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OCTA: Positivity rate ng COVID sa NCR tumaas na sa 10%, posibleng tumaas pa

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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OCTA: Positivity rate ng COVID sa NCR tumaas na sa 10%, posibleng tumaas pa

Kinumpirma ng OCTA Research nitong Miyerkules, Disyembre 6, na umabot na sa 10% ang positivity rate ng COVID-19 sa National Capital Region (NCR), kumpara sa 7% noong nakaraang linggo.

Ayon kay OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David, ang kasalukuyang positivity rate ay katulad din ng nangyaring surge ng COVID-19 infections sa nakalipas na mga buwan, maliban sa oras na nagkaroon ng mataas na surge ang Omicron variant.

“Nakakapagtaka pero hindi naman siguro nakakagulat,” ayon kay Dr. David sa isang panayam sa TeleRadyo Serbisyo. Ipinunto niya na maaaring ang pagtaas ng kaso ng COVID-19 ay dulot ng kakulangan sa mga testing centers para sa COVID-19.

‘Yung COVID-19 cases natin most likely underreported…Most likely 10 times ‘yung bilang,” dagdag pa ni David. Nagbabala rin siya na posibleng umakyat pa ang positivity rate sa 15% sa mga susunod na buwan.

“Hindi pa ito todo, tataas pa ito…Huwag naman sana siya umabot ng 20 percent,” dagdag pa niya.

Sa ngayon, iniimbestigahan ng Department of Health (DOH) kung ang pagtaas ng bilang ng mga nagkakasakit ay dahil sa bagong COVID variant of interest na unang iniulat ng World Health Organization.

Muling ipinaalala ni Dr. David ang kahalagahan ng masusing pag-iingat at pagsunod sa health protocols upang maiwasan ang pagkalat ng virus.

Inaasahan ang mahalagang koordinasyon ng publiko at ng mga awtoridad sa kalusugan upang mapigilan ang higit pang pagtaas ng kaso ng COVID-19 sa NCR at sa buong bansa.

Elon Musk’s xAI raises $135m in pursuit of $1bn funding for AI dominance

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Elon Musk’s xAI raises $135m in pursuit of $1bn funding for AI dominance

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, xAI, is actively seeking $1 billion (£0.8 billion) in equity financing, as the billionaire entrepreneur strives to compete with industry rivals such as OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google in the fiercely contested field of artificial intelligence.

xAI has already secured $135 million (£107 million) from investors, according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The company aims to attain a total of $1 billion in equity financing to propel its endeavors in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

The competition to develop generative AI, capable of producing convincing text, images, and audio from simple prompts, has heightened as major players in Silicon Valley vie for supremacy. This race gained momentum following the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November of last year, prompting significant investments and collaborations within the industry.

After the notable impact of ChatGPT, Microsoft announced a substantial deepening of its partnership with OpenAI in January, backed by a substantial $10 billion investment commitment.

Elon Musk, Tesla and SpaceX CEO, and owner of the X platform (formerly known as Twitter), co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but departed three years later. In July, Musk launched xAI, and recently, the company unveiled its inaugural AI model, a chatbot named Grok, characterized by a “rebellious streak.”

Grok is set to be accessible to specific premium subscribers on the X platform. Musk previously stated that investors in the platform would possess a 25% ownership stake in xAI. However, despite his involvement in the AI race, Musk has consistently warned about the potential risks of artificial intelligence, acknowledging it as “one of the biggest threats to humanity.”

Amazon has also joined the AI race, announcing a significant investment of up to $4 billion in the startup Anthropic, which has developed its generative AI chatbot named Claude. Anthropic stands as a key competitor to OpenAI in the burgeoning AI sector. In the past year, Google invested $300 million in Anthropic, solidifying its position in the industry, with plans to train models on Google’s chips and leverage its cloud services. The AI sector’s continued growth and competition underscore the strategic importance of securing substantial funding for advancements and breakthroughs in the field.

