Donald Trump: Coming to you almost daily direct from the Oval Office

February 17, 2025 | 6:58 pm

WASHINGTON — Gone are the crowded arenas, the pulsing playlists, the off-the-cuff 90-minute campaign speeches. Now that Donald Trump is back in the White House, he is favoring a new style of communication with the American public on an almost-daily appearances direct from the Oval Office.

In the nearly four weeks since he returned to the presidency, Mr. Trump has leveraged the grandeur of the historic West Wing office with media gatherings that are recorded and played out on news channels.

“He’s using this to highlight and accentuate his authority as president,” said presidential historian Thomas Alan Schwartz of Vanderbilt University. “There’s nothing more authoritative than the president using the Oval Office.”

The reliance on Mr. Trump to serve as his own messenger has been an explicit part of the White House communications strategy. “The president is the best spokesperson that this White House has, and I can assure you that you’ll be hearing from both him and me as much as possible,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at her first press briefing on Jan. 28.

Surrounded by presidential portraits including Ronald Reagan, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, and with deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and other advisers hovering nearby, Mr. Trump has discussed everything from Ukraine and Gaza to his distaste for paper straws during free-wheeling exchanges with the press.

Mr. Trump usually holds court seated behind the historic Resolute Desk, made from the timbers of a British Arctic exploration ship of the same name and a gift from Queen Victoria that has been used by multiple presidents. Mr. Trump has brought back the red button for ordering Diet Cokes from a valet that featured in his first term.

The frequency of the sessions are a departure from his predecessor, Joseph Biden, who invited criticism for his limited engagements with reporters and largely stuck to speeches delivered from a teleprompter in the Roosevelt Room, East Room and other public areas.

Of Mr. Trump’s 34 sessions with reporters since he took office, 16 were conducted in the Oval Office, according to presidential scholar Martha Joynt Kumar.

That’s considerably more than Mr. Biden, who held 22 short question-and-answer sessions with reporters at the same point in his presidency, including nine from the Oval Office, Ms. Kumar said. And it’s nearly three times as many as the beginning of Mr. Trump’s first term, when he held just five press meetings in the Oval.

Asked to comment on the frequent Oval Office appearances, Ms. Leavitt said: “President Trump is happy to open up the Oval Office nearly every day to journalists who are granted the privilege of asking him questions for the whole world to see.”

Meanwhile, she has sharply reduced the calendar of briefings for reporters, holding four in that time.

Mr. Trump’s use of the office in his second term is unprecedented, said presidential historian Douglas Brinkley. “This is the biggest podcast of them all: Oval Office live.”

SPECTACLE AND STRENGTH
The access remains on Mr. Trump’s terms. In an extraordinary move last week, he barred Associated Press reporters from the Oval after the news agency continued to use the term Gulf of Mexico following Mr. Trump’s executive order changing the name to Gulf of America.

The White House Correspondents’ Association and others including Reuters have objected to access restrictions made on the basis of editorial decisions.

A former reality television showman known for his love of stagecraft, Mr. Trump sees the Oval Office sessions as free media, said a source familiar with his views.

He tends to weave from subject to subject and sometimes offers unscripted comments.

On Thursday, Mr. Trump announced from behind his desk that he had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin and that they were planning a summit on ending the Ukraine war, possibly in Saudi Arabia, to the alarm of European leaders.

The week before, he suggested permanently displacing 1.7 million Palestinians from Gaza, saying people there had no alternative but to leave the enclave devastated by Israel’s military assault.

Many of Mr. Trump’s Oval Office events are marked as “closed press” on the daily schedule, meaning reporters are not to be brought in.

But minutes before each event, aides will check to see if Mr. Trump wants to open it up to journalists. He usually agrees, prompting a scramble by reporters.

Mr. Trump brought the press pool into the Oval Office with little notice last Tuesday to record him urging Jordan’s King Abdullah to drop his opposition to accepting Palestinian refugees from Gaza. The king reiterated his country’s “steadfast position” against the plan.

