Everybody down the line are impressive — Jordan Clarkson

August 31, 2023 | 8:09 pm

WHILE it’s primarily the Jordan Clarkson Show, the Fil-Am NBA star’s Gilas Pilipinas brothers led by Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu and June Mar Fajardo are seizing their moments, too.

Mr. Clarkson, as expected, showed the way for hosts in the first round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup (WC) on Philippine soil, posting averages of 24 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.0 steal and an efficiency of 18.3 per game.

The multi-talented Mr. Ramos emerged as Gilas’ second-best scorer with 11.7 markers and steals leader with 1.7. “Saint Dwight” ranked third in assists with 2.0 behind Mr. Clarkson and Scottie Thompson (2.3) and in efficiency with 11.7.

Mr. Edu, another WC debutant, has also been solid for Chot Reyes’ squad. The former Gilas youth standout, who earned raves for his defense on the Dominican Republic’s NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, asserted himself as Gilas’ premier rebounder (6.3) and shot blocker (1.3) while accounting for a third-best 8.0 points and a second-best 14 efficiency.

Mr. Fajardo, one of the most senior members of the team with three WC appearances, played true to form with his 8-point, 6-rebound and 11.3 efficiency averages.

“Everybody down the line (was impressive),” said Mr. Clarkson of his teammates. “Everybody’s been coming out here competing.” — Olmin Leyba

South Sudan preaches peace and love through basketball

August 31, 2023 | 8:09 pm

FOR some, the FIBA Basketball World Cup is a ‘Colosseum’ for hoops attrition and animosity. For others, it’s a grand stage to seize pride and honor for their respective countries. It’s a playground for the display of world-class skills, too.

But for South Sudan, it’s safe haven. It’s home.

Basking in its first-ever World Cup experience, the African country preaches peace and love through basketball to serve as inspiration back home where it’s needed the most.

“I think for us as a country, the reason why this is so important and means a lot is because we have so much division, a lot of trouble, a lot of conflict going on in our country,” said South Sudan team captain Kuany Ngor Kuany.

“Whenever the basketball team plays, it’s literally the one time when everybody comes together. There are no more tribes and everyone is wearing the same flag and that is South Sudan.”

South Sudan, established as an independent country only in 2011 but nursed internal conflicts, has surely made the most out of its breakthrough World Cup stint by pairing it with a maiden victory against China, 89-69, in Group B play.

The African bet wasn’t able to catch a bus to the next round with a 1-2 record after losses to Puerto Rico in overtime, 101-96, and to powerhouse Serbia, 115-83, but still in contention for the lone Olympic ticket from its continent.

As no African team made it to the second round, South Sudan is very much in that race to be the top African country depending on the results of its classification matches (17^thto 32^nd place) against no less than home team Philippines and rival Angola in the new Group M.

But for Mr. Kuany and his coach Royal Ivey who’s a former player himself, playing in the World Cup and for an Olympic spot is bigger than basketball.

“That is what our basketball team stands for. It stands for unity, peace and development in the country. It’s way to change the narrative. That’s why it’s so much bigger than basketball and we’re going to continue to do our best and use that as a tool to promote the image of our country,” Mr. Kuany added.

“Through basketball, we use that vessel for peace and changing the narrative in the country. Everybody is watching us so they come together, they unite. And through basketball, we share the vision of camaraderie, friendship, love, sportsmanship and togetherness. That’s what my players emulate everyday when they step out on the court,” said Mr. Ivey, who’s also assistant coach to the Houston Rockets in the NBA.

For a team nicknamed the “Bright Stars” that only started participating in basketball six years ago, the future is indeed bright and even beyond the hardcourt. — John Bryan Ulanday

Philippine Army’s Ursabia and Musa dominate kickboxing in ROTC Games

August 31, 2023 | 8:08 pm

ROTC-PR-PHOTO — ARMY STUDENT-CADET ANGELIE MUSA of Sibugay Technical Institute likewise won by TKO in the first round over Patricia Virtudazo of Surigao del Norte State University in the 56-kgs. category.

ARMY STUDENT-CADET ANGELIE MUSA of Sibugay Technical Institute likewise won by TKO in the first round over Patricia Virtudazo of Surigao del Norte State University in the 56-kgs. category.

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Mark Christian Ursabia of University of Mindanao-Davao needed only less than three minutes to stop local bet Renz Pejana of Zamboanga del Sur Provincial College in the finals of Philippine Army kickboxing event yesterday of the 2023 ROTC Games Mindanao Leg at the Western Mindanao State University gym here.

The 21-year-old second year BS Criminology student Mr. Ursabia displayed a strong kick to win the gold in just one round of their 60-kgs. category and advance into the national finals tentatively set in October in Manila and Pasig City.

“I am very overwhelmed by this win. I never thought of it this way. This is my first gold, I hope I can maintain my energy in the national finals,” said the five-foot 10 Mr. Ursabia.

But not to be outdone, Army student-cadet Angelie Musa of Sibugay Technical Institute likewise won by TKO in the first round over Patricia Virtudazo of Surigao del Norte State University in the 56-kgs. category.

The other Army division bouts, saw Prince Alfred Remolado winning by referee stop contest in the second round over Muamar Laduka of Southern Mindanao College in the 57-kgs. bout.

After the 21-year-old Mr. Remolado, a marine biology student, hit Mr. Laduka in the nose hard, the referee stepped in immediately to stop the oozing of the blood.

Shariff Cammah Alkhamar of Aurelio Mendoza Memorial College survived a scary close 2-1 score over Ernesto Delfin, Jr. in the Army’s 63.5-kgs. category.

Grace Shiela Toledo of Surigao del Norte State University main campus likewise scored a close 2-1 victory over Jonabelle Mondejan of Zamboanga del Sur Provincial College in the Army’s women’s 60-kgs. bout.

In the Air Force competition, Michael John Etac of Nuevo Zamboanga College scored the only knockout victory after flooring Kent Datumanong of Ramon Magsaysay Memorial College in the first round of their 57-kgs. bout.

Local favorite Camille Joy Sanchez of Western Mindanao State University escaped a close 2-1 triumph over Muzaina Mataul of Mindanao State University in the PAF 52-kgs. Class.

The exciting boxing bouts of the Philippine Army have Jade Cabaya of Agusan del Sur College of Agriculture and Technology winning the gold that relegated John Carlo Ombalino of Jose Rizal State University to the silver medal in the 48-51-kgs. category.

Bryl Bayogos of 12 RCDG won over Rey Lalangan of Jose Rizal Memorial State University in the Army’s +54-57-kgs. bout. Alwin Owang of Agusan del Sur College of Agriculture and Technology brought home the bronze medal.

Mark Paul Fernandez of ST-Cast-Santo Tomas, Davao proved too much for Robin Tinambing of Aurelio Mendoza Memorial College to win the gold. Mendoza settled for the silver in the Army’s +51-54-kgs. of the Army bouts while John Kyle Gotong of Agusan del Sur College of Agriculture and Technology and Alexander James Celeste of Philippine Christian School finished with the bronze medals apiece.

Home hopes Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul and Coco Gauff race to US Open third round

August 31, 2023 | 8:08 pm

NEW YORK — Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul and Coco Gauff all advanced to the third round of the US Open on Wednesday to keep home hopes alive that an American player will be crowned champion at Flushing Meadows.

Mr. Tiafoe, who reached the semifinals last year, breezed past Sebastian Ofner 6-3 6-1 6-4 under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 10^th seed meeting little resistance from the 58^th ranked Austrian in their first career meeting.

Mr. Tiafoe did not drop serve in the match and sealed victory when he broke Mr. Ofner for a fifth time after the Austrian’s forehand went wide.

Next up for Tiafoe is Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, who beat Fabian Marozsan 3-6 6-3 6-4 6-1 earlier in the day.

“It’s going to be tough… but I’m ready for him,” Mr. Tiafoe said.

No American man has hoisted the trophy at Flushing Meadows since Andy Roddick two decades ago, while Sloane Stephens was the last US woman to win the title in 2017.

“Me and Taylor (Fritz) are in the top 10, Tommy is knocking on the door. We all grew up together and know each other so well so I think American tennis is in a great place,” Mr. Tiafoe said. “Hopefully we all keep going and stop that streak of Andy Roddick in ‘03.”

Mr. Paul showed great heart to roar back from two sets down for the first time in his career to defeat Roman Safiullin 3-6 2-6 6-2 6-4 6-3.

When the match was over, the 14^th seed from New Jersey raced over to hug and give a shirt to a young fan who had cheered him on throughout the more than three-hour contest.

Mr. Paul will have his hands full on Friday when he faces Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The Spaniard has been sharp during the summer hardcourt swing and won his first two matches in straight sets.

On the women’s side, sixth seed Ms. Gauff delivered a convincing 6-3 6-2 win over Russia’s Mirra Andreeva in a battle of teenage talents.

Ms. Gauff, whose lead-up to the year’s final Grand Slam included hard court titles in Washington and Cincinnati, converted four of her five break-point opportunities and surrendered her serve just once during the 76-minute match in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Ms. Gauff, 19, said she took a more aggressive approach into her second meeting with Ms. Andreeva after having to rally back to beat the Russian in three sets at this year’s French Open. “She’s the type of player if you give her something she’s going to take advantage and today I think I did well making her play off her back foot,” Ms. Gauff said of the 16-year-old.

“But Mirra, I think she has a great future ahead of her, I’ve been in her position before … she’s going to be back on this stage many more times in the future.”

For home favorite Gauff, it was a much more routine day at the office considering she had to dig deep to secure a comeback win in an opening match that left her frustrated with the amount of time her opponent, Laura Siegemund, took between points.

Up next is Belgian 32^nd seed Elise Mertens, who was a 3-6 7-6(7) 6-1 winner over American Danielle Collins in a match that lasted nearly three hours.

Another US player heading for the exit was Wimbledon quarterfinalist Chris Eubanks, the 28^th seed falling 7-6(6) 2-6 6-2 7-6(7) to wildcard Benjamin Bonzi of France. — Reuters

Wild-card Wozniacki

August 31, 2023 | 8:07 pm

Caroline Wozniacki headed into the United States Open with an air of confidence that belied her status as a player making a comeback from a long hiatus. She was going to just her third tournament, and first major event, since announcing her return to competitive tennis two months ago. And, for those keen on handicapping title prospects, her first trek to the court in three and a half years — an invitational doubles stint in Wimbledon — could not even be counted. Which meant that all she had going for her was a second-round exit at the Canadian Open earlier this month. Still, she believed in herself, and in her capacity to make an impact in Flushing Meadows.

For all the illogic involved in Wozniacki’s disposition, however, there can be no discounting the result of her latest foray at Arthur Asha Stadium. Considering how she, a wild-card entrant ranked 623^rd in the world, managed to upend 11^th-seed Petra Kvitova yesterday, there is, in fact, reason to believe her when she says she is “hitting as well as I ever have.” Never mind that comparisons to her peak as World Number One and major champion naturally arise as a result. Forget that she’s a proud mother of two and a mere year removed from picking up a racket in earnest.

In any case, Wozniacki no doubt drew from her experience in forging her latest triumph. She had previously won six of 14 matches against Kvitova, including the last, a three-setter at the WTA Finals in Singapore. It may have been half a decade ago, but it nonetheless appeared to be significant in fueling her self-assurance. As she noted in her post-mortem yesterday, “we knew each other’s game very well. I’m just so happy that I was the one who came out on top today.” Indeed, although for a while there, she seemed to let nerves get the better of her. Leading five to four in the second set, she wasted two match points and allowed her opponent to force a tiebreak. She righted the ship on time, though, taking care of business to advance to the third round in style.

Up next for Wozniacki is 433^rd-ranked Jennifer Brady, and another victory looks to be in the cards. Although the latter is likewise in a resurgence after a three-set upset of Magda Linette, she’s heavily favored to advance to the Round of 16 and set a possible meeting with crowd favorite Coco Gauff. Make no mistake. She knows she’s in “a dream come true. If you had asked me three years ago, I would have said I’ll never be back here.” All the same, she’s bent on showing nothing but her best from here on. There are no limits to excellence, and she’s living proof of the tenet.

