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Italian mafia targets Europe’s crisis recovery fund

CRIMINAL ENTERPRISES — like their legitimate counterparts — have suffered during the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. But the Italian mafia has already laid the foundation for a massive payday.

Last year, when countries were seized by lockdowns, the mafia started infiltrating cash-starved companies in a bid to siphon money from the European Union’s (EU) recovery fund and the 1.8 trillion euros ($2.2 trillion) that will, in part, start flowing to struggling firms later this year, according to Maurizio Vallone, Italy’s top investigator on organized crime.

Criminal groups including the N’drangheta in the southern Calabria region and Cosa Nostra in Sicily have sought to gain footholds in lawful businesses that will be first in line to get EU aid, such as those in environmental and digital sectors, said Mr. Vallone of the Antimafia Investigative Directorate, which groups investigators from the main police forces.

“The mafia has been choosing the companies that are best-placed to take part in recovery fund tenders, especially in the health and infrastructure sectors where a great deal of money will be spent,” Mr. Vallone told Bloomberg at his Rome office on Tuesday. “It will try to take everything. We have to make sure they don’t get even one euro.”

And Italy is a prime target for criminals since it’s poised to be the largest recipient of EU grant money.

The new government of Prime Minister Mario Draghi is drafting a spending plan for its 209 billion-euro share of the EU funds as it struggles to shake off the worst recession since World War II. Italian firms are particularly vulnerable since a scheme for state-guaranteed bank loans has been too complex and limited to be effective, said Mr. Vallone.

As a result, companies that have shaky credit-worthiness have benefited little from state help, he said.

Mafia gangs have seized on the opportunity, with regional and national lockdowns, to reach out to small and medium-sized companies desperate for liquidity in an economy that contracted 8.9% last year.

Mafiosi typically seek to muscle in on a firm’s share capital, fund struggling businesses through usury, or exploit them through a hidden partner, Mr. Vallone said. The number of suspicious financial operations reported by the Bank of Italy increased by 7% last year to 113,000. “That makes us strongly suspect that there is organized crime interest,” he said.

The European Anti-Fraud Office didn’t immediately return an email seeking comment.

NEW CHECKS
Mr. Vallone wants tighter anti-mafia checks on public works. Under the current system, police forces assess the winner of a tender before a project begins. Under a proposal Mr. Vallone said he will send to the interior ministry later this month, anti-mafia investigators would automatically monitor money transfers as well as sub-contractors and suppliers for the duration of the project.

“The recovery fund is the priority, but this procedure should apply to all public works contracts,” Mr. Vallone said.

Stricter rules are needed also because of pressure from Brussels. “The European Commission doesn’t wait for the biblical time-spans of traditional public tenders, it wants to give the money and see the results within a reasonable period,” said Mr. Vallone.

There may well be a downside to more anti-mafia checks however. Italy, plagued by red tape, already fails to spend much of the structural funds it receives from the EU. The country had used only 30.7% of allocated funds at the end of 2019, according to an EU report, compared to 66.2% for leader Finland, and an average for the bloc of 39.6%. More controls could risk stalling recovery money too.

In the Sicilian capital Palermo, many are facing a stark choice, according to Patrizia Di Dio, head of the local, 13,000-strong branch of the Confcommercio business lobby.

“When a businessman cannot any longer support even his own family, he’ll find organized crime ready for him with its doors wide open,” Ms. Di Dio said. “If the state wants to protect the legal economy, it should make loans more accessible, and it should suspend taxes. It’s crazy and hypocritical not to help you, and to threaten you with taxes at the same time.” — Bloomberg

Singapore regulator tells banks to monitor Myanmar fund flows after coup

SINGAPORE — Singapore’s central bank has told financial firms to be vigilant to any suspicious transactions or fund flows between the city-state and Myanmar, a circular seen by Reuters showed, citing concerns over the potential for financial crimes.

In the Feb 25th circular, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) reminded all chief executives of financial institutions (FIs) of the need for robust customer due diligence and appropriate risk mitigation measures in higher risk situations.

The move comes amid weeks of mass demonstrations in Myanmar after the military seized power.

The pro-democracy activists pledged on Thursday to hold more demonstrations in the Southeast Asian nation after the United Nations said 38 people had been killed in the most violent day of unrest since last month’s military coup.

Singapore’s position as one of the world’s leading financial centers and a trade hub makes it particularly vulnerable to money laundering due to large cross-border flows. Singapore has close ties with Myanmar and is one of its biggest investors.

In the circular, the MAS urged financial institutions to keep timely tabs on the fast developing situation in Myanmar, including unilateral sanctions imposed by other jurisdictions.

It said the situation in Myanmar could give rise to money laundering, terrorism financing and other financial crimes.

“Given the developments in Myanmar, FIs are reminded to take appropriate measures to manage any risks arising from their business activities and customer relationships, including reputational, legal and operational risks,” the MAS said.

The MAS said that financial institutions should file any suspicious transaction reports and inform it promptly, adding that such reports should be labeled “Myanmar 2021”.

In response to a Reuters query, the MAS confirmed that it had issued a circular on Feb. 25 relating to the developments in Myanmar.

The circular was issued two days after the central bank said in a media release that its regular surveillance of the banking system had not found significant funds from Myanmar companies and individuals in banks in Singapore.

Singapore police uses suspicious transaction reports and other financial information and analyzes them to detect money laundering, terrorism financing and other serious crimes, according to an advisory on its website. — Reuters

Bharat’s COVID-19 shot 81% effective, based on Indian drug maker’s data

BENGALURU — Bharat Biotech’s vaccine showed 81% efficacy in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 in an interim analysis of a late-stage trial in India, it said on Wednesday, a major boost for the shot shunned by some due to a lack of such data.

The positive result also brightens prospects for sales overseas, with the vaccine, India’s first successful homemade COVID-19 shot, already attracting interest from more than 40 countries, according to the firm.

“COVAXIN demonstrates high clinical efficacy trend against COVID-19 but also significant immunogenicity against the rapidly emerging variants,” Bharat Biotech Chairman Krishna Ella said in a statement, referring to its vaccine.

It said the analysis is based on 43 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who showed symptoms ranging from mild to moderate and severe, and of the total cases, 36 were from a placebo group, while seven were from those who received the vaccine.

The results come as India struggles to convince its health and front-line workers to take the Bharat Biotech shot, which was approved in January without late-stage efficacy data. Only about 11% of the more than 10 million Indians vaccinated had taken the Bharat Biotech shot as of last week, Reuters had reported.

Many politicians in India, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have been inoculated with COVAXIN this week instead of a rival one developed by AstraZeneca Plc and Oxford University, as they seek to boost confidence in the locally developed vaccine.

With more than 11 million infections so far, India is battling the world’s largest COVID-19 outbreak outside the United States.

COVAXIN, which can be stored at normal refrigerator temperatures, is likely to be effective against the UK strain of the coronavirus, a study said in late January. The shot is an inactivated vaccine that introduces dead virus into the body to trigger an immune response.

Bharat Biotech is based in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, a hub for drug and vaccine makers. It began operations in 1996, and has delivered over 3 billion doses globally of various types of vaccines, including ones for Hepatitis-B and typhoid.

It is aiming to produce about 700 million doses of COVAXIN this year. The company, which signed a deal with Brazil to supply 20 million doses of the shot, said the next interim analysis will target 87 cases and the final analysis will be based on 130 cases.

Its first interim analysis was based on a Phase III clinical trial involving 25,800 participants which was conducted with the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), a federal government body. The trial included 2,433 participants who were older than 60, and 4,500 participants with co-morbidities.

The trial results were evaluated by an independent data safety and monitoring board, the ICMR said in a separate statement. — Reuters

Globe ramps up spending to provide care for its customers

At times like these, prioritizing spending on the things that matter is absolutely essential. Globe has ramped up its spending not only to deliver better service through network improvements but also on how the company delivers care for its customers. After all, for any business to thrive especially during periods of difficulty, what’s important is to focus on who matters most – the customer.

