SAN FRANCISCO. Chaos erupted as a car plowed into the Chinese consulate in San Francisco on Monday, coming to a halt in the lobby and resulting in police shooting the driver, who later succumbed to injuries at the hospital, officials confirmed.
San Francisco police stated that they were unsure of the motive behind the actions of the unidentified driver who crashed through the front of the consulate. The consulate is situated on a major street, facing the city’s Japantown neighborhood. The Chinese Consulate General characterized the incident as a “violent attack” in a statement.
Police swiftly responded to the consulate after receiving a report of a vehicle crashing into the building, urging people to steer clear of the area. Video footage from the scene depicted a blue Honda sedan inside the consulate’s visa office lobby.
Officers entered the building, established contact with the suspect, and subsequently opened fire, as explained by San Francisco Police Sergeant Kathryn Winters during a brief news conference. Despite efforts to save the suspect’s life, he later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.
Details regarding the sequence of events leading up to the shooting, the number of officers involved, and whether the driver possessed a weapon were not disclosed by the police. Thankfully, there were no reports of injuries among individuals inside the building.
San Francisco police are now working in collaboration with investigators from the U.S. State Department and the Chinese Consulate to unravel the circumstances surrounding this incident. Sergeant Kathryn Winters noted, “I wish I could give you more, but this is a very complex investigation.”
In response to the incident, the Chinese Consulate General issued a demand for more information about the event and requested that it be “dealt with seriously in accordance with the law.” The consulate’s statement strongly condemned the violent attack.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin reiterated the statement during a daily briefing on Tuesday, without providing specific details about damage to the consulate or any injuries sustained by staff and visitors. Wang urged the U.S. to swiftly investigate the incident and take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese diplomatic missions and personnel, referencing the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, a 1961 agreement governing international relations.
Notably, the San Francisco consulate has been targeted in the past, with one of the most significant incidents being a fire set at the main entrance by a Chinese man on New Year’s Day in 2014. The fire caused damage to a section of the building’s exterior. The man, a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area, attributed his actions to voices he claimed to hear and was subsequently sentenced to nearly three years in prison.
San Francisco is currently preparing to host next month’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which will bring together world leaders from Pacific Rim nations. President Joe Biden plans to attend, but it remains uncertain whether Chinese President Xi Jinping will participate.
Isiniwalat ng isang dating executive assistant sa Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ang mga alegasyon ng katiwalian laban sa mga opisyal ng ahensya kaugnay sa “ruta for sale” scheme. Sa isang pulong balitaan noong Lunes, ibinunyag ni Jeffrey Tumbado, dating executive assistant ni LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III, ang hindi makatarungang sistema kung saan kailangang magbayad ang mga operator sa mga transport officials ng hanggang ₱5 milyon para makakuha ng ruta, prangkisa, at mga espesyal na permit, bukod sa iba pang mga benepisyo.
Ayon kay Tumbado, “Kapag ikaw ay operator, gusto mong makuha itong daan na ito lalo na sa probinsya, magre-request ka tapos kung gusto mong mapapasaiyo iyan kahit hindi pwede, hanapin mo ko tapos ayun na.” Sinabi niya na hindi lamang si Guadiz ang sangkot, kundi pati na rin ang iba pang matataas na opisyal mula sa Department of Transportation (DOTr) at Malacañang na nag-uutos na kolektahin ang pera mula sa mga operator.
Target ni Tumbado na maghain ng kaso laban sa mga opisyal ng LTFRB na sangkot sa katiwaliang ito, at ang transport group na Manibela ang magiging katuwang niya sa pag-aakusa. Binanggit din ni Tumbado na may mga ebidensya siya, kabilang ang mga screenshot ng mga text message at audio recording ng mga pag-uusap na may kaugnayan sa binabanggit niyang tiwaling gawain.
Ayon sa dating opisyal ng LTFRB, siya ay isang “middleman” para sa iskemang ito, at pati mga regional officials ng LTFRB ay may quota na ₱2 milyon na ibibigay sa central office.
Samantala, itinanggi ni Guadiz ang mga alegasyon sa isinagawang LTFRB news conference. Aniya, “Pero kung meron po hahaharapin po natin, malinis po ang ating kalooban.”
