Walmart manager opens fire on Virginia co-workers, killing 6 and himself
CHESAPEAKE, Va., – A manager at a Walmart Inc. store in Virginia opened fire on fellow employees in a break room, killing six before turning the gun on himself, eyewitnesses said on Wednesday after the country’s latest mass shooting. The gunman, identified as Andre Bing, 31, of Chesapeake, Virginia, said nothing as he began firing […] The post Walmart manager opens fire on Virginia co-workers, killing 6 and himself appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Manhunt for US shooter presses on, leaving small town in fear
Thousands of anxious small-town Maine residents began a second day under lockdown Friday as police waging a sprawling manhunt struggled to find a US Army reservist accused of killing 18 people in America’s deadliest mass shooting this year. Dozens of law enforcement agents surrounded the family home of the suspect, Robert Card, 40, but by mid-evening agents left the property in Bowdoin, near Lewiston, Maine, to hunt for him elsewhere. A wide area around Lewiston remained locked down Friday, more than 24 hours after Card allegedly went on a rampage in which 13 people were also wounded. People in Lewiston were on edge, buzzing with talk of Card and the massacre. "Uneasy," said resident Jeremy Hiltz, when asked how he felt. "It's a small community . When something like this happens, everybody knows somebody" affected." Authorities erected roadblocks, ordered schools and businesses closed, and told residents to stay indoors. Governor Janet Mills said the suspect was considered armed and dangerous. Card was seen in surveillance footage pointing a semi-automatic rifle as he walked into the Just-in-Time bowling alley on Wednesday. In early evening, law enforcement agents surrounded the Card family home in Bowdoin, bringing in armored vehicles, and sending up drones and a helicopter. State police warned "please come outside" and "we don't want anyone to get hurt" over a loudspeaker near the home, but later said the warnings were routine and not confirmation that Card was inside. One longtime neighbor, Dave Letarte, said news of the shooting "floored me." "I would have never expected that from him," he told AFP of Card. Joseph Walker, a manager at the Schemengees Bar & Grille, was among those killed Wednesday night, his father, Leroy Walker, told NBC News. Walker said his family was "suffering and dying in a nightmare we don't understand." "We were up all night. We didn't know where to go, who to turn to," he said. Terror at bowling alley One survivor told television reporters that he was 15 feet (5 meters) from the gunman when he opened fire at the bowling alley. He thought at first it was a balloon popping. "And as soon as I turned and saw it was not a balloon and he was holding a weapon, I just booked it down the lane and I slid basically into where the pins are and climbed up into the machine and was on top of the machines for about 10 minutes until the cops got there," he said. Card is a member of the US Army Reserve, but had not been deployed in any combat zone. US media reported that he had recently been sent for psychiatric treatment after he said he was hearing voices. Hundreds of police in military style camouflage gear, as well as FBI agents, flooded the search zone in what Lewiston police chief David St. Pierre called "an all-hands-on-deck approach." Republicans oppose new laws This latest shooting is one of the deadliest in the United States since 2017, when a gunman opened fire on a crowded music festival in Las Vegas, killing 60 people. Mass shootings are common in the United States, a country with more privately owned guns than people, and strong political opposition to even minor restrictions on access. The country has recorded at least 565 mass shootings this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a nongovernmental organization that defines a mass shooting as four or more people wounded or killed. President Joe Biden called Maine's governor to offer federal support, and ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff at the White House and all government buildings. Biden added that the gun violence that plagues the United States "is not normal, and we cannot accept it," urging lawmakers to pass a bill banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. A Maine Democrat who holds a seat in the US House of Representatives, Jared Golden, flipped on this ban, saying that after the shooting in his state his previous opposition to such a restriction, which is supported by most in his party, was a mistake. "I have opposed efforts to ban deadly weapons of war, like the assault rifle used to carry out this crime," Golden said Thursday. "The time has now come for me to take responsibility for this failure," he added. But in a reminder that Congress will not be considering stronger gun ownership laws anytime soon, the newly installed Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, told Fox News that the reason for so many mass shootings in the United States "is the human heart, not guns." The post Manhunt for US shooter presses on, leaving small town in fear appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hunt for ‘armed and dangerous’ US gunman who killed 18
Hundreds of police in the US state of Maine hunted Thursday for a fugitive gunman who killed 18 people at a bowling alley and a bar, as President Joe Biden mourned "yet another senseless and tragic mass shooting." The rampage in the small northeastern city of Lewiston also left 13 people wounded, three critically, in the deadliest shooting this year in America. A wide area around Lewiston was locked down during the tense search as authorities erected roadblocks, ordered schools and businesses closed, and told residents to stay indoors. Governor Janet Mills said the suspect was "considered armed and dangerous, and police advised that Maine people should not approach him under any circumstances." "This attack strikes at the very heart of who we are and the values we hold dear," Mills told a press conference. "This is a dark day for Maine." Police named the suspect as 40-year-old Robert Card -- seen in surveillance footage pointing a semi-automatic rifle as he walked into the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley. Police converged on the home of Card's father in nearby Bowdoin early Thursday evening, closing off roads. One longtime neighbor, Dave Letarte, said news of the shooting "floored me." "I would have never expected that from him," he told AFP of the younger Card. Joseph Walker, a manager at the Schemengees Bar & Grille, was among those killed the night before, his father Leroy Walker told NBC News. Walker said his family was "suffering and dying in a nightmare we don't understand. "We were up all night. We didn't know where to go, who to turn to," he said. Terror at bowling alley News outlets broadcast footage of people fleeing in terror from the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley after the shooting started Wednesday evening. One survivor told television reporters that he was 15 feet (5 meters) from the gunman when he opened fire. He thought at first it was a balloon popping. "And as soon as I turned and saw it was not a balloon and he was holding a weapon, I just booked it down the lane and I slid basically into where the pins are and climbed up into the machine and was on top of the machines for about 10 minutes until the cops got there," he said. Card is a member of the US Army Reserve. US media reported that he had recently been sent for psychiatric treatment after he said he was hearing voices. Hundreds of police in military-style camouflage gear and FBI agents flooded the search zone in what Lewiston police chief David St. Pierre called "an all-hands-on-deck approach." "We continue to work tirelessly in bringing the situation to an end," he told reporters, vowing "to locate and hold the person accountable." Biden called Maine's governor to offer federal support and ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff at the White House and all government buildings. "Once again, our nation is in mourning after yet another senseless and tragic mass shooting," he said. Biden added that the gun violence that plagues the United States "is not normal, and we cannot accept it," urging lawmakers to pass a bill banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Daily mass shootings Police and rescuers reportedly arrived at the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley at about 7:15 p.m. in response to an active shooter, and then received reports of another shooting at the Schemengees Bar & Grille. In surveillance images of Card at the bowling alley, he appeared calm and composed as he moved through the doorway with his rifle raised. Officers located a "vehicle of interest" -- a white sport utility vehicle -- in Lisbon, a town around eight miles (12 kilometers) from Lewiston. The shooting is one of the deadliest in the US since 2017, when a gunman opened fire on a crowded music festival in Las Vegas, killing 60 people. Mass shootings are alarmingly common in the United States, a country with more guns than people, and attempts to clamp down on their spread are always met with stiff resistance. The country has recorded at least 565 mass shootings this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a nongovernmental organization that defines a mass shooting as four or more people wounded or killed. Efforts to tighten gun controls routinely run up against opposition from Republicans, staunch defenders of the constitutional right to bear arms. The political paralysis endures despite widespread outrage over recurring shootings. The post Hunt for ‘armed and dangerous’ US gunman who killed 18 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US police launch huge manhunt for shooter who killed at least 22
