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Trump may meet Putin next week

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Trump may meet Putin next week

WASHINGTON/MOSCOW. U.S. President Donald Trump could meet Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week, a White House official said Wednesday, as Washington prepares to impose secondary sanctions, potentially including measures against China, to pressure Moscow into ending the war in Ukraine.

If confirmed, the meeting would be the first between a sitting U.S. and Russian president since Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva in June 2021, about eight months before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The New York Times reported that Trump told European leaders in a call on Wednesday that he planned to meet with Putin, then follow up with a trilateral meeting involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Putin and Zelenskiy have not met since December 2019.

“There’s a good chance that there will be a meeting very soon,” Trump told reporters. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Moscow had expressed its desire to meet with Trump, who is open to holding talks with both Putin and Zelenskiy.

The development follows a meeting in Moscow between Putin and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, which Trump described on Truth Social as having made “great progress,” though he later stopped short of calling it a breakthrough. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the talks were “useful and constructive.”

The diplomatic moves come two days before a deadline set by Trump for Russia to agree to a peace deal or face new sanctions. Trump has voiced frustration over the lack of progress and has threatened heavy tariffs on countries purchasing Russian exports, including oil. He also signaled possible tariffs on China, similar to the 25 percent duties imposed on India over its purchases of Russian oil.

A White House official said that despite Moscow’s willingness to continue dialogue, secondary sanctions against countries doing business with Russia remain set for implementation on Friday.

Zelenskiy said he believed international pressure was working on Russia, making it more inclined toward a ceasefire. “The pressure on them works. But the main thing is that they do not deceive us in the details – neither us nor the U.S.,” he said in his nightly address.

Panukalang FOI Act, muling inihain sa Kamara

Venus L Peñaflor
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Panukalang FOI Act, muling inihain sa Kamara

MAYNILA. Muling inihain sa Kamara ang House Bill 2897 o People’s Freedom of Information Act of 2025 na naglalayong gawing pampubliko ang Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) ng Pangulo, Pangalawang Pangulo, at iba pang matataas na opisyal ng gobyerno.

Saklaw din ng panukala ang pagsasapubliko ng mahahalagang impormasyon ng pamahalaan gaya ng mga desisyon at government research data.

“Current inconsistencies and lack of mandatory disclosure highlight the need for a legislated FOI policy. Ang panukalang ito ay isang makapangyarihang sandata laban sa katiwalian, disimpormasyon, at kawalan ng katapatan at pananagutan sa pamahalaan,” pahayag ni House Deputy Minority Leader at ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, pangunahing may-akda ng panukala.

Kapag naisabatas, awtomatikong isasapubliko ang SALN ng Pangulo, Pangalawang Pangulo, mga miyembro ng Gabinete, Senado, Kamara, mahistrado ng Korte Suprema, mga commissioner ng constitutional commissions at constitutional offices, at mga opisyal ng Armed Forces na may ranggong heneral.

Papayagan din ang publiko na humiling ng access sa impormasyon ng gobyerno sa pamamagitan ng pagsusumite ng request, maliban sa sensitibong datos na may kaugnayan sa national security, foreign affairs, defense, law enforcement procedures, at trade secrets.

Ayon sa panukala, ang sinumang lalabag ay maaaring makulong ng isa hanggang anim na taon at pagmultahin ng P100,000 hanggang P1 milyon.

Trump administration ends Musk’s ‘five things’ email program

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Trump administration ends Musk’s ‘five things’ email program

WASHINGTON, United States. The Trump administration has formally ended the “five things” email program introduced by billionaire and former Trump adviser Elon Musk, which required federal employees to list their five workplace achievements from the previous week.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced the decision on Tuesday through a memo rescinding earlier guidance that instructed employees to comply with the initiative. OPM Director Scott Kupor stated that managers already have other tools to track employee work and confirmed that the agency would no longer manage or use the process internally.

Many federal agencies had already stopped implementing the weekly email, but the move marks a formal end to one of Musk’s most unpopular initiatives. The decision comes after a public falling out between Musk and Trump in early June, months after Musk departed the administration in May to focus on his business ventures.

Musk, who helped lead the Department of Government Efficiency’s cost-cutting efforts, initially parted on good terms with Trump. However, tensions rose after Musk criticized Trump’s tax cut and spending bill, calling it an abomination. This led Trump to pull the nomination of Musk ally Jared Isaacman to head NASA and to threaten cancellation of federal contracts with Musk’s companies.

Launched in February, the “five things” email was intended to improve accountability but faced resistance from department chiefs and confusion among federal employees. Kupor, who became OPM director in July, had earlier questioned the program’s efficiency, describing the process as “very manual” and of questionable value.

Senate media binawalang pumasok sa gaganaping impeachment debate

Venus L Peñaflor
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Senate media binawalang pumasok sa gaganaping impeachment debate

MAYNILA. Nagkaroon ng kalituhan sa Senado kahapon matapos iulat na pagbabawalan ang media na pumasok sa session hall ngayong Miyerkules para sa impeachment debate kaugnay kay Vice President Sara Duterte.

Ayon sa isang staff ng Public Relations and Information Bureau (PRIB), hindi papayagang makapasok ang Senate media sa session hall dahil may mga monitor naman sa press office. Pinayuhan din ang mga mamamahayag na sumunod muna sa patakaran, at sinabing hindi rin papayagan ang mga cameramen dahil makakatanggap sila ng audio-video recording mula sa PRIB.

Dahil dito, tumayo si Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros sa sesyon upang linawin ang kautusan. Inamin ni Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero na nagkaroon ng hindi pagkakaunawaan sa sinabi ng PRIB staff at nilinaw na dapat payagan ang media na makapasok at mag-cover ng sesyon.

“Given the importance of the debate tomorrow afternoon kaya ko po hiniling ang ganitong kalinawan na papayagan silang makapasok at makapag-cover sa sesyon bukas ng hapon, Mr. President,” pahayag ni Hontiveros.

Samantala, inutusan ng Korte Suprema si Vice President Sara Duterte at ilan sa kanyang mga abogado na sagutin ang apela ng Kamara laban sa desisyon nitong idineklarang unconstitutional ang impeachment case.

Binigyan sila ng 10 araw na non-extendible period upang magkomento sa motion for reconsideration ng House of Representatives, na humihiling na baligtarin ang desisyon ng SC at payagan ang Kamara na gampanan ang tungkulin nitong magsampa ng kaso laban sa isang impeachable official, at ang Senado na litisin ang kaso.

Nauna nang nagpasya ang SC na ang Articles of Impeachment laban kay Duterte ay labag sa one-year bar rule ng Article XI, Section 3(5) ng Konstitusyon, at idineklara nitong immediately executory ang desisyon.

Netanyahu holds security talks as reports suggest possible full Gaza takeover

Venus L Peñaflor
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Netanyahu holds security talks as reports suggest possible full Gaza takeover

TEL AVIV, Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with senior security officials to finalize a new strategy for the nearly two-year war in Gaza, with local media reporting he is considering a complete military takeover of the Palestinian territory.

The meeting, described by Netanyahu’s office as a “limited security discussion” lasting about three hours, was attended by military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Defence Minister Israel Katz, and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. Zamir reportedly presented options for continuing the campaign, with the strategy to be brought before the cabinet on Thursday.

Despite mounting international calls for a ceasefire to address worsening hunger and humanitarian conditions in Gaza, truce talks between Israel and Hamas have collapsed. Local health authorities said at least 20 people were killed in the north while waiting for UN aid trucks, and another 20 were wounded in Rafah under similar circumstances. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported eight more deaths from starvation in the past day and at least 80 killed in recent Israeli strikes.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu is leaning toward regaining full control of Gaza, reversing the 2005 withdrawal that right-wing parties blame for Hamas’s rise to power. It remains unclear whether this would involve a long-term occupation or a short-term operation aimed at dismantling Hamas and freeing Israeli hostages.

“It is still necessary to complete the defeat of the enemy in Gaza, release our hostages and ensure that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel,” Netanyahu told new military recruits.

The United Nations called reports of a possible expanded operation “deeply alarming.” U.S. President Donald Trump declined to comment on whether the U.S. supports the plan, saying the U.S. is focused on delivering aid to civilians.

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages. Israel’s military response has killed more than 61,000 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to Palestinian health authorities, and displaced nearly the entire population of over two million. Gaza officials say 188 Palestinians, including 94 children, have died from hunger since the war began.

On Tuesday, Israeli tanks advanced into central Gaza, raising fears among residents in areas not yet under full military control. “If the tanks pushed through, where would we go, into the sea?” said Abu Jehad, a wood merchant in Gaza. “This will be like a death sentence to the entire population.”

India and Philippines forge stronger strategic partnership

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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India and Philippines forge stronger strategic partnership

NEW DELHI, India. India and the Philippines have announced an upgraded strategic partnership aimed at enhancing trade, defense, and maritime cooperation, following bilateral talks in New Delhi on Tuesday between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

According to Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the agreement also covers expanded collaboration in space, tourism, culture, and digital technologies.

After the meeting, Modi said both countries are “committed to peace, security, prosperity and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.”

Marcos, for his part, emphasized that the strengthened partnership “will doubtless resonate beyond the confines of our bilateral relationship,” adding, “We want to work with you for a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Marcos arrived in India on Monday for a five-day visit as both nations work to deepen their defense ties. On Sunday, they conducted joint naval exercises in the disputed South China Sea for the first time, a move that drew objections from China.

India has also supplied the Philippines with its BrahMos supersonic cruise missile systems.

DPWH flood control anomaly, mga sangkot tukoy na

Venus L Peñaflor
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DPWH flood control anomaly, mga sangkot tukoy na

MAYNILA. Natukoy na ng pamahalaan ang ilang indibidwal at korporasyon na sangkot umano sa katiwalian kaugnay ng mga palpak na flood control projects ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), at malapit na silang ma-blacklist sa mga proyekto ng gobyerno.

Sa pinakabagong podcast episode ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., sinabi nitong hawak na niya ang mga pangalan ng mga contractor at kumpanyang responsable sa substandard projects na nagdulot ng matinding pagbaha sa ilang bahagi ng bansa.

Bagama’t hindi tinukoy ng Pangulo ang mga pangalan, iginiit niyang malapit nang sampahan ng kaso ang mga indibidwal at kumpanyang mapapatunayang nagpabaya o nangurakot sa pondo ng proyekto.

Dagdag pa ni Marcos, ang mga korporasyon na malinaw na pumalpak sa kanilang trabaho ay ilalagay sa blacklist upang hindi na sila makakuha ng kontrata mula sa gobyerno.

Kasabay nito, binalaan din ng Pangulo na kakasuhan ang mga kumpanyang at opisyal na mabibigong magpaliwanag kung saan napunta ang pondong inilaan para sa mga proyekto.

Trump threatens higher tariffs on India over Russian oil

Venus L Peñaflor
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Trump threatens higher tariffs on India over Russian oil

WASHINGTON. U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday renewed his threat to raise tariffs on Indian goods over New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil, prompting a sharp response from India, which vowed to safeguard its economic interests.

In a social media post, Trump accused India of buying “massive amounts” of Russian oil and reselling much of it on the open market for profit, while disregarding the toll of Russia’s war in Ukraine. “Because of this, I will be substantially raising the tariff paid by India to the USA,” he wrote.

India’s foreign ministry dismissed the criticism as “unjustified and unreasonable,” saying it would take all necessary measures to protect its national interests and economic security. Officials also noted that Western nations, including the European Union, continue to trade with Russia despite their own criticism of New Delhi.

Trump has said new sanctions will be imposed on Russia and countries purchasing its energy exports starting Friday, unless Moscow takes steps to end its 3-1/2-year war with Ukraine. India, however, remains the largest buyer of seaborne Russian crude, importing about 1.75 million barrels per day from January to June, a 1 percent increase from last year, according to trade data.

Two Indian government sources told Reuters over the weekend that New Delhi will continue to buy Russian oil despite U.S. pressure. Indian officials stated that the purchases commenced after traditional supply routes to Europe shifted following the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict, and were “a necessity compelled by the global market situation.”

Trump had already announced 25 percent tariffs on Indian imports in July, citing geopolitical disputes that have stalled a potential U.S.-India trade agreement. He has also criticized the BRICS bloc of developing nations, of which India is a member, as hostile to U.S. interests, an accusation the group denies.

Although Indian refiners briefly paused Russian oil purchases last week amid narrowing discounts, government officials said there was no change in policy. The country’s largest refiner, Indian Oil Corp, has recently sourced 7 million barrels of crude from the United States, Canada, and the Middle East, according to trade sources.

Israel culls crocodiles from neglected West Bank farm

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Israel culls crocodiles from neglected West Bank farm

PETZAEL, West Bank. Israeli authorities have euthanized a group of aging Nile crocodiles from a long-abandoned farm in the West Bank, citing repeated escapes and inhumane conditions.

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said Monday that the reptiles were kept in poor conditions with insufficient access to food, leading to cannibalistic behavior. The animals had been housed in an abandoned compound in the Israeli settlement of Petzael, posing a potential threat to nearby residents.

Authorities did not disclose the number of crocodiles culled or the exact method of euthanasia, but said government veterinarians were consulted to ensure the process was humane.

The crocodiles were originally brought to Petzael decades ago as part of a tourist attraction, a venture that collapsed amid violence between Israelis and Palestinians. They were later bought by an entrepreneur intending to sell their skin, but in 2012, Israel classified crocodiles as protected animals, banning their sale for meat or merchandise.

COGAT said the government had spent more than $29,000 to reinforce the farm’s fencing since its closure in 2013, but the facility remained in disrepair. Concerns about the reptiles escaping into the nearby Jordan River, less than seven kilometers from the settlement, had persisted for years.

Kamara nag apela sa SC para baligtarin ang pagbasura sa impeachment laban kay VP Sara

Venus L Peñaflor
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Kamara nag apela sa SC para baligtarin ang pagbasura sa impeachment laban kay VP Sara

MAYNILA. Naghain ng Motion for Reconsideration (MR) ang Kamara sa Korte Suprema upang baligtarin ang desisyon nitong nagbasura sa impeachment case laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte at payagan ang Mababang Kapulungan na gampanan ang eksklusibong kapangyarihang magsampa ng kaso laban sa isang impeachable official, habang ang Senado naman ang litis sa kaso.

Ayon sa Office of the Solicitor General, isinumite kahapon sa pamamagitan ng Philippine Judiciary Portal ang mga dokumento ng apela, na kopya ay ibinahagi ng House Prosecution Panel.

“With full respect for the Constitution, in defense of institutional balance, and in the name of the Filipino people, the House of Representatives has filed a Motion for Reconsideration before the Supreme Court. This is not an act of defiance. It is an act of duty,” pahayag ni Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

Binigyang-diin ni Romualdez na hindi hinahamon ng Kamara ang kapangyarihan ng Korte Suprema, kundi nais lamang nitong mapanatili ang papel ng Mababang Kapulungan bilang boses ng taumbayan sa paghahanap ng hustisya at pananagutan sa batas. Giit niya, nakasaad sa 1987 Konstitusyon na tanging ang Kamara ang may eksklusibong kapangyarihan na magsimula ng impeachment proceedings.

“That power is not shared. Not subject to pre-approval. And not conditional. Yet in G.R. No. 278353, the Supreme Court ruled otherwise based on a misreading of facts and a retroactive imposition of new rules,” dagdag ni Romualdez.

Noong Pebrero 5, 2025, naipasa ng Kamara sa Senado ang ikaapat na impeachment complaint na pirmado ng 215 mambabatas. Ayon sa Kamara, ito lamang ang may bisa dahil ang naunang tatlong reklamo ay hindi umabot sa House Committee on Justice, kaya walang paglabag sa one-year bar rule na iginiit ng SC.

Napag alaman na sa 15 mahistrado ng Korte Suprema, 12 ang appointees ng dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Ayon pa kay Romualdez, sa mga nakaraang impeachment, ang paglilitis ay eksklusibong ginaganap sa Senado at walang hurisdiksyon dito ang SC. Aniya, ang bagong panuntunang ipinatupad ng Korte Suprema ay “sobrang unfair.”

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