For example, what used to be a not so affordable but sought-after product by Filipinos such as health insurance has now been made available by Globe to its millions of customers through GInsure. GInsure helps you stay protected through products that provide coverage against emergencies at very affordable packages and rates. It helps customers achieve peace of mind with strong covers for health, sickness, income loss and more, without the hassle of long forms and application processes.

Those who have availed of GInsure via GCash will also receive double the insurance coverage especially amidst this critical time of COVID-19 and rising dengue cases. Martha Sazon, President and CEO of Mynt, said “Reaching out to our customers via platforms that they use everyday such as GCash is the best way to make them feel more cared for. Our customers deserve double the coverage for them to thrive in these challenging times, and GCash is one of the best avenues for this.”

Mobile and broadband subscribers likewise continue to receive #ExtraCareAtHome, since they are covered with microinsurance as well as telemedical consultations via KonsultaMD, ensuring contact-free and secure consultations with actual doctors wherever patients may be. All current subscribers of Globe At Home can enjoy this extra care benefit. They just need to go to the Globe At Home app to get the free voucher and register to KonsultaMD.

knowledge that Filipinos are looking out for each member of their family, and we assure our customers that we strive to provide them with not just better connectivity but also help keep them protected with free access to KonsultaMD and very affordable and accessible health insurance through GInsure,” said Darius Delgado, VP and Head of Broadband Business at Globe.

When it comes to loyal customers who want to maximize their hard-earned points, Globe Rewards recognizes the value of taking care of one’s health as it launches new promos to help you achieve your wellness goals. From March 1 to 7, Globe Rewards is offering customers a unique set of offers and special promos from Generika, GoHealth, GInsure, HealthNow, and KonsultaMD. Plus, they can also enjoy discounts during Flash Deal Wednesdays with attractive offers as low as 1 Rewards point.

Customers can also take advantage of HealthNow’s vouchers for medicine delivery or video consultations. For those who want to stay prepared without breaking the bank, customers can also redeem health insurance from GoHealth and GCash’s GInsure. GoHealth provides COVID-19 and dengue insurance coverage.

“We aim to provide our customers with a well-rounded portfolio of rewards that includes essential health services such as insurance and medical consultations. In fact, for as low as 5 Rewards points, our loyal customers are able to avail of COVID-19 protection,” said Joey Kilayko, Head of Globe Rewards.

Now more than ever, living healthier and having easier access to medical services are a must.

Download the GCash, Globe At Home, and Globe Rewards apps now on Google Play for Android and on the App Store for iOS, or visit the following sites:

https://www.gcash.com/

https://www.globe.com.ph/apps-content/globe-at-home.html

https://glbe.co/GRewardsApp

Globe strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9 which highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe is committed to upholding the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.

IBM pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030

IBM pledges to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to address the global climate crisis. The data centers that power the internet consume vast amounts of electricity and emit as much carbon dioxide as the airline industry, according to a 2018 Yale University article.

To achieve its net-zero goal IBM will: reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 65% by 2025 against base year 2010; procure 75% of the electricity it consumes worldwide from renewable sources by 2025, and 90% by 2030; and use feasible technologies—such as carbon capture—in or by 2030, to remove emissions in an amount which equals or exceeds the level of IBM’s residual emissions.

The majority of the company’s greenhouse gas emissions comes from its electricity consumption, said Edan T. Dionne, vice-president, Environmental, Energy and Chemical Management Programs with IBM’s Corporate Environmental Affairs staff, in an e-mail interview with BusinessWorld.

“Our data center operations have the greatest demand for electricity, followed by locations where we perform research, development, and manufacturing operations,” she said. “The spaces with least energy intensity are our offices/administrative buildings.”

To neutralize its residual emissions, IBM will have to depend on the carbon removal technologies available in the 175 countries it serves, each of them having varying renewable generation infrastructure. 

“In countries that lack either government policy or capacity to support renewables, it will be more challenging for us to increase our renewables consumption,” said Ms. Dionne, “but we are committed and are confident that we will meet our goal.”

IBM Research also launched a Future of Climate initiative designed to accelerate the discovery of solutions to address the impacts of a changing climate. Researchers use a combination of artificial intelligence, hybrid cloud, and quantum computing to help solve climate-related problems and develop new materials that can absorb carbon at the origin of emission.

