MAYNILA. Ganap nang naging Tropical Depression ang isang low pressure area (LPA) sa silangan ng Batanes kaninang alas-2 ng madaling araw, ayon sa PAGASA.
Sa kanilang ulat kaninang alas-4 ng umaga, ang sentro ni bagyong Julian ay nasa layong 525 kilometro silangan ng Itbayat, Batanes, na may lakas ng hanging 55 kph at pagbugsong umaabot sa 70 kph.
Ayon sa PAGASA, inaasahang lalakas pa si Julian habang patuloy itong gumagalaw. Maaaring maging isang tropical storm ito sa Biyernes ng gabi o Sabado ng umaga, at posibleng maging isang severe tropical storm sa Linggo, bago tuluyang maging ganap na bagyo sa Martes.
Magsisimula nang maranasan ang katamtaman hanggang malakas na ulan sa Batanes, Ilocos Norte, at Cagayan sa Sabado. Tinatayang magtatagal si Julian sa karagatan ng silangan ng Batanes at Cagayan sa loob ng limang araw, at posibleng itaas ang Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 sa mga bahagi ng Cagayan Valley ngayong araw.
Si Julian ang ika-sampung bagyo na pumasok sa Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) ngayong 2024 at pang-anim sa buwan ng Setyembre. Nauna nang iniulat ng PAGASA na inaasahang may 4 hanggang 7 tropical cyclones na papasok o mabubuo sa loob ng PAR sa huling bahagi ng 2024, kabilang ang 2 o 3 bagyo sa Oktubre at 1 o 2 sa Nobyembre at Disyembre.
Samantala, binabantayan din ng PAGASA ang dalawang low pressure area (LPA) at isang tropical depression na nasa labas ng PAR. Ayon sa ulat ng PAGASA ngayong Huwebes ng alas-2 ng hapon, ang tropical depression ay matatagpuan sa layong 2,635 kilometro silangan ng Central Luzon. Bagamat mabagal ang pagkilos nito, taglay nito ang pinakamalakas na hangin na 55 kph at may pagbugsong umaabot sa 70 kph.
Isa sa mga LPA ay nakita sa layong 1,460 kilometro silangan ng Eastern Visayas, habang ang isa pang LPA ay matatagpuan sa layong 735 kilometro silangan ng Extreme Northern Luzon.
Dahil sa presensya ng mga LPA, inaasahang magkakaroon ng maulap na kalangitan na may kalat-kalat na mga pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog sa Batanes, habang ang nalalabing bahagi ng bansa ay makararanas ng bahagyang maulap hanggang sa maulap na papawirin, na may pulu-pulong mga pag-ulan o pagkidlat-pagkulog sanhi ng localized thunderstorms.
Ang buong bansa ay makakaranas ng mahina hanggang katamtamang lakas ng hangin at pag-alon sa baybayin.
TOKYO. A record nine candidates are vying to replace outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the election for Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Among the top contenders are a former defense minister with years of experience, the son of a former prime minister, and Japan’s economic security minister who could become the country’s first female leader.
With no candidate expected to secure a majority in the first round, a runoff between the top two vote-getters will be held immediately after the initial voting on Friday afternoon.
The Candidates:
Shigeru Ishiba At 67, Shigeru Ishiba is making his fifth bid for the leadership. A former banker and veteran politician first elected to parliament in 1986, he has served in various key roles, including defense and agriculture minister. Despite his enduring popularity among voters, he has struggled to gain the backing of fellow party lawmakers. Known for his expertise in defense policy, Ishiba advocates for an “Asian NATO” and aims to strengthen Japan’s disaster management efforts. He is also a vocal supporter of Taiwan’s democracy. Additionally, Ishiba backs progressive reforms, including legalizing same-sex marriage and allowing married couples to retain separate surnames, a change long resisted by conservatives. “I believe this is my final battle,” Ishiba said, underscoring his resolve in the leadership race.
Shinjiro Koizumi The 43-year-old son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Shinjiro Koizumi has long been seen as a potential leader despite his relative inexperience. Supported by former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Koizumi has gained attention for his progressive policies, such as promoting paternity leave, which he took after the birth of his child in 2020. Koizumi’s platform includes labor reforms aimed at creating a more flexible job market, though his proposals have sparked controversy. He has also emphasized strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance and expanding partnerships with other nations to counter China’s influence. Despite some missteps, such as his much-criticized comment at a UN summit calling climate change “fun, cool, and sexy,” Koizumi remains a prominent figure in the race.
Sanae Takaichi At 63, Sanae Takaichi is making her second attempt to become Japan’s first female prime minister. As a close ally of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi represents the conservative wing of the LDP. Her policies focus on bolstering Japan’s military capabilities, fortifying supply chains, and enhancing cyber and space defense. However, Takaichi’s conservative views—such as opposing same-sex marriage and supporting the male-only succession of the imperial family—have drawn criticism from those who view her stance as detrimental to gender equality. Takaichi is also known for downplaying Japan’s wartime atrocities, a position that has earned her both support and criticism within the party.
Other Contenders:
Yoshimasa Hayashi, 63, Chief Cabinet Secretary and Kishida’s confidante, is renowned for his policy expertise.
Takayuki Kobayashi, 49, a former economic security minister, is seen as a rising star among younger generations.
Toshimitsu Motegi, 67, LDP Secretary General, has a reputation as a tough negotiator, having previously served as foreign and trade minister.
Yoko Kamikawa, 71, current Foreign Minister, is known for her advocacy of “women, peace, and security” at the UN.
Taro Kono, 61, Digital Minister, is a maverick known for his unorthodox views and his recent shift on nuclear energy.
Katsunobu Kato, 68, a former Health Minister, is closely aligned with Abe’s conservative policies, including plans to double income.
The LDP’s leadership race comes at a critical time for Japan, with rising regional tensions and internal challenges. The new prime minister will need to navigate these complexities while shaping Japan’s domestic and foreign policy for years to come.
The party’s ability to unify behind its next leader will be key as the LDP prepares to face a strong opposition, led by former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.
MAYNILA. Inaasahan ang muling pagtaas ng presyo ng langis sa bansa simula Oktubre, dulot ng tumitinding kaguluhan sa Middle East, partikular sa Lebanon at Israel, na nagdudulot ng takot na maaari pang lumala ang sitwasyon.
Ayon sa Department of Energy (DOE) Oil Industry Management Bureau, ang nasabing kaguluhan ay nagdudulot ng kawalan ng katiyakan sa suplay ng langis sa pandaigdigang merkado. “Ang giyera sa Middle East, lalo na sa Lebanon at Israel, ay maaaring magpalala ng sitwasyon, hindi lamang sa kanilang rehiyon kundi pati na rin sa ibang mga kalapit-bansa,” ayon sa ulat ng DOE.
Ang mga inaasahang pagtaas ng presyo ay ang sumusunod:
Gasolina: P0.30 hanggang P0.60 kada litro
Diesel: P0.65 hanggang P0.90 kada litro
Kerosene: P0.40 hanggang P0.60 kada litro
Bukod sa kaguluhan sa Middle East, isa pang salik na nakakaapekto sa presyo ng langis ay ang pagpapalabas ng China ng stimulus package upang pasiglahin ang kanilang ekonomiya. Dagdag pa rito, ang pagbabagu-bago ng imbentaryo ng gasolina ng Estados Unidos ay nagdaragdag ng pressure sa pandaigdigang merkado.
Patuloy na minomonitor ng gobyerno ang sitwasyon, at pinapayuhan ang mga motorista na maghanda para sa inaasahang pagtaas ng presyo sa mga susunod na linggo.
BEIRUT. In defiance of international calls, including those from its key ally the United States, Israel has rejected a proposed ceasefire with Hezbollah as fighting continues to escalate. Israeli warplanes bombarded Lebanon on Thursday, targeting southern suburbs of Beirut and intensifying pressure on the Iran-backed group, Hezbollah.
Amid the ongoing strikes, the Israeli army also conducted a large-scale exercise near the Lebanese border, simulating a ground invasion. The military’s maneuvers are part of Israel’s broader strategy to secure its northern border and facilitate the return of thousands of Israeli citizens displaced by the conflict.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, firmly stated, “There will be no ceasefire in the north. We will continue to fight against the Hezbollah terrorist organization with all our strength until victory and the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes,” Katz said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The military confirmed its airstrikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut, an area known as a Hezbollah stronghold. A senior Hezbollah leader was reportedly the target of one of these strikes, although their fate remains unknown. Lebanese media broadcast images of buildings damaged by the attack, reflecting the growing danger to civilian areas.
Global Reactions to Israel’s Rejection
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati had expressed optimism about a potential ceasefire, but hopes were dashed by Israel’s continued offensive. Mikati told Reuters, “Hopefully, yes,” when asked about the prospects of halting the conflict.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced concern over Israel’s decision, stating, “The world is speaking clearly for virtually all of the key countries in Europe and in the region on the need for the ceasefire,” during an interview with MSNBC. Blinken is expected to meet with Israeli officials in New York for further discussions.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to give an official response to the ceasefire proposal, as he prepares to address the United Nations. However, hardliners within his government have urged continued military action until Hezbollah surrenders.
Escalating Casualties and Regional Impact
Lebanon has suffered significant losses since Israel’s bombardment began, with more than 600 fatalities reported since Monday. The Lebanese health ministry revealed that at least 26 people were killed in strikes overnight, many of them Syrian refugees in the Bekaa Valley town of Younine.
Hezbollah has retaliated with rocket fire into northern Israel, including its first attack on Tel Aviv, though Israel’s defense systems have minimized the damage. The U.S. and France, along with other international allies, have called for a 21-day ceasefire to address the growing humanitarian crisis.
Israel’s strikes have also affected Lebanese civilians, many of whom have sought refuge in makeshift shelters. “I just want to know if there will be a little electricity at night so I can go buy a fan,” one woman in a Beirut school shelter said. Aid organizations are working to provide essentials like clothing, food, and medication for those who fled their homes.
The conflict has raised concerns among neighboring countries, with Turkey reportedly preparing for a potential evacuation of its citizens from Lebanon due to the ongoing hostilities.
As of now, the fighting shows no signs of abating, as Israel intensifies its airstrikes on Hezbollah targets and continues to secure its northern territories. The conflict has become one of the deadliest in Lebanon since the 2006 war, with fears of a broader regional conflict spreading as tensions rise.
Archaeologists have uncovered several rock carvings of an ancient board game, believed to be over 4,000 years old, in Azerbaijan, potentially challenging long-held beliefs about the game’s origin in Egypt. The findings, published in the European Journal of Archaeology by researchers Walter Crist and Rahman Abdullayev, shed new light on the ancient game known as “Hounds and Jackals” or “58 Holes.”
Previously thought to have originated in Egypt, the game’s discovery at multiple archaeological sites in Azerbaijan suggests a different origin in southwestern Asia. According to the study, six-game boards bearing the distinctive pattern of holes used for peg-shaped playing pieces were found at various locations in modern-day Azerbaijan, including Çapmalı, Yenı Türkan, Dübəndi, and Ağdaşdüzü. These discoveries indicate the game was widely played across cultures, extending beyond Egypt to regions including the Levant, Mesopotamia, Iran, and Anatolia.
“The presence of these boards in Azerbaijan not only indicates that the region was connected to societies to the south but also demonstrates the game’s popularity across different socioeconomic groups,” the study notes. “Its supposed first appearance in Egypt is questioned in favor of a south-western Asian origin.”
The ancient game is played on a board featuring two parallel lines of tiny holes and an arc of 38 holes around them. Players navigate peg-shaped pieces through the holes, and the first to reach the end is declared the winner. The mechanics of “58 Holes” have been compared to the more modern game “Chutes and Ladders,” with players advancing or retreating based on their progress along the board.
The discovery of the game in Azerbaijan suggests that it likely spread through trade networks rather than military conquest. “The Abşeron Peninsula’s connection to exchange networks suggests that the game of fifty-eight holes spread through trade rather than conquest,” the study elaborates. It also notes that the game was adopted by a wide variety of people, from Middle Kingdom Egyptian nobility to cattle herders in the Caucasus and traders in Anatolia.
While this new finding challenges the Egyptian origin theory, the researchers acknowledge that more evidence is needed to fully determine the game’s true beginnings. “Whatever the origin of the game of fifty-eight holes, it was quickly adopted and played by a wide variety of people,” the study concludes.
The ongoing research into the origins and cultural transmission of this ancient game continues to highlight the interconnectedness of early civilizations and their shared pastimes.
The discovery of these ancient boards suggests the origins of the game could lie in southwestern Asia. (Sepia Times/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
PREK TAKEO, Cambodia. Cambodia’s ambitious plan to construct a massive canal linking the Mekong River to its coast on the Gulf of Thailand is sparking alarm over its potential environmental impact, particularly on the millions who depend on the Mekong for their livelihood. The $1.7 billion Funan Techo canal, backed by Chinese funding, is expected to bolster Cambodia’s trade, but experts warn it could disrupt the river’s flood systems, exacerbating droughts and threatening Vietnam’s rice-growing Mekong Delta.
Prime Minister Hun Manet inaugurated the project on August 5, asserting that the canal will be built “no matter what the cost.” The canal is envisioned to connect Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, with Kep province, reducing reliance on Vietnam for exports and promoting “national prestige, territorial integrity, and the development of Cambodia,” Hun Manet said.
Environmental Concerns
The Mekong River is crucial to the region, flowing through six countries and supporting a $11 billion inland fishery. It also provides the nutrient-rich silt that makes Vietnam the world’s third-largest rice exporter. Environmental experts fear the canal’s embankments will block floodwaters from reaching downstream areas, threatening not only Vietnam’s agricultural output but also Cambodia’s floodplains, covering roughly 1,300 square kilometers.
Brian Eyler, director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Stimson Center, highlighted the dangers. “The high embankments of the 100-meter-wide, 5.4-meter-deep canal will prevent silt-laden floodwater from flowing downstream to Vietnam, worsening drought conditions and hurting the Mekong Delta’s agriculture,” he said.
Impact on Vietnam’s Agriculture
The Mekong Delta plays a significant role in Vietnam’s agricultural economy, which contributes 12% to the country’s GDP. The delta is essential for Vietnam’s goal to cultivate “high quality, low emission rice” on 1 million hectares of farmland by 2030. The Mekong’s waters are vital to both the people and the rice industry.
Nguyen Van Nhut, director of rice export company Hoang Minh Nhat, emphasized the importance of the river’s flow. “Water from the river is essential not just for Vietnam’s more than 100 million people but also for global food security,” he stated. Vietnam exported 8.3 million metric tons of rice in 2023, accounting for 15% of global exports, most of which came from the Mekong Delta. “The amount of silt being deposited by the river has already dropped, and further disruptions will worsen salinity in the area, hurting farming,” Nhut added.
Cambodia’s Perspective
Cambodian officials claim that the canal, which will connect to the Bassac River near Phnom Penh, will not affect the Mekong’s flow. Former Prime Minister Hun Sen, in a statement on social media platform X, said, “There would be no impact on the flow of the Mekong River.” However, environmentalists like Eyler argue that this justification is flawed, as the Bassac itself is fed by the Mekong.
Cambodia has downplayed the canal’s environmental risks, even though a document submitted to the Mekong River Commission in August 2023 didn’t mention using canal water for irrigation. Since then, however, Cambodian authorities have indicated plans to use the canal for this purpose during dry months, likely requiring negotiations with other Mekong countries.
The Mekong River Commission stressed that all major projects on the river “should be assessed for their potential transboundary impacts.” The commission is currently providing technical support to enhance transparency and cooperation among affected nations.
Diplomatic Tensions
While Cambodia is pushing forward with the project, Vietnam has expressed quiet concern. Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang stated in May that Hanoi had requested Cambodia to share information and assess the environmental impact to “ensure the harmony of interests” of all Mekong nations.
The canal has become entangled in nationalistic rhetoric, with Cambodia’s ruling elite viewing it as a step toward reducing dependence on Vietnam. Hun Sen has previously stated that the canal will give Cambodia a “nose to breathe through” by lessening the country’s reliance on its neighbor.
Despite the concerns, Vietnam has tread cautiously, not wanting to appear as if it is interfering in Cambodia’s sovereignty. “Although in Vietnam, there are big concerns,” noted Nguyen Khac Giang, an analyst at Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, “Vietnam is avoiding openly criticizing Cambodia to prevent further diplomatic tensions.”
Impact on Local Communities
For Cambodian residents like Sok Koeun, 57, the canal project brings uncertainty. Sok’s home, where she has lived since 1980, is situated along the canal’s proposed route. She relies on the river for fish to feed her family and makes ends meet by selling sugarcane juice and recycling plastic cans. With no clear communication from authorities, Sok is left wondering about her future. “I only learned about it [the canal] just now,” she said.
As the project moves forward, both Cambodia and its neighbors must navigate the complex balance between economic development and environmental sustainability, with millions of lives potentially hanging in the balance.
Winding almost 3,000 miles from the Tibetan plateau down to the South China Sea, the Mekong River boasts the world’s largest inland fishery. It accounts for up to 25 percent of the global freshwater catch and provides livelihoods for tens of millions of people.
MANILA. In a significant move to bolster regional defense capabilities, American and Filipino security officials have agreed to keep a U.S. mid-range missile system stationed in the northern Philippines, despite China’s growing alarm. According to two Philippine officials, the missile system, originally brought in for combat exercises, will remain in the country for an extended period.
The U.S. Army deployed the Typhon missile system in April as part of joint military exercises with Philippine forces. The land-based system, capable of firing both the Standard Missile-6 and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles, was brought to the region to test its mobility aboard an Air Force aircraft. With a range exceeding 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers), Tomahawk missiles can place key targets in China within striking distance.
While the missile system was initially scheduled to be removed by the end of September, officials are now considering extending its stay until April next year. This extension would coincide with the annual Balikatan (Tagalog for “shoulder-to-shoulder”) exercises, a large-scale combat drill between U.S. and Philippine forces.
Two Philippine officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the topic, revealed the decision. U.S. officials, however, have yet to comment on the matter.
China’s Reactions and Philippine Response
China has expressed strong opposition to the presence of the missile system, warning that it could destabilize the region. In recent talks, Chinese diplomats have conveyed their concerns to the Philippine government. However, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. dismissed these concerns, characterizing them as interference in the country’s internal affairs.
“China is saying that they are alarmed, but that is interference into our internal affairs. They are using reverse psychology to deter us from building up our defensive capabilities,” Teodoro remarked during a defense industry exhibition in Manila. In a pointed statement, Teodoro added, “Before they start talking, why don’t they lead by example? Destroy their nuclear arsenal, remove all their ballistic missile capabilities, get out of the West Philippine Sea, and get out of Mischief Reef. Don’t throw stones when you live in a glass house.”
Teodoro referred to the West Philippine Sea, the local name for the disputed South China Sea, where China has maintained missile-protected island bases. One of these bases is located at Mischief Reef, which was seized by Chinese forces in 1995.
Strategic Importance of the Missile System
Philippine military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. emphasized the strategic importance of the U.S. missile system for the Philippines’ defense. He expressed a desire for its permanent presence, though he did not disclose whether U.S. officials agreed to this request. “If I were given the choice, I would like to have the Typhon here in the Philippines forever because we need it for our defense,” Brawner said.
In a recent meeting in Laos during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) talks, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo also addressed China’s concerns. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had raised what he described as China’s “very dramatic” worries over the U.S. missile system, warning that its presence could be destabilizing. However, Manalo countered that the deployment was only temporary and not a threat to regional stability.
Rising Tensions in the South China Sea
The U.S. missile deployment is part of a broader effort by Washington and Manila to counter China’s increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea. Tensions have escalated over the past year, with repeated clashes between Chinese and Philippine coast guard forces in the disputed waters. The South China Sea is a vital global shipping route believed to hold vast undersea reserves of gas and oil. Aside from China and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also claim overlapping portions of the waterway.
As tensions simmer in the region, the extension of the U.S. missile system in the Philippines sends a strong signal of the two nations’ resolve to strengthen defense cooperation and maintain stability, despite China’s objections.
