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Israel vows Hezbollah will “pay the price” for a rocket attack that killed 12 children

Venus L Peñaflor
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Israel vows Hezbollah will “pay the price” for a rocket attack that killed 12 children

TEL AVIV. Israel has vowed that Hezbollah will “pay the price” following a rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that claimed the lives of 12 children. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, has heightened fears of a potential all-out war in the Middle East.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, visiting Majdal Shams where the attack occurred, declared, “Hezbollah is responsible for this and they will pay the price.” He further emphasized, “We will hit the enemy hard.” This comes after Israel’s military conducted airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon overnight, although the number of casualties from these strikes is not yet clear.

The rocket attack, described as the deadliest to hit Israel or Israeli-controlled territory since the October 7 attacks, involved “approximately 30 projectiles” crossing from Lebanon. The barrage resulted in the deaths of 12 children who were playing on a soccer field and left 44 others injured. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the fatalities, stating, “The children killed in the strike had been playing on a soccer field.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken supported Israel’s assessment, asserting that “every indication” suggested the attack was carried out by Hezbollah. Hezbollah, however, has firmly denied involvement, with a statement reading, “We confirm that the Islamic Resistance has no connection to the incident whatsoever and firmly denies all false claims in this regard.”

The Golan Heights, which Israel seized from Syria in 1967 and annexed in 1981, is home to about 20,000 Druze Arabs and 25,000 Israeli Jewish settlers. The Regional Council of Majdal Shams reported that none of the deceased children held Israeli citizenship. The area remains considered occupied territory under international law and UN Security Council resolutions.

A funeral procession for the victims drew hundreds of mourners. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid remarked, “The children who died on that football field could have been any of our children. Therefore, they are indeed the children of each of us. These are our children.”

The attack and subsequent Israeli response have intensified fears of a broader conflict. Iran’s foreign ministry warned Israel against “any new adventures” targeting Lebanon, while Egypt’s foreign minister cautioned against opening a new war front and called for international intervention.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short his visit to the United States and returned to Israel to address the situation, calling the attack shocking and vowing that Israel “will not be silent about this.”

As tensions continue to escalate, the international community watches closely, with fears that the ongoing conflict with Hamas could spiral into a multi-front war across the Middle East.

The victims belonged to the ethnic minority which speaks Arabic and follows the Druze religion – Menahem Kahana/AFP

Celine Dion makes triumphant return with Eiffel Tower performance at Paris Olympics

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Celine Dion makes triumphant return with Eiffel Tower performance at Paris Olympics

PARIS. Celine Dion made a spectacular comeback on Friday night, closing the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony with a breathtaking performance from the Eiffel Tower. This marked her return to the stage nearly two years after revealing her diagnosis of stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder.

Dion delivered a moving rendition of Edith Piaf’s classic “Hymne à l’amour” (“Hymn to Love”) as the grand finale of the four-hour event. Her performance had been widely anticipated but shrouded in secrecy, with both the organizers and Dion’s representatives remaining tight-lipped about her involvement.

The media guide for the ceremony, sponsored by Dior, had hinted at a “world star” for the “purely grandiose, superbly scintillating finale,” without confirming Dion’s participation.

The Canadian singer had been absent from the stage since 2020 due to the pandemic and the subsequent postponement of her tour, which was ultimately canceled following her diagnosis. The condition, which causes severe muscle rigidity and spasms, affected her ability to walk and sing. In June, Dion spoke to The Associated Press about the extensive therapy required for her return, stating, “So that’s why it takes a while. But absolutely why we’re doing this because I’m already a little bit back.”

In February, Dion made a surprise appearance at the Grammy Awards, where she presented the final award of the night to a standing ovation, signaling her gradual return to the limelight.

For her Paris performance, Dion wore a pearl outfit designed by Dior. Daphné Bürki, the Paris Olympics’ director of design and costume for ceremonies, noted Dion’s eagerness to participate. “When we called Celine Dion one year ago she said yes straight away,” Bürki said.

