PR in the Philippines

In a recent class, I asked Cornell University students if they’d ever interacted with a Holocaust survivor. Every student raised their hand. I explained that they are the last generation to have this privilege. Eighty years after the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the survivors, who endured persecution, oppression, torture, and Nazi Germany's "Final Solution," have dedicated themselves to sharing their experiences. With dwindling survivor numbers, it's crucial to determine how their memories will be preserved for future generations who will never have the chance to hear their stories firsthand. My parents survived Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen. In 1945, my mother, Dr. Ada Bimko, testified against Nazi war criminals at a British military tribunal in Lüneburg. Imprisoned for 15 months in Birkenau and five months in Bergen-Belsen, my mother was separated from her family upon arrival at Birkenau on August 3, 1943, and sent to work in the camp infirmary. In her early testimony, she described the dehumanizing cruelty at Auschwitz, recounting how sick Jews were paraded naked before an SS doctor, who would select those to be killed based on arbitrary observations. I share my mother’s testimony in my courses at Cornell and Columbia, and in my genocide law classes, to provide students with a direct connection to the Holocaust. The historian Lucy Dawidowicz described my father, a prominent survivor leader, as someone who tirelessly shared his experiences. Remembrance requires purpose – understanding what we remember and why. The United Nations designated January 27th (the liberation of Auschwitz) as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, reaffirming the need to learn from the dangers of hatred, bigotry, racism, and prejudice. Holocaust remembrance must also focus on the individual victims, not just statistics. Survivors recounted the deaths of their loved ones – those who perished from starvation, disease, or in the crematoria. We cannot let them be forgotten. Each of us should commit to remembering at least one name and face. For me, it is Benjamin, my mother's five-and-a-half-year-old son. Keeping his memory alive is my responsibility. As the children and grandchildren of survivors, we’ve inherited their memories. We are their witnesses, and we must ensure that their legacy remains a permanent part of human consciousness.

In Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, tens of thousands of Palestinians returned to the most heavily damaged areas of northern Gaza on Monday. This followed Israel's lifting of its northern blockade, a first since the early stages of the 15-month conflict with Hamas, in accordance with a ceasefire agreement. Large groups of people, carrying their belongings, walked along a coastal road, marking a dramatic reversal of the initial exodus from the north at the war's outset, an event many Palestinians... Palestinians who had sought refuge in temporary shelters and converted schools for over a year were eager to return home, despite... Yasmin Abu Amshah, a mother of three, walked 6 kilometers to her damaged but livable home in Gaza City, reuniting with her younger sister after over a year's separation. “It was a long, but joyful journey,” she stated. “Our return is what matters most.” Many viewed their return as a testament to their resilience following Israel's military operation, launched in response to Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel. The return also countered U.S. proposals... ‘The joy of return’ Ismail Abu Matter, a father of four who waited three days near the crossing point before heading north with his family, described celebratory scenes – singing, praying, and tears of reunion. “It's the joy of returning,” said Abu Matter, whose relatives were among the hundreds of thousands displaced from what is now Israel during the 1948 war. “We thought, like our ancestors, we wouldn't return.” The opening was delayed for two days due to a disagreement between Hamas and Israel concerning the order of hostage releases. Mediators... Hamas declared the return “a victory for our people, and a declaration of failure and defeat for the (Israeli) occupation and transfer plans.” The ceasefire aims to end the deadliest and most destructive war between Israel and Hamas, securing the release of hostages taken in the October 7th attack. Militants killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted another 250. Israel's response, an air and ground war, resulted in over 47,000 Palestinian deaths, over half of them women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry doesn't specify combatant numbers. Israel claims over 17,000 militants killed, without providing evidence. Early in the war, Israel ordered the complete evacuation of the north and sealed it off after ground troops entered. Around a million people fled south in October 2023, while hundreds of thousands remained in the north, which experienced intense fighting. Overall, about 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million people were displaced. Hostage dispute rattled week-old ceasefire Israel delayed the crossing's opening, scheduled for the weekend, stating that Palestinians wouldn't be allowed north until the release of a female civilian hostage, Arbel Yehoud. Israel insisted she should have been released before four young female soldiers, who were... Israel also accused Hamas of failing to provide information on the status (alive or dead) of the remaining hostages in the first phase of the deal. Around 90 hostages remain in Gaza, with Israel believing about a third are dead. Hamas, in turn, accused Israel of violating the agreement by not opening the crossing. Qatar, a key mediator with Hamas, announced early Monday an agreement to release Yehoud and two other hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the hostage release – including soldier Agam Berger – would occur on Thursday. Three more hostages are expected on Saturday, as previously planned. Hamas also provided information on hostages to be released during the ceasefire's six-week initial phase. Starting at 7 a.m., Palestinians were permitted to cross on foot, without inspection, via a coastal road through..., a military zone south of Gaza City established by Israel early in the war. A vehicle checkpoint opened later on Gaza's main north-south highway, causing a 3-kilometer traffic jam. The ceasefire agreement stipulates vehicle inspections for weapons before entering the north, but the exact mechanism remained unclear. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated Israel would enforce the ceasefire, and anyone violating it or threatening Israeli forces “will bear the full cost.” “We won't allow a return to the reality of October 7,” he posted on X. A second and more difficult phase awaits The first phase of the ceasefire involves Hamas releasing 33 hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Under the truce, militants have released seven hostages for over 300 prisoners, including many serving life sentences for attacks on Israelis. The second, far more challenging, phase remains unnegotiated. Hamas says it won't release the remaining 60 or so hostages unless Israel ends the war; Netanyahu remains committed to destroying the militant group and ending... ___ Magdy reported from Cairo and Krauss from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. ```

Last December, onlookers recorded a man allegedly setting a woman on fire, then calmly watching her die. No one intervened, even those passing by as Debrina Kawam burned. Many question the inaction of these witnesses. The explanation lies in decades of societal conditioning and policies that render the homeless invisible. Yet, ignoring the crisis is increasingly impossible. Data indicates over 770,000 people experienced homelessness in January 2024—an 18% rise from 2023. The bystanders to the burning woman aren't anomalies; they represent a nation's apathy toward homelessness. American laws have fostered this national inaction, even condoning the deaths of the homeless. How America’s laws impact people experiencing homelessness This bystander effect began over a century ago with laws designed to conceal homelessness. The 1867 “unsightly beggar ordinances” criminalized the public presence of the homeless, effectively making them public nuisances. The consequence? Assisting them became equally stigmatized. Though repealed, these "ugly laws" left a lasting impact. Recently, Atlanta city workers cleared a homeless encampment to prepare for Martin Luther King Jr. events. Without checking for occupants, they destroyed tents, resulting in the death of Cornelius Taylor. Taylor, like many others, was invisible. The National Homelessness Law Center reports that 48 states have laws criminalizing homelessness, including fines for sleeping in public spaces. These laws not only marginalize the homeless, but also shape public perception. Witnessing a person giving a homeless man money, a woman commented, “He’s probably living better than you,” using a dismissive tone. This interaction wasn't isolated. Communities across various states have erected warning signs. For instance, in 2017, a town posted signs stating, “Your generosity could lead to a fatality,” implying donations could fund drug use, thus associating charity with guilt. In some areas, giving to the homeless is punishable. Police have ticketed or arrested volunteers for feeding the homeless in several states. A pastor faced fire safety violations for sheltering homeless individuals in his church. In Florida, a homeowner was fined over $90,000 for housing homeless people. In South Dakota, a planning commission denied a church's permit for a warming center. This is how we became bystanders—policies penalize anyone showing empathy or helping the homeless. How the American legal system can help  We must transition from bystanders to advocates. The first step is supporting policies that prevent homelessness, including affordable housing and shelters. A major obstacle is lawsuits from residents opposing such initiatives. Restricting affordable housing doesn’t decrease homelessness; it only determines where homeless individuals reside—on the streets or in supportive housing. Next, we need to challenge misconceptions about the homeless. The claim that they are dangerous often fuels inaction. However, homeless individuals are more frequently victims of violence than perpetrators. A 2020 study showed 1,852 reported violent incidents against the homeless between 1999 and 2019, with 515 resulting in death. In several states, killers have targeted and murdered homeless people. In one instance, a man and his friend went looking to "kill a homeless guy," resulting in the death of Brian Racine. Finally, we must overturn laws that encourage ignoring or degrading the homeless. The Supreme Court ruled that local governments can criminalize sleeping outdoors, even when adequate shelter is lacking. Private citizens should not be penalized for aiding their unhoused neighbors, particularly when government support is insufficient. We can no longer afford to be bystanders.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl LVIII opponents, will have a rematch in New Orleans. Despite losing 38-35 in their previous encounter, the Eagles aim for their second Lombardi Trophy, their first since 2018. The Chiefs, meanwhile, strive for an unprecedented three consecutive Super Bowl wins. One of America's biggest sporting events—a widely watched spectacle last year—will take place at the Caesars Superdome on Sunday, February 9th. Here's what you need to know about Super Bowl LIX. When and where is the 2025 Super Bowl? Super Bowl LIX begins Sunday, February 9th, at 6:30 p.m. ET, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. This marks the stadium's eighth Super Bowl hosting, and the city's eleventh, tying Miami for most Super Bowls hosted. How can I watch the 2025 Super Bowl? The Super Bowl will air nationally on FOX and in Spanish on unspecified channels. Numerous live TV streaming services, including YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo TV (via FOX), offer the game. The NFL App also streams NFL games. This year, Fox Sports announced a Super Bowl Tubi stream, providing free game and pre-game coverage. International viewers can stream via unspecified methods. What are the 2025 Super Bowl betting odds? Sports betting is prominent in America, and the Super Bowl is no exception. According to an unspecified betting site aggregator, as of January 26th, the Chiefs were slight favorites, although odds may change. Who is performing the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show? Grammy-winning hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar will headline Super Bowl LIX's halftime show. He stated, “Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date. And I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one.” On January 23rd, Apple Music added singer-songwriter SZA as a special guest. Are tickets still available to go to the Super Bowl? As of January 26th, Super Bowl tickets remain available, though expensive. According to an unspecified source, prices range from approximately $6,000 to $64,000. Another source indicates cheapest tickets around $6,000, averaging $11,000. What happened at the 2024 Super Bowl? Unspecified source states the Chiefs defeated the 49ers in an overtime victory led by their star quarterback (name unspecified). An unspecified pop superstar supported her boyfriend (Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce); an unspecified performer did the halftime show; and there were numerous unspecified noteworthy events.

Early Monday, Qatar announced a deal to release an Israeli civilian hostage and facilitate the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza, easing the initial crisis of the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The Qatari statement, from a mediator in the ceasefire talks, indicated Hamas would release civilian hostage Arbel Yehoud, along with two other hostages, before Friday. Palestinian access to northern Gaza would resume under Israeli authorization on Monday. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed in a statement that the hostage release—including soldier Agam Berger—would occur Thursday, and that Palestinians could return to northern Gaza starting Monday. The Israeli military specified a 7 a.m. start time for pedestrian crossings. The ceasefire agreement stipulated Palestinian return to northern Gaza on Saturday; however, Israel suspended this due to Yehoud's delayed release, a point of contention leading to Hamas accusations of an agreement breach by Israel. The release of Yehoud and two others supplements the release of three hostages scheduled for next Saturday. Further, Hamas stated it had provided a list detailing information on all hostages slated for release in the ceasefire's initial six-week phase. The Israeli Prime Minister's office confirmed receipt of this list. Thousands of Palestinians gathered, awaiting northward movement through the Netzarim corridor, while local health officials reported Israeli forces fired on the crowd Sunday, resulting in two deaths and nine injuries. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested at least temporary resettlement of most of Gaza's population, including in Egypt and Jordan, to “clean out” the war-torn enclave. Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestinians rejected this proposal, fearing a potential permanent prevention of refugee repatriation by Israel. Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim stated that Palestinians would reject such a proposal, even if well-intentioned for reconstruction. He asserted that Palestinians could rebuild Gaza "even better than before" if Israel lifted its blockade. Dispute and shootings test fragile ceasefire Israeli forces fired upon the waiting crowds on three separate occasions overnight and into Sunday, killing two and injuring nine, including a child, according to Al-Awda Hospital. The Israeli military stated it fired warning shots at “several gatherings of dozens of suspects who were advancing toward the troops and posed a threat to them.” Israel has withdrawn from several Gaza areas under the ceasefire, implemented last Sunday. The military cautioned against approaching its forces, which remain active in a Gaza border buffer zone and the Netzarim corridor. Hamas released four female Israeli soldiers Saturday; Israel released approximately 200 Palestinian prisoners, many serving life sentences for deadly attacks. However, Israel insisted Yehoud's release should have preceded the soldiers' release. Hamas confirmed Yehoud's safety and assured mediators—the United States, Egypt, and Qatar—of her release. Frustration mounted among Palestinians waiting to move north, some huddling around bonfires for warmth. “We have been in agony for a year and a half,” said Nadia Qasem. Fadi al-Sinwar, also displaced from Gaza City, remarked that “the fate of more than a million people is linked to one person,” referring to Yehoud. “See how valuable we are? We are worthless,” he said. Ending the war will be difficult The ceasefire aims to end the 15-month war initiated by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, securing the release of hostages held in Gaza in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Approximately 90 hostages remain in Gaza; Israeli authorities believe at least a third, possibly half, are deceased. Itzik Horn, father of hostages Iair and Eitan Horn, described any renewed fighting as “a death sentence for the hostages” and criticized government ministers advocating for continued war. The ceasefire's first phase, concluding in early March, involves the release of 33 hostages and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Negotiations for the second, significantly more challenging, phase are pending. Hamas has conditioned the release of remaining hostages on an end to hostilities, while Israel has threatened to resume its offensive until Hamas's destruction. Hamas-led militants killed approximately 1,200 people in the Oct. 7 attack, mostly civilians, and abducted about 250. More than 100 were freed during a weeklong ceasefire in November 2023. Israeli forces rescued eight living hostages and recovered the remains of dozens more, at least three mistakenly killed by Israeli forces. Seven have been released under the current ceasefire. Israel’s military campaign has claimed over 47,000 Palestinian lives, over half women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Combatant numbers are unspecified. The Israeli military claims over 17,000 fighters were killed, without providing supporting evidence. Israeli bombardment and ground operations have devastated large sections of Gaza, displacing approximately 90% of its 2.3 million population. Many returning home since the ceasefire have found only rubble. —Magdy reported from Cairo and Krauss from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writer Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed.