of income households rose to 4.6% in March from 4.2% in the previous month. However, it was much slower than the 8.8% clip in the year ago.

From January to March, inflation averaged 4.1% for the bottom 30%.

In the NCR, inflation averaged 3.3% in March, faster than the 3.2% a month ago but slower than the 7.8% recorded in the same month in 2023.
Inflation outside of NCR accelerated to 3.8% from 3.5% in February but was slower than the 7.5% in the previous year.

RISKS TO INFLATION
With the recent uptick in March, the BSP said that risks to the inflation outlook remain tilted toward the upside.

“The upside risks to the inflation outlook could emanate from higher transport charges, higher prices of food commodities facing supply constraints, increased electricity rates, higher global oil prices, and implementation of a legislated increase in the minimum wage,” it added.

HSBC economist for ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Aris D. Dacanay said that inflation may breach the 2-4% target band in the coming months.

“The numbers are consistent with our view that headline CPI will eventually breach the central bank target in the second quarter of 2024, which may, perhaps, result in some market jitters,” he said.

“Looking closely, however, the rise is mostly due to unfavorable base effects. Once these base effects wear off in August, inflation should immediately return to within the BSP’s target band,” he added.

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) in a commentary said that El Niño may continue to stoke inflation.

“Looking ahead, inflation may accelerate further beyond the 4% target of the BSP in the second quarter despite the lower-than-expected March figure, with El Niño as the main driver. Supply of certain food items will likely remain tight until El Niño subsides,” it said.

El Niño has shown signs of weakening but is still expected to persist until May, according to the state weather bureau.

“BSP indicated that it expects inflation to edge past the upper end of its 2-4% inflation target band in the coming months due to tight supply for agriculture products because of the El Nino induced drought,” ING Bank N.V. Manila Senior Economist Nicholas Antonio T. Mapa said in an email note.

China Bank Research said that inflation will remain on an uptrend and breach the target range until July, driven by “unfavorable base effects.”

HSBC’s Mr. Dacanay also noted that rice prices will also remain a key concern.

“Remember that global rice prices steeply rose in August last year. Global rice prices are still elevated but Executive Order 50, which extended the lower tariff rates for rice, has stemmed the extent of how much domestic rice prices can surge,” he said.

With these risks, analysts said that the BSP will likely keep its benchmark rate steady at its policy review on April 8 (Monday).

“We believe the BSP may extend its pause beyond the upcoming April meeting with a potential rate cut only likely in the second half of the year,” Mr. Mapa said.

The Monetary Board kept its key rate steady at a near 17-year high of 6.5% for a third-straight meeting in February. The BSP hiked borrowing costs by 450 basis points (bps) from May 2022 to October 2023.

“The BSP will likely remain cautious still, especially in light of upside risks such as the recent rise in global oil prices. We expect the BSP to hold its policy rate at its meeting next week, with the fourth quarter of 2024 as the likely start of monetary easing,” China Bank Research said.

Robinsons Land’s REIT boosts public float to 49.95% in P8.50-B block sale

ROBINSONS Cyberscape Gamma, located in Ortigas central business district, is the Philippines’ first EDGE-certified REIT building. — BW FILE PHOTO

The real estate investment trust (REIT) of Gokongwei-led property developer Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) has increased its public float to 49.95% from 33.86% previously after completing an overnight block sale valued at P8.50 billion.

RLC sold 1.73 billion common shares of RL Commercial REIT, Inc. (RCR) at P4.92 apiece to “high-quality long-only institutional investors,” the company said in a disclosure on Friday.

“This placement enables RCR to acquire accretive assets from RLC’s diverse pipeline of investment properties,” RLC said.

“The proceeds from the block sale will be settled on April 11 under the placement agreement. RLC will submit the required reinvestment plan detailing the use of proceeds obtained from the sale of the placement shares in due course,” it added.

Data from the Philippine Stock Exchange website showed that RCR’s free float level was previously at 33.86%.

RLC enlisted BPI Capital Corp as the sole placement agent and bookrunner for the transaction.

“Being the majority shareholder of RCR, RLC (will) continuously fuel the growth of RCR by infusing yield-accretive and high-quality assets that will complement the existing predominantly-office asset portfolio of RCR in order to maximize both RLC and RCR’s shareholder value,” RLC President and Chief Executive Officer Lance Y. Gokongwei said.

