NEW DELHI, India — Google said Tuesday it was assisting Indian authorities probing the deaths of three men who reportedly drove off an incomplete bridge while following a route on Google Maps. The group was on their way to a wedding in northern India's Uttar Pradesh state when their car plunged into the Ramganga river from the unfinished bridge early Sunday. The driver followed Google Maps into taking the route, the Hindustan Times newspaper said Tuesday, quoting police officials. We're working closely with the authorities and providing our support to investigate the issue," a Google spokesperson told AFP in an emailed statement. The accident comes a year after two doctors were killed in the southern state of Kerala when their car plunged into the state's Periyar river after they followed the app.
Going bonkersSearching Google AI for what ‘going bonkers’ means: a person suddenly starts acting strange, wild, bizarre…to lose one’s sanity…completely crazy and silly. Every definition describes the behavior of VP Sara last week. The NBI says they are sending VP Sara a subpoena. At no time in our history did we ever have a top official acting as bizarre and as crazy as VP Sara had been in recent weeks. There is nothing that China would love more than to have China-loving VP Sara succeed BBM.
India-China rivalryIndia and China are in fierce competition to become the second global superpower. These ports constitute a “string of pearls” meant to choke India’s access to the world. The Doklam Plateau is strategic since it is located in the tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan. It was granted military access to the Sabang Port in Indonesia, which is within striking distance to the Malacca strait. Still, we will be foolhardy to underestimate China’s military might.
DA targets $2 billion foreign funding for infrastructure projectsAgriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa said the department is inching closer to securing its single largest foreign-assisted project from the World Bank valued at $1 billion. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking at securing at least $2 billion (about P118 billion) in foreign financing next year, including its single largest project loan, to bankroll its various infrastructure programs and projects aimed at improving domestic productivity and enhancing farmers’ welfare. “These funds would be used for the priority projects of the President and the (Agriculture) Secretary, which are mostly for agriculture infrastructure projects,” De Mesa said in a press briefing yesterday. The loan facility has been approved by the National Economic and Development Authority Investment Coordination Committee, for review by the NEDA Board chaired by President Marcos. The ADB would also provide a $140-million grant for the preparation of the DA’s various infrastructure projects that involve ports, wide-scale irrigation projects and aquaculture projects, De Mesa said.
Bargain hunting fuels stock market reboundThe Philippine Stock Exchange is located at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Metro Manila. MANILA, Philippines — Stocks regained ground yesterday as bargain hunting helped the local bourse recover from two straight days of losses last week. The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) climbed by 1.03 percent or 69.87 points to close at 6,850.00. The broader All Shares index likewise finished in the positive territory, rising by 0.62 percent or 23.53 points higher to 3,811.74. Market breadth stayed positive, with advancers edging out decliners, 94 against 91, while 64 issues were unchanged.
Filipino designer behind 'Wicked's' iconic hatsMANILA, Philippines — Filipino Harvy Santos, Senior Milliner for the Hollywood blockbuster "Wicked," came a long way and found his own yellow brick road to the Land of Oz, now working on the film’s most iconic costume pieces. “I originally came from the Philippines,” Harvy, who’s now based in the United Kingdom, shared in a statement. “My fascination for costume started when I was six." Working on "Wicked," Santos found the process of creating hats that become symbols of empowerment and strength enjoyable. "Wicked," which also stars Ariana Grande, is now showing in Philippine cinemas.
Fame, fortune and the Filipino writerCreative writers don’t earn much in this country, unless they lend their talents to someone else, for far less literary reasons than writing a novel or a collection of poems. At 70, I’m still working on three or four simultaneous book projects for clients, with my own third novel in the back burner. Last Friday, at the PICC, many of the country’s best writers got together to bask in that shared glory. New winners outnumbered previous ones 31 to 23, a good sign of new talent emerging – and not just new but young. Not everyone who writes for a living can win a Palanca, but not everyone who wins a Palanca can make a living out of writing, either.