Like a TV impresario, Mr. Trump likes a cliffhanger finish to set up the next episode and draw viewers in. On Wednesday, he teased a forthcoming announcement on tariffs.

“I may do it today, and if I do it today, I could almost do it right now. Would you like to be shocked?” Mr. Trump said. — Reuters

German voters demand change as Europe’s biggest economy stalls

February 17, 2025 | 6:54 pm

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany — Lars Baumguertel wants Germany’s politicians to get out their cheque books.

The 58-year-old executive runs one of the last surviving manufacturers in Gelsenkirchen, a former coal town in the industrialized Ruhr Valley.

But his company, like many in the Mittelstand — the tissue of small- and medium-sized manufacturers that powers Germany’s economy — is reeling from high energy costs after the Ukraine war ended supplies of cheap Russian gas.

Europe’s largest economy contracted for a second consecutive year in 2024, its worst performance in two decades. And Gelsenkirchen has been amongst its hardest-hit cities — it has Germany’s highest unemployment rate, which has fueled a dramatic rise in the popularity of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

Ahead of a general election on Sunday, a national debate is raging about how to revive Germany’s economic fortunes.

Mr. Baumguertel hopes a new government will provide long-overdue infrastructure investment needed to rebuild Germany’s energy system and to transition to a greener, more modern economy. Germany has pledged to become carbon-neutral by 2045.

“The entire Ruhr region, and Gelsenkirchen in particular, shows how constant change is needed to sustain economic growth,” he told Reuters during a tour of his factory. The family-run firm, founded in 1889, still employs some 2,000 people making galvanizing steel coatings.

But Germany’s constitutional debt brake has prevented successive governments from making vital investments, ranging from public infrastructure to skills training, needed to overhaul Germany’s ailing economic model, economists say.

The brake — part of Germany’s response to the 2009 financial crisis under former chancellor Angela Merkel — limits the federal government’s deficit to a mere 0.35% of output. By comparison, last year the US budget deficit was more than 6% of output.

Reuters spoke to eight residents of Gelsenkirchen, as well as senior politicians and economists, who said that a new government must consider fundamental change to Germany’s austere, export-driven model, including the debt brake, in order to revive the economy.

Friedrich Merz, the conservative who is the runaway favorite to emerge as chancellor of a coalition government after the election, is quietly leaving the door open to reform, party insiders told Reuters.

His official stance is that the debt brake must remain in the constitution and that there are no plans for reform. Indeed, Mr. Merz rejected a push last summer by senior members of his CDU party to explicitly mention debt brake reform in its election manifesto, citing its totemic appeal to austerity-minded conservative voters.

But senior party leaders told Reuters Mr. Merz had privately accepted that change is inevitable due to Germany’s huge investment needs in the economy and defense, with American engagement in European security no longer a given under President Donald Trump.

“Of course, we will have a reform after the election,” a conservative leader of a German federal state told Reuters, asking not to be identified given the sensitivity of the issue.

RESIDENTS WANT CHANGE
In Gelsenkirchen, the signs of a downturn are visible everywhere. While the city played a big part in Germany’s post-war “economic miracle,” the rot set in with the decline of coal and heavy industry in the 1960s. Its population tumbled from 390,000 then to just 260,000 now as the local economy cratered.

The city now has one of Germany’s lowest levels of income per capita and highest rates of child poverty, according to official data.

Many residents no longer feel the economy is working for them and want change.

Klaus Herzmanatus, a fourth-generation coal miner, was forced by pit closures into early retirement in 2000 at the age of 40. He has watched in dismay as the industrial decline in Gelsenkirchen has spread elsewhere in Germany.

“We are an industrial nation. We can’t create chaos in industry,” he told Reuters, voicing a litany of complaints about how politicians in Berlin let Germany down. “There must be affordable energy supply for companies.”

Many residents are turning in desperation to extremist parties.

Once a stronghold of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Ruhr Valley has seen a rise by the far-right AfD, which is now the second-most popular party nationally behind the CDU, according to opinion polls. In Gelsenkirchen, the party garnered 22% of the votes in June’s European election, its strongest result in Germany.

