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Lunar New Year celebrations across Asia highlight tradition and technology

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Lunar New Year celebrations across Asia highlight tradition and technology

The Year of the Horse galloped in on February 17, ushering in Lunar New Year celebrations across Asia marked by traditional prayers, lion and dragon dances, street fairs, and even humanoid robots. The festival, one of the most important in the Chinese calendar, drew crowds from Beijing to Buenos Aires, blending centuries-old traditions with modern innovations.

China: Tradition Meets Technology

In Beijing, thousands of people gathered at the historic Temple of Earth to buy snacks, toys, and charms, and to burn incense for happiness and success in the coming year. On national television, humanoid robots performed alongside children in martial arts sequences during the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, showcasing China’s advancements in AI. Some viewers applauded the technology, while others felt it slightly diminished the traditional festive atmosphere.

In Hong Kong, worshippers lined up at temples at midnight to offer incense and wishes, while in Taiwan, the Baoan Temple in Taipei rang its bell 108 times, an auspicious number as devotees offered incense and flower bouquets.

Vietnam: Tet Celebrations

Vietnamese communities celebrated Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, with lively countdowns, outdoor performances, and fireworks that illuminated bridges and skyscrapers. Crowds clapped along to live pop music as city-wide celebrations carried into the night.

Russia: Chinese Street Fairs in Moscow

In Moscow, Chinese-style street fairs drew crowds along snow-dusted streets decorated with red lanterns and dragons. Visitors sampled Chinese cuisine, watched performances, and took part in two weeks of cultural events, highlighting growing cultural ties between China and Russia.

Argentina: Buenos Aires Chinatown

Thousands gathered in Buenos Aires’ Chinatown for dragon and lion dances, martial arts demonstrations, and stage performances, reflecting the vibrant Chinese immigrant community in Argentina, which numbers over 180,000.

Philippines: Binondo at the Center

In the Philippines, celebrations were particularly vibrant in Binondo, Manila’s historic Chinatown. Streets and storefronts were adorned with red and gold, while markets sold lucky charms, tikoy (sticky rice cake), and symbolic items for prosperity. Lion and dragon dances, street performances, and a fireworks and drone show along Jones Bridge marked the festivities. Families gathered for meals, exchanged greetings of “Gong Xi Fa Cai”, and visited temples to pray for health and success.

Other areas in the Philippines with significant Chinese-Filipino populations also joined in the celebrations, emphasizing the holiday’s role in fostering cultural unity, commerce, and shared hope for the year ahead.

Alterna Verde hosts seminar on data-driven approaches to sustainable solid waste management

Venus L Peñaflor
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Alterna Verde hosts seminar on data-driven approaches to sustainable solid waste management

LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA —Alterna Verde, a Filipino-owned and operated waste-to-energy (WTE) company specializing in sustainable solid waste management solutions, conducted a seminar on February 9, 2026, at 10:31 PM at the SEARCA–UP Los Baños Conference Hall, focusing on “Data-Driven Approaches to Sustainable Solid Waste Management: Integrating Drone Applications, Surface Hydrology, and Groundwater Modeling for Waste-to-Energy Applications.”

The seminar highlighted innovative strategies to improve efficiency, sustainability, and environmental safety in local solid waste management. A central case study was the San Pablo City Baloc Sanitary Landfill and Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), the city’s primary waste disposal site operational since the early 2000s, which has faced challenges including leachate management, methane emissions, and proper waste segregation.

The research and study were prompted by concerns raised by local city consultants, who noted that leachate, the liquid that percolates through waste and contains dissolved organic and inorganic contaminants, could potentially seep into surrounding soil and threaten the city’s water table. This led Alterna Verde to emphasize data-driven and predictive approaches, including hydrological and groundwater modeling, to evaluate potential risks and mitigate contamination. Scientific modeling allows experts to simulate the movement of leachate through soil layers, estimate its travel time to groundwater, and assess long-term impacts on water quality, enabling more informed management decisions and preventive interventions.

