Thursday, July 23, 2026


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Isa patay, dalawa sugatan sa ambush sa Laguna

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Calamba City, Laguna. Patay sa insidente ang isang 45 anyos na lalaki habang sugatan naman ang dalawang babae matapos silang ambusin ng hindi pa nakikilalang mga armadong kalalakihan bandang 12:30 ng gabi sa Barangay Pansol, lungsod na ito.

Sa ulat ni Police Col. Milany Martirez, hepe ng Calamba City Police Station (CPS), kinilala ang namatay na si Jerome Reyes Timoteo na residente ng Caloocan City. Siya ay tinamaan ng bala sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng katawan na nagresulta sa agarang pagkamatay.

Samantala, nasa kritikal na kalagayan ngayon ang dalawang babaeng kasama ni Timoteo na sina Ken Librado at Dailyn Taclan, kapwa mula sa Tondo, Manila. Nakaligtas naman sina Kashmir Cudyamat at Johnsen Cuyo na nagtatago sa loob ng sasakyan.

Batay sa inilabas na ulat ni Police Major Jameson Aguilar, deputy ng Calamba CPS, si Timoteo at ang apat pang kasama ay  bumibiyahe sakay sa isang SUV mula sa isang resort nang biglang silang magdesisyon na bumili ng meryenda sa isang convenience store sa nasabing lugar.

Ngunit habang bumaba si Timoteo at si Taclan mula sa kanilang sasakyan, bigla na lamang dumating ang isang kotseng sedan sakay ang tatlong hindi pa nakikilalang suspek. Mabilis na bumaba ang dalawa sa mga suspek at pinagbabaril ang mga biktima.

Tumakas ang mga suspek patungo sa bypass road patungo sa South Luzon Expressway.

Narekober ng mga pulis ang 44 na empty shell ng caliber 45 pistol at anim na deformed slugs na pinaniniwalaang galing sa baril ng mga suspek.

Sa ngayon, patuloy pa rin ang imbestigasyon ng pulisya upang alamin ang motibo sa likod ng pag-atake na ito.

 Ayon sa mga awtoridad, kalalaya lamang ni Timoteo sa kulungan sa Bicutan noong September 10, 2023, bago naganap ang trahedya, kung saan nag-celebrate sila ng kanyang mga kaibigan sa isang pribadong resort.

TikTok faces record $368 million fine for data privacy violations in Europe

London, UK. European regulators have imposed a hefty $368 million fine on TikTok for failing to adequately safeguard children’s privacy, marking the first time the popular short video-sharing platform has faced penalties for breaching Europe’s stringent data privacy regulations.

The fine was issued by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission, which serves as the lead privacy regulator for major tech companies with European headquarters primarily based in Dublin. The commission announced a fine of 345 million euros and a formal reprimand for TikTok’s privacy violations that date back to the second half of 2020.

The investigation revealed that TikTok’s sign-up process for teenage users resulted in default settings that made their accounts public, allowing anyone to view and comment on their videos. These default settings also posed a risk to children under the age of 13 who gained access to the platform despite being prohibited.

Additionally, the “family pairing” feature, designed for parents to manage settings, was found to be inadequately strict. It allowed adults to enable direct messaging for users aged 16 and 17 without their explicit consent. Furthermore, it steered teenage users toward more “privacy-intrusive” options during the registration and video posting process, according to the regulatory watchdog.

In response to the fine, TikTok issued a statement expressing its disagreement with the decision, particularly the severity of the fine imposed. The company emphasized that many of the regulator’s criticisms pertained to features and settings that had been modified prior to the investigation’s commencement in September 2021. TikTok had already made significant changes, including setting all accounts for users under 16 to private by default and disabling direct messaging for those aged 13 to 15.

Elaine Fox, TikTok’s head of privacy for Europe, stated in a blog post, “Most of the decision’s criticisms are no longer relevant as a result of measures we introduced at the start of 2021 — several months before the investigation began.”