“The climate crisis is one of the most pressing issues of our time. IBM’s net-zero pledge is a bold step forward that strengthens our long-standing climate leadership and positions our company years ahead of the targets set out in the Paris Climate Agreement,” said Arvind Krishna, chairman and chief executive officer of IBM, in a statement. — Patricia B. Mirasol

Cambodian PM gets AstraZeneca COVID-19 shot, defends Chinese vaccine

PHNOM PENH – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen received on Thursday a shot of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine supplied by India, about three weeks into the launch of his country’s inoculation programme, which initially relied only on Chinese vaccines.

Mr. Hun Sen, 68, had vowed to be the first to receive the Sinopharm vaccine donated by China, but later said he was too old. His sons and the justice and environment ministers were among the first to get it instead.

China is one of Cambodia’s closest allies, and Hun Sen dismissed public hesitance about the safety of the Sinopharm vaccine.

“The Chinese vaccine has gone to more countries than the AstraZeneca vaccine, even countries that are allies of the West also use the Chinese vaccines,” Mr. Hun Sen told a news conference after getting his shot.

He urged people below 60 to get the Sinopharm vaccine and those older than 60 to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The Southeast Asian nation of about 16 million has reported among the lowest number of coronavirus cases and no deaths, though last month saw a rise in cases that took the cumulative total detected to 909.

Cambodia received its first batch of 324,000 doses of the India-made AstraZeneca vaccine and supplied through the World Health Organization-backed COVAX vaccine-sharing programme on Tuesday.

India and China have been engaged in vaccine diplomacy to bolster their standing in the region, with both donating shipments to smaller and poor countries.

China’s first consignment of 600,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine had arrived in Phnom Penh on Feb. 7 and an additional 400,000 doses are set to arrive in April. – Reuters

Baby boom and bleach: trends that will shape Filipino consumer behavior in 2021

Nearly two million babies are expected to be born in the country this year, according to the Commission on Population and Development. This baby boom, more likely from the lower socioeconomic classes, will present opportunities for baby categories and FMCG for new mothers.

Baby products and bleach are likely to be in demand this year, according to data analytics firm Kantar, which identified shopping trends for 2021. 

The demand for bleach grew 8% year to date in August 2020 versus 2019, while rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizers saw a combined growth of 93% in the same time period. According to Kantar, these disinfectants will remain “highly relevant” to Filipino households over the pandemic.

Meanwhile, an expected baby boom presents opportunities in the baby categories. 

“The world continues to experience volatility and uncertainty due to the health crisis, and it is

therefore, difficult to predict Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) expenditures,” said Marie-Anne Lezoraine, general manager of the Worldpanel Division of Kantar Philippines. “The nature of our quarantine restrictions and our confidence in enjoying any mobility drastically changes our behavior as consumers and shoppers.”

She added that the deployment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines should boost consumer confidence, but also advised patience. “It may still be some time before we see that full impact on purchase behavior, however, as shoppers are likely to remain cautious in going out for some time (by choice or by policy). Purchase power may also take time to recover,” Ms. Lezoraine said.

The top consumer trends, according to Kantar, are:

  • Baby boom 

Nearly two million babies are expected to be born in the country this year, according to the Commission on Population and Development. This baby boom, more likely from the lower socioeconomic classes, will present opportunities for baby categories and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) for new mothers. 

  • Cautious spending

Throughout the pandemic, most households have cut their FMCG expenditure to manage their budgets. Based on Kantar’s Purchase Confidence Study in July 2020, 79% expressed worry about their financial situation. Value for money is the name of the game as Filipino shoppers focus on making the most of their budget. 

  • E-commerce expansion

Online shopping remains nascent in the Philippines despite the disruption experienced by brick and mortar stores due to the pandemic. Based on Kantar’s findings, only 8% of the population purchased FMCG online in 2020. The channel is growing, with 772,000 additional buyers, although it currently remains skewed toward the higher socioeconomic classes as well as shoppers in the National Capital Region (NCR). Brands must not underestimate the differences in behavior and basket content of online vs. offline consumers, Kantar said. E-commerce as a marketing touchpoint may also lead to offline purchases. 

