CONFLICTS – PART OF OUR LIVES

 

• As of mid-2026, major ongoing conflicts causing significant global instability include the Russia-Ukraine war, the Gaza-Israel conflict, the Sudanese civil war, the Yemeni crisis, and widespread violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These wars involve major humanitarian crises, displacement, and geopolitical shifts.

We are in conflict with ourselves many times during life. Our future gives cause for concern; the past is captured, therefore we miss the future.

The grief and sorrow asked the hope, “How are you?” The hope answered, ” I am a little bit low and sad today!” The sorrow replied sarcastically, “I hope so!”

Conflict is the result of opposing thoughts, actions or ideas disrupting the status quo. Conflict is seen in everyday life, and is a natural, often selfish, and sometimes productive phenomenon. Because it can lead to violence and war in certain situations, the word ‘conflict’ often appears with a negative connotation.

Conflict is in our very nature. Every day, large or small, human conflicts are all around us. But conflict is simply a result of problems being tangled up with the darkside of human nature emerging from innate protection and competition motivations that have evolved over millions of years to help us survive, and that come with difficult tradeoffs. 

When conflict is mismanaged, it can cause great harm to a relationship, but when handled in a respectful, positive way, conflict provides an opportunity to strengthen the bond between two people. Whether you’re experiencing conflict at home, work, or school, learning these skills can help you resolve differences in a healthy way and build stronger, more rewarding relationships.

When people get angry with each other, they often say or do things without realizing the cause of their feelings. Understanding the dynamics behind a conflict can make it easier to resolve issues. This insight also can help you mediate a conflict between friends and relatives. Many experts break personal and professional conflicts down into basic types, based on the underlying causes of disagreements and the dynamics.

Nobody really knows what might happen after reaching the retirement age. Sure, if we can observe our neighbors and all other people in our surroundings, we really don’t like to know it. If we treat ourselves with care, our real age will not be shown. I won’t make any secret about celebrating my 72nd birthday sometime this year.  I am proud to reach this age with God’s help.

It seems that the respectable treatment of our beloved seniors around us are disappearing into the past and are forgotten by the younger generation. Praising the elderly nowadays means to attest to their impudent and imperishable youthfulness.  I am sure, with His help many seniors are still strong, still indefatigable, still a phenomenon, still intellectual and still spiritual on top!

Let’s not forget our respect, when sometimes just being artificial or  affected by stammering, that “our old lady” or “our old gentleman” hasn’t become senile yet.

On our way to an honorable and respectful age we should try to fulfill some of our greatest longings in life.

During the last decades, I met many people around the whole globe. Unbelievable, I found out, no matter where in this world, the conflicting attitude is everywhere. “It’s an absolute certainty, those doubts are the main certainty!” stressed already the German author, philosopher and dramatist Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956).

Please allow me, once in a while, to be able to say NO. Please allow me to delete inferior and defeatist feelings. Please allow me to admit that I can’t do everything during a single day. Please allow me to no longer be afraid about other people and their spiteful comments about me.  

Please allow me to accept my silence. Please accept me being terribly tired from time to time. Please allow me to be excused even without having an intelligent reply. Please allow me to be carried by salvation and bliss.

Hopefully, we may have enough understanding people with us to accompany us during the voyage of our sometimes very conflicting life.

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Eala to hone craft at Parma Ladies Open before Roland Garros

 

Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images / AFP

John Bryan Ulanday - Philstar.com

May 14, 2026 | 2:40pm

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines plays a forehand against Marketa Vondrousova of Czechia during their first round match on Day One of the WTA 1000 National Bank Open at IGA Stadium on July 27, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala will be heading straight to France for one final tune-up tournament leading up the French Open after skipping one more scheduled campaign in Italy.

Eala was previously listed in the main draw of the WTA125 Parma Ladies Open, which already started Wednesday. Parma was a city neighboring Rome, where she just opted to play in the doubles of the Italian Open after a singles exit.

The 20-year-old Filipina now shifts her focus to the WTA500 Strasbourg Open, where she’s officially added to the qualifying draw. Her stint in Strasbourg, a city near Paris, was supposed to depend on her Parma Ladies Open campaign.