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

Asiamoney affirms RCBC’s digital dominance with 4-Peat win

August 31, 2023 | 6:27 pm

For a fourth consecutive year, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) was named once again the Philippines’ Best Bank for Digital Solutions by Asiamoney for 2023, solidifying its position as the undisputed digital banking trailblazer in the country.

RCBC is recognized for its roster of Innovations with Empathy, an array of digital solutions which champions massive digital transformation and supports the financial inclusion efforts of the government, all whilst cultivating a culture of customer service excellence.

“RCBC isn’t just building sustainable, impactful, and inclusive digital finance solutions, it is also working hard to expand digital access for every Filipino by positioning itself as a strong ally of government efforts to increase financial inclusion; catalyzing digital payment transformations; bringing financial services to unbanked and underserved communities; and reinvigorating innovation,” Asiamoney said in a statement.

“Anytime RCBC reports earnings these days, analysts immediately turn to its digital transaction growth. Indeed, its digital focus is a key reason why RCBC is one of the fastest-growing banks in the Philippines,” Asiamoney added.

Asiamoney hailed RCBC as The Best Bank for Digital Solutions in the Philippines for delivering digital financial services based on a contextual banking strategy that aims to understand the Philippine landscape. Through this, RCBC has effectively implemented pioneering, high-impact, human-centric and demand driven digital financial innovations through RCBC Digital, RCBC DiskarTech, RCBC ATMGo and RCBC Moneybela Barangayan Banking, successfully marked with speed and scale.

“We are delighted with the recognition, and it further inspires us to serve more of our countrymen with our innovative digital solutions. And with our intensified use of data science and artificial intelligence, we continue to be committed to make a difference in the lives of our customers,” RCBC President and CEO Eugene S. Acevedo said.

RCBC’s series of wins come from the success of RCBC Moneybela Barangayan Banking, the country’s first physical-digital or phygital blended banking service. Fusing the warmth of physical banking with the ease of digital, RCBC’s banking experience support agents delivered vital financial services to thousands of rural barangays nationwide. Through MoneyBela, RCBC was able to introduce RCBC DiskarTech to low-income, geographically-disadvantaged communities. This was regarded as the world’s first multi-lingual financial inclusion super app in the vernacular catering to the mass market. The Philippines’ mass market is comprised of approximately 98 percent of the socio-economic class in the country. Financial services such as savings, fund transfers, mobile loads, telemedicine, insurance, and loans are made accessible and convenient to the Filipino mass market.

RCBC also launched ATMGo, the country’s first grassroots-based, bank agnostic, and last mile automated teller machine. ATMGo utilizes mobile point-of-sale devices to dispense financial services in remote and disadvantaged communities at village hotspots like the public markets, sari-sari stores, and public transportation hubs. RCBC is the only private universal bank to have the most extensive reach covering all provinces in the Philippines even covering the entire Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, boasting over 1,400 terminals deployed at the end of 2022 and poised to grow to 10,000 units or a projected year-on-year growth of 614%.

ATM Go has been the Philippine government’s trusted digital payment disbursement partner even before and at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues until present for the withdrawals of social welfare benefits for Conditional Cash Transfer household recipients under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the national government. Close to 70% of its transactions are cash withdrawals of Pantawid CCT household beneficiaries done in rural areas. Even conflict-prone communities such as Lake Sebu in South Cotabato are able to enjoy convenient and real-time banking within the comforts of their community.

Through RCBC’s phygital services, it was able to boost bank onboarding in underserved areas by 210%. ATMGo has reached a total of 13,116 barangays or approximately 31% of the 42,000 total barangays nationwide, only six months since the program was launched last November 2022.

“We are incredibly grateful to be recognized once again by Asiamoney for our dedication towards scaling inclusive digital finance, and our determination to make digital banking more accessible and convenient for every Filipino, especially empowering our micro, small and medium enterprises,” said Lito Villanueva, RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer.

“Prestigious awards such as this validate our constant hard work and efforts in bringing banking to the people. This solidifies our unwavering commitment to providing innovative, socially-sensitive, and tailor-fit digital products and services that are not only cutting-edge, but most importantly, created with our clients’ needs in mind,” Villanueva added.

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic impacts of the global health crisis, RCBC emerged as one of the fastest growing banks in the Philippines after it leaped from its 8th position in 2018 to 5th position in 2022 in the list of the country’s biggest banks in terms of assets.