Alterna Verde has been formally involved in managing the Baloc Sanitary Landfill under a 20-year contract signed with the previous city administration, giving the company a long-term operational and technical oversight role.

During the seminar, experts discussed how drone technologies, surface hydrology, and groundwater modeling can enhance landfill monitoring, predict long-term environmental impacts, and support waste-to-energy and carbon capture projects. Participants emphasized that some effects, such as groundwater contamination or leachate migration, may take up to 60 years to fully manifest, highlighting the importance of long-term, data-driven planning.

Among the experts present was Dr. Maurice Alfonso Duka, a Professional Agricultural Engineer and Associate Professor IV at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), specializing in surface water and groundwater modeling, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, and 3D hydrodynamic modeling. Dr. Duka earned his PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan, and a Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering (First Class Honours) from the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Engr. Siegfred L. Delos Santos, a licensed Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer, shared his experience in hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, water resources assessment, and decision support systems for river basins and lake governance, with technical expertise in HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, WEAP, GIS, and Python-based automation. Engr. Leunell Chris M. Buela, a Hydrogeologist and Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer with CEST Incorporated, serves as a Groundwater Modeler and Assistant Professor at UPLB, with specialization in groundwater and hydrologic modeling, climate resilience studies, and sustainable water management. Dr. Jabez Joshua Flores, PhD in Environmental Science with a cognate in Development Communication from UPLB, and a former DOST–ASTHRDP and SEARCA PhD Research Scholar, also contributed insights, drawing on his experience in environmental research and landscape ecology.

“The integration of drones, hydrology, and groundwater modeling provides a scientific approach to solid waste management,” said a representative from Alterna Verde. “It helps projects like the Baloc Sanitary Landfill operate more sustainably while supporting resource recovery and energy generation.”

While the seminar focused on technological innovations, experts acknowledged that cost, technical complexity, ongoing maintenance, and emissions from waste-to-energy processes remain important considerations. They also noted that predictive models cannot fully replace human oversight, and unexpected events or changes in waste composition could affect results.

The seminar drew environmental scientists, engineers, students, local government representatives, and civil society groups, providing a forum to explore technical solutions for sustainable solid waste management.

“Data-driven planning can support better waste management and resource recovery, but its effectiveness depends on governance, technical capacity, and consistent operational management,” said Dr. Nervy Santiago, CEO and General Manager of Alterna Verde.

The event underscores the growing role of technology and scientific modeling in municipal solid waste management, highlighting how innovation can improve efficiency, environmental safety, and long-term sustainability in landfill operations, while addressing real risks to San Pablo City’s water resources.

Alterna Verde has been formally involved in managing the Baloc Sanitary Landfill under a 20-year contract signed with the previous city administration, giving the company a long-term operational and technical oversight role.

Duterte will not participate in ICC confirmation hearing via video, defense says

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Duterte will not participate in ICC confirmation hearing via video, defense says

THE HAGUE — Former President Rodrigo Duterte will not participate through video conferencing in his upcoming confirmation of charges hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC), scheduled to begin on February 23, according to his defense counsel, Nicholas Kaufman.

The hearing, which will take place before Pre-Trial Chamber I in Courtroom I, is set from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time in The Hague (5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Philippine time). Subsequent sessions are scheduled on February 24, 26, and 27, during which the prosecution, defense, and victims’ lawyers will present their arguments to the judges.

Kaufman told GMA Integrated News that Duterte will not appear via video conference, noting that the former president also did not consent to participate through such technology at his initial appearance. Kaufman recalled that his co-counsel at the time, Attorney Salvador Medialdea, requested a postponement to allow him to attend in person, but the request was denied. He added that Duterte appeared in front of the camera while still recovering from hospital medication.

When asked whether Duterte will appear in person or waive his right to attend, Kaufman declined to comment further.

