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Mayor Vic Amante, nanguna sa unang public consultation sa posibleng paglipat ng mga tanggapan ng pamahalaang lungsod

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SAN PABLO CITY. Pinangunahan ni City Mayor Vic Amante ang unang pampublikong konsultasyon hinggil sa posibleng paglilipat ng mga tanggapan ng pamahalaang lungsod mula sa lumang City Hall compound sa Barangay VA patungo sa bagong City Government Compound sa Barangay San Jose.

Ginanap ang konsultasyon sa Convention Center, kung saan dumalo ang mayorya ng Sangguniang Panglungsod upang masaksihan at talakayin ang panukalang hakbang. Sa kanyang mensahe, ipinaliwanag ni Mayor Amante ang layunin ng inisyatiba at ang posibleng benepisyo nito sa epektibong paglilingkod sa mamamayan.

“Ang layunin natin ay mas mapahusay ang serbisyo-publiko at masiguro na ang mga tanggapan ng pamahalaan ay nasa isang mas maayos, moderno, at accessible na lokasyon para sa lahat,” ani Amante.

Tinalakay rin sa pagdinig ang mga hamon na maaaring kaharapin sa paglilipat, kabilang na ang gastos, legal na proseso, at epekto sa mga empleyado at residente. Nagkaroon ng bukas na forum kung saan maaaring magpahayag ng kanilang pananaw ang mga mamamayan.

Ang lumang gusali ng City Hall, na itinayo noong 1940, ay idinisenyo noong panahong kakaunti pa lamang ang mga sasakyan at ang pangunahing transportasyon ay kalesa at karitela. Dahil sa paglago ng lungsod, nagdudulot ito ng matinding pagsisikip ng trapiko sa paligid. Ang planong paglilipat ay bahagi ng inisyatiba upang maibsan ang problema sa daloy ng trapiko at mapabuti ang serbisyo ng pamahalaang lungsod.

Ang pampublikong konsultasyon ay isang mahalagang bahagi ng proseso ng desisyon ng lokal na pamahalaan, na nagbibigay-daan sa transparency at partisipasyon ng publiko.

Ginanap ang konsultasyon sa Convention Center, kung saan dumalo ang mayorya ng Sangguniang Panglungsod upang masaksihan at talakayin ang panukalang hakbang.

Photo credits: Roy Tomandao

Ancient Greece holds oldest evidence of lead pollution, study finds

WASHINGTON. Ancient Greece, known for its groundbreaking contributions to democracy and philosophy, has now been revealed as the source of the earliest known evidence of lead pollution in the environment, dating back around 5,200 years. This discovery, made by researchers studying sediment cores from mainland Greece and the Aegean Sea, significantly predates the previous earliest recorded lead pollution by 1,200 years, which was found in a peat bog in Serbia.

Lead pollution in ancient Greece originated from the smelting of ore for copper and silver, a process that released toxic lead into the atmosphere. This lead would later settle as dust onto the soil. According to Joseph Maran, an archaeologist from Heidelberg University and co-author of the study published in Communications Earth and Environment, “Silver was used for jewelry, for special objects — but it wasn’t found in a pure state,” meaning it was often mined as part of an ore mixed with lead.

The earliest signs of lead contamination were found in northeastern Greece, near the island of Thasos, a key site for silver mining and metalworking in antiquity. Maran noted that Thasos was one of the region’s most significant locations for these activities.

Historian Joseph Manning of Yale, who was not involved in the study, stated, “Lead released from smelting is the world’s first form of toxic or industrial pollution.”

The study shows that while lead contamination was relatively low and localized throughout the Bronze Age, Classical Period, and Hellenistic period — eras known for the rise of Athenian democracy, the philosophical teachings of Socrates and Plato, and Greece’s cultural influence across the Mediterranean — things changed around 2,150 years ago. The researchers observed a sudden spike in lead emissions that coincided with the Roman conquest of Greece in 146 B.C.

Andreas Koutsodendris, co-author of the study, explained that the Roman expansion led to an increase in silver coin production, which required smelting processes that released higher levels of lead. “Roman trade, colonies, and shipping expanded across the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea, and the demand for silver coins grew rapidly,” said Koutsodendris.

Later, the Romans used lead not only in coin production but also for tableware and in construction materials, such as pipes. Previous research, including ice core analyses from Greenland, also detected elevated lead levels during Roman times across much of the Northern Hemisphere. However, this new study provides a more detailed and localized view of how lead levels fluctuated during that period.

Nathan Chellman, an environmental scientist at the University of Nevada, Reno, who was not part of the research team, emphasized the significance of the findings, stating that the study “adds a more specific and local picture to how lead levels changed.”

This discovery sheds new light on the early environmental impact of human industrial activities and how the ancient world contributed to the emergence of toxic pollution.

Trump pauses tariffs on Mexico and Canada for 30 days, but China tariffs remain

MEXICO CITY/WASHINGTON/OTTAWA. U.S. President Donald Trump has temporarily suspended his threat of imposing steep tariffs on Mexico and Canada, agreeing to a 30-day pause in exchange for new commitments from both countries on border enforcement and crime control. However, U.S. tariffs on China are still scheduled to go into effect as planned.

The agreement came after discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, both of whom pledged to enhance efforts to tackle immigration and drug smuggling, addressing Trump’s demands. This pause, which delays a 25% tariff set to take effect on Tuesday, allows for a one-month negotiation period.

In the deal, Canada has agreed to deploy additional technology and personnel along its border with the U.S. and work with the U.S. to combat organized crime, fentanyl smuggling, and money laundering. Mexico, in turn, will send 10,000 National Guard members to reinforce its northern border to curb illegal migration and drug trafficking. Additionally, the U.S. has committed to preventing the trafficking of high-powered weapons into Mexico, according to President Sheinbaum.

“As President, it is my responsibility to ensure the safety of ALL Americans, and I am doing just that. I am very pleased with this initial outcome,” Trump said in a social media post following the agreement.

The agreements temporarily avert the risk of a trade war that could have severely impacted the economies of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with experts predicting rising prices for consumers. Trump also indicated his intent to pursue further economic agreements with the two countries over the next month, given their closely integrated economies due to the free-trade agreement signed in the 1990s.

China Tariffs Still Set to Begin

Unlike the pause with Mexico and Canada, no such deal has been reached with China. Tariffs of 10% on Chinese goods are still set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday (0501 GMT). Trump has warned of additional tariffs on China if progress is not made on addressing fentanyl trafficking.

“China hopefully is going to stop sending us fentanyl, and if they’re not, the tariffs are going to go substantially higher,” Trump stated.

China has responded, calling fentanyl a problem for the U.S., and has indicated it will challenge the tariffs at the World Trade Organization, though it remains open to negotiations.

The temporary tariff pause sparked a positive reaction in the financial markets, with the Canadian dollar soaring and U.S. stock index futures seeing a boost after recent losses on Wall Street. Industry groups also welcomed the delay, with Chris Davison, head of a Canadian canola producers’ trade group, stating, “That’s very encouraging news. We have a highly integrated industry that benefits both countries.”

Trump suggested that the European Union could be next in line for tariffs, though he did not specify when. EU leaders have indicated they are prepared to fight back but emphasized the importance of negotiations, given the EU’s significant trade ties with the U.S.

Trump acknowledged that while his tariffs could cause short-term difficulties for U.S. consumers, they are necessary to address immigration and narcotics trafficking and stimulate domestic industries. The originally planned tariffs would have covered nearly half of all U.S. imports, a move that analysts say would require significant increases in U.S. manufacturing, an unfeasible task in the short term. Others warned that the tariffs could push Canada and Mexico into recession and lead to “stagflation” — high inflation, stagnant growth, and high unemployment — in the U.S.

Dalawang barko ng China coast guard, namataan malapit sa La Union

MAYNILA. Kinumpirma ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) na dalawang barko ng China Coast Guard (CCG) ang namataan malapit sa Luna, La Union noong umaga ng Pebrero 3.

Ayon kay PCG spokesperson para sa West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela, agad na ipinag-utos ni PCG chief Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan ang deployment ng BRP Cabra at Bagacay upang imonitor ang mga naturang Chinese vessels.

“Ngayong umaga, these two PCG vessels reported that they are still currently monitoring and challenging the presence of these two CCG vessels at an approximate distance of 70 to 75 nautical miles off Luna, La Union Province,” pahayag ni Tarriela.

Ang mga barko ng China na may bow number na 3301 at 3304 ay unang nakita noong Linggo, may 34 nautical miles o 63 kilometro mula sa baybayin ng Bolinao, Pangasinan.

Ayon pa kay Tarriela, ito na ang pinakamalapit na paglapit ng mga barko ng CCG sa isla ng Pilipinas. “Yes, that was the closest that masasabi natin. But again, the difference of these two CCG vessels with that of the CCG monster ship, itong pagdikit niya ng 34 nautical miles yesterday ay continuous. Kumbaga na-detect natin siyang lumapit ng gano’n, but it never stayed there for a long time,” dagdag niya.

Patuloy na minomonitor ng PCG ang sitwasyon sa West Philippine Sea upang tiyakin ang seguridad ng teritoryo ng Pilipinas.

Taiwanese star Barbie Hsu, known for ‘Meteor Garden,’ dies at 48 from influenza complications

TAIPEI. Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, beloved across East Asia for her iconic role in the 2001 television drama Meteor Garden, has tragically passed away at the age of 48 due to complications from the flu. Her sister, Dee Hsu, confirmed the news on Monday.

Hsu, affectionately known by her nickname “Big S,” was reportedly on a family vacation in Japan when she died. Her sister Dee, a well-known figure in the entertainment industry as “Little S,” shared the heartbreaking news in a statement.

“My dearest and most kindhearted sister Barbie Hsu died of influenza-induced pneumonia and unfortunately left us,” Dee wrote. “I was grateful to be her sister in this life and that we got to care for and spend time with each other. I will always be grateful to her and miss her!”

The sisters initially gained fame as part of the Taiwanese pop group S.O.S. Still, it was Hsu’s breakout role in Meteor Garden, where she portrayed the lead character Shancai, that solidified her status as a cultural icon throughout East Asia.

Hsu’s personal life also made headlines. She was married to Korean rapper Koo Jun-yup, known as “DJ Koo,” for nearly three years following her 11-year marriage to Chinese entrepreneur Wang Xiaofei. The actress leaves behind two children.

The news of her passing quickly became the top trending topic on China’s Weibo microblogging platform, where fans from across the globe expressed their grief and fond memories of the star.

From Tokyo’s bean-throwing to Spain’s devil dance: Global traditions welcoming February

TOKYO. Japan and Spain have kicked off early February with vibrant cultural events as part of their long-standing traditions. In Tokyo, the end of winter was marked by the annual mame-maki ritual, while in Spain, the streets of Almonacid del Marquesado were filled with “devils” during the Endiablada festival.

On Sunday, hundreds gathered inside the Zojoji temple in downtown Tokyo to celebrate setsubun, the last day of winter in the Japanese lunar calendar. The mame-maki or bean-throwing ritual is a centuries-old tradition where people toss dried soybeans to drive away evil spirits and invite good fortune.

Due to rain, the ceremony, which is typically held outdoors, was moved inside the temple. Celebrities, including sumo wrestlers and actors dressed in traditional kimonos, threw soybeans to an eager crowd chanting “Oniwa soto, Fukuwa uchi!” — “Demons out, fortune in!”

“Demons out, fortune in!” echoed loud enough for those waiting outside to hear, as they eagerly awaited the next round. Participants, like Utako Iibuchi and her husband Masaaki, collected an impressive amount of soybean packages, snacks, and mochi rice cakes. “This is the first time we’ve collected so much,” said a beaming Utako Iibuchi, one of the lucky ones.

As part of the tradition, Japanese families also conduct their own bean-throwing rituals at home, where elders wear red-faced demon masks and throw beans at others. Afterward, participants eat the same number of beans as their age plus one for good luck and health. However, the Consumer Affairs Agency has issued a warning to avoid feeding dried soybeans to children under five due to choking risks.

Meanwhile, in Spain, the village of Almonacid del Marquesado was alive with the annual Endiablada festival, celebrated every February 2-3 since medieval times. The event honors the feast day of the Virgen of Candelaria and features men dressed in devil-like costumes and red miter hats.

The participants, known as “devils,” carry heavy copper cowbells weighing between 13 and 14 kilograms (28-31 pounds), which they clang as they dance through the narrow streets and visit the cemetery. The tradition is strictly reserved for men born in the village or their descendants.

Carmelo Sánchez, one of the “devil” participants, explained, “(The cowbells weigh) about 13, 14 kilos, but for us it is not tiring because we live it, we carry it inside us.”

Young boys also participate with smaller cowbells, ensuring the festival is passed down through generations. “It was very, very peculiar with so many cowbells,” said Hiroko Notomi, a tourist who was among the spectators. “It’s a very interesting festival and, besides, it’s not like a big city festival. I liked that a lot.”

Both countries embraced their unique cultural heritage in these lively festivals, demonstrating the enduring power of tradition to bring communities together.

Lady pilot ni Willie Revillame, patay sa pagbagsak ng helicopter sa Nueva Ecija

GUIMBA, NUEVA ECIJA. Patay ang isang babaeng piloto matapos bumagsak ang helicopter na kanyang pinalilipad sa Barangay San Miguel, Guimba, Nueva Ecija noong hapon ng Sabado, Pebrero 3.

Kinilala ang biktima bilang si Julia Flori Monzon Po, 25 anyos, residente ng Marina Bay Homes, Asia World, Parañaque City. Ayon sa ulat ni LtCol George Calauad Jr., hepe ng Guimba Police, natagpuan ang katawan ni Po sa crash site matapos ang agarang rescue operation.

Batay sa imbestigasyon, ang Robinson helicopter na may body number RP-C3424 ay lumipad mula Baguio patungong Maynila. Bago nito, lumapag ito sa Binalonan, Pangasinan upang mag-refuel bandang 12:05 ng tanghali. Subalit, iniulat na nagkaproblema ito sa pag-start bago tuluyang nakalipad bandang 4:25 ng hapon.

Dakong 5:20 ng hapon, nakatanggap ang Guimba Police Station ng ulat mula sa isang concerned citizen hinggil sa pagbagsak ng isang helicopter sa Sitio Arimung-mong, Barangay San Miguel. Nang dumating ang mga awtoridad, nakita nilang nakalubog ang bahagi ng helicopter sa isang creek na may lalim na hanggang dibdib.

Si Po ay matagal nang piloto ng sikat na TV host na si Willie Revillame, na agad na nagtungo sa HM Mina Funeral Services sa Pacac, Guimba upang bisitahin ang labi ng kanyang personal na piloto. Inaasahang ililipat ang mga labi ni Po sa Heritage Park sa Parañaque.

Patuloy ang isinasagawang imbestigasyon upang matukoy ang eksaktong dahilan ng pagbagsak ng helicopter.

Arab nations reject Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza

CAIRO. Key Arab nations have strongly rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring Egypt and Jordan, emphasizing that such a move threatens regional stability and undermines peace efforts.

In a joint statement issued on Saturday, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the Palestinian Authority, and the Arab League dismissed any plan to transfer Palestinians out of their territories in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. The statement warned that such a proposal could escalate conflicts and hinder prospects for coexistence.

Trump first floated the idea last month, suggesting that the leaders of Jordan and Egypt should accommodate Gaza’s largely displaced population. “We just clean out that whole thing,” he said, referring to the widespread destruction caused by Israel’s prolonged military operations in Gaza. He added that relocating Gaza’s 2.3 million residents could be temporary or permanent. Israeli officials had also raised similar proposals earlier in the war.

The joint Arab statement made clear their stance: “Such plans threaten the region’s stability, risk expanding the conflict, and undermine prospects for peace and coexistence among its peoples.”

The statement followed a high-level diplomatic meeting in Cairo, attended by officials including Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Senior Palestinian official Hussein al-Sheikh, the primary liaison with Israel, also participated in the discussions.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi outright rejected Trump’s suggestion during a press conference last week, firmly stating: “The transfer of Palestinians can’t ever be tolerated or allowed.” He reiterated that the only viable solution is the two-state framework: “The solution to this issue is the two-state solution. It is the establishment of a Palestinian state. The solution is not to remove the Palestinian people from their place. No.”

Similarly, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi emphasized his country’s firm stance: “Our opposition to this idea is firm and unwavering.”

Egypt and Jordan, along with Palestinian leaders, fear that once displaced, Palestinians may never be allowed to return to Gaza. They also highlight the severe economic and security consequences of absorbing large numbers of refugees. Jordan already hosts over 2 million Palestinian refugees, while Egypt has voiced concerns about potential security risks if large numbers of displaced Palestinians are relocated to the Sinai Peninsula, which borders Gaza.

Both Egypt and Jordan were the first Arab nations to sign peace treaties with Israel. However, they remain committed to the establishment of a Palestinian state encompassing the occupied West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem—territories that Israel seized during the 1967 Mideast War.

Additionally, the Arab nations underscored the importance of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in providing essential aid. They described its role as “pivotal, non-replaceable” and condemned any attempts to diminish or bypass its efforts.

The statement comes in the wake of Israel’s formal ban on UNRWA last Thursday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right allies have accused the agency of being infiltrated by Hamas, a claim that UNRWA strongly denies. The agency currently provides essential humanitarian aid and services to approximately 2.5 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and East Jerusalem, along with 3 million more in Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, UNRWA has been the primary lifeline for Palestinians in Gaza.

The Arab nations concluded their statement by urging the international community to support a comprehensive reconstruction plan for Gaza, ensuring that its residents can remain in their homeland. They reiterated their commitment to working with global partners, including the United States, to “achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, based on the two-state solution.”