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Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia reject China’s latest South China Sea map

August 31, 2023 | 6:21 pm

The Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan have rejected as baseless a map released by China that denotes its claims to sovereignty including in the South China Sea, which Beijing on Thursday said should be viewed rationally and objectively.

China released the map on Monday of its famous U-shaped line covering about 90% of the South China Sea, a source of many of the disputes in one of the world’s most contested waterways, where more than $3 trillion of trade passes each year.

The Philippines on Thursday called on China “to act responsibly and abide by its obligations” under international law and a 2016 arbitral ruling that had declared the line had no legal grounds.

Malaysia said it had filed a diplomatic protest over the map.

China says the line is based on its historic maps. It was not immediately clear whether the latest map denotes any new claim to territory.

China’s U-shaped line loops as far as 1,500 km (932 miles) south of its Hainan island and cuts into the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.

“This latest attempt to legitimize China’s purported sovereignty and jurisdiction over Philippine features and maritime zones has no basis under international law,” the Philippine foreign ministry said.

Its Malaysian counterpart in a statement said the new map holds no binding authority over Malaysia, which “also views the South China Sea as a complex and sensitive matter.”

The map was different to a narrower version submitted by China to the United Nations in 2009 of the South China Sea that included its so-called “nine-dash line.”

The latest map was of a broader geographical area and had a line with 10 dashes that included democratically governed Taiwan, similar to a 1948 map of China. China also published a map with a 10th dash in 2013.

Asked about the latest map, Taiwan foreign ministry spokesperson Jeff Liu said Taiwan was “absolutely not a part of the People’s Republic of China.”

“No matter how the Chinese government twists its position on Taiwan’s sovereignty, it cannot change the objective fact of our country’s existence,” he told a press briefing.

China is currently having a “national map awareness publicity week,” state broadcaster China Central Television reported on Tuesday.

Asked why China had released the latest map with 10 dashes compared to one with nine dashes, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Beijing had been unambiguous about its territory.

“China’s position on the South China Sea issue has always been clear. The competent authorities of China regularly update and release various types of standard maps every year,” he told a regular briefing.

“We hope that relevant parties can view this in an objective and rational manner.”

India on Tuesday said it had lodged a strong protest with China over a new map that lays claim to India’s territory, the latest irritant in testy ties between the Asian giants. — Reuters

RLC Residences breaks ground for premium development Le Pont Residences

August 31, 2023 | 5:25 pm

Le Pont Residences Groundbreaking — From left to right: Advanced Foundation Construction Systems Corporation Managing Director Mario Rossi, RLC Residences Vice President for Project Management Engr. Emmanuel Arce, RLC Residences Senior Vice President and Business Unit General Manager John Richard Sotelo, RLC Residences Senior Director, Marketing Head and Chief Integration Officer Karen Cesario, and RLC Residences AVP and Business Development and Design Head Stephanie Anne Go.

Real estate developer RLC Residences officially made a new construction milestone in a groundbreaking ceremony for its premium project Le Pont Residences located in Bridgetowne Destination Estate in Pasig City.

Attended by key executives from the residential division of Robinsons Land, construction partner Advanced Foundation Construction Systems Corporation, and architectural expert W.V. Coscolluela and Associates, the event marks Le Pont Residences Tower 1’s start of construction. Coming from a French phrase that translates to “The Bridge”, the property was officially introduced to the public last January following RLC Residences’ Raise, Live, Connect manifesto.

“We are excited to start constructing Le Pont Residences and see how this development will unfold. This is RLC Residences’ very own development in the premium category that we designed and thought of from the ground up. So, we are thankful to our clients who have chosen Le Pont Residences as their future home investment and we can’t wait to welcome them home here,” shares Chad Sotelo, Senior Vice President and Business Unit General Manager of RLC Residences.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Advanced Foundation Construction Systems Corporation Managing Director Mario Rossi shared the technology they will be using in building Le Pont Residences.