The Irish regulator had previously faced criticism for the perceived delay in its investigations into major tech companies since the European Union’s stringent privacy laws came into effect in 2018. In the case of TikTok, objections from German and Italian regulators regarding aspects of a draft decision issued a year ago further extended the process.

To address such issues and streamline enforcement, the European Union’s headquarters in Brussels has taken on the responsibility of enforcing new regulations aimed at promoting digital competition and regulating social media content. These rules are designed to maintain the EU’s position as a global leader in tech regulation.

In response to initial German objections, the European Data Protection Board, the EU’s top panel of data regulators, noted that TikTok used pop-up notices to inform teen users but failed to present their choices in a neutral and objective manner. Anu Talus, chair of the European Data Protection Board, emphasized that social media companies have a responsibility to ensure fair presentations of choices, especially for children.

While the Irish regulator did not find any rule violations in TikTok’s measures to verify users’ ages (at least 13 years old), it is currently conducting a separate investigation into whether TikTok complied with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation when transferring user data to China, where its parent company, ByteDance, is headquartered.

TikTok has faced concerns regarding data security, with fears that sensitive user information could be accessed in China. In response, TikTok has initiated a project to localize European user data, including the recent opening of a data center in Dublin, the first of three planned on the continent.

The UK’s data privacy regulators, having left the EU in January 2020, previously fined TikTok £12.7 million ($15.7 million) in April for misuse of children’s data and violations of other protections related to young users’ personal information. Other major tech companies, including Instagram, WhatsApp, and their parent company Meta, have also incurred substantial fines from the Irish regulator over the past year.

P.8 milyong halaga ng shabu, nakumpiska sa 4 tulak sa Lucena

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LUCENA CITY, Quezon. Nakumpiska ng mga operatiba ng City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) ng Lucena City Police Station ang halagang aabot sa P.8 milyong shabu matapos ang sunod-sunod na anti-drug operation sa lungsod na ito kamakalawa ng madaling araw.

Sa ulat ni PLt. Col. Ruben Ballers Jr., hepe ng pulisya dito, unang isinagawa ng mga operatiba ng CDEU, na pinamumunuan ni Capt. Benito Nivera, ang buy-bust operation sa Purok Green Hills Phase 3, Brgy. Market View dakong alas 12:55 ng madaling araw.

Arestado sa nasabing operasyon ang dalawang High Value Individual (HVI), sina Marvin Dudas, 32, ng Purok Bagong Buhay, Brgy. Cotta, at Erick Oriola, 23, ng Purok Little Baguio 1 Red-V, Brgy. Ibabang Dupay, parehong residente ng Lucena City.

Sa mga suspek, nakumpiska ang 10.31 gramo ng shabu na may kabuuang halagang mahigit sa P600,000. Kasama rito ang 10 piraso ng P1,000 boodle money at isang P1,000 marked money na ginamit ng pulis na nagpanggap na buyer.

Sa sunod-sunod na follow-up operation na isinagawa dakong alas-4:02 ng umaga sa Purok Damayan 1, Landing Road, Brgy. Ibabang Iyam, naaresto ang dalawang suspek na sina John Oliver Mallari, 25, residente ng nasabing lugar, at Leonardo De La Rosa ng Purok Riverside, Brgy. Ibabang Dupay.

Nakumpiska mula sa dalawang ito ang drogang may halagang aabot sa P210,000, bukod pa sa mga boodle money at marked money.

Sa kabuuang halaga na P820,324 ng hinihinalang shabu na nakuha mula sa apat na tulak, sila ngayon ay nahaharap sa mga kasong paglabag sa Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

NASA advocates for scientific approach and reduced stigma in UFO study

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In a recent announcement from NASA, the space agency has emphasized the need for a more scientific approach and a shift in public perception when it comes to understanding Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). The statement, released on Thursday from Cape Canaveral, Florida, follows a year-long study conducted by NASA into UFOs.

NASA highlights that the study of UFOs will necessitate the adoption of new scientific techniques, including advanced satellite technology. They stress the importance of altering how unidentified flying objects are viewed in order to advance our understanding of these phenomena.

