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Israel lodges formal complaint following Vatican’s critique of Gaza operations

Venus L Peñaflor
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Israel lodges formal complaint following Vatican’s critique of Gaza operations

ROME, Italy. Israel has formally expressed its dissatisfaction after Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, denounced what he described as “carnage” in Gaza and criticized what he deemed a disproportionate military response by Israel following the October 7 Hamas attacks.

The Israeli Embassy to the Holy See labeled Cardinal Parolin’s remarks as “regrettable.” In a statement issued on Wednesday, the embassy contended that Parolin had not taken into account what it referred to as the relevant facts when assessing the legitimacy of Israel’s actions.

During a reception on Tuesday, Cardinal Parolin condemned the October 7 attacks by Hamas against Israel and denounced all forms of antisemitism. However, he questioned Israel’s assertion of acting in self-defense by causing what he referred to as “carnage” in Gaza. “Israel’s right to self-defense has been invoked to justify that this operation is proportional, but with 30,000 dead, it’s not,” he stated.

Israel has previously raised objections to the Vatican’s stance on the conflict, particularly when Pope Francis referred to “terrorism” without explicitly mentioning Hamas. Pope Francis, who regularly communicates via videoconference with a Gaza parish accommodating Palestinian civilians, has endeavored to strike a more balanced tone in his remarks. Recently, he penned a letter to the Jewish community reaffirming the special relationship between Christians and Jews.

In its statement criticizing Cardinal Parolin, the Israeli Embassy accused Hamas of transforming the Gaza Strip into what it described as “the biggest terrorist base ever seen.” It maintained that Israeli armed forces were operating within the bounds of international law and asserted that the proportion of Palestinian civilians to “terrorists” killed was lower than in other conflicts in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Originally conveyed in Italian and then translated into English, the embassy’s statement characterized Parolin’s comments as “regrettable.” However, the embassy clarified on Thursday that its initial statement used the term “regrettable” in reference to Parolin’s remarks.

In a front-page editorial published on Thursday in the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano entitled “Stop the Carnage,” Vatican editorial director Andrea Tornielli reiterated the Vatican’s stance. Tornielli cited the views of Edith Bruck, a Holocaust survivor based in Rome, who has strongly criticized the Israeli government’s response and linked it to a rise in antisemitic incidents worldwide. “No one can define what is happening in the Strip as ‘collateral damage’ from the fight against terrorism,” Tornielli wrote. “The right of defense, the right of Israel to ensure justice for those responsible for the October massacre, cannot justify this carnage.”

The front page of Friday’s edition of the Vatican newspaper reported on a group of rabbis expressing gratitude to Pope Francis for his February 2 letter to Israeli Jews. According to excerpts from the letter, the rabbis commended the Catholic Church’s commitment to transforming its relationship with the Jewish people from one of rivalry and incomprehension to one of friendship.

Malaking pagtaas sa presyo ng petrolyo nakaamba sa susunod na linggo

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Malaking pagtaas sa presyo ng petrolyo nakaamba sa susunod na linggo

Matapos ang kakarampot na rollback, inaasahan ang malaking na pagtaas sa presyo ng produktong petrolyo sa mga susunod na araw.

“Magkakaroon ng pagtaas ng presyo sa gasolina, diesel, at kerosene para sa susunod na linggo, Martes, Pebrero 20,” ayon kay Department of Energy-Oil Industry Management Bureau Assistant Director Rodela Romero, at binanggit ang mga pagtatantya ng industriya ng langis batay sa kalakalan sa nakalipas na apat na araw.

“Ang tinatayang adjustment ay mula P1.10 hanggang P1.50 [bawat litro],” sabi ni Romero.

Ang inaasahang pagtaas ng presyo ng langis sa susunod na linggo ay posibleng dahil sa tumitinding labanan sa Middle East sa Lebanese border, pagtaas ng stockpile ng krudo ng US, pagkagambala sa pagbyahe sa Red Sea at Suez Canal, at ang pagtataya ng OPEC sa malakas na demand para sa 2024.

Karaniwang nag-aanunsyo ng price adjustments ang mga kumpanya ng langis tuwing Lunes, na ipinatutupad sa susunod na araw.

Matatandaan na epektibo noong Martes, Pebrero 13, binawasan ng mga kumpanya ng gasolina ang presyo ng kada litro ng gasolina, diesel, at kerosene ng P0.60, P0.10, at P0.40, ayon sa pagkakasunod.

Ang pinakahuling paggalaw ng presyo ay nagdala sa year-to-date adjustments na tumaas sa net increase na P4.45 kada litro para sa gasolina, P4.30 kada litro para sa diesel, at P0.45 kada litro para sa kerosene.