“For Le Pont Residences, we will be installing a diaphragm wall which we brought here in the country in 2012 and is present to different premium developments. This specific technology creates a barrier that provides strong soil and hydraulic support to control and protect the surrounding environment against settlement and water drawdown. It provides more protection against earthquakes and other outside forces because it is between 800 mm to 1200 mm thick,” shares Rossi.

Aside from safety, Rossi also pointed out that the technology is also a hallmark construction feature of premier projects – including Le Pont Residences. “Diaphragm walls allow for deeper basements, which means more parking for tenants. More parking is a modern-day need for premium tenants.”

Artist’s perspective of Le Pont Residences

Designed to bridge future homeowners to their best life, Le Pont Residences offers generously-spaced units ranging from 46 to 380 sqm. This includes bi-level top-floor units with an iconic curved staircase, providing a beautiful centerpiece that elegantly connects both floors. It also has a selection of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units that are carefully crafted and equipped with smart home features to ensure comfort and convenience.

Additionally, the development boasts multi-level, hyper-sized indoor and outdoor amenities spread throughout the podium, mid-level, and uppermost deck floors. Among these are gyms, indoor and outdoor activity areas, swimming pools, private function rooms, a game room, and a work lounge, to name a few.

“In designing Le Pont Residences, we took inspiration from the needs and lifestyle of our market. Because for us to provide a place where they can be their best every day, it’s all about incorporating these things in their future home and be made accessible to them whenever they need it,” says Sotelo.

To learn more about this development, visit rlcresidences.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

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India exempts some countries from rice curbs for food security

August 31, 2023 | 4:42 pm

rice-palay grain-bloomberg — INDIA has permitted some rice shipments to Mauritius, Bhutan and Singapore for food security purposes. — BLOOMBERG

INDIA has permitted some rice shipments to Mauritius, Bhutan and Singapore for food security purposes after the South Asian nation imposed sweeping export restrictions to control domestic prices.

The world’s top exporter agreed to sell 79,000 tons of non-basmati white rice to Bhutan, 50,000 tons to Singapore and 14,000 tons to Mauritius, according to a commerce ministry notification late Wednesday. India said last month it would allow for exports of the variety if asked to meet the security needs of other countries.

The permission highlights the plight of several nations, which have been relying on India for their rice needs. Guinea has sent its trade minister to New Delhi to convince Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to exempt the West African country from the restrictions. Top buyers of Indian rice include Benin, China, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo.

Concerns about a global supply squeeze and higher world food prices have increased after the world’s second-biggest producer and consumer tightened its curbs on rice exports. Asian benchmark prices of the grain, a staple diet for billions of people across the world, rebounded this week to trade near a 15-year high reached earlier this month.

India has restrictions on shipments of all varieties of the grain. It has imposed a 20% tax on parboiled rice exports, set a minimum export price on aromatic basmati and banned shipments of non-basmati white. The country accounts for almost 40% of the global rice trade.

While India’s announcement to sell to Singapore and other countries is in line with its earlier pledge to meet the security needs of other nations, the focus of the government will continue to be on cooling domestic food prices ahead of major festivals in November and an election early next year. — Bloomberg

Japan seeks record defense budget amid tension with China

August 31, 2023 | 4:42 pm

TOKYO — Japan’s defense ministry made a record spending request on Thursday of 7.7 trillion yen ($52.67 billion), for fiscal 2024, the latest step of a plan to boost defense spending by 43 trillion yen over five years.

The request is for the second year of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s plan to double defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product by 2027 as it faces up to an increasingly assertive China and unpredictable North Korea.

The request comes as Japan’s relations with China have deteriorated sharply with Japan last week beginning to dump treated radioactive water from its wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea. China has condemned the release and banned Japanese seafood imports.

The fiscal 2024 request, submitted to the Ministry of Finance, adds almost a trillion yen to the previous year’s budget of 6.8 trillion yen. If approved, the budget will have increased spending by about a trillion yen from the previous year for an unprecedented two consecutive years.

The defense ministry plans to set aside more than 900 billion yen to secure ammunition and weapons, including new ship-to-air missiles, according to the budget request.

Some 600 billion yen will be used to strengthen logistics capabilities to deploy weapons and resources towards southwest island chains in the event of an emergency.

