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Hinihinalang tulak patay sa engkwentro sa Batangas buy-bust

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SAN JUAN, Batangas. Patay ang isang hinihinalang tulak ng ilegal na droga matapos ang engkwentro sa pulisya sa bayang ito nitong Martes, Mayo 28.

Ayon sa ulat ng Police Regional Office 4A noong Miyerkules, ang suspek na kilalang si “Balot” ay napatay sa isang buy-bust operation sa Barangay Lipahan, bandang 7:00 ng gabi. Nasabat umano ng mga pulis ang transaksyon ng suspek.

Sa pahayag ng mga awtoridad, agad na bumunot ng caliber .38 revolver si Balot at pinaputukan ang mga anti-illegal drug operatives. Subalit hindi tinamaan ang mga pulis, kaya’t sila ay nakapagpaputok din at nasugatan ang suspek, na nauwi sa kanyang pagkamatay.

Natagpuan din ng mga pulis sa suspek ang baril na may dalawang empty shells at apat na bala. Bukod dito, nakuha rin mula kay Balot ang dalawang plastik ng shabu na nagkakahalaga ng P34,000.

Sa ibang operasyon naman sa Bacoor City, Cavite, naaresto ang tatlong indibidwal na kinilalang sina “Boss,” “Joel,” at “Ritchie.” Itinuturing na mga “high value” targets, nasamsam mula sa kanila ang limang sachet ng shabu na may bigat na 39 gramo at nagkakahalaga ng P275,000.

Dagdag pa rito, nasamsam mula kay Joel ang isang kalibre .38 revolver na may tatlong bala.

Nakakulong na sa kustodiya ng pulisya ang mga suspek at nahaharap sa mga kasong paglabag sa Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Israel predicts Gaza conflict to extend another seven months as tanks enter Rafah

CAIRO. Israel intensified its operations in Gaza by sending tanks into Rafah and predicted that the ongoing conflict with Hamas would persist throughout the year. This development comes after the United States indicated that the Rafah incursion did not constitute a major ground offensive, which would have altered U.S. policy.

Israeli tanks penetrated central Rafah on Tuesday for the first time, despite an International Court of Justice order demanding an end to attacks on the city. The World Court highlighted Israel’s failure to ensure the safety and provision of essential supplies to the evacuees from Rafah, while also calling on Hamas to release hostages taken during the October 7 assault immediately and unconditionally.

Local residents reported that Israeli tanks advanced into areas including Tel Al-Sultan in the west and Yibna and Shaboura in the center, before retreating to a buffer zone along the Egyptian border. Haitham al Hams, the deputy director of ambulance and emergency services in Rafah, noted distress calls from residents targeted by drones while moving towards designated safe areas.

In the midst of the conflict, Palestinian health officials reported 19 civilian deaths from Israeli airstrikes and shelling across Gaza. Israel maintains that Hamas militants are using civilians as shields, a claim that Hamas denies.

Majed Abu Raman, Gaza’s Health Minister, urged the U.S. to pressure Israel to open the Rafah crossing for aid, citing an urgent need for medical supplies as patients face life-threatening conditions due to lack of treatment.

An Israeli military official confirmed on Wednesday that forces had secured tactical control over the Philadelphi Corridor, a critical buffer zone along the Gaza-Egypt border. National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi emphasized that this control would prevent Hamas from smuggling weapons into Gaza and suggested that the conflict would continue into 2024. “The fighting in Rafah is not a pointless war,” Hanegbi stated, underscoring the objective to end Hamas rule in Gaza.

Despite these assertions, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed the necessity for Israel to develop a post-war plan for Gaza to prevent future chaos and the resurgence of Hamas. The U.S., while opposing a large-scale ground offensive in Rafah, acknowledged that such an operation was not currently in progress.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that more than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed since the onset of the Israeli offensive. The conflict began after a deadly attack by Hamas-led militants on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the capture of over 250 hostages.

Ceasefire Negotiations Stalled

Efforts for a ceasefire continue to face challenges. Qatar, acting as a mediator, was expected to present Israel’s latest ceasefire and hostage release proposal to Hamas on Tuesday. However, Hamas has maintained that negotiations are futile unless Israel ceases its offensive on Rafah.