Philippine officials remain firm in their stance that the country’s security partnerships, especially with the U.S., are crucial for national defense and regional security.
VATICAN CITY. Pope Francis has taken the extraordinary step of expelling 10 individuals, including a bishop, priests, and laypeople, from the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (Sodalitium of Christian Life) following a Vatican investigation that uncovered “sadistic” abuses of power, authority, and spirituality within the movement. The decision, announced by the Peruvian Bishops Conference on Wednesday, marks a significant escalation in the Vatican’s response to longstanding allegations against the influential Catholic group in Peru.
The investigation, led by Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, revealed shocking abuses, including physical violence, spiritual manipulation, and economic mismanagement. The Vatican’s statement, posted by the Peruvian Bishops Conference, detailed crimes rarely addressed in canonical investigations, such as hacking communications and targeting victims through media outlets.
According to the statement, investigators uncovered various forms of abuse, including “physical abuses with sadism and violence,” abuses of conscience, and financial exploitation within the movement. One particularly notable form of abuse cited was the “abuse in the exercise of the apostolate of journalism,” likely referring to media attacks by Sodalitium-affiliated journalists on critics of the movement.
The expelled individuals include Archbishop José Antonio Eguren, who was forced to resign as bishop of Piura in April following a scandal involving the forced eviction of peasants on lands linked to Sodalitium in his diocese. Eguren had previously sued journalists Pedro Salinas and Paola Ugaz, who exposed the movement’s abuses in their 2015 book Half Monks, Half Soldiers. In response to the Vatican’s action, Ugaz, who has also been a victim of hacking, remarked, “It is a demonstration that in Peru, the survivors would never have found justice and reparation… because the Sodalitium is an organization with a lot of political, social, and economic power.”
The Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, founded in 1971 by layman Luis Figari as a conservative Catholic movement to counter liberation theology, peaked with around 20,000 members across South America and the United States. Figari, who was previously expelled from the group, was found to have committed numerous abuses, including sodomizing recruits, forcing them to engage in degrading acts, and using psychological manipulation to maintain control.
Despite these findings, the Vatican had initially declined to expel Figari in 2017, merely ordering him to live in isolation in Rome. However, the latest investigation uncovered additional layers of abuse, with perpetrators within the movement covering up crimes and obstructing justice. Victims had long demanded justice, and the Vatican’s latest move is a long-overdue step toward accountability.
In its statement, the Vatican expressed solidarity with the victims, with Pope Francis and the Peruvian bishops “seeking the forgiveness of the victims” and urging the movement to begin a process of “justice and reparation.”
Both Figari’s legal team and representatives of Archbishop Eguren have yet to respond to inquiries from CNN. The Vatican’s latest actions have sent a strong message about the consequences of abuse within the Church, especially in movements that wield significant influence across political and social spheres.
This marks a critical turning point for the Sodalitium movement as it faced both internal reforms and external scrutiny in the wake of these revelations.
MAYNILA. Hindi na kinakailangan ang muling pagpapatupad ng mandatory na pagsusuot ng face masks sa kabila ng paglitaw ng bagong variant ng COVID-19, ayon sa Department of Health (DOH) nitong Miyerkules. Ang variant na ito, na tinatawag na XEC, ay inaasahang magiging dominanteng variant sa buong mundo, ngunit hindi ito nagdudulot ng labis na pangamba sa mga awtoridad.
Ipinaliwanag ni DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo na ang XEC ay isang offshoot ng JN.1 variant na kilala dahil sa mabilis na pagkalat. Ayon kay Domingo, “Bagamat lumabas ang bagong variant na iyan, ang dapat nating tandaan, meron talagang laging lalabas na bago. Sa XEC, may bago siyang mutation, ‘yun siguro ang ikinababahala na mukhang magaling siyang kumapit ulit sa mga tao pero hindi pa nakikita kung meron siyang datos, kung malala o hindi.”
Bagama’t wala pang naitatala na kaso ng XEC sa Pilipinas mula Setyembre 1 hanggang 14, posible umanong nakapasok na ang variant sa bansa. Ang XEC ay tinukoy bilang isang “recombinant na variant,” na resulta ng kombinasyon ng KS.1.1 at KP.3.3, mga variant na parehong nag-evolve mula sa JN.1.
Natuklasan ang XEC noong Agosto sa Germany, at mayroon nang 600 na kaso ng variant na ito sa 27 bansa sa Europa, North America, at Asya. Gayunpaman, ayon sa DOH, hindi dapat ikabahala ang pagkalat ng XEC dahil sa Germany, walang nakitang pagtaas ng malubhang kaso ng COVID-19 na dulot nito.
Samantala, ang naitalang kaso ng KP.2 at KP.3 infections sa bansa ay patuloy na bumababa, mula sa dating 400-500 kada araw, ngayon ay nasa 80 na lamang bawat araw. Sinabi rin ni Domingo na ang pagtaas ng mga flu-like illnesses ay maaaring dulot ng pagbabago ng panahon at hindi direktang nauugnay sa bagong variant ng COVID-19.
BEIRUT/JERUSALEM. In the wake of intensified Israeli airstrikes, Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, is demonstrating remarkable resilience due to its flexible command structure, extensive tunnel network, and a vast arsenal of missiles. Despite unprecedented blows, the group has swiftly adapted, maintaining operations and replenishing leadership, sources close to Hezbollah’s operations revealed.
Since the escalation of violence earlier this month, Israel has targeted key Hezbollah commanders and destroyed numerous rocket sites. Among those killed was Ibrahim Aqil, founder and leader of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force, whose death, according to Israeli military chief Herzi Halevi, “shook the organization.”
Israel’s relentless strikes, especially in Beirut’s southern suburbs, have caused significant casualties. According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, over 560 people, including 50 children, were killed on Monday alone. The air raids also injured 1,500 Hezbollah fighters, many suffering severe injuries from explosive devices hidden in communication tools.
Despite these losses, Hezbollah quickly appointed replacements for fallen leaders, as the group’s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, stated, “We swiftly fill gaps whenever a leader is martyred” (“نحن نملأ الفجوات بسرعة عندما يُستشهد قائد”). This resilient chain of command, coupled with Hezbollah’s underground infrastructure, has allowed the group to continue its missile strikes against Israel.
Hezbollah has launched hundreds of rockets deep into Israeli territory, showcasing its extensive firepower. On Wednesday, the group claimed responsibility for firing a missile at an Israeli intelligence base near Tel Aviv. Israel’s air defense systems intercepted the missile, but the attack demonstrated Hezbollah’s ability to strike far from the border.
Hezbollah is believed to possess a significant number of precision-guided rockets, including the Iranian-made Fateh-110 ballistic missile, capable of carrying a warhead of up to 500 kilograms over distances of up to 300 kilometers. The underground arsenal, believed to house as many as 150,000 rockets, remains largely intact despite Israeli efforts to degrade the group’s capabilities. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated, “We have destroyed tens of thousands of Hezbollah rockets,” though these claims remain unverified.
Hezbollah’s tunnel network, reportedly stretching for hundreds of kilometers, is another vital component of its defense strategy. These tunnels, many hidden beneath civilian homes in southern Lebanon, have allowed the group to continue operations despite sustained Israeli bombings. The group has been known to use these underground routes to transport rockets and launch attacks undetected.
Hezbollah has adapted to technological warfare as well, relying on a dedicated fixed-line communication system and older pager models after banning the use of mobile phones on the battlefield. This strategy has helped maintain the group’s internal communications despite attempts by Israel to disrupt its operations.
The ongoing conflict has raised concerns about a broader regional war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signaled a preference for a negotiated withdrawal of Hezbollah from the border region but has not ruled out further military action. Meanwhile, Iran, Hezbollah’s main ally, has warned of “irreversible” consequences if the conflict escalates further. “A full-blown war would have devastating effects across the Middle East,” stated Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
As both Hezbollah and Israel prepare for a prolonged confrontation, the international community is watching closely, fearing the involvement of external powers like the U.S. and Iran. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the resilience of Hezbollah’s command structure and its ability to continue launching attacks underscore the complexities of this evolving conflict.
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This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
