Wednesday, July 22, 2026


Your Daily News Update About CALABARZON and Beyond.
ISSN 2799-1911

Home Blog Page 20

Philippines marks 128th Independence Day in nationwide commemoration

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
Philippines marks 128th Independence Day in nationwide commemoration

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines marked its 128th Independence Day on Wednesday, June 12, with nationwide ceremonies honoring the 1898 declaration of independence from Spain.

The holiday, known locally as Araw ng Kalayaan, commemorates the proclamation of independence on June 12, 1898 in Kawit, Cavite, led by General Emilio Aguinaldo after years of revolutionary struggle against Spanish colonial rule.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the national flag-raising ceremony and commemorative rites at Rizal Park in Manila on Wednesday morning, joined by government officials, military representatives and members of the diplomatic corps as the country marked Independence Day.

National observances were held across the country, with city and municipal governments led by local chief executives joining flag-raising ceremonies, civic programs and tributes to Filipino heroes. Schools and civic organizations also participated in parallel commemorations highlighting national history and civic responsibility.

Historians note that the 1898 declaration of independence marked the establishment of the First Philippine Republic, although full recognition of sovereignty came later under American colonial rule following the Spanish-American War.

Local governments and institutions also held programs highlighting regional contributions to the Philippine Revolution. In various provinces, communities took part in ceremonies recognizing their historical role in the broader independence movement.

In Laguna, local government units, schools and civic organizations conducted flag-raising ceremonies and cultural programs honoring Filipino revolutionaries and national heroes. Officials underscored the importance of connecting historical independence with present-day civic responsibility and community development.

Historical accounts show that Laguna played a role in the revolutionary network in Southern Luzon during the late 19th century, with local forces contributing to the Katipunan-led uprising against Spanish rule. The province’s location along Laguna de Bay also made it a strategic area for movement and communication during the revolution.

The annual observance comes amid continuing efforts by historians and educators to promote public understanding of Philippine history and the significance of independence in shaping national identity.

The annual commemoration comes as the Philippines continues efforts to strengthen governance, support economic development and reinforce democratic institutions, with Independence Day serving as a reminder of both the country’s historical struggle for sovereignty and its ongoing nation-building priorities.

Chavit Singson inaresto sa kasong cyberlibel

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
Chavit Singson inaresto sa kasong cyberlibel

MAYNILA — Inaresto noong Huwebes, Hunyo 11, ang negosyante at dating Ilocos Sur Governor na si Chavit Singson kaugnay ng kasong cyberlibel sa ilalim ng Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, ayon sa Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

Batay sa ulat ng QCPD, isinilbi ang warrant of arrest sa tahanan ni Singson sa Barangay Ugong Norte, Quezon City. Ang warrant ay inilabas ng Branch 21 ng Regional Trial Court (RTC) sa Vigan City.

Matapos maaresto, nakapagpiyansa si Singson ng ₱60,000 kaya’t agad din siyang pinalaya mula sa kustodiya ng QCPD Police Station 12.

Ang kaso ay may kaugnayan sa cyberlibel, na itinuturing na paglabag sa Republic Act No. 10175 o Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, na tumutukoy sa umano’y paninirang-puri na ginawa sa pamamagitan ng online platforms o computer systems.

Wala pang inilalabas na pahayag ang kampo ni Singson kaugnay ng kaso habang inaasahan ang susunod na pagdinig sa korte para sa pag-usad ng kaso.

Patuloy na ipinatutupad ng mga awtoridad ang mga cybercrime laws sa bansa, na layong tugunan ang mga kasong may kinalaman sa online defamation at iba pang digital offenses.

China’s underground detector releases first key findings on elusive neutrino particles

EDGARDO HERNAL
-
0
China’s underground detector releases first key findings on elusive neutrino particles

NEW YORK — A massive underground observatory in China has released its first major scientific results, offering new insight into neutrinos, often described by physicists as “ghost particles” because of their ability to pass through matter almost undetected.

The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), one of the world’s largest and most sensitive neutrino detectors, began collecting data in August and published its initial findings on Wednesday in the journal Nature, according to the research team.

