Nearly half of planned US data center projects are being delayed or canceled, as the AI infrastructure boom collides with critical shortages of power infrastructure and Chinese-sourced electrical components, Bloomberg reported. The report pointed out that before 2020, delivery took 24 to 30 months, but now it can take up to five years, citing data from Sightline Climate. That’s a problem for AI data centers, since their deployment cycles are under 18 months. The report also pointed out that even with trade tensions, the US still relies heavily on imports. Shortages of power delivery gear, including transformers, switchgear and batteries, are now slowing project timelines.

Bus-jeepney-tricycle: New normalWe’ve been talking about it for the longest time but never got around to doing it. I refer to taking the aircon bus from SM Mega Mall in Quezon City to SM Mall in Lipa City. Last Sunday, I had to travel from Lipa City back to Pasig City to attend the wedding of one of our discipleship group members. There are ALPS conductors waiting in front of each bus who also assist passengers with their bags. ObservationsIf, God forbid, we go into fuel rationing, buses and jeepneys will be our New Normal, especially for provincial trips.

The winners and losers of the Iran warIf the Iran war were to end today, who would be the winners and losers? In this Iran war, every major actor has emerged with a mix of gains and setbacks, some more pronounced than others. And to the chagrin of the GCC, the war has shattered the long-held belief that the presence of US military bases guarantees security. And for the Zionist, this war brings them one step closer toward consolidating what they view as their promised land. For Moscow, the Iran war is not just a distraction – it is heaven sent.

MRT, LRT-2 offer free rides tomorrowCommuters avail of free rides at the MRT-3 on July 21, 2025 as the southwest monsoon stirs up rain across the country. MANILA, Philippines — In observance of Day of Valor, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) will be offering free rides tomorrow. In an advisory yesterday, the MRT management said the free rides are available from 7 to 9 a.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m.Filipino veterans can get free MRT rides until April 11 as part of Philippine Veterans Week celebration. Each veteran may bring one companion for the free ride. The LRT-2 management said commuters may avail themselves of free rides from 7 to 9 a.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m.

Free rides in Metro Manila begin April 15Commuters in Ermita, Manila lined up along Agoncillo Street on April 6, 2026MANILA, Philippines — Commuters in Metro Manila can expect free rides as the service contracting program for public utility vehicles (PUVs) will begin on April 15. Modern and traditional jeepneys passing through railways and major transport hubs and EDSA Carousel buses are covered by the program. Selected routes maximize the impact of limited funding, support high-ridership corridors and ensure service continuity in major urban areas outside Metro Manila, Mendoza said. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has raised to P4,000 the daily pay of PUVs participating in the city’s free fare program, which will be implemented until today. DA fuel subsidyMeanwhile, farmers and fisherfolk will start to receive fuel subsidy this month.

House tackles Middle East crisis solutions todayMANILA, Philippines — Solutions to lessen the impact of the Middle East war will be discussed today at a “high-level joint hearing” spearheaded by the House ways and means panel. The 13 panels are tasked with crafting a unified legislative response to the global fuel shock triggered by the escalating Middle East conflict, following the joint US-Israel missile attacks against oil-rich Iran. Also invited were Energy Regulatory Commission chairman Francis Saturnino Juan, National Electrification Administration administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda, Philippine National Oil Co. representative Ma. Fuel taxesMeanwhile, Gabriela party-list Rep. Sarah Elago yesterday pushed back against Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s opposition to the removal of fuel taxes. Meanwhile, Sen. JV Ejercito has urged state agencies not to sugarcoat their reports to the President to superficially improve the government’s response to the Middle East crisis.

Iran has freed a Japanese national held since January, Tokyo said Tuesday, with Kyodo News reporting however that the individual is not allowed to leave the Islamic republic. "The Japanese embassy in Iran has confirmed that a Japanese national who was detained by Iranian authorities on January 20 was released on April 6 local time," government spokesman Minoru Kihara said. "The ambassador in Iran directly met that person after release and confirmed they were in good health," Kihara told reporters. Another NHK staff member -- whose identity CPJ said it was withholding for safety reasons -- fled Iran in early February after being summoned several times, CPJ said. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi spoke by phone with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi late Monday Japanese time, Tokyo said.

Oil crisis pushes Philippine inflation to 4.1%, transport costs surgeSigns reading 'out of stock' are displayed at a gas station amid rising petrol prices in Manila on March 9, 2026. The inflation rate in March 2025 was at 1.8%. The latest inflation rate surpasses the government’s target range, which is 2% to 4%. Transport inflation surged from -0.3% in February 2026 to 9.9% in March 2026. There was an uptick in most industries, while a few were able to retain their inflation rate, according to the PSA.

