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Deadly Israeli airstrike hits Gaza school shelter, claims around 100 lives

Venus L Peñaflor
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Deadly Israeli airstrike hits Gaza school shelter, claims around 100 lives

CAIRO. An Israeli airstrike targeting a Gaza school compound housing displaced families resulted in the deaths of approximately 100 individuals, according to the Hamas-run Gaza government. The Israeli military, however, contested this figure, stating that the strike was aimed at Hamas militants.

The attack occurred at the Tabeen school complex in Gaza City during dawn prayers. Videos from the scene revealed disturbing images of body parts scattered on the ground, with burnt mattresses and a child’s doll among the debris. In one video, men prayed over a dozen body bags laid out on the ground. The exact location of the footage within the school complex was not immediately clear.

Gaza’s Civil Defence spokesperson, Mahmoud Bassal, reported at a press conference that the complex was struck during morning prayers, resulting in “more than 93 martyrs, including 11 children and six women,” with additional unidentified remains. The complex had been sheltering around 350 families displaced by the ongoing conflict. The Gaza health ministry has yet to provide detailed casualty figures.

The Israeli military claimed that the school compound, including the mosque within it, was being used as a military facility by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani stated on X that the Palestinian death toll was exaggerated, asserting that around 20 militants were present at the site. “The compound, and the mosque that was struck within it, served as an active Hamas and Islamic Jihad military facility,” Shoshani said. He added that the strike involved “three small, precise munitions” and questioned the accuracy of the reported casualty figures.

Hamas condemned the strike as a severe escalation and a “horrific crime,” with Izzat El-Reshiq from Hamas’ political office asserting that none of the deceased were combatants. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, expressed horror at the images from the site. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ spokesperson, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, called on the U.S. to end its “blind support” for Israel, which he claimed has led to numerous civilian casualties.

Several nations, including Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, condemned the airstrike. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri indicated that the attack should prompt renewed efforts to resume ceasefire talks. Egypt and Qatar, along with the U.S., have scheduled new ceasefire negotiations for Thursday amidst rising concerns about a broader conflict involving Iran and Hezbollah.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed not to end the war until Hamas is no longer a threat, following an attack by Hamas fighters on southern Israel on October 7 that resulted in 1,200 deaths and over 250 hostages. Since the onset of the Israeli offensive, nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been reported killed, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians. Israel reports that at least a third of the fatalities are fighters, while it has lost 329 soldiers.

Iraqi teen detained in Vienna following foiled Taylor Swift attack plot

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Iraqi teen detained in Vienna following foiled Taylor Swift attack plot

BERLIN. An 18-year-old Iraqi national has been detained in Vienna amid investigations into a thwarted plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert in the Austrian capital, Austria’s Interior Minister Gerhard Karner confirmed on Friday.

The detained Iraqi, who is linked to the primary suspect—a 19-year-old Austrian of North Macedonian descent—reportedly swore allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group on August 6. However, Karner stated that it remains unclear whether the Iraqi suspect had a direct role in the planned attack.

Further investigations are underway, with additional suspects to be questioned and properties to be searched. The primary suspect, who also pledged allegiance to IS, had intended to carry out a fatal assault at the Ernst Happel Stadium, where an estimated 20,000 fans were expected for Taylor Swift’s concerts. This security threat led to the cancellation of all three scheduled performances.

The 19-year-old suspect, who resigned from his job less than two weeks prior to the attack, has reportedly confessed fully to authorities. Alongside him, two other Austrian youths aged 17 and 15 were detained on Wednesday. The 17-year-old, who was employed by a company providing services at the stadium, has so far refused to cooperate, while the 15-year-old remains under intense questioning by police.

According to Karner, Austrian authorities received information about the threat from U.S. intelligence, as Austrian law does not permit the monitoring of instant messaging apps used by the suspects for communication.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer emphasized the importance of international cooperation: “Cooperation with foreign partners and services is essential and reciprocal. This made it possible to prevent a tragedy in Vienna.”

Taylor Swift, whose next concert is scheduled in London next week, has not publicly commented on the cancellation of the Vienna shows. British police have stated that there is no indication the Vienna plot poses any threat to the London performance.

