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TOKYO - Japan's core inflation likely ran at 3 percent in August, according to a Reuters poll, staying above the central bank's 2 percent target for a 17th straight month in a sign of broadening price pressure in aneconomytrying to escape from a long deflationary phase. The year-on-year increase in the core consumer price index (CPI), which excludes volatile fresh food but includes fuel costs, would be a slight slowdown from a 3.1-percent gain in July. After hitting a peak of 4.2 percent in January, inflation continued to slow as the effect of last year's sharp rises in fuel and raw material prices dissipate. But some analysts say the slowdown has not been as large as expect...

Keep on reading: Japan’s core inflation likely slowed slightly in Aug – Reuters poll

MANILA, Philippines ---Roma Mae Doromal is embracing her bigger role as the leader of the rebuilding Ateneo Blue Eagles as they usher in a new era under Brazilian coach Sergio Veloso in the Shakey's Super League (SSL) preseason championship. The ace libero, who was tapped as the team captain at least for the tournament, admitted that her team is starting from scratch and still adjusting to the system of their new coach. The Blue Eagles are facing a tall order in rising from a disappointing UAAP Season 85 women's volleyball stint. "What we can give him is our commitment that even though we're tired, we'll always show up and give the 100 percent that our coach asks of us," sai...

Keep on reading: Roma Mae Doromal rises to challenge of leading rebuilding Ateneo

Days before her 34th birthday, Pia Wurtzbach already had a celebration as she officially launched her book "Queen of the Universe." The beauty queen, now an author as well, had her book launch at the Manila International Book Fair in Pasay City on Thursday, Sept. 14. Prior to the event, Wurtzbach could not seem to contain her excitement as she signed over a hundred copies of her novel.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Pia Jauncey (@piawurtzbach) "Just realized that my book launch is happening exactly 10 days before my birthday! What an early present," she said in a separate...

Keep on reading: Pia Wurtzbach launches first book ‘Queen of the Universe’ ahead of 34th birthday

MANILA -The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) wants stronger capabilities to combat financial crimes such as market manipulation, insider trading and even cryptocurrency-related scams. The corporate regulator recently held a workshop with the US SEC and Asian Development Bank in its Makati City headquarters to beef up its enforcement training and capabilities. "Scammers are becoming more advanced and sophisticated in their techniques as new technologies arise. As such, the SEC must constantly improve its investigation and enforcement capabilities to ensure that we are always one step ahead in preventing scams," SEC Chair Emilio B. Aquino said in a statement on Friday. REA...

Keep on reading: SEC partners with US counterpart, ADB to combat financial crimes

There are many ways to tell your story using your smartphone. Infinix has leveled up how you can capture your own story with its all-new ZERO 30 5G with 4K front vlog camera. This new, innovative device will soon be available in the Philippines. The latest model from the ZERO Series is equipped with a 4K 60FPS Ultra Clear Front Vlog Camera that adds cinematic flair to your selfie videos and photos. Paired with the Triple Rear Camera and other pro-level features, you can turn any moment into a memorable story worth going back to. Infinix ZERO 30 5G is also decked out with the 5G Powerful MediaTek Dimensity 8020 processor and up to 21GB Massive Extended RAM to ensure that you can...

Keep on reading: Infinix ZERO 30 5G, the ultimate vlogging phone is coming to the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines --- An auction house has stopped the sale of a bronze bust of the Filipino historical figure Juan Luna following a request from National Museum of the Philippines. According to Salcedo Auctions, this was a "gesture of goodwill" in view of the artifact's origins. Juan Luna was a well-known international Filipino painter, sculptor and a prominent political activist during the Philippine revolution. "The decision was arrived at by the bust's current owners as a gesture of goodwill in light of a request made by the National Museum in consideration of the bust's possible provenance (origin)," Salcedo Auctions said in a Facebook post on Friday. The bust, whi...

Keep on reading: Auction house stops auction of Juan Luna bust due to Nat’l. museum’s plea

PHILADELPHIA --- Jalen Hurts forced a throw into double coverage, one of his worst passes in years, and was picked off. A.J. Brown --- he of the nearly 1,500 yards receiving a year ago --- threw a tantrum on the sidelines when the ball didn't come his way. And yes, already, in the Eagles' home opener, fans booed the NFC champions in the first half when a string of offensive plays went nowhere. All that, and Philadelphia is 2-0. The Eagles already knew they'd be tested as they try to return to the Super Bowl. Oh, it won't be easy, but they've been sloppy and feisty, and those highlight-reel plays are behind last year's pace. But they'll take it. Hurts ran for a pair of ...