Triumph in governance: 14 Laguna LGUs excel in 2023 LCAT-VAWC functionality assessment

Venus L Peñaflor
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Triumph in governance: 14 Laguna LGUs excel in 2023 LCAT-VAWC functionality assessment

STA. CRUZ, Laguna. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Laguna Field Office extends heartfelt congratulations to fourteen (14) local government units (LGUs) in the Province of Laguna for achieving exemplary performance and passing with ideal functionality in the 2023 Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking and VAWC (LCAT-VAWC) Functionality Assessment.

The recognized LGUs include the City of Biñan, City of Calamba, Calauan, Kalayaan, Liliw, Los Baños, Mabitac, Magdalena, Majayjay, Nagcarlan, Pila, San Pablo City, Siniloan, and Santa Maria.

The Functionality Assessment serves as a critical tool to evaluate the effectiveness of LGUs and provides a basis for policy and capacity development. Its primary goal is to enhance the capabilities of local governments in combating trafficking in persons and eradicating violence against women and children.

LCAT-VAWC, established as a mechanism, plays a pivotal role in coordinating and monitoring the implementation of Republic Act No. 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003) and Republic Act No. 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004).

This remarkable achievement highlights the commitment of the recognized LGUs in upholding the rights and welfare of their constituents, showcasing their dedication to the pursuit of a safer and more secure community. The DILG commends these local government units for their outstanding efforts in championing the cause against human trafficking and violence, setting a commendable standard for others to follow.

Israel and Hamas engage in fierce house-to-house battles across Gaza

Venus L Peñaflor
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Israel and Hamas engage in fierce house-to-house battles across Gaza

GAZA STRIP. Israeli forces and Hamas house-to-house battles are raging across the entirety of the Gaza Strip, leaving a trail of destruction and humanitarian crisis. As the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) advance through heavily damaged urban areas in northern and southern Gaza, Hamas has increasingly turned to improvised bombs to slow down the assault and inflict casualties.

The impact on the civilian population has been catastrophic, with Gaza’s hospitals overwhelmed by a surge of casualties, particularly among women and children. The collapse in humanitarian relief efforts has exacerbated the suffering, while the spread of ground combat to the south has halted the delivery of aid beyond the Rafah crossing point with Egypt.

The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reports that since the breakdown of a temporary ceasefire earlier in the month, 1,207 Palestinians have been killed, with 70% of the victims being women and children.

Fierce fighting has concentrated on the Jabalia refugee camp and the Shuja’iyya district in northern Gaza, as well as Khan Younis and Bani Suheila in the south. The IDF has gained control of most of the Salah al-Din road, the main north-south highway in the coastal strip.

Efforts to establish safe zones have proven futile, with the UN and aid agencies asserting that nowhere in Gaza is safe anymore. Over 80% of Gaza’s population, or 1.87 million people, have fled their homes, often having to seek shelter multiple times in the face of the advancing Israeli forces.

The UN Human Rights Office expressed serious concerns about Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law, citing attacks on civilian infrastructure that elevate the risk of atrocity crimes. The Norwegian Refugee Council labeled the conflict as one of the worst assaults on a civilian population in recent times.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the IDF was winning the war, noting the elimination of more than half of Hamas’s battalion commanders. However, he acknowledged the high cost, describing it as “an unbearable price.”

Hamas has adapted its tactics, employing improvised explosives and launching rockets into central and southern Israel. The IDF reported seven casualties on Tuesday and two more on Wednesday morning, bringing the total to 84 soldiers killed since the start of ground operations.

As the conflict intensifies, the international community, including the Biden administration, continues to call on Israel to limit civilian casualties. UN aid official Martin Griffiths highlighted the devastating impact on the Palestinian population and emphasized that US diplomacy has had no discernible effect on the outcome.

Talks are underway in Israel regarding the future of Gaza after the war, with the Biden administration emphasizing the need to prevent civilian casualties. Despite international pressure, Netanyahu insisted on the demilitarization of Gaza under IDF control, rejecting the possibility of an international force overseeing the process.

The conflict, which began with a Hamas rampage through Israeli villages on October 7, has escalated into a devastating and protracted struggle with severe humanitarian consequences.

DOH: Walang outbreak ng ‘walking pneumonia’ sa Pilipinas

Venus L Peñaflor
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DOH: Walang outbreak ng ‘walking pneumonia’ sa Pilipinas

Tiniyak ni Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa kahapon na walang outbreak ng ‘walking pneumonia’ sa Pilipinas.

Sinabi ito ni Herbosa matapos ang deliberasyon ng Commission on Appointments (CA) sa kanyang appointment bilang kalihim ng DOH.

Ayon sa kanya, bagaman at dumarami ang mga kaso ng pneumonia, wala pa namang outbreak nito. Ipinaliwanag niya na sa ngayon ay panahon ng pagsusulputan ng mga respiratory illness.

Sa Philippines po, wala pang outbreak, according to our Epidemiology Bureau. Although marami ang cases because ito po talaga ‘yung season ng respiratory illness,” pahayag pa ni Herbosa.

Napag alaman na ang ‘walking pneumonia’ ay isang mild bacterial infection na kahalintulad ng sipon. Hindi rin umano ito nangangailangan ng bed rest o pananatili sa ospital.

Sa gitna ng pagtaas ng kaso ng pneumonia, pinapayuhan ng DOH ang publiko na maging maingat at sundin ang mga health protocols, kabilang ang pagsusuot ng face mask, paghuhugas ng kamay, at pag-iwas sa matataong lugar.

Ang assurance ni Secretary Herbosa ay naglalayon na maibsan ang alalahanin ng publiko hinggil sa kalusugan, at itaguyod ang tamang impormasyon sa gitna ng kaganapan ngayon hinggil sa kalusugan ng respiratory system.

IBM unveils Quantum System Two, paving the way for quantum computing breakthroughs

EDGARDO HERNAL
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IBM unveils Quantum System Two, paving the way for quantum computing breakthroughs

IBM, the renowned computer and artificial intelligence technology giant, introduced its latest innovation on Monday—a quantum computing chip and machine known as Quantum System Two. The new technology utilizes three “Heron” cryogenically cooled chips, a departure from traditional silicon-based computers.

As tech behemoths like Microsoft, Google’s Alphabet, China’s Baidu, and others engage in a quantum computing race, IBM’s Quantum System Two stands out with its unique approach. Unlike the binary system of ones and zeros in traditional computing, it harnesses the power of quantum bits—subatomic particles capable of existing in a “superposition” of both one and zero simultaneously.

IBM’s breakthrough extends beyond the hardware, introducing a novel method of connecting chips within machines and linking machines together. Coupled with an innovative error-correction code, IBM envisions the production of fully functional quantum machines by 2033. The company plans to integrate the new chip into its enterprise AI platform, Watsonx.

Dario Gil, IBM’s director of research, highlighted the significance of this advancement, stating, “We are firmly within the era in which quantum computers are being used as a tool to explore new frontiers of science.” Quantum computing holds the promise of solving complex problems in physics, chemistry, engineering, and medicine in minutes, tasks that would currently take supercomputers millions of years, if solvable at all.

IBM has already installed one of the Quantum System Two machines at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Chief Research Officer Serpil Erzurum anticipates leveraging the technology to model protein behavior, offering insights into their shapes during various functions. This capability holds tremendous potential for understanding diseases like cancer and autoimmunity, where computational limitations have hindered real-time structural analysis of molecules.

The unveiling of IBM’s Quantum System Two marks a significant step toward the era of quantum computing, opening up possibilities for accelerated scientific discoveries and groundbreaking applications in various fields.

Pangil, Laguna binulabog ng bomb threat, klase sinuspinde

Arman B. Cambe
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Pangil, Laguna binulabog ng bomb threat, klase sinuspinde

PANGIL. Laguna. Sinuspindi ng lokal na pamahalaan ang lahat ng klase sa elementarya, high school, at kolehiyo sa bayan ng Pangil sa Laguna matapos na bulabugin ng bomb threat ang Pakil Elementary School sa Barangay Isla kahapon ng umaga.

Agad na iniulat ng gurong si Rozchelle Subijano, 40, kasama ang dalawang estudyante, na parehong 12 anyos, sa kanilang school principal ang natagpuang “word-processed letter” na naglalaman ng mensahe ng pagbabanta mula sa harap ng gate ng Pakil Elementary School alas-8:40 ng umaga.

Sa bomb threat, sinabi na pasasabugin ang Pangil Elementary School at iba pang paaralan malapit sa Barangay Isla ilang oras matapos ang pagpapaskel ng babala.

Bilang tugon, agad na ipinaalam ang natanggap na bomb threat sa lokal na pulisya na agad na rumesponde sa iskul at nagsagawa ng masusing inspeksyon sa loob. Inabisuhan ng awtoridad ang lahat ng guro na siguruhing ligtas ang paglilikas ng mga estudyante habang isinasagawa ang inspeksyon.

Sa oras ding iyon, ipinatigil ng mayor ng bayan ang lahat ng klase sa lahat ng antas upang tiyakin ang seguridad at kaligtasan ng mga mag-aaral.

Dumating din ang mga tauhan ng Explosive Ordnance Division (EOD) at nag inspeksyon ang premises ng paaralan. Matapos ang isang oras na pagsusuri, idineklara ng EOD na negatibo sa bomba ang Pakil Elementary School.

Sa pahayag ng pulisya, tinukoy ang bomb threat bilang “prank” at idineklara itong “cleared” mula sa anumang uri ng pampasabog matapos ang inspeksyon ng EOD.

Nagpapatuloy ang inspeksyon ng EOD sa mga gusali ng mataas na paaralan at kolehiyo sa bayan upang tiyakin na walang nakatanim na bomba.

Utang ng Pilipinas umabot na sa P14.48 Trilyon

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Utang ng Pilipinas umabot na sa P14.48 Trilyon

Lumaki pa ang utang ng bansa sa pagtatapos ng Oktubre 2023.

Sa ulat ng Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) na inilabas nitong Martes, Disyembre 5, lumobo na sa P14.48 trilyon ang kabuuang utang ng pamahalaan, na mas mataas ng 1.49% mula sa P14.27 trilyon noong Setyembre 2023.

Ayon sa Treasury, ang pagtaas ng utang ng gobyerno sa buwang ito ay resulta ng “net issuance and availment of domestic and external loans, as well as the revaluation effect of peso depreciation against the US dollar.”

Sa kabuuang utang, 68.38% ay “locally sourced” samantalang ang 31.62% naman ay mula sa international source. Ang utang sa loob ng bansa ay umabot sa P9.90 trilyon, na tumaas ng 1.73% mula sa P9.73 trilyon noong Setyembre.

Sa parehong buwan, naglabas ang pamahalaan ng P213.42 bilyon para sa domestic debt securities, kumpara sa principal payments na nagkakahalaga ng P45.68 bilyon, na nagresulta sa net repayment na P167.75 bilyon. Idinagdag pa ng BTr na ang epekto ng pag-depreciate ng lokal na pera laban sa dolyar ay maliit lamang, umaabot sa P230 milyon.

Ang year-to-date domestic debt ay nakakita ng increment na P693.95 bilyon o 7.54%.

Sa kabilang banda, ang foreign debt ay lumaki ng 0.97% patungo sa P4.58 trilyon mula sa P4.53 trilyon month-on-month. Ayon sa Treasury, ang pag-akyat ng external debt para sa Oktubre ay dulot ng net availment ng foreign debt na umabot sa P33.52 bilyon, at ang P11.84 bilyong adjustment sa valuation dahil sa pag-depreciate ng piso laban sa dolyar.

Ang external debt ng bansa ay tumaas ng P367.99 bilyon o 8.74% mula sa P4.21 trilyon noong katapusan ng Disyembre 2022.

Samantalang ang debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio ay bumuti sa 60.2% sa third quarter mula sa 61% noong second quarter, kasunod ng mas mataas na paglago ng ekonomiya na umabot sa 5.9% mula sa 4.3% noong second quarter.

Ang mas mababang debt-to-GDP ratio ay nagpapakita na kayang bayaran ng bansa ang utang nito na walang malaking epekto sa ekonomiya. Ayon sa Medium Term Fiscal Framework ng administrasyon, layon ng pamahalaan na mabawasan pa ang debt-to-GDP ratio pababa sa 60% sa 2025 at 51.1% sa 2028.

Bago ang pagbagsak ng COVID-19 pandemic, ang debt-to-GDP ratio ng Pilipinas ay umabot sa record low na 39.6% noong 2019.

Israel constructs large pumps to use seawater for flooding the tunnels used by Hamas, as reported by The Wall Street Journal

Venus L Peñaflor
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Israel constructs large pumps to use seawater for flooding the tunnels used by Hamas, as reported by The Wall Street Journal

The Israeli military is reportedly exploring the use of large seawater pumps to flood the intricate network of tunnels beneath the Gaza Strip, a tactic aimed at flushing out terrorists hiding within, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing U.S. officials.

The construction of five substantial seawater pumps, situated approximately one mile north of the Al-Shati refugee camp, was completed in November. Each pump has the capacity to draw water from the Mediterranean Sea, capable of moving thousands of cubic meters per hour, potentially inundating the tunnels within weeks.

While Israel has not yet committed to this unconventional plan, questions linger about its execution, especially concerning the fate of hostages, including Americans, who were taken captive by Hamas during the October 7 attack on Israel and brought to the Gaza Strip.

The report suggests that Israel has identified around 800 tunnels beneath Gaza, used by Hamas for various purposes such as moving fighters, storing weapons, and planning terror attacks. However, Israeli officials suspect that the actual extent of the tunnel network could be much larger.

By adopting a gradual flooding approach over several weeks, Israel aims to provide an exit route for both Hamas terrorists and potential hostages, according to an insider cited by the outlet. However, uncertainties surround the effectiveness of this method due to the unknown details of the tunnels and the surrounding terrain.

An Israel Defense Forces official, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, refrained from commenting on the flooding plan but emphasized the IDF’s commitment to dismantling Hamas’s terror capabilities using diverse military and technological tools.

U.S. officials were reportedly informed of the plan last month, although the proximity of its execution by the Israeli government remains uncertain. Israel has reaffirmed its commitment to persist in its campaign until Hamas is eradicated in Gaza, launching its 10,000th airstrike against the terror group in the Gaza Strip recently.

Israel’s vow to protect civilians while targeting Hamas and its tunnel network underscores the focus on destroying the terrorist organization’s underground infrastructure in a prolonged conflict.

Joselito C. Frago named grand winner of International Luminary Award in Leadership

Venus L Peñaflor
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Joselito C. Frago named grand winner of International Luminary Award in Leadership

Joselito C. Frago has been recognized as the Grand Winner of the prestigious International Luminary Award (ILA) in the field of leadership and innovativeness. This acknowledgment stems from a rigorous selection process that highlighted his excellence and success in the academic realm.

The culmination of this entire process was revealed following the votes cast by 11 internal and external evaluators through a Google Form. To qualify as a grand finalist, a nominee had to secure 20% of the total votes or a minimum of 2 votes from evaluators.

The evaluators prioritized assessing the achievements and evidence of each nominee, seeking individuals who:

  • Have developed and/or introduced a product, service, or program in the organization and/or community.
  • Regardless of academic qualifications, have excelled in managing an organization or department.
  • Possess clear achievements rather than pure narratives.

Frago’s name stood out prominently due to his unparalleled contributions to the natural farming field. He exemplifies the standards sought by evaluators, with his successes in implementing agricultural programs and services forming a crucial basis for his numerous and tangible achievements.

His victory in the ILA in Leadership serves as an inspiration and honor not only for him but also for the entire academic community.

The ILA is the organization’s recognition and celebration of inspirational success stories in teaching, research, leadership, civic works and academic leadership. It embodies IIARI’s commitment to the formulation of community of scholars driven by passion for life-long learning and community service.

Frago is a committed natural farmer known for his innovative approaches in agriculture and entrepreneurship.

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