THE PHILIPPINE Under-18 (U18) women’s softball team embarks on another World Cup campaign, with the squad departing for Dallas for the group stages starting Aug. 29.
Fil-Am Sky Ellazar, a member of the Blu Girls senior squad, will coach the U18 team with Sheirylou Valenzuela and Esmeraldo Tayag, former Blu Girls themselves, as assistants.
“Our Blu Girls are a talented group. This is a great opportunity for them to learn and gain experience and share the exceptional talent we have in Philippine softball,” Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president Jean Henri Lhuillier said.
“I believe they will make a significant impact and continue to elevate the sport in our country,” he added.
Opening the campaign is a showdown with Australia on Aug. 29 in Group C, which also includes the United States, Canada, Ireland and Mexico.
The top two teams in the four-day meet will claim a spot in next year’s finals, with the venue yet to be determined. — Joey Villar
REAL MADRID got their LaLiga title defense off to a limp start as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Mallorca, with Vedat Muriqi’s second-half header canceling out Rodrygo’s early strike and spoiling Kylian Mbappé’s eagerly awaited debut.
Real’s so-called “New Galacticos” with Mr. Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Jr headlining a stellar squad came crashing back to earth with a dreary performance at a raucous Son Moix.
Real Madrid started well and took the lead thanks to a fine curling strike by Brazilian forward Rodrygo assisted by a back-heeled pass from his countryman Vinicius Jr in the 13th minute.
However, Mallorca started to create some chances in counter-attacks as a toothless Real grew frustrated, dominating possession but lacking ideas up front. With Mr. Mbappé and Mr. Bellingham nowhere to be found, Vinicius was arguably Real’s only weapon against a disciplined Mallorca defense.
But the Brazilian ended up losing his cool and was taunted by the local fans every time he touched the ball.
The Son Moix stadium has been a tough place for Vinicius, who in February 2023 was racially abused by the local supporters there. On Sunday, he had several heated exchanges with rivals and was reprimanded by the referee after staring into the stands as if daring fans to shout at him all the more.
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made three fine saves to keep the visitor’s lead, but there was nothing he could do with Mr. Muriqi’s powerful header from a corner in the 53rd minute that leveled for the locals.
Vinicius’ struggles and Mallorca’s equalizer frustrated Real thereafter. They only really threatened twice with similar moves by Mr. Mbappé, who sprinted up the left channel in counterattacks but had his angled strikes denied by an inspired Dominik Greif in goal for Mallorca.
Real ended the match with 10-men after defender Ferland Mendy was shown a straight red for a sliding tackle deep into added time.
One day after a depleted Barca fought back to win 2-1 at Valencia despite missing several key starters, a star-studded Real Madrid laboured away to little avail, suggesting they may need to work harder than they thought to fit Mbappe into their squad. — Reuters
BO NIX and Zach Wilson each threw for a touchdown and the Broncos’ defense took care of the rest as Denver crushed the visiting Green Bay Packers 27-2 on Sunday night in Week 2 of the preseason.
Mr. Nix completed 8 of 9 passes for 80 yards, while Mr. Wilson was 2-for-6 for 29 yards.
Jarrett Stidham also spent time under center for the Broncos (2-0), throwing for 65 yards and an interception on 7-of-11 passing. He also rushed for a TD.
Green Bay (1-1) totaled only 168 yards. Its offense never managed to put up points, with Zach Morton sacking Wilson for a safety to finally get the Packers on the board with 54 seconds left in the third quarter.
Denver built a 20-0 lead with the help of two field goals from Wil Lutz before Mr. Wilson was tackled in the end zone.
Michael Pratt connected on 10 of 16 passes for 52 yards in the loss.
49ERS 16, SAINTS 10 Quarterback Joshua Dobbs’ 1-yard rushing touchdown with one second left in the first half ended up providing the winning points, giving San Francisco a victory over New Orleans in Santa Clara, California.
Mr. Dobbs’ trip to the end zone put the 49ers (1-1) up 13-7 at the time.
Blake Grupe cut the Saints’ deficit in half with a 52-yard field goal in the third quarter, but Jake Moody got those points back with a 36-yarder in the fourth.
In addition to going for 25 yards and the score on three carries, Mr. Dobbs completed 12 of 21 passes for 133 yards. Taysom Hill ran for a 1-yard TD for New Orleans (1-1). — Reuters
SINGAPORE Prime Minister Lawrence Wong — BLOOMBERG
SINGAPORE Prime Minister (PM) Lawrence Wong announced new benefits for its citizens including unemployment support, housing and training grants and mandatory paternity leave months before a ballot that will test the endurance of the ruling party.
Mr. Wong also promised a business-friendly environment and pledged to keep the regulatory burden to a minimum in his first major speech on Sunday since taking over from Lee Hsien Loong in May. The city-state must hold a general election by November 2025.
Singapore will provide temporary unemployment support of as much as S$6,000 ($4,563) over a period of up to six months, Mr. Wong said in his National Day Rally address.
This is a shift from the government’s longstanding resistance to provide unemployment benefits, focusing instead on incentives to keep citizens in the workforce. The resident unemployment rate was about 2.7% in the second quarter.
“We’ve seen what happens in other countries when the broad middle falls behind,” Mr. Wong said. “The center does not hold. Societies begin to fracture and collapse.”
He also lined up training allowance of up to S$3,000 a month, higher public housing grants for lower-income groups and mandatory paternity leaves starting April 2025.
“The whole subtext was really that this is a society in which everyone can thrive,” said Eugene Tan, a law professor at Singapore Management University. “This is his first and last National Day Rally before the general election so it’s really about burnishing the credentials of the People’s Action Party government.”
The ruling People’s Action Party had previously resolved to allow the 51-year-old Mr. Wong to lead the charge at the next polls as it seeks a mandate that would extend an uninterrupted run in power since independence in 1965. The party had its worst showing in the 2020 election despite winning 89% of parliamentary seats.
“It was important for Wong to make sure that people felt like their concerns are being addressed and that they could trust him and his team to do what is best for the country in these trying times,” said Nydia Ngiow, managing director at strategic business consultancy BowerGroupAsia.
He briefly touched on geopolitical issues facing the region, reiterating caution over intensifying rivalry between the US and China.
“We are writing the next chapter of our Singapore story amidst great uncertainty around us,” Mr. Wong said. Whatever the outcome of US election in November, “it’s clear that America’s attitude towards China is hardening.”
To survive, Singapore needs a government that is both “prudent and bold,” the premier said, evoking the nation’s first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. — Bloomberg
Here are the key takeaways from Lawrence Wong’s speech:
• Extra six weeks of shared parental leave paid for by the government from April 1, 2025; increased to 10 weeks a year later
• Paternity leave to be mandatory from April 1, 2025
• More support for those with at least three young children
• Public housing grant for lower-income couples to be raised
• Singles applying for new public flats near their parents will get priority from mid 2025; previously only married children get priority
• Elderly to get more housing options; existing public homes will be more senior-friendly
• A 120-kilometer long waterfront coastline with an indoor arena for sports and entertainment events, homes
• New Singapore College of Islamic Studies to groom Islamic leaders
ISRAELI FLAG flies in Berlin, Germany, Oct. 8, 2023. — REUTERS
JERUSALEM — Israel’s economy grew less than expected in the second quarter (Q2) of 2024, extending a period of volatility since the start of war in Gaza,but the weakness is likely not enough to prompt a central bank rate cut next week given rising inflation.
The Central Bureau of Statistics said in an initial estimate on Sunday that gross domestic product (GDP) grew by an annualized 1.2% in the April-June period, below a Reuters consensus of 4.4%. On a per capita basis, GDP fell 0.4% in the quarter.
Overall growth was led by gains in consumer spending (12%), investment in fixed assets (1.1%) and government spending (8.2%), offsetting an 8.3% decline in exports.
First-quarter GDP was revised to 17.3% annualized from a prior estimate of 14.4%, bouncing back from a contraction of 20.6% in the fourth quarter of 2023. The war has raged in Gaza since the Oct. 7 cross-border attack on southern Israel by Hamas-led Palestinian militants.
Over the first half of 2024, Israel’s economy grew 2.5% at an annual rate versus 4.5% in the same period in 2023, according to the statistics bureau.
“The economy is having difficulty recovering from the war, mainly because of supply and not demand problems,” said Leader Capital Markets Chief Economist Jonathan Katz.
He noted that the lack of Palestinian workers since the Gaza conflict erupted was preventing a full recovery in investment in residential construction.
Figures issued on Thursday showed a spike in the inflation rate to 3.2% in July from 2.9% in June, pushing it above the government’s annual inflation target of 1-3%.
The Bank of Israel next decides on rates on Aug. 28.
After cutting its benchmark interest rate in January, the central bank left the rate unchanged at subsequent meetings in February, April, May and July, citing geopolitical tensions, rising price pressures and looser fiscal policy due to the war.
“Since the weak growth figures stem from supply and not demand issues, they are not expected to support interest rate cuts, in particular against the background of signs of acceleration in inflation in the July CPI and a high level of geopolitical risks,” Mr. Katz said. — Reuters
RUSSIAN PROSECUTORS said on Monday they had designated The Clooney Foundation for Justice, a US nonprofit group, as an “undesirable” organization for carrying out work at “a Hollywood scale” to discredit Moscow.
The Foundation was founded by actor George Clooney and his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney.
The label “undesirable” has been applied to tens of foreign groups since Moscow began using the classification in 2015, and effectively bans an organization outright.
“The Foundation carries out work on a Hollywood scale aimed at discrediting Russia,” the Prosecutor General’s Office said on the Telegram messaging app, without providing evidence.
“It actively supports false patriots who have left the country.”
It added that “under the guise of humanitarian ideas,” the organization promotes initiatives for the criminal prosecution of Moscow’s top leadership and publicly disseminates negative assessments of Russian legislation on foreign agents and NGOs.
The Clooney Foundation for Justice did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
In addition to non-profit organizations, Russia’s ‘undesirable’ list includes media outlets, political, cultural and religious groups that Moscow claims are threat to the country’s security. — Reuters
BEIJING — China’s President Xi Jinping praised Vietnam on Monday during talks with Vietnam’s new leader To Lam in Beijing on his first state visit since he took office, Chinese official media Xinhua said.
The meeting signals the close ties between the two communist-run neighbors, which have well-developed economic and trade relations despite the occasional boundary clashes in the energy-rich South China Sea.
“China has always regarded Vietnam as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, and supports Vietnam in adhering to the Party leadership, taking the socialist path suited to its national conditions, and deepening the cause of reforms and socialist modernization,” Mr. Xi said at the meeting.
“I believe that our road will expand wider as we walk further,” Xinhua cited the Chinese leader as saying.
He underscored establishing good working relations and personal friendship with Mr. Lam.
China, displaying exuberance over Mr. Lam’s choosing China for his first official trip, said last week it “fully reflects the great importance he attaches to the development of ties between both parties and countries.”
Mr. Lam arrived in China’s southern province Guangzhou on Sunday for a three-day visit that would include meetings with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and other Chinese top officials.
While in Guangzhou, he visited some Chinese locations where former President Ho Chi Minh conducted revolutionary activities.
Last December, China and Vietnam signed more than a dozen agreements when Mr. Xi visited Vietnam.
The agreements, specifics of which were not announced, covered strengthening railway cooperation and development, investments in various fields and establishing communication to handle unexpected incidents in the South China Sea.
In a lengthy joint declaration, both countries said they would work on cross-border railway connectivity, naming three rail projects that included one connecting through mountainous Lao Cai in the Vietnam’s northwest to the port city Haiphong and a potential one linking two coastal cities to Haiphong.
The statement mentioned continued support for both countries’ railway companies to further cooperate to improve the efficiency of Vietnamese goods transiting through China.
It also mentioned working on other projects under China’s flagship infrastructure program, the Belt and Road Initiative, and emphasized investment cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, energy, digital economy, green development and other fields.
China and Vietnam forged diplomatic ties in 1950 and established a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in 2008 that was jointly fortified five years later to extend to more shared international and regional issues of concern. — Reuters
SANDAKAN, Malaysia — Companies that import palm oil from Malaysia will be able to adopt orangutans but they will not be able to leave the country, the commodities minister said on Sunday, in a revised version of a conservation scheme announced earlier this year.
Plantations and Commodities Minister Johari Abdul Ghani also pledged to halt deforestation in Malaysia, saying 54% of the country was forested and that the level would not fall below 50%.
In May, the minister put forward a plan to send orangutans abroad as trading gifts in an effort to allay concerns about the impact on the animals’ habitat of palm oil production, which tends to involve clearing forest land.
The plan raised objections from conservation groups fearful for the welfare of the orangutans that are critically endangered.
“The animals cannot leave their natural habitats. We have to keep them here. And then we will meet the countries or the buyers of our palm oil if they want to work together to ensure that these forests can be looked after and preserved forever,” Mr. Johari told a news conference in Sabah, northern Borneo.
Conservation group WWF says the population of the orangutan, whose name means “man of the forest” in Malay, is less than 105,000 on the island of Borneo.
The “orangutan diplomacy” scheme was first made public in May after the European Union last year approved an import ban on commodities linked to deforestation.
Malaysia, the world’s second-largest producer of palm oil which is used in anything from lipstick to pizza, described the law as discriminatory.
Mr. Johari said funds raised from companies who adopt orangutans would be distributed to non-governmental organizations and the Sabah government to monitor the forested areas where the primates live, and seek to monitor the animals’ safety and condition.
He did not give details on how much adoption would cost.
Marc Ancrenaz, scientific director of non-government organization Hutan, said he hoped the plan could fund habitat conservation work, such as building corridors between fragmented forests that are too small to sustain viable wildlife populations. — Reuters
Taal Volcano has been observed releasing volcanic smog or vog for the past 24 hours, prompting the health bureau to issue warnings.
Vog is a mixture of sulfur dioxide and other gases that combine with atmospheric oxygen, moisture, dust, and sunlight, resulting in a ‘hazy mixture’ that diminishes visibility in affected areas, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
The Department of Health (DOH) issued health warnings for affected areas, primarily Batangas, as vog can result in various irritations.
“Maaring magdulot ng iritasyon sa mga mata, lalamunan at respiratory tract na maaring maging malubha depende sa konsentrasyon o tagal ng pagkalanghap. (It can cause irritation to the eyes, throat, and respiratory tract, which can become severe depending on the concentration or duration of exposure).” According to a health advisory from the DOH.
Meanwhile, volcanic earthquakes and phreatic explosions have not been recorded in the past 24 hours, but they remain possible hazards as Taal Volcano remains at Alert Level 1, according to PHIVOLCS.
PHIVOLCS reminded that entry into Taal Volcano Island (Permanent Danger Zone or PDZ) and flying any aircraft close to the volcano are strictly prohibited, as the volcano remains in a state of low-level unrest. – Edg Adrian A. Eva
The very first commercially successful portable computer came out in 1981 but weighed a whopping 12kg. Pretty much the equivalent of carrying around your desktop computer and monitor.
Fast-forward 43 years later, the technology of laptop or notebook computers are so much more advanced that powerful computing capabilities came in smaller and lighter packages.
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. recently launched the 2024 Huawei Matebook X Pro which proves that something powerful does not need to be so heavy.
A woman lifting up 2024 Huawei Matebook X Pro with only two fingers.
THE SPECS
The 2024 Huawei Matebook X Pro is a premium ultrabook that does not sacrifice performance just to be lightweight.
Weighing only 1.26kg, it might be misconceived as a typical ultrabook for internet browsing and Microsoft Office (and the likes). The truth is far from it.
Inside the sleek, minimalist design is an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H. A powerful processor used for both productivity and gaming.
The RAM that comes with this premium ultrabook is no joke either as it has 32GB of LPDDR5 memory, which would certainly benefit those who multitask.
The 2024 Matebook X Pro has a 14.2-inch Low-Temperature PolySilicon (LTPS) display which offers higher resolutions and better color accuracy compared to traditional LCD screens.
The 3:2 aspect ratio might put off some users, but the additional vertical space provides additional, useful real estate for productivity and creativity apps. This is quite noticeable with Adobe Premiere Pro where the timeline window is provided more space at default settings.