In Rafah, the armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad reported engaging Israeli forces with anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs, causing significant damage. The Israeli military confirmed the death of three soldiers and injuries to three others due to an explosive device in Rafah.

Palestinian health officials also reported several injuries from Israeli fire, and the destruction of aid supplies in eastern Rafah due to ongoing bombardments. Ashraf Al-Qidra, a spokesperson for Gaza’s health ministry, called for the immediate establishment of safe corridors for fuel, medical aid, and medical teams in both Rafah and northern Gaza.

Approximately one million Palestinians have fled Rafah following Israeli evacuation orders, according to the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. The Palestine Red Crescent Society also reported evacuating its medical teams from a designated civilian evacuation zone in Al-Mawasi due to continued bombardments.

In nearby Khan Younis, Israeli airstrikes resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including Salama Baraka, a former senior Hamas police officer. Another strike killed four people, including two children. Meanwhile, in northern Gaza, Israeli forces continued shelling Gaza City neighborhoods and moved deeper into Jabalia, causing extensive destruction in residential areas.

Melinda Gates pledges $1 billion to women’s rights initiatives

Philanthropist Melinda French Gates has announced a bold commitment to donate $1 billion over the next two years to support women’s rights and family initiatives globally, with a special focus on reproductive rights in the United States.

French Gates recently declared her decision to step down from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, shifting her focus to advocating for women and families through her organization, Pivotal Ventures. In a guest essay for The New York Times, she expressed frustration with delays in addressing gender equality.

“Decades of research on economics, well-being, and governance make it clear that investing in women and girls benefits everyone,” she wrote.

Highlighting the urgent issues, French Gates pointed out the high maternal mortality rates in the U.S., particularly among Black and Native American mothers. She also noted the loss of abortion rights in 14 states, the absence of national paid family leave, and the alarming increase in suicidal thoughts among teenage girls.

Over the past few weeks, French Gates has begun channeling new grants through Pivotal Ventures to U.S. organizations such as the National Women’s Law Center, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, and the Center for Reproductive Rights. These grants aim to protect women’s rights and bolster their influence and power.

Pivotal Ventures, a limited liability company managing both philanthropic grants and profit ventures, has been instrumental in promoting women’s economic and political participation. Its initiatives include closing the wage gap, compensating care work, and encouraging women to pursue political office.

Looking ahead, French Gates plans to launch a $250 million initiative this fall, aimed at enhancing the mental and physical health of women and girls worldwide.

French Gates will officially leave the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation next week, an organization she co-founded nearly 25 years ago. The Foundation, set to be renamed the Gates Foundation, remains one of the world’s largest philanthropic entities with an endowment of $75.2 billion as of December 2023, bolstered by contributions from Gates and billionaire investor Warren Buffett. While the Foundation addresses a broad range of issues, its primary focus remains on global health, with most funding directed internationally.

Toyota unveils innovative green fuel engine amid global shift to electric cars

TOKYO. Japanese automaker Toyota has introduced a futuristic twist on the traditional internal combustion engine, branding it as “an engine reborn.” During a three-hour presentation in Tokyo on Tuesday, Toyota announced plans to develop compact engines powered by green fuels such as hydrogen and bioethanol, which can also be paired with zero-emissions electric motors in hybrid vehicles.

This move comes as many of Toyota’s competitors, particularly in China, are accelerating their shift towards fully electric vehicles (EVs). Chinese automaker BYD is gaining significant traction in the battery electric vehicle (BEV) market, challenging industry leader Tesla.

Toyota’s Chief Executive Koji Sato emphasized that the new engine is “optimized for the electrification era,” aiming to contribute to global carbon neutrality. The company’s well-known hybrid model, the Prius, already utilizes a combination of a gas engine and an electric motor to provide a cleaner driving experience. In future hybrids, the electric motor will take the primary role, with the new engine playing a supportive function.

The presentation, dubbed a “multi-pathway workshop,” featured Toyota’s domestic allies Subaru Corp. and Mazda Motor Corp., both of which are developing ecological engines to meet stringent future emissions standards. “Each company wants to win, but we can be faster if we work together,” said Sato.

Although the exact market release dates for these new engines were not disclosed, the companies showcased their ongoing efforts to adapt traditional engines for a greener future. Mazda highlighted the adaptation of its renowned rotary engine, while Subaru presented its smaller horizontally opposed engine. Subaru’s Chief Technology Officer, Tetsuro Fujinuki, stated that while the company is developing a distinctive electric vehicle, it will not abandon the traditional engine entirely.

