Let's Do The News! (January 10, 2018)

- Former senator Bongbong Marcos ditches plans to run for the 2019 midterm elections. Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum, Marcos said: "Why would I run for senator? I won already as vice president." The son of the late dictator was lost to Leni Robredo by a slim margin of 260,000 votes in the 2016 elections but accused her of cheating. Ballot recount begins next month.

The Malacanang said yesterday that staying in office beyond his term is President Duterte's ultimate nightmare as it brushed aside claims that he would use proposals to change the form of government to stay in power. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque reiterated that Duterte is willing to let go of the presidency once the Constitution is amended to strengthen measures against graft and corruption and to establish a federal form of government.

- The Philippines now has two choices for the third telecom player that will save the country from bearing the slowest internet speed in the Asia Pacific. A third telecom provider is targeted to be up and running by the first quarter of 2018.

- China seen to push claimant states away from the South China Sea as it seeks greater control over the region in the long run, maritime security analysts said. Experts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies said China may have a different goal than when they first started their island-building activities in the South China Sea a few years back.

- Malaysian syndicates have been using Thailand as transit point before smuggling stolen cars into the region, according to reports. According to Bukit Aman CID director, Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd, the Royal Thai Police had retrieved more than 100 stolen Malaysian vehicles in the Land of Smiles since 2015, and have since handed them over to its Malaysian counterpart.

- On Wednesday, local time in America, Howard Nielson, a judicial nominee of US President Donald Trump will have a hearing. Nielson was known by critics for his demonstrated contempt for the rule of law and he was part of a "Screening Committee" involved in the Department of Justice's politicization under the Bush administration.

- Following the win of Democrat Alabama senator Doug Jones, the Senate Judiciary Committee would add another Democrat in the committee. The new party divide on the committee is 11 Republicans to 10 Democrats and two new Democrats who are very strong on judges have been assigned to the committee - California's Kamala Harris and New Jersey's Cory Booker.

- Yesterday, clothing retailer H&M is in hot water over an image appearing in its online store that showed a black child model wearing a hooded sweatshirt that said “coolest monkey in the jungle.” H&M apologized and they will pull the shirt out from its stores worldwide. The image was heavily criticized for its reference to a monkey, an animal that has long featured in racial and ethnic slurs.

- The third-generation MINI range is now updated for the 2019 model year with new headlamps, new Union Jack rear lamps, new MINI logo, new body finishes, and improved performance.

2019 MINI Cooper S

- The BMW 2-Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer is now updated for 2019MY and in addition, the Active Tourer gained a new 225xe iPerformance variant.

2019 BMW 225xe iPerformance

- The PriPara series is heading to Nintendo Switch in an all new game coming this March 22nd.

- Former Doctor Who actress Jenna Coleman is set to appear in the TV miniseries "The Cry" alongside Ewen Leslie.

TTFN!!!