US probes 9/11 anniversary terror threat

US officials warned of the threat of a terror strike on the United States reportedly involving bomb-laden trucks ahead of this weekend’s 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

“There is specific, credible but unconfirmed threat information,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement on Thursday, as the White House confirmed President Barack Obama had ordered boosted counterterrorism efforts.

“We have taken, and will continue to take all steps necessary to mitigate any threats that arise,” the department added in a statement.

US media said three individuals were reported to have entered the country in August and were allegedly seeking to carry out an attack using a vehicle laden with an explosive bomb.

Although the country has already tightened security ahead of Sunday’s anniversary, Obama had “directed the counterterrorism community to redouble its efforts in response to this credible but unconfirmed information,” a White House official said.

US media said possible targets were New York or Washington, as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a press briefing with the city’s Police Commissioner Ray Kelly at 9:30 pm (0130 GMT) Thursday.

New York Congressman Peter King, who heads the House Committee on Homeland Security, would not confirm any details after lawmakers were briefed about the situation.

But he told CNN “there were very, very specific facts that were made known in this threat.”

“I can tell you that the administration, all levels of law enforcement, federal, state and local where it’s appropriate are checking out every possible lead, running this to ground, and we’ve come a long way since September 11th.”

The United States is preparing to mark the anniversary of the devastating September 11, 2001 attacks in which almost 3,000 people were killed.

Two hijacked planes hit New York’s World Trade Center, collapsing the iconic twin towers, a third plane plowed into the Pentagon and a fourth crashed into a Pennsylvania field when passengers overcame the hijackers.

US Navy commandos tracked down and killed Al-Qaeda Osama bin Laden at his hideout in the Pakistani garrison town of Abbottabad in May this year.

During the raid, documents and computer files were seized at his compound showing his terror network had pondered strikes to coincide with the anniversary.

“We continue to ask the American people to remain vigilant as we head into the weekend,” the Department of Homeland Security said in its statement.

The announcement came after the Pentagon on Wednesday raised the alert level at bases across the United States as “a prudent and precautionary measure,” given Al-Qaeda’s interest in milestones and anniversaries.

Sunday’s biggest event will be the reading of victims’ names at Ground Zero, which will be attended by victims’ family members, as well as Obama, former president George W. Bush, and Mayor Bloomberg.

Although there have been no attacks on the scale of 9/11 in the United States in the 10 years since, the nation has been on heightened alert amid a series of foiled and failed attacks.

Security is the main concern among organizers of the ceremonies remembering those who died and large crowds are expected as the country reflects on a decade of war abroad and fear of further attacks at home.

Original article of Justin Sullivan | AFP News

 

Honda Ph recalls over 19,000 units

Image Credit - AP Photos

After seeing the news report from TV Patrol about the recall of some Honda Car Models because of there faulty window power switch assembly, Honda Cars Philippines Inc., started to send letters of notice  to the owners of the cars.

19,143 units of Honda Car Models are listed below which are affected by the defective part of the window which was reportedly can can cause fire.

• Honda Jazz (2005 – 2007)
• Honda City (2006 – 2008)
• Honda CR-V (2006 – 2007)

The replacement of the affected part will be done in 28 authorized dealers and three service centers nationwide. HCPI said that it is for free and will take 30 minutes to finish the replacement.

Pnoy to release P4.95 billion for Upgrading the National Defense

Image Credit - Reuters

A P4.95 billion fund was released by President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to strengthen the country’s defense. This was ordered a month ago after the purchased of the P423 million BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF 15).

The fund will be used for the purpose of giving the Armed Forces of the Philippines higher capabilities of defending our territory, which includes strong security for the Malampaya Natural Gas and Power Project (MNGPP).

P2.65 billion of the P4.95 billion fund will go to the Philippine Navy for them to purchase high-endurance cutter sea and three helicopters.

P2.30 billion for the Philippines Air Force to get three helicopter to maintain a base-hangar.

Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad said that every single cent will be used for the right purpose; that is to bring the National Defense, whether by land, sea or air, into a higher level.

Japan Faces Another Tragic Calamity

Image Credit - AP Photo/Kyodo News

Another disaster hit Japan, the Typhoon Talas. Rescuers already recorded 26 deaths and 56 still missing. Adding more misery to Japan that is still recovering from a catastrophic tsunami six months ago.

