(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Friday, 02 June 2023) Southwest Monsoon affecting the country. ACTIVE TROPICAL CYCLONE AS OF 3:00 AM TODAY SEVERE TROPICAL STORM MAWAR {2302} (FORMERLY "BETTY") LOCATION: 945 KM NORTHEAST OF EXTREME NORTHERN LUZON (26.9°N, 128.3°E) MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 95 KM/H GUSTINESS: UP TO 145 KM/H MOVEMENT: NORTHEASTWARD AT 25 KM/H FOR. Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due Southwest Monsoon. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. Moderate to Strong winds coming from South to Southwest will prevail with Moderate to Rough seas (1.2 to 2.8 meters).


TOP STORIES – Wednesday, April 26, 2023

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online news monitoring)

26 April 2023, Wednesday, as of 5:00 p.m.

1. Sudan crisis:

-DFA: Filipino hit by stray bullet in Sudan, PHL officials figure in accident

-DFA says 300 more Filipinos move out of Sudan but are stuck in border

[DZBB, Daily Tribune, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, News5, Rappler, CNN PHL, GMA News, ABS-CBN News]

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/26/23/filipino-hit-by-stray-bullet-in-sudan-ph-envoy-figures-in-accident

2. Balikatan exercises:

-Marcos witnesses 'Balikatan' 2023 drills, hopes PHL could benefit from enhanced cooperation with US

-AFP, US forces sink 'enemy ship' in Balikatan main event

[Daily Tribune, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, News5, Philstar, ABS-CBN News, GMA News, CNN PHL]

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/4/26/pnp-syndicates-990-kilos-shabu-haul.html

3. COVID-19 pandemic:

-DOH: First ‘Arcturus’ case in PH asymptomatic, already recovered

-DOH denies return of mandatory masks in Metro Manila

[Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, News5, Philstar, ABS-CBN News, GMA News, CNN PHL]

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/4/26/first-arcturus-case-asymptomatic-recovered.html

4. SIM registration:

-DICT: No more extension after addt’l 90-day SIM registration period expires

-NTC discourages telcos from using emergency alerts for SIM registration

[DZBB, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Philstar, ABS-CBN News, CNN PHL, GMA News]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/868106/dict-no-more-extension-after-addt-l-90-day-extended-sim-registration-period-expires/story/

5. Internet speeds in PH improve in March 2023 — Ookla

[CNN PHL, GMA News, Daily Tribune, Inquirer]

https://technology.inquirer.net/123549/internet-speeds-in-ph-improve-in-march-2023-ookla

6. Marcos commits to deeper ties with Ecuador

[Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, Daily Tribune]

https://tribune.net.ph/2023/04/26/pbbm-commits-to-deeper-ties-with-ecuador/

7. Cynthia Villar may file charges over viral video of incident with subdivision guards [ABS-CBN News, CNN PHL, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, News5, Rappler, Philstar]

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/04/26/2261805/cynthia-villar-may-file-charges-over-viral-video-incident-subdivision-guards

8. 990-kilo shabu haul controversy:

-Former anti-drug chief: Syndicates behind 990-kilo shabu haul ‘succeeded’ in incriminating cops

-Solons slam PNP official's claim that Mayo could escape charges due to House probe

[CNN PHL, Philstar, Manila Bulletin]

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/26/solons-slam-pnp-official-s-claim-that-mayo-could-escape-charges-due-to-house-probe

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/4/26/pnp-syndicates-990-kilos-shabu-haul.html

9. Fire hits informal settlers’ compound in Cavite City [Rappler, ABS-CBN News, GMA News]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/868131/fire-hits-informal-settlers-compound-in-cavite-city/story/

10. World War II vintage bomb found at a construction site in UST [ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Manila Bulletin]

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/26/world-war-ii-vintage-bomb-recovered-at-a-construction-site-in-ust

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit