Saturday, July 11, 2026


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73-anyos na may-ari ng resort, pinatay ng dating empleyado

BAUAN, Batangas. Natagpuang patay ang isang 73-anyos na babaeng may-ari ng resort matapos umanong pasukin at patayin ng kanyang dating empleyado na sinibak sa trabaho. Nangyari ang insidente sa loob ng kanyang tahanan na nasa compound ng resort sa Barangay Durungao, bayang ito noong Lunes ng umaga.

Ayon kay Lt. Reymond Matibag, chief investigator ng Bauan Municipal Police Station, ang biktima na si Carmen Maranan, may-ari ng Maranan Resort, ay natagpuan ng kanyang anak na si Jenny na nakahandusay at duguan sa sofa malapit sa kusina na may flower vase pa sa kanyang ulo, bandang alas-7:30 ng umaga.

Lumabas sa imbestigasyon na pinasok ng salarin ang biktima habang ito ay natutulog sa kanyang bahay noong Linggo ng gabi. Hinihinalang si alyas “Lando,” isang dating empleyado sa resort, ang suspek sa pagpatay kay Maranan.

Ayon kay Matibag, “We have an eyewitness also working in resort saw the suspect left from the resort at the midnight and one of the video footage of the close circuit television camera captured him while the suspect entered at the premises of the resort.”

Sinisilip ng mga imbestigador na “lumang alitan” at “paghihiganti” ang posibleng mga motibo sa pagpatay. Lumalabas na tinanggal ni Maranan si Lando sa trabaho sa resort dalawang buwan na ang nakalilipas.

Sa inisyal na pagsusuri ng awtoridad, ang pagkamatay ni Maranan ay dahil sa malakas na pagkakapukpok ng flower vase sa kanyang ulo habang siya ay natutulog sa couch.

Inihahanda na ang kasong murder laban kay alyas Lando, na kasalukuyang tinutugis ng mga awtoridad.

Hamas accepts UN-backed Gaza truce plan, US sees ‘hopeful sign’

TEL AVIV. Hamas has expressed its acceptance of a United Nations resolution backing a plan to end the ongoing conflict with Israel in Gaza. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri confirmed the group’s readiness to negotiate the details, marking a potential turning point in the eight-month-long war. However, formal replies to the truce proposal from both Hamas and Israel are still pending, according to an official close to the talks. The proposal’s acceptance by both sides remains uncertain as it must address their conflicting goals.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking after meetings with Israeli leaders in Tel Aviv, described the Hamas statement as “a hopeful sign.” He emphasized the need for definitive confirmation from Hamas leadership within Gaza, saying, “That’s what counts, and that’s what we don’t have yet.”

President Joe Biden’s truce proposal, approved by the U.N. Security Council, outlines a ceasefire and a phased release of hostages in exchange for Palestinians jailed in Israel. The ultimate goal is a permanent end to the conflict. Hamas’s acceptance of the resolution includes a formula requiring the total withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and an exchange of hostages. Abu Zuhri highlighted the U.S. administration’s role in compelling Israel to implement the U.N. resolution, stating, “The U.S. administration is facing a real test to carry out its commitments in compelling the occupation to immediately end the war.”

The war, initiated by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, has led to substantial casualties and destruction. Over 1,200 Israelis have been killed, and more than 250 taken hostage. In response, Israel’s air and ground offensive has resulted in the deaths of at least 37,164 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has become increasingly critical of the high civilian death toll and the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Secretary Blinken’s talks also covered post-war planning for Gaza, including security, governance, and reconstruction.