It will serve as her final preparation for the queen of clay, the French Open from May 24 to June 7 in Paris.

Eala will be bringing a bevy of lessons to France after productive campaigns in four clay tournaments, highlighted by her first career third-round finish in the Italian Open.

There, she stood her ground against top-ranked opponents with two wins before bowing to world No. 2 Elena Rybakina, who scored a hard-earned 6-4, 6-3 win in the Round of 32.

In the same tourney, Eala and American partner Hailey Baptiste came in as late replacements in the doubles but were eliminated early by the second-seeded Czechia’s Katerina Siniakova (World Doubles No. 1) and USA’s Taylor Townsend (World Doubles No. 2), 6-2, 6-1.

“There’s lot of things to work on and learn from this but I think I’m in a good way,” said Eala.

Before France, Eala also refined her bearings in the Upper Austria Ladies Linz Open in Austria (second round), the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany (first round) and the Mutua Madrid Open (second round).

Her solid play so far is projected to push her back inside the Top 40 (No. 38) from No. 42  as per the WTA live rankings, which will be updated after the Italian Open, approaching the French Open, the second Grand Slam of the season.  

World Press Freedom Day 2026

 

By Fr. Shay Cullen, Founder since 1974

Journalism is considered one of the most dangerous professions in the world, so why, then, would anyone want to be in it, especially nowadays? Many journalists are harassed, threatened, beaten and even killed for reporting the truth.

Most journalists have a love of the truth. They believe that by researching, verifying and reporting the truth about current events or matters of great importance, this would enlighten, inspire and motivate their audience — and even the government — to make positive and informed decisions to help others. Journalists hope and believe that their work may bring about positive change in the lives of their families and society at large, and influence the government to do good and oppose wrongdoing.

Their commitment is based on the belief that people in a democracy have a fundamental right to know the truth, especially when it comes to public issues and elections. They should know what is right, good, true and beneficial, and what is not. They should be informed if a candidate is corrupt or a potential tyrant, or a person of honesty and integrity.

People also have a right to know how best to protect their families and the environment. They must be informed about hazardous situations, like water or food pollution, and about dangers to health. Informing the public is a commitment to public service — to help the community — and that is what true journalists do.

Journalists have an obligation to unearth the truth and expose corruption, abuses of power, and injustices and present these to those in authority, many of whom prefer to keep these hidden. This is called “speaking truth to power,” and it can be very dangerous. The goal of true journalists is not to shame or embarrass any person or group, but to work for positive transformation in society and inspire collective action for social justice and equality. Exposing corruption is one important way to protect the public from poverty, exploitation and other social evils.

Dedicated journalists reveal human tragedies and expose crimes against humanity to stop such evils, as well as hold perpetrators to account and save and protect victims. This kind of truth-telling is an ethical responsibility. It makes professional journalists essential to the world, so that truth can be known and acted upon. Many journalists have suffered because of their dedication to their profession.

The freedom to speak, write, or record events that affect the public must be treated with great respect, understanding and compassion. This is especially true when interviewing victims and reporting tragedies. The reporters have to maintain their integrity and independence and never receive gifts or rewards so as to be faithful to their commitment to report without “fear or favor.” This is an exercise in accountability, and they need to be transparent, open and skilled in making ethical choices. If they do make an honest mistake, they must admit and correct it without fail. Journalists lead dangerous lives, and many of them have sacrificed themselves in reporting the truth. Few countries are safe for journalists where there is conflict.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk highlighted the growing threats to journalists and the media on World Freedom Day on May 3. “When attacks on the media are normalized, freedom itself begins to decay, and with it, the foundations of peace, security, and sustainable development,” he said.

He also paid tribute to the courageous reporters and photographers across the world “who document horrific atrocities, expose corruption, and scrutinize business operations.” He added that “journalism today has become an insecure and, at times, dangerous profession,” as its practitioners have been “bombed in their cars, abducted from their offices, silenced behind bars, and dismissed from their jobs.”

Türk also said the war in Gaza had become a “death trap” for the media, with his office verifying that nearly 300 journalists have been killed since October 2023.

