Wednesday, July 22, 2026


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Historic Kyiv monastery damaged as Russian strikes kill 10 across Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine — A major Russian aerial assault damaged one of Ukraine’s most important religious and cultural landmarks and killed at least 10 people nationwide overnight, Ukrainian authorities said Monday, in one of the heaviest attacks on the capital in recent weeks.

The strikes damaged the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a nearly 1,000-year-old monastery complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site that is widely regarded as a symbol of Ukraine’s spiritual and historical identity. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a Russian drone strike set fire to the Dormition Cathedral within the monastery grounds.

“This is an attack on our history,” Zelenskyy said during a visit to the site, pledging that the damaged structures would be restored.

The attack came as diplomatic efforts to end the more than four-year war intensified ahead of a Group of Seven summit in France. Zelenskyy said he discussed pathways toward ending the conflict during a phone conversation Sunday with U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to Kyiv’s military administration, at least five people were killed and dozens injured in the capital. Tymur Tkachenko, head of the city’s military administration, initially reported four fatalities and 34 injuries. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko later said another victim died in hospital.

In northeastern Ukraine, five more people were killed in Kharkiv after Russian strikes hit emergency responders and municipal personnel, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said. At least five others were injured. Authorities in Sumy reported that three people, including a child, were wounded.

Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 70 missiles and 611 drones overnight. Air defenses intercepted 50 missiles and 582 drones. Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat acknowledged that ballistic missiles remained a significant challenge, noting that only 15 of 34 launched ballistic missiles were intercepted.

The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, founded in 1051, is among Eastern Europe’s most significant Orthodox Christian sites. The monastery complex has survived centuries of wars, invasions, and political upheaval and is considered a cornerstone of Ukrainian cultural heritage.

Russia denied targeting the monastery, claiming the damage was caused by a U.S.-supplied Patriot air defense missile. Ukrainian officials rejected that explanation, maintaining that a Russian drone struck the site. Reuters reported it could not independently verify competing claims regarding the cause of the damage.

Metropolitan Epifaniy, head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, condemned the attack, calling for stronger international action against Russia’s military campaign.

The strike drew condemnation from European leaders. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot compared the damage to an attack on France’s Notre Dame Cathedral, describing the monastery as an equivalent cultural treasure. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the attack a “war crime.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said G7 leaders meeting this week would discuss efforts to advance peace initiatives and support Ukraine.

The latest escalation occurred amid renewed diplomatic activity. Zelenskyy recently proposed direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin involving the United States and European partners as part of ceasefire efforts. Britain, Germany, and France expressed support for the proposal, but Moscow rejected it.

Meanwhile, Russia reported casualties from a Ukrainian drone strike on the city of Tula, south of Moscow. Regional authorities said three people were killed and three others, including a one-year-old child, were injured.

Ukraine has also intensified attacks on Russian military, industrial, and energy infrastructure in recent months, seeking to disrupt Moscow’s war capabilities and economic resources. Overnight, Ukrainian forces reportedly struck two bridges connecting Russian-occupied Crimea with other Russian-controlled territories.

Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014 in a move rejected by most of the international community, has faced growing logistical and fuel supply challenges due to repeated Ukrainian attacks on transport and energy infrastructure.

Russia and Ukraine continue to deny intentionally targeting civilians. Independent verification of battlefield claims remains difficult because of ongoing hostilities and restricted access to affected areas.

The war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, remains Europe’s largest armed conflict since World War II and has resulted in tens of thousands of military and civilian casualties, according to international organisations.

Source: Reuters, with background reporting from UNESCO and international agencies

Mapping ‘pakikipagkapwa’ through data science and indigenous psychology

MANILA, Philippines — A new discussion paper released under the University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP CIDS) is examining how data science and predictive analytics may be used to better understand pakikipagkapwa, a core value in Filipino psychology that emphasizes shared identity, empathy, and relational harmony within communities.

The study explores the potential use of computational tools such as machine learning and behavioral analytics to identify patterns of social interaction grounded in Filipino cultural values. It frames Sikolohiyang Pilipino, pioneered by Virgilio Enriquez, as a foundational framework for developing culturally grounded models of human behavior.

