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Cha-cha plebiscite and midterm polls in one event: A test of Comelec s independence
BOTH LEGISLATIVE chambers are now leading charter change discussions. Legislators have repeatedly said that amendments will be limited to economic measures in the 1987 Constitution.Meanwhile, the conduct of the plebiscite had Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair George Garcia describe the logistical preparations required for it. He argued that it should be held as a separate event from the 2025 midterm electi.....»»
Senate concurrence needed to revoke SMNI franchise’
The revocation of the legislative franchise of Sonshine Media Network Inc. by the House of Representatives would have to be approved by the Senate first before it can take effect – in accordance with the usual legislative route, lawmakers said yesterday......»»
Cha-cha plebiscite during mid-year elections: No media question on Comelec s apparent uncertainty
BOTH LEGISLATIVE chambers are on the forefront of ongoing charter change discussions. Legislators have repeatedly said that amendments will be limited to economic measures in the 1987 Constitution.Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Com.....»»
Israels Difficult Gaza Orders: The Daily Guardian Perspective
Title: Gaza Refugees Face Dire Conditions in Rafah as Israeli Bombings Escalate Date: [Insert Date] Byline: [Author Name] In a devastating turn of events, a.....»»
ISIS claims responsibility for Iran suicide bombings
ISIS claims responsibility for Iran suicide bombings.....»»
Prioritize OFW repatriation, reintegration — Go
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has reiterated the urgency of providing repatriation support and eventually, reintegration plans for overseas Filipino workers returning from Israel and Lebanon, in the light of escalating tensions in the region. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, said a comprehensive repatriation and reintegration program should be in place to cater to the varying needs of returning OFWs. “It’s about empowering our OFWs to restart their lives here with dignity and hope,” Go remarked. Once the OFWs return home, Go called on the government to ensure that reintegration programs are made readily available for them to overcome the trauma they experienced and be able to recover. “Our kababayans are coming home under distressing circumstances. It is the government’s responsibility to extend all possible support to these modern-day heroes,” Go said. “Aside from possible employment opportunities, the government must be ready to provide assistance for their physical and psychological well-being, temporary housing if needed, and the welfare of their families as well,” he added. The Philippine government has approved voluntary repatriation for Filipinos in Lebanon amid brewing tension in the region while the situation in Israel is particularly concerning, with Israel intensifying its bombings in Gaza. With this, Go emphasized the need for both the government and OFWs to take proactive steps to ensure their safety. The senator urged the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Migrant Workers and other relevant agencies to closely monitor the situation and provide timely updates to OFWs and their families. In another development, Go has urged various government agencies to amplify and accelerate their interventions for the most affected sectors of society as the country grapples with the economic challenges posed by high inflation rates. This call to action comes in the wake of a recent and concerning study conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas indicating that high inflation is expected to persist until 2025. Meanwhile, Go expressed his strong support and commendation for the 150 scholars currently enrolled in the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority program in Daet, Camarines Norte. The educational venture was initiated in collaboration with the Philippine Academy of Technical Studies Inc. The post Prioritize OFW repatriation, reintegration — Go appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Repatriation, reintegration efforts must be prioritized for returning OFWs — Bong Go
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has reiterated the urgency of providing repatriation support and eventually, reintegration plans for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) returning from Israel and Lebanon, in the light of escalating tensions in the region. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, said a comprehensive repatriation and reintegration program should be in place to cater to the varying needs of returning OFWs. “Unang una, siguraduhin natin ang kanilang kaligtasan. Tulungan dapat silang makalikas sa ligtas na lugar at maiuwi sa kanilang mga pamilya dito. Pagkatapos ay dapat mayroon tayong handa at maayos na sistema ng suporta na makakapagbigay ng job counseling, skills retraining, at mga serbisyo sa mental health, at iba pa. It's about empowering our OFWs to restart their lives here with dignity and hope,” Go remarked. “Mahirap ang pinagdaanan nila doon. Nawalan na sila ng trabaho, may trauma pa yan dahil sa kaguluhan na naranasan nila. Ibigay dapat sa kanila ang sapat na suporta at pag-aaruga pag-uwi nila sa kanilang inang bayan upang makabangon muli,” he stressed. Once the OFWs return home, Go called on the government to ensure that reintegration programs are made readily available for them to overcome the trauma they experienced and be able to recover. “Our kababayans are coming home under distressing circumstances. It is the government's responsibility to extend all possible support to these modern-day