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Israel vows to kill Iran’s next supreme leader as conflict widens across the region

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Israel vows to kill Iran’s next supreme leader as conflict widens across the region

Israel has vowed to target Iran’s next supreme leader as it escalated air strikes on Tehran and intensified attacks in Lebanon on the fifth day of a rapidly widening conflict that has drawn in the United States and deepened regional instability.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said any successor to Iran’s slain supreme leader would be considered a military target. His remarks followed reports that senior clerics are preparing to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ali Khamenei, as the country’s new leader.

“Every leader appointed by the Iranian terror regime to continue and lead the plan to destroy Israel, to threaten the United States and the free world and the countries of the region, and to suppress the Iranian people – will be a target for elimination,” Katz wrote on social media.

The conflict intensified after Israeli strikes in the holy city of Qom hit a building associated with the Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for selecting Iran’s supreme leader. Iranian officials have indicated that the succession decision may now be conducted online.

Khamenei, 86, was killed along with other senior figures in strikes on Saturday that marked the beginning of the war. A farewell ceremony is scheduled in Tehran, a factor analysts suggest may have influenced the timing of Israel’s latest wave of attacks on the capital.

Israel may have suffered its first significant military setback, with Iranian state media reporting that an Israeli F-35 fighter jet was shot down over Tehran. The claim has not been independently verified.

The United States says it has struck nearly 2,000 Iranian targets as part of a campaign involving about 50,000 personnel. US officials say the objective is to degrade Iran’s missile and drone capabilities and restore stability to a region facing shipping disruptions, rising oil prices and widespread flight cancellations.

Civilian casualties continue to mount. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency estimates that at least 1,000 civilians in Iran have been killed since Saturday. In southern Iran, mourners gathered for students killed in a strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in Minab. The Iranian Red Crescent Society said the death toll at the school had risen to 108 students, though access to the site remains restricted.

US President Donald Trump expressed confidence in the campaign’s success but gave mixed signals about its objectives, suggesting one outcome could be leadership change in Tehran.

“I guess the worst case would be we do this, and then somebody takes over who’s as bad as the previous person,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “So we’d like to see somebody in there that’s going to bring it back for the people.”

Trump also criticised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer after Britain declined to allow US forces to use the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean and RAF Fairford in England. Starmer told parliament he could not support military action without a “viable, thought-through plan”.

Tensions widened further after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the intervention as unjustified and in breach of international law, prompting Trump to threaten trade consequences. French President Emmanuel Macron also said the strikes were outside international law, even as he authorised French forces to counter Iranian missile and drone threats. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz adopted a more cautious tone, warning of risks while suggesting political change in Iran could benefit its people.

In Lebanon, the Health Ministry said Israeli strikes had killed at least 50 people and wounded 335 since the latest escalation began.

Inside Israel, 10 civilians have been killed, including nine people in an Iranian missile strike on a synagogue in Beit Shemesh near Jerusalem on March 1. The US has confirmed six casualties among its forces.

The conflict has prompted renewed diplomatic efforts. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, called for an immediate halt to hostilities, warning of the “multiplication of new fronts” across the Middle East and rising humanitarian consequences.

The justification for the war remains contested. While Washington and Israel argue that Iran’s nuclear programme posed an imminent threat, Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told CNN that Iran was not days or weeks away from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

US Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of Central Command, said Iran’s air defences had been severely degraded and that 17 naval vessels had been sunk, leaving no operational ships on key waterways. More than 2,000 targets had been struck, he said.

“My overall operational assessment is that we are ahead of our game plan,” Cooper said in a video briefing. “In simple terms, we’re focused on shooting things that can shoot us.”

However, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it had full control of the Strait of Hormuz and could block vessels transiting the strategic waterway, exacerbating supply shortages and pushing up oil prices. Trump responded that the US Navy could escort tankers through the strait.

Airlines have cancelled more than 20,000 flights as governments organise emergency evacuations for their citizens, underscoring the far-reaching impact of a conflict that continues to expand across the region.