Neutrinos are subatomic particles produced in enormous quantities during cosmic events, including the Big Bang. Trillions pass through the human body every second without interaction. Despite their abundance, they are extremely difficult to detect because they carry almost no mass and interact very weakly with matter.

The JUNO collaboration reported highly precise measurements of how neutrinos change between three known types, or “flavors,” as they travel through space. These transitions are a key focus of modern particle physics, as they may help explain fundamental properties of matter in the universe.

“It really makes me look forward to more exciting results in the future,” said Kate Scholberg, a physicist at Duke University who is not part of the project.

The detector is located about 700 meters underground in southern China to shield it from cosmic radiation and background interference. It observes antineutrinos produced by nearby nuclear power plants, capturing tiny flashes of light generated when these particles interact with the detector’s liquid medium.

While neutrinos remain among the least understood particles in physics, scientists hope JUNO will help resolve one of the field’s major unresolved questions: the exact ordering of neutrino masses. Researchers believe one of the three neutrino types differs in mass from the other two, but it remains unclear whether it is heavier or lighter.

According to study co-author Liangjian Wen of the JUNO collaboration, the early results do not yet solve this question but demonstrate the detector’s precision and scientific potential. He said the system is capable of detecting subtle variations in neutrino behavior that could eventually clarify the mass hierarchy problem.

The JUNO project is part of a broader global effort to study neutrinos. Similar large-scale experiments are under development, including Japan’s Hyper-Kamiokande and the United States’ Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), both expected to begin operations within the next decade. Scientists anticipate that combining results from multiple detectors will help validate findings and deepen understanding of these fundamental particles.

Physicists say neutrino research may ultimately provide clues about the origins of the universe and why matter exists at all.

El Niño builds in Pacific, threatening heat waves, floods, droughts and fires globally 

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
-
0
El Niño builds in Pacific, threatening heat waves, floods, droughts and fires globally 

WASHINGTON — A new El Niño climate pattern has formed in the Pacific Ocean and is expected to strengthen further in the coming months, with scientists warning it could trigger widespread extreme weather including heat waves, floods, droughts, and wildfires across the globe, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The phenomenon, officially confirmed by NOAA on Thursday, is a periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific that disrupts global weather systems. Forecasters say there is a 63 percent chance the current El Niño could intensify into one of the strongest events on record, potentially rivaling the historic 1997–1998 episode, which caused billions of dollars in global damage.

Experts caution that the developing system could amplify climate extremes in a world already experiencing rising temperatures driven by human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described El Niño as an “urgent climate warning,” saying it will “pour fuel on the fire of a warming world.”

El Niño typically influences weather patterns worldwide. In the United States, it can reduce Atlantic hurricane activity while increasing storm formation in the Pacific. NOAA climate officials say the southern United States often experiences wetter conditions during El Niño winters, while parts of the Pacific Northwest tend to become warmer and drier.

Other regions face more severe risks. Climate scientists say western South America, where El Niño was first identified, often experiences intense rainfall and flooding. In contrast, Australia and parts of Southeast Asia may see worsening droughts and wildfire conditions. India is also vulnerable to stronger heat waves, while northeastern Africa may face alternating periods of drought and heavy rainfall.

“This can get dire very quickly, especially in the Pacific,” said NOAA meteorologist Frazier, noting that impacts vary significantly depending on geography.

In the United States, agricultural conditions may benefit in some regions. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center said increased winter precipitation could improve water availability and crop conditions in parts of the southern U.S. However, impacts on livestock and dairy production are expected to be more mixed, according to meteorologists and agricultural analysts.

Economists warn that extreme heat associated with El Niño conditions may also slow economic growth. Stanford University climate economist Marshall Burke said higher-than-normal temperatures have been linked to reduced economic output in the United States.

Several climate scientists also project that 2027 could become one of the hottest years on record due to delayed warming effects from the current El Niño event, which is expected to peak in late 2026 or early 2027.

The timing and strength of El Niño events can vary, but they typically develop during the Northern Hemisphere summer, peak in late fall or winter, and weaken in the following spring. Some researchers, including Columbia University climate scientist Muhammad Azhar Ehsan, say early indicators suggest this event could peak earlier than usual and may persist longer than average.

