Sarah Discaya pleads not guilty of graft, malversation | The wRap

Here are today’s headlines – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:

• Discaya, DPWH execs plead not guilty in Davao Occidental ghost project case

Controversial contractor Sarah Discaya and eight officials from DPWH Davao Occidental plead not guilty to graft and malversation charges on Tuesday, January 13. Their charges stem from a P96-million ghost project in Davao Occidental.

• Even before the landslide, controversies haunted Cebu’s Binaliw landfill

Even before the tragic landslide that left scores of waste workers dead or missing, the Binaliw Landfill was mired in controversies. The landfill’s operator Prime Integrated Waste Solutions, has received several complaints in the past for its alleged illegal quarrying and violation of environmental laws.

• UK investigates Musk’s X over Grok deepfake concerns

Britain’s media regulator Ofcom launches an investigation into X over concerns of its Grok AI chatbot generating sexually intimate deepfake images.

• Minnesota, Illinois sue Trump administration to block immigration surges

Minnesota and Illinois sue the Donald Trump administration, seeking to block a surge of immigration enforcement officers into their states. This, after the fatal shooting of a Minnesota woman by an ICE officer last week.

• ‘New goals to chase’: Alex Eala reaches career-high world No. 49

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala reaches a career-high world number 49 in the WTA rankings. This, after her breakout run at the ASB Classic, where she reached the semifinal in Auckland, New Zealand. — Rappler.com