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Biden diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Biden diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer

WASHINGTON. Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, his office confirmed Sunday, following concerns raised by recent urinary symptoms. The 82-year-old was found to have a nodule on his prostate, and after further evaluation, cancer cells were discovered to have spread to his bones.

“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management,” his office said in a statement. “The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”

Biden’s prostate cancer was assigned a Gleason score of 9, which places it among the most aggressive types of the disease. The Gleason grading system, ranging from 6 to 10, assesses how likely the cancer will grow and spread. Scores of 8, 9, and 10 are considered high-grade and aggressive.

Prostate cancer that spreads to other areas of the body, most commonly to bones, is significantly more challenging to treat than cancer that remains localized. Metastatic cancer often resists full eradication due to the difficulty of reaching all tumor sites.

However, Biden’s cancer is hormone-sensitive, which gives doctors a key avenue for treatment by using therapies that cut off the hormones fueling tumor growth.

“It’s very treatable, but not curable,” said Dr. Matthew Smith of Massachusetts General Brigham Cancer Center. “Most men in this situation would be treated with drugs and would not be advised to have either surgery or radiation therapy.”

Messages of support poured in from both allies and political rivals. Former President Donald Trump, a frequent political adversary, expressed sympathy on social media, saying, “we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”

Vice President Kamala Harris wrote online, “Joe is a fighter, and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership.”

Former President Barack Obama, who worked closely with Biden for eight years, praised his former running mate’s perseverance. “Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace,” Obama said.

Biden’s health had been a recurring concern during his presidency. After a widely criticized performance in a June debate while seeking reelection, he ended his campaign for a second term. Kamala Harris stepped in as the Democratic nominee but lost to Trump, who reclaimed the presidency after a four-year absence from the White House.

Despite his age and health issues, Biden remained defiant. In the recent political book Original Sin by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, it was revealed that aides had allegedly concealed the extent of Biden’s physical and cognitive decline during his presidency.

This latest diagnosis adds to Biden’s history of health issues. In February 2023, he had a basal cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer, removed from his chest. In November 2021, doctors also removed a benign but potentially precancerous polyp from his colon.

Biden’s battle against cancer has long been personal. In 2015, his eldest son Beau died of brain cancer, a tragedy that led him to launch the “Cancer Moonshot” initiative during his vice presidency. In 2022, he revived the program as president to halve the cancer death rate in the U.S. over the next 25 years.

“This could be an American moment to prove to ourselves and, quite frankly, the world that we can do really big things,” Biden said at the time.

Mga natalong celebrity-politician, balik-entablado na

Venus L Peñaflor
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Mga natalong celebrity-politician, balik-entablado na

Nagsisimula nang magbago ang ihip ng hangin para sa mga celebrity-politician na hindi pinalad sa nakaraang halalan, at tila unti-unti na silang bumabalik sa mundo ng showbiz.

Matapos ang kanilang paglahok sa politika, marami sa mga kilalang personalidad ang ngayon ay abala na muli sa entertainment industry. Sa social media, makikita ang kanilang mga bagong pinagkakaabalahan at ang mga tanong ng kanilang mga tagahanga, kung babalik ba sila sa telebisyon at kung saang programa.

Isa sa mga napag-usapan kamakailan ay si Luis Manzano, na tinatanong ng kanyang mga followers kung alin sa mga dating game shows niya ang nais nilang balikan niya, Rainbow Rumble, Deal or No Deal, o Minute To Win It. Umabot na sa mahigit 1,700 ang comments sa post na ito, na patunay na sabik pa rin ang publiko sa kanyang pagbabalik-telebisyon.

Si Robi Domingo naman ay nagpakita ng interes sa pagbabalik ng “It’s Your Lucky Day,” ang pansamantalang ipinalit sa “It’s Showtime” noong ito’y masuspinde ng MTRCB. Ang kanyang asawa namang si Jessy Mendiola ay boto sa “Rainbow Rumble,” habang si Daniel Matsunaga ay pabor sa “Minute To Win It.” Si John Prats, sa kabilang banda, ay nais makita si Luis sa lahat ng nabanggit na game shows dahil aniya, mahusay naman talaga ito sa mga ganoong format.

Samantala, si Senador Bong Revilla ay mas pinipiling maglaan ng oras sa kanyang pamilya. Kani-kaniyang post siya sa social media ng bonding moments kasama ang kanyang mga apo, kabilang na ang anak nina Cong. Jolo Revilla at Angel, na si Lauren, at ang anak nina Gianna at Jed Patricio.

Tungkol naman sa showbiz comeback ni Senador Bong, wala pa siyang malinaw na sagot kung itutuloy ang season 4 ng kanyang action-comedy series na Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis. May producer na nais gumawa ng pelikula kasama siya, ngunit naghihintay pa sila ng tamang panahon at availability ng senador. Target umano nila itong isali sa Metro Manila Film Festival, pero aminado ang aktor-politiko na may pag-aalinlangan pa siya.

Sa kabilang dako, mainit na pinag-uusapan ngayon ang kumakalat na pahayag umano ni Willie Revillame ukol sa kanyang karanasan sa pulitika. Ayon sa post na inilathala sa Facebook, nawalan umano ng gana si Willie sa pagtulong matapos ang kanyang pagkatalo sa eleksyon.

Ito ang sinasabing pahayag ni Willie:

“As of now, kung tatanungin n’yo ko, hindi ko alam kung kaya ko pa ituloy ang pagtulong sa mahihirap. Feeling ko kasi walang kuwenta lahat ng aking ginawa.”

Dagdag pa umano ng ilang vlogger, pansamantalang mananahimik si Willie. Gayunman, hindi pa tiyak kung totoo nga ang mga salitang ito o bahagi lamang ito ng isang deepfake video.

Sa gitna ng usapin, maraming netizens at tagapakinig ng mga radyo ang nagbigay ng reaksyon:

“Kung tutulong ka, hindi boto ang kapalit. Ang pagtulong ay iba sa paggawa ng batas.”

Habang patuloy ang pag-usad ng mga showbiz personalities sa kanilang bagong yugto, kapansin-pansin na tila natututo na ang publiko na paghiwalayin ang kasikatan sa serbisyo publiko.

Ang tanong: Ito na nga ba ang simula ng pagtatapos ng ‘celebrity era’ sa pulitika?

Gene editing saved a sick baby and could help millions

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Gene editing saved a sick baby and could help millions

In a groundbreaking development in genetic medicine, a baby born with a rare and life-threatening genetic condition is now thriving after receiving a pioneering, personalized gene editing therapy. The case, detailed in a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, represents one of the first successful uses of a custom treatment designed to correct a tiny but critical mutation in the genetic code that otherwise proves fatal for half of the affected infants.

The infant, KJ Muldoon of Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania, was diagnosed shortly after birth with severe CPS1 deficiency, a rare disorder estimated to affect about one in a million babies. CPS1 deficiency impairs the body’s ability to remove ammonia, leading to toxic build-up in the blood. Without effective treatment, many infants face dire outcomes. While liver transplants can sometimes help, the procedure is invasive and not always feasible.

KJ’s parents, Kyle and Nicole Muldoon, shared the difficult decisions they faced early on. “We were, like, you know, weighing all the options, asking all the questions for either the liver transplant, which is invasive, or something that’s never been done before,” Nicole recalled. Kyle added, “We prayed, we talked to people, we gathered information, and we eventually decided that this was the way we were going to go.”

Within six months, a team at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Penn Medicine developed a custom therapy using CRISPR-based gene editing technology. Unlike earlier CRISPR methods that cut DNA strands, this therapy employs “base editing,” a technique that flips the mutated DNA “letter” to the correct one, reducing the risk of unintended changes.

Dr. Kiran Musunuru, a gene editing expert at the University of Pennsylvania and co-author of the study, said, “This is the first step towards the use of gene editing therapies to treat a wide variety of rare genetic disorders for which there are currently no definitive medical treatments.”

The therapy was administered to KJ via intravenous infusions starting in February, using lipid nanoparticles to deliver the gene editor directly to liver cells. Dr. Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, a gene therapy specialist at CHOP and study author, recalled the treatment day: “He slept through the entire thing.”