The paper was authored by Vladimer B. Kobayashi, Maria Margarita R. Lavides, Cristabel F. Tiangco, Purisima P. Panlilio, Remi E. De Leon, and Angela D. Carreon under the UP CIDS Data Science for Public Policy Program initiative. It proposes an analytics-based framework for examining dimensions of kapwa, including empathy, trust-building, and communal decision-making.

Researchers outlined three main directions for the proposed framework: data-driven validation of behavioral patterns linked to indigenous interpersonal values, interdisciplinary integration between psychology and computational science, and policy relevance for designing more culturally responsive social welfare programs.

The study also discusses how modeling pakikipagkapwa may contribute to the development of human-centered artificial intelligence systems and social technologies that better reflect Filipino identity, rather than relying solely on Western behavioral models.

While noting the complexity of quantifying cultural concepts, the authors said computational approaches may expand social science research tools, particularly in understanding how trust, cooperation, and collective well-being emerge in local contexts.

The authors emphasized that grounding data science in Filipino psychological frameworks such as Sikolohiyang Pilipino may help ensure that emerging technologies and policy applications remain culturally sensitive, context-aware, and aligned with community-based realities.values could help ensure that emerging technologies and policy systems remain socially inclusive and culturally aligned with lived community experiences.


CIDG, sinisilip ang posibleng homicide o Anti-Hazing Act sa pagkamatay ng dalawang Ateneo basketball players

DIPACULAO, Aurora — Iniimbestigahan ng Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) ang posibleng homicide o paglabag sa Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 kaugnay ng pagkamatay ng dalawang Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball players na sina Rene Baterbonia at Divine Adili noong Hunyo 8 sa isang team-building activity sa baybayin ng Dipaculao, Aurora.

Ayon kay CIDG Director Police Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II, patuloy na nagbabago ang direksyon ng imbestigasyon habang nagpapatuloy ang pagsusuri ng testimonya mula sa mga saksi at sangkot sa insidente.

Aniya, maaaring pumasok sa kaso ang Article 249 ng Revised Penal Code o ang Anti-Hazing Act, depende sa magiging resulta ng mga isinasagawang interbyu at beripikasyon.

Namatay ang dalawang varsity players dahil sa asphyxia by drowning habang nakikilahok sa naturang team-building activity. Sa naunang ulat ng Aurora Police Provincial Office, walang nakitang anumang bagay o pabigat na nakatali sa katawan ng mga biktima nang marekober ang mga ito.

Nauna ring iniulat na isinagawa ang aktibidad ng Ateneo Blue Eagles men’s basketball team humigit-kumulang 300 metro mula sa dalampasigan, sa kabila ng paalala umano ng resort management na gawin ito sa mas ligtas na bahagi ng tubig.

Una nang sinabi ng mga imbestigador mula sa Aurora police na wala silang nakitang indikasyon ng foul play at itinuturing itong aksidenteng pagkalunod.

Gayunman, nilinaw ng CIDG na saklaw ng Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 hindi lamang ang mga fraternity at sorority kundi pati iba pang organisasyon, kabilang ang mga school-based groups at training programs.

Sa ilalim ng batas, ipinagbabawal ang hazing sa anumang organisasyon sa paaralan, kabilang ang mga gawaing maaaring magdulot ng pisikal o sikolohikal na pinsala tulad ng sapilitang ehersisyo, pisikal na pananakit, o exposure sa panganib.

Samantala, kinumpirma ng Ateneo de Manila University na nagbitiw sa puwesto si head coach Tab Baldwin at team manager Epok Quimpo sa gitna ng isinasagawang institutional review ng unibersidad.

Patuloy ang imbestigasyon ng mga awtoridad habang hinihintay ang karagdagang resulta ng mga interbyu at ebidensyang makapagpapalinaw sa insidente.

U.S., Iran finalize framework agreement aimed at ending conflict and reopening Strait of Hormuz

DUBAI/WASHINGTON, June 16 — The United States and Iran have finalized a framework agreement aimed at ending months of conflict and restoring access through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy shipping route, in a development that has eased concerns in international markets and pushed oil prices lower.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that an agreement had been reached with Iran, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose government helped facilitate negotiations, confirmed that both sides had agreed on a framework designed to halt hostilities and begin broader diplomatic talks. Officials said a memorandum of understanding has been signed, with a formal public signing ceremony expected in Switzerland later this week.

