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Nigerian chess champion sets new global record in 60-hour marathon

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Nigerian chess champion sets new global record in 60-hour marathon

NEW YORK. Tunde Onakoya, a 29-year-old Nigerian chess champion and advocate for child education, has shattered the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon. Over the course of 60 grueling hours, Onakoya engaged in a nonstop battle of wits in the heart of New York City’s Times Square, capturing the attention and admiration of onlookers worldwide.

Onakoya embarked on this monumental feat with a dual purpose: to etch his name in the annals of chess history and to raise a staggering $1 million for children’s education initiatives across Africa. The marathon, which commenced on Wednesday, saw Onakoya facing off against American chess champion Shawn Martinez, adhering strictly to Guinness World Record guidelines.

Surpassing the previous record of 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds set in 2018, Onakoya’s determination and resilience propelled him past the finish line at approximately 12:40 a.m. on Saturday. Amidst a backdrop of pulsating African music and thunderous applause, including the support of Nigerian music sensation Davido, Onakoya persevered, driven by a fervent desire to champion the dreams of millions of disadvantaged children.

Reflecting on his arduous journey, Onakoya emphasized the significance of his endeavor, stating, “My energy is at 100% right now because my people are here supporting me with music.” Throughout the marathon, sustenance came in the form of copious amounts of water and the iconic West African dish, jollof rice, fueling Onakoya’s indomitable spirit.

Despite the physical and mental toll, Onakoya and Martinez adhered to stringent rules, allowing a mere five minutes of respite for every hour of gameplay. Yet, amidst the intensity of competition, moments of camaraderie emerged as Onakoya engaged with supporters, even joining in their jubilant dances during brief reprieves.

The outpouring of support extended far beyond Times Square, with over $22,000 raised within the initial 20 hours of the attempt. Taiwo Adeyemi, Onakoya’s manager, lauded the overwhelming response from Nigerians in the U.S., global leaders, celebrities, and passersby, underscoring the collective effort to uplift the cause of education in Africa.

Back in Nigeria, where Onakoya regularly organizes chess competitions for underprivileged youth, the marathon garnered widespread attention. With over 10 million school-age children out of school in the West African nation, the significance of initiatives like Chess in Slums Africa, founded by Onakoya in 2018, cannot be overstated.

Public figures, including Nigeria’s former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, rallied behind Onakoya, invoking his own words: “It is possible to do great things from a small place.” As the world celebrates this monumental achievement, Onakoya’s record-breaking endeavor stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and the boundless potential of individuals to effect meaningful change.

Solon kay PBBM: VP Sara bilang education chief pag-isipang mabuti

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Solon kay PBBM: VP Sara bilang education chief pag-isipang mabuti

MAYNILA. Hinihimok ni ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na isaalang-alang kung dapat niyang ipagpatuloy ang pagkakaroon ng alter ego na “patuloy na sumisira sa kanya,” ayon sa isang mambabatas noong Biyernes, Abril 19.

Ang panawagan ay sumunod matapos aminin ni First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos na siya ay nasaktan sa mga atake ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte laban sa kanyang asawa.

Binanggit niya ang pangyayari noong Enero partikular kung paano tumawa si Sara Duterte nang tawagin ng kanyang ama, dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, si Marcos bilang “bangag” sa isang rally anti-Charter change sa Davao City.

Ayon kay Castro, bagama’t prerogatibo ng Pangulo ang pumili ng kanyang gabinete, nakakabahala kung ang piniling indibidwal ay “sinasalungat siya at hindi buong-puso” sa pagpapakita ng suporta.

Binigyang-diin ni Castro ang kahalagahan ng pagtatalaga ng isang kwalipikadong at may karanasan sa sektor ng edukasyon sa posisyon na kasalukuyang inuupuan ni Sara Duterte.

“If he (the President) were to replace his secretary, then he should get someone he should have gotten in the first place: someone who knows education and whose decisions actually better the sector,” pahayag ng mambabatas.

“But one thing is for sure: the rift between the Marcoses and the Dutertes have really gone off the deep end, and the former ‘Uniteam’ has been disunited—buwag na buwag na,” dagdag ni Castro.

Ayon kay ACT chair Vladimer Quetua, dapat pagtuunan ni Duterte ang kanyang tungkulin bilang kalihim ng edukasyon.

“With or without their political feud or bickering, the truth is, the teachers are still looking for her response to the crisis (in the education sector),” sabi ni Quetua.

