(UPDATE) FILIPINO pole vault ace Ernest John "EJ" Obiena is set to compete anew in the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Ernest John ‘EJ’ Obiena PHOTO BY RIO DELUVIOCompetition starts at 4:15 p.m. (Manila time), with the qualifiers advancing to the finals on August 27. American Christopher Nilsen, who overtook Obiena in the men's pole vault world rankings, is likewise in the field. 3 in the world, Obiena rose to second last month but Nilsen overtook him as they switched places anew recently. The 27-year-old's last competition was in the Monaco leg of the Wanda Diamond League last month, placing second to Nilsen.

“Reduction is included, but not P20.”For her part, Agriculture Undersecretary Mercedita Sombilla cited various factors “beyond [their] control” as the reason behind rising rice prices. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that as of May, the farm-gate price of palay reached P19.06 a kilogram, an increase of 10.4 percent from P17.24 per kilogram a year ago. In the country, the commercial price of rice is traditionally double that of the farm-gate price. Based on the DA’s price monitoring per kilogram of rice as of Tuesday, local regular milled rice was being sold from P41 to P55 in Metro Manila compared to P38 a year ago. As for local well-milled rice, the prices ranged from P46 to P57 as against last year’s P40 while for local premium rice, the prices were between P47 and P60 compared to P45 in 2022.

Manga cover so many genres they appeal to every kind of reader, and now that manga has become popular around the globe, there's a growing number of overseas manga creators too. We talk with Åsa Ekström from Sweden who created a manga about her experiences living in Japan that became a major hit with Japanese readers. At the annual Japan International Manga Awards ceremony for overseas manga creators held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, first prize this year went to Weili Joming from Taiwan for a manga on a serious topic – how we face death, seen through the eyes of a young funeral director. VIDEO BY MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF JAPAN

Moments after Gilas Pilipinas gave world No. Jordan Clarkson (right) FIBA PHOTOWith Reyes were Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio and assistants Jong Uichico and Josh Reyes, all four solemn-faced but not because of the outcome. Cone, who missed Gilas Pilipinas' tune-up games against Ivory Coast and Montenegro, was in Granada for a top-secret mission: file a dossier on the Dominican Republic, the national team's opening opponent at 8 p.m. on August 25 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. Later, after the Gilas Pilipinas coaches had stepped out from their meeting, Reyes was asked if the friendlies had left any impression on him. And Cone had all the files that could be gathered on the FIBA World Americas qualifier.

MANILA, Philippines — The number of students enrolled for the school year 2023-24 reached at least 17.3 million as of Tuesday, according to the Department of Education (DepEd). ADVERTISEMENTThe DepEd gave the exact figure as 17,389,572 in a Facebook post. Enrollment will continue until Aug, 26, according to DepEd. The number of enrolled students the day before was 16.8 million. Subscribe to our daily newsletter SIGN ME UPRead Next

This column has paid great attention to economic reform issues that affect the direction of national development. As a result, macroeconomic policy is no longer on the critical watchlist of economic issues as in the past. Wars between countries, natural calamities, and economic adversities in major countries can transmit their effects of other countries. As a country, we have become a market for the sale for foreign goods rather than as a point of production of these goods within ASEAN. In general, the answers require that more essential economic reforms need to take place in order to provide a good set of outcomes.

The National University Bulldogs V-LEAGUE PHOTOThe Bulldogs repulsed the Golden Spikers in the finals of this tournament and the UAAP last year with a full roster but they will set out for their 4 p.m. clash sans mentor Dante Alinsunurin and top hitter Nico Almendras and ace playmaker Owa Retamar. In contrast, UST is reeling from a 26-28, 25-18, 28-26, 25-21 defeat at the hands of De La Salle U last Friday. The Loyola-based squad turned back Emilio Aguinaldo College, 23-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-16, last Sunday, while the Red Spikers bowed to the Altas, 14-25, 17-25, 22-25 loss. Neighbors Lady Tams and Lady Warriors are coming off victories over the Lady Cards and the Enderun Lady Titans in straight-set fashions last Wednesday. But Mapua bounced back with a five-set reversal over Lyceum last Sunday while the Altas swept the Lady Stags last Friday.

One of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is to cut global food loss and waste by half, and new Japanese technologies are helping. DayBreak, a company in Tokyo, uses a special freezing technique to preserve fruit far longer than conventional freezers, while retaining the original flavor and nutrition. While a company in Nagasaki, Isle, took a different approach with their method for drying and processing vegetables into thin sheets to allow long-term storage of various food that otherwise would be discarded. These vegetable sheets are ideal as emergency food, and their versatility appeals to creative chefs. We'll introduce today's Japanese food technology which tries to provide solutions to the global food issues.

Barley, the superfood for immunity, heart health, and weight lossSince ancient times, barley has been used as a food and medicine. As a nutritional supplement, this organic barley is made from pure, natural, organic New Zealand barley to help build strength, stamina, and energy. And now, let’s hear it from some satisfied consumers of JC Organic Barley. * * *JC Organic Barley juice costs P1,200 per box of 10 sachets while JC Organic Barley capsule costs P948 per bottle of 30 capsules. The JC organic barley products can be purchased via the JC Shop website (http://www.jcshop.ph) or at any JC headquarters or business centers worldwide.

SEOUL — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has lashed out at top officials for their “irresponsible” response to flood damage, saying they had “spoiled” the national economy, state media reported Tuesday. ADVERTISEMENTChastising officials for their “very irresponsible” neglect of duties, Kim singled out Kim Tok Hun, premier of the cabinet, for inspecting the destroyed site once or twice “with the attitude of an onlooker”. This week’s visit is the latest in a series of inspections the North Korean leader has made of flood-hit farmlands amid mounting concerns over a food crisis in the reclusive country. Lim Eul-chul, a professor of North Korean studies at South Korea’s Kyungnam University, said Kim’s harsh criticism could herald a cabinet reshuffle. RELATED STORIESNorth Korea’s Kim dismisses top general, calls for war preparationsADVERTISEMENTNorth Korea developing nuclear weapons, evading sanctions in 2023 – UN reportNorth Korea’s Kim orders making more missiles ahead of South Korea, US drillsYour subscription could not be saved.

China accused Japan on Tuesday of planning to "arbitrarily dump nuclear-contaminated water" after Tokyo said it would begin releasing water from the stricken Fukushima power plant into the Pacific Ocean this week. "The ocean is the common property of all humankind, not a place for Japan to arbitrarily dump nuclear-contaminated water," foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, adding that Beijing would take "necessary measures to safeguard the marine environment, food safety and public health".

OTTAWA — The Canadian government, under pressure over the rising cost of housing, could consider capping foreign student visas, which have rocketed in recent years, new Housing Minister Sean Fraser said on Monday. Official data show there were more than 800,000 foreign students with active visas in 2022, up from 275,000 in 2012. Canada is a popular destination for international students since it is relatively easy to obtain a work permit. ADVERTISEMENTFraser, who was immigration minister before taking up his job last month, said the sharp rise in the number of students was putting pronounced pressure on some housing markets. Asked whether a cap could be imposed on the number of foreign students, he said, “I think that is one of the options that we ought to consider.” The government has not yet made a decision, he added.

THE much-anticipated Suzuki Auto Festival is back, and this time, the 2-day extravaganza will happen at the Lower Ground Level of SM City Bacoor in Cavite this coming August 26 and 27. The first of a 3-month long series, the Suzuki Auto Festival will feature Suzuki's iconic cars such as the new Ertiga Hybrid, S-Presso AGS, Dzire, XL-7 and Jimny. The Suzuki Auto Festival is also a good venue for families to bond and have a relaxing time after a week of work or school activities. There will be four shows for each day of the Suzuki Auto Festival scheduled from 12:30 p.m. up to 7:30 p.m. The Suzuki Auto Festival at SM City Bacoor will open at 10 a.m. and will close at 10 p.m. on Saturday, August 26; and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, August 27.

ON Monday last week (August 14), the town of Casiguran, Aurora, shattered the record for the highest heat index ever recorded in the Philippines at 60 degrees Celsius. The previous heat index record — which was only set in May this year — was 53 C in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, on May 24. Casiguran equaled that mark on Friday and Saturday, August 11 and 12, broke the record on Sunday the 13th with a reading of 59 C, and exceeded that on Monday. For my American audience, 60 Celsius is 140 degrees Fahrenheit. No matter what temperature scale you use, that temperature is not survivable for humans for very long.

Six suspects, all Colombians police say belong to criminal gangs, are being held in the murder. Other candidates have reported attacks against them, though in several cases police have said that violence was not directed at the hopefuls themselves. Luisa Gonzalez, a protegee of Correa, led polling before Villavicencio’s murder with about 30% of voting intention. Pro-market candidate Otto Sonnenholzner has hardened his discourse since Villavicencio’s murder, repeatedly promising that criminals who use violence will be shot by police under his government. ADVERTISEMENT“The new president must propose things that are real, not just words,” said university student Menaly Luge, 18, who is voting for Villavicencio’s Construye party.