SUPP leader: S'wak shows minority education can thrive with national unity
His statement came in support of Sarawak's Minister for Education, Innovation, and Talent Development, Roland Sagah Wee Inn, who recently reaffirmed that Chinese independent schools are neither outsiders nor an afterthought in the state's education landscape.
'Its steadfast support for independent Chinese schools is...
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The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Chinese fighter 'intercepts' Philippine plane over disputed shoal, Manila says
A Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy helicopter is seen from aboard a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) aircraft in the skies above Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on Feb 18. - Photo: AFP-JIJI file OVER THE SCARBOROUGH SHOAL, South China Sea: A Chinese jet fighter "intercepted" a Philippine aircraft carrying journalists during a patrol flight over the Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday (Aug 13), the Manila government said, days after two Chinese vessels collided in the area while allegedly trying to block a Philippine supply mission. A Reuters journalist aboard the Philippine Coast Guard flight watched as the Chinese fighter closed in on the small Cessna Caravan turboprop. At one point the Chinese fighter came within about 200 feet (61 metres) as it manoeuvred behind, above, and alongside the plane, PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela said. It was the latest sign of the persistent tensions between the two nations in the disputed South China Sea atoll. "While they were conducting the flight, they have been intercepted by a Chinese fighter jet," Tarriela told a press conference held afterwards. The encounter lasted 20 minutes, during which radio demands from one of two Chinese navy ships spotted below ordering the Philippine plane to "leave immediately" could be heard from the cockpit. The same day, two US warships - littoral combat ship USS Cincinnati and the destroyer USS Higgins - were spotted about 30 nautical miles away from the shoal, Tarriela said. China's military claimed it "drove away" the US destroyer after it entered the area without permission, but Washington said its ships were conducting lawful freedom of navigation operations. Located 200 km (124 miles) off the Philippines and inside its exclusive economic zone, Scarborough Shoal is valued for its rich fishing grounds and sheltered lagoon. On Monday, the PCG sent three vessels to carry supplies to dozens of Filipino fishermen in the atoll. It said Chinese vessels then intervened to carry out what it called a "hazardous" attempt to prevent the delivery, leading to the first known collision between two Chinese ships in the area. China has not confirmed if any crew were injured, and ignored Manila's offer of medical and rescue aid. Neither China's defence ministry nor its embassy in Manila has commented on the incident. On Monday, China's coast guard said it took necessary measures to expel Philippine vessels from waters around the shoal. The United States also condemned Beijing's "reckless" actions. China claims almost the entire South China Sea via a U-shaped "nine-dash line," a claim invalidated by a 2016 arbitration ruling that also found China's blockade of the Scarborough shoal unlawful. Sovereignty over the shoal remains unresolved, but China, which rejects the ruling, has maintained a constant presence at the reef since seizing it in 2012, deploying coastguard vessels and "maritime militia". At least four Chinese coast guard vessels, and several ships identified by the PCG as "maritime militia," were visible in the area during Wednesday's patrol flight. - Reuters
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
‘Stop production': Small US firms hit by tariff changes
WASHINGTON: When US President Donald Trump announced tariffs on almost all trading partners in April, Ben Knepler contacted the factory in Cambodia producing his company's outdoor furniture. 'Stop production,' he ordered. The announcement involved a 10% levy on imports from most partners, set to rise further for many of them. For Cambodia, the planned duty was a staggering 49%. 'That night, we spoke to our factory,' Knepler told AFP. 'We literally cannot afford to bring our own product into the US with that kind of tariff.' The decision was even more painful for Knepler and his Pennsylvania-based company True Places, given that he had previously shifted production of his outdoor chairs to Cambodia from China, following tariffs on Chinese imports imposed by Trump during his first presidency. 