MAYNILA. Asahan ng mga kustomer ng Manila Electric Company (Meralco) ang mas mataas na bayarin sa kuryente ngayong Mayo. Ito ay kasunod ng pagtaas ng generation charges dahil sa bumababang supply ng kuryente sa gitna ng matinding init ng panahon.
Sa abiso ng Meralco, sinabi nitong tataas ang singil ng 46.21 centavos kada kilowatt-hour (kWh), mula P10.9518 per kWh noong Marso, patungong P11.4139 per kWh ngayong Mayo. Nangangahulugan ito ng karagdagang P92 sa bayarin ng mga residential customer na kumokonsumo ng 200 kWh.
Ayon sa Meralco, ang pagtaas na ito ay dulot ng pagtaas ng generation charges na umakyat ng 44.55 centavos per kWh. Idinagdag pa ng kumpanya na mas mataas ang gastos mula sa Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) at Power Supply Agreements (PSAs).
Bukod dito, nakapagtala rin ng net increase na 1.66 centavos per kWh ang transmission charges, taxes, at iba pang charges. Sinabi rin ng Meralco na nanatiling hindi nagbabago ang kanilang distribution charge sa P3.60 per kWh mula pa noong Agosto 2022.
“We are appealing to our customers to refrain from flying kites and picking fruits near power lines since these can cause power interruptions and accidents,” ani Joe Zaldarriaga, Meralco vice president at head ng Corporate Communications, sa parehong abiso.
Pinangangasiwaan ng Meralco ang konstruksyon, operasyon, at maintenance ng electric distribution systems sa mga lungsod at munisipalidad ng Bulacan, Cavite, Metro Manila, at Rizal, maging sa ilang lugar sa mga lalawigan ng Batangas, Laguna, Pampanga, at Quezon.
Para sa karagdagang impormasyon at updates, bisitahin ang opisyal na website ng Meralco o ang kanilang social media pages.
SEOUL, South Korea. Despite the rain, the streets of Seoul were filled with joy and color as thousands gathered for the annual Lotus Lantern Festival, celebrating the upcoming birthday of Buddha.
On Saturday, holding umbrellas and pink paper lotus flowers, festival-goers braved the weather to participate in Yeon Deung Hoe, a tradition that dates back over 1,000 years and was recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020. Organizers anticipated a turnout of around 50,000 people for the evening parade, a highlight of the festival featuring an array of illuminated floats.
Starting at Seoul’s Dongguk University, the parade wound its way to Jogyesa Temple, where thousands of colorful lanterns adorned the grounds, forming the phrase “It’s peaceful just the way it is,” visible from the air. Participants, dressed in raincoats, carried illuminated pink lotus lanterns and flowers, while others paraded with large, intricate floats depicting baby Buddhas, the Four Heavenly Kings, and mythical creatures like tigers, elephants, and a massive dragon. Even beloved cartoon characters such as Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and Lucy made an appearance.
“The festival spreads the enlightenment of Buddhism to the world,” said one of the organizers. “It’s a time for reflection and celebration, bringing the community together.”
Buddha’s birthday, which will be celebrated on Wednesday, is a national holiday in South Korea. On this day, many temples offer free meals and tea to visitors, and festivities continue with traditional games and art performances in temple yards and parks.
The Lotus Lantern Festival not only honors Buddhist traditions but also showcases the cultural heritage of South Korea, drawing both locals and tourists to experience the vibrant and spiritual atmosphere of the celebrations.
Buddhist monks walk in a lantern parade during the Lotus Lantern Festival, ahead of the birthday of Buddha at Dongguk University in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, May 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
GENEVA. Top envoys from the U.S. and China convened in Geneva on Tuesday for closed-door discussions aimed at addressing the benefits and risks associated with AI technology, in a move reflecting the global importance of artificial intelligence.
The talks, initiated by Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping late last year, mark the beginning of a bilateral dialogue between the two largest economies in the world. This dialogue is crucial as AI technology rapidly evolves, impacting various sectors such as trade, culture, politics, national security, and defense.
Leading the American delegation were senior White House and State Department officials. This meeting offers a rare glimpse into Beijing’s typically reserved stance on AI, according to U.S. technology experts.
