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44°C heat index hits Tuguegarao City

STUDENTS were sent home after classes were suspended in Marikina City following reports that Metro Manila could experience a “danger level” heat index of up to 46°C. — PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

BAGUIO CITY — A 44°C heat index was monitored in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan on Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) Northern Luzon Regional Services Division reported.

The same heat index was felt earlier on Tuesday.

Aparri, also in Cagayan, Dagupan City in Pangasinan, and the rest of North Luzon are also experiencing such heat.

PAGASA added that Easterlies coming from the Pacific Ocean are also affecting Cagayan province and nearby provinces bringing scorching hot weather.

No rainfall is expected in Cagayan, except for localized thunderstorms that may bring rain showers.

The public was strongly urged to drink water regularly and avoid long exposure to the sun, especially from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

PAGASA explained that the heat index is under the dangerous category as it may cause people to suffer from heat stroke. — Artemio A. Dumlao

AFP-SOLCOM gets 100-hectare land in Quezon

Entrepreneur Merian Reyes (left) and AFP-SOLCOM Commander Lt. Gen. Facundo Palafox IV

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines in Southern Luzon Command (AFP-SOLCOM) expanded its operations in Southern Luzon after a 100-hectare land grant in San Narciso, Quezon, which the Army sees as a “major boost” to its regional operations.

The property was donated by the province’s Reyes clan, led by Starhorse Shipping Lines Inc. General Manager Merian H. Reyes, the AFP-SOLCOM said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The donated property is expected to significantly enhance the AFP’s regional capacity for operational readiness, territorial defense and humanitarian response,” the AFP-SOLCOM said.

The land asset was officially handed over in a Deed of Transfer ceremony between AFP-SOLCOM, led by Commander Facundo O. Palafox IV, and Ms. Reyes. — CAT

CA justice charged over alleged links to Cebu lawyer murder

PHOTO BY MIKE GONZALEZ

BAGUIO CITY — The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday said that it has charged a former associate justice for the Court of Appeals (CA) with gross misconduct due to his involvement in the murder of a Cebu lawyer.

The SC formally charged a retired associate justice with gross misconduct for his alleged involvement in the murder of Joey Luis B. Wee, SC spokesperson Camille Sue Mae L. Ting said in a news briefing in Baguio City.

She added that the SC has directed the justice to file a response within a non-extendable period of 10 days from receipt.

“It’s an admin case, he’s still a member of the bar, so the ultimate penalty will be disbarment,” Ms. Ting said.

She added that among other penalties, he may not be able to receive his pension anymore if found guilty.

Ms. Ting said that the case was endorsed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to the Cebu City Prosecution Office and the Office of the Prosecutor General.

Mr. Wee was shot and killed on Nov. 23, 2020, in Cebu City at the ground floor where his law office is located. — Adrian H. Halili

More community participation in greening program pushed

NAPOCOR.GOV.PH

A LAWMAKER on Wednesday called for empowering local communities near so-called critical forest ecosystems to support the government’s reforestation efforts.

In a statement, Rizal Rep. Juan Fidel Felipe F. Nograles said the Environment department lacks sufficient manpower to reforest stripped forests across the country, such as those in Rizal and Bataan provinces.

“If we are to ensure that the government’s reforestation program succeeds, we should empower our communities so they can be stewards who will help take care of the forest and environment,” he said in mixed English and Filipino. “As it is, we are already facing manpower challenges. Just in terms of the number of foresters and forest rangers alone, we are severely lacking.”

The Environment department in late March launched a reforestation initiative targeting the planting of five million trees by 2028, focusing on key provinces such as Ilocos Norte, Rizal, Leyte, Bataan, Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte.

In 2021, there were only 14,000 registered foresters in the Philippines, each overseeing an average of 514 hectares across about 7.2 million hectares of forested land, Mr. Nograles said, citing data from the Society of Philippines Foresters.

“We have to think about the program’s continuity,” he said. “What happens after the government and private sector partners have planted the seedlings?”

“We still have to ensure that these will survive and grow into actual trees, and only then can we call the program a real success,” he added. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

PHL shares extend climb as sentiment improves

REUTERS

PHILIPPINE SHARES continued to climb on Wednesday, backed by Wall Street’s rebound overnight on easing trade war concerns and after US President Donald J. Trump said he does not plan to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) rose by 0.37% or 22.89 points to close at 6,168.48, while the broader all shares index increased by 0.18% or 6.64 points to 3,658.78.

