📰 News & Current Affairs

The clingy space rock is actually a near-Earth asteroid named 2024 PT5, which measures an estimated 33 feet (10 meters) wide, or about the length of a school bus. Snagged by Earth's gravity during an unusually close approach, this "minimoon" is predicted to orbit our planet for just 57 days; on Nov. 25, the asteroid will break free of Earth's influence and resume its regular orbit of the sun without a chaperone, astronomers wrote in the journal Research Notes of the AAS. Source: https://www.livescience.com/space/asteroids/can-you-see-earth-s-new-minimoon-with-the-*****-eye

“The court denied Roque’s prayer for the writ of Amparo. It held that Amparo is not the proper remedy against congressional contempt and detention orders,” the high court, through its spokesperson Atty. Camille Sue Mae Ting, said in a press conference. SC made the ruling during Tuesday’s en banc (full court) session. Source: SC denies Harry Roque’s protective writ request

Ten out of 12 administration-backed senatorial aspirants for the 2025 midterm elections secured the top spots in the latest senatorial preference survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS). The September 14 to 23 survey, commissioned by the Stratbase Group, showed that ACT-CIS Party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo maintained his number one position with 54 percent voter preference. Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1234539

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. celebrated his birthday on Friday, September 13, with a piece of good news — a survey showing a double-digit increase in the satisfaction numbers of his administration in the second quarter of 2024. This gives the Marcos administration a net satisfaction rating of +40 in June, classified by SWS as “good.” It is a significant improvement from the “moderate” +29 in March. Source: Marcos admin's satisfaction numbers up by double digits in SWS June poll

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he is expecting rice prices to further decrease amid the current price trend happening in Southeast Asia. According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) in a statement, Marcos made the pronouncement during a sectoral meeting on managing food and non-food inflation in Malacañang. Source: Marcos: Expect rice prices to fall further

Neo-Nazi Telegram Users Panic Amid Crackdown and Arrest of Alleged Leaders of Online Extremist Group Durov’s announcement marked a considerable policy shift: He said Telegram will now share the IP addresses and phone numbers of users who violate the platform’s rules with authorities “in response to valid legal requests.” I knew this day would come. It's a good thing I completely ditched Telegram the moment they implemented SIM registration. Now I have nothing to worry about, as my identity is clean. I'm sure when the government improves SIM registration, the same thing will happen. If they aren't monitoring your private conversations, how can they know the users are breaking any rules? They must be invading our privacy by snooping...

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. seemed to have no problem with his sister Senator Imee Marcos’ decision to refuse to be part of his senatorial slate for the 2025 elections, saying it was “her choice.” “That’s fine. That happens. I’ve run as an independent myself, many times. And so that is her choice,” the President said in a chance interview in Tarlac. Source: Marcos on sister’s decision to run independently: ‘That’s her choice’

Video: Source: ABS-CBN

Thousands of the green-yellow-red birds have invaded, driven by deforestation in the surrounding hills, according to biologists. They bite on the town’s electric cables, causing outages, and are driving residents around the bend with their incessant screeching and deposits everywhere of parrot poo. Source: Argentine town battles a parrot invasion

Source: Pulse Asia: VP Sara approval down 9 points; Marcos' dips by 3

A SpaceX rocket soared into the sky Saturday with two passengers on board, leaving two seats empty to return American astronauts who have been stranded for months on the International Space Station, NASA said. On board were NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov. Source: SpaceX launches mission to return stranded astronauts - Manila Standard

She disclosed to the authorities that she was first raped by her own son when she was around 40 years old, that was when her son was in his early twenties. The incident happened again in the early morning of September 27, 2024 and she said she was again threatened she would be killed if she tell anyone of the incident. She added that the suspect was drunk after attending a funeral vigil. The suspect reportedly lied beside her in bed, hugged her, and raped her. The mother said her daughter, a differently abled person, saw the incident. Source: Man nabbed for alleged rape of own mom in Candijay, Bohol

Sa isang eksklusibong panayam sa 101 East, sinabi ni She Zhijiang, na nakakulong sa Thailand, na si Alice Guo ay dapat magsabi ng totoo tungkol sa kanilang mga operasyon. Hindi direktang inakusahan, ngunit ipinahiwatig ni She ang papel ni Guo sa mga kaganapan, nagdadagdag ng bagong anggulo sa istorya ng pandaraya at human trafficking sa hangganan ng Thailand at Myanmar. Ref:https://phc.onl/#forbidden#/Ls8Y-2HmvHI?si=1bZnDjr5zPJrZqLb

The government said in November 2023 it wanted to increase nuclear power production equivalent to two nuclear reactors by 2035, with a “massive expansion” to follow by 2045. State-owned utility Vattenfall is in the process of conducting a feasibility study on the construction of at least two small modular reactors (SMRs) at the Ringhals nuclear power station in the southwest of the country. Source: Sweden to start building new nuclear reactor by 2026: PM

“Some very practical consequences now will pertain to the employment status of employees in the different field offices of the ministries in Sulu, projects in Sulu, as well as the operation of major services in Sulu now being provided by the BARMM,” said Sinarimbo. Both Sinarimbo and Adiong feared that this could lead to other provinces opting out of the BARMM. Source: Dangerous 'political tremors' feared after SC excludes Sulu from BARMM

She Zhijiang, a Chinese ga̾mbling tycoon detained in Thailand, claimed that dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo is a spy working for China’s Ministry of State Security. She, a naturalized Cambodian citizen with ca̾sinos operating in Cambodia, Myanmar, and the Philippines, made the allegation in a documentary by Al Jazeera. He spoke with the foreign news network from his cell in Bangkok. Source: https://politiko.com.ph/2024/09/27/alice-guo-a-chinese-spy-jailed-********-tycoon-claims/daily-feed/