  • Leveraging omnichannel

Loyalty to one channel is almost non-existent. Filipinos continuously adapt their channel repertoire depending on their needs, reinforcing omnichannel shopping. Keeping the pulse of channel choices is critical as behavior has become more volatile.

  • Convenience and proximity of local retailers

Shoppers with limited mobility prefer proximity when visiting stores in their locality. Kantar noted that 9 out of 10 Filipinos prefer to shop in nearby stores, offering an opportunity for retailers to expand in or close to residential areas. 

  • Relevance of antibacterial products

Unsurprisingly, antibacterial products have been highly relevant to Filipino households. However, as more and more brands leverage their virus-killing advantage, they need to step up their game and combine this essential function with additional benefits.

  • Emphasis on health and immunity

Brands should focus on the health and nutritional value of their products in order to attract Filipino consumers.

  • Continuing preference for convenience

In 2021, Filipinos are likely to increase their mobility assuming that quarantine restrictions will be eased across the country. However, Filipinos will remain very cautious in venturing out and may seek convenience and versatility as their lifestyles continue to evolve. Brands must be able to adapt accordingly.

  • Recovery of impulse products

Assuming mobility stabilizes or improves, the recovery of impulse products could experience slow but sustained growth.

  • Improved performance in the personal care category

The personal care category, particularly beauty products, was drastically deprioritized when the Philippines implemented the enhanced community quarantine in March 2020. Similar to impulse categories, Kantar expects that the new year would see the slow return of the Filipinos’ beauty routine. This will still be subject, however, to improved mobility and the consumers’ aspiration for normality.

  • Regionalization of behaviors

Consumers in Visayas and Mindanao have smaller basket sizes but they shop more often. “Manufacturers should understand shoppers in their full complexity from a regional perspective and from a socioeconomic one,” said Ms. Lezoraine.

  • Sustainability

Kantar found that 75% of Filipino shoppers seek out brands that offer ways to offset their environmental impact. Most importantly, consumers see it as the role of manufacturers to drive the sustainability agenda. Developing a sustainability strategy has become paramount for brands moving forward.

“It is important to identify key targets, prioritize them based on how valuable they may be for your business, and activate it through the right pack, price, and channel strategy in order to reach more consumers more than a year into the pandemic,” said Ms. Lezoraine. — Patricia B. Mirasol

Death of S.Korea’s first transgender soldier spurs calls for change

SEOUL – The death of South Korea’s first known transgender soldier, who was discharged last year for undergoing gender reassignment surgery, sparked calls from advocacy groups and activists for better protections and acknowledgement of transgender residents.

Byun Hui-su, 23, who was a staff sergeant before being discharged, was found dead by emergency officials at her home in the city of Cheongju, south of Seoul, on Wednesday.

“Byun’s death resonated even more with the public because the military and this society refused to acknowledge the change,” Rainbow Action Against Sexual-Minority Discrimination of Korea, an umbrella association of group of 40 sexual minority groups, said in a statement.

Byun’s bravery in coming forward had inspired and empowered others, the group said.

She went public when the military discharged her last year after having the operation in Thailand, and launched a lawsuit against senior officials.

“I want to show everyone that I can also be one of the great soldiers who protect this country,” Byun said at the time, breaking down in tears as she described her decision to undergo surgery and the subsequent clash with the military.

An initial military comment that it was not in a position to say anything regarding “the news of the death of a civilian” drew swift criticism on social media, and on Thursday a spokesperson offered official condolences, calling Byun’s death “unfortunate.”

The official said, however, that the military had still not had any detailed discussion on its policies toward transgender soldiers.

The case triggered debate in South Korea’s LBGT community over how transgender members of the military are treated in a country that requires all able-bodied men to serve for around two years.

Byun had said she still hoped to serve in the military in the future.

