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NASA climate satellite blasts off to survey oceans and atmosphere of a warming Earth

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. NASA’s latest climate satellite embarked on its mission Thursday to meticulously observe the world’s oceans and atmosphere as never before.

SpaceX successfully launched the Pace satellite on its $948 million endeavor before dawn, as the Falcon rocket soared southward over the Atlantic to attain a rare polar orbit.

Over the next three years, the satellite, stationed 420 miles (676 kilometers) above the Earth, will scrutinize the oceans and atmosphere, capturing unprecedented levels of detail. Two of its science instruments will conduct daily global scans, while a third will provide monthly measurements.

“It’s going to be an unprecedented view of our home planet,” remarked project scientist Jeremy Werdell.

These observations are poised to enhance scientists’ understanding of weather phenomena such as hurricanes, track Earth’s transformations amidst rising temperatures, and improve forecasts for harmful algae blooms.

While NASA already boasts more than two dozen Earth-observing satellites and instruments in orbit, Pace is anticipated to offer unparalleled insights into the interactions between atmospheric aerosols, such as pollutants and volcanic ash, and marine life like algae and plankton.

“Pace will give us another dimension to what other satellites observe,” remarked NASA’s director of Earth science, Karen St. Germain.

Pace, short for Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ocean Ecosystem, represents the most sophisticated mission ever undertaken to study ocean biology.

Unlike current Earth-observing satellites, which can discern seven or eight colors, Pace’s advanced technology enables it to perceive an astounding 200 colors. This capability will enable scientists to pinpoint various algae types in the sea and identify different air particles.

Scientists anticipate receiving data from Pace within the next month or two.

Additionally, NASA is collaborating with India on another cutting-edge Earth-observing satellite slated for launch this year. Dubbed Nisar, it will utilize radar to gauge the impact of rising temperatures on glaciers and other melting icy surfaces.

Despite challenges from the previous administration, NASA’s Pace project persevered.

“It has been a long, strange trip as they say,” Werdell reflected prior to the launch.

Kuya pinatay ni bunso

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LIPA CITY, Batangas. Patay ang isang tricycle driver matapos pagbabarilin ng kanyang bunsong kapatid na barangay tanod sa Barangay Balintawak, lungsod na ito.

Naganap ang insidente sa J. P. Laurel highway noong Huwebes ng umaga. Ayon sa ulat ni Police Col. Samson Belmonte hepe ng Lipa City Police Station, ang biktima ay kinilalang si Jason Ganggang, 44 anyos na residente ng Lipa City.

Batay sa imbestigasyon, habang minamaneho ni Jason ang kanyang tricycle kasama ang kaniyang misis, hinarang sila sa daan ng isa pang tricycle na minamaneho naman ni Jonel, 36 taong gulang at nakababatang kapatid ng biktima.

Sa pag-aakalang may sasabihin sa kanyang kuya, itinabi ni Jason ang tricycle sa gilid ng kalsada at nakangiting sinalubong si Jonel. Ngunit bigla umanong binunot ng suspek ang kanyang 357 revolver at binaril sa uloang kapatid.

Agad na tumakas si Jonel matapos ang insidente subalit nahuli din agad siya ng mga pulis sa isang hot pursuit operation.

Nangangailangan pa ng masusing imbestigasyon ang mga awtoridad upang alamin ang motibo sa likod ng pagpatay.

Some Israeli hostage families oppose a deal for their return and instead wants Hamas crushed

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JERUSALEM. In the midst of intense protests across Israel demanding the immediate release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas, a distinct voice emerges from a small group of families: they advocate for the Israeli army to continue its campaign against the militant group before negotiating any deals, even if it means delaying the return of their loved ones.

Tzvika Mor, whose son Eitan, 23, was abducted four months ago, voiced this stance, saying, “When you release terrorists, they will return to murder. That’s how it has always been.” He emphasized their concern for the safety of the entire country, not just their individual losses.