The 33-page report, authored by an independent team commissioned by NASA, cautions that the negative stigma attached to UFOs has hindered the collection of valuable data. Nevertheless, NASA officials believe that the agency’s active involvement in this area will contribute to reducing the stigma, opting to refer to these objects as Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs).

Officials underscored that the panel’s findings did not provide any evidence of extraterrestrial origins for UAPs. However, they acknowledged the vastness of the universe, suggesting the possibility of other Earth-like planets harboring life.

During a news conference, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated, “If you ask me, do I believe there’s life in a universe that is so vast that it’s hard for me to comprehend how big it is, my personal answer is yes.” Nelson also mentioned that NASA’s own scientists estimate the likelihood of life on another Earth-like planet to be “at least a trillion.”

When questioned by reporters about whether the U.S. or other governments are concealing information about aliens or otherworldly spacecraft, Nelson responded with a challenge: “Show me the evidence.”

While NASA clarified that it doesn’t actively search for unexplained sightings, it does operate a fleet of Earth-circling spacecraft capable of investigating unusual events, such as determining whether weather conditions may explain peculiar occurrences.

The 16-member panel highlighted the crucial role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in identifying rare phenomena, including UFOs. NASA recently appointed a director of UAP research, Mark McInerney, who had previously served as a liaison between NASA and the Defense Department on this subject. He also has experience working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Hurricane Center.

The panel’s study was conducted solely using unclassified data, and no top-secret files were accessed. The group aimed to gain a better understanding of unexplained sightings in the sky.

Officials noted that there are very few high-quality observations available, making it impossible to draw scientific conclusions. Most observed events, according to panel chairman David Spergel, can be attributed to known causes, such as aircraft, drones, balloons, or weather conditions. Spergel is also the president of the Simons Foundation, a scientific research group.

It’s worth noting that the government now refers to unexplained sightings as UAPs instead of UFOs, with NASA defining them as observations in the sky or elsewhere that defy easy identification or scientific explanation. The study, which commenced a year ago, incurred costs of under $100,000.

Indian authorities scramble to contain Nipah Virus outbreak in Kerala

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A state in southern India is swiftly implementing measures to contain an outbreak of the Nipah virus, a rare and often fatal disease, after two individuals succumbed to it. Authorities have taken steps such as closing schools and conducting widespread testing to prevent further spread of the virus.

Kerala’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, disclosed that the Nipah virus has been detected in the Kozhikode district of the state. He urged residents to exercise caution and adhere to safety guidelines issued by the health department. This marks the fourth outbreak of Nipah in Kerala since 2018.

“We should not be afraid, but face this situation with caution,” Vijayan stated on social media.

Nipah is a zoonotic virus that can be transmitted from animals to humans. It can also spread through contaminated food or direct human-to-human contact. Symptoms typically begin with a headache and drowsiness, progressing rapidly to a coma within days. The virus can lead to acute respiratory syndrome and fatal encephalitis.

Currently, there is no vaccine for Nipah, and treatment options are limited to supportive care.

In response to the outbreak in Kerala, over 700 people have been identified as close contacts and are undergoing testing for the virus. Among them, 77 individuals are considered “high risk” and have been advised to self-isolate and monitor their health.

Authorities in the Kozhikode district have closed certain schools, and seven villages have been designated as “containment zones.”

Kerala experienced a deadly Nipah outbreak in 2018, resulting in 17 fatalities and widespread panic. Stringent contact-tracing efforts were undertaken at that time to curb the virus’s spread. A nurse who cared for patients in a Kozhikode hospital was among those who tragically lost their lives.

In subsequent years, Kerala faced more Nipah outbreaks, with one occurring in 2021, claiming the life of a 12-year-old boy.

The Nipah virus was first identified during an outbreak in Malaysia in 1998-1999, leading to nearly 300 infections and over 100 deaths. It was named after the village of Kampung Sungai Nipah in Malaysia, where pig farmers contracted the disease. Most infections during this outbreak resulted from contact with sick pigs or their contaminated tissues.

