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Vatican Closes Decades-Long Debate: Mary Is Not 'Co-Redeemer,' Jesus is Sole Savior

The doctrinal instruction from the Vatican, approved by Pope Leo, is a significant moment of theological clarification for the global Catholic Church. By officially ruling against the title "co-redeemer" for the Virgin Mary, the Church firmly reaffirms a central tenet of Christian faith: Jesus Christ is the sole Redeemer and Mediator between God and humanity. This commentary article explores the doctrinal necessity of this clarification, supported by foundational Scriptural verses that define the unique redemptive work of Jesus. Clarifying the Core of Christian Redemption The debate over the title "co-redemptrix" (co-redeemer) often stems from a profound and admirable desire to honor the Virgin Mary's unique role in salvation history. As the one whose "fiat" ("Let it be") brought the Savior into the world, her spiritual importance is undeniable and permanent. However, the title "co-redeemer" dangerously implies that Mary's suffe...
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Opening a Can of Worms': Decades of Canned Salmon Reveal Dramatic Changes in Ocean Parasite Load

In an unprecedented use of historical data, scientists have discovered a significant, 40-year shift in the parasite burden of Alaskan salmon —not by studying live fish, but by literally "opening a can of worms" from archives. Worm found in the Canned Salmon stored for decades ​A new study published in Ecology and Evolution utilized canned salmon fillets spanning four decades to track the presence of common parasitic roundworms ( nematodes ) in four commercially critical species of Alaskan salmon. The surprising finding is that the long-term health of these fish, and by extension the North Pacific ecosystem , is undergoing major change. ​The Canned Time Capsule ​Traditional parasitology research often relies on sporadic, short-term surveys, making it nearly impossible to track consistent ecological trends over decades. Researchers from the University of Washington and collaborators solved this problem by turning to the commercial seafood industry. ​They analyzed archived, c...

Philippine Farmers Gain Two-Month Reprieve as President Extends Rice Import Freeze

The Philippine government is doubling down on its commitment to local agriculture, with an executive decision to extend the temporary ban on rice imports until the end of the year. The move, announced by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr., aims to solidify the recent, albeit fragile, gains in the farmgate price of palay (unmilled rice) for the nation's rice growers. ​ A Policy Pivot to Protect Local Prices ​President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.'s approval on Sunday signals a clear priority: shielding domestic producers during the peak harvest season . While the initial import suspension, implemented in September, provided a brief uplift, prices of palay began to sag again as the original October 31st deadline approached. ​According to Secretary Laurel, the President recognized that the import suspension’s "significant effect on the farmgate price of palay" far outweighed its minimal impact on retail prices and the national rice supply. The impending Exe...

117 Donkeys will be Shots for Nothing: When Conservation Innovation Loses to Outdated Law

The recent Australian State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) ruling demanding the culling of 117 wild donkeys on Kachana Station is a stark reminder of a rigid, outdated approach to land management in Western Australia . It pits half a century of established " feral pest " dogma against two decades of on-the-ground ecological experimentation—and, depressingly, dogma won. The Flaw in the 'Cull Everything' Dogma ​For years, the story of non-native animals in Australia has been a simple one: pest equals problem; problem equals eradication. The figures are staggering: nearly 600,000 donkeys culled in the Kimberley since 1980 at a cost of over $8 million. Yet, despite this costly, decades-long campaign, the animals persist, and the underlying issues of land degradation and increasing bushfire risk remain. ​Enter the Henggeler family of Kachana Station. Their position, backed by 20 years of research, is a direct challenge to this simplistic view: what if the "pest...

The List of valid IDs in the Philippines and how to get it?

Valid Identification Card/Documents are essential for any legal transaction for bank and government's establishments. So, having primary ID is a passport for seamless transactions. Here are the list of valid IDs in the Philippines include government-issued documents that are used in any establishments needed your personal information verification. The following list of information on how to get those IDs are linked to each article for your guidance: Primary government-issued IDs: Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) ID (or ePhilID) How to get Philsys ID/Philippine National ID? Source and information:  https://philsys.gov.ph/registration-process/ Passport: (Philippine or foreign) Source: freepik.com   How to get Philippine Passport? Appointment: https://passport.gov.ph/appointment Driver's License How to get Driver's license? Source and information:  https://www.autodeal.com.ph/articles/car-features/philippine-drivers-license-guide-everything-you-need-know Unified Mu...

Plant lost for 128 years discovered in Masungi Georeserve

Exacum loheri (H. Hara) Klackenbergh, found in Rizal Masungi Georeserve by the scientist from University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman and Philippine Normal University (PNU). This was accidentally rediscovered while conducting reconnaissance malacological study within Masungi’s called “600 Steps” in Baras and Tanay, Rizal. ‎This plant is known as Achlorophyllous herb  characteristics which has no chlorophyll like algae. Means they grow without the needs of sunlight to live and reproduce. In this kind of environment, untouchable land area, no disturbance, and moistly surface been favorable to grow for E. loheri to regrow from unknown. As it was observed in karst forest in Masungi Georeserve at Rizal Province. ‎Masungi Georeserve for now is the only forest in the Philippines where E. loheri can be founds, the extremely rare plant and probably threatened at present based on the published study in Phiippine Journal of Science DOST. The last time E. loheri was obtained wa...

Maya App Now Lets Filipinos Join Company IPOs, Simplifies Investment

Maya Philippines has unveiled a major new feature, "Maya Stocks," dramatically opening the door for its customers to participate directly in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) of companies. The launch transforms the digital wallet experience, allowing millions of users to turn their savings into investments through a mobile-first, simplified platform. The feature is debuting just in time for a significant market event: the planned IPO of Maynilad Water Services Inc. (MYNLD). Maya Stocks will carry the offering through its initial partner brokers: DragonFi Securities Inc., F. Yap Securities Inc. (2TradeAsia), and Philstocks Financial. Shailesh Baidwan, president and co-founder of Maya Group and Maya Bank, highlighted the strategic importance of the rollout. "Maya Stocks provides a mobile-first experience that simplifies what was once a multi-step process," Baidwan said in a statement. Through the new feature, upgraded Maya users can complete several key steps—opening an...

MariBank Rises as SeaBank Philippines Rebrands to MariBank Philippines, Inc.

Seabank Philippines Inc. changed its name to Maribank Philippines Inc. after the central bank and SEC approved its request to change its corporate name. ​The move marks the latest chapter for an institution with deep roots. Seabank is a registered rural bank that first rebranded from Banco Laguna, Inc. in December 2021. The bank’s history, however, stretches back 60 years to its founding as the Rural Bank of Pagsanjan in December 1965. This long history provides MariBank with the existing community ties sought by new entrants into the digital financial market. ​The name change follows the acquisition of Seabank by Singapore-based digital bank MariBank in April 2025. The transition received swift regulatory clearance: the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) approved the rebranding on April 21, 2025, while the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) followed suit on July 31, 2025, formalizing the corporate identity shift. ​The MariBank Singapore Banking Group operates as a ...

Types of Plant Trellises: A Complete Guide to Styles and Uses

In the world of gardening, a trellis is a fundamental tool designed to support climbing or vining plants. By offering a stable structure for plants to grasp and grow upon, trellises serve multiple critical functions: they maximize growing space, improve air circulation to reduce disease, elevate fruits and flowers for easier harvest, and add vertical interest to the garden's design. What is Trellis? A trellis is a foundational gardening structure, primarily functioning as a supportive framework for climbing plants. However, to describe it merely as "support" is to underestimate its role. A trellis is an architectural element that shapes growth, maximizes space, and enhances the aesthetic of any garden. At its core, a trellis is any open, lattice-like construction—made of wood, metal, vinyl, or other materials—that provides a surface for vines and climbers to attach to, either by twining, clinging with tendrils, or being manually tied. This simple function unlo...

SSS and UnionBank Launch "LoanLite" to Combat Loan Sharks

In a significant move to bolster financial inclusion and protect its members, the Social Security System (SSS) has partnered with Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) to introduce SSS LoanLite . This new micro-lending program is strategically designed to provide a safe, accessible, and affordable credit alternative for millions of Filipinos, specifically targeting those most vulnerable to predatory lending institutions . A Digital Shield Against Predatory Lending The core mission of SSS LoanLite is to act as a financial safety net. SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph de Claro explicitly highlighted this protective function, stating, “ This will really help each Filipino, members of SSS, not to fall victim to loan sharks. ” This direct acknowledgment of "loan sharks" by the SSS leadership is a crucial step. It validates the real struggles many Filipinos face when in urgent need of cash and positions a government-backed institution as a proactive defender of ...