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Hong Kong court resumes trial of media mogul, activist publisher Jimmy Lai

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Hong Kong court resumes trial of media mogul, activist publisher Jimmy Lai

HONG KONG. The national security trial of Hong Kong’s prominent activist publisher, Jimmy Lai, entered its second day on Tuesday, with judges expected to make a ruling by the end of the week on the defense’s motion to dismiss a sedition charge. This charge has been increasingly used to target dissidents.

Jimmy Lai, 76, was arrested in August 2020 during a crackdown on the city’s pro-democracy movement following massive protests in 2019. If convicted under the national security law imposed by Beijing, Lai faces a possible life sentence. He is charged with colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiring with others to disseminate seditious publications.

Lai’s landmark trial, connected to the now-closed pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily that he founded, is widely viewed as a test for press freedom and judicial independence in the former British colony. Hong Kong was promised to retain its Western-style civil liberties for 50 years after returning to Chinese rule in 1997.

As Lai entered the courtroom on Tuesday, he smiled and waved to supporters, repeating the gesture from the previous day. He subtly blew a kiss to the public gallery, where a supporter chanted, “Hang in there!”

Before opening statements, the judge heard arguments about whether the prosecution had exceeded the time limit for charging Lai with sedition. The law requires sedition charges to be filed within six months after an alleged offense. Lai’s lawyer, Robert Pang, argued that the charge for the alleged conspiracy, which ran from April 2019 to June 2021, was laid too late. Prosecutor Anthony Chau contended that the time limit should be based on when the alleged conspiracy, involving at least 160 articles, actually ended.

The judges, appointed by the government to oversee the proceedings, stated they would make a decision on Friday. The trial, without a jury, is expected to last about 80 days.

British Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan said the U.K. would continue to press for consular access to Lai, who holds British citizenship. However, the city’s prison authorities have repeatedly denied this request.

Responding to the UK’s demand for consular access on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin insisted that Hong Kong’s law enforcement and judicial authorities had handled the case in accordance with the law.

Lai’s prosecution has drawn criticism from the United States and the U.K. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller reiterated calls for Lai’s release on Monday, expressing deep concerns about the deterioration of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong. Beijing has dismissed criticisms from Western governments, with Wang stating that the U.S. and the U.K. made irresponsible remarks against international law and the basic norms of international relations.

Hong Kong leader John Lee expressed confidence in the city’s judicial system and the professionalism of its courts. He noted attempts by some, particularly representatives of foreign governments, to exert pressure to influence the court presiding over Lai’s case, stating that such actions violate the spirit of the rule of law.

Eksperto, nagrekomenda ng pagsusuot ng face mask sa mga party ngayong Kapaskuhan

Venus L Peñaflor
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Eksperto, nagrekomenda ng pagsusuot ng face mask sa mga party ngayong Kapaskuhan

Binigyang-diin ni Dr. Rontgene Solante, isang eksperto sa infectious disease, ang kahalagahan ng pagsusuot ng face mask sa mga pagtitipon ngayong Kapaskuhan upang maiwasan ang posibleng pagtaas ng kaso ng coronavirus at influenza-like illnesses (ILI).

Sa isang Health Forum ng Philippine College of Physicians noong Martes, ipinaabot ni Dr. Solante ang kanyang rekomendasyon sa publiko. “Ang pagsusuot ng face mask ay isang responsibilidad ng mga tao para sa kanilang sarili at sa iba,” aniya.

Ipinahayag ni Solante na hindi siya sang-ayon sa pagbabawal sa publiko na magtipon, maging indoor o outdoor. “Kung gusto natin protektahan ang ating mga sarili, kailangan natin magsuot ng face mask. Kung may sintomas, huwag masyadong magpakalat sa mga tao upang hindi makahawa,” dagdag niya.

Bagaman inaasahan ang pagtaas ng kaso ng COVID-19 ngayong holiday season, naniniwala si Solante na hindi ito magiging kasing taas ng mga nakaraang taon. “Asahan na tataas talaga ‘yan. Pero sa aspeto ng pag-hospitalize, hindi naman siguro ganoon kataas ang maoospital,” pahayag ng eksperto.

“I think there are some who will get hospitalized because of pneumonia, and other respiratory infections. Pero hindi ko nakikitang mapupuno ang mga ospital to the point na hindi na makakapasok ang iba,” dagdag ni Solante.

Binigyang-diin din ng eksperto na handa ang mga ospital sa posibleng pagdami ng mga pasyente. Gayunpaman, mahalaga raw na suriin ang kahandaan ng mga komunidad sa pagsunod sa mga preventive measures.

