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Historic Mao Zedong-signed menu fetches $275,000 at auction

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Historic Mao Zedong-signed menu fetches $275,000 at auction

BOSTON. An official menu from a state banquet featuring the signature of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong has been sold for an impressive $275,000. The auction, conducted by Boston-based RR Auction on Wednesday, showcased a piece of history tied to a significant diplomatic occasion.

The auctioned menu, dated October 19, 1956, pertains to a state banquet held in Beijing, commemorating the first-ever state visit to China by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy. The fountain pen signatures on the menu include those of six influential Chinese statesmen, among them Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai. The banquet, celebrating the diplomatic engagement between China and Pakistan, featured a culinary fusion with delicacies such as “Consommé of Swallow Nest and White Agaric,” “Shark’s Fin in Brown Sauce,” and the renowned “Roast Peking Duck.”

Bobby Livingston, executive vice president at RR Auction, expressed the significance of possessing a menu signed by Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, stating, “To hold a menu signed by Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai is to hold a piece of the past – a piece that tells a story of diplomatic engagement, cultural exchange, and the forging of friendships that have endured through the decades.”

The auction also featured other notable items, including a fully operational World War II-era Enigma coding machine, which fetched $206,253. A document signed by Thomas Edison related to a light bulb patent was sold for $22,154. Additionally, a check signed by Steve Jobs to Radio Shack, dated July 23, 1976, and payable for $4.01, was sold for $46,063. This check, from the same year Jobs and Steve Wozniak launched Apple in a Silicon Valley garage, offers a glimpse into the early days of the tech giant.

The auction not only celebrated the historical value of the Mao Zedong-signed menu but also highlighted the enduring fascination with artifacts that provide insights into pivotal moments in history and the lives of influential figures.

Itataas ang monthly contribution ng Pag-IBIG Fund mula Enero 2024

Venus L Peñaflor
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Itataas ang monthly contribution ng Pag-IBIG Fund mula Enero 2024

Binabalak ng Pag-IBIG Fund na itaas ang buwanang kontribusyon ng kanilang mga miyembro at ng kanilang mga employers, simula Enero 2024.

Ayon kay Pag-IBIG Fund CEO Marilene Acosta, itutuloy ng ahensya ang pag-implementa ng pagtaas sa kontribusyon ng mga miyembro ng Pag-IBIG Fund, kung aprubado ito ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. Bagamat inaprubahan na ng Pag-IBIG Fund Board ang pagtaas, nagpadala ng memorandum ang ahensya sa Pangulo noong huling linggo ng Nobyembre upang ipaalam ang pagsisimula ng implementasyon ng pagtaas sa kontribusyon.

Sa kasalukuyang patakaran ng Pag-IBIG Fund sa kontribusyon, ang maximum fund salary (MFS) na batayan para sa two (2%) percent na rate ay nasa P5,000 kada buwan. Ito ay nangangahulugang ang mandatory contribution ng miyembro ay P100 kada buwan, at P100 naman para sa employer. Ang mga halagang ito ay nagiging pondong tumutubo kada taon.

Inaasahan na ang planong pagtaas sa susunod na taon ay magiging P200 na mandatory contribution para sa mga miyembro at P200 naman para sa employer.

Ayon kay Acosta, ang dagdag-hulog na ito ay magreresulta sa mas mataas na ipon para sa miyembro, mas malaking taunang dibidendo, at mas malaking halaga para sa cash loan. Dagdag pa niya, ang dagdag pondo mula sa pagtaas ng kontribusyon ay makakatulong sa pondo para sa mas maraming housing units.

Nakatakdang itaas sana ang MFS noong 2021 at 2022, ngunit naantala ito at nailipat sa taong 2024 dahil sa epekto ng pandemya sa mga miyembro at sa komunidad ng negosyo. Ipinunto rin ni Acosta na huling nagkaroon ng taas sa monthly contribution noong 1986.

Sa ngayon, ang Pag-IBIG Fund ay may 15.8 milyong aktibong miyembro sa buong bansa.

Elon Musk defies controversy, restores X account of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Elon Musk defies controversy, restores X account of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones

BOSTON. Elon Musk has reinstated the X account of controversial conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, citing a poll on the social media platform that garnered 70% support for Jones’ return. The decision marks a shift in Musk’s stance, raising concerns for advertisers who fled X due to worries about hate speech appearing alongside their ads.

Musk initiated a poll on Saturday, asking X users whether Jones should be allowed back on the platform. The results, with 70% in favor of reinstatement, prompted Musk to tweet on Sunday, “The people have spoken and so it shall be.” Musk, self-proclaimed as a free speech absolutist, asserted that the decision was about protecting individual rights.

Responding to a user who argued against permanent account bans, Musk stated, “I find it hard to disagree with this point.” He also acknowledged the potential role of Community Notes, X’s crowd-sourced fact-checking service, in swiftly correcting any misinformation shared by Jones.

This reversal by the billionaire Tesla CEO contrasts with his previous stance, where he vowed not to allow Jones back on the platform. Last year, Musk, referencing the death of his first-born child, expressed no mercy for those exploiting children’s deaths for personal gain, politics, or fame.

Jones, known for repeatedly claiming the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting was a hoax, faces significant legal challenges. Victims’ relatives sued him, winning nearly $1.5 billion in judgments. A judge ruled in October that bankruptcy protection could not shield Jones from over $1.1 billion of that debt.

The move to reinstate Jones comes at a time when major brands, including Disney and IBM, have ceased advertising on X due to concerns raised by Media Matters about ads appearing alongside extremist content. Musk, too, faced criticism for endorsing an antisemitic conspiracy theory on X, later apologizing during a visit to Israel.

Musk, who acquired Twitter last year, has previously reinstated high-profile figures like former President Donald Trump, rapper Ye (formerly Kanye West), and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Despite advertiser exodus, Musk has been vocal about what he deems as “blackmail” and advised them not to advertise during a recent interview at The New York Times DealBook Summit.

The restoration of Jones’ account adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate surrounding free speech, content moderation, and the responsibilities of social media platforms.

Barko ng Pilipinas, ‘binomba’ at binangga na naman ng China Coast Guard

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Barko ng Pilipinas, ‘binomba’ at binangga na naman ng China Coast Guard

Matapos ang insidente ng pambobomba ng water cannon sa mga barko ng Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) noong Sabado, naging mas masahol pa ang sitwasyon sa West Philippine Sea. Nitong umaga ngayong araw, ang mga sasakyang pandagat ng Pilipinas na naglalakbay para sa rotation and resupply mission, partikular na ang M/L Kalayaan, BRP Cabra, at Unaizah Mae 1 BRP Sierra Madre, ay binomba na naman ng tubig ng China Coast Guard (CCG).

Ayon kay Commodore Jay Tarriela, tagapagsalita ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) para sa West Philippine Sea, nasira ang engine ng M/L Kalayaan dahil sa water cannon ng CCG. Hindi rin nakaligtas ang UM1, isang barko na binomba rin ng sasakyang pandagat ng China.

“Regular RORE to BRP SIERRA MADRE this morning. BRP CABRA, Unaizah Mae 1, and M/L Kalayaan water cannoned by China Coast Guard. M/L Kalayaan suffered serious engine damage. Contrary to China Coast Guard disinformation, UM1 rammed by CCG vessel,” pahayag ni Tarriela sa kanyang pahayag.

Dagdag pa niya, itinanggi niya ang alegasyon ng CCG na ang sasakyang pandagat ng Pilipinas ang umatake sa mga barko ng CCG. Ipinunto ni Tarriela na ito ay isa na namang pang-aagresyon ng China sa mga sasakyang pandagat ng Pilipinas sa ilalim ng Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) ng bansa, isang aspeto na kinikilala rin sa 2016 UNCLOS Arbitral Award.

Simula pa noong 1999, matatagpuan na ang BRP Sierra Madre sa Ayungin Shoal, isang barko na galing pa sa World War II na nagsisilbing simbolo ng pagmamay-ari ng Pilipinas sa West Philippine Sea. Ang pangyayaring ito ay sumabay sa pag-atake noong Sabado, kung saan walong beses na binomba ng CCG ang mga barko ng BFAR na nasa gitna ng supply mission patungo sa Scarborough Shoal.

Heavy clashes erupt across Gaza as U.S. boosts Israel’s military support

Venus L Peñaflor
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Heavy clashes erupt across Gaza as U.S. boosts Israel’s military support

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip. A renewed wave of heavy fighting engulfed Gaza on Sunday, with Israeli forces intensifying their offensive following the U.S. veto of a proposed international cease-fire. The move came amid escalating international condemnation and calls for an end to the conflict, fueled by the high civilian casualties and mass displacement in the beleaguered territory.

The U.S., a key ally of Israel, further solidified its support by blocking United Nations Security Council efforts to halt the hostilities, garnering criticism from various quarters. In a controversial move, the U.S. also expedited the emergency sale of over $100 million worth of tank ammunition to Israel, reinforcing its commitment to backing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military objectives.

Expressing gratitude for the crucial military aid, Netanyahu thanked U.S. President Joe Biden, emphasizing the importance of the provided ammunition for the continuation of the war. The offensive aims to crush the military capabilities of Hamas and address the fallout from the Oct. 7 attack that triggered the conflict. In that incursion, Hamas militants infiltrated southern Israel, resulting in the death of 1,200 people and the capture of around 240 hostages.

The U.S. has pledged steadfast support for Israel’s objectives, rejecting international appeals for de-escalation. The offensive has, however, resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis, with approximately 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents displaced and U.N. agencies highlighting the absence of safe havens within the besieged territory.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, addressing a forum in Qatar, warned of the situation’s rapid deterioration, describing it as a potential catastrophe with irreversible implications for Palestinians and regional peace. Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, affirmed ongoing mediation efforts to end the conflict and secure the release of hostages but lamented the lack of willingness from both parties.

Israel’s national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, acknowledged the absence of a set deadline from the U.S. for achieving Israel’s goals, emphasizing the complexity and potential duration of the operation. Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicated that discussions with Israel involve considerations of the campaign’s duration and strategy against Hamas, emphasizing that these decisions ultimately rest with Israel.

As the conflict continues, the international community remains deeply divided, with concerns growing over the humanitarian toll and the broader implications for regional stability.

(with inputs from agencies)

Archaeologists unearth disturbing evidence of Roman slavery at Pompeii

Venus L Peñaflor
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Archaeologists unearth disturbing evidence of Roman slavery at Pompeii

Archaeologists at the Pompeii archaeological park in southern Italy have uncovered what is being described as the “most shocking example of Roman slavery” within the ruins of the ancient city. The discovery, a cramped bakery with barred windows, is believed to be a site where enslaved individuals were imprisoned and exploited to produce bread, shedding light on the harsh realities of daily life for Pompeii’s enslaved population.

The bakery, found during excavations in the Regio IX area, was part of a larger home undergoing renovations at the time of Mount Vesuvius’s catastrophic eruption in AD79. Despite the destruction, the remains of three victims were discovered in one of the bakery’s rooms, indicating that the premises were still inhabited during the eruption.

The bakery, featuring small windows secured with iron bars, was strategically separated from the outside world, with its sole exit leading to the main hall of the residence. Markings on the bakery’s floor suggested a system to coordinate the movements of enslaved workers and blindfolded animals. The enslaved individuals were likely compelled to grind the grain needed for bread production, highlighting the grim conditions they endured.

Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the director of Pompeii archaeological park, expressed the significance of the discovery, stating, “It is the most shocking side of ancient slavery, the one devoid of both trusting relationships and promises of manumission, where we were reduced to brute violence, an impression that is entirely confirmed by the securing of the few windows with iron bars.”

This revelation adds crucial insights into the daily lives of Pompeii’s enslaved population, a group often overlooked in historical records despite constituting the majority of the city’s inhabitants. Their labor not only sustained the local economy but also played a vital role in shaping the culture and fabric of Roman civilization.

The discovery follows previous findings related to Roman slavery at Pompeii, including a room inhabited by enslaved people in Civita Giuliana in 2021 and the partly mummified remains of a former enslaved person at the necropolis of Porta Sarno in the same year.

An upcoming exhibition at the archaeological park, scheduled to begin on December 15, will be dedicated to the enslaved people of Pompeii, further emphasizing the importance of understanding this aspect of ancient history. The exhibition aims to provide a comprehensive view of the lives and struggles of those who were often silenced in historical narratives.

Hollywood icon Ryan O’Neal passes away at 82

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Hollywood icon Ryan O’Neal passes away at 82

Patrick O’Neal, the son of Hollywood legend Ryan O’Neal, shared on Instagram that his father had passed away at the age of 82. The iconic actor, known for his roles in timeless classics such as Love Story, Paper Moon, and Barry Lyndon, left a lasting legacy in the world of entertainment.

Patrick O’Neal’s emotional post paid tribute to his father, describing him as a hero and a larger-than-life figure. He reminisced about his father’s rise to stardom in the 1970s, emphasizing O’Neal’s international acclaim following his role in Love Story. The post highlighted O’Neal’s impressive filmography, including What’s Up, Doc?, Paper Moon, Barry Lyndon, A Bridge Too Far, The Main Event, and The Driver, solidifying his status as a Hollywood legend.

Ryan O’Neal faced health challenges in recent years, battling chronic leukemia since 2001 and later being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012. Despite these struggles, he continued to captivate audiences with his talent and charisma.

O’Neal’s career took off in the 1960s with appearances on popular television shows like The Untouchables, General Electric Theater, and Peyton Place. However, it was his role opposite Ali MacGraw in Love Story that propelled him to international fame, earning him Golden Globe and Oscar nominations.

The actor’s personal life was marked by marriages to fellow actresses Joanna Moore and Leigh Taylor-Young. His three-decade-long, on-and-off relationship with Farrah Fawcett, who passed away in 2009, added another chapter to his colorful personal history.

In a series of heartfelt posts, Patrick O’Neal praised his father’s work ethic and love for acting. He described Ryan O’Neal as a humble man who treated everyone on set with kindness. The younger O’Neal shared fond memories of his father’s dedication to his craft, from effortlessly memorizing pages of dialogue to forming strong bonds with the crew.

In a poignant conclusion, Patrick expressed the deep love and admiration he and his family had for Ryan O’Neal. The post conveyed a sense of loss but also celebrated the reunion of O’Neal with Farrah Fawcett in heaven.

As the entertainment industry mourns the passing of one of its iconic figures, Ryan O’Neal’s contributions to cinema and television will continue to resonate with audiences around the world.

Presyo ng bilihin sa palengke, binabantayan ng agriculture team para sa kapaskuhan at bagong taon

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Presyo ng bilihin sa palengke, binabantayan ng agriculture team para sa kapaskuhan at bagong taon

Nagsimula na ang mga opisyal ng Department of Agriculture (DA) sa pagsasagawa ng 24/7 na paggalugad sa mga palengke upang tiyakin na ang presyo ng mga bilihin ay tama at sapat ang suplay, lalo na sa panahon ng Kapaskuhan at bagong taon.

Sa pangunguna ni DA Undersecretary for Operations Roger Navarro, ini-inspeksyon ang Mega Q-Mart at Kamuning Public Market sa Quezon City. Ayon kay Navarro, may sapat na suplay ng karne, poultry products, gulay, at isda sa nasabing mga palengke.

Nagpahayag si Navarro na mag-uusap sila ng ibang ahensiya ng gobyerno, tulad ng National Price Coordinating Council, upang siguruhing mananatiling stable ang presyo ng mga bilihin. Layunin nito na hindi maapektuhan ang hanapbuhay ng mga magsasaka, at maiwasan ang pag-akyat ng presyo dulot ng imported products.

Ang hakbang na ito ng DA ay bahagi ng pagsusumikap na mapanatili ang kalagayan ng ekonomiya at matugunan ang pangangailangan ng mamamayan sa gitna ng mga pagbabago sa merkado. Mananatili ang pagmamasid ng ahensya sa takbo ng presyo sa buong bansa at suplay sa mga susunod na linggo.

US vetoes Israel ceasefire resolution at the UN

Venus L Peñaflor
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US vetoes Israel ceasefire resolution at the UN

The United States vetoed a resolution at the United Nations Security Council Friday demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, as civilian casualties rise amid Israel’s military campaign against the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The resolution, introduced by the United Arab Emirates, was a priority for U.N. Security General Antonio Guterres, who invoked Article 99 of the U.N. Charter to bring the issue to the immediate attention of the Security Council. Guterres had urged member states to demand an immediate cease-fire in light of an impending “humanitarian catastrophe” in the Gaza Strip.

It was supported by 13 out of the 15 members of the Security Council. The U.S., which holds veto power as a permanent member, voted against the resolution. The United Kingdom, another permanent member, abstained.

