Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube
Home Blog Page 2352

Cashew nutshell marine biofuel causing problems for some ships — testing agency

TAWATCHAI07-FREEPIK

SINGAPORE — Several ships in Singapore and Rotterdam reported operational problems in recent months after using marine fuel blended with cashew nutshell liquid biofuel, fuel testing agency CTI-Maritec said in an advisory.

Singapore-based CTI-Maritec said it tested samples from the affected ships and found the marine fuel was blended with cashew nutshell liquid that came from undeclared source materials or production processes.

The ships had reported operational problems including fuel sludging, injector failure, filter clogging, system deposits and corrosion of turbocharger nozzle rings, the agency said.

CTI-Maritec did not name the vessels or shipping lines involved, and it was not immediately clear how many ships were affected.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and the Port of Rotterdam did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

CTI-Maritec advised ship-owners not to use 100% cashew nut liquid as a marine fuel or as a blending component, or unestablished bio-products in marine diesel engines.

It said their use would contravene guidance from the International Maritime Organization on the supply of fuel oil to ships.

Cashew nut liquid is a non-FAME (fatty acid methyl ester) biofuel, which is a byproduct of the cashew nut industry. While it has been touted as an alternative renewable fuel, it also has high acid values and is corrosive.

Ship-owners have been exploring various marine biofuel blends as an alternative to dirtier bunker fuels in order to cut emissions.

The latest version of the ISO 8217 marine fuel specification specifies the use of accepted biofuels including FAME-based biofuels and hydrotreated vegetable oil.

There is no marine fuel specification available for cashew nut liquid from any authorized body, CTI-Maritec said. — Reuters

Salmon to launch prepaid card for revolving credit line

SALMON Group Ltd. is looking to launch a physical card in the Philippines for its revolving credit line before the end of the year.

“It is not a credit card. This is effectively a prepaid card that is attached to our revolving credit line,” Salmon co-founder and Rural Bank of Sta. Rosa (Laguna) Chairman Raffy Montemayor told a news briefing on Friday.

Salmon Credit, the fintech group’s revolving credit line service, uses QR Ph as a payment method.

“But sometimes, you need something more physical, like when you’re talking to the merchant, they’re not familiar with QR Ph, they want a card,” he said. “This gives them more options.”

The card will run on the MasterCard network, which will connect it to about 400,000 merchants in the country.

Salmon Credit was launched in September last year. The revolving credit line has zero annual fees and a credit limit of up to P50,000.

“We’re really excited about the potential of this and it’s our way of furthering access to credit to many more underserved, underbanked Filipinos,” Mr. Montemayor said.

The card will be launched in a few weeks in a limited number of offline locations.

“We’re doing a small pilot first,” he said. “We’ll start with a few hundred. We’ll announce it in a couple of weeks’ time once we’ve really finalized all the plans.”

Mr. Montemayor said they would scale up the issuance depending on the results of the pilot. “We want to be conservative. We want to make sure the process goes very smoothly.”

The initiative is a partnership between Sunprime Finance, Inc., Asia United Bank Corp. and MatchMove, a Singapore fintech enabler. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Q&A: ‘We’re thinking of switching exclusively to Jetour’

Jetour Auto Philippines ambassadors Camille Pratts-Yambao and husband VJ pose in front of Jetour T1 units parked just outside the Fuzhou Strait International Convention and Exhibition Center. — PHOTO BY KAP MACEDA AGUILA

A brand experiential trip to China wows celebrity couple Camille Prats and VJ Yambao

Interview by Joyce Reyes-Aguila

LESS THAN two months after signing on as endorsers of automaker Jetour, Camille Prats-Yambao and husband VJ Yambao recently took a deeper dive into the brand. The couple, who are proud owners of a Jetour Dashing (Lightning i-DM), joined the Jetour Global Travel + Conference 2024 in Fuzhou, China. The itinerary included a tour of Jetour’s production facility and test drives of the T2 (including its i-DM or PHEV version which is still not yet in the country), and the smaller T1 (also not yet here). Toward the end of the trip, “Velocity” had an exclusive chat with the couple — fresh from a test of the T1 and T2 on Pintang Island. Camille and VJ talked about how they discovered Jetour, and later fell in love with the brand.

