Monday, May 11, 2026


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Israel demands explanation from Al Jazeera over alleged employment of ‘Hamas terrorist’ as reporter

TEL AVIV. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have accused Al Jazeera of employing a Hamas terrorist who was killed during an IDF rescue mission in Gaza on Saturday. The alleged terrorist, Abdallah Aljamal, was reportedly involved in holding three hostages rescued in the raid.

The IDF stated on social media, “’Journalist’ Abdallah Aljamal was a Hamas terrorist holding Almog, Andrey, and Shlomi hostage in his family’s home in Nuseirat. No press vest can make him innocent of the crimes he has committed. @AlJazeera what’s this terrorist doing on your website?” Al Jazeera’s website listed Aljamal as an author and he had reportedly written at least one article for the network.

However, Walid Omary, the former Jerusalem bureau chief of Al Jazeera, denied Aljamal’s employment with the network. “This man is not from Al Jazeera, and he did not work for Al Jazeera at all, and he is not listed as working for Al Jazeera neither now nor in the past,” Omary told Fox News Digital via WhatsApp. He added that Al Jazeera plans to take legal action against those spreading claims about Aljamal’s connection to the outlet.

Imran Khan, a senior correspondent for Al Jazeera’s English channel, confirmed on Instagram that Aljamal was a freelancer at one point but never worked for Al Jazeera Arabic or English.

Aljamal had contributed to the Palestine Chronicle, which expressed sorrow over his death. The Chronicle noted, “Particularly tragic is that Aljamal’s last contribution covered a previous massacre which killed over 40 Palestinian civilians in an UNRWA school.”

The IDF’s accusations come amid long-standing controversies surrounding Al Jazeera’s alleged ties to terrorist organizations. A May report from the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) accused the network of promoting Islamist terrorism, citing cases of Al Jazeera journalists allegedly aiding Hamas.

Israel’s former prime minister, Naftali Bennett, supported the IDF’s claims, stating, “Abdallah Aljamal is an Al-Jazeera reporter and a Hamas terrorist who held three Israeli civilians hostage in his home. This has now been confirmed.”

Al Jazeera has faced criticism for its coverage and alleged biases, but the network has consistently denied any wrongdoing or connections to terrorist activities. The situation remains tense as both sides present conflicting narratives regarding Aljamal’s affiliations and actions.

Macron dissolves French parliament, calls snap election after EU vote defeat

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PARIS. President Emmanuel Macron announced the dissolution of France’s lower house of parliament, prompting a snap election after his party’s defeat in the European elections. Voters will return to the polls for legislative elections in two rounds on June 30 and July 7.

The decision follows a significant setback for Macron’s pro-European centrist party in the EU parliamentary elections, where the far-right National Rally party emerged victorious. According to initial projections by French opinion poll institutes, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally secured around 31%-32% of the votes, more than double the approximately 15% garnered by Macron’s Renaissance party.

Macron, who remains in office for three more years, was not a candidate in the EU elections. He described his decision to dissolve parliament as “serious” but expressed confidence in democracy, saying, “I’ve heard your message, your concerns, and I won’t leave them unanswered.”

In the 2022 legislative elections, Macron’s centrist party won the most seats but fell short of a majority in the National Assembly, necessitating political negotiations to pass legislation. By calling for new elections, Macron risks strengthening Le Pen’s position and potentially leading to a “cohabitation” scenario, where he would have to appoint a prime minister from an opposition party with differing views.

Le Pen, who leads the National Rally group in the National Assembly, welcomed Macron’s decision, stating, “We’re ready for it. We’re ready to exercise power if the French people place their trust in us in these future legislative elections. We’re ready to turn the country around, ready to defend the interests of the French, ready to put an end to mass immigration, ready to make the purchasing power of the French a priority.”

The defeat in the EU elections is a significant blow to Macron, who has been a vocal advocate for European unity and defense. National Rally’s lead candidate for the EU elections, Jordan Bardella, campaigned on limiting migrant movement, reinstating national border controls, and reducing EU climate regulations. Although the party no longer seeks to exit the EU or the euro, it aims to weaken the union from within. “Tonight, our compatriots have expressed a desire for change,” Bardella declared. “Emmanuel Macron is tonight a weakened president.”

An official from Macron’s office justified the dissolution of the National Assembly by citing the “historic score of the far-right” and the current “parliamentarian disorder.” The official added, “You’re never wrong when you give the people a say.”

The EU election results also showed a resurgence of the Socialist Party, which received around 14% of the votes by advocating for stronger climate policies and protection for European businesses and workers. In response to Macron’s announcement, far-left politician Francois Ruffin called for unity among leftist leaders under a “Popular Front” banner, writing, “To avoid the worse, to win,” on social media platform X.