OFWs na humihiling ng repatriation umabot na sa higit 1,000 — OWWA

Venus L Peñaflor
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OFWs na humihiling ng repatriation umabot na sa higit 1,000 — OWWA

Mahigit 1,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) ang nagpahayag ng kanilang kagustuhang makauwi sa Pilipinas dahil sa tumitinding tensyon sa Middle East, ayon sa ulat ng Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) nitong Miyerkules.

Ayon kay OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, hanggang alas-12 ng tanghali, 1,189 OFWs na ang nagpaabot ng kanilang kahilingan para sa repatriation.

Ang pagkakahati ng mga kahilingan ay ang mga sumusunod:

  • Bahrain — 278
  • Abu Dhabi — 246
  • Dubai — 231
  • Qatar — 173
  • Kuwait — 62
  • Israel — 46
  • Lebanon — 5

“Ang kabuuang repatriation requests na natanggap mula sa ating OFWs ay 1,189,” ani Caunan sa isang press briefing.

Ang tensyon sa rehiyon ay tumindi nitong nakaraang weekend kasunod ng sama-samang operasyon militar ng Estados Unidos at Israel laban sa Iran.

Paghahanda ng gobyerno

Ayon sa Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), wala pang mass repatriation na isinagawa, ngunit inihahanda ng gobyerno ang alternatibong paraan ng pag-uwi, kabilang ang paglalakbay sa lupa.

“Gagabayan tayo ng alert levels mula sa DFA. Gumagawa tayo ng hakbang upang masiguro na ligtas silang makauwi,” ani Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.

Dagdag pa niya, “Ang kaligtasan pa rin ang pangunahing prayoridad, at sa ngayon, hindi posible ang air transport mula sa mga apektadong bansa sa Gulf at Israel.”

Pinayuhan din ni Cacdac ang mga Pilipino na sundin ang mga protocol na itinakda ng kanilang host government.

‘Life goes on’ sa UAE

Tungkol naman sa sitwasyon sa United Arab Emirates (UAE), sinabi ni Cacdac na “life goes on” para sa mga OFWs doon, habang patuloy silang nagtatrabaho sa kabila ng tensyon.

“Kung titingnan natin ang Abu Dhabi, patuloy ang buhay, nagtatrabaho pa rin sila. Sa Dubai, may work from home na ipinatutupad. Patuloy ang trabaho, at hindi ganoon kalala ang epekto sa kanilang kabuhayan,” paliwanag niya.

Aniya pa, “Ipinapakita rin nito ang proteksyon na ibinibigay ng host country. Sa UAE, sa pangkalahatan, normal ang takbo ng buhay. Bagamat naririnig nila ang mga bombings at atake, alam nilang protektado sila ng kanilang gobyerno.”

Ayon naman kay Philippine Ambassador sa UAE Alfonso Ver, nananatiling kalmado ang UAE habang epektibo ang kanilang depensa laban sa drone attacks.

Repatriation process

Sa Dubai, may paunang listahan na ng 200 Pilipino para sa repatriation mula sa Migrant Workers Office (MWO), sa tinatayang 500,000 OFWs sa lungsod.

“Subject sa evaluation kung sino ang puwedeng i-repatriate. Dapat walang kaso o travel ban, at may passport. Maaari silang tumawag sa hotline para sa impormasyon. Kaya hindi automatic ang sagot ng gobyerno,” ani Labor Attaché John Rio Bautista.

Nagpapadala rin ang DMW ng mga e-mail sa mga OFWs sa UAE upang kumpirmahin kung nais nilang umuwi.

Tulong sa stranded OFWs

Ayon sa DMW, 1,824 OFWs sa mga apektadong lugar ang natulungan ng ahensya sa pamamagitan ng pagkain, hygiene kits, pinansyal na tulong, pansamantalang tirahan, welfare checks, suporta sa evacuation, at pagbisita sa ospital.

Natulungan din ang 236 Pilipino na stranded sa mga international transit hubs, kabilang ang Hong Kong, Singapore, at Kuala Lumpur.