Jason Glassberg, co-founder of Casaba Security and an expert on AI threats, described the meeting as a foundational step. “What’s most important right now is that both sides realize they each have a lot to lose if AI becomes weaponized or abused,” Glassberg said in an email. “All parties involved are equally at risk. Right now, one of the biggest areas of risk is with deepfakes, particularly for use in disinformation campaigns. This is just as big of a risk for the PRC as it is for the U.S. government,” he added, referring to the People’s Republic of China.
The choice of Geneva for the meeting, while not immediately explained, underscores the city’s role as a hub of diplomacy and international institutions. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a U.N. agency based in Geneva, is set to host its annual “AI for Good” conference later this month, highlighting the city’s relevance in the field of AI.
This meeting represents the first under an intergovernmental dialogue on AI agreed upon during a multi-faceted summit between Xi and Biden in San Francisco six months ago. The U.S. government has been proactive in establishing guidelines for AI development, aiming to balance fostering innovation with mitigating potential risks.
Western experts suggest that China has maintained a cautious approach to AI applications, especially given their potential use in military and surveillance operations under the ruling Communist Party. U.S. officials indicated their intention to discuss methods to mitigate AI risks, including creating voluntary commitments with leading AI companies and requiring safety tests for AI products.
As the world’s geopolitical landscape shifts, these talks between the U.S. and China are seen as critical in shaping the future governance and ethical use of AI technology.
KHARKIV, Ukraine. In a small, unassuming white concrete box on the pavement lies the entrance to Ukraine’s first underground school, a purpose-built bunker designed to protect children from Russian drone and missile attacks.
On Monday, children descended into this new subterranean sanctuary for their first day of school. Greeted by two smiling teachers at the steel door, students and their parents made their way down a concrete staircase, through a blast door, and into the secure bunker six meters (20 feet) below ground.
Hundreds of children began lessons this week in Kharkiv’s primary school 155. Despite the lack of windows, the brightly lit classrooms and lime green and white painted hallways create a cheerful environment. This innovative school, designed with safety as a priority, aims to ensure that education continues uninterrupted amidst the ongoing conflict.
Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city located near the Russian border, has been under constant attack since the early days of Moscow’s invasion. The renewed intensity of fighting and frequent airstrikes have made traditional schooling untenable, pushing most children to learn at home via computers. However, for some, the chance to attend classes in person is a welcome change.
“My daughter, a third grader, could hardly wait to come, dress up for the occasion, meet her friends that she missed very much,” said Marina Prikhodko, mother of 9-year-old Masha and 6-year-old Oleksii. “For my son, a first grader, it’s like a festive day, a chance to meet his classmates in real life, not online.”
Despite the ongoing conflict, Prikhodko remains resolute. “Yes, it is scary,” she said. “But whatever happens, life goes on and we have to try and live here and now, every day.”
The school, which currently enrolls 300 pupils, is expected to expand to accommodate two daily shifts of 450 students each. “We need to make sure that both teachers and students get accustomed to the school, and hopefully from Sept. 1 there will be a full complement of students,” said Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov.
At the school’s opening, many students wore traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirts, known as “vyshyvanky,” to celebrate. Children of all ages mingled in the hallways and sat behind desks in spacious, windowless classrooms. Lunch consisted of burgers and juice boxes, adding a touch of normalcy to their extraordinary schooling experience.
“It’s like day and night,” said headmaster Ihor Voznyi, contrasting the new school with the conditions pupils faced previously. “Our schools do not have bomb shelters. There are basements, underground spaces which are totally unsuited to conduct any teaching. The spaces here are designed to provide quality, modern spaces.”
This innovative educational initiative represents a beacon of hope and resilience for Kharkiv’s children, ensuring their right to education remains intact even in the face of war.
TANAH DATAR, Indonesia. Rescuers are meticulously searching through rivers and the debris of ruined villages to recover bodies and locate survivors in the aftermath of severe flash floods on Indonesia’s Sumatra Island. The disaster, triggered by monsoon rains and a landslide of mud and cold lava from Mount Merapi, has claimed at least 52 lives as of Tuesday.
