geek – Page 4 – Author Carlo Carrasco

US State Department Imposes Terrorist Designations Against Muslim Brotherhood Chapters Of Three Countries

January 15, 2026January 14, 2026carlocarrasco

Remember a few months ago when US President Donald Trump made it clear that the Muslim Brotherhood will be officially declared a terrorist organization? America made its move by imposing terrorist designations against the Egyptian, Jordanian and Lebanese chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood, as announced very recently by the US State Department.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the complete US State Department’s announcement. Some parts in boldface…

Today, as a first step in support of President Trump’s commitment to eliminate the capabilities and operations of Muslim Brotherhood chapters that pose a threat to the United States as described in Executive Order 14362, the United States is imposing terrorist designations against the Lebanese, Jordanian, and Egyptian chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood.

The Department of State is designating the Lebanese Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), and the group’s leader Muhammad Fawzi Taqqosh as an SDGT. Concurrently, the Department of the Treasury is designating the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood as SDGTs for providing material support to Hamas.

These designations reflect the opening actions of an ongoing, sustained effort to thwart Muslim Brotherhood chapters’ violence and destabilization wherever it occurs. The United States will use all available tools to deprive these Muslim Brotherhood chapters of the resources to engage in or support terrorism.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think this newest move by the United States will help the government of Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon corner the Muslim Brotherhood chapters and bring them down somehow? Do you think the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas will be severely affected now that the Egyptian and Jordanian chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood have been tagged by the US? Do you think America will eventually crack down on the Muslim Brotherhood’s deep connections with the pro-terrorist government of Qatar?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Nomura Says Philippine Economic Growth May Fall Below 4% In The Near Term

January 15, 2026January 9, 2026carlocarrasco

By pointing to the effects of the flood control corruption scandal as well as other factors, Nomura Global Markets Research stated that the economic growth of the Philippines may fall below 4% in the near term, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from business report of BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…

PHILIPPINE economic growth may fall below 4% in the near term as the billion‑peso flood control scandal drags on, affecting government spending and dampening consumption and sentiment, Nomura Global Markets Research said.

“I think going forward, these spillover effects (from the graft scandal) will also expand,” Nomura Chief Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economist Euben Paracuelles told Money Talks with Cathy Yang on One News on Thursday.

The scandal, which curbed state spending last year, is expected to dampen household consumption and business investment amid weaker sentiment, he added.

“If the drag is now sort of becoming more broad-based, not just the drop in government spending, you’ll see growth coming potentially below 4%, at least in the near term,” he said.

Nomura now expects the gross domestic product (GDP) to expand by 5.3% in 2026 from 5.6% previously. This is still within the government’s recently revised 5-6% target this year.

Economy Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan earlier said growth targets were lowered through 2027, after GDP growth likely slowed to 4.8-5% in 2025 amid the flood control controversy.

The government cut its 2026 projection to 5-6% and to 5.5-6.5% for 2027 from the earlier 6-7% range. The 2028 target was retained at 6-7%.

Mr. Paracuelles anticipates that the government will roll out catch-up spending plans, possibly in the second half of the year.

Meanwhile, the Philippines may earn a credit rating upgrade if the government manages to resolve the flood control corruption issue within a year, Mr. Paracuelles said.

“The key for me is 12 months from here, when they need to decide on whether they need to upgrade the Philippines, I think it’s still quite uncertain,” he said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the economic growth of the Philippines is indeed slowing down right now? Would you be surprised to see the nation’s economic growth reach less than 4%? Do you think the officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is working sufficiently to restore its credibility?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

83 Illegal Aliens Arrested In Parañaque City

January 15, 2026January 11, 2026carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Parañaque, a raid happened at a certain shopping mall which resulted in the apprehension of more than eighty illegal aliens, according to a news release by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). A great majority of the suspects were from Bangladesh.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Saturday reported the arrest of 83 foreign nationals during a large-scale operation at a shopping mall in Baclaran, Parañaque City.

