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Dio Suhenda (The Jakarta Post) PREMIUM Jakarta   ● Wed, October 27 2021 Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas is in hot water over remarks he made last week that some observers have interpreted as favoring the country's largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), over other religious groups. In a webinar hosted by NU on Oct. 20 to commemorate National Santri (Islamic student) Day and published on YouTube, Yaqut recalled a conversation he had had with ministry officials on the history of the Religious Affairs Ministry. One official said the name should be changed to the Islamic affairs ministry because it was Indonesia’s gift to its Muslim population. Yaqut replied that it was instead "a gift to NU" for the group’s contributions during the country’s struggle for independence. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, … [Read more...] about Minister’s offhand remarks signal NU’s privileged place

Despite navigating its way through multiple bear markets since the beginning of the 20th century, the stock market has stood head-and-shoulders above all other asset classes over the long run. But the dominance of equities has been seriously challenged over shorter time frames. For instance, a number of well-known cryptocurrencies have left the broad-based S&P 500 eating their dust over the past couple of years. Perhaps no digital currency embodies this move more than meme coin Shiba Inu ( CRYPTO:SHIB ) . The Shiba Inu dog breed has inspired a couple of popular cryptocurrencies. Image source: Getty Images. Shiba Inu’s short-term gains are jaw-dropping To give you some idea of just how jaw-dropping Shiba Inu’s return has been in such a short time frame, I thought it’d be fun to compare it to the S&P 500 over a long stretch. Between the beginning of 1965 and the end of 2020, the S&P 500, inclusive of dividends paid, returned more than 26,000%. … [Read more...] about The Single Biggest Reason to Sell Shiba Inu Right Now

Promoting its spirit of independence in behaviors and neutrality in addressing and balancing relations will help ASEAN avoid being passive in competition between powers, the PM said. He, therefore, called on major countries participating in the region to show their sense of responsibility, respect international law, not to affect regional peace and stability, respect ASEAN’s role, and fully consult ASEAN through mechanisms established and led by the grouping. PM Chinh stressed the need to uphold intra-solidarity, core values and power, as well as responsibility and constructive spirit of all member countries, to help ASEAN reach consensus and carry forward its centrality and prestige. The association should prove its mettle and self-reliance in maintaining peace, security and stability in the East Sea (South China Sea), he said. While affirming Vietnam's principled stance on the East Sea, the PM suggested countries promote commitments to observing international law, act … [Read more...] about ASEAN should play more active, responsible role in matters impacting on region: PM

Sen. Manny Pacquiao. (File photo by JOSEPH VIDAL / Senate PRIB) MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Manny Pacquiao assured Benguet residents on Tuesday that he would initiate an investigation into the alleged overpriced slope protection and flood control projects in the province, as cyclones that pass by the area could easily cause landslides. During his visit to the province, Pacquiao received a petition from the officials and members of the Manny Pacquiao for President Movement (MPPM) calling for a thorough probe into the projects that were funded in 2021 under the term of ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Eric Yap who was the legislative caretaker of Benguet. Petitioners claimed that rock-netting projects in Benguet — meant to stop landslides — cost twice as the government used to pay. Previous projects cost P12,000 per square meter while recent ones cost  P24,000 per square meter. “Typhoon Maring is not the only reason for the sorry state of our farmers in Benguet,” Pacquiao said in … [Read more...] about Pacquiao vows probe into alleged overpriced slope, flood control projects in Benguet

Scene from “The Lion King” musical Homegrown Filipino thespian Joaquin Pedro Valdes makes hopscotching from one coveted theater production to another seem easy. After his stint in “Fanny and Stella” and in the West End hit “Heathers: The Musical,” he immediately joined the stellar cast of the sci-fi musical “Vanara,” which only began its run at Hackney Empire in London last Friday. As if those weren’t impressive enough, Joaquin’s participation in the upcoming UK and Ireland tour of Disney’s “The Lion King” was announced one day before his debut in the role of Rooh in “Vanara.” He will be joining the ensemble, covering and understudying the lead role of Simba in the production. More than just another casting feat, Joaquin sees his latest triumph on the world stage as a “dream come true” because “well, it’s ‘The Lion King,’” he quipped during our late-night chat last Saturday. Asked what makes his next assignment extra special, he said, “I think it’s more poignant because ‘The … [Read more...] about How covering Simba in ‘The Lion King’ musical ‘completes the circle’ for Joaquin