Philippe Petit recreates iconic high-wire walk on 50th anniversary

Venus L Peñaflor
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Philippe Petit recreates iconic high-wire walk on 50th anniversary

NEW YORK. Fifty years after his legendary high-wire walk between the Twin Towers of New York’s World Trade Center, Philippe Petit has brought his death-defying stunt back to life with a new performance at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The performance, held about seven miles north of the original site, aimed to celebrate the “glorious days of the Twin Towers” rather than focus on their tragic destruction on September 11, 2001.

“I don’t have to remind people of the doomed day,” Petit told The Associated Press after Wednesday’s performance. “It adds a certain significance when you discuss a legend or a piece of history, even when the object of that history is no longer present. That’s the miracle of memory.”

The performance, titled “Towering!!,” was a tribute to Petit’s unauthorized 1974 walk between the Twin Towers. The 74-year-old artist recreated the feat inside the cathedral, where he was accompanied by Grammy-nominated jazz clarinetist Anat Cohen. As Petit made his way across the wire, Sting performed “Fragile,” and later, Petit wore a sequined gold tunic while “Fields of Gold” played.

Petit’s show utilized the Cathedral’s stunning Gothic architecture to evoke the grandeur of his original walk 1,300 feet above the ground. Conceived and directed by Petit himself, the production featured a series of short scenes that re-enacted his historic feat.

In the performance, Petit also depicted his arrest following the Twin Towers stunt. Reflecting on the success of the Oscar-winning documentary “Man on Wire,” which chronicled his walk, Petit admitted he struggled with success and distanced himself from friends. “I was really bad to my best friend Jean-Louis Blondeau, who has been the mastermind more than me on this adventure,” Petit said.

Following the performance, Petit was honored with a proclamation from New York City Mayor Eric Adams, designating the day as Philippe Petit Day. Petit, who has been an artist in residence at St. John the Divine for over 40 years, has performed 23 times to support the cathedral.

M5.3 earthquake strikes Tokyo following Japan’s megaquake advisory

Venus L Peñaflor
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M5.3 earthquake strikes Tokyo following Japan’s megaquake advisory

TOKYO. A magnitude-5.3 earthquake struck Tokyo and surrounding areas on Friday evening, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. This seismic event occurred just one day after the Japanese government issued a historic advisory regarding the potential risk of a massive earthquake along the country’s Pacific coast.

The government had previously issued an emergency warning for a strong tremor affecting Tokyo and the neighboring prefectures of Kanagawa, Saitama, Yamanashi, and Shizuoka. However, no tsunami alert was issued.

The earthquake caused noticeable shaking in Tokyo, prompting Tokyo Metro to briefly halt at least one train line, although services were quickly restored. At this time, there have been no immediate reports of significant damage, particularly in the western part of Kanagawa prefecture, which was among the hardest-hit areas.

The Japan Meteorological Agency and local authorities are continuing to assess the situation and will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

Comelec Chairman: Huwag hayaan ang foreign entities na makialam sa eleksyon

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Comelec Chairman: Huwag hayaan ang foreign entities na makialam sa eleksyon

MAYNILA. Nanawagan si Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. noong Huwebes, Agosto 8, na huwag hayaang makialam ang anumang dayuhang entidad sa mga eleksyon sa bansa.

Ang pahayag na ito ni Garcia ay kasunod ng pag-presenta ng ebidensya na nagpapakita na ang mga offshore bank accounts na iniuugnay sa kanyang pangalan ay tila may koneksyon sa Smartmatic, ang electronic voting systems provider. Ayon sa kanilang pagsisiyasat, ang offshore bank transactions na iniuugnay sa kanya ay isinagawa ng Jaleo Consulting, LLC, na nakarehistro sa Florida, USA.

“Ako po ay nakikiusap, humihingi ng tulong sa ating kagalang-galang na Pangulo Ferdinand R. Marcos [Jr.],” sabi ni Garcia. “Sana po matulungan tayo na ‘yong ganitong tao, entities ay hindi makapamayagpag sa ating lipunan. Alam niyo po, ito po ay isang banta sa ating demokrasya, ang pakikialam ng isang foreign entity sa ating halalan,” dagdag pa niya.

