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Ukraine peace talks end after Zelenskiy accuses Russia of stalling

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Ukraine peace talks end after Zelenskiy accuses Russia of stalling

GENEVA — Peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia concluded Wednesday after only two hours, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy describing the talks as “difficult” and accusing Moscow of intentionally delaying progress toward a deal to end the ongoing war.

The two-day U.S.-mediated discussions in Switzerland came amid public pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has twice suggested that it was up to Ukraine and Zelenskiy to ensure the talks succeed.

“We can see that progress has been made, but for now, positions differ because the negotiations were difficult,” Zelenskiy told reporters via WhatsApp shortly after the talks ended.

Rustem Umerov, head of Kyiv’s negotiating team, described the second day as “intensive and substantive,” noting that both sides were working toward decisions that could be submitted to their respective presidents.

Russia’s chief negotiator, former culture minister Vladimir Medinsky, said further discussions would be held soon, though no date was specified. Earlier, Zelenskiy had accused Russia of “trying to drag out negotiations that could already have reached the final stage.”

Ukrainian officials have consistently accused Moscow, whose winter bombing campaign has targeted Ukraine’s energy system and continued its battlefield offensive, of negotiating in bad faith.

PRESSURE FROM THE U.S.

In a recent Axios interview, Zelenskiy criticized Trump for publicly pressuring Ukraine rather than Russia to make concessions. “It is not fair,” he said, adding that any peace plan requiring Ukraine to cede territory not captured by Russia in the eastern Donbas would be rejected if put to a referendum.

Trump had earlier told reporters, “Ukraine better come to the table fast. That’s all I’m telling you.” Zelenskiy expressed hope that the U.S. president’s comments were tactical rather than indicative of an actual decision.

PUSH FOR EUROPEAN INVOLVEMENT

Kyiv has been advocating for greater involvement from European allies in the peace process. Zelenskiy called their participation “indispensable,” with France, Germany, and the United Kingdom among Kyiv’s strongest supporters.

The Geneva talks took place days before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which has killed hundreds of thousands, displaced millions, and devastated numerous cities and towns. Russia continues to deny deliberately targeting civilians.

STALLED TALKS AND MARKET IMPACT

Umerov said the first day focused on practical issues and the mechanics of potential decisions, while a Russian source described the Tuesday sessions as “very tense,” lasting six hours in both bilateral and trilateral formats.

Reports of stalled progress caused Ukrainian government bonds to fall as much as 1.9 cents on the dollar in European morning trading.

Before the Geneva meeting, Umerov had tempered expectations, saying the Ukrainian delegation was working “without excessive expectations.” These talks follow two previous U.S.-brokered rounds in Abu Dhabi that ended without major breakthroughs, as the parties remained divided on key issues, including territorial control in eastern Ukraine.

Russia currently occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea and parts of the eastern Donbas region seized prior to the full-scale invasion in 2022. Recent Russian airstrikes on energy infrastructure have left hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians without heating and electricity during the winter months.

Isusubasta ng NFA ang lumang bigas sa Pebrero 20

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Isusubasta ng NFA ang lumang bigas sa Pebrero 20

VALENZUELA CITY — Maglulunsad ang National Food Authority (NFA) ng auction para sa 750,000 sako ng bigas na nakaimbak sa kanilang bodega sa Valenzuela City nang higit tatlong buwan.

Mag-iiba ang presyo ng mga bigas depende sa kalidad at haba ng pagkakaimbak nito sa bodega. Ang minimum na bid para sa stocks na may tatlo hanggang anim na buwang gulang ay P25.16 kada kilo, habang ang 18-buwang gulang na bigas ay may minimum na P22.52 kada kilo.

“Meron talagang pagkakaiba sa rice-producing regions na medyo maganda ang mga variety na tinatanim, gaya ng Region 3. Mas maganda ang kalidad ng bigas diyan,” ani NFA Administrator Larry Lacson.

Ang mismong auction para sa mga old stock na bigas ay magsisimula sa Biyernes, Pebrero 20. Sinabi rin ng ahensya na ligtas ang mga lumang stock para sa pkonsumo ng publiko.

“Siyempre dahil gusto natin lumuwag ang bodega ng NFA at malapit na ang peak season ng harvest sa Marso, at makapag-generate ng revenue,” dagdag ni Lacson.

