Let's Do The News! (January 12, 2016)

- The Sandiganbayan's Fifth Division rejected the urgent motion of detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada to attend the wake of late German "Kuya Germs" Moreno for lack of merit. The rejection comes after the anti-graft's first division denied detained Senator Bong Revilla's plea to visit the late presenter's wake.

- The Supreme Court affirmed the temporary restraining order issued against the disqualification cases against Senator Grace Poe. The high court also ruled to consolidate her petitions against the disqualification cases before the COMELEC.

- US President Barack Obama's final State of the Nation Address seeks to frame the choice facing Americans as they will decide which presidentiable will become his successor at the upcoming November 2016 elections. For his final speech to both chambers of Congress, he will speak the public to give voice to themes that Democrats can embrace to their campaigns to replace him and win back control of the Congress.

- Pope Francis lays out his case for emphasizing a more merciful Catholic Church in his first book titled "The Name of God is Mercy", which describes God's never ending quest of mercy for all. This 100-page book is published this week in 86 countries as part of the ongoing Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.

- Thirty people are reportedly killed in multiple terrorist attacks in Baghdad, the capital city of Iraq. First, an armed group detonated a car bomb at the entrance to a shopping mall in a Shia-populated area, then there was a shooting spree, and then there was a car bomb detonated near a market in Baghdad. The Islamic State militants claimed responsibility for the attacks.

- The People's Republic of China continues it military reforms as part of President Xi Jinping's apparent efforts to maintain firm control over the armed forces. Last month, a rocket force in charge of nuclear weapons was establish, as well as a strategic support force responsible for responding to cyber warfare. The military's four headquarters responsible for staff, politics, logistics, and armaments were disbanded and replaced by fifteen new agencies.

- South Korean military is stepping up their military preparedness near the demarcation line with North Korea against further provocations following its recent nuclear test. According to the chairman of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, the recent nuclear test is likely to push ahead with further sudden provocations to turn the current situation around, urging the SoKor armed forces to be combat ready.

- At the 2016 North American International Auto Show, the Lexus LC500 sports coupe was unveiled, packed with the same 5.0L V8 engine derived from the Lexus F models, namely the RC F and the GS F.

2017 Lexus LC500

- Aston Martin teases their all-new 5.2L V12 Twin Turbo engine that will be coming soon this year,

- In response to numerous Star Wars fans complaining about why there is no such thing as a proper figure of heroine Rey from The Force Awakens film, Hasbro and Walt Disney are preparing to launch a line of Rey-themed toys for the very first time.

TTFN!!!