“We think the more relevant matters would be neglected if VP Sara chooses to work on how her family will stay in power or secure the next elections,” dagdag pa niya.

“That’s why our challenge for the DepEd secretary remains … she should work on improving the state of education in the country,” ang kanyang pagtatapos.

Man dies in self-immolation outside New York court where Trump trial underway

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Man dies in self-immolation outside New York court where Trump trial underway

NEW YORK. A man tragically took his own life by setting himself ablaze in an incident outside a New York courthouse where the historic hush-money trial involving former President Donald Trump was set to unfold. The distressing event occurred as jury selection concluded, casting a somber shadow over the proceedings, although officials assert the act was not directed at Trump.

The man, identified as Max Azzarello of St. Augustine, Florida, burned for several agonizing minutes outside the courthouse, where cameras were poised to capture the unfolding drama of the first-ever criminal trial involving a former U.S. president. Despite the visibility of the incident, authorities affirm that there is no indication of an intentional targeting of Trump or any other individuals involved in the trial.

According to eyewitnesses, the man, believed to be in his 30s, emerged from the crowd and scattered pamphlets into the air before igniting himself with a flammable substance. While some of the pamphlets referenced “evil billionaires,” there were no explicit mentions of Trump visible to Reuters witnesses.

Tarik Sheppard, a deputy police commissioner, described the deceased as a “conspiracy theorist,” shedding light on the potential motivations behind the tragic act. However, an online manifesto attributed to Azzarello highlights broader societal grievances and does not specifically single out Trump.

Following the horrific incident, the plaza bore the lingering scent of smoke as law enforcement officers attended to the scene. A smoldering backpack and a gas can served as grim reminders of the desperate act that unfolded amidst heightened security measures surrounding the courthouse.

Meanwhile, inside the courthouse, preparations for the trial proceeded as jury selection concluded. The panel of 12 jurors, along with six alternates, hails from diverse backgrounds, predominantly comprising white-collar professionals from various parts of the United States and abroad. As prosecutors gear up to present evidence regarding hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, Trump’s defense team anticipates a rigorous legal battle, with the possibility of Trump himself taking the stand.

While Trump faces multiple legal challenges, including 34 counts of falsifying business records in this particular case, a conviction would not necessarily bar him from seeking political office. As the trial unfolds against the backdrop of the upcoming election, the courtroom drama underscores the enduring political and legal ramifications entwined with the Trump presidency.

Bulkang Taal, nagtala ng dalawang magkasunod phreatic explosion

Venus L Peñaflor
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Bulkang Taal, nagtala ng dalawang magkasunod phreatic explosion

TALISAY, Batangas. Nakapagtala ang Bulkang Taal ng dalawang magkasunod na steam-driven o phreatic explosion kahapon ng umaga, Sabado, Abril 20.

Batay sa ulat ng PHIVOLCS, naitala ang unang pagsabog mula 8:50 hanggang 8:52 ng umaga, at ang pangalawang insidente naman ay nangyari mula alas-9:09 hanggang 9:12 ng umaga.

“Tinutukan natin ang dalawang sunod-sunod na steam-driven o phreatic explosion ng Bulkang Taal ngayong umaga,” ayon sa PHIVOLCS.

Agad namang naglabas ng babala ang National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council o NDRRMC sa publiko na maging handa at alerto sa banta ng Bulkang Taal.

“Pinapaalalahanan namin ang publiko, lalo na ang mga residente sa mga lugar malapit sa Bulkang Taal, na maging handa at maging alerto sa mga posibleng panganib dulot ng mga pagsabog ng bulkan,” ayon sa tagapagsalita ng NDRRMC.

Sa kasalukuyan, nananatili sa Alert Level 1 ang babala sa naturang bulkan, na nangangahulugang maaaring magkaroon ng pagbabago sa kabuuang pag-atake at maaring magdulot ng pagsabog ng abo, paglakas ng mga pagyanig, at panganib sa kalusugan sa mga populasyon sa paligid ng bulkan.

SUV nahulog sa bangin sa Benguet, 3 magkapamilya patay

Arman B. Cambe
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SUV nahulog sa bangin sa Benguet, 3 magkapamilya patay

TUBA, Benguet. Tatlong miyembro ng pamilya mula sa Candelaria, Quezon, ang namatay matapos mahulog ang kanilang Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) sa bangin sa Marcos Highway sa Sitio Begis, Taloy Sur, dito, kahapon ng madaling-araw.