Sa kabilang banda, inihayag ni Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista na maglulunsad ang DOTr ng imbestigasyon hinggil sa isyung ito. Ani Bautista, “While we are already evaluating the alleged irregularities involving Chairman Guadiz, we also issued a notice to explain against Guadiz for him to shed light on the allegations.”
Manibela, naghahanda para sa transport strike laban sa katiwalian sa LTFRB
Sa bukod na balita, magkakasa ang transport group na Manibela ng nationwide transport strike simula Oktubre 16, bilang tugon sa mga alegasyon ng katiwalian sa loob ng Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Sa isang pulong balitaan noong Lunes, iginiit ni Manibela chairperson Mar Valbuena ang pagtutol ng kanilang grupo sa diumano ay “ruta for sale” scheme na nangyayari sa LTFRB. Ayon kay Valbuena, “Dadalhin natin ang mga sasakyan natin sa harapan ng LTFRB main office, sa harapan ng DOTr (Department of Transportation) hanggang Malacañang. Doon na natin itatambak ang ating mga sasakyan kung ayaw nilang bigyan ng kabuhayan!”
Matatandaan na noong Marso 6, pinangunahan ng Manibela ang isang nationwide transport strike upang ipanawagan ang suspensyon ng mandatory jeepney franchise consolidation, na bahagi ng PUV Modernization Program ng gobyerno. Ang welga ay naging matagumpay, kaya’t inanunsyo ng LTFRB ang pagpapalawig ng deadline para sa konsolidasyon hanggang Disyembre 31.
Ang inaasahang transport strike ng Manibela ay naging bunga ng patuloy na pag-aalala ng transport operators hinggil sa mga isyung may kinalaman sa kanilang mga prangkisa at mga ruta.
JERUSALEM. Israeli warplanes launched relentless airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, targeting neighborhoods one by one, causing widespread destruction and forcing Palestinians to seek refuge in the sealed-off territory. The airstrikes are seen as a severe retaliation for the deadly weekend attack by Hamas militants.
Amid the escalating conflict, humanitarian groups are desperately urging the creation of safe corridors to deliver much-needed aid to Gaza. Hospitals in the area are overwhelmed, running critically low on supplies. The situation worsened as Israel cut off the entry of food, fuel, and medicines into Gaza. Furthermore, the last access point from Egypt was shut down on Tuesday following airstrikes near the border crossing.
The ongoing war, which has already claimed the lives of at least 1,900 people on both sides, is expected to intensify. The weekend attack by Hamas, which they claimed was in response to worsening conditions for Palestinians under Israeli occupation, has heightened Israel’s resolve to weaken Hamas’s influence in Gaza. Recent exchanges of fire on Israel’s northern borders with militants in Lebanon and Syria have raised concerns about the possibility of an expanded regional conflict.
Hamas militants breached Israeli territory on Saturday morning, leading to the killing of hundreds of residents in homes and streets near the Gaza border. This event marked the first gun battle between Hamas and Israeli towns in decades. As of now, Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza are holding around 150 soldiers and civilians hostage, according to Israeli sources.
Israel has escalated its offensive by mobilizing an additional 360,000 reservists. The Israeli military claimed to have regained control over areas in its southern region that were attacked by Hamas, as well as the Gaza border.
The looming question is whether Israel will initiate a ground assault into Gaza, a 25-mile-long strip of land wedged between Israel, Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea, home to 2.3 million people and governed by Hamas since 2007.
Rescue teams in Gaza are struggling to reach “large numbers” of people trapped under the debris of demolished buildings. On Tuesday, Gaza City’s Rimal neighborhood was particularly hard-hit after hours of intense airstrikes. Buildings were torn apart, cars flattened, and streets turned into scenes of destruction.
In a new tactic, Israel is warning civilians to evacuate neighborhoods before inflicting destruction, which could be a prelude to a ground offensive. On Tuesday, residents of the nearby al-Daraj neighborhood were urged to leave, and shortly afterward, new explosions rocked that area and others, continuing into the night. One blast even hit Gaza City’s seaport, setting fishing boats on fire.