heroes," said Go. “Aside from possible employment opportunities, the government must be ready to provide assistance for their physical and psychological well-being, temporary housing if needed, and the welfare of their families as well,” he added. The Philippine government has approved voluntary repatriation for Filipinos in Lebanon amid brewing tension in the region while the situation in Israel is particularly concerning, with Israel intensifying its bombings in Gaza. With this, Go emphasized the need for both the government and OFWs to take proactive steps to ensure their safety. The senator urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and other relevant agencies to closely monitor the situation and provide timely updates to OFWs and their families. “Our OFWs are hailed as modern-day heroes, and it's only fitting that we ensure their safety wherever they are in the world. Once they return to the Philippines, the government must also be prepared to provide them with the necessary support as they reintegrate into society, bringing with them skills and experiences acquired overseas,” he said. Furthermore, the senator emphasized the need for local government units (LGUs) to play an active role in the reintegration process. He encouraged LGUs to work closely with national agencies in identifying the needs of returning OFWs within their respective localities and to develop localized reintegration programs. Go said the reintegration support should be a priority as it greatly impacts not only the returning OFWs but also their families and the local communities they will be rejoining. The senator also conveyed his condolences to the families of OFWs who have lost their lives in the conflict. The remains of Loreta Alacre, an OFW killed by Hamas militants, recently arrived in Manila. Another Filipino caregiver was wounded but managed to escape the Hamas attack. Go has been a staunch supporter of the welfare of OFWs and was one of the authors and co-sponsors of Republic Act No. 11641, which led to the establishment of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). "The DMW Act was designed to protect our OFWs. Now, more than ever, it's time to put this law into action to protect our kababayans," Go emphasized. Go also filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2414 or the "OFW Ward Act.” If passed into law, every hospital under the Department of Health (DOH) across the country will have a specialized ward for OFWs and their family members who require hospitalization. Go has also filed SBN 2297, which seeks to institutionalize the OFW Hospital in Pampanga and ensure its continuous operation by providing sufficient support through necessary funding, personnel, and equipment. The bill aims to improve healthcare services for OFWs and their families by strengthening the existing facility and allocating necessary funds for its maintenance and operation. The post Repatriation, reintegration efforts must be prioritized for returning OFWs — Bong Go appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Terrible nightmare’: OFWs recount Hamas attack on Israel
Two Overseas Filipino Workers shared on Monday their traumatizing experience during the attack of Hamas militants on Israel. Teresita Malapo, 35, a resident of Baao, Camarines Sur and a caregiver for eight years, said they were about to go to church in Jerusalem when they heard a siren. “On Saturday morning, we were about to go to church in Jerusalem because most of the time, we go to church every day off. Suddenly, we heard a siren. After a while, there was news that rockets were being launched from Palestine. We were all shocked." She added that a simple bang of the door made her feel nervous because of the bombings. “That feeling that you always hear something, and your feeling of nervousness is increasing. When a door closes, you think something has exploded. In Israel, there is an explosion anytime of the day. It explodes even without a siren. When there’s a bombing, our house or bomb shelters vibrates,” she lamented. Meanwhile, Gerald Caniban, 35, a resident of Iloilo City and a caregiver for five years, said he was asleep when he was awakened by a phone alert and heard a siren. “It was an overwhelming experience because of what happened on 7 October. I was staying in Tel Aviv that morning, I was with my girlfriend when we heard the alert on my phone. It was Saturday, our day off. Then after a few minutes, we heard a siren all over Tel Aviv,” Caniban said. “It was a terrible nightmare. Israel didn’t expect Hamas to attack. In my personal experience, I don’t have peace of mind. Even if you’re asleep, it’s like you’re awake because you might hear a siren anytime. Then I got sick for a week thinking that there was something that would come again. So even when I’m lying down, I still watch the news. That’s what makes me nervous that something worst might be coming,” he said. A total of 25 OFWs, including a four-month-old infant, arrived on Monday afternoon at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, as the third batch of repatriates via Etihad Airways EY424. The repatriates were received by Department of Migrant Workers Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo Cacdac, DMW Undersecretary Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones, TESDA Director Cariza Dacuma, Congressman Ron Salo, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Mary Melanie Quino, Department of Social Welfare and Development Director Mirmamel Laxa and Department of Health Director Bernadette Velasco. According to Allones, two of the repatriates are in need of psychosocial assistance. Cacdac said a total of 16 caregivers and nine hotel workers were in the third batch of repatriated OFWs, which he said were predominantly women. The post ‘Terrible nightmare’: OFWs recount Hamas attack on Israel appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