Toyota, meanwhile, is also working on stylish BEVs. Executives noted the varying global energy supply conditions and the significant investments required for mass-producing BEVs. They stressed that a sudden shift to electric cars is neither economically feasible nor socially responsible, given that 5.5 million jobs in Japan’s vehicle production supply chain are at stake.

Takahiro Fujimoto, a business professor at Waseda University, acknowledged the importance of EVs in reducing emissions but pointed out their weaknesses, such as the high emissions produced during lithium-ion battery manufacturing. He suggested that in Japan, where commuters primarily use trains, rail transportation might be a more ecological choice.

“At the very least, I believe the proliferation of and innovations in BEVs are definitely needed. But that argument is logically not the same as saying that all we need are BEVs,” Fujimoto said. He added that achieving global carbon neutrality will be a lengthy process involving numerous challenges in research, development, and adaptation to social, political, and market conditions. “The carbon neutrality the world is aspiring toward isn’t likely attainable for decades to come. It’s going to be a long marathon race,” he concluded.

122 barkong Tsino nakakalat sa West Philippine Sea

MAYNILA. Inanunsyo ng Philippine Navy na nasa 122 Chinese vessels ang namataan sa West Philippine Sea (WPS) sa kabila ng ipinatupad na fishing ban ng China sa South China Sea.

Ayon kay Navy Spokesperson para sa WPS na si Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, kabilang sa mga nasabing barko mula Mayo 21 hanggang 27 ay limang Chinese Coast Guard vessels (CCGVs) at 14 Chinese Maritime Militia vessels (CMMVs) sa Bajo de Masinloc; limang CCGVs at 17 CMMVs sa Ayungin Shoal; isang CCGV, 34 CMMVs, at isang PLAN ship sa Pag-asa Island; tig-isang CMMV sa Kota at Lawak Island; tatlo sa Panata Island; dalawang CCGVs at dalawang CMMVs sa Patag Island; at dalawang CCGVs, apat na PLAN ships, at 30 CMMVs sa Sabina Shoal.

Nilinaw ni Trinidad na hindi kinikilala ng Philippine Navy ang ipinatutupad na fishing moratorium ng China sa South China Sea at West Philippine Sea. Sa katunayan, mas pinaigting pa nila ang pagpapatrulya sa WPS at Bajo de Masinloc kasunod ng pagpapatupad ng external defense at Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC).

Ang fishing ban ay bahagi ng pahayag ng China na aarestuhin at ikukulong ng 60 araw na walang paglilitis ang sinumang mangingisda na mahuhuli sa WPS.

Patuloy na tinututukan ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas ang sitwasyon upang maprotektahan ang mga karapatan at kapakanan ng mga Pilipinong mangingisda sa nasabing lugar.

PAGASA: La Niña papasok na sa Hulyo

Inaasahan na papasok sa bansa ang panahon ng La Niña phenomenon sa ikatlong quarter ng taong ito o simula sa darating na Hulyo, ayon sa Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Sinabi ni Weather Specialist Joey Figuracion na bagaman at may epekto pa rin ang El Niño sa ngayon, dahil may mga panahon pa rin na maalinsangan, kailangan nang paghandaan ang pagpasok ng La Niña. “Ang La Niña phenomenon ay nagdudulot ng mas maraming ulan kaysa sa normal na rainy season, at ang mga bagyong papasok ay may posibilidad na mag-landfall,” paliwanag ni Figuracion.

Dagdag pa niya, hindi pa pormal na maidedeklara ng PAGASA na tag-ulan na sa panahon ng pagpasok ng bagyong Aghon dahil ang pagdedeklara ng tag-ulan ay nakabase lamang sa west side ng bansa. Samantalang ang eastern side ng bansa ay nakakaranas na ng pag-ulan.

Sa ngayon, ayon kay Figuracion, wala pang namamataang bagong bagyo na papasok sa bansa, ngunit patuloy na magbabantay ang PAGASA at magbibigay ng tamang impormasyon sa publiko.

Mahalaga ang paghahanda para sa La Niña dahil maaaring magdulot ito ng pagbaha at landslide sa mga apektadong lugar. Pinapayuhan ang lahat na maging handa at laging tumutok sa mga abiso ng PAGASA para sa kaligtasan ng bawat isa.

Pope Francis apologizes for offensive remark about gay men in speech on ban of gay priests

VATICAN CITY. Pope Francis issued an apology on Tuesday following a controversy over his use of a vulgar term about gay men while discussing the Catholic Church’s ban on gay priests. The apology came after Italian media reported that the Pope used the term “faggotness” during a private meeting with Italian bishops on May 20.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni addressed the media storm, acknowledging the reports and clarifying the Pope’s intentions. “The pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he extends his apologies to those who were offended by the use of a term that was reported by others,” Bruni stated.

The comments were made in a closed-door session with the Italian bishops’ conference, which recently approved a new document on the training of seminarians. The document, pending review by the Holy See, reportedly aimed to revisit the Vatican’s strict ban on ordaining gay men.

The controversial term was reportedly used by Francis in a joking manner to reaffirm the Vatican’s 2005 and 2016 positions, which prohibit the ordination of men who “practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called gay culture.” Italian media quoted unnamed bishops who attended the meeting.

Bruni emphasized that Pope Francis, known for his outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics, has always promoted inclusivity within the Church. “He has long insisted there was ‘room for everyone’ in the Catholic Church,” Bruni said.

Francis, who often speaks informally and uses colloquial language, has a history of linguistic slips. The 87-year-old Argentine pontiff, whose first language is Spanish, has previously made remarks that have drawn attention for their unintended implications.

Despite this incident, Pope Francis has been recognized for his efforts to build bridges with the LGBTQ+ community, famously stating, “Who am I to judge?” in 2013 regarding a priest’s past gay relationship.

This latest incident highlights the ongoing tension within the Church regarding LGBTQ+ issues and the Vatican’s stance on homosexuality.

8 intel police sinibak sa dahil sa palpak na raid sa Quezon

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CALAMBA CITY, Laguna. Iniutos ni Police Regional Office for Calabarzon director, Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas kahapon na sibakin sa puwesto ang walong intelligence police officers matapos ireklamo sa isang drug operation nang kanilang salakayin ang maling bahay sa Lucena, Quezon nitong Biyernes ng madaling araw.

Ayon kay Lucas, ang mga sinibak na pulis ay kasalukuyang naka-restrictive custody sa Regional Headquarters Holding Accounting Section. Inatasan na rin ni Lucas ang Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division na makipag-ugnayan sa Regional Internal Affairs Service para sa isasagawang administrative investigation laban sa mga nasabing pulis na hindi pa pinangalanan.

“We condemned such actions in the strongest terms and assure the public that these officers, if found guilty, will meet the full arms of laws,” pahayag ni Lucas.

Una nang sinampahan ang walong pulis ng mga kasong grave threats, unjust vexation, at violation of domicile sa City Prosecutor’s Office nitong Biyernes ng hapon matapos silang arestuhin ng kanilang mga kabaro. Sinibak din sa puwesto si Lucena police chief, Lt. Col. Reynaldo Reyes, dahil sa usapin ng command responsibility.

Ang pag-aresto sa walong pulis ay batay sa reklamo ni Renelyn Rianzales, 52, matapos umanong salakayin ng grupo ng mga pulis ang kanyang bahay sa Barangay Ransohan bandang 3:15 ng madaling araw noong Biyernes. Sinabi ni Rianzales na binantaan siya ng mga pulis habang tinututukan ng baril at naghahalughog sa kanyang tahanan.

Patuloy na iniimbestigahan ang insidente upang matiyak ang pananagutan ng mga nasabing pulis at maibalik ang tiwala ng publiko sa kapulisan.

Israeli military blames secondary blast for deadly Rafah airstrike fire

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip. The Israeli military has reported that a secondary explosion was responsible for a deadly fire in the Rafah tent camp following a weekend airstrike. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesman, confirmed on Tuesday that the fire was not directly caused by the Israeli munitions but likely by stored weapons in the area.

The airstrike on Sunday targeted two senior Hamas militants using two 17-kilogram (37-pound) munitions, which Hagari stated were too small to start a fire independently. The possibility of weapons, fuel, or cooking gas canisters being present in the densely populated camp is being investigated. Palestinian health officials reported that at least 45 people, including many women and children, died in the strike.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage, including criticism from Israel’s closest allies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a “tragic mishap.”