A massive manhunt was under way Thursday for a gunman who a local official said killed at least 22 people and wounded "many" more in mass shootings in the US state of Maine, the deadliest such incident this year. Police said Robert Card -- seen in surveillance footage pointing a semi-automatic weapon with an extended clip as he walked into a bowling alley in the town of Lewiston -- "should be considered armed and dangerous." Card is a certified firearms instructor and a member of the US Army Reserve, CNN reported, citing law enforcement sources. Lewiston city councilor Robert McCarthy told CNN that law enforcement had "confirmed 22 dead, many, many more injured", with local media reporting shootings had occurred at multiple locations. Swathes of Lewiston were locked down, with businesses urged to shutter and people ordered to shelter in place, as the scourge of horrifying gun violence once again ripped through an American community. Maine public safety official Mike Sauschuck said he was not prepared to give a death toll, calling it "a very fluid situation." He told reporters police were flooding the streets as they sought the gunman. "We have literally hundreds of police officers working around the state of Maine to investigate this case, to locate Mr. Card," he told reporters. Rescue vehicles rushed in from around central Maine to tend to the wounded, city councilor McCarthy said, and the two Lewiston hospitals "have called in every off-duty staff member that they could to deal with this." President Joe Biden made calls -- stepping away from a state dinner honoring Australia's prime minister -- to Maine's governor, its two senators and a local congressman to offer federal support, the White House said. Early on Thursday, armed police were seen guarding the Central Maine Medical Center, where some of the wounded were being treated. Several Maine school boards and educational institutions, including Bates College, said they would not be holding classes on Thursday, according to statements. Multiple locations Police and rescuers reportedly arrived at the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley at about 7:15 pm local time (00:15 Thursday GMT) in response to an active shooter, and then received reports of another shooting at the Schemengees Bar & Grille, according to the Sun Journal local newspaper. Police issued a number of photographs of 40-year-old Card at the bowling alley, where he appears calm and composed as he moves through the doorway with his rifle raised. "Please contact law enforcement if you are aware of his whereabouts," they said. Sauschuck said officers had located a "vehicle of interest" they had been looking for -- a white sport utility vehicle (SUV) -- in Lisbon, a town around eight miles (12 kilometers) from Lewiston, where residents had also been warned to stay off the streets. Card was not in the vehicle, reports said. Law enforcement "are investigating two active shooter events," the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Department said on social media. "We are encouraging all businesses to lock down and or close while we investigate. The suspect is still at large." Maine Governor Janet Mills said she was "aware of and have been briefed on the active shooter situation in Lewiston." CNN reported that at least 50 people were wounded in the incidents, citing multiple law enforcement sources, but said it was unclear how many of the injuries were the result of gunfire. It was unclear if initial reports of shots being fired at a third site, a Walmart distribution center, were accurate. My hometown Maine Congressman Jared Golden wrote on social media that "like all Mainers, I'm horrified by the events in Lewison tonight. This is my hometown." "Right now, all of us are looking to local law enforcement as they gain control of the situation and gather information. Our hearts break for those who are affected," he said. Distraught citizens flocked to local hospitals. "I'm just overwhelmed. I've been here trying to spread, you know, some kind of comfort, some kind of support," Cynthia Hunter, a local resident, told CBS affiliate WGME. The shooting is one of the deadliest since 2017, when a gunman opened fire on a crowded music festival in Las Vegas, killing about 60 people. Gun violence is alarmingly common in the United States, a country where there are more guns than people and where attempts to clamp down on their spread are always met with stiff resistance. The United States has recorded over 500 mass shootings this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive (GVA), a non-governmental organization that defines a mass shooting as four or more people wounded or killed. Wednesday's attack was the deadliest mass shooting in 2023 so far, according to the GVA's data. Efforts to tighten gun controls have for years run up against opposition from Republicans, staunch defenders of the constitutional right to bear arms. The political paralysis endures despite widespread outrage over recurring shootings. Lewiston is the second most populous city in Maine located some 30 miles north of the largest city, Portland. The post US police launch huge manhunt for shooter who killed at least 22 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM tells DFA, DMW to help Filipinos affected by Maui Wildfire
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Migrant Workers to collaborate with the state of Hawaii to assist grieving families and help Filipino communities rebuild after the devastating Maui wildfire. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Marcos expressed his heartfelt condolences to the victims of the tragedy, which has claimed at least 97 lives, including a significant number of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans. "Our hearts are with the victims of the Maui wildfire and their families," Marcos said. "With losses among the Filipino and Filipino-American communities, we deeply feel the weight of this tragedy." "In the spirit of unity and compassion, I have instructed the DFA and DMW to collaborate with the state of Hawaii to assist grieving families and help Filipino communities rebuild," he added. "We stand in solidarity with those affected, offering our condolences and continued support." The Maui wildfire started on 8 August 2023, and quickly spread through the town of Lahaina, destroying hundreds of homes and businesses and killing at least 97 people. The fire is believed to have been caused by downed power lines and was fueled by strong winds and dry conditions. Based on the 2020 census data of Hawaii, Filipinos constitute approximately 25 percent of the state's population, positioning them as the second-largest racial group. Their presence is even more significant in Lahaina, the town most heavily impacted by the fires, where they make up 40 percent of the population. Furthermore, they represent a considerable portion of the workforce in the tourism sector. Despite their significant numbers, many of their narratives remain concealed, causing concern among this community. Notably, data from the Migration Policy Institute showed that Filipinos comprise the largest undocumented population in the state, accounting for 46 percent of this demographic. The post PBBM tells DFA, DMW to help Filipinos affected by Maui Wildfire appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New Zealand Opens Women s World Cup With 1-0 Upset Over Norway
On a day that started with tragedy, the Football Ferns triumphed.Hannah Wilkinson scored to open the second half and New Zealand went on to upset Norway 1-0 on Thursday for its first-ever win at the Women's World Cup, hours after a shooting in downtown Auckland shocked the host nation.A gunman stormed a high-rise construction site near Norway's team hotel and opened fire, killing two people. The gunman wa.....»»