Human-to-human transmission of the virus has been reported, with care providers in Bangladesh being infected while attending to patients. The Nipah virus is classified by the World Health Organization as an epidemic threat necessitating urgent research and development.

This story was originally published on CNN.com: “Indian authorities rush to contain a deadly Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala”.

Kandidato sa BSKE, nang holdup at kidnap para sa pondo sa eleksyon

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BIÑAN CITY, Laguna. Arestado ng mga pulis ang isang kandidato para sa darating na barangay elections dito matapos itong ma-implicate sa kasong kidnapping at pagho-holdup ng isang negosyante. Ayon sa pulisya, ang suspek at kanyang mga kasama ay nagpanggap pang pulis sa mga biktima.

Sa imbestigasyon ng Biñan City police, lumalabas na layunin ng nahuling kandidato na mangalap ng pondo para sa eleksyon kaya’t nagsagawa ng nasabing krimen.

Noong Lunes, pumasok ang mga suspek sa isang hotel sa Barangay San Antonio at kinidnap ang kanilang mga biktima. “Ayon sa revelation nung suspek, ang kanilang mga instruction — yung mga babae iiwan na hindi naka-lock yung pinto at papasok ngayon itong nagpakilalang pulis para magpakilalang Drug Enforcement Unit at tatakutin yung mga biktima,” aayon sa ulat ni Col. Virgilio Jopia, hepe ng Biñan City Police Station.

Batay sa paunang ulat ng pulisya, pumasok ang mga suspek sa kuwarto nina Moises Legacion at Kenneth Oliver sa kanilang kwarto at pilit na hinatak ang mga ito palabas ng hotel. Ipinasok ng mga suspek ang dalawang biktima sa kanilang sasakyan at doon nagsimula ang holdap habang binubugbog.

Ayon pa rin sa ulat, may dalang ilegal na droga ang mga suspek upang takutin ang kanilang mga biktima. Sa insidente, ninakaw nila ang halagang aabot sa P1.8 milyon, mga alahas, at mga gadget mula sa mga biktima.

Pagkatapos ng krimen, tumakas ang mga suspek sakay ng motorsiklo at kotse. Agad namang nai-report ng hotel staff ang insidente sa Biñan PNP, at nagulat sila dahil wala namang opisyal na police operation nung mga oras na iyon.

Kinilala ang suspek na sina Arvin Ryan Alora at Art Berroya matapos silang positibong makilala ng mga biktima. Ayon sa Biñan PNP, isa si Alora sa mga tumatakbo sa barangay elections at siya ring lumalabas na lider ng grupo.

“Tingin natin at ayon dun sa kanilang chat, siguro ito para makatulong sa pagtakbo nitong tumatakbong kagawad na ito dahil kailangan niya ng pera, ayon sa usapan at tinitira lang nila ang mga malalaking tao,” ayon kay Jopia.

Dagdag pa ng PNP, dating nadakip si Alora kaugnay ng ilegal na droga at may kinahaharap pa itong kaso dahil sa pananaksak ng isang pulis noong 2018. Inamin ni Alora na kasama siya sa grupo ngunit tinanggihan niyang siya ang lider nito, at inamin din niyang ang motibo ng kanilang krimen ay para sa pondo ng eleksyon.

Tumanggi namang magbigay ng pahayag si Berroya. Ngayon ay nahaharap ang mga suspek sa mga kaso ng usurpation of authority, robbery, abduction, paglabag sa Election Gun Ban, illegal possession of firearms, at paglabag sa Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. Kinakailangan pa ng mga awtoridad na matunton ang iba pang kasabwat ng mga suspek.

China accuses EU of orotectionism in electric vehicle probe

HONG KONG. China’s Commerce Ministry has voiced its objection to the European Union’s decision to investigate Chinese electric vehicle (EV) exports, branding it a “protectionist” measure that distorts the supply chain.