Following additional doses, KJ has shown remarkable progress. He is eating more normally, recovering well from minor illnesses, and requires less medication. His mother reflected emotionally, “Any time we see even the smallest milestone that he’s meeting – like a little wave or rolling over – that’s a big moment for us.”

Despite these encouraging signs, researchers caution that long-term monitoring is essential. “We’re still very much in the early stages of understanding what this medication may have done for KJ,” said Dr. Ahrens-Nicklas. “But every day, he’s showing us signs that he’s growing and thriving.”

The implications of this success extend beyond KJ’s case. Rare diseases affect an estimated 350 million people worldwide, most caused by genetic mutations. However, gene therapies often focus on more common conditions due to high development costs and market considerations.

Musunuru emphasized the potential for broader application: “The cost was not far off from the $800,000-plus for an average liver transplant and related care. As we get better and better at making these therapies and shorten the time frame even more, economies of scale will kick in and I would expect the costs to come down.”

Experts agree that this research sets a new benchmark. Senthil Bhoopalan of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, who was not involved in the study, called it “very exciting” and said, “This really sets the pace and the benchmark for such approaches.”

Carlos Moraes, neurology professor at the University of Miami, added, “Once someone comes with a breakthrough like this, it will take no time for other teams to apply the lessons and move forward. There are barriers, but I predict that they are going to be crossed in the next five to 10 years.”

This landmark case shines a hopeful light on the future of personalized gene therapies, offering the promise that even the rarest and most devastating genetic diseases may one day be treatable.

Source: New England Journal of Medicine; Interviews with Dr. Kiran Musunuru, Dr. Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, and experts in gene therapy.

Cardinal Tagle shares his thoughts on Pope Leo XIV as a devoted missionary shepherd

Venus L Peñaflor
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Cardinal Tagle shares his thoughts on Pope Leo XIV as a devoted missionary shepherd

VATICAN CITY. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, offered a deeply personal reflection on the election of Pope Leo XIV, the spiritual atmosphere of the recent conclave, and the enduring legacy of the late Pope Francis in an exclusive interview with Vatican News.

Nearly a month after Pope Francis’ death and a week into the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Tagle recounted the powerful experience of the conclave and his impressions of the new pope, whom he had known for years. Seated beside Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, in the Sistine Chapel during the conclave, Tagle recalled the sense of spiritual intimacy as history unfolded before them.

“Let holy silence envelope Jesus and Peter,” Tagle said, describing the sacred moment Prevost reached the required number of votes. “It was holy resignation and holy fear combined.”

A Pope of Calm Wisdom and Missionary Warmth

Tagle praised Pope Leo XIV’s qualities of humility, deep listening, and thoughtful discernment, noting his capacity to lead without imposing, to decide without haste, and to engage others with “a calm warmth, shaped by prayer and missionary experience.”

“He is intellectually and culturally well-prepared, but without showing off,” Tagle said. “The Pope expresses his feelings and preferences without imposing them.”

Having first met the former Prior General of the Order of St. Augustine in Manila and later in Rome, Tagle emphasized the Pope’s spiritual depth and pastoral approach, which he believes are rooted in his religious order and global missionary background.

A Sacred Experience: Inside the Conclave

The Filipino cardinal, who also participated in the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis, underscored the spiritual gravity of such an event. He reflected on the difference between that conclave and the most recent one following the death of a reigning pontiff.

“A conclave is a liturgical event—a time and space for prayer, for listening to God’s Word, the stirrings of the Holy Spirit, the groanings of the Church, humanity and creation,” he explained. “It is for personal and communal purification of motivations, and for worship and adoration of God, whose will must reign supreme.”

Tagle emphasized that both Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV were elected on the second day, a testament to the unity that can emerge from genuine spiritual communion.

A Son of St. Augustine After a Son of St. Ignatius

Cardinal Tagle drew connections between Pope Leo XIV’s Augustinian roots and Pope Francis’ Jesuit background, suggesting a providential continuity.

“St. Augustine and St. Ignatius had many things in common,” he said. “They both had worldly careers and experienced a restlessness that led to adventurous pursuits.”

Israeli airstrike kills at least 24 in Gaza tent camp as ceasefire negotiations push forward

Venus L Peñaflor
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Israeli airstrike kills at least 24 in Gaza tent camp as ceasefire negotiations push forward

CAIRO. At least 24 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a tent encampment sheltering displaced families in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, according to local health officials on Sunday, May 18. The deadly strike occurred as Egypt and Qatar, with backing from the United States, hosted a new round of indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas.

The Israeli military intensified its offensive across the enclave over the past 72 hours, with relentless bombing campaigns that have resulted in hundreds of deaths, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry emphasized that despite a recent visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to the region, airstrikes continued to devastate Palestinian communities.

Hamas condemned the attack as a “new brutal crime,” blaming the U.S. for its continued support of Israel amid the conflict. In a statement issued Sunday, the group said the strike was a reflection of “the growing aggression and disregard for civilian lives.”

While the Israeli military did not immediately comment on the latest attack in Khan Younis, a prior statement confirmed that “extensive strikes” were underway in various parts of Gaza, describing them as part of efforts “to achieve war objectives.”

Despite international pressure for de-escalation, ceasefire talks being held in Doha have so far yielded no breakthrough. Sources familiar with the negotiations told Reuters that both parties remain firmly entrenched in their respective positions.

As the violence escalates, humanitarian agencies continue to raise alarms over the deteriorating conditions for civilians caught in the crossfire, particularly those already displaced and living in temporary shelters.

13 senador, umaasa sa senate president na independent, transparent, at competent – Lacson

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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13 senador, umaasa sa senate president na independent, transparent, at competent – Lacson

MAYNILA. Labintatlong incumbent at incoming senador ng ika-20 Kongreso ang nagpahayag ng kagustuhan na mamuno sa Senado ang isang Senate president na may integridad, kakayahan, at pagiging bukas sa publiko, ayon kay Senator-elect Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.

“Napag-usapan namin ng ilang mga senador, yung mga incumbent ngayon at tsaka yung mga incoming. Ang aim namin is to have an independent, credible, and transparent 20th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines,” pahayag ni Lacson sa isang panayam nitong Sabado, Mayo 17, matapos siyang opisyal na maiproklamang senador.

Giit ni Lacson, mahalaga ang mga katangiang ito sa lider ng Senado, lalo’t may mga usaping pambansa na nangangailangan ng matatag at tapat na pamumuno.

“Kaya kung sino man ang masuportahan, ito lang ang ating pagdidiinan, kailangan independent tayo, kailangan transparent tayo, kailangan competent tayo,” dagdag pa niya.

Nang tanungin kung ilang senador na ng 20th Congress ang sumang-ayon sa usapin, sagot ni Lacson: “I lost track… At least 13.”

Ayon pa sa kanya, ang mga pag-uusap ay isinagawa nang “individually,” at wala pang pinal na desisyon kung sino ang susuportahang kandidato para sa Senate presidency.

Patuloy ang mga konsultasyon sa pagitan ng mga mambabatas upang masiguro ang isang matatag at maayos na liderato sa paparating na Kongreso.

Microsoft confirms providing AI support to Israeli military but denies use to harm civilians

Venus L Peñaflor
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0
Microsoft confirms providing AI support to Israeli military but denies use to harm civilians

WASHINGTON. Microsoft publicly acknowledged on Thursday that it has supplied advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing services to the Israeli military during the ongoing war in Gaza. The tech giant also confirmed its role in supporting efforts to locate and rescue Israeli hostages but denied any evidence that its technologies were used to target or harm civilians in Gaza.

In an unsigned corporate blog post, Microsoft admitted for the first time its deep involvement in the conflict that erupted after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which killed about 1,200 people in Israel and led to tens of thousands of deaths in Gaza.

The admission comes nearly three months after an Associated Press investigation revealed Microsoft’s close partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Defense. According to the AP, the Israeli military’s use of commercial AI tools skyrocketed nearly 200 times following the Hamas attack. The military reportedly employs Microsoft’s Azure platform to transcribe, translate, and process intelligence gathered via mass surveillance, cross-checking it with in-house AI-enabled targeting systems.

