Indonesia is pressing on with a plan to build a new airport in Bali, a development that the government hopes would turn the resort island into a “new Singapore or Hong Kong” but locals are not sold on the idea. The fate of the project, based in northern Bali to complement the existing airport in the south, has been uncertain for years until new President Prabowo Subianto earlier this month vowed to revitalise it. On Wednesday, PT Bandara Internasional Bali Utara (BIBU) Panji Sakti, a local developer that floated the airport plan in 2016, announced it had teamed up with Chinese firm ChangYe Construction Group to develop the project in northern Bali, with the latter investing US$3 billion. “We are very interested in the North Bali International Airport project. In
Author Archives: The Esbec Team
Nov
The Pentagon’s latest report on UFOs has revealed hundreds of new reports of unidentified and unexplained aerial phenomena but no indications suggesting an extraterrestrial origin. The review includes hundreds of cases of misidentified balloons, birds and satellites as well as some that defy easy explanation, such as a near-miss between a commercial airliner and a mysterious object off the coast of New York. While it isn’t likely to settle any debates over the existence of alien life, the report reflects heightened public interest in the topic and the government’s efforts to provide some answers. Its publication comes a day after House lawmakers called for greater government transparency during a hearing on unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAPs – the government’s term for UFOs. Federal efforts to study and identify UAPs have
Nov
Wage hikes and temporary income tax cuts were positive factors for growth in Japan. Photo: Richard A. Brooks / AFPSource: AFP Japan’s growth slowed in the third quarter, official data showed Friday, as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba seeks to jumpstart the world’s fourth-largest economy. One of the fiercest typhoons to hit Japan in decades and a government “megaquake” warning weighed on factory production and other economic activity this summer. That dragged on gross domestic product (GDP) and the country saw growth of 0.2 percent between July and September, according to a preliminary reading by the Cabinet Office. The data met market expectations, but marked a slowdown from a revised 0.5 percent in the previous three months. Compared with the same period a year earlier GDP grew 0.9 percent, much slower
Nov
Delivering his first public speech since winning the 2024 election, President-elect Donald Trump touted his victory and praised his allies at the America First Policy Institute Gala at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. Calling this year’s the “most consequential election,” Trump recalled how he lost the popular vote in 2016 but won it this time around. “They would say, ‘he didn’t win the popular vote.’ And we won the popular vote by records now, which so nobody can say that anymore about us,” Trump said. PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 14: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump attends the America First Policy Institute Gala held at Mar-a-Lago on November 14, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump has been announcing a number of nominees to fill out his upcoming administration. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Nov
President Akufo-Addo honoured with France’s Grand Officier de la Légion d’Honneur Featured GraphicOnline Nov – 14 – 2024 , 17:17 President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been awarded the distinguished title of Grand Officier de la Légion d’Honneur by French President Emmanuel Macron. The award, conferred during an official state visit to France on November 14, 2024, celebrates President Akufo-Addo’s notable contributions to diplomacy, democratic governance, and international cooperation. The Grand Officier de la Légion d’Honneur is one of the most prestigious honours within France’s Légion d’Honneur, an order established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 to recognise individuals who demonstrate exceptional service to France and the global community. The award acknowledges achievements in fields ranging from public service and international diplomacy to arts, science, and humanitarian efforts.
Nov
House Republicans had mixed reactions to President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement that he would nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be secretary of Health and Human Services in his administration. Kennedy has been an anti-vaccine activist and founded the Children’s Health Defense, a prominent anti-vaccine nonprofit that has campaigned against immunizations and other public health measures like water fluoridation. Medical experts expressed concerns about a rise in medical misinformation through Kennedy’s candidacy. HHS oversees major health agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, among others. Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the stage at a Turning Point Action campaign rally, Oct. 23, 2024, in Duluth, Georgia. Anna
Nov
We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. Learn more. President-Elect Donald Trump has stated numerous times that, once he takes office, he plans to shut down the U.S. Department of Education. The department provides roughly 10% of K-12 funding and enforces federal civil rights in schools. However, it plays a much larger role in financing higher education. Managing approximately $1.5 trillion in student loan debt for over 40 million borrowers, the Education Department represents one of the largest holders of consumer debt in the country. “I’m going to close the Department of Education and move education back to the states,” Trump pledged at a campaign rally in September. Already
Nov
Did you know that 47% of Instagram users have reported experiencing some form of cyberbullying on the platform? In today’s digital age, standing up to online harassment has become more crucial than ever. Whether you’re a teenager navigating social media, a parent protecting your child, or an influencer managing your online presence, understanding how to […]