The agreement represents the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the conflict began earlier this year following joint U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran. The fighting disrupted regional stability, displaced millions of civilians, and raised concerns about global energy supplies.

According to statements from U.S. and Iranian officials, the framework calls for an immediate cessation of military operations and establishes a pathway for follow-up negotiations on unresolved issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, and broader regional security arrangements.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said military operations across multiple fronts would cease under the agreement, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi emphasized the importance of implementing the terms fully and ensuring an end to hostilities linked to the wider conflict.

One of the key objectives of the framework is reducing violence in Lebanon, where fighting involving Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement has caused significant humanitarian and security concerns. Reports from regional security sources indicated a substantial decline in hostilities following the announcement, although officials cautioned that the situation remains fragile.

Israeli officials have not publicly endorsed all aspects of the framework, and questions remain regarding future security arrangements and military deployments in southern Lebanon. Analysts said those issues are expected to be addressed in subsequent negotiations.

Trump also announced plans to restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and end U.S. restrictions affecting Iranian ports. The strategic waterway handles a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, making its reopening a major development for international trade and energy markets.

Financial markets reacted positively to the announcement. Brent crude oil prices fell sharply as investors anticipated improved energy flows and reduced geopolitical risk, while major stock markets posted gains.

Despite the optimism, shipping industry experts warned that a full return to normal operations could take time. Commercial shipping companies remain cautious as authorities assess maritime security conditions and work to address potential hazards that may affect navigation in the region.

The framework postpones final decisions on Iran’s nuclear program, one of the most contentious issues between Tehran and Washington. Iranian and U.S. officials are expected to hold further discussions during a proposed 60-day diplomatic period aimed at reaching longer-term agreements.

The nuclear dispute has remained unresolved since Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 international nuclear agreement during his first term in office. Following the withdrawal, Iran expanded its uranium enrichment activities, prompting concerns among Western governments and international monitoring agencies. Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes.

Reports from individuals familiar with the negotiations indicate that future talks may address frozen Iranian assets, sanctions relief mechanisms, nuclear verification measures, and regional security guarantees. However, officials from both sides have said many details remain under negotiation.

The agreement has received cautious support from several world leaders. European governments welcomed the reduction in tensions and reiterated that any future sanctions relief would depend on verifiable limits on Iran’s nuclear activities. China also expressed support for efforts aimed at stabilizing the Middle East and preventing further escalation.

Leaders attending international meetings this week are expected to seek additional details regarding the framework and its implementation.

While substantial challenges remain and many provisions have yet to be finalized, the agreement offers the possibility of reducing tensions in one of the world’s most strategically important regions and restoring stability to global energy markets after months of uncertainty.’s most strategically important regions.

Tab Baldwin, Epok Quimpo resign as investigations continue into deaths of Ateneo players

MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Christopher “Epok” Quimpo have resigned amid ongoing investigations into the deaths of student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia and Chukwuemeka Divine Adili during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.

The resignations came as government authorities and Ateneo de Manila University continue separate inquiries into the June 8 tragedy that claimed the lives of the two basketball players. The Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident and determining whether any criminal or administrative liabilities may arise.

Baterbonia, 19, an incoming rookie from Davao and a former standout in national youth competitions, and Adili, 21, a Nigerian student-athlete who suited up for the Blue Eagles in UAAP Season 88, died after being swept away by strong waves and a rip current during a conditioning exercise near the shoreline, according to initial findings by authorities.

Prior to their resignations, Baldwin and Quimpo had been placed on leave while Ateneo conducted a university-led fact-finding inquiry. The university said the move was intended to preserve the integrity, independence, and fairness of the investigation.

Ateneo President Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ, earlier announced that the university’s Board of Trustees had ordered a comprehensive review of the incident.

“A loss of this magnitude demands absolute accountability, clarity, and an unyielding review of the safety and welfare of our community,” Yap said.

The university president also became emotional as he personally apologized to the families of Baterbonia and Adili during memorial activities held in the wake of the tragedy.