“There is no safe place in Gaza right now. You see decent people being killed every day,” said Hasan Jabar, a Gaza journalist, who expressed genuine fear for his life.
On Tuesday afternoon, Hamas launched barrages of rockets towards the southern Israeli cities of Ashkelon and Tel Aviv, with no immediate reports of casualties. In the evening, a group of militants entered an industrial zone in Ashkelon, sparking a gun battle with Israeli troops. Three militants were killed, and troops were conducting searches in the area for others.
Israel’s new tactics suggest a shift in its objectives. Previous conflicts between Israel and Hamas from 2008 to 2021 ended inconclusively, with Hamas maintaining its control. However, the current Israeli government faces mounting public pressure to defeat Hamas decisively, a goal that seemed unattainable in the past without reoccupying the Gaza Strip, even if only temporarily.
The ongoing devastation also raises questions about Hamas’s strategy and objectives. Hamas had reportedly prepared for all possibilities, including a severe escalation by Israel. As desperation grows among Palestinians, who see little hope under enduring Israeli control and increasing West Bank settlements, the 16-year-long Gaza blockade, and perceived international apathy, the situation becomes increasingly volatile.
Hamas may have hoped for the conflict to spread to the West Bank and potentially involve Lebanon’s Hezbollah in the north. Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces in the West Bank have resulted in 15 Palestinian deaths, but Israel has imposed strict restrictions on movement between communities. Violence has also erupted in East Jerusalem, where Israeli police reported killing two Palestinians who were throwing stones at officers.
Brief exchanges of fire across Israel’s northern border have occurred almost daily. Palestinian militants fired rockets into northern Israel from Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday, each time prompting Israeli artillery and mortar fire in return, though a full-scale escalation has not yet materialized.
In an attempt to halt the bombardment of Gaza, Hamas has threatened to execute an Israeli civilian captive for each civilian killed in Gaza without prior warning. This unprecedented attack by militants in Israel has shocked the nation, with a death toll not seen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria. However, the recent deaths occurred over a much shorter period.
According to the Israeli military, over 1,000 people, including 155 soldiers, have been killed in Israel. In Gaza, authorities report 900 people killed, including 260 children and 230 women, with Israel claiming that hundreds of Hamas fighters are among the casualties. Thousands have been wounded on both sides.
U.S. President Joe Biden announced that at least 14 U.S. citizens were killed in the Hamas attack, with Americans among those held hostage in Gaza. Following a conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden emphasized that there is no justification for terrorism. He also issued a warning, stating, “To any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation, I have one word: Don’t.”
The U.S. State Department has announced that Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel in the coming days to deliver a message of solidarity and support.
In response, Hamas called on the Biden administration to review its “biased position” and move away from the policy of double standards concerning Palestinian rights to defend themselves against Israeli occupation.
The Israeli military stated that the bodies of roughly 1,500 Hamas militants were found on Israeli territory, though it remains unclear whether these numbers overlap with the deaths reported by Palestinian authorities. Tens of thousands of people in southern Israel have been evacuated since Sunday.
In Gaza, over 200,000 people have fled their homes, marking the largest displacement since the 2014 Israeli offensive, which uprooted about 400,000 Palestinians. Most of the displaced are seeking refuge in schools run by the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. Damage to three water and sanitation sites has cut off services to 400,000 people, according to the U.N.
The World Health Organization, a U.N. agency, reported that supplies it had pre-positioned for seven hospitals in Gaza had already run out due to the influx of wounded patients. Doctors Without Borders, a medical aid group, also voiced concerns about depleting surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel, and other supplies in two hospitals it operates in Gaza.
Israeli soldiers carry the body of a person killed by Hamas militants in Kibbutz Kfar Azza on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. Hamas militants overran Kfar Azza on Saturday, where many Israelis were killed and taken captive. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
STA. ROSA CITY, Laguna. Patay agad ang isang 21 taong gulang na babae habang sugatan ang pitong iba pa, kasama ang isang sanggol, matapos magkarambola ang apat na motorsiklo at isang bisikleta sa National road, Barangay Malusak, sa lungsod na ito bandang 2:00 kahapon.
Kinilala ng pulisya ang nasawi na si Angel Anne Cardiente, residente ng nasabing lungsod.
Ayon sa imbestigasyon, nangyari ang aksidente ng magkarera ang dalawang motorsiklo sa isang kurbada. Sa pangyayaring ito, nasagasaan si Cardiente at tumilapon sa kabilang kalsada.
Ayon sa salaysay ng ilang saksi, habang pinipilit ni Cardiente na tumayo matapos siyang tumilapon binangga naman siya ng isa pang motorsiklo na may kaangkas na babae na may kargang sanggol. Matapos masagasaan sa ikalawang pagkakataon, muling bumagsak ang biktima
Base sa impormasyon mula sa pulisya, nadagdagan ang nasugatan nang sumunod na makabangga ang isa pang motorsiklo at isang bisikleta na mabilis ang takbo sa mga naunang nasugatan na nasa gitna ng kalsada.
Ayon sa ulat ng City Public Order and Safety Office ng Sta. Rosa City, isa pang motorsiklo ang isang bisekleta ang nagkarambola bumundol sa mga naunang nasugatan.
Agad dinala agad ng City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office ang mga biktima sa Sta. Rosa Medical Center, subalit hindi na umabot ng buhay si Cardiente. Samantala, kasalukuyan pang ginagamot ang apat pang nasugatan.
Sa ngayon, patuloy pa rin ang imbestigasyon ng pulisya ukol sa pangyayaring ito.
The Chinese economy, the second-largest in the world, is expected to grow at a rate of 5% this year, marking a downgrade from previous projections by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Additionally, the IMF has revised its forecast for China’s economic growth in 2024 to 4.2%, reflecting a further downgrade from its earlier expectations, as stated in its July report.
Earlier in the year, hopes were high for a robust economic rebound in China as the communist government lifted strict “zero-COVID” lockdown measures that had severely hampered economic growth in 2022. However, the nation now faces challenges stemming from issues in its overbuilt housing market, contributing to the downward revision in growth projections.
The IMF has voiced concerns over the growing trend of countries forming geopolitical blocs, which could potentially limit international trade and hinder global economic growth. Notably, the United States and its allies have imposed unprecedented sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Simultaneously, efforts are being made to reduce dependence on Chinese imports, driven by escalating tensions with Beijing.
In its report, the IMF highlighted the substantial increase in new trade restrictions imposed by countries worldwide. In the previous year, nearly 3,000 new trade restrictions were introduced, a significant rise from the fewer than 1,000 restrictions recorded in 2019. This trend is seen as detrimental to international trade, with the IMF projecting modest growth of just 0.9% in 2023 and a slightly improved 3.5% in 2024. These figures fall significantly below the 2000-2019 annual average of 4.9% growth in international trade.
The evolving global economic landscape, marked by shifting economic power, trade disputes, and geopolitical tensions, continues to pose challenges to the outlook for economic growth and international cooperation. The IMF’s revised projections reflect the complex and interconnected nature of today’s global economy, emphasizing the importance of addressing geopolitical tensions and trade barriers to ensure sustained economic recovery and stability.
Containers are pictured in the harbor in Frankfurt, Germany, n July 28,2023. The world is losing momentum in the face of higher interest rates, the ongoing war in Ukraine and widening geopolitical rifts, the International Monetary Fund warned on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (AP Photo.-/Michael Probts)
LUCENA CITY, Quezon. Inireklamo ng mga provincial correspondents at newsmen na nakadestino sa lalawigan ng Quezon ang bagong patakaran na inilabas ng Quezon Police Provincial Office (QPPO) kaugnay sa mga police journal na kanilang ibinibigay sa mga mamamahayag.
Nagtaka ang mga mamamahayag sa pagbabago sa police journal, kung saan hindi na mababasa ang mga pangalan ng mga suspek at biktima na karaniwang isinasaad sa police report o blotter, at dati ay bukas para sa mga mamamahayag. Sa halip, ito’y may label na “name withheld.”
Nang kunan ng pahayag ang Quezon PNP-PIO sa pamamagitan ng chat, sinabi nilang sila ay sumusunod lamang sa bagong polisiya na inilabas ng Police Regional Office (PRO4A), na tinatawag na “Revised Media Relations Policy” na may petsang Setyembre 29, 2023.