Sa Metro Manila, ang umiiral na retail prices ng gasolina ay mula P55.90 hanggang P78.35 kada litro, ang diesel ay nasa pagitan ng P53.77 at P67.40 kada litro, habang ang kerosene ay nasa P72.49 hanggang P83.84 kada litro, ayon sa pinakahuling datos mula sa price monitoring ng DOE mula Pebrero 13 hanggang Pebrero 15, 2024.

Alexei Navalny, Russian opposition leader and Putin’s foe, dies in prison, prompting outcry and accusations

Venus L Peñaflor
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Alexei Navalny, Russian opposition leader and Putin’s foe, dies in prison, prompting outcry and accusations

Alexei Navalny, a prominent figure in Russian opposition politics and a vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin, has died at the age of 47 while serving a 19-year prison sentence in a penal colony located in the Arctic region, as confirmed by Russian officials on Friday. Navalny’s death has sparked renewed scrutiny of the Kremlin and has led to allegations of state involvement, eliciting condemnation both domestically and internationally and raising concerns about the state of political dissent in Russia.

Navalny, renowned for his anti-corruption activism and his role in organizing large-scale protests against the Kremlin, had been incarcerated since January 2021 following his return to Moscow from Germany, where he underwent treatment for nerve agent poisoning that he attributed to the Russian government. Despite encountering numerous legal challenges and periods of imprisonment, Navalny remained steadfast in his opposition to Putin’s administration, garnering widespread support both within Russia and abroad.

According to statements from Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service, Navalny became unwell after a walk on Friday and subsequently lost consciousness. Despite medical intervention, he could not be revived, and the cause of his death remains under investigation. The timing of Navalny’s passing, occurring less than a month before Russia’s upcoming election, has raised concerns regarding the state of political opposition and freedom of expression within the country.

Leaders from various nations have expressed sorrow and outrage over Navalny’s death, with many holding Russian authorities responsible. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken characterized Navalny’s demise as indicative of systemic issues within Putin’s regime, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described Navalny as having paid the ultimate price for his convictions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Putin’s approach to governance, suggesting a disregard for human life in the pursuit of power.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that President Putin had been notified of Navalny’s passing, although Navalny’s own team has yet to receive official confirmation. Navalny’s death has prompted speculation and skepticism, particularly given his history of poisoning and previous periods of imprisonment, leading to suspicions of foul play.

Throughout his activism, Navalny encountered numerous obstacles, including physical assaults, legal proceedings, and periods of incarceration. However, he remained resolute in his efforts, leveraging social media and investigative journalism to expose corruption and mobilize opposition to the Kremlin. Navalny’s passing represents a significant setback for Russia’s opposition movement, yet his legacy of courage and defiance against authoritarianism is anticipated to endure, inspiring future generations to advocate for democracy and justice in Russia and beyond.

As inquiries into the circumstances surrounding Navalny’s death progress, his supporters have pledged to continue his struggle for political reform and accountability in Russia. Despite the loss of their leader, Navalny’s impact is expected to persist, motivating individuals to challenge oppression and tyranny wherever it may manifest.

On Valentine’s Day, LGBTQ+ activists in Japan call for same-sex marriage rights

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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On Valentine’s Day, LGBTQ+ activists in Japan call for same-sex marriage rights

TOKYO. Activists and members of the LGBTQ+ community in Tokyo distributed colorful chocolate candy for Valentines Day, commemorating the fifth anniversary of their legal battle for marriage equality for same-sex couples.

Japan stands as the sole member of the Group of Seven nations that still denies same-sex couples the right to marry and receive spousal benefits.

While public support for legalizing marriage equality has been steadily growing in Japan, the conservative-leaning Liberal Democratic Party remains a significant obstacle to the campaign, often associated with traditional family values and a reluctance to embrace gender equality and sexual diversity.

Gathering outside a bustling downtown Tokyo train station, activists passionately advocated for equal marriage rights, distributing bags of Meiji “marble chocolate” candy, accompanied by informational flyers detailing their ongoing legal challenges.

February 14th also marks the fifth anniversary of the initial lawsuits filed in pursuit of LGBTQ+ marriage rights. Since February 14, 2019, over a dozen couples have filed lawsuits across Japan, spanning six separate cases in five different courts.

Of the five rulings issued thus far, four have declared the denial of rights unconstitutional, with one ruling aligning with the constitution. The outcome of the sixth petition, currently before a district court in Tokyo, is expected next month.

