Latest news with #SouthEastAsian
United News of India
18 hours ago
- Health
- United News of India
COVID-19 death cases rise to 8 in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram, June 3 (UNI) Kerala's COVID death cases rose to 8, and with this the cumulative death toll touches 72,147 since the pandemic began in 2020. Kerala's COVID-19 cases rose to 1,435 with the new 35 cases tested positive on Monday evening. As COVID cases are being reported in large numbers in South East Asian countries, there is a possibility of further increase in COVID in Kerala, sources said on Tuesday. The Omicron JN1 variants LF7 and NB1.8, currently spreading in those countries, have a high transmission rate. Those with symptoms such as cold, sore throat, cough, and shortness of breath must wear masks. It is advisable for the elderly, pregnant women and those with serious illnesses to wear masks in public places while traveling. In view of the rising cases, the State Level Rapid Response Team (RRT) is reviewing the general situation in Kerala. Instructions have been given to conduct COVID tests for those with symptoms in the state. Instructions were also given to health centres to ensure RTPCR kits and other safety equipment. UNI DS GNK
Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Vintage Coffee & Beverages forays into Liquid Coffee segment
Vintage Coffee & Beverages (VCBL) announced that it's subsidiary Vintage Coffee Private (VCPL') has launched a new product segment, LIQUID COFFEE which augments it's existing product portfolio of Spray and Agglomerated Instant Coffee. This new product segment will cater to the increasing demand for Liquid coffee across the world and especially in South East Asian markets. This product will further help the company to ramp up volumes from upcoming capacity expansion.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Julius Baer names new South East Asia market heads
Julius Baer has named Shui Wei HO and Vi Sun YANG as market heads for South East Asia, with effect from 1 July 2025. They will replace Chin Lit YEE, who is retiring after almost 40 years in the banking sector. YEE has held various leadership roles within the bank's South East Asia market. Both HO and YANG will continue to operate out of Singapore and report directly to Jimmy LEE, region head Asia and member of the Global Wealth Management Committee. As South East Asia market heads, they will spearhead growth initiatives of the firm, strengthen client relationships, and guide teams throughout the region. HO and YANG, with approximately 30 years of wealth management experience, have been instrumental in expanding the business and enhancing client engagement across Asia. HO joined Julius Baer as Group Head for South East Asia in August 2022 and subsequently took on the role of market head for Thailand, Japan, and Asia Switzerland in January 2024, a position she will retain. YANG joined Julius Baer as the group head for South East Asia in July 2022, having previously led the Singapore and Indonesia markets at UBS for 14 years. LEE said: 'We are delighted to have Shui Wei and Vi Sun in dual leadership of our South East Asia franchise. Their leadership, extensive experience, and market insight will be instrumental as we expand our presence in this dynamic region. 'These appointments underscore Julius Baer's longstanding commitment to Singapore and the broader South East Asian market, crucial to our Asia strategy.' Last month, Switzerland's Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) fined Julius Baer over SFr4m ($4.76m) for compliance and anti-money laundering deficiencies related to its management of high-risk clients, according to the Financial Times. "Julius Baer names new South East Asia market heads" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Himachal: Security fee for plastic use at tourist destinations soon
The Himachal cabinet on Saturday decided to come up with a Deposit Refund Scheme 2025 as a pilot project to effectively manage and reduce non-biodegradable waste. Under this scheme, consumers will pay a refundable deposit over and above the product price which will be returned upon the return of the empty packing material, such as glass bottles, plastic beverage containers, aluminium cans, liquid packaging, flexible plastic packaging and multilayered packages. The decision regarding where and when it will be implemented will be taken later. Under the new scheme, tourists purchasing plastic or polythene-packed materials will be charged a nominal security fee, which will be refunded upon the return of the packaging. The initiative, which will be monitored via QR codes, is being implemented on a trial basis to assess its effectiveness in reducing waste generation and promoting sustainable tourism practices. Shimla produces nearly 2,800-tonne solid waste, including plastic, and Manali produces over 1,100 tonnes per month. During the tourist season, these two tourist hot spots produce 9,000 tonnes in two months. As per an estimate, 15,000 tonnes of garbage is produced per month in the state where many districts lack garbage disposal mechanism. 