Microsoft’s statement said the company provided the Israeli military with “software, professional services, Azure cloud storage and Azure AI services, including language translation,” and assisted in protecting Israel’s national cyberspace from external threats. It also disclosed granting “special access to our technologies beyond the terms of our commercial agreements” and providing “limited emergency support” to help rescue over 250 hostages taken by Hamas.

“We provided this help with significant oversight and on a limited basis, including approval of some requests and denial of others,” the company said. “We believe the company followed its principles on a considered and careful basis, to help save the lives of hostages while also honoring the privacy and other rights of civilians in Gaza.”

Microsoft initiated an internal review, along with hiring an external firm for additional fact-finding, prompted by employee concerns and media reports. However, the company did not disclose the external firm’s identity or release the report, nor did it provide detailed answers about how its AI technologies were used in military targeting.

The statement emphasized, “We do not have visibility into how customers use our software on their own servers or other devices,” adding that Microsoft cannot control how its products may be used when deployed through other cloud providers.

Microsoft also stressed that the Israeli military, like all customers, is bound by its Acceptable Use Policy and AI Code of Conduct, which prohibit the use of its products to cause harm in ways prohibited by law. “We have found no evidence” that the Israeli military violated those terms, the company said.

The Israeli military’s use of AI and cloud services is not limited to Microsoft; Google, Amazon, Palantir, and other American tech companies also maintain contracts with Israel’s defense forces.

Experts like Emelia Probasco, senior fellow at Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology, noted Microsoft’s rare stance. “We are in a remarkable moment where a company, not a government, is dictating terms of use to a government that is actively engaged in a conflict,” Probasco said. “It’s like a tank manufacturer telling a country you can only use our tanks for these specific reasons. That is a new world.”

The Israeli military’s operations to rescue hostages and combat Hamas militants have resulted in significant civilian casualties. For instance, a February 2024 operation in Rafah freed two Israeli hostages but killed 60 Palestinians; a June 2024 raid in the Nuseirat refugee camp rescued four hostages but caused at least 274 Palestinian deaths. Overall, more than 50,000 people, many of them women and children, have died in Israeli operations across Gaza and Lebanon.

On Friday, No Azure for Apartheid, a group of current and former Microsoft employees, demanded full public release of the company’s investigative report. Hossam Nasr, a former Microsoft employee and Gaza rights activist, criticized Microsoft’s statement as a “PR stunt” to “whitewash” its military ties.

Cindy Cohn, executive director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, welcomed Microsoft’s transparency but highlighted many unanswered questions. “It is hard to square that with what’s actually happening on the ground,” Cohn said, urging tech companies to be more forthcoming about their military collaborations.

As the war continues, Microsoft’s role in providing AI technologies to the Israeli military underscores the growing complexity and controversy surrounding the use of commercial artificial intelligence in modern conflicts.

Movie Review: Nicolas Cage goes off the deep end in gritty Australian thriller ‘The Surfer’

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Movie Review: Nicolas Cage goes off the deep end in gritty Australian thriller ‘The Surfer’

In The Surfer, a sun-scorched psychological thriller from director Lorcan Finnegan (Vivarium), Nicolas Cage delivers another gloriously unhinged performance, this time as an unnamed man pushed to the brink on a hostile beach in Western Australia. The film premiered to intense buzz and now hits U.S. theaters courtesy of Roadside Attractions, offering a harrowing descent into paranoia, desperation, and male pride.

The story kicks off with a seemingly innocent father-son bonding moment. Cage’s character, known only as “The Surfer,” returns to his childhood home of Luna Bay to surf the waves and show his teenage son (played by Finn Little) the lavish house on the cliffs he plans to buy. But the dream quickly curdles. “Don’t live here, don’t surf here,” reads a nearby sign—an ominous local motto that soon proves to be more threat than warning.

After a brutal encounter with a gang of territorial surfers, led by the menacing Scally (Julian McMahon), the protagonist finds himself isolated and increasingly unwelcome. His son flees, his Lexus is towed, and he’s left baking under the Australian sun with no shade, no water, and no phone signal. What follows is less a traditional revenge tale and more a cinematic slow burn of psychological unravelling.