Although Dion is French Canadian and hails from Quebec, she has a deep connection to France and the Olympics. Her French-language music has been hugely popular in France and other French-speaking regions. Additionally, Dion represented Switzerland in the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest with a French-language song and performed “The Power of The Dream,” the theme song for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Her choice of song for the Paris Olympics also carried a poignant sports connection: Piaf wrote “Hymne à l’amour” about her lover, boxer Marcel Cerdan, who tragically died in a plane crash shortly after the song’s creation.

Harris urges Netanyahu to end Gaza conflict and secure hostage release

Venus L Peñaflor
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0
Harris urges Netanyahu to end Gaza conflict and secure hostage release

WASHINGTON. Vice President Kamala Harris called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to expedite a cease-fire agreement with Hamas and secure the release of hostages held in Gaza since October 7. During a meeting on Thursday, Harris emphasized the urgency of ending the conflict that has claimed over 39,000 Palestinian lives.

In a “frank and constructive” discussion, Harris reiterated the U.S. stance that while Israel has the right to defend itself, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza requires immediate attention. “There has been hopeful movement in the talks to secure an agreement on this deal,” Harris told reporters. “And as I just told Prime Minister Netanyahu, it is time to get this deal done.”

Earlier, President Joe Biden also met with Netanyahu, advocating for a U.S.-backed three-phase plan to release remaining hostages and establish an extended cease-fire. The White House stated that Biden and Netanyahu discussed closing gaps in the deal, improving aid flow into Gaza, and addressing threats from Iranian-backed militant groups.

Harris highlighted the complexities of the situation, noting, “Too often, the conversation is binary when the reality is anything but.” She condemned Hamas for its brutal actions and reinforced that the militant group, which killed around 1,200 Israelis and took 250 hostages on October 7, must take responsibility for the ongoing suffering in Gaza.

Amid increasing pressure from both domestic and international critics, Harris underscored the need for decisive action. “What has happened in Gaza over the past nine months is devastating. The images of dead children and desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety… We cannot look away in the face of these tragedies,” she asserted.

Netanyahu, who was met with protests during his Washington visit, defended Israel’s actions in a fiery speech to Congress, rejecting criticisms and pledging continued military efforts against Hamas. In response to protesters, Harris condemned pro-Hamas rhetoric and the burning of the U.S. flag, stating, “Pro-Hamas graffiti and rhetoric is abhorrent and we must not tolerate it in our nation.”

The Vice President’s meeting with Netanyahu was also a strategic move to showcase her capability as a potential future Commander-in-Chief, as she faces scrutiny from both political allies and opponents. Netanyahu is expected to continue discussions with U.S. officials, with the administration aiming to finalize the cease-fire deal and secure a long-term resolution to the Gaza conflict.

Following the talks, families of American hostages were assured by Biden and Netanyahu of a commitment to securing their release. Jonathan Dekel-Chen, whose family member is among the hostages, expressed renewed hope for progress, stating, “There is more reason today than in any time since the last round of hostage releases that something can happen.”

Australia secures $1.4 billion deal for upgrading navy submarines

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Australia secures $1.4 billion deal for upgrading navy submarines

SYDNEY. Australia has announced a significant investment to enhance its naval capabilities, signing an A$2.2 billion ($1.4 billion) contract with state-owned submarine builder ASC to upgrade its Collins-class submarines. The four-year “sustainment contract” aims to bolster the fleet’s operational effectiveness as part of the government’s commitment to maintaining a strong maritime deterrent.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy described the contract as essential for ensuring that the diesel-electric powered Collins-class submarines remain “a potent strike and deterrence capability.” The deal will directly support job security for over 1,100 highly skilled workers at facilities in Henderson, Western Australia, and Osborne, South Australia.

Osborne is a pivotal site where ASC, in partnership with Britain’s BAE Systems, will be constructing Australia’s future fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. This initiative is a key component of the 2021 AUKUS pact involving Britain, the U.S., and Australia. However, until the new submarines are operational later this decade, Osborne will continue to handle much of the maintenance for the existing Collins-class fleet.

Conroy also highlighted that the upgrade forms part of the center-left government’s broader commitment of A$4 to A$5 billion to sustain the Collins-class submarines, which are projected to remain in service into the 2040s.