During his trip, Blinken met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a key mediator in the conflict, and held discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Blinken’s consultations in Israel included meetings with centrist former military chief Benny Gantz, who recently resigned from Israel’s war cabinet. At a conference in Jordan, Blinken announced $404 million in aid for Palestinians and urged other donors to contribute. Egyptian President al-Sisi called on nations to pressure Israel to halt the use of hunger as a weapon and to facilitate the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Despite diplomatic efforts, fighting continued on Tuesday, with Israeli forces intensifying strikes on Rafah in southern Gaza. This follows a deadly incident involving four Israeli soldiers killed by a blast in a booby-trapped house claimed by Hamas. While Biden has frequently indicated that ceasefires were imminent, only one temporary truce occurred in November, resulting in the release of over 100 hostages in exchange for about 240 Palestinians held in Israeli jails. Recent operations by Israeli forces, including a commando raid in central Gaza, have resulted in significant casualties. As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, hoping for a breakthrough in this protracted and devastating conflict.

Israel vows to continue Gaza offensive despite UN-backed ceasefire proposal

TEL AVIV. Israel has declared its intention to persist with military operations in Gaza, dismissing “meaningless” negotiations with Hamas shortly after the United Nations Security Council approved a US-backed ceasefire plan aimed at ending the eight-month conflict.

Reut Shapir Ben-Naftaly, Israel’s representative to the UN, stated at a UNSC meeting on Monday that Israel’s primary objective is to “ensure that Gaza doesn’t pose a threat to Israel in the future.” She emphasized that the war would continue until all hostages were released and Hamas’ capabilities were “dismantled,” accusing the group of using “endless negotiations… as a means to stall for time.”

The UNSC resolution saw 14 out of 15 members voting in favor, with Russia abstaining. This marks the first time the council has endorsed such a plan to end the war. As Israel is not a UNSC member, it did not participate in the vote.

The three-stage peace deal, initially proposed by US President Joe Biden on May 31, outlines conditions leading to the release of all remaining hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. The resolution has garnered international support, increasing pressure on both Hamas and Israel to cease hostilities.

During his diplomatic trip to the Middle East, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed on Tuesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had “reaffirmed his commitment” to the ceasefire proposal. Blinken noted that Netanyahu had assured him of Israel’s support for the deal, contingent on Hamas’ agreement.

Netanyahu, however, has reiterated that Israel will continue its operations until Hamas is completely dismantled and all hostages are freed. “The fighting could stop today,” US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said, “if Hamas agreed to the deal.”

Hamas welcomed the UNSC resolution, expressing readiness to engage with mediators to implement the plan, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces, prisoner exchanges, and the return of displaced residents to their homes. Despite these public declarations, detailed negotiations have yet to yield an agreement.

The proposed peace deal includes an initial ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and a permanent end to hostilities with a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. It also emphasizes the effective distribution of aid and long-term reconstruction efforts in Gaza, rejecting any geographical changes and supporting a two-state solution.

Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour described the deal as a “step in the right direction,” urging Israel to implement its measures. “The burden is on the Israeli side to implement this resolution,” Mansour said.

Ahead of the UNSC vote, Blinken highlighted the potential benefits of the proposal during his meeting with Netanyahu in Jerusalem, suggesting it could lead to “calm along Israel’s northern border and further integration with countries in the region.” He stressed that the international community, including the US, would support the proposal for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages.

After the resolution’s adoption, Blinken commended Israel’s readiness to finalize a deal and emphasized that the onus is now on Hamas to agree. He also met with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, reinforcing the importance of the ceasefire plan.

The conflict, which began on October 7, has resulted in significant casualties and destruction. Over 37,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, though these figures cannot be independently verified and do not distinguish between fighters and civilians.

Comelec maghihigpit sa campaign materials: Bagong larawan, bagong kampanya

MAYNILA. Pinag-aaralan ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) na tanging mga kasalukuyan o bagong kuhang larawan lamang ng isang kandidato ang pahihintulutan nilang gamitin sa campaign materials para sa 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE).

Ayon kay Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia, maaaring i-require nila ang mga kandidato na magsumite ng hanggang 10 bagong larawan, na kuha sa nakalipas na anim na buwan lamang, na gagamitin sa kanilang campaign streamers, posters, at social media posts. Paliwanag ni Garcia, ang paglilimita sa mga larawang gagamitin sa kampanya sa mga bagong kuhang larawan lamang ay makatutulong sa mga botante upang maging mas pamilyar sila sa mga kandidato.