The EU officially announced its investigation on Wednesday, focusing on government subsidies provided to Chinese automakers, which, according to the EU, artificially lower EV prices. China has emerged as the world’s largest market for electric vehicles, driven by substantial investments in subsidies. Automakers such as BYD and Geely have rapidly expanded their market presence by introducing EVs to Japan and Europe.

He Yadong, the spokesperson for China’s Commerce Ministry, expressed his concerns during a briefing in Beijing, saying, “What I want to emphasize is that the investigation measure that the European Union plans to take is to protect its own industry in the name of fair competition.”

He further criticized the move, labeling it “naked protectionist behavior” that would disrupt and distort the global automotive and supply chain, including within the European Union, with potentially negative consequences for China-EU economic and trade relations.

The Ministry issued a statement, urging the EU to establish a “fair, non-discriminatory, and predictable” market environment.

In China, electric vehicle prices can start as low as 100,000 yuan ($14,500) for a compact SUV with a 400-kilometer (250-mile) range on a single charge.

Cui Dongshu, head of the China Passenger Car Association, also voiced opposition to the investigation on his WeChat social media account. He highlighted China’s competitive industrial chain and noted that new energy subsidies had been phased out in 2022.

Cui urged the EU to adopt an “objective view of the development of China’s electric vehicle industry” instead of resorting to economic and trade tools that could raise the costs of Chinese electric vehicles in Europe.

Dalawang Nigerian, arestado sa P6.2 milyong halaga ng droga

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IMUS CITY, Cavite. Naaresto ang dalawang Nigerian sa isinagawang buy-bust operation sa isang mall dito sa Imus City, Cavite, kamakailan lang.

Kinilala ang mga suspek na sina Enuka John Chukwuemeka at Christopher Nwabufo, parehong nasa hustong gulang, at mga residente ng Kasoy St., Golden Acres Village, Pamplona Tres, Las Piñas City.

Batay sa ulat mula sa Imus City Police Station, isinagawa ang operasyon bandang alas-4:05 ng hapon sa main entrance ng isang mall sa Brgy. Tanzang Luma 5.

Isang pulis ang nagpanggap na bumibili ng droga at nakipag-deal sa mga suspek upang makuha ang 40 gramo ng heroin na nagkakahalaga ng P240,000.

Matapos mag abutan ng droga, agad na dinakip ng mga pulis ang mga suspek na banyaga. Nakumpiska sa kanila ang higit sa 1.4 kilo ng heroin na nagkakahalaga ng mahigit P6.2 milyon at 15 gramo ng marijuana.

Kasalukuyang nasa kustodiya ng pulisya ang dalawang Nigerian habang hinahanda na ang mga kaukulang kaso laban sa kanila kaugnay ng paglabag sa Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Inaalam din ng mga awtoridad kung may iba pang mga kaugnay na mga indibidwal o sindikato sa kanilang operasyon.

Scientists challenge claims of extraterrestrial visitors presented in Mexican Congress

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MEXICO CITY. Mexico’s Congress witnessed an unusual spectacle as lawmakers gathered to hear testimonies suggesting the possibility of extraterrestrial life. However, there were no saucer-shaped UFOs hovering over the historic building or little green invaders resembling Hollywood depictions.

The researchers, hailing from Mexico, the United States, Japan, and Brazil, gathered for a session that marked an unprecedented event in the Mexican Congress. This hearing followed a similar session in the U.S. Congress just two months ago, where a former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer claimed knowledge of “non-human” activity dating back to the 1930s.

Mexican journalist José Jaime Maussan took center stage, presenting two boxes containing purported mummies discovered in Peru. Maussan and others consider these mummies to be “non-human beings not part of our terrestrial evolution.” The shrunken, desiccated bodies, with their warped heads, left those in the chamber astounded and ignited a social media frenzy.

“It’s the queen of all evidence,” declared Maussan. “If the DNA shows they are non-human beings, unlike anything on Earth, we should acknowledge it.” However, he stopped short of labeling them “extraterrestrials” at this point.

