Saturday, August 8, 2026


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Axe-wielding attacker shot by Hamburg police at Euro 2024 fan parade

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FRANKFURT. German police shot an individual who threatened officers with a pickaxe and an incendiary device during a Euro 2024 fan parade in central Hamburg on Sunday. The incident was confirmed by a police post on social media platform X.

A major police operation is currently underway, and the attacker is receiving medical care for their injuries, the post added.

The confrontation took place in the St Pauli district of Hamburg as fans gathered for the Euro 2024 match between Poland and the Netherlands at the Volksparkstadion, scheduled for 3 p.m. (1300 GMT).

Fan marches are a traditional part of the tournament festivities, and a parade for Dutch supporters was held at 12:30 p.m. (1030 GMT), around the time of the incident.

Germany is hosting the month-long Euro 2024 tournament, which kicked off on Friday night.

The incident has raised concerns about security at the tournament, but authorities have assured that they are taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of fans and participants.

Singapore races to clean up oil slick after boat collision near Sentosa

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia. An oil spill caused by a dredger boat colliding with a stationary cargo tanker has blackened parts of Singapore’s southern coastline, including the popular resort island of Sentosa. The incident has sparked concerns over potential threats to marine wildlife, prompting an extensive clean-up operation that was underway on Sunday.

The collision occurred on Friday when the Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima struck the Singaporean fuel supply ship Marine Honor, damaging the cargo tank and causing oil to leak into the sea.

In a statement released late Saturday, Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) confirmed that the oil leak had been contained. However, due to tidal currents, treated oil has reached the shorelines of Sentosa and other southern islands, impacting a nature reserve and a public beach park. Sentosa, a major tourist destination, is home to one of Singapore’s two casinos, golf courses, and Southeast Asia’s only Universal Studios theme park.

On Sunday, workers in orange suits were seen scooping up sand in a clean-up operation at an empty beach in Sentosa, where black water had washed up on the oil-stained shore.

Authorities have deployed 18 vessels for the clean-up efforts and laid nearly 1,500 meters of containment booms—temporary floating barriers designed to trap the oil spill. “More will be laid over the next few days to prevent further spread of oil onto the shore and facilitate the recovery of the trapped oil off the affected shorelines and lagoons to prevent them from going back to sea,” the MPA statement said.

Conservationists and biologists are closely monitoring the full extent of the damage to marine and wildlife. Local conservation group Marine Stewards reported sightings of dead fish, otters, and kingfishers covered in oil slick.

Sue Ye, founder of Marine Stewards, told the Singapore Straits Times that oil spills “smother and suffocate fish, birds, and marine animals that have to go to the surface for air, such as turtles and dolphins.”

The environmental impact of the spill is still being assessed, and clean-up operations are expected to continue in the coming days to mitigate further damage and restore the affected areas.

Bawas-singil sa kuryente ng Meralco ngayong Hunyo, inianunsyo

MAYNILA. Inanunsyo ng Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) na magkakaroon ng bawas-singil sa kuryente ngayong Hunyo na nagkakahalaga ng P1.9623 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Ang mga tahanan na sineserbisyuhan ng Meralco ay makikinabang sa pagbabang ito ng kanilang electricity bills.

Sa isang abiso nitong Linggo, ipinaliwanag ng Meralco na ang pagtapyas sa power rates ay dulot ng implementasyon ng hati-hating koleksyon ng generation costs mula sa Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM). Ayon sa kanilang pahayag, “In its order promulgated on June 13, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) ordered all distribution utilities and electric cooperatives in the country, including Meralco, to stagger the collection of charges covering WESM purchases in the May supply month in four (4) equal monthly installments starting this billing month until September 2024.”

Dahil dito, ang mga customers ng Meralco ay makakatanggap ng downward power adjustment sa kanilang power rates, taliwas sa P0.6436 per kWh na dagdag na inanunsyo noong nakaraang linggo. Ang bagong adjusted rate ay P9.4516 per kWh mula sa nakaraang buwang P11.4139 per kWh para sa isang tipikal na tahanan.

Pahayag ng Meralco, “For residential customers consuming 200 kWh, the adjustment is equivalent to a decrease of around P392 in their total electricity bill.”