Kapag nalinis na ang bodega, inaasahan ng NFA na makakabili sila ng katumbas na 1.5 milyong sako ng palay sa darating na harvest season. Inaasahan din na ang auction ay makakalikom ng higit P900 milyon na karagdagang pondo para sa ahensya.

Bagamat ang auction ay bukas lamang sa mga retailer, dealer, at wholesaler, maaari pa ring makinabang ang mga ordinaryong mamimili kung magbebenta ang mga trader ng bigas sa mas murang presyo.

Kasalukuyang ipinagbibili ang lokal na well-milled rice sa halagang P40 hanggang P54 kada kilo.

“Local rice, actually, medyo nagtaas tsaka mahirap kumuha ngayon. Ayun ang problema ngayon,” ayon kay JM, isang rice retailer sa Marikina City.

Epstein files fallout renews scrutiny of UK House of Lords as France opens new probes

Venus L Peñaflor
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Epstein files fallout renews scrutiny of UK House of Lords as France opens new probes

LONDON/PARIS — The release of millions of documents linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has intensified political and legal reverberations across Europe, placing both Britain’s unelected upper chamber and French authorities under renewed public scrutiny.

In the United Kingdom, the controversy has shaken the centuries-old House of Lords after former ambassador and Labour politician Peter Mandelson resigned from the chamber following revelations about his past association with Epstein. The resignation has reignited long-standing criticism of the Lords’ structure, accountability, and appointment process, with opponents calling the institution outdated and resistant to reform.

Critics argue that the chamber, composed largely of appointed lifetime peers and a small number of hereditary members reflects a system out of step with modern democratic standards. Green Party peer Jenny Jones described the institution as “a semi-feudal system,” while reform advocates renewed calls for a fully elected second chamber.

Historic Institution Under Pressure

For over seven centuries, the House of Lords has served as a reviewing body for legislation passed by the elected House of Commons, with powers to amend and delay bills. While defenders say it provides vital scrutiny, detractors argue it lacks democratic legitimacy and transparency.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has already proposed removing the remaining hereditary peers, describing them as relics of the past. Yet progress remains slow, with resistance from within the chamber and ongoing debates over how sweeping reforms should go.

Ethics oversight has also come under renewed examination. Although rules now allow the expulsion of peers for misconduct or criminal convictions, no member has yet been formally removed. Several controversial figures have resigned before disciplinary action could be finalized, fueling criticism that accountability mechanisms remain weak.

Political analysts say the Mandelson controversy, along with scrutiny surrounding other recent appointments, highlights broader concerns about how life peers are selected largely through prime ministerial nomination and whether stronger vetting standards are needed.

France Opens Dual Investigations

Meanwhile, in France, prosecutors have launched two new investigations tied to the Epstein files, one into alleged sex abuse crimes and another focusing on potential financial wrongdoing. The inquiries were announced by Paris prosecutor Laurence Beccuau, who urged potential victims to come forward as authorities review newly released evidence.

The investigations follow the U.S. Justice Department’s publication of more than three million pages of records, videos, and photographs related to Epstein’s network. French officials said the release could help uncover previously unknown victims and revive leads from earlier cases.

Prosecutors confirmed that past investigations, including the case of late modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, a known Epstein associate, will be revisited in light of new information. Brunel died in custody in Paris in 2022 while facing accusations of rape and trafficking of minors.

The fallout has also affected prominent French figures. Former culture minister Jack Lang recently stepped down from his role at the Arab World Institute amid a financial investigation tied to alleged offshore links mentioned in the files.

Calls for Structural Reform Intensify

Across Britain and France, the Epstein revelations are adding momentum to broader debates over institutional accountability. In the UK, reformers argue the scandal underscores the need for stricter oversight and possibly a complete redesign of the upper chamber — with some proposing an elected “senate” to replace hereditary and appointed titles altogether.

Political experts note that discussions over reforming the Lords have stretched on for decades with minimal progress, a pace described by analysts as “glacial.” Yet the current wave of scrutiny may increase pressure on lawmakers to pursue deeper structural change.