Here are excerpts from our interview.

VELOCITY: How did you discover Jetour?

Camille: We were really looking for an (electrified) vehicle. Actually, I was stalking Jetour’s (social media) account. I reached out to them and said we’re very interested to check out their cars. ‘If you’re looking for someone to collaborate with, (we’re here),’ I said. They replied and it all started from there.

What drew you to the brand?

VJ: I really like the aesthetics of their cars, and the Dashing Lightning i-DM (a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle [PHEV]) was even more interesting. The design is really nice, and when I checked the car’s performance, I felt that the quality is premium.

Camille: We would spend some nights just watching YouTube videos, car reviews of different Jetour cars. We were actually choosing between the T2 and the Dashing (Lightning i-DM).

What made you decide on the Jetour Dashing Lightning i-DM?

VJ: We were looking for a car that Camille can drive. She found the T2 too big, so we chose the Dashing Lightning i-DM.

Camille: We struggled to choose, but the Dashing i-DM is a really good choice. It’s very comfortable. We really wanted a hybrid electric vehicle.

What do the kids think about your vehicle?

VJ: They are crazy about it! They no longer want to ride our other vehicles, to be honest. They like the “Hello, Jetour” voice command control, and like saying “Hello, Jetour, can you open the sunshade?” or “Can you open the windows?” They like the ambient lighting as well. Nala, our only daughter, would press the buttons to change the colors!

Camille: They also know how to operate the massage function. They would ask me to recline, and they would press the massage controls and ask me if it’s good. We like to take them around the village with the sunroof open. VJ sent me a video of the kids laughing, enjoying the breeze from the open sunroof. They really had so much fun!

One time, we were going out and I was the designated driver. I told them we’d be using the other car because it had been a while since we last drove it around. They complained! “We don’t like! We want to get on the Jetour!” they said. We ended up using the Dashing. They really love it.

After attending the Jetour Global Travel + Conference, is there anything new that you learned about the brand? Anything that surprised you?

Camille: I had already been in love with our Jetour. I’m very impressed with it and I have compared the Dashing with other vehicles. But the things I learned here — from seeing the assembly line and all — strengthened my belief in just how strong the brand is. The experience of seeing how they make the cars — how small parts are put together to make an actual vehicle — amazed me. It’s a different experience to witness how the car you drive comes to life.

VJ: I saw how rigid the manufacturing process is. I really saw Jetour’s thrust. It made me feel that they make reliable cars. I really look for durability and reliability in a vehicle. And when I saw how they make cars, it really affirmed my belief that it is a good brand.

Camille: We’ve come to a point that VJ wants to sell all our cars and replace them with Jetour vehicles. We’re literally considering that, and I kind of agree with him.

VJ: We’re really considering it. Let’s stick with Jetour. Their future plans excite me, including what we saw during this trip, and things that I cannot say more about right now.

Camille: What they have coming up will be very good for our country. We struggle with the impact of weather systems and the impact of these that are beyond our control. Jetour is planning to create a car that is made for adverse conditions. We’re very excited for that.

If there’s one car that you want to bring home from your recent trip with Jetour, what would it be and why?

Camille: The T5. I feel it’s a leveling-up of the T2.

VJ: The T7. I cannot wait to be able to get my hands on it. It’s the ultimate car by far that was ever built. And it’s built by Jetour. I cannot wait to have it in my garage!

Camille: I feel that (the T7) is something that we just imagined before, and now it’s going to come true. It was right there in front of us!

