Monday, April 21, 2025


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‘Kadiliman vs. kasamaan’: Nobody wins, but what help does Harry Roque need?

DC Alviar
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‘Kadiliman vs. kasamaan’: Nobody wins, but what help does Harry Roque need?

“Hindi na po ito laban ng Duterte at Marcos. Ang laban po ngayon ay pwersa ng kadiliman laban sa pwersa ng… (This is no longer a fight between Duterte and Marcos. This is a fight between the force of darkness against the force of…),” the 2022 losing senatorial candidate Harry Roque paused, asking followers to complete that sentence he uttered in front of the camera last year.

“Kasamaan (evil)!” they answered in unison. The proven runner of the Marcos-Duterte UniTeam set things right with his eyes wide open but not wildly correcting: “Kabutihan (goodness).” And Roque’s physical listeners had to forthwith say the same, “Kabutihan.”

“This is a fight between good or evil!” Roque stressed in that viral video. Five months later, he was not just the one upping the ante but no less than BBM and Digong. Right now, these presidents are literally confusing their bona fide fan base. Natural reactions would go something like: Parehas namin kayong niluklok, heto kami ngayon sa sulok. Hindi naming alam kung sino sa inyo ang bulok.

Employing dogmatic lenses, however, one may conclude that in Philippine politics, all is unwell that ends extremely unwell.

It was Roque, UniTeam supporters’ own heavy knight in shining armor who loudly, cheerfully, echoed the unity platform. Pa-dance dance para sumigla, ramp model hanggang umaga. Result: Marcos Jr. got the highest office, while Digong’s daughter won the second highest.

When the 2022 poll smoke cleared, Roque and 30 million people were proud of the outcome, never minding his loss (again). BBM-Sara was a “love team.” Theirs was a “dream team” for many others. The rest is history where they cannot rest, nor can they clear which side of it is good. It became clearer in less than a year in office that it was just a party of convenience, and that there was no need to keep campaign promises. Budol pa more! And yes, from both sides.

Kaya, si Roque ang meron talagang malaking idea—hindi ko sinabing nanggaling sa puso—nang magviral siya/sila sa Team Kadiliman vs Team Kasamaan.

That big idea tells us, sort of a godly reminder, that while we need to cling to what is good rather than what is bad, we also need to pay no heed to our oversimplistic tendencies. Ginawa ka na ngang pulibi ng pinaniwalaan mo, sa kanya ka pa rin ba makikinig kapag sinabi niyang meron na siyang bagong idea? Gaya ng nangyari sa viral video, hindi malinaw ang mensahe dahil hindi naman nakikinig nang mabuti ang receiver ng mensahe. Makinig man siya nang maigi at masabi ang tamang sagot sa tanong, alam niya sa sarili niyang hindi madaling gawin ito. Ang nangyari tuloy, nadulas sa pagsasabi ng kadiliman laban sa kasamaan.

Binabanggit ang kabutihan mula sa puso. Nakapaloob ang wisdom doon na sa bawat kabutihan, may nakaambang panganib, panlilinlang, at marapat lamang magpakatatag na piliin ang kabutihan sa salita at sa gawa, sa kabila ng lahat. Maraming babagsak sa pamantayang ito, bagamat basic.

Hindi na kasi panahon ng pamunuan ng mga magagaling. Mga nagmamagaling, oo. Hindi na kasi panahon ng tapat na paglilingkod sa publiko. Tapatan ng baho, oo. Hindi na kasi panahon ng wastong pamimili kung sino ang dapat at hindi dapat iboto. Botong ipinamimili o binebenta at siyempre kasama konsensya, oo. Kung nakakahiya dati ang mali, ngayon naman ay pinapalakpakan pa ito. Sa bawat pagtatama ng kasinungalan, may kakalat na namang apat na kasinungalingan na mabilis ding napaniniwalaan.

Meron mang kahihiyan dati sa pangungurakot ng libo-libong piso, ngayon naman ay paramihan ng pangungulimbat, hindi milyon kundi bilyon. Mas takot ang tao sa kapwa tao, kaysa sa Diyos.