The ICC has allocated time limits for oral presentations during the confirmation hearing: the prosecution will have 30 minutes for opening statements, 2 hours and 30 minutes for submissions on the merits, and 30 minutes for closing statements; the common legal representatives of the victims will have 30 minutes for opening, 1 hour and 30 minutes for submissions, and 30 minutes for closing; while the defense will have 30 minutes for opening, 3 hours and 30 minutes for submissions, and 30 minutes for closing. The court noted that the schedule may be adjusted depending on the flow of proceedings.

The hearing will be available online with a 30-minute delay via the ICC website, Facebook, and YouTube. The ICC explained that the purpose of the confirmation of charges hearing is to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the person committed the crimes charged. If one or more charges are confirmed, the case will move to a Trial Chamber, which will conduct the trial phase.

Duterte is currently detained at the ICC Detention Center in Scheveningen, The Hague, facing charges of crimes against humanity linked to killings during his administration’s war on drugs, dating back to his tenure as mayor of Davao City and as president of the Philippines.

The ICC has identified several individuals as alleged co-perpetrators in a so-called “common plan” to target suspected criminals, including senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Bong Go; former police officials Vicente Danao, Camilo Cascolan, Oscar Albayalde, and Isidro Lapeña; former NBI director Dante Gierran; former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II; and other members of the Philippine National Police and high-ranking government officials.

3 killed, including suspect, in shooting during Rhode Island youth hockey game

EDGARDO HERNAL
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3 killed, including suspect, in shooting during Rhode Island youth hockey game

PAWTUCKET, Rhode Island — A shooting during a youth hockey game at a local ice arena in Pawtucket left three people dead including the suspected gunman and three others critically injured, authorities said Monday, in what investigators believe was a targeted incident possibly linked to a family dispute.

The violence erupted at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena during a high school hockey game, sending players, parents, and spectators running for safety as law enforcement flooded the area. Police said the suspect was among those killed and was believed to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves told reporters that initial findings suggest the shooting was “a targeted event” and may have stemmed from a family-related conflict. Investigators have not yet released the identities or ages of the victims while families are being notified and authorities continue to establish the full timeline of events.

Witnesses described scenes of confusion and panic as gunfire rang out inside the arena, which was hosting a crowded boys’ high school hockey game. Families and young athletes fled the building, with some taking shelter in nearby establishments while police secured the scene.

Outside the rink, emotional family members and players in uniform were seen embracing before being reunited with relatives. Authorities temporarily closed roads surrounding the arena as multiple agencies responded, including state and federal personnel assisting the investigation.

Police said detectives are interviewing numerous witnesses and reviewing evidence to determine the sequence of events. Officials emphasized that there is no indication of additional suspects at large.

While early reports varied as the incident unfolded, officials later confirmed that three people died and three others remained in critical condition at area hospitals. Investigators are treating the case as a domestic- or family-related act of violence rather than a random attack.

The tragedy has shaken the close-knit community of Pawtucket, a city just north of Providence near the Massachusetts border. The arena, a long-standing venue for local youth sports, was filled with students and families at the time of the shooting.

State and local officials expressed support for victims and first responders, while counseling resources were expected to be made available for affected families and students.

Authorities said more information, including the identities of victims and confirmed relationships involved in the dispute, will be released once investigations progress and family notifications are completed.

As the inquiry continues, investigators are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or has video footage to contact law enforcement.

DMW iimbestigahan ang kaso ng mga Pinoy ship captain ng shadow fleets ng Russia

Venus L Peñaflor
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DMW iimbestigahan ang kaso ng mga Pinoy ship captain ng shadow fleets ng Russia

MAYNILA — Nagsasagawa ng imbestigasyon ang Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) kaugnay ng 24 Filipino ship captains na umano’y naka-assign sa mga barkong bahagi ng “shadow fleet” ng Russia na maaaring malagay sa panganib dahil sa nagpapatuloy na digmaan sa pagitan ng Russia at Ukraine.

