Good morning. Happy Earth Day! As we embrace the spirit of Earth Day together, we wanna give you guys a few key reminders:

• Turn off lights/water you are not using

• Carpool/walk/bike when you can

• Reduce/Reuse/Recycle/Rot(Compost)/Repair

• Take a walk outside and appreciate her beauty. Who knows. The next Million Dollar Idea might come to mind!

Let’s make everyday Earth Day!

Stocks

Local News

🍚 Rice Rice Baby: Marcos’s Move to Slice Prices

By Tobias Bautista

In a bid to curb soaring rice prices, President Marcos has taken decisive action, citing bureaucratic hurdles and import costs as factors fueling the uptick. The move comes as rice retail prices climb by P2 per kilo. Non-tariff barriers to agricultural imports are now lifted, aiming to ease supply constraints and lower costs. This includes revamping importation protocols and expediting clearance for goods like sugar and fishery products. While the President's orders aim to bolster the rice market, prices continue to fluctuate, with regular and well-milled rice seeing a P1 to P2 increase per kilo. In response to the rise, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. presses for a hefty budget increase to fortify the sector. He emphasizes plans for irrigation systems and modernization to combat post-harvest losses and enhance production. Yet, amidst these efforts, pork prices also surge, prompting concern over affordability. With retail prices exceeding farmgate rates, questions loom over pricing practices in the market. And as we consume rice like it's our national sport, it seems the President's moves are as crucial as a fresh pot of rice on the table during a fiesta.

World News

⚔️ Latest in the Middle East: Israeli Operation in West Bank, Gaza Death Toll Rises

By Tobias Bautista

Israeli troops wrapped up a two-day operation in the Nur al-Shams refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. The IDF reported the operation to CNN on Sunday, noting it as one of their largest in the region since October 7th. The raid resulted in at least 14 fatalities, including a child and a teen, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health and official news agency Wafa. Israel stated that 10 "terrorists" were killed, and several wanted suspects were arrested.

As tensions escalate during Israel's Gaza campaign, incidents of violence involving Israeli settlers and IDF troops have surged in the West Bank. The Palestine Red Crescent reported that settlers killed an ambulance driver attempting to transport injured Palestinians on Saturday. Since October 7th, 483 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem by settlers or Israeli soldiers, according to the health ministry.

Gaza Update:

The Palestinian health ministry reported a death toll of at least 34,097 in Gaza since October 7th, with over 76,980 injuries. More than 70% of those killed have been women and children, as per the ministry's data. Due to limited international media access to Gaza, CNN cannot independently verify the figures.

💲 Ukrainian Relief: US Greenlights $61B Aid Package

by Tobias Bautista

The US House of Representatives has greenlit a $61 billion military aid package for Ukraine, a crucial boost for the nation's defense against Russian aggression. President Zelensky hailed the support, emphasizing its potential to save lives and bolster Ukraine's capabilities.

The aid, including air defense systems and artillery, comes after months of waiting and amid escalating tensions. While it won't provide an instant solution, it offers hope for Ukraine to challenge Russian forces and stabilize frontline defenses. However, it also underscores Europe's limited support capacity, prompting calls for increased allied assistance. Zelensky faces the challenge of effectively deploying the aid while navigating domestic debates over conscription laws and maintaining unity.

Sports

🏀 First day of the 2024 NBA Playoffs did not disappoint

By Koby del Rosario

The 2023-2024 National Basketball Association (NBA) postseason rolled on yesterday morning and it was a treat to watch.

Opening a four-game slate was Game 1 of the Eastern Conference No, 4 versus No. 5 matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic, where the Cavs pulled through and overcame the Magic, 97-83. Five-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 30 points, as stalwarts Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley had 16 points apiece to go along with 18 and 11 rebounds, respectively.

On the losing side, reigning Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero was impressive in his first taste of the playoffs—scoring 24 points, collecting seven boards, and dishing out five assists but did have a lowly nine turnovers.

Soon following was the No. 3 versus No. 6 game out west between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Phoenix Suns, where the Wolves prevailed, 120-95. “Antman” was a man amongst boys as he put up 33 markers with nine boards and six dimes as he duked it out against the “Slim Reaper”, who had 31 and seven of his own.

Supplementing Edwards was the returning Karl-Anthony Towns who tallied 19 points, while Suns guard Devin Booker shot poorly for the game—finishing with just 18 points on 5-out-of-16 shooting.

The third game of the day was the No. 2 versus No. 7 Game 1 of the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks, where the orange and blue extended their lead late en route to the win, 111-104. Superstar Jalen Brunson had 22 points but got it on an inefficient 8-out-of-26 clip with which spark plug Josh Hart picked up the pace on, scoring 22 points, including the dagger to seal the victory, and grabbing 13 caroms. 

Unfortunately for the Sixers, Joel Embiid’s 29 and Tyrese Maxey’s 33 just wasn’t enough for this night.

The final fixture of day one of the NBA Playoffs was the 2023 Western Conference Finals rematch between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers. Shades of last year were written all over this game as Nikola Jokic’s 32 markers, 12 boards, and seven dimes led Mile High City to a 114-103 Game 1 triumph.

In the loss, Anthony Davis had a double-double of 32 points and 14 rebounds while Lebron James notched 27 of his own.

Indeed, it was an entertaining postseason opener as you can catch the rest of the action today.

Lifestyle

🦉 Drake goes back-to-back on his disses to Kendrick Lamar

By Koby del Rosario

Early Saturday morning Philippine time, globally-renowned rapper Drake confirmed his leaked diss track, “Push Ups”, to be his own doing after releasing it officially on his streaming accounts.

Fans worldwide had already deciphered the countless shots taken by the Toronto native to be towards musicians such as Kendrick Lamar, Metro Boomin’, Rick Ross, and Future to name a few. This official release, then, serves as the icing on the cake.

The “OVO” rapper did not stop there, however, as he took it to Instagram and X to release a now-controversial track titled, “Taylor Made Freestyle”. The record, which is a diss track solely directed towards Lamar, nabbed everyone’s attention as it contained A.I. verses from Los Angeles legends, the late great Tupac and Snoop Dogg, which was then followed up by a verse from Aubrey himself.

It even got Snoop himself confused, as he comedically let out his confusion on a social media post. The A.I. verses from Pac and Snoop, which were said to be written by Drake, have the California rappers calling for Lamar—pleading him to carry the torch they passed to him. Drake’s concluding verse, then, contains numerous disses towards the “pgLang” founder.

Safe to say, the ball is now in K.Dot’s court as we wait for “Mr. Morale” to respond.

News Roundup

• PH rower Joanie Delgaco qualified for Paris Olympics

• Don’t just worry about heat stroke. Worry about heat cramps and exhaustion too.

• The San Miguel Beermen put up an impressive 31 assists as they defeat NorthPort to clinch Quarterfinals

• More pandas are coming from China to zoos in California

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