Panahon na para huwag papormahin ang mga bulaang propeta, lider-lideran, tau-tauhan. May panahon talaga para makinig sa tamang mensahe at tamang tao. Ibubudol ka pa lang, bundulin mo na.

Walang puwang sa masamang ehemplo sa kabataang mag-aaral. Hinahayaan natin silang mag-aral, hindi natin sila pwedeng hayaang mabudol din ng mga magagaling pumorma pero salat sa paliwanag, walang track record ng pamumuno. Delikado rin ang pumanig sa mga matulungin, kung ang tulong na iyon ay pangunahin (basic). Gawin natin itong panahon ng pagkontra sa katiwalian. Paglaban sa magandang kinabukasan ng mga kabataan nang walang pinapayagang pambobola. Pagtatama sa mali kahit mahirap, sapagkat mas magiging mahirap kung dambuhalang buwaya na ang binibigyan ng pagkakataong magkamali.

Si Roque man din, hindi makakaiwas sa leksyon ng buhay. Mula noong propesor ng batas at tagapagtanggol ng karapatang pantao hanggang sa magpasailalim sa mamamatay-tao, nakita niya ang sariling unti-unting iniiwan sa ere ng kaguruan, kasosyong abogado, at ang dumarami sa paligid ay alam niyang wala ring tibay na maaasahan, nakatago ang tapang at talino, at ilalabas lamang kung may mapapalang benepisyong pansarali sa halip na benepisyong pangkalahatan.

Confused? Decide not

Three months before the midterm elections, some 30 percent of voters already have senatorial aspirants in mind who will most likely get their votes. Getting the right message across may be an exercise in futility for this type of voters, but academics and civil society need to help, help, help them make the final decision anyway. It really depends upon their discretion as they merely exercise their right of suffrage, but their children and grandchildren’s future are at the heart of the matter, whose decision they are not truly ready to take. We are almost always wrong in that decision, so we better strategize our overall communications work for high-quality voter education.

For example, “Sino ang mga hindi dapat iboto?” may become better and more caring than posing the question “Sino ang mga dapat iboto?” Social media and tri-media campaign season messages are most of the time no match to dis/misinformation and deepfakes. Troll armies are lorded over by the political elites. Since they are bayaran (paid hacks or assured of future favors), they are well organized and “disciplined” in terms of following the script of making their lords appear nice-looking at all costs and discrediting and backstabbing their political opponents.

Personalities in the mass media have also been prompted in the international scene to take a stand as they have a lot to offer so that voters may make the right choice for our future generation. One of them may ask Imee Marcos questions like, “If you get elected as senator again, how would you help your president-brother keep his election campaign promise of P20 a kilo of rice?” And (other?) pro-Duterte senators need to be asked questions about national unity and reconciliation, demanding no less than concrete answers.

The operative word is concrete. We hear a lot of Roques in our midst make the right sermons of right and wrong, minus concrete action. And even if these Roques are action men and women, they do it all without prudence most of the time. Lustay (squandering)? But that is confidential. It hurts them not. What matters is they have the monopoly of kabutihan.

Pagpataw ng prangkisa sa social media platforms, pinag-aaralan ng Kamara

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Pagpataw ng prangkisa sa social media platforms, pinag-aaralan ng Kamara

MAYNILA. Isinusulong ng ilang mambabatas na gawing requirement ang pagkuha ng legislative franchise para sa mga social media platform, katulad ng mga mainstream television network. Layunin nitong tiyakin ang regulasyon sa online platforms at masigurong may pananagutan ang mga ito sa nilalaman nilang content.

“I think it would be best if these social media platforms secure a legislative franchise in this Congress,” ayon kay Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers.

Paliwanag niya, kung ang mga social media platform ay may prangkisa mula sa Kongreso, magiging saklaw ito ng regulasyon batay sa umiiral na batas.