As investigations continue across multiple countries, officials emphasize that inclusion in the Epstein files does not automatically imply criminal wrongdoing. Nonetheless, the disclosures are prompting renewed examinations of elite networks, governance standards, and transparency within political institutions.

Pebrero 19, simula ng Ramadan sa Pilipinas – NCMF

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Pebrero 19, simula ng Ramadan sa Pilipinas – NCMF

MAYNILA – Opisyal na magsisimula ang buwan ng Ramadan sa Pilipinas sa Huwebes, Pebrero 19, 2026, ayon sa pahayag ng National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), matapos na hindi makita ang crescent moon noong Martes ng gabi.

Ayon sa ahensya, “bilang pambansang ahensya ng gobyerno na may tungkuling magbigay ng tumpak na impormasyon tungkol sa kapakanan ng mga Muslim sa Pilipinas, base sa resulta ng moon sighting activities na isinagawa ng NCMF, katuwang ang Bangsamoro Darul Ifta, iba’t ibang Ulama groups, at ang Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), ang buwan (Hilal) ay hindi nakita.”

“Dahil dito, opisyal na idinedeklara na ang Ramadhan 1447 Hijrah ay magsisimula sa Huwebes, Pebrero 19, 2026,” dagdag pa ng NCMF.

Inihayag ni Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulrauf Guialani ng Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta’ ang opisyal na pagsisimula ng Ramadan sa Shariff Kabuksuan Cultural Complex sa Bangsamoro Government Center, matapos matanggap ang mga ulat ng moon sighting mula sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng Bangsamoro, Manila Bay, General Santos City, at mga lalawigan ng Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, at Sulu.

“So whoever sights (the new moon of) the month (of Ramadan), let him fast it,” ayon sa Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah Chapter 2, Verse 185, dagdag ng Grand Mufti.

Ang Ramadan ang pinakabanal na buwan sa Islamic calendar, kung saan nag-aayuno ang mga Muslim mula madaling araw hanggang paglubog ng araw, kasabay ng panalangin at pagsasabayan ng iftar o pagputol ng ayuno pagkatapos ng paglubog ng araw.

Sa pagbati ng NCMF Secretary Sabuddin N. Abdurahim, “Sa ating mga Muslim na kababayan at sa lahat ng ating mga kapatid na Muslim sa buong Pilipinas, ipinapaabot namin ang taos-pusong pagbati sa pagsalubong ng banal na buwan ng Ramadan. Pinapaalala ng panahong ito na ang pananampalataya ay pinatitibay sa pamamagitan ng pasensya, malasakit, at taos-pusong debosyon.”

Dagdag pa niya, “Sana ang banal na pangakong ito ay magbigay-inspirasyon upang muling paigtingin ang ating puso, pagtulungan ang bawat isa, at magsama-sama sa awa, pagkakaisa, at kapayapaan.”

Ipinaalala rin ng NCMF na maaaring magpatupad ng flexible working hours ang mga Muslim na nagtatrabaho sa mga tanggapan ng gobyerno sa panahon ng Ramadan. Batay sa Civil Service Resolution No. 1981, maaaring pumasok ang mga Muslim government workers mula 7:30 a.m. hanggang 3:30 p.m. nang walang noon break, at ang dalawang oras na kaibahan ay hindi ituturing na undertime.

Not denial, but clarification: Literacy and lack of official documents (Yet)

DC Alviar
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Not denial, but clarification: Literacy and lack of official documents (Yet)

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) have begun calling institutions and individuals in the college teaching profession, among others, to participate in the Department of Education (DepEd) initiatives for basic and functional literacy. Why not?

In fact, many of us have been doing that for years, albeit not in our regular order of extension work priorities. The ability to read, understand, analyze, and communicate meaningfully is the foundation of education, active citizenship, and social development. We completely understand the call, knowing the gravity of the Philippines’ literacy crisis.

Many thanks to EDCOM II for ushering us in a decisive moment to end that crisis with its National Education and Workforce Development Plan (NatPlan) 2026-2035, and I know that we in the higher education institutions (HEIs) will be guided by all this and more (will is the operative word).

But using the communication lens, there is an important question that cannot be ignored: where are the documents that constitute this call? The Senate’s February 6 news release, picked up by two newspapers, mentions “a memorandum” and “Basic and Functional Literacy Framework,” but at present, it is unclear whether these exist, what they contain, and how HEIs should understand their role in it. If a memo already exists, it is important to know: What is the CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) number? And if there is already a framework, where can it be found and to whom was it explained? This question is not merely technical. 