“We envision RCR to be the bellwether REIT in the Philippine real estate landscape,” he added.

RLC plans to infuse approximately P25 billion worth of assets and increase RCR’s total gross leasable area (GLA) by approximately 60% this year.

In addition to offices, the listed property developer also intends to infuse other assets into RCR, such as malls, hotels, and warehouses.

“With the potential infusion of various asset classes in several key cities across the country, this maximizes RCR’s revenue streams to ensure its continuous growth,” RLC said.

“RLC continues to demonstrate its commitment in growing RCR by evaluating its existing portfolio for distribution per share-accretive assets that will maximize capital recycling efforts in support of its various local real estate projects,” it added.

The company also aims to invest the net proceeds in various projects under construction and land acquisition.

RLC has an investment portfolio that includes 1.6 million square meters (sq.m.) of leasable mall spaces, 270,000 sq.m. of remaining leasable office spaces, 26 hotels with 4,243 room keys, and 227,000 sq.m. of leasable logistics facilities.

RCR’s portfolio consists of 16 assets in 10 major cities with 480,000 sq.m. of gross leasable space.

RLC saw a 24% growth in its attributable net income to P12.06 billion last year. Its revenue declined by 8% to P42.02 billion. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

US raises commercial and market access issues with China in meeting

REUTERS

 – US officials on Thursday raised commercial and market access issues impacting American companies in a meeting with Chinese officials on Thursday, the US Commerce Department said, with cross-border data flows and regulatory transparency among topics discussed.

Washington has raised concerns with Beijing for years over restricted access to the Chinese market for US companies.

Thursday’s meeting, the first between a commercial issues working group that was formed last year, was led by the U.S. under secretary of commerce for international trade, Marisa Lago, and Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen.

Ms. Lago “also raised strong concerns regarding growing overcapacity in a range of Chinese industrial sectors that impact US workers and businesses,” the Commerce Department said in a statement.

US and Chinese officials have kept lines of communication open in recent months. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a call on Tuesday, their first direct talks since a meeting in November.

Mr. Xi and Mr. Biden in the call discussed U.S. efforts to block certain US technologies, including advanced semiconductors, from export to China. Mr. Xi had warned Mr. Biden that the US is “not de-risking but creating risks” by suppressing China’s trade and technology development and adding new entities to US sanctions lists.

The White House said Mr. Biden raised concerns with Mr. Xi about what Washington described as China’s “unfair trade policies and non-market economic practices.” – Reuters

Filmmaker and fan Jonathan Nolan brings ‘Fallout’ games to TV

Source: https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/entertainment/fallout-tv-series-amazon-prime-video

 – Filmmaker Jonathan Nolan says he was both nervous and excited to adapt the popular post-apocalyptic video game series “Fallout” for television.

“(It was) intimidating, honestly, and the reason why is that I had played the games and loved them,” Mr. Nolan said as he premiered the new TV show in London on Thursday.

The eight-episode live-action show comes from husband-and-wife duo Nolan and Lisa Joy, who previously created the hit series “Westworld”, and centers on three main characters; vault dweller Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell), Maximus, a member of the Brotherhood of Steel (Aaron Moten) and mutated bounty hunter The Ghoul (Walton Goggins).

Set in the wasteland of Los Angeles some 200 years after a nuclear armageddon, it sees Lucy resurfacing from the vaults from the first time in her life and leaning on her skills, wits, and values to survive in a world very different from hers. Traversing the hostile terrain in search of her father (Kyle MacLachlan), Lucy crosses paths with Maximus and The Ghoul, each on a mission of their own.

Nolan, who co-wrote several of his brother Christopher Nolan’s films, including “Interstellar” and “The Dark Knight”, also directed the show’s first three episodes.

“I think it’s very similar to the games in the sense that each game in the franchise connects to this larger universe but each game has a new setting, a new set of characters and a new story. And just like that, our series is a new story with new characters but set in this larger universe,” Nolan, 47, said.

“For myself, the fun of it was having loved the games and being passionate about them, I was excited to try to bring reality in terms of large on-location impactful photography and building all the creatures, building all the stunts, the power armor … It was just like being a kid in a candy shop.”

“Fallout” starts streaming on Prime Video on April 11. – Reuters