September 6, 2012 Edition

No one would believe it if it were fiction.  After plagiarizing and refusing to acknowledge, much less apologize, Sen. Tito Sotto does it again!  Again, social media and Google play a role in exposing the translations from Robert Kennedy’s speech, but the unbelievable quickly turns into farce after Sen. Sotto dismissed the charge by saying, “Marunong mag-Tagalog si Kennedy?” (Can Kennedy speak Filipino?).  Filipinos went crazy on social network sites creating a meme #Sinotto that will leave you laughing.  

Read more on Rappler   

For the second year in a row, the Philippines jumps another 10 spots in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitive Index.  It is now 65th among 144 countries in 2012.  WEF says the Philippines made “important strides in improving competitiveness” highlighting the macroeconomic environment, which it says represents “one of the strongest aspects of the Philippines’ performance.”  In the first quarter of 2012, the Philippines was the fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia, second only to China in Asia.  For the second quarter, growth rate hit 5.9%, second to Indonesia.  WEF also points out weaknesses that need to be addressed, particularly in infrastructure.

Read more on Rappler  

The International Labor Organization is warning governments in Southeast Asia it may need a stimulus plan for jobs for the youth.  A new report says the euro crisis may have a spillover effect on emerging economies in Asia and projects youth unemployment in Southeast Asia to reach 13.1% this year, 13.5% next year, and as much as 14.2% in 2017.  These numbers are higher than the global average.

Read more and watch a video on Rappler  

Barack Obama’s wife, Michelle, rouses the Democratic National Convention its first night, mixing their personal lives with a national vision.  “We were so young, so in love, and so in debt,” she began.  When they were dating, Barack’s “only pair of decent shoes was a half size too small,” their student loans and the life they built together.  Making it extremely personal, she gave a lens through which his support for gay marriage, equal opportunity and other issues he championed could be interpreted.  She was his lead character witness, the woman who committed her life to him: “He knows what it means to want something more for your kids and grandkids. Barack knows the American dream because he’s lived it, and he wants everyone in this country to have that same opportunity, no matter who we are, or where we’re from, or what we look like, or who we love.” Her speech tried to remind American voters of his working class roots compared to his rival, Mitt Romney.  “He believes that when you’ve worked hard, and done well, and walkded through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you,” said Michelle drawing the crowd to its feet.

Read and watch Michelle Obama’s full speech on Rappler   and read an analysis of its effect on the New York Times  

President Aquino’s Executive Order No. 79 is a compromise which seems to leave neither side happy.  Shortly after it was signed, new investors announced delays in new projects.  Why? The EO stops the grant of new mining contracts until after legislative action on the Mining Act’s provision on the revenue scheme between the government and mining companies.  The catch: it’s unclear exactly when that will happen.  Philex Mining Corp., the country’s biggest gold producer, quietly announced that the start of production at its gold-copper Silangan project in Surigao del Norte has been moved later to 2017.  This follows an announcement by Swiss global Miner Xstrata and local partner Sagittarius Mines Inc that its target for commercial operations at its Tampakan mine in South Cotabato is delayed from 2016 to 2018.

Read more on Rappler  

The September 12 expected launch of Apple’s iPhone5 has its competitors unveiling potential challengers one week ahead.  On Wednesday, Microsoft and Nokia joined together to launch their smartphone arsenal with two new Lumia handsets powered by Windows 8 software.  Later in the day, Motorola Mobility, which was bought by Internet giant Google a year ago in a $12.5 billion deal, launched three powerful Android smartphones, RAZR M, RAZR HD and RAZR HAXX HD.

Read more on Rappler  

A massive international effort by more than 500 scientists gives the first comprehensive look at how human DNA works.  Observers say it gives “an encyclopedia of information that will rewrite the textbooks and offer new insights into the biology of disease.”  Most know that DNA contains genes which essentially code life.  Scientists though have long thought that these genetic blueprints only take up about 2% of the genome.  Now they offer a better understanding, saying that up to 80% of the human genetic code is active.  One scientist says this is “our first global view of how the genome works,” comparing it to a Google Maps which allows close-ups and birds-eye views.

Read more on CBS.  

 

Former US president Bill Clinton formally nominates Barack Obama for president at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.  “I want a man who believes with no doubt that we can build a new American Dream economy,” said Clinton who adds, “after last night, I want a man who had the good sense to marry Michelle Obama.”  Her speech was the highlight of the first night of the DNC, which reached nearly 4 million more viewers than the RNC on television, according to Nielsen.  Now Obama faces off with Republican candidate Mitt Romney.  At this stage, it’s unclear who has the upper hand. 

Read more on Rappler