Keep on reading: NFL: Jalen Hurts, Eagles hold off fumble-prone Vikings

MANILA -Industry giant Bank of the Philippine Islands received the go-ahead from the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) to proceed with its P27-billion acquisition of and merger with the Gokongwei family-led Robinsons Bank. The powerful antitrust body said in a recently-released decision the takeover "will not likely result in substantial lessening of competition" after reviewing its impact on the banks' various businesses such as loans, deposits, and credit card issuances. The PCC also noted that BPI was already the third largest lender in the country before the deal was announced. "Post-transaction, BPI, as the surviving entity, will merely retain its current position...

Keep on reading: PH antitrust regulator clears BPI-Robinsons Bank merger

Zhou Guanyu, China's only Formula One driver, said Thursday that he has extended his contract with Alfa Romeo to the end of the 2024 season. He will now get the chance to race on home soil for the first time in Formula One, with the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai returning in April next year for the first time since the Covid pandemic. "Next year I have my home race, I've been waiting for it for two years already," the 24-year-old Zhou told reporters ahead of Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix. "I think it will be forever a memorable weekend for me in Formula One because I grew up, obviously, watching the race back home in China. "It's going to be amazing just to catch up with...

Keep on reading: F1: Zhou Guanyu extends contract with Alfa Romeo to 2024

VALENCIA--Chasing an elusive Olympic gold medal will be one of Novak Djokovic's main goals for next season even though the 24-time Grand Slam champion knows he will have to be physically and mentally ready to cope with a crammed schedule. Djokovic won bronze in Beijing 2008 and fell short in London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo two years ago, but the Serbian who will turn 37 before the next Olympics begin is still fighting fit after claiming three Grand Slam titles in 2023. The world number one also made the Wimbledon final earlier this year, where he was beaten in five sets by Carlos Alcaraz, and he is in no mood to slow down. "My plan for now is to play the Olympic Games, so I'...

Keep on reading: Djokovic looking forward to Paris Olympics in hectic 2024

TOKYO - Asian stocks rose strongly on Friday, extending a global equity rally, after better-than-expected Chinese economic data added to the good vibes from expectations that tightening campaigns by the world's biggest central banks were close to over. The dollar stuck close to a six-month peak from overnight against major peers, buoyed by robust U.S. economic data, while the euro sagged following the European Central Bank's signal that Thursday's rate hike was probably the last this cycle. Crude oil hit a fresh 10-month top. READ: Oil prices rise to 10 month-high on China reserve ratio cut MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares rallied 0.79 percent. Japan's Nikkei j...

Keep on reading: Asia stocks rally as China data buoys mood, while dollar stays strong

There are instances when you need cash to pay your children's tuition fees, for rent and other utility bills, when doing a minor home renovation, buying new appliances, purchasing medicine, paying off debts, when going on a vacation, or even as a capital for a startup business. However, because life is unpredictable, sometimes immediate cash is needed for unfortunate events like medical bills, unexpected car repair, and other emergency expenses. If you need money right away for something that needs immediate attention and when no other alternative is available, the Pag-IBIG Multi-Purpose Loan (MPL) could save the day. A Pag-IBIG MPL can be used for practically any need you have as...

Keep on reading: Five good reasons to avail of the Pag-IBIG Multi-Purpose Loan

BEIJING -China's factoryoutputandretailsalesgrew at a faster pace inAugust, but tumbling investment in the crisis-hit property sector threatens to undercut a flurry of support steps that are showing signs of stabilizing parts of the wobbly economy. Chinese policymakers are facing a daunting task in trying to revivegrowthfollowing a brief post-COVID bounce in the wake of persistent weakness in the crucial property industry, a faltering currency and weak global demand for its manufactured goods. Industrialoutputrose 4.5 percent inAugustfrom a year earlier, data released on Friday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed, accelerating from the 3.7 percent pace in July and...

Keep on reading: China August industrial output, retail sales growth beat expectations

  MANILA, Philippines --- The Philippine National Police (PNP) has formed a special body to probe the murder of a lawyer in Abra, PNP Chief Benjamin Acorda said on Friday. The Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) was created to investigate the killing of lawyer Maria Saniata Alzate. She was gunned down in front of her home in Bangued town on Thursday afternoon. READ: Lawyer shot dead in Abra "We were informed about that and already an SITG was created," Acorda said about the case in a press conference at PNP Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City. Based on its website, PNP creates a SITG for "heinous and sensational crimes" to hasten the probe and prosecution o...

