Tag: United States

Japan’s Kikkoman Opens 3rd American Plant to Meet Growing North American Demand

Japan’s Kikkoman Opens 3rd American Plant to Meet Growing North American Demand

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Kikkoman Corp. – the Japan-based food manufacturer and world’s largest producer of soy sauce – formally launched its third American plant in the state of Wisconsin to meet the growing demand in North America, according to a Jiji Press news article. This is the latest development of Japanese companies (or subsidiaries) investing in the United States.  

To put things in perspective, posted below is the entire news article of Jiji Press. Some parts in boldface…

Japanese soy sauce maker Kikkoman Corp. on Friday held an opening ceremony for its third U.S. plant in Jefferson, Wisconsin.

During the ceremony at the new plant, Yuzaburo Mogi, honorary CEO of Kikkoman, said that the company will increase soy sauce production to meet the growing demand in North America.

The third plant has already begun operating and will start shipping products in October. It is scheduled to produce some 4,000 kiloliters of soy sauce by March next year.

Kikkoman is also considering producing teriyaki sauce and “ponzu” citrus-flavored sauce at the plant in the future.

Other attendees at the ceremony included Kikkoman President and CEO Shozaburo Nakano and Senior Executive Corporate Officer Osamu Mogi, as well as local representatives.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If you are based in the United States, how many Kikkoman products do you have in your kitchen right now? Is Kikkoman your first choice whenever you look for soy sauce?

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

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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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

American Companies Express Strong Interest to Invest in Luzon Economic Corridor

American Companies Express Strong Interest to Invest in Luzon Economic Corridor

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During the Luzon Economic Corridor Investment Forum recently held at the Best Western Hotel inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, representatives of several American companies expressed strong interest to invest in the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC), the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) revealed.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the SBMA announcement. Some parts in boldface…

Representatives from approximately 50 U.S. companies have expressed strong interest in investing in the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC), a key economic zone recognized for its strategic role in the logistics sector.

Leading the delegation was Thomas R. Hardy, Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), during the Luzon Economic Corridor Investment Forum held at the Best Western Hotel, Subic Bay Freeport.

Joining the delegation consisting not only of American businesses, were representatives from international companies, development partners, and major financial institutions seeking to explore business opportunities within Subic Bay Freeport and the broader LEC region.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, together with other SBMA officials, warmly welcomed the delegates. They were joined by stakeholders from the Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation (SBITC) and other freeport investors aiming to engage in productive Business-to-Business (B2B) engagements, addressing inquiries from the visiting foreign companies.

“As the host of the Subic leg of the LEC Investment Forum, this delegation has a unique opportunity to participate in meaningful B2B discussions, tour Subic Freeport, and explore avenues for deepening economic integration across the Luzon Economic Corridor. Participants are highly encouraged to explore investment opportunities, pathways to collaborate, and how they can positively impact the success of the LEC initiative,” said Chairman Aliño.

Sponsored by the USTDA, Aliño emphasized that this visit highlights Subic Bay Freeport’s vital role in the LEC’s foundational tripartite partnership among the Philippines, the United States, and Japan.

He further noted that the LEC project has since expanded to include partners from Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. “This is excellent news for Subic Bay as a critical western maritime gateway and strategic logistics hub, connecting major centers such as Clark, Manila, and Batangas. It underscores our commitment to advancing infrastructure, enhancing supply chain resilience, and attracting technology investments within the corridor,” Aliño added.

In line with these developments, the USTDA reaffirmed its support for secure, robust, and resilient supply chains by facilitating the expansion of port infrastructure at Subic Bay.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you feel confident that the American companies that attended the important forum will indeed push through with investing in the Luzon Economic Corridor in the near future? Do you think their investment plans will create a lot new job opportunities for Filipinos?

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

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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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #16 (1995)

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #16 (1995)

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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 shared universe through one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

Having read the first fifteen issues of the monthly series, the X-Men have so much uncertainty ahead of them. Their leader Xi’an not only left them, but he also joined the sinister Theater of Pain which is led by the demonic Brimstone Love. The twisted Skullfire returned to the X-Men with a renewed purpose, but Kystalin had to leave them to settle a private matter. In Las Vegas, something is brewing within the Synge empire.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #16, published by Marvel Comics in 1995 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

Cover art of X-Men 2099 #16 featuring a character in a blue and red outfit with a serious expression, and a ghostly figure looming menacingly behind. The title 'X-Men 2099' is prominently displayed at the top, with 'Halloween Jack' as the subtitle.
The cover.