'We were facing 25% tariffs in China, and there were 0% tariffs in Cambodia,' Knepler recalled. It took him a year to move the massive equipment and molds to Cambodia only to see another steep levy. With Trump's 'reciprocal' tariff hikes taking effect last Thursday, these Cambodia-made chairs face a lower – though still significant – 19% duty. Knepler's experience echoes that of many US companies producing everything from yo-yos to clothing abroad, after years of offshoring American manufacturing. To cope, businesses use various strategies. Some pass on the new costs as a surcharge to customers. Others halted imports when duties reached prohibitive levels, hoping Trump would strike bilateral trade deals that would make their businesses viable again. Trump frames his tariffs as paid for by other countries, touting tens of billions in revenue this year – but firms contest this description. 'We make the tariff payments when the product comes into the US,' Knepler stressed. 'Before we sell it, we're the ones who pay that tariff.' Now saddled with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt he took on to relocate the company's production to Cambodia. He likens the rapid policy changes to spinning a 'wheel of misfortune,' resulting in a new tariff each time. Over four months this year, the planned tariff rate on Cambodian exports has gone from 0% to 49%, to 10%, to 36%, to 19%, he said. 'No one knows what it's going to be tomorrow,' he added. 'It's impossible to have any kind of confidence in what the rate will be in three- or four-months' time.' Economists warn that tariffs could fuel inflation and drag on growth. EY chief economist Gregory Daco noted that the duties effective Thursday raise the average tariff rate to 17.6% from 2.8% at the start of the year – the highest level since the early 1930s. While Trump lauds the limited effects his duties have had on US prices so far, experts say tariffs take time to filter through to consumers. Many of Trump's sweeping levies also face legal challenges over his use of emergency economic powers. Barton O'Brien said he accelerated production and borrowed money to bring in as much inventory as possible before Trump took office. On the election campaign trail, the Republican leader had floated a 60% tariff on imports from China, where O'Brien makes most of his products. The Maryland-based veteran selling dog harnesses and other accessories rented a container to ship as many products as he could before Trump's new tariffs would take effect. There is 'no way' to produce domestically, he said, adding that comparable US-made products sell for nearly six times his retail prices.
Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
KDM set to name former principal to challenge GRS in Liawan
Peter (left) and Annuar. KENINGAU (Aug 13): Drawing on his experience as a former senior officer of the Sabah Education Department, principal and outstanding officer, the Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) is poised to field a winnable candidate, Peter Paun, to contest in Liawan against the incumbent representative Datuk Anuar Ayub Aman from GRS in the upcoming state election (PRN). Backed by Datuk Chin Hon Shu, the KDM Keningau Division chief, Peter is regarded as one of the main challengers in the Liawan state constituency, which also includes the town centre of Keningau. Given the voting trends in Liawan, which now lean towards local parties without ties to national parties, Peter is confident that KDM has a chance to secure the Liawan seat this time. 'I am ready to compete under the KDM banner in the PRN arena, and I have also made preparations and initial plans to realise this mission. 'Likewise, the election machinery committee has been formed and is ready to take on responsibilities at any time,' he stated in his latest social media post. According to surveys, Peter is said to have strong backing from NGOs, the Chinese community, and former students to run for the state assembly (DUN). He has also demonstrated excellent service during his tenure as a teacher and has held the position of principal at several schools and senior officer at the State Education Department before retiring. Meanwhile, Peter mentioned that various issues have been raised by the residents of Liawan that he believes need attention. He noted that these include poorly maintained infrastructure, worsening traffic congestion, flooding issues and drainage maintenance problems. On his future plans, Peter is determined to implement various development programmes and plans to beautify the town of Keningau, particularly in the Liawan constituency, if given the mandate in the upcoming PRN. 'I also see the need to develop Keningau as a more vibrant commercial center in the interior, enhancing its economic activity and business opportunities,' he stated. Additionally, Peter aims to make the Liawan constituency the best in Sabah, setting an example for other constituencies in terms of development management and more efficient governance. He also hopes to establish the Liawan or Keningau constituency as a hub for agro-tourism, further promoting the one village, one product initiative.