Samantala, inihayag naman ni Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano ang kanyang suporta sa panukalang ito. Aniya, maaaring amyendahan ang Public Service Act (Republic Act 11659) upang maisama sa listahan ng “public utilities” ang mga social media platform.

“I think we should amend our Public Service Act and include this in the list of public utilities. As far as I’m concerned, all the more that we have to do that,” pahayag ni Paduano.

Idiniin niya na hindi kasalukuyang nasasaklaw ng Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) ang mga social media platform dahil sa kawalan ng opisina sa bansa.

Samantala, sinabi naman ni Agusan del Norte Rep. Joboy Aquino, Chairman ng Committee on Public Information, na maaaring ilagay sa regulasyon ng Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters sa Pilipinas (KBP) at Movies and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) ang social media content.

“I think the KBP and MTRCB should update and upgrade so that they can help the government. I just don’t think we should just sit here idly by and allow these abuses to happen,” ani Aquino.

Sa patuloy na pag-usbong ng digital media, magiging malaking usapin ang regulasyon sa social media platforms lalo na sa usapin ng pananagutan at pagbubuwis. Nakabinbin pa rin sa Kongreso ang posibleng hakbang para dito.

Israel and Hamas to begin talks on next phase of Gaza ceasefire

Venus L Peñaflor
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Israel and Hamas to begin talks on next phase of Gaza ceasefire

JERUSALEM/CAIRO. Israel and Hamas are set to begin indirect negotiations this week regarding the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The talks come as Hamas announced it would return more hostages, including the bodies of two children.

Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas leader in Gaza, stated that the bodies of four hostages, including those from the Bibas family, would be returned on Thursday, followed by the release of six living hostages on Saturday.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that a deal had been reached in Cairo, securing the release of six living hostages on Saturday, four deceased hostages on Thursday, and four additional bodies next week. However, no names were disclosed.

An Israeli official stated that the deceased hostages would be identified in Israel before their names were made public.

The negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire were initially planned for February 4. However, Qatar—along with Egypt and the United States, which are mediating the talks—indicated that formal discussions had not yet commenced.

“It will happen this week,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed during a press conference in Jerusalem.

In recent weeks, Israel has sent mixed signals regarding its participation in talks over the next stage of the ceasefire, which was implemented on January 19 with the stated goal of bringing a permanent end to the Gaza conflict.

Among the most high-profile Israeli hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack is the Bibas family. Kfir Bibas, who was less than a year old at the time of the abduction, and his brother Ariel, who was four, were seized alongside their parents. Their father, Yarden Bibas, was released earlier this month, but their mother, Shiri, remains unaccounted for.

In late 2023, Hamas claimed that Israeli bombardments had killed Shiri and the two children. However, Israel has neither confirmed their deaths nor ruled out the possibility that they remain alive.

Following Hamas’ latest announcement, the Bibas family issued a statement saying they were “in turmoil.” “Until we receive definitive confirmation, our journey is not over,” they said.

The identity of the fourth deceased hostage remains undisclosed, but the families of the six living hostages set for release on Saturday have been informed. These include Eliyah Cohen, 27, Tal Shoham, 40, Omer Shem Tov, 22, and Omer Wenkert, 23—who were all taken hostage on October 7. Two others, Hisham Al-Sayed, 36, and Avera Mengistu, 39, had crossed into Gaza independently around a decade ago and have been held there since.

The first phase of the ceasefire deal included a 42-day truce and the return of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Despite multiple challenges, the deal has held so far.

The upcoming negotiations aim to secure the release of the remaining 64 hostages but are expected to be difficult, as discussions will also involve the future governance of post-war Gaza—an area where Israel and Hamas hold deeply opposing views.

“We will not accept the continued presence of Hamas or any other terrorist organization in Gaza,” Saar stated. However, he also noted that Israel would stay engaged in talks if they proved constructive, potentially extending the ceasefire. “If we will see there is a constructive dialogue with a possible horizon of getting to an agreement, we will make this time frame work longer.”