Early story

The story begins in Las Vegas when operators of the Synge empire attempt to kill a man. The man successfully avoids getting hit then jumps off the building and transforms into an eagle. Using their flying vehicle, the operators chased the eagle and successfully knocked it out cold using the neural scattershot.

In Oakland, Kystalin attends the grand funeral of Andre Daniel Ogada, one of the founding soldiers of the panther who helped rescue a community from violence. There, she is reunited with her brother Zak who is addressed by others s Minister Ogada. Krystalin could not believe that Andre Daniel Ogada is gone as she always thought he was invincible. Zak tells her she should have been at his side. Kystalin suddenly finds herself in a conflict between being with her family and being one of the X-Men as Zak tells her that her duty is with the family instead of the mutants…

Quality

A comic book page featuring a dynamic action scene with a character, a woman with white hair and a dark outfit, fighting and using a whip in a confrontational pose. The dialogue includes playful banter and expressions of defiance.
Luna got slashed from behind by someone with serious business with Meanstreak.

To begin with, this comic book really moved a lot of developments forward involving the X-Men members in creative fashion. This one has four plot developments that even include Desdemona Synge and her empire’s struggle with one very notable gang that gave them a lot of trouble.

Among the four plot developments, the one involving Meanstreak – who appeared on the cover art – is the closest thing to being the most important one to follow. This is because each plot development has a lot of depth and John Francis Moore ensured character developments would happen along with intrigue and surprise sprouting from the narrative. The part about Desdemona and the Synge empire is very compelling to read on its own and there is something new to discover about how it operates as it combats individuals perceived to be crooks or terrorists. The plot thread about Kystalin reuniting with her brother carries a lot of emotional weight as the legacy of her family was well defined. To see Krystalin getting conflicted between two families – her biological family and the X-Men – is absolutely intriguing and you might end up speculating about what lies ahead for her.

Conclusion

A comic book scene depicting a fight between characters, with dynamic action lines showing impact. One character receives a kick, while another character is poised for a strike. Speech bubbles reveal dialogue about teamwork and combat skills.
At this stage in the X-Men 2099 series, Skullfire and Shakti are focused on keeping the team together while knowing fully well that the Theater of Pain is one powerful enemy to deal with.

The best way to describe X-Men 2099 #16 (1995) is this…it sparked a wave of emotions from the X-Men members while creatively reconnecting this series to what was told in the early issues (specifically issues #1 to #5) and even paving the way for an uncertain future that awaits the team. This is the kind of comic book that builds up anticipation for the next issue and if you are an X-Men 2099 reader who cares a lot about the characters, then this one will resonate with you.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #16 (1995) is recommended.

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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/.

America Sanctions Palestinian Authority and PLO Members

America Sanctions Palestinian Authority and PLO Members

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It is official! The United States has officially sanctioned the Palestinian Authority (PA) and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) for failing to live up to their commitments as described in two historical commitment acts from 1989 and 2002, the US State Department announced.

As such, the so-called PA president Mahmoud Abbas has been denied an entry visa to the US ahead of the General Assembly of the wicked United Nations (UN). Be aware that the Palestinian Authority is guilty of paying terrorists and actually commits apartheid.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the entire announcement of the State Department. Some parts in boldface…

The State Department has reported to Congress that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Palestinian Authority (PA) have, once again, failed to live up to their commitments as described in the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 (PLOCCA) and the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002 (MEPCA). This includes initiating and supporting actions at international organizations that undermine and contradict prior commitments in support of Security Council Resolution 242 and 338, taking actions to internationalize the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict including through the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ), seeking to bypass negotiations through seeking unilateral recognition, and continuing to pay stipends to terrorists and to glorify acts of terrorism and terrorists in public pronouncements and school textbooks.

