July 26, 2012 Edition

Michelle Fernandez

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

  1. Sandiganbayan hears GMA plunder case

    TEMPORARY RELEASE? Arroyo waves at supporters upon arriving home in Katipunan, Quezon City. AFP Photo

    The Sandiganbayan holds its first hearing on the plunder case against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a day after she was released on bail in a separate poll fraud case. The anti-graft court believes Arroyo should not have been freed because of the plunder case involving alleged misuse of P366-M in Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds. Court officials admitted though they had reservations about blocking her release because the Sandiganbayan has yet to issue an arrest warrant.

    Read more on Rappler


  2. Chinese fleet reaches PH island in Spratlys

    A fleet of Chinese fishing boats reached Pag-asa Island Tuesday, said Kalayaan Mayor Eugenio Bitoonon. The Philippines is claiming Pag-asa as part of its territories in the Spratly Group of Islands. A Rappler military source said the 20 fishing boats are escorted by Chinese frigates. Bitoonon believes the boats will not stay and are just there to gather coral. Both countries have been in a prolonged standoff over the disputed territories both in the Spratlys and Scarborough Shoal.

    Read more on Rappler


  3. Two Syrian diplomats defect as fighting worsens

    The US confirmed the defection of two more senior Syrian diplomats from the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Syria’s representatives in the United Arab Emirates and Cyprus, husband and wife, fled to Qatar. The defections came as clashes intensify in the key city of Aleppo, where troops are trying to stop a rebel advance. UN Secretary General Bank Ki-moon urged the world to “act now to stop the slaughter” but Security Council members remain divided. China and Russia remain steadfast in their stand against imposing more sanctions on Syria. 

    Read more on the BBC


  4. House vote to determine fate of RH bill

    The House of Representatives will hold a vote on August 7 that will determine the fate of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill, which mandates government support for the distribution of birth control methods, among others. A vote to continue the yearlong RH debates kills time for it to be passed in the 15th Congress. Voting to end the debates ushers in the bill to the period of amendments. If lawmakers stop the debate, the schedule will still be tight for RH supporters to amend the measure. President Benigno Aquino III dropped hints in his State of the Nation Address that he will be pushing for the bill’s approval. The Catholic Church vowed to continue opposing it.

    Read more on Rappler


  5. Purisima limits messaging in DOF

    Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima issues a memorandum barring department officials from speaking to the media on issues outside their assigned tasks. Purisima said the advisory was meant to ensure that “policy pronouncements are clearly communicated.” The order comes on the heels of a media statement from Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran on the possible economic contribution of infrastructure projects under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme. Beltran used to head the group overseeing PPP.

    Read more on Rappler


  6. Giant tech firms form lobby group

    Big technology firms including Google, Facebook, eBay and Amazon have joined to create a new lobby group aimed at promoting “an open, innovative and free Internet.” The Internet Association announced its formation in a statement on its website, indicating it will be headed by Michael Beckerman, a former congressional staffer. Officially launched in September, the group did not name its member companies but sources said that Google, Facebook, eBay and Amazon are among them. It aims to be a “permanent association” advocating on behalf of Internet users.

    Read the full story on Rappler


  7. Kim Jong-un marries

    North Korean state media confirmed that its new leader Kim Jong-un is married. Kim’s wife is named Ri Sol-Ju, who also appears to be in her 20s. The couple took part in a ceremony marking the completion of a Pyongyang amusement park. South Korean officials said Ri was the woman photographed several times at Kim’s side in past weeks.  Little is known about the private life of Kim who took over the hermit state when his father Kim Jong-il died last year.

    Read more on Rappler


  8. Colorado suspect sent notebook to psychiatrist

    James Holmes, the suspect in the movie massacre in Colorado, reportedly sent to a psychiatrist a notebook with details of the July 20 attack. Quoting law enforcement officials, Fox News reported that the notebook had “drawings and illustrations of the massacre” and “gun-wielding stick figures blowing away other stick figures.” The notebook was supposedly sent a week before the shootings to a University of Colorado psychiatrist. Police found the unopened notebook on campus on Monday.

    Read more on Fox News


  9. Greek athlete kicked out of Olympics for tweet

    Triple jumper Paraskevi Papachristou was expelled from Greece’s Olympic team for tweeting an offensive comment about African immigrants. She posted, “With so many Africans in Greece, the mosquitoes from the West Nile will at least be eating some homemade food.” The Hellenic Olympic Committee banned her from the games, saying the mistake was “unforgivable.”  She has apologized but her medal hopes are gone.

    Read more on CNN


  10. Kristen Stewart sorry for cheating on Rob Pattinson

    Actress Kristen Stewart issued a public apology for cheating on Robert Pattinson with her Snow White and the Huntsman director, Rupert Sanders. Stewart was caught making out with the 41-year-old Sanders, who is married. “This momentary indiscretion has jeopardized the most important thing in my life, the person I love and respect the most, Rob. I love him, I love him, I’m so sorry,” Stewart said. The real-life couple has been dating for 3 years after meeting on the set of the Twilight series.

    Read more on People


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