The deluge struck late Saturday night, breaching riverbanks and devastating mountainside villages across four districts in West Sumatra province. The floodwaters swept away 79 homes and inundated hundreds of other buildings, displacing more than 3,300 residents who are now in temporary government shelters.
“The flash floods have left a trail of destruction,” said Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Agency. “Rescue teams are working tirelessly to find survivors and recover the bodies of those who perished.”
The National Search and Rescue Agency confirmed that 52 bodies have been recovered from the mud and rivers, predominantly in the heavily affected districts of Agam and Tanah Datar. Rescuers are still searching for 20 individuals who remain missing.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency has warned of further downpours in the coming days, heightening the risk of additional extreme rainfall until next week. In response, the National Disaster Management Agency is set to implement weather modification techniques to mitigate further rainfall and prevent more flash floods.
“We will start cloud seeding tomorrow to reduce the rain during this emergency response period,” said Suharyanto, head of the National Disaster Management Agency. He noted that the emergency response efforts are scheduled to continue until May 25.
Television footage has shown rescue personnel using a variety of tools, including jackhammers, circular saws, and even their bare hands, as they dig through the mud and debris in Agam district. Roads have been transformed into muddy rivers, and villages are buried under layers of mud, rocks, and uprooted trees.
In Tanah Datar district, around the Anai Valley Waterfall, rescuers are concentrating their efforts on locating four people from a group of seven who were swept away in their cars. “Three bodies were found on Monday, but we are still searching for the other four,” said Abdul Malik, head of the Search and Rescue Office in Padang.
“With many missing and some remote areas still unreachable, the death toll is likely to rise,” Malik added.
Indonesia frequently experiences landslides and flash floods due to heavy rainfall, particularly in mountainous regions or near floodplains. This latest disaster comes just two months after similar floods and landslides in West Sumatra killed at least 26 people and left 11 others missing.
Mount Marapi, a particularly active volcano, erupted unexpectedly late last year, resulting in the deaths of 23 climbers. The volcano, which has been active since January 2024, is among over 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia, a country situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” known for its seismic activity and frequent volcanic eruptions.
TANAUAN CITY, Batangas. Hinalay at pinatay ang isang 16-anyos na dalagitang at natagpuang duguan at wala nang buhay sa madamong bahagi ng isang parke sa lungsod na ito, kamakalawa ng gabi.
Sa ulat ng Tanauan Police, ang biktimang itinago sa pangalang Ann, isang helper sa kantina, ay residente ng Poblacion Malvar, Batangas City.
Ayon sa imbestigasyon, nag-aalala ang ina ng biktima nang hindi ito nakauwi at hindi nagpapadala ng mensahe o text, bagay na hindi karaniwang ginagawa ng dalagita. Dahil dito, nagpasya ang ina na i-track ang cellphone ng anak at nadiskubre niyang nasa Soledad Park sa Brgy. Darasa, Tanauan City ito.
Agad na humingi ng tulong sa mga barangay officials ang ina, at nang puntahan nila ang lugar, natagpuan nila ang duguang bangkay ng biktima na wala nang saplot pang-ibaba.
Patuloy pa rin ang imbestigasyon ng pulisya upang matukoy ang salarin sa karumal-dumal na krimen.
“Patuloy kaming nagsasagawa ng masusing imbestigasyon upang mabigyan ng hustisya ang biktima at mahuli ang may sala,” pahayag ng Tanauan Police.
Ang insidenteng ito ay nagdulot ng labis na takot at pangamba sa komunidad. Patuloy na hinihikayat ang sinumang may impormasyon ukol sa insidente na makipag-ugnayan sa mga awtoridad upang mapabilis ang pagresolba ng kaso.
GAZA CITY. Nearly half a million Palestinians have been displaced due to intensified Israeli military operations in southern and northern Gaza, according to the United Nations. This massive displacement marks a significant humanitarian crisis in the region.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reported that around 360,000 Palestinians were forced to flee from Rafah in Gaza’s south over the past week. Before the recent offensive, approximately 1.3 million people had been taking shelter in Rafah, which Israel claims is a last Hamas stronghold.