The AfD sees the issue of energy costs as a vote-winner. It blames Germany’s years-long phase-out of nuclear energy, which started in the 2000s and was backed by all mainstream parties.

“We’ve shut down the power plants here — some of the safest nuclear power plants in the world — to import electricity from the nuclear plants in France,” said local AfD official Christian Loose.

When Germany pulled the plug on its last three nuclear power stations in April 2023, it became a net importer of energy from France, which produces 70% of its energy from nuclear. However, French energy imports represent only 3% of Germany’s energy consumption.

The CDU, which is expected to lead a coalition government after the election, has left the door open to reopening these nuclear plants. Its leader, Mr. Merz, has described their closure as “a fatal decision.”

While some pro-business voices are urging Germany to defer its net-zero carbon targets, the political consensus is still in favor of an energy transition that would keep climate ambitions on track and promote a new generation of green jobs and growth.

The issue is: where’s the cash for that?

Addressing Germany’s structural challenges — ranging from its energy needs and climate obligations to overdue improvements to housing, transport and training — would cost 600 billion euros in the next decade alone, the IW economic institute estimates.

With debt at around 63% of output last year, Germany has more leeway than most. The United States, by contrast, is running a national debt at 123% of gross domestic product.

For Germany’s right in particular, maintaining the debt brake has become sacrosanct — until now.

One possible reform would be to lift the spending cap imposed on Germany’s 16 federal states, whose regional budgets cover everything from social housing to green transition. The brake is even tougher on them, permitting no annual deficit at all.

“An addition to the debt brake for the federal states is conceivable,” Mathias Middelberg, one of Mr. Merz’s top budget aides, told Reuters. “This could certainly be corrected.”

A small increase in the deficit could free up 6.0 billion euros a year, according to the Ifo Institute — not peanuts but certainly no game-changer for the economy.

A bigger step would be if left-leaning Social Democrats and Greens conditioned their entry into a grand coalition led by Mr. Merz on him agreeing to remove certain spending items — notably on long-term investment — from the brake altogether.

Mr. Merz has ruled out cooperating with the AfD.

“This is the time when Germany needs to invest and everybody else is doing it except Germany,” Nikolaus Wolf, director of the Institute of Economic History at Humboldt University of Berlin, told Reuters. “It’s really kind of suicidal.”

The scope of any reform will depend on the outcome of the election. But one source close to Mr. Merz told Reuters in November that when he says publicly he has no plans for debt brake reform, it should be interpreted as meaning that he has no such plans for now.

‘MANY MISTAKES’
Some in Gelsenkirchen say missteps there mirror a wider reluctance of Germany’s leaders to change as advanced economies around the world have gradually moved from industrial to knowledge-based models.

While neighboring Bochum, also a former coal and steel hub, spotted the trend early and founded the Ruhr region’s first university in 1965, local Gelsenkirchen leaders chose not to follow suit.

Bochum’s unemployment rate of 10% is now more than 3 percentage points lower than Gelsenkirchen’s.

“The mood was ‘We have coal and steel, what do we need with these crazy academics?’,” said Karl-Martin Obermeier, professor at the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, which the city only opened up some 27 years later in 1992.

“We focused solely on large-scale industry, classic coal and steel,” he told Reuters. “Many mistakes have been made.”

Gelsenkirchen’s mayor Karin Welge, a member of Germany’s ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD), said additional fiscal leeway would have helped her city with its structural transformation, in particular redeveloping neighborhoods and investing in education.

“We are reliant on the support of the state here,” she said. “A reform of the debt brake could also pave the way for the repayment of old debts, which in turn would give us room for investment.”

NO QUICK TURNAROUND
Close observers of the German economy do not expect this election to yield dramatic change. Two major economic institutes are already forecasting a third year of economic contraction in 2025, the longest period of weakness in Germany’s post-war history.

Franziska Palmas, senior Europe economist at Capital Economics, said it was unlikely the next government would prioritize major long-term structural change, not least given the current uncertainties in the global economy.