While some forecasts have described the system as potentially “super” or “Godzilla” in strength, scientists emphasize that precise impacts will depend on how ocean temperatures evolve in the coming months.

“Instead of being scared, we can ask people to be prepared,” Ehsan said, underscoring the importance of early monitoring and preparedness.

Scientists also note that El Niño events are expected to become more variable as global temperatures rise, though it remains unclear whether the current system is directly linked to long-term climate change trends.

Meralco, nagtaas ng singil sa kuryente ngayong Hunyo

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
-
0
Meralco, nagtaas ng singil sa kuryente ngayong Hunyo

MAYNILA — Mas mataas na singil sa kuryente ang haharapin ng mga konsumidor ngayong Hunyo matapos ipatupad ng Manila Electric Company (Meralco) ang dagdag na ₱0.1488 kada kilowatt-hour (kWh) sa residential electricity rates, bunsod ng pagtaas ng generation charge na iniuugnay sa mga aberya sa suplay ng kuryente sa Luzon noong nakaraang buwan.

Sa pahayag ng Meralco, tumaas sa ₱14.4833 kada kWh ang kabuuang residential rate para sa Hunyo mula sa ₱14.3345 kada kWh noong Mayo. Katumbas ito ng dagdag na humigit-kumulang ₱29.76 sa buwanang bayarin ng mga kabahayang kumokonsumo ng 200 kWh.

Ayon sa kumpanya, ang pagtaas ng singil ay pangunahing dulot ng mas mataas na generation charge matapos makaranas ang Luzon grid ng serye ng yellow at red alerts noong Mayo. Ang mga alertong ito ay nangangahulugan na manipis o kulang ang reserbang suplay ng kuryente kumpara sa pangangailangan ng mga konsyumer.

Ipinaliwanag ng Meralco na kapag nagkakaroon ng kakulangan sa suplay, tumataas ang presyo ng kuryenteng binibili mula sa Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), kung saan kumukuha ng karagdagang suplay ang mga distribution utility at iba pang power providers.

Ang generation charge ang pinakamalaking bahagi ng buwanang bayarin sa kuryente at sumasalamin sa aktuwal na gastos sa pagbili ng kuryente mula sa mga power supplier, independent power producers, at WESM. Hindi direktang kumikita ang Meralco mula sa bahaging ito ng singil dahil ipinapasa lamang nito ang aktuwal na halaga ng kuryenteng binibili para sa kanilang mga customer.

Matatandaang ilang beses na nagdeklara ang National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) ng yellow at red alerts sa Luzon noong Mayo dahil sa sabayang maintenance at sapilitang paghinto ng operasyon ng ilang planta ng kuryente kasabay ng mataas na demand na dulot ng mainit na panahon.

Patuloy namang pinapayuhan ng Meralco ang mga customer na magpatupad ng mga hakbang sa pagtitipid ng enerhiya upang mabawasan ang epekto ng pagtaas ng singil sa kanilang buwanang bayarin.

Ayon sa mga eksperto sa enerhiya, mahalaga ang pagtiyak sa sapat na reserbang suplay ng kuryente at ang pagpapatuloy ng mga proyekto para sa karagdagang kapasidad ng power generation upang maiwasan ang mga kahalintulad na pagtaas ng presyo sa hinaharap.

Pope Leo warns history will judge leaders who ignore migrant deaths

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
Pope Leo warns history will judge leaders who ignore migrant deaths

ARGUINEGUÍN, Spain — Pope Leo XIV on Thursday delivered one of the strongest appeals of his pontificate on migration, warning that history would condemn political leaders and societies that remain indifferent to the deaths and suffering of migrants seeking safety and opportunity across dangerous sea routes to Europe.

Speaking at the port of Arguineguín in Spain’s Canary Islands, the pontiff called on governments, institutions, and individuals to uphold the dignity and rights of migrants, regardless of their legal status or nationality.

“Human dignity has no passport and does not lose its value when crossing a border,” Leo said during a ceremony held beside rescue vessels and a wooden cross fashioned from the remains of a migrant boat wreck.