So far, 19 Israeli hostages have been returned in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. If Hamas follows through on its latest announcement, six more living hostages and four bodies will be returned this week, leaving only four remaining hostages—who, according to Hamas, are all deceased.

The October 7 Hamas-led cross-border attack resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths in southern Israel, according to Israeli authorities. In response, Israel launched an extensive military operation in Gaza, which Palestinian health officials report has resulted in over 48,000 deaths. The war has also left much of the enclave in ruins and displaced hundreds of thousands of residents.

An Israeli official stated that Israel would begin allowing the entry of mobile homes for displaced Gazans facing harsh winter conditions. Hamas has accused Israel of delaying the delivery of these shelters and previously threatened to postpone hostage releases unless the issue was resolved.

Meanwhile, the ceasefire negotiations have been overshadowed by a controversial proposal from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested relocating Palestinians and transforming Gaza into a waterfront development under U.S. control. The plan has been widely rejected by Palestinian groups, Arab states, and Washington’s Western allies, who view it as “tantamount to ethnic cleansing.”

In response, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Monday that he would establish a new unit within his ministry to facilitate the voluntary relocation of Gaza residents to third countries.

As the region braces for another round of high-stakes negotiations, the fate of the remaining hostages and the long-term future of Gaza remain uncertain.

VP Sara petitions supreme court to nullify impeachment, halt senate trial

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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VP Sara petitions supreme court to nullify impeachment, halt senate trial

MANILA. Vice President Sara Duterte has formally petitioned the Supreme Court to nullify her impeachment and block an impending Senate trial, arguing that the process was procedurally defective, constitutionally infirm, and jurisdictionally void.

Duterte’s legal team filed the petition on Tuesday, challenging the February 5 impeachment decision by the House of Representatives, which is largely controlled by allies of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The vice president faces allegations of plotting to assassinate the president and misusing public funds in a high-profile political battle that has rocked the administration.

Duterte’s lawyer, Israelito Torreon, asserted that the impeachment process in the House of Representatives was rushed, depriving lawmakers of the opportunity to properly examine the complaint before it was transmitted to the Senate.

“This is part of a plan probably to eliminate her as a probable contender in the 2028 presidential elections,” Torreon told reporters. “It could not be described as anything other than political persecution.”

Under the Philippine Constitution, an impeachment conviction in the Senate trial, scheduled after Congress resumes on June 2, would permanently bar Duterte from holding public office.

The impeachment complaint stems from Duterte’s controversial remarks during a November 23 online news conference, where she allegedly said that she would have President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez assassinated if she were to be killed amid their political dispute. Duterte has denied the statement was a literal threat, insisting it was taken out of context.

Additionally, she is accused of misusing intelligence funds during her tenure as both Vice President and Secretary of Education. Duterte has yet to issue a comprehensive public response to the allegations of graft and corruption.

Duterte, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, was Marcos’ running mate in the 2022 elections, but their alliance has since unraveled. The political divide widened as Marcos began publicly criticizing the Duterte administration’s controversial war on drugs and its perceived lack of action against China’s aggressive moves in the South China Sea.

Tensions escalated further last week when Rodrigo Duterte suggested during a campaign rally that 15 senators should be killed to create vacancies for his allies in the upcoming midterm elections. In response, Philippine police filed criminal complaints against the former president on Monday.

As the political landscape intensifies, the Supreme Court’s decision on Sara Duterte’s petition could determine the trajectory of her political career and the broader power struggle within the Philippine government.

Pope Francis remains hospitalized as doctors adjust treatment for ‘complex’ infection

Venus L Peñaflor
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Pope Francis remains hospitalized as doctors adjust treatment for ‘complex’ infection

VATICAN CITY. Pope Francis remains in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital as doctors modify his treatment for a respiratory tract infection, describing his condition as a “complex clinical situation,” the Vatican announced on Monday.

The 88-year-old pontiff, who has been battling the infection for over a week, was admitted on Friday. Recent tests confirmed a polymicrobial infection, prompting adjustments to his therapy.