In the realm of comm, it is clear that a policy is not just a goal, but a text. It can be a set of statements that define roles, scope, and responsibilities. When a call precedes a document, confusion arises as to whether it is an invitation, a suggestion, or a de facto mandate.

For decades, HEI faculty members have been government partners in various forms of extension work: community education, literacy programs, teacher training, and other social work. From a comm perspective, these activities are forms of engagement, building both meaning and capacity with communities. But official reports, including the EDCOM II studies, also acknowledge that CHED has long lacked clear direction. When the central message is unclear and priorities fluctuate, results are fragmented efforts which  are difficult to measure, explain, and defend over time. Hahawak pa ba ng walis ang mga propesor (will professors still be holding brooms)?

Communicators view the documented rise of college-unprepared students, and the alarming dropout rate as signs of a breakdown in the flow of educational communication; there are skills and meanings that have not been properly transmitted to lower levels. If the solution to this is to further expand the role of professors without clear documentation and boundaries, there is a risk of normalizing remediation in higher education, rather than fixing basic education from its roots.

Another important thing: the possibility of retroactively changing standards. When a new framework is introduced without a clear date, scope, and transitional guidelines, who will say which extension work will be recognized? Who will determine what is deficient or sufficient? The power to set meaning is political power. If it is not clearly articulated, the professional recognition of teachers and even the reputation of institutions are at stake. The word “support” is often used in statements. Support is not a neutral word, though; it can mean voluntary cooperation, or tacit acceptance of responsibility. 

Sans a clear memo or framework or both, support becomes open to interpretation and more often than not, results in additional work without clear incentives. In higher education, work not recognized in teaching load, research credit, promotion, or tenure becomes invisible labor.

With a new mandate, it’s natural that the State should also communicate clearly: where the document is, what its scope is, and what it entails. Collaboration is a process of clear negotiation, not a call to action that is expected to be followed even without a text.

A truly outcomes-based approach to literacy begins with sound and transparent communication of policy. Professors and universities are not just implementers, but partners in the creation of knowledge. (Shoutout to people in the HEIs who think about quality more than quantity in research production.) If documents remain silent or absent, the problem is not a lack of interest on the part of academia, but a lack of a clear message from the State.

The silence of memos and frameworks is not just a matter of administration but of public accountability, too. Latest memos 1 to 20 are carried by the CHED website, but they’re all “series of 2025,” without that of 2026.

Malaysia and Japan advance cross‑border carbon capture plan despite debate on climate impact

Venus L Peñaflor
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Malaysia and Japan advance cross‑border carbon capture plan despite debate on climate impact

BANGKOK — Malaysia and Japan are moving forward with a groundbreaking cross-border carbon capture and storage (CCS) initiative, even as experts debate its effectiveness and broader climate impact. The project is set to ship industrial carbon dioxide emissions from Japan to Malaysia for storage in offshore geological formations, marking a first-of-its-kind effort in Southeast Asia.

Malaysia Pushes Carbon Capture Forward

On Monday, Petronas CCS Ventures (PCCSV), a wholly owned unit of state-owned oil and gas giant Petronas, was awarded its first offshore assessment permit for CCS by the Malaysia Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage Agency (MyCCUS). The permit covers geological assessments in the Duyong field off Peninsular Malaysia and is the first issued under the newly enacted Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage Act (CCUS Act 2025), which took effect on October 1, 2025.

The move signals a major step toward positioning Malaysia as a regional hub for CCS and cross-border carbon management. PCCSV has partnered with TotalEnergies and Mitsui & Co. under a Key Principles Agreement (KPA) from July 2025 to advance technical studies of Duyong as part of the Southern CCS offshore hub.

Emry Hisham Yusoff, chief executive of PCCSV, described the permit as “a major step toward developing Duyong into a safe, commercially viable carbon storage site,” enabling the partners to proceed with the necessary studies and move into the front-end engineering design (FEED) phase. The initiative is intended to create “the first-of-its-kind integrated CCS solution for industries in the Asia Pacific region.”