The pope’s visit marked the culmination of a weeklong trip to Spain and fulfilled a wish expressed by his predecessor, Pope Francis, to visit the Canary Islands, a key gateway for migrants attempting to reach Europe from West Africa.

The Canary Islands, located off the northwest coast of Africa, have become one of Europe’s most significant migration entry points. The Atlantic route connecting West Africa to the Spanish archipelago is widely regarded by migration experts as one of the world’s deadliest migration corridors.

During the ceremony, Pope Leo honored migrants who have died at sea by casting a bouquet of flowers into the Atlantic Ocean. The symbolic act echoed a gesture made by Pope Francis in 2013 during his visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa, where he denounced what he called the “globalization of indifference” toward migrants and refugees.

Addressing migrants gathered at the port, Leo urged the international community to recognize their humanity and protect their rights.

“Dear migrants, before saying anything else to you, I want to bow before your dignity,” the pope said as he lowered his head before the crowd.

He also addressed women who had experienced human trafficking and sexual exploitation, assuring them that their worth and dignity remained intact despite the abuses they had suffered.

“If others have put a price on your body, know that God has never ceased to recognize your inestimable worth,” he said.

The pope called on countries of origin to create economic opportunities and security conditions that would reduce forced migration. He also urged transit countries to protect vulnerable migrants from smugglers and traffickers.

At the same time, Leo appealed directly to European nations, warning against becoming desensitized to repeated migrant deaths in the Mediterranean and Atlantic seas.

“May history not accuse us of turning the pain of those who suffer into a common sight along our shores,” he said. “Sooner or later, it will be known whether we protected life or whether we yielded to indifference.”

The port of Arguineguín holds particular significance in Europe’s migration debate. In 2020, a surge in migrant arrivals overwhelmed local facilities, forcing thousands of people to remain for weeks in makeshift camps on the dock under poor living conditions. Human rights advocates criticized the treatment of migrants, prompting Spain’s ombudsman to intervene and order the closure of the temporary camp. Many migrants were subsequently relocated to hotels left vacant during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Migration flows to the Canary Islands reached nearly 47,000 arrivals in 2024, according to Spanish authorities. However, arrivals declined sharply following cooperation agreements between Spain, the European Union, and several West African governments. Just over 3,000 migrants reached the islands during the first five months of 2026.

Despite the decline, humanitarian organizations continue to warn about the dangers of the Atlantic crossing. According to the International Organization for Migration’s Missing Migrants Project, at least 6,600 people have died or disappeared along the route since records began in 2014. The agency notes that the actual number is likely far higher because many shipwrecks go unreported. Spanish migrant-rights organization Walking Borders estimates that more than 25,000 people have died or gone missing while attempting to reach the Canary Islands since 2020.

Among those present during the pope’s visit was Mame Amandou Neang, a 56-year-old migrant from Senegal who arrived in Arguineguín earlier this year.

“This is a great honor,” Neang said. “We hope that if we see him, all our problems will stay behind us.”

Migration has remained a central theme of the Catholic Church’s advocacy under both Francis and Leo. Pope Francis made support for migrants and refugees a defining feature of his papacy, frequently urging nations to welcome displaced people and uphold humanitarian obligations.

Pope Leo has continued that emphasis since his election, repeatedly highlighting the dignity of migrants and refugees, including in discussions surrounding immigration policies in the United States.

The Vatican announced that the American-born pope will travel to the Italian island of Lampedusa on July 4, continuing a tradition established by Francis and reinforcing the Church’s call for greater compassion toward migrants and refugees worldwide.

Trump threatens new strikes on Iran, raises possibility of seizing Kharg Island

EDGARDO HERNAL
-
0
Trump threatens new strikes on Iran, raises possibility of seizing Kharg Island

WASHINGTON/DUBAI — U.S. President Donald Trump threatened fresh military action against Iran on Thursday and suggested that the United States could eventually take control of Kharg Island, Tehran’s main oil export terminal, even as diplomatic efforts between the two countries continued behind the scenes.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the United States would strike Iran “very hard” and asserted that much of Iran’s military capability had already been weakened. He also declared that Washington would eventually take control of Kharg Island and other energy infrastructure, describing them as strategic assets that could fall under U.S. control in the future.