In northern Gaza, Israeli forces continue their battles with Hamas militants. Major operations in this area have also led to significant displacement. U.N. Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq informed reporters that evacuation orders issued by the Israeli army on Saturday have displaced an additional 100,000 people so far.
Adding to the dire situation, no food supplies have entered the two main border crossings in southern Gaza for the past week. The U.N. has warned that approximately 1.1 million Palestinians in Gaza are facing severe hunger, with the northern region experiencing what the U.N. describes as a “full-blown famine.”
The humanitarian crisis has been exacerbated by seven months of continuous Israeli bombardment and ground operations in Gaza, resulting in over 35,000 deaths, predominantly women and children, according to local health officials.
The conflict escalated dramatically on October 7, when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting about 250 others. Israel states that militants still hold approximately 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.
Israeli Tanks Advance in Rafah
On Tuesday, Israeli tanks advanced deeper into eastern Rafah, reaching residential districts. This movement has prompted renewed warnings from international allies and aid groups about the potential for a humanitarian disaster.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to hold hearings on Thursday and Friday to discuss a request by South Africa for new emergency measures regarding the Rafah incursion. South Africa has accused Israel of violating the genocide convention in Gaza, a claim Israel denies, calling it baseless.
Despite lacking international support, Israel has vowed to continue its operations in Rafah, aiming to eliminate four remaining Hamas battalions. “The tanks advanced this morning west of Salahuddin Road into the Brzail and Jneina neighborhoods. They are in the streets inside the built-up area, and there are clashes,” a resident told Reuters via a chat app.
Hamas’s armed wing reported destroying an Israeli troop carrier with an Al-Yassin 105 missile in the eastern Al-Salam neighborhood, resulting in casualties. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not comment on this report.
Humanitarian Conditions Deteriorate
UNRWA estimates that around 450,000 people have fled Rafah since May 6. “People face constant exhaustion, hunger, and fear. Nowhere is safe,” the agency posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The war has devastated Gaza’s medical facilities, with hospitals running short of fuel for generators and other essential supplies. British emergency room doctor James Smith, volunteering in southern Gaza, noted that while some emergency fuel has reached Gaza, it is a “zero-sum game” where health is prioritized over other essential services.
Intensifying Battles
Fighting has intensified across Gaza, particularly in the north. In the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, bulldozers have demolished houses to create a path for tanks. In Jabalia, a refugee camp, residents reported heavy tank shelling as Israeli forces attempted to penetrate the camp’s market area.
The IDF stated that dozens of Hamas fighters were killed in Jabalia, and in Zeitoun, they dismantled explosives and destroyed rocket launchers. Amid the escalating violence, ceasefire talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt remain at a standstill, with both sides unable to agree on terms to end the conflict.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the international community watches closely, urging both sides to prioritize humanitarian concerns and seek a peaceful resolution.
CANNES, France. Cannes Film Festival director Thierry Fremaux expressed concern on Monday about the increasing focus on political and social issues within the movie industry, which he believes detracts from the films themselves.
“In the past, people only talked about the cinema. We as organizers only had one anxiety – the films: will people like them, will people hate them?” Fremaux remarked during a press conference.
Fremaux’s comments came in response to a question about a report in the French newspaper Le Figaro last week, which claimed that Cannes had hired a crisis management team to address potential fallout from a list that might be published, naming ten film industry figures accused of sexual abuse.
“It’s not polemics that actually spring from the festival, that’s something we want to avoid,” Fremaux said. Nonetheless, he emphasized the importance of showing the new short film “Moi Aussi” (“Me Too”) by Judith Godreche, a significant voice in France’s #MeToo movement. The global #MeToo movement has exposed men accused of sexual harassment in various fields, including entertainment, politics, and business.
Last week, Cannes announced that the 17-minute short, featuring testimonies from around 1,000 sexual abuse victims, would be screened at the “Un Certain Regard” competition’s opening ceremony on Wednesday evening.
Fremaux reiterated that films are selected based on their cinematic qualities, whether they address issues related to Ukraine, Gaza, or former U.S. President Donald Trump. He noted, “From the start, Cannes has reflected the upheaval in the world because that’s what directors do in their films.”