France is set to elect 81 members to the European Parliament, which comprises 720 seats in total.

Castro: Direktiba ni Marcos Jr. para sa ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ pagbabalik-tanaw sa martial law?

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MAYNILA. Sinita ni Makabayan solon ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro ang direktiba ng Malacañang na nag-uutos sa lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno at mga state universities and colleges (SUC) na i-recite ang “Bagong Pilipinas Hymn and Pledge” tuwing lingguhang flag ceremonies.

Si Castro, isang House deputy minority leader, ay tumutukoy sa Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 52 na inisyu ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. Aniya, ang utos ay tila isang pagtatangka na ma-indoctrinate ang tauhan ng gobyerno at mga kabataan gamit ang self-styled na “Bagong Pilipinas” branding ng administrasyong Marcos, na nagpapaalala sa propaganda ng “Bagong Lipunan” noong martial law period.

“Ang utos niya (Marcos Jr.) ay nagpapaalala sa direktiba ni Marcos Sr. noon para sa mga tao na kumanta ng papuri sa Bagong Lipunan,” sabi ng solon.

“Isa pang paraan para ma-deodorize ang tatak ng pangalang Marcos at baguhin ang kasaysayan. Dapat ay manatili na lang tayo sa Lupang Hinirang at Panatang Makabayan,” dagdag ni Castro, na inilarawan ang MC No.52 bilang “self-serving”.

Ang kontrobersyal na utos–na sinabi ni Castro na dapat nang ipawalang-bisa–ay nagsasaad ng dapat na “higit pang itanim ang mga prinsipyo ng Bagong Pilipinas na tatak ng pamamahala at pamumuno sa mga Pilipino”

Itinanggi ito ng militanteng solon bilang isang “gimik”, at kasabay nito ay itinuring na mas mabuting tugunan ng administrasyong Marcos ang patuloy na isyu ng inflation, kawalan ng trabaho, at mababang sahod.

Boeing’s Starliner capsule docks at ISS despite thruster troubles

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Boeing’s new astronaut capsule, Starliner, successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday after overcoming last-minute thruster issues that nearly derailed its first test flight with astronauts.

The 260-mile-high (420-kilometer-high) docking over the Indian Ocean capped more than a day of high drama for Boeing’s astronaut flight debut, which carried NASA test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. “Nice to be attached to the big city in the sky,” Wilmore said once the docking was complete.

Williams, the first to enter the space station, danced her way in to music, followed by Wilmore snapping his fingers. They were warmly welcomed by the seven space station residents. “It was such a great welcome, a little dance party,” said Williams. “That’s the way to get things going.”

Starliner had faced issues even before reaching orbit. A small helium leak was discovered when the capsule launched with the two astronauts on Wednesday. Despite the problem, Boeing and NASA managers were confident in the propulsion system’s reliability. However, two additional helium leaks emerged hours into the flight, with a fourth discovered after docking. Five of the capsule’s 28 thrusters also failed, though the astronauts managed to restart four, providing enough safety margin to proceed. This forced Starliner to miss the first docking opportunity, leading it to circle the world for an extra hour before successfully docking.

NASA’s commercial crew program manager, Steve Stich, clarified that the thruster issues were unrelated to the helium leaks and assured that, moving forward, “we have some tools in our toolkit to manage this.” He emphasized that the helium leaks posed no safety risks to the astronauts or the mission.

Helium is crucial for pressurizing Starliner’s thruster fuel lines, essential for maneuvering. Engineers devised a workaround for potential additional leaks in the system before liftoff, attributing the original leak to a faulty rubber seal, no bigger than a shirt button. Boeing program manager Mark Nappi reassured that there was ample helium reserve for the return trip.

After the space shuttles were retired, NASA contracted Boeing and SpaceX to ferry astronauts to and from the ISS. SpaceX began its service in 2020, while Boeing faced delays due to safety concerns and other issues. Stich noted that despite the current problems, a repeat of the astronaut test flight before certifying the capsule for regular use is not anticipated.

Boeing plans to keep Starliner at the space station for at least eight days before guiding it to a landing in the western United States.

Italy’s PM Meloni comes out on top in EU vote, strengthening leadership

ROME. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s arch-conservative Brothers of Italy party achieved a significant victory in the European parliamentary elections over the weekend, bolstering her influence both domestically and internationally.

With nearly all ballots counted, Brothers of Italy secured 28.8% of the vote, a substantial increase from its performance in the 2019 European Union election and surpassing the 26% it achieved in the 2022 national elections, when it first rose to power.