As a consequence of their failure to reform, contrary to their commitments to the United States, and their ongoing activities that undermine the prospects for peace, the United States will extend sanctions that deny visas to PLO members and PA officials in accordance with section 604(a)(1) of the MEPCA. The Department has maintained the standing waiver for personnel notified to the PLO Observer Mission to the United Nations as was the case in the Department’s prior determinations. It is in our national interest to impose consequences and hold the PLO and PA accountable for glorifying terrorism.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think this latest move by the United States will impact the PA, the PLO and their international partners significantly? Do you think the other nations that took sides with the Palestinians and normalized themselves with Islamic terrorists will think twice about how they do diplomacy? Are you convinced that the Palestinians have a religious and ethnic commitment to terrorism?

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

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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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Hitachi to Build $528-million Transformer Manufacturing Plant in America

Hitachi to Build $528-million Transformer Manufacturing Plant in America

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Hitachi Energy Ltd. – a global leader in energy technology and electrification – announced yesterday that it will invest almost $530 million to construct a transformer manufacturing plant in the state of Mississippi in the United States, according to a news article by Jiji Press. The investment is to help meet the rising power demand as the use artificial intelligence (AI) keeps on rising.

Hitachi Energy Ltd. is the energy arm of the Hitachi Group with over a century of innovation, and a long list completed projects that helped people for their access to dependable energy.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the entire news article of Jiji Press. Some parts in boldface…

Hitachi Energy Ltd. said Wednesday that it will invest 528 million dollars to build a transformer manufacturing plant in Mississippi to meet surging U.S. power demand amid wider use of artificial intelligence.

The Swiss unit of Hitachi Ltd. expects the plant to more than double its production capacity compared with an existing transformer plant in Mississippi. Construction of the new plant will begin later this year, with production scheduled to start in 2029.

The new plant will be “the cornerstone” of Hitachi Energy’s 1.5-billion-dollar U.S. investment plan, the company said.

In September last year, Hitachi Energy said it would invest 1 billion dollars in the United States. It later expanded the plan as Japan pledged to make 550 billion dollars in investment and loans to the United States as part of a bilateral trade agreement.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you consider this new investment by Hitachi a crucial one in relation to the rising demand for power in the United States? Are you hoping that the bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Japan will create economic and energy breakthroughs for Americans in the near future?

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

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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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 154

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 154

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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 Ashleigh Burton reacts to A View to a Kill – It has been over a year since Asheigh Burton made a Roger Moore-led James Bond movie reaction video. That said, she recently posted her reaction video of A View to a Kill and that film happens to be Moore’s final movie as Agent 007. In my honest opinion, Roger Moore was at his best as Bond in 1981’s For Your Eyes Only before everything went downhill with his last two 007 flicks. As such, I can say that Ashleigh Burton enjoyed A View to a Kill more than I did and her reaction video is fun to watch. Go watch her reaction video now!

#2 Sega Lord X examines Bram Stoker’s Dracula on Sega CD – When Bram Stoker’s Dracula (directed by Francis Ford Coppola) was released in cinemas worldwide in 1992, there was a lot of marketing for it and its presence through local media was felt. The same cannot be said about the official video game adaptations which was limited to video game-related publications. Among those video games was the Sega CD game of Bram Stoker’s Dracula which was somewhat ambitious in design connected with its use of full-motion video and digitized elements for the 2D side-scrolling gameplay. In his retrospective video, Sega Lord X offers viewers a close look at Bram Stoker’s Dracula on Sega CD which is engaging to watch.

#3 When Michael Jordan taught the Orlando Magic a big lesson – Remember back in 1995 when Michael Jordan came out of retirement to significantly boost the Chicago Bulls? The Bulls won 13 of the 17 remaining regular season games with Jordan and they reached as far as the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the 1st-seeded Orlando Magic. While the Bulls got stronger with their NBA legend, the fact was Michael Jordan was still far from recovering 100% of the basketball greatness he had in 1993 (the year he had a sudden retirement after winning another NBA championship and losing his beloved father). The series with the Orlando Magic has always been remembered for Nick Anderson’s remarks of “45 is not 23” which eventually led to a huge consequence later. This is about trash talk that compelled Jordan to react with action not only within the 1995 series against the Orlando Magic but also beyond it. Watch and learn from the video below.

