Let's Do The News! (February 23, 2016)

- The Philippines is keen in raising the issue of rising tensions in the South China Sea at the unofficial meeting of ASEAN ministers in Laos this week, following reports that Beijing deployed SAMs in Woody Island, a part of the Paracel Island chain in the disputed sea. Any member of the ASEAN may raise any issue in the ministerial retreat schedules on February 25 to 27.

- The University of the East issued a statement regarding the expulsion of high school students involved in the viral video regarding the defamation of the Philippine flag. According to the UE president and Chief Academic Officer Ester Albano Garcia, the board of trustees on February 18 unanimously voted to expel the high school students in the video but didn't identify and disclose how many were kicked out. UE released a statement deploring the disrespectful deed of its student shown in a viral video uploaded on the 9th of February, drewing criticisms from netizens as a student in one of the clasrooms in its high school department mopped the floor using the Philippine flag.

- The Iglesia Ni Cristo religious sect continues to grow despite setbacks and the recent church dedication in Southern California is just one of them following members and detractors staging a protest even from the sky to show support from the embattled religious sect as well as the visit of INC's top minister Eduardo V. Manalo.

- Following Nike, Wonderful Pistachios revoked its sponsorship with Manny Pacquiao following his controversial comments against LGBT.

- The death toll from a powerful cyclone that hit Fiji last weekend is now up to 21. Cyclone Winstone is one of the most powerful cyclone recorded in Fiji and caused havoc across the main island of Viti Levu. The Fijian government declared a month-long state of emergency.

- Apple called for an independent panel to discuss whether they should help FBI investigators hack into a locked smartphone belonging to a slain terrorism suspect. The Cupertino-based tech giant refused a request by the FBI to unlock the iPhone belonged to one of the San Bernardino attackers that killed 14 people last year. They posted on its website a message calling on the government to set up an independent panel of experts, calling it the best option.

- The Bentley Mulsanne has been updated for the 2017 model year and for the first time, an Extended Wheelbase model is added.

2017 Bentley Mulsanne

- Phat Company's figure of THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls' Minami Nitta, in her Love Laika costume, is now open for pre-orders! You can now book one for just 9,000 Yen plus tax and she'll be arrive to you this August. Be sure to pair one with the upcoming Anastasia Love Laika figure and you'll have yourself the complete duo!

Minami Nitta LOVE LAIKA Ver.

- Mr. Osomatsu fans, rejoice! The Matsuno sextuplets are getting the trading figure treatment courtesy of Orange Rouge. They'll be available in stores this July, each costing 556 Yen plus tax. There are six brothers to collect; Osomatsu-san, Karamatsu-san, Choromatsu-san, Ichimatsu-san, Jyushimatsu-san, and Todomatsu-san! Think you can complete the F6?

Osomatsu-san Trading Figure

TTFN!!!