MAYNILA. Nasunog ang isang bahagi ng maliit na gusali sa masikip na distrito ng Chinatown sa Maynila noong Biyernes, na nagresulta sa pagkamatay ng hindi bababa sa 11 tao, ayon sa pulisya.
Kasalukuyang nagsasagawa ng imbestigasyon upang tukuyin ang sanhi ng sunog.
Tinatayang 14 na firetruck ang lumaban sa sunog ng higit sa dalawang oras sa isang lumang limang-palapag na gusali sa Chinatown, isang matao at masikip na bahagi ng Maynila.
Ayon kay Fire Investigator Roderick Andres, nagsimula ang sunog sa isang kainan sa ilalim ng gusali, at ilan sa mga tauhan nito ang nasawi. Ang karamihan ng mga biktima, ayon kay Andres, ay natagpuan sa ikalawa at ikatlong palapag.
Nakiramay si Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna sa mga pamilya ng mga biktima at nag-utos ng mga inspeksyon na tiyakin na ang mga lumang gusali ay sumusunod sa mga regulasyon at pamantayan sa kaligtasan.
TALLINN, Estonia. The Kremlin has confirmed for the first time that some of the Russians released in the largest prisoner swap since the Cold War were intelligence operatives. This disclosure comes as families of freed dissidents express their elation over the unexpected release.
On Thursday night, journalists Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva, along with former Marine Paul Whelan, were welcomed by their families and President Joe Biden at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Meanwhile, in Moscow, President Vladimir Putin greeted the returning Russians at Vnukovo Airport, offering them state awards and discussing their futures.
Among the eight Russians returning to Moscow was Vadim Krasikov, a Russian operative who had been serving a life sentence in Germany for the 2019 murder of a former Chechen fighter in Berlin. German authorities had stated that the assassination was carried out on orders from Russian officials. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov revealed that Krasikov is an officer of the Federal Security Service (FSB) and once served in its special Alpha unit, which includes some of Putin’s bodyguards. Peskov emphasized Putin’s personal interest in Krasikov’s inclusion in the swap.
Peskov also confirmed that Artem Dultsov and Anna Dultsova, released from Slovenia, were undercover intelligence officers posing as Argentine expats. Arrested in 2022 on espionage charges, they used Ljubljana as their base since 2017 to communicate Moscow’s directives. Their two children, who joined them in the return to Moscow via Ankara, were unaware of their Russian identity and had no knowledge of Putin.
“That’s how illegals work, and that’s the sacrifices they make because of their dedication to their work,” Peskov said.
The historic swap, involving two dozen prisoners, was conducted despite the tense relations between Washington and Moscow following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow released 15 individuals, including Americans, Germans, and Russian dissidents, many of whom had been imprisoned on charges perceived as politically motivated. An additional German national was released by Belarus.
Among the dissidents released were Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Kremlin critic and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer serving a 25-year sentence on treason charges widely viewed as politically motivated; associates of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny; human rights campaigner Oleg Orlov; and Ilya Yashin, imprisoned for his criticism of the war in Ukraine. Their release was met with joy and surprise from supporters and families.
Tatyana Usmanova, wife of Andrei Pivovarov, an opposition activist released in the swap, expressed her joy on Facebook, saying, “God, it is such happiness! I cried so much when I found out. And later, too. And I’m about to cry again now, as well.” Pivovarov had been sentenced to four years in prison in 2021.
In a phone call to President Biden, Kara-Murza expressed his profound gratitude: “No word is strong enough for this. I don’t believe what’s happening. I still think I’m sleeping in my prison cell in Omsk instead of hearing your voice. But I just want you to know that you’ve done a wonderful thing by saving so many people,” he said in a video posted on X.
WASHINGTON. The United States and Russia completed their largest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history on Thursday, resulting in the return of journalist Evan Gershkovich and corporate security executive Paul Whelan, among others. The deal, which also saw the release of dissidents including Vladimir Kara-Murza, involved the exchange of 24 individuals and marked a significant diplomatic achievement despite strained relations between the two nations.
Gershkovich, Whelan, and Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist with dual U.S.-Russia citizenship, arrived in the U.S. just before midnight for a heartfelt reunion with their families. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were present at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to welcome them and offer their support.
The swap comes at a time of heightened tension between Washington and Moscow, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Although initial discussions considered including Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in February, the final agreement focused on releasing a mix of journalists, political prisoners, and suspected spies.
