Let's Do The News! (August 20, 2025)

     

                                        

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- A Magnitude 5.1 quake hits Calaca, Batangas.

- The United States has sent the Philippines Department of Justice (DOJ) an extradition request for Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to face his multiple cases there. Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez confirmed that the US government has sent documents related to Quiboloy’s extradition to the DOJ.

- Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. orders blacklisting and filing of charges against SYMS Construction Trading, the contractor for the ₱55 million ghost flood control project in Bulacan.

- The Malacañang called Vice President Sara Duterte's leadership at the Philippine Department of Education a "complete failure".

- A UK council wins court bid to temporarily block asylum seekers from being housed at a hotel in Essex.

- In a letter to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, US First Lady Melania Trump asks him to consider the children in the push to end the war in Ukraine.

- The Suzuki Every gained a special J Limited model.

2026 Suzuki Every J Limited

- The Opel/Vauxhall Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo concept was unveiled, marking the brand's return to the Gran Turismo series.

Vauxhall Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo

- The Shelby Super Snake R was unveiled, and it's based on the Mustang Dark Horse.

- The iRacing Arcade game is coming this year on PC via Steam and on consoles in 2026.

- The Sekiro anime series is coming in 2026. It will be based on the Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice video game.

- The live-action Fallout TV series is returning to Prime Video on December 17, 2025, for Season 2.

- The Netflix reality series, Better Late than Single, got renewed for Season 2. Auditions for the next season are underway.

- Netflix's original K-drama, Genie, Make A Wish, streams this October 3. The drama stars Kim Woo Bin and Suzy.

- ADOR named Lee Do Kyung as the company's new CEO.

- Philippine boy group SB19 won the 2025 Billboard Fan Army Face Off, beating Selena Gomez.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (August 19, 2025)

    

                                        

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The LTFRB remains mum on the decision for the one-peso fare hike for jeepneys.

- Philippine President Bongbong Marcos called on medical workers to serve the Philippines first before working abroad.

- The Philippine National Police is keeping an eye on the New People's Army recruiting around schools, according to reports.

- To avoid confusion, the PH Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno has ordered the temporary removal of the Online Duty and Tax Calculator.

- 6 volcanic quakes were recorded around the Kanlaon Volcano within the last 24 hours, according to PHIVOLCS.

- Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky returned to the White House for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, just days after Trump met with Russia's Vladimir Putin in Alaska. A few months earlier, Zelensky's previous meeting with Trump had resulted in a verbal confrontation.

- O'Reilly Auto Parts replaced Xfinity as the new title sponsor for NASCAR's second-tier series.

- IndyCar driver Marcus Armstrong signs contract extension with Meyer Shank Racing.

- The Enhanced Version of Shenmue III video game is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

- The popular video game Zenless Zone Zero hosted a pop-up event at Gamescom this week in partnership with Aston Martin. Players have the opportunity to obtain collaboration merchandise and a specially designed 1:18 scale model of the Aston Martin Vantage.

- Yoon Ji Yoon has officially left izna.

- Your first look at the Netflix original Korean movie, Good News, coming this October 17.

- UFC Hall of Famer Frankie Edgar stepped out of retirement to join BKFC.

- Actor Terence Stamp passed away at the age of 87.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (August 18, 2025)

   

                                        

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- Nadia Montenegro steps down as political affairs officer from the office of Senator Robinhood Padilla.

- The Philippine Coast Guard tells China that "common sense" rules out a smaller Philippine ship causing the vessel crash with the Chinese vessel last week. "It's absurd for China to claim the Philippines is provoking collisions when common sense — and the sheer size disparity — makes that impossible," the PCG said.

- Senator Tito Sotto mulls the implementation of the mandatory 14th-month pay.

- Tropical Depression Huaning has slightly intensified while moving slowly in the northeast of the Philippines, according to PAGASA.

- Pope Leo XIV marked his 100th day since his pontificate on May 8th, 2025.

- The Ford Supervan 4.2 lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 6m48.393s.

- The NASCAR Xfinity Series will be renamed the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, starting in the 2026 season.

- Last weekend's Comic Market 106 attracted over 250K attendees across two days.

- The Philippines' hosting of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup will be the key topic of tomorrow's PSA Forum.

- P-Pop girl group BINI filed a legal complaint over an altered Filipino food review.

TTFN.

2025 NASCAR Cup Series - Cook Out 400

There are only two races left in the regular season before the playoffs. The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series continues in Richmond, Virginia, for the Cook Out 400. Who will secure a spot in the playoffs? Let's find out.

As the green flag waved, the action in Virginia was on. As Tyler Reddick won Stage 1, Stage 2 saw Reddick get turned at the exit of Turn 4, followed by a massive pileup that got Chase Elliott and Justin Haley into it. As Stage 2 went to Bubba Wallace, the final stage saw a loose tire from the #23, prompting the #19 pit crew to lend a helping hand to the affected car.

Screengrab from NASCAR

After a hell of a riot in Richmond, Austin Dillon wins the Cook Out 400 of the NASCAR Cup Series! William Byron is the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season Champion.

Who will be the last to be in the playoffs? Find out as the last race of the regular season will be in Daytona for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 this August 23rd.

Let's Do The News! (August 16, 2025)

  

                                        

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- Talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska ended without a deal. However, Trump stated that "progress was made" after almost three hours of discussions with Putin regarding Ukraine.

- The Lexus Sport Concept made its surprise appearance at The Quail, previewing a potential replacement for both the RC and LC sports cars.

Lexus Sport Concept

- The Ringbrothers Aston Martin DBS Octavia made its appearance at The Quail. It's a reso-modded 1971 Aston Martin DBS with a widebody exterior, revamped interior, and a 805HP V8 engine mated to a 6-speed MT.

Ringbrothers Aston Martin DBS Octavia

- Infiniti presented two concept cars at The Quail such as the QX65 Monograph Concept and two QX80 concepts: the Track Spec and the Terrain Spec.

- Lucid presented the Gravity X Concept at The Quail. It's an off-road-tuned concept based on the Gravity EV SUV.

Lucid Gravity X Concept

- Chevrolet presented the Corvette CX Concept and the Corvette CX.R Vision Gran Turismo at The Quail. Both cars will be playable in Gran Turismo 7 via the August update.

- The Lamborghini Fenomeno has been unveiled. It features a 6.5L V12 hybrid powertrain that delivers an impressive 1,080 PS of power. Paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), this car can reach a top speed of over 350 kph and accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in just 2.4 seconds. Additionally, all 29 units of this vehicle are already sold.

Lamborghini Fenomeno

- Gordon Murray's GM Special Vehicles presented the T.50-based Le Mans GTR as well as the S1 LM.

- Hennessey has launched its Maverick bespoke division, with a one-off Venom F5 Revolution LF being the first model produced.

- The BanG Dream franchise is getting a Ganzo! Bandori-chan mini-anime this October 2. A new Ave Mujica film was announced.

- Seiyuu Aki Toyosaki limits her activities following her husband's passing.

- KATSEYE canceled their Summer Sonic Osaka performance due to two members falling ill.

- Miss Universe Russia 2017 Kseniya Alexandrova was killed in a car accident. Alexandrova just got married last March 2025.

TTFN.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: South Korean top court rules 'Baby Shark' not plagiarized

 

South Korea's top court ruled that the globally popular South Korean children's song "Baby Shark" was not plagiarized, rejecting a copyright claim filed by a US-based composer.

With its catchy lyrics, the "Baby Shark Dance" video is the most viewed on YouTube, with more than 16 billion views, roughly double those of the runner-up, "Despacito," and third-place "Wheels on the Bus."

In 2019, New York composer Johnny Only, whose legal name is Jonathan Wright, filed a lawsuit in Seoul, alleging that the 2015 hit "Baby Shark" by South Korean education startup SmartStudy copied a song he had released in 2011.

Only demanded 30 million won in compensation, accusing the firm of copying elements of his work, including its bassline and rhythm.

SmartStudy, now known as The Pinkfong Company, argued that its version was an adaptation of a classic North American children's tune that is not protected by copyright.

A South Korean lower court initially cleared the company of the charges at a trial in 2021, finding that there was insufficient evidence of copyright infringement. That ruling was upheld by an appeal court in 2023.

Only then challenged the 2023 decision, but South Korea's Supreme Court affirmed the lower court rulings on Thursday.

"All appeals were dismissed and the lower court's rulings were upheld," according to court documents.

The Pinkfong Company said in a statement that the Supreme Court's decision confirmed "Baby Shark" was "based on a traditional singalong chant that has entered the public domain."

The company said it had given "a fresh twist to the chant by adding an upbeat rhythm and catchy melody, turning it into the pop culture icon it is today."

Only did not immediately reply to a request for comment. He told Canadian public broadcaster CBC in 2019 that he had created a toddler-friendly version of "Baby Shark" in 2011, revising the original song, which was about a gory shark attack.

"I was the first one that did that (rewriting the song), you know? And basically Pinkfong's version does the same thing," he said in the interview.

 Source: Agence-France Presse

Let's Do The News! (August 15, 2025)

 

                                        

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- Taiwan thanked Philippine President Bongbong Marcos for his Taiwan Strait remarks, vowing the safety of OFWs working there.

- The Philippines says that it's not responsible for the crash with a Chinese vessel near Scarborough Shoal, according to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

- GCash suspends in-app gambling access on GLife by tomorrow, in compliance with the BSP directives that all e-wallet apps must remove gambling links.

- Researchers revealed that AI invents new antibiotics that could kill superbugs gonorrhoea and MRSA.

- Japanese grand tea master Sen Genshitsu dies at the age of 102.

- Preparations for the upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, are underway.

- The Ford Mustang GTD gained its Liquid Carbon package.

- Former F1 driver Logan Sargeant will race for PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports for the last two IMSA races of the 2025 season.

- Robin Frijns departed from the Envision Formula E team.

- The Acura RSX Prototype was unveiled. Set to go into production this 2026, the electric SUV previews the production version of the Performance EV Concept.

Acura RSX Prototype

- Roblox was banned in Qatar due to problems and risks to youth.

- Organizers of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics will sell naming rights for some competition venues to create an additional revenue stream. This decision marks a departure from the traditional ban on brand names at stadiums and arenas during the Games.

- Liza Soberano confirms breakup with Enrique Gil three years ago.

- P-Pop girl group BINI files a complaint against an unknown party, according to reports.

- A second contestant from MasterChef UK has been edited out following the Gregg Wallace scandal.

TTFN.