In addition to these challenges, Fremaux is also contending with a possible strike by festival workers, which could potentially disrupt the event scheduled to run from May 14 to 25.
Cannes is in ongoing discussions with workers’ representatives to address their demands for better working conditions. “Everyone wants to avoid a strike,” Fremaux stated, acknowledging the daily interactions between staff and workers advocating for improved conditions.
MAYNILA. Nagpadala ang China ng apat na malalaking barko ng China Coast Guard (CCG) at 26 maritime militia upang harangin ang isang civilian mission convoy na nagpa-planong maglayag sa Scarborough Shoal mula Mayo 15 hanggang 17.
Ayon kay Ray Powell, Director of SeaLight (Maritime Monitoring), “China is sending a huge force to blockade Scarborough Shoal ahead of the Atin Ito civilian convoy setting sail from the Philippines Tuesday.” Ang convoy na ito ay binubuo ng dalawang malalaking bangka ng Atin Ito Coalition at 1,000 pang mga bangka ng mga mangingisda na layuning maglagay ng mga boya sa nasabing teritoryo.
Dagdag pa ni Powell, ito na ang pinakamalaking blockade ng China sa Scarborough Shoal. Agresibong inaangkin ng China ang nasabing teritoryo na nasa 124 milya lamang ang layo sa Masinloc, Zambales. Ang programa ng Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation na pinamumunuan ni Powell ay nagmomonitor sa mga aktibidades ng China sa West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Sa kabila ng presensya ng mga barko ng China, ipinahayag ni Rafaela David, co-Convenor ng Atin Ito Coalition, na hindi sila aatras at tuloy ang kanilang paglalayag patungo sa Scarborough Shoal. Aniya, magdadala ang mga organizers ng volunteer convoy ng pagkain at fuel para sa mga mangingisdang Pilipino sa Bajo de Masinloc.
Ito na ang ikalawang pagkakataon na maglalayag ang Atin Ito patungong Scarborough Shoal upang igiit ang karapatan ng mga Pilipino sa soberenya.
ROME. Forty-nine employees of the Vatican Museums have filed a class-action complaint with the Vatican administration, demanding improved seniority, leave, and overtime benefits, in a direct challenge to the governance of Pope Francis.
The complaint, dated April 23 and disclosed by Italian newspapers over the weekend, highlights concerns over health and security risks faced by staff due to cost-saving measures and apparent profit-driven initiatives within the museums. These initiatives include overcrowding and a reduction in security guards to manage the influx of tourists.
Neither the Vatican spokesperson nor Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, president of the Vatican City State administration overseeing the museums, responded to requests for comment.
This legal action underscores the ongoing clash between Vatican laws and European norms. Recent civil and criminal cases have shed light on the limited legal recourse available to Vatican employees, particularly Italian citizens, within the city-state’s unique justice system, where Pope Francis holds supreme executive, legislative, and judicial authority.
The class-action complaint, prepared and endorsed by veteran Vatican attorney Laura Sgro on behalf of the employees, draws attention to the social teachings of the Catholic Church and Pope Francis’ calls for employers to uphold the dignity of workers. It demands greater transparency in career advancement, restoration of seniority bonuses, and adherence to Italian standards regarding sick leave.
Under Vatican labor regulations, Cardinal Vérgez Alzaga has 30 days to respond to the complaint. If negotiations fail to commence, Sgro may escalate the matter to the Vatican’s labor office for potential reconciliation, which could ultimately lead to tribunal proceedings. However, the office retains the discretion to reject the case, leaving employees with limited avenues for redress.
In previous cases, attorneys have signaled intentions to bring complaints about the Vatican’s legal system to the European Court of Human Rights, despite the Holy See not being a member or signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights. Some legal experts argue that the Vatican, through its 2009 signing of the European Union monetary convention, committed to upholding European human rights norms.
The Vatican Museums serve as a significant revenue source for the Vatican, subsidizing the Holy See bureaucracy. However, the museums faced financial strain from COVID-19 closures and restrictions, leading to a hike in full-price ticket costs earlier this year to 20 euros ($21.50), up from 17 euros.
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