Noong Hulyo, sinabi ni Sagip party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta na ang umano’y offshore accounts ng isang opisyal ng Comelec ay nakatanggap ng fund transfers na nagkakahalaga ng P1 bilyon. Hindi pinangalanan ni Marcoleta ang opisyal ng Comelec sa kanyang pahayag.

Noong Agosto 1, iniulat ni Marcoleta na isang volunteer sa New York ang nag-transfer sa dalawang offshore accounts na iniuugnay sa isang “George Erwin Mojica Garcia.”

Pinabulaanan ni Garcia ang mga paratang ni Marcoleta at sinabing ang offshore accounts ay kamakailan lamang naitayo at ang mga bank transactions ay magpapatuloy kahit na may mga pagkakamali sa pangalan basta’t tama ang account numbers.

Humingi na rin si Garcia ng tulong mula kina Speaker Martin Romualdez at Senate President Francis Escudero. “Sana huwag po tayong papayag na ang atin pong mga opisina, mga institusyon ay magagamit upang maghasik ng mga kasinungalingan, magbintang sa mga tao, at manira ng puri ng iba,” ani Garcia.

Smartmatic executives indicted in alleged bribery and money laundering scheme in the Philippines

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Smartmatic executives indicted in alleged bribery and money laundering scheme in the Philippines

WASHINGTON. United States Federal prosecutors have charged several executives from the Smartmatic voting machine company in connection with a bribery and money laundering scheme related to the 2016 Philippine elections.

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that a federal grand jury has indicted Roger Piñate, a Venezuelan citizen residing in Boca Raton, Florida, and Jorge Miguel Vasquez, a U.S. citizen living in Davie, Florida. The indictment alleges that between 2015 and 2018, Piñate and Vasquez, along with other co-conspirators, “caused at least $1 million in bribes to be paid” to Juan Andres Donato Bautista, the former chairman of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in the Philippines.

The DOJ stated, “These bribes were allegedly paid to obtain and retain business related to providing voting machines and election services for the 2016 Philippine elections and to secure payments on the contracts, including the release of value added tax payments.”

According to the indictment, the co-conspirators created a slush fund by inflating the cost per voting machine for the 2016 Philippine elections. “To conceal and disguise the nature and purpose of the corrupt payments, the co-conspirators used coded language to refer to the slush fund and caused the creation of fraudulent contracts and sham loan agreements to justify transfers,” the DOJ added.

The indictment further claims that the Philippine government signed contracts totaling $182 million for the sale or lease of approximately 90,000 electronic voting machines. The executives allegedly over-invoiced the cost per machine and used some of the extra funds to pay bribes to Bautista.

Piñate and Vasquez face charges of one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and one substantive violation of the FCPA. Bautista, Piñate, Vasquez, and Elie Moreno, a dual citizen of Venezuela and Israel, are also charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and three counts of international laundering of monetary instruments.

“If convicted, Piñate and Vasquez each face a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the FCPA and conspiracy to violate the FCPA counts. Bautista, Piñate, Vasquez, and Moreno each face a maximum penalty of 20 years for each count of international laundering of monetary instruments and conspiracy to commit money laundering,” the DOJ stated.

In response, Smartmatic released a statement saying, “Smartmatic has learned that two of our employees have been indicted for alleged violations of the FCPA in the Philippines almost 10 years ago. Regardless of the veracity of the allegations and while our accused employees remain innocent until proven guilty, we have placed both employees on leaves of absence, effective immediately. No voter fraud has been alleged and Smartmatic is not indicted. Voters worldwide must be assured that the elections they participate in are conducted with the utmost integrity and transparency. These are the values that Smartmatic lives by.”

Dalawang babae, tinadtad ng saksak sa condominium

Arman B. Cambe
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Dalawang babae, tinadtad ng saksak sa condominium

IMUS CITY, Cavite. Natagpuang tadtad ng saksak ang mga bangkay ng isang babaeng negosyante at ng kanyang dalagang kamag-anak sa isang condominium sa Brgy. Bayan Luma 2, lungsod na ito. Ang pangunahing suspek ay ang tomboy na ka-live in partner ng negosyante, na diumano ay selos ang motibo.

Ang mga biktima ay kinilalang sina Aldena Tano Popelo, 48-anyos, isang businesswoman, at Jenelyn Salvador, 19-anyos. Ang dalawa ay parehong residente ng Villa Celestine Condominium, Doña Dionisia Subdivision Gate 2, Brgy. Bayan Luma 2, Imus City, Cavite.

Ayon sa ulat ng Imus City Police, nadiskubre ang mga biktima noong alas-8 ng umaga. Ang kanilang mga katawan ay natagpuang duguan at tadtad ng saksak sa loob ng kanilang condominium unit.

Sa salaysay ng kapatid ni Popelo, napansin niyang hindi pa nagbubukas ng puwesto ang kanyang kapatid sa Imus Public Market, isang bagay na hindi pangkaraniwan. Kaya’t nagdesisyon siyang personal na bisitahin ang kapatid sa condo. Pagpasok pa lang niya sa main door ng unit, nakakita siya ng mga patak ng dugo. Nang makapasok sa kuwarto, doon niya nadiskubre ang mga duguan at nakahandusay na katawan ng mga biktima.

Ayon sa mga kapitbahay ng mga biktima, 10:30 ng gabi, narinig nila ang malalakas na ingay at tila nag-aaway mula sa unit ng mga biktima. Ang isa sa mga nag-aaway ay si Popelo at ang kanyang ka-live in partner na tomboy, na nakilala lamang sa alyas na “Mona,” 60-anyos.

Narekober ng pulisya ang isang duguang icepick mula sa kuwarto ng mga biktima, na posibleng ginamit ng suspek sa pagpatay. Sa kasalukuyan, patuloy ang paghahanap ng pulisya sa ka-live in partner ng biktima, na pangunahing suspek.

Families flee as new Israeli assault intensifies in Gaza’s Khan Younis

Venus L Peñaflor
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Families flee as new Israeli assault intensifies in Gaza’s Khan Younis

CAIRO/GAZA. Israeli tanks advanced into the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on Friday, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate amid ongoing clashes between Palestinian fighters and Israeli troops, according to local sources and military reports.

In the wake of the latest assault, families in eastern Khan Younis were seen fleeing in vehicles, on foot, and even using donkey carts and motorcycle rickshaws as they navigated congested roadways. Many sought refuge in the Al-Mawasi area, a coastal stretch that had previously been targeted despite being designated a safe zone by Israeli forces.

Displaced resident Ahmed al-Farra expressed frustration and fear: “We don’t know where we are going. To the beach, to Al-Mawasi, any place we can stay at. There is no safe place here. They struck everywhere, they already struck Al-Mawasi and many people were killed. There is no safety, the safety is with God.”

Um Raed Abu Elyan echoed similar sentiments, saying, “We are running from the fire, we are running with our children from fear. God knows where we will go. They said to go to humanitarian areas, but there is no safe place here in Gaza. It is all destroyed and damaged.”

The Israeli military reported targeting numerous sites associated with Hamas militants in Khan Younis and nearby Rafah, near the Egyptian border. Operations included seizing arms depots, destroying infrastructure, and killing dozens of fighters equipped with weapons such as rocket-propelled grenades.

Amid the escalating violence, leaders from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar are making a final push to revive ceasefire talks. A new round of discussions is scheduled for August 15 to address the ongoing conflict and potential for a ceasefire and hostage release. Previous negotiations have failed to secure a lasting truce since a brief one-week ceasefire last November.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed a delegation would attend the upcoming talks but did not provide additional details. Hamas, led by Yahya Sinwar, has not yet commented on the new proposal. The group is reportedly reviewing the talks’ terms with its allies.

The situation remains dire as fears of a broader regional conflict mount. Iran has vowed retaliation following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, and Israel has targeted a senior Hezbollah commander in a strike on Beirut.

Since the onset of the conflict on October 7, when Hamas fighters attacked Israeli towns, resulting in 1,200 deaths and more than 250 hostages, Israel has carried out extensive operations in Gaza. Israeli forces claim to have killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians, with significant damage reported across the enclave. Palestinians argue that despite the widespread devastation, Hamas continues to launch guerrilla attacks and ambushes.

