Tropical Depression Mirasol Forms East of Infanta, Quezon

MANILA, Philippines — The state weather agency PAGASA has reported that a low pressure area located east of Infanta, Quezon has strengthened into a tropical depression as of 2 p.m. today, now named "Mirasol." In addition, PAGASA identified another low pressure area approximately 655 kilometers west of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, according to their 11 a.m. weather bulletin. The newly named tropical depression Mirasol is forecast to cause cloudy conditions accompanied by scattered rains and thunderstorms over the Bicol Region, Central and Eastern Visayas, as well as parts of Aurora, Quezon, Rizal, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya. PAGASA has announced that regular weather updates will commence at 5 p.m. to keep the public informed of any developments.

Bjorn Borg Reveals Battle with Aggressive Prostate Cancer

Swedish tennis legend Bjorn Borg has disclosed that he is fighting an aggressive form of prostate cancer. The 11-time Grand Slam champion revealed his diagnosis in his autobiography, "Heartbeats: A Memoir," co-authored with his wife Patricia. Borg underwent surgery in 2024 and is now in remission. Borg, who won five consecutive Wimbledon titles from 1976 to 1980 and claimed six French Open championships, shared the news with a determined outlook. "I spoke to the doctor, and he said this is really, really bad," Borg told the BBC. "He said you have these sleeping cancer cells, it’s going to be a fight in the future. Every six months I go and test myself. I did my last test two weeks ago. It’s a thing I have to live with." Despite routine health check-ups over the years, the cancer was only detected in 2023, surprising the tennis great. "The thing is that you don’t feel anything – you feel good, and then it’s just happened," Borg stated. "I hope that I’m going to be OK. I take it day by day, year by year, hopefully." Borg, who dominated men's tennis during his prime and held the world No. 1 ranking for 109 weeks, briefly attempted a comeback in 1991 but did not regain his former standing. His iconic rivalry with John McEnroe, particularly their 1980 Wimbledon final regarded as one of the greatest matches in tennis history, remains a defining part of his legacy. Reflecting on his new challenge, Borg wrote, "Now I have a new opponent in cancer – one I can’t control. But I’m going to beat it. I’m not giving up. I fight like every day is a Wimbledon final. And those usually go pretty well, don’t they?"

Venezuelan President Maduro Condemns U.S. Military Actions as Aggression

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro publicly denounced recent U.S. activities as deliberate aggression against his country, clarifying that the incidents do not represent mere tensions but a sustained assault. During a press conference with senior military officials, Maduro condemned the United States for what he described as judicial, political, diplomatic, and military aggression. Maduro highlighted the escalation of the U.S. military presence in the southern Caribbean under President Donald Trump’s administration, which is reportedly aimed at combating drug trafficking. This month, a U.S. military strike resulted in the death of 11 individuals and the sinking of a Venezuelan vessel alleged by the U.S. to be transporting illegal narcotics. "This isn\"t tension. It is an aggression all down the line, it\"s a judicial aggression when they criminalize us, a political aggression with their daily threatening statements, a diplomatic aggression and an ongoing aggression of military character," Maduro said. He further stated that bilateral communications with the U.S. have effectively been severed, accusing the American government of abandoning dialogue due to threats of violence and blackmail. However, he noted some minimal communications remain to facilitate the return of Venezuelan nationals from the United States. The Trump administration has provided limited details regarding the recent military action, despite demands from members of the U.S. Congress for clarification. Meanwhile, Venezuelan authorities dispute U.S. claims that those killed were linked to the Tren de Aragua criminal gang, asserting that none of the casualties belonged to the group. Maduro has accused the U.S. of attempting to undermine his presidency, a claim underscored by ongoing U.S. support for the Venezuelan opposition, which contests Maduro\"s re-election last year. Additionally, Maduro raised concerns about a recent incident over the weekend where a U.S. destroyer allegedly intercepted, boarded, and occupied a Venezuelan tuna fishing vessel for eight hours within Venezuela\"s Special Economic Zone. He warned the U.S. appears to be "looking for an incident" amid the already heightened tensions. These developments mark a significant deterioration in U.S.-Venezuela relations, with diplomatic channels largely disrupted as both sides remain entrenched in their respective positions.