The budget includes funding for three new landing ships, for a total of 17 billion yen, 17 transport helicopters, for more than 300 billion yen, and a new specialized transport team to improve deployment capabilities, the defense ministry said in its request.

Japan will also put 75 billion yen towards jointly developing interceptor missile to counter hypersonic warheads with the United States, and 64 billion yen to creating next-generation fighter jets with Britain and Italy.

The record defense spending by the staunch US ally comes after decades of pacifist policies. The United States in 1947 imposed a constitution on Japan that renounces war.

But concerns over China’s maritime ambitions and military assertiveness, especially over Taiwan, and a belligerent and increasingly well-armed North Korea have shifted thinking, as has Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Japanese aggression before and during World War II is still a cause of tension in relations with some countries in Asia and Japan has given assurances its growing military strength will not be used to threaten others.

Japan has said it will still prioritize diplomatic efforts and dialogue to avert misunderstandings. — Reuters

Spain must break ‘pact of silence’ over sexism, equality minister says

August 31, 2023 | 4:41 pm

A giant Estelada flag (Catalan separatist flag) is seen in Barcelona, Spain Feb. 12, 2021. — REUTERS/ALBERT GEA

MADRID — Spanish society must break a “pact of silence” and stop normalizing sexist behavior and support women brave enough to speak out when it happens, acting Equality Minister Irene Montero said on Wednesday.

Ms. Montero said in an interview with Reuters she hoped the furore created by Spanish Football Association (RFEF) chief Luis Rubiales’ kiss on the mouth of World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso — which she says was non-consensual — will serve as a point of inflection in the fight against sexism in Spain.

Mr. Rubiales is facing a chorus of voices calling for his resignation and has been temporarily suspended by FIFA for his behavior when players were being handed their medals after defeating England in the World Cup final on Aug. 20 in Sydney.

“Spain is a feminist society in which sexism still exists, but it is determined to end sexism,” Ms. Montero said. “We are sending the correct message to the world, that sexism is over.”

Ms. Montero said sport in Spain is structurally sexist and she expressed disappointment that Spain’s male football players have largely stayed silent about the incident while the entire women’s football team has said it will not play while Mr. Rubiales refuses to resign.

“I think it has become evident that feminism is also a task for men,” she said, while acknowledging that support for Ms. Hermoso showed that the majority of Spanish men condemn sexist behavior.

“Perhaps it would have been desirable for this pact of silence to be broken with more force and forcefulness. But I think it has begun to crack and that is a very important step,” she said.

Mr. Rubiales has accused his critics of “false feminism”.

Prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into whether Mr. Rubiales might have committed an act of sexual aggression when he grabbed Ms. Hermoso and kissed her on the lips.

However, the case will be closed if Hermoso does not file a formal complaint.

Ms. Hermoso, her teammates and several government officials have said the kiss was unwanted and demeaning.

While Mr. Rubiales, 46, had persistently denied wrongdoing and insisted the kiss — which took place in a globally watched live broadcast — was consensual, his mother Angeles Bejar locked herself inside a church in the family’s home town of Motril on Monday and started a hunger strike in support of her son.

Ms. Bejar was taken to hospital on Wednesday after feeling tired and stressed, a priest, who identified himself as Father Antonio, told reporters without elaborating. The hospital would not confirm if she was admitted.

Mr. Rubiales hasn’t commented on the issue since he was suspended on Saturday. Bejar had said on local TV he had told her to stop the hunger strike.

Gender issues are a prominent topic in Spain. In the past several years, tens of thousands of women have taken part in street marches protesting against sexual abuse and violence.

The left-wing coalition government led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has presided over several legal reforms including around equal pay and abortion rights.

Spain is now under a caretaker government after an inconclusive election in July that was marked by heated debate over women´s rights. Government opponents criticised a sexual violence law that introduced the concept of consent but inadvertently introduced a loophole enabling over 1,000 imprisoned offenders to get their sentences reduced or ended early.

The hard-right Vox party on Wednesday said the Rubiales case was a “political witchhunt” designed to obfuscate the errors committed by the government with the sexual violence law.

“With common sense you can distinguish what is rude or bad manners from what is a crime,” Vox said on X, formerly Twitter.

