Windows26: February 2025

Hello, reader!

This week, we covered Pope Francis' health update, the proposed calendar for VP Sara Duterte's impeachment trial, and the collapse of a bridge in Isabela.

This is your Weekend Roundup, your weekly fix for everything you need to catch up.

IMPEACHMENT UPDATES

Schedule released

Senate President Francis Escudero released the proposed calendar of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, eyeing to start the actual judicial proceeding on July 30. He also said that considering the prosecution and defense would have ample time to prepare for the proceedings, it "would not tolerate any dilatory motion or pleading."

However, Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua warned that delaying Duterte's impeachment trial could endanger evidence and witnesses. He said that while they respect Escudero's views on when the impeachment trial should start, they cannot help but express concerns about the risks brought by the delay.

The Makabayan bloc lawmakers also urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to call for a special congressional session so that the impeachment proceedings can start. They said the special session would allow the Senate to convene as an impeachment court and move with the proceedings even if on break.

But Malacañang said Marcos believes it is more appropriate to wait for the Senate to request a special session on the impeachment trial of the vice president before calling one himself. "The way we see it, it would be an awkward position on the part of the President to voluntarily call for a special session," PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro said.

HEALTH WATCH

Pope Francis

The Catholic world has been on alert this week as Pope Francis was in critical condition, with blood tests indicating early kidney failure. Recent updates from the Vatican say he is now stable and recovering. Follow INQUIRER.net's health watch coverage of the pope.

INQFOCUS

The Conclave

When a pope steps down or passes away, how would the Church select the next vicar of Christ, who is expected to lead 1.375 billion Catholics in over 3,000 dioceses all over the world? Here's what you need to know about the conclave and the secret process of selecting a new pope.

INQFOCUS

Heart attack, stroke

Heart attacks and strokes are among the most well-known medical conditions in the Philippines, yet they remain the country's leading causes of death. Year after year, they claim countless lives and impose a heavy burden on survivors and their families. Here's a look at the cost of heart attack and stroke in the country.

ON MY RADAR

Must-reads

Ex-TV reporter Jay Ruiz is new acting PCO chief
PNP chief: Convoy had to use Edsa busway due to 'emergency meeting'
SWS survey: Tulfo, 7 other administration bets in Senate top 12
US to continue military aid for PH despite global pause – DFA
4 cars fall into river as newly retrofitted bridge in Isabela collapses
SAG Awards 2025: Timothée Chalamet, Demi Moore win top acting honors
Miss Universe judge accuses Anne Jakrajutatip of trying to rig pageant results
Gene Hackman, wife were found dead in 'suspicious' circumstances
Toyo Eatery honored with 'art of hospitality' award
Column of the Week: Edsa's shining moment

Thanks for reading our Weekend Roundup, reader. For suggestions and feedback, please reach out to me at newsletter@inquirer.net.

Best regards,

Samuel Yap

Digital Content Distribution

March 1, 2025

Visit INQUIRER.net for more latest news

Follow us on social:

INQUIRER.net

3rd Floor Media Resource Plaza Building
2530 Mola corner Pasong Tirad Streets
La Paz, Makati City 1204Tel. No. +632-5192800

You've received it because you've subscribed to our newsletter.

View in browser | Unsubscribe | Update preferences

February 28, 2025 | Read Online

Innovation Village

In partnership with

Today's Menu ☕️

💵 EIB Global invests $75 million in Helios Fund V
🇿🇲 Flutterwave expands operations with launch in Zambia
💰 Supamoto secures €4 million investment for clean cooking solutions
🔍 Capi Money secures €17.2 Million in Series A funding to transform global trade for SMEs in emerging markets
🧑🏽‍💻 AWS unveils Ocelot marking a leap forward in Quantum Computing

If you haven't subscribed, join over 7,000 people curious about Innovation, New Products, New Technologies in Africa.

💵 INVESTMENTS

EIB Global invests $75 million in Helios Fund V

he European Investment Bank (EIB Global) has officially announced a significant investment of $75 million in Helios Fund V, which is managed by Helios Investment Partners. This strategic investment aims to bolster the growth of various companies that are pivotal in enhancing digital infrastructure, including data centers, fiber-optic networks, and telecommunications towers.

