Latest news with #Israel-occupied
GMA Network
22-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
DMW processing repatriation requests from 223 OFWs in Israel
DMW Sec. Hans Cacdac and Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos, along with the team of Philippine Embassy and Migrant Workers Office in Amman, Jordan pose with 26 OFWs and one Filipina tourist who will be returning to the Philippines through the government's voluntary repatriation program. Photo: Department of Migrant Workers The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Sunday said it is processing repatriation requests from 223 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Israel, as well as seeing to the travel needs of 30 Filipinos making up the first batch of returnees. In a press briefing on Sunday, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac shared that the group of 30 will include 26 OFWs who had arrived in Jordan after passing through the Allenby Bridge and King Hussein Bridge on Sunday morning. The group of 26 will be joined by three other Filipinos from Jordan and another from the Israel-occupied West Bank, and will be accompanied home by Cacdac on a commercial flight set to arrive in the Philippines on Tuesday morning. 'Many of them also are longstanding OFWs, some about, should I say, 10 to 15 years in Israel and some three to six years in Israel, but all of them, of course, wish to come home… So rest assured, we will bring them home safely as directed by the President,' said Cacdac. The repatriated OFWs will receive adequate assistance from the government upon arrival in the country, including P150,000 in financial assistance, TESDA training vouchers and allowances, psychosocial counseling, and post-arrival medical check-ups. 'We will provide this particular benefit upon arrival. It will stem the tide for them. It's a safety net for those who lost their jobs, at least temporarily, and [they] will receive some tulong-pinansyal, pantawid [financial aid to help them get by]… Malaking bagay din to, di ba? Kasi maiibsan din yung gastusin ng mga dumadating [This is also a big deal, right? Because it will help with their costs when they arrive],' Cacdac added. Israel launched air attacks on Iran on June 13, claiming that the Islamic Republic is on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon. Iran retaliated, hitting several areas in Israel, with the attacks between the two countries still continuing. On Sunday, Israel's ally the US bombed three nuclear sites in Iran. Iran, which maintains that its nuclear program is purely for civilian purposes, is a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, while Israel is not. Alert levels Meanwhile, Cacdac noted that the alert levels raised by the Philippines on other countries are based on decisions from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and corresponding Philippine embassies in the area. In response to the raised alert levels in Israel and Iran, DMW advised Filipinos not to proceed with planned trips in the affected areas. 'We rely on the DFA in terms of raising the alert level, so we will depend on the political security expertise of our dear colleagues at the DFA… What I can say however, tuloy ang tulong [the assistance continues] on the ground,' Cacdac said. Iran and Israel are currently at Alert Level 3 following armed hostilities between the two countries. The DFA advised Filipinos in either country to consider repatriation to avoid getting caught in hostile exchanges between the two Middle Eastern countries. — BM, GMA Integrated News
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mapping Israel's expanding air attacks across Syria
The Israeli military says it shelled targets in Syria in response to a pair of projectiles that fell in open areas in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights on Tuesday. Since December 10, 2024, just two days after the stunning collapse of more than 53 years of the al-Assad family, Israel has waged a campaign of aerial bombardment that has destroyed much of Syria's military infrastructure, including major airports, air defence facilities, fighter jets and other strategic infrastructure. Over the past six months, Israeli forces have launched more than 200 air, drone or artillery attacks across Syria, averaging an assault roughly every three to four days, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project (ACLED). The map below shows the ACLED-recorded Israeli attacks between December 8 and May 30. The bulk of the Israeli attacks have been concentrated in the southern Syrian governorates of Deraa, Damascus and Quneitra, which account for nearly 60 percent of all recorded Israeli attacks. Deraa was the most targeted governorate, with 57 recorded attacks, focusing on former regime military sites and suspected arms convoys. Damascus governorate, which hosts key military highways and logistics hubs, was attacked at least 49 times. Whereas Damascus city, the capital was attacked 18 times. Quneitra, adjacent to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, was attacked at least 25 times; many attacks were aimed at radar and surveillance infrastructure. In the immediate aftermath of al-Assad's ouster, Israeli troops advanced into the Syrian side of the Golan Heights, including areas within the United Nations-monitored demilitarised zone, violating the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria. The incursion drew widespread international criticism. The UN, along with several Arab nations, condemned Israel's actions as breaches of international law and violations of Syria's sovereignty. Despite these condemnations, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said in February that Israeli forces would remain in the area indefinitely to 'protect Israeli citizens' and 'prevent hostile entities from gaining a foothold' near the border. Satellite imagery captured in February and analysed by Al Jazeera's Sanad verification unit showed six military bases were being constructed in the UN-supervised buffer zone on the border with Syria. Since taking power following the overthrow of al-Assad, President Ahmed al-Sharaa has consistently stated that his government seeks no conflict with Israel and will not permit Syria to be used by foreign actors to launch attacks. He has condemned Israel's continuing strikes on Syrian territory and its gradual expansion beyond the already-occupied Golan Heights. While Israel's air attacks on Syria have escalated in recent months, Israel has been attacking targets in Syria for years. ACLED data collected since January 2017 shows how Israeli attacks have been steadily increasing. The animated chart below shows the frequency of Israeli attacks from January 2017 to May 2025.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Unilever's Ben & Jerry's declares war in Gaza a 'genocide'
STORY: :: May 14, 2025 Ben & Jerry's independent board has branded the conflict in Gaza a genocide. :: Eisenhower Media Network Two weeks after its co-founder Ben Cohen was arrested for protesting the war in Gaza during a Senate hearing. The move has further escalated a bitter feud with its longtime corporate parent Unilever. :: Ben & Jerry's In a statement seen by Reuters, Ben & Jerry's said it 'believes in human rights and advocates for peace, and we join with those around the world who denounce the genocide in Gaza.' Unilever said these comments reflect the views of the independent social mission board of Ben & Jerry's… Adding that it calls for peace and relief in the region. Ben & Jerry's has been at odds with the packaged goods giant since at least 2021 when the ice cream label said it would stop selling its products in the Israel-occupied West Bank. The company also sued Unilever last year for allegedly attempting to silence it on Gaza - but Unilever asked a judge to dismiss the case. The multinational group said it's in the process of separating out its ice cream businesses to an independent company this summer. Ben & Jerry's has said its merger agreement with Unilever in 2000 gave its independent board "primary responsibility" to pursue the company's social mission. :: Ben & Jerry's The crux of the dispute between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever is how much leeway the board actually has. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
RTÉ News
30-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Unilever's Ben & Jerry's calls war in Gaza a 'genocide'
The independent board of Ben & Jerry's said the conflict in Gaza is a genocide, escalating a bitter feud between the ice cream maker and its longtime London-based corporate parent Unilever. "Ben & Jerry's believes in human rights and advocates for peace, and we join with those around the world who denounce the genocide in Gaza," the board said in a statement viewed by Reuters. "We stand with all who raise their voices against genocide in Gaza - from petition-signers to street marchers to those risking arrest." Unilever and Ben & Jerry's have been at odds since at least 2021 when the Chubby Hubby ice cream maker said it would stop selling in the Israel-occupied West Bank. Ben & Jerry's sued its owner last year over its alleged attempts to silence it on Gaza and criticise US President Donald Trump. Its statement on Gaza is unusual for a major U.S. brand. A Unilever spokesperson said that the comments reflect the views of the independent social mission board of Ben & Jerry's, and they do not speak for anyone other than themselves. "We call for peace in the region and for relief for all those whose lives have been impacted," the spokesperson said. Unilever asked a US judge to dismiss Ben & Jerry's lawsuit. The company is also in the process of separating out its ice cream business, including Vermont-based Ben & Jerry's, to an independent company this summer. Ben & Jerry's has said its year 2000 merger agreement with Unilever gave its independent board "primary responsibility" to pursue the company's social mission. The crux of the dispute between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever is how much leeway the board actually has.
Straits Times
30-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Unilever's Ben & Jerry's calls war in Gaza a ‘genocide'
Ben & Jerry's sued Unilever in 2024 over its alleged attempts to silence it on Gaza and criticise US President Donald Trump. PHOTO: REUTERS NEW YORK - The independent board of Ben & Jerry's said the conflict in Gaza is a genocide, escalating a bitter feud between the ice cream maker and its longtime London-based corporate parent Unilever. 'Ben & Jerry's believes in human rights and advocates for peace, and we join with those around the world who denounce the genocide in Gaza,' the board said in a statement viewed by Reuters. 'We stand with all who raise their voices against genocide in Gaza - from petition-signers to street marchers to those risking arrest.' Unilever and Ben & Jerry's have been at odds since at least 2021 when the Chubby Hubby ice cream maker said it would stop selling in the Israel-occupied West Bank. Ben & Jerry's sued its owner in 2024 over its alleged attempts to silence it on Gaza and criticise US President Donald Trump. Its statement on Gaza is unusual for a major US brand. A Unilever spokesperson said that the comments reflect the views of the independent social mission board of Ben & Jerry's, and they do not speak for anyone other than themselves. 'We call for peace in the region and for relief for all those whose lives have been impacted,' the spokesperson said. Unilever asked a US judge to dismiss Ben & Jerry's lawsuit. The company is also in the process of separating out its ice cream business, including Vermont-based Ben & Jerry's, to an independent company this summer. Ben & Jerry's has said its year 2000 merger agreement with Unilever gave its independent board 'primary responsibility' to pursue the company's social mission. The crux of the dispute between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever is how much leeway the board actually has. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