“We are truly, deeply sorry,” Yap said, addressing the grieving families and members of the Ateneo community.

Yap assured the families that the university would pursue a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths and carefully review safety protocols governing athletic activities. He also emphasized Ateneo’s commitment to supporting the families and all those affected by the tragedy.

The Ateneo chief further explained that Baldwin had been asked to refrain from making public statements immediately following the incident to allow investigative processes to proceed and to give the university time to focus on supporting grieving students, coaches, staff, and families.

On June 12, Baldwin broke his public silence through a video message released by Ateneo, taking responsibility for the events that led to the deaths of the two athletes.

“I failed and I’m sorry,” Baldwin said.

The veteran coach acknowledged the trust placed in him by the families of the players and expressed deep remorse over the tragedy. He described the activity as part of the team’s training program and said he would carry the burden of the loss for the rest of his life.

The incident has sparked widespread calls for accountability and stronger safety measures in collegiate sports programs. More than 100 Ateneo faculty members signed an open letter seeking greater transparency, compassion, and clearer communication from university officials regarding the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Investigators are also examining differing accounts of what transpired during the activity. Relatives of one victim alleged that weights may have been used during the exercise, a claim that Ateneo and police authorities have denied. The university has maintained that the athletes were in shallow water when they were struck by unexpectedly strong waves and carried away by a powerful current.

The DOJ has directed the NBI to conduct a parallel and independent investigation to determine whether criminal negligence or other violations may have contributed to the tragedy. Meanwhile, local authorities temporarily suspended operations at the resort where the activity took place while inspections and reviews are conducted.

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has likewise indicated that it will await the outcome of the investigations before deciding whether any sanctions or disciplinary measures are warranted.

As inquiries continue, Ateneo has pledged full cooperation with authorities and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the families of Baterbonia and Adili. The deaths of the two student-athletes have sent shockwaves through the university community and reignited discussions on athlete safety, risk management, and accountability in collegiate sports programs across the country.

For many in the Ateneo community, the focus remains on seeking answers, ensuring accountability where necessary, and honoring the memory of two young athletes whose lives were cut short in a tragedy that has deeply affected Philippine collegiate sports.

57% ng adult na Pilipino bukas magtrabaho sa abroad dahil sa mas magandang oportunidad — OCTA Research

MAYNILA — Karamihan ng adult na Pilipino ay bukas sa posibilidad na magtrabaho o manirahan sa ibang bansa kung mabibigyan ng pagkakataon, pangunahing dahilan ang mas mataas na sahod, mas magandang oportunidad sa trabaho, at mas maayos na kalidad ng buhay, ayon sa OCTA Research.

Batay sa Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey ng OCTA Research na isinagawa mula Marso 9 hanggang 25, 2026 sa pamamagitan ng face-to-face interviews sa 1,200 respondents na edad 18 pataas, 57% ng mga Pilipino ang nagsabing handa silang mangibang-bansa para magtrabaho o manirahan doon kung magkakaroon ng pagkakataon. May margin of error ito na ±3% sa 95% confidence level.

Samantala, 39% ang nagsabing hindi sila bukas sa migrasyon habang 4% ang hindi pa tiyak.

Ayon sa OCTA Research, ipinapakita ng resulta na ang migrasyon ay hindi limitado sa iilang sektor lamang.

“Migration is not a fringe aspiration – it cuts across regions, income groups, and educational levels,” ayon sa ulat ng poll firm.

Batay sa regional breakdown, pinakamataas ang willingness to migrate sa Balance Luzon sa 59%, sinundan ng Mindanao (56%), Visayas (55%), at National Capital Region o NCR (53%).

Pinakamataas naman ang hindi bukas sa pag-alis sa NCR sa 45%, habang pinakamababa sa Visayas sa 34%. Ang Visayas din ang may pinakamataas na undecided respondents sa 11%.

Lumabas sa survey na pangunahing dahilan ng mga Pilipino sa pagnanais na magtrabaho abroad ay may kinalaman sa ekonomiya.

Kabilang dito ang mas magandang job opportunities (67%), mas mataas na sahod (61%), at mas maayos na kalidad ng buhay (58%).