The toll on frontline journalists globally has been horrific. In 2025 alone, as many as 129 journalists were killed. That same year, about 533 others were imprisoned, most of them in China. This year, 14 journalists were killed so far. The deadliest conflict zone is in Gaza; in 2025, alone, between 60 and 86 Palestinian journalists were slain, mostly in Israeli airstrikes. The second most dangerous is Mexico, where nine journalists were killed last year, with most for reporting on organized crime and political corruption.

The Philippines is one of the deadliest countries in Southeast Asia for journalists, with 147 killed since 1986. The only year no journalist was killed was 2024. When journalists are harassed and threatened by the government and forced to flee their country, they do not always find a safe haven. Agents from Russia, China and Iran, among others, track and harass journalists in exile. These agents have almost complete impunity in doing so, and this encourages them to continue. There is no way to stop them.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is the world’s largest organization of media professionals. IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said:

“Every attack on a media professional is an attack aimed at silencing a story intended to inform citizens. The deplorable state of press freedom across the world must mobilize each and every one of us. Through journalists, it is our readers, our listeners, who are being targeted — prevented from making informed decisions. Our journalistic right to inform is also the public’s right to be informed. It is equally up to citizens to mobilize to protect this right by holding their governments to account. We need laws that protect the right to information, guarantee the independence and pluralism of the media, ban the use of spyware and all forms of surveillance, regulate the use of artificial intelligence and combat the systemic impunity of those who violate press freedom. It is time to act. Together.”

All of us must stand to defend the right to freedom of expression.

CEBU PACIFIC REVENUE GROWS IN THE FIRST QUARTER 2026

Cebu Pacific brought in more revenue in the first quarter, helped by more seats and steady passenger demand, but peso depreciation pushed the airline to a net loss.

The airline reported ₱33.3 billion in total revenue, up 10 percent from the same period last year. It carried 7.5 million passengers, an 8 percent increase, while its seat load factor reached 83.7 percent.

Passenger revenue rose 6 percent to ₱22.5 billion. Ancillary revenue grew faster at 19 percent to ₱9 billion, helped by better yields from add-on services. Cargo revenue also increased 8 percent to ₱1.8 billion, supported by higher widebody capacity.

Cebu Pacific also improved its operating performance. EBITDA climbed 26 percent to ₱8.4 billion, while operating income rose 54 percent to ₱3 billion. Core income before tax also improved to ₱1.3 billion from ₱325 million last year.

The main drag came from non-core foreign exchange losses of ₱1.8 billion due to quarter-end peso depreciation. This led to a net loss of ₱400 million, compared with a ₱466 million net income in the same period last year.

Cebu Pacific ended March 2026 with 101 aircraft and more than ₱23 billion in cash.

“Our first-quarter performance reflects the strength of our network and disciplined capacity deployment,” said Mike Szucs, Chief Executive Officer of Cebu Pacific. “As we navigate a more volatile operating environment amid higher fuel prices, we are taking a more cautious and measured approach focused on margin protection, prudent capacity deployment, and liquidity preservation. Our scale, fleet efficiency, and strong domestic network position us well to navigate near-term uncertainty while continuing to build long-term value.”

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Belen leads Team Heart in fourth-set surge to rule PVL All-Star

 

Team Heart's Bella Belen (PVL Images)

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

CANDON, Ilocos Sur – Team Heart delivered a commanding performance in the fourth set to put away Team Hustle, 25-18, 18-25, 25-23, 25-17, in the PVL exhibition match of the 2026 Volleyball All-Star Showcase on Friday night, May 1, at a packed Candon City Arena here.

CANDON, Ilocos Sur – Team Heart delivered a commanding performance in the fourth set to put away Team Hustle, 25-18, 18-25, 25-23, 25-17, in the PVL exhibition match of the 2026 Volleyball All-Star Showcase on Friday night, May 1, at a packed Candon City Arena here.

Powered by MVP Bella Belen, Team Heart split the first two sets with Team Hustle in a tightly contested opening before finding another gear in the closing stages of the third set to seize momentum.

From there, Team Heart carried that energy into the fourth frame, racing to an early lead and never letting up to finally close out the match and secure the P100,000 top prize in a fitting finish to the showcase.  