“Ang mga botante ay dapat makita ang tunay na hitsura ng kanilang mga kandidato, hindi ang mga larawang matagal na o masyadong pinalamutian,” sabi ni Garcia. Sakaling maaprubahan ang naturang polisiya, maaaring maparusahan ang mga kandidato na gagamit ng ibang larawan bukod sa mga larawang isinumite.

Tiniyak naman ni Garcia na pahihintulutan din nila ang bahagyang enhancement o pagpapaganda ng larawan, gaya ng pag-aalis ng nunal o kulubot sa balat, ngunit hindi dapat mabago ang hitsura ng kandidato.

Ang bagong panukalang ito ay bahagi ng patuloy na pagsusumikap ng Comelec na gawing mas transparent at patas ang eleksyon, at upang matiyak na ang mga botante ay may tamang impormasyon tungkol sa kanilang mga pinipiling lider.

Sa likod ng direktibang ito, inaasahan na magdudulot ito ng positibong pagbabago sa paraan ng pangangampanya at magiging daan upang mas makilala ng publiko ang kanilang mga kandidato, ayon sa Comelec.

Hamas official calls on U.S. to pressure Israel to end Gaza war ahead of Blinken visit

CAIRO. A senior Hamas official has called on the United States to pressure Israel to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza, coinciding with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s planned visit to the region on Monday to advance ceasefire efforts.

Blinken’s visit includes stops in Egypt and Israel, with a key goal of preventing the conflict from spilling over into Lebanon. “We call upon the U.S. administration to put pressure on the occupation to stop the war on Gaza and the Hamas movement is ready to deal positively with any initiative that secures an end to the war,” stated senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri.

This marks Blinken’s eighth visit to the region since Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, initiating one of the bloodiest chapters in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His itinerary also includes visits to Jordan and Qatar later in the week. Blinken is scheduled to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo before traveling to Israel, where he will hold discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Early Monday, Palestinian residents reported that Israeli tanks were attempting to advance deeper into the northern regions of Gaza, particularly targeting Shaboura, a densely populated neighborhood known as a militant stronghold. Israeli forces have seized the entire border strip with Egypt through Rafah to the Mediterranean coast and invaded numerous districts in the city of 280,000 residents, causing around one million displaced people in Rafah to seek refuge elsewhere.

Blinken’s visit follows U.S. President Joe Biden’s May 31 announcement of a three-phase ceasefire proposal from Israel. The proposal aims for a permanent end to hostilities, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the reconstruction of Gaza.

The conflict began with a Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people and took approximately 250 others hostage, according to Israeli reports. In response, Israel launched a military offensive on the Gaza Strip, resulting in over 37,000 Palestinian deaths, as reported by the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory in its Sunday update.

YouTuber charged for helicopter fireworks attack on Lamborghini


LOS ANGELES. A YouTuber known for his extreme “car shenanigans” is facing federal charges after directing a video in which fireworks were shot from a helicopter at a speeding Lamborghini, authorities said.

Alex Choi, 24, has been charged with causing the placement of an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft, the Department of Justice announced Thursday. If convicted, Choi could face up to ten years in federal prison.

Prosecutors allege that Choi posted a video last July titled “Destroying a Lamborghini with Fireworks,” filmed without permits. The video, which has since been removed, reportedly shows Choi pressing a “fire missiles” button as two women aboard a helicopter launch fireworks at a Lamborghini racing across the El Mirage Dry Lake Bed in rural San Bernardino County, about 60 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles.

Choi, who boasts over a million followers on Instagram and nearly as many YouTube subscribers, is known for stunts he describes as “the greatest car shenanigans.” His other antics include filming passengers during rapid acceleration and driving a Lamborghini through a gas station car wash.

Attempts to reach Choi for comment via Instagram and his talent agency were unsuccessful.

The Department of Justice spokesperson stated that Choi appeared in court on Thursday, where a federal magistrate judge ordered his release on a $50,000 bond. Choi’s arraignment is scheduled for July 2, and no plea has been entered at this time.

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.