The operation, which stemmed from intelligence reports, was carried out on Jan. 7, following weeks of surveillance and verification, according to a belated news release.

The apprehended foreigners were 68 Bangladeshi nationals, 14 Chinese and one Indian. There were 2 females in the group.

Initial records check showed that while some held valid visas, they were engaged in retail trade activities prohibited under Philippine law. The report added that 18 of the foreigners are holding tourist visas, while the identities of six are under verification.

The foreign nationals are facing charges of immigration violations including undocumented stay, misrepresentation and violation of Republic Act 8762 or the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, which prohibits foreigners from engaging in retail trade without proper authority, regardless of visa status.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado explained that the possession of a visa does not grant blanket authority to work or do business in the country.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be foreigners secretly working illegally at the nearest commercial center?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

A Look Back at X-Men #7 (1992)

January 14, 2026January 10, 2026carlocarrasco

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics universe to examine one of the many tales of the X-Men monthly series.

Since issue #5, Omega Red was introduced and the creative team of the series inserted flashbacks showing Wolverine, Sabretooth and Maverick as paramilitary teammates from several years prior. It was also revealed that Wolverine and Omega Red encountered each other before, and their present day encounter resulted in the capture of the Canadian mutant. Wolverine managed to escape only to be recaptured by Sabretooth. Logan’s teammates were also captured by the same sinister group that has Omega Red.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men #7, published by Marvel Comics in 1992 with a story plotted and drawn by Jim Lee, scripted by Scott Lobdell and inked by Art Thibert.

Early story

The story begins with Wolverine heavily restrained and his healing factor has been pushed to its limits. In the presence of Matsu’o Tsurayaba, Psylocke and others, Omega Red presses Wolverine for information about the carbonadium synthesizer. Matsu’o advises the Russian to not let the Canadian mutant bait him, and he shares the realization that it is impossible to mass produce his healing factor.

Matsu’o tells Omega Red that his only chance for survival rests in completing the process that was started thirty years prior. The Russian replied saying that he realizes he is dependent upon synthesizing the only metal capable of negating his death factor.

Not wanting to top, Omega Red says that he would rather pry the information from Wolverine’s brain by hand…

Quality

*Psylocke in action versus Matsu’o and Omega Red.*

To begin with, this is the conclusion to the storyline that started with issue #5. It is a cleverly paced story that had a good amount of build-up followed by big pay-offs with Jim Lee’s dynamic touch with the visuals.

Wolverine is once again vulnerable and Matsu’o’s gang already has the advantage. Matsu’o is determined to discover information about the C-Synthesizer no matter the cost (note: at the expense of Wolverine’s life). Omega Red’s death factor is much more emphasized in this issue and the goals behind the operations of the gang is made clearer here. As the story moved on, there were these clever twists that were entertaining to see leading to the chain of action-packed sequences. Without spoiling the plot, I can say that the creative team came up with a very solid conclusion in this short storyline and Maverick’s own presence has been justified as well.

As with the previous issue, scenes of Mojoworld were inserted giving readers updates about Dazzler and Longshot. Very clearly, this was the build-up leading into the 10^th issue of the comic book series.

For those who enjoy visual spectacle, there is a lot to enjoy from Jim Lee here. As always, Lee draws action dynamically and made sure they are exciting to look at. Particularly, I found Lee’s carefully chosen action moments – particularly Sabretooth’s strike on Maverick and Wolverine’s strike against Omega Red – really impactful to look at.

Conclusion

*Wolverine in a very vulnerable and painful state.*

X-Men #7 (1992) is a very enjoyable read. It is a great conclusion to its 3-part storyline that started in issue #5 and by the time I read the end, Omega Red was clearly established as a very formidable foe of the X-Men even though he was a new addition to the lore. The writing of this comic book is very solid and the same thing can be said about the structure of the plot. Considering the time of its release, this comic book was clearly part of Jim Lee’s way of modernizing the X-Men.