Arab-Islamic Summit Condemns Israeli Attack on Qatar, Warns of Regional Fallout

DOHA — Arab and Islamic leaders are set to denounce Israel’s recent attack on Qatar and other hostile measures, describing them as threats to coexistence and the regional normalization process, according to a draft resolution prepared for Monday's summit in Doha. The summit aims to express solidarity with Qatar following the Israeli strike targeting Hamas leaders based in the Gulf state. The September 9 attack, which Hamas confirmed resulted in the deaths of five members but spared its leadership, has heightened tensions among U.S.-aligned Gulf Arab countries, straining relations notably between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel — two nations that normalized relations in 2020. An excerpt from the draft resolution, reviewed ahead of the summit, states: \"The brutal Israeli attack on Qatar and ongoing hostile acts, including allegations of genocide, ethnic cleansing, siege, and territorial expansion, endanger prospects for peace and coexistence in the region.\" It further warns that these actions jeopardize \"all achievements made toward normalizing ties with Israel, including current and future agreements.\" Israel denies accusations of genocide despite widespread criticism, including from major genocide scholars, amid a nearly two-year military campaign in Gaza that local authorities say has killed more than 64,000 people. Israel justifies its operations as self-defense following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, assault which killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of 251 hostages, based on Israeli figures. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has intensified pressure on Qatar, demanding the expulsion or prosecution of Hamas leaders residing there, warning on Wednesday that failure to act would provoke Israeli intervention. Netanyahu claimed that removing Hamas leaders from Qatar is essential to securing the release of hostages and ending the Gaza conflict. Conversely, Qatar, which acts as a mediator alongside Egypt and the United States, accuses Israel of undermining peace prospects and labels Netanyahu’s actions as \"state terrorism.\" The attack claimed the life of a member of Qatar’s internal security forces. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani affirmed that these Israeli maneuvers will not deter Qatar’s ongoing mediation efforts. U.S. former President Donald Trump expressed disapproval of Israel’s strike, asserting it did not advance American or Israeli objectives. He praised Qatar as a vital ally committed to peace and relayed to Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani that such attacks would not recur on Qatari soil. While supporting the goal of eradicating Hamas, Trump emphasized respecting Qatar’s role. The UAE, a key participant in the 2020 Abraham Accords normalization deal with Israel—the first Arab nation to do so since Jordan in 1994—responded by summoning Israel’s deputy ambassador to protest the attack and Netanyahu’s contentious remarks. The UAE underscored that Qatar’s stability is integral to the security of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, which includes Saudi Arabia, a nation committed to Palestinian statehood before establishing ties with Israel. This summit underscores growing regional unease as Arab and Islamic countries reaffirm their commitment to peace while confronting escalating Israeli-Palestinian tensions.

Israeli Military Strikes Nearly 30 Gaza City Buildings Amid High Tensions as U.S. Diplomat Visits

Israeli forces have demolished at least 30 residential structures in Gaza City, forcing thousands of residents to flee, Palestinian officials reported. This military action coincides with the arrival of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is in the region to engage in talks about the ongoing conflict and future prospects for peace. Israel has intensified its push to seize Gaza City, home to nearly one million Palestinians sheltering amid the conflict, aiming to dismantle Hamas, which it regards as a militant threat. The city is considered by Israel as the group's final stronghold. Recently, Israeli airstrikes targeted Hamas’ political leadership in Doha, Qatar, drawing widespread condemnation internationally. Qatar is set to host an emergency Arab-Islamic summit on Monday to address the unfolding crisis. Secretary Rubio emphasized Washington’s priorities, stating, "What\'s happened, has happened. We\'re gonna meet with them (the Israeli leadership). We\'re gonna talk about what the future holds." He also reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to securing the release of 48 hostages held by Hamas, of whom only 20 are believed to be alive, and on efforts to rebuild Gaza following the conflict. During his visit, Rubio paid respects at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, an act described as a reaffirmation of America\'s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel\'s eternal capital, a designation formally acknowledged by the United States in 2017. The recent airstrike on Hamas officials in Qatar, a close U.S. ally, has been criticized by U.S. officials as an escalation that undermines both American and Israeli interests. Rubio and U.S. President Donald Trump had met Qatar\'s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani earlier to discuss the situation. Additionally, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has advanced plans to expand Israeli settlements on West Bank land, a move condemned by the United Arab Emirates for threatening the integrity of the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between the UAE and Israel. Humanitarian organizations warn that Israel\'s planned takeover of Gaza City could have disastrous consequences for the vulnerable population, already suffering from widespread malnutrition. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that two more Palestinians died from starvation in the past 24 hours, raising deaths attributed to malnutrition to at least 422, including 145 children. Although Israel eased some food restrictions in late July to reduce shortages, the United Nations insists that significantly more aid is essential. Israeli forces have urged civilians to evacuate Gaza City ahead of further ground assaults. While tens of thousands have relocated, hundreds of thousands remain. Hamas has encouraged residents to stay put, complicating evacuation efforts. Troops have been operating inside several eastern suburbs for weeks, transforming much of the area into destroyed wastelands. Israeli forces are closing in on the city center and western districts, where many displaced citizens seek refuge. However, many relocatees are reluctant to move south due to limited safe space and financial constraints. Musbah Al-Kafarna, a displaced Gaza City resident, lamented the situation: "The bombardment intensified everywhere and we took down the tents, more than twenty families, we do not know where to go." Over the past week, Israel has carried out five waves of airstrikes on Gaza City, hitting over 500 targets, including Hamas military sites, tunnel entrances, and weapons caches, according to Israeli military statements. Local authorities in Gaza report that Israeli bombardments have killed at least 40 people across the territory recently, with 28 deaths specifically in Gaza City. Hamas claims that since August 11, Israeli strikes have destroyed at least 1,600 homes and 13,000 tents. The ongoing Israeli campaign against Hamas, which has lasted nearly two years, follows the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel that resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and the abduction of 251 hostages, based on Israeli figures. Gaza local authorities estimate that the conflict has caused over 64,000 fatalities within the enclave.

Former Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Member Arrested in Kidapawan City

A former member of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group, known by the alias "Jaggy," was apprehended in Kidapawan City by the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP SAF). The suspect, previously affiliated with the group under the leadership of Abu Dar, faces several outstanding warrants for serious illegal detention with murder, kidnapping, and related charges issued by a Taguig City court on September 27, 2021. Authorities also linked the suspect to numerous criminal and terrorist activities that occurred in Lanao del Norte in 2016 as well as during the Marawi City siege in 2017. The PNP SAF emphasized that the arrest is part of ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and maintain public safety. "This successful operation reflects the unwavering commitment of the PNP to strengthen its campaign against terrorism, uphold the rule of law, and ensure the safety and security of our communities through steadfast coordination with other law enforcement agencies and the public," the Special Action Force stated. The arrest marks a significant step towards dismantling terror networks in the region and reinforces the government's dedication to peace and order.

Putin Proposes Territorial Concessions and Security Guarantees in Ukraine Peace Talks

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin has outlined new conditions for peace in Ukraine, demanding that Kyiv fully withdraw from eastern Donbas territories, abandon ambitions to join NATO, remain neutral, and prevent Western troops from deploying on Ukrainian soil, according to three sources familiar with Kremlin deliberations. Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump met in Alaska for nearly three hours in the first high-level Russia-U.S. summit since 2018. The leaders primarily focused on negotiating terms that could potentially end the protracted conflict in Ukraine, which has resulted in extensive casualties and devastation. Despite neither leader publicly disclosing specifics after the meeting, insider reports reveal that Putin presented a recalibrated proposal compared to his earlier June 2024 demands. Previously insisting that Ukraine cede all four provinces claimed by Moscow — Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia — the new offer reduces territorial claims to the entirety of the Donbas region while agreeing to maintain current frontlines in southern regions of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Currently, Russian forces control approximately 88% of the Donbas and 73% of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia combined, according to U.S. and open-source assessments. Moscow is also prepared to relinquish control over smaller areas in Kharkiv, Sumy, and Dnipropetrovsk regions in a potential agreement. Integral to the proposal are Moscow's demands that Ukraine forsake its NATO membership goal, secured by the country’s constitution, and secure binding assurances from NATO that the alliance will not further expand eastward. The plan additionally calls for restrictions on Ukraine’s military capabilities and prohibits the deployment of Western troops on Ukrainian soil, even as part of a peacekeeping mission. Though presenting these overtures as steps toward compromise, Kremlin sources acknowledge uncertainty about Kyiv’s willingness to surrender any part of the Donbas region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has categorically rejected territorial concessions, emphasizing the Donbas as a vital defensive stronghold essential to the nation’s survival. "Withdrawing from the east is not an option," Zelenskiy stated, underscoring the region's strategic importance. He also reaffirmed Ukraine’s sovereign right to seek NATO membership, asserting it is not Moscow’s prerogative to determine alliance admissions. U.S. and NATO officials have yet to issue formal responses to Russia’s latest peace proposal. Analysts, including RAND Corporation expert Samuel Charap, warn that Kyiv is unlikely to accept demands requiring territorial withdrawal, and suggest that Russia’s overtures may serve more as political theater than sincere negotiation. Russian forces currently occupy nearly a fifth of Ukraine, an area roughly equivalent to the size of Ohio. Kremlin insiders describe the Anchorage summit as the most promising opportunity for peace since the conflict’s escalation in 2022, highlighting Putin’s ostensible openness to concessions. "Putin is prepared for peace and compromise," one source said, adding that continuation of the war depends heavily on Ukraine’s stance towards the Donbas. The feasibility of any U.S. recognition of Russian-held Ukrainian territory remains uncertain. Former President Trump, who has expressed a desire to end the conflict, has indicated efforts to arrange direct talks between Putin and Zelenskiy followed by a trilateral summit involving the U.S. His envoy, Steve Witkoff, played a key role in preparing for the Anchorage discussions, reportedly receiving a clear message from Putin about his willingness to negotiate. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed Putin’s readiness to meet with Zelenskiy but stressed that preliminary issues must be resolved and questioned the Ukrainian leader’s authority to sign a peace treaty amid election delays caused by the war. Western leaders remain skeptical about Putin’s commitment to peace. Meanwhile, the prospect of a formal agreement could take shape as a trilateral pact between Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S., potentially endorsed by the U.N. Security Council or revive elements of the aborted 2022 Istanbul accords, which envisioned Ukraine’s neutrality in exchange for security guarantees from the council’s permanent members. "There are two paths: peace or continued war," a Kremlin-associated source concluded.

ICC Postpones Duterte Trial Amid Dispute Over Fitness to Stand Trial

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has delayed legal proceedings against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte after his legal team argued he is unfit to stand trial. The Hague-based tribunal’s Pre-Trial Chamber I made the decision despite the prosecution’s request to appoint its own medical expert to independently evaluate Duterte’s health. According to a redacted document released by the ICC on September 11, the prosecution responded to the defense’s plea for an indefinite adjournment by emphasizing its intention to engage expert medical personnel to assess Duterte’s fitness for trial. It stated, \"The [REDACTED] is expected to provide additional information regarding Mr Duterte's health condition which will further assist the Chamber in its determination of the Defence Request.\" The prosecution challenged the defense’s claim, observing that decisions on adjournment should not rely solely on reports and opinions from defense-appointed experts, asserting that it does not accept these conclusions without further verification. It requested equal access to all relevant medical records and documentation used by the defense experts. Duterte, 80, is currently detained at the Hague Penitentiary Institution, facing charges related to alleged crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s controversial drug war. His defense lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, contended that Duterte suffers from cognitive impairments including memory loss which hinders his ability to effectively participate in his defense. Kaufman described Duterte’s condition as marked by an inability to recall recent events, people, and even members of his defense team. In contrast, the prosecution argued for further medical assessment to substantiate or refute these claims, noting that the initial defense findings remain untested. The prosecution also expressed its preference for the confirmation of charges hearing to occur before the end of 2025. The prosecution requested the court to deny the defense’s call for an indefinite postponement and to reject their alternate proposal to hold a status conference. While acknowledging that a brief adjournment might be warranted, the prosecution called for the shortest possible delay necessary for the court to rule on Duterte’s fitness to stand trial. Since the ICC case was opened, prosecutors have submitted extensive evidence consisting of 12 batches with hundreds to thousands of items each. Over 300 victims of the drug war have applied to participate in the proceedings. Duterte’s drug campaign reportedly resulted in more than 6,000 deaths according to government figures, although human rights groups estimate the toll could be as high as 30,000 due to underreported incidents.