The bodies in question reportedly date back to 2017 and were unearthed deep underground in the sandy Peruvian coastal desert of Nazca. This area is renowned for enormous enigmatic figures etched into the earth, visible only from an aerial perspective. While most attribute the Nazca Lines to ancient indigenous communities, these formations have captivated imaginations worldwide.

In 2017, Maussan made similar claims in Peru, but a report by the country’s prosecutor’s office concluded that the bodies were “recently manufactured dolls, covered with a mixture of paper and synthetic glue to simulate the presence of skin.” The report further stated that these figures were most likely human-made and “not the remains of ancestral aliens.” Whether these are the same figures presented in Mexico’s congress remains unclear.

On the following day, Julieta Fierro, a researcher at the Institute of Astronomy at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, expressed skepticism, noting that many aspects of the figures “made no sense.” Fierro also clarified that claims of her university endorsing their discovery were false, and she stressed that more advanced technology than the X-rays claimed to be used would be necessary to determine if the calcified bodies were indeed “non-human.”

Fierro commented, “Maussan has claimed many things. He says he’s communicated with the Virgin of Guadalupe. He told me extraterrestrials don’t talk to me like they talk to him because I don’t believe in them.”

The scientist also found it unusual that such a significant discovery, if valid, was extracted from Peru without involving the Peruvian ambassador.

Congressman Sergio Gutiérrez Luna of the ruling Morena party emphasized that Congress had not taken an official position on the claims presented during the three-hour session. He noted that belief in these claims was a matter for each member of the legislative body to decide, but all testifying individuals were required to swear an oath to speak truthfully.

Gutiérrez Luna underscored the importance of listening to “all voices, all opinions,” and considered it positive that there was a transparent dialogue on the topic of extraterrestrial life.

The session in Mexico follows a U.S. congressional hearing in July, during which retired Maj. David Grusch alleged a long-standing U.S. program involving the retrieval and reverse engineering of unidentified flying objects. The Pentagon subsequently denied Grusch’s claims.

This hearing in the U.S. Congress was the latest exploration of unidentified aerial phenomena, known as UAPs, due to concerns about their potential national security implications. Both Democrats and Republicans have called for increased research into these sightings, prompted by fears that pilot observations might be linked to U.S. adversaries.

Remains of an allegedly “non-human” being are seen on display during a briefing on unidentified flying objects at the San Lazaro Legislative Palace in Mexico City on Tuesday. (REUTERS/Henry Romero)

The power of acceptance

Classes have already started. Like in the past after my retirement from work, I am alone again in the house with no one except my pet dog ‘Puti’ to accompany me throughout the day.

Much as I wanted to keep myself busy with my plants, I had no choice but to stay indoors because of the inclement weather. In my solitude, I often wonder what else is in store for me in the years ahead. I have already lost interest in watching telenovelas; tired of going out for lack of companionship; I hate turning the pages of family photo albums because it only reminds me of sad memories.

My only consolation is listening to the music of yesteryears while reminiscing the good old days when the people I loved the most, my kids, were still alive. I thank God that once in a while some of my friends would call me to check if I am just fine. I enjoy watching old photos being posted by friends on their FB wall showing how we looked decades ago. I appreciate their efforts to remind me that they care about me.

One time, my old-time buddy Joy C. Alvero invited me to stay in her farm for a change of environment. I was picked up at home by his family driver so I can relax and spend three days with her. It was fun recollecting our days as young adults and retelling exciting anecdotes that kept us laughing till the wee hour of the night.

In the morning, I relished the sight of her pet cats and dogs gleefully playing on the verdant grass still wet with morning dew. The variety of flowers in bloom add beauty to the place while the sweet scent is very comforting to the soul. The poetic surrounding is so conducive to writing short stories and poems. If I could only stay there for long, I may be inspired to write romantic stories for my column. Actually, Joy was inviting me to occupy the extra room in her 3-storey house during weekends but I cannot find it in my heart to leave Nene alone. I never imagined in the past that I would be alone most of the time when I reached this age. It’s sad but I know I have to learn to accept what was, what is and what will be.