Medevac plane crashes in Philadelphia, child and five others on board

PHILADELPHIA. A medical evacuation plane carrying a child and five others crashed shortly after takeoff in Philadelphia on Friday, with authorities still working to determine casualties. The air ambulance company, Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, confirmed the incident but has not yet verified any survivors.

Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, a Mexico-based company licensed to operate in the U.S., stated that the aircraft had four crew members, a pediatric medical patient, and the patient’s mother on board.

“At this time we cannot confirm any survivors,” the company said in an official statement.

State and local officials are still assessing the impact on the ground, as the plane crashed into a densely populated area of the city. Witnesses captured shocking footage showing debris and body parts scattered across streets and inside nearby homes.

According to CNN, the Mexican government confirmed that all those on board were Mexican nationals. The child, a girl, was en route to her home in Tijuana, accompanied by her mother, according to Shai Gold, a corporate strategist with Jet Rescue Air Ambulance.

“We are terribly shocked by this tragic turn of events,” Gold said. “This was a very seasoned crew. We are a leading air ambulance company, flying 600 to 700 times a year.” He further emphasized that the company maintains its aircraft to the highest international standards, stating that the plane was in excellent flying condition before the crash. “We really don’t know what happened,” he added.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro acknowledged the severity of the disaster. “We know there will be loss in this region,” he said at a press conference at the crash site. “We want to offer our thoughts and our serious prayers for those that are grieving at this moment.”

Former U.S. President Donald Trump reacted to the tragedy on social media, stating, “So sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More innocent souls lost. Our people are totally engaged. First responders are already being given credit for doing a great job.”

The crash comes just days after a devastating collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, D.C., which resulted in 67 fatalities—the deadliest airplane crash in the U.S. since 2009.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that six people were aboard the Learjet 55, which crashed at approximately 6:30 p.m. (0030 GMT) on Friday. Local reports indicated that the crash occurred near Roosevelt Mall in northeast Philadelphia, with multiple injuries reported on the ground.

Eyewitness footage aired on local television showed the aircraft in a steep dive before striking the ground and erupting in a massive fireball. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, speaking at a press conference, described the scene as catastrophic. “Several houses and cars were engulfed in flames,” she said. “This is an all-hands-on-deck situation.”

Officials have not yet determined the cause of the crash. Weather conditions at the time included cold temperatures, rain, and low visibility. The FAA stated that the medevac plane had departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport and was headed to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri, approximately 1,100 miles (1,800 km) southwest.

A significant fire erupted at the crash site, with multiple fire trucks responding. Footage from the local CBS affiliate showed the fires mostly extinguished about two hours after the crash.

The Philadelphia Police and Fire Departments have yet to issue statements regarding the full extent of the casualties or damages.

Mas maraming benepisyo sa matapat na PhilHealth members, isinusulong sa Senado

MAYNILA. Isinusulong sa Senado ang panukalang batas na magbibigay ng dagdag na benepisyo sa mga “loyal” o matapat na miyembro ng Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

Sa ilalim ng Senate Bill na inihain ni Senador Loren Legarda, itatatag ang PhilHealth Member Recognition Program (PMRP), na layong gantimpalaan ang mga miyembrong regular at walang palyang naghuhulog ng kanilang kontribusyon. Bukod sa standard na mga benepisyo, magkakaroon din sila ng karagdagang insentibo.

“Many of our workers, from factory employees to small business owners, have faithfully contributed to PhilHealth for years, hoping for comprehensive support during times of need. Yet, they often feel that their contributions don’t translate into meaningful benefits,” pahayag ni Legarda.

Sa ilalim ng panukala, kikilalanin ang mga nakaraang kontribusyon ng miyembro hanggang 10 taon bago ipatupad ang programa o bago ang kanilang pagiging miyembro, alinman ang mauna. Ang mga regular na nagbabayad ay makakatanggap ng puntos na maaaring ipalit sa:
✔️ Mas maginhawang tirahan sa ospital
✔️ Karagdagang mga paggamot sa pangangalaga ng kalusugan
✔️ Mga gastusing hindi sakop ng insurance
✔️ Extra health benefits
✔️ Mga hindi-medikal na serbisyong may kaugnayan sa kalusugan

Ayon kay Legarda, layunin din ng panukala na bigyan ng hustisya ang mga matapat na miyembro at tiyakin na sila’y kinikilala sa kanilang patuloy na suporta sa sistema.

“This is our way of saying thank you to those who have stayed committed to the program. Their contributions have sustained the system, and it’s time we acknowledge their sacrifices,” dagdag ni Legarda.

Sa ngayon, patuloy ang deliberasyon sa Senado kaugnay ng panukalang batas na ito.