Assessment and development work will comply with the CCUS Act 2025 and its related regulations, including the Offshore Permit and Licensing Regulations 2025. The project also aligns with Petronas’ broader strategy to provide decarbonization solutions and support its net-zero ambitions in the region.

Japan’s Role and Regional Implications

Japan, one of the world’s top carbon emitters, plans to ship emissions from its power, steel, cement, and oil industries to Malaysia. Tokyo estimates that by 2030, the sites will store 20 million tons of carbon annually, roughly 2% of Japan’s total emissions. Malaysia will likely receive compensation per ton of emissions stored, while Japan can count these reductions toward its national carbon output.

If successful, the project may pave the way for other Southeast Asian nations with carbon storage potential, such as Indonesia and Thailand. However, climate advocates argue that cross-border CCS could shift the environmental burden to host countries while offering limited contribution to global emissions reductions.

Carbon Capture Debate

Carbon capture involves capturing emissions at industrial sources, separating and liquefying carbon dioxide, and transporting it to storage sites, typically underground geological formations. Critics say it is expensive, unproven, and may distract from more effective measures, such as expanding renewable energy capacity.

Rachel Kennerley of the Center for International Environmental Law warns that the project “dangerously shifts the burden of climate change onto Malaysia rather than onto Japan,” potentially turning Malaysia into a “carbon dumping ground.” Ayumi Fukakusa of Friends of the Earth Japan called it “carbon colonialism.”

Supporters maintain that when combined with energy transition strategies, CCS can help countries meet climate goals. Yet even the International Energy Agency forecasts that carbon capture, utilization, and storage will contribute less than 5% of global emission reductions by 2050.

Lunar New Year celebrations across Asia highlight tradition and technology

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Lunar New Year celebrations across Asia highlight tradition and technology

The Year of the Horse galloped in on February 17, ushering in Lunar New Year celebrations across Asia marked by traditional prayers, lion and dragon dances, street fairs, and even humanoid robots. The festival, one of the most important in the Chinese calendar, drew crowds from Beijing to Buenos Aires, blending centuries-old traditions with modern innovations.

China: Tradition Meets Technology

In Beijing, thousands of people gathered at the historic Temple of Earth to buy snacks, toys, and charms, and to burn incense for happiness and success in the coming year. On national television, humanoid robots performed alongside children in martial arts sequences during the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, showcasing China’s advancements in AI. Some viewers applauded the technology, while others felt it slightly diminished the traditional festive atmosphere.

In Hong Kong, worshippers lined up at temples at midnight to offer incense and wishes, while in Taiwan, the Baoan Temple in Taipei rang its bell 108 times, an auspicious number as devotees offered incense and flower bouquets.

Vietnam: Tet Celebrations

Vietnamese communities celebrated Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, with lively countdowns, outdoor performances, and fireworks that illuminated bridges and skyscrapers. Crowds clapped along to live pop music as city-wide celebrations carried into the night.

Russia: Chinese Street Fairs in Moscow

In Moscow, Chinese-style street fairs drew crowds along snow-dusted streets decorated with red lanterns and dragons. Visitors sampled Chinese cuisine, watched performances, and took part in two weeks of cultural events, highlighting growing cultural ties between China and Russia.

Argentina: Buenos Aires Chinatown

Thousands gathered in Buenos Aires’ Chinatown for dragon and lion dances, martial arts demonstrations, and stage performances, reflecting the vibrant Chinese immigrant community in Argentina, which numbers over 180,000.

Philippines: Binondo at the Center

In the Philippines, celebrations were particularly vibrant in Binondo, Manila’s historic Chinatown. Streets and storefronts were adorned with red and gold, while markets sold lucky charms, tikoy (sticky rice cake), and symbolic items for prosperity. Lion and dragon dances, street performances, and a fireworks and drone show along Jones Bridge marked the festivities. Families gathered for meals, exchanged greetings of “Gong Xi Fa Cai”, and visited temples to pray for health and success.

Other areas in the Philippines with significant Chinese-Filipino populations also joined in the celebrations, emphasizing the holiday’s role in fostering cultural unity, commerce, and shared hope for the year ahead.