“The results of the tests carried out in recent days and today have demonstrated a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract, which has led to a further modification of the therapy,” the Vatican said in a statement. “All tests conducted up to today are indicative of a complex clinical situation that will require an appropriate hospital stay.”

Despite his hospitalization, Pope Francis remains active. According to Vatican sources, he has continued working and reading documents. He has also maintained communication with Gaza’s sole Catholic parish.

“He told us, ‘I am not well,’ and you could see he was tired,” said Father Gabriel Romanelli, a local priest in Gaza, in an interview with Italian broadcaster Rai. Romanelli, a fellow Argentine, recalled Francis joking, “A few days (in hospital) and I’ll be back.” He also described the pope as “not an easy patient for doctors, because he is always talking, always very active.”

Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni did not specify whether the pope’s infection is bacterial or viral. A bacterial infection can be treated with antibiotics, whereas viral infections typically require supportive care. A polymicrobial infection, like the one affecting Francis, is caused by multiple microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

Rev. Dr. Andrea Vicini, a Jesuit priest and medical doctor, explained that “polymicrobial is a generic term that does not specify an infection’s root cause.” While not directly involved in Francis’ treatment, he noted that the Vatican’s mention of the pope eating breakfast suggests he is not on a respirator. “It also means the body is not debilitated to the point of not being able to take food and digest it,” said Vicini, a professor at Boston College.

Pope Francis has faced recurring health challenges in recent years. In his youth, he suffered from pleurisy and had part of one lung removed. More recently, he has been prone to lung infections. His ongoing hospitalization has led to the cancellation of his weekly audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, as well as a special Mass for artists in preparation for the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year.

Pilgrims and followers have expressed their concern. “We certainly wish for him to get better very quickly,” said Rev. Tyler Carter, a Catholic priest from the United States. “He is our father and our shepherd, and so we want his continued health and blessing.”

Manuel Rossi, an 18-year-old tourist from Milan, admitted feeling “quite worried” when the pope canceled his Sunday appearance. “I have seen few popes in my life, and am very close to him. I hope he recovers as soon as possible.”

For now, Vatican officials have not given a timeline for Pope Francis’ discharge, saying only that he will remain hospitalized for as long as necessary.

12 private schools iniimbestigahan sa diumano ay ‘ghost students’ sa voucher program

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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12 private schools iniimbestigahan sa diumano ay ‘ghost students’ sa voucher program

MAYNILA. Kasalukuyang iniimbestigahan ng Department of Education (DepEd) ang 12 pribadong paaralan kaugnay ng umano’y paglista ng ‘ghost students’ bilang benepisyaryo ng Senior High School Voucher Program ng pamahalaan.

Ayon sa DepEd, hindi mahagilap ang kinaroroonan ng ilang estudyanteng nakatala sa programa, na nagdulot ng pangamba hinggil sa posibleng maling paggamit ng pondo ng gobyerno.

Ang Senior High School Voucher Program ay isang programa ng gobyerno na nagbibigay ng pinansyal na tulong sa mga senior high school students sa mga pribadong paaralan. Sa ilalim nito, ang mga incoming Grade 11 students na nagtapos sa pampublikong paaralan ay awtomatikong nakatatanggap ng voucher na nagkakahalaga ng P14,000 hanggang P22,500. Samantala, ang mga estudyanteng mula sa pribadong paaralan na hindi grantee ng Education Service Contracting Program ng DepEd ay maaaring mag-apply para sa nasabing benepisyo.

Ayon kay Education Secretary Sonny Angara, seryoso ang kanilang tanggapan sa mga alegasyon at sisiguraduhing may pananagutan ang sinumang mapatutunayang sangkot sa anomalya.

“We take these allegations seriously. Any form of misuse of public funds will not be tolerated. This investigation is a necessary step as we pursue the truth and hold accountable those responsible,” ani Angara.

