Today on Rappler – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:

• Health expert urges gov’t: Slow down on easing pandemic restrictions

A health expert urges the Marcos administration to “slow down a bit” on easing pandemic restrictions in the Philippines.

• Persons named by middleman in Percy Lapid case under custody – DOJ

Justice secretary Boying Remulla says the three individuals named by the alleged middleman in the killing of radio broadcaster Percy Lapid are now in the custody of the Department of Justice.

• Vergeire admits DOH chief post not offered to her

Health department officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire says President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not offer her the post of health secretary.

• Marcos leads P23-B Davao-Samal bridge project groundbreaking amid protests

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the groundbreaking ceremony for a P23.4-billion bridge project amid protests it would hurt the environment.

• Silence, apathy become a ‘force of evil’ in information war

Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa says silence or apathy becomes a force of evil in the information war.

• Thai transgender businesswoman buys Miss Universe pageant for $20 million

A Thai celebrity media tycoon and transgender rights advocate buys the Miss Universe Organization for $20 million. 

• Finally! Rihanna to debut new music with track for ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

Rihanna is making her highly-anticipated music comeback with a song for the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. — Rappler.com