Sa pinakahuling tala ng kaso hanggang ika-11 ng Disyembre, 2023, umabot na sa 4,130,311 ang kabuuang bilang ng COVID-19 cases sa Pilipinas, kung saan umakyat ang aktibong kaso sa 4,780.

Babaeng pinasok at pinatay habang naliligo

Arman B. Cambe
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Babaeng pinasok at pinatay habang naliligo

BACOOR City, Cavite. Pinasok at pinatay habang naliligo ang isang babae matapos makatanggap ng pagbabanta mula sa isang lalaki sa Barangay Talaba 2, lungsod na ito sa Cavite.

Ang biktima na kinilala sa alias na Angel, isang residente ng Tabing-Dagat, Barangay Talaba 2, Bacoor City, Cavite, ay natagpuang patay at duguang nakahandusay sa loob ng kanilang banyo. Nangyari ang trahedya matapos pumasok at barilin ang biktima ng isang lalaki na nagbabanta sa kanya kamakalawa pa ng gabi.

Hinihinalang kilala ng biktima ang suspek na tinutukoy ng pulisya sa alyas na “Joel,” na diuumano ay nagpadala ng mga mensahe ng pagbabanta sa biktima. Tinutugis ngayo ng pulisya ang suspek upang mapanagot sa kanyang ginawang krimen.

Sa imbestigasyon ng pulisya, naganap ang insidente alas-8:30 ng gabi sa loob ng bahay ng biktima. Ayon sa salaysay ng ina ng biktima, habang naliligo ang kanyang anak, biglang pumasok ang lalaki sa banyo at pinagbabaril ito.

Nang marining ang mga putok, agad na pumunta ang ina sa banyo at doon ay nakita niya ang kanyang anak na duguan at wala ng buhay.

Sa pagsisiyasat, lumabas na ilang araw na ang nakalilipas mula nang makatanggap ng pagbabanta sa buhay ang biktima mula sa suspek na si “Joel.”

Nagsasagawa ngayon na ng follow-up operation ang pulisya upang madakip ang suspek at alamin ang motibo sa likod ng pamamaslang.

Pope Francis’ approval of gay blessings may impact LGBTQ+ rights in restrictive regions

Venus L Peñaflor
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Pope Francis’ approval of gay blessings may impact LGBTQ+ rights in restrictive regions

ROME. Pope Francis has given formal authorization for Catholic priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples, a decision that may resonate beyond the more liberal confines of Europe. While this is seen as an acknowledgment of existing practices in some European parishes, it carries the potential to convey a message of tolerance to regions where LGBTQ+ rights face severe restrictions.

From Uganda to the United States, the recent surge in discriminatory laws against LGBTQ+ individuals has left communities feeling under threat. In some conservative Christian denominations, including the Catholic Church, there has been occasional support for such measures based on biblical interpretations about homosexuality.

The Vatican has maintained that gays should be treated with dignity and respect, although it deems homosexual acts as “intrinsically disordered.” Pope Francis, in his 10-year pontificate, has sought to exhibit a more welcoming attitude towards LGBTQ+ Catholics without altering the church’s stance on homosexual acts.

Monday’s statement from the Vatican marks a significant step, explicitly permitting priests to offer non-sacramental blessings to same-sex couples, provided they do not resemble marriage, which the church insists can only exist between a man and a woman.

The approval has been met with approval by some clergy. The Rev. Wolfgang Rothe, a German priest involved in open worship services blessing same-sex couples, stated that while the decision validated existing practices in Germany, it could bring relief to homosexual couples in more conservative societies.

However, challenges persist in countries like Nigeria, where mass arrests of gay individuals occurred in October under laws criminalizing homosexuality. In Uganda, anti-gay legislation prescribing the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality” was signed into law earlier this year.

In the United States, the Human Rights Campaign has noted a surge in discriminatory laws, with over 525 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced this year. Jamie L. Manson, president of Catholics for Choice, emphasized that despite the papal declaration, many same-sex couples may still hesitate to seek blessings due to a homophobic climate perpetuated by some bishops.

Pope Francis’ evolving stance, from his famous “Who am I to judge” comment in 2013 to the recent approval of same-sex blessings, reflects a commitment to inclusivity. In a January interview, he acknowledged the existence of countries with laws criminalizing homosexuality, emphasizing that being homosexual is not a crime. He also urged bishops who support discriminatory laws to undergo a process of conversion.

Raul Pena, a spokesman for Chrismhom, Madrid’s main Catholic LGBTQ+ association, highlighted the significance of the Pope’s message in challenging anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments even in small-town, conservative dioceses, stating, “It’s a fundamental step for those hierarchies and for those people who are in places where being LGBT is difficult.”