In central Gaza, Israeli tanks have reportedly advanced into the Al-Nuseirat refugee camp, with the territory’s health ministry reporting at least eight Palestinian casualties from recent strikes.

Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna canceled due to security threat

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna canceled due to security threat

VIENNA. Organizers have canceled three upcoming Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna following the announcement of arrests related to an alleged plot to attack an event in the area, including the planned concerts.

The concerts, which were set to take place at Ernst Happel Stadium on August 8, 9, and 10 as part of Swift’s Eras Tour, were called off for safety reasons. Barracuda Music, the event organizer, announced on Instagram that “we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety,” citing “confirmation” from government officials about a planned attack at the stadium.

Earlier in the day, Austrian authorities revealed that two suspected extremists had been arrested, with one individual believed to be plotting an attack on an event in Vienna, including the Swift concerts. Franz Ruf, the public security director at Austria’s interior ministry, confirmed that there were “preparatory actions” for a possible attack and noted that the 19-year-old suspect had focused on the Taylor Swift concerts. The suspect had reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.

Authorities secured and are evaluating chemical substances linked to the suspect, though further details were not provided. Security measures for the concerts had been set to increase, with enhanced entry checks and longer wait times advised for concertgoers.

Vienna police chief Gerhard Pürstl stated that while concrete danger had been minimized, an abstract risk warranted heightened security. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer expressed disappointment over the cancellation, stating on social media platform X, “The cancellation of the Taylor Swift concerts by the organizers is a bitter disappointment for all fans in Austria.” He added that the threat was identified early due to “intensive cooperation between police, Austrian and foreign intelligence,” which helped prevent a potential tragedy.

Barracuda Music announced that “all tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days,” a notice also reflected on Taylor Swift’s official website. The stadium was expected to be packed with around 170,000 fans.

The cancellation has left fans devastated. Social media posts reflect the disappointment of those who had eagerly awaited the concerts. Annmarie Timmins, a journalist who traveled from the U.S., shared her reaction, saying, “I can’t even believe it.” She described a poignant moment with a young fan and her mother, emphasizing the emotional impact of the cancellation.

This incident brings to mind the tragic 2017 attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, where a suicide bomber killed 22 people and injured over 100. The attack highlighted the ongoing need for vigilance and effective response to security threats.

Philippine Coast Guard responds to molasses spill in Negros Occidental

Venus L Peñaflor
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Philippine Coast Guard responds to molasses spill in Negros Occidental

SAGAY, Negros Occidental. On August 7, 2024, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) sprang into action following a molasses spill near Sagay Feeder Port, this town. At approximately 9:00 AM, port personnel noticed a discoloration in the water surrounding the MT Mary Queen of Charity, a 490-GT vessel involved in shore-to-ship operations.

During these operations, the vessel was in the process of transferring molasses from a truck to the ship. By the time the discoloration was detected, around 300 metric tons of molasses had already been loaded. The port personnel suspect that an undetermined amount of molasses spilled during this process.

The Coast Guard response team promptly instructed the vessel’s master to halt the loading operation while they assessed the situation. The Marine Environmental Protection Unit (MEPU) of the PCG has since been engaged in water sampling, containment, and recovery efforts. Coordination is also underway with the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and the local government unit (LGU) to implement further measures.

In addition, the Coast Guard has directed the vessel’s master to file a marine protest in connection with the incident.

Molasses spills can have serious environmental consequences. As a byproduct of sugar production, molasses is rich in organic matter. When it contaminates ocean waters, it can lead to:

  • Oxygen Depletion: Bacteria breaking down molasses consume large amounts of oxygen, which can cause hypoxia, harming marine life.
  • Toxicity: High concentrations of molasses can be toxic to marine organisms such as fish and invertebrates.
  • Habitat Damage: Its sticky nature can smother coral reefs and other marine habitats, disrupting ecosystems and reducing biodiversity.
  • Water Quality: The presence of molasses affects water quality, potentially leading to long-term ecological impacts.

The full extent of the damage remains under investigation, but the situation underscores the potentially severe and lasting impact of such spills on marine ecosystems and local economies dependent on healthy marine environments.

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