Overall, X-Men #7 (1992) is highly recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

Health And Nutrition Program For Children Of Las Piñas

January 14, 2026January 8, 2026carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, the City Government’s nutrition committee announced the local health program for younglings which aims to emphasize better health and proper nutrition, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The (Las) Piñas City government, through its City Nutrition Committee, is set to conduct the annual Operation Timbang Plus (OPT) to promote the health and proper nutrition of young Las Piñeros.

Mayor April Aguilar said the program will cover infants and children up to four years old, ensuring early monitoring of their growth and nutritional status.

Aguilar said Operation Timbang Plus plays a vital role in assessing the weight, height, and overall health condition of children, serving as an important basis for the city in crafting and strengthening health and nutrition programs for the youth.

She encouraged parents and guardians to participate in the activity, noting that the data gathered from OPT will help guide the local government in addressing malnutrition and promoting healthier lifestyles among Las Piñero children.

The City Nutrition Committee assured the public that the schedules and additional details of the activity will be announced soon through official channels.

Residents are advised to stay updated by following announcements from the city government and the official Facebook page of the City Nutrition Committee.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are parents in your local community bringing their children to the announced health and nutrition program?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Philippines Overall 2025 Inflation Rate Lands At 1.7%

January 13, 2026January 6, 2026carlocarrasco

Following the 1.8% inflation rate for December 2025, the Philippines’ overall inflation rate for the entire year landed at 1.7%, according to a business news report by GMA Network.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the business report of GMA News. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines ended 2025 with a year-to-date average inflation settling well within the government’s target, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Tuesday.

At a press conference, National Statistician and PSA chief Claire Dennis Mapa said the overall inflation —which measures the rate of increase in the prices of goods and services— clocked in at 1.8% in December 2025

This was faster than the 1.5% rate posted in November 2025.

December’s inflation print brought the 12-month 2025 national average to 1.7%, which stood well within the administration’s comfortable ceiling of 2% to 4%.

The 2025 average inflation was slower than 2024’s average rate of 3.2%. This was also the slowest annual average inflation rate since 2016 when the overall year-to-date inflation rate stood at 1.3%.

‘Resilient’ – In a statement, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said, “Despite global headwinds and domestic challenges, the Philippine economy has remained resilient against inflationary pressures due to the government’s timely and targeted interventions.”

“Building on this momentum, the government will continue to pursue prudent fiscal and monetary coordination and advance structural reforms to sustain the downward inflation trend and support inclusive growth in 2026 and beyond,” said Balisacan.

The PSA reported that the downtrend seen in 2025’s annual average inflation rate was primarily due to the lower increase in the heavily weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages index, with a rate of 1.2% from 4.4% in 2024.

Meanwhile, the uptick in December alone was attributed to the impact of Typhoon Uwan, which disrupted food production as food inflation—which tracks the price movements of food items in a “basket” commonly purchased by households—accelerated to 1.2% from -0.3% in November.

This was due to the faster increase in vegetable inflation to 11.6% from 4% to 11.6 percent on the back of increases in onions at 79% from 48.2%, eggplants at 29.4% from –6.5%, and pumpkins at 20.1% from 8.8%.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the inflation rate of the Philippines will remain below 2% per month over the next six months?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Muntinlupa City Mayor Wants Local Regulation On Use Of E-Bikes and E-Trikes

January 13, 2026January 6, 2026carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, Mayor Ruffy Biazon pushed for the local regulation on the use of e-bikes (electric bikes) and e-trikes (electric tricycles) following the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) enforcement of a ban on them, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

For the newcomers reading this, e-bikes and e-trikes are popular here in the Philippines. They are, however, occasional hazards on roads due to factors such as their overall slow speed, drivers having no licenses and lacking knowledge on the basics of road safety, and even minors getting to drive them illegally. The LTO recently enforced a ban on e-trikes and e-bikes on major roads and highways. In previous years, there were incidents which you read about by clicking here, here, here and here.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon is pushing for local regulations governing the use of e-bikes and e-trikes within the city.

