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GMA Network
a day ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Pasig RTC junks Anti-Dummy Law case vs. Maria Ressa, other Rappler execs
"In this case, this Court finds that the prosecution's evidence is grossly insufficient to establish the criminal liability of al of the accused by proof beyond reasonable doubt," the court said. The Pasig Regional Trial Court has dismissed the violation of the Anti-Dummy Law charges against Nobel Peace laureate Rappler chief executive officer Maria Ressa and five other officers of the news website. In an 11-page order, Pasig City Judge Marie Joyce Manongsong granted the demurrers to evidence Ressa and the other executives –Nico Jose Nolledo, Glenda M. Gloria, Manuel I. Ayala, Felicia Atienza, and James Velasquez. "In this case, this Court finds that the prosecution's evidence is grossly insufficient to establish the criminal liability of al of the accused by proof beyond reasonable doubt," the court said. In the information filed before the Pasig RTC, the prosecution accused Ressa and the others of allowing Omidyar Network Fund, a foreign corporation, to intervene in Rappler operations by issuing Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDR) to the investment firm in 2015. The anti-dummy case is related to a Securities and Exchange Commission order revoking Rappler's incorporation papers on allegations it violated a constitutional restriction on foreign ownership of mass media by issuing PDRs to Omidyar. The court said that the 2018 SEC decision itself did not establish the individual roles of each of the accused in the transfer of PDRs to Omidyar. "From the foregoing, it is apparent that the SEC assumed that each of the accused had a role ni the supposed illegal scheme based on their corporate positions ni Rappler and RHCI. It found such fact sufficient for the imposition of administrative sanctions on the corporations involved," the court said. "Nonetheless, ni the instant criminal case against each of the accused, the prosecution simply adopted the SEC findings in the administrative case and failed ot provide evidentiary support ot the supposed specific acts of each of the accused that led to the issuance of the PDRs to Omidyar," it added. The court said there was no proof of the alleged negotiations between Ressa, as representative of Rappler and RHCI, and Omidyar. It added that the 2018 SEC decision itself showed that not all the accused are directors of RHCI. Atienza and Velasquez, for example, were shown to be directors of Rappler only. "Likewise, the prosecution failed to submit any board resolution, corporate record or any other piece of evidence clearly establishing the involvement of each of the accused in the issuance of PDRs to Omidyar," the court said. –NB, GMA Integrated News
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Donald Trump's Pledge of No New Wars Runs Into Reality of Middle East
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump entered office vowing to bring a swift end to the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Five months in, foreign conflicts are now threatening to overshadow Trump's second term as a new war escalates between Israel and Iran and concerns grow that the United States could soon take an active role in fighting Tehran. Trump referred to himself as an anti-war president upon his return to the White House and even argued that his efforts to broker peace around the world deserved a Nobel Peace prize. But the Israel-Iran conflict has highlighted Trump's challenge in shaping foreign affairs while maintaining political support at home with the isolationist and ascendent MAGA wing of the Republican Party. "Trump has found that making peace is hard," said Richard Gowan, the UN director of the International Crisis Group. A Marine stands outside the West Wing of the White House on June 17, 2025 in Washington, DC. A Marine stands outside the West Wing of the White House on June 17, 2025 in Washington, reality has quickly set in as Trump considers what role the U.S. should play in the strikes Israel launched against Iran last week to end Tehran's nuclear program. Israel has targeted Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities, including the fortified site at Fordow, but most experts believe it can't destroy the underground compound without special U.S. bunker-busting bombs that can only be flown by American military aircraft. "In the case of Iran, if the U.S. goes in that would be a massive show of military force," Gowan said. "But it could also end up with Trump getting sucked into a Middle East quagmire, which is exactly what he accused his predecessors of doing." Trump signaled Tuesday that the U.S. may join Israel in a direct strike against Iran, though he has also said that Tehran still wants to strike a nuclear deal with the U.S. despite missing a recent White House-imposed deadline to reach an agreement. In social media posts throughout the day, Trump called for Iran's "unconditional surrender" and suggested that Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, could be targeted for assassination. "We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least for now," Trump said Tuesday in one message on Truth Social, suggesting the U.S. knows his location. The threat is a contrast from Trump's rhetoric in his first weeks back in the White House, when he promised to make good on a campaign pledge to disentangle America from foreign conflicts even as he launched trade wars that roiled the global economy. Trump touted the start of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine as an early victory, but the talks have since failed to make any significant progress toward ending that war. Israel ramped up its military operations in Gaza in the months since Trump took office, coinciding with an increase in violent conflicts on Trump's watch, according to a report released Tuesday by the Institute for Economics and Peace. Smoke rises over Tehran, Iran after a reported Israeli strike on June 16, 2025. Smoke rises over Tehran, Iran after a reported Israeli strike on June 16, 2025. Stringer/Getty Images There are 59 active conflicts between nation states, an increase from last year and the most since World War II, according to the institute's 2025 Global Peace Index. Of course, Trump isn't the first U.S. president to see his domestic agenda updated by foreign affairs beyond his control. Trump's recent predecessors — from former Presidents George W. Bush to Joe Biden — also became directly or indirectly enmeshed in foreign wars. But Trump's situation is somewhat unique, given the growing foreign policy divide among lawmakers in his own party. Joining Israel's fight with Iran would anger MAGA hardliners and drive a wedge between them and establishment Republicans who want Tehran to end its push to develop nuclear weapons. "Trump's supporters are in different places. Some, like [Rep.] Marjorie Taylor Greene, are saying you can't be part of Make America Great Again if you go to war in the Middle East," said Daniel Byman, the director of the Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "But other voices in the Republican Party see Iran's nuclear program as a major threat to U.S. national security." Beyond the domestic politics, Trump's calculus is further complicated by Israel's increasingly aggressive posture towards Iran. Israel may not be willing to back down if the U.S. pushes for a quick end to hostilities to avoid a broader regional war, Middle East analysts who spoke to Newsweek said. And there is no guarantee Trump could swiftly end the conflict by having the U.S. join Israel in the war, said Brian Katulis, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute. "When a country has spent years enriching uranium like Iran has, you need some sort of diplomatic agreement that leads to mechanics verifying that everything has been locked down or destroyed," Katulis said. "There's no fool-proof military solution."
New York Post
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
David Beckham edges closer to knighthood at King Charles event with Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet
Several stars joined King Charles III to mark a special occasion. On Thursday, the British monarch hosted the King's Foundation's annual awards ceremony at St. James's Palace in London. The organization is marking its 35th year, People magazine reported. David Beckham, Kate Winslet and Meryl Streep were among the famous faces spotted at the event, which featured 200 guests. Stanley Tucci and Penny Lancaster were also in attendance. Beckham's appearance is notable as the 50-year-old is reportedly gearing up to be knighted by the king. His wife, Victoria Beckham, would then be known as 'Lady Beckham.' The co-owner of Inter Miami CF and Salford City became an ambassador for the foundation in 2024. Fox News Digital reached out to a spokesperson for the Beckhams and Buckingham Palace for comment. According to People, the charity has trained more than 115,000 students in traditional craft and environmental education over its 35-year tenure. The outlet noted that it has positively affected more than 500,000 lives through sustainable urban planning. The King's Foundation was begun by Charles, 76, in 1990 when he was the Prince of Wales. His goal was to support 'communities where people, places and the planet can coexist harmoniously.' 3 Celebrities from all over gathered to celebrate with King Charles III at the 35th King's Foundation's annual awards ceremony. Chris J. Ratcliffe-Reuters/POOL supplied by Splash News / Today, the charity offers educational courses for almost 15,000 students annually, overseas projects revitalizing communities and historic buildings, and health and well-being programs for nearly 2,000 people every year. The king presented the King Charles III Harmony Award to Professor Muhammad Yunus from Bangladesh, People reported. The 2006 Nobel Peace laureate has founded more than 50 social business companies and encouraged sustainable projects. In 2024, Beckham announced in a statement that he was eager to work with the foundation to help inspire young people in his home country. 3 Among the 200 guests at the event were David Beckham, Kate Winslet, and Meryl Streep. REUTERS 'I'm excited to be working with The King's Foundation and to have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity's work,' Beckham said at the time. 'I've always been keen to help young people to expand their horizons, and I'm particularly looking forward to supporting the Foundation's education programs and its efforts to ensure young people have greater access to nature,' he shared. 'Having developed a love for the countryside, I'm also on a personal mission to learn more about rural skills which [are] so central to the Foundation's work,' he added. The star received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 2003. 3 Beckham is set to be knighted by the king in the near future. AP The Guardian also pointed out that the former Manchester United player was put forward to receive a knighthood over 10 years ago when he was nominated in 2011. In addition to playing for England's national soccer team over 100 times, Beckham has been recognized for his charitable work with children from underprivileged backgrounds, People magazine reported. 'It is utterly ridiculous that it has taken until now to honor David Beckham, who is something of a phenomenon, with a knighthood,' royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams previously told Fox News Digital. 'He has done a great deal for charity, especially UNICEF, and was involved in bringing the Olympic Games to London in 2012,' he shared. 'The value of his endorsement is simply amazing. From his tattoos to his footwear, there is a fascination with everything about him. His wife, Victoria, who also received an OBE for her work as a designer, was a member of the Spice Girls, one of the most successful girl bands of all time.' Just last month, Beckham joined Charles at the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show in London, People reported. The outlet noted that Beckham was wearing a rose that was named in the king's honor. He previously attended the King Foundation's celebratory dinner at Highgrove House, the king's family residence, with Victoria, 51, in February.
NDTV
12-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Can't Just Walk Away": Bangladesh's Yunus' Sheikh Hasina Chat With PM Modi
New Delhi: Bangladesh's interim leader, Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, issued a rebuke of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's public statements from Indian soil, claiming that he personally urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and prevent her from addressing Bangladeshis online. In remarks delivered during an interaction at Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London, Mr Yunus described a volatile political atmosphere in post-Hasina Bangladesh and expressed frustration over what he suggests to be Delhi's indifference to the destabilising impact of her continued communications. "The whole anger and everything is now transferred to India, because she went there. Not only is she living there, but the problem is, when I had a chance to talk to Prime Minister Modi, I just simply said, 'You want to host her? I cannot force you to abandon that policy, but please help us in making sure she doesn't speak to Bangladeshi people, the way she is doing'," Mr Yunus said. According to Mr Yunus, Ms Hasina, who fled to India after being ousted by a student-led uprising in August 2024, continues to issue addresses to Bangladeshis through social media platforms, including YouTube and Facebook, often announcing these broadcasts in advance. These, Mr Yunus said, provoke public anger and risk inciting unrest in Bangladesh. "She announces on such and such day at such and such hour, she will speak, and the whole of Bangladesh gets very angry, the way she is speaking. Why is she keeping this whole anger thing inside of us now? And is India doing what you asked? No. Mr Modi's answer, I quote, he said, 'It's the social media, we cannot control it'," Mr Yunus claimed. "What can you say? It's an explosive situation. You can't just walk away by saying it's social media. So this is what is still going on," he added. Diplomatic Strain The interim leader also disclosed that an informal, unsigned diplomatic note had been submitted to Indian authorities requesting Ms Hasina's extradition. India has acknowledged receiving the document, but there has been no concrete movement so far. "We want it to be very legal, very proper. We want to make sure that we don't do something out of anger or something. We want to build the best relationship with India. It's our neighbour. We don't want to have any kind of problem with them," Mr Yunus said. "But somehow things go wrong every time because of all the fake news coming from the Indian press," the interim leader claimed. "And many people say it has connections with the policymakers at the top and so on. So this is what makes Bangladesh very jittery, very, very angry." Mr Yunus added that Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal has initiated legal proceedings against Ms Hasina for what the tribunal described as crimes against humanity committed during her final months in power. He confirmed that notices have been served to Ms Hasina as part of a larger process that could eventually involve Interpol. Mr Yunus claimed the barrage of disinformation on social media continues to undermine efforts to stabilise the country and recover from last year's violent uprising that unseated Hasina. Mr Yunus, now 84, reiterated that he has no interest in joining the next elected government, nor do any members of his current cabinet of advisers. The interim government was formed in the wake of Ms Hasina's ousting on August 5 last year, following a mass uprising led by students. Hundreds were reported killed in a brutal crackdown ordered by Ms Hasina's administration, prompting a wave of defections, resignations, and arrests. Ms Hasina's Awami League was disbanded shortly afterwards. Mr Yunus returned from Paris to Dhaka on August 8 to take charge as the head of the interim administration. Since then, several of the student leaders have formed the National Citizen Party (NCP) with the interim government's blessing. The interim government has initiated trials against several former Awami League leaders, both inside and outside the country. These proceedings, largely framed under "crimes against humanity" and abuses during the July-August 2024 crackdown, are ongoing at the International Crimes Tribunal.
News18
11-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Yunus Backed By Terrorists, Rohingya Corridor Ploy To Sell St Martin's Island: Sheikh Hasina
Last Updated: Bangladesh's ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that interim advisor Muhammad Yunus is undermining Bangladesh's access to the seas. Bangladesh's ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said interim government advisor Muhammad Yunus ascent to his current role was backed by terrorists and under his interim rule there has been a rise in crimes, violence is the norm and there is a ploy to 'sell the nation's sovereignty". 'Women feel unsafe in our cities. During Eid, foreigners visited Bangladesh and people from urban centres went to villages to celebrate Eid with their families. Now no one goes to rural Bangladesh fearing they will be robbed by terrorists who have overseen the ascent of Yunus," Hasina said. The leader who is currently living in exile in India said that Yunus is taking steps that threaten the sovereignty of Bangladesh, referring to the 'Rohingya corridor" proposal. Hasina said Yunus is backing the 'Rohingya corridor" proposal in a bid to sell St. Martin's Island and undermine Bangladesh's access to the seas. The idea originated from a UN suggestion during Secretary-General António Guterres's visit and was later discussed by Nobel Peace laureate Yunus. 'Selling the nation, selling and undermining our access to the sea is what he is doing. This Rohingya corridor is a ploy to sell St Martin's Island and undermine our access to the seas," Hasina said in a speech streamed live on Facebook. Months before accusing US of attempting to undermine Bangladesh's sovereignty by seeking control of the St. Martin Island, ousted Bangladesh ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina had warned that a 'white man' came to tempt her with an offer. She also said that her re-election process, in the 2024 general elections that the US and the West raised concerns about, would have been smoother if she allowed a foreign country to build an airbase inside Bangladeshi territory. Hasina told Awami League workers August last year that she 'could have remained in power if I had left St. Martin and the Bay of Bengal to America', according to a report by The Print. The ousted Prime Minister said Yunus has failed to stem the influx of refugees and the numbers of refugees has only swelled. Hasina, her rival Khaleda Zia of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and t he Bangladesh Army have warned the corridor could become a 'foreign‑controlled buffer zone". The Army Chief Wakar-Uz-Zaman labeled it a potential 'bloody corridor" and demanded decisions be made only by an elected government. Under mounting pressure from the military, opposition parties, and public opinion, Yunus's interim government backpedaled. Officials clarified that no corridor deal had been finalized. Bangladesh hosts 1.3 million Rohingya refugees in temporary settlements like Cox's Bazar. In her speech, Hasina also said that members of her party, the Awami League, are brutally killed in broad daylight and Yunus has failed to protect the Bangladeshi citizens. She also said that under Yunus the nation has lost its status as a garment exporter and that he has been involved in corruption and has assumed his current role in order to fill his coffers. First Published: June 11, 2025, 22:37 IST