French minister considers foreign involvement in high-speed rail sabotage on Olympic opening day

Venus L Peñaflor
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French minister considers foreign involvement in high-speed rail sabotage on Olympic opening day

PARIS. France’s Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has stated that the possibility of foreign involvement in the recent sabotage of the country’s high-speed rail network cannot be ruled out. The attacks, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, targeted signal stations and cables, disrupting travel on the first day of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The sabotage affected critical infrastructure along major rail routes, including connections from Paris to Lille, Bordeaux, and Strasbourg. An attempted attack on the Paris-Marseille line was thwarted, according to the French national rail operator, SNCF.

There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks. “Who is responsible? Either it’s from within, or it’s been ordered from abroad, it’s too early to say,” Darmanin told France 2 television. He added, “We have uncovered a certain number of elements which lead us to believe that we will know fairly quickly who is responsible.”

Initial suspicions have focused on leftist militants or environmental activists due to the nature of the attacks though no evidence has yet been found to support these theories, according to two security sources.

Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete and SNCF Chief Jean-Pierre Farandou assured the public that normal traffic on the high-speed rail network is expected to resume by Monday. Vergriete confirmed that, despite the disruption, transport plans for Olympic teams would remain unaffected.

The rail chaos impacted approximately 100,000 travelers who missed their trains, while another 150,000 experienced delays but eventually reached their destinations.

Lawsuits in Missouri accuse dozens of Catholic clergy, including the Omaha archbishop, of abuse

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Lawsuits in Missouri accuse dozens of Catholic clergy, including the Omaha archbishop, of abuse

ST. LOUIS. Sixty individuals have come forward with new lawsuits in Missouri, alleging they were abused as children by a range of Catholic clergy, including priests and nuns. Among those named is Archbishop George Lucas of Omaha, Nebraska.

The lawsuits, filed this week in St. Louis and surrounding counties, accuse 56 alleged abusers of misconduct, seeking unspecified damages. One lawsuit specifically names Archbishop Lucas, who, according to a claim filed Wednesday in St. Louis County Circuit Court, was accused of sexually abusing a 16-year-old boy in the late 1980s at the now-closed St. Louis Preparatory Seminary, where Lucas was a priest and dean of education. The lawsuit alleges that Lucas abused the boy multiple times and offered better grades in exchange for sexual favors.

In response, Archbishop Lucas issued a strong denial. “I categorically deny the accusation made by an anonymous person,” Lucas stated. “I have never had sexual contact with another person. I referred the matter to the apostolic nuncio, Pope Francis’ representative in Washington, D.C., for his guidance.”

The lawsuits cover a broad time range, from as early as the 1940s to as recent as 2015. David Clohessy, of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), voiced concerns about the potential for further abuse, noting that at least ten of the alleged abusers are still alive. Some of the accused have prior criminal convictions or have been named in previous civil cases.

One particularly troubling lawsuit alleges that a priest and a nun sexually abused a girl with an intellectual disability from 1999 to 2002 when she was between the ages of 8 and 12. The lawsuit claims the priest threatened to kill the girl if she resisted. After transferring to another school, the girl was allegedly abused by a different priest from 2002 to 2004.

The lawsuits also target the Archdiocese of St. Louis and its current archbishop, Mitchell T. Rozanski, accusing church leaders of failing to stop the abuse. “This shameless cover-up spanned decades and allowed various clergy and other employees to access and sexually abuse numerous children,” the lawsuits state.

The Archdiocese of St. Louis has yet to respond to requests for comment. In 2019, the Archdiocese released a list of 61 clergy members facing “substantiated” allegations of child sexual abuse, following a 2018 report from Pennsylvania that exposed the abuse of over 1,000 children by hundreds of priests and the church’s efforts to conceal it.

Philippine resupply mission to disputed shoal passes without incident after deal with China

Venus L Peñaflor
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Philippine resupply mission to disputed shoal passes without incident after deal with China

MANILA. Philippine forces successfully completed a resupply mission to the contested Second Thomas Shoal on Saturday, marking the first such trip without incident since a recent agreement with China. This mission involved delivering food and other essentials to Filipino naval personnel stationed at the shoal, took place amid heightened tensions between the Philippines and China over regional military developments.