Sa isang press conference, sinabi ni DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac na sinusuri ng ahensya kung ang mga seafarer ay na-recruit sa pamamagitan ng mga licensed manning agency at kung dumaan sa tamang deployment process ng pamahalaan.

Ayon kay Cacdac, kinukumpirma pa ng DMW ang pagkakakilanlan ng 24 na seafarers na sakay ng tinatawag na shadow fleet. Kasabay nito, nire-review din ng ahensya kung sila ay legal na naipadala sa trabaho, dahil maaaring patawan ng mabigat na parusa ang mga lumipat sa unauthorized employers.

Nanawagan din ang kalihim sa mga Pilipinong naghahanap ng trabaho sa abroad na tiyaking dumaan sa proseso ng DMW upang maiwasan ang ilegal at mapanganib na employment arrangements. Idinagdag niya na may hinala ang ahensya na maaaring hindi dumaan sa DMW ang naturang deployment.

Ipinaliwanag pa ni Cacdac na ang mga barkong kabilang sa shadow fleet ay hindi rehistrado sa DMW, kaya’t malamang na hindi dumaan sa opisyal na proseso ang mga seafarer na napasama rito.

Ang ulat tungkol sa mga Filipino seafarers ay unang naiparating ni Ukrainian Ambassador Yuliia Fediv kay Senador Erwin Tulfo sa isang courtesy call noong nakaraang linggo.

Inaasahang makikipagpulong si Tulfo sa mga opisyal ng DMW at Department of Foreign Affairs ngayong linggo upang talakayin ang mga hakbang ng pamahalaan para matiyak ang kaligtasan at seguridad ng mga Pilipinong seafarer na posibleng apektado ng sitwasyon.

Patuloy ang beripikasyon at koordinasyon ng mga kinauukulang ahensya habang sinusubaybayan ang kaso. Ang “Shadow Fleet” ay tumutukoy sa mga barkong naglalayag sa ilalim ng radar, kadalasan upang umiwas sa regulasyon o sanctions, kaya’t hindi ito rehistrado sa DMW at maaaring delikado para sa mga seafarer na nakasakay dito.


Naglabas ng PHDO laban kay Jinggoy ang Manila court sa isyu ng flood control anomaly

Venus L Peñaflor
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Naglabas ng PHDO laban kay Jinggoy ang Manila court sa isyu ng flood control anomaly

MAYNILA — Naglabas ang isang korte sa Maynila ng precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) laban kay Senador Jinggoy Estrada at sa kanyang mga co-respondents kaugnay ng reklamong plunder na kasalukuyang dinidinig sa Department of Justice (DOJ) hinggil sa umano’y anomalya sa isang flood control project.

Batay sa apat na pahinang kautusan, iniutos ng Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 52 ang paglalabas ng PHDO laban kina dating Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan, dating DPWH undersecretaries Maria Catalina Cabral at Roberto Bernardo, dating DPWH regional director Gerard Opulencia, at dating district engineer Henry Alcantara.

Ayon sa korte, may “probable cause” upang maniwala na maaaring umalis ng bansa ang mga respondent upang umiwas sa posibleng pag-aresto at pag-uusig sa mga kasong kinahaharap nila. Dahil dito, inatasan ang Bureau of Immigration and Deportation na pigilan ang kanilang pag-alis sa Pilipinas.

Nilinaw naman ng tagapagsalita ng hudikatura na si Polo Martinez na ang paglalabas ng PHDO ay hindi nangangahulugang nareresolba na ang mga kasong plunder na nakabinbin pa sa DOJ. Aniya, ang kautusan ay isang precautionary measure na inilalabas bago pa pormal na maisampa ang kaso sa korte upang matiyak na hindi makakapagtago ang mga respondent sa proseso ng batas.

Nauna nang ipinaliwanag ni Martinez na ang reklamong plunder ay hindi limitado sa iisang proyekto o lugar lamang, kundi sumasaklaw sa alegasyon ng pagkamal ng ill-gotten wealth na lampas sa P50 milyon sa pamamagitan ng magkakaugnay na transaksyon.