Alterna Verde hosts seminar on data-driven approaches to sustainable solid waste management

Venus L Peñaflor
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Alterna Verde hosts seminar on data-driven approaches to sustainable solid waste management

LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA —Alterna Verde, a Filipino-owned and operated waste-to-energy (WTE) company specializing in sustainable solid waste management solutions, conducted a seminar on February 9, 2026, at 10:31 PM at the SEARCA–UP Los Baños Conference Hall, focusing on “Data-Driven Approaches to Sustainable Solid Waste Management: Integrating Drone Applications, Surface Hydrology, and Groundwater Modeling for Waste-to-Energy Applications.”

The seminar highlighted innovative strategies to improve efficiency, sustainability, and environmental safety in local solid waste management. A central case study was the San Pablo City Baloc Sanitary Landfill and Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), the city’s primary waste disposal site operational since the early 2000s, which has faced challenges including leachate management, methane emissions, and proper waste segregation.

The research and study were prompted by concerns raised by local city consultants, who noted that leachate, the liquid that percolates through waste and contains dissolved organic and inorganic contaminants, could potentially seep into surrounding soil and threaten the city’s water table. This led Alterna Verde to emphasize data-driven and predictive approaches, including hydrological and groundwater modeling, to evaluate potential risks and mitigate contamination. Scientific modeling allows experts to simulate the movement of leachate through soil layers, estimate its travel time to groundwater, and assess long-term impacts on water quality, enabling more informed management decisions and preventive interventions.

Alterna Verde has been formally involved in managing the Baloc Sanitary Landfill under a 20-year contract signed with the previous city administration, giving the company a long-term operational and technical oversight role.

During the seminar, experts discussed how drone technologies, surface hydrology, and groundwater modeling can enhance landfill monitoring, predict long-term environmental impacts, and support waste-to-energy and carbon capture projects. Participants emphasized that some effects, such as groundwater contamination or leachate migration, may take up to 60 years to fully manifest, highlighting the importance of long-term, data-driven planning.

Among the experts present was Dr. Maurice Alfonso Duka, a Professional Agricultural Engineer and Associate Professor IV at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), specializing in surface water and groundwater modeling, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, and 3D hydrodynamic modeling. Dr. Duka earned his PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan, and a Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering (First Class Honours) from the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Engr. Siegfred L. Delos Santos, a licensed Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer, shared his experience in hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, water resources assessment, and decision support systems for river basins and lake governance, with technical expertise in HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, WEAP, GIS, and Python-based automation. Engr. Leunell Chris M. Buela, a Hydrogeologist and Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer with CEST Incorporated, serves as a Groundwater Modeler and Assistant Professor at UPLB, with specialization in groundwater and hydrologic modeling, climate resilience studies, and sustainable water management. Dr. Jabez Joshua Flores, PhD in Environmental Science with a cognate in Development Communication from UPLB, and a former DOST–ASTHRDP and SEARCA PhD Research Scholar, also contributed insights, drawing on his experience in environmental research and landscape ecology.

“The integration of drones, hydrology, and groundwater modeling provides a scientific approach to solid waste management,” said a representative from Alterna Verde. “It helps projects like the Baloc Sanitary Landfill operate more sustainably while supporting resource recovery and energy generation.”

While the seminar focused on technological innovations, experts acknowledged that cost, technical complexity, ongoing maintenance, and emissions from waste-to-energy processes remain important considerations. They also noted that predictive models cannot fully replace human oversight, and unexpected events or changes in waste composition could affect results.

The seminar drew environmental scientists, engineers, students, local government representatives, and civil society groups, providing a forum to explore technical solutions for sustainable solid waste management.

“Data-driven planning can support better waste management and resource recovery, but its effectiveness depends on governance, technical capacity, and consistent operational management,” said Dr. Nervy Santiago, CEO and General Manager of Alterna Verde.

The event underscores the growing role of technology and scientific modeling in municipal solid waste management, highlighting how innovation can improve efficiency, environmental safety, and long-term sustainability in landfill operations, while addressing real risks to San Pablo City’s water resources.

Alterna Verde has been formally involved in managing the Baloc Sanitary Landfill under a 20-year contract signed with the previous city administration, giving the company a long-term operational and technical oversight role.

Duterte will not participate in ICC confirmation hearing via video, defense says

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Duterte will not participate in ICC confirmation hearing via video, defense says

THE HAGUE — Former President Rodrigo Duterte will not participate through video conferencing in his upcoming confirmation of charges hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC), scheduled to begin on February 23, according to his defense counsel, Nicholas Kaufman.