Uniqlo keeps the holidays warm for those in need

UNIQLO announces the launch of The Heart of LifeWear, a new initiative to donate one million new items of HeatTech thermal clothing to people in need around the world this winter. This global initiative originated with Uniqlo considering the question “What makes life better?” and asking how, in its 40th anniversary year, the brand could take further concrete action to contribute to society through LifeWear.

Speaking about the announcement of the initiative, Koji Yanai, Senior Group Executive Officer at Fast Retailing Co. Ltd, the parent company of Uniqlo, said, “All over the world, every day there are people whose situation suddenly changes regardless of their intentions or will — due to conflict, persecution, or natural disasters. No one wants to become a refugee, or to find themselves suddenly living in precarious circumstances.”

“Through our new global initiative from this winter, The Heart of LifeWear, Uniqlo seeks to make a positive impact on the lives of as many people as we can who are living in such situations, aiming to help make life better and more comfortable — even just a little — for people in need around the world,” he said.

Currently, there are more than 120 million refugees and internally-displaced people globally, as well as many others who are forced to live in difficult circumstances, both in markets where Uniqlo operates and in nearby regions. Through the initiative, Uniqlo will provide support to help make life a little more comfortable for people forced to flee, children in need, victims of natural disasters, and other vulnerable people around the world. Along with HeatTech thermal items, Uniqlo will also donate breathable, lightweight AIRism clothing, depending on the climate of the recipient region.

Uniqlo will be assisted by its global brand ambassadors Roger Federer, Kei Nishikori, Shingo Kunieda, Gordon Reid, Ayumu Hirano, and Adam Scott; as well as Toray Group, the leading Japanese materials manufacturer and long-term Uniqlo partner who jointly developed HeatTech.

Uniqlo also presented a list of beneficiaries for the program: 500,000 items will be donated through the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. 100,000 pieces will be given to the victims of the Noto Peninsula earthquake and torrential rains, and to child and family services facilities in Japan. 120,000 pieces will be donated to elderly people, children, and PWDs in Greater China. Elderly people living alone and in poverty in South Korea will receive 50,000 pieces, while refugees, internally displaced people, victims of natural disasters, and adults and children living in poverty around Southeast Asia, India, and Australia will receive 120,000 pieces. Refugees and adults and children living in poverty will receive 100,000 pieces in Europe, while refugees and the homeless in North America will receive 80,000 items. These planned figures were announced in Nov. 13, though distribution dates, locations, and recipients in each region will be announced at a later date.

Meralco shares climb on P200-billion solar farm

MERALCO.COM.PH

MANILA Electric Co. (Meralco) shares rose last week following the groundbreaking ceremony for the P200-billion Terra Solar project.

The power distributor ranked 13th in value turnover, with P479.31 million worth of 987,650 shares traded from Nov. 18 to 22, according to data from the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Meralco shares closed at P486 on Friday, up by 0.2% from P485 on Nov. 15. Year to date, the stock had increased by 21.8%.

Germaine O. Guinto, power and utilities analyst at Maybank Securities, Inc., said that Meralco became one of the most actively traded stocks last week due to the groundbreaking of its Terra Solar project.

“Perhaps the stock has been topical this week because of the recent groundbreaking of the Terra Solar Project, boosting confidence in Meralco undertaking a large-scale solar initiative,” Ms. Guinto said in an e-mail.

“The Terra Solar groundbreaking attracted significant investor attention, emphasizing Meralco’s renewable energy initiatives. Seasonal demand growth and its defensive nature further supported high trading activity,” Arielle Anne D. Santos, equity analyst at Regina Capital Development Corp., said in a Viber message.

Last week, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and Meralco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan led the groundbreaking ceremony for the Meralco Terra Solar Project, alongside leaders from the power distributor, SP New Energy Corp., and Actis.

The 3,500-hectare project, covering five municipalities between Nueva Ecija and Bulacan provinces, which is the world’s largest solar and battery storage facility, will be the power generation source for Meralco. 

It also has a 3,500-megawatt (MW) solar power plant capacity and a 4,500-MW battery storage capacity.

