Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Let's Do The News! (February 7, 2017)


- President Rodrigo Duterte said that TV presenter Kris Aquino appealed to him through a text message not to send her brother, his predecessor Benigno Aquino III, to jail. The said appeal came after Duterte said he is keen to reopening the investigation on the Mamasapano incident, where 44 SAF members were killed two years ago.

- Despite the president's orders for an "all-out war", peace talks between the Philippine government and communist rebels to end nearly five decades of conflict are still in their table. Last weekend, Duterte ordered scrapping a ceasefire with the New People’s Army saying the “terrorist group” was making “huge”, unacceptable demands despite government concessions. Clashes have erupted in several places and some top rebels have been arrested but Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana said talks were possible.

- A Philippine mining industry body said it will file a freedom of information request on Tuesday to press the government to release the results of a mining audit, following an order to close over half of the country's mines. DENR Secretary Regina Lopez last week ordered 23 mines to shut permanently, even though a team that reviewed an audit of 41 mines had recommended suspensions and fines for environmental violations, rather than closure, reports told.

- Over 120 people died in a avalanche that was triggered in a mountainous region straddling between Afghanistan and Pakistan but the death toll will increase later on. Heavy snow has been falling over the region since last week, blanketing the Afghan capital Kabul.

- The Israeli parliament has passed a law allowing the government to confiscate private Palestinian property in the West Bank, where Jewish settler's homes already stand. The legislation states that the government will compensate Palestinian owners of land where Jewish settlers' homes have been built, and the property will become state-owned.

- The US government has submitted additional legal briefs to a federal appeals court challenging a federal judge's ruling to enforce an nationwide block to President Donald Trump's immigration ban. Last weekend, a federal district court in Seattle suspended Trump's executive order, following a request from the State of Washington.

- A special research boat commissioned to protect the endangered river dolphins has set sail on the River Irrawaddy in Myanmar. Irrawaddy dolphins are critically endangered due to the river's poor quality and other reasons. The dolphin population is now estimated at just over 60. Research on the dolphins will be done jointly by an international non-governmental wildlife conservation group and the Myanmar government.

- The long-awaited Dodge Durango SRT has unveiled prior to this week's Chicago Auto Show debut. This high-performance version is powered by 392ci HEMI V8 engine producing 475HP of power and 470lb-ft of torque while mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and specially-developed four-wheel-drive. It's capable of doing 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds.

2018 Dodge Durango SRT

- Citroen will showcase their C-Aircross Concept at next month's Geneva Motor Show, previewing a crossover vehicle in the lineup as well as its next-generation technology.

Citroen C-Aircross Concept

- The Playseat Car Pack for Forza Horizon 3 is coming tomorrow, featuring seven new rides such as the Aston Martin DB11, Honda Civic Type-R FK2, Vauxhall Corsa VXR, and many others.



- The stars of last year's Touken Ranbu Hanamaru anime series, Kashu Kiyomitsu and Yamatonokami Yasusada, are joining the Nendoroid Co-de lineup. These guys are ready for orders starting at 2,963 Yen plus tax and will be delivered this June.


TTFN!!!

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