“Ayun po, masaya po kami kasi nakapag-interact kami with the fans. So, parang sa part namin mas nakakatuwa na makita po yung fans na nage-enjoy,” said Belen.

A blistering 11-1 start in the fourth set set the tone for Team Heart, which had just edged the third frame. They maintained full control from there, reaching match point at 24-17 before sealing the win.

Adding to the All-Star atmosphere, the match featured several lighthearted twists, including a coach and a line judge taking service attempts, players rotating into line judging duties, and liberos testing their luck in attacking plays, embracing the event’s festive spirit.

On the final play, court assistant Jhyson Manzano—brought in by Alyssa Valdez—finished the match with a cross-court hit off a set from Jia De Guzman, with the ball deflecting off Kath Arado to cap the entertaining showcase.  

“Talagang sobrang happy kasi sobrang daming fans sa Candon,” said Team Heart head coach Rald Ricafort.

“Sobrang happy din nila kasi nakikita nila ‘yung iniidolo nilang players, kaya ako, na-overwhelm ako sa Candon kasi grabe ‘yung volleyball community dito. Parang hindi namin ine-expect na ganun ‘yung makikita namin sa arena,” he added.

Team Hustle settled for the runner-up finish and the P50,000 consolation prize.

In the side events, Team Power—fresh from its win in the Spikers’ Turf All-Star Game—kept its momentum, ruling the Infinite Volley Extravaganza Challenge behind Noel Kampton, Ysay Marasigan, Jayvee Sumagaysay, and fan Maria Ruzzel Rogel as they defeated Team Passion’s Jared Schnake, Nas Gwaza, Jau Umandal, and spectator Keen Malintad.

Meanwhile, Team Blue, composed of Kath Arado, Alyssa Eroa, John Pepito, and Rikko Marmeto, topped the Crosscourt Sniper Challenge after outlasting Team Yellow, which featured Dawn Catindig, Justine Jazareno, Vince Lorenzo, and Menard Guerrero.

Lineup of new HYBE-Geffen girl group Saint Satine confirmed

By Jonathan Hicap

Published May 13, 2026 12:02 pm | Updated May 13, 2026 04:27 pm

HYBE and Geffen Records have confirmed the final lineup of their new global girl group, Saint Satine, which is set to debut following the success of KATSEYE.

The companies unveiled the members of Saint Satine through the audition program “World Scout: The Final Piece.”

The group will consist of Emily from the United States, Lexie from Sweden, Sakura from Japan, and Samara from Brazil.   

Sakura was announced as the final member of the group and expressed gratitude after securing her spot in the lineup.

“I wanted to become an artist who shines on the world stage. I am grateful to have achieved my dream,” she said.

Performance director Son Sung-deuk explained the meaning behind the group’s name, saying “‘Saint’ signifies intense charisma and musical presence, while ‘Satine’ represents a soft, elegant, and sophisticated image.”

Members of KATSEYE also attended the event announcing the new act.   

Saint Satine is scheduled to debut in the second half of the year.

Meanwhile, HYBE also unveiled a new mission statement, vision, and corporate identity as part of the company’s next phase of growth and long-term business strategy.

The company’s new mission statement is: “Discover A New Universe, Unlock An Immersive Journey.”

According to HYBE, the mission reflects its commitment to creating immersive experiences through artists, content, and services that allow fans to discover new tastes, identities, and worlds.

The company said the mission also underscores its goal of continuously delivering new experiences in response to changing times and evolving generations.

HYBE added that its previous mission statement, “We believe in Music,” will continue to serve as a guiding principle for its music businesses.   

To support its new direction, the company also introduced an updated vision statement: “Global Entertainment Lifestyle Platform Company Based on Music and Technology.”

HYBE said the revised vision highlights its ambition to grow into an entertainment lifestyle platform company powered by both music and technology.

“The most significant change in the updated vision is the explicit addition of ‘Technology,’” the company said.

“While music and fans remain at the core and utmost priority, the new vision encapsulates our commitment to advancing the industry by incorporating necessary technology to expand the boundaries of the fan experience,” it added.