Sa kabila nito, handa silang iparating ang hinaing ng mga mamamahayag sa pamunuan ng PNP kaugnay sa nasabing isyu, ayon sa kanila.
JERUSALEM. On Tuesday, Israel launched a relentless bombardment of downtown Gaza City while simultaneously escalating the mobilization of its reservists, vowing to deliver punishing retaliation against the Hamas militant group. This has left the residents of the besieged Palestinian territory with limited options.
Just four days after militants infiltrated Israel, sparking gunfights on its streets for the first time in decades, Israel’s military announced on Tuesday morning that it had regained effective control over its southern regions and the border.
The ongoing conflict has already claimed a devastating toll on both sides, with at least 1,600 lives lost, and possibly many more. Israel has also accused Hamas and other Gaza militant groups of holding over 150 soldiers and civilians hostage.
The situation is poised to escalate further as Israel expanded its mobilization of reservists to 360,000 on Tuesday, according to local media reports. One critical question is whether Israel will launch a ground offensive into Gaza, a densely populated strip of land wedged between Israel, Egypt, and the Mediterranean, which has been under Hamas rule since 2007.
While United Nations agencies have called for a humanitarian corridor to deliver medical supplies, the Israeli military reported targeting hundreds of locations overnight in Gaza City’s upscale Rimal neighborhood. Rimal is home to government ministries, universities, media organizations, and aid agencies’ offices under the Hamas-run government.
After hours of relentless attacks, residents emerged at daybreak to find buildings torn apart by airstrikes, others reduced to rubble, flattened cars, and burnt-out trees on residential streets that resembled moonscapes.
The devastation in Rimal suggests a new Israeli strategy of warning civilians to evacuate certain areas before striking them with unprecedented intensity. If these airstrikes persist, Gaza’s civilians will have fewer places to seek shelter as more neighborhoods become uninhabitable.
Israel’s chief military spokesperson emphasized the unprecedented nature of the current campaign, stating, “Hamas terrorists won’t have a place to run to in Gaza. We will reach them wherever they are,” said Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.
In a briefing Tuesday, army spokesperson Lt. Col. Richard Hecht suggested that Palestinians should attempt to leave through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. However, Hamas later claimed that Israeli strikes had rendered it unusable.
With the border to Israel sealed, Rafah remains the only way out of Gaza, and the situation threatens to worsen as Israel pounds the territory with airstrikes and threatens a complete siege, cutting off fuel, food, and electricity.
The intensifying bombardments and threats to topple Hamas raise questions about the group’s strategy and objectives. Hamas leaders have not publicly commented on whether they anticipated Israel’s ferocious retaliation or the potential risk of losing much of the group’s government infrastructure when they launched the weekend attack.
In response to Israeli aerial attacks, Hamas’ armed wing spokesperson, Abu Obeida, declared on Monday night that the group would kill one Israeli civilian captive for every civilian targeted by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza without prior warning.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen warned Hamas against harming any hostages, stating, “This war crime will not be forgiven.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed a former military commander to manage the hostage and missing persons crisis.
The United Nations reported on Tuesday that over 187,000 people had fled their homes in Gaza, marking the most significant displacement since a 2014 Israeli air and ground offensive that uprooted approximately 400,000 Palestinians.
UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, is providing shelter to over 137,000 people in schools across Gaza, with families taking in an additional 41,000 displaced individuals.
The Israeli military reported more than 900 casualties on its side, while Gaza authorities stated that 765 people had been killed there. Israel alleges that hundreds of Hamas fighters are among the casualties. The bodies of around 1,500 Hamas militants have been discovered on Israeli territory, though it remains unclear if these figures overlap with previous Palestinian authority reports.
The surprise weekend attack by Hamas resulted in a death toll not seen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria, and those deaths occurred over a more extended period. The weekend attack was also notable for the high number of civilian casualties, intensifying calls within Israel to crush Hamas at any cost rather than continuing to contain it in Gaza. Israel’s government, currently the most hard-right in its history, rejects Palestinian statehood.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday ordered a “complete siege” on Gaza on Monday, which drew warnings of “utter disaster” for Gazans from Jan Egeland, the secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council aid group. Egeland emphasized that collective punishment violates international law and could constitute war crimes if it leads to the deaths of wounded children in hospitals due to a lack of energy, electricity, and supplies.
Hamas has declared readiness for a protracted conflict against Israel. Desperation has grown among Palestinians, who perceive little hope under unrelenting Israeli control, escalating settler activities in the West Bank, the blockade in Gaza, and what they perceive as global indifference.
Palestinians remove a dead body from the rubble of a building after an Israeli airstrike Jebaliya refugee camp, Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 (AP Photo/Ramez Mahmoud)
ATHENS, Greece. A visit to the Acropolis in Athens this holiday season promises more than just a glimpse into the past. Thanks to an innovative smartphone app, tourists can witness a resolution to one of the world’s most contentious cultural heritage debates.
With a simple smartphone and the aid of an app, visitors can now explore the ancient Greek site in astonishing detail. The app provides a digital overlay that reveals how the Acropolis and its surroundings looked thousands of years ago. This includes a captivating feature showcasing marble sculptures that were removed from the Parthenon over two centuries ago, currently on display at the British Museum in London, a point of contention between Greece and the United Kingdom.
For now, Greece’s Culture Ministry-backed app allows visitors to point their smartphones at the Parthenon temple, causing the sculptures located in London to reappear on the monument, as archaeologists believe they looked 2,500 years ago. This digital resurrection also brings to life lesser-known features of the Acropolis, such as the vibrant colors that adorned many of the sculptures and the fact that a statue of the goddess Athena in the Parthenon’s main chamber once stood over a shallow pool of water.
Shriya Parsotam Chitnavis, a tourist from London, expressed her amazement, saying, “That’s really impressive…the only time I’ve seen that kind of technology before is at the dentist.” After experiencing the app during a hot afternoon at the Acropolis, she added, “I didn’t know much about the (Acropolis), and I had to be convinced to come up here. Seeing this has made it more interesting — seeing it in color. I’m more of a visual person, so this being interactive really helped me appreciate it.”
This virtual restoration provides an engaging experience that can be accessed anywhere and may save some visitors the crowded uphill climb and lengthy wait to see the iconic monuments up close. Moreover, it could contribute to the country’s efforts to establish Greek cities as year-round tourist destinations.
Tourism is vital for Greece’s economy, and despite challenges such as wildfires in Rhodes and other areas this summer, the sector has rebounded strongly since the COVID-19 pandemic. In the period from January through July, the number of inbound visitors increased by 21.9% compared to the previous year, totaling 16.2 million visitors, and revenue rose by just over 20%, reaching 10.3 billion euros ($10.8 billion), according to the Bank of Greece.
The app, named “Chronos” after the mythological king of the Titans and the Greek word for “time,” employs augmented reality to superimpose the ancient representation of the site onto the smartphone screen, matching the real-world view as visitors explore the area.
Augmented reality (AR) technology is gradually becoming accessible to consumers, with a range of applications in professional and leisure activities. From medical surgery and military training to specialized machine repair and retail experiences, big tech companies like Meta and Apple are betting on a profitable future in immersive services.
Maria Engberg, co-author of the book “Reality Media” on augmented and virtual reality, predicts that AR and VR services for travelers will soon offer more integrated experiences, allowing for enhanced sharing options on tours and the overlaying of archive photos and videos. She noted that these technologies have lagged behind other digitally consumed content like games and movies but are poised for significant growth.
Greece’s Culture Ministry and national tourism authority, although late to embrace technology, have become enthusiastic advocates. They have used innovations such as the popular video game Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, which allows players to explore ancient Athens, to attract young travelers from China to Greece through state-organized contests. Microsoft also partnered with the Culture Ministry to launch an immersive digital tour at ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games.
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni emphasized the importance of making Greece’s ancient monuments more accessible, not only physically but also in the digital space. She stated, “Accessibility is extending to the digital space. Real visitors and virtual visitors anywhere around the world can share historical knowledge.”