Ilan pang dahilan ay education opportunities (20%), international experience (20%), family reunification (16%), at safety o political stability (14%).

Ayon sa OCTA, nananatiling dominante ang economic factors sa desisyon ng mga Pilipino na mangibang-bansa.

Ayon pa sa pag-aaral, pare-pareho ang antas ng interes sa migrasyon sa iba’t ibang socioeconomic groups, na may 57% sa Classes D at E at 56% sa Class ABC na nagsabing bukas silang magtrabaho abroad.

Gayunman, mas mataas ang pagtukoy sa sahod bilang dahilan sa Class E (74%) kumpara sa Class ABC (46%), habang mas mataas naman sa huli ang interes sa education opportunities (32%) at international experience (26%).

Napansin din ng OCTA Research na bagama’t 14% lamang ang nagsabing dahilan ang safety o political stability, mas mataas ito sa ilang rehiyon gaya ng Region I (34%) at Region III (21%).

Mas madalas din itong binanggit ng Class D (15%) at Class E (16%) kumpara sa Class ABC (7%), na nagpapakita na mas mabigat ang usapin ng seguridad sa mas mababang mga income group.

Ayon sa OCTA, ipinapakita ng kabuuang resulta na ang migrasyon ay nananatiling isang mainstream aspiration sa maraming Pilipino, lalo na sa mga kabataan at mas edukadong sektor.

Gayunman, nilinaw ng poll firm na ang survey ay sumusukat lamang sa openness sa migrasyon at hindi aktwal na plano ng pag-alis, at hindi rin dapat ituring bilang direktang indikasyon ng kawalang-kasiyahan sa bansa.

Giit pa ng OCTA, hamon para sa mga policymakers ang paglikha ng mas maayos na oportunidad sa loob ng bansa upang mabawasan ang pangangailangang mangibang-bansa.

“Filipinos want better jobs, higher pay, and more promising futures – and as long as those are more reliably found abroad than at home, migration will remain a rational choice,” ayon pa sa OCTA Research.

Civil case laban sa Ateneo at coach Baldwin, isinusulong ng Senior Citizens Party-list

MAYNILA — Iminungkahi ng isang mambabatas ang paghahain ng kasong sibil laban sa pamunuan ng Ateneo de Manila University, head coach na si Tab Baldwin, at iba pang posibleng managot kaugnay sa pagkamatay ng dalawang student-athlete sa isang team-building activity sa Aurora.

Sa isang pahayag, sinabi ni Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes na dapat isaalang-alang ng pamilya nina Rene Clert Baterbonia, 19, at Nigerian student-athlete na si Divine Adili, 21, ang pagsasampa ng civil case upang matukoy ang posibleng kapabayaan at mapanagot ang mga responsable.

Namatay sina Baterbonia at Adili matapos tangayin ng malalakas na alon habang nasa isang team building ng Ateneo Blue Eagles sa isang pribadong beach resort sa Dipaculao, Aurora noong Hunyo 8. Ayon sa ulat, wala umanong suot na life vest ang mga biktima, at kulang din ang safety measures sa lugar kabilang ang kawalan ng watchtower para sa lifeguards at warning signs. Kalaunan ay ipinasara ng lokal na pamahalaan ang resort kasunod ng insidente.

“Dalawang kabataang atleta ang namatay. Hindi ito simpleng aksidente na basta na lamang dapat kalimutan. Karapatan ng pamilya na malaman ang buong katotohanan at habulin ang pananagutan ng sinumang mapapatunayang may pagkukulang,” ayon kay Ordanes.

Sa hiwalay na ulat, magbibigay ng scholarship ang Ateneo de Manila University sa mga kapatid ni Baterbonia

Samantala, inanunsyo ng Ateneo de Davao University na bibigyan nito ng full scholarship hanggang kolehiyo ang anim na kapatid ni Baterbonia.

Sa isang misa para sa namayapang atleta, sinabi ni University President Fr. Karel San Juan, SJ na tutuparin ng unibersidad ang pangarap ni Baterbonia na mapag-aral ang kanyang mga kapatid, na siyang dahilan ng kanyang pagpunta sa Maynila.

Ayon kay San Juan, napag-usapan nila ng pamilya ng biktima ang hakbang ng unibersidad bilang tulong sa naiwan ni Baterbonia.

“Isa sa mga pangarap ni Bobet ay ang mapag-aral ang kanyang anim na kapatid. Ito po ay tutuparin ng Ateneo de Davao University sa pamamagitan ng scholarship,” aniya.

Dagdag pa niya, patuloy ang pagdarasal para sa pamilya ng yumaong atleta, at pagbibigay-diin na ang kanyang pangarap ay patuloy na isusulong sa pamamagitan ng pagtulong sa kanyang mga mahal sa buhay.

Naganap ang insidente noong Hunyo 8 sa Dipaculao, Aurora sa gitna ng team-building activity ng Ateneo Blue Eagles kung saan parehong nalunod sina Baterbonia at Adili.

Pakistan says US and Iran reach peace agreement, signing set for Friday in Switzerland

DUBAI/WASHINGTON — The United States and Iran have reportedly reached an agreement to end hostilities, with a signing ceremony scheduled for Friday in Switzerland, according to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who made the announcement on social media early Monday.

US President Donald Trump also confirmed the development in a post on Truth Social, saying, “The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” shortly after Sharif’s statement.

The announcement comes despite continued regional tensions, including an Israeli strike on Lebanon on Sunday that drew criticism from both Iranian officials and US President Trump.

Sharif said the agreement includes the “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” though full details of the deal have not been independently confirmed.

According to earlier reporting by Reuters, multiple sources familiar with the draft framework said the proposed agreement could involve reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting restrictions affecting Iranian ports, and extending a ceasefire arrangement. The nuclear component of the deal is expected to be addressed through further negotiations over a 60-day period.

In his Truth Social post, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened “toll free,” adding that US naval restrictions would also end. “Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!” he wrote.

Tensions remain high in the region. Iranian negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Israel’s recent strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut, which Israel described as targeting Hezbollah positions, undermines trust in the peace process. Iran’s foreign ministry has also held the United States responsible for the escalation and warned of a “strong response.”

Trump, meanwhile, said on Sunday that the Beirut strike “should not have happened” at a time when negotiations were nearing completion.

Israel has stated it is not a party to the US-Iran agreement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also reportedly differed with Washington over calls to limit Israeli military operations in Lebanon during ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Earlier reports indicated that under the draft framework, the United States could release about $25 billion in frozen Iranian assets, while Iran would commit not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons and maintain current nuclear limits, including restrictions on enrichment and expansion of facilities, until a final agreement is reached.

Despite the announcements, key terms of the deal remain subject to confirmation, and implementation details are still expected to be finalized in follow-up talks, according to sources cited by Reuters.

Magnitude 4.9 na aftershock yumanig sa Sarangani

MANILA, Philippines — Niyanig ng magnitude 4.9 na lindol ang karagatang malapit sa Sarangani, Davao Occidental nitong Linggo ng umaga, ayon sa Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), na nagkumpirmang isa itong aftershock ng malakas na magnitude 7.8 na lindol na tumama sa katimugang Mindanao noong Hunyo 8.

Sa advisory ng Phivolcs, naitala ang pagyanig dakong alas-7:28 ng umaga. Natukoy ang episentro nito sa layong 33 kilometro timog-silangan ng Balut Island, Sarangani, Davao Occidental. Una itong naitala bilang magnitude 5.2 ngunit kalaunan ay ibinaba sa magnitude 4.9 matapos ang pagsusuri ng mga seismologist. Ang lindol ay tectonic ang pinagmulan at may lalim na 33 kilometro.

Naitala ang Intensity IV sa Sarangani, Davao Occidental, habang Intensity III naman sa Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental. Umabot sa Intensity I ang pagyanig sa General Santos City.

Batay sa instrumental intensity measurements ng Phivolcs, naramdaman din ang mahinang pagyanig sa mga bayan ng Malapatan at Malungon sa Sarangani Province, Tupi sa South Cotabato, Santa Maria sa Davao Occidental, at Digos City sa Davao del Sur.