Gayunpaman, binalaan ng Meralco ang kanilang mga customers na asahan ang mas mataas na generation charges sa susunod na tatlong buwan. Ayon kay Joe Zaldarriaga, Meralco vice president at head of corporate communications, “We would like to advise this early that our customers can expect generation charge to increase in succeeding months as we collect the deferred amounts on staggered basis as result of the recent developments.” Dagdag pa niya, “With these already deferred costs, and the recent order of the ERC to also stagger the collection of WESM charges, around P0.77 per kWh will be added every month to the generation charge in the July to September bills.”

Israel implements daytime fighting pause in Southern Gaza to facilitate humanitarian aid

JERUSALEM. Israel’s military announced on Sunday that it will halt daytime fighting along a route in southern Gaza to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians facing a crisis exacerbated by nearly nine months of war.

The “tactical pause” will apply to approximately 12 kilometers (7.4 miles) of road in the Rafah area. While this pause falls short of the complete ceasefire sought by the international community, including Israel’s top ally, the United States, it aims to address the critical needs of Palestinians, which have intensified following Israel’s incursion into Rafah.

The military stated that the pause will begin at 8 a.m. (0500 GMT) and last until 7 p.m. (1600 GMT) daily until further notice. This measure is intended to allow aid trucks to reach the nearby Israel-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing, the main entry point for aid, and safely travel to the Salah a-Din highway, a key north-south route. The crossing has experienced significant delays since Israeli ground troops entered Rafah in early May.

COGAT, the Israeli military body overseeing aid distribution in Gaza, indicated that the route would enhance the flow of aid to other areas of Gaza, including Khan Younis, the coastal region of Muwasi, and central Gaza. Northern Gaza, heavily targeted earlier in the war, is receiving aid through a crossing in the north.

The pause, coinciding with the start of the Eid Al-Adha holiday in Gaza and other Muslim regions, follows discussions with the United Nations and international aid agencies. In response to criticism from ultranationalists in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, who oppose any halt in the war, the military clarified that fighting will not cease in other parts of southern Gaza, and there are no changes regarding the general entry of aid.

Aid agencies, including the U.N., have not immediately responded to requests for comment. Scott Anderson, the Gaza affairs director for the U.N. agency for Palestinians, expressed hope that the pause would “bring in much-needed aid for the population” during an interview with CNN.

This pause comes as Israel and Hamas consider the latest proposal for a ceasefire, detailed by President Joe Biden in a concentrated diplomatic effort to halt the fighting and secure the release of hostages held by the militant group. While Biden described the proposal as an Israeli initiative, Israel has not fully accepted it, and Hamas has made demands that appear unacceptable to Israel.

Meanwhile, the conflict continues, with Israel announcing the names of 11 soldiers killed in recent attacks in Gaza, including one who died from wounds sustained in an assault last week. This brings the total number of Israeli soldiers killed since the ground invasion began last year to 308. Israeli authorities report that Hamas killed 1,200 people during its October 7 attack and took 250 hostages. Health officials in Hamas-run Gaza report over 37,000 Palestinian deaths in the war.

Israel’s eight-month offensive against Hamas, triggered by the militant group’s October 7 attack, has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The U.N. reports widespread hunger and hundreds of thousands on the brink of famine. The international community has urged Israel to ease the humanitarian situation, noting that ongoing fighting in Rafah complicates aid deliveries.

The Rafah terminal between Gaza and Egypt remains closed since Israel’s incursion, increasing pressure on the region. Hamas’ supreme leader, Ismail Haniyeh, called for more pressure to open Gaza’s border crossings, including Rafah. Egypt has refused to reopen the crossing while Israel controls the Palestinian side.

From May 6 to June 6, the U.N. received an average of 68 aid trucks daily, down from 168 in April and far below the 500 trucks needed, according to the U.N. humanitarian office (OCHA). The flow of aid declined as humanitarian needs grew, with over 1 million displaced Palestinians crowding into southern and central Gaza, living in makeshift camps with inadequate sanitation.

COGAT claims no restrictions on truck entries, stating that over 8,600 trucks of aid and commercial goods entered Gaza from May 2 to June 13, averaging 201 daily. However, much of this aid has stalled at crossings. COGAT spokesman Shimon Freedman blamed the U.N. for logistical issues, particularly a lack of trucks, causing aid to stack up at Kerem Shalom. The U.N. disputes these allegations, citing safety concerns and the need for Israeli military authorization for drivers as factors slowing deliveries.

The new arrangement aims to provide an 11-hour window each day for aid trucks to move in and out of the crossing, reducing the need for coordination. It remains unclear if the military will provide security for the aid trucks traveling along the highway.