However, Vox called for Mr. Rubiales to resign, citing behavior incompatible with the presidency of a federation. At the event in Sydney, he also grabbed his crotch in a gesture of celebration while standing next to Queen Letizia.

Ms. Montero welcomed criticism that the government has been slow to act over the Rubiales crisis, saying that in the past it has been reprimanded for moving too fast for society to assimilate changes on women’s rights.

“I have been accused all the time of going too fast,” she said. “I am glad that the view is now that the changes have to go even faster, be even more forceful and go deeper.” — Reuters

Rising caffeine levels spark calls for ban on energy drink sales to children

August 31, 2023 | 4:41 pm

sugar-sweetened-beverage-tax — PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

PEDIATRICIANS and parents are calling for the US to treat new high-caffeine energy drinks like alcohol and cigarettes and ban their sale to minors as a single serving can contain as much caffeine as six Coca-Colas.

Prime Energy, which launched this year, has 200 mg of caffeine within its 350 ml can — exceeding permissible caffeine levels in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Rival products like Anheuser Busch InBev-backed Ghost energy drinks and Kim Kardashian’s “Kimade” energy drink also have 200 mg of caffeine. Competitor Monster Energy contains 150 mg of caffeine.

As caffeine content in energy drinks has climbed over the years, some countries and retailers have banned the products while a few require proof of age for purchase. In the US and UK, no national regulations ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks.

Without legal age mandates like those on alcohol and cigarettes, retailers are unlikely to restrict access, said Dr. Holly Benjamin, a professor of pediatrics and orthopedic surgery at the University of Chicago. There is no proven safe dose of caffeine for children, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

“Retailers could choose to place sports drinks and energy drinks in different locations and label the sections differently; but, I think that is unlikely to happen without regulation which starts with better product labeling and widespread education,” Dr. Benjamin said.

She added: “Any energy drink with a high dose caffeine in it, such as Prime Energy, is unsafe for children.”

Side effects for kids consuming caffeine could include rapid or irregular heartbeats, headaches, seizures, shaking, stomach upset and adverse emotional effects on mental health, she said.

The FDA is currently reviewing a request by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to investigate the caffeine content in Prime Energy, as well as its marketing to kids, a spokesperson said.

Prime representatives declined to comment. Ghost Energy, Monster Energy didn’t return messages seeking comment. Congo Brands, which owns Kimade, Alani Nu and Prime Energy, also did not respond to requests seeking comment.

The co-founders of Prime, Logan Paul and KSI, both social media influencers, said in August media interviews that they aren’t marketing the drink to kids, adding that retailers should police sales to minors.

COLORFUL CANS CONFUSE PARENTS
The American Medical Association (AMA) supports a ban on the marketing of caffeine drinks to children under the age of 18, according to its policy set in 2013. The AMA also urges the US regulators or lawmakers to mandate “child-resistant packaging” on high-energy drinks.

Kinneret Shick Ohana, a mother of five children from Florida, saw the “bright, colorful cans of Prime” that her children have been buzzing about displayed in front aisles of Walmart when shopping for groceries. Out of excitement, she overlooked the black writing at the bottom of the colored cans that said “energy drink” before bringing it home to her children.

“I got confused because when you first see the can, it’s hard to see where it says energy drink. It took me some time after my son pointed it out to find it,” said Ms. Ohana.

“The energy drink industry is marketing these products that are only supposedly intended for adults to kids and I think Prime is just another example of a company that is pushing these inappropriate drinks on minors,” said Bonnie Patten, executive director of Truth in Advertising (TINA).

Specialty retailer GNC has set an 18+ age limit restriction to purchase energy drinks, according to its customer service line and in-store checks.

Target and Walmart, as well as specialty chains like the Vitamin Shoppe, carry Prime Energy but typically do not verify buyers’ ages, according to Reuters interviews and in-store checks.

“We strongly encourage our customers to follow all labeling instructions for every product sold at the Vitamin Shoppe, including energy drinks,” the Vitamin Shoppe said.

Target didn’t return messages seeking comment. Walmart declined comment.

Drink makers’ labels noting the beverages are “not recommended” for kids creates confusion among retailers on what restrictions, if any, should be set on the sale of energy drinks to children, lawyers said. — Reuters