59 OFWs seek Lebanon exit
At least 59 Filipinos in Lebanon have expressed a desire to be repatriated amid the escalating tension between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon said Monday. Hezbollah is another Islamist militant group that controls the southern part of Lebanon. It has launched rockets into the northern part of Israel, which has fired back. “On Sunday morning, when we held our meeting with Filipino community leaders, we received 59 applications,” Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Raymond Balatbat said in a television interview. This developed as the Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, placed Lebanon under Alert Level 3, or voluntary repatriation. According to the DFA, there are an estimated 17,500 Filipinos in Lebanon, 67 of them residing on its southern border. Balatbat said only three of the 67 Filipinos on the southern border have asked to be repatriated. Since the surprise attack by the Palestinian Sunni-Islamic extremist group Hamas on Israel on 7 October, which left 1,400 Israelis dead, scores of foreigners have also been killed, including four Filipinos. Meanwhile, a total of 24 overseas Filipino workers, comprising the third batch of repatriates from Israel, arrived Monday afternoon at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. The repatriates — 21 women and three men — came from Israel via Abu Dhabi on board Etihad Airways flight EY424. Migrant Workers Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo Cacdac assured all the repatriates of support from the government to ease their displacement and facilitate their reintegration. Two Filipinos shared on Monday their traumatizing experience during the attack of Hamas in Israel. Tersita Malapo, 35, of Baao, Camarines Sur, a caregiver for eight years, said she and other Filipinos were about to go to church when they heard a siren. “On Saturday morning, we were about to go to church in Jerusalem because we go to church every day off. Suddenly, we heard a siren. After a while, there was news that rockets were being launched from Palestine. We were so shocked,” Malapo said. She said that because of the bombings a loud noise like the banging of a door made her nervous. “That feeling that you always hear something, your feeling of nervousness is increasing. When a door slams, you think something has exploded. In Israel, there is an explosion anytime of the day. It explodes even without a siren. When there’s a bombing, our house and bomb shelter vibrates,” she said. Gerald Caniban, 35, of Iloilo City, a caregiver for five years, said he was asleep when he heard the sirens. “It was an overwhelming experience. I was in Tel Aviv that morning. I was sleeping with my girlfriend when we heard the alert on my phone. It was Saturday, our day-off. After a few minutes, we heard sirens all over Tel Aviv,” Caniban said. He said he did not have peace of mind and described the situation as a terrible nightmare. The post 59 OFWs seek Lebanon exit appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
OFW undecided to return to Israel when war is over
An Overseas Filipino Worker said on Friday during the arrival of the second batch of repatriated OFWs in Israel that he is still uncertain of his return to Israel if the war subsides. Elmer Puno, a caregiver who has resided in Pampanga, said that his employer promised him that he could still work for them anytime he is ready but still undecided because of his traumatic experience during the attack by Hamas Militants in Israel. “To be honest, when I was about to fly yesterday, my employer called me and said when the situation comes back to normal, if I still want to come back, I can. But I said to myself that I cannot decide yet because of what I have encountered inside Israel,” Elmer said. Elmer’s contract has not yet ended as he still has two years and three months to finish but he decided to resign from his job as a caregiver as he worries for his safety and his family. He said he worked in Israel for two years and earned a good salary. “My salary is pretty good. In our currency, that is P70,000 a month, tax-free,” he said. Elmer stated that he did not hesitate to ask for repatriation to the Philippine government because of his family who is worried for his safety. “When I heard the siren, I ran to a bomb shelter, I was also talking to my wife who also heard the sirens and bombings. She was so scared. She is asking me to go home urgently. My children said that I should be home so when there was an opportunity for me to ask for repatriation, I didn’t think twice about asking the government to repatriate us,” he lamented. There are around 18 repatriated OFWs including a Filipino left in Abu Dhabi due to high blood pressure who arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 via Etihad Airlines EY 424. The Department of Migrant Workers Undersecretary Maria Anthonette C. Velasco, together with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Deputy Administrator Honey Quino, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Ada Colicon, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Deputy Director General Vidal Villanueva, received the second batch of repatriated OFWs. According to DMW Undersecretary Maria Anthonette Velasco, the government agencies provided financial assistance to the OFWs. “The 18 OFWs received P105,000 direct financial assistance today. P50,000 from OWWA, P50,000 from DMW, and P5,000 from DSWD. TESDA gave vouchers to the OFWs for them to undergo for training in opening a business and pursuing an entrepreneurship program,” Velasco said. Velasco added that the OFWs will be receiving medical assistance. Psychological first aid is one of the agency’s priorities for OFWs who are still traumatized. The post OFW undecided to return to Israel when war is over appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl Army belies abduction of 3 IP advocates; insists “they were NPAs”
The Philippine Army on Thursday belied reports that soldiers abducted three individuals “falsely identified” as Indigenous People’s defenders, insisting that they were members of the New People’s Army. Bgen Randolph Cabangbang, commander of the PA’s 203rd Infantry Battalion-2nd Infantry Division lambasted the Karapatan Group for accusing the military of abducting Alia Encelo, Job Abednego David, and Peter Del Monte. Cabangbang said the Karapatan’s claims on the disappearance of supposed rights advocates are “distorted and full of lies.” Karapatan group condemned the arrest of three personalities who were conducting a probe on “human rights violations in connection to reports of bombings and shelling by the 203rd IB around the area earlier this year.” In response, Cabangbang said the three individuals "were captured and arrested” during a legitimate military operation in Barangay Lisap, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro on 23 September. He then insisted that the three individuals were members of the NPA’s Main Regional Guerrilla Unit as he cited the guerilla’s combatant profile and gallery. “During the capture, they attempted to resist and reach for some objects inside their bags and upon seeing that they have been surrounded, decided to heed the soldiers' call not to move anymore,” he said. “They were in possession of improvised landmines and grenades inside their bags that they probably planned to use in ambushing government troops,” he added. The Army official said the three would be facing charges of violating Republic Act 9516 (An act Further Amending the Provisions of PD No. 1866, As Amended, Entitled to Codifying the Laws on Illegal/Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Dealing in, Acquisition or Disposition of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives or Instruments Used in the Manufacture of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives, and Imposing Stiffer Penalties for Certain Violations Thereof, and For Other Relevant Purposes) and Violation of Section 4(a) and 4(d), Republic Act No. 11479 (Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020). Cabangbang said one of the captured, Alia Encelo, 19, was an active member of Gabriela Youth prior to joining the NPA in January this year. While Job Abednego David and Peter Del Monte, both 29 years old, have been with the NPA for more than 6 years, he added. “Job, from Quezon City, is a Fine Arts student at a prestigious school, and Peter, a high school drop-out from Tondo, Manila. They were later on identified by former rebels, who have surrendered, to be NPA members," Cabangbang said. “The captured rebels claimed that they have been in hiding for months, owing to the continuous military operations, and have not eaten a decent meal for two months,” he added. The post Phl Army belies abduction of 3 IP advocates; insists “they were NPAs” appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
3 youth indigenous peoples’ rights advocates abducted in Mindoro
The three were investigating human rights violations related to reports of bombings and shelling in the area earlier this year which were connected to mining and quarrying projects that affected the residents and indigenous people. The post 3 youth indigenous peoples’ rights advocates abducted in Mindoro appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
State of emergency lifting to benefit Mindanao — Go
Successful law enforcement efforts initiated by the Duterte administration and continued under the present dispensation have led to the lifting of the state of national emergency in Mindanao, according to Senator Christopher “Bong” Go. In an interview on Saturday, 29 July after assisting flood victims in Davao City, Go lauded the lifting of the state of national emergency by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., saying it was a testament to the successful law enforcement efforts in the region. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Order, hailed the fight against terrorism and unrest which led to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s state of emergency declaration in 2016. The senator highlighted the significant security challenges that had plagued Mindanao, which included bombings and the Marawi Siege. Go pointed to the economic and societal benefits that would come with the normalization of life in Mindanao. “With the lifting, mas lalong mano-normalize na po ang ating pamumuhay sa Mindanao at makapag-engganyo na tayo ng investors, turista, mas sisigla na ang ating ekonomiya, at karagdagang trabaho na po ito, (it will normalize life in Mindanao and we will be able to attract investors, tourists and revive the economy) ” he said. While the lifting of the state of emergency and public health emergency is a significant development for Mindanao, the senator stressed the importance of not forgetting the sacrifices made by frontliners, particularly uniformed personnel and healthcare workers, during the challenging period. He earlier urged the Executive, specifically the Department of Health and the Department of Budget and Management, to honor the due compensation of healthcare workers as committed by President Marcos Jr. in his second SoNA. Marcos’ decision to lift the state of national emergency on 25 July was based on the improved peace and order situation in the region. His proclamation highlighted “successful focused military and law enforcement operations and programs that promote sustainable and inclusive peace,” contributing to the restoration of peace in the region. The President expressed optimism that lifting the proclamation would “boost economic activity and hasten the recovery of the local economy.” The post State of emergency lifting to benefit Mindanao — Go appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SBG hails lifting of state of national emergency in Mindanao