Thousands of passengers were still stranded because many bridges, railways and roads were destroyed. The official said that it is hard to count those destroyed bridges, railways, and roads. Typhoon Talas brought great destruction to Kii Peninsula, in Central Japan. That was hundreds of mile away from the Northeastern Coast of Japan where the tsunami’s destruction was experienced.

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said that he would help those thousands of victims of Typhoon on the best way that he can do.

As of today, 460,000 people are still on evacuation centers and 3,600 people are still stranded by flooded rivers, landslides and collapsed bridges that makes it difficult for the rescuers to enter some isolated areas.

The great destruction of the typhoon challenges the toughness of Japan in terms of responding to the forces of nature while they were still recovering from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was discharge 9:30 last night. The reporters who are waiting outside the St. Luke’s Medical Hospital was shocked when the doctors of CGMA announced that the congresswoman was out of the hospital already. They confirmed that CGMA is now resting, not inside that hospital but in their house.

If you remember, the cause of CGMA being hospitalized was the simple pain in her neck which was announced also that may lead to paralysis. CGMA went to different surgical procedures because the first surgery was not successful so the doctors immediately did a follow up operation.

And now, after those surgeries, CGMA took a rest in their house, without the media knowing it. The doctors of Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said that she will be back again in the hospital for the CT-scan to see if Titanium plates which was placed on her neck have some complications. The doctors said that they are confident that there would be no more complications, they just need follow up check-ups, just to be sure that Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is in safe and sound condition.

Boy Abunda in Bandila

Image Credit - boyabunda.net

ABS-CBN announced that, beginning on September 12, the King of Talk Show, Boy Abuna, will be joining the team of ABS-CBN late News program “Bandila”. Boy Abunda will be back in the News and Current Affairs Family after focusing on the showbiz entertainment world of the country.

“Kontrbersyal”, “Etsetera”, and “Private Conversations” are the shows made by Boy Abunda under the News and Current Affairs.

He will be working with Julius Babao, Karen Davila and Ces Drilon. Boy said that he did not literary left the News and Current Affairs because he is still sharing news about different hot topics in the showbiz industry. And now he’s back, the ABS-CBN management wanted to make a best late news program.

Boy Abunda is very excited to be working with the respected journalists of the country. On the otherhand,  the journalists is looking forward to have a good working chemistry with the Talk Show King. But then they are not worrying about that because they are very comfortable with each other so no question about that. Bandila is one of the best News Program in the Philippines together with the TV Patrol.

How will the News Programs of other networks like GMA7 and TV5 react on this change. Will they have the ability to crash down TV Patrol and Bandila?In their dreams.hehe.PEACE!

P-noy State Visit to China

The 25 million worth of visit of Philippine President Benigno S Aquino III, is intended to renew the bonds of the Philippines and China, especially in trade and have reached an agreement on territorial disputes in the Western Sea of ​​the Philippines (South China Sea) during the strike last month questioned the relationship the two countries.

While most activities will focus to stimulate trade and investment between the two countries,the main purpose of the visit of Pnoy, is to maintain the good relationship between the Philippines and China

In recent days, diplomats from both countries are peddling optimistic statements. The spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu said that Aquino is to meet with Chinese officials, in particular the intensification of bilateral relations, exchanges and cooperation in all fields and coordination between the two countries at regional and international levels.

China is ready to work with the Philippines, the bilateral strategic cooperation to promote new achievements of the guests, Mr. Ma Zhaoxu said in a statement.

Philippines and China have exchanged accusations in recent months on the dispute in the waters of the western sea of ​​the Philippines. Both have shown their willingness to solve the problem, but the method of solution of the matter is different. The Chinese government wants to solve the problem through direct bilateral conferences, while the Philippines did not bring the issue to the United Nations.

As expected, Ma said the two sides signed several agreements on cooperation in trade, culture and media.

During the trip of Mr. Aquino, the Philippines and China to sign bilateral pacts with investment treaties projects totaling $60 billion.

China is the third largest trading partner of the Philippines, 27-billion U.S. dollars in trade.

Pnoy was with 200 Philippine business representatives hoping to clinched major investment deal.