The successful resupply operation follows a deal reached between the Philippines and China a week ago to prevent confrontations in the area. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila highlighted the professionalism of the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard in executing the mission, noting that “the lawful and routine rotation and resupply mission within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone” was achieved through close coordination among various national agencies.

For the first time, Chinese coast guard vessels did not intercept or block the Philippine ships, a significant shift from previous encounters where Chinese forces had used aggressive tactics to obstruct resupply efforts. According to spokesperson Gan Yu, China’s coast guard confirmed the delivery of “daily necessities” as per the “temporary arrangement” and supervised the process.

The successful completion of this mission is seen as a positive outcome amid ongoing tensions, including recent warnings from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. During a meeting with Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo in Vientiane, Laos, Wang criticized the deployment of U.S. intermediate-range missiles to the Philippines, arguing that it could escalate regional tensions and trigger an arms race. Wang warned that such moves “will create tension and confrontation in the region” and do not align with the interests of the Filipino people.

China’s foreign minister cautions the Philippines about US missile deployment

The U.S. missile system which was part of joint military drills earlier this year, has further complicated the diplomatic landscape. Washington’s military presence in the region is intended to uphold freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, a critical trade route and area of rich resources.

In addition to the military tensions, the recent resupply mission underscores ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize the situation at the Second Thomas Shoal, known as Ayungin in the Philippines and Ren’ai Jiao in China. The successful delivery of supplies without incident reflects a cautious but hopeful step toward de-escalation in a region fraught with disputes involving multiple nations, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.

As the Philippines and China navigate these complex issues, the international community, including the United States and its allies, continues to monitor the situation closely.

Pangulong Marcos bumuo ng task force upang tugunan ang oil spill sa Bataan

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Pangulong Marcos bumuo ng task force upang tugunan ang oil spill sa Bataan

MAYNILA. Nagtayo si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ng isang inter-agency task force upang agarang harapin ang posibleng epekto ng oil spill mula sa Motor Tanker Terra Nova na lumubog sa baybayin ng Limay, Bataan, noong Huwebes habang umuulan ng malakas dulot ng bagyong Carina at Habagat.

Ang bagong task force ay pangungunahan ng Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) na makikipagtulungan sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), at Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Kasama rin sa task force ang Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), at Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Inatasan ng Pangulo ang DENR na makipagtulungan sa DOH upang magsagawa ng pagsusuri sa kalidad ng tubig at hangin sa mga apektadong lugar. “Dapat aniyang masuri ng DOH ang kalusugan ng mga residente doon na apektado ng oil spill,” ani ng Pangulo.

Pinag-utos din ng Pangulo ang DOLE na magpatupad ng mga programang pangkabuhayan para sa mga naapektuhang residente, habang ang DSWD ay inaasahang magbibigay ng tulong sa mga biktima. “Kinakailangan ding makipagtulungan sa mga non-government organizations upang matugunan ang problema at sa local government units,” dagdag pa ng Pangulo.

Ayon sa Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), ang Motor Tanker Terra Nova ay lumubog malapit sa Liway, Bataan, kung saan pinangangambahan nilang maaaring tumapon ang 1.4 milyong litro ng industrial fuel sa katubigan. Sinabi ni PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo, “Mayroong malaking panganib ang oil spill dahil malapit lang ito sa Manila Bay.”

Rocket attack on Israeli football pitch kills 12, sparks retaliatory threats

Venus L Peñaflor
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0
Rocket attack on Israeli football pitch kills 12, sparks retaliatory threats

JERUSALEM/BEIRUT. A rocket attack on a football ground in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights resulted in the deaths of 12 people, including children, on Saturday, according to Israeli authorities. The attack, which targeted a pitch in the Druze village of Majdal Shams, has been attributed to Hezbollah, although the group has denied involvement.

The strike, the deadliest in Israeli or annexed territories since the Gaza conflict began, has significantly heightened tensions. The Israeli government has vowed severe retaliation against Hezbollah, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating, “Hezbollah will pay a heavy price, the kind it has thus far not paid,” during a call with the leader of the Druze community in Israel.

