Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Sunday, June 4, 2023.
BANNER: US won't stand for China 'bullying'
United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin vowed Saturday that Washington would not stand for any "coercion and bullying" of its allies and partners by China, but assured Beijing that the U.S. remained committed to maintaining the status quo on Taiwan and would prefer dialogue over conflict. Speaking at the so-called Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual forum bringing together top defense officials, diplomats and leaders, Austin lobbied for support for Washington's vision of a "free, open and secure Indo-Pacific within a world of rules and rights" as the best course to counter increasing Chinese assertiveness in the region. Chinese officials, however, reiterated China's commitment to the region's "development and prosperity" but maintained that Taiwan and the South China Sea islands and adjacent waters were "an inalienable and indisputable part of China's sovereign territories."
Philippines, Singapore ink disaster relief pact
THE Philippines and Singapore have signed a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) agreement. Department of National Defense (DND) spokesman Arsenio Andolong said on Saturday that defense officials of the two countries signed the Arrangement Concerning Education, Training Assistance and Support Activities on H.A.D.R. at the sidelines of the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Friday, June 2.
Close to 300 killed in India train crash
Rescuers waded through piles of debris and wreckage to pull out bodies and free people after two passenger trains derailed Friday night in India, killing more than 280 people and leaving hundreds of others trapped inside more than a dozen mangled rail cars in one of the country's deadliest train crashes in decades. The accident, which happened about 220 kilometers (137 miles) southwest of Kolkata, led to a chaotic scene as rescuers climbed atop the wrecked trains to break open doors and windows using cutting torches to free survivors. About 900 people were injured in the accident in Balasore district in the eastern state of Odisha, said P.K. Jena, the state's top administrative official. The cause was under investigation. At least 280 bodies were recovered overnight and into Saturday morning, Sudhanshu Sarangi, director of Odisha's fire and emergency department, told The Associated Press. He said more than 800 injured passengers were taken to various hospitals with many in critical condition.
Loyzaga first Filipino in FIBA Hall of Fame
FOR the first time, a Filipino has been named to the FIBA Hall of Fame. Carlos "Caloy" Loyzaga, a bronze medalist in the 1954 FIBA World Championship and a four-time Asian Games gold medalist, was posthumously inducted as a member of the 2023 Hall of Fame class, in an announcement on FIBA's Facebook page on Friday. He died in 2016 at 85. Known as the "Big Difference," Loyzaga is the first Filipino to be named into this year's Hall of Fame class by the FIBA.
SPORTS: Rondina joins Flying Titans in PVL Invitational
In sports, Choco Mucho is about to get a huge boost in its campaign in the P.V.L. Invitational Conference set on June 29. This as former U.S.T. star Sisi Rondina has joined the Flying Titans, making her indoor volleyball return after spending the last four years competing in the sands. While Choco Mucho hasn't officially welcomed Rondina yet, its teaser video posted on its social media pages on Friday clearly showed clips of Rondina in beach volleyball action. It also showed Rondina posing for a picture with her back turned.
BUSINESS: BSP's 28-day bill rate down, attracts lower bids
In business, undersubscription was registered by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' 28-day bill on Friday, and its rate slid relative to last week's level. The central bank raised the offer volume in this week's 28-day debt paper auction to 140 billion pesos, from the 120 billion pesos during the auction last May 26. However, bids only amounted to 112.627 billion pesos. The auction committee accepted 110.627 billion pesos. Average rate of the securities slipped to 6.6746 percent from last week's 6.6762 percent.
Marlen Ronquillo is today's front page columnist, as he discusses the Department of Tourism's latest promotional material for the country.
Today's editorial believes that tourism is ready to stand as the Philippine economy's third brace. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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