'The idea is to encourage tourists and vendors to take responsibility for the waste they generate. The scheme will initially be launched in high-footfall areas and will help address both waste management and pollution concerns,' said industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, while briefing the media after the cabinet meeting. Chauhan said, 'Plastic and polythene are a major challenge in our hill regions. This refundable fee mechanism is a step towards behavioural change. This will be a trial-based scheme, initially to be started at key tourist destinations. This will be based on QR code scanning. Vendors will charge a nominal fee and that will be refunded once plastic pack is submitted at collection centres,' he added. 'Every policy, especially those linked to the environment, must reflect long-term ecological responsibility,' he said. Himachal was the first state in the South East Asian region to ban coloured polythene recycled bags and also to enact law in 1995 and became the first state in India to ban the plastic and polythene carry bags in 2009. In 2011, plastic cutlery was banned. Later in 2013, with the recommendation of a committee and directions of the HC, single-use snacks' packets, wrappers and other packaging materials and also of plastic, plates besides packed materials, cups and glasses, were banned, but this was challenged in the Supreme Court. The thermocol cutlery was later banned in 2018. 500-ml plastic bottles banned The Himachal Pradesh government has banned the use of small polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles up to 500 ml from June 1. The state government has urged people to start using glass bottles, water dispensers/kiosks of steel containers, etc. Suresh Atri, chief scientific officer of the department of environmental science technology and climate change, said that if anyone violates this rule, he may have to pay a fine ranging from ₹500 to ₹25,000. 'This decision has been taken to protect the environment. Effective steps will be taken for recycling PET bottles in Himachal Pradesh,' he added.
India Gazette
3 days ago
- India Gazette
Himachal cabinet approves trial scheme to curb waste from tourists
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 31 (ANI): In a major step toward tackling environmental degradation in Himachal Pradesh, the state Cabinet on Saturday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu approved a pilot initiative aimed at managing biodegradable and plastic waste, especially in tourist-heavy regions. Under the new scheme, tourists purchasing plastic or polythene-packed materials will be charged a nominal security fee, which will be refunded upon returning the packaging. The initiative, which will be monitored via QR codes, is being implemented on a trial basis to assess its effectiveness in reducing waste generation and promoting sustainable tourism practices. 'The idea is to encourage tourists and vendors to take responsibility for the waste they generate. The scheme will initially be launched in high-footfall areas and will help address both waste management and pollution concerns,' said Industries Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan, while briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting. Minister Chauhan emphasised that the scheme is part of a broader effort to safeguard Himachal's fragile ecology. 'Plastic and polythene are a major challenge in our hill regions. This refundable fee mechanism is a step toward behavioural change. This will be a trail-based scheme initially to be started at key tourist destinations. Based on QR code scanning, the vendor will charge a nominal fee, and that will be refunded once the plastic pack is disposed of at the collection centre,' he added. Chauhan reiterated the government's commitment to sustainable development. 'Himachal Pradesh is not just a tourist destination, it's our home. Every policy, especially those linked to the environment, must reflect long-term ecological responsibility,' he said. The capital town produces nearly 2,800 tons of solid waste, including plastic, and Manali produces over 1,100 tons per month. During the inflow of tourist seasons, the total from the two destinations is 9,000 tons during two months. A certain amount of garbage remains uncounted and is thrown in hills, destroying the ecology of the Himalayan region. The entire state, in all twelve districts, on average, produces over 15000 tons of garbage per month, and there is no proper disposal in all parts of the state, excluding Shimla and a few more towns in the state. Himachal Pradesh was the first state in the South East Asian region to ban coloured polythene recycled bags and enact a law in 1995. It became the first state in India to ban plastic and polythene carry bags in 2009. And in 2011, plastic cutlery was banned. Later in 2013, with the recommendation of a committee and directions of the High Court, the single-use plastic bags, straws and other packaging materials were also banned, including plastic plates, cups and glasses, but this was challenged in the country's apex court. But people followed this, and most of the plastic in use, excluding packaged materials in plastic, was phased out. The state banned thermocol cutlery in 2018. Despite all these efforts, plastic waste is polluting the hills. (ANI)