Maine Mendoza Because she’s her “own worst critic,” Maine Mendoza still gets shy and awkward when her costars shower her with praise about her growth as a performer. “I still don’t know how to react because we’re our own worst critic, and we sometimes feel that what we’re giving is not enough in the things we do,” Maine said in reaction to her “Daddy’s Gurl” costar Vic Sotto describing her as a “natural talent” who has “evolved into a better actress and host.” In fact, she still gets nervous when doing scenes with Vic, even if the latter works from home and shoots through online means. “I don’t think that will ever go away and it’s not his fault I find him intimidating,” she said. “He just has that kind of charm … you become unsure of how to act with him.” Improvement “But I’m happy that there are people there who appreciate what I do,” the 26-year-old star said in a recent Zoom conference for the said weekly sitcom, which is now in its third year. Whatever improvement the … [Read more...] about Maine Mendoza names her worst critic

Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Dr. Willie Ong. (Contributed photo) MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, who is running for president in 2022, said on Tuesday that, if he would win, he would appoint his running mate, Dr. Willie Ong, as health secretary. “I will give Dr. Willie Ong freedom because I will make him health secretary as vice president,” Domagoso said in Filipino. He added that the celebrity doctor had already committed to help him fix the country’s public health system. Should Ong decline the offer, he would still play a major role in deciding the next chief of the Department of Health, Domagoso said. “But he said that he would help me choose whoever will be good, efficient, and competent in handling the health of our fellow Filipinos,” he said. Domagoso is running under Aksyon Demokratiko party, of which he is the president, with Ong as vice president. ATM Subscribe to our daily newsletter … [Read more...] about Isko Moreno to appoint Willie Ong as DOH chief if he becomes president

ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Eric Go Yap (INQUIRER.net file photo) MANILA, Philippines — ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Eric Yap said on Tuesday that Sen. Manny Pacquiao was merely being used by his political opponents in seeking a probe into his alleged involvement in overpriced slope protection and flood control projects in Benguet. READ: Pacquiao vows probe into alleged overpriced slope, flood control projects in Benguet “It is very unfortunate that Sen Manny Pacquiao, who is seeking the presidency in 2022, is being used to advance the political interests of my opponents,” Yap said. “Don’t use your self-interest if we want progress in Benguet,” he added, speaking in a mix of English in Filipino. “Let’s work hard and not just throw dirt. Please do not use me for your own benefit. Do not use me as a publicity stunt.” Yap said that he would respond to Pacquiao’s allegations “in the right place and right time.” “What he said is very similar to what our opponents are saying. And … [Read more...] about Rep. Eric Yap says his opponents using Pacquiao in move to probe Benguet projects

Issam Ahmed (Agence France-Presse) (The Jakarta Post) PREMIUM Washington   ● Wed, October 27 2021 A high-level medical panel of US government advisors will meet Tuesday to decide whether to authorize the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11 years old. If, as is widely expected, the independent experts convened by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) vote in favor, an emergency authorization could follow within weeks. This would make 28 million younger children eligible for the shots in November. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login … [Read more...] about US to weigh authorizing Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for younger children

Pathom Sangwongwanich (Agence France-Presse) (The Jakarta Post) PREMIUM Bangkok   ● Wed, October 27 2021 As night falls on a bustling junction close to the heart of Bangkok, gangs of young protesters take on police with slingshots, firecrackers and homemade "ping pong" bombs, turning the streets into a battle zone. The student protest movement that gripped Thailand last year with its taboo-smashing demands for royal reform has largely died down, splintered by infighting and left rudderless by the arrest of several key leaders. But since early August, a hardcore of young working-class protesters calling themselves "Thalugaz" have fought near-nightly street battles with riot police armed with tear gas, rubber bullets and chemical-laced water cannon. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our … [Read more...] about Thailand protests fade but the hardcore battle on