The hearing, which will take place before Pre-Trial Chamber I in Courtroom I, is set from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time in The Hague (5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Philippine time). Subsequent sessions are scheduled on February 24, 26, and 27, during which the prosecution, defense, and victims’ lawyers will present their arguments to the judges.

Kaufman told GMA Integrated News that Duterte will not appear via video conference, noting that the former president also did not consent to participate through such technology at his initial appearance. Kaufman recalled that his co-counsel at the time, Attorney Salvador Medialdea, requested a postponement to allow him to attend in person, but the request was denied. He added that Duterte appeared in front of the camera while still recovering from hospital medication.

When asked whether Duterte will appear in person or waive his right to attend, Kaufman declined to comment further.

The ICC has allocated time limits for oral presentations during the confirmation hearing: the prosecution will have 30 minutes for opening statements, 2 hours and 30 minutes for submissions on the merits, and 30 minutes for closing statements; the common legal representatives of the victims will have 30 minutes for opening, 1 hour and 30 minutes for submissions, and 30 minutes for closing; while the defense will have 30 minutes for opening, 3 hours and 30 minutes for submissions, and 30 minutes for closing. The court noted that the schedule may be adjusted depending on the flow of proceedings.

The hearing will be available online with a 30-minute delay via the ICC website, Facebook, and YouTube. The ICC explained that the purpose of the confirmation of charges hearing is to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the person committed the crimes charged. If one or more charges are confirmed, the case will move to a Trial Chamber, which will conduct the trial phase.

Duterte is currently detained at the ICC Detention Center in Scheveningen, The Hague, facing charges of crimes against humanity linked to killings during his administration’s war on drugs, dating back to his tenure as mayor of Davao City and as president of the Philippines.

The ICC has identified several individuals as alleged co-perpetrators in a so-called “common plan” to target suspected criminals, including senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Bong Go; former police officials Vicente Danao, Camilo Cascolan, Oscar Albayalde, and Isidro Lapeña; former NBI director Dante Gierran; former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II; and other members of the Philippine National Police and high-ranking government officials.

3 killed, including suspect, in shooting during Rhode Island youth hockey game

EDGARDO HERNAL
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3 killed, including suspect, in shooting during Rhode Island youth hockey game

PAWTUCKET, Rhode Island — A shooting during a youth hockey game at a local ice arena in Pawtucket left three people dead including the suspected gunman and three others critically injured, authorities said Monday, in what investigators believe was a targeted incident possibly linked to a family dispute.

The violence erupted at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena during a high school hockey game, sending players, parents, and spectators running for safety as law enforcement flooded the area. Police said the suspect was among those killed and was believed to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves told reporters that initial findings suggest the shooting was “a targeted event” and may have stemmed from a family-related conflict. Investigators have not yet released the identities or ages of the victims while families are being notified and authorities continue to establish the full timeline of events.

Witnesses described scenes of confusion and panic as gunfire rang out inside the arena, which was hosting a crowded boys’ high school hockey game. Families and young athletes fled the building, with some taking shelter in nearby establishments while police secured the scene.

Outside the rink, emotional family members and players in uniform were seen embracing before being reunited with relatives. Authorities temporarily closed roads surrounding the arena as multiple agencies responded, including state and federal personnel assisting the investigation.

Police said detectives are interviewing numerous witnesses and reviewing evidence to determine the sequence of events. Officials emphasized that there is no indication of additional suspects at large.

While early reports varied as the incident unfolded, officials later confirmed that three people died and three others remained in critical condition at area hospitals. Investigators are treating the case as a domestic- or family-related act of violence rather than a random attack.

The tragedy has shaken the close-knit community of Pawtucket, a city just north of Providence near the Massachusetts border. The arena, a long-standing venue for local youth sports, was filled with students and families at the time of the shooting.

State and local officials expressed support for victims and first responders, while counseling resources were expected to be made available for affected families and students.

Authorities said more information, including the identities of victims and confirmed relationships involved in the dispute, will be released once investigations progress and family notifications are completed.

As the inquiry continues, investigators are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or has video footage to contact law enforcement.

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