Sinabi ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na mahigit 1,000 Pilipino ang humiling ng repatriation. Nilinaw ng DMW na kasama rito ang mga turista at non-OFWs.

Hinihikayat ng Pangulo ang lahat ng Pilipino sa Midle East na mag-ingat at umaasang magkakaroon ng mabilis na ceasefire.

Emergency contact

Ang mga Pilipinong nangangailangan ng tulong ay maaaring makipag-ugnayan sa OWWA sa mga sumusunod na hotline:

  • Metro Manila: 1348
  • Regional: 02-1348
  • Viber: +63-915-079-5005 (Globe), +63-969-169-7068 (Smart), +63-966-473-9543 (Globe)

Iranians to bid farewell to Khamenei as Israel’s Katz warns successor will be targeted

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Iranians to bid farewell to Khamenei as Israel’s Katz warns successor will be targeted

DUBAI — Iranians are set to gather in Tehran on March 4 to pay their last respects to late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to a senior official quoted by state media, as regional tensions intensify following his reported killing.

Hojjatoleslam Mahmoudi, head of Iran’s Islamic Propagation Council, said the farewell ceremony will run for three days. The schedule for the funeral procession will be announced at a later time.

State media reported that members of the public may view Khamenei’s body beginning at 10 p.m. local time at the Imam Khomeini Prayer Hall in Tehran.

“The Mosalla (prayer hall) will receive visitors, and the people can attend and take part in the farewell ceremony,” Mahmoudi said in remarks carried by Iranian outlets.

Khamenei, who led Iran for 36 years, was killed on February 28 at the age of 86. Iranian state media said he died during a wave of air strikes carried out by Israel and the United States.

Katz warns successor will be targeted

Amid preparations for the funeral, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a warning regarding Khamenei’s successor.

“Any leader selected by the Iranian terror regime to continue leading the plan for Israel’s destruction, threatening the United States, the free world and countries in the region, and suppressing the Iranian people, will be a certain target for assassination,” Katz said in a post on X.

“It does not matter what his name is or where he hides,” he added.

Katz further stated that Israel would continue coordinated action with Washington. “We will continue to act with full force, together with our American partners, to dismantle the regime’s capabilities and create the conditions for the Iranian people to overthrow and replace it,” he said.

There was no immediate official response from Tehran to Katz’s remarks.

Burial planned in Mashhad

The Fars News Agency reported that Khamenei will be buried in the holy city of Mashhad, his birthplace and Iran’s second-largest city. His father is buried at the Imam Reza shrine, one of the country’s most important religious sites.

Before the burial, a “large farewell ceremony” will be held in Tehran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on its official Telegram account. No burial date has been announced.

Interim leadership in place

Following Khamenei’s death, authority has been transferred to a three-member interim council until the Assembly of Experts elects a successor.

The interim council includes the president, the head of the judiciary, and a jurist from the Guardian Council, which oversees legislation and vets electoral candidates.

According to Fars, citing an official familiar with the process, the assembly’s final meeting could be postponed for security reasons until after Khamenei’s burial.

Iranian media also reported that the building housing the 88-member Assembly of Experts in the holy city of Qom, south of Tehran, was struck by US-Israeli attacks, along with its main headquarters in the capital a day earlier.

U.S. aircraft depart Spain as Madrid bars use of bases for Iran strikes, Trump threatens trade action

Venus L Peñaflor
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U.S. aircraft depart Spain as Madrid bars use of bases for Iran strikes, Trump threatens trade action

Madrid/Washington — Fifteen U.S. military aircraft have left the Spanish bases at Rota and Morón in southern Spain after the Spanish government said it would not permit its territory to be used for attacks on Iran, in a development that has intensified diplomatic tensions between Madrid and Washington.

Flight tracking data showed the movements late Monday and Tuesday, with several of the aircraft, largely Boeing KC‑135 Stratotanker aerial refueling tankers, relocating to Ramstein Air Base in Germany and other locations after operating from Spanish soil.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares reiterated Madrid’s position that the U.S.–Spain defence agreements governing the jointly operated bases apply only within the constraints of those treaties and the United Nations Charter, and that the facilities would not support operations outside that framework.

“The bases are not being used… and they will not be used for anything not included in the agreement with the United States or in accordance with the UN Charter,” Albares said in comments carried by Spanish media.

The stance reflects growing Spanish criticism of the weekend’s U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran, which Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has decried as inconsistent with international law and dangerous for regional stability.

Trump threatens trade suspension

In Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump responded sharply, threatening to “cut off all trade with Spain” in reaction to the refusal to grant access to Spanish bases for what he termed strategic operations linked to the Iran conflict.

Trump made the remarks during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, characterising Spain’s decision as uncooperative and also criticising Madrid for defence‑spending disagreements within NATO.

However, legal and trade experts note that dismantling a trade relationship with Spain would be complex, particularly because Spain’s trade agreements with the United States are negotiated at the European Union level.

Spanish officials responded by emphasising compliance with international law and existing bilateral commitments, saying Madrid has the resources to mitigate potential trade impacts and calling on Washington to respect established EU‑U.S. trade agreements.

Spain’s refusal marks a rare departure from most European allies in the face of the escalating conflict with Iran, underscoring divisions over military cooperation and legal norms. The United Kingdom, after an initial refusal, later authorised the use of its bases for “collective self‑ defence”, highlighting a contrast in European responses.

As the wider Middle East situation continues to evolve, Madrid has called repeatedly for de‑escalation and a return to diplomatic channels, while the United States presses its strategic objectives, leaving bilateral ties between the two NATO members under strain.

Lingguhang oil price hike, nakaamba sa gitna ng labanan sa Middle East

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Lingguhang oil price hike, nakaamba sa gitna ng labanan sa Middle East

MAYNILA — Nagbabala ang Department of Energy (DOE) sa posibilidad ng lingguhang pagtaas ng presyo ng produktong petrolyo, kasunod ng patuloy na tensiyon sa Middle East na nakaapekto sa galaw ng pandaigdigang merkado ng langis.

Ayon kay DOE Director Atty. Rino Abad, magsasagawa ang ahensiya ng panibagong pakikipagpulong sa mga kumpanya ng langis ngayong Miyerkules matapos ang biglaang pagsirit ng presyo sa unang trading day pa lamang ng linggo dahil sa kaguluhan sa rehiyon.

Iniulat ni Abad na ang presyo ng gasolina sa Mean of Platts Singapore ay umakyat mula $79.63 kada bariles noong Biyernes tungong $90.32 kada bariles pagsapit ng Lunes. Katumbas ito ng tinatayang P3.00 hanggang P5.00 kada litrong pagtaas sa unang araw pa lamang ng krisis.

“Ang estimate namin around $20 per barrel ang increase sa diesel. Baka umabot ‘yan…baka around P9.00 per liter. (first day). May range naman ‘yan. We’re still hoping na hanggang P6.00 to P9.00, within that range,” pahayag ni Abad.

Samantala, ang kerosene ay tumaas ng mahigit $23 kada bariles, na katumbas ng P7.00 hanggang P10 kada litrong dagdag-presyo.

Ipinaliwanag ng opisyal na tatalakayin sa pulong kasama ang mga local oil players ang kasalukuyang oil price trends at ang magiging epekto nito sa nakatakdang weekly price adjustments.

“Baka magkaroon ng usapin na paano ito hindi maging isahang bagsak sa Tuesday next week,” ani Abad. “Hindi naman puwede hindi natin ipa-recover ito sa mga oil company kasi ito yung magiging presyuhan din ‘pag sila ay nag-replenish ng kanilang oil supply.”

Dagdag pa niya, mas mainam na i-stagger ang implementasyon ng dagdag-presyo upang maikalat o maipantay ang epekto nito sa mga konsyumer. “Dapat i-staggered yung increase kasi malakihan nga para mai-spread out. Sa laki nito baka ang pag-usapan dito ay weekly adjustment na,” aniya.

Hinikayat din ng DOE ang mga motorista na pumili ng mga gasoline station na nag-aalok ng mas mababang presyo, dahil may ilang istasyon na nagbibigay ng P1 hanggang P5 diskuwento kada litro.