Kharg Island is Iran’s most important oil export hub and handles a significant portion of the country’s crude shipments to global markets. The facility is considered critical to Iran’s economy and plays a major role in international energy supplies.

Iran swiftly condemned Trump’s remarks. Iranian officials warned that any further military escalation by Washington would provoke a stronger response from Tehran, adding to concerns about a broader regional conflict.

The latest exchange followed renewed hostilities between U.S. and Iranian forces after a fragile ceasefire came under strain. The two sides traded strikes for a second consecutive day, raising fears that the conflict could widen across the Middle East.

Despite the escalating rhetoric, diplomatic contacts continued. Iranian sources and Western officials said indirect negotiations aimed at reaching a preliminary peace agreement had intensified in recent days. Discussions have reportedly included regional security issues, sanctions relief, and the status of frozen Iranian assets.

Later on Thursday, Trump announced that planned U.S. strikes against Iran had been canceled following what he described as progress in negotiations involving Iran and several regional countries. He said discussions toward a broader agreement remained active, although Iranian officials had not publicly confirmed that a final deal had been reached.

The conflict, now stretching beyond three months, has resulted in thousands of casualties, primarily in Iran and Lebanon, while also disrupting global energy markets and heightening concerns over oil supplies. Tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, have further fueled uncertainty among governments and investors.

Military analysts have noted that any attempt to seize Kharg Island would likely require a major military operation and could expose U.S. forces to missile and drone attacks. Experts also caution that controlling the island would not necessarily end the conflict, given Iran’s broader military capabilities and regional alliances.

As negotiations continue, world leaders are closely monitoring developments amid concerns that further escalation could affect regional stability, international shipping, and global energy prices.

Gatchalian-led majority kinilala ng CSC, 16 boto kailangan para sa impeachment ni VP Sara

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
-
0
Gatchalian-led majority kinilala ng CSC, 16 boto kailangan para sa impeachment ni VP Sara

MAYNILA — Kinikilala na ng Civil Service Commission (CSC) at iba pang kaukulang awtoridad ang Gatchalian-led majority bloc sa Senado, ayon kay Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, na nagsabing dapat malinaw sa mga empleyado ng Upper House kung sino ang dapat sundin sa kasalukuyang liderato.

Sa panayam sa DZMM, sinabi ni Lacson na ang pagkilalang ito ng CSC, Malacañang, at Kamara sa liderato na pinangungunahan ni Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian ay nagpapakita na ang mga direktiba mula sa minority bloc ay maaaring magdulot lamang ng kalituhan sa institusyon.

Ayon kay Sen. Panfilo Lacson, malinaw na itinuturing ng mga pangunahing institusyon ng pamahalaan ang kasalukuyang pamunuan ng Senado, na aniya ay nagpapahina sa mga hakbang ng kabilang panig na pinamumunuan ni dating Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.

Sinabi rin ni Lacson na nagiging sanhi ng kalituhan sa hanay ng mga kawani ng Senado ang mga magkasalungat na utos mula sa magkabilang panig ng Kamara.

16 boto kinakailangan para sa impeachment conviction

Samantala, nilinaw ni acting Senate President Win Gatchalian na kailangan ang 16 boto upang mahatulan at ma-convict si Vice President Sara Duterte sa impeachment trial, alinsunod sa itinakda ng 1987 Constitution.

Ayon kay Gatchalian, malinaw sa Article XI, Section 3(6) na kinakailangan ang two-thirds vote ng lahat ng miyembro ng Senado upang makapaghatol ng conviction. Dahil nakapirmi sa 24 ang bilang ng mga senador, nananatili aniya sa 16 boto ang kinakailangang threshold, anuman ang dumalo sa paglilitis.

Dagdag niya, hindi mababago ang bilang ng kinakailangang boto batay sa dami ng presenteng senador, kung sino ang namumuno sa impeachment court, o kung aling grupo ang mayorya sa Senado.

Sa kasalukuyan, binubuo ng 24 na senador ang Mataas na Kapulungan, kabilang ang mga kasapi ng magkakaibang bloke. Ilan sa mga mambabatas na tinutukoy sa mga ulat ay sina Sherwin Gatchalian, Kiko Pangilinan, at Chiz Escudero, habang kabilang din sa mga nabanggit sa komposisyon ng Senado sina Jinggoy Estrada at Ronald dela Rosa.