Moreover, the Meralco Terra Solar project is expected to benefit around 2.4 million households, create up to 10,000 jobs, and reduce carbon emissions by more than 4.3 million metric tons — which is equivalent to removing three million gasoline-powered cars from roads — once it is fully operational by 2027, according to Mr. Marcos.

Mr. Marcos said that it is also designed to address the surging demand for electricity and the need to shift to sustainable energy.

Ms. Guinto also said that the process of the renewal of Meralco’s franchise also affects the movement of its stock.

“Every step closer to Meralco franchise renewal is a catalyst for Meralco. Earlier this month, the House of Representatives passed a bill extending Meralco’s franchise for another 25 years,” Ms. Guinto said.

On Nov. 12, Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri filed Senate Bill No. 2876 to allow Meralco to continue to construct, operate, and maintain its electric distribution systems in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Rizal for another 25 years.

This came after the House of Representatives approved on final reading a bill that seeks the franchise renewal of the power distributor, which includes a provision that will allow its franchise to be effective four years ahead of its initial expiry.

For the third quarter, Meralco’s attributable net income reached P11.31 billion, a 7.3% year-on-year increase from P10.55 billion. Meanwhile, its consolidated revenue inched up by 6.8% to P117.95 billion from P110.41 billion.

From the January-to-September period, Meralco had an attributable net income of P33.76 billion, higher by 18.9% from last year’s P28.4 billion, while consolidated revenue for the period also increased by 6% to P355.42 billion from P335.23 billion.

“We forecast Meralco’s full-year net income to be upwards of P43 billion, reflecting a 14% increase year on year, with the fourth quarter contributing around P9.5 billion,” Ms. Guinto said.

“Likely to see at least mid-to-high single-digit bottom-line growth driven by holiday demand and operational efficiencies,” Ms. Santos said.

Ms. Santos also pegged the initial support at P484 per share, while resistance at P492 per share.

Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Charles Worren E. Laureta

Integrity in healthcare

UNSPLASH

The research-based biopharmaceutical sector in the country reiterates our firm commitment to uphold high ethical and professional conduct in all our interactions. 

During the 60th anniversary of the Philippine Press Institute, the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) launched our “I Stand for Integrity” campaign to demonstrate our firm resolve to uphold professionalism in our conduct. Senate Committee on Health and Demography Vice-Chairman Senator JV Ejercito and PPI Chairperson Rolando Estabillo joined PHAP in the ceremony where we amplified our campaign for ethics and professionalism in the pharmaceutical industry.

“In the healthcare community, unethical behavior hurts not just reputations. It also harms patients and deprives them of the quality healthcare they deserve. Ethical interactions, on the other hand, help ensure that medical decisions are made in the best interests of patients,” said PHAP President Dr. Diana Edralin during the event.

In a historic event this year, all the 87 Department of Health (DoH)-retained hospitals signed the Philippine Consensus Framework for Ethical Collaborations, as endorsed by Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa, during the National Health Sector Meeting in Legazpi City, Albay.

It was at the height of the pandemic in 2020 when we ratified our own Philippine Consensus Framework with the support of an initial 20 signatories from various healthcare organizations, including PHAP, the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations, the Philippine Medical Association, the Philippine Pharmacists Association, and the Philippine Nurses Association, along with a number of DoH-retained hospitals. The Consensus Framework aims to put patients at the center of all efforts through the advancement of ethical principles.

The Consensus Framework’s principles are: Put Patients First; Support Basic and Ethical Research and Innovation; Ensure Independence and Ethical Conduct; Promote Transparency and Accountability; Establish Trust and Solidarity; Prioritize Quality Care and Innovation; and Foster Respect for All.

Signatories to the Consensus Framework in the Philippines have adopted the principles of the “Consensus Framework for Ethical Collaboration Between Patients, Organizations, Healthcare Professionals, and the Pharmaceutical Industry” which was first developed in 2014 by several global umbrella organizations, namely the International Alliance of Patient Organizations, the World Medical Association, the International Council of Nurses, the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), and the International Pharmaceutical Federation.

The Philippine Consensus Framework for Ethical Collaboration is an initiative being pushed forward by country counterparts of the abovementioned reputable global healthcare organizations. PHAP is the country counterpart of the IFPMA.

Meanwhile, the ethical promotion of prescription medicines is vital to the pharmaceutical industry’s mission of helping patients through research and development of new and innovative medicines. Ethical promotion helps to ensure that healthcare professionals (HCPs) have access to the right information they need and that patients have access to the right medicines at the right time.

With this, PHAP developed our own Code of Practice fully aligned with global and regional codes as well as national laws. Established in 1993, the Code seeks to preserve the independence of the decisions taken by HCPs in prescribing medicines to patients. It also emphasizes that industry relationships with HCPs must support, and be consistent with, their professional responsibilities for their patients.

The PHAP Code mandates all our 41 member companies to maintain high ethical standards in the conduct of promotional activities to HCPs, Patient Groups, and Patient Organizations and comply with applicable legal, regulatory, professional requirements and international guidelines on face-to-face and virtual interactions. Compliance with the Code of Practice is a pre-requisite to membership, and is governed by an independent ethics committee which is composed of the country’s health and academic luminaries.

Aside from developing the PHAP Code, we also supported the development of and fully adopted the DoH’s implementing guidelines on the promotion and marketing of prescription products and medical devices. The guidelines aim to ensure that ethical interactions between industry and other stakeholders shall be guided by the principles embodied in the 2011 Mexico City and Kuala Lumpur Business Codes of Ethics as endorsed by heads of states of APEC Member economies, including the Philippines.

PHAP members diligently comply with the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines on the disclosure of financial relationships with HCPs. Our members regularly submit financial reports to the FDA.

PHAP likewise developed the Integrity and Proficiency Program for the Pharmaceutical Sector, a pioneering training tool designed to help ensure that pharmaceutical companies’ interactions with HCPs, medical institutions. and patient organizations, are at all times ethical, appropriate, and professional.

We strongly believe that the promotion of ethics requires a whole-of-society approach. As such, we urge government agencies, patients, and patient organizations, healthcare professionals and providers, the private sector, business entities, not-for-profit groups, and everyone who has interactions around healthcare delivery in the country to join us and be a signatory of the Philippine Consensus Framework.

We at PHAP stand for integrity. Our first obligation is to health, our first loyalty belongs to Filipino patients, and our essence is integrity.

 

Teodoro B. Padilla is the executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines, which represents the biopharmaceutical medicines and vaccines industry in the country. Its members are in the forefront of research and development efforts for COVID-19 and other diseases that affect Filipinos.

India turns to satellite images of scorched earth in bid to better measure farm fires

REUTERS

NEW DELHI — India’s government plans to clamp down on polluting farm fires by measuring the areas burnt instead of live blazes, after reports that farmers were burning paddy waste or stubble at times when satellites were not passing overhead.

India currently uses data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) satellites that pass twice a day over the northern states of Punjab and Haryana to monitor farm fires, which are a major contributor to the smog that envelopes the national capital region (NCR) each winter.

The Commission for Air Quality Management, a government body responsible for air quality in the NCR, said on Friday that India’s space agency had been asked in January to develop a system to study burnt areas to count farm fires.

“That protocol has actually been developed and is currently being tested,” Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told the Supreme Court after an adviser to the court said on Monday that the current system counted fires over a limited time.

Some experts suspect that farmers have, over time, become aware of the surveillance period and shifted the time of burning their crop waste to evade the NASA satellites, because of which while counts were lower this year, pollution levels were not.

The government said on Friday that data from stationary satellites was “sub optimal” and not “actionable,” dismissing an earlier direction from the court to use them instead.

Delhi has been battling hazardous air this month, with the air quality index (AQI) touching a peak of 494 on a scale of 500 on Monday, when farm fires also recorded a high of 2,893, prompting the government to restrict vehicle movement and construction and shift schools to online teaching.