#4 A look at Hong Kong – Have you ever visited Hong Kong? There is this YouTube video about the city and there are many real-life elements and locations that are unique to see. Back in the 1990s, Hong Kong was also known for its neon lights shown during nights and the city itself became the visual inspiration for the fictional New Port City in the Ghost in the Shell anime feature film of 1995. There is a lot to learn about Hong Kong in the video below.

#5 Nuclear Fusion in Japan – What is nuclear fusion? It is the reaction in which two or more light atomic nuclei combine to form a single heavier nucleus, releasing a massive amount of energy in the process. As of now, nuclear fusion is being developed in Japan and the Japanese are investing a massive amount of over three trillion Yen on it. With said investment, the government of Japan aims to achieve fusion power generation in the 2030s and capture 30% of the global market. Watch and learn from the Nippon TV video below.

#6 You, Me and the Movies react to Hudson Hawk – If you enjoyed watching Bruce Willis in Die Hard films, do you enjoy watching him in action-comedy movies? Way back in 1991, Willis starred in Hudson Hawk which was an expensive action-comedy film that ended up as a huge critical and commercial failure in America. Even though it flopped big-time, it did not n necessarily destroy Willis’ career and the film somehow gained a cult following. There are also some film buffs online who admitted even enjoying it. Perhaps there is something within Hudson Hawk that was good and misunderstood. To learn more about the movie, watch the reaction video of You, Me and the Movies below.

#7 Totally Whatever reacts to Predator and Predator 2 – I enjoy watching the reaction videos posted by Totally Whatever. I took time to watch their reaction videos of 1987’s Predator (a true action classic which has Arnold Schwarzenegger and a memorable cast) and the 1990 sequel Predator 2 (which starred Danny Glover). Considering how different each movie was and how unique the presentations and characters were, the reaction videos to the Predator films are fun to watch. I encourage you watch the videos below.

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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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

America Sanctions Major Russian Bank for Aiding Iran’s Sanctions Evasion

America Sanctions Major Russian Bank for Aiding Iran’s Sanctions Evasion

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VTB Bank, one of the major financial institutions of Russia, has officially been sanctioned by the United States for assisting the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran evade sanctions, according to the US State Department’s official announcement.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the whole announcement of the State Department. Some parts in boldface…

The United States sanctioned VTB Bank, one of Russia’s largest financial institutions, for helping Iran evade sanctions and sustain its support for terrorism. VTB Bank opened offices in Iran, built banking ties with sanctioned Iranian financial institutions, and worked to move billions of dollars in Iranian assets.

The United States remains steadfast in cutting off the financial lifelines that allow the Iranian regime to fund terrorism, destabilize the region, and threaten U.S. economic security.

Today’s action sends a clear message to governments and financial institutions considering similar arrangements: any effort to help Iran evade sanctions will carry serious consequences, including exposure to U.S. financial restrictions.

The United States will continue to use every diplomatic and economic tool at its disposal to isolate the Iranian regime. We urge the international community to join this effort to sever the financial lifelines of a regime that threatens peace and security.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think this latest move by the United States will convince more members of the international community to join in the effort to cut the financial lifelines of the Islamic terrorist state Iran? Do you think VTB Bank has a lot of financial ties with your local business community?

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

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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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Better than Streaming: Watch out for Godzilla Minus Zero in cinemas this November

Better than Streaming: Watch out for Godzilla Minus Zero in cinemas this November

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Welcome back fellow geeks and film buffs!

Great news for those who love giant monster movies and wild cinematic fantasies! The new movie Godzilla Minus Zero will be released in cinemas worldwide this November starting with Japan!

Godzilla Minus Zero is the sequel to the excellent Godzilla Minus One (2023) and Takashi Yamazaki is back as director, writer and head of visual effects. Key members of the cast from the 2023 movie are returning as well. Feeling excited? Watch the official trailer below and pay attention to the details.

The official description of Godzilla Minus Zero from Toho is as follows: Godzilla Minus Zero is the highly anticipated new film from director, screenwriter and with VFX by Takashi Yamazaki, who won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects for Godzilla Minus One.

The synopsis: War reduced Japan to zero, and Godzilla plunged it into minus. Two years have passed since then, and the country has faced agonizing struggles to achieve recovery and finally reclaim its daily life.