Ayon sa Phivolcs, walang inaasahang malaking pinsala mula sa naturang aftershock. Gayunman, pinayuhan nito ang publiko na manatiling mapagmatyag dahil posible pa ring magpatuloy ang mga kasunod na pagyanig bunsod ng pangunahing lindol noong Hunyo 8.

Ang magnitude 7.8 na lindol noong Hunyo 8 ay isa sa pinakamalalakas na lindol na tumama sa Mindanao nitong mga nakaraang taon. Nagdulot ito ng malawakang pinsala sa ilang bahagi ng Soccsksargen at Davao Region, nagpasimula ng tsunami warning, at sinundan ng libu-libong aftershocks sa mga sumunod na araw.

Sa pinakahuling ulat ng mga awtoridad, patuloy pa rin ang pagtatasa sa epekto ng pangunahing lindol. Iniulat ng Office of Civil Defense na umabot na sa 61 ang kumpirmadong nasawi, 1,221 ang sugatan, at 33 ang nawawala matapos ang sakuna. Samantala, nakapagtala na ang Phivolcs ng humigit-kumulang 3,860 aftershocks limang araw matapos ang magnitude 7.8 na lindol.

Nag-ulat din ang Phivolcs ng mga pagbabagong heolohikal sa ilang baybaying lugar ng Sarangani at Davao Occidental, kabilang ang pag-angat ng ilang bahagi ng dalampasigan at paglantad ng dating nakalubog na coral reefs, na itinuturing na epekto ng malakas na paggalaw ng fault na nagdulot ng lindol.

Patuloy na binabantayan ng Phivolcs ang aktibidad ng mga fault sa lugar at hinihikayat ang publiko na sumunod sa mga opisyal na abiso ng mga lokal na disaster risk reduction offices at ng pambansang ahensiya sa seismolohiya.

US-Iran peace deal announced as Lebanon strikes raise concerns over regional stability

DUBAI/WASHINGTON — The United States and Iran have reached a peace agreement aimed at ending months of conflict, but fresh Israeli strikes in Lebanon have raised concerns that regional tensions could complicate efforts to implement the deal, according to Reuters.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Monday that Washington and Tehran had agreed to a peace framework following negotiations facilitated by Pakistan and other regional mediators. A formal signing ceremony is expected to take place on June 19 in Switzerland, Reuters reported.

The announcement came amid renewed violence in Lebanon, where Israel launched strikes targeting Hezbollah positions in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Lebanese authorities reported casualties, while Hezbollah responded with projectiles fired toward northern Israel, further escalating tensions along the border.

Iranian officials questioned whether the latest military action could undermine confidence in the peace process. Iranian negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said the Beirut strike reflected what he described as a lack of commitment by the United States to ensure conditions conducive to diplomacy.

“If you lack the will and ability to fulfil your commitments, speaking of continuing the path is not possible,” Qalibaf wrote on the social media platform X, according to Reuters.

US President Donald Trump also criticized the timing of the Israeli strike, saying it should not have occurred while negotiations were nearing completion. He nevertheless expressed confidence that diplomatic efforts remained on track.

According to Reuters, the draft agreement includes provisions for sanctions relief, the temporary easing of restrictions on Iranian oil exports, and the release of approximately $25 billion in frozen Iranian assets. The framework also contains nuclear-related commitments, including Iran’s pledge not to develop nuclear weapons and to maintain limits on its nuclear activities while negotiations toward a broader agreement continue.

The proposed arrangement would also reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping and establish a period of technical negotiations aimed at resolving outstanding issues related to Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions, and regional security concerns.

Despite the announcement by Pakistani mediators, some uncertainty remains. Iranian officials have indicated that discussions on implementation details are continuing, and previous statements from Tehran stressed that no final decision would be made until all terms were fully reviewed.

Reuters reported that divisions also persist within Iran, where hardline factions have opposed concessions to Washington. Analysts warned that continued hostilities involving Israel and Hezbollah could complicate efforts to sustain momentum toward a lasting settlement.

If finalized and implemented, the agreement would represent one of the most significant diplomatic breakthroughs between the United States and Iran in recent years, with mediators expressing hope that it could help reduce tensions across the wider Middle East.