This move comes after the Land Transportation Office (LTO) began enforcing the ban on e-trikes along major Metro Manila roads starting January 2. The affected thoroughfares include Quirino Avenue (Manila), Roxas Boulevard, C-5 Road, and EDSA.

While the LTO has not given the Muntinlupa City government the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) on e-bikes and e-trikes, Biazon said it is important to have a regulation in the city.

“Gayunpaman, hangarin natin na magkaron ng lokal na regulasyon sa paggamit ng e-trikes at e-bikes. Hindi sila exempted sa basic rules sa kalsada, dahil pareho ang panganib na maaari nilang idulot—sa ibang motorista at sa mismong nagmamaneho—lalo na kung walang sapat na kaalaman sa batas-trapiko (However, we aim to have local regulations on the use of e-trikes and e-bikes. They are not exempt from the basic rules of the road, because they pose the same danger—to other motorists and to the driver himself—especially if he does not have sufficient knowledge of traffic laws),” the mayor posted on Facebook.

He added, “As I have mentioned before, I have already announced to the City Council our intention to pass an ordinance regarding the use of e-trikes on the roads of Muntinlupa. This is still under study, and we will ensure that there is a clear process of consultation, passage of the ordinance, and development of an IRR before its implementation.”

Biazon said there is no misunderstanding on the policy with the LTO.

“Pare-pareho ang layunin natin: kaligtasan at kaayusan sa kalsada. Ang usapin sa ngayon ay ang kakulangan ng malinaw na implementing rules, kaya hindi pa ito ganap na maipatupad ng Pamahalaang Lungsod sa local level (Our goal is the same: safety and order on the roads. The issue right now is the lack of clear implementing rules, so the City Government has not yet been able to fully implement it at the local level).”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, did you notice any e-bike or e-trike causing problems on local roads? Do you think the said electric vehicles made local traffic worse? Did you ever notice the driver of an e-bike or an e-trike deliberately violating road safety rules recently? How many people in your local community own an e-bike or an e-trike?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

I Love Israel: Israel And Japan Ties Emphasized As Top Officials Meet

January 13, 2026January 12, 2026carlocarrasco

Israel and Japan formally engaged with each other diplomatically as Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and their Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar separately in Jerusalem, according to reports by The Jerusalem Post and NHK World.

The meetings are significant not just because it marks the first time a delegation representing Japan under the administration of new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrived in Israel for diplomacy and cooperation, but also because Japan supports the American-led Gaza peace plan of US President Donald J. Trump (click here and here) and will be proactive in recovery and reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip. The Japanese, however, expressed disagreement over Israel’s West Bank (biblical Judea and Samaria) settlement activities and insisted on a two-state solution. On the bright side, Japan will still NOT recognize a Palestinian state.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from news report of The Jerusalem Post. Some parts in boldface.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Jerusalem on Sunday to discuss continued cooperation between Israel and Japan, the Prime Minister’s Office stated.

Netanyahu congratulated Motegi and the delegation members on their visit to Israel and thanked them for their support, the PMO noted. During the meeting, Netanyahu and Motegi also discussed different ways to address regional challenges.

Earlier, Motegi met with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem.

This is Motegi’s first bilateral diplomatic visit since taking office.

Motegi is also expected to meet with President Isaac Herzog on Monday morning during his visit to Israel, the PMO added.

Japan won’t recognize a Palestinian state given US ties – Israel and Japan align on some regional issues critical to the Jewish State.

The Asahi newspaper, citing unidentified government sources, reported in September 2025 that Japan will not recognize a Palestinian state for now, probably to maintain relations with the United States and to avoid a hardening of Israel’s attitude.

With regards to the meeting with Israel’s Foreign Minister, posted below is an excerpt from NHK World. Some parts in boldface…

Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu has visited Israel and held talks with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar. Motegi called for the steady implementation of a US-led peace plan for the Gaza Strip, while pledging a proactive role by Japan in the strip’s reconstruction.

At the opening of their meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday, Motegi said that to improve the situations surrounding Israel and the Palestinians it is important to steadily implement the peace plan.

He also said both sides should take concrete action toward the elimination of mutual distrust that has persisted over many years in order to ease regional tension and bring peace to the area.

Motegi also urged Israel to take appropriate responses to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian assistance in Gaza offered by international organizations, NGOs and others. He added that Japan will play a proactive role in engaging in the early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza.

Motegi told Sa’ar that Israel’s settlement activities in the West Bank are in violation of international law, and that Japan is concerned that the increase in settler violence may further destabilize the situation in the region.

Motegi urged Israel to immediately cease what he described as any unilateral actions that run counter to a two-state solution.

Motegi later met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the first face-to-face meeting with him by a Japanese senior government figure since then-Prime Minister Abe Shinzo in 2018.

There are indeed imperfections as revealed by the two news reports regarding the latest Israel-Japan meetings. In my opinion, Japan has yet to realize that the two-state solution is both pointless and worthless. They have yet to realize the truth that the Palestinians have a tradition of violence against the Jewish people, and they often followed terrorist leaders (fact: Palestinians expressed support for Hamas terrorists with regards to the October 7 attacks against Israel in 2023). Japan should realize that the West Bank is not rightfully owned by the global community and international law covering the said region is just an illusion. As such, we who support Israel should pray to the Lord that the Japan’s diplomats will get enlightened as they cooperate more with Israel in the years to come.

Praise and thank the Lord for the high-level meetings between the governments of Israel and Japan. Pray to Him to bless Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi and the people of Japan. Pray also for the potential future visit of Prime Minister Takaichi to Israel.

To all my readers, I encourage you to accept the truth that Israel is the land God designated specifically for the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12) and His command must be followed without hesitation. If you want to be blessed further by the Lord, do so by loving and blessing the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). I did my part when I was in Israel. Also, let me remind you all that the ties between the Jews and Christians are truly biblical!

I encourage you all to pray to the Lord God in support of Israel, to love and bless the Jewish people, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful, you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel and love the Jewish people no matter what. You can do your part supporting Israel by donating to Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Do not forget to read the Holy Bible, then pray in tongues to the Lord in the privacy of your room with the door shut.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus!

+++++

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 118

January 12, 2026January 8, 2026carlocarrasco

Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching. Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 Wagyu Beef In Japan – Have you ever heard of Wagyu? Wagyu collectively refers to four main Japanese breeds of beef cattle. All the Wagyu cattle today are the result of the cross-breeding between Japanese cattle and cattle from overseas (particularly from Europe) that happened centuries ago. When it comes to food, Wagyu beef is a premium type of meat that features marbling (referring to the streaks of fat existing within the red meat). It is of great quality and taste, it is not surprising that a lot of people enjoy it in Japan. Watch and learn from the Nippon TV video below.

#2 2001: A Space Odyssey Reaction Videos –When it comes to the science fiction genre of films, 2001: A Space Odyssey is a landmark achievement and it is one of the most defining movies that Stanley Kubrick ever directed. The sci-fi epic was released long before the first Star Wars movie even came out and it influenced at lot of filmmakers. That said, it is not surprising that a lot of YouTubers made lots of reaction videos, retro reviews and analysis about it. Watch the videos posted below.

#3 Lufia Games Revisited – When it comes to Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) in the 1990s, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) had a lot of them. Among the many RPGs from Japan were a few specific games that made waves among gamers but never achieved massive commercial success. I am talking about the games Lufia & the Fortress of Doom and Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals. To this day, there is a dedicated fanbase of those two Lufia titles which were overall enjoyable and immersive in different ways. It is a tragedy that the Lufia series (including handheld titles) has been dormant for a long time and Square Enix (which acquired original Lufia publisher Taito) has not shown any interested to revive it which makes it hard for gamers to play the old games. Lufia game developer Neverland went out of business more than a decade ago. To find out why the two Lufia RPGs were fun and still significant, watch the videos below.

#4 Are Open-World Games Getting Worse? – Open-world games are collectively popular as gamers always enjoy in-depth exploration, quests or activities they can participate it when they decide to, following the main story and sub-plots, and more. As many open-world games have been released over the past two decades, some people observed that game developers are making production short-cuts that reduce the depth of the gameplay experience. And there are games that have bad open-world maps. I understand that video game production today keeps getting more expensive and more stressful to do but there is something to learn from the video posted below. If you’ve been playing open-world games since before 2010, you will realize something.

#5 Scary Crosswind Landings – When traveling far away by airplane, it is only natural for travelers to be safe all the time. Still, nature has its own ways of changing randomly which means varying wind speed which in turn makes it challenging for airplane pilots to land. Some of you might have experienced the rough landing before but what you will see in the video below could scare you.

#6 Influencers Who Died On Mount Everest – When it comes to climbing Mount Everest, it is truly very daunting to do not only because of the sheer height but also because of the weather conditions, the cold, the need to be equipped and the need to work closely with other climbers. Given the significance of Mount Everest, it is not surprising that social media influencers want to make a spectacle online by climbing it and showing images or videos of themselves to their followers around the world. However, to climb the great mountain is very risky and doing something for the sake of social media mileage should be the LAST thing to do. Watch and learn from the video below.

+++++

Meralco Plans Key Study With USTDA This Quarter

January 12, 2026January 6, 2026carlocarrasco

Philippines energy giant Meralco revealed that it intends to start a crucial study with the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) within the first quarter this year, according to a BusinessWorld news report. The topic of the study is the adoption of small modular reactors (SMRs).

For the newcomers reading this, Meralco is the most notable private entity in the Philippines with strong interest on nuclear power. To learn more about them and their nuclear pursuit, click here and here.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from news report of BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…

MANILA ELECTRIC CO. (Meralco) plans to begin a study with the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) on the adoption of small modular reactors (SMR) within the first quarter, the company said in a disclosure to the local bourse on Monday.

“The study is expected to commence during the first quarter and is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter this year,” it said.

The power distributor is set to issue a request for proposal this month to select a contractor that will conduct the feasibility study.

Meralco earlier secured a $2.7-million (P160 million) grant from USTDA to fund the assessment of SMR deployment in the Philippines.

The initiative forms part of Meralco’s Nuclear Energy Strategic Transition (NEST) program, under which the company has been carrying out pre-feasibility work and partnership discussions to evaluate nuclear technologies suitable for local conditions.

The study supports the Department of Energy’s (DoE) goal of incorporating at least 1,200 megawatts (MW) of nuclear power into the country’s energy mix by 2032 as part of efforts to diversify supply and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Starting in April, Meralco said it would begin identifying potential sites suitable for SMR facilities, in coordination with government agencies such as the DoE and Philippine Nuclear Research Institute. Site selection will consider technical, environmental and regulatory factors.

SMRs are designed to generate up to 300 MW each and can be built in a shorter timeframe compared with conventional large-scale nuclear power plants. Proponents say their smaller size and modular construction could allow more flexible deployment.

Aside from the technical study, Meralco said it would carry out stakeholder engagement and consultations, capability-building initiatives and support work related to the country’s legal and regulatory frameworks governing nuclear energy.

By the fourth quarter, the company expects to produce a shortlist of potential sites for submission to the DoE and Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority, the recently established independent regulator overseeing nuclear and radiation-related activities.

“The NEST program is in its preparatory phase, thus no material impact is expected on the company’s business, operations, and financials at this juncture,” Meralco said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you hopeful that Meralco’s planned study with the USTDA will lead to progress to achieving nuclear energy in the Philippines within the next few years? Are members of your local community aware about the current move of the country towards nuclear power?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

	Instapundit »… on Trump’s America Urges Allies T…
	The H.A.R.D. Corps (… on A Look Back At The H.A.R.D. Co…
	Instapundit »… on A Lot More American Fruits And…
	Instapundit »… on Varied And Impactful Changes R…
	Instapundit »… on Japan And Italy Agree On Strat…

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: