Sinner is first Italian man to capture US Open title

September 9, 2024 | 7:30 pm

NEW YORK — Jannik Sinner produced a brutal display of baseline power as he became the first Italian man to win the US Open with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 win over American Taylor Fritz in the final on Sunday.

Sinner held aloft his arms in celebration after breaking Fritz to clinch the title and cheers rang around Arthur Ashe Stadium, even though home fans had hoped to see Fritz end a 21-year US men’s Grand Slam drought.

Sinner was under a cloud of controversy at the start of the tournament after revelations that he tested positive twice for an anabolic agent in March but avoided a ban. An independent tribunal accepted his claim that the positive tests were the result of an unintentional contamination.

The top seed blocked out the furor in New York and with the win claimed his second Grand Slam title after winning the Australian Open earlier this year.

“We just went day-by-day, trying to practice well, even on the days off, believing in ourselves which is the most important. I understood, especially in this tournament, how important the mental part is in this sport,” said Sinner.

“I would like to thank everyone for being so fair in this amazing arena. It was a huge pleasure.”

Fritz got off to a dreadful start when he handed Sinner the break with an unforced error in the first game but settled his nerves, breaking back in the fourth game and surviving a 23-shot rally — the longest of the match — to save break point in the fifth.

But it was only a matter of time before the Italian would hit his stride and he broke the 12^th seeded American with a perfectly placed drop shot in the seventh game.

Fritz dropped his serve again on set point when he sent a backhand beyond the baseline, one of 34 unforced errors that cost him dearly across the match.

The fired up home crowd that included pop megastar Taylor Swift tried to lift Fritz with chants of “USA!” in the second set, as he worked to get some traction in his first major final.

However, the momentum swung in Sinner’s direction as he broke Fritz on set point from the baseline, sending a sublime backhand down the line that the American was unable to return.

He piled further misery on Fritz when he clawed back from triple break point down in the opening game of the third set, holding his serve with an overhead smash, a fine effort that even the US fans applauded.

Fritz clung on and even went up a break but was left smacking his racket onto the court in frustration when he hit a volley into the net to let Sinner break back in the 10th.

Sinner broke for a sixth time in the contest to wrap up the win, with Fritz swiping a forehand into the net on match point.

“Here was difficult because also the pretournament circumstances weren’t easy,” said Sinner, who climbed the stands to celebrate with his team as fans shouted “Bravo!” around him. — Reuters

NBA legend Magic Johnson joins Spirit ownership group

September 9, 2024 | 7:29 pm

HALL of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson has joined the Washington Spirit’s investor group, the NWSL team announced Thursday.

Johnson is no stranger to investing in professional sports teams. The five-time NBA champion is a part owner of the NFL’s Washington Commanders, WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, MLS’ Los Angeles Football Club and the esports franchise Team Liquid. He also is a member of Guggenheim Baseball Management, the managing entity of Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers.

“Johnson, 65, shared his feelings about his initial meeting with Kang on CBS Mornings on Thursday.

“Michele and I met in Los Angeles and we clicked,” Johnson said. “We took off. It was a great conversation. When you think about what happened with the Olympics and (how) the women’s soccer team dominated on the field… the popularity of the game is exploding here in America.” — Reuters

Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston help Fever hold off Dream in OT

September 9, 2024 | 7:29 pm

CAITLIN CLARK recorded her franchise-record 14^th double-double of the year with 26 points and 12 assists to lead the Indiana Fever to a dramatic 104-100 comeback win in overtime (OT) on Sunday over the visiting Atlanta Dream.

Aliyah Boston scored off an inside move with 1:03 left in overtime to give Indiana a 100-98 lead and the Fever (19-17) held on from there. Boston dominated with a career-high 30 points as well as 13 rebounds as the Fever won for the sixth time in seven games. They are 8-2 since the All-Star/Olympics break.

Kelsey Mitchell added 21 and Lexie Hull scored 12, all from the 3-point line to help lead the Fever.

The Dream lost despite a 36-point effort by Rhyne Howard, who missed a shot in the final minute that would have tied the game for the 13^th time.

Atlanta (12-23) had a balanced attack in defeat. Tina Charles scored 17 points, and Allisha Gray and Jordin Canada each finished with 15.

Howard made two free throws with 27 seconds remaining in regulation to give Atlanta a 90-88 edge, but Boston tied the score on a layup with 18 seconds left and the game went to overtime. Clark sank two free throws with 23 seconds remaining in OT for a 102-98 lead for the Fever. — Reuters

La Niña chances at 66% between September and November

September 9, 2024 | 6:58 pm

flood-quezon-city — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

La Niña has a 66% chance of occurring between September and November, with recent inclement weather serving as early warning signs, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The recent heavy rains were caused by the enhanced Southwest Monsoon and severe tropical storm Enteng, which has now been downgraded to a tropical depression after battering China.

Also, two low-pressure areas (LPAs) are being monitored outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) as they might develop into tropical cyclones.

“These are the precursory signs of developing into La Niña. Our warm waters near our Philippine Sea or the sea surface temperature is becoming more favorable for rain-bearing weather systems,” Ana Liza Solis, chief of the climate monitoring and prediction section of PAGASA said in an interview.

La Niña phenomenon heightens the likelihood of several weather disturbances, including Tropical Cyclones, LPAs, and the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), and intensifies the ongoing Southwest Monsoon, Ms. Solis said.

Once declared, La Niña is expected to last until the first quarter of 2025 (January to March) and could trigger an additional six to ten tropical cyclones by the end of the year, which is still below average.

“In general, makikita natin, this is below average from the twenty tropical cyclones that we could receive in a year,” Ms. Solis said.

Areas in the eastern section of the country, including the Bicol region, Eastern Visayas, and Eastern Mindanao, are the most vulnerable to the potential threat of La Niña.

“This La Niña may bring heavy rainfall events which may result in flooding and then induced landslides, lalong-lalo na doon sa mga highly vulnerable areas natin (especially on our highly vulnerable areas), therefore mas high ang risk (therefore the risk is higher) and floodings may become frequent,” she said.

PAGASA is bolstering its La Niña awareness efforts, particularly in highly vulnerable areas, by conducting commissioned forums.

Ms. Solis highlighted the importance of the community’s coordination with local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (DRRMO) in preparation for La Niña.

For public, “always have your disaster emergency kit ready,” and to regularly check flood warnings and advisories from PAGASA, Ms. Solid said. – Edg Adrian A. Eva

Harris, Trump effectively tied in final stretch of 2024 race — poll

September 9, 2024 | 6:51 pm

REPUBLICAN presidential candidate Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Vice-President Kamala Harris are effectively tied heading into the final weeks of the election, according to a national poll conducted by The New York Times and Siena College.

Mr. Trump is up one percentage point, 48%-47%, over Ms. Harris, according to the survey released on Sunday, a difference that is well within the survey’s three-point margin of error, meaning a win for either candidate in the Nov. 5 election is well within reach.

While the Trump campaign endured a relatively rocky stretch in the weeks after Democratic President Joseph R. Biden dropped out of the race in July, the most recent polling indicates the core of his support base is not going anywhere.

The poll notably showed that voters feel they need to learn more about Harris, while their opinions on Trump are largely set. In the survey, 28% of likely voters said they needed more information about the Democratic nominee, while only 9% said the same about Trump.

The poll indicates that Tuesday’s presidential debate could be a crucial moment.

Ms. Harris will have the opportunity to give more detail of her planned policies as she spars with Trump over the course of 90 minutes. The race is so close that even a marginal boost for either candidate would be significant.

Since Ms. Harris replaced Mr. Biden atop the Democratic ticket over the summer, she has hit the campaign trail hard, but has limited her unscripted appearances and kept interviews with the news media to a minimum.

The key figures from the latest poll are similar to the last comparable New York Times/Siena College survey, released in late July. In that poll, Mr. Trump was also up one percentage point, a difference well within the margin of error.

Polls in the seven key swing states likely to determine the winner of the election have also consistently shown a razor-thin race. — Reuters

Greece to tax cruise ship arrivals to protect popular islands from overtourism

September 9, 2024 | 6:50 pm

Islet_of_Pontikonisi_and_Vlacherna_Monastery_-_Corfu_-_Ionian_Islands_-_Greece — Vlacherna Monastery in Corfu, Greece. — Danel Solabarrieta/CC BY-SA 2.0/Wikimedia Commons

ATHENS — Greece plans to impose a 20-euro levy on cruise ship visitors to the islands of Santorini and Mykonos during the peak summer season, in a bid to avert overtourism, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Sunday.

Greece relies heavily on tourism, the main driver of the country’s economy which is still recovering from a decade-long crisis that wiped out a fourth of its output.

But some of its most popular destinations, including Santorini, an idyllic island of quaint villages and pristine beaches with 20,000 permanent residents, risk being ruined by mass tourism.

Speaking at a press conference a day after outlining his main economic policies for 2025, Mr. Mitsotakis clarified that excessive tourism was only a problem in a few destinations.

“Greece does not have a structural overtourism problem… Some of its destinations have a significant issue during certain weeks or months of the year, which we need to deal with,” he said.

“Cruise shipping has burdened Santorini and Mykonos and this is why we are proceeding with interventions,” he added, announcing the levy.

Greek tourism revenues stood at about 20 billion euros in 2023 on the back of nearly 31 million tourist arrivals.

In Santorini, protesters have called for curbs on tourism, as in other popular holiday destinations in Europe, including Venice and Barcelona.

Part of the revenues from the cruise shipping tax will be returned to local communities to be invested in infrastructure, Mr. Mitsotakis said.

The government also plans to regulate the number of cruise ships that arrive simultaneously at certain destinations, while rules to protect the environment and tackle water shortages must also be imposed on islands, he said.

Greece also wants to increase a tax on short-term rentals and ban new licenses for such rentals in central Athens to increase the housing stock for permanent residents, Mr. Mitsotakis said on Saturday. — Reuters

Japan’s premier hopefuls pledge more spending to support economy

September 9, 2024 | 6:48 pm

TOKYO — Japan will likely see another stimulus package under a new prime minister, with several candidates running in the ruling party’s leadership race pledging fresh spending measures to boost growth and cushion the blow to households from rising inflation.

In announcing his intention to run in the race to replace incumbent Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Monday he would prefer boosting spending, rather than cutting taxes, if the economy requires another stimulus package.

Another candidate and minister in charge of economic security, Sanae Takaichi, also called for more fiscal spending to strengthen the economy.

“Strategic deployment of fiscal spending will increase jobs, household income, and improve consumer sentiment. It will also increase tax revenues without raising the tax rate and help build a strong economy,” Ms. Takaichi told a press conference on Monday to announce her intention to run in the leadership election.

The remarks followed those by leading candidate, Shinjiro Koizumi, on Friday that he would “immediately” work on a new economic package to aid small firms and low-income households hit by rising living costs.

“I’ll aim to beef up the underlying strength of the Japanese economy so that growth can be attained even in an era where inflation and higher interest rates co-exist,” Koizumi said.

The winner of the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) leadership race, scheduled on Sept. 27, will become next prime minister due to the party’s control of parliament.

Mr. Kishida announced last month that he would step down as LDP chief in September, effectively ending a three-year term as leader of the world’s fourth-largest economy.

Mr. Kishida’s successor is likely to dissolve parliament next month after being chosen as prime minister in an extraordinary parliament session, and call a snap election, analysts say.

Ruling party lawmakers traditionally make pledges of big spending packages to lure voters when elections near, a trend that led to a ballooning public debt which, at twice the size of Japan’s economy, is the biggest among advanced nations.

The candidates have offered few clues on their views on monetary policy. Hayashi declined to comment, when asked about market expectations that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) is likely to raise interest rates further.

Mr. Koizumi did not directly comment on monetary policy, but said he would “basically carry over” the economic policies of Mr. Kishida’s administration. — Reuters

German intelligence says Russian GRU group behind NATO, EU cyberattacks

September 9, 2024 | 6:47 pm

hacker-cyber-crime — RAWPIXEL.COM-FREEPIK

BERLIN — Germany’s domestic intelligence agency has warned against a cyber group belonging to Russian military intelligence (GRU) Unit 29155, saying it has carried out cyberattacks against the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and European Union (EU) countries.

In a post on social media platform X on Monday, the Bundesverfassungsschutz said it was issuing the warning against the group known as UNC2589 alongside the FBI, US cybersecurity agency CISA, the NSA and further international partners.

The warning comes at a time of heightened anxiety in Europe over suspected Russian hackers and spies since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Earlier this year, Berlin accused Russia of a slew of cyberattacks on Germany’s governing Social Democrats as well as companies in the logistics, defense, aerospace and IT sectors.

In its warning, the intelligence agency said the group, also known as Cadet Blizzard or Ember Bear, conducts activities for the purpose of espionage and sabotage that often involve defacing websites and publishing stolen data.

The GRU unit to which it belongs is known for its suspected involvement in the poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Britain in 2018, according to the agency. — Reuters

Amazon rivers’ low water levels bring fresh challenges for locals

September 9, 2024 | 6:47 pm

amazon-7344034_1280 — STOCK PHOTO | Image by Justus from Pixabay

HUMAITA, Brazil — Water levels in the rivers that run through the vast Amazon rainforest have been falling, after a record drought followed by less rain, presenting unprecedented challenges for the Ribeirinhos people living there.

With rivers becoming more difficult to navigate and water too dirty to consume, many of the traditional rural population who live on river banks have been relying on outside supplies of drinking water.

Francisca das Chagas da Silva, a resident, said older people in particular have strugwgled because they needed to walk much further to get water. “We have to carry it from the riverbanks to our homes,” she said.

The Ribeirinhos usually get water directly from rivers or have connected systems — but these means of supply fail when water levels drop so dramatically.

Now, many residents rely on nongovernmental organizations or the state government for drinking water.

Joao Ferreira Mendonca, a community leader, said the river bank was about 800 meters (0.5 miles) away from some homes, a long distance for an older person or one with health problems.

“Now imagine a person in the hot sun, people with high blood pressure, doing this journey,” he said.

The Brazilian Geological Service, SGB, has warned in recent days that all rivers in the Amazon basin were expected to drop below their historical levels.

Ribeirinhos usually live on river banks in pile dwellings — from where they move with motor boats.

Rosicleia Gomes Vieira, another resident, said life in general was becoming much more isolated because the low water levels make navigation more difficult and impossible to carry produce to the city.

Other than the rivers, which have long been the main way of transport for residents, there is only a long dirt road that cuts through the dense rainforest.

In Brazil, where wildfires have also occurred, the low water levels are also hitting soy and corn shipments in center-west states such as Mato Grosso, Brazil’s number one grains growing area. — Reuters

Plan now for the year ahead: The perks of being an early financial planner, according to Metrobank

September 9, 2024 | 5:45 pm

New year, new me. This is what most people have in mind every January when they make a promise to reinvent themselves by making changes and setting New Year’s resolutions like traveling to a new destination, spending more time with loved ones, losing weight and saving more money.

While goal setting is typically done at the start of the year, Metrobank encourages you to take this desire for change a notch higher this year by creating a new tradition of starting your planning now — ideally in August or the third quarter.

Why August or the third quarter? Metrobank believes this is the best time to start planning and setting financial resolutions that are not just realistic, but also doable.

New Year’s resolutions are usually made in January, but these are likely to be missed, with the failure rate at 88 percent to 92 percent as people during this time are still recovering from the holiday spending binge.

By planning your budget and purchases now, Metrobank wants to help you manage your holiday bonus spending wisely so you can start the new year strong with solid financial footing.

To help you plan, Metrobank suggests you take note of this cheat code: GIFT.

G – Get ahead with your holiday goals.

By starting early or in August, you get more time to properly plan how to spend your Christmas bonus that you’ll likely receive within the fourth quarter.Want to spend it on gifts for your loved ones and yourself? Planning early will give you time to compare prices of items to get the best deals.

This is also a good time to set or revisit short-term goals like going on a holiday trip or coming up with long-term goals such as setting aside emergency funds, saving for retirement or preparing for milestone purchases like a car, a house or spending for education.

I – Invest your bonus wisely.

You know you will have more cash after receiving your holiday bonus. Instead of spending it all, set aside a portion for investments in financial instruments like UITF, mutual funds, bonds, stocks or even to start a small business to let your money grow. Thinking about your investment options as early as August will give you a good head start.

F – Follow a budget plan.

Companies usually give employees their Christmas bonus during the season of giving, which is also the time to treat yourself and your loved ones. But this does not mean you have to splurge or spend it all at once. To keep your spending in check, it is important to set a budget and a plan. Using a budget expense worksheet will help you keep tabs on your purchases.

T – Take advantage of opportunities to save.

While it may be tempting to overspend during the holiday season, as long as you stick to your plans and priorities, it will be okay. If you’re planning to make big ticket purchases like a new car or moving to a bigger home, think about these goals and maximize opportunities to save. Be mindful of offers and look for meaningful bargains.

Metrobank hopes this GIFT will help you succeed and reach your financial goals in the year ahead.

For more insights and tools to guide your financial journey, visit Metrobank’s Earnest learning website today at https://earnest.metrobank.com.ph.

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

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Pueblo de Oro celebrates the value of hard work

September 9, 2024 | 5:02 pm

Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation (PDO) recently recognized the value of hard work by extending additional livelihood assistance to dedicated residents of Pampanga who have shown perseverance in sustaining their micro-businesses.

The beneficiaries are graduates of the “Kabalikat sa Negosyo” livelihood training program, in collaboration with the ICCP Group Foundation, Inc. (IGFI), the social development arm of PDO for its host communities in Barangay Del Carmen, San Fernando, Pampanga. Kabalikat sa Negosyo is an ongoing training program that started in 2021 and to date has helped around 120 individuals who are mostly women in Sto. Tomas and Malvar, Batangas, and San Fernando, Pampanga.

Operating home-based eateries, these beneficiaries have demonstrated commendable work ethic, resilience, and aptitude, as observed during IGFI’s regular monitoring visits. Their efforts have allowed them to maintain their small businesses, providing a steady source of income for their families.

Pueblo de Oro and IGFI hope that this additional livelihood assistance will enable these beneficiaries to further grow their businesses and serve as inspirations to other members of their community.

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

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[B-SIDE Podcast] Is La Niña already here in the PH?

September 9, 2024 | 4:39 pm

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A La Niña watch alert was issued by the Philippine weather bureau in March, indicating that the phenomenon is likely to occur this year.

Recently, there has been growing concern about whether La Niña has arrived in the Philippines due to the continuous heavy rains caused by several tropical cyclones, such as Enteng and Carina, along with the enhanced effects of the Southwest Monsoon.

In this B-side episode Ana Liza Solis, the assistant weather services chief and the chief of the climate monitoring and prediction section of PAGASA, discusses how the La Niña phenomenon occurs, its effects, and how to prepare for it.

Interview by Edg Adrian A. Eva
Editing by Jayson John D. Marinas

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