📰 News & Current Affairs

In a statement on Wednesday, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said the approval came after the Philippines requested to buy from the US TH-73A training helicopters. The DSCA and Manila have not disclosed how many helicopters the Armed Forces of the Philippines wanted to acquire. Source: US approves sale of training choppers to PH

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber 1 directed the prosecution to disclose its evidence not later than July 1 in relation to the crimes against humanity case against Dutae. “This includes all the evidence it intends to rely upon at the confirmation of charges hearing, including the totality of the witness statements and their translations, the exculpatory material that it has identified thus far, and the material falling under rule 77 of the Rules,” the ICC order said. OPINION: Justice is soon to be served. Source: GMA News Online

One of the suspects in the killing of Filipino-Chinese businessman Anson Que was linked to a crime committed against an alleged finance officer of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo in 2024, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday. On August 31, 2024, Fajardo said Guo’s supposed finance officer entered her villa when Liao allegedly covered her mouth, handcuffed her hands and feet, as well as wrapped her head with duct tape. The suspects took money, pieces of jewelry and mobile phones before taking the victim to an unknown location. According to the PNP official, Guo’s alleged finance officer was reportedly forced to sign blank deeds of sale and a promissory note for P10 million along with 15 blank checks. The victim was...

Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian told reporters that there is room to boost trade with the Philippines amid higher US tariffs. “Regarding the trade [between] China and the Philippines, to be frank, it’s big for you, it’s small for us,” he said. Thus, he urged the Philippines to increase its exports to China, saying that they are willing to buy more products from the Philippines that may be affected by higher tariffs slapped by the US. Source: China opens door for more Philippine exports

“The NMESIS I will confirm that it's already in the country. I will not say where but it is going to participate, it is going to be a part of the exercises,” Balikatan spokesperson Brigadier General Michael Logico said at a press conference. Asked if they are planning to keep the anti-ship missile system in the Philippines, US 1st Marine Expeditionary Force’s Colonel Doug Krugman said they would “certainly look to participate” if the equipment is appropriate for more exercises in the country. “If there's another exercise going in the Philippines shortly after Balikatan and that equipment is appropriate and requested for it by the AFP, we would certainly look to participate in that exercise as well,” Krugman. “But it is here for exercise...

In its decision dated April 10, the Court of Appeal’s Second Division affirmed a 2022 ruling by the Caloocan City Regional Trial Court finding Police Officer 1 Jefrey Perez guilty of multiple charges, including torture and planting of evidence. It upheld penalties of reclusión perpetua and two life sentences without parole but reduced the damages awarded to each victim’s family from the original P2 million meted out by the Caloocan court. Source: CA affirms ‘drug war’ cop’s conviction in teens’ killing

At 9:45 AM, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the death of Pope Francis from the Casa Santa Marta. After 38 days in hospital, the late Pope returned to his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery. In 1957, in his early 20s, Pope Francis underwent surgery in his native Argentina to remove a portion of his lung that had been affected by a severe respiratory infection. Source: Pope Francis has died on Easter Monday aged 88 - Vatican News

The vice president said that the 10 senatorial candidates of former president Rodrigo Duterte's Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), Marcos, and Villar "are united by a common vision." In a political ad themed "Walang Iwanan," Duterte and Villar affirmed their friendship by doing a fist bump. Source: VP on support for Camille Villar, Imee Marcos: We share a common vision

China's Southern Theatre navy said a Philippines frigate had "illegally intruded" into the waters of Scarborough Shoal on Sunday, "seriously violating" Chinese sovereignty and laws, according to a statement. The navy monitored and drove the vessel away, it said. The navy urged the Philippine side to immediately stop the "infringement and provocation", its spokesperson said in the statement late on Sunday. The Philippine embassy in China did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-navy-says-philippine-frigate-illegally-entered-scarborough-shoal-waters-2025-04-20/

In a 20-page order issued on April 17, the ICC's pre-trial chamber approved the Registry’s proposed list of documents that can be used to verify the identity of victims seeking to participate in the proceedings. The chamber said the ICCRegistry had sufficiently detailed each proposed document, including the issuing entity and sample formats, as proof of identity for victim applicants. “This information, together with the procedure for admission of victims to participate in the proceedings adopted above, already ensures the ‘reliability of the identity verification process and significantly reduces the risk of fraud,” the chamber’s orders read. Source: ICC pre-trial chamber denies Duterte camp’s request to restrict victim identity...

Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin launched his fiancee Lauren Sanchez into space Monday with an all-female celebrity crew that included Katy Perry and Gayle King. New Shepard is a fully reusable sub-orbital launch vehicle developed for space tourism by Blue Origin. It was the latest wave in space tourism, where more of the rich and famous than ever before — or lucky and well-connected — can enter the zero-gravity realm traditionally dominated by professional astronauts. Source: https://www.timesofisrael.com/katy-perry-part-of-all-female-crew-launched-to-space-by-bezos-firm/

MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation has filed inciting to sedition charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and vlogger Claire Contreras, known as Maharlika. In a transmittal letter addressed to Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon dated April 14, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the NBI-Cybercrime Division initiated a case against the two following the online circulation of a video suggesting that a man resembling President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was snorting a white powdery substance. “This video coincided with the President’s 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA), raising suspicions of malicious timing and intent,” Santiago said. Besides the sedition...

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Source: Marcos vetoes PH citizenship bid of Pogo-linked Chinese Marcos vetoes PH citizenship bid of Pogo-linked Chinese By: Julie M. Aurelio, Marlon Ramos - Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:34 AM April 12, 2025 There will be “dire consequences” and a “clear and present danger” if Li Duan Wang, the Chinese national with alleged links to îllégâl offshore gaming hubs, is granted Philippine citizenship. This was how the President Marcos justified his decision to veto House Bill No. 8839 that sought to grant legislative naturalization to Li, Malacañang said on Friday. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro, in a press briefing, quoted from Mr. Marcos’ veto message, which the Palace has...

Source: Captured Chinese soldiers in Ukraine warn: ‘Don’t take part in this war’ Captured Chinese soldiers in Ukraine warn:'Don't take part in this war' Agence France-Presse /12:25 PM April 15, 2025 KYIV — Ukraine on Monday held a press conference at which Chinese prisoners of war under armed guard told journalists they hoped to be swapped and warned other Chinese nationals not to go to fight. The event came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of dragging Beijing into its invasion, saying Friday that several hundred Chinese nationals were fighting at the front line. The Kremlin denied the claim, while Beijing warned parties to the conflict against making “irresponsible remarks”. Two Chinese men dressed in...

Source: Beijing slams ‘manipulation, hype’ over soldiers captured in Ukraine Beijing slams ‘manipulation, hype’ over soldiers captured in Ukraine Agence France-Presse /03:49 PM April 15, 2025 BEIJING — China on Tuesday rejected what it called “manipulation and hype” around two of its nationals captured in Ukraine, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of dragging Beijing into its invasion. “China is verifying the relevant information and circumstances,” foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said when asked about the prisoners of war. Beijing urged “relevant parties to accurately understand China’s objective and impartial stance, and to refrain from political manipulation and hype”, Lin said. Ukraine on Monday...

Source: Igorot culture alive in ensuring food security | Philippine News Agency

Source: Chinese fugitive nabbed in Parañaque | Philippine News Agency

Source: Tolentino urges public vigilance vs. submersible drones | Philippine News Agency

Source: SC to digitalize Shari-ah bar examinations

Source: 1 dead, 10 missing as vessel capsizes in Occidental Mindoro

Source: Marcos signs law renewing Meralco franchise for another 25 years

Source: DILG's most wanted arrested at NAIA

Source: No winner in Grand, Megalotto draws for April 14

Source: 17 areas in Luzon, Visayas sizzle with heat index of up to 50 degrees Celsius

OpenAI released the new ᑕᕼᗩTGᑭT v1.2025.098 update to the beta channel testing new features. OpenAI is testing displaying product details including an option to purchase it. It will also provide the reviews for the products including the review counts ᑕᕼᗩTGᑭT can now be set as default assistant on Android. Yes, you can replace Google Assistant or Gemini with ᑕᕼᗩTGᑭT. Trigger word shortcuts could mean you can quickly activate Voice Mode and Vision Mode using just your voice. You could just speak and activate ᑕᕼᗩTGᑭT handsfree. You may also be able to set trigger words later. Similar to Google Assistant or Siri. The most anticipated video generation tools called Sora has been added to ᑕᕼᗩTGᑭT. We found the following code in ᑕᕼᗩTGᑭT APK...

To be honest, Google will ultimately win the AI race. The reason is clear: the sheer scale of their resources and data is beyond imagination. One aspect I find particularly positive about Google is their development of AI tools aimed at deciphering animal communication. For instance, they are collaborating with researchers to understand dolphin language through a project called DolphinGemma . Additionally, initiatives like the Earth Species Project are utilizing large language models to decode various forms of animal communication . Moreover, I've heard that Google is undertaking AI projects to revive ancient languages. Their DeepMind team developed models like Pythia and Ithaca, which assist in restoring and interpreting ancient Greek...

Source: UP scientists develop advanced flood forecasting system

Source: Laguna, 16 other areas to sizzle as heat index rises