‘Moment of legacy’:Pinoy producers making B’way history with ‘Here Lies Love’
[caption id="attachment_157582" align="aligncenter" width="546"] Don Michael Mendoza and Georgina Pazcoguin.GIRLIE Rodis[/caption] [caption id="attachment_157584" align="aligncenter" width="193"] Giselle Tongi[/caption] [caption id="attachment_157583" align="aligncenter" width="351"] Adam Handyman, Bobby Garcia,[/caption] Here Lies Love, the Broadway musical about former First Lady Imelda Marcos and the People Power Revolution, is not only the first Broadway production to have a cast composed entirely of Filipinos. It is also the first to have so many Filipinos on its producing team. The latest HLL Pinoy producers are Black Eyed Peas singer Apl.de.Ap and DJ CherishTheLuv. They are part of a distinguished group that includes celebrated performers, renowned artists and accomplished advocates who are of Filipino blood and are proud to be part of the innovative show. Named as producers are Hal Luftig, Patrick Catullo, Diana DiMenna and Plate Spinner Productions, Clint Ramos, and Jose Antonio Vargas, with Aaron Lustbader as executive producer. They are joined by Lea Salonga (who is in the cast), H.E.R., Jo Koy, Bobby Garcia, Giselle “G” Töngi, Celia Kaleialoha Kenney, Girlie Rodis, Miranda Gohh, Rob Laqui, Georgina Pazcoguin, Don Michael H. Mendoza, Adam Hyndman, Yasuhiro Kawana, Triptyk Studios, Shira Friedman, James L. Nederlander, Kevin Connor, Patrick Trettenero, Elizabeth Armstrong, Cathy Dantchik, Wendy Federman/Suzzane Niedland, Luke Katler/Ryan Solomon, Laura Ivey/Janet Brenner and Hunter Arnold/TBD Theatricals. David Byrne, co-founder of the ‘80s New Wave group Talking Heads and the brains behind the concept and music of HLL, said to The Washington Post’s Gina Apostol that this was what he intended. The Grammy- and Oscar-winning musician explained, “I wanted producers who understand what it means, not just to them personally but to the Filipino community.” ‘Phenomenal musical’ Getting the producers on board was not difficult because of HLL’s history. In 2013, HLL premiered off-Broadway at New York City’s The Public Theater where it played until 2015. It also had runs at London’s National Royal Theatre from 2014 to 2015, and at the Seattle Repertory Theater in 2017. Tony Award-winning producer Adam Hyndman was among the audience of HLL’s off-Broadway debut. “I was so impacted that I saw it three times and brought everyone I knew!” he recalled. When he was invited to bring the project to the world’s most famous theater circuit — Adam had produced the Broadway musicals Aladdin, Once On This Island, Hadestown and The Inheritance — his response was immediate: “I jumped on board because I knew HLL would be more than just another show, but rather a moment of legacy.” G Töngi, who had made a name for herself as an actress/host/VJ in the Philippines in the 1990s, was likewise fired up when she witnessed HLL at Seattle Repertory. “I walked away from that experience feeling so seen,” she said. The musical brought her back to 1986 when she, as a child, marched in the streets outside Malacañang with her mother. Atlantis Productions founder Bobby Garcia, who mounted the Philippine productions of Rent and Angels in America, has been involved with HLL since 2014, when it premiered at London’s National Theater. Bobby said, “(Director) Alex Timbers kept me in the loop of potential productions. Patrick Catullo and Clint Ramos approached me about joining the team as co-producer and talked to me about how the show would have a revolving door of Filipino artists from Manila to play Aurora Aquino (the mother of Ninoy Aquino).” The opportunity was simply too good to pass up, said Garcia. “As an advocate of Filipino talent, I wanted to be part of bringing this phenomenal musical to the Broadway stage and opening the door for talent from the Philippines to cross the ocean and make their Broadway debuts.” Breaking ground Garcia’s friend, veteran talent manager and stage and film producer Girlie Rodis, certainly understands what he meant. “Whether you’re someone on stage or someone working behind the scenes, the big break doesn’t come often,” said Rodis. “So when Bobby talked to me in 2021 about joining him as co-producer, no questions asked. More than the prospect of giving breaks to our talented Filipino artists, it’s the chance to carve a legacy that made me tell Bobby, ‘Count me in!’ Who would have thought that a Broadway musical production would have an all-Filipino cast and depict the history of the Philippines? Now it’s finally happening.” HLL’s Broadway debut is set to break ground in American media and performing arts. “This visibility of Filipino performers in leading roles on Broadway just fills my heart,” said Georgina Pazcoguin, New York City Ballet’s first Asian-American female soloist and co-founder of the diversity initiative Final Bow for Yellowface. For actor and stage/TV/new media producer Don Michael H. Mendoza, the impact will definitely be long-term. “Like Hamilton does for actors of color, Here Lies Love will provide employment to countless Filipino performers, musicians and production staff for many years to come. Moreover, it will teach the audience about a people that was always in front of them for decades, but playing other ethnicities. Now it’s our turn to be seen and loved by the audiences for who we are as Filipinos. Not as anyone else.” Bayanihan spirit The bayanihan spirit, or cooperative spirit that Pinoys are known for, is very present among the HLL producers. A number of them are based outside of New York and a few — like Rodis — are outside the US. But thanks to technology and fueled by a united passion, they have formed a strong bond and have achieved their tasks outstandingly. “Being a Here Lies Love co-producer has, at long last, connected me with my culture in a way I’ve been craving. For the first time ever I’m surrounded by co-workers who share a part of my identity,“ said Pazcoguin. Rodis added, “Collaborating with this incredible group of Filipino co-producers has already given me so much. Tony award-winning designer Clint Ramos and producer Jose Antonio Vargas, a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist, have been supportive and generous. It’s a blessing to be in this company.” A few days before Here Lies Love opens on Broadway, the producers already feel ecstatic. “We are excited that there is so much enthusiasm both in the Broadway and Filipino and Fil-Am communities to see HLL,” said New York-based creative producer Rob Laqui. “One of our jobs as producers is to translate this buzz to getting people to the theater so HLL will have a long and successful run… We are confident and have faith in our process, and in the incredible team assembled, that HLL will be the gold standard for what Broadway can be.” The post ‘Moment of legacy’:Pinoy producers making B’way history with ‘Here Lies Love’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
India train mishap kills nearly 300
BELASORE, India — At least 288 people were killed and more than 850 injured in a train crash in India on Friday night. The crash occurred near Balasore, in the eastern state of Odisha, when two passenger trains and a goods train collided. The impact of the crash caused carriages to be lifted into the air, twisted, and then smashed off the tracks. Rescue workers used metal cutting tools to pry open gaps in the torn sides of carriages in a desperate search to reach those trapped inside. By Saturday morning, they had pulled out 288 bodies and more than 850 injured passengers. The death toll is expected to rise, as many of the injured are in critical condition. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Residents and volunteers rushed to help the injured, providing food, water, and blankets. They also helped to carry the injured to hospitals. The crash has caused widespread disruption to train services in the region. All train trips between Balasore and Bhubaneswar have been canceled, and others were running late. The government has announced compensation of 500,000 rupees (about $7,000) for the families of each of the victims. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, has expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and has ordered a full investigation into the crash. Chronology of rail disasters With hundreds killed and more injured in a three-train collision in India, AFP looked back on some of the worst rail disasters of the last 10 years: Greek collision. On 28 February 2023, a head-on collision between a freight train and a passenger train on the route between Athens and Thessaloniki claimed 57 lives, in the country’s worst rail accident; Stowaways derailed. On 10 March 2022, a freight train loaded with stowaways derailed in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Lualaba province, killing at least 75 people and injuring 125 others. A month later, at least eight people died when a goods train derailed in the same area; Pakistan farmlands. On 7 June 2021, at least 63 people died when a train hurtling through farmland derailed and collided with another passenger service in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province; Taiwan tragedy. On 2 April 2021, at least 49 people were killed and 200 injured when a passenger train collided with a truck that slid down an embankment near the city of Hualien — the island’s worst rail disaster in decades; Pakistan pilgrims. At least 74 people died and more than 40 were injured on 31 October 2019, when a fire broke out on an overcrowded passenger train carrying pilgrims to a religious gathering near Lahore; Crowds on tracks. A speeding train ran over revelers watching fireworks during a Hindu festival in northern India on 19 October 2018, killing at least 60 people; Indian Express disaster. At least 146 people died when an Indore-Patna Express train with around 2,000 people on board derailed in Uttar Pradesh on 20 November 2016, sending carriages crashing into each other; Speeding Cameroon train. A train traveling from the capital Yaounde to the economic hub of Douala derailed on 21 October 2016, killing at least 79 people and injuring around 550 others. It was traveling “abnormally” fast before the crash, the investigation into the crash concluded; Congo accident. A goods train carrying hundreds of illegal passengers flew off the rails in a swampy and inaccessible part of the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo on 22 April 2014, killing at least 136 people. Many had to be buried in mass graves nearby; and Spain derailing. About 80 people were killed and 140 injured when a high-speed train slammed into a concrete wall near the northwestern city of Santiago de Compostela on 24 July 2013. The train had been approaching a curve at more than twice the speed limit. The post India train mishap kills nearly 300 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
More than 280 dead, hundreds hurt in India triple train crash
At least 288 people were killed and hundreds more injured in a three-train collision in India, officials said Saturday, the country's deadliest rail accident in more than 20 years. Wreckage debris was piled high at the crash site near Balasore, in the eastern state of Odisha, where some carriages had been tossed far from the tracks and others flipped over entirely. Smashed train compartments were torn open in the impact late on Friday, leaving blood-stained holes in their sides. Survivor Arjun Das told a Bengali television channel he heard a thundering sound, then saw people falling from upper berths. He jumped out of the train. "People were screaming, shouting for help," he said. "There were injured lying everywhere inside coaches and along the tracks. I want to forget the scenes." The disaster began when an express train running north from India's tech hub Bengaluru to Kolkata derailed, falling onto the adjacent southbound track. Minutes later, the Coromandal Express heading from Kolkata to Chennai smashed into the wreckage, some of its coaches also colliding with a goods train parked nearby. Researcher Anubhav Das was in the last carriage of the second train when he heard "screeching, horrifying sounds coming from a distance". His coach stayed upright and he jumped out unhurt after it ground to a halt. "I saw bloodied scenes, mangled bodies, and one man with a severed arm being desperately helped by his injured son," the 27-year-old told AFP. "I lost count of the bodies before leaving the site. Now I now feel almost guilty." Rescue workers searched for survivors trapped in the mangled wreckage Saturday, with scores of bodies laid out under white sheets beside the tracks. Sudhanshu Sarangi, director general of Odisha Fire Services, said the death toll stood at 288 but was expected to go higher, potentially approaching 380. "Many people who have been rushed to hospitals are succumbing there and we are still taking out the dead bodies," he told AFP from the accident site. "The rescue work is still ongoing here as there are some bodies under the bogies and teams are trying to lift them to get them out." Hour of grief India has one of the world's largest rail networks and has seen several disasters over the years, the worst of them in 1981 when a train derailed while crossing a bridge in Bihar and plunged into the river below, killing between 800 and 1,000 people. Friday's crash ranks as its third worst, and the deadliest since 1995, when two express trains collided in Firozabad, near Agra, killing more than 300 people. Odisha state's chief secretary Pradeep Jena confirmed that about 900 injured people had been hospitalized. Rescue teams including from the National Disaster Response Force and air force were deployed, while the railways ministry announced an investigation. Authorities said every hospital between the crash site and the state capital Bhubaneswar around 200 kilometers (125 miles) away was receiving victims, with 200 ambulances -- and even buses -- deployed to transport them. At Bhadrak District Hospital, bloodied and shocked survivors were receiving treatment in crowded wards. The disaster comes despite new investments and upgrades in technology that have significantly improved railway safety in recent years. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- who officials said would visit the crash site and hospitals later Saturday -- said he was "distressed by the train accident". "In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon," he tweeted. The post More than 280 dead, hundreds hurt in India triple train crash appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
India train crash toll rises to 288: fire chief
The toll from a horrific three-train rail crash in India rose to 288 early Saturday, an official told AFP. Sudhanshu Sarangi, director general of the Odisha state fire department, confirmed the new number to AFP. Hundreds of people were also injured in the accident late on Friday. At least 288 people were killed and more than 850 injured in a horrific three-train collision in India, officials said Saturday, the country's deadliest rail accident in more than 20 years. Images from the crash site showed smashed train compartments torn open with blood-stained holes near Balasore, in the eastern state of Odisha. Carriages had flipped over entirely in the crash late on Friday and rescue workers searched for survivors trapped in the mangled wreckage, with scores of bodies laid out under white sheets beside the tracks. [caption id="attachment_140197" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] People gather at the accident site of a three-train collision near Balasore, about 200 km (125 miles) from the state capital Bhubaneswar, on June 3, 2023. At least 207 people were killed, more than 850 more were injured and many others are feared trapped after a horrific three-train collision late June 2 in eastern India's Odisha state, local officials said. (Photo by Dibyangshu SARKAR / AFP)[/caption] As dawn broke on Saturday, rescue workers were able to see the full extent of the carnage. Sudhanshu Sarangi, director general of Odisha Fire Services, said that the death toll stood at 288. "The rescue work is still going on," he told AFP from the accident site, adding there were "a lot of serious injuries". [caption id="attachment_140198" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] This frame grab taken from AFPTV video footage on June 2, 2023 shows flipped-over train carriages after a three-train collision near Balasore, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) from Bhubaneswar, capital of eastern India's Odisha state. At least 207 people were killed, more than 850 more were injured and many others are feared trapped after a horrific three-train collision late on June 2, 2023. (Photo by AFPTV / AFP)[/caption] India is no stranger to railway accidents and has seen several disasters, the worst of them in 1981, when a train derailed while crossing a bridge in Bihar and plunged into the river below, killing between 800 and 1,000 people. But Friday's crash is believed to be the worst since the 1990s. Odisha state's chief secretary Pradeep Jena confirmed that about 850 injured people had been sent to hospitals following the crash, which took place around 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the state capital Bhubaneswar. "Our top priority now is rescuing (the passengers) and providing health support to the injured," he said. Amitabh Sharma, executive director at Indian Railways, told AFP that two passenger trains "had an active involvement in the accident" while "the third train, a goods train, which was parked at the site, also got (involved) in the accident". One survivor told local TV news reporters that he was sleeping when the accident happened, and woke to find himself trapped under about a dozen fellow passengers, before somehow crawling out of the carriage with only injuries to his neck and arm. [caption id="attachment_140199" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Damaged carriages are seen at the accident site of a three-train collision near Balasore, about 200 km (125 miles) from the state capital Bhubaneswar, on June 3, 2023. At least 207 people were killed, more than 850 more were injured and many others are feared trapped after a horrific three-train collision late June 2 in eastern India's Odisha state, local officials said. (Photo by Dibyangshu SARKAR / AFP)[/caption] With so many injured, the injured were carried by both ambulances and buses to any hospital that had space. SK Panda, a spokesperson in Jena's office in Odisha state said "all big government and private hospitals from the accident site to the state capital" were prepared to support the injured. The spokesperson added that authorities had sent "75 ambulances to the site and had also deployed many buses" to transport injured passengers. At Bhadrak District Hospital, ambulances brought in casualties, with the bloodied and shocked survivors receiving treatment in crowded wards. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "distressed by the train accident". "In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon", Modi said on Twitter, adding that he had spoken to railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to take "stock of the situation". Vaishnaw said that he was rushing to the accident site, with rescue teams including the National Disaster Response Force and air force working frantically. "Will take all hands required for the rescue ops," he said on Twitter. Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal offered his "deep condolences" in "this hour of grief". US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said: "Our thoughts are with the people of India at this time." Despite the latest crash, railway safety -- thanks to massive new investments and upgrades in technology -- has improved significantly in recent years. The post India train crash toll rises to 288: fire chief appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sudan fighters open ‘humanitarian corridor’ as toll mounts
Sudan's army and rival paramilitaries on Sunday began an hours-long humanitarian pause on the second day of urban battles that killed at least 56 civilians and three UN staff. The raging battles between the powerful armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) sparked an international outcry and regional concern. Neighbors Egypt and Chad closed their borders with Sudan. After the killing of the three World Food Programme workers, the agency said it was suspending operations in the impoverished country. Deafening explosions and intense gunfire rattled buildings in the capital Khartoum's densely-populated northern and southern suburbs as tanks rumbled on the streets and fighter jets roared overhead, witnesses said. Violence erupted early Saturday after weeks of power struggles between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo who heads the heavily-armed RSF. Each accused the other of starting the fight. The Central Committee of Sudan Doctors reported 56 civilians killed as well as "tens of deaths" among security forces, and around 600 wounded. Late Sunday afternoon the army said they had "agreed to a United Nations proposal to open a safe passage for humanitarian cases", including the evacuation of wounded, for three hours from 1400 GMT. RSF confirmed the measure, though they said it would last four hours, and both sides maintained their right to "respond in the event of transgressions" from the other side. One hour into the agreed pause, heavy gunfire could still be heard in central Khartoum near the airport, and dense black smoke billowed from the surrounding area. "The gunfire and explosions are incessant," said Ahmed Hamid, 34, from a northern Khartoum suburb. "The situation is very worrying and it doesn't seem like it will calm any time soon," said Ahmed Seif, another Khartoum resident. Daglo's RSF says they have seized the presidential palace, Khartoum airport, and other strategic locations, but the army insists they are still in control. Footage obtained by AFP showed heavy smoke billowing from a building near the army headquarters in Khartoum, with the military saying a building had "caught fire" but that it had been contained. On Sunday, the stench of gunpowder wafted through Khartoum's streets deserted except for soldiers as frightened civilians sheltered inside their homes. Medics pleaded for safe corridors for ambulances and a ceasefire to treat the victims because the streets were too dangerous for transporting casualties to the hospital. 'Appalled' Fighting also erupted in the western Darfur region and in the eastern border state of Kassala, where witness Hussein Saleh said the army had fired artillery at a paramilitary camp. The UN said its WFP employees had been killed Saturday in clashes in North Darfur and announced a "temporary halt to all operations in Sudan". UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had warned that an escalation in the fighting would "further aggravate the already precarious humanitarian situation". The UN says one-third of Sudan's population needs humanitarian aid. UN Special Representative Volker Perthes condemned the killings and said he was also "appalled by reports of projectiles hitting UN and other humanitarian premises in several locations in Darfur". WFP said an aircraft managed by the organization "was also significantly damaged" at Khartoum airport. "We cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed," WFP head Cindy McCain said. 'No negotiations' Created in 2013, the RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militia that then-president Omar al-Bashir unleashed against non-Arab ethnic minorities in Darfur a decade earlier, drawing accusations of war crimes. The RSF's planned integration into the regular army was a key element of talks to finalize a deal that would return the country to civilian rule and end the political-economic crisis sparked by the military's 2021 coup. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the fighting "threatens the security and safety of Sudanese civilians". Similar appeals came from Britain, China, the European Union, and Russia, while Pope Francis said he was following the events "with concern" and urged dialogue. After a meeting on the situation in Sudan, the African Union said a senior official would "immediately" travel there on a ceasefire mission. But the two generals appear in no mood for talks. In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Daglo, also known as Hemeti, said, "Burhan the criminal must surrender". The army declared Daglo a "wanted criminal" and the RSF a "rebel militia". There "will be no negotiations or talks until the dissolution" of the group, it said. The October 2021 coup triggered international aid cuts and sparked near-weekly protests met by a deadly crackdown. Burhan, who rose through the ranks under the three-decade rule of now-jailed general Bashir, has said the coup was "necessary" to include more factions in politics. Daglo later called the coup a "mistake" that failed to bring about change and reinvigorated remnants of Bashir's regime ousted by the army in 2019 following mass protests. The post Sudan fighters open ‘humanitarian corridor’ as toll mounts appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Russian strike kills nine, including toddler, in eastern Ukraine
Russia shelled a block of flats in the eastern Ukrainian city of Sloviansk, killing nine people, authorities said Saturday, including a two-year-old boy who was rescued from the rubble but died on his way to hospital. Friday's 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. According to Kyiv, it was struck by seven missiles which hit five buildings, five homes, a school and an administrative building. Vadim Lyakh, the head of Sloviansk's military administration, said Saturday that nine people died -- including a woman whose body was recovered from the rubble overnight -- and 21 were wounded. Five people were still under the rubble and their identities were established, he said. AFP journalists saw rescue workers digging for survivors on the top floor of the typical Soviet-era housing block, 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 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 said, pointing to a pool of blood next to another entrance of her building. Fresh mobilization drive 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 travelling abroad and would have to report to an enlistment office once electronic call-up papers were 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. The town has become a fixation of military commanders despite having little strategic value, 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. Separately, an intelligence source said any pullout from Bakhmut would be slow and gradual because there was only a narrow escape path left. The post Russian strike kills nine, including toddler, in eastern Ukraine 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......»»
Man Opens Fire on Philippine Campus, Killing 3 People
Manila - A gunman opened fire on university campus in the Philippine capital region on Sunday, killing a former town mayor and two others in a brazen attack ahead of a graduation ceremony, police said.The suspect was armed with two pistols and was captured in a car he commandeered trying to escape the Ateneo de Manila University in suburban Quezon City, police said. He was blocked by witnesses and authorities ou.....»»
Deceased Maine shooter had mental health problems: police
Police in Maine said Saturday that the man who gunned down 18 people at a bar and a bowling alley and later committed suicide, suffered serious mental health issues, but was able to buy weapons legally because he had never been forcibly committed to treatment. The body of Robert Card, a 40-year-old army reservist, was discovered Friday night inside a tractor-trailer near a recycling center where he used to work, said Maine public safety commissioner Mike Sauschuck. Card had shot himself. Investigators are still struggling to determine Card's motive for carrying out Wednesday's massacre in the town of Lewiston. However, Sauschuck said that Card had reportedly been hearing voices and suffering from paranoia. "Clearly there's a mental health component to this," Sauschuck told reporters. Investigators found a "paper-style" note that Card had left to a loved one which contained a password to his phone and bank account information, Sauschuck said, adding that the note had the tone of a suicide letter. Card was found in possession of three weapons, one of them a long gun, all purchased legally because he had never been forcibly committed to a mental institution. Despite the apparently clear mental health issues and a reportedly recent psychiatric evaluation undergone by Card, "a background check is not going to ping that this individual was prohibited," Sauschuck added. The sigh of relief The discovery of Card's body ended a massive two-day manhunt, which had this quiet city of 38,000 people on lockdown, with businesses and schools closed and residents terrified. Sauschuck acknowledged the help Card's family had provided to the investigation, saying his relatives were among the first people to call the police and identify the suspect. "This family has been incredibly cooperative with us," he said. Lewiston finally breathed a sigh of relief with businesses beginning to open and people appearing on the streets Saturday. Several posters reading "Lewiston strong" were seen in the city. Shukri Abasheikh, 60, was finally able to reopen her halal grocery store after the lockdown. "This morning I'm so happy because the last two days, we were worried a lot and we were scared," Abasheikh told AFP. "My customers were calling me saying we don't have milk, we don't have anything, can you open and I said, 'I'm scared.'" Upon learning that Card was dead, Sheri Withers, 44, owner of a Lewiston art gallery, said she felt "a balance of relief and remembering how to breathe, but also just being sad because, you know, it was a human life." For now, residents are "just trying to rebuild the pieces, and getting on from here is gonna be the next step for our community," she added. A local resident named Danica, who was buying coffee at a drive-through, said she was happy Card was dead, but at the same time wished he had first been brought to justice. "I think he took the coward's way out of doing it by suicide," Danica, who declined to give her last name, told AFP. "I think he should be held accountable for his crimes." In a statement issued shortly after Card's body was discovered Friday night, President Joe Biden vowed to renew efforts to curb gun violence in the United States. "Americans should not have to live like this," Biden said. "I will continue to do everything in my power to end this gun violence epidemic." Biden said the shooting brought "a tragic two days -- not just for Lewiston, Maine, but for our entire country." Authorities on Friday identified the victims, ranging from a husband and wife in their 70s to a 14-year-old boy killed alongside his father. This was one of the deadliest shootings in the United States since 2017, when a gunman opened fire on a crowded music festival in Las Vegas, killing 60 people Mass shootings are alarmingly common in the United States, a country where there are more guns than people and where attempts to clamp down on their spread are always met with stiff resistance. The United States has recorded over 500 mass shootings this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a non-governmental organization that defines a mass shooting as four or more people wounded or killed. Efforts to tighten gun controls have for years run up against opposition from Republicans, staunch defenders of the constitutional right to bear arms. The political paralysis endures despite widespread outrage over recurring shootings. The post Deceased Maine shooter had mental health problems: police appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Suspect in Maine mass killing has been found dead
LEWISTON, Maine — The Army reservist who opened fire in a bowling alley and then at a bar in Lewiston, Maine, killing 18 people, was found dead Friday from a self-inflicted gunshot, ending an intensive two-day search that had the state on edge. Robert Card, a firearms instructor who grew up in the area, was.....»»
DMW has spent P414M on distressed OFWs
The Department of Migrant Workers said on Thursday that they have spent about P414 million of its P1.2 billion action fund this year to assist distressed Overseas Filipino Workers. According to DMW Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo Cacdac, the agency still has a balance of P780 million. “We still have a balance of around P780 million. We have a catchup plan that we are doing for the last two months of the year, most of these funds will be rolled over to the year 2024 anyway,” Cacdac said in a hearing of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs. Cacdac added that the action fund is for legal, medical, or humanitarian assistance. “That three-fold assistance model was assigned by no less than our dear secretary, Secretary Toots Ople because what is stated in the law is legal or other forms of assistance. But Secretary Toots pointed out the other forms of assistance are legal, medical, or humanitarian,” Cacdac added. Cacdac stated that the action fund has benefitted 5,325 Filipinos this year, including those affected by various challenges in Turkey and the Middle East. “This includes the earthquake in Turkey, those affected by the conflict in Sudan, the case of a large fire and building collapse in the UAE, Dubai, and Qatar, and recently, of course, what our OFWs are suffering from the conflict in Israel and Lebanon is also included here,” he added. The OIC added that Filipinos living in war-torn areas tend to get more out of the fund. He said that about 700 OFWs families in Israel have availed of helpline assistance. “At first, we provided P20,000 in financial assistance upon return, but Secretary Toots increased it to P30,000… There is a special case for those who were caught in a conflict or war situation like Sudan. But here in Israel, we handed P50,000,” he said. The post DMW has spent P414M on distressed OFWs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Preventive suspension
Dear Atty. Joji, Our Manager was charged with policy violations and fraud. Pending administrative investigation, he was placed under preventive suspension without pay for a period of 30 days. Later, it was discovered that he approved payments for work not done and involved unaccredited third parties, as such it is recommended by the management that his preventive extension be extended. May an extension of the period of preventive suspension be imposed for a separate or distinct offense upon an employee? Anthony *** Dear Anthony, Yes, a subsequent preventive suspension may be imposed for a separate or distinct offense upon an employee. Whilethe provisions regarding preventive suspensions found in Sections 9 of Rule XXIII, Book V of the Omnibus Rules, asamended by Department Order No. 9, Series of 1997, limits the period of preventive suspension to 30 days, such timeframe pertains only to one offense by the employee. In the case of Smart Communications Inc. v. Solidum,G.R. No. 19776; 7 December 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that: “The respondent was validly placed under second preventive suspension for the reason that pending investigation of separate and distinct set of offenses committed by therespondent, as contained in the second Notice to Explain, his continued presence in the company premises duringthe investigation poses serious and imminent threat to the life or property of the employer and co-workers. The Courtfurther ruled that these newly discovered transgressions would, thus, require an additional period to investigate.”By a preventive suspension, an employer protects itself from further harm or losses because of the erring employee.This concept was explained by the Court in Gatbonton v. National Labor Relations Commission: An employee may be placed under preventive suspension, when: The evidence of guilt is strong, and the employer or head of establishment is convinced that the continued stay of the employee during the period of investigation constitutes a distraction to the normal operations of the company; and His continued employment poses a serious and imminent threat to life or property of the employer or his co-workers As such, for an offense, the preventive suspension cannot go beyond 30 days. However, if the employee is charged with another offense, then the employer is entitled to impose a preventive suspension not to exceed 30 days specifically for the new infraction. Indeed, a fresh preventive suspension can be imposed for a separate or distinct offense. Thus, an employer is well within its rights to preventively suspend an employee for other wrongdoings that may be later discovered while the first investigation is ongoing. Hope this helps. Atty. Joji Alonso The post Preventive suspension appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
2 dead, 2 missing in Philippine tanker fire
MANILA, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- A fire broke out on a motor tanker while anchored off Batangas province, south of Manila, on Sunday, killing two people, officials said. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) initially reported that one died from the blaze that razed the vessel Motor Tanker Sea Horse at around 9 a.m. local time. The fire raged for two hours before firefighters extinguished it. Joselito Sinocruz, the.....»»
Pentagon amps up posture in Mideast in response to ‘escalations’
The United States warned against any "escalation" in the Middle East in the wake of Israel's war with Hamas, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Sunday, hours after the Pentagon moved to step up military readiness in the region. The United States has seen a "prospect of a significant escalation of attacks on our troops" in the region, Austin said Sunday, adding that the US military was preparing for "the ability to respond." "If any group or any country is looking to widen this conflict and take advantage of this very unfortunate situation that we see, our advice is: don't," he told ABC News. "We maintain the right to defend ourselves and we won't hesitate to take the appropriate action," he added. His comments came hours after the Pentagon said it was upping readiness in the region in response to "recent escalations by Iran and its proxy forces." Austin ordered the activation of air defense systems and notified additional forces that they may be deployed soon. Austin did not say how many US troops would be added to those already in the region. The Pentagon's moves came after what Austin had earlier described in a statement as "detailed discussions" with President Joe Biden. "These steps will bolster regional deterrence efforts, increase force protection for US forces in the region, and assist in the defense of Israel," Austin said. The steps continued the Biden administration's response since Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip stormed Israel on October 7, taking more than 200 hostages and killing at least 1,400 people, according to Israeli officials. tensions rising Israel has since vowed to destroy Hamas, and says around 1,500 of the group's fighters were killed in clashes before its army regained control of the area initially under attack. Austin said he had activated deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and additional Patriot battalions "throughout the region." "Finally, I have placed an additional number of forces on prepare-to-deploy orders as part of prudent contingency planning, to increase their readiness and ability to quickly respond as required," Austin said. Tensions are rising along Israel's northern border with Lebanon after the Israeli army traded fire with the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah amid fears of a new front opening as Israel battles Hamas. In south Lebanon on Saturday, Hezbollah said four of its fighters were killed. Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad said one of its fighters was also killed. Armed factions close to Iran have threatened to attack US interests in Iraq over Washington's support for Israel. Multiple Iraqi bases used by US-led coalition troops have been targeted in several attacks in recent days. Israel's military said Saturday it would intensify strikes on Hamas-controlled Gaza ahead of a planned ground invasion. The military has pounded Gaza with relentless strikes in response to Hamas's 7 October attack. The bombing campaign has killed more than 4,650 Palestinians, mainly civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, and reduced swaths of the densely populated territory to ruins. A first trickle of aid entered the Palestinian enclave from Egypt on Saturday, but the 20 trucks permitted to cross have been described as a "drop in the ocean" given the needs of 2.4 million residents. The post Pentagon amps up posture in Mideast in response to ‘escalations’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hezbollah ‘dragging Lebanon into a war’ — Israel military
Escalating attacks by militant group Hezbollah risk "dragging Lebanon into a war", Israel's military said Sunday, after renewed cross-border exchanges of fire that have raised fears of a wider conflict. "Hezbollah... is dragging Lebanon into a war that it will gain nothing from, but stands to lose a lot," warned Israel Defense Forces spokesman Jonathan Conricus. The Lebanese group is allied with Hamas, which touched off the latest violence with a murderous October 7 rampage in Israel that killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians who were shot, mutilated, or burnt to death, according to Israeli officials. Israel has retaliated with relentless strikes on Gaza that have killed more than 4,300 Palestinians, mainly civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. It has also exchanged fire with Hezbollah across its northern border, with Conricus accusing the group of a dangerous escalation. "Hezbollah is playing a very, very dangerous game. They're escalating the situation. We see more and more attacks every day," he said. "Is the Lebanese state really willing to jeopardize what is left of Lebanese prosperity and Lebanese sovereignty for the sake of terrorists in Gaza?" he asked. "That's a question that the Lebanese authorities need to ask themselves and answer." Recent exchanges of fire have killed four Hezbollah fighters and a member of the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad in Lebanon, while three Israeli troops were injured, one seriously, in Hezbollah anti-tank fire, and two Thai farm workers were also wounded. Israel has ordered dozens of northern communities to evacuate, and several thousand Lebanese have also fled border regions for the southern city of Tyre. Hezbollah number two Naim Qassem has warned the group could step up its involvement in the conflict. "Let's be clear, as events unfold, if something comes up that calls for greater intervention by us, we will do so," he said. Iranian-backed Hezbollah fought a devastating war with Israel in 2006 that left more than 1,200 dead in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and 160 dead in Israel, mostly soldiers. The post Hezbollah ‘dragging Lebanon into a war’ — Israel military appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»