Hezbollah has issued a statement denying any involvement: “The Islamic Resistance has absolutely nothing to do with the incident, and categorically denies all false allegations in this regard.”

The Israeli ambulance service reported that 13 more individuals were injured in the attack, which occurred while the football pitch was occupied by children and teenagers. Witness Mourhaf Abu Saleh described the scene: “They were playing soccer, they heard sirens, they ran to shelter… it may take them like 15 seconds (to reach the shelter). But they couldn’t reach the shelter because the rocket hit the site between the ground and the shelter.”

Social media footage captured the explosion and the resulting smoke. Israeli medic Idan Avshalom described the aftermath: “There were casualties on the grass and the scene was gruesome.”

In response, Netanyahu is cutting short his visit to the United States to return to Israel and convene his security cabinet. The U.S. has condemned the attack, with a White House National Security Council spokesperson reaffirming, “U.S. support for Israel’s security is iron-clad and unwavering against all Iranian-backed terrorist groups, including Lebanese Hezbollah.”

The Israeli military has identified the rocket as an Iranian-made Falaq-1, launched from an area north of the village of Chebaa in southern Lebanon. Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari confirmed that Hezbollah had previously claimed responsibility for several rocket attacks on Israeli military positions.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for stringent retaliation, including targeting Hezbollah’s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah: “For the death of children, Nasrallah should pay with his head. All of Lebanon should pay,” he posted on X.

The conflict has displaced tens of thousands in Lebanon and Israel, with Israeli strikes killing about 350 Hezbollah fighters and over 100 civilians in Lebanon. Since October, the death toll among civilians from Hezbollah attacks in Israel has risen to 23, with at least 17 soldiers also killed.

The UNIFIL peacekeeping force is engaged in discussions with both Lebanese and Israeli authorities to manage the situation. The focus remains on preventing a full-scale war as Hezbollah continues to respond with retaliatory attacks following an Israeli strike that killed four militants, including at least one Hezbollah member.

Amid family tragedy, Rep. Ann Matibag supports typhoon Carina victims in San Pedro City

Roy Tomandao
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Amid family tragedy, Rep. Ann Matibag supports typhoon Carina victims in San Pedro City

SAN PEDRO CITY, LAGUNA. Despite facing personal loss, Congresswoman Ann Matibag of San Pedro City has stepped up to assist victims affected by Typhoon Carina, which has caused severe flooding in several barangays since Tuesday.

Just a day after burying her father, Fiscal Rene Garcia, on Wednesday, Rep. Matibag and her team extended aid to residents of Carmen Homes in Barangay San Antonio and Sitio Kangkungan South Fairways Homes in Barangay Landayan. Demonstrating her commitment to public service, Matibag emphasized the values her father instilled in her.

“That’s what my father really taught me since when I was a young public servant to be more accessible to the people as an elected government official, especially during times like this,” Matibag stated. “My father told me that at any given situation, time or place, you have to serve your people 24/7.”

The team visited the Rosario Complex to distribute food, water, coffee, and cash assistance to 66 individuals from 16 displaced families at Sitio Kangkungan. They also provided Jollibee meals for the children.

Her husband, Atty. Melvin Matibag also contributed by providing cash assistance to families in Carmen Homes.

Despite her personal grief, Matibag maintained her congressional duties, attending President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the House of Representatives in Batasan, Quezon City. “I still have to attend the SONA despite our situation, but I know my father’s presence is always there at my side to guide me to do the right things,” she remarked. Matibag wore a Sampaguita-themed dress designed by Michael Leyva for the occasion.

She expressed her unwavering support for President Marcos, praising his administration’s achievements. “Amidst our family’s grief, I wholeheartedly supported our beloved President Bongbong Marcos for his third SONA. It’s truly worth every second to hear about the administration’s successes as it continuously achieves momentous triumphs for the Filipino people.”

Rep. Matibag also expressed gratitude to President Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez for their leadership. “From economic reforms to the passage of laws, the administration has truly laid the foundation for a brighter future for our country. I will forever be grateful and proud to be part of the Philippines’ 19th Congress under the leadership and tutelage of President Bongbong Marcos,” she concluded.

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