Developed by Greek telecoms provider Cosmote, the free “Chronos” app is already equipped with features such as an artificial intelligence-powered virtual guide called Clio. The app’s creators have expressed their intention to build upon these features as technology and networks advance, ultimately providing even higher-quality content to mobile devices. The virtual reconstructions available through Chronos also extend to three other monuments at the Acropolis, an adjacent Roman theater, and parts of the Acropolis Museum located at the base of the hill.
Ibinuking ng Department of Justice (DOJ) si Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla sa isang pagdinig sa Senado na may kinalaman sa 2024 budget ng kanilang ahensya ang mga abogadong sangkot sa “Demanda Me” system, isang mapanlinlang na gawain na ginagamit ng mga dayuhan sa bansa.
Sa naturang budget hearing, binigyang diin ni Secretary Remulla ang usapin tungkol sa “Demanda Me” modus, kung saan nagbabayad ang mga foreigners sa mga abogado upang maghain ng mga kaso laban sa kanilang sarili. Ginagawaq nila ito upang hindi sila ma-deport.
Ayon kay Remulla, may umiiral na batas na nagpapalabag sa pag-deport ng isang dayuhan habang may kaso ito sa Pilipinas. Isinasagawa ito ng mga dayuhan upang magkaroon sila ng legal na dahilan para manatili sa bansa.
Sa mga obserbasyon ng DOJ, napagtanto nila na halos kalahati sa mga banyagang nakakulong sa Pilipinas ay sila mismo ang nagpapakasampa ng mga kaso laban sa kanilang sarili.
Karaniwan ding kaso na inihahain ng mga dayuhan sa kanilang sarili ay ang mga may kaugnayan sa VAWC o violence against women and children. Isinulat ni Remulla ang isang halimbawa ng isang Japanese national na na-dismiss ng kaso matapos maghain ng VAWC laban sa kanyang kasintahan, na madalas namang dumalaw at nakikitaan ng magandang samahan.
Sa kabila ng ganitong mga kaso, layon ni Secretary Remulla na magkaroon ng mas mahigpit na regulasyon at parusa laban sa mga abogadong sangkot sa “Demanda Me” system, upang mapigilan ang ganitong mapanlinlang na gawain at mapanatili ang integridad ng batas sa bansa.
JERUSALEM. Israel escalated its airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and implemented a blockade on the territory, preventing the entry of food, fuel, and other supplies on Monday. This retaliation followed a violent incursion by Hamas militants, pushing the death toll in the ongoing conflict to nearly 1,600 people on both sides. Hamas, in response, escalated the conflict further, vowing to execute captured Israelis if attacks continued to target civilians without prior warnings.
In the third day of the conflict, Israel continued to discover bodies resulting from Hamas’ audacious weekend attack on southern Israeli towns. Rescue workers uncovered 100 bodies in the small farming community of Beeri, constituting approximately 10% of its population, following a prolonged hostage standoff with gunmen. In Gaza, tens of thousands of residents fled their homes as relentless airstrikes flattened buildings.
The Israeli military admitted to having gained control over most of the southern region, though the initial attack had caught its formidable military and intelligence apparatus completely off guard, leading to intense street battles, a sight not witnessed in decades. Hamas and other militants in Gaza claimed to have captured over 130 soldiers and civilians from inside Israel.
To prevent further incursions, Israeli tanks and drones were deployed to secure breaches in the Gaza border fence. Over a dozen Israeli towns near Gaza were evacuated, and the military summoned 300,000 reservists, marking a massive mobilization in a short period.
These moves, combined with Israel’s formal declaration of war on Sunday, indicated a shift toward an offensive stance against Hamas, potentially causing greater destruction in the densely populated and impoverished Gaza Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a televised address, “We have only started striking Hamas. What we will do to our enemies in the coming days will reverberate with them for generations.”
The pressing question remains whether Israel will launch a ground assault into the tiny Mediterranean coastal territory. The last such ground assault took place in 2014.
According to reports, approximately 900 people, including 73 soldiers, have already been killed in Israel, while in Gaza, authorities claim over 680 people have died, with Israel alleging that many of them were Hamas fighters. Thousands have been wounded on both sides.