“Gains for the day are attributed to the positive cues from Wall Street, the peso’s improving position, and appreciation of corporate fundamentals,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Senior Research Analyst Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco said in a Viber message. “It is noticed however that the market still moved sideways within the day, at times visiting the negative territory, as investors remain concerned with the global economy amid the United States tariff poli-cies.”

“Philippine shares booked minor gains as investors brushed off US-China trade tensions, tracking the US market’s movement with a sharp rebound. For the US market, it was yet another rebound… as optimism grew in the market for a US-China trade war de-escalation,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a Viber message.

US stocks rebounded on Tuesday as a spate of quarterly earnings reports and hints at the de-escalation of US-China trade tensions brought buyers in from the sidelines, Reuters reported.

US stocks jumped further in extended trade after Mr. Trump said he has no plans to fire Mr. Powell, stepping back from his recent rhetoric against the central bank chief.

Mr. Trump also told reporters he would be very nice in negotiations with China, and that tariffs on imports from the country would fall significantly following a deal, but not to zero.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1,016.57 points or 2.66% to 39,186.98; the S&P 500 gained 129.56 points or 2.51% to 5,287.76; and the Nasdaq Composite gained 429.52 points or 2.71% to 16,300.42.

Back home, sectoral indices closed mixed on Wednesday. Services surged by 2.89% or 55.40 points to 1,972.45; property climbed by 0.82% or 18.13 points to 2,229.68; and holding firms increased by 0.28% or 14.38 points to 5,096.01.

Meanwhile, mining and oil slumped by 2.55% or 258.17 points to 9,867.41; financials dropped by 0.77% or 18.68 points to 2,402.29, and industrials retreated by 0.71% or 61.89 points to 8,646.28.

“Puregold Price Club, Inc. was the top index gainer, climbing 4.17% to P31.25. ACEN Corp. was the worst index performer, plunging 7.86% to P2.58,” Mr. Tantiangco said.

Value turnover increased to P8.17 billion on Wednesday with 650.38 million issues traded from the P4.84 billion with 593.06 million shares exchanged on Tuesday.

Decliners narrowly beat advancers, 97 versus 92, while 56 names were unchanged.

Net foreign selling climbed to P153.42 million on Wednesday from P38.76 million on Tuesday. — R.M.D. Ochave with Reuters

The best way to detect encephalitis

“Encephalitis is a neurological condition that presents with symptoms similar to many other illnesses. It is often misdiagnosed as conditions like meningitis or depression because patients have symptoms such as fever and changes in mental status.

Dr. Ferron F. Ocampo, a neurologist, talks about the most accurate test for its detection.

Interview by Patricia Mirasol

Video editing by Jayson Mariñas 

President Marcos appoints 2 Mindanaoans as new Court of Appeals Justices

Hon. Edilwasif Tapsiril Baddiri

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has appointed Hon. Edilwasif Tapsiril Baddiri and Hon. Jeoffre Willkom Acebido as Associate Justices of the Court of Appeals (CA), bolstering the appellate court with experienced jurists from Mindanao.

The appointment papers, dated Feb. 24, 2025, fill the vacancies left by retired Associate Justices Edwin D. Sorongon and Victoria Isabel A. Paredes.

Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo administered the oaths of office in separate ceremonies at the Supreme Court in Manila: Justice Baddiri on April 11, 2025, at the Session Hall, and Justice Acebido on April 14, 2025, at the Dignitaries’ Lounge.

Justice Baddiri is a full-blooded Tausug from the Municipality of Indanan, Sulu Province. He brings extensive public service and judicial experience to the CA. He served as Presiding Judge and Executive Judge of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Pasay City, and as Commissioner of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) from 2010 to 2015.

A member of the Philippine Bar and an alumnus of Ateneo de Manila University Law School, Justice Baddiri also holds a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University. He currently serves as Interim President of the Philippine Muslim Judges Association, advocating for inclusivity and judicial excellence. He is the fifth Tausug to serve as a Justice of the Court of Appeals.

Hon. Jeoffre Willkom Acebido

Justice Acebido, formerly Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 41 in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, has over 16 years of judicial service. He received the Chief Justice Cayetano Arellano Award for Judicial Excellence and has a background in prosecution, public defense, and human rights advocacy as a senior legal officer at the Commission on Human Rights.

The Court of Appeals, the nation’s second-highest judicial tribunal, plays a crucial role in reviewing decisions from lower courts and quasi-judicial bodies. The appointments of Justices Baddiri and Acebido are expected to strengthen the CA with their diverse experience, regional representation, and commitment to judicial reform.

 

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Philippine banks mull ‘defense bonds’ to fund military upgrades

PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

Philippine lenders are prepared to bankroll the Southeast Asian nation’s military modernization bid including the purchase of missile systems, fighter jets and submarines, executives said, as Manila bolsters its defense posture amid maritime clashes with China.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has said he wants to tap the capital markets to acquire assets for the military given the government’s limited budget. While the Philippines expects a sustained $500 million in annual defense funding from Washington through 2029 to boost its military capabilities, the longtime US ally wants to widen its funding sources.

One way to do that is for a state agency, like the defense department, to issue a bond backed by the national government, said Eduardo Francisco, head of the investment banking unit of top lender BDO Unibank Inc. “It will be a very bankable transaction if it is guaranteed by the Republic of the Philippines. If they come up with defense bonds, people will buy.”

A bond deal of between P200 billion and P300 billion ($3.5 billion to $5.3 billion) a year for the military’s upgrade is doable, Mr. Francisco said.

The Philippines plans to spend up to P2 trillion over the next decade to modernize the country’s arsenal, as the military shifts its focus to territorial defense. Manila has announced plans to purchase its own medium-range capability missile systems and radars for deterrence as well as submarines, fighter jets and warships.

Buying the land-based Typhon missile system — which the US deployed to the Philippines during last year’s military drills — is among the options, Teodoro said in an interview earlier this month.

The ambitious upgrade comes as Manila aims to safeguard its claims in the South China Sea, where Beijing continues to assert its expansive claims that have been rejected by an international tribunal’s 2016 ruling. Philippine and Chinese boats have repeatedly clashed in contested waters in the past year.

Mr. Teodoro, a former board director at BDO, has discussed the plan with the nation’s bankers group and he’s awaiting clearance from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Finance Secretary Ralph Recto to facilitate a fundraising deal that may include foreign banks.

“We’ve told them let’s work closely together on any initiatives,” said Bankers Association of the Philippines President Jose Teodoro “TG” Limcaoco. “As long as it’s guaranteed by the republic, we have no problem.” — Bloomberg

Marriott Bonvoy ‘Luxuriant Expo’ brings world-class artistry to the Philippines

For its ninth year, Calgary International Fashion and Arts Week (CIFAW) will be held in Manila

On its fourth season, the Marriott Moments A-Fair is up for a major calibration. This year’s edition will introduce the concept of a “Luxuriant Expo,” which denotes luxe plus bountiful, that promises a one-of-a-kind exposition. From weddings to events, to fashion and arts, everything that’s wonderful about life will converge at one massive venue — the MGBX Exhibition Hall of Manila Marriott Hotel.

This year ushers a tripartite partnership with renowned brands in hospitality, weddings and special events, with the Marriot Bonvoy, the most reputable hospitality and lifestyle program in the world; Themes & Motifs, the leading bridal fair organizer in the Philippines since 2001; and the dynamic Spotlight Couronne Internationale (SCI) from Canada.

The milestone event, “Marriott Moments A-Fair Luxuriant Expo and the 9th Annual Calgary International Fashion and Arts Week (CIFAW),” is a gathering of the best weddings and events suppliers, and a showcase of the works of imported and exported world-class fashion designers and visual artists at the “inclusive venue” MGBX Exhibition Hall in the Marriott Grand Ballroom, the grandest hotel-based MICE facility in the country today, serving as their official home.

The A-Fair has gained traction as a showcase of the best in Filipino creativity. CIFAW, meanwhile, is a global celebration of fashion as well as a platform for networking, education and talks about trends, inclusivity and the future of the fashion industry. Both platforms for fashion aim to encourage and showcase creativity, innovation, and collaboration among designers, stylists, models, photographers, and journalists.

The 9th Calgary International Fashion and Arts Week will introduce a first — Philippine Fashion Weekend — and will be held at the Manila Marriott Hotel on July 26 and July 27, 2025. With the theme, “Home,” the ninth CIFAW aims to inspire every Filipino to take pride in their roots and in the place we call home — the Philippines.

“Manila, we are coming ‘home,’” declared CIFAW CEO/President Limuel Hayag Vilela and COO/Chief Creative Director Alvin Masangkay Francia. “Masarap bumalik sa tahanan na humubog sa’yo bilang tao at ibahagi ang tagumpay ng iyong pakikipagsapalaran at paglalakbay! We’re coming home!”

GOING “GLOCAL”

A unique celebration of “glocal” fashion and arts, global and local creative talents will congregate at the “Luxuriant Expo,” with the Manila Marriott Hotel serving as a world-class backdrop.

“Marriott International, a company that has the clear vision of bringing the world together by connecting people through the power of travel by providing a portfolio of the best global hospitality brands, by being in more places with 550 hotels in over 60 countries and territories, including the Philippines, around the globe, and by having in place a dependable lifestyle program, the Marriott Bonvoy. Over the past two years Marriott International has significantly grown its presence in the country, currently with 10 hotels bringing in six of its over 30 hospitality brands to the Philippine shores, namely, Marriott, Sheraton, The Westin, Courtyard, Four Points, Fairfield and soon AC Hotel and JW Marriott,” Area General Manager for the Philippines of Marriott International Bruce Winton wistfully says.

Area Director of Sales and Distribution for the Philippines of Marriott International Lala Quilantang underscores the hotel’s MICE-readiness:

“The Marriott Grand Ballroom remains to be the largest pillarless ballroom in the Philippines, while the MGBX Exhibition Hall fulfills its promise of providing the quadrants of one of the major segments of the tourism industry, the M-I-C-E (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) with our very own convention space. It is a 3,800-sq.m. exhibition space located at Level B1 of the Marriott Grand Ballroom. The X in MGBX connotes collaboration and partnership, and is an inclusive space which can unite individuals, groups and industries.”

“Luxuriant Expo” prides itself in being an inclusive event, being a hotel-based expo that is open to all other local and international hospitality brands. This is Marriott’s way of showing support to the thriving wedding and events, and hospitality industries, as the hotel continues to find opportunities to pave the way to more winning moments for everyone.

THE FEATURED DESIGNERS

SCI PH

SCI PH was founded by Filipino-Canadians Limuel Vilela, president and CEO, executive producer/designer/director and former model; and COO/chief creative director Alvin Masangkay Francia, an aviation expert and educator.

“We truly believe that dreams are meant to come true. They aren’t just far-off ideas, they’re the seeds of what’s possible when we have vision, take action, and never give up. For us, dreaming big isn’t just about imagining, it’s about creating a life where those dreams become our reality,” Vilela said.

Today, the duo not only produce CIFAW but also Calgary Kids Fashion Week, Edmonton Kids Fashion Week, and Winnipeg Kids Fashion Week. In 2023, their brand SCI PH (New York and Paris) participated in the “Fashion Forte” series of producer/designer Nardie Presa at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria.

JOHN ABLAZA

John Ablaza is a graduate of a horticulture degree at De La Salle Araneta University. He transitioned to interior decoration in 1982 when he landed a job in Taipei, Taiwan as a florist and decorator for Asiaworld Plaza Hotel, owned by Filipino Tycoon Tan Yu.

In 1987, the ever-artistic John flew back to the Philippines and launched his career in fashion designing. From the 1980s to the 1990s he presented shows in the Philippines and overseas. His creations have been featured in fashion publications such as Mod, Women’s, Woman’s Home Journal, Women Today, Miscellaneous Magazine and countless glossy international magazines.

In 1994, he once again worked out of the country as an in-house designer of Ahla Al Wasayef, a couture shop patronized by the royal families of Bahrain. In 2004, John started designing bags and accessories which he exported to France, Spain, Greece, Maldives, Aruba, Bahamas, Bermuda, and the United States.

He returned to the Philippines in 2010 after a five-year residency in Canada and United States. He authored Ramp Diva: Filipina, a 300-page coffee-table book chronicling the lives of top Filipina models over a period of five decades.

He recently launched his collection of miniature couture gowns, all handmade and mounted in a 23-inch mannequin, and called them Le Petite Couture. It was displayed in a curated exhibit at the Amar Estate in New York in May 2017 during his 30th Anniversary celebration in the fashion industry.

ODELON SIMPAO

Mentored by the internationally awarded designers Frederick Peralta and Jojie Lloren early in his career, Odelon Simpao has since carved a name for himself in the cutthroat world of local fashion, all the while winning championships as an accomplished crossfit athlete.

His inspirations come from a rich tapestry of experiences — travels, emotions, and surroundings all fueling his creativity. Having dressed celebrities such as Marian Rivera, Dennis Trillo, Tom Rodriguez, Jed Madela, and Mark Bautista, he is leaving his mark in the fashion industry.

KENNY LADAGA

A thriving fashion designer who has gained significant recognition and success in the fashion industry, Kenny Ladaga is known for his innovative designs, unique style, and ability to set trends. He is skilled in both creativity and business, understanding market demands while pushing boundaries with bold and artistic concepts.

He was the Moda Mindanao Grand 2012 grand winner and a Philippine Fashion Circle 2022 awardee. Kenny was a featured designer at Miss Universe 2016 Mindanao Tapestry show in Davao, Habi Mindanao fashion show in New York in 2017, Canadian Asian Fashion Week 2019 and CIFAW 2022.

AUREA VINLUAN

A dedicated woman in all aspects of life — business, love, family, and friendship, Aurea is determined to turn her dreams into reality through hard work and passion. In fashion, she strives to expand her knowledge by meeting new people, as she believes connections create opportunities. A fast learner with a growth mindset, she is committed to continuously developing her skills in the fashion industry every day.

Aurea has a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design and Marketing from the SOFA Design Institute, and was a dean’s lister and consistent honors student.

As the founder of Aurea Vinluan Designs, she has a passion for creating diverse clothing styles, including ready-to-wear, gowns, and suits. She is enthusiastic about connecting with people, sharing industry knowledge, and engaging in business discussions to foster growth and innovation.

MALIYAH ABENIR

Maliyah is a Filipino-Canadian fashion designer. She was born in the Philippines and migrated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada with her family when she was 10 years old. In 11th grade, Maliyah entered Ann Howell’s art class at Bishop McNally. Ann Howell became instrumental in laying out a path for Maliyah’s creativity, through seamstress lessons, donation of materials and even the culmination of her first runway show at school.

Her flagship brand, Averynthe, was first showcased at the Western Canada Fashion Week in 2013. It was featured in Italian and UK Vogue for the first time in 2016. Despite the success of her brand’s first three years, Maliyah felt it was imperative to her brand to increase her knowledge base with additional education. She enrolled at George Brown in 2017-2019. Her first fashion show after graduation was Fashion Art Toronto. Followed by a true homecoming at the Western Canada Fashion Week.

Maliyah has decided to return to her original brand with a new clearer vision. 2025 will see the rebirth of Averynthe as a high-end streetwear design with Southeast Asian influence. Following her passion for creating structural garments made from denim and conscientious awareness of fashion’s implications on the environment as she moves her brand forward: “Designed by Filipino, Made in Canada.”

JAKI PEÑALOSA

A fashion designer for more than 25 years. An advocate of Philippine hand-woven fabrics. A supporter of local arts and crafts. The current president of the Designers Guild of Iloilo, a nonprofit organization composed of fashion designers all over the city that aims to promote Iloilo as the center of Fashion and the Arts for Western Visayas. In March 2025, she headlined the roster of featured fashion designers at Marry Me at Marriott Iloilo City held at the Iloilo Grand Ballroom of Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo. In 2026, she will be featured at the 10th Calgary International Fashion and Arts Week that will be held in Canada.

The Iloilo-based designer of modern Filipiniana fashion and advocate of the use of Philippine indigenous fibers and fabrics continues to showcase her intricate Filipiniana designs all over the world. She is always exploring the possibility of holding fashion events that will promote Philippine craftsmanship and fashion artistry.

For more information about Marriott Moments A-Fair Luxuriant Expo, please contact: Manila Marriott Hotel at Newport World Resorts, 2 Resorts Drive, Newport World Resorts, NCR – 4th District, Barangay 183, Pasay City, Manila, Philippines; 28988-9999; MarriottHotelManila@marriott.com and www.manilamarriott.com; Themes & Motifs Bridal Fairs and Special Events Expo through https://themesmotifs.com, +63917-522-0707;  and Calgary International Fashion & Arts Week via info@scimodels.ca and http://www.scimodels.ca/.

 

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Global coral bleaching crisis spreads after hottest year, scientists say

CORAL REEFS bleach in the Great Barrier Reef as scientists conduct in-water monitoring during marine heat in Martin Reef, March 15, 2024, in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on April 12, 2024. — AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE/VERONIQUE MOCELLIN/ HANDOUT VIA REUTERS

More than four-fifths of the world’s coral reef areas have been affected by devastating mass bleaching spurred by record-high ocean temperatures, turning many once-colorful reefs a ghostly pale hue, scientific authorities said on Wednesday.

Bleaching is triggered by anomalies in water temperature that cause corals to expel the colorful algae living in their tissues. Without the algae’s help in delivering nutrients to the corals, the corals cannot survive.

The world’s fourth mass bleaching event, which scientists declared one year ago, has shown few signs of slowing down, according to the International Coral Reef Initiative and data from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration which track reef health. Instead, it has grown to be the most widespread on record, with 84% of reef areas – from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic to the Pacific – subjected to intense heat stress for a duration expected to cause bleaching as of March 2025.

Last year was the hottest on record and the first to reach over 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than pre-industrial times, contributing to unprecedented ocean temperatures and triple the previous record number of marine heatwaves around the world.

“The magnitude and extent of the heat stress is shocking,” said Melanie McField, a marine scientist working in the Caribbean. “Some reefs that had thus far escaped major heat stress and we thought to be somewhat resilient, succumbed to partial mortalities in 2024.”

“Bleaching is always eerie – as if a silent snowfall has descended on the reef,” she added.

Previous events in 1998, 2010, and 2014-17 saw 21%, 37% and 68% of reefs subjected to bleaching-level heat stress respectively.

Marine biologists had warned early last year the world’s reefs were on the verge of a mass bleaching following months of record-breaking ocean heat fueled by human-induced climate change and the El Nino climate pattern, which yields unusually warm ocean temperatures along the equator and in the Pacific.

In December 2024, a weak La Nina pattern, which typically brings cooler ocean temperatures, gave scientists hope that corals might recover, but it only lasted three months.

Instead, the bleaching has continued to spread, said NOAA Coral Reef Watch coordinator Derek Manzello. The Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea were recently added to the list of 82 countries and territories registering bleaching-level heat stress in their waters.

It will take scientists years to understand the global extent of coral reef death, but they say they have already observed widespread mortality in parts of the Caribbean, Red Sea, and along Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. – Reuters

Meta’s oversight board rebukes company over policy overhaul

NEW YORK – Meta Platforms’ Oversight Board on Wednesday sharply rebuked the Facebook and Instagram owner over a policy overhaul in January that cut fact-checking and eased curbs on discussions of contentious topics such as immigration and gender identity.

The board, which operates independently but is funded by Meta, urged the world’s biggest social media company to assess “potential adverse effects” of the changes, put in place just before U.S. President Donald Trump began his second term.

It cited concerns that Meta had announced the changes “hastily, in a departure from regular procedure, with no public information shared as to what, if any, prior human rights due diligence the company performed.”

The announcement set the board on a possible collision course with Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg, who has been working this year to mend fences with Trump and roll back a decade’s worth of initiatives aimed at mitigating harms like hate speech, misinformation and incitement to violence on his company’s services.

It came as the board issued its first rulings on individual content cases since the January changes, in some upholding Meta’s decisions to leave up controversial content like posts discussing transgender peoples’ access to bathrooms, and in others requiring the company to remove posts containing racist slurs.

Meta, in a statement provided by a spokesperson, said it welcomed the board’s decisions “that leave up or restore content in the interest of promoting free expression on our platforms.” It did not address the other rulings that called for content to be removed.

With its January shake-up, Meta scrapped its U.S. fact-checking program and reduced curbs on discussion of contentious topics, bowing to longstanding criticism from conservatives that its content moderation practices had gone too far.