Philippines tops outsourcing index, beating IndiaThe report points to the country’s shift toward higher-value outsourcing roles beyond traditional voice services. 1 globally as an outsourcing destination in a global index, edging out traditional leader India on the strength of cost competitiveness, English proficiency and workforce capability. On the latest Ataraxis Global Outsourcing Talent Index, the Philippines earned a score of 90.65, ahead of Malaysia and India, which rank second and third, respectively. The report cited the Philippines’ “strong balance of cost, English, and talent” as the key drivers behind its top ranking. The index ranked the following countries as the top 10 outsourcing hubs:Philippines Malaysia India Chile South Africa Nigeria Peru Indonesia Argentina RomaniaEdge in English, infrastructureThe Philippines outperformed India in English proficiency, scoring 90 versus India’s 60, according to the index breakdown.

House panel subpoenas VP Sara's self-proclaimed bagman for April 14 hearingMANILA, Philippines — The House justice committee has summoned Ramil Madriaga — the detained man who claims he personally delivered bags of cash on Vice President Sara Duterte's orders — to testify under oath on April 14 in her impeachment proceedings. The subpoena issued Monday, April 6, orders Madriaga to appear at 10 a.m. on April 14 at the House of Representatives and produce his Nov. 29, 2025, affidavit along with any other evidence in his possession. Madriaga has also alleged that Duterte's 2022 vice presidential campaign was financed by drug dealers and operators of Philippine offshore gaming operations. She has filed a perjury complaint against Madriaga and said she has no personal or professional relationship with him. Two of the original four impeachment complaints against the vice president remain active.

A viral photo showing a passenger carrying a giant metal gas canister onto an MTR train has sparked widespread shock online, with many questioning why other passengers seemingly ignored the potential danger. ADVERTISEMENT SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENTThe photograph captures a female passenger with a large, pink-colored cylinder, believed to be a compressed gas tank, placed on the floor in front of her seat. Many also expressed shock and anger, questioning the safety of carrying such an item and criticizing the passenger's disregard for the public. The MTR Corporation reiterated that it strictly prohibits any person from carrying dangerous or flammable goods, including liquefied petroleum gas and compressed gases, into the MTR system. "If passengers witness such a situation, they should immediately notify MTR staff for appropriate follow-up," the spokesperson said.

World Bank OKs $600 million loan towards Philippines learning upgradeIn a statement yesterday, the multilateral lender said that its board of executive directors approved the loan for the Project for Learning Upgrade Support and Decentralization. MANILA, Philippines — The World Bank has approved a loan amounting to $600 million to support a project that will help address the learning crisis in the Philippines. In a statement yesterday, the multilateral lender said that its board of executive directors approved the loan for the Project for Learning Upgrade Support and Decentralization. It will support the DepEd’s learning acceleration and recovery program, while improving how learning is measured. “For the Philippines, sustaining growth and creating more jobs will depend on strong human capital – a workforce with solid foundational skills in literacy and numeracy,” Zafer Mustafaoglu, World Bank division director for the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei, said.

Twin KO: 4 teams fight for 2 ticketsThe Cool Smashers, for their part, seek a return trip to the Last Four after failing for the first time in franchise history in the Reinforced Conference last year. They battle the Chargers, who aim for a third semis stint, at 6:30 p.m.MANILA, Philippines — Four teams fight it out for the last two tickets to the PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals as Farm Fresh clashes with Nxled and Creamline collides with Akari in a pair of knockout matches today at the Filoil Arena. The Cool Smashers, for their part, seek a return trip to the Last Four after failing for the first time in franchise history in the Reinforced Conference last year. They battle the Chargers, who aim for a third semis stint, at 6:30 p.m.“To be honest, I am playing a team with a lot of very good attitude and amazing results,” said Nxled coach Ettore Guidetti. Akari faces Creamline, the league’s most titled club with 10, brimming with confidence following a four-set victory in their classification phase meeting on March 12.

The four astronauts of NASA's Artemis II mission reached the furthest point that any human has been from Earth on Monday, cruising along a path in the Moon's gravitational sphere of influence that will soon take them over the shadowed, lunar far side. ADVERTISEMENT SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENTThe Artemis II crew, flying in their Orion capsule since launching from Florida last week, awoke around 10:50 a.m. ET for their sixth flight day to a recorded message from late Apollo 8 and 13 astronaut Jim Lovell. "It's a historic day, and I know how busy you'll be, but don't forget to enjoy the view... good luck and godspeed." The milestone is a climactic point in the nearly 10-day Artemis II mission, the first crewed test flight of NASA's Artemis program.

The Hospital Authority confirmed on Monday that ViuTV's talent show "King Maker III" contestant Jensen So is no longer employed after allegedly posting a patient resuscitation photo online last month. ADVERTISEMENT SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENTThe viral image, which appeared on So's Instagram Stories in late March, showed a resuscitation bay inside Yan Chai Hospital with multiple medical staff gathered around. The post was quickly deleted after sparking outrage online over potential patient privacy violations, and So's Instagram account was switched from public to private. In response, the Hospital Authority stressed its commitment to patient privacy on March 21, stating all staff must strictly comply with relevant regulations. The Kowloon West Cluster of the Hospital Authority confirmed today that So is "no longer an employee," but declined to comment on whether he resigned or was dismissed.