Kasambahay nahulog at namatay mula sa ikalimang palapag ng bahay ng amo

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LUCENA CITY, Quezon. Nahulog at namatay ang isang 36-taong-gulang na kasambahay ang mula sa ikalimang palapag ng bahay ng kanyang amo noong Sabado ng hapon, Hunyo 15, sa Barangay Ibabang Dupay, sa lungsod na ito.

Ayon sa ulat, kinilala ng mga pulis ang biktima na si Marites, na may live-in partner, at residente ng Sitio Abukaduhan, Barangay Munting Parang, Tagkawayan, Quezon.

Batay sa imbestigasyon, nabasag ang fiberglass na bubong ng isang hardware store sa ikalimang palapag habang ito ay tinatapakan ni Marites. Bumagsak siya mula sa ikalimang palapag hanggang sa ground floor ng bodega at agad na binawian ng buhay.

Sinabi rin ng pulisya na gusto nang umalis ng biktima sa kanyang trabaho sa hindi pa nalalamang dahilan, at ang kanyang paraan ng pagtakas ay sa pamamagitan ng ikalimang palapag ng bahay.

Isinailalim ang katawan ni Marites sa post-mortem examination ng Lucena City police upang malaman ang iba pang detalye ng kanyang pagkamatay.

Ang mga imbestigador ng homicide ay patuloy na nagpoproseso ng ebidensya upang masagot ang mga tanong kaugnay ng insidente.

Ukraine Summit seeks consensus despite uncertainty over path forward

BUERGENSTOCK, Switzerland. Western powers and other nations pushed for consensus on ending the war in Ukraine at a Swiss summit on Sunday. However, some countries may not support its final conclusions, and there is no clarity on whether future talks will involve Russia.

The two-day summit at a Swiss Alpine resort, attended by over 90 countries, was convened at the behest of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Notably absent were Moscow and China. Russia, which was not invited and had expressed no desire to attend, dismissed the summit as a waste of time and proposed rival solutions from afar.

Despite these challenges, the conference highlighted Ukraine’s broad support from its allies and the difficulties of achieving a lasting ceasefire. Ukrainian forces have faced recent military setbacks and delays in Western aid, with Russia currently controlling about 20% of Ukraine.

A draft of the final declaration, seen by Reuters, refers to Russia’s invasion as a “war”—a term Moscow rejects—and calls for Ukraine’s control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and its Azov Sea ports to be restored. The draft, dated June 13, emphasizes respecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity but omits tougher issues like Ukraine’s potential NATO membership and details on troop withdrawals.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer indicated that the declaration’s wording might not achieve unanimous support. The summit also aimed to name the host for another such meeting, possibly Saudi Arabia, but Nehammer stated it was too early to determine the format or Russia’s participation.

“In my view, the communique will not be signed by everyone, because again it’s a question of the specific choice of words, but even those who won’t sign it have all made clear that their position is the same, that the war must end,” Nehammer said. “The more allies that can be found to say ‘Things can’t go on like this,’ ‘This is too much,’ ‘That’s overstepping the mark,’ that also increases the moral pressure on the Russian Federation.”

The Kremlin did not rule out future talks with Kyiv but emphasized the need for guarantees to ensure the credibility of any negotiations. A source mentioned that it was unclear if Saudi Arabia would be announced as the next host for talks.

Leaders including U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and French President Emmanuel Macron gathered at the Buergenstock resort to bolster international support for ending the war. Many Western leaders condemned the invasion and rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demands for parts of Ukraine as a condition for peace.

“The text is balanced, all of our principled positions on which Ukraine had insisted have been considered,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said regarding the final communique. “Of course we…understand perfectly that a time will come when it will be necessary to talk to Russia,” he added. “But our position is very clear: We will not allow Russia to speak in the language of ultimatums like it is speaking now.”

As some leaders departed early, Sunday’s talks shifted towards pursuing joint positions on nuclear and food security, and the return of prisoners of war and children removed from Ukraine during the conflict.

Zelenskiy praised the summit as a show of international support for Kyiv, even as some European allies stressed the need for broader outreach. One of the summit’s goals was to announce the host country for a follow-up meeting.

Saudi Arabia, a favorite to host the next summit, expressed readiness to assist in the peace process. However, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud cautioned that a viable settlement would require “difficult compromise.”

Striking a balance in the summit’s final declaration between condemning Russia’s invasion and achieving broad support has been a diplomatic challenge, sources say. Russia criticized the summit, while China’s absence dampened hopes of demonstrating Russia’s global isolation.