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go highlighted the economic and societal benefits that would come with the lifting of the state of emergency in Mindanao by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as a testament to the continuing campaign against terrorism in the region. "With the lifting, mas lalong mano-normalize na po ang ating pamumuhay sa Mindanao at makapag-engganyo na tayo ng investors, turista, mas sisigla na ang ating ekonomiya, at karagdagang trabaho na po ito,” Go said in an interview on Saturday, 29 July in Davao City. Go said the lifting of the state of emergency was a testament to the successful law enforcement efforts in the region. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Order credited the efforts initially initiated under former President Rodrigo Duterte and continued further by the present administration. "Inumpisahan po ito ni dating Pangulong Duterte na labanan po ang terorismo... nagkaroon ng proclamation si dating pangulong Duterte noong 2016 dahil magulo talaga, may bombings, at nando'n pa ang Marawi Siege," explained Go. Marcos’ decision to lift the state of national emergency on 25 July was based on the improved peace and order situation in the region. His proclamation highlighted "successful focused military and law enforcement operations and programs that promote sustainable and inclusive peace," contributing to the restoration of peace in the region. The President expressed optimism that lifting the proclamation would "boost economic activity and hasten the recovery of the local economy." The post SBG hails lifting of state of national emergency in Mindanao appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cebu’s National Museum inaugurated
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. underscored the importance of museums in preserving and promoting a nation’s cultural heritage as he led the inauguration of the National Museum of the Philippines in Cebu City on Friday. The President stressed that museums can help people understand the past, appreciate the present, and build a better future. “Every country, a young country such as the Philippines, has to find its identity,” said Marcos. “And we need to answer the question; if we are to unite together, we need to answer the question: What does it mean to be Filipino?” He added that museums “shine a very, very strong light on where Filipinos came from, what we had done since, and what is the trend, where are we headed” as pointed out that the exhibits would attract the interest of museum-goers. Marcos also urged local and foreign visitors to include the NMP Cebu in their itinerary whenever they visit the province and encouraged his fellow government officials to support the initiatives of the NMP. “Let us persuade the local and foreign visitors alike to include the NMP Cebu in their itinerary whenever they visit our beautiful country and this vibrant, ancient province,” Marcos said. “That is also ensured that our cultural institutions and establishments are accessible to Filipinos from all walks of life.” The President said that it might require around a week of going to the museum religiously before one ultimately sees all the exhibits. From being a customs building to Malacañang sa Sugbo, one of Cebu City’s architectural treasures has been transformed into a National Museum which will be open to the public for free starting 1 August 2023 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesdays to Sundays. It will feature exhibitions that capture the Cebuano spirit and heritage, including the island’s rich and diverse biodiversity, geology, archeological treasures, art, and ethnographic and maritime traditions. NMP-Cebu said this would host a special exhibition featuring artworks from the Philippine Center in New York and will soon feature artworks by Cebu master Martino Abellana. Aside from the five galleries, the National Museum will be boasted a lobby and reception hall featuring arts by Cebuanos with Cebuano culture and history, a terrace, a courtyard, and the NMP’s first-ever regional Museum shop. In 1910, Architect William Parsons designed and built the Customs (Aduana) building. It served its purpose as the old Customs house for 94 years and even survived the World War II bombings. In 2004, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo converted it into Malacañang sa Sugbo to bring the national government closer to the people in the region. The building was closed in 2013 due to a 7.1-magnitude earthquake. In 2019, the Old Customs House was declared a National Cultural Treasure. And in December of the same year, NMP was given the right to convert it into the National Museum- Central Visayas Regional Museum. With RICO MIRASOL OSMEñA The post Cebu’s National Museum inaugurated appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
House reso to probe ‘indiscriminate’ aerial bombings filed
House Resolution 1135 seeks to investigate the effect of the military’s supposed “indiscriminate aerial bombings, shelling, and strafing” and how this poses a threat to children’s mental and emotional well-being. .....»»
Sulu governor gets people’s backing
JOLO, Sulu Province — Residents of Sulu province rallied their support to Governor Abdusakur Tan as the governor is being marred by accusations from former Maimbung Vice Mayor Pando Mudjasan. This comes as the former vice mayor is facing various criminal charges in Sulu. Leaders in the province — who refused to be identified for security reasons — called on the people of Sulu to express their support to the governor. “Let’s stand up, hold our heads high, and respond not with anger, but with dignity and truth and together, we can ensure the legacy of Tan is accurately represented,” said the leaders. Another personality in the province also called on those that were allegedly misled by the propaganda of Mudjasan “to get a real glimpse into the man (Tan) whom we are proud to call our leader.” He added that Tan’s journey is a testament to the potential of hard work, dedication, and the belief in the power of community. “The root of these unfounded allegations can be traced back to ex-Vice Mayor Mudjasan. Upon being served with legitimate arrest warrants for multiple serious crimes, he lashed out against Tan,” said the local leader. While some loyal friends and relatives of Mudjasan accused Tan of monopolizing business and creating instability, the “reality on the ground paints a completely different picture.” They added that the allegations of creating instability and bombings against the governor are baseless. The post Sulu governor gets people’s backing appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Iran takes Canada to UN court over terror compensation
Iran has taken Canada to the International Court of Justice for allowing victims of alleged terror attacks to claim damages from Tehran, the UN's top tribunal said on Wednesday. Tehran's case claims that Ottawa, which listed the Islamic Republic as a sponsor of terrorism in 2012, had violated Iran's state immunity. Iran asked the Hague-based ICJ to make Canada overturn a law passed in the same year that allows victims to collect damages from state terror sponsors in Canadian civil courts. "Canada has adopted and implemented a series of legislative, executive, and judicial measures against Iran and its property in breach of its international obligations," Iran said in its filing to the court. Tehran also demanded compensation from Canada. Iran's application cites a Canadian court judgment in 2022 that awarded more than $80 million in compensation to the families of six people who died when Iran shot down a Ukrainian airliner almost two years ago. Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 was downed shortly after take-off from Tehran on January 8, 2020, killing all 176 people aboard -- including 85 Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Three days later, the Iranian armed forces admitted to downing the Kyiv-bound plane "by mistake." 'International obligations' Iran also cited a 2016 ruling by a Canadian judge ordering Iran's non-diplomatic land and bank accounts to be handed over to victims of attacks by Hamas and Hezbollah. The judgment awarded a reported $13 million to families of Americans who died in eight bombings or hostage-takings in Buenos Aires, Israel, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia from 1983 to 2002. The families, led by the parents of Marla Bennett, who was killed when a suicide bomber struck at a cafeteria at Hebrew University in Israel in 2002, had successfully sued Iran in the United States. "Iran respectfully requests the Court to adjudge and declare that by failing to respect the immunities of Iran and its property, Canada has violated its international obligations toward Iran," Iran's ICJ filing said. Canada broke diplomatic ties with Iran in 2012 as relations frayed over Tehran's support for Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, its nuclear program, and threats to Israel. Iran launched a similar case at the ICJ against the United States in 2016 seeking to unfreeze assets seized by Washington to compensate victims of terror attacks. Judges in March rejected Iran's bid to free nearly $2 billion in central bank assets but ruled the United States had illegally seized funds of some Iranian companies and individuals. The ICJ was set up after World War II to resolve disputes between UN member states. Its judgments are final but can take years. The post Iran takes Canada to UN court over terror compensation appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fear, grief after 41 dead in ‘brutal’ Uganda school attack
Grieving families buried their dead in western Uganda on Sunday while others searched desperately for missing loved ones after militants killed dozens of students in a "brutal" school attack. Officials say at least 41 people, mostly students, were massacred Friday in the worst attack of its kind in Uganda since 2010. President Yoweri Museveni, in his first statement since the attack, vowed to hunt the militants "into extinction". Victims were hacked, shot and burned in the late-night raid on Lhubiriha Secondary School in Mpondwe, which lies less than two kilometres (1.2 miles) from the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Pope Francis offered a prayer on Sunday for "the young student victims of the brutal attack" that has shocked Uganda and drawn condemnation from around the globe. Ugandan authorities have blamed the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militia based in DR Congo, and are pursuing the attackers who fled back toward the border with six abductees. "Their action -- the desperate, cowardly, terrorist action -- will not save them," said Museveni. Fifteen others from the community, including five girls, were still missing, said Eriphaz Muhindi, chairman of Kasese district, which shares a long and forested border with DR Congo. - 'Great pain' - Families desperate for news waited all night in the cold outside a mortuary in nearby Bwera. Those able to identify loved ones embraced and wept as they took away the bodies in coffins. "We flocked (to) the hospital and found many bodies -- of boys and girls, some cut with pangas (machetes), others hit with hammers on the head," Roti Masereka, a farmer, told AFP. He left with the body of his brother -- 35-year-old Mbusa Kirurihandi, a security guard at the school -- and his 17-year-old son. But a third son, aged 15, is missing, and the family is distraught. "Today we have buried two bodies, the father and his son. But we are still looking for the missing child," he said. The government said Sunday it would assist with funeral arrangements and support the injured. Seventeen victims were burned beyond recognition when the attackers set a dormitory ablaze, frustrating efforts to identify the dead and account for the missing. Muhindi said they had been taken away for DNA testing, a process that could take some time. "This is a great pain to their families," he told AFP. - 'They wore military camouflage' - Officials said 37 students were killed -- 17 in the torched men's dormitory, and 20 female students who ran but were hacked to death. Elias Kule, an 18-year-old survivor, said the boys locked their dormitory door when they heard gunshots and saw armed men entering the school. "They wore military camouflage. Each had a hammer, a hoe, knives, pangas (machetes) and guns with magazines," he told AFP. He said the attackers started firing through the windows and doors, hitting at least one student, before lobbing a "bomb" into the dormitory that started a fire. "I ran out of oxygen, I covered my mouth and nose with a cloth... I got blood and smeared myself on the head and ears to claim I was dead," he said, waiting until the coast was clear to escape. Four non-students, including the security guard Kirurihandi, were also killed. - 'Appalling act' - The African Union, France and the United States, a close ally of Uganda, offered their condolences and condemned the bloodshed. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said: "Those responsible for this appalling act must be brought to justice." Questions have been raised about how the attackers managed to evade detection in a border region with a heavy military presence. Major General Dick Olum told AFP that intelligence suggested the presence of the ADF in the area at least two days before the attack, and an investigation would be needed to establish what went wrong. Uganda and DR Congo launched a joint offensive in 2021 to drive the ADF out of their Congolese strongholds, but the measures have failed to blunt the group's violence. Originally insurgents in Uganda, the ADF gained a foothold in eastern DRC in the 1990s and have since been accused of killing thousands of civilians. The Islamic State group claims the ADF as its Central African affiliate. Attacks in Uganda are rare but in June 1998, 80 students were burnt to death in their dormitories in an ADF raid on Kichwamba Technical Institute near the DR Congo border. More than 100 students were abducted. The attack was the deadliest in Uganda since 2010, when 76 people were killed in twin bombings in Kampala by the Somalia-based group Al-Shabaab. gm-np/bp © Agence France-Presse The post Fear, grief after 41 dead in ‘brutal’ Uganda school attack appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Teenager killed, three wounded in Sweden shooting
A 15-year-old boy was killed and three other people injured in a shooting in Stockholm on Saturday, police said, adding that a motive had yet to be established. Police received reports of the shooting near a square in southern Stockholm in the early evening, and found two people with gunshot wounds at the scene. Another two were found injured nearby. The teenager succumbed to his wounds while the others were taken to hospital. "The person who died at the scene is a boy aged 15," Towe Hagg, spokeswoman for Stockholm police, told AFP. Another 15-year-old boy was injured, as were a man and a woman aged between 45 and 65, police said in a statement. They added that two men had been arrested following a car chase south of Stockholm just under an hour after the shooting. Police said they had launched an investigation into murder and attempted murder. On Friday, another three people were injured in two separate shootings in the wider Stockholm area. Sweden has struggled to rein in a surge of shootings and bombings in recent years, as gangs settle scores fueled by the narcotics trade. The country registered 391 shootings in 2022, 62 of them fatal, up from 45 the previous year, according to police data. The post Teenager killed, three wounded in Sweden shooting appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»