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Israel says at ‘war’ after rocket barrages, militant infiltration
Palestinian militants have begun a "war" against Israel, the country's defense minister said Saturday after a barrage of rockets were fired and fighters from the Palestinian enclave infiltrated Israel, a major escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Violence between Israel and the Palestinians has been surging for almost two years, with fatalities in the occupied West Bank hitting a scale not seen in years. At least two people were killed in Israel, officials said. Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Palestinian militant group Hamas has "launched a war against the State of Israel." "Troops are fighting against the enemy at every location," he said in a statement. AFP journalists said Israel's military began air strikes on Gaza, following the rocket barrage from inside the territory which is sealed off from Israel by a militarized border barrier. "Dozens of IDF fighter jets are currently striking a number of targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip," the military said. Rockets had earlier streamed across the sky repeatedly after the first launches from multiple locations across the Palestinian territory from 6:30 am (0330 GMT), AFP journalists in Gaza City reported. The armed wing of Hamas, which controls Gaza, said it was behind the aerial assault, saying its militants had launched thousands of rockets and its fighters seized an Israeli tank. Israel's army did not immediately comment on the tank claim when contacted by AFP. Israeli security chiefs convened over the violence, which occurred on Shabbat and during a Jewish holiday. Air raid sirens wailed across southern and central Israel, and the army urged people to stay near bomb shelters. AFP journalists in Jerusalem heard multiple rockets being intercepted by Israeli air defense systems. Sirens blared across the city on more occasions than in any Gaza conflict in the past three years. "We decided to put an end to all the crimes of the occupation (Israel). Their time for rampaging without being held accountable is over," the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades said. "We announce Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and we fired, in the first strike of 20 minutes, more than 5,000 rockets." Hundreds of Gazans flee Hundreds of residents fled their homes in eastern Gaza to move away from the border with Israel, an AFP correspondent said. Men, women and children carrying blankets and food left their homes, mostly in the northeastern part of the territory, the reporter said. Israel's military said Hamas launched "massive shooting of rockets", while at the same time "terrorists infiltrated into Israeli territory in a number of different locations". Hamas "will face the consequences and responsibility for these events", it said in a statement. In Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, some Palestinian residents cheered and blew their car horns as sirens blared. A regional council for Israeli communities northeast of Gaza said its president was killed in an exchange of fire with attackers from Gaza. Separately, a woman in her 60s was killed "due to a direct hit" in Israel, the Magen David Adom emergency services said. Fifteen others were wounded, two of them seriously, medics said. An AFP photographer in the coastal city of Tel Aviv saw a gaping hole in a building, with residents gathered outside. Hamas calls to 'join battle' Hamas called on "the resistance fighters in the West Bank" as well as "our Arab and Islamic nations" to join the battle, in a statement posted on Telegram. The United States condemned the Hamas fire and urged "all sides to refrain from violence and retaliatory attacks." "Terror and violence solve nothing," the US Office of Palestinian Affairs wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Israel has imposed a crippling blockade on Gaza since 2007 after Hamas took power. Palestinian militants and Israel have fought several devastating wars since. The latest violence follows heightened tensions in September, when Israel closed the border to Gazan workers for two weeks. The shutdown of the crossing came as Palestinian demonstrators along the border burned tires and threw rocks and petrol bombs at Israeli troops, who responded with tear gas and live bullets. Resuming workers' passage on 28 September had raised hopes of calming the situation in impoverished Gaza, home to 2.3 million people. In May, an exchange of Israeli air strikes and Gaza rocket fire killed 34 Palestinians and one Israeli. So far this year at least 247 Palestinians, 32 Israelis and two foreigners have been killed in the conflict, including combatants and civilians on both sides, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials. The vast majority of fatalities have occurred in the West Bank, which has been occupied by Israel since the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. There has been a rise in army raids, Palestinian attacks targeting Israelis and Israeli settler violence against Palestinians and their property. The rising violence this year came against the backdrop of divisive judicial reforms introduced by the hard-right government of President Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges he denies. Several far-right ministers in Netanyahu's cabinet live in West Bank settlements deemed illegal under international law. The post Israel says at ‘war’ after rocket barrages, militant infiltration appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Many barangay posts in BARMM uncontested
