Let's Do The News! (February 19, 2019)

- The Supreme Court declared valid the extension of martial law in Mindanao until the end of 2019.

- The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said the 80 members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority will be sworn in tomorrow in Malacanang. According to OPAPP, the oath-taking will be held at 1600 hours, Philippine time, right after the ceremonial confirmation of the Jan. 21 and Feb. 6 plebiscite canvass results on Republic Act 11054 or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

- Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin Jr. said he will “kill” anyone who will ask for a birth certificate from those renewing their passports. Locsin, in response to a netizen’s query about passport renewal requirements, reiterated that there’s no need to present a birth certificate when renewing passports.

- A few members of the Labour Party had quit from the party to establish an independent party as Brexit draws near.

- A coalition of 16 US states led by California sued President Donald Trump’s administration over his decision to declare a national emergency to obtain funds for building a wall along the US-Mexico border.

- Trump ally Roger Stone has apologized to the judge presiding over his criminal case for an Instagram post featuring a photo of her with what appears to be the crosshairs of a gun.

- A new round of talks between the United States and China to resolve their trade war will take place in Washington on Tuesday, with follow-up sessions at a higher level later in the week, according to the White House.

- Honda will reportedly announce their closure of their Swindon plant in Great Britain by next decade, causing about 3,500 jobs to be slashed off. The Swindon plant produced 160,000 units of the Honda Civic and over 90% were exported to Europe.

- The Audi Q8 has gained two new electrified six-cylinder engine options in either 3.0L V6 TFSi or a V6 TDi



- Sony will cease production of the PSVita hand-held console "soon."

- The Japanese government expands scope of proposed copyright law reforms with a proposal to ban screenshots of pirated media.

- Andre Iguodala of the championship-winning Golden State Warriors was elected as vice president of the National Basketball Players Association, replacing LeBron James.

- Lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and promoter Frank Warren have signed a deal under which Fury will be co-promoted by Top Rank.

TTFN!!!