A photo of the workspace of Adobe Premiere Pro on the Huawei Matebook X Pro
The screen is also a highly responsive10-point multi-touch screen. Artists will have a lot of fun with this. Although the Matebook X Pro does not come with a stylus, it does support third-party devices that are compatible with Windows Ink.
The glass is scratch resistant and comes with an anti-fingerprint coating. These features ensure that the screen is clean and clear.
Storage this particular premium ultrabook is an NVME PCIe 4.0 SSD with a of 2TB, more than enough space for an on-the-go professional.
However, this storage comes partitioned, wherein drive C: or the Windows drive has a 200GB allotment, while drive D: or the main storage has 1.68TB. This is important for users to take note of for data storage and program installation as they might inadvertently fill up their Windows drive quickly.
Photo of the Disk Management screen of Windows 11 showing the 2TB SSD is partitioned.
Lastly, the GPU. Some might find it to be a letdown that this premium ultrabook, with its impressive hardware, has no dedicated GPU. The Huawei Matebook X Pro has an Intel Xe integrated GPU which is part of the Core Ultra 9 processor.
The integrated offers solid performance for everyday tasks such as web browsing and video playback. The GPU also has support for multiple 4K displays.
It can play older modern games, but a gamer would have to sacrifice graphic quality and FPS for a smoother performance.
FAQ: Can it be upgraded?
Answer: The storage is the only one that is theoretically upgradeable. The SSD installed is a standard M.2 2280, but opening the laptop might void the warranty. Best to ask the store if they can upgrade and not void any warranties.
The RAM is reportedly soldered.
THE FEELS
The 2024 Huawei Matebook X Pro is simple yet elegant.
The magnesium alloy body is both lightweight and durable. Admittedly, the ultrabook is so lightweight that one would second guess what the material used was. Considering the attributes of the particular alloy used, it does promote the premium feel.
When it comes to temperature management, magnesium alloy has great thermal conductivity that helps dissipate heat. Granted, during heavy uses, the heat of the ultrabook does build up and gets uncomfortable when sitting on one’s lap.
The color of the Matebook X Pro is Morandi Blue which is quite cool and intriguing to the eyes. The body of the ultrabook has a satin-like finish and the color used has a subdued elegance.
It is important to note however that these satin-like finishes are not scratch proof. it would be best for a user to actually buy protective covers for both the bottom and top shells.
The aesthetic and materials make for a unique, elegant, and durable ultrabook.
Nevertheless, the aesthetic and materials make up for a unique elegant and durable ultrabook. It is also safe to assume that any premium laptop user would make it a point to provide protection and exercise care for the device.
WORK IT
With how the 2024 Huawei Matebook X Pro is built, it’s already a given that simple productivity tasks such as web browsing and the use of Office apps is a breeze.
Multitasking and switching between apps as well as playing music in the background is a delightful experience.
The speakers and sound quality of the premium ultrabook are clear and immersive, perfect for immersing in multimedia content.
When it comes to creative or higher kinds of productivity tasks, the 2024 Huawei Matebook X Pro performs well.
The premium ultrabook is very capable of performing graphic design tasks on Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. The Intel Core Ultra 9 provides strong performance with regards to vector design and photo editing.
For video editing, the Matebook X Pro can handle 1080p effortlessly, but performance goes down with the higher resolutions such as 4K.
Adobe AfterEffects is a totally different story.
This is where the lack of a dedicated GPU as motion graphics are much more demanding of a task.
The 2024 Huawei Matebook X Pro can handle basic to intermediate tasks, but might struggle with more complex compositions.
Still, a very capable machine for creativity and productivity.
GAME ON
The 2024 Huawei Matebook X Pro is not a gaming laptop. Yes, the processor and RAM are very capable, but the lack of dedicated GPU certainly hurts the ultrabook’s performance with games.
However, it is capable of playing older modern games, but on low to medium settings.
One game that was test on the premium ultrabook is Tomb Raider (2013).
Photo of the settings of Tomb Raider 2013
The game ran smoothly, but on normal settings and without v-Sync. Arms have obvious polygons and textures aren’t as detailed, but it is smooth and playable.
The Next game tested on the 2024 Huawei Matebook X Pro is No Man’s Sky (2016). Again, lowest settings with v-Sync off, but the game is playable.
It is of note that these games are modern, but quite old. Tomb Raider came out 11 years ago, No Man’s Sky 8 years ago.
It is of note that after 20 minutes of gaming, the Huawei Matebook X Pro did get quite uncomfortably hot. Although the heat dissipates quickly enough once you give it a rest.
There are gamers who continuously replay old favorites like Red Dead Redemption or GTA IV. But for the latest AAA games, the 2024 Huawei Matebook X Pro would struggle.
Again, this premium ultrabook is not a gaming laptop, but at least, just because games are old doesn’t mean they’re no longer good.
A quick round of Street Fighter IV to pass some time (and traffic) after office hours sounds like a good idea.
PROS:
Powerful processor
Great for most productivity and creative tasks
Sleek and premium design
10-point touchscreen
3:2 aspect ratio
Superb sound quality
Beautiful Display
CONS:
Lack of a dedicated GPU can only let it play older modern games
Struggles with complex motion graphics
Builds up quite a high temperature under heavy use
Pricey
The 2024 Huawei Matebook X Pro is certainly a premium ultrabook that matches performance and style. It of course has some downside with the lack of a GPU, but then again, end-users should choose devices that fits their need.
Nonetheless, the 2024 Huawei Matebook X Pro stands strong with productivity and performance.
JAKARTA – Outgoing Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Monday he has appointed people close to his successor in a cabinet reshuffle, including new energy and investment ministers, two months before he is due to step down.
Jokowi, as the president is commonly known, will leave office in October, replaced by President-elect and current Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, who won the election in February.
Most of the new appointments are close to Mr. Prabowo.
Bahlil Lahadalia, formerly the investment minister, will be the new energy minister, while former Ambassador to the United States Rosan Roeslani will be the new investment minister.
Both men campaigned for Mr. Prabowo during his presidential run.
Mr. Bahlil later said he would prioritize working on incentives to promote efforts to reactivate idle energy wells and reverse the decline in Indonesia’s crude oil output.
When ministers were asked if they would remain in office when Mr. Prabowo assumes his role, Mr. Bahlil said it is up to him.
OTHER PRABOWO AIDES
Mr. Jokowi also named Dadan Hindayana, a professor at Bogor Agricultural Ministry and a member of Prabowo’s campaign team, to head the new National Nutrition Agency, tasked with executing Prabowo’s “Free Nutritious Meals” program which will give free meals to millions of students.
Mr. Dadan said, as reported in local media, the food program will start on January 2 next year.
Hasan Nasbi, a spokesperson for Prabowo, has been appointed the head of the presidential communications body.
The appointments “are needed to prepare and support the government transition so it works well, smooth, and effectively,” said Ari Dwipayana, a presidential palace official, in a statement. – Reuters
Goldman Sachs has lowered the odds of the United States slipping into a recession in the next 12 months to 20% from 25% following the latest weekly jobless claims and retail sales reports.
Earlier this month, the brokerage raised the odds of a US recession from 15% after the unemployment rate jumped to a three-year high in July, sparking fears of a downturn.
“We have now shaved our probability from 25% to 20%, mainly because the data for July and early August released since August 2 shows no sign of recession,” Goldman Sachs chief US economist Jan Hatzius said in a note on Saturday.
“Continued expansion would make the US look more similar to other G10 economies, where the Sahm rule has held less than 70% of the time,” he added.
Thursday’s jobless claims report showed number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits dropped to a one-month low in the previous week, while separate data revealed on the day that retail sales increased by the most in 1-1/2 years in July.
Mr. Hatzius said if the August jobs report seems “reasonably good”, he would cut back the US recession probability to 15%.
He maintains the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates by 25 basis points at its September meeting, but did not rule out a 50 bps cut if the jobs report falls short of expectations. – Reuters
Inside the sleek, minimalist design is an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H. A powerful processor used for both productivity and gaming.
It is important to note however that these satin-like finishes are not scratch proof. it would be best for a user to actually buy protective covers for both the bottom and top shells.