Policymakers could have more of an impact on Germany’s long-term prospects by focusing on the business environment for new growth sectors, boosting digitalization and improving the environment for start-ups, Ms. Palmas said.

“However, while these issues are included in most parties’ manifestos, we doubt they will be a priority for the next government,” Ms. Palmas said.

Back in Gelsenkirchen, the former miner Herzmanatus says he is convinced “we can get out of this hole again.” Once a backer of the Social Democrats who used to be able to count mining towns as their heartlands, he long since switched to the CDU.

To visitors at the mining museum he runs as a volunteer, he gives the customary miners’ salute at the end of a day’s work down a shaft — Glueck auf — “good luck for the ascent.”

The same could be said for the German economy. — Reuters

Thai Q4 GDP grows 3.2% y/y, below forecast

February 17, 2025 | 6:53 pm

BANGKOK — Thailand’s economy grew 3.2% in the final quarter of 2024 from a year earlier, official data showed on Monday, missing the median forecast of 3.9% growth in a Reuters poll of analysts.

On a quarterly basis, Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy grew a seasonally adjusted 0.4% in the October-December quarter, data from the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) showed, below the poll forecast of 0.7% growth.

In the September quarter, growth was 3.0% on the year and 1.2% on the quarter.

In 2024, the economy grew 2.5%, accelerating from a revised 2.0% in 2023, the NESDC said.

It said the economy was expected to grow in a range of 2.3% to 3.3% in 2025, unchanged from a previous forecast with a 2.8% midpoint, supported by government spending, private consumption and investment, tourism and exports.

Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan said on Friday he hoped the country would not face US tariffs and would do everything to ensure it was not targeted, amid concerns that its trade surplus with Washington could adversely affect exports.

In December, the Bank of Thailand left its main interest rate 2.25% following a surprise quarter-point cut in October.

Last month, the central bank governor told Reuters the current policy rate remained suitable, given high household debt, even though growth could fall below 2.9% this year.

The next policy review is scheduled for Feb. 26. — Reuters

How hard work and teamwork drive business success

February 17, 2025 | 6:00 pm

Joyce and Diana ranks first in terms of revenue and gross merchandise value among its competitors on major e-commerce platforms, according to Andrew Fung, owner and founder of the home essentials brand.

Interview by Edg Adrian Eva
Video editing by Jayson Mariñas

Prioritizing customer-centric insurance services

February 17, 2025 | 5:25 pm

Cocolife, the largest Filipino-owned life insurance company, was recently honored with the prestigious CXP Best Customer Experience Award 2024 and recognized at the International Finance Awards as the Best Customer-Centric Life Insurance Company in the Philippines for 2024. Cocolife also holds the distinction of being the only Filipino company to receive the CXP Best Customer Experience award among its Southeast Asian contemporaries.

The award honored Cocolife’s deep understanding of its customers’ needs and investments in cutting-edge technology to enhance its service delivery.

According to Teresa Bose, Cocolife’s Vice-President and Head of the Customer Experience Department, the company views excellent customer experience as the foundation of its business strategy.

“We prioritize convenience, efficiency, and service excellence. We don’t just sell insurance products, we deliver on our promises, providing peace of mind and security to our customers,” she added.

Cocolife’s recognition stems from its innovative approach to meeting individual client needs by leveraging advanced technology and various communication channels.

For instance, the company’s Quick Response Team ensures prompt and accurate replies through social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, while its Client Resolutions Unit swiftly addresses customer concerns, turning challenges into opportunities for growth.

Another key factor behind this recognition is Cocolife’s Just Ask Live (JAL) platform, a real-time, video-based customer service tool that provides direct access to customer service representatives. The platform ensures quick and effective resolutions, setting a benchmark in customer support for the industry.

Similarly, the myCocolife App has streamlined how policyholders interact with their insurance plans. The application provides a user-friendly interface for managing policies, accessing information, and availing services directly from the customer’s smartphone.