Nauna nang nagbabala si Energy Secretary Sharon Garin na maaaring sumirit ang presyo ng langis dahil sa umiigting na sitwasyon sa Middle East, na patuloy na binabantayan ng pamahalaan.

Jalisco cartel leader “El Mencho” buried in golden casket under tight security in Guadalajara

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Jalisco cartel leader “El Mencho” buried in golden casket under tight security in Guadalajara

GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho,” was laid to rest Monday in a Zapopan cemetery in a shiny golden casket, as authorities enforced heightened security following his death in a military operation that triggered violence across multiple Mexican states.

A federal official, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, confirmed that the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel was buried in the suburb of Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state. The Attorney General’s Office declined to confirm the burial site, citing “security reasons.”

Dozens of mourners accompanied the funeral procession, many holding black umbrellas despite clear skies. A banda ensemble played traditional Mexican regional music as large flower wreaths adorned the ceremony. Some wreaths featured a rooster motif, a reference to Oseguera Cervantes’ nickname, the “Lord of the Roosters.”

Security had been stepped up since Sunday around a funeral home where wreaths had been delivered without names attached.

Authorities said Oseguera Cervantes was killed just over a week earlier during an army operation aimed at capturing him. A death certificate obtained by The Associated Press indicated he died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla said the cartel leader and two bodyguards were critically wounded in a gunfight with soldiers outside a residence in Tapalpa, Jalisco. The three men died while being transported to a hospital.

The death certificate detailed bullet wounds to the chest, abdomen, and legs.

Following the confrontation, his body was flown to Mexico City for an autopsy and later released to his family on Saturday, according to a brief statement from the Attorney General’s Office. The certificate noted that burial was conducted in accordance with standard procedures in violent deaths, allowing for potential future forensic examination if required.

Officials acknowledged that Oseguera Cervantes’ killing sparked retaliatory violence in approximately 20 states. More than 70 people were reported killed in the clashes and unrest that followed the operation.

The government said security operations continue against other senior members of the cartel.

Burials of high-profile cartel leaders in Mexico are often surrounded by secrecy due to security risks and fears of retaliation. In some cases, supporters seek to elevate slain traffickers to legendary status.

Within hours of his death, narcocorridos ballads recounting the exploits of drug figures began circulating about El Mencho.

In Culiacán, Sinaloa, cemeteries are known for elaborate mausoleums belonging to former cartel figures such as Ignacio Coronel and Arturo Beltrán Leyva.

Mexico’s history of cartel violence also includes unusual cases such as Nazario Moreno, who was declared dead in 2010 before being killed again in 2014, and Heriberto Lazcano, whose body was stolen after his death in 2012. Amado Carrillo Fuentes, known as the “Lord of the Skies,” died during a botched plastic surgery procedure.

As authorities press forward with operations against the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, security concerns remain elevated in the wake of one of Mexico’s most powerful crime figures being buried in a striking golden casket.

Suspek sa hazing death sa Cavite sumuko sa mga pulis

Venus L Peñaflor
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Suspek sa hazing death sa Cavite sumuko sa mga pulis

GEN. TRIAS, Cavite — Sumuko sa mga awtoridad nitong Martes ang driver ng sasakyan na naghatid sa isang 19-anyos na freshman maritime student na namatay sa umano’y hazing sa Cavite.

Ayon kay Cavite Police Provincial Director P/Colonel Ariel Red, ang suspek ay kasalukuyang nasa kustodiya ng General Trias Component Police Station.

Batay sa ulat ni Jun Veneracion sa “Saksi,” ang katawan ni Kenneth Alcedo, estudyante ng PNTC Colleges sa Dasmariñas, ay may mga sugat na malinaw na nagpapakita na siya ay nakaranas ng pananakit bilang bahagi ng initiation rites.

Noong Linggo, isang gray sedan ang naghatid kay Kenneth sa ospital sa Dasmariñas. Kasama sa sasakyan ang driver at dalawang lalaki na nagsabi na ang pasyente ay biktima ng hit-and-run. Pagdating sa emergency room, isinagawa ng medical staff ang cardiopulmonary resuscitation, ngunit huli na ang lahat. Ayon sa pulisya, ipinagbigay-alam ng ospital na dead on arrival si Kenneth sa ER.

Nakuha sa CCTV ang driver ng sasakyan na nagtatangkang tumakas matapos ihatid si Kenneth. Ang dalawang kasama nito, na may suot na hoodies, ay pinigilan ng isang security guard ngunit nakatakas rin sa kalaunan, iniwan ang biktima.

Sinabi ng pulisya na si Kenneth ay nakaranas ng maraming palo sa parehong hita at iba pang pang-aabuso.

“We saw and verified that this victim, almost his entire thighs had turned black, which is a clear sign that a beating or initiation rites took place. In addition, his private parts, his groin, had chili seeds; they really put chili on his private parts,” said General Trias Police chief P/Lt. Colonel Bismark Mendoza.

Ang mga magulang ni Kenneth ay naglabas ng matinding lungkot at pagkabigla sa nangyari sa kanilang anak na nangangarap maging seaman upang matulungan ang pamilya.

“I thought he would achieve his dream of becoming a seaman in school. But it is where his life ended and it’s hard to accept that,” said Gemma Alcedo, the victim’s mother.

Si Kenneth, bunsong anak, ay nagsabi sa kanyang mga magulang na pupunta lamang sa isang outing noong Linggo ng umaga. Ang sumunod nilang pagkikita ay sa funeral parlor.

“His hands were crushed with pliers, and there were so many bruises on his back and thighs, especially on the back, were truly swollen and purple. What is really heartbreaking is that they even put chili inside his private parts and here in his anus,” said Jun Alcedo.

Natagpuan ang sasakyan na naghatid kay Kenneth na iniwan sa isang lugar tatlong barangay mula sa ospital. Nakuha rin sa loob ang isang school ID at uniporme ng fraternity, ngunit hindi pa inihayag ng PNP ang pagkakakilanlan ng mga ito.

Ayon sa imbestigasyon, ang huling may-ari ng sasakyan ay nagsabing ginamit ito ng kanyang kapatid, na naging daan upang matukoy ang driver at makilala ang kanyang dalawang kasama.

“Definitely, these names we have are members of the fraternity to which the suspects belong, and most of them are students at that school,” said Mendoza.

Nanawagan ang pamilya ni Kenneth sa mga sangkot na sumuko.

“The ones who did that aren’t human, they’re demons. There was no ‘brotherhood’ there, sir, because what happened wasn’t just hazing; it seems like there was an intent to kill, because it was pure torture,” his father said.

Naniniwala ang pulisya na may iba pang sangkot sa hazing at maaaring kasuhan sa paglabag sa Anti-Hazing Law, na may parusang habang-buhay na pagkakakulong.

“To those who have knowledge of what happened, we encourage them to come forward and be man enough to take responsibility for what occurred, or to provide information to bring justice for what happened to this man,” said Mendoza.

Samantala, sinabi ng mga opisyal ng paaralan na nakikipag-ugnayan na sila sa imbestigasyon at pananagutin ang mga responsable.

“Hazing in any form is strictly prohibited within our institution, as it directly violates our values, endangers lives, and has no place in any educational community. The school will pursue the maximum disciplinary sanctions and legal remedies available against any individual, group, or organization found responsible,” PNTC Colleges said in a statement.

Iran strikes U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia as conflict widens across Middle East

Venus L Peñaflor
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Iran strikes U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia as conflict widens across Middle East

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran expanded its retaliation on Tuesday by striking the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as Washington began pulling non-essential personnel from several Middle Eastern countries amid an escalating regional conflict.

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry said two drones targeted the embassy compound, causing a “limited fire.” The U.S. Embassy urged American citizens to avoid the area. The incident followed an earlier attack on the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, which announced its closure until further notice.

The widening hostilities come as the United States and Israel continue airstrikes against Iran. President Donald Trump suggested the campaign could mark the beginning of a prolonged war, saying operations might last four to five weeks and potentially longer. He also did not rule out deeper U.S. military involvement, including the possibility of deploying ground forces.

The initial U.S.-Israeli strikes reportedly killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. While Trump urged Iranians to overthrow their government following the strike, senior U.S. officials later said regime change was not an explicit objective. The administration cited concerns ranging from Iran’s nuclear and missile programs to broader leadership issues.

According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, at least 787 people have been killed in Iran since the conflict intensified. In Israel, Iranian missile strikes have left 11 dead. In Lebanon, retaliatory Israeli airstrikes following attacks by the Iran-backed group Hezbollah have killed 52 people.

The U.S. military confirmed six American service members have died in the fighting, while additional fatalities were reported in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

Explosions continued to echo across Tehran overnight into Tuesday. Iranian state television reported two blasts at a broadcasting facility in the capital but said no injuries occurred.

The International Atomic Energy Agency stated that Iran’s Natanz nuclear enrichment facility sustained “some recent damage,” though no radiological consequences were expected. The United States previously struck Natanz during a 12-day conflict in June, which significantly weakened Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Iran was rebuilding underground sites for nuclear weapons production but did not provide evidence. Iran has denied enriching uranium since June and maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

The U.S. State Department ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel and family members from Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. American citizens have also been urged to leave more than a dozen countries in the region, though widespread airspace closures have left many stranded.

Iranian retaliation has extended beyond diplomatic targets. Recent attacks included strikes on energy facilities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as well as incidents affecting ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s traded oil passes.

Iranian Brig. Gen. Ebrahim Jabbari, an adviser to the Revolutionary Guard, declared that the Strait of Hormuz was closed and warned that vessels attempting to pass through would face attack. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said Iranian strikes “will not go unanswered.”

Iran has also targeted infrastructure in Gulf states, including data centers in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, contributing to mounting economic uncertainty and rising global oil and natural gas prices.

The conflict has further expanded into Lebanon. Hezbollah fired missiles into Israel earlier this week, prompting Israeli retaliatory airstrikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon. The Israeli military said it deployed additional troops to southern Lebanon and secured new strategic positions near the border.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that the Lebanese army was evacuating some border positions. Senior Hezbollah official Mohamoud Komati said the group now had no choice but to continue fighting Israel.

With casualties mounting, oil markets disrupted, and military operations intensifying across multiple fronts, questions remain about the duration and scope of the war, as regional and global powers brace for further escalation.

Maigting ang talakayan sa national wage bill sa Kongreso; Cong. Amante suportado ang pagbuwag sa provincial rate

Venus L Peñaflor
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Maigting ang talakayan sa national wage bill sa Kongreso; Cong. Amante suportado ang pagbuwag sa provincial rate

MAYNILA — Mas pinaigting ngayon sa House of Representatives of the Philippines ang deliberasyon sa panukalang reporma sa sistema ng pasahod sa bansa, partikular ang pagtatatag ng iisang pambansang minimum wage at ang pagbuwag sa kasalukuyang provincial at regional wage-setting mechanism.

Sentro ng diskusyon ang House Bill No. 8081, na naglalayong magpatupad ng pantay na minimum wage rate sa buong Pilipinas. Ayon sa mga may-akda, ang panukala ay tugon sa matagal nang hinaing ng mga manggagawa hinggil sa malaking agwat ng sahod sa pagitan ng Metro Manila at mga lalawigan, sa kabila ng tumataas na presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin at serbisyo sa buong bansa.

Suporta mula sa Laguna

Kabilang sa mga co-author ng panukala si Laguna 3rd District Representative Loreto “Amben” Amante, na hayagang nagpahayag ng suporta sa pagreporma ng kasalukuyang sistema. Binigyang-diin niya na hindi dapat nagiging batayan ang lokasyon sa pagtukoy ng halaga ng paggawa.