President Biden praised the exchange as a significant diplomatic success and emphasized the importance of protecting American citizens. “Deals like this one come with tough calls,” Biden said. “There’s nothing that matters more to me than protecting Americans at home and abroad.”
Under the terms of the deal, Russia released Gershkovich, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal who had been imprisoned on espionage charges since March 2023. Gershkovich’s family expressed their joy in a statement: “We can’t wait to give him the biggest hug and see his sweet and brave smile up close.” The paper’s editor-in-chief, Emma Tucker, celebrated the news, calling it a “joyous day” and expressing gratitude for the support received during Gershkovich’s detention.
Whelan, who had been held in Russia since 2018 on espionage charges, and Kurmasheva, convicted in July of spreading false information about the Russian military, were also released. The three returned to Texas for medical evaluations and to reunite with their families. They are eligible for treatment offered by the military for wrongfully detained Americans.
The deal also included the release of several high-profile dissidents such as Kara-Murza, who was serving a 25-year sentence on politically motivated treason charges, and several associates of Alexei Navalny. Russia received Vadim Krasikov, convicted in Germany for murder, along with other prisoners from Germany, Slovenia, Norway, and Poland.
Biden’s administration has prioritized the release of wrongfully detained Americans, bringing home over 70 individuals in recent years through similar deals. Despite the positive outcome, these exchanges have faced criticism for potentially incentivizing future hostage-taking and granting adversaries leverage.
Top U.S. hostage negotiator Roger Carstens defended the deals, noting a decrease in the number of wrongfully detained Americans despite the increased frequency of swaps. The Wall Street Journal’s Tucker acknowledged the ongoing debate and called for measures to prevent future wrongful detentions.
The prisoner swap on Thursday surpassed a previous notable exchange in 2010 involving 14 people. The recent deal, which involved the rapid resolution of Gershkovich’s trial and the movement of other imprisoned individuals, underscores the complex and often secretive nature of international negotiations.
Gershkovich, who was arrested while reporting in Yekaterinburg, and Whelan, detained while attending a wedding in Russia, both faced charges they and their supporters deny. Their return, marked by emotional reunions and symbolic gestures such as Biden gifting Whelan his flag pin, highlights the ongoing efforts to address wrongful detentions globally.
A family of Russian sleeper agents flown to Moscow in the biggest East-West prisoner swap since the Cold War was so deep undercover that their children found out they were Russians only after the flight took off, the Kremlin said on Friday.
According to a Times investigation, Ismail Haniyeh was killed by an explosive device concealed within a heavily guarded complex in Iran where he was known to stay.
Ismail Haniyeh, a high-ranking leader of Hamas, was assassinated on Wednesday by an explosive device secretly planted months earlier in the Tehran guesthouse where he was staying, according to an investigation by The New York Times and reports from several officials.
The device, concealed in the heavily guarded Neshat compound managed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), was remotely detonated after Haniyeh’s presence in his room was confirmed. The explosion not only killed Haniyeh but also his bodyguard. The blast caused significant structural damage, including shattered windows and a partial collapse of an exterior wall, as reported by two Iranian officials briefed on the incident. A photograph of the damage was shared with The New York Times.
Haniyeh, who had previously led Hamas’s political office in Qatar, was in Tehran for the inauguration of Iran’s new president. The guesthouse, known for hosting prominent guests, had been Haniyeh’s accommodation during previous visits. The bomb’s placement and detonation were the result of meticulous planning over several months, involving extensive surveillance, according to five Middle Eastern officials.
Iranian and Hamas officials have accused Israel of orchestrating the assassination, a view supported by several U.S. officials. The incident is expected to escalate tensions in the Middle East and disrupt cease-fire negotiations in Gaza, where Haniyeh was a key negotiator. Israeli intelligence officials briefed Western governments on the operation immediately after the attack, but Israel has not publicly claimed responsibility. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken confirmed that the U.S. had no prior knowledge of the assassination plot.
Initial speculation suggested a missile strike similar to a previous Israeli operation in Isfahan, but it was later confirmed that the attack involved a bomb planted inside the guesthouse. This breach of security, described as a catastrophic failure by three Iranian officials, has been a significant embarrassment for the IRGC.