“Direct engagement has made us realize that today’s customers want partnerships with companies that prioritize their changing needs and not just transactions. Also, personalized service is no longer optional — it is expected,” Ms. Bose explained.

Cocolife’s achievements extend to the 2024 Global Business Review Magazine Awards, where the insurance company secured multiple honors for the third consecutive year. Among these were awards such as Best Life Insurance Company in the Philippines, Best Customer Service in Healthcare Provider — Philippines, Best CEO of the Year, Best Chairman in Life Insurance Company, and Best Life Insurance Management Team.

The company was also recognized as the Customer-Centric Healthcare Provider — Philippines by the 2024 Gazet International Awards, which also recognizes and rewards global organizations for their achievements in various fields.

Such awards recognize companies and individuals who demonstrate excellence in business and finance, with winners selected through a rigorous judging process based on performance, sustainability, growth, and innovation.

“For Cocolife, it is our duty to serve our clients with the best insurance products, together with the highest standards of customer servicing, especially during these most trying times,” said Cocolife President and Chief Executive Officer Jose Martin A. Loon.

Rooted in core values

Cocolife’s approach to fostering enduring relationships hinges on its core values of reliability, excellence, teamwork, integrity, and empathy (RETIE). Ms. Bose explains that these principles guide every interaction, ensuring that the company prioritizes customers and employees over profit.

“We value our customers and employees over profit. We deliver on our commitments by offering quality and personalized insurance products and services that help Filipinos achieve a more financially secure future and peace of mind,” said Ms. Bose. “Our transparency and simplified product information provides a clear direction in every interaction. These help us deliver overall customer satisfaction built on trust.”

A legacy of leadership and innovation

Cocolife’s 47-year legacy as the first ISO-certified Filipino insurer and the largest Filipino-owned stock life insurance company reflects its dedication to providing comprehensive insurance solutions. Such recognitions from award-giving bodies further cement this legacy.

Chairman Ret. Justice Bienvenido L. Reyes attributes these achievements to the collective efforts of Cocolife’s dedicated team. “The people behind the management of Cocolife are some of the best in their fields who share the same drive to become an instrument of change and service to our clients,” he said.

With an enhanced suite of products and services, Cocolife remains steadfast in its mission to be the premier insurance partner for Filipinos through embracing technological advancements and fostering a culture of trust.

“It is important to us that we provide a service that builds trust with our clients. Trust is something you build over time, and we take every opportunity to strengthen that trust by putting our clients first,” Atty. Loon explained. “These recognitions further highlight Cocolife’s unwavering commitment to helping Filipinos in their journey towards holistic financial wellness.”

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

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Robina Farms earns animal welfare seal for AKF Cage-Free standards compliance

February 17, 2025 | 5:06 pm

MANILA, Philippines — In a significant move for animal welfare in the Philippines, Robina Farms has earned the prestigious Cage-Free Certification from the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF).

This step reflects the company’s commitment to humane farming practices and sets a compliance standard for the local poultry industry.

AKF certified two poultry houses of Robina Farms houses 4 and 6 in Cluster 1 farm in Naic, Cavite. Both houses have 20,000 heads and are estimated to produce approximately 5 million eggs annually.

Certification process towards humane egg production

Robina Farms Operations Manager Lina Macailing, thanked AKF for this certification. She said their involvement in housing hens in cage-free environments symbolizes their willingness to adapt and change for animal welfare improvement and respond to consumer demand.

According to Operations Cluster Head Marlon Balverde, plans are underway to increase the production of cage-free eggs, following this certification.

Cage-free eggs come from egg-laying hens raised and cared for following humane farming standards called the “cage-free system.” This production system allows egg-laying hens to move around freely, flap their wings, and do activities natural to them like dustbathing, perching, and foraging—consistent with the internationally accepted Five Domains of Animal Welfare.