India considers an AQI of 0-50 ‘good’, and above 400 ‘severe’, which poses a risk to healthy people and “seriously impacts” those with existing diseases.

Delhi recorded a “very poor” AQI of 374 on Friday, authorities said, and the Ministry of Earth Sciences forecast it would remain in the same category (300-400) through this week.

Other countries in South Asia also battle toxic air every year as cold air traps dust, smoke, and emissions, and some studies say rising air pollution can cut a person’s life expectancy in the region by more than five years. — Reuters

Government yields edge higher as market awaits policy signals

YIELDS on government securities (GS) rose last week as the market stayed on the sidelines, awaiting further policy cues from the Philippine central bank and the economic policies of US President-elect Donald J. Trump.

The yields, which move opposite to prices, went down by an average of 2.78 basis points (bps) week on week, based on the PHP Bloomberg Valuation Service Reference Rates as of Nov. 22 published on the Philippine Dealing System website.

Yields on the 182- and 364-day Treasury bills (T-bills) rose, while the yield on 91-day T-bills fell.

Two-, three-, four- and five-year Treasury bonds (T-bonds) rose, while the yield on seven-year T-bonds dropped. The rates of the 20- and 25-year T-bonds went up, while rate of 10-year T-bonds fell.

The volume of government securities rose to P23.45 billion on Friday from P16.13 billion on Nov. 15.

“Market players remain sidelined as market awaits the next Monetary Board meeting in December for a 25/50 bps cut as the economy slows in the third quarter of the year,” Jonathan L. Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong & Co., said in a Viber message.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. last week gave mixed signals if they would pause or cut rates on Dec. 19.

Rising inflation could prompt the Philippine central bank to pause its easing cycle, while slowing growth could spur another rate cut, he said. The BSP has cut rates by 50 bps since August.

Mr. Ravelas said the rising 10-year US Treasuries are also influencing global rates. Last week, the 10-year US Treasury yield climbed more than 14 bps to 4.433%, the highest since July, as market players bet on US economic growth under Mr. Trump.

“Government security yields were much driven by headlines in the US specifically Trump-related,” said the bond trader in a Viber message.

Reuters reported that the dollar rose to a 13-month high in choppy trading last week as investors assessed the latest labor market data and comments from Federal Reserve officials for the path of interest rates, while Bitcoin continued its march toward the $100,000 level.

Weekly initial jobless claims dropped 6,000 to a seasonally adjusted 213,000, a seven-month low, and below the 220,000 estimate of economists polled by Reuters, indicating job growth rebounded after being disrupted by hurricanes and labor strikes last month.

Recent comments from US Fed officials, including Chairman Jerome H. Powell, have indicated the central bank might take a slower course in its rate cut path, while concerns that Mr. Trump’s policies could reignite inflation have helped push the dollar to a high of 107.15, its highest since Oct. 4, 2023.

“The peso hitting P59 is also a concern as the market wants to see if the central bank is really not concerned about the peso weakness that much,” the bond trader added.

Last week, the Philippine peso hit P59 against the dollar, the weakest since Oct. 17, 2022. This marked the first time the peso returned to the P59-a-dollar level. — Lourdes O. Pilar

Falken fortifies model series with 2 new tires

JM Far East, Inc. President Winston Manabat addresses guests at the launch of the new Falken Wildpeak tires. — PHOTO BY HAZEL NICOLE CARREON

Wildpeak targets ute vehicle users

By Hazel Nicole Carreon

FALKEN TIRE has expanded its Wildpeak lineup with the introduction of the Wildpeak A/T4W and Wildpeak R/T01. Distributed locally by JM Far East, Inc., Falken tires are positioned as having the values of durability, traction, and versatility. The Wildpeak line is a popular choice among SUV and truck owners who demand a reliable and capable tire for any road condition.