Dagdag pa niya, “In line with this, DepEd has initiated recourse actions, including preparation for the termination of the schools’ accreditation and collating pieces of evidence against responsible individuals.”

Sa ngayon, pinag-aaralan na ng DepEd ang mga legal na hakbang upang papanagutin ang mga mapatutunayang sangkot sa anomalya ng ‘ghost students’ sa voucher program.

Delta jet overturns on landing at Toronto airport, injuring 18

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Delta jet overturns on landing at Toronto airport, injuring 18

TORONTO, Canada. A Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday, injuring 18 of the 80 people on board. Officials confirmed that the incident occurred amid strong winds and harsh weather conditions following a heavy snowstorm.

Flight DL4819, which departed from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, landed at 2:13 p.m. local time (1913 GMT) but lost control upon touchdown. Among the injured, three passengers—including a child—suffered critical injuries and were transported to the hospital via air ambulance. The remaining 15 injured individuals received medical attention, with some later released, according to a statement from Delta.

The aircraft involved, a 16-year-old CRJ900 operated by Delta’s Endeavor Air subsidiary, had 76 passengers and four crew members on board. Manufactured by Canada’s Bombardier (BBDb.TO) and powered by GE Aerospace (GE.N) engines, the CRJ900 has a seating capacity of up to 90 passengers. Video footage from the accident site revealed at least one wing detached from the fuselage.

John Nelson, a passenger on board, shared a video of the aftermath on Facebook, showing emergency responders dousing the overturned aircraft with water. Recalling the terrifying moments before the crash, he told CNN:

“We hit the ground, and we were sideways, and then we were upside down. I was able to just unbuckle and sort of fall and push myself to the ground. And then some people were kind of hanging and needed some help being helped down, and others were able to get down on their own.”

The landing took place during adverse weather conditions, with reported gusting crosswinds and blowing snow at the time. However, Toronto Pearson Fire Chief Todd Aitken later stated that the runway was dry and that no crosswind conditions were present. This statement was met with skepticism from several pilots who reviewed footage of the incident.

Aviation safety expert and pilot John Cox analyzed the crash, stating:

“There was an average crosswind of 19 knots (22 mph) from the right as the plane landed. It’s gusty, so pilots had to constantly adjust airspeed, vertical profile, and lateral profile. That’s normal for professional pilots.”

Investigators will focus on determining why the right wing separated from the aircraft. Michael J. McCormick, associate professor of air traffic management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, noted that while planes flipping on landing are rare, the survival of all 80 passengers underscores advancements in engineering and aviation safety regulations.

“The fact that 80 people survived an event like this is a testament to the engineering and the technology, the regulatory background that would go into creating a system where somebody can actually survive something that not too long ago would have been fatal.”

Aircraft flipping over on landing is uncommon, but previous cases have occurred, primarily involving the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 model. Notable incidents include a 2009 FedEx freighter crash at Tokyo’s Narita Airport that killed both pilots, a 1999 China Airlines crash in Hong Kong that claimed three lives, and a 1997 FedEx freighter accident in Newark with no fatalities.

Toronto Pearson Airport resumed flight operations, but some delays and disruptions are expected as two runways remain closed for the ongoing investigation. Airport President Deborah Flint commended the swift response of emergency crews:

“We are very grateful that there is no loss of life and relatively minor injuries.”

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has deployed a team of investigators, while the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has also committed to assisting. As per international aviation standards, a preliminary report on the crash will be released within 30 days.

Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (7011.T), which acquired the CRJ aircraft program from Bombardier in 2020, acknowledged the incident and pledged full cooperation with the investigation.

This accident follows a series of recent North American aviation incidents, including a fatal Army helicopter collision with a CRJ-700 in Washington, D.C., a medical transport plane crash in Philadelphia that killed seven people, and a passenger jet crash in Alaska that resulted in ten fatalities.

Authorities are expected to release more details as the investigation progresses.

Captain America: Brave New World – A struggle to stay afloat in the MCU

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Captain America: Brave New World – A struggle to stay afloat in the MCU

Marvel Studios returns with Captain America: Brave New World, a film that attempts to carry the weight of the franchise’s legacy but ultimately finds itself stuck in the doldrums. As we near the end of Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this latest installment—starring Anthony Mackie in his first full-length feature as Captain America—feels less like a bold new direction and more like a franchise treading water.

A Familiar Yet Underwhelming Narrative

Written by Rob Edwards, Malcolm Spellman, and Dalan Musson, the story combines elements of political thrillers like The Manchurian Candidate with high-octane military action reminiscent of Top Gun. The plot revolves around a White House conspiracy and an international conflict in the Indian Ocean, yet despite these high stakes, the film struggles to deliver genuine tension or excitement.

The introduction of Adamantium—a metal strikingly similar to Wakanda’s Vibranium—feels like a recycled idea rather than an innovative addition. Even the film’s climactic musical moment, featuring a Kendrick Lamar track, lacks originality; the song dates back to 2014, further emphasizing the film’s reliance on borrowed elements.

An Opportunity Squandered

The film opens with Harrison Ford stepping into the role of Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, a position previously held by the late William Hurt. Now the President of the United States, Ross insists that he has changed from his earlier days of hunting down the Hulk. In a pivotal scene, he approaches Sam Wilson, the new Captain America, with a proposition:

“Work with me, Sam. We’ll show the world a better way forward.”

Despite warnings about the dangers of superheroes aligning with government agendas, Wilson agrees, assuring his allies:

“Trust me. My eyes are wide open.”

Unfortunately, while Cap’s eyes may be open, the audience might be slowly closing.

A Villainous Lineup with Mixed Results

The film introduces three central antagonists, each more over-the-top than the last. Giancarlo Esposito delivers a deliciously menacing performance as Sidewinder, while Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns—transformed into the hyper-intelligent Leader—brings eerie intensity, with his brain bursting from his skull. Red Hulk, a rage-fueled behemoth, rounds out the trio, though his presence makes the original Hulk seem almost tame by comparison.

The supporting cast features Isaiah Bradley, a forgotten Super Soldier from the Korean War, and Shira Haas as Ruth Bat-Seraph, an enigmatic national security agent with unclear motives. However, these characters do little to elevate the film’s already cluttered narrative.

Action Over Substance

Director Julius Onah proves adept at handling large-scale action sequences, but his grip on character-driven moments is less assured. The editing lacks sharpness, and the screenplay relies on clichéd military jargon—

“Negative, the package is the priority.”

—and grandiose pronouncements—

“The country is lost.”

Even product placement overshadows storytelling at times, with Captain America driving a GMC truck, using Dell computers, and the U.S. president casually working out on a Peloton.

Themes of Identity and Redemption

One of the film’s more compelling elements is its exploration of identity and self-worth. Throughout The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021), Mackie’s Sam Wilson grappled with stepping into Steve Rogers’ legacy. In Brave New World, he voices his lingering doubts:

“You wonder if you’ll ever be enough.”

Similarly, Ross claims his desire to secure global peace is driven by personal motives—reconciling with his estranged daughter (played by Liv Tyler) and proving he has changed.

Yet these themes are buried under a weak script and lackluster direction. Even Mackie, a talented and charismatic actor, struggles with lines like:

“If we can’t see the good in each other, we’ve already lost the fight.”

Unfortunately, Marvel may have lost more than just a fight—they may have lost the thread of what made their films resonate in the first place.

Final Verdict

Captain America: Brave New World, a Walt Disney Pictures release, opens in theaters on Friday. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, action, and some strong language, the film runs for 118 minutes.

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/4 stars)

Hamas to release 3 more Israeli hostages after tensions nearly escalated Gaza conflict

Venus L Peñaflor
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Hamas to release 3 more Israeli hostages after tensions nearly escalated Gaza conflict

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip. Hamas is set to release three Israeli hostages on Saturday as part of a tenuous ceasefire agreement that mandates the exchange of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in return. The fragile truce, which began nearly four weeks ago, has been under strain due to recent disputes that threatened to reignite the conflict.

The planned release follows discussions between Hamas and Egyptian and Qatari mediators, who pledged to “remove all hurdles” to ensure Israel permits more humanitarian aid, including tents and medical supplies, into Gaza.

The hostages expected to be freed after more than 16 months in captivity are Iair Horn, 46, an Israeli-Argentine dual citizen; Sagui Dekel Chen, 36, who holds American-Israeli citizenship; and Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov, 29, an Israeli-Russian dual citizen. The three were taken hostage from Kibbutz Nir Oz during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which triggered the ongoing war.

Horn was abducted along with his brother, Eitan Horn, who remains in captivity. Dekel Chen was seized while working outside, while his wife and two daughters hid in a safe room—she later gave birth to their third child in captivity. Troufanov was taken alongside his grandmother, mother, and girlfriend; the three women were released in a temporary truce in November 2023, but his father was killed in the attack.

Meanwhile, the Hamas-affiliated Prisoners’ Information Office reported that 369 Palestinian prisoners will be released from Israeli prisons on Saturday, including 36 individuals serving life sentences. Among them is Ahmed Barghouti, 48, a close aide to Marwan Barghouti, a senior figure in Palestinian politics. Ahmed Barghouti was sentenced to life imprisonment for orchestrating suicide bombings during the Second Intifada in the early 2000s, which resulted in Israeli civilian casualties. He was arrested alongside Marwan Barghouti in 2002.

This will mark the sixth hostage-prisoner swap since the ceasefire took effect on January 19. So far, 21 hostages and over 730 Palestinian prisoners have been freed under the agreement. However, tensions persist, with international concerns over the stability of the truce and the long-term implications for peace in the region.

Pope Francis hospitalized for respiratory infection, condition stable

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Pope Francis hospitalized for respiratory infection, condition stable

VATICAN CITY. Pope Francis has been admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for treatment of bronchitis and is experiencing a respiratory infection, though his condition remains stable, the Vatican confirmed on Friday.

“The Holy Father … has undergone specialist examinations and has started hospital drug therapy,” the Vatican stated, approximately eight hours after his hospitalization. “The initial tests showed a respiratory tract infection. His clinical condition is fair; he has a slight fever.”

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni assured the public that Pope Francis is “serene and in good spirits,” noting that he has been reading newspapers during his stay.

The 88-year-old pontiff has been battling bronchitis for over a week. Earlier this month, he told pilgrims during a weekly audience that he had a “strong cold,” which the Vatican later clarified as bronchitis. His health has been a concern in recent years, as he has suffered from influenza and lung infections. As a young adult, he developed pleurisy, leading to the partial removal of one of his lungs.

Francis has also experienced mobility issues, requiring the use of a wheelchair or cane for extended periods. He suffered two falls in recent months—one in December, bruising his chin, and another in January, injuring his arm.

Before his hospitalization, Pope Francis held several meetings, including one with Mark Thompson, CEO of CNN. According to a CNN report, the pope was “mentally alert but struggling to speak for extended periods due to breathing difficulties.”

He also met with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, senior Vatican official Cardinal Luis Tagle, and a Catholic philanthropy group from Puerto Rico. Video footage from his meeting with Fico showed the pope smiling and speaking softly at his Vatican residence.

Despite ongoing health challenges, Francis has maintained a demanding schedule. In January and February, he attended public events but often had aides read his prepared remarks. In September 2023, he completed a 12-day tour across Southeast Asia and Oceania, the longest foreign trip of his papacy.

Given his history of lung-related illnesses, Francis’ condition is being closely monitored. Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, the city’s largest, houses a special suite designated for papal treatment. In June 2023, the pope spent nine days thereafter undergoing surgery to repair an abdominal hernia.

The Vatican has announced that the Pope will cancel several public engagements over the next three days as he recovers. Despite his ongoing health struggles, Pope Francis continues to lead the Catholic Church with resilience.

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