Saint Satine member Lexie (Instagram)

Saint Satine member Emily (Instagram)

Saint Satine member Samara (Instagram)

Saint Satine member Sakura (Instagram)

Fünf Millionen Babyboomer steuern auf Rentenfalle zu

 Stand:

13.05.2026, 10:12 Uhr

Von: Julia Stanton

Eine neue Studie zeigt, dass mehr als fünf Millionen Babyboomer im Ruhestand in Armut rutschen könnten. Schuld sind vor allem hohe Mieten.

München – Die Zahlen sind alarmierend: Rund 5,1 Millionen Menschen der Babyboomer-Generation – also der Jahrgänge 1960 bis 1969 – werden im Alter weniger als 800 Euro monatlich aus der gesetzlichen Rente erhalten. Das geht aus einer Berechnung des Pestel-Instituts hervor, die im Auftrag der Industriegewerkschaft Bauen-Agrar-Umwelt (IG Bau) erstellt wurde. Das entspricht rund 40 Prozent aller Babyboomer, die in den kommenden zehn Jahren in den Ruhestand gehen werden – insgesamt etwa 12,9 Millionen Menschen.     

Wohnkostenarmut bedroht Millionen Senioren in Deutschland. ©  IMAGO / Sven Simon

„Mit so einer Niedrigrente werden viele Betroffene dauerhaft auf Hilfe vom Staat angewiesen sein. Spätestens die Miete drängt einen Großteil der Baby-Boomer dann in die Wohnarmut. Die Schere zwischen der Rente und steigenden Wohnkosten – also Miete, Heiz- und Nebenkosten – wird für die kommende Rentnergeneration immer weiter auseinandergehen“, warnte IG-Bau-Chef Robert Feiger in einer Mitteilung der Gewerkschaft. Auch in der Bevölkerung herrscht Skepsis: Laut einer Civey-Umfrage im Auftrag des Sozialverbands Deutschland (SoVD), die der Bild am Sonntag vorlag, glauben 82 Prozent der Befragten nicht daran, dass ihre gesetzliche Rente ausreichen wird, um ihren Lebensstandard im Alter zu sichern.  

Wohnen in der Rente wird zum Problem: Ein Bundesland besonders betroffen

In absoluten Zahlen ist Nordrhein-Westfalen als bevölkerungsreichstes Bundesland am stärksten betroffen: Laut der Pestel-Berechnung könnten dort weit mehr als eine Million Babyboomer in Wohnarmut abrutschen. Doch das Problem ist bundesweit spürbar. In Großstädten wie Hamburg seien Senioren bereits heute gezwungen, ihre Wohnorte zu verlassen. Das Hauptproblem sind die hohen Mieten, die sich viele Senioren nicht mehr leisten können.

Schon heute leben laut dem Pestel-Institut mehr als 760.000 Menschen im Rentenalter von Grundsicherung. Das entspricht einem Anteil von rund 4,3 Prozent aller Rentner. Vor 15 Jahren waren es noch 2,5 Prozent. „Angesichts der Zahlen gehe ich davon aus, dass sich in zehn Jahren rund sieben Prozent der Rentner in der Grundsicherung befinden könnten“, sagte der Ökonom und Geschäftsführer des Pestel-Instituts, Matthias Günther, bei der Rheinischen Post.  

Rente im Ausland: Die zehn besten Länder für den Ruhestand

Fotostrecke ansehen

IG Bau fordert Neubau und Rentenreform

Um das zu verhindern, müsste mehr bezahlbarer Wohnraum geschaffen werden, fordert die IG Bau. „In Deutschland fehlen 1,4 Millionen Wohnungen. Die Mieten steigen weiter. Und auch jetzt, nachdem die neue Bundesregierung ein Jahr im Amt ist, ist vom versprochenen ‚Bauen, bauen, bauen‘ wenig zu spüren“, sagte Feiger. Bezahlbares Wohnen sei die „soziale Frage Nummer 1“. Darüber hinaus sprach sich Feiger für eine Umverteilung im Rentensystem aus: Die Rente müsse im unteren Bereich steigen, hohe Renten könnten im Gegenzug sinken.