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7 dead after Davao City Mayor Duterte declares war vs. drugs
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 26 March) – Two more drug suspects died in separate buy-bust operations in Toril District here before dawn Tuesday, after they allegedly resisted arrest, a police official said. This brought the number of fatalities to seven since Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte declared a “war” on illegal drugs last March […].....»»
Moon lander Odysseus tipped sideways on lunar surface but ‘alive and well’
The spacecraft is believed to have caught one of its landing feet on the uneven lunar surface and tipped over, coming to rest sideways, propped up on a rock at one end, says Intuitive Machines CEO Stephen Altemus.....»»
‘Our lives stopped’: Relatives plead for Israel hostages
Moran Betzer Tayar, wracked by anguish about the kidnapping of her nephew and his wife by Hamas fighters on October 7, summed up her feelings during a press conference: "On Saturday morning, our lives stopped." The 54-year-old, speaking in Paris on Wednesday, is on a European tour with other relatives of hostages snatched by the Palestinian militant group during a raid that killed more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians. Israel's retaliation has so far killed more than 6,500 people, including 2,704 children, Hamas says. The Islamists are still believed to be holding more than 200 hostages. It is the plight of these people that Betzer Tayar -- who says she is "worried sick" and cannot eat -- and her compatriots are desperate to keep in the public eye. She told a press conference organized by the Council of Jewish Institutions in France how her relatives were snatched from Kibbutz Nirim, where community members were reportedly besieged for nine hours in one of dozens of attacks staged on 7 October. 'They got me' Two sisters -- Shani and May Yerushalmi -- joined Betzer Tayar to describe how their sister, Eden, was taken from the bar where she was working. "She called us, screaming, saying that terrorists were shooting at them," said Shani Yerushalmi, describing the attack at a rave party where 270 people were killed. Eden hid among bodies of her friends in a car, her sister said, before trying to use a bush as cover. "She told us she could hear the terrorists coming," Shani Yerushalmi said. "We knew it was the last moment with her. Her last sentence was: Shani, they got me." She played the screams of her sister, recorded on her phone, to the gathered journalists. Another of the women on stage, Ofir Weinberg, described how her cousin Itay Svirsky was taken from Kibbutz Beeri, where Hamas fighters killed at least 100 people, according to Israeli authorities. Messages began to pour into the family WhatsApp group on 7 October -- the calls for help and the progress of the attackers documented minute by minute. "I can't even begin to describe the feeling you have when you feel like you're losing your family one by one," said Weinberg. The families have had no news of their loved ones since the Hamas attack. The Israeli army has confirmed only that they are among the hostages taken to Gaza. They are asking for the Red Cross to be allowed to visit their relatives to answer the most basic questions -- whether they are still alive, where they are, and whether they are hurt. But political questions remain taboo. Those caught in the middle of the tragedy decline to speculate on the best course of action for their loved ones: a ground invasion of Gaza or a ceasefire and negotiations. "We're not representing the country... We don't tell Israel what to do," said Ofir Weinberg. "I don't have the answers. I'm just a citizen." The post ‘Our lives stopped’: Relatives plead for Israel hostages appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Unfinished business
The tenacity it took to find that long-lost artwork by Juan Luna is a message for those who are losing faith. Jaime Ponce de Leon, following his nose, so to speak, went on a hunt for the “holy grail of art” that had been missing for 123 years. It took him nearly a decade but he found it. He finished the job, reached the goal, took the plum and so on. That sort of dedication and patience is often reflected in many long-suffering commuters in Metro Manila, where the traffic has returned and the rainy season is bringing floods. Of course, one may wonder how in the world a fine work of art could ever be mentioned in the same breath as commuter troubles, but this, you may be sure, makes perfect sense. People who ride jeepneys, buses, tricycles, motorcycles and trains must endure long waits, frustration, at times unknowing — whether one will be able to catch a ride to get somewhere on time. De Leon had no idea where the road might lead, as an article by the esteemed Edu Jarque that came out in the Life section of this paper yesterday went: “Upon hearing whispers of the touted ‘Holy Grail of Philippine Art,’ León Gallery founder Jaime Ponce de Leon earnestly commenced a decades-long tireless search, following hints, signs, traces, evidence and clues across the European continent.” What made the gallery owner relentless in his search, in spite of what one may imagine were dead-ends? “The dream of finding it would thus become a tireless obsession,” De Leon shared in an online report. “It would always be futile, and my hopes always dashed.” It was this near obsession that fueled the likes of treasure hunters and even fandoms. Sometimes, people get caught up in a dream that they don’t give up no matter how “futile” it seems. What dreams, for instance, fuel dads and moms to work and sacrifice their own comfort? Good education and a better opportunities for their kids. What dreams keeps our tireless road warriors going through dust and flood and the various inconveniences of our transport system? A really efficient transport system the likes of which we see in other countries. This is an ongoing story that has kept us dreaming for more than we see. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is trying to keep that dream alive. In January this year, he spoke about continuing infrastructure projects that would make it a reality. He said, “There are dozens of railway projects — on the ground, above the ground, below ground, not just in Manila but in other regions — at various stages of implementation and with a combined cost of P1.9 trillion. “The administration is, thus, committed to finishing approved railway projects,” he said. One hopes, like long, arduous searches, this one dream ends with us all “dumbfounded,” the reality of it right before our eyes. The post Unfinished business appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pope in hospital for tests, two months after bronchitis infection
Pope Francis visited a Rome hospital for a medical check-up on Tuesday, the Vatican said, just over two months after he was hospitalized with bronchitis. "This morning Pope Francis went to the Gemelli Polyclinic to undergo some clinical tests and returned to the Vatican before noon," Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement. Francis, 86, was forced to take a day off at the end of last month with a fever, which the Vatican secretary of state blamed on tiredness. The pope does not have public audiences scheduled on Tuesdays. His general audience at the Vatican was confirmed for Wednesday, according his official schedule. The Vatican also released the schedule for Francis's next trip abroad, which will see him attend World Youth Day in Lisbon from August 2-6. The examination had been pre-planned, the Repubblica newspaper said, citing a Vatican source. It added that the pontiff was undergoing specialized scans. When Francis was hospitalized at the end of March, the Vatican initially said in a one-line statement that he had gone into the Gemelli for health checks that were previously scheduled. It later emerged that he had been rushed in after suffering breathing difficulties. He was diagnosed with bronchitis and stayed in hospital for three nights, before returning to the Vatican to preside over Easter services. Asked how he felt, he quipped with a big smile, "I am still alive!" Francis, who has been the leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics for a decade, has suffered increasing health issues over the past year. He has persistent pain in his right knee as well as sciatica, and his hospital stay for bronchitis sparked widespread concern. Just in time It also fueled speculation over his future. Francis' predecessor, Benedict XVI, who died in December, quit in 2013 due to failing health. For about a year, the pope has had to rely on a wheelchair due to the recurring knee pain he has said cannot be treated through surgery. Asked about his health in an interview with US Spanish-language network Telemundo broadcast in May, Francis said it was "much better". "I can walk now. My knee has been mending. I could hardly walk beforehand. Now I can. Some days are more painful than others," the pope said. Francis added that doctors had caught his bronchitis infection just in time. "If we'd waited a few more hours, it would've been much more serious. But I was out (of hospital) in four days," he said. Despite his health issues, Francis continues to travel widely. But the pope acknowledged in July 2022 that he needed to slow down. "At my age and with this limitation, I have to save myself a little bit to be able to serve the Church," he said then. "Or, alternatively, to think about the possibility of stepping aside." In March, however, he insisted that he had no current plans to quit. Benedict XVI, who died on 31 December aged 95, surprised the world in 2013 when he announced he was stepping down, a radical move not taken by a pope since the Middle Ages. The post Pope in hospital for tests, two months after bronchitis infection appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Over a dozen alleged gang members stoned, burned alive in Haiti
More than a dozen suspected gang members were stoned and burned alive on Monday by residents in Port-au-Prince, police and witnesses said, as the UN warned that insecurity in the Haitian capital has reached levels similar to countries at war. "During a search of a minibus in which there were armed individuals, the police confiscated weapons and other equipment. In addition, more than a dozen individuals traveling in this vehicle were unfortunately lynched by members of the population," the police said in a statement. The police did not specify the exact number of victims, nor expand upon the circumstances in which they lost custody of the suspects, who were murdered by residents of the district called Canape-Vert. The violence had started before dawn, when gang members burst into several residential areas of the capital, looting homes and attacking residents, according to witnesses. "It was the sound of projectiles that woke us up this morning. It was 3:00 a.m. the gangs invaded us. There were shots, shots," a resident of the neighboring district of Turgeau told AFP. "If the gangs come to invade us, we will defend ourselves, we too have our own weapons, we have our machetes, we will take their weapons, we will not flee," said another resident. "Mothers who want to protect their children can send them elsewhere," he added. In fact, dozens of families left the neighborhoods caught in the spiral of violence on Monday, AFP journalists confirmed. Men, women, and children fled the scene on foot, carrying a few personal belongings in bags or bundles. At least three other suspected gang members were killed and then burned at midday, according to photos and videos that were shared online. The latest grisly killings came as the United Nations released a report highlighting the surge in murders and kidnappings in the country. Armed gangs "continued to compete to expand their territorial control throughout the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, spreading to previously unaffected neighborhoods," said the report, from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "With the high number of fatalities and increasing areas under the control of armed gangs, insecurity in the capital has reached levels comparable to countries in armed conflict," it added. The number of reported homicides in Haiti rose in recent months by 21 percent, from 673 in the last quarter of 2022 to 815 between 1 January and 31 March this year. The number of reported kidnappings soared by 63 percent, from 391 to 637. "The people of Haiti continue to suffer one of the worst human rights crises in decades and a major humanitarian emergency," the report said. Clashes among gangs and with police have "become more violent and more frequent," claiming many civilian lives, it added. The human rights situation of people living in gang-controlled areas "remains appallingly poor" and conditions in areas newly targeted by gangs have "worsened significantly," according to the report. The document highlighted the dire situation for residents of Cite Soleil, along the capital's waterfront, where snipers have shot passersby on the street from rooftops. "The inhabitants feel besieged. They can no longer leave their homes for fear of armed violence and the terror imposed by the gangs," the UN humanitarian coordinator for Haiti said in a separate statement on Sunday. Between 14 and 19 April, clashes between rival gangs left nearly 70 people dead, including 18 women and at least two children, the statement added. "I reiterate the urgent need for the deployment of an international specialized armed force," Guterres said in Monday's report. Guterres in October relayed a call for help from Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, asking the Security Council to send assistance to help police restore order. While some countries have indicated a willingness to participate, none have come forward to take the lead. The post Over a dozen alleged gang members stoned, burned alive in Haiti appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Akbayan to Sara: You don’t have to be president to speak vs China
MANILA, Philippines — Party-list group Akbayan said on Thursday that Vice President Sara Duterte does not have to be a president of the country for her to call out China’s intrusive actions over the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Empathy and a moral backbone is just what it takes to stand up with fisherfolk and frontline.....»»
Roque bares Duterte, China agreement to respect status quo in WPS
Roque bares Duterte, China agreement to respect status quo in WPS.....»»
CHR alarmed by war vs drugs in Davao City
THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is alarmed by Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte’s “war against drugs”, as seven drug users were killed from different barangays in the city over the weekend, just a few hours after his declaration......»»
Revisiting Uniteam (Last of 2 parts)
THE Uniteam coalition of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, described by many political analysts as the "dream team", had come a long way since sweeping the 2022 elections......»»
Roque: Xi, Duterte agreed to keep West Philippines Sea status quo
The Philippines under former president Rodrigo Duterte had a “gentleman’s agreement” with China to keep the status quo in the West Philippine Sea, a former Cabinet official said yesterday, as fresh tensions surround the WPS due to recent incursions by Beijing that targeted a Filipino resupply mission and a research team......»»
Six presumed dead after ship destroys major US bridge
Authorities on Tuesday suspended their search for six people missing after a packed cargo ship slammed into a Baltimore bridge, causing it to collapse and blocking one of the busiest US commercial harbors......»»
CHR probes Davao drug war deaths
The Commission on Human Rights yesterday expressed grave concern over Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte’s recent declaration of a war on drugs in the city......»»
Drug killings 95 percent lower than in previous admin
The number of deaths recorded under the Marcos administration’s war on drugs has decreased by over 95 percent, in contrast to the bloody anti-drug campaign of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte......»»
Father shoots son dead for disrespecting mom in Cebu City
CEBU CITY, Philippines – He was only requested to turn off the lights of his hut, but his disrespectful response to his mother’s order ultimately led to his death. The fatal shooting of a 28-year-old jobless man by his own father in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City on Monday night allegedly stemmed from months of constant.....»»
Missing man found dead in Barangay Bonbon
CEBU CITY, Philippines — A 50-year-old man who had been missing for two weeks was found dead in Sitio Golivas, Barangay Bonbon, Cebu City. The victim was identified as Adriano Fuentes Durano, a resident of Kiniasan, Barangay Bonbon, Cebu City. Police Major Philip John Libres, chief of Malubog Police Community Precinct, stated that on Tuesday.....»»
Man shot dead while answering phone call in Minglanilla town
Man shot dead while answering phone call in Minglanilla town.....»»
Over 2,700 cops in Western Visayas promoted in mass ceremony
Over 2,700 cops in Western Visayas promoted in mass ceremony.....»»
50,000 cops nationwide, including 2,100 from Central Visayas, promoted to higher positions
50,000 cops nationwide, including 2,100 from Central Visayas, promoted to higher positions.....»»
Agdao Public Market vendors want variety and vegetable sections merged
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 24 March) – Vendors of Agdao Public Market here are asking the city government to merge the Variety and Vegetable Sections into one section claiming they have difficulties in getting customers because of their location. In a letter addressed to Mayor Sebastian Duterte, the City Administrator’s Office, the City Economic Enterprise […].....»»