Kinilala ng pulisya ang mga nasawi na sina Jonathan Marcuap, na nagtamo ng maraming sugat at pinsala sa mukha; Jaspher Marcuap, na nagmamaneho ng SUV; at si Rodolfo Marcuap, ang ama ng pamilya.

Nakaligtas naman ang ina ng pamilya na si Kristel, 38, na nagkaroon lamang ng sugat sa kanang binti, at ang kanyang mga anak na sina Ian, 10 anyos, at Kieffer, 5 anyos, na nasugatan sa mga tuhod at likod.

Batay sa ulat ng Tuba Police, nangyari ang aksidente bandang alas-4:30 ng madaling-araw ngunit naiulat lamang ito sa kanilang himpilan pagkatapos ng isa’t kalahating oras.

Ayon sa imbestigasyon, tumama ang Mitsubishi Montero SUV ng pamilya Marcuap sa isang road signage habang dumadaan sa isang kurbada kaya lumabas ito sa kabilang lane ng highway at bumulusok sa may 100 metro na bangin.

Mabilis na rumesponde ang mga awtoridad at mga residente sa lugar upang iligtas ang mga biktima, ngunit tatlo sa kanila ang hindi na nabuhay habang nilalapatan ng lunas ang mag-iinang sugatan.

US vetoes UN resolution backing Palestine’s full membership

Venus L Peñaflor
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US vetoes UN resolution backing Palestine’s full membership

UNITED NATIONS. The United States wielded its veto power to block a resolution advocating for Palestine’s full membership in the international body at the United Nations. This move, amidst widespread support from numerous nations, underscores the enduring complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The resolution, which aimed to pave the way for Palestine’s full United Nations membership, encountered a contentious vote within the 15-member Security Council. Despite garnering 12 votes in favor, the resolution faced opposition from the United States, with two abstentions from the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Notably, key allies of the United States, including France, Japan, and South Korea, lent their support to the resolution.

The heightened backing for Palestine’s cause reflects not only the increasing recognition of its statehood by numerous countries but also the global solidarity amid the humanitarian crisis triggered by the prolonged conflict in Gaza.

Had the resolution succeeded, it would have recommended Palestine’s admission as the 194th member of the United Nations to the General Assembly, where veto power does not apply. With approximately 140 countries already recognizing Palestine, its accession would have likely garnered significant approval from the international community.

U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood clarified that the veto was not a rejection of Palestinian statehood but rather a recognition that it can only be achieved through direct negotiations between the involved parties. Emphasizing the U.S. stance, Deputy State Department Spokesman Vedant Patel reiterated the necessity of avoiding premature actions in New York, asserting that they would not lead to Palestinian statehood.

In response to the veto, Palestinian U.N. Ambassador Riyad Mansour conveyed unwavering determination, stating, “The fact that this resolution did not pass will not break our will and it will not defeat our determination.” He affirmed the inevitability of Palestine’s statehood, portraying it as a tangible reality despite perceived distance by some.

This veto marks the second instance where Palestine’s bid for full U.N. membership has been thwarted. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has brought renewed attention to the enduring Israeli-Palestinian struggle, with President Mahmoud Abbas reiterating the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to the cause.

Ancient giant snake in India rivals school bus in length and weighed a ton

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Ancient giant snake in India rivals school bus in length and weighed a ton

WASHINGTON. A discovery in India has unveiled the existence of an ancient colossal snake that may have surpassed the length of a school bus and weighed up to a ton, according to researchers who published their findings on Thursday.

Fossils unearthed near a coal mine in India have revealed the remains of a snake estimated to have stretched between 36 to 50 feet (11 to 15 meters) in length, comparable to the largest known snake found in Colombia, measuring approximately 42 feet (13 meters) long.

Named Vasuki indicus, after the mythical snake king Vasuki from Hindu mythology, the behemoth is believed to have roamed the swampy evergreen forests of western India some 47 million years ago. Researchers, including Debajit Datta from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, described the creature as a slow-moving ambush predator that likely subdued its prey through constriction.

Co-author Sunil Bajpai, also from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, discovered fragments of the snake’s backbone near Kutch, Gujarat, in 2005. By comparing over 20 fossil vertebrae to modern snake skeletons, researchers estimated Vasuki’s size and weight.

While the exact diet of Vasuki remains uncertain, fossils found in the same vicinity suggest it inhabited swampy areas alongside various species such as catfish, turtles, crocodiles, and primitive whales, which may have been its prey.