“None of the participants in the ‘peace forum’ knows what he is doing there and what his role is,” said Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s former president and now deputy chairman of the country’s Security Council. Meanwhile, Nils Fiechter of the right-wing Swiss Peoples’ Party (SVP) appeared on Russia Today, calling the summit a “farce” and arguing that it undermined Swiss neutrality, insisting that Russia needed a seat at the table.

Shooting at Rochester Hills splash pad injures 8, including 2 children

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ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. A serene Saturday afternoon at a splash pad in Rochester Hills turned into a nightmare as a shooter opened fire, injuring eight people, including two children. The shooter later died by suicide, authorities confirmed.

The incident occurred just after 5 p.m. at the city’s park, where families gathered to enjoy the summer weather. The shooter, described as acting randomly, arrived by car, approached the splash pad, and fired up to 28 rounds, pausing several times to reload. Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard reported that a handgun and three empty magazines were recovered from the scene.

Initially, authorities believed up to ten people might have been injured, but the number was later revised to eight following verification with local hospitals. The victims’ conditions remain unknown as they were rushed to medical facilities for treatment.

The park quickly became an active crime scene, with police cordoning off the area and marking the ground with dozens of yellow evidence markers amidst the chaos of colorful folding chairs. Authorities advised the public via social media to avoid the area while the investigation was ongoing.

Sheriff Bouchard explained that law enforcement tracked the suspect to a nearby home, which they surrounded. However, the suspect took their own life before any further action could be taken. “It appears to be a random act of violence,” Bouchard stated.

Emergency services responded rapidly due to a system that alerts first responders simultaneously with 911 calls. An officer was on-site within two minutes of the initial report.

This shooting comes at a time when the community is still reeling from past tragedies. Rochester Hills is located about 15 miles south of Oxford, where a devastating school shooting occurred in 2021, claiming the lives of four high school students.

“This is a gut punch for the county,” said Sheriff Bouchard. “We’ve gone through so many tragedies. We’re not even fully comprehending what happened at Oxford, and now we have another complete tragedy that we’re dealing with.”

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed her sorrow on social media platform X, stating she was “heartbroken” by the incident and was in contact with local officials.

The shooting unfolded at the end of the first full week of summer vacation for Rochester Community Schools students, adding a deeper layer of grief to an already traumatized community.

Philippines submits UN claim for extended continental shelf in South China Sea

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MANILA. The Philippines has officially filed a claim with the United Nations for an extended continental shelf (ECS) in the South China Sea, intensifying its ongoing maritime disputes with China.

“Today we secure our future by making a manifestation of our exclusive right to explore and exploit natural resources in our ECS entitlement,” stated Marshall Louis Alferez, the foreign ministry’s assistant secretary for maritime and ocean affairs.

China asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, overlapping with claims from the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. This strategic waterway, through which $3 trillion worth of trade passes annually, is believed to be rich in oil and natural gas deposits, as well as fish stocks.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China’s expansive claims have no legal basis, a decision that Beijing has continuously rejected.

The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to requests for comments regarding the Philippines’ recent UN filing.

Confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels have escalated, with China’s coastguard employing aggressive tactics such as water cannon, collisions, and military-grade lasers, according to Manila. Additionally, an armada of Chinese fishing boats, considered by the Philippines and its allies to be a sea militia, complicates the situation further.

The Philippines aims to register its entitlement to an extended continental shelf in the West Palawan Region, which faces the South China Sea. This submission, sanctioned by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., follows an extensive technical and scientific study of the continental shelf in the West Philippine Sea, a part of the South China Sea within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

Utilizing an entitlement under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Philippines seeks to establish the outer limits of its continental shelf, encompassing the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas up to 350 nautical miles from its baseline.

In 2012, the U.N. confirmed Benham Rise, located off the Philippines’ east coast and not contested by China, as part of the Philippines’ extended continental shelf.

This move underscores the Philippines’ determination to assert its maritime rights amidst the region’s complex geopolitical landscape.

Global leaders attend Ukraine summit, testing Kyiv’s diplomatic strength

BUERGENSTOCK, Switzerland. World leaders convened at a picturesque Swiss mountain resort on Saturday to rally international backing for Ukraine’s peace proposals. The summit, however, faced notable absences, with U.S. President Joe Biden, China, and Russia dismissing the event.

Despite over 90 countries participating, the absence of China has cast a shadow on the summit’s ability to portray Russia as globally isolated. Ukraine’s recent military setbacks and the ongoing Gaza conflict have further complicated the diplomatic landscape.