Mr. Zuckerberg said in announcing the policy changes that those mitigation efforts had resulted in “too many mistakes and too much censorship,” although the company did not provide examples of overreach or data on error rates.

Meta removed restrictions on referring to gay people as mentally ill and to women as “household objects or property” and said it would stop proactively scanning its platforms for unspecified “less severe policy violations.” Instead, it said, it would aim its automated systems only at detecting content like terrorism, child sexual exploitation and fraud.

Along with its individual case decisions, the Oversight Board made 17 recommendations related to the overhaul, calling on the company to improve enforcement of its bullying and harassment policies and clarify precisely which hateful ideologies are banned on its services.

It urged Meta to assess whether the changes could have “uneven consequences globally, especially in countries experiencing current or recent crises, such as armed conflicts.”

It also asked Meta to assess the effectiveness of its new Community Notes tool and disclose the results every six months. The tool, which is similar to one used by Elon Musk’s X, replaced the company’s partnerships with news organizations and fact-checking groups as its primary mechanism for curbing the viral spread of false information.

Reuters was one of Meta’s partners on its fact-checking program.

Meta said it would respond to the board’s recommendations within 60 days.

 

META STILL COMMITTED TO BOARD

Despite the company’s content moderation pivot, Co-Chair of the Oversight Board Paolo Carozza said all signals currently pointed toward Meta remaining committed to its work with the board.

“We have no reason to think that Meta is soured on the board or planning to make any large scale structural changes in terms of its commitment with the board,” he told Reuters.

Mr. Carozza said Meta has continued to send a steady stream of new cases to the Oversight Board since January, consistent with volumes over the past four years, and to follow up on its recommendations.

Meta has committed to funding the Oversight Board through 2027, with at least $35 million allocated annually over the next three years, according to a blog post by the Oversight Board last year.

The Meta spokesperson told Reuters the company’s commitment to that funding remained unchanged.

Meta previously committed $150 million to the board in 2022 and $130 million when the board was launched in 2019.

As with previous allocations, the latest funding will be placed in the Board’s Irrevocable Trust, a mechanism designed to protect the body’s operational independence. – Reuters

Vietnam seeks more free trade deals to drive growth as Trump tariff looms

MATT W NEWMAN-UNSPLASH

HANOI – Vietnam is seeking to speed up its negotiations for new free trade agreements while more effectively exploiting the 17 ones it has already signed, as its export-reliant economy is bracing for U.S. tariffs.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, in a directive issued late on Tuesday, urged the trade ministry to conclude or start free trade agreement talks with India, Brazil, Pakistan, Egypt and other markets in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

The Southeast Asian industrial hub has been slapped by the Trump administration with 46% “reciprocal” tariffs, currently paused until July, which if applied could undermine a growth model that relies on exports to the United States, its top market, and large investments by foreign manufacturers.

It recently instructed officials to combat trade fraud, counterfeiting and other issues of concern for the United States as the country readied to start talks with Washington on tariffs,

Vietnam has signed 17 bilateral or multilateral free trade agreements, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, plus pacts with the European Union, Japan and South Korea. It has no free trade deal with the United States.

In the directive, which was issued to government agencies and city and provincial authorities, Mr. Chinh repeated that Vietnam would stick to its gross domestic product growth target of at least 8% for this year through taking numerous other measures, despite the looming tariffs.

“Since the beginning of 2025, the world situation has seen many new, complicated, and unpredictable developments, with more intense strategic competition among major countries, widespread trade wars, and declining world economic prospects, posing many difficulties and challenges” the directive said.

Mr. Chinh also urged the central bank to ensure sufficient funding for economic growth, while maintaining the safety for the foreign exchange and gold markets and for the banking system.

He also told the central bank to boost lending to people under the age of 35 to buy homes and offer soft loans to firms most affected by the U.S. tariffs.

Other measures include ramping up infrastructure development, spurring domestic consumption and boosting investment in digital transformation and technologies, according to the directive.

Mr. Chinh told the trade ministry to encourage e-commerce platforms to implement preferential policies to promote the consumption of domestically produced goods and local products and facilitate the deliveries of items even to remote areas. – Reuters

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