October is supposed to a chilly month for us, to the point that our skin turns dry and scratchy. But it was noticeably not this time around. A rarity.

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"Indonesia's cash-for-photos scheme turns villagers into wildlife protectors."

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HERO! >>> "Indian national Cpt. Smit Machchhar has been identified as the FlyDubai pilot who was stabbed by his co-pilot on the way to Israel and fought back. He reportedly managed to open the cockpit door after he was stabbed, allowing passengers to enter, subdue the co-pilot, and provide medical attention to Machchhar." ... "Machchhar was taken to a hospital after the plane carried out an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia."

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"The oceans are warming at an alarming pace, bringing far-reaching consequences for which the world is unprepared, according to a report by more than 100 international scientists." 450,000 plus deaths are reportedly expected.

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"EJ Obiena delivered the Philippines' third gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games after dominating the men's pole vault final . The Pinoy pole vault ace also set a new Asian Games record after clearing 5.91 meters." 

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Former Philippine Prime Minister Cesar E.A. Virata died.

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"A 28-year-old laboratory researcher named Daria Shipilova died in Russia from a suspected pneumonic plague infection following a reported lab accident."

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The increasing incidence of robots dancing like humans is unsettling to say the least. Don't you just hate robots dancing as much as you hate AI-generated videos, songs, graphics?

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The pope released something about AI creating art.

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Random finds: 

Study: Your body treats your tattoo as permanent immune system threat. 

Claim: Melon seeds contain squalene and loads of Vit. E.

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New terms encountered lately: glocalization (global+local), hyperlocal.. Reminds me of rurban to refer to mixed rural-urban land use.

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"The Vatican has issued new theological guidance saying that seriously harming nature can be considered a 'sin against Creation and against the Creator.'" 

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"Final resting place of Noah’s Ark found to hide man-made object, new study claims."

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Whatever it was, the Patrick Garcia-Jennylyn Mercado issue was all over the news.

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Hypertensive Vice! >>> "Reina Mercedes, Isabela Vice Mayor Harold Respicio was involved in a highly publicized confrontation during a Sangguniang Bayan (SB) session." ... "The incident escalated into a shouting match when Vice Mayor Respicio heavily questioned local barangay officials over the utilization of projects funded by the municipality's tobacco excise tax share. Tensions broke during the open forum as Respicio pounded on the table, explicitly called a barangay official a "magnanakaw" (thief), and engaged in a series of heated exchanges, which ultimately required police intervention to diffuse."

DILG Sec Jonvic Remulla expressed displeasure, and the whole thing ended in heckling, drug test, and a GCash transfer as reimbursement.

Next to Cong. "Meow-Meow," Respicio is a new interesting character to watch, to say the least.

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Our very own mayor trended after explaining her new look: "I just want to be skinny."

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The world's most arid desert - Atacama in Chile -- bloomed. "The Desierto Florido (Flowering Desert) is a rare, spectacular natural phenomenon in Chile’s Atacama Desert—the driest non-polar desert on Earth. Every few years, when unusually heavy winter rains (often linked to El Niño) trigger the germination of millions of dormant seeds, the barren landscape transforms into a vibrant carpet of over 200 species of wildflowers. The bloom typically occurs between September and November, blanketing thousands of square kilometres in shades of purple, yellow, pink, and white." 

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Canadian poet and essayist Anne Carson won the coveted 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature “for her bold and inventive ouevre that, in playful dialogue with a classical tradition, has created new forms for contemporary literature,” the Swedish Academy announced. 

>>> One critic says this win prove contemporary literature is dying.

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"Galit na galit kayo dahil nagpa-picture si Leni Robredo kasama ang Ambassador ng Israel."

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"Muling nagkaroon ng minor eruption ang Taal Volcano noong October 8, 2026!"

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"Torrential rain hit Chile’s capital, triggering mudslides that swept away cars through the streets and flooded homes, hospitals, and schools. Residents were forced to evacuate and at least six people were injured, according to authorities."

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"Nagkaroon ng malakas na pagsabog o moderately explosive eruption sa Bulkang Kanlaon sa Negros Island nitong Oktubre 10, 2026, ayon sa PHIVOLCS."

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"The Philippines ranks first among 193 countries in the World Risk Index 2026 due to its high exposure to natural hazards and vulnerability."

posted by Resty Odon  # 4:58 PM