Samantala, naghihintay pa ng pahayag ang media mula sa kampo ni Estrada hinggil sa usapin. Si Bonoan naman ay nagsumite na ng kanyang counter-affidavit at humiling ng pahintulot mula sa DOJ kaugnay ng kanyang planong pagbiyahe patungong Estados Unidos.

Sa hiwalay na pahayag, sinabi ng DOJ na sina Bernardo, Alcantara, at Opulencia ay itinuturing na ngayong state witnesses sa imbestigasyon ng pamahalaan kaugnay ng naturang flood control scheme.

Patuloy ang imbestigasyon habang hinihintay ang susunod na hakbang ng DOJ hinggil sa reklamong plunder.

India hosts a high-stakes summit drawing global leaders, tech CEOs gather in New Delhi

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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India hosts a high-stakes summit drawing global leaders, tech CEOs gather in New Delhi

NEW DELHI — India opened the five-day India AI Impact Summit this week, bringing together about 20 heads of state, senior policymakers and leading technology executives in a gathering that highlights the growing global importance of artificial intelligence and its expanding role in economic development, governance and society.

The summit marks the first time the global event is being held in the Global South, signaling India’s ambition to position itself as a bridge between advanced economies and developing nations in shaping AI policy and deployment. Organizers described the event as a platform to discuss not only innovation but also the risks, ethics and long-term social impacts of rapidly evolving AI systems.

Among the world leaders attending are Emmanuel Macron of France and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, while Narendra Modi is expected to address delegates during a key session later in the week. Tech industry leaders expected to participate include Sundar Pichai of Google, Sam Altman of OpenAI, and Brad Smith of Microsoft, reflecting the growing convergence between governments and private industry in AI policymaking.

Shift From Safety to Broader AI Impact

Originally launched as a forum focused heavily on AI safety, the summit series has evolved from earlier meetings in the United Kingdom, South Korea and France into a wider platform covering trade, innovation and economic transformation. Discussions now span generative AI tools, public infrastructure, healthcare applications, defense systems and climate modeling.

Indian officials said the country aims to demonstrate how large-scale digital public infrastructure — including digital identity systems and payment platforms — can enable AI deployment at scale while keeping services accessible and affordable. Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said the focus is on ensuring AI contributes to inclusive growth and sustainable development.

India’s Strategic Positioning

As the world’s most populous country and one of the fastest-growing digital markets, India sees the summit as a strategic opportunity to attract investment and establish itself as a major player in the global AI ecosystem. Reports indicate that major technology firms have already pledged significant investments in AI and cloud infrastructure in the country over the coming years.

Business leaders attending the summit have emphasized AI’s potential role in modernizing large-scale systems such as energy, manufacturing and public services — sectors considered critical to India’s long-term development ambitions.

No Binding Deal Expected

Like previous editions, the summit is not expected to produce binding political agreements. Instead, participants may issue a non-binding declaration outlining shared goals for responsible AI development and international cooperation.

The event follows ongoing global debates over regulation. Last year’s summit in Paris saw prominent disagreements over how strictly governments should regulate AI, highlighting tensions between innovation and safety concerns.

Global Governance and Emerging Risks

The New Delhi gathering comes as international institutions intensify efforts to establish governance frameworks for AI. The United Nations has moved to create new forums for collaboration, while independent scientific panels continue to assess risks posed by advanced AI systems, including misuse, malfunctions and systemic threats.

AI researcher Yoshua Bengio, often described as one of the pioneers of modern AI, stressed the importance of maintaining independent scientific evaluation of emerging technologies to build international consensus on risk assessment.

Jobs, Skills and the Future Workforce

Concerns over AI’s potential impact on employment remain a recurring theme at the summit. Experts in India’s technology sector acknowledged anxiety about job displacement but highlighted reskilling programs and the emergence of new roles as key strategies to manage transitions.