At the rally, a 41-year-old former police officer who goes by the alias Kotfe, citing concerns for legal repercussions, expressed hopes for increased public awareness and support for sexual diversity and same-sex unions. Kotfe and his male partner, a former firefighter, have been together for 12 years and aspire to marry once granted the legal right.

Fumiko Suda, a lawyer representing plaintiffs in Sapporo, voiced her frustration with the government’s resistance to legalizing marriage equality. She emphasized that 36 countries, spanning both the West and Asia, including Taiwan, Thailand, and Nepal, have already embraced marriage equality.

Despite Japan’s conservative stance, recent surveys indicate a majority of Japanese citizens support legalizing same-sex marriage, with growing backing from the business community.

Although critics argue its effectiveness, the government passed an LGBTQ+ awareness promotion law in June. Additionally, the Supreme Court deemed Japan’s requirement for compulsory sterilization surgery for transgender individuals seeking to officially change their gender as unconstitutional.

Hiromi Hatogai, a lesbian involved in the case before the Tokyo district court, lamented, “Despite the many years I’ve spent with my partner, we are considered strangers, not family, in the eyes of the law.” Hatogai stressed their simple desire for legal recognition through marriage, akin to any other couple.

As Japan grapples with evolving societal attitudes towards LGBTQ+ rights, activists and allies continue to press forward, advocating for equal treatment and recognition under the law.

E-bike, e-trike balak nang iparehistro ng LTO

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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E-bike, e-trike balak nang iparehistro ng LTO

Pinaplano na ng Land Transportation Office (LTO) na mairehistro na ang mga e-bicycle at e-tricycle sa bansa. Ito ay dahil parami na umano ng parami ang mga e-bike at e-trike at nagiging cause of concern.

Bukod dito, nais din ng Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) at LTFRB na obligahin na ang mga driver ng mga naturang sasakyan na kumuha ng lisensiya bago payagang magmaneho. “Nakikita namin na ­parami nang parami… para habang hindi pa ganoon karami na nakaka-obstruct na ng traffic, na ‘yung major accidents ang nako-cause niya, ay ma-address na namin kaagad,” sabi ni MMDA Acting Chairman Romando Artes.

Ang mga e-vehicle units, e-tricycles, e-bikes, e-pedicables, e-scooters, push carts, at kuliglig sa mga kalsada ay hindi lamang nagpapabagal sa daloy ng trapiko kundi nagdadala rin ng panganib sa mga driver, pasahero at pedestrians.

Ang pagdami ng bilang ng e-vehicles ay dahil na rin sa paggamit nito nang hindi na kailangang iparehistro at hindi na kailangang kumuha ng lisensya. “When these e-vehicle users violate the law, how can we issue a traffic violation ticket if the users do not possess a license? We also cannot charge the vehicle owners because they are not registered,” ayon kay Artes.

Batay sa monitoring ng MMDA, kahit menor-de-edad ay nakikitang nagmamaneho ng e-vehicles sa national highways at ang ilan ay hindi man lang nagsusuot ng helmets o protective gears. Inabisuhan na rin ang mga LGU sa Metro Manila na magsumite sa Lunes ng isang listahan ng kanilang sariling mga ordinansa, regulasyon, at programa, partikular sa ang paggamit ng mga electric vehicles para sa hanapbuhay, upang maplantsa ang mga issue.

Sa panig naman ni LTFRB Chair Atty. Teofilo Guadiz, sinabi niya na ang pagdami ng e-trikes ay nakakaapekto sa plano ng pamahalaan sa modernization ng public utility vehicles (PUVs).

PCG executes swift rescue mission, reuniting survivors with loved ones

Venus L Peñaflor
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PCG executes swift rescue mission, reuniting survivors with loved ones

TINGLOY, Batangas. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) carried out a successful and efficient rescue mission to aid two survivors of the capsized fishing boat, Motorbanca Velocity, in Tingloy, Batangas.

On the midnight of February 15, 2024, BRP Malapascua (MRRV 4403) safely transported the survivors, Wilbert Binay, 45 years old and Mr. Edgar Glen Binay, 42 years old, reuniting them with relatives from Sitio Butong, Barangay Bulacan, Golo, Lubang, Occidental Mindoro, to Batangas International Port, Sta Clara, Batangas City.

Throughout the journey, BRP Malapascua provided essential provisions and accommodation for the survivors. The Coast Guard Medical and Nursing Unit-Southern Tagalog conducted thorough medical evaluations before transferring the survivors to St. Patrick’s Hospital.

Investigations revealed that the Motorbanca Velocity capsized due to engine trouble and rough seas around 4 PM on February 12, 2024, in Tingloy waters. The fishermen promptly contacted their sister, reporting being swept ashore in Barangay Bulacan.