As the October barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections draw near, we wrote about the apprehension of the authorities over the conduct of the elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or BARMM. The Philippine National Police has statistics on several towns flagged as possible election “hot spots.” In fact, they have asked for a postponement of the elections in those areas, but the Commission denied this despite documented incidents of election-related violence. But just as there are conflict areas, there are an almost equal number of barangays where peace is expected to prevail. There will be no contest in those barangays as the candidates will run unopposed. While this could taint the democratic process as the right of citizens to choose their leaders will be somehow restricted, it is still a welcome development. How does this work? This needs the intervention of the patriarchs of families, the elders of the village, and city or town executives. What is essential is to resort to what local tribes (among Maranaws) call “musawarah,” which is Arabic in origin, and “musyawarah,” which is the Malay word for consultation or dialogue. Contending candidates engage in dialogue to find common ground for agreement to avoid a socially, financially, and politically costly election. In the case of a barangay where one family numerically dominates, they choose by rotation from among the siblings or family leaders who will be the Punong Barangay. The other positions, like barangay councilor or kagawad, secretary, treasurer, etc., are equally divided among themselves. And there is an equitable distribution of the salaries and whatever largesse the barangay will receive from the government and local projects. In contested barangays, the town mayor offers a hefty sum to the party running against his chosen candidate and promises a monthly allowance and other assistance. By buying off the different bets, the mayor gets the full support of the barangay, with the Punong Barangay acting as his political operator when the mayoral elections come around. Experience tells us that the mayor, supported by most Punong Barangays, gets to perpetuate his dynastic family in power. This is also one way of settling “rido” or family feuds that are a side issue during elections. Through back channeling and having a common candidate and slate, families that for years were involved in “rido” are open to reconciliation. A Rappler report said about “149 barangays in Maguindanao del Sur’s 24 towns have unopposed bets for barangay chair.” And local leaders are still negotiating to have more unopposed candidates in more barangays. According to local leaders, this scheme is resorted to not necessarily for partisan considerations but for peace because election rivalries are the common cause of “rido.” This is happening also in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur and many other BARMM barangays. Through the efforts of provincial governors and city and town mayors, several barangays have candidates running unchallenged in October. Democrats might find this an assault on the freedom of the people to choose their leaders. They will claim that politicians manipulate the people to surrender their fundamental rights as citizens to perpetuate themselves in power and protect their dynasties. But what good is democracy if we have conflict and instability in the villages and one cannot sleep at night for fear of violence? In weighing which interest is preponderant — peace or freedom — pacifists will go for the former. This column supports the work of local leaders in BARMM to have familiar candidates for the coming elections so that lives will not be unnecessarily sacrificed on the altar of politics. amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post Many barangay posts in BARMM uncontested appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Isabelle Daza raises funds for abused household helper
(Trigger warning: Physical assault/abuse) This Filipina actress proved that heroes do not have to wear capes. Isabelle Daza spearheaded a fundraising campaign for Elvie Vergara, a household helper in Occidental Mindoro who partially lost her eyesight after enduring severe maltreatment from her former employers for three years. On 8 September, Daza posted a statement on her Instagram to spread awareness about Vergara’s situation: “Elvi[e] Vergara is a domestic helper who has been allegedly physically, mentally, and verbally abused by her employers so much that she has been blinded in both eyes.” “She is currently going to have an operation in one of her eyes to try to recover her sight — but the outcome is unsure. Her compensation of P5,000 a month (equivalent to approx $87 USD) from her alleged abusive employers have been withheld since they claim she broke their TV,” she continued, adding that the government is doing everything they can to help Vergara gain her compensation and recover from other damages despite the lengthy and tedious process. Daza concluded in her statement the reason for initiating the fundraising campaign for Vergara. “I am raising funds for her to be able to live her life free from this abuse without having to worry about what she will eat the next day or if she had enough money to live with basic needs like housing, food and medical assistance,” she wrote. The funds that will be raised will be used for Vergara’s eye surgery, as well as post-recovery needs. The 35-year-old TV personality thanked everyone for donating and supporting the campaign. “To all those who donated, it’s only been 2 days but you guys have really opened your hearts and more importantly your wallets,” her Instagram post read. “Salamat!” Fellow celebrities and supporters have commended Daza’s initiative, applauding her for using her voice and platform to speak up on important issues and seek justice in her own ways. As of writing, Daza has exceeded her initial goal by raising over P700,000 for Vergara. Vergara’s case circulated on social media last month following allegations of physical and emotional abuse conflicted by her employers since 2020. After the viral case, the Senate has begun its motu proprio investigation. The former employers of Vergara denied all allegations of abuse, claiming that all her injuries were either self-inflicted or afflicted by fighting with her colleagues. They also cited that Vergara’s partial blindness could result from poor hygiene. Vergara and her family have filed criminal charges against her former employers, including serious physical injuries, illegal detention and violation of Republic Act 10361 or “Batas Kasambahay.” The post Isabelle Daza raises funds for abused household helper appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Probe on PNP abuse, rights violation sought
Senator Raffy Tulfo on Friday filed a resolution urging the Senate to probe alleged abuse, killings and human rights violations by the members of the Philippine National Police due to their “persistent failure” to follow police operational procedures. Senate Resolution 767 is urging an appropriate committee in the upper chamber to undertake an inquiry against police officers engaged in abuse of power, criminal acts and violation of human rights. Tulfo lamented that cops must enforce the law accordingly, maintain peace and order, and ensure public safety and internal security in the country. However, he lashed out about several reports indicating that police operations have failed due to their negligence in operational procedures. He cited the 12 August incident wherein Pandi police officers entered the property of Rodelio Vicente claiming they were just conducting a “manhunt” for an alias “Elmer” without any warrant of arrest or justification. The cops eventually arrested Vicente for allegedly committing direct assault and disobedience to a person in authority and was taken into custody for no valid reason. Tulfo slammed the arresting cops for not wearing their uniforms and using ski masks during the supposed manhunt operations. Vicente’s daughter was also physically assaulted by these police officers. Also, Tulfo cited the case of John Francis Ompad who was killed by Police Corporal Arnulfo Sabillo from the PNP Rodriguez, Rizal last 20 August while conducting an “Oplan Sita” — a police checkpoint. Ompad allegedly refused to show driving documents and ran away from the checkpoint, prompting Sabillo to chase the rider and shoot him. “The aforementioned two incidents happened within the same month; and just weeks after the death of Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar who was killed by PNP Police Operatives from Navotas under a claim of mistaken identity,” Tulfo wrote in his resolution. “The operation was found to have had several irregularities and non-compliance with the PNP Police Operations Procedure,” he added. Tulfo stressed that the protection of human rights remains a “fundamental principle” enshrined in the Constitution. He further pressed the need for the police officers to strictly observe their Police Operations Procedure and to ensure strict application of the internal discipline of the PNP. The post Probe on PNP abuse, rights violation sought appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Impertinent lawmaker
A leftist party-list representative, one among those who foist their nationalistic pretense, who has been critical of the previous administration’s war on drugs but couldn’t for once slam the communist rebels for their terroristic activities, and always engaged in either wrong or misleading narratives, has once again unleashed a thoughtless and unstudied declaration, poking her finger in the West Philippine Sea dispute vis-a-vis China’s claim that the Philippines had committed to removing the BRP Sierra Madre which has been aground for a long time at the Ayungin Shoal. This time she has targeted former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for the latter’s alleged silence on the issue in the face of former presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s, Joseph Estrada’s and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s denial of making such a commitment to China. She has cast suspicion on the former maverick President’s and the latter’s daughter’s (Vice President Sara Duterte) alleged non-issuing a denunciation statement against China’s attacking the resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre and failing to deny having made the aforementioned pledge. In the first place, there is no need to dispute China’s claim because, for one, it has not submitted proof as to the identity of a government official who made such a commitment, and on what occasion and year it was made. For another, assuming a commitment was made by whomsoever, the same could not be undertaken given that the ship in question is in Ayungin Shoal, which is within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, over which place the latter has sovereign rights under international law and the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS, and therefore it can do whatever it pleases. Moreover, the arbitral ruling handed by the Permanent Arbitration Court has affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights’ claim to it while it rejected China’s expansionist claim over the West Philippine Sea — hence, any contrary claim over the use of the same or invocation of whatever commitment made in regard thereto not only has become moot if not irrelevant but — and more importantly no basis in international law. There is no need for FPRRD to issue a statement to deny or dispute China’s claim simply because as aforestated, it has not validated its allegation with any semblance of proof. Moreover, it is irrelevant at this stage owing to the arbitral award. Even if it is relevant, the denial of the existence of such commitment by no less than the current head of state is more than sufficient. Unlike this impertinent lawmaker, FPRRD abhors calling attention to himself. To require the Vice-President to issue a similar denial and a denunciation against China’s assault on the Philippine Coast Guard is redundant, with PBBM having already an official statement on the matter. The lady solon nastily insinuates that FPRRD has been sleeping with the enemy citing instances that she did not particularize forgetting that even if he has developed a friendship with China’s President, his virtual speech before the United Nations, asserting our sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea and his raising the arbitral ruling in a face-to-face dialogue with President Xi Jinping on his first state visit to China spoke eloquently of his position that he is fiercely opposed to China’s unlawful incursions on Philippine waters. This member of the Lower House has also repeated the lie started by some anti-Duterte critics that the latter has described the arbitral ruling as a mere piece of paper. For her education and others. PRRD was describing how China is treating the favorable decision by not only ignoring it but committing repeated acts of aggression against the Philippines. China is demonstrating its rejection of the international arbitral court ruling by treating it as a worthless piece of paper. In other words, it is telling the world that the Philippines may have the decision (paper) but it has control over the territory it has won in the arbitration. There is wisdom in the suggestion that she zips her lips and halt her rants and focus on legislation. The post Impertinent lawmaker appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Woman who accused Biden of assault asks for Russian citizenship
A woman who accused Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential race of sexual assault appeared Tuesday in Moscow, where she said she was asking President Vladimir Putin for Russian citizenship. Tara Reade, who worked in Biden's congressional office for a short period in 1993, said she wanted to stay in Russia after a Republican lawmaker told her she was in physical danger. Reade, 59, said in a streamed interview with the Sputnik media group that she had arrived in Russia as a vacationer. However, she said, "When I got off the plane in Moscow, for the first time in a very long time I felt safe, and I felt heard and felt respected." Reade sparked headlines in early 2020 by claiming that then-senator Biden sexually assaulted her in a Capitol Hill corridor in August 1993, when she was 29. Her accusation came just as Biden was ramping up his campaign against incumbent president Donald Trump, who himself has faced accusations of sexual abuse and rape. Biden categorically denied her claim. "It is not true. I'm saying unequivocally it never, never happened," he said. Reade said she filed a complaint after the alleged incident, but no record of it has been found. But a 1996 court document records her ex-husband mentioning that she had complained of sexual harassment while working in Biden's office. It is not clear if her allegations have ever been formally investigated. Reade, who called herself a geopolitical analyst, said in the Sputnik interview that after making her allegations public in 2020, she was threatened with prison, her life was threatened, and she was called a Russian agent. Sitting alongside Maria Butina, a Russian lawmaker who was arrested and imprisoned in Washington in 2018 as an alleged spy, Reade told the interviewer she has "always loved Russia." "I do not see Russia as an enemy nor do many of my fellow American citizens," she said. She had one "large" request. "I'd like to apply for citizenship in Russia, from the president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin," she said. "I do promise to be a good citizen," she said, adding that she also wants to hold onto her US citizenship. The post Woman who accused Biden of assault asks for Russian citizenship appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rape allegation against Trump heads to civil trial
A civil trial over an allegation that ex-president Donald Trump raped a prominent former American columnist three decades ago got underway Tuesday with jury selection. The writer E. Jean Carroll says Trump sexually assaulted her in a New York department store and then defamed her after she went public with the allegation years later. Trump, who is facing a barrage of legal woes that threaten to derail his 2024 run for a second presidential term, has repeatedly denied the allegations. The start of the trial, which stems from a lawsuit Carroll filed against Trump, comes just weeks after Trump's historic arraignment on criminal charges related to a hush-money payment made to a porn star. Carroll, a former columnist for Elle magazine, says she was raped by Trump in the changing room at the luxury Bergdorf Goodman department store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan in 1995 or 1996. The now-79-year-old said the attack came after Trump asked her for advice on buying a women's lingerie gift. Carroll, who was in court for the start of proceedings Tuesday, first made the allegation in an excerpt from her book published by New York Magazine in 2019. Trump responded then by saying he has never met her, that she was "not my type" and that she was "totally lying." Carroll initially sued Trump for defamation in 2019 but was unable to include the rape claim because the statute of limitations for the alleged offense had expired. But a new law took effect in November last year in New York that gave victims of sexual assault a one-year window to sue their alleged abusers decades after attacks may have occurred. Lawyers for Carroll filed a new suit that accused Trump of battery, "when he forcibly raped and groped" her. It also included defamation for a post that Trump made on his Truth Social platform in October where he denied the alleged rape and referred to Carroll as a "complete con job." Psychological harm The suit seeks unspecified damages for "significant pain and suffering, lasting psychological and pecuniary harms, loss of dignity and self-esteem, and invasion of her privacy." It also asks that Trump retracts his comments. Around a dozen women have accused Trump of sexual misconduct. He has denied all the allegations and has never been prosecuted over any of them. No criminal prosecution can stem from the Carroll case but if Trump loses it will be the first time he has ever been held legally liable for an allegation of sexual assault. Trump has provided sworn testimony in the case and is not expected to take the witness stand during the trial as Carroll's lawyers have said they do not intend to call him. The trial in Manhattan is likely to last between one to two weeks. Trump became the first sitting or former president to have ever been charged with a crime when he was arrested in the hush-money case earlier this month. He pleaded not guilty to 34 counts related to the payment made just before the 2016 election that propelled him to the White House. Trump is also being investigated over his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the southern state of Georgia, his alleged mishandling of classified documents taken from the White House, and his involvement in the storming of the US Capitol on 6 January 2021. The post Rape allegation against Trump heads to civil trial appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Jury trial pits Trump, alleged rape victim
The civil trial of former United States president Donald Trump over his alleged rape of an ex-magazine columnist in the mid-1990s starts Tuesday with the selection of jury members. Plaintiff E. Jean Carroll, 79, is accusing the presumptive Republican nominee for next year’s presidential election of sexually assaulting her in a New York department store and then defamed her after she went public with the allegations years later. The former columnist for Elle magazine, claims Trump raped her in the changing room at the luxury Bergdorf Goodman department store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. Carroll is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages for psychological harm, pain and suffering, loss of dignity, and damage to her reputation. The rape allegation was first made in an excerpt from Carroll’s book published by New York Magazine in 2019. Trump denies the allegation, saying he never met Carroll and calling it a lie. Carroll first sued Trump for defamation in 2019 but was unable to include the rape claim because the statute of limitations for the alleged offense had expired. But a new law took effect in November last year in New York that gives redress to victims of sexual assault decades after attacks may have occurred. It gave sexual assault victims in the state a one-year window to sue their alleged abusers even when the abuse occurred long ago. The trial comes just weeks after Trump’s historic arraignment on criminal charges related to a hush-money payment made to a porn star just before the 2016 election. The post Jury trial pits Trump, alleged rape victim appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Almost 200 dead, 1,800 wounded in Sudan battles: UN
Fighting between the army and paramilitaries in Sudan has killed around 200 people and wounded 1,800, damaging hospitals and hampering aid after three days of urban warfare. A weeks-long power struggle exploded into deadly violence Saturday between the forces of two generals who seized power in a 2021 coup: Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Analysts say the fighting in the capital of the chronically unstable country is unprecedented and could be prolonged, despite regional and global calls for a ceasefire as diplomats mobilize. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday he had spoken with the two generals and "underscored the urgent need for a ceasefire". "Too many civilian lives have already been lost," Blinken tweeted, adding he had "stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of diplomatic personnel and aid workers". The European Union's ambassador to Sudan was attacked in his home in Khartoum on Monday, the bloc's top diplomat Josep Borrell said. A spokesperson told AFP the veteran diplomat was "OK" following the assault. Battles have taken place throughout the vast country and there are fears of regional spillover. Terrified residents of the capital are spending the last and holiest days of Ramadan watching from their windows as tanks roll through the streets, buildings shake and smoke from fires triggered by the fighting hangs in the air. The conflict has seen air strikes, artillery and heavy gunfire. Those compelled to venture out face queues for bread and petrol at outlets that are not shuttered. Residents are also dealing with power outages. Hospitals 'out of service' Volker Perthes, the head of the United Nations mission to Sudan, told the Security Council in a closed-door session that at least 185 people had been killed and another 1,800 wounded. "It's a very fluid situation so it's very difficult to say where the balance is shifting to," Perthes told reporters after the meeting. Earlier Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres again urged Sudan's warring parties to "immediately cease hostilities". He warned that further escalation "could be devastating for the country and the region". Medics in Sudan had earlier given a death toll of nearly 100 civilians and "dozens" of fighters from both sides, but the number of casualties was thought to be far higher, with many wounded unable to reach hospitals. The official doctors' union warned fighting had "heavily damaged" multiple hospitals in Khartoum and other cities, with some completely "out of service". The World Health Organization had already warned that several Khartoum hospitals tending to wounded civilians "have run out of blood, transfusion equipment, intravenous fluids and other vital supplies". In the western region of Darfur, international medical aid organisation Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported receiving 136 wounded patients at the only hospital in El Fasher still operating in North Darfur state. "The majority of the wounded are civilians who were caught in the crossfire -- among them are many children," MSF's Cyrus Paye said. Due to limited surgical capacity, "11 people died from their injuries in the first 48 hours of the conflict". Call for talks Three UN World Food Programme staff were also among those killed on Saturday in Darfur, where humanitarian missions have had medical and other supplies looted, according to Save the Children and MSF. A number of organisations have temporarily suspended operations in the country, where one-third of the population needs aid. "This renewed fighting only aggravates what was already a fragile situation, forcing UN agencies and our humanitarian partners to temporarily shutter many of our more than 250 programmes across Sudan," said UN emergency relief coordinator Martin Griffiths. Diplomatic manoeuvres seemed to ramp up on Monday, as the fighting showed no signs of abating. Influential northern neighbour Egypt announced it had discussed with Saudi Arabia, South Sudan and Djibouti -- all close allies of Sudan -- "the need to make every effort to preserve stability and safety". President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called on the two warring parties to "return to the negotiating table" and said he was working on the return of Egyptian military "trainers" captured Saturday at an air base by RSF forces. There are no more civilian flights arriving in Khartoum, where fighting has damaged aircraft. 'Unprecedented' On Twitter, Daglo called on the international community to intervene against Burhan, branding him a "radical Islamist who is bombing civilians from the air". "We will continue to pursue Al-Burhan and bring him to justice," said Daglo, whose RSF and its predecessor the Janjaweed in Darfur have previously been accused of atrocities and war crimes. Army statements call the RSF "a rebel militia" intent on "engaging near populated areas". The fighting broke out after bitter disagreements between Burhan and Daglo over the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army -- a key condition for a final deal aimed at ending a crisis since the 2021 coup, which derailed a transition to democracy. Both claim to be in control of key sites, including the airport and the presidential palace -- none of which could be independently verified. On Monday, the army resumed broadcasting on state TV. While Sudan has endured decades of bitter civil wars, coups and rebellions since independence, Sudanese analyst Kholood Khair said the level of fighting inside the capital was "unprecedented". The post Almost 200 dead, 1,800 wounded in Sudan battles: UN appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Russian strike kills eight, including toddler, in eastern Ukraine
Russia shelled a block of flats in the eastern Ukrainian city of Sloviansk on Friday, killing eight people, including a toddler who was pulled out of the rubble but died in an ambulance on the way to the hospital, authorities said. The strike on the quiet neighborhood came as Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill that will make it easier to mobilize citizens into the army and block them from fleeing the country if drafted. Russia also said it was pushing further into the hotspot of Bakhmut, 45 kilometers (27 miles) southeast of Sloviansk, which is one of the cities that will be at risk if Kyiv loses the longest and bloodiest battle of the war. Sloviansk lies in a part of the Donetsk region that is under Ukrainian control. "21 people were wounded and eight people died," Pavlo Kyrylenko, the governor of the Donetsk region, said on Ukrainian television after the strike devastated an apartment building. He said the child who died was a boy. AFP journalists saw rescue workers digging for survivors on the top floor of the typical Soviet-era housing bloc, and black smoke billowing from homes on fire across the street. "A child died in an ambulance after being pulled out from the rubble," Ukrainian police said on Twitter. Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska sent her condolences to the child's family during this "indescribable grief". President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier denounced Russia for "brutally shelling" residential buildings and "killing people in broad daylight". The street below -- including a playground -- was covered in concrete dust and debris, including torn pages from school books and children's drawings. Shocked residents "I live on the opposite side of the street and I was sleeping a little when I heard this huge boom and I ran out from my flat," 59-year-old resident Larisa told AFP. "I was really scared and in a state of shock," she said, adding that the impact of the shelling had broken her windows and sent shards of glass flying throughout her home. "I heard a woman screaming, 'there's a child here, there's a child here' -- She was screaming so much." A resident nearby, who declined to give her name, told AFP that the strikes had blown out her windows and dislodged her front door from its frame. "No one from our side of the building was injured but maybe someone here was," she added, pointing to a pool of blood next to another entrance of her building. Russia pushes to take Bakhmut More than a year after Moscow launched its offensive in Ukraine, fears are high in Russia that the government is planning a fresh mobilization drive after a bill was rushed through parliament this week to create a digital draft system. Under the legislation, which Putin signed Friday, a draftee would be banned from traveling abroad and would have to report to an enlistment office once electronic call-up papers are received. Tens of thousands of men fled Russia last autumn after Putin announced a mobilization to prop up the forces in Ukraine. The strike on Sloviansk, which many residents have fled since Russia invaded, came as Moscow said it was pushing to take more districts of ravaged Bakhmut. Despite having little strategic value, the town has become a fixation of military commanders, leading to a brutal nine-month war of attrition. "Wagner assault units are conducting high-intensity combat operations to conquer the western districts of the city," the Russian army said in a statement, referring to the private paramilitary group. Russian airborne troops were "providing support to assault squads and halting the enemy's attempts to deliver ammunition to the city and bring in reserves", it added. On Thursday, Moscow claimed to have cut off Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut. Kyiv denied the claim, saying it had access to its troops and was able to send in munitions. Ukraine has vowed to continue defending Bakhmut. But on the ground, Ukrainian sources near Bakhmut told AFP on Friday that Kyiv's forces were in a "difficult" position. "I know that many of our soldiers are missing, that positions were lost and it was impossible to evacuate or withdraw the troops," an army source said while adding that Ukraine was still "bringing in fresh people" into Bakhmut. Separately, an intelligence source said any pullout from Bakhmut would be slow and gradual, as there was only a narrow escape path left. The post Russian strike kills eight, including toddler, in eastern Ukraine appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos: Philippines won’t be ‘cowed into silence, submission’ by China
“We seek no conflict with any nation, more so nations that purport and claim to be our friends but we will not be cowed into silence, submission, or subservience. Filipinos do not yield,” Marcos said. .....»»
PRO-Davao no idea of Quiboloy’s whereabouts
THE Police Regional Office-Davao Region (PRO-Davao) has responded to the accusations of Makabayan ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. France Castro that they are “clueless about the whereabouts of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy”......»»
Let’s not forget about sexual reproductive health and rights
I once read that in the ’80s, NASA wanted to send astronaut Sally Ride – the first American woman in space – on a space mission with 100 tampons. Her trip was six days. They could have spared that embarrassment by simply talking about it......»»
Eala advances in W75 Croissy-Beaubourg tennis tilt
Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala has gone into the next round of the W75 Croissy-Beaubourg tournament in France after sweeping hometown bet Emeline Dartron, 6-3, 6-4, late Tuesday night (Manila time)......»»
Russian Spy Chief Makes Bizarre Claim of US, UK, and Ukraine Involvement in Moscow Attack
In a recent development, the director of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has made startling accusations against Ukraine, the US, and the UK, claiming they.....»»
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......»»
Philippines lodges strong protest with China over water cannon attack in disputed South China Sea
Manila [Philippines], March 25 (ANI): In the wake of accusation by the Philippines that the Chinese Coast Guard wounded three of its soldiers during a water cannon attack in the disputed South China Sea, Manila on Monday summoned Beijing's envoy to lodge its strong protest, Al Jazeera reported. The Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs, in a statement said that Manila conveyed its "strong protest against the aggressiv.....»»
Women s Month: Deniece Cornejo urges Filipinas to fight sexual harassment, challenges
Model Deniece Cornejo had a message for her fellow Filipinas this International Women’s Month. .....»»
Davao police clueless on Quiboloy’s whereabouts
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 24 March) — Police authorities in the Davao region claim they are still clueless on the whereabouts of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy. The Senate had earlier ordered the arrest of Quiboloy for his continued refusal to attend its investigation of alleged human trafficking and child abuse. Police major Catheine Dela Rey, Police […].....»»
Russian Media Accuses Ukraine of Moscow Concert Hall Attack – The Daily Guardia
In a shocking turn of events, President Putin has attributed the recent concert hall assault in Moscow to radical Islamists for the first time. However,.....»»