1.   Singson said emergency rice imports to end a severe shortage that boosted prices of the staple food will push prices lower.

2.   The emergency rice was even unpopular among Thais in this country.

3.   Acknowledging its food crisis for the first time, the North has begun asking its foes for emergency rice aid.

4.   Admitting for the first time that it is facing a food crisis, North Korea officially asked Japan last month for emergency rice aid.

5.   Acknowledging its food crisis to the outside world for the first time last month, the North asked longtime foe Japan for emergency rice aid.

6.   Breaking the silence over its humiliating acceptance of emergency rice aid from rival South Korea, communist North Korea has denied it suffers from a food shortage.

7.   Earlier this month, the Philippines Government ordered emergency rice handouts in the southern part of the country, where residents are reportedly on the brink of starvation.

8.   In its first official admission of a grave food crisis, North Korea, whose ideology stresses self-reliance, asked Japan last month to provide emergency rice.

9.   In its first admission of a food crisis, North Korea asked Japan last month to extend emergency rice aid.

10.   In its first admission of the problem, it asked Japan last month for emergency rice aid.