Upon arrival at Tingloy Port this morning, local sub-station personnel offered assistance and initiated an initial investigation. After gathering information, the survivors were properly turned over to their families.

PCG District Southern Tagalog Commander, CG Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla, along with PCG Station Commander in Batangas, CG Captain Jerome Jeciel, and Vice Mayor Mikee Alvarez, personally joined the rendezvous, extending their heartfelt gratitude to all rescuers involved in ensuring the safe transfer of survivors.

In a statement, CG Commodore Tuvilla expressed gratitude to the search and rescue teams involved in the swift and successful response, acknowledging their dedication and professionalism.

US company’s lunar lander rockets toward the moon for a touchdown attempt next week

EDGARDO HERNAL
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US company’s lunar lander rockets toward the moon for a touchdown attempt next week

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Another private U.S. company took a shot at the moon Thursday, launching a month after a rival’s lunar lander missed its mark and came crashing back.

NASA, the main sponsor with experiments on board, is hoping for a successful moon landing next week as it seeks to jumpstart the lunar economy ahead of astronaut missions.

SpaceX’s Falcon rocket blasted off in the middle of the night from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, dispatching Intuitive Machines’ lunar lander on its way to the moon, 230,000 miles (370,000 kilometers) away. The lander resembled a stunning six-pointed star jewel — each point a leg — as it successfully separated from the upper stage and drifted off into the black void with the blue Earth far below.

“If all goes well, a touchdown attempt would occur Feb. 22, after a day in lunar orbit.”

“Only five countries — the U.S., Russia, China, India, and Japan — have scored a lunar landing, and no private business has yet done so. The U.S. has not returned to the moon’s surface since the Apollo program ended more than five decades ago.”

“There have been a lot of sleepless nights getting ready for this,” Intuitive Machines’ co-founder and chief executive Steve Altemus said before the flight.

“The Houston-based company aims to put its 14-foot (4.3-meter) tall, six-legged lander down just 186 miles (300 kilometers) shy of the moon’s south pole, equivalent to landing within Antarctica on Earth. This region — full of treacherous craters and cliffs, yet potentially rich with frozen water — is where NASA plans to land astronauts later this decade. The space agency said its six navigation and tech experiments on the lander can help smooth the way.”

“NASA’s first entry in its commercial lunar delivery service — Astrobotic Technology’s Peregrine lander — stumbled shortly after liftoff in early January. A ruptured fuel tank and massive leak caused the spacecraft to bypass the moon and come tearing back through the atmosphere 10 days after launching, breaking apart and burning up over the Pacific.”

“Others made it to the moon before wrecking.”

“An Israeli nonprofit’s lander crashed in 2019. Last year, a Tokyo company saw its lander smash into the moon followed by Russia’s crash landing.”

“Only the U.S. has sent astronauts to the moon with Apollo 17’s Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt closing out the program in December 1972. That was it for U.S. moon landings until Astrobotic’s short-lived try last month.”

“Intuitive Machines nicknamed its lander after Homer’s hero in ‘The Odyssey.'”

“Godspeed, Odysseus. Now let’s go make history,” said Trent Martin, vice president of space systems.

“NASA is paying Intuitive Machines $118 million to get its latest set of experiments to the moon. The company also drummed up its own customers, including Columbia Sportswear, which is testing a metallic jacket fabric as a thermal insulator on the lander, and sculptor Jeff Koons, who is sending up 125 inch-sized moon figurines in a see-through cube.”

“The lander also is carrying Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Eaglecam, which will snap pictures of the lander as they both descend.”

“The spacecraft will cease operations after a week on the surface.”

74 anyos na Lola pinatay ng anak na may topak

Arman B. Cambe
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74 anyos na Lola pinatay ng anak na may topak

SAN JUAN, Batangas. Natagpuan ang bangkay ng isang 74 anyos na lola sa loob ng kanyang bahay sa Brgy. Sico 2, bayang ito, kamakalawa ng gabi.

Kinilala ng pulisya ang nasawing biktima na si alyas Rosie na ang bangkay ay natagpuan sa kusina at may malaking sugat sa ulo, bandang 6:00 ng gabi.

Ayon sa imbestigador, posibleng hinataw sa ulo ng matigas na bagay ang biktima ng kanyang anak na babae na si alyas Rosaleeh na agad na inaresto ng mga rumespondeng pulis.

Nadiskubre lang ang krimen nang tumugon ang mga barangay tanod at pulisya matapos humingi ng tulong ang apo ng biktima na si alyas Sofia.