Nov
The request requires the approval of ICC judges, but their decision has been delayed, partly because of several rounds of legal filings by Israel that have challenged the court’s jurisdiction. By REUTERS NOVEMBER 13, 2024 16:43 PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a state memorial ceremony at the Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem last week, marking a year since the Hamas attack against Israel that took place on October 7/Simchat Torah, followed by the ongoing Gaza war. (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST) Israel has questioned the impartiality of an International Criminal Court judge appointed to a panel deciding whether an arrest warrant should be issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The move could further delay a decision in the case, in which the ICC chief prosecutor
Nov
Muhammad Yunus, the interim leader of Bangladesh’s government, is expected to “bury the hatchet” with US President-elect Donald Trump and start afresh in working with the new American administration. Analysts say while Yunus’ strained relationship with Trump is an open secret, Bangladesh’s “strategic appeal” as a country with close ties to India and China means the US government is likely to reciprocate Dhaka’s overtures. “I suspect Yunus will be ready to bury the hatchet,” said Michael Kugelman, director of Washington-based South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center think tank, noting that Trump’s election win came at a time when Bangladesh was trying to rebuild and stabilise in the post-Sheikh Hasina era. “I don’t expect much criticism from Yunus now, and his warm congratulatory note to Trump sent an important signal
Nov
China’s southern tech hub Shenzhen spent a record amount on research and development (R&D) last year, rivalling Beijing’s level and vastly exceeding that of neighbouring Hong Kong to cement its position as a national research mecca. Shenzhen’s R&D expenditure jumped to 223.66 billion yuan (US$30.93 billion) in 2023, surpassing the 200-billion-yuan mark for the first time and up by nearly 19 per cent from the previous year, according to government data released last week. R&D made up just under 6.5 per cent of the city’s gross domestic product (GDP), breaking through 6 per cent for the first time. That made Shenzhen, home to Big Tech companies like Huawei Technologies and Tencent Holdings , the second-largest R&D hub in China in terms of both absolute expenditure and spending relative to GDP
Nov
Fred Kerley has aimed a jibe at Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala, questioning his status as Africa’s fastest man The Olympic bronze medallist is one of the fastest sprinters in the world and holds one world title Omanyala is Africa’s fastest man, with a record of 9.77 seconds set in 2021 at the Kip Keino Classic Former 100m world champion Fred Kerley appeared to aim a jibe at Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala. The 2024 Olympics bronze medallist has raced Omanyala in Kenya a couple of times and come up short. Omanyala remains the fastest man in Africa, but his performances on the biggest stages have been underwhelming. Ferdinand Omanyala reached the semis at the 2024 Paris Olympics, while Fred Kerley won a bronze medal. Photo by Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto.Source: Getty Images
Nov
After seven years of leadership (2017-2024), Professor Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah has officially retired as Executive Secretary of Ghana’s National Identification Authority (NIA). Reflecting on his tenure, Professor Attafuah highlighted both the challenges and achievements that have defined his time with the NIA, expressing pride in the strides made to build a comprehensive national identity system. “When I first took on this role seven years ago, the NIA faced numerous challenges,” Professor Attafuah said in his farewell message, noting obstacles that ranged from operational hurdles to public skepticism. His leadership transformed the NIA into what he described as a “service-driven organisation committed to providing every Ghanaian with a unique and secure identity.” Under his stewardship, the NIA digitised its operations, establishing a widespread network of 16 regional offices, 276 district offices
Nov
Shutterstock Timothy West and his wife Prunella Scales appeared together in Channel 4’s Great Canal Journeys Actor Timothy West, one of Britain’s most distinguished and versatile actors, has died at the age of 90, his family have announced. He was known for roles on stage and screen including in TV sitcoms Not Going Out and Bedtime, dramas such as Bleak House and Gentleman Jack, and soaps Coronation Street and EastEnders. A statement released by his children said the actor died “peacefully in his sleep” and was “with his friends and family at the end”. The actor is also survived by his wife, Fawlty Towers star Prunella Scales, to whom he was married for 61 years. In recent years, the couple had been followed in 10 seasons of Channel 4’s Great
![Trump hailed Hegseth as "tough, smart and a true believer in America First" in a social media post announcing the nomination [File: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/GettyImages-1399603355-1-1731495570.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80&w=1000&resize=1000,500)
Nov
United States President-elect Donald Trump has picked Fox News host and military veteran Pete Hegseth, a pro-Israel and Iran hawk, to serve as his defence secretary, lauding him as “tough, smart and a true believer in America First”. The 44-year-old’s nomination to lead the world’s most powerful military has come in for criticism from the Democrats, who pointed out his “lack of experience” on the global stage. “The job of Secretary of Defense should not be an entry-level position,” Representative Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, posted on X. So, who is Hegseth and will his inexperience come in the way of discharging his duty as the Pentagon chief? Who is Pete Hegseth? Hegseth, who served Afghanistan and Iraq, joined Fox News as a contributor