Entertainer Harisu, who made history as South Korea’s first transgender celebrity and only the second person to legally change their gender in the country, shared her condolences on social media. Amnesty International’s Seoul office praised Byun for mustering the courage to stand for a “world free of discrimination and hatred.” – Reuters

U.S. House passes ‘George Floyd’ police reform bill, Senate prospects unclear

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on Wednesday banning controversial police tactics and easing the way for lawsuits against officers violating suspects’ constitutional rights, although the measure’s Senate prospects were uncertain.

Democrats pushed the “George Floyd Justice in Policing Act” through the House by a vote of 220-212, with the support of only one Republican, just days before former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin goes on trial on a state murder charge in the death of Floyd last year.

However, later on Wednesday evening, Representative Lance Gooden, the sole Republican who voted for the legislation, wrote in a post on Twitter that his vote had been a mistake and in fact he opposes the bill.

Floyd, 46, an African-American man, died when he was detained with Chauvin kneeling on his neck for nearly eight minutes. His killing sparked weeks of nationwide and global protests, many of which were led by Black Lives Matter activists.

“How many more people have to die, how many more people have to be brutalized on videotape” before police reforms become law, asked Democratic Representative Karen Bass, who wrote the legislation with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler.

The bill includes measures such as restricting certain funds to local governments that allow law enforcement officers to use choke holds, banning “no-knock warrants” that allow police officers to enter premises without announcing themselves and requiring law enforcement agencies to provide data on instances when police officers used deadly force.

Bass said the bill would hold police “accountable” when constitutional rights are violated but would also support local law enforcement by fostering improvements in community policing, especially for minority neighborhoods.

One of its most controversial provisions would change “qualified immunity” for police, further opening the door for lawsuits over the use of excessive force.

Reuters in May 2020 published an investigation revealing how qualified immunity, with the Supreme Court’s continual refinements, had made it easier for police officers to kill or injure civilians with impunity.

Conservative Republicans have attacked the Democratic bill, saying it would put law enforcement lives in danger and make communities less safe.

The police reform effort sputtered in Congress last summer after the House passed the so-called George Floyd bill and Democrats blocked a Senate Republican bill.

While the Republican bill also addressed issues such as police choke holds, no-knock warrants and use of police body cameras, Democrats complained it relied on incentives rather than mandating changes.

Senator Tim Scott, the author of the Republican bill, told Reuters in a statement he welcomed conversations with Democrats over qualified immunity. – Reuters

Myanmar activists vow more protests after bloodiest day since coup

March 4 – Myanmar pro-democracy activists pledged on Thursday to hold more demonstrations after the United Nations said 38 people had been killed in the most violent day of unrest since last month’s military coup.

Police and soldiers opened fire with live rounds on Wednesday with little warning, witnesses said.

The bloodshed occurred a day after neighbouring countries had called for restraint in the aftermath of the military’s overthrow of the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

“We know that we can always get shot and killed with live bullets but there is no meaning to staying alive under the junta so we choose this dangerous road to escape,” activist Maung Saungkha told Reuters.

“We will fight the junta in any way we can. Our ultimate goal is to remove the junta system from the roots,” said Maung Saungkha, who said his General Strike Committee of Nationalities group planned to hold a protest on Thursday.

Social media posts from other activists said at least two other demonstrations were also planned in parts of Yangon.

United Nations special envoy on Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, said in New York that Wednesday was the “bloodiest day” since the Feb. 1 coup with 38 deaths, bringing the total toll to more than 50 as the military tries to cement its power.

A rights group and some media have given different numbers of wounded and killed after Wednesday’s violence. The dead included four children, an aid agency said. Local media reported that hundreds of protesters were arrested.

A spokesman for the ruling military council did not answer telephone calls seeking comment.

Ms. Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party said in a statement that flags would fly at half mast at its offices to commemorate the dead.

Schraner Burgener said she warned Myanmar deputy military chief Soe Win that the military was likely to face strong measures from some countries and isolation in retaliation for the coup.

“The answer was: ‘We are used to sanctions, and we survived’,” she told reporters. “When I also warned they will go (into) isolation, the answer was: ‘We have to learn to walk with only few friends’.”

The U.N. Security Council is due to discuss the situation on Friday in a closed meeting, diplomats said.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said the United States was “appalled” by the violence and was evaluating how to respond.