Ayon kay Sofia, kararating lang niya mula sa paaralan nang siya ay pigilan ng suspek na pumasok, agad siyang nagduda kaya pumunta agad sa barangay hall upang humingi ng tulong.

Sa imbestigasyon ng mga otoridad, lumalabas na nagkaroon ng mainitang pagtatalo ang mag-ina sa hindi pa malaman na kadahilanan na nagresulta sa pagpatay.

Sinabi rin ng mga kaanak na ang suspek ay may problema sa pag-iisip.

Israeli forces enter southern Gaza hospital saying hostages were likely held there

Venus L Peñaflor
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Israeli forces enter southern Gaza hospital saying hostages were likely held there

RAFAH, Gaza Strip. Israeli forces entered the main hospital in southern Gaza on Thursday, following an incident where a patient was killed and six others wounded by Israeli fire within the complex. The Israeli army cited suspicions of hostages being held by Hamas as the reason for the limited operation.

The raid occurred after Israeli forces attempted to evacuate displaced individuals from Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, a focal point of Israel’s recent offensive against Hamas. Tensions in the region have escalated, with Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah exchanging attacks, raising concerns of a wider conflict.

Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stated that the operation was precise and limited, emphasizing that medical staff and patients would not be forcibly removed. Israel accuses Hamas of using civilian structures, including hospitals, as shields for its fighters.

Ashraf al-Qidra, a spokesperson for Gaza’s Health Ministry, condemned the incursion, alleging heavy shooting that injured displaced individuals seeking refuge in the hospital. He criticized the military’s directive to relocate patients to an older, inadequately equipped building, highlighting the challenges faced by those unable to evacuate safely.

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon continued for a second day, prompted by a previous rocket attack that resulted in casualties on both sides of the border. Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, a Hamas ally, have intensified, heightening fears of an expanded conflict.

Negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza have stalled, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterating his commitment to the offensive until Hamas is dismantled and hostages, taken during a previous attack, are returned.

Scenes of Chaos in Hospital

Nasser Hospital has become emblematic of the devastation wrought upon Gaza’s healthcare system amid ongoing conflict. Videos from the aftermath of the recent strike depicted medics navigating through smoke-filled corridors, attending to wounded patients amidst the chaos.

Dr. Khaled Alserr, one of the remaining surgeons at Nasser Hospital, described the escalating situation as dire, with patients already grappling with previous injuries. The ongoing conflict has further strained resources and hampered efforts to provide adequate care.

International humanitarian organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, have decried the predicament faced by those within Nasser Hospital, caught between military operations and the imperative of seeking medical treatment.

Binati ng palasyo si Enrile sa kanyang ika-100 kaarawan

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Binati ng palasyo si Enrile sa kanyang ika-100 kaarawan

Sa ika-100 taon ng buhay ni Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, nagpadala ang Malakanyang ng mainit na pagbati sa kanyang kaarawan kahapon. Sa isang pahayag sa kanilang opisyal na Facebook page, binati ng Office of the President (OP) si Enrile at ipinaabot ang wish ng  Malakanyang sa kanya na “joy and good health.”

“The Office of the President (OP) extends warm birthday wishes to our Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, Juan Ponce Enrile… Wishing you a year filled with joy and good health,” ang sinabi ng OP sa kanilang Facebook post.

Dagdag pa ng OP, pinupuri rin nila si Enrile sa kanyang “tireless efforts in serving (the country).”

Nagsimula ang karera ni Enrile sa pampublikong serbisyo nang maupo siya bilang finance undersecretary sa panahon ng pamumuno ni dating Pangulong Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. Siya rin ay naging instrumento sa pagpapabago ng mga patakaran at regulasyon na nananatili hanggang sa kasalukuyan sa Insurance Code of the Philippines bilang acting head ng Insurance Commission.

Bukod dito, nagsilbi rin si Enrile bilang acting Customs commissioner, acting finance secretary, chairperson ng Monetary Board of the Central Bank of the Philippines, at defense secretary sa panahon ng kanyang panunungkulan sa ilalim ng pamamahala ni Marcos Sr.

Bukod pa dito, nagsilbing mambabatas si Enrile hanggang sa kanyang pagtatalaga bilang chief legal counsel ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. noong Hulyo 2022.

Ipinagdiwang ni PBBM ang buhay at mga kontribusyon ng dating senador, at ginawaran ito ng Presidential Letter of Felicitation at centenarian stamp sa ilalim ng Republic Act 10868.

Sa mga tagumpay at paglilingkod ni Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, patuloy siyang pinararangalan at kinikilala ng Malakanyang at ng sambayanan.

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