In response to Israel’s aerial attacks, the spokesman for Hamas’ armed wing, Abu Obeida, declared on Monday night that the group would execute an Israeli civilian captive each time Israel targeted civilians in their homes in Gaza “without prior warning.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen warned Hamas against harming any hostages, stating, “This war crime will not be forgiven.” Netanyahu appointed a former military commander to handle the hostage and missing persons crisis.
Israel and Hamas have engaged in repeated conflicts in recent years, often triggered by tensions around a Jerusalem holy site. This time, the situation has the potential to become even more explosive, with both sides talking about breaking the yearslong Israeli-Palestinian deadlock left by the stalled peace process.
Hamas’ weekend attack resulted in a death toll not seen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria, prompting calls to crush Hamas at any cost rather than attempting to contain it in Gaza. Israel is currently governed by its most right-wing government ever, dominated by ministers who vehemently reject Palestinian statehood.
Hamas, on the other hand, insists it is prepared for a protracted battle to end what it deems an intolerable Israeli occupation. Desperation has grown among Palestinians who see no hope amid continuing Israeli control, increasing settler encroachments in the West Bank, the Gaza blockade, and what they perceive as global indifference.
Attacks by both sides have left more homes in ruins on Monday, adding to the growing number of grieving families.
In Ashkelon, a southern coastal city in Israel, a rocket blast tore apart the front of a house, and evacuees were seen fleeing from the scene.
In Gaza, Palestinians carried the bodies of the dead through dense crowds of men amidst the rubble in the Jebaliya refugee camp.
Explosions were heard in Jerusalem in the early evening as rockets fired from Gaza struck two neighborhoods, signaling the reach of Hamas. Israeli media reported seven injuries.
Monday evening also witnessed an intense Israeli bombardment of Rimal, a residential and commercial district in central Gaza City, after residents were warned to evacuate. Amid continuous explosions, the building housing the headquarters of the Palestinian Telecommunications Company was destroyed.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered a “complete siege” on Gaza, announcing that authorities would cut off electricity and block food and fuel deliveries.
Jan Egeland, secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council aid group, warned that the Israeli siege would result in an “utter disaster” for Gazans. He emphasized that collective punishment violated international law and, if it led to the deaths of wounded children in hospitals due to a lack of energy, electricity, and supplies, it could amount to war crimes.
The Israeli blockade will make Gaza nearly entirely reliant on its crossing into neighboring Egypt at Rafah, where cargo capacities are lower than those of other crossings into Israel.
An anonymous Egyptian military official revealed that more than two tons of medical supplies from the Egyptian Red Crescent were sent to Gaza, and efforts were underway to organize food and other deliveries.
In the southern Gaza city of Rafah, an Israeli airstrike early Monday killed 19 people, including women and children, according to Dr. Talat Barhoum of the local Al-Najjar Hospital.
The United Nations reported that over 123,000 people in Gaza had fled their homes, many heeding Israeli warnings of imminent bombardment. UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, reported that a school sheltering more than 225 people took a direct hit, though the source of the fire was not mentioned.
Israeli Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari claimed that hundreds of Hamas militants were buried under the rubble of buildings destroyed by Israel over the past 48 hours, though these claims could not be independently verified.
New exchanges along Israel’s northern border on Monday raised concerns that the conflict could spread to a new front. Palestinian militants from the Islamic Jihad group infiltrated from Lebanon into Israel, prompting Israeli shelling in southern Lebanon. Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group reported the deaths of five of its members and retaliated with a barrage of rockets and mortars aimed at two Israeli army bases across the border.
Hamas’ surprise weekend attack has resulted in a death toll not seen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria. This has led to calls to crush Hamas at any cost rather than attempting to contain it in Gaza. Israel is currently governed by its most right-wing government ever, dominated by ministers who vehemently reject Palestinian statehood.
Hamas, on the other hand, insists it is prepared for a protracted battle to end what it deems an intolerable Israeli occupation. Desperation has grown among Palestinians who see no hope amid continuing Israeli control, increasing settler encroachments in the West Bank, the Gaza blockade, and what they perceive as global indifference.
On Sunday, the United States dispatched an aircraft carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean to be ready to assist Israel and announced plans to send additional military aid.
Source: AP reports; Times of Israel; United Nations
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