On Tuesday, further strikes in the Tel al-Sultan district of Rafah resulted in at least 16 more Palestinian deaths, according to the Palestinian Civil Defense and the Palestinian Red Crescent. Residents have reported a significant escalation of fighting in southern Gaza, once seen as a refuge from conflict.

An Israeli military incursion launched in early May has forced nearly 1 million people to flee from Rafah, many of whom had already been displaced by the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. These individuals now reside in overcrowded tent camps and other devastated areas.

The Biden administration and other allies have cautioned Israel against a full-scale offensive in Rafah, warning that such actions would cross a “red line.” The International Court of Justice has called for a halt to the offensive, although it lacks the power to enforce this order.

Despite these warnings, Netanyahu has pledged to continue the operations, aiming to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of hostages taken during the October 7 attack that ignited the war. Current Israeli operations are focused on eastern Rafah, near the Gaza-Egypt border, though residents report heavy bombardment in the Tel al-Sultan area.

“It was a night of horror,” recounted Abdel-Rahman Abu Ismail, a Palestinian from Gaza City now sheltering in Tel al-Sultan. He described continuous explosions and the presence of fighter jets and drones overhead. Sayed al-Masri, another Rafah resident, noted the worsening situation, with many families fleeing to the crowded Muwasi area or to Khan Younis.

Medical services in Tel al-Sultan are in crisis, with two facilities out of service due to nearby bombings. The Tel al-Sultan medical center and the Indonesian Field Hospital are on lockdown, with medics, patients, and displaced individuals trapped inside.

The war, which began with a surprise attack by Hamas and other militants on October 7, has led to significant casualties and displacement. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed at least 36,096 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The humanitarian situation is dire, with widespread displacement and famine conditions in parts of Gaza.

The conflict in Rafah has hindered the import and distribution of humanitarian aid. Although the Israeli military claims to have allowed hundreds of trucks to enter through the Kerem Shalom crossing, aid groups report difficulty accessing these supplies due to ongoing fighting. The U.N. has managed to collect aid from only about 170 trucks over the past three weeks, a fraction of the 600 trucks a day that aid organizations say are needed.

Chasing cheese and woolsack race, UK’s quirkiest races thrill competitors

LONDON. Daredevils and thrill-seekers embraced two of Britain’s most eccentric and extreme annual races on Monday: the Cheese Rolling at Cooper’s Hill and the Tetbury Woolsack Races.

In the Cheese Rolling event, dairy-loving competitors threw caution to the wind as they chased 7-pound (3-kilogram) wheels of Double Gloucester cheese down the near-vertical Cooper’s Hill, near Gloucester in southwest England. Cheered on by several thousand spectators, the first racer to finish behind the rolling cheese in each race gets to keep it. The tradition, which dates back to at least 1826, often results in participants taking rough tumbles down the 200-yard (180-meter) hill. This year’s course was especially slippery and muddy due to recent rain, with local rugby club members stationed at the bottom to catch the tumbling competitors.

Tom Kopke from Munich, Germany, won one of the three men’s races. “You start and then the adrenaline takes over and you just go, go, go,” Kopke said. “Look at this event, look at this hill. England is mad. I love it.” Local competitor Josh Shepherd and Dylan Twiss from Perth, Australia, won the other two men’s downhill races. Abby Lampe from North Carolina triumphed in the women’s race with a lightning-fast roll that left the rest of the field far behind. “You just have to roll,” said Lampe, a graduate of NC State who also won in 2022. “There’s a little bit of pain, but it’s just going to be temporary.”

About 20 miles (32 kilometers) away in the town of Tetbury, competitors took part in the Tetbury Woolsack Races. Participants carried sacks of wool weighing up to 60 pounds (27 kilograms) over a 240-yard (220-meter) course up and down the steep Gumstool Hill. This event, held since 1972, draws on a local tradition dating back to the 17th century in the historic wool-trading town.

Both events, traditionally held on a late-May national holiday, highlight the unique and quirky spirit of British sportsmanship. Despite the risks involved, they continue to draw participants and spectators from around the world, celebrating the country’s love for unconventional and extreme competitions.