Beijing has not acknowledged the sinking and a US defence official said it was "not surprising" that China's navy would conceal it. Satellite imagery showed that China's newest nuclear-powered attack submarine has sunk alongside a pier while under construction, a senior US defence official has said. Source: China’s top-of-the-line nuclear submarine sunk in shipyard

Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong says he feels "personally insulted" by Vice President Sara Duterte's pronouncement that she plans to attend the Senate’s deliberations on the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB). "If you would ask me personally, I would say she's really selective, and that does not speak highly of an official especially the one occupying the second highest position in the land," said the House assistant majority leader. Source: Adiong 'insulted' by VP Duterte's preference for Senate after unprecedented House budget snub

The event is organized by Maisug-Cebu led by Pamela Baricuatro. “We are inviting all Cebuanos to join us in solidarity and let us unite to show our indignation with what’s going on in our country under the present administration,” said Baricuatro, lead convenor of Hakbang nang Maisug-Cebu. Baricuatro said they are expecting at least 2,000 participants in the rally. Source: ‘Marcos resign’ rally set for Saturday

The Philippine Supreme Court has ordered a car company to pay back the wages and commissions owed to a former employee who was forced to resign due to the company’s “unbearable” working conditions. The High Court ruled in favour of the worker who said he had no intention of quitting but was forced to leave the company because of the behaviour of his superiors. Source: https://www.peoplemattersglobal.com/news/business/supreme-court-forcing-workers-to-quit-constitutes-îllégâl-dismissal-42876

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) is in the process of drafting an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, former lawmaker Teddy Casiño, who chairs the progressive group, said on Thursday. In a press briefing for Bayan Muna’s national convention in Quezon City, Casiño confirmed that the group would file the impeachment complaint — if finalized — before the House of Representatives on the resumption of its session in November. Source: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1987276/bayan-drafting-impeachment-complaint-vs-vp-sara-duterte-******

First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos on Thursday took her oath as a member of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa). The First Lady took her oath before Philconsa Chairperson, former Chief Justice Reynato Puno at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacañan Palace as the association celebrated its 63rd founding anniversary. Source: First Lady Liza Marcos takes oath as Philconsa member

The House of Representatives removed SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta from membership in five committees. Earlier, Marcoleta was also removed as vice chairperson of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability. Source: House strips Marcoleta of five committee memberships

In a statement on Wednesday, La Union Rep. 1st District Paolo Ortega and Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun, the House Assistant Majority leaders, said that the proper course of action, when caught lying red-handed, is to apologize. Source: Solons want apology from VP Duterte over Calaguas beach trip lie

After enduring more than two years of war in Ukraine and a global sanctions regime, Russia, once considered one of the world’s most powerful nations, has fallen to sixth place in the Asia Power Index. The Australia-based think tank Lowy Institute recently published its latest version of the ‘Asian Power Index,’ which ranks the relative power of 27 nations and territories in the Indo-Pacific region by comparing their strengths against 131 indicators over eight thematic criteria. Source: Russia ‘Slides Down’ To 6th Place As Most Powerful Country; Surprisingly, Australia Ranked Ahead In Asia Index

Thailand's King has endorsed a marriage equality bill passed by parliament earlier this year, officially making the kingdom the first country in Southeast Asia and third place in Asia to recognise marriages of same-se̾x couples. The royal endorsement was published in the official royal gazette late on Tuesday, meaning the bill will come into force in 120 days, which would be Jan 22, 2025. Source: https://www.france24.com/en/video/20240925-thailand-s-same-***-marriage-bill-gets-royal-endorsement

The Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) issue has become a significant topic of debate in the country due to its social, economic, and political implications. Key Concerns: 1. Economic Impact: POGOs have contributed to the Philippine economy by generating billions in revenue, particularly through taxes and job creation for Filipinos in support roles such as IT, customer service, and real estate. However, there have been questions about whether the overall economic benefits justify the accompanying issues. The government has faced challenges in collecting taxes from some operators, with instances of tax evasion. 2. Crime and Security: The presence of POGOs has been linked to an increase in criminal activity...

“Hindi ako sasagot sa ‘Young Guns’ dahil kailangan ko sumagot sa 32 million na bumoto sa akin. Hindi sa isa o dalawang tao. Hindi ako aalis dito dahil nilagay ako ng mga tao dito believing I will work for the country,” Duterte said. Source: Sara Duterte rejects resignation calls: ‘32 million Filipinos put me here’

"I would like to forego the opportunity to defend the budget in a question-and-answer format. I will leave it up to the House of Representatives to decide on the budget submitted," Duterte said. Source: OVP budget hearing descends into chaos as Sara Duterte, House members trade insults

Former Philippine National Police chief Benjamin Acorda Jr.’s connection with former Bamban mayor Alice Guo and Tony Yang, both alleged to be involved in îllégâl gaming operations, came to light on Tuesday. Source: Acorda’s link to Guos, POGO bared at Senate hearing

Harry Roque’s wife, Mylah, hit Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Ace Barbers, calling him an “abusive individual” for claiming that she is an incorporator of Lucky South 99, a Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo).In a social media post on Saturday, Mylah said there was no paper linking her to Lucky South 99, which Pampanga hub authorities raided in June over reported îllégâl activities. Source: Harry Roque’s wife slams Barbers, says no paper links her to Pogo

The proposed 2025 budget of the Office of the President (OP) is "deemed submitted” to the Senate plenary after being approved by the Committee in Finance in less than 10 minutes of deliberation on Monday. Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada moved for the approval of the PHP10.5 billion proposed budget of the OP, emphasizing that it is crucial in representing the midterm budget that will help President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to effectively continue his programs. Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1233945