In addition to infrastructure, the fund will also focus on tech-enabled business services such as cloud computing, health technology, and logistics technology. Furthermore, it will support advancements in financial services and technology, encompassing areas like banking technology, payment solutions, and financial management software. The fund is also committed to investing in companies that contribute to healthcare, education, and training initiatives....…continue reading

🇿🇲 PAYMENTS

Flutterwave expands operations with launch in Zambia

Flutterwave, recognized as one of Africa's leading payments technology company, has officially obtained a payment system license to operate in Zambia. This significant development enables Flutterwave to offer affordable and secure mobile money services to enterprises within the country, thereby facilitating both local and international trade while enhancing financial inclusion and driving economic growth.

The opportunity for Flutterwave in Zambia is considerable, particularly in light of the country's rising internet penetration and the growing reliance on mobile money for everyday transactions. Mobile money adoption plays a crucial role in Zambia, contributing nearly 70% to the nation's financial inclusion rate. By leveraging Flutterwave's mobile money collection and payout services, Zambian businesses across various sectors can streamline their transactions, reduce operational costs, and scale their operations effectively in both local and global markets..........…continue reading

🧑🏽‍💻 COMPUTING

AWS unveils Ocelot marking a leap forward in Quantum Computing

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has made a significant advancement in its quest to develop commercially viable quantum computers with the introduction of its first quantum computing chip, Ocelot. This prototype chip has the potential to accelerate development timelines by up to five years, bringing practical quantum computing closer to reality.

Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize multiple industries by performing complex calculations at unprecedented speeds and solving problems beyond the capabilities of traditional computers. However, one of the biggest challenges in this field is the error-prone nature of qubits, the fundamental building blocks of quantum information. Qubits are highly susceptible to external noise and disturbances, leading to processing errors. To address this, error correction techniques are required, but these typically demand a large number of physical qubits to ensure the reliability of the logical qubits used in computations.........…continue reading

Learn AI in 5 minutes a day

This is the easiest way for a busy person wanting to learn AI in as little time as possible:

Sign up for The Rundown AI newsletter
They send you 5-minute email updates on the latest AI news and how to use it
You learn how to become 2x more productive by leveraging AI

💰FUNDING

Supamoto secures €4 million investment for clean cooking solutions

The Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) and EDFI Management Company, through the Electrification Financing Initiative (ElectriFI), have jointly invested €4 million to significantly enhance the operations of Emerging Cooking Solutions (Supamoto) in Zambia.

Supamoto offers a clean cooking solution that utilizes biomass pellets and features internet-of-things (IoT) enabled, fuel-efficient stoves. These stoves are designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while making use of local waste products. This investment, facilitated through InfraCo, PIDG's project development arm, marks one of the initial investments PIDG has made in Africa's clean cooking sector........…continue reading

📍Register for your PMP exam training here

Join the next cohort as we start the PMP certification exam training on the 15th March 2025.

💰FUNDING

Capi Money secures €17.2 Million in Series A funding to transform global trade for SMEs in emerging markets

Capi Money, an innovative platform aimed at helping businesses throughout Africa facilitate payments to their international suppliers, has successfully raised €17.2 million in its Series A investment round. This funding will be utilized to scale its international payments platform, which is specifically designed for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets, with a primary focus on Africa, Latin America, and China.

This significant fundraising effort was spearheaded by Creandum, with participation from Janngo and several angel investors,

This funding allows Capi Money to expand the team, launch new markets, and accelerate product development. But more than that, it fuels their mission of growing GDP in emerging markets by making the global financial system fairer and more accessible.........…continue reading

OPPORTUNITIES

Applications are now open for the latest edition of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP), designed to support startups through comprehensive training, mentorship, and a funding opportunity of US$5,000 Deadline = 1st Mar 2025……..continue reading
Global payment card network Visa has announced the opening of applications for the fourth edition of its biannual Africa Fintech Accelerator. Deadline = 15th March 2025…….continue reading

Do you know you can join and follow us on our WhatsApp Channel?

Subscribe Now

Did you enjoy this newsletter? Then why don't you forward the newsletter to at least 5 friends to read and subscribe. We'd love to have them aboard too.

Remember that over 7,000 people receive weekly. You can take advantage of this reach by advertising here.

You can reply to this email and send us your news tips, titbits.

Rowland Osahon
Innovation Village