For many younger participants, however, AI is already becoming a practical tool in education and daily work, viewed less as a threat and more as a productivity aid that reduces repetitive tasks.

A Symbolic Moment for the Global South

Hosting the summit allows India to project itself as a voice for developing economies in global technology debates, emphasizing that AI governance should reflect diverse economic realities rather than being shaped solely by wealthier nations.

As the summit continues through the week in New Delhi, discussions are expected to center on balancing innovation with accountability, a challenge likely to define the next phase of the global AI era.

Trump announces $5 billion in Gaza reconstruction pledges ahead of Board of Peace inaugural meeting

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Trump announces $5 billion in Gaza reconstruction pledges ahead of Board of Peace inaugural meeting

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — U.S. President Donald Trump said members of his newly created Board of Peace have pledged $5 billion toward rebuilding the war-ravaged Gaza Strip and will commit thousands of personnel to international stabilization and policing efforts in the territory.

According to Trump, the pledges will be formally announced during the board’s first meeting in Washington on Thursday. In a social media statement, he described the Board of Peace as a potentially significant international body aimed at addressing major global crises beyond the conflict in Gaza.

Trump did not identify which nations are contributing funding or personnel. However, Indonesia’s military said up to 8,000 troops could be ready by the end of June for a possible humanitarian and peace mission in Gaza, marking the first firm commitment from a participating country.

The rebuilding effort is expected to be extensive. Estimates from the United Nations, the World Bank, and the European Union place reconstruction costs for Gaza at about $70 billion after more than two years of heavy fighting and widespread destruction.

The U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement calls for an armed international stabilization force to maintain security and oversee the disarmament of the militant group Hamas, a key demand by Israel. So far, only a limited number of countries have expressed willingness to participate.

It remains unclear how many of the board’s more than 20 members will attend the inaugural meeting. Benjamin Netanyahu, who met with Trump at the White House last week, is not expected to attend.

Initially viewed as a mechanism to help end the Israel-Hamas war, the Board of Peace appears to be evolving into a broader initiative intended to address global conflicts. Analysts say the move may also reflect a wider U.S. effort to reshape international diplomacy outside existing institutions such as the United Nations Security Council.

Thursday’s meeting will be held at the Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace, a facility currently involved in legal disputes following its takeover by the administration last year and the dismissal of most of its staff.

Although the ceasefire has reduced large-scale fighting, sporadic airstrikes and clashes continue in Gaza, underscoring the challenges facing long-term stabilization and reconstruction efforts.

Banta ng China: Milyong Pinoy posibleng mawalan ng trabaho

Venus L Peñaflor
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0
Banta ng China: Milyong Pinoy posibleng mawalan ng trabaho

MAYNILA — Nagbabala ang Chinese Embassy sa Maynila na ang mga hakbang ng ilang senador laban sa kanilang mga diplomat ay maaaring magdulot ng seryosong epekto sa ugnayang pang-ekonomiya ng Pilipinas at China, kabilang ang posibilidad na mawalan ng milyon-milyong trabaho ang mga Pilipino.

Inilabas ang pahayag sa gitna ng tumitinding tensyon sa pagitan ng Beijing at mga mambabatas ng Pilipinas kaugnay ng nagpapatuloy na usapin sa West Philippine Sea.

Sa pahayag ni Chinese Embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng, binatikos nito ang panukala ng ilang senador na ideklarang “persona non grata” ang Chinese diplomat o i-recall ang Chinese ambassador. Ayon kay Ji, ang anumang hakbang na maaaring makasira sa relasyong diplomatiko ng dalawang bansa ay may kaakibat na malaking epekto sa ekonomiya.

“Any serious damage to diplomatic relations, including downgrading of those relations, would cost millions of jobs,” ani Ji, na nanawagang isaalang-alang ang posibleng economic impact at maging maingat sa mga aksyon kaugnay sa diplomatic matters.