According to JM Far East, Inc. President Winston Manabat, Falken is focusing on the expansion of the Wildpeak line as the utility category is “growing and becoming so strategically important.”

“As of the end of December 2023, in the Philippines, almost 430,000 vehicle units were sold and 75% of them are from the (utility) category,” the executive said in his speech at the launch event of the new Wildpeak tires.

The new Wildpeak A/T4W is an all-terrain tire that seamlessly blends on-road comfort with off-road capability. Leveraging the proven capabilities of the A/T3W, the new tire has an advanced tread design that features aggressive shoulder blocks for additional traction on rugged terrain. The tire’s optimized tread pattern and all-new rubber compound also ensure a quiet and smooth ride on highways.

A total of 45 sizes are now available, with 16 additional sizes to be introduced in 2025, and 18 more to be rolled out in the first quarter of 2026. Among the vehicle models that can be fitted with the Wildpeak A/T4W are the Mitsubishi Triton, Isuzu D-Max, and Toyota Hilux.

Meanwhile, the Wildpeak R/T01 is ideal for those seeking ultimate off-road performance as the rugged terrain tire is engineered to conquer challenging trails and withstand harsh conditions. Its hybrid terrain tread pattern and reinforced sidewalls provide superior durability and puncture resistance.

Being a POR (professional off-road) model, the Wildpeak R/T01 is considered a “special use” tire with larger, more widely spaced blocks that help optimize traction and keep the vehicle in motion on difficult terrain.

The Wildpeak R/T01 is available in nine sizes, ranging from 16 to 20 inches. Among its popular vehicle fitments are the Mazda BT-50, Nissan Navara, Toyota Hilux, and Isuzu D-Max.

With the introduction of the Wildpeak A/T4W and Wildpeak R/T01, Falken is seen as continuing to push the boundaries of tire technology. These new tires are a testament to the company’s dedication to providing drivers with high-performance and reliable tires.

The two new Wildpeak tires are now available at authorized Falken Tire retailers nationwide and online. Both tire models come with a five-year warranty.

LVMH brands can choose to forge deals with Paris FC soccer club or not, Arnault family says

PARIS — The Arnault family holding will not pressure LVMH brands into forging partnerships with Paris FC once it acquires a controlling stake in the French capital’s soccer club, Antoine Arnault, son of billionaire Bernard Arnault, said last week.

Instead, if brands want to do so, Antoine Arnault said he would put them in touch with the club but would not force them to strike a deal if it does not fit their brand strategy.

Mr. Arnault, who will represent Agache, the Arnault family’s holding company, on the second-tier French soccer club’s board, also said buying a controlling stake was a long-term investment.

“It’s important, sports-wise, to do things gradually, to build, grow and improve by doing things gradually, step by step, without rushing,” he told a press conference, adding: “We’re in it for the long run.”

The proposed takeover continues a trend of billionaires buying soccer clubs across Europe, while overhauling a Paris-based club that could potentially rival Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint Germain, owned by Qatar Sports Investments.

Paris FC have struggled to find a fan base, with the average attendance last season at just under 5,500 in their 19,000-capacity Charléty stadium despite tickets being free since last November.

Agache said last month that LVMH Chair Bernard Arnault had teamed up with energy drinks company Red Bull to enter into exclusive talks to buy a controlling stake in the club.

Paris FC’s current owner Pierre Ferracci told the same press conference that a deal was imminent. — Reuters

Philippines improves in Network Readiness Index

The Philippine went up six spots to 63rd place out of 133 economies with a score of 49.93 (out of a possible 100) in the 2024 edition of Network Readiness Index (NRI) by the nonprofit research organization Portulans Institute. The index assesses the application and impact of information and communication technology in economies around the world based on four pillars: technology, people, governance, and impact.

Philippines improves in Network Readiness Index

How PSEi member stocks performed — November 22, 2024

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Friday, November 22, 2024.

1...2,3512,3522,353...14,238Page 2,352 of 14,238
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube