The exemption of the Philippines from a worldwide freeze on US foreign security aid affirms Manila’s “first-in-line” status in securing Washington’s interests in the Indo-Pacific, observers have said. The Southeast Asian nation will reportedly receive US$5.3 billion from the Donald Trump administration, earmarked for security and anti-narcotics programmes. Philippine foreign affairs spokeswoman Teresita Daza earlier this week confirmed Washington had notified her side of a “waiver issued to a portion of the US foreign military financing for the Philippines”. Daza affirmed that the Philippines and the United States “remain committed to their treaty alliance and to efforts to further strengthen our defence cooperation and interoperability”. Trump had ordered a 90-day pause on foreign aid shortly after his inauguration on January 20. In this period, all foreign aid programmes would be
Category Archives: SECURITY
Feb
Freed hostage Eli Sharabi shared harrowing details of his 491-day captivity, the loss of his family, and the struggle to survive, in an interview with Channel 12’s ‘Uvda’. By JERUSALEM POST STAFF FEBRUARY 28, 2025 00:51 Updated: FEBRUARY 28, 2025 01:13 Released hostage Eli Sharabi is reunite with his family, 08/02/2025. (photo credit: HAIM ZACH/GPO) According to released hostage, Eli Sharabi, Hamas’s tunnels were so well fortified and protected that military operations to get hostages out the tunnels alive would have been nearly impossible. Sharabi, who was held hostage by Hamas for 491 days, was interviewed by Ilana Dayan on Channel 12’s “Uvda” program on Thursday evening, where he shared his experiences living in the terror tunnels. “If there’s one thing I’ve been saying to everyone from the start—family, medical
Feb
“Of course, Hamas will agree. Once again, Israel fails to understand: Hamas has already reaped the internal benefits of these events,” said Eyal Ofer. By PELED ARBELI FEBRUARY 25, 2025 11:25 Eliya Cohen and Omer Shem Tov escorted by Hamas, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, February 22, 2025 (photo credit: Ali Hassan/Flash90) Eyal Ofer, an expert on Hamas and Gazan economics, explained the rationale behind why Hamas may cease the hostage release ceremonies—and why, in his view, Israel is missing the bigger picture in an interview with 103FM on Tuesday. A surprising statement from a Hamas spokesperson suggests the group may change its approach to what Israel has called “shows of force” celebrating the release of hostages in Gaza. After repeated delays in prisoner exchanges due to Hamas violations, the
Feb
The SANDF is struggling with budget cuts, poor leadership, and outdated equipment, leaving South Africa vulnerable to security threats, experts warn. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) requires strong political leadership, management and willpower to address its challenges. This is the view of independent defence analyst Kobus Marais in response to lieutenant-general Ntshavheni Maphaha criticising the government for running what he termed a “Mickey Mouse” defence force. Maphaha accused it of trying to play a “Big Brother” role in Africa, while failing to secure its own borders. SANDF playing a ‘Big Brother’ role in Africa – Maphaha “They must be seen and perceived to take the lead in a very practical and pragmatic way,” Marais said. “Currently, we don’t observe any mature leadership. We have not seen any significant
Feb
Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency has said it is investigating four aides of former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, after a bust reportedly uncovered more than 100 million ringgit (US$22.7 million) stuffed into bags and safes in the home of one of the suspects. It is the latest probe by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into the close allies of former leader Mahathir Mohamad under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s watch. Four former senior officers who served during Ismail’s tenure have been held under remand since last Friday, according to the MACC. The office of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in Putrajaya. Photo: Shutterstock “The MACC is currently unable to reveal the findings of investigations into this case including the value of cash or assets that were found and does not discount the possibility
Feb
Olobor Mara famous lion The roaring of lions in the Maasai Mara could be a thing of the past if the continued killings of the lions is not stopped. The reserves continue to suffer the loss of iconic lions raising concern on the effectiveness of the government conservation plans put in place a year ago. Despite promises of stronger protection and management, the death of the lions underscores a deepening crisis in the reserve. Lorkulup, a legendary lion from the Rongai Pride, and Osoipia, a dominant male lion, were both found dead in separate incidences last month and early this month. . Keep Reading Farmers agony as elephants invade farms in Laikipia Grand cover-up: Mystery deepens as DCI, KWS fail to present man abducted in park Raila Odinga caged… Creation of Mukutani Forest undermines rights of Endorois The two lions, known for their strength and leadership, had
Feb
The former New York City mayor was found liable for defamation in 2023. February 24, 2025, 10:26 PM Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani on Monday satisfied the judgment against him that required him to pay two Fulton County election workers a total of $148 million for defamation. A jury found Giuliani liable in 2023 for defaming Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss by falsely accusing them of tampering with the 2020 presidential vote in Georgia. Rudy Giuliani, personal lawyer of President Donald Trump, looks on during an appearance before the Michigan House Oversight Committee in Lansing, Michigan, Dec. 2, 2020. Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images In the process of reaching a settlement in January, he was held in contempt twice, by two different federal judges, for failing to relinquish
Feb
Classified information may have been compromised as Elon Musk’s federal workforce cuts create security lapses, putting CIA operatives at risk amid conflicting federal directives. By JERUSALEM POST STAFF FEBRUARY 25, 2025 02:02 The lobby of the CIA Headquarters Building in Langley, Virginia, US (photo credit: LARRY DOWNING/REUTERS) The CIA is conducting an internal formal review to assess any potential damage caused by an unclassified email sent to the White House that discussed possible layoffs, using names and initials that had the potential to expose undercover officers, a source familiar with the matter told CNN on Monday. The email, sent in early February, was part of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) plan to cut the workforce and spending of the federal government. The Trump administration’s continuous efforts to audit
Feb
One week after Donald Trump took office again as American President, Kha Van received an email from her school explaining how to deal with U.S. immigration and customs authorities. Like other Vietnamese students and their foreign friends in the U.S., she is now overwhelmed by the feeling of uncertainty, one that has prevented them from doing regular stuff such as finding a part-time job or planning a summer vacation back at home. “My school sent an email to students telling us what to do when encountering Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when going to school, what to say and how to behave when ICE enters our school, to defend our rights, as ICE can stomp into our school anytime to arrest someone,” she said. She said many schools in the
Feb
Zelenskyy says he’s ready to step down if it means peace for Ukraine Ukraine’s president told ABC News that security guarantees are his priority. February 23, 2025, 12:34 PM KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would step down if it meant peace for his country, adding he would also do so if it meant Ukraine would be granted NATO membership. Zelenskyy made the comments on Sunday in response to a question from ABC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Ian Pannell during a press conference in Kyiv, a day before the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. “If for peace for Ukraine, it’s truly necessary for you that I leave my post, I am ready,” Zelenskyy replied to Pannell asking if he was prepared to step down it if could
Feb
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for the creation of an “army of Europe” to guard against Russia as he suggested the US may no longer come to the continent’s aid. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, he also said that Ukraine would “never accept deals made behind our backs without our involvement” after US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to start peace talks. In a speech on Friday, in which he attacked European democracies, US Vice President JD Vance warned that Europe needed to “step up in a big way” on defence. Zelensky said: “I really believe the time has come – the armed forces of Europe must be created.” He said: “Yesterday here in Munich, the US vice president made it clear [that] decades
Feb
The men are not believed to actually be DOGE representatives. February 14, 2025, 8:36 PM Three men in shirts referencing Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” showed up at San Francisco City Hall on Friday demanding access to city files, authorities said. The men are not believed to actually be DOGE representatives, the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. The men, who were also wearing “Make America Great Again” hats, entered multiple offices in city hall around 12 p.m. local time, demanding employees turn over digital information related to alleged wasteful government spending and fraud, the sheriff’s office said. Citizens cast their vote for presidential and congressional elections at Department of Elections in the City Hall of San Francisco, California, United States on November 5, 2024. (Photo by
Feb
Hitmen on Friday gunned down an Ecuadorian colonel in charge of anti-drug operations in a city hard-hit by the narcotics crime that has plunged this once-peaceful South American country into violence. Police said Colonel Porfirio Cedeno, who led an air force special operations unit, was shot multiple times in the city of Guayaquil while travelling to a military ceremony. More than 20 shots were fired at the pickup truck transporting him, and the driver was hit in the leg, said police official Santiago Tuston. Cedeno was travelling from Guayaquil to Manta about three hours away. Both cities have been caught up in fighting between rival drug gangs that has seen homicide rates in Ecuador soar. The truck ended up stalled in the middle of the road with shattered windows, its
Feb
Scammers could be using illegal radio jammers to transmit text messages with a sender ID prefixed with a hashtag, a symbol only available to registered companies, Hong Kong communications authorities warned on Friday. The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) said some people had reported receiving suspicious text messages with a “#” symbol, used in the “SMS Sender Registration Scheme” that was implemented in 2023 as part of efforts to combat phishing scams. Under the scheme, messages from major telecoms providers such as SmarTone, 3HK and 1010 incorporate a hashtag as part of their sender IDs. Only registered parties can use the symbol. “OFCA has recently received inquiries from members of the public stating that they have received suspected fraudulent text messages sent with the name of the text message
![The protective shelter over the remains of the nuclear reactor Unit 4 at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant near the city of Chornobyl, Ukraine [File: Sergey Dolzhenko/EPA-EFE]](https://esbecgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Drone-strikes-Chornobyl-nuclear-plant-in-Ukraine-Russia-says-not-to-blame.jpg)
Feb
Radiation levels remain normal at Chornobyl, IAEA says, as world leaders gather in Munich to discuss Russia-Ukraine war. A Russian drone with a high-explosive warhead has hit the Chornobyl nuclear power plant in the Kyiv region, Ukraine said, amid warnings by the military that Russia launched 133 unmanned vehicles against the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that the drone strike significantly damaged the protective containment shelter and started a fire, which has been put out. The Kremlin responded saying Russia does not hit nuclear sites. Radiation levels at the site have not increased, according to Zelenskyy and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA did not attribute blame but said the drone strike occurred at 01:50am local time (23:50 GMT) and that there was “no indication