Monday, April 4, 2016

Let's Do The News! (April 4, 2016)


- Davao city mayor and presidential aspirant Rodrigo Duterte received a reply from Pope Francis to the letter of apology for cursing at the pope last year. According to his assistant, a photo of the Pope's reply to Duterte was posted even if Duterte earlier said he will not release a copy of the Vatican letter until the end of next month's elections.

- The Olongapo court reduced the sentence on US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton for the murder of transgender Jennifer Laude. The court reduced his sentence to a maximum of ten years according to reports, cited "passion" and "intoxication" as mitigating circumstances for the decision.

- The annual Balikatan exercises kicks off today with the Philippines' new military assets will be put to test such as the landing craft heavy ships sourced from Australia for 726 million pesos. The first two ships arrived last August while the three remaining arrived last month. Two of the five ships will be used in this exercies.

- Foreign journalists are now allowed to visit relevant islands and reefs in the disputed South China Sea, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry official. Despite reports of rising tensions in the disputed sea, the Chinese Foreign Ministry assured that the situation in the region is stable as China is resolute on safeguarding its rights and sovereignty over the disputed waters.

- Greece starts deporting migrants to Turkey under the deal between them and the European Union to help curb mass migration into Europe. Buses carrying migrants arrived at a port on the Greek island of Lesbos Monday morning. They boarded two ship under heavy police guard and later left for Turkey.

- The Brussels Airport has been partially reopened with tightened security 12 days after the attack. The operator says three Brussels Airlines flights to Greece, Portugal, and Turkey took off on Sunday, the first day of the resumed service. On the 22nd of March, two suicide bombers detonated explosives at an airport and a subway on the Belgian capital, killing 32 people and injured 340.

- The French capital of Paris held an annual marathon under heightened security, following last November's terror attacks. Around 46,000 runners from about 140 countries took part in the 40th Paris Marathon on Sunday and ran a route that crosses the city east to west, passing scenic spots such as the River Seine, the Louvre Museum, and the Eiffel Tower.

- An indie film about a dystopian Hong Kong has won the best picture award at this year's Hong Kong Film Awards, but the state-run Chinese television didn't broadcast the ceremony. The indie film "Ten Years" features what would Hong Kong be like if its under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party ten years later. It was shown at an only theater in Hong Kong last year but it became a major hit as people apparently felt the movie is close to the reality of life in Hong Kong. Complimentary showings were held at over 30 locations, including public facities across the city, on Friday.

- Three year-old Caitlin Soleil Lucas or Courageous Caitie died on the 31st of March, 2016, due to a rare type of blood cancer and her memorial service held at the Arlington Memorial Church yesterday for the young one is a big one because it's wedding-themed...and Stormtroopers included in her funeral. Three-year old Caitie inspired millions of netizens because of her courage and cheery disposition despite battling her rare disease.

- In case you missed the recent Eat Bulaga kalyeserye; Lola Tinidora's settling the yayas once and for all in a game of arm-wrestling and whoever wins will be named as their new yaya. Yaya In, Yaya Glo, and Yaya Git lost the game but the winner of the game of arm wrestling with Lola Tinidora is the hard-hitting Yaya Pak! So, what will be Yaya Pak's first duty in the mansion? Tune in next time and find out!

TTFN!!!

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