DENIAL, DISTORTION, DISTRACTION | Drinks makers misleading on cancer risk from alcohol – scientists

The alcohol industry uses denial, distortion and distraction to mislead people about the risks of developing cancer from drinking, often employing similar tactics to those of the tobacco industry, a study said on Thursday.

LISTEN | Voice of George Michael returns with remix of ‘Fantasy’

The remix of the 1987 solo track was broadcast on Britain’s BBC radio and released online on Thursday.

Trump Jr. confirms meeting Russian lawyer for damaging information on Clinton

President Donald Trump’s eldest son told Senate investigators on Thursday that he had set up a June 2016 meeting with a Russian lawyer because she might have had damaging information about Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Many U.S. Navy ships in Pacific lack certification – watchdog

A U.S. government watchdog said on Thursday that more than a third of U.S. Navy ships based out of Japan had expired warfare training certifications, as lawmakers raised concerns about readiness after a series of collisions involving the Navy this year.

Myanmar ‘trying to protect all citizens’ in strife-torn Rakhine – Suu Kyi

Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi said on Thursday her government was doing its best to protect everyone in the strife-torn state of Rakhine, as the estimated number of Rohingya Muslims who have fled to Bangladesh leapt by 18,000 in one day, to 164,000.

CignalTV chief Jane Jimenez-Basas named ‘Asia’s Media Woman of the Year’

She received the award at the ContentAsia Summit 2017 in Singapore on Thursday.

Capas mayor graduates 453 ‘reformists,’ vows to rid town of drugs

Capas Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan vowed on Thursday not to lower his guard against the drug syndicate he said have been wreaking havoc in his town as he presided over the “graduation” of 453 drug victims from a program to wean them away, which included six months of community service.

In Indonesia, a school is tagged a launchpad for IS child fighters

There has been a recent resurgence in militancy in Indonesia and authorities believe Islamic State has more than 1,200 followers while about 500 Indonesians have left to join the group in Syria.

August foreign reserves at 3-month-high $81.5B

Gross international reserves (GIR) edged up in August to a three-month high on the back of higher gold valuations and steady inflows from the central bank’s investments abroad, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported Thursday.

Chinese logistics firm Best, backed by Alibaba, launches $930-M IPO in US

Best Inc, a Chinese logistics company backed by Alibaba Group, is launching a U.S. IPO that is seeking about $930 million to fund an expansion of its supply chain network, develop new technology and open more convenience stores.
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Big infra projects, including Metro Manila’s first subway, near final OK

Three big-ticket infrastructure projects — including a plan to build Metro Manila’s first subway — will soon be up for President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s approval after these hurdled the National Economic and Development Authority’s Investment Coordination Committee (NEDA ICC).
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BMI Research sees steady growth for PH construction sector, boon for Chinese, Japanese firms

The research arm of the Fitch Group has forecast the Philippine construction industry will steadily expand over the next 10 years, with Chinese and Japanese firms largely benefitting from greater investments and project opportunities.

BLOOMBERG POLL | Forex execs in PH view US rate adjustment as key issue...

Foreign Exchange (FX) executives in the Philippines view any further US rate hikes as the biggest macro issue affecting the peso and its economic growth in 2017, according to the results of a Bloomberg survey released today. Other challenges raised include global political uncertainty, export growth and US economic and trade policy.

Fashion giants LVMH and Kering ban size zero models

A new French legislation that aims to look after the well-being of fashion models is being observed by two world-renowned brands.