The exact method of planting the bomb remains unclear, but officials indicated that the operation’s precision and sophistication resembled the remote-controlled A.I. weapon used in the 2020 assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, which is known for conducting such operations, has been implicated, although it has not officially acknowledged involvement.
Following the assassination, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei convened an emergency meeting and ordered a retaliatory strike against Israel. The attack occurred amid heightened security for the presidential inauguration, attended by numerous international dignitaries. Haniyeh had appeared triumphant at the inauguration just hours before his death.
In Iran, conflicting reports about the nature of the attack emerged. The Tasnim News Agency initially suggested a missile strike, but Iranian officials confirmed that the explosion occurred inside Haniyeh’s room. The precision of the attack has drawn comparisons to other sophisticated operations carried out by Mossad.
TACLOBAN CITY. Naantala ang pagbabalik sa Manila ng Philippine Airlines Flight 2988 mula Tacloban Airport dahil sa isang bomb joke na ginawa ng 80-anyos na pasahero. Ang nasabing flight ay kinabibilangan ng mga kongresista na dumalo sa Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF).
Ayon sa ulat, ang 80-anyos na babae ay nagbigay ng maling impormasyon sa PAL flight attendant, sinasabing may bomba sa eroplano. Agad na ipinasa ng steward ang impormasyong ito sa kanyang supervisor, na nagresulta sa agarang paghawak ng boarding ng eroplano.
Sa oras ng insidente, ang mga kongresista na nasa loob ng eroplano ay nagsasagawa na ng boarding process para sa iba pang pasahero. Bilang bahagi ng standard operating procedure, lahat ng pasahero ay pinababa mula sa eroplano at muling isinagawa ang inspection sa loob ng eroplano at sa mga bagahe.
Dalawang K9 dogs ang dineploy ng airport security upang suriin ang mga bagahe. Ang insidente ay nagdulot ng higit dalawang oras na pagkaabala, at ang nasabing senior citizen ay hindi na pinasakay ng eroplano at kasalukuyang iniimbestigahan.
Ayon sa Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, nasa 70 kongresista ang sakay ng nasabing flight. Matapos matiyak na walang panganib at walang katotohanan ang bomb threat, itinuloy din ang byahe pabalik ng Maynila.
Sa panig ni Agri Partylist Rep. Wilbert Lee, sinabi nito na dapat maglagay ng mga impormasyon ukol sa mga parusa sa mga bomb joke sa paligid ng airport upang maiwasan ang mga ganitong insidente.
Ang Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) ay nagdaos ng unang anibersaryo sa Tacloban City, kung saan ang gobyerno ay nagbigay ng P1.26 billion halaga ng mga serbisyo at financial aid sa 253,000 beneficiaries sa Eastern Visayas.
DUBAI. The funeral of Ismail Haniyeh, a prominent Hamas leader, was held in Qatar on Friday, following his assassination two days earlier in Tehran. The killing is part of a troubling series of targeted attacks against senior figures in the Palestinian militant group amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The ceremony took place at a mosque near Doha, with mourners including Khaled Meshaal, the likely successor to Haniyeh’s position, other high-ranking Hamas officials, and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. Haniyeh will be interred in Lusail, a city north of Doha. His coffin, draped in the Palestinian flag, was carried alongside that of his bodyguard, who was also killed in the attack.
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri addressed reporters from the funeral, stating, “Our message to the occupation (Israel) today is that you are sinking deep in the mud and your end is getting closer than ever. The blood of Haniyeh will change all equations.” Haniyeh was reportedly killed by a missile strike on a state guesthouse in Tehran, where he was staying, according to Khalil Al-Hayya, another senior Hamas official.
Both Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of orchestrating the assassination, though Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement. The incident adds to a series of similar strikes against Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, intensifying concerns that the Gaza conflict could escalate into a broader regional war.
U.S. President Joe Biden commented on the development, saying that Haniyeh’s killing was detrimental to international ceasefire efforts in Gaza. “It doesn’t help,” Biden remarked on Thursday regarding the impact of the assassination on truce negotiations.
Qatar, along with Egypt and the United States, has been actively involved in peace negotiations. Haniyeh, who had served as Hamas leader since 2017, was a key figure in international diplomacy for the group and participated in indirect ceasefire talks. While he was seen as a moderate by some diplomats, certain Israeli commentators viewed him as an obstacle to peace.
In addition to the funeral in Qatar, Iran also held a memorial service for Haniyeh attended by his widow, Amal Haniyeh. During the service, she expressed her grief, saying, “Say hello to all the martyrs of Gaza, say hello to the leaders, to all Gaza’s martyrs, all the Muslims.”
Hamas politburo member Izzat al-Rishq called for global prayers for Haniyeh and declared, “Let today, Friday, be a day of overwhelming anger denouncing the assassination crime and rejecting the genocide in the Gaza Strip.”
The recent escalation also includes Hezbollah’s confirmation of the death of its senior military commander Fuad Shukr in an Israeli strike in Beirut. Hezbollah has vowed a “definite” response to Shukr’s killing, signaling a new phase in the longstanding rivalry with Israel.
Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah demanded a “real response, not a performative response,” in his televised address, emphasizing the need for a measured approach to the ongoing conflict.
CHATEAUROUX, France. Turkish pistol shooter Yusuf Dikec has captured social media’s attention with his laid-back approach to shooting, earning him viral fame during the 2024 Olympics. Dikec, 51, was seen shooting to a silver medal while displaying a notably casual demeanor—often pictured in a T-shirt with one hand in his pocket, standard glasses, and an impassive expression.
Dikec’s unconventional style has led to comparisons to a “regular guy” at the Olympics or even a hitman in memes that have spread widely online. Despite this relaxed appearance, Dikec is a seasoned athlete, having competed in every Summer Olympics since 2008.
In the mixed team 10-meter air pistol event on Tuesday, Dikec and teammate Sevval Ilayda Tarhan secured Turkey’s first-ever Olympic medal in shooting by winning silver. Serbia’s Damir Mikec and Zorana Arunovic took gold, while India’s Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh earned bronze. Notably, Dikec’s teammate Tarhan also shot with one hand in her pocket, but she wore large ear defenders and a visor adorned with the red and white colors of the Turkish flag.
Dikec’s individual performance saw him finish 13th, and he is now looking forward to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. “I hope next in Los Angeles (for) a gold medal,” he said.
Embracing his newfound viral status, Dikec has shared a video compilation of Turkish-language memes about him on his Instagram page. The shooting events were held about three hours south of Paris, and both Dikec and Tarhan received a warm welcome from fans at Champions Park in Paris on Wednesday.
Despite his casual appearance, Dikec did use some shooting gear during the final. He wore yellow earplugs to block out distractions, though they were not visible in the viral images. Shooters have some discretion in their attire; many choose to wear visors or blinders to enhance focus, but Dikec’s choice of minimal gear was part of his distinctive style.
Dikec isn’t the only shooter to gain attention at the 2024 Olympics. South Korean pistol shooter Kim Yeji has also been celebrated for her confident demeanor and dramatic stance, earning praise for her “main character energy.” Kim, who won silver in the women’s 10-meter air pistol event, is set to compete in the women’s 25-meter pistol event on Friday.
“The Olympic #shootingsport stars we didn’t know we needed,” the official Olympics account on X posted, featuring images of both Kim and Dikec.
TOKYO. Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have announced plans to collaborate on electric vehicle (EV) components and autonomous driving technologies. Mitsubishi Motors Corp. will join this partnership, underscoring the need for scale and speed in adapting to the rapidly changing auto industry.
The partnership, initially outlined in a preliminary agreement in March, will see Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. share crucial EV components, including batteries, motors, and inverters for EV axles. The companies aim to leverage economies of scale to drive down costs and boost technological advancements.
“We cannot survive if we do not adapt to these changes,” said Honda Chief Executive Toshihiro Mibe. “If we try to do everything on our own, we cannot catch up.” His sentiment was echoed by Nissan’s CEO, Makoto Uchida, who emphasized the urgency of the collaboration.
The two companies, which once competed fiercely, will now pool resources in component and software development. Mibe and Uchida referred to this as “making friends” to achieve mutual benefits. While specific details on potential capital investments were not disclosed, the companies did not rule out future mutual ownership stakes.
The collaboration also aims to align their model lineups to complement each other across global markets, including both internal combustion engine vehicles and EVs. Additionally, Nissan and Honda will explore joint ventures in energy services within Japan. Mitsubishi’s involvement adds further strength to the alliance.
Toyota Motor Corp., Japan’s largest automaker, is notably absent from this collaboration.
Despite their differing corporate cultures, Mibe and Uchida acknowledged a shared spirit among their engineers and workers, which they believe will facilitate a successful partnership. “Speed is the most crucial element, considering our size,” Uchida remarked, stressing the need to keep pace with rapidly advancing competitors like China’s BYD.
“In coming together, we will show that one plus one will add up to become more than two,” Uchida concluded, highlighting the potential for their joint efforts to surpass their individual capabilities.
MAYNILA. Nakahanda nang ipatupad ang umento sa sahod para sa mga kawani ng gobyerno ngayong taon, ayon sa anunsyo ni Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman. Hinihintay na lamang nila ang opisyal na pagpapalabas ng executive order mula sa Palasyo para sa implementasyon nito.
Ayon kay Pangandaman, ang nakalaang pondo para sa salary adjustment sa ilalim ng Personnel Services Expenditures ng Fiscal Year 2024 ay umaabot sa P36 bilyon. Nilinaw ng kalihim na ang salary adjustment ay magiging retroactive mula Enero ng taong ito, ngunit hindi pa matukoy kung magkano ang eksaktong itataas sa sahod.
Para sa susunod na taon, inihahanda na ng Department of Budget and Management (DBM) ang P70 bilyon para sa ikalawang tranche ng salary adjustment para sa mga kawani ng gobyerno, kabilang na ang pagtaas ng sahod para sa mga guro.
Bukod sa dagdag na sahod, inaasahan din ang P7,000 na cash medical allowance para sa mga kawani ng gobyerno, na may kabuuang pondo na P9.6 bilyon. Iginiit ni Pangandaman ang kahalagahan ng pagbibigay ng atensyon sa kalusugan ng mga kawani ng gobyerno.
BILLINGS, Mont. A new investigation has uncovered that at least 973 Native American children died in the U.S. government’s boarding school system, a report released Tuesday by Interior Department officials reveals. This grim finding highlights the need for a formal apology from the federal government and further action to address the historical trauma inflicted on Native communities.
The investigation, led by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, identified marked and unmarked graves at 65 of the over 400 boarding schools established for Native American children. The causes of death included disease and abuse over a 150-year period ending in 1969. The report also noted that additional children might have died after falling ill at the schools and being sent home.
Haaland, the first Native American Cabinet secretary and a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, stated, “The federal government took deliberate and strategic action through boarding school policies to isolate children from their families, deny them their identities, and steal from them the languages, cultures, and connections that are foundational to Native people.” She added, “This was a concerted attempt to eradicate the quote, ‘Indian problem’ — to either assimilate or destroy native peoples altogether.”
The findings come after two years of listening sessions where former students described severe mistreatment, including punishment for speaking their native languages, solitary confinement, and physical abuse. Many survivors, like Donovan Archambault, 85, recounted their traumatic experiences. Archambault, who was sent to boarding schools at age 11, said, “An apology is needed. They should apologize… But there also needs to be a broader education about what happened to us.”
Haaland expressed her personal sorrow but called for a formal government apology. While she did not specify whether she would urge President Joe Biden to issue an apology, she emphasized the need for a formal acknowledgment of the wrongs committed.
The report also recommended significant investments in programs to help Native American communities recover from the trauma caused by the boarding schools. This includes funding for education, violence prevention, and the revitalization of indigenous languages. The schools were funded by $23.3 billion in inflation-adjusted federal spending, and religious and private institutions that ran many of these schools received federal money.
By the 1920s, around 60,000 Indigenous children were attending boarding schools run by the federal government or religious organizations. “These are stolen generations of children,” said Deborah Parker, CEO of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition. “It’s about time the federal government speak so honestly and candidly about the impact.”
Haaland shared that her own grandparents were forcibly removed from their families and placed in a Catholic boarding school at age 8. The report highlights that more than 200 government-supported schools had religious affiliations, with over 100 additional schools operated by churches without federal support.
In June, U.S. Catholic bishops apologized for the church’s role in the trauma experienced by these children. Pope Francis also apologized in 2022 for the Catholic Church’s involvement in Canadian boarding schools, acknowledging the destruction of Native cultures and families.
Legislation currently pending in Congress aims to establish a “Truth and Healing Commission” to further investigate boarding school injustices and grant subpoena power to gather evidence. However, some Catholic bishops have opposed this measure, advocating for cooperation without an adversarial approach.
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