“I am proud that Italy will present itself to the G7, to Europe with the strongest government of all. This is something that has not happened in the past but is happening today, it is a satisfaction and also a great responsibility,” Meloni stated early Monday from the party’s headquarters.

The opposition centre-left Democratic Party finished second with 24% of the vote, while the 5-Star Movement, another opposition group, came in third with 9.9%, marking its worst performance at a national level since its inception in 2009.

The EU ballot revealed that Meloni’s ruling coalition, which includes parties spanning from the centre-right to the far-right of the political spectrum, increased its support to over 47% from just under 43% in 2022.

“The results weren’t at all given, it is a resounding achievement and shows that all the parties of the majority have been able to grow together,” Meloni remarked later in the morning on RTL 102.5 Radio. “It’s a spur for (the government) to move forward. Italians are giving us a loud and clear message to go ahead with our work … and if possible with greater determination.”

Forza Italia, founded by the late Silvio Berlusconi, ranked fourth with 9.7% of the vote, surpassing the anti-immigrant League, which received 9.1%. This result was a setback for League leader Matteo Salvini, who has steered his party towards a harder right stance, causing friction with its traditional base. Highlighting internal tensions within the League, party founder Umberto Bossi voted for Forza Italia this election, his allies informed Italian media, sending a shockwave through the party.

Meloni’s party, rooted in a neo-fascist group, has seen a meteoric rise, with her 2022 victory paving the way for far-right gains across Europe, as demonstrated in the latest EU elections. However, Meloni has softened her international image, moving away from her previous anti-EU rhetoric and positioning herself as a bridge between the mainstream centre-right and her national conservative camp. Her recent electoral success contrasts sharply with the setbacks experienced by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose parties faced significant defeats.

During a radio interview, Meloni mentioned it was premature to decide on backing a second term for centre-right European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. However, her group’s support could be crucial, potentially giving Rome substantial leverage in shaping the new EU executive. “What we need is a Europe that will listen to citizens, that will look more to the centre-right and has more pragmatic and less ideological policies,” Meloni emphasized, adding that Italy would play a fundamental role given the election results.

The election also marked a victory for Meloni’s main opponent, Elly Schlein, leader of the centre-left Democratic Party since 2023, who managed to solidify her position. The Democratic Party increased its vote share from 19% in 2022. The hard-left Green and Left Alliance captured around 6.7% of the vote, securing a seat for Ilaria Salis, an Italian activist who had been detained in Hungary for allegedly assaulting far-right militants. Despite the political victories, voter turnout was a disappointment, dipping just below 50%, a record low for a country with historically high voter participation.

Competitive cliff divers leap from a 90-foot platform above Boston Harbor

BOSTON. Rhiannan Iffland stepped to the edge of a platform nearly seven stories above Boston Harbor, with thousands of cheering fans packed onto docks, roofs, and sidewalks below. As she soared through the air, the city’s skyline disappeared behind her, rocketing toward the tea-brown water.

This is all in a day’s work for one of the world’s elite cliff divers. Iffland, from Australia, remarked on the fierce competition among the cliff divers jumping from the Institute of Contemporary Art during Saturday’s contest in Boston.

“I know the pressure’s coming — and the young girls are diving super well,” Iffland said after clinching victory in the women’s section.

Iffland’s triumph was part of cliff diving’s marquee event, as the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series celebrated its 100th stop in history. Participants plunged from up to 90 feet (27 meters) in the air from the waterfront art museum into the chilly harbor below. British diver Aidan Heslop emerged victorious in the men’s competition and remarked, “We’ve all got our work cut out for us” for the remainder of the series.

Boston is the only U.S. stop this year, with the series concluding in Sydney, Australia, in November.

Cliff diving attracts a special kind of athlete, especially when winning means leaping from an art museum into potentially frigid waters. “These epic athletes train super hard to make sure every leap, somersault, twist, and entry is perfect,” organizers said in a statement.

Practice and early competition rounds took place on Friday, with judges scoring Saturday’s competitive round based on the divers’ form and technique. Two dozen people competed in the event.

This marks the third consecutive year that the popular spectator event has visited Boston. Organizers reported an impressive turnout of 45,000 people for the weekend.

The Institute of Contemporary Art described the event as a visually stunning opportunity for the public and a chance for athletes to earn “crucial championship points along the way based on their final event positions.”

In the heart of New England, cliff diving enthusiasts witnessed breathtaking feats of athleticism as divers leaped from extraordinary heights into Boston Harbor, making for an unforgettable spectacle.