Itinakda ng impeachment court sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Gatchalian ang pre-trial conference sa Hunyo 18, kung saan inatasan ang kampo ni Vice President Sara Duterte at ang House prosecution panel na magsumite ng kanilang pre-trial briefs sa Hunyo 15. Nakatakda naman umanong magsimula ang trial proper sa Hulyo 6, 2026.

Iminungkahi rin ni Gatchalian ang posibilidad na isang lawyer-senator ang mamuno sa impeachment trial, alinsunod sa umiiral na mga patakaran ng Senado. Sa ilalim ng tradisyon, ang Senate President ang namumuno sa impeachment court maliban kung ang Pangulo ng Pilipinas ang nililitis.

Bilang acting Senate President, iginiit ni Gatchalian na siya ang mangangasiwa sa impeachment proceedings laban kay Vice President Duterte habang nagpapatuloy ang mga paghahanda para sa paglilitis.

Bill Gates tells Congress Epstein used knowledge of affairs to pressure him

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
Bill Gates tells Congress Epstein used knowledge of affairs to pressure him

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates told members of Congress on Wednesday that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein attempted to pressure him by leveraging information about his extramarital affairs, while acknowledging that he underestimated the extent of Epstein’s criminal conduct when they associated on philanthropic matters.

In testimony before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Gates said he never witnessed criminal behavior by Epstein and that his interactions with the financier were related to discussions about charitable initiatives and fundraising for the Gates Foundation.

“I did not fully understand the extent of Epstein’s crimes,” Gates said in an opening statement released ahead of his testimony. He added that Epstein sought to use information about his personal affairs, along with what Gates described as false claims, to persuade him to resume contact.

“These affairs had nothing to do with my interactions with Epstein, but they were painful for my family,” Gates said. “Epstein was working to use information about my infidelities, in addition to many lies that he layered on top, to pressure me to re-engage with him.”

The testimony comes as Congress continues its examination of the U.S. Justice Department’s handling of investigations and prosecutions involving Epstein and his longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. The House committee is reviewing issues that include plea agreements, law enforcement actions, sex trafficking investigations, ethics concerns, and the release of government records related to the case.

Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, requested Gates’ appearance in a March letter seeking information about the billionaire’s contacts with Epstein.

According to documents released by the Justice Department earlier this year, Gates and Epstein met multiple times following Epstein’s 2008 conviction on a Florida state prostitution-related charge. Records indicate the discussions focused on philanthropy and efforts to expand Gates’ charitable work.

The documents also included photographs showing Gates with several women whose identities were redacted. Gates has previously maintained that his interactions with Epstein were limited to philanthropic discussions and has publicly stated that meeting with Epstein was a mistake.

A spokesperson for the Gates Foundation told Reuters that Gates “took responsibility for his actions” during a February town hall meeting with foundation employees. The foundation has also launched an external review of its past interactions with Epstein, according to statements released earlier this year.

Emails disclosed by the Justice Department reportedly showed communications between Epstein and Gates Foundation staff, further drawing scrutiny to the relationship.

Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to a Florida state felony prostitution charge and served 13 months in jail. In 2019, federal prosecutors charged him with sex trafficking minors. He pleaded not guilty and died in a New York jail later that year before standing trial. His death was officially ruled a suicide.

The broader congressional investigation follows the Justice Department’s release of millions of pages of records related to Epstein, shedding light on his connections to prominent figures in politics, business, finance, and academia.

Among those named in released records was President Donald Trump, who had social ties with Epstein during the 1990s and early 2000s. The release of the files has fueled renewed debate over government transparency and accountability in the handling of the Epstein investigation.

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was dismissed by Trump in April, also faced criticism from some observers over her handling of matters related to the Epstein case. Critics alleged that decisions surrounding the release of information may have limited public scrutiny of individuals connected to Epstein.

Congressional investigators continue to review the government’s actions throughout the Epstein case as lawmakers seek answers regarding prosecutorial decisions, investigative procedures, and the broader response to allegations of sex trafficking and abuse.

Aftershocks humahadlang sa recovery matapos ang 7.8 na lindol sa Mindanao

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
Aftershocks humahadlang sa recovery matapos ang 7.8 na lindol sa Mindanao

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Patuloy ang pagyanig sa southern Philippines na lalong nagpapahirap sa rescue at recovery operations matapos ang 7.8-magnitude na lindol noong Lunes na ikinamatay ng hindi bababa sa 45 katao, nag-iwan ng 17 nawawala, at nagpalikas sa libo-libong residente.

Sa General Santos City, isang partially collapsed na tatlong palapag na grocery store ang muling niyanig ng malakas na aftershock noong Miyerkules, dahilan upang magtakbuhan palabas ang nasa 30 rescuers kabilang ang mga bumbero at coast guard personnel. Ayon sa mga ulat, bumagsak pa ang ilang debris mula sa nakatagilid na gusali habang isinasagawa ang headcount sa mga nasa loob.

Isang safety officer ang nag-whistle at nagbigay babala upang agad na makalayo ang mga rescuer mula sa peligro.

“It was a strong aftershock and an alarm was immediately sounded so those inside and under the damaged building can run out for a headcount,” ayon kay Ressa Mia Tactaquin-Betoya, tagapagsalita ng mga bumbero na naghahanap pa rin sa isang nawawalang empleyado sa loob ng gusali.

Dagdag niya, mahalaga ang agarang paglikas ng mga tauhan dahil sa panganib ng karagdagang pagguho. “It was scary because we don’t want our rescuers to be harmed so the area must be secured before they can go back in,” aniya.

Ayon sa Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, higit 2,100 aftershocks na ang naitala mula noong pangunahing lindol, kabilang ang ilan na umabot sa magnitude 6.4 na sapat upang magdulot ng karagdagang pinsala at posibleng casualties.

Mahigit 25,000 katao ang pansamantalang nanunuluyan sa 45 evacuation centers sa takot na bumalik sa kanilang mga tahanan.

Ang lindol noong Lunes ay isa sa pinakamalalakas na tumama sa bansa sa nakalipas na kalahating siglo. Umabot sa 630 ang sugatan at mahigit 3,100 bahay, 29 kalsada, 11 tulay, at higit 100 government buildings ang napinsala.

Apektado rin ang operasyon ng General Santos International Airport na pansamantalang isinara para sa lahat ng commercial flights maliban sa government at military aircraft na nagdadala ng tulong at disaster response teams, ayon sa Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

Tinatayang 6,000 pampublikong paaralan sa mga apektadong lugar ang kailangan pang masuri bago makapagbalik-eskuwela. Nangyari ang lindol sa unang araw ng klase matapos ang bakasyon, dahilan upang maraming estudyante ang kabilang sa mga nasugatan habang nasa flag ceremony.

Karamihan sa mga nasawi ay dahil sa bumagsak na debris at landslide sa General Santos at karatig na lalawigan ng Sarangani, South Cotabato, at Davao Occidental.

May naitalang isang nasawi matapos tangayin ng alon sa dagat kasunod ng lindol, kung saan umabot sa 1.4 metro ang taas ng tubig sa ilang bahagi ng baybayin. May mas maliliit na alon din na umabot sa Indonesia, Palau, at southern Japan bago tuluyang alisin ang tsunami warnings.

Samantala, pitong swimmers malapit sa General Santos ang tinangay ng malakas na agos matapos ang pagyanig. Tatlo ang nasagip ng coast guard, isa ang nakalangoy pabalik sa dalampasigan, isa ang nalunod, at dalawa pa ang patuloy na pinaghahanap.


1...192021...855Page 20 of 855




Tutubi Digital News will shape up the way you stay up to date with the goings-on around Calabarzon, and the world. Tutubi is committed to keep you socially active. Tutubi updates on the Go!


Contact us:

info@tutubi.ph

Popular Posts

Popular category

PH News3680World News3594Asia1666Curiosity1113War Reports and Updates709

Developed by Tutubi News Magazine |Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions of Use | Cookie Policy | All rights reserved