Keep on reading: PNP forms special body to probe lawyer’s murder in Abra

MANILA, Philippines---During the 2023 Fiba World Cup, Chris Newsome's popularity grew a ton more due to his loyalty to Gilas Pilipinas. Newsome continued to show his support for the national team despite not being included in the final lineup. He even actively served as Jordan Clarkson's ball boy during the latter's pre-game shooting routines. For him, it was all about serving as an example for the future generation of Gilas players. "I hope I showed that to the fans out there that you don't need to be on the court to make an impact. You can still be there for the team vocally to show your support and cheer on," Newsome said during Gilas' open training at Philsports Arena on...

Keep on reading: Chris Newsome’s loyalty pays off as he gets Gilas’ Asian Games roster spot

Sunway Medical Center (SMC) is Malaysia's largest quaternary and regional tertiary care private hospital that is strategically located in the integrated sustainable township of Sunway City Kuala Lumpur. Named as "Stand-Out Jury Award Hospital of the Year in Asia-Pacific 2021" and "Medical Tourism Hospital of the Year in Asia-Pacific" at APAC Healthcare & Medical Tourism Awards 2018, 2019 and 2020, the hospital is within walking distance to an array of amenities such as Sunway Lagoon theme park, Sunway Hotels & Resorts, Sunway Pyramid shopping mall, Sunway University. Named "International Hospital of the Year" by International Medical Travel Journal in 2016 and 2017 respectively, ...

Keep on reading: Sunway Medical Center to serve patients in Asia as a one-stop quaternary hospital

BEIJING - A slump in China's property sector worsened in August, with deepening falls in new home prices, property investment and sales, despite a recent flurry of support measures, adding pressure to the world's second-largest economy. New home prices fell at the fastest pace in 10 months in August, down 0.3 percent month-on-month after a 0.2- percent decline in July, according to Reuters calculations based on National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data. Prices were down 0.1 percent from a year earlier, after a 0.1-percent decline in July. For August, property investment fell for the 18th straight month, down 19.1 percent year-on-year from a 17.8- percent slump the previous month, se...

Keep on reading: China’s property slump worsens, clouding recovery prospects

JAKARTA -Indonesia's trade surplus soared to twice the forecast amount in August as imports such as raw materials and capital goods fell more than expected, government data showed on Friday. The surplus for Southeast Asia's biggest economy was $3.12 billion, the statistics bureau reported, far above the $1.55 billion median forecast of 19 economists surveyed by Reuters and up sharply from $1.31 billion in July. Imports fell 14.77 percent to $18.88 billion, deeper than the 9.33 percent forecast drop. Crude oil imports sank about 39 percent from a year earlier, said Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, acting head of Statistics Indonesia. The import drop was influenced by seasonal fa...

Keep on reading: Indonesia Aug trade surplus spikes to twice forecast as imports sink

NEW YORK---Thirty Seconds to Mars is back with a new clutch of songs born from the pandemic and collected under a very long title. "It's the End of the World but It's a Beautiful Day" is exactly what it sounds like---optimistic, despite the doom. "I really feel like it represents where we're at as a planet, as a people," says Jared Leto, who formed the band with his brother, Shannon. "You keep waiting for crazy to be over. But there's just one more day. And sometimes it's easy to forget that life is full of promise and hope and beauty." Despite its long title, the band's sixth studio album is filled with shorter songs than usual and with a sound that tries to veer away from the...

Keep on reading: Thirty Seconds to Mars returns with new album

DETROIT -The United Auto Workers union launched simultaneous strikes at three factories owned by General Motors, Ford and Chrysler parent Stellantis early on Friday, kicking off the most ambitious U.S. industrial labor action in decades. The walkouts at the "Detroit Three" will halt production of the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler and Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck, along with other popular models. UAW President Shawn Fain said the union will hold off for now on more costly company-wide strikes, but said all options are open if new contracts are not agreed. Fain laid out plans for the unprecedented, simultaneous walkouts in a Facebook Live address less than two hours before the ex...

Keep on reading: U.S. auto workers launch first simultaneous strike at Detroit Three