Spectators line the shore during the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, Saturday, June 8, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo?Michael Dwyer)

History of TMJ Practice in the Philippines

Pioneer in TMJ Management: How Dr. Lolita Flores-Fandialan revolutionized dental care in the Philippines

The management of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) in the Philippines traces its roots to the personal experience of Dr. Lolita Flores-Fandialan in the 1980s. Struggling with severe low back pain and dizziness, Dr. Fandialan was initially advised to undergo surgery. However, she discovered a journal that linked TMJ issues to her symptoms. Opting to correct her bite, also known as occlusion, and address her temporomandibular joint instead of surgery, she successfully recovered. This pivotal experience propelled her to delve deeper into TMJ and cranio-cervical disorders, becoming a trailblazer in this field in the Philippines.

Who is Dr. Lolita Flores-Fandialan?

Dr. Lolita Flores-Fandialan earned her dental degree from the University of the East College of Dentistry in 1970. She then pursued postgraduate studies in oral surgery at U.P PGH in 1971 and studied Orthodontics under Dr. Luz Macapanpan at U.P Los Baños. From 1977 to 1988, she practiced the Lightwire Begg’s technique.

Her international education includes attending the first Singapore International Orthodontic Congress in 1985 and the American Orthodontic Congress in Dallas, Texas in 1986. Dr. Fandialan further specialized in TMJ dysfunction through Basic and Advanced courses under Dr. Harold Gelb from New York in 1988 and 1990. She also studied under Dr. John Witzig, an orthodontic clinician known for teaching European orthodontics in the United States.

Dr. Fandialan’s quest for knowledge took her to various global destinations, including Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, Australia, Texas, and Washington D.C., for advanced courses in orthopedics, orthodontics, and TMJ. She completed postgraduate studies at the TMJ Institute of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1996, she published her first book detailing the rationale behind TMJ Disorder and her extensive clinical experience.

In 1998, she participated in a chirodontic course in Sydney, Australia. Dr. Fandialan is the founder of the Philippine Chapter of the Asian American Association of Functional Orthodontic and TMJ. She serves as a resource speaker for the Philippine Dental Association, addressing topics such as TMD, craniomandibular disorders related to headaches, and the connection of TMD to neck, shoulder, and back pain.

Her contributions to dental literature include articles in publications like Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, and Men’s Health Magazine. Currently, Dr. Fandialan continues to mentor over 800 dentists through her teaching at Hop Inn Alabang.

Dentists interested in the CranioMandibular TMD Course can follow her Facebook page for inquiries at https://tinyurl.com/mwr748xm.

Her contributions to dental literature include articles in publications like Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, and Men’s Health Magazine. Currently, Dr. Fandialan continues to mentor over 800 dentists through her teaching at Hop Inn Alabang.
Struggling with severe low back pain and dizziness, Dr. Fandialan was initially advised to undergo surgery. However, she discovered a journal that linked TMJ issues to her symptoms. Opting to correct her bite, also known as occlusion, and address her temporomandibular joint instead of surgery, she successfully recovered.

Malacañang orders integration of Bagong Pilipinas Hymn in weekly flag ceremonies

MANILA. Malacañang has mandated the inclusion of the Bagong Pilipinas Hymn and Pledge in the weekly flag ceremonies of all national government agencies, instrumentalities, and educational institutions, in a bid to promote the principles of Bagong Pilipinas.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, through a memorandum issued on June 4, emphasized the significance of integrating the Bagong Pilipinas Hymn and Pledge into the flag ceremonies. “For this purpose, the heads of all national government agencies and instrumentalities shall ensure that the Bagong Pilipinas Hymn and Pledge, which are annexed to this Circular, are properly disseminated within their respective institutions and offices,” the memorandum stated.

Moreover, the Presidential Communications Office has been tasked with implementing effective measures to communicate and disseminate the Bagong Pilipinas Hymn and Pledge to all government offices and the public.

The Bagong Pilipinas initiative, launched by the administration, aims to serve as the guiding principle for governance and leadership across all sectors. It emphasizes a principled, accountable, and dependable government, bolstered by unified societal institutions. The overarching goal is to empower Filipinos to actively support and engage in government initiatives, fostering comprehensive social and economic transformation.

This directive aligns with Section 18 of Republic Act (RA) No. 8491, also known as the “Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines,” which mandates government offices, including local government units (LGUs), to conduct flag-raising ceremonies every Monday morning and flag-lowering ceremonies every Friday afternoon.

Boeing successfully launches NASA astronauts after years of delays

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Boeing successfully launched astronauts for the first time on Wednesday, finally joining SpaceX as a second taxi service for NASA. NASA test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams blasted off aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule, marking the first manned flight of the new spacecraft.