The cage-free certification ensures the compliance of the inspected houses to the Philippine National Standards (PNS) Code for Cage-Free Egg Production. These standards provide a list of requirements for hens to have access to ample space and optimal facilities. The standards are put in place to be a basis of true cage-free farms for the good management of egg-laying hens

Championing animal welfare and ethical sourcing

With the certification in place, the consumers can also be confident that their eggs come from a place that truly looks after the welfare of hens. They are protected from false claims as they can verify if the source is cage-free certified.

Atty. Heidi Caguioa, president and program director for AKF, said that Robina Farms’ move towards Cage-Free egg production as one of the industry leaders will significantly influence other farms to follow suit. By taking the bold yet better step in changing egg production for better animal welfare, Robina Farms contributes to a more sustainable, ethical food system.

Atty. Caguioa added that the switch to cage-free eggs was part of the global clamor for a more humane farming system and ethical sourcing of animal food products. As more consumers prefer humanely sourced food in Asia, AKF has initiated the Cage-Free campaign to ensure that producers, food establishments, and the hospitality industry can comply.

Robina Farms sets a strong example for other local producers to follow by prioritizing animal welfare and aligning with global ethical food sourcing standards. This certification not only underscores their dedication to improving farming practices, but it also empowers consumers to make more informed, humane choices.

As the demand for ethically sourced food continues to rise, Robina Farms’ commitment to cage-free egg production represents a promising step towards a more sustainable and compassionate food system in the Philippines.

AKF has an ongoing campaign for higher hen welfare called “Cage-free, Go Cruel-free.” You can check their Facebook and Instagram @cagefreegocruelfree, or email gocagefree@akfrescues.org

To learn more about Animal Kingdom Foundation and its other campaigns, visit https://www.akfrescues.org/

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

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Customization, quality gives competitive edge to home essentials brand

February 17, 2025 | 2:40 pm

Quality raw materials and a short production lead time give Joyce and Diana a competitive edge, said Andrew Fung, owner and founder of the home essentials brand.

Interview by Edg Adrian Eva
Video editing by Jayson Mariñas

Gogolook launches news wall feature to Whoscall App

February 17, 2025 | 2:00 pm

Gogolook, a leading global TrustTech company, has launched a new feature in the Whoscall app — a global anti-scam application — aimed at keeping Filipinos updated on the latest cyberspace news in the country.

Mel Migriño, Gogolook’s Country Head for the Philippines, introduced the new “Scam Alert” feature — a one-stop hub for scam-related news and updates.

“As part of our effort to raise awareness among Filipinos, we want them to stay informed about the latest developments in the Philippines that affect their online safety,” Ms. Migriño said.

She explained that the news wall features up-to-date articles sourced from legitimate outlets, curated and compiled directly into the app.

“With this, we offer Filipinos a convenient way to stay protected, reducing the risk of encountering illegitimate sources that could provide misleading or harmful information,” she added.

This initiative is part of Whoscall’s ongoing commitment to strengthening online protection for users.

The goal is to help Filipinos stay informed about the latest scam trends, enabling them to spot potential scammers early.

It also aims to keep them updated on the newest cybersecurity and anti-scam initiatives, both locally and globally, so they can share this knowledge with friends and family to protect them from becoming victims.

How to access Scam Alert

Android users can access this feature by opening the Whoscall app and tapping the three-bar menu icon in the upper left corner of their screen.

From there, they need to select “Protection,” where they will find the “Scam Alert” option in the upper right corner.

For iOS users, accessing the feature is even simpler. By opening the Whoscall app, they can immediately access the “Scam Alert” section in the upper right corner of their screen.

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

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Dusit International and Grand Land, Inc. break ground on ASAI Cebu Oslob — the first ASAI resort in the Philippines

February 17, 2025 | 12:00 pm

ASAI-Cebu-Oslob-Exterior-OL — Overlooking the pristine shores of Barangay Lagunde, ASAI Cebu Oslob will offer a seamless blend of modern comfort and authentic local experiences.

Expected to open in late 2026, ASAI Cebu Oslob will introduce ASAI Hotels’ signature blend of modern design, local experiences, and vibrant communal spaces to one of the Philippines’ most scenic coastal destinations.

Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, and Grand Land, Inc., a subsidiary of the Gaisano Grand Group of Companies and a trusted name in Philippine real estate, have officially broken ground on ASAI Cebu Oslob, marking ASAI Hotels’ brand entry into the Philippines and the brand’s first beach resort.

Located in Barangay Lagunde, Oslob, a premier coastal destination known for its pristine beaches, whale shark encounters, and rich biodiversity both on land and at sea, ASAI Cebu Oslob is planned to open in late 2026. The resort will bring ASAI Hotels’ thoughtfully curated, experience-driven hospitality to a stunning beachfront setting, catering to modern, millennial-minded travelers who seek meaningful local connections and adventure.

Seamlessly blending modern design with local inspiration, ASAI Cebu Oslob’s vibrant communal space features an open and flexible layout where guests can dine, socialize, and connect — set against artistic touches that celebrate Oslob’s marine heritage.

Thoughtfully designed with 98 compact yet functional rooms, most featuring private balconies with stunning ocean or pool views, the resort will also include a signature communal space integrating ASAI Hotels’ Eat/Work/Play concept — an open, flexible area designed for dining, socializing, and remote work. Guests will find a stylish beach bar serving craft cocktails and local beers, an inviting pool overlooking the beach, and a locally inspired dining experience showcasing the finest Cebuano cuisine.

Beyond the famed whale shark encounters, guests can immerse themselves in the region’s lush landscapes, cascading waterfalls, and vibrant island-hopping experiences, including tours to Sumilon Island, Cebu’s first marine sanctuary. To enhance the guest experience — and fully embracing ASAI Hotels’ “Live Local” philosophy — the resort’s community ambassadors will also be on hand to curate personalized itineraries that uncover hidden gems, from secret snorkelling spots to cultural heritage sites.

ASAI Cebu Oslob’s inviting communal bar will serve as a vibrant social hub where guests can unwind with craft cocktails, local brews, and stunning tropical views.

“Building on the success of our city-based ASAI Hotels in Thailand and Japan, ASAI Cebu Oslob is all about creating an immersive, social, and seamless resort experience in one of the Philippines’ most beautiful coastal destinations,” said Siradej Donavanik, Vice-President — Development Global and Head of Culture at ASAI Hotels, Dusit International. “With its breathtaking biodiversity, natural wonders, and deep cultural heritage, Oslob is the perfect setting for our first ASAI beach resort. This distinctive property will be a vibrant hub where like-minded travelers can connect, relax, and explore everything Oslob has to offer — all while enjoying a contemporary, sustainability-focused, design-forward environment.”

The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Feb. 3, 2025, was attended by key executives from Dusit International and Grand Land, Inc., alongside local government officials, who highlighted the project’s positive impact on Oslob’s tourism industry and local economy.

Ryan Bernard Go, President of Grand Land, Inc., said, “Our collaboration with Dusit International reflects our vision to create world-class hospitality experiences that go beyond traditional hotel offerings. ASAI Cebu Oslob will offer international standards of service while celebrating the heart of the community, providing guests with truly local and meaningful experiences. With sustainability at its core, this project will not only elevate Oslob’s appeal as a premier beach destination but also support its long-term growth by fostering deep connections between travelers and the local way of life.”

The launch of ASAI Cebu Oslob marks another key milestone in Dusit’s ongoing expansion in the Philippines, where the company already operates five properties, including Dusit Thani Manila, Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort, Dusit Thani Residence Davao, dusitD2 Davao, and Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation Resort. Additionally, this project strengthens Dusit’s partnership with Grand Land, Inc., which is also developing a Dusit Princess branded property in Cebu’s North Reclamation Area.

ASAI Hotels currently in operation include ASAI Bangkok Chinatown, ASAI Bangkok Sathorn, And ASAI Kyoto Shijo. Expanding its presence further, the brand will debut in Malaysia with ASAI Gamuda Cove, slated to open in 2026. Dusit also recently signed an agreement to manage ASAI Hat Yai, set to open in Songkhla, Thailand, in 2028.