The summit’s discussions are centered on broader issues arising from the conflict, including food and nuclear security. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy heralded the summit’s diverse attendance as a significant achievement, predicting “history being made” and emphasizing the summit’s role in future peacemaking efforts.

“Ukraine never wanted this war. It’s a criminal and absolutely unprovoked aggression by Russia,” Zelenskiy stated alongside Swiss President Viola Amherd. Amherd condemned the conflict for bringing “unimaginable suffering” and violating international law.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the summit as a crucial step for discussing peace and security. “This is a small plant that needs to be watered, but of course also with the perspective that more can then come out of it,” Scholz told Welt TV.

In Biden’s stead, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris attended, much to Kyiv’s chagrin. Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was represented by his foreign minister, and India sent a lower-level delegation. China’s absence followed Russia’s exclusion from the proceedings.

During her meeting with Zelenskiy, Harris announced over $1.5 billion in energy and humanitarian aid for Ukraine. “This war remains an utter failure for [Russian President Vladimir] Putin,” she asserted.

As leaders arrived by helicopter at the luxury Buergenstock resort overlooking Lake Lucerne, security measures included a military helicopter and a fenced-off landing area.

On the eve of the summit, Putin reiterated Russia’s demands for ending the conflict, including Ukraine abandoning its NATO aspirations and ceding four provinces. Kyiv quickly rejected these terms as tantamount to surrender. Scholz dismissed Putin’s demands as a tactical ploy to disrupt the peace conference.

“Everyone knows that this is not a serious proposal,” Scholz remarked in a separate TV interview.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova countered, claiming Putin’s proposal represented “the real path to peace” and urging global leaders to consider it.

Zelenskiy has accused Beijing of undermining the summit to assist Moscow, a charge China’s Foreign Ministry denied.

Leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Britain, Canada, and Japan attended, along with Turkey and Hungary, which have maintained closer ties with Russia. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer highlighted the summit as an opportunity to build a broader global consensus to pressure Russia.

“It’s like we’re in a Western echo chamber,” Nehammer said. “All Western European countries, the USA, we agree on what we want to happen with Ukraine. But that alone is not enough.”

Neutral Switzerland, hosting the summit at Zelenskiy’s request, aims to pave the way for a future peace process involving Russia, with Saudi Arabia or Turkey as potential hosts.

Bob Deen, a senior research fellow at the Clingendael Institute, warned that Ukraine risks losing the initiative if it delays engaging with broader diplomatic efforts. “If Ukraine waits too long, it might end up with rival formats popping up,” Deen noted.

Supporters of Ukraine marked the talks with events in nearby Lucerne, highlighting the war’s humanitarian impact. About 250 people gathered in the city center, many draped in Ukrainian flags and carrying pictures of missing loved ones.

“I’m clinging to the idea that my husband is still alive,” said Svitlana Bilous, whose soldier husband has been missing for over 14 months. “That’s what keeps me going.”

PAOCC magsasampa ng malaki at non-bailable na kaso laban kay Gou

MAYNILA. Maghahain ang Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) ng seryoso at non-bailable na mga kaso laban kay suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo at iba pa.

Ayon kay PAOCC spokesperson Winston John Casio, nakatakda silang magpulong sa Martes, Hunyo 18, upang pag-usapan ang mga kasong isasampa laban kay Guo. “So, we can expect the charges, criminal charges would be filed against a good number of people on Friday with regards to the Bamban operation,” pahayag ni Casio nang tanungin kung anong kaso ang maaaring ihain laban kay Guo.

Sinabi ni Casio na masigasig ang PAOCC na maghain ng mga kaso sa Department of Justice (DOJ) at tiniyak na may malakas na ebidensya laban kay Guo. Ang pangalan at pirma ni Guo ay lumutang sa maraming dokumento na sinuri ng PAOCC.

Bukod dito, tinitingnan din ng PAOCC ang posibleng koneksyon sa pagitan ng mga ilegal na aktibidad ng Philippine Online Gaming Operators (POGO) sa Bamban, Tarlac at Porac, Pampanga. Ayon kay Casio, nagpapatuloy ang imbestigasyon ukol sa operasyon sa Porac.

“An inventory is set to be concluded on Saturday, which means that looking into the pieces of evidence will follow,” ani Casio. Sinabi rin niya na may mga kaukulang hakbang na isasagawa matapos suriing mabuti ang mga piraso ng ebidensya.