Dagdag pa niya, “When it comes to serious diplomatic affairs, some politicians behave like children playing house. Could they at least try to act like adults?”

Ang pahayag ng embahada ay kasunod ng Resolution No. 256 ng Senado na kumokondena sa pahayag ng isang opisyal ng Chinese Embassy na pumuna sa mga opisyal ng Pilipinas dahil sa pagtatanggol sa pambansang soberanya at mga karapatan sa karagatan.

Samantala, inalmahan ni Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña ang pahayag ng Chinese Embassy, na inilarawan niyang isang uri ng pangho-hostage sa ekonomiya. Iginiit ng mambabatas na dapat tiyakin ng pamahalaan ang kaligtasan at seguridad ng mga Pilipinong naninirahan sa China, Macau, at Hong Kong sakaling maulit ang tinawag niyang “hostage diplomacy,” tulad umano ng sinapit ng tatlong Pilipinong nakulong doon dahil sa kasong pang-e-espiya.

Umaasa rin si Cendaña na babawiin ng Chinese Embassy ang naturang pahayag at iiwasan ang paggamit ng mga mapagbantang salita, bagama’t sinabi niyang hindi na bago ang ganitong asal mula sa China.

Binalikan din ng solon ang insidente noong 2011 kung saan nagpatupad umano ang China ng ban sa pagpasok ng mga ini-export na saging at pinya mula sa Pilipinas bilang tugon sa standoff sa Bajo de Masinloc.

Dahil dito, nanawagan si Cendaña sa mga kinauukulang opisyal ng pamahalaan na kumilos upang maprotektahan ang ekonomiya ng bansa laban sa posibleng panggigipit mula sa China.

Britain’s ‘first feline’ Larry marks 15 years as Downing Street’s chief mouser

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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0
Britain’s ‘first feline’ Larry marks 15 years as Downing Street’s chief mouser

London, United Kingdom — Amid years of political change in Britain, one constant has remained at the heart of government: Larry, the famed cat of 10 Downing Street, who marked 15 years this week as the country’s official Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office.

The gray-and-white tabby, often referred to as Britain’s “first feline,” has served under six prime ministers since arriving at Downing Street in February 2011. Adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home during the tenure of former Prime Minister David Cameron, Larry quickly became a familiar and widely photographed figure at the British government’s headquarters.

According to his official profile, Larry’s duties include greeting guests, inspecting security defenses, and testing furniture for napping, quality tasks he often performs while casually roaming the area outside the iconic black front door of No. 10. His knack for appearing during high-profile visits has made him a favorite among photographers and journalists covering political events.

Over the years, Larry has crossed paths with a host of world leaders, including former U.S. President Barack Obama and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During a 2019 visit by then-U.S. President Donald Trump, Larry famously wandered into the official photo opportunity before taking a nap beneath the presidential armored limousine known as “The Beast.”

Though his title suggests a focus on rodent control, reports on Larry’s hunting prowess vary. While he has occasionally been photographed catching mice, observers say his true talent lies in maintaining a relaxed, nonchalant presence that contrasts with the often intense political environment around him.

Larry has also shared Downing Street with other political pets, including the dog Dilyn owned by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Nova, the Labrador of former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. He currently resides alongside the family cats of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, though they occupy separate living areas.

A notable chapter in Larry’s story involved his rivalry with Palmerston, the former feline resident of the Foreign Office, whose encounters with Larry were occasionally captured on camera before Palmerston retired in 2020.

Now estimated to be 18 or 19 years old, Larry has slowed down but remains a visible symbol of continuity at Downing Street. Experts say his enduring popularity reflects the public’s affection for a nonpartisan figure who offers a sense of stability during periods of political uncertainty.

As political leaders come and go, Larry continues to lounge near the front entrance, embodying what some observers describe as a uniquely British blend of humor, resilience and understated charm — a reminder that even in the corridors of power, a little unpredictability can be endearing.

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