The discovery of Vasuki indicus adds to the lineage of giant prehistoric snakes, joining the ranks of Titanoboa discovered in Colombia, estimated to have lived around 60 million years ago.

According to Jason Head, a paleontologist from Cambridge University, these giant snakes thrived during periods of exceptionally warm global climates, as warmer temperatures are conducive to the growth of cold-blooded creatures like snakes. However, he cautions against the notion of a resurgence of giant snakes due to current climate change, stating that the pace of global warming is too rapid for such evolutionary adaptations to occur again.

While Vasuki’s existence sheds light on the ancient biodiversity of India, it also serves as a reminder of the Earth’s dynamic history and the potential impacts of climate change on ecosystems and species evolution.

This image provided by researchers in April 2024 shows views of some of the vertebrae of Vasuki indicus, a newly discovered extinct snake from about 47 million years ago, estimated to reach nearly 50 feet (15 meters) long. The scale bar at the center of each row showing rotated views of an individual vertebra indicates 5 centimeters (almost 2 inches). (Sunil Bajpai, Debajit Datta, Poonam Verma via AP)

US nag-deploy ng mid-range missile system sa Northern Luzon para sa military exercise

Venus L Peñaflor
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US nag-deploy ng mid-range missile system sa Northern Luzon para sa military exercise

MAYNILA. Sa isang hindi tinukoy na lokasyon sa Northern Luzon, kasalukuyang matatagpuan ang Mid-Range Capability Missile System (MRCS) ng United States Army bilang bahagi ng Exercise Salaknib 24 kasama ang Philippine Army.

Ito ang unang pagkakataon na idineploy ang MRCS system sa bansa. Nagbibigay ito sa US forces ng kakayahan na ilunsad ang Standard Missile 6 at Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) sa Luzon Strait.

Ayon sa ulat nitong Huwebes, itatampok sa Exercise Balikatan 2024, kasunod ng Salaknib 24, ang SM6 Missile System na may abilidad na umabot hanggang 300 nautical miles o mahigit 500 kilometers. Ito ay lampas pa sa 370 kilometer distance mula sa northernmost point ng Pilipinas patungong southern Taiwan.

Ngunit, kinondena ng mga kritiko ang nasabing hakbang.

“Sa pamamagitan ng pagpayag sa paglalagay ng (Tomahawk missile launchers sa lupa ng Pilipinas), malinaw na ipinahahayag ni President Marcos ang mapanupil na layunin laban sa Tsina, binibigyan ang US ng kakayahan na maglunsad ng mga atake mula sa ating teritoryo patungo sa bansang Tsina,” sabi ni Antonio Tinio, tagapagsalita ng citizen’s movement group P1NAS.

“Nanganganib na mapataas nito ang kasalukuyang alitan… at ilalagay sa peligro ang buhay ng mga Pilipino sa tuwid na daan ng atake o pagsalakay sakaling magkaroon ng digmaan, dahil tiyak na itututok ng Tsina ang kanilang mga lunsaran,” dagdag pa ni Tinio.

Sa kabila ng kritisismo, sinabi ni Balikatan 2024 Executive Agent Colonel Mike Logico na hindi isasagawa ang paglulunsad ng SM6 sa pagsasanay.

“We are testing the feasibility of bringing this weapon system by air and offloading it into a secure and established place,” paliwanag ni Logico.

Inamin din niya na ang mga pagsasanay sa pagitan ng US at Pilipinas sa northern Luzon ay dahil sa lapit nito sa Taiwan, isang potensyal na sentro ng tensyon sa Tsina.

Samantala, sumang-ayon naman sa hakbang na ito ang maritime expert na si Jay Batongbacal.

“Given the current geopolitical environment and concerns over China’s increasing aggressiveness, it’s alright, I think, to prepare for it,” sabi ni Batongbacal.

“It shows, in case of any contingency, there’s the capability to respond. It gives assurance that anyone attempting to destabilize the region will not have an easy time. There’s a deterrence factor as well,” patuloy ni Batongbacal.

Sa isang press conference, ikinabahala naman ng China ang aksyon na ito.

“China strongly opposes the US deploying medium-range ballistic missiles in the Asia-Pacific and strengthening forward deployment at China’s doorstep to seek unilateral military advantage,” ani Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian.

“We urge the US to earnestly respect other countries’ security concerns, stop stoking military confrontation, stop undermining peace and stability in the region, and take concrete actions to reduce strategic risks. The Philippines needs to see and be mindful of what the US is truly after and the consequence of going along with the US on deploying MRBMs (Medium Range Ballistic Missiles),” giit ni Lin.

Idinagdag pa niya, “The Philippines needs to think twice about being a cat’s paw for the US at the expense of its own security interests, and stop sliding down the wrong path.”

Repatriation ng 3 Pinoy na nasawi sa Dubai sinimulan na ng OWWA

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Repatriation ng 3 Pinoy na nasawi sa Dubai sinimulan na ng OWWA

MAYNILA. Sinisimulan na ang proseso ng pagpapauwi sa Pilipinas ng tatlong Pinoy na nasawi dahil sa matinding pagbaha sa United Arab Emirates.

Ayon sa Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), kinilala ang mga nasawi na sina Dante Español Casipong, Jennie Gamboa, at Marjorie Saquing.

Noong Abril 17, alas-6:00 ng gabi, nawalan ng kontrol ang driver ng shuttle service at nahulog ito sa sinkhole sa DWC – Al Maktoum International Airport. Dahil dito, nagkaroon ng multiple fracture si Casipong na agad na idineklarang patay habang sugatan naman ang dalawang kapwa Pinoy na pasahero.

Si Mark Louie Pimentel ay naoperahan matapos mabali ang kanyang binti. Sa kasalukuyan, nasa maayos na siyang kondisyon. Samantalang si Lydin Cambalon ay nasa pang kritikal na kalagayan at kamakailan lamang ay isinailalim sa operasyon.

Pinaniniwalaang namatay sa cardiac arrest ang magkasamang sina Gamboa at Saquing habang sakay ng shuttle service. Ito ay dahil umusok ang kanilang sasakyan sa gitna ng matinding trapiko sa Sharjah.

Ang OWWA ay patuloy na nakikipag-ugnayan sa pamahalaan ng UAE at sa mga kamag-anak ng mga nasawing Pinoy upang matiyak na ang lahat ng kinakailangang pagsasaayos ay maisagawa para sa maayos na pagpapauwi ng mga labi ng mga biktima.

Sa pagdating ng mga labi ng mga nasawi, asahan na may masusing pag-aalaga at suporta mula sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno upang matulungan ang mga naulila sa kanilang pagluluksa at paglalakbay tungo sa kapanatagan ng kalooban, ayon pa rin sa OWWA.

Polish man charged in alleged Russian plot to assassinate Ukrainian President Zelensky

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Polish man charged in alleged Russian plot to assassinate Ukrainian President Zelensky

WARSAW. A Polish man stands accused in connection with an alleged Russian conspiracy to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as confirmed by authorities in Poland and Ukraine.

Identified as Paweł K, the man faces charges of “readiness to act for foreign intelligence against the Republic of Poland,” an offense punishable by up to eight years in prison if convicted, according to prosecutors.

Polish authorities assert that Paweł K was enlisted to aid Russian special services in orchestrating a potential attack on President Zelensky’s life, specifically by providing intelligence on security at Rzeszów-Jasionka airport in southeastern Poland, situated approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

President Zelensky frequently utilizes Rzeszów-Jasionka airport for international travel, as it serves as one of the nearest airports to Ukraine and is a pivotal hub for receiving military aid and civilian goods from the United States and Europe, owing to Ukraine’s airspace restrictions.

Ukrainian authorities played a crucial role in unveiling the plot, providing pivotal evidence to Polish counterparts, ultimately leading to the detention of the accused on Polish soil.

While Polish prosecutors assert that Paweł K had direct contact with individuals actively involved in the conflict in Ukraine, it remains unclear from official statements whether he divulged any information to Russian operatives.

This incident marks the latest in a series of alleged attempts to target President Zelensky, who has emerged as a symbol of Ukraine’s resistance against Russian aggression and has actively sought Western support in the ongoing conflict.

In a parallel development, German police announced the arrest of two suspected Russian agents in Bayreuth, Bavaria, accused of planning sabotage attacks and explosive detonations, including targeting US military installations in Germany.

German Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser condemned the actions as a grave threat to regional security, attributing the activities to Russian intelligence agencies. However, the Russian Embassy in Berlin dismissed the accusations as baseless provocations, further escalating tensions between Russia and Western nations.

As international intrigue unfolds, the incidents underscore the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the complex web of espionage activities amidst the backdrop of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

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