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

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New downloads of DeepSeek suspended in South Korea, data protection agency says

February 17, 2025 | 11:27 am

SEOUL – South Korea’s data protection authority on Monday said new downloads of the Chinese AI app DeepSeek had been suspended in the country after DeepSeek acknowledged failing to take into account some of the agency’s rules on protecting personal data.

The service of the app will be resumed once improvements are made in accordance with the country’s privacy law, the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) said in a media briefing.

The measure that came into force on Saturday aims to block new downloads of the app, the agency said, though DeepSeek’s web service remains accessible in the country.

The Chinese startup appointed legal representatives last week in South Korea and had acknowledged partially neglecting considerations of the country’s data protection law, the PIPC said.

Italy’s data protection authority, the Garante, said last month it had ordered DeepSeek to block its chatbot in the country after failing to address the regulator’s concerns over its privacy policy.

DeepSeek did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

When asked about earlier moves by South Korean government departments to block DeepSeek, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson told a briefing on February 6 that the Chinese government attached great importance to data privacy and security and protected it in accordance with the law.

The spokesperson also said Beijing would never ask any company or individual to collect or store data in breach of laws. — Reuters

China condemns sailing of Canadian warship in Taiwan Strait

February 17, 2025 | 11:26 am

The Taiwan Strait as seen in a screenshot from Google Maps

BEIJING – China’s military on Monday condemned the sailing of a Canadian warship in the Taiwan Strait, saying its air and naval forces had monitored and warned the ship, a mission that came just a few days after U.S. Navy ships made a similar mission.

The U.S. Navy, and occasionally ships from allied countries like Canada, Britain and France, transit the strait, which they consider an international waterway, around once a month. Taiwan also considers it an international waterway but China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, says the strategic waterway belongs to it.

Canada’s actions “deliberately stirred up trouble” and undermined peace and stability in the strait, the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command said in a statement.

“Theatre forces maintain a high level of alert at all times and resolutely counter all threats and provocations,” it added.

The Canadian military declined immediate comment.

Both the Chinese and Taiwanese governments identified the ship as the Ottawa.

Taiwan’s defence ministry said on Sunday that the ship had sailed in a northerly direction, adding that Taiwanese forces also kept watch.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry welcomed the sailing.

“Canada has once again taken concrete actions to defend the freedom, peace and openness of the Taiwan Strait and has demonstrated its firm position that the Taiwan Strait is international waters,” it said on Sunday.

Taiwan has complained of repeated Chinese military activities near the island.

Taiwan’s defence ministry said on Monday morning in its daily update of China’s actions over the previous 24 hours it had detected 41 Chinese military aircraft and nine ships around the island, concentrated in the strait and off Taiwan’s southwest.

Last October, a U.S. and a Canadian warship sailed together through the strait, less than a week after China conducted a new round of war games around the island.

Taiwan’s democratically-elected government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying only the island’s people can decide their future. — Reuters

UK PM Starmer offers to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine

February 17, 2025 | 11:24 am

LONDON – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday he was ready to send British troops to Ukraine as part of any postwar peacekeeping force as talks aimed at ending the conflict were set to begin this week.

Mr. Starmer said he had not taken the decision to consider putting British servicemen and women “in harm’s way” lightly, but securing a lasting peace in Ukraine was essential to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from further aggression.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday said Ukraine and Europe would be part of any “real negotiations” to end Moscow’s war, signaling that U.S. talks with Russia this week were a chance to see how serious Mr. Putin is about peace.

The end of Russia’s war with Ukraine “when it comes, cannot merely become a temporary pause before Putin attacks again,” Mr. Starmer wrote in the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

Mr. Starmer is expected to join German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and other European leaders in Paris after French President Emmanuel Macron convened the talks on Ukraine.

U.S. President Donald Trump stunned European allies in NATO and Ukraine last week when he announced he had held a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin without consulting with them and would start a peace process. Mr. Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, then suggested Ukraine and other European leaders would have no place at peace negotiations. — Reuters