Just as humanity managed to cling to a hard-won peace, a new threat strikes, crushing hope in an instant.

There is no third time. Everything ends here.

Promotional poster for 'Godzilla Minus Zero' featuring Godzilla amidst a stormy backdrop with lightning, announcing it is filmed for IMAX and releasing on November 6.
Godzilla Minus One will open in cinemas in more than twenty countries on November 6, 2026. (photo source – Toho)

With regards to the scheduled global cinematic release, Godzilla Minus Zero will play in cinemas on the following dates and nations:

November 3, 2026 – Japan

November 4, 2026 – Belgium, France, Indonesia, Laos, Luxembourg, Philippines, Thailand,  

November 5, 2026 – Albania, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia, Brazil, Brunei, Central America, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Curacao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Kosovo, Malaysia, Mexico, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Switzerland, Uruguay, Venezuela,

November 6, 2026 – Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Mozambique, Norway, Poland, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom (UK), United States of America, Vietnam, Zambia,

November 12, 2026 – Italy

November 20, 2026 – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan,

A person holding a glass jar containing a preserved specimen resembling a small, spiky object, with a label visible. The text 'Fight fire with fire.' is displayed below.
Looks like a tiny piece of Godzilla was recovered somehow.

I am glad that my native Philippines will have Godzilla Minus Zero officially screened on the 4th of November. Godzilla Minus One’s screening in the Philippines was limited to a film festival and I had to import the 4K Blu-ray copy of it. To be clear, I enjoyed watching Godzilla Minus One and remember the very end of its footage, I am not surprised that Godzilla Minus Zero materialized. With the sequel coming out in a few months’ time, I am eager to find out what will happen next in the story about a struggling Japan and what will happen next to the core characters.

Already Toho confirmed that Godzilla Minus Zero was filmed for IMAX. That said, I will make an effort to see it in a local IMAX cinema here in the Philippines.

Right now, Godzilla Minus Zero is my most anticipated movie this year. Do you plan to watch it? Let me know in the comments below.

A large, monstrous creature with scales and spines stands amidst a devastated cityscape, roaring against a backdrop of dark, stormy clouds.
Japan’s Gojira really looks fierce!

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, the cinematic trends, Blu-ray releases and more relevant stuff, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group by clicking https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Vietnam Attracts Almost 16 Million Foreign Tourists in First 8 Months of 2026

Vietnam Attracts Almost 16 Million Foreign Tourists in First 8 Months of 2026

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The tourism boom in Vietnam continued strongly as the nation successfully attracted almost sixteen million foreign tourists during the first eight months of 2026, according to a news report by VnExpress.

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

Vietnam welcomed nearly 2 million international visitors in August, up 19.7% from July and 18.4% year-on-year, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

In the first eight months of this year, the country received nearly 16 million foreign visitors, an increase of 14.4% from the same period in 2025 and equivalent to 63.6% of the full-year target.

The August figure is notable as the month is usually considered part of the low season for international tourism.

The result shows that the country’s tourism market continued to maintain and expand its appeal. Air travel remained the main mode of entry, accounting for 83% of international arrivals, while arrivals by road continued to increase, particularly from neighboring countries.

By region, Asia was still Vietnam’s largest source market, with about 11.8 million visitors in the eight-month period, making up nearly 74% of the total and increasing 7.4% year-on-year.

Europe recorded the strongest growth among major regions, at 53.4%, with about 2.68 million visitors.

Arrivals from the Americas reached around 887,000, up 20.7%, while those from Oceania rose 23.3% to nearly 489,000. Africa sent about 45,000 visitors to Vietnam, up 25.1%.

The tourism authority said the figures show that Vietnam is expanding its reach beyond nearby Asian markets, with strong growth from long-haul markets, helping diversify the visitor base and reduce dependence on individual markets.

By country, China remained Vietnam’s largest source market, with 3.54 million visitors, accounting for about 22.3% of the total. South Korea ranked second with approximately 2.76 million visitors, or 17.3%. Together, the two markets provided more than 6.3 million visitors, nearly 40% of the country’s total.

Russia ranked third with more than 1 million visitors, representing a year-on-year increase of about 165.7%, the highest growth among major source markets.

Other key markets also posted strong growth. Visitors from the U.S. increased 20.4%, Cambodia 41.5%, Japan 9.2%, the Philippines 58.8% and Australia 23.3%.

European markets continued to perform well, with arrivals from the U.K. rising 9.8%, France 13.4%, Germany 15.1%, Sweden 25.1%, Switzerland 27%, Poland 51.2% and the Czech Republic 28.2%. In Southeast Asia, tourists from Malaysia grew 20.5%, Singapore 31.7%, and Indonesia 26.7%.

India was another fast-growing market. The number of Indian visitors rose from just 102,000 in 2019 to more than 612,000 in the first eight months of 2026.

The expansion of direct air services between major Indian cities and Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang has helped make Vietnam more accessible to Indian travelers.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Vietnam can attract at least 25 million foreign tourists by the end of this year? If you plan to visit Vietnam soon, what are your three main reasons for visiting?

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

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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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 153

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 153

carlocarrasco

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 Reaction Videos of The Transformers: The Movie – I can hardly believe it has been forty years since The Transformers: The Movie was first released. Following its disappointing theatrical run, the animated feature film became highly pursued by Transformers fans as soon as it was released on home video, and me and my friends enjoyed it a lot. It’s theatrical disappointment never stopped it from becoming a classic for Transformers fans and its importance in pop culture has been established solidly. By today’s standards, The Transformers: The Movie is a showcase of not only high-quality animation and a great lineup of characters, it also has the fine vocal performances of entertainment legends Orson Welles, Peter Cullen (who died recently), Leonard Nimoy, Scatman Crothers, Robert Stack, and Frank Welker. That said, it is not surprising that the 1986 animated film is featured in many movie reaction videos and I found the most entertaining ones for you to enjoy.

#2 Summer Bargains in Japan – Are there a lot of bargains offered by your local grocery or department stores during the summer season? In Japan, as captured by Nippon TV, a grocery store organized “all-you-can-stuff” events that offered customers the golden opportunities to accumulate as many fresh vegetables (sourced from the summer produce of local farms) as they can for a fixed rate per attempt. Watching this Nippon TV video is entertaining and informative. I encourage you all to watch it from start to finish.

#3 1978 Interview Clip of Ingrid Bergman – If you have seen the classic movie Casablanca, you would remember the radiant beauty of Ingrid Bergman and her on-screen romance with Humphrey Bogart’s character. A few years before she passed away, Bergman was interviewed on TV and I posted below a short video excerpt for you to see. Not only will you learn from Bergman a notable revelation about her co-star’s presence behind the scenes of Casablanca’s production, you will see how intellectual and insightful she was. Go watch the video below.

#4 The Indiana Jones Game Konami Was Never Allowed to Make – Time for retro gaming! Back in the 1980s, Konami was a very prolific producer of video games for both arcades and consoles. In 1987, Konami released Arumana no Kiseki for the Nintendo Family Computer (Famicom) disk system. What struck me when I first played the game was the many creative elements it shared with the 1984 film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. The playable action hero was designed with close resemblance to Indiana Jones (complete with the fedora). The game even had locations that looked like they were ripped off from the 1984 movie. To learn more about Arumana no Kiseki, who created it and why it had lots of Indiana Jones-related elements in it, watch the video below.

#5 Roger Moore Technically Played James Bond in The Cannonball Run – Released in 1981, The Cannonball Run was an all-star comedy film with an emphasis on racing and stunts. It was heavily inspired by a real-life illegal cross-country motor race that happened in America in the 1970s and the movie had the very popular celebrities of the time like Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Farrah Fawcett and Roger Moore. Moore, who was already famous as the cinematic James Bond, technically played Agent 007 in The Cannonball Run. If you are curious and you want to know more, go watch Calvin Dyson’s retrospective of the movie and Moore’s presence.

#6 Jerusalem Walk Video – During the day-off of the Israel pilgrimage tour I joined in 2023, I took the rare opportunity to explore the city of Jerusalem on foot. I started the day at the Old City of Jerusalem where I visited the Temple Mount, the Western Wall and other holy sites before marching all the way to the modern part of Jerusalem going as far as the famous Mahane Yehuda market. This Jerusalem walk video brings back memories to me and if you love world travel, I encourage you to watch it.

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