Ayon kay Amante, ang pagkakaroon ng iisang pambansang minimum wage ay hakbang tungo sa mas patas at makatarungang pasahod, lalo na para sa mga manggagawa sa labas ng National Capital Region na kadalasang tumatanggap ng mas mababang sahod kahit kapareho ang uri at bigat ng kanilang trabaho.

Proteksyon at Kapakanan ng mga Manggagawa

Binibigyang-diin ng mga tagasuporta ng panukala na ang reporma ay hindi lamang usapin ng halaga ng sahod, kundi ng mas malawak na kapakanan ng mga manggagawa.

Sa kasalukuyang sistema, ang minimum wage ay itinatakda ng Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) batay sa kondisyon ng bawat rehiyon. Gayunman, iginiit ng ilang grupo ng manggagawa na hindi na sumasabay ang regional wage rates sa aktwal na cost of living, lalo na sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng pagkain, pamasahe, kuryente, at upa sa pabahay.

Sa ilalim ng panukala, inaasahang:

  • Mabibigyan ng mas pare-parehong proteksyon ang mga manggagawa laban sa mababang pasahod;
  • Mabawasan ang wage disparity o agwat ng sahod sa pagitan ng Metro Manila at mga probinsya;
  • Masiguro ang mas matatag na kita na makatutulong sa pang-araw-araw na gastusin ng mga pamilya; at
  • Mapalakas ang dignidad at halaga ng paggawa sa buong bansa.

Ilan ding tagasuporta ang naniniwalang makatutulong ang pambansang minimum wage upang mabawasan ang internal migration o paglipat ng mga manggagawa sa Metro Manila dahil sa mas mataas na sahod, na nagdudulot ng pagsisikip sa urban centers.

Mga Usaping Dapat Timbangin

Habang itinutulak ang reporma, inaasahan ding tatalakayin sa mga pagdinig ang posibleng epekto nito sa maliliit na negosyo at sa employment generation, upang matiyak na ang anumang pagbabago sa wage system ay balanse at sustenable.

Status ng Panukala

Sa kasalukuyan, patuloy pa ring dinidinig sa mga komite ng Kamara ang House Bill No. 8081. Wala pang pinal na boto o desisyon sa plenaryo hinggil sa panukala.

Samantala, walang opisyal na kumpirmasyon mula sa talaan ng Kongreso ukol sa mga ulat na may mga mambabatas na tahasang kumokontra sa pagbuwag ng provincial rate system.

Mananatiling binabantayan ng Tutubi News Magazine ang mga susunod na hakbang ng Kongreso sa panukalang ito, na may direktang implikasyon sa kita, kabuhayan, at pangmatagalang kapakanan ng milyun-milyong manggagawang Pilipino.Patuloy ang Pagsusulong ng Pambansang Minimum Wage at Pagbuwag sa Provincial Rate.

Total lunar eclipse set to light up Philippine skies on March 3, 2026

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Total lunar eclipse set to light up Philippine skies on March 3, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – Skywatchers in Manila and across the Philippines are in for a celestial treat on March 3, 2026, as a Total Lunar Eclipse will be visible for approximately 59 minutes and 24 seconds.

The eclipse will be fully visible over Eastern Asia, Australia, the Central Pacific, and most of the Americas, offering a rare opportunity for stargazers to witness the Moon pass completely into Earth’s shadow.

In Manila, the Moon will rise at 5:58 PM, already partially eclipsed. The Umbral Phase, when the Moon enters Earth’s primary shadow, begins at 7:04 PM, reaching maximum eclipse at 7:34 PM. The Moon will remain in totality until 8:03 PM and will gradually exit the Umbral shadow by 9:17 PM, finally leaving the Penumbral shadow at 10:25 PM.

During totality, the Moon is expected to take on a reddish hue, a phenomenon commonly known as the “Blood Moon”, caused by the scattering of sunlight through Earth’s atmosphere.

The eclipse is easy to observe and can be enjoyed without any protective eyewear. While binoculars or a small telescope can enhance the view of the Moon’s surface, they are not required.

Weather permitting, enthusiasts and the general public are encouraged to step outside and witness this rare astronomical event.

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