The United States has told China it expects Beijing to play a constructive role, the spokesman said. China has declined to condemn the coup, with Chinese state media calling it a “major cabinet reshuffle”.

The European Union said the shootings of unarmed civilians and medical workers were clear breaches of international law. It also said the military was stepping up repression of the media, with a growing number of journalists arrested and charged.

 

‘EVERYTHING WILL BE OK’

In Yangon, witnesses said at least eight people were killed on Wednesday, while local media reported six were killed in the central town of Monywa.

“I heard so much continuous firing. I lay down on the ground, they shot a lot,” protester Kaung Pyae Sone Tun, 23, told Reuters.

Save the Children said four children were killed including a 14-year-old boy who Radio Free Asia reported was shot dead by a soldier on a passing convoy of military trucks. The soldiers loaded his body onto a truck and left, according to the report.

Security forces breaking up protests in Yangon detained about 300 protesters, the Myanmar Now news agency reported.

Images of a 19-year-old woman, one of two shot dead in Mandalay, showed her wearing a T-shirt that read “Everything will be OK”.

Police in Yangon ordered three medics out of an ambulance and beat them with gun butts and batons, video broadcast by U.S.-funded Radio Free Asia showed. Reuters was unable to verify the video independently.

The military justified the coup by saying its complaints of voter fraud in the Nov. 8 vote were ignored. Ms. Suu Kyi’s party won by a landslide, earning a second term.

The election commission said the vote was fair.

Junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has pledged to hold new elections but given no time frame.

Ms. Suu Kyi, 75, has been held incommunicado since the coup but appeared at a court hearing via video conferencing this week and looked in good health, a lawyer said. – Reuters

Philippines raises alert as Pinatubo volcano shows unrest

Philippine seismologists on Thursday raised an alert on the Mount Pinatubo volcano in the main Luzon island.

“There is low-level unrest that may be related to the tectonic processes beneath the volcano,” the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in an advisory.

While no imminent eruption is foreseen, it advised the public to avoid entry into the crater area.In 1991, Mount Pinatubo erupted after lying dormant for more than 600 years. Since Jan. 20, more than 1,700 earthquakes were recorded beneath its edifice, the agency said. — Bloomberg 

Can stress cause stomach problems?

What is acid reflux?

Acid reflux is a disorder that occurs when there is a backflow of stomach acid into your esophagus. The acid irritates the lining of your esophagus, causing a painful, burning sensation in your chest.

Symptoms of acid reflux

• A painful burning sensation in your esophagus, especially during and after eating

• Worsening chest pain when lying down

• Pain when swallowing

• Sour liquid being regurgitated at the back of your throat

• The feeling of an object stuck at the back of your throat

Can stress cause acid reflux?

Stress increases acid production, which can increase the likelihood of experiencing acid reflux symptoms. This condition can be made worse if you react to stress by taking stimulants such as caffeine-based beverages, which tend to increase the incidence of reflux symptoms.

Treatment for acid reflux

Acid reflux is a relatively easy condition to treat as medication is easily available and effective. Here are some of the treatments you may be advised to take for acid reflux:

Antacids

Antacids are over-the-counter medications that neutralize stomach acid to relieve the pain of acid irritating your esophagus. However, while antacids help you feel more comfortable in the short term, they can’t heal the esophagus from acid damage. It is also important to note that the over-consumption of antacids may cause adverse side effects like loose stools or kidney complications.

Acid reducers

Acid reducers decrease the amount of acid the stomach makes. This protects the esophagus, stomach, and intestines from getting damaged. It can also help to heal damage caused by inflammation of the esophagus. Examples of the 2 types of acid reducers are H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors.

H2 receptor blocker

The active ingredient in H2 receptor blockers inhibits the cells in the stomach from producing acid. In a day, they can reduce stomach acid production by up to 70%. As a result, the irritated esophagus lining will have more time to heal. Cimetidine, famotidine, and ranitidine are all different types of H2 receptor blockers. This group of medications, however, can cause bowel complications like constipation and diarrhea.