2,725 karagdagang kaso ng COVID-19 naitala noong nakaraang linggo

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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2,725 karagdagang kaso ng COVID-19 naitala noong nakaraang linggo

Naitala ng Department of Health (DOH) nitong ika-18 ng Disyembre, 2023, ang 2,725 karagdagang kaso ng COVID-19 mula Disyembre 12 hanggang 18. Ito ang pinakamataas na bilang ng mga bagong kaso sa isang linggo sa nakalipas na 24 na linggo.

Ang naitalang 2,725 bagong kaso ay 50% mas mataas kumpara sa 1,821 bagong kaso noong nakaraang linggo. Ito ay nagreresulta sa isang daily average na 389 kaso, na 50% mas mataas kaysa sa 260 na daily average na kaso noong nakaraang linggo.

Napansin din na ito ang unang pagkakataon sa loob ng 23 na linggo na ang bilang ng mga bagong kaso sa isang linggo ay umabot ng mahigit sa 2,000, at ang daily average ay lumampas sa 300 kaso.

Sa kabuuang bilang, 16 sa mga kaso ay itinuturing na severe o critical. Subalit, nananatili sa low-risk zone ang paggamit ng healthcare resources.

Sa datos na nakuha hanggang ika-17 ng Disyembre, 2023, 8.8% o 211 ng kabuuang admissions ng COVID-19 ay itinuturing na severe o critical. Ito ay bahagyang mas mababa kumpara sa 228 severe at critical admissions noong ika-10 ng Disyembre.

Ang paggamit ng ICU beds ay nasa 12.9%, bumaba mula sa tatlong sunod-sunod na linggong pagtaas, habang ang non-ICU bed utilization ay nasa 18.3%, pinakamataas ito sa nakalipas na limang linggo.

Bilang tugon sa pagtaas na ito, patuloy ang pakikiisa ng DOH sa mga hakbang upang mapanatili ang kaligtasan ng publiko. Ang pagsunod sa health protocols, tulad ng pagsusuot ng face mask, paghuhugas ng kamay, at pag-iwas sa malalaking pagtitipon, ay ipinapaalala pa rin sa lahat.

Deadliest earthquake in nine years strikes northwestern China, claiming 127 lives

Venus L Peñaflor
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Deadliest earthquake in nine years strikes northwestern China, claiming 127 lives

BEIJING. A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 struck northwestern China just before midnight on Monday, resulting in at least 127 casualties, making it the deadliest quake in the country in nine years. The quake wreaked havoc in the mountainous regions of Gansu and Qinghai provinces, leaving more than 700 people injured and causing widespread destruction.

The China Earthquake Networks Center reported that the earthquake occurred at a relatively shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles) in Gansu’s Jishishan county, approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the provincial boundary with Qinghai. The U.S. Geological Survey measured the magnitude at 5.9. The tremors damaged roads, disrupted power and communication lines, and triggered at least one landslide.

State broadcaster CCTV disclosed that 113 fatalities were confirmed in Gansu, with another 536 reported injuries. In Qinghai, an area north of the epicenter, 14 people lost their lives, and 198 sustained injuries, according to the People’s Daily, the official mouthpiece of the Communist Party.

As emergency responders conducted search and rescue operations amid collapsed buildings and landslides, those who lost their homes were forced to endure a freezing winter night in tents at hastily set-up evacuation sites. The earthquake’s shallow depth and mainly vertical movement contributed to the severity of the destruction, along with the lower quality of buildings in the relatively poor area.

Afraid of aftershocks, residents spent the night in makeshift camps. Ma Dongdong, who lost parts of his house and his milk tea shop, expressed anxiety, stating, “I just feel anxious, what other feelings could there be?” He, along with his family and neighbors, spent the night in a field, making a fire to stay warm.

Emergency authorities in Gansu called for 300 additional workers for search and rescue operations, and Qinghai officials reported 20 people missing in a landslide. The earthquake’s impact extended to Lanzhou, the Gansu provincial capital, where students hastily evacuated dormitories.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for an all-out search and rescue effort to minimize casualties. The China Meteorological Administration reported an overnight low of minus 15 to minus 9 degrees Celsius (5 to 16 degrees Fahrenheit) in the affected area. Tents, folding beds, and quilts were dispatched to the disaster area, with a plea for generators, long coats, and fuel for stoves.

At least 4,000 firefighters, soldiers, and police officers were mobilized for the rescue effort, and the People’s Liberation Army Western Theatre established a command post to coordinate operations. The China Meteorological Administration urged sending halal food due to the ethnic makeup of the affected population.

This tragic event marks the deadliest earthquake in China since the August 2014 quake in Yunnan province, emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated rescue efforts and support for the affected communities.

Hostages in Gaza craft ‘SOS’ signal from leftover food after IDF tragedy

Venus L Peñaflor
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Hostages in Gaza craft ‘SOS’ signal from leftover food after IDF tragedy

Three Israeli hostages were mistakenly killed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza on Friday. The victims, Yotam Haim (28), Samer Talalka (22), and Alon Shamriz (26), had used leftover food to create signs pleading for help after being held in the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza City during the recent hostilities.

The IDF acknowledged that the three men, who were holding a white flag, were shot in violation of the “rules of engagement.” The hostages had been seized and taken to Gaza during the Hamas attacks on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths in southern Israel.

Israeli officials expressed regret over the incident and revealed that the hostages had been staying in a building adjacent to where they were shot for an unspecified period. The hostages emerged shirtless from the building, with one carrying a stick with a white cloth, prompting a soldier to perceive them as a threat and open fire.

The tragic situation unfolded as Israeli troops faced stiff resistance in Gaza. Two of the hostages were immediately killed, and the wounded third returned to the building. Despite an initial cease-fire order, the wounded hostage was later shot and killed.

A subsequent search of the building uncovered messages written on fabric, reading “SOS” and “Help, 3 hostages.” It is believed that the hostages had been in the location for some time, although it remains unclear whether they were abandoned by their captors or had managed to escape.

Families of the hostages have urged the Israeli government to negotiate a new truce, echoing calls from the international community for an “immediate and durable truce.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted on maintaining military pressure for both the return of hostages and victory.

As the conflict continues, international pressure on Israel has intensified, with France’s Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna calling for a truce during her visit to Israel. However, Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen rejected the idea, considering it a gift to Hamas.

The destruction caused by the Israeli bombardment has raised concerns of a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, with widespread shortages of basic supplies. Calls for a “sustainable ceasefire” have come from the UK and Germany, while the United Nations warns of the dire situation in the region.

Despite diplomatic efforts, the conflict persists, with the IDF revealing images of what they claim to be Hamas’s largest attack tunnel near the Erez border crossing with Israel, emphasizing the ongoing challenges in the region.

The hostages used leftover food to write SOS on a white cloth before being shot dead by IDF. Source: X

BP halts Red Sea shipments amidst Houthi rebel attacks

EDGARDO HERNAL
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BP halts Red Sea shipments amidst Houthi rebel attacks

BP has announced the temporary suspension of all oil shipments through the Red Sea in response to a series of attacks by Houthi rebels. The oil giant attributed this decision to the “deteriorating security situation” in the region, as Houthi rebels continue to target vessels they suspect are headed for Israel.

The Red Sea serves as a crucial route for oil, fuel, and consumer goods shipments globally. Several freight firms have already halted their journeys due to the ongoing attacks.

On Monday, Evergreen Line, one of the world’s largest shipping firms, declared that it would no longer carry Israeli cargo via the Red Sea, citing concerns for the safety of ships and crew. The company instructed its container ships to suspend navigation through the Red Sea until further notice.

The Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have been targeting ships passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, also known as the Gate of Tears. This narrow channel, notorious for its navigational challenges, is a key passage for ships traveling between Yemen, Djibouti, Eritrea, and the Suez Canal.

The rebels have explicitly expressed support for Hamas and claimed to be targeting vessels bound for Israel, using drones and rockets against foreign-owned ships. However, it remains uncertain if all the attacked ships were indeed destined for Israel.

The most recent reported attack involved the MT Swan Atlantic, hit by an “unidentified object” off Yemen’s coast. Despite having no links to Israel, the attack raises concerns about the indiscriminate nature of the assaults.

In response to the escalating situation, BP emphasized that the safety and security of personnel and those working on its behalf are its top priorities. The company stated that it would continually review the decision to pause shipments based on evolving circumstances in the region.

Analysts suggest that if other major oil companies follow suit, there could be an impact on crude prices in Europe and the Mediterranean. Currently, Brent crude, the international oil price benchmark, has edged up to $77.17 per barrel.

As attacks on ships intensify, shipping companies are diverting their vessels from the Red Sea. Maersk, MSC, CMA-CGM, and Inventor Chemical Tankers are among the firms redirecting their routes, with some opting for the longer journey around southern Africa.

The shipping industry anticipes various consequences, including delays, increased insurance premiums, and potential disruptions in the supply chain. Despite the challenges, industry experts note that the sector is better equipped to handle crises compared to the Suez Canal blockage in 2021, thanks to improved conditions in the wake of COVID-19-related supply chain issues.