The journey to the International Space Station is expected to take 25 hours, with an arrival on Thursday. Wilmore and Williams will spend just over a week at the orbiting lab before returning to Earth with a planned desert touchdown in the western U.S. on June 14.

“Let’s get going!” Wilmore called out just minutes before liftoff.

Half an hour later, both astronauts were safely in orbit, beginning their chase to the space station. At Cape Canaveral, relieved launch controllers applauded. Despite the many challenges leading up to Wednesday’s launch, including two scrapped countdowns, the mission proceeded smoothly, earning congratulations from SpaceX’s Elon Musk and others.

“Today it all lined up,” said Boeing program manager Mark Nappi.

Years late due to spacecraft flaws, Starliner’s crew debut comes as Boeing grapples with unrelated safety issues on its airplane side. Wilmore and Williams, both retired Navy captains and former space station residents, expressed full confidence in Boeing’s ability to succeed with this test flight. Starliner’s initial 2019 test flight without a crew, hindered by software issues, required a repeat before NASA would allow astronauts onboard. The 2022 do-over went better, though parachute problems and flammable tape later emerged.

Wednesday’s launch was the third attempt with astronauts since early May, delayed by rocket-related issues and a minor helium leak in the spacecraft’s propulsion system.

“It’s just a tough endeavor to get to flight and huge kudos to the entire team for getting there,” said Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager.

NASA contracted both Boeing and Elon Musk’s SpaceX a decade ago to transport astronauts to and from the space station following the space shuttles’ retirement. NASA invested $4.2 billion in Boeing and over half that amount in SpaceX, which repurposed its supply capsule for human missions. SpaceX launched astronauts into orbit in 2020, becoming the first private company to achieve this milestone, previously mastered only by Russia, the U.S., and China. Since then, SpaceX has completed nine crewed missions for NASA and three for private groups.

The launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station marked the 100th Atlas V mission for United Launch Alliance and the first time astronauts had ridden an Atlas rocket since John Glenn’s Mercury mission over 60 years ago. Despite the Atlas V’s perfect record, the human presence heightened tension for NASA and Boeing employees.

Boeing’s Starliner and SpaceX’s Dragon capsules are designed to be fully autonomous and reusable. Wilmore and Williams will test Starliner’s systems by occasionally taking manual control. An early flight issue involved the capsule’s cooling system using more water than expected before the radiators took over. The tank will be refilled before the return trip.

If the mission succeeds, NASA plans to alternate between SpaceX and Boeing for crewed flights starting next year. Backup pilot Mike Fincke is set to fly on Starliner’s next mission.

“This is exciting. We built up to this moment for years and years, and it finally happened,” said Fincke from neighboring Kennedy Space Center. “I feel like the whole planet was cheering for them.”

Tragic accident claims lives of 2 APO fraternity members, injures 10 in Sarangani

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DAVAO CITY. A fatal accident resulted in the deaths of two Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Fraternity members and injuries to ten others when their van collided with a parked wing van along the national highway in Malungon, Sarangani province, on the morning of Sunday, June 9.

The group was en route to Kidapawan City after participating in a Rover Scout Vigil organized by APO General Santos in Glan, Sarangani. The deceased were identified as Christian Mark Cordero, a resident of M’lang, and Allen Peniero, 24, a resident of Carmen, both in Cotabato province. They died instantly at the scene.

Of the ten injured, two are in critical condition and are receiving intensive care at St. Elizabeth Hospital in General Santos City. The injured passengers include Kelly Elloise Domingo, 25; Vionel Lumogdang, 24; Erich Vonz Lumogdang, 28; Roger Hunas Jr., 22; Ricky Jay Diola, 21; JC Denver Pampangan Rosite, 23; Kurt Devon Gregor Asagra, 20; Nashryan Egkayogen; Alden Bacus Magbanu; and Zosemo Dela Cruz Crispin, 22. All injured passengers are students of Central Mindanao Colleges (CMC) and come from various towns in Cotabato province.

APO Alpha Tau chapter officials from CMC stated that the twelve members, including the driver, were returning from the scouting event when their van collided with the wing van. Preliminary reports suggest that the wing van was parked on the highway without the legally required early warning devices, which may have contributed to the accident.

Legal experts within the fraternity are currently investigating the incident to determine if there was any negligence by the operator of the parked vehicle. The absence of safety measures, such as early warning devices, is a critical point in their inquiry.

In response to the tragedy, APO members have initiated fundraising efforts to support their injured brothers, calling on individuals to contribute and help cover the medical expenses of those hospitalized. The accident has highlighted the importance of road safety and adherence to traffic laws to prevent such incidents in the future.