Proton pump inhibitor

This group of medications works similarly to H2 receptor blockers, except that they are much stronger, reducing acid production for longer periods of time. Pantoprazole, rabeprazole, lansoprazole and omeprazole are examples of proton pump inhibitors.

Endoscopy

If medications do not alleviate your symptoms, endoscopy is usually recommended to evaluate the extent and other possible causes for the symptoms. Endoscopy also enables the taking of tissue samples from the esophagus to make sure that a severe form of gastro-esophageal reflux disease called Barrett’s esophagus has not developed. Barrett’s esophagus is a condition that increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer.

Surgery

If medications do not alleviate your symptoms, surgery may be recommended as a last resort. A fundoplication is a minimally invasive procedure commonly done to treat chronic heartburn. In this procedure, the top part of the stomach is wrapped around the base of the esophagus to tighten the sphincter, reducing the incidence of acid reflux. Your surgeon can operate on the outside by looking through a tiny camera inserted through a few small incisions.

Symptoms of peptic ulcer disease — photo from https://www.mountelizabeth.com.sg

What is peptic ulcer disease?

Peptic ulcers occur when stomach acid erodes your digestive tract’s own protective mucus lining. This leads to painful, open sores in the lining of your stomach (gastric ulcer) and the upper part of your small intestine (duodenal ulcer).

Symptoms of peptic ulcer disease

• Pain in the upper abdomen

• Heartburn

• Dizziness

• Feeling full quickly when eating

• Worsening pain between meals

Rarely, more severe symptoms may occur:

• Vomiting blood

• Black stools

• Unintentional weight loss

Can stress cause ulcer disease?

The role of stress as a cause of peptic ulcers remains controversial because of difficulties associated with quantifying stress in different people. However, several studies tracking ulcer occurrence in a defined population have linked certain types of stresses to the risk of developing ulcers. These stresses include depression, work-related stress, social problems and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Treatment for peptic ulcers

Peptic ulcers can usually be treated in a similar way to acid reflux by using medication to neutralize or reduce acid in the stomach. However, other approaches may be necessary. Some of the additional recommended medications can include:

Antibiotics

Helicobacter pylori is a common bacteria that can cause peptic ulcers. Once your doctor has determined that you have the bacteria present in your system, they will prescribe a suitable regimen of antibiotics to kill the Helicobacter pylori bacteria.

Cytoprotective agents

This medication increases mucus production in the stomach and increases the flow of blood throughout the digestive tract. The active ingredients form a coat to protect the ulcers in the stomach from further irritation and allow them to heal.

Endoscopy

Peptic ulcers are usually diagnosed during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Endoscopy is useful as samples can be taken from the stomach to ensure that the ulcer is not cancerous. Bleeding from peptic ulcer disease is usually treated by endoscopy. The doctor will identify the site of bleeding in the stomach or small intestine and apply clips to stop the bleeding.

Surgery

In very severe cases of peptic ulcer disease, a hole (perforation) in the stomach wall can occur. The hole will need to be closed surgically to avoid serious complications.

Managing your stress is key

It is important to identify the causes of your stress and address them. Sometimes, stress can’t be avoided, especially when you have responsibilities to handle. Still, you can find ways to release the built-up tension in your mind through some of the following activities, which help you produce endorphins and reduce stress hormones in your body:

• Physical exercise

• Spending time with loved ones

• Long uninterrupted sleep

If acid production is a constant source of discomfort for you, consult your doctor, who will be able to work out the best treatment plan.

Learn more about cancer care. Join BusinessWorld Insights, in partnership with Mount Elizabeth Hospital Singapore and Parkway Cancer Centre, with the theme, “Hope, Science and Technology: Cancer Care in the New Normal” this March 10, 2021 at 11 a.m. Register at bit.ly/BWCancerCare.

For inquiries, please contact us at Parkway Hospitals Singapore-Manila Office at G/F-B, Marco Polo Hotel, Meralco Avenue and Sapphire Street, Ortigas Center, Pasig City 1600, e-mail us at manila.ph@parkwaypantai.com or call 0917-526-7576.

(This article was reviewed by Dr. Chua Tju Siang, gastroenterologist at Mount Elizabeth Hospitals.)

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