However, this viewpoint sharply contrasts with that of the majority of the hostages’ relatives, who believe that only a deal can secure the release of the captives, especially given the perilous conditions in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of Hamas’ latest demands for a hostage deal further fueled fears among families, with Netanyahu vowing to pursue war until “total victory.”

The plight of the hostages has gripped the Israeli public since their abduction during the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas in southern Israel, sparking ongoing protests and widespread solidarity campaigns. While the calls for negotiation with Hamas intensify, a few families remain steadfast in their belief that military pressure is the most effective approach.

Mor, along with two other families, formed the Tikva Forum, advocating for continued military action rather than immediate negotiations. Mor admitted facing criticism for his stance, but he maintained that prioritizing national security over immediate personal relief is a rational decision.

Approximately 250 people were taken hostage during the Oct. 7 attack, which also claimed about 1,200 lives, mostly civilians. The subsequent Israeli offensive in Gaza resulted in the deaths of over 27,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, further complicating the hostage situation.

Hamas’ demands for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including those convicted of killing Israelis, have been deemed unacceptable by the Tikva Forum and Netanyahu alike. The Forum aligns closely with Netanyahu’s stance against yielding to Hamas’ demands, citing concerns of future attacks.

As Hamas leaders engage in talks in Cairo, Mor continues to advocate for sustained military pressure. He maintains that his actions align with his son’s wishes, recalling conversations they had about the risks of negotiating with terrorists.

Other families associated with the Tikva Forum share similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for strength in negotiations to prevent future attacks. Despite the emotional toll and uncertainties, these families stand firm, believing that only through military pressure can their loved ones be safely brought home.

In the midst of heart-wrenching dilemmas and national security concerns, the Israeli government faces mounting pressure to navigate a path toward the safe return of the hostages, while also ensuring the long-term security of the nation.

Saturn’s “Death Star” moon may host vast underground ocean, astronomers say

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Astronomers have uncovered compelling evidence suggesting the presence of a vast, youthful ocean beneath the icy shell of Saturn’s Death Star-like miniature moon.

In a study published Wednesday in the journal Nature, a team led by French researchers revealed their analysis of Mimas’ orbit and rotation. Their findings strongly support the existence of an ocean lying 12 to 18 miles (20 to 30 kilometers) beneath the moon’s frozen exterior, rather than a elongated rocky core.

The research, based on data collected by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, marks a significant milestone in our understanding of the solar system’s moons. Cassini meticulously observed Saturn and its myriad moons for over a decade before its mission-ending plunge into the gas giant’s atmosphere in 2017.

Despite its modest size—barely 250 miles (400 kilometers) in diameter—Mimas lacks the characteristic fractures and geysers typically associated with subsurface activity on moons like Saturn’s Enceladus and Jupiter’s Europa.

“Mimas was probably the most unlikely place to look for a global ocean — and liquid water more generally,” remarked co-author Valery Lainey of the Paris Observatory in an email statement. “So that looks like a potential habitable world. But nobody knows how much time is needed for life to arise.”

According to Lainey, the ocean likely occupies about half of Mimas’ volume, yet given the moon’s diminutive size, it represents only 1.2% to 1.4% of Earth’s oceans. Despite its small stature, Mimas boasts the second-largest impact crater of any moon in the solar system, earning it the comparison to the fictional Death Star space station from “Star Wars.”

“The idea that relatively small, icy moons can harbor young oceans is inspiring,” commented Matija Cuk from the SETI Institute and Alyssa Rose Rhoden from the Southwest Research Institute in an editorial accompanying the study. They were not involved in the research.

The estimated age of Mimas’ subterranean ocean falls between 5 million and 15 million years, rendering it too young to have left discernible marks on the moon’s surface. Lainey suggested that while the overall temperature of the ocean hovers around freezing, the water at the ocean floor could be significantly warmer.

Co-author Nick Cooper from Queen Mary University of London noted that the presence of a “remarkably young” ocean of liquid water positions Mimas as a prime candidate for investigating the origins of life.

Discovered in 1789 by English astronomer William Herschel, Mimas derives its name from a giant in Greek mythology.

DICT: China handang tumulong sa paghuli ng cyberattackers

Kinumpirma ng Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) nitong Huwebes na nakipag-ugnayan ang China sa Pilipinas hinggil sa imbestigasyon sa nasawatang cyberattack kamakailan. Kaugnay ito ng pagtukoy ng DICT sa cyber culprit na nagtangkang mang-hack sa Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) sa ilalim ng state-owned telecommunication company sa China.

“Actually, they have reached out to ask if we can do some cooperation. Because it’s actually both ways,” pahayag ni DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy sa Presidential Communication Office (PCO) press briefing. “Cooperation has to come as a mutual activity. So, they are willing to help; they have mentioned that if we can share with them what happened so that they can find where and who did it,” dagdag ni Uy.

Paliwanag niya, ang rason sa nasabing pakikipag-ugnauan ng China ay mayroon din umanong cyber culprits na naka-base sa bansang target ang Mandarin-speaking countries. “If you would recall, we raided a scam center in Pasay where we arrested 600 individuals. Of the 600, 200 of those were Chinese,” ani Uy. “And when we caught them, we saw their computers. The individuals they victimized were also citizens of China and residents of Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore,” patuloy niya. “So we caught them (cyber culprits), and that’s what China wants too. Once we prosecute these people, eventually, they want them to be deported to their country so they can properly prosecute these individuals who are attacking their citizens,” paglalahad pa ng opisyal.

Samantala, binigyang-diin ni Uy na “it’s not for us to come up with the conclusion (ruling out that the cyberattacks have nothing to do with the South China Sea dispute); that’s too early.” “In cyber investigations, analyzing all of these, we’ve never ruled out anything. Everything is in the realm of possible,” wika pa niya. “But we always maintain an open arms with anyone who wants to cooperate. We don’t reject those offers and see where we go from there,” patuloy ng opisyal.

Samantala, iginiit ng DICT chief na “the public should be alert and not too gullible.” “You know, no matter what cyber security, firewall, protection we put in your system, it can still be bypassed if using social engineering you willingly give up your password, you willingly give up your pin, your phone number to the scammer,” sabi ni Uy. Dagdag pa niya, magduda kapag “you are offered something that is too good to be true.”

Blinken concludes latest Middle East mission amid Israeli rejection of proposed Gaza cease-fire plan

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TEL AVIV, Israel. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up his latest diplomatic mission in the Middle East on Thursday, marked by public discord between the United States and Israel. This discord, perhaps the most pronounced since the onset of Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza last October, underscored the challenges in finding common ground.

Concluding a tour spanning four nations in the Middle East, Blinken returned to Washington after encountering what seemed like a rebuff from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu’s statement, asserting that the conflict would persist until Israel achieves complete victory, appeared to dismiss Hamas’ response to a proposed cease-fire plan outright.

Tensions between Israel and its principal international ally, the United States, have been simmering for months. However, Netanyahu’s public dismissal of a plan endorsed by the U.S. as having merit, at least as a starting point for further negotiations, accentuated the divide.

Despite the setback, Blinken and other U.S. officials expressed optimism regarding their primary objectives. These goals include ameliorating humanitarian conditions for Palestinian civilians, securing the release of hostages held by Hamas, preparing for Gaza’s post-conflict recovery, and preventing the conflict from escalating further.

Blinken’s optimism stemmed from previous visits to the region since October 7, none of which yielded immediate tangible results. However, they did contribute to modest yet notable enhancements in humanitarian aid delivery and a weeklong cease-fire in November, during which numerous hostages were released.

Blinken acknowledged that Hamas’ response to the cease-fire and hostage release proposal contained elements that were non-negotiable. Nevertheless, he emphasized the need to continue pursuing an agreement through negotiation and compromise.

However, Netanyahu’s recent remarks directly contradicted this sentiment. He labeled Hamas’ response as “delusional” and reiterated Israel’s commitment to achieving “absolute victory” over the militant group.

Complicating matters further, Netanyahu appeared dismissive of concerns raised by the U.S. and others regarding Israel’s potential expansion of military operations in southern Gaza, particularly in Rafah, where over a million Palestinians reside.

Throughout his visit, Blinken also addressed Israel’s stance toward UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Netanyahu called for the agency’s dismantlement, citing alleged hostility toward Israel and accusations that some of its employees were involved in the October 7 Hamas attack that triggered the conflict.

Despite these challenges, Blinken urged Israelis not to let vengeance dictate their response, emphasizing the importance of preserving humanity amid the ongoing conflict.

Blinken’s visit coincided with the reception of Hamas’ counter-proposal to the cease-fire agreement framework. While both Qatar and Blinken acknowledged the proposal’s potential as a starting point for further negotiations, Netanyahu remained steadfast in his opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state and asserted Israel’s intent to maintain security control over Gaza indefinitely.

In his closing remarks in Tel Aviv, Blinken reiterated the U.S.’s commitment to pursuing a diplomatic pathway toward a just and lasting peace in the region, including for Israel, while highlighting Saudi Arabia’s interest in normalizing relations contingent upon an end to the Gaza conflict and a viable path to Palestinian statehood.

11-anyos na estudyante, kritikal matapos tamaan ng ligaw na bala na para sa tiyo

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VICTORIA, Laguna. Agaw-buhay ngayon sa ospital ang isang 11 anyos na estudyanteng grade school matapos itong tamaan ng ligaw na bala na para sana sa kanyang tiyo sa isang insidente ng pamamaril sa Barangay Masapang, sa bayang ito nitong Miyerkules ng Hapon.

Kinilala ni Police Captain Myra Pasta, hepeng Victoria Municipal Police Station ang biktima na si Ryan Calapatia na residente ng nabanggit na barangay.

Ayon kay Pasta, agad na isinugod sa Philippine General Hospital ang bata dahil sa malubhang tama ng bala sa kanyang ulo na nangangailangan ng agarang operasyon.

Batay sa imbestigasyon ng Victoria Police, kasama ng bata ang kanyang tiyo na si Jhun Mark Calapatia, 32 anyos papunta sa sapa malapit sa taniman ng pakwan. Habang naglalakad ang magtiyuhin, nasalubong umano nila ang suspek na si Henry Carlo, na matagal nang kaalitan ni Jhun Mark, na nagresulta sa muling pagtatalo ng dalawa. Naawat sila ng ilang mga ka-barangay na nakasaksi sa pangyayari.

Pagkatapos ng mahigit kalahating oras, bumalik ang suspek sa lugar kung saan nangingisda ang magtiyuhin at binaril si Jhun Mark. Sa kasamaang palad, tinamaan sa ulo ni Ryan.

Agad na inaresto si Carlo at nahaharap siya ngayon sa mga kasong frustrated murder at violence against women and children.

Gaza ceasefire: Israeli PM rejects Hamas’s proposed terms

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Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rejected the ceasefire terms proposed by Hamas, asserting that achieving “total victory” in Gaza remains a viable goal within a matter of months.

Netanyahu’s remarks came following Hamas’s presentation of a set of demands in response to a ceasefire proposal supported by Israel. Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, he dismissed negotiations with the group as fruitless and labeled their terms as “bizarre.”

“There is no other solution but a complete and final victory,” Netanyahu asserted, emphasizing his commitment to decisive action. He warned that allowing Hamas to persist in Gaza would inevitably lead to further violence.

Israel’s reaction to Hamas’s counter-offer is not merely a point of contention; it represents a categorical rejection. Israeli officials view Hamas’s attempt to dictate terms for ending the conflict as unacceptable.

In response to Netanyahu’s statements, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri characterized them as “political bravado,” suggesting that the Israeli leader is intent on prolonging the conflict.

Meanwhile, Egyptian officials have indicated that mediation efforts, facilitated by Egypt and Qatar, are set to continue with a new round of negotiations scheduled for Thursday in Cairo. Egypt has called on all parties involved to demonstrate the flexibility necessary for reaching a peaceful resolution.

Netanyahu’s outright dismissal of what he described as a “delusional” plan stands in stark contrast to the perspective offered by Qatar, which characterized Hamas’s response as “positive.”

Hamas presented its counter-offer to the ceasefire proposal on Tuesday, outlining a phased approach that included the exchange of hostages and prisoners, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The current conflict, which erupted on October 7 last year, has claimed the lives of approximately 1,300 people in southern Israel. The toll on the Palestinian side, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, includes over 27,700 fatalities and at least 65,000 injuries.

In a related development, Netanyahu confirmed on Wednesday that Israeli forces have been directed to prepare for operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where tens of thousands of Palestinians have sought refuge from the fighting. The prospect of an expanded military incursion into Rafah has raised concerns about exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in the city.

The Israeli leader’s stance underscores the ongoing divergence between the approaches of the United States and Israel toward Gaza’s future. While Washington advocates for a resolution that includes the establishment of a Palestinian state, Netanyahu insists on maintaining Israeli security control over Gaza.

As negotiations continue, the urgent question remains whether a compromise can be reached to secure the release of hostages, facilitate the delivery of aid, and alleviate the suffering of civilians in Gaza.

Orcas previously trapped in drift ice off northern Japan successfully break free

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A group of approximately twelve killer whales, initially trapped by drift ice in the waters near Japan’s northern island, has managed to break free, according to officials.

The stranded orcas were first sighted by a fisherman earlier in the week, nearly a kilometer off the coast of Hokkaido. Drone footage captured the animals clustered closely together, periodically emerging from the water to breathe.

Following public concern spurred by the televised footage, government officials took action, traveling to the seaside town to monitor the situation. Calls for assistance from environmental groups led to petitions urging the Japanese government to deploy an icebreaker to aid the trapped orcas.

However, on Wednesday, officials reported a positive development, stating that their most recent monitoring excursion indicated the whales had moved away from the encumbered area.

“We believe they were able to escape safely,” remarked a local official from the seaside town of Rausu, speculating that the whales may have found openings in the ice through which to navigate.

The footage of the pod, which included younger orcas, revealed signs of bleeding around their jaws, suggesting potential injury incurred during their escape attempts.

According to Japanese media reports, orcas, unlike other large whales, cannot remain submerged for extended periods and need to resurface every few minutes to breathe.

Paggamit ng medical cannabis, aprub sa house panel

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Inaprubahan na ng House Committee on Dangerous Drugs at House Committee on Health ang panukalang batas sa paggamit ng marijuana bilang lunas sa mga malalang karamdaman.

Sa press conference, inihayag ni House Committee on Dangerous Drugs Chairman at Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers na ang mga panukalang batas patungkol sa medical cannabis o marijuana ay pinagtibay ng kanyang komite at committee on Health.

Nilinaw naman ni Barbers na eksklusibo lamang ito sa paggamit bilang medisina at hindi para sa recreational o pagliwaliw tulad ng mga sakit na insomnia, ­matinding pagkabalisa, kanser at iba pa pero dapat ay may reseta ng mga accredited na mga physicians.

“Ang sobrang preskripsyon ng medical cannabis ay may katapat namang kaparusahang P500,000 na hindi hihigit sa P1 milyon at pagkakakulong ng anim na buwan hanggang anim na taon.”

Ang nasabing panukala ay sasailalim sa pagsusuri ng mother committee bago ito pagdebatehan.