“We do not support calls for an immediate cease-fire,” Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood said Friday in New York. “This would only plant the seeds for the next war, because Hamas has no desire to see a durable peace, to see a two-state solution.”

Condemnation for the veto from human rights groups and NGOs was swift. Human Rights Watch said in a statement Friday that “[by] continuing to provide Israel with weapons & diplomatic cover as it commits atrocities, including collectively punishing the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza, the US risks complicity in war crimes.”

Although the U.S. regularly uses its veto power to block resolutions that are critical of Israel and the Israeli government’s actions towards Palestinians, the Friday veto comes as the international community increasingly voices its concerns with Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Since Hamas mounted a deadly surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, the U.S. has been Israel’s staunchest ally as it seeks to remove Hamas from the Gaza Strip, even as civilian casualties have mounted.

The Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health has said Israeli airstrikes and operations have killed 17,000 Palestinians. Millions more are displaced.

The conflict has emerged as one of the biggest foreign policy challenges for the Biden administration, testing its support domestically among Muslim and Arab American voters and complicating its efforts in the Middle East to shore up relations with key allies and further normalization of diplomatic ties between the Arab world and Israel.

In defense of the future and the calling of all

DC Alviar
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In defense of the future and the calling of all

Olden people known as lawyers or the orators of ancient Athens may rise from the graves if they know that their profession as exercised these days is full of lies and too proud. Or the Greek philosopher Socrates may haunt those who use his name in the wrong teaching method in law studies. What matters now is a passion for reason that needs to be taught, revealed, and demonstrated by adults and maturing children.

No offense to lawyers, but it is time for many of us to champion the cause of those in need of defense by using any means that the law allows, no more, no less. In other words, if the opportunity demands, anyone can be a defender of the environment, freedom and democracy, human rights and dignity, or truth and life. Anyone can defend the innocent. The list goes on; anyone can be a defender of those who are hungry, thirsty, defamed on social media, unemployed, deprived of work (inagawan ng trabaho at pagtatrabahuhan sa kaso ng West Philippine Sea), without money for hospitalization or bail, and without money to send their children to school, or for high school graduates, without enough means for higher education. It can also happen that a lawyer, who is an officer of the court, can destroy such defense advocacies in various ways. Think about Gadon and other disbarred lawyers.

But there are assured parents and functioning institutions out to raise children who put their trust in God. Sila ang magpupuno ng kakulangan sa pagtatanggol (they will fill the defense gap). There is simply no time for despair — no matter how dismal (“nangungulelat”) the results of the 2018 and 2022 PISA for the Philippines are — because we love what our new day offers and because we love to care.

Alternative or developmental lawyering can be promoted. As often tackled in round table discussions and policy briefs, legal studies can be pursued in high school, undergraduate studies, law school, bar preparations, and related training institutions. I share the astute advice of Raguindin, Faller-Capistrano, and Adiong (2023) in overhauling the current legal education and designing a Bangsamoro-centered curriculum for legal studies. Their other recommendations: make legal language understandable to the public; empower and incentivize the average person to participate in public discussions and policy consultations; provide more spaces for scholars and policy experts; and accommodate and normalize local indigenous worldviews and languages.

“The legal curriculum must be checked for colonial influences. In overhauling the curriculum, both content and pedagogy must be examined.” This was one of the claims of the research team and retold by lawyer-professor Archill Niña Faller-Capistrano in a seminar last week. She cited critical papers here and abroad in a bid to champion legal studies’ development.

My humble observation is that the legal profession has come a long way for both men and women. I look up to the Dioknos and also hope that “angas ng babae” from Leila de Lima or Katrina Legarda will be contagious. A guidebook was introduced in this manner: “Women lawyers have made great strides over the past few decades, but the legal profession, like many other professions, has not dismantled the obstacles that impact women.” There are documents of women being humiliated in the Socratic Method and worse cases for the pregnant. And so, for all of us: Please be guided accordingly.In scriptural readings (e.g., Jeremiah 22:3 and Psalm 82:3-4), we hear the call of the Eternal Judge and that is for all of us, with no particular profession, to act as true defenders. Magtanggol tayong lahat. We also have the duty to pray for lawyers in our midst and help them in taking to heart the performance of their jobs.

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