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Fierce final push: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump sprint toward election day in U.S. presidential race

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Fierce final push: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump sprint toward election day in U.S. presidential race

In a climactic conclusion to a U.S. presidential campaign marked by extraordinary events, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are making last-ditch efforts across key battleground states in the final hours before Election Day. The race promises a historic outcome, no matter the winner.

Vice President Harris, the Democratic nominee, is set to spend all Monday rallying in Pennsylvania, a critical state with 19 electoral votes. Her campaign will traverse working-class areas, from Allentown to a culminating late-night rally in Philadelphia featuring star-studded support from Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey. Trump, the Republican nominee, will hold four rallies in three states, including multiple events in Pennsylvania, before ending his campaign in Grand Rapids, Michigan, mirroring his 2016 and 2020 strategies.

This election has been unusual, taking place against the backdrop of a series of high-profile incidents, including Trump’s felony conviction in a hush-money case, several assassination attempts, and President Joe Biden’s unexpected exit from the race. Harris, who ascended to the top of the ticket following Biden’s departure, is vying to become the first woman, first Black woman, and first South Asian to serve as U.S. president. Trump, meanwhile, seeks to become the first U.S. president convicted of a felony to win the White House and only the second to serve non-consecutive terms, following Grover Cleveland in the late 1800s.

As of Monday, over 77 million Americans have already cast their ballots early. Both candidates are pushing for high voter turnout among their respective bases on Election Day. Harris’s message centers on “generational change” and unity, and she emphasizes her advocacy for abortion rights following the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling reversing federal abortion protections. Harris is also focused on tackling issues ranging from economic inequality to safeguarding democracy, having previously described Trump as “a threat to democracy” and, in recent days, endorsing criticisms that frame his governance style as “fascist.”

Reflecting on her campaign’s ethos, Harris remarked on Sunday at Michigan State University, “From the very start, our campaign has not been about being against something, it is about being for something.”

Trump, reviving his “Make America Great Again” slogan, has centered his campaign on promises to end inflation, secure the U.S. southern border, and usher in an economic “golden age.” However, his campaign has frequently taken a darker tone, as he denounced perceived injustices, including his prosecution, and renewed his accusations of widespread voter fraud. In a recent rally, Trump told supporters, “Kamala broke it. I will fix it,” highlighting his intention to tackle the previous administration’s policies.

The election will hinge on outcomes in seven swing states: Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada. Trump previously won several of these states in 2016 but lost them to Biden in 2020. Both campaigns have mobilized considerable resources; Harris’s campaign boasts over 90,000 volunteers and claims to have knocked on more than three million doors. Trump’s team aims to attract a diverse voter base, including young and working-class voters.

With unprecedented stakes, the U.S. election could redefine the global political landscape depending on which candidate emerges victorious in this historic, divisive contest.

Pagdating ni #MarcePH, pinaghahandaan ng pamahalaan; Nawawalang barko sa Palawan hinahanap pa rin ng PCG

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Pagdating ni #MarcePH, pinaghahandaan ng pamahalaan; Nawawalang barko sa Palawan hinahanap pa rin ng PCG

MAYNILA. Nagsagawa ng pagpupulong ang National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) nitong Linggo ng umaga, Nobyembre 3, upang tiyakin ang kahandaan ng mga local at regional na operasyon sa pagtugon para sa posibleng epekto ng paparating na masamang panahon. Ang naturang pagtitipon ay bahagi ng masusing paghahanda laban sa epekto ng tropical depression na inaasahang papasok sa Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) sa mga susunod na araw.

Ang nasabing low-pressure area, na kasalukuyang nasa labas pa ng PAR, ay huling namataan sa 1,350 kilometro silangan ng Eastern Visayas. Sa oras na pumasok ito sa loob ng PAR, papangalanan itong bagyong “Marce.”

Pinangunahan ni Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., na nagsisilbi ring chairman ng NDRRMC, ang pagpupulong kasama ang mga pangunahing opisyal mula sa Office of Civil Defense (OCD), kabilang sina Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, at Assistant Secretary Jekereen Joy Casipit. Kasalukuyang mahigpit na nakamonitor ang DND, OCD, at iba pang miyembro ng NDRRMC upang tiyakin na ang mga kinakailangang hakbang para sa kaligtasan ng komunidad ay naipatupad.

Ayon sa pahayag ng OCD, “The NDRRMC urges all citizens to stay informed and heed official advisories as the situation develops. The council remains committed to safeguarding lives and properties across the nation.”

Patuloy pa ring umaasa ang ilang bahagi ng Luzon, kabilang ang Batangas at Bicol Region, mula sa epekto ng Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. Samantala, ang Super Typhoon Leon naman ay nagdulot ng matinding pinsala sa hilagang Luzon, partikular sa probinsya ng Batanes noong nakaraang linggo. Nito lamang Oktubre, naranasan din ng Batanes ang pananalasa ng Super Typhoon Julian.

Paghahanap sa Nawawalang Barko sa Palawan, Pinaigting ng PCG

Sa isa pang balita, pinaigting ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ang search and rescue operations para sa nawawalang barkong MV Sta. Monica na huling namataan sa karagatan sa pagitan ng Taytay, Palawan, at Paluan, Occidental Mindoro. Nagsagawa ng aerial search ang BN Islander ng PCG mula sa Silangan ng Taytay hanggang San Jose at Paluan, ngunit wala pa ring positibong resulta sa paghahanap.

Ayon sa PCG, ang barko ay patungo sanang Casian, Taytay, Palawan upang magkanlong mula sa masamang panahon noong Oktubre 22, ngunit hindi na ito makontak mula Oktubre 27. Ayon sa ahensya, sampung crew kasama ang kapitan ng barko ang patuloy na hinahanap at wala pa ring komunikasyon mula sa kanila.

Nakikipagtulungan na ang Coast Guard District Palawan sa Coast Guard District – Southern Tagalog at iba pang regional units upang mas mapalakas ang search and rescue efforts. Patuloy ang operasyon sa pamamagitan ng aerial, seaborne, at shoreline patrols, na muling nagpatibay sa pangako ng PCG na hanapin ang nawawalang barko at masigurong ligtas ang mga sakay nito.

Israel cuts ties with UNRWA, citing concerns over Hamas influence

Venus L Peñaflor
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Israel cuts ties with UNRWA, citing concerns over Hamas influence

JERUSALEM. Israel has formally notified the United Nations that it is canceling its longstanding agreement with the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), which has operated in the region since 1967. This move, confirmed by Israel’s Foreign Ministry on Monday, comes after the Israeli parliament passed legislation banning UNRWA’s operations within Israel and halting Israeli cooperation with the agency.

UNRWA, established after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, provides essential aid and education services to millions of Palestinian refugees in the West Bank and Gaza. However, Israeli officials have criticized the agency for what they allege is an anti-Israel bias, claiming it perpetuates the conflict by keeping Palestinians in perpetual refugee status.

In light of the recent Gaza conflict, which began after Hamas attacked Israel in October, Israel has escalated its claims, accusing UNRWA of harboring Hamas elements. Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon stated, “Despite the overwhelming evidence we submitted to the U.N. highlighting how Hamas infiltrated UNRWA, the U.N. did nothing to address this reality.”

The new law halting Israel’s coordination with UNRWA does not directly ban the agency from working in the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza. However, the restrictions are likely to hinder UNRWA’s operations in these areas, raising concerns among international aid groups and Israel’s Western allies. These parties fear that disrupting UNRWA’s services may worsen the already critical humanitarian situation in Gaza, where UNRWA has played a key role in supporting Palestinian communities during the prolonged conflict with Hamas.

In a bid to address the aid gap, Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced it would expand activities with other international organizations, adding that “preparations will be made to end the connection with UNRWA and to boost alternatives to UNRWA.”

With humanitarian conditions in Gaza under scrutiny, the latest decision underscores Israel’s complex position in balancing security concerns with international calls for continued relief efforts.

Spain launches largest peacetime disaster recovery as flash flood death toll hits 214

Venus L Peñaflor
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Spain launches largest peacetime disaster recovery as flash flood death toll hits 214

VALENCIA, Spain. Spain is undertaking its most extensive peacetime disaster response, as flash floods, the deadliest in modern Spanish history, have claimed at least 214 lives, with dozens more still unaccounted for. The floods, triggered by torrential rains across the eastern region of Valencia, have left widespread devastation in their wake, according to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

In a televised address, Sanchez announced the deployment of an additional 5,000 army troops to bolster ongoing search and recovery efforts, supplementing the 2,500 soldiers already on the ground. “It is the biggest operation by the Armed Forces in Spain in peacetime,” Sanchez stated. “The government is going to mobilize all the resources necessary as long as they are needed.”

Regional authorities reported Saturday that 211 fatalities occurred in Valencia, with additional casualties in Castilla La Mancha and Andalusia, bringing the total death toll to 214. This disaster is already being counted among Europe’s most catastrophic flood events since 1967, when a storm in Portugal claimed over 500 lives.

In a rare moment of hope amid the devastation, rescuers found a woman alive after being trapped for three days in a flooded parking lot in Montcada, Valencia. News of her survival was met with applause from residents gathered in the area. Martin Perez, Valencia’s chief of civil protection, called it “a remarkable discovery that keeps hope alive.”

The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia has been transformed into the operation’s command center, coordinating volunteers and resources from across Spain. On Saturday, hundreds of volunteers arrived to help with a large-scale cleanup organized by regional authorities.

Emilia, a 74-year-old shop owner from Valencia’s Picanya suburb, expressed her despair at the overwhelming loss: “We feel abandoned. Many people need help. It’s not just my house; it’s all the houses. We are throwing away furniture, we are throwing away everything.” She added, “When is the help going to come to have fridges and washing machines? Because we can’t even wash our clothes and we can’t even have a shower.”

Maria Jose Gilabert, a 52-year-old nurse from Picanya, echoed this sentiment: “We are devastated because there is not much light to be seen here at the moment. It’s not that help isn’t arriving; they are coming from all over Spain, but it will be a long time before this becomes a habitable area again.”

Meteorologists have issued further weather warnings for the Balearic Islands, Catalonia, and Valencia, predicting that rains could continue through the weekend. Experts note that warming Mediterranean temperatures, which accelerate water evaporation, are a factor in intensifying these rain events. Scientists warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather across Europe, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures.

As Spain grapples with the scale of recovery efforts, authorities are focused on search, rescue, and providing critical support to devastated communities.

Robot successfully retrieves first sample of melted fuel from Fukushima reactor

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Robot successfully retrieves first sample of melted fuel from Fukushima reactor

TOKYO. For the first time since the 2011 nuclear disaster, a remote-controlled robot has safely extracted a tiny piece of melted nuclear fuel from inside one of the damaged reactors at Fukushima Daiichi, the nuclear plant severely affected by the tsunami-triggered meltdown.

According to Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO), which manages the Fukushima plant, the robot successfully retrieved a piece of gravel roughly 5 millimeters in size—about the size of a granola bit—from the top of a mound of molten fuel debris at the bottom of Reactor No. 2’s primary containment vessel.

The robot, named “Telesco,” has a design resembling an extendable fishing rod equipped with tongs at the end. After collecting the sample, it returned safely to an enclosed container where TEPCO workers in full protective gear securely pulled it out on Saturday. This marks the first successful retrieval of melted fuel from within a reactor’s containment vessel.

However, the mission is ongoing as TEPCO needs to confirm the sample’s radioactivity levels. If the sample’s radioactivity exceeds set limits, Telesco will need to re-enter the containment area to find another piece. “We expect the sample’s size to meet the requirement, but verification is crucial,” TEPCO officials stated.

The mission, initially scheduled as a two-week operation starting in August, faced delays due to procedural and technical issues. In one instance, an error during preparation held up the mission for nearly three weeks. Later, both of the robot’s cameras failed, preventing operators from viewing target areas remotely, necessitating the robot’s withdrawal for repairs. The operation resumed last Monday after camera replacements.

Since the catastrophic 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which destroyed Fukushima Daiichi’s cooling systems and led to meltdowns in three reactors, TEPCO has worked to develop advanced robotic technology for plant decommissioning. The disaster left an estimated 880 tons of highly radioactive fuel inside the reactors, posing an ongoing challenge for TEPCO’s decommissioning efforts.

On Wednesday, Telesco successfully clipped a small sample weighing less than 3 grams from underneath Unit 2, where large amounts of melted fuel debris have been lodged since the accident. “This tiny piece of fuel debris provides key data that will inform our decommissioning strategy, guide new technology development, and help us understand how the accident unfolded,” said plant chief Akira Ono.

Japan’s government and TEPCO have targeted a 30-to-40-year timeframe to fully decommission Fukushima Daiichi, although experts caution that this estimate may be overly optimistic given the complexity and high-risk nature of the task. Plans for the complete removal and final disposal of the fuel debris remain undecided.

2 barangay tanod patay, 6 sugatan sa jeep accident sa Batangas City

Arman B. Cambe
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2 barangay tanod patay, 6 sugatan sa jeep accident sa Batangas City

BATANGAS CITY. Dalawang barangay tanod ang nasawi at anim na iba pa ang sugatan matapos masagasaan ng isang jeep sa Barangay Tulo, Batangas City nitong Biyernes ng hapon.

Kinilala ng pulisya ang mga nasawi na sina Jocelyn Claro Macatangay, 49, at Arnold Ebora Calaluan, 49, parehong tanod ng Barangay Tulo. Sugatan naman ang kanilang mga kasamahang sina Raul de Castro Soriano, 55; John Rommel A. Dinglasan, 32; Alex Sara Perez, 32; Nelson P. Casao, 49; Nick Ilagan Banaag, 42, at Danilo C. de Castro, 63.

Ayon sa imbestigasyon, naka-duty ang mga biktima para sa paggunita ng Undas nang mangyari ang aksidente. Bigla umanong nawalan ng kontrol ang jeep na minamaneho ni Gado Perez mula Lobo, Batangas. Agad dinala sa ospital ang mga biktima ngunit hindi na umabot nang buhay sina Macatangay at Calaluan.

Ayon sa mga awtoridad, may lumalabas na impormasyon na maaaring nakainom si Perez nang maganap ang insidente. Kasalukuyang nahaharap siya sa kasong reckless imprudence resulting in homicide at physical injuries dahil sa insidente.

Rocket strike from Lebanon leaves 11 wounded in Israel as ceasefire hopes fade

Venus L Peñaflor
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Rocket strike from Lebanon leaves 11 wounded in Israel as ceasefire hopes fade

TIRA, Israel. Eleven people in central Israel were injured on Saturday when rockets fired from Lebanon struck the town of Tira, Israeli emergency services reported. The intensifying violence raises doubts about the prospects for a U.S.-brokered ceasefire amid ongoing clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants.

One of the rockets struck a residential home in Tira, sparking a scene of panic. “We went out and sawdust, children screaming, women screaming, and everyone went to the house that was struck,” recounted local resident Qasim Mohab. “We were able to evacuate and rescue those who were inside the house, and thank God we were blessed that there was no one killed.”

Around the time of the strike, Hezbollah issued a statement claiming responsibility for targeting an Israeli military base near Tel Aviv. Israeli military sources confirmed that 11 individuals were injured by shrapnel in the strike, as air raid sirens blared across northern Israel in response to ongoing rocket and drone attacks from Lebanon.

The escalation comes just one day after the Lebanese Health Ministry reported 52 fatalities from Israeli airstrikes in multiple towns across the Baalbek region, an area known for its UNESCO-listed Roman ruins. Additionally, the Israeli military disclosed on Saturday that it had killed two Hezbollah commanders in operations near Tyre the previous day. Hezbollah has yet to issue a response to these reports.

This surge in violence follows Hezbollah’s decision to begin launching rockets into Israel in solidarity with Palestinian militant group Hamas. Hezbollah’s support emerged after the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, during which an estimated 1,200 people were killed, and 251 hostages taken back to Gaza, as per Israeli accounts.

The ongoing conflict has led to heavy casualties on both sides. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 43,000 Palestinians have died in Israel’s ongoing offensive. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Health Ministry reports that at least 2,897 lives have been lost in Lebanon due to retaliatory attacks, as of Friday. Israel reports that Hezbollah’s fire has claimed 71 lives within Israel and Israeli-administered areas.

As the violence escalates, the region remains on high alert, with any peace negotiations appearing increasingly unlikely amid the mounting toll on both sides.

President Marcos declares November 4 as Day of National Mourning for Kristine victims

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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President Marcos declares November 4 as Day of National Mourning for Kristine victims

MANILA. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has officially designated Monday, November 4, 2024, as a Day of National Mourning in remembrance of the victims who lost their lives due to the devastating impacts of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami). The declaration, made through Proclamation No. 728, was issued by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin under the authority of President Marcos.

In his statement, President Marcos expressed that this national day of mourning serves as a mark of “solidarity with the bereaved families and loved ones of those who perished due to the devastation brought by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.” He called on the Filipino people to come together in prayer for the souls of those who passed away in the tragic event.

“The entire nation is requested to offer prayers for the repose of the souls of the victims,” said Marcos in the proclamation, encouraging collective support for affected families and communities across the country.

Severe Tropical Storm Kristine brought relentless heavy rains, powerful winds, and severe flooding that impacted numerous regions, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming multiple lives. The declaration is seen as a call to unity, honoring those affected and underscoring the gravity of the natural disaster.

Nineteen injured in central Israel following projectile launch from Lebanon

Venus L Peñaflor
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Nineteen injured in central Israel following projectile launch from Lebanon

CAIRO. Nineteen people were reported injured in Israel’s Sharon region on Saturday after a series of projectiles were launched from Lebanon, escalating tensions in the region. The Israeli military confirmed the launch of three projectiles, prompting sirens across central Israel. According to the Israeli National Ambulance Service, injuries ranged from mild to moderate, with seven reported in the town of Tira. Additionally, two individuals were treated for stress symptoms.

“A fallen projectile was most likely identified in the area,” stated the Israeli army, adding that investigations into the incident are ongoing.

In a related development, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for launching drones toward a “vital target” in northern Israel. It remains unclear whether this attack was directly linked to the injuries reported in central Israel.

This incident is part of escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, which have intensified in recent weeks.

Lunar glass beads reveal surprising volcanic activity on moon during dinosaur era

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Lunar glass beads reveal surprising volcanic activity on moon during dinosaur era

NEW YORK. New research indicates that the moon was still volcanically active around 120 million years ago, a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. This discovery, made by analyzing three tiny glass beads collected from the lunar surface by China’s Chang’e 5 mission in 2020, challenges previous assumptions about when volcanic activity on the moon ceased.

The chemical composition of these glass beads suggests they were formed by volcanic eruptions, pointing to the existence of active lunar volcanoes as recently as 120 million years ago. This timeline is far more recent than earlier studies indicated, which estimated that lunar volcanic activity had ended around 2 billion years ago, with some estimates extending as far back as 4 billion years.

The findings were published Thursday in the journal Science.

“It was a little bit unexpected,” commented Julie Stopar, senior staff scientist with the Lunar and Planetary Institute, who was not involved in the study. This groundbreaking evidence aligns with observations from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, which in 2014 captured images suggesting more recent volcanic features on the moon. However, as Stopar emphasized, the Chang’e 5 glass beads provide the first physical proof of such recent volcanic activity. “Although more research is needed to confirm their origin,” she added.

The Chang’e 5 mission brought back the first lunar samples since NASA’s Apollo missions and Soviet lunar missions in the 1970s. The mission marked China’s latest success in lunar exploration, following the retrieval of samples from the far side of the moon in June.

Researchers analyzed around 3,000 glass beads, each smaller than a pinhead, identifying three that contained clear signs of volcanic origin. These tiny beads form on the moon when molten droplets, resulting from either volcanic eruptions or meteorite impacts, cool and solidify.

Study co-author He Yuyang from the Chinese Academy of Sciences explained via email that this discovery could reshape scientists’ understanding of how long small planetary bodies like the moon can remain volcanically active. “This research may help us understand how long small planets and moons — including our own — can stay volcanically active,” he noted.

The timeline suggested by these findings appears to contradict existing models, which hold that the moon should have cooled past the point of sustaining volcanic activity by this era. “It should inspire lots of other studies to try to understand how this could happen,” Stopar remarked.

The unexpected revelation opens new avenues for research on lunar and planetary evolution, prompting scientists to reconsider theories on the thermal history and volcanic potential of other celestial bodies in our solar system.

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