PAL likely to end 2024 with lower earningsMANILA, Philippines — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is expected to finish 2024 with lower profit following last year’s record financial performance. “Definitely it will be lower than last year,” PAL president and chief operating officer Stanley Ng said when asked if the company would be able to end the year with a higher profit. In 2023, PAL registered a net income of P21 billion, the highest in its history, excluding any one-off restructuring benefits. From January to September, however, PAL has generated a net income of P8 billion, with third quarter earnings amounting to P812 million. PAL was able to carry 11.7 million passengers during the first three quarters, up six percent year-on-year, generating P134 billion in revenues.
00:30 We are making visible the fight against violence against women. 00:46 The first reason, I think, is that having a woman president of the republic,00:52 that woman is completely functional to the patriarchy, totally functional to the patriarchy. 00:57 She doesn't care about gender violence, she doesn't care about other issues related to women. 01:15 Until July of this year, more than 5,000 reports of disappearance of women of all ages have been presented,01:22 from girls, teenagers, women and older adults. 01:24 With this, we are seeing that only half of the disappeared have been found.
MANILA, Philippines — The International School Manila (ISM) in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig has opened the applications for its Scholarship Program for school year 2025 to 2026. According to ISM, its scholars program covers essential fees including tuition, matriculation and more — extending for five years starting 8th grade. “Since 1960, the ISM Filipino Scholars Program has been a catalyst for change, empowering over 200 scholars and their families to reach academic and professional goals, both locally and internationally,” the school said. The deadline for submission of applications for interested students is January 6 next year. ISM said parents and candidates may visit their website or contact these numbers for more information: 8840-8555 / 8840-8550 / 8840-8553
MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has issued writs of Amparo and habeas data in favor of missing activists Gene Roz Jamil “Bazoo” de Jesus and Dexter Capuyan, who were reportedly abducted by men who identified themselves as police on April 28 last year. The resolution dated September 9 also granted the Temporary Protection Order (TPO) to the families of De Jesus and Capuyan. This protection is a critical measure to prevent further harm or intimidation,” they added. Article continues after this advertisementThey also said that the case would be raffled at the Court of Appeals. “The families eagerly await their chance to testify in court at the coming hearings,” Capuyan and De Jesus’ camp said.
00:56 Vice President Duterte finally leaves house, gets slammed for alarming acts of defiance. 01:17 The Vice President shared that Lopez vomited and subsequently collapsed, which was why01:21 she was brought to the hospital. 02:11 Marcos to visit United Arab Emirates on November 2602:16 President Marcos is set to embark on a one-day working visit to the United Arab Emirates02:20 on Tuesday, November 26. 04:47 BTS member Jimin bagged the grand prize, or daesang, at the 2024 MAMA Awards held on November04:53 22nd in Osaka, Japan. 04:56 The 2024 MAMA Awards ceremonies were held in the U.S. on November 21st, and the first05:02 day in Japan on November 22nd.
04:06 Please be advised that all permanent hospital safety guidelines should be followed...04:10 ...as well as hospital policies on visitation practices. 04:35 Ma'am, you're going to ride in VP's car. 04:42 Ma'am, you're going to ride in VP's car. 05:18 Ma'am, you're going to ride in VP's car. 05:30 Ma'am, you're going to ride in VP's car.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) urged the public on Saturday, Nov. 23, to remain calm after Vice President Sara Duterte appeared to have threatened the life of the military's Commander-in-Chief, President Marcos Jr.READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/11/23/afp-calls-for-calm-as-vp-sara-threatens-life-of-commander-in-chief-1Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletinVisit our website at http://mb.com.phFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletinTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletinInstagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletinTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin#ManilaBulletinOnline#ManilaBulletin#LatestNewsTranscript Display full video transcript 00:30 .
"Do my actions serve our people and benefit the country that we all love?" This was the standard put up by Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero as he urged Vice President Sara Duterte to review and assess her recent actions and words in order to determine whether or not she has done well. READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/11/23/escudero-tells-vp-duterte-to-reviewSubscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletinVisit our website at http://mb.com.phFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletinTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletinInstagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletinTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin#ManilaBulletinOnline#ManilaBulletin#LatestNewsTranscript Display full video transcript 00:30 ♪ 00:40 ♪ 01:00 ♪ 01:10 ♪