“The Surfer” draws surprising tension not from action-packed sequences, but from the way it traps Cage in a crumbling reality—physically, mentally, emotionally. The bulk of the film unfolds in and around a parking lot, yet the setting becomes a stage for Cage’s descent into sunstroke-induced delirium. As days stretch on, his skin peels, hallucinations creep in, and the lines between reality and madness blur. There are snakes, stolen eggs, and a growing sense of dread that makes The Surfer feel more like a waking nightmare than a traditional beach-set thriller.

Screenwriter Thomas Martin infuses the story with metaphorical weight. Is Cage’s character simply trying to reclaim lost glory? Or is he a delusional man clinging to a vision of masculinity that no longer fits his fractured life? When his estranged wife coldly informs him, “I want a divorce,” over the phone, the emotional breaking point becomes impossible to ignore.

While the first two acts grip with their sunbaked tension, the third act eases into more conventional territory. As the story focuses more on the group of surfer bros, who resemble a cult worshipping a toxic brand of old-school masculinity, the spell begins to weaken. The mystery dissipates, but the emotional damage lingers.

Yet what keeps The Surfer compelling throughout is Nicolas Cage himself. His performance is raw, unpredictable, and perfectly pitched for a character teetering on the edge of total breakdown. Whether he’s crawling through the dirt in a torn designer suit or screaming into the salty wind, Cage captures the agony of a man desperate to reclaim something—status, family, sanity, even if it means losing himself completely.

Rated R for language, suicide, some violence, drug content, and sexual material, The Surfer runs 103 minutes and earns a solid three out of four stars. It may not ride the cleanest cinematic wave, but it certainly crashes with unsettling force.

Now showing in U.S. theaters.

Kidnappings spark fear and outrage in France’s crypto community

EDGARDO HERNAL
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0
Kidnappings spark fear and outrage in France’s crypto community

PARIS, France. A wave of violent kidnappings targeting figures in France’s cryptocurrency sector has shaken the industry, prompting an urgent call for heightened security measures, deregulation, and even the right to bear arms.

The latest incident occurred on Tuesday, when a masked gang attempted to abduct the daughter of Pierre Noizat, CEO of French crypto company Paymium, in broad daylight on a Paris street. The attempted kidnapping, caught on video and widely circulated, has sent shockwaves through France’s crypto circles.

“It’s terrifying,” said Alexandre Aimonino, 23, co-founder of a crypto compliance software company. In response, he has dramatically altered his routine, avoiding public transportation, skipping industry events, and changing his route home daily.

The attack on Noizat’s daughter marks at least the third targeted assault on French crypto executives and their families in recent months. In January, the co-founder of hardware wallet company Ledger and his wife were kidnapped. In May, the father of another crypto firm’s chief was also abducted. All hostages were eventually rescued, though both kidnapped men had a finger severed. A ransom in cryptocurrency was paid in one case, but was swiftly recovered by investigators.

Authorities remain tight-lipped about the perpetrators. Following the Ledger incident, 10 individuals were questioned, and seven arrests were made in connection with an earlier kidnapping in May. Two of those arrested were released after being found unrelated to the case. The Paris prosecutor’s office has not responded to Reuters’ inquiries for further details.

The attacks have raised fears not only for personal safety but also for the long-term viability of operating a crypto business in France.

“This is becoming a pattern,” said crypto executive Eric Larchevêque, a co-founder of Ledger, who attended a meeting with Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau on Friday. The minister assured crypto leaders of the “full mobilisation of public authorities,” promising priority access to emergency police services and home security assessments.

Still, Larchevêque and others argue that more is needed, including legal protections for self-defense and the right to carry firearms. “We are sitting ducks,” he warned.

In a statement, Paymium echoed these sentiments, criticizing stringent European regulations like the “travel rule,” which mandates data collection on crypto transfers. The company suggested that deregulation could “provide founders with more security” by reducing traceable paper trails that may attract criminal attention.

The rise in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has created a visible new class of wealthy individuals, often flaunting their success online. Security experts warn that this makes them prime targets.

“Crypto transactions are more likely to escape the level of scrutiny applied to traditional banking systems,” said Michael Lyons, a lawyer at Clifford Chance specializing in anti-money laundering. This perception, he added, increases the appeal of crypto-related crime.

Private security firms have already seen a surge in demand. Thomas Rossi, head of Paris-based Wagram bodyguard agency, reported numerous new inquiries following Tuesday’s attempted kidnapping. Sofiane Aboubeker of ARECIA, another French security firm, noted a similar uptick.

The concern extends beyond France. Ben Davis, a UK-based insurance broker who works with crypto clients, noted that such incidents are becoming global.

“Two years ago, kidnap and ransom wasn’t really a big problem. No one really wanted to talk about it,” Davis said. “Now 100% of our clients are talking about it.” Davis, himself a crypto investor, said he’s taken security precautions—but declined to disclose specifics. “These attacks are again becoming more gruesome, more brazen,” he added.

As the crypto community in France grapples with escalating threats, the question remains: can security and regulation evolve fast enough to protect the very innovators shaping the future of finance?

Philippines Senate race a blow to President Marcos

Venus L Peñaflor
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0
Philippines Senate race a blow to President Marcos

MANILA. The May 12 midterm elections in the Philippines dealt a significant political setback to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., as key allies of detained former President Rodrigo Duterte and two prominent opposition figures emerged as the top winners in the Senate race, based on official results released Friday by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The results delivered a surprising boost to Vice President Sara Duterte, who is facing an impeachment trial in the Senate in July, and demonstrated persistent support for the Duterte camp despite ongoing legal controversies and a deepening political rift with the Marcos administration.

Five of the 12 winning senatorial candidates were endorsed by Vice President Duterte, including her political ally and the president’s sister, Imee Marcos, and Camille Villar, a member of another influential political clan. Another five winners were aligned with President Marcos, while two came from the liberal opposition, marking a rare victory for critics of both political dynasties.

Among the top five finishers were Duterte-backed candidates and surprise comebacks from opposition veterans. Erwin Tulfo, a media personality and Marcos ally who once led in pre-election surveys, only landed in fourth place. Meanwhile, Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan, both associated with the opposition, claimed second and fifth place, respectively.

Political analyst Ronald Llamas described the results as a referendum on President Marcos’s administration.
“It’s a plebiscite on the president, it’s a referendum on the government, and it looks like they lost there,” Llamas said, noting that while Duterte allies did well, many candidates who opposed the former president also performed strongly in lower house races.
“It’s a vote against the administration,” he added.

The Marcos-Duterte alliance that secured victory in the 2022 national elections has since unraveled, culminating in Sara Duterte’s impeachment in February over allegations of misuse of public funds and plotting to assassinate the president—accusations she vehemently denies, calling the proceedings a “political assassination.” Her father, former President Duterte, was arrested shortly after and turned over to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The impeachment trial in the Senate will require at least nine of 24 senators to vote for her acquittal. Analysts believe public sentiment and political calculations will influence undecided senators.
“Definitely Sara gained in the election in her fight against impeachment,” said Llamas. “The impeachment will be uphill but not impossible.”

At least two sitting senators who were not up for re-election are believed to be sympathetic to the vice president. However, shifting political winds, especially following this unexpected election outcome, may determine whether she survives the trial and remains eligible for a potential presidential run in 2028. A conviction would bar her from holding public office for life.

Despite his detention at the ICC in The Hague since March, former President Rodrigo Duterte was elected mayor of Davao City, his political stronghold, in a landslide victory. He awaits trial for alleged crimes against humanity committed during his controversial war on drugs from 2016 to 2022, a campaign that left thousands dead.

Under Philippine election laws, candidates under investigation or even in detention are allowed to run for office unless they have been convicted and all appeals exhausted.

Meanwhile, Kristina Conti, assistant to counsel at the ICC, confirmed the court is also investigating Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Senator Bong Go for their roles in Duterte’s drug war. Both remain political allies of the former president.

As the Senate prepares for the high-stakes impeachment trial, the Duterte camp appears emboldened, while the Marcos administration faces growing questions about its waning influence in the legislature.

With reports from the Associated Press

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