October 29, 2014 Edition

An unmanned rocket owned by Orbital Sciences Corporation exploded early Wednesday, October 29 (Manila time), 6 seconds after launch on what was to be a resupply mission to the International Space Station. NASA said the rocket blasted into the air before exploding into a massive orange fireball, vivid against the night sky, and smashing back into the ground. Fires were seen burning at the coastal launch pad after the Antares rocket blasted off at sunset from Wallops Island, Virginia at 6:22 pm (2222 GMT). No one was hurt. It was unclear what caused the explosion.

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“The US is not omnipotent. They’re a superpower, in a way the only superpower, but you cannot order things in the world as you wish – whether it’s in the Middle East, whether it’s in Ukraine.” He was interrupted by applause from the audience. Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong did not mince his words when asked about the role of the United States in helping resolve global disputes, including maritime rows in the region, at the Forbes Global CEO Conference in Singapore. Lee had earlier been talking about China’s maritime disputes with claimant countries in the region over the South China Sea. The Prime Minister did acknowledge, however, that the United States has “a constructive and important role to play.”

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Saying he did not think it’s “a right solution,” President Benigno Aquino III categorically rejected suggestions for him to extend his term beyond 2016. At a CEO forum on October 28, Aquino was asked how the Philippines is going to increase competitiveness after the ASEAN integration. After discussing the need for continued investments in public health and the Conditional Cash Transfer program, he said: “There are some quarters that were saying I should try and go for a second term. I don’t think that’s a right solution.” He then urged his audience to choose the “right candidate” in the 2016 presidential race.

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“No plans at all.” This was how Senator Grace Poe, who’s being egged to run for president in 2016, responded to media questions about 2016. The questions came a day after Poe delivered a privilege speech calling for a “re-engineering” of the government’s action against hunger and malnutrition in the Philippines. She cited the “Altanghap” campaign of her late father Fernando Poe Jr, who ran for president in 2004 but lost. Altanghap is Filipino shortcut for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Poe said reporters should not make a big deal out of her speech, reminding them that she used that campaign line when she ran for the Senate in 2013.

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The United States said it will boost security at government buildings after threats from Islamist groups and following two attacks last week in Canada that killed two soldiers. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson called it “a precautionary step, to safeguard US government personnel and facilities, and the visitors to those facilities.” He cited continued “public calls” by terror groups for attacks in the US and other countries as well as the two attacks last week in Canada. Both of the attacks came as Canada deployed fighter jets to join US-led air strikes on the Islamic State group in Iraq. Police say both assailants were converts to Islam with alleged extremists views.

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Its termination would have “adverse effect” on the defense posture of the Philippines. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin highlighted the role of the US military in the country’s “overall defense strategy” in the wake of a petition filed by lawmakers to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). Ratified by the Senate in 1998, the VFA allowed the return of American troops to the Philippines after the 1991 Senate vote that evicted US bases in the Philippines. Thousands of Americans are in the country every year for regular military exercises, among other activities. The murder of a Filipino transgender woman – and the alleged involvement of a US Marine in it – has revived calls for its abrogation. Two lawmakers have filed a resolution calling for the VFA’s termination.

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The European Union denounced Hungary’s plan for an Internet tax as a new threat to political freedom in the country and also for broader EU economic growth. It’s a “particularly bad idea,” said EU digital commissioner Neelie Kroes. The government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Oban, which has cracked down on media regulation and the justice system, announced the levy a week ago. The tax – $0.61 on each transferred gigabyte of data – was needed to help shore up the 2015 budget, the government said. The proposal has to “be seen as part of that pattern of actions which have limited freedoms,” according to Kroes’ spokesman.

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Davaoeños are very proud of many things about their city. Aside from pristine mountains and beaches, they have a 911 system that works. Not everyone knows about these though. Instead, Davao grabs unsavory headlines – from the punching incident involving Mayor Sara Duterte to actor Ramon Bautista’s “hipon” remark. At the Share Philippines Tweetup discussion organized by Rappler in the city, Davaoeños said they intend to use social media to promote what Davao has to offer.

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Get horrific. It’s that time of the year again when it’s all right to show the world how truly horrific your looks can get. How about a transformation collage? Make-up transformations usually show the creative road to looking like a glamorous celebrity, but, this Halloween, we’re giving it a spooky twist and heading down the road of monsters and villains. Much like the recently viral #MakeUpTranformation meme, you are given 3 panels to show your transformation process, and a 4th panel showing your ultimate look. Some netizens have done theirs! Upload your own meme using #HalloweenTranformation and we’ll feature the best ones.

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Singer Mariah Carey, a popular entertainer since the ’90s, gave Filipino fans a show they wouldn’t soon forget at the Mall of Asia Arena on October 28, as part of her The Elusive Chanteuse Show tour. Wearing a beaded minidress, Carey opened the concert with one of her classics “Fantasy,” followed by “Touch My Body,” and “Shake It Off.” She also performed one of her first hits – “Emotions,” which got the crowd cheering especially when she sang the highest notes. Carey got sentimental as she belted “Hero,” complete with fireworks, and a song called “Supernatural,” which she dedicated to her twins Monroe and Moroccan.

Check Carey’s photos on Rappler.