63-anyos patay, ginang sugatan sa ‘akyat-bahay’

Arman B. Cambe
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63-anyos patay, ginang sugatan sa ‘akyat-bahay’

DASMARIÑAS, Cavite. Patay ang isang 63-anyos na ina habang sugatan ang kanyang 31-anyos na manugang matapos pasukin ng dalawang hinihinalang miyembro ng “akyat-bahay gang” ang kanilang bahay sa Brgy. Paliparan 2, sa lungsod na ito, kahapon ng gabi.

Natagpuan ni Lloyd Hendrick Andaya ang kanyang inang si Socorro Alvarez Andaya, 63-anyos, na wala ng buhay sa loob ng kanilang bahay at natagpuan naman niya si Nica Ricel Candado, 31, ang live-in partner ni Andaya, na sugatan sa loob ng comfort room. Isinugod si Candado sa DLSU-UNC hospital at inilabas din agad pagkatapos gamutin.

Sinabi ni Lt. Col. Julius Balano, hepe ng pulisya sa Dasmariñas City, na alas-11:00 ng gabi nang abutan ni Lloyd Hendrick ang nangyari, ngunit ang insidente ay iniulat sa pulisya alas-8 ng umaga kinabukasan.

Ang dalawang biktima ay parehong may sugat sa ulo, na hinihinalang pinalo ng matigas na bagay. Ayon sa imbestigasyon, ang mga suspek ay pumasok sa bahay at nagnakaw ng pera at alahas mula sa kuwarto.

Lumabas sa imbestigasyon na posibleng nanlaban ang mga biktima sa mga suspek, base sa mga kagamitan na nagkalat sa lugar ng krimen. Mayroong dalawang indibiduwal sa compound na itinuturing na “persons of interest” dahil sa kanilang koneksiyon sa naunang insidente ng pagtatangka na pagnakawan ang bahay ng nasawing biktima.

Patuloy ang pulisya sa pagsisiyasat upang kilalanin ang mga salarin. Ang mga biktima ay may negosyong water refilling station.

North Korea launches potential intercontinental ballistic missile with reach across entire US, confirms Japan

Venus L Peñaflor
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North Korea launches potential intercontinental ballistic missile with reach across entire US, confirms Japan

Seoul, South Korea. North Korea launched a potential intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Monday morning, signaling an advancement in the reclusive state’s illicit weapons program, according to analysts. The missile, if confirmed as an ICBM, displayed the capability to reach anywhere in the United States, as reported by the Japanese Defense Ministry.

Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Shingo Miyake stated at a news conference in Tokyo that based on the trajectory and potential warhead weight, the missile could have a range exceeding 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles), covering the entire US territory. The missile reportedly flew at a highly lofted trajectory for approximately 73 minutes, reaching an altitude of 6,000 kilometers (3,700 miles) and a distance of about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) before landing in the sea west of Hokkaido, Japan.

Analysts, however, caution that the missile would need to be fired at a flatter trajectory to pose a direct threat to the United States. Joseph Dempsey of the International Institute for Strategic Studies emphasized that lofted tests do not present the same challenges as a normal ICBM trajectory, including the warhead’s ability to survive reentry and maintain accuracy over longer distances.

While the specific missile type was not officially disclosed, Jeffrey Lewis of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies suggested that Monday’s test was likely the third launch of the Hwasong-18 missile, a powerful solid-fueled ICBM previously tested in April and July. This development indicates a maturing North Korean missile program, demonstrating a record of reliability.

The Hwasong-18, a solid-fueled missile, represents a more advanced technology compared to the liquid-fueled Hwasong-17 tested earlier this year. Solid-fueled ICBMs are considered more stable and can be deployed more rapidly, enhancing North Korea’s ability to launch long-range nuclear strikes.

North Korea’s recent missile advancements align with Kim Jong Un’s goal of matching the military capabilities of other nations, such as the United States and European countries. The country’s progression from the Hwasong-17 to the Hwasong-18 indicates ongoing development and technological refinement.

The launch comes less than 24 hours after North Korea conducted another ballistic missile test towards the waters off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula. The consecutive tests have triggered international concern and condemnation, with North Korea accusing the US and South Korea of “reckless military provocations.”

Experts suggest that North Korea’s provocative actions and strong rhetoric may be contributing to increased trilateral cooperation between the US, Japan, and South Korea. The countries are reportedly sharing real-time missile tracking data, underscoring the geopolitical tensions in the region.

As the global community closely monitors the situation, North Korea’s continued missile testing poses challenges for regional stability and security, prompting responses from neighboring countries and heightened diplomatic efforts.

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