PR in the Philippines

NEW YORK — Gold prices have reached unprecedented highs amidst widespread economic instability. Gold futures exceeded $3,000 per troy ounce this week, a historic first. Spot gold prices in New York are closely following this trend. Demand for gold typically surges during uncertain times as investors seek secure investments. The current spike in gold prices is attributed to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, which have triggered an international trade war, disrupting financial markets and threatening to fuel inflation for both consumers and businesses. Analysts predict that gold prices may continue to rise if current trends persist. However, precious metals are inherently volatile, making future predictions uncertain. Here’s what to know. What’s the price of gold today? According to FactSet, the closing price for New York spot gold on Thursday reached a record $2,988 per troy ounce—the standard measurement for precious metals, equivalent to 31 grams. This is over $825 higher than the spot price of gold a year ago. Gold futures surpassed $3,000 on Thursday but decreased to just over $2,990 by midday Friday. FactSet reports that spot gold prices have risen nearly 14% since the beginning of 2025. In contrast, the stock market has declined, with the S&P 500 falling by more than 5% this year, even affecting blue-chip stocks. For example, Apple just experienced its worst week in five years. Why is the price of gold going up? The primary driver is uncertainty. Investor interest in gold typically increases during times of anxiety, and there has been significant economic disruption in recent months. Currently, the greatest uncertainty stems from Trump’s escalating trade war. The president’s fluctuating announcements of new levies and retaliatory tariffs from key allies have created instability for businesses and consumers, who economists say will bear the burden through higher prices. Concerns about inflation and tariffs caused confidence among U.S. households and businesses to decline at the start of the year. According to a preliminary survey released Friday by the University of Michigan, these concerns are worsening. The survey's measure of consumer sentiment fell for the third consecutive month, largely due to worries about the future. Joe Cavatoni, chief market strategist at the World Gold Council, stated on Friday that he and others have anticipated gold’s recent milestone for months. In an email, he noted that “global challenges and risks that come with managing money today” have increased concerns, leading more people to consider gold as a “safe haven.” He added, “This has driven gold to break record after record, and with rising inflation expectations, lower rates, and continued uncertainty, we anticipate continued support for gold in the future.” Over the past year, analysts have also noted strong gold demand from central banks worldwide amid geopolitical tensions, including the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. Is gold worth the investment? Proponents of investing in gold consider it a “safe haven,” asserting that it can diversify and balance an investment portfolio while mitigating potential future risks. Some investors are also reassured by the tangible nature of gold and its potential for increased value over time. However, experts advise against over-reliance on a single investment. Not everyone agrees that gold is a sound investment. Critics argue that gold is not always the effective inflation hedge it is often portrayed to be and that there are more efficient methods for protecting against capital loss, such as derivative-based investments. The Commodity Futures Trade Commission has also cautioned against gold investments. The commission noted that precious metals can be highly volatile, and prices increase with demand, meaning that "when economic anxiety or instability is high, the people who typically profit from precious metals are the sellers." The commission advises that if you choose to invest in gold, it is important to educate yourself on safe trading practices and be wary of potential scams and counterfeits in the market. ```

The measles outbreaks in West Texas and New Mexico have grown to almost 300 cases, and regrettably, two unvaccinated individuals have died due to complications from the measles. Measles stems from a highly infectious airborne virus, easily transmissible through breathing, sneezing, or coughing by an infected person. Vaccination can prevent it, leading to its elimination in the U.S. since 2000. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Friday that the number of confirmed measles cases in the U.S. has exceeded that of 2024. Here’s what you should know about measles in the U.S. How many measles cases are there in Texas and New Mexico? Texas health officials reported 36 new cases of measles since the prior Tuesday, bringing the state's total to 259 on Friday. Hospitalizations increased by five, reaching a total of 34. The outbreak has now reached two additional counties: Cochran in West Texas, reporting six cases, and Lamar in Northeast Texas, with four cases. New Mexico health authorities announced two new cases on Friday, raising the state's total to 35. The majority of these cases are concentrated in Lea County, where two individuals are hospitalized, while Eddy County reports two cases. Oklahoma's state health department communicated two probable cases of measles on Tuesday, linking them to the outbreaks in West Texas and New Mexico. In Texas, a school-aged child succumbed to measles last month, and New Mexico recorded its first death related to measles in an adult during the previous week. Where else is measles showing up in the U.S.? Confirmed measles cases have surfaced in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines an outbreak as three or more related cases — and in 2025, three clusters met the criteria for outbreaks. Within the U.S., cases and outbreaks are typically linked to individuals who contracted the illness while abroad. This can then proliferate, particularly in communities characterized by low vaccination coverage. In 2019, the U.S. documented 1,274 cases, nearly losing its measles-eliminated status. Do you need an MMR booster? The most effective strategy to prevent measles is through vaccination with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. It's recommended that children receive their first dose between 12 and 15 months of age, followed by a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age. Individuals at elevated risk of infection who received the shots many years prior might consider a booster, particularly if residing in an outbreak area, according to Scott Weaver of the Global Virus Network. This includes family members cohabitating with someone infected with measles or those with underlying medical conditions, making them vulnerable to respiratory ailments. The CDC indicates that adults with “presumptive evidence of immunity” generally do not require measles vaccinations at this time. The criteria involve written documentation of adequate vaccination earlier in life, lab confirmation of past infection, or being born before 1957, when most individuals were likely naturally infected. A doctor can request an MMR titer, a lab test, to assess your levels of measles antibodies, but health experts don’t always advise this approach, and insurance coverage can differ. According to the CDC, getting another MMR shot presents no harm if there are concerns about declining immunity. Individuals with documentation of receiving a live measles vaccine in the 1960s do not need revaccination. However, those immunized before 1968 with an ineffective "killed" virus measles vaccine should receive at least one dose of vaccine. This includes individuals uncertain about the type of vaccine they received. What are the symptoms of measles? Measles initially infects the respiratory system before spreading throughout the body, triggering a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes, and a rash. The rash typically manifests three to five days after initial symptoms, starting as flat red spots on the face before spreading down to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. The CDC notes that fever can exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit when the rash appears. Although most children recover from measles, infection can lead to serious complications like pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling, and death. How can you treat measles? There’s no specific treatment for measles. Doctors typically focus on alleviating symptoms, averting complications, and maintaining patient comfort. Why do vaccination rates matter? In communities that maintain high vaccination rates—above 95%—diseases like measles struggle to spread easily. This concept is known as “herd immunity.” Unfortunately, childhood vaccination rates have decreased nationwide since the pandemic, and increasing numbers of parents are seeking religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their children from mandatory vaccinations. The U.S. experienced a surge in measles cases in 2024, including an outbreak in Chicago that affected more than 60 people. —AP Science Writer Laura Ungar contributed to this report.

An estimated one billion individuals across 35 nations in the Americas were able to observe the complete lunar eclipse.

Rodrigo Duterte, who was the President of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, made his initial appearance at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague this Friday. The hearing marks the beginning of a potentially long trial concerning crimes against humanity charges against him, related to his leadership of a severe anti-drug campaign in the Philippines. Human rights groups there claim the campaign resulted in numerous deaths. Duterte, 79, participated in the hearing via video link. Judge Iulia Motoc, who presided over the hearing, acknowledged his “long journey with considerable time difference.” His legal representative, Salvador Medialdea, was physically present in the courtroom. Medialdea stated to the court that Duterte’s transfer to The Hague was "degrading" and described it as "a simple kidnapping." Duterte, the first former Asian head of state to appear before the court, arrived in The Hague after being arrested in Manila on March 11 upon his arrival from Hong Kong. Philippine authorities immediately transported Duterte to the Netherlands. Since his arrival, he has been held in the ICC’s detention center in Scheveningen, a coastal area. Judge Motoc announced that the hearing to confirm the charges is scheduled for September 23. In a video shared shortly after midnight local time on Thursday, Duterte appeared to accept responsibility for the actions of the police and military involved in his anti-drug campaign. He also acknowledged that "this would be a long legal proceedings." The ICC has faced criticism regarding the slow pace of its trials and its history of few convictions since its establishment in 2002. However, Duterte’s critics, including those who lost family members during anti-drug operations, are satisfied with his court appearance. The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers stated that Duterte’s arrest and surrender exemplify "how persons suspected of crimes are to be arrested and taken into custody by authorities," procedures that "victims of the ‘war on drugs’ have barely enjoyed." Duterte’s aggressive anti-drug efforts in the Philippines led to a high number of deaths. The harsh tactics date back to his time as mayor of Davao City in the southern Philippines. In October, during a Senate hearing, Duterte admitted to having his own "" comprised of "gangsters," and that he to “encourage” drug suspects to fight back so officers could justify killing them. “Duterte is lucky he has due process, but my child who was killed did not have due process,” Emily Soriano stated at a press conference in Manila. Soriano’s teenage son, Angelito, was killed in anti-drug operations in 2016. “He sleeps in a nice bed, while my child is rotting in the cemetery,” she added. Randy delos Santos, uncle of Kian delos Santos, a teenager killed in August 2017 during an anti-drug operation in Manila that became a prominent case, told : “Our former President is fortunate because he is given the chance to defend himself… My nephew was never brought to court. Many accusations were thrown. Then he was killed.” stated, “Good for [Duterte] that he was just arrested by police, while our relatives were killed on the spot.” Her husband was killed by unidentified individuals in 2017. Outside the ICC, anti-Duterte protesters voiced their support for his detention, with some holding signs saying, “Hold Duterte accountable and bring him to trial!” Meanwhile, pro-Duterte protesters chanted his name, calling to “Bring him home!” Duterte’s legal team in the Philippines and his supporters have questioned the legality of his arrest. Some have even . However, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that the Philippines “followed every single necessary procedure” in implementing the ICC’s arrest warrant and complied with its commitments to international bodies. The Marcos and Duterte families, previously political allies, had last year.

JERUSALEM — Hamas announced on Friday that they have accepted a mediated proposal to release one living American-Israeli hostage, Edan Alexander, and the remains of four other dual-national hostages who died while in captivity. This announcement coincides with ongoing discussions in Qatar aimed at facilitating the next stage of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. The specific timing of the release of Alexander, a soldier, and the recovery of the four bodies was not immediately disclosed by the militant group in Gaza. Confirmation from other parties involved in the agreement was also pending. Alexander, 19 years old at the time, was captured from his base along the Gaza border in southern Israel during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which initiated the ongoing conflict. The identities of the negotiating parties remain unclear. The United States, through its hostage envoy Steve Witkoff, has been advocating for a proposal to extend the truce and implement a limited exchange of hostages for prisoners. Following Hamas's statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened security consultations with his top advisors, according to an anonymous Israeli official. The initial phase of the ceasefire concluded two weeks prior. The White House recently revealed that American officials have been in direct communication with Hamas officials, a departure from the U.S.'s longstanding policy. This announcement was met with a sharp response from Netanyahu's office. The connection between these talks and Hamas's announcement regarding the American hostage remains uncertain. In a separate statement, Hamas official Husam Badran reiterated the group's dedication to fully implementing the ceasefire agreement, cautioning that any deviation by Israel would nullify the negotiations. The ceasefire has brought a pause to the most intense fighting between Israel and Hamas to date. The first phase resulted in the release of 25 living hostages and the remains of eight others, in exchange for the release of almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces have retreated to buffer zones within Gaza, allowing hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza for the first time since the start of the war. Additionally, hundreds of aid trucks entered daily until Israel halted the supplies. Israel has been urging Hamas to release half of the remaining hostages in exchange for an extension of the initial phase and a commitment to negotiate a lasting truce. Hamas is believed to hold 24 living hostages and the remains of 35 others. Two weeks ago, Israel suspended all supplies to Gaza and its over 2 million residents, pressuring Hamas to agree. The militant group warned that this action would negatively impact the remaining hostages. Hamas seeks to initiate negotiations on the more challenging second phase of the ceasefire, which includes the release of all remaining hostages from Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the establishment of a lasting peace. The militant group claims that, due to the supply cutoff, approximately 80% of Gaza's population has lost access to food sources, with aid distribution suspended and markets running out of supplies, while 90% lack access to clean drinking water. In Jerusalem, around 80,000 Muslim worshippers attended Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound for the second week of Ramadan, according to the Islamic Trust. Israel is implementing strict access controls, permitting only men over 55 and women over 50 from the occupied territories to enter for prayers. "The conditions are extremely difficult," stated Yousef Badeen, a Palestinian who traveled from Hebron in the southern West Bank to Jerusalem. "We hope they will open it permanently." Hamas has accused Israel of escalating a "religious war" against Palestinians through its restrictions at Al-Aqsa mosque, characterizing it as the "systematic targeting of Muslim religious practices." —Associated Press writer David Rising in Bangkok contributed to this report. ```

NEW DELHI — On Friday, Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, was celebrated by millions across South Asia. Revelers smeared each other with vibrant powders, danced to celebratory music, and enjoyed traditional sweets prepared for the occasion. This exuberant spring festival involves Hindus engaging in a colorful celebration marking the end of winter and the victory of good over evil. Holi is a national holiday in India and a two-day event in Nepal, commencing on Thursday. It is also observed in other South Asian nations and among the Indian diaspora. Rooted in Hindu mythology, Holi commemorates the divine love between the Hindu god Krishna and Radha, his consort, and symbolizes renewal and rejuvenation. Throughout India, people, often clad in white attire, celebrated by throwing colored powder at one another. Children on rooftops and balconies tossed water balloons filled with colored pigments at passersby. Groups of young men used water guns to playfully chase people in parks and on streets, while others danced to loud music in the streets. In New Delhi, a rainbow-colored haze filled the air around a park as friends splashed each other with colored powder and water. "It’s time for fun and frolic," said Krisha Bedi, a lawyer whose face was covered in red, green, and blue. In some areas, marigolds, roses, and jasmine petals were thrown instead of colored powder. Amidst large celebrations in Ahmedabad, a city in western India, thousands gathered at a temple and were sprayed with colored water from large pipes while swaying to traditional Gujarati music and clapping. Food and beverages are central to the festivities. Vendors across India sold thandai, a light green drink made with milk, cardamom, and dried fruit, and gujia, a flaky, fried pastry filled with milk curds, nuts, and dried fruit. Another Holi tradition is bhang, a local drink made with cannabis and consumed with milk or water. This drink is associated with Hinduism, particularly Lord Shiva, and is enjoyed during other religious festivals in the region. Its consumption is legal under Indian law and sold at government-licensed shops. In many parts of India, large bonfires are lit the night before the festival to represent the destruction of evil and the triumph of good. Families gather around these fires to sing, dance, and pray to Hindu deities. In two northern towns, hundreds of women celebrated last week by playfully hitting teasing men with wooden sticks as part of a ritual called "Lathmar Holi," or Stick Holi.