Good morning and happy Saturday! The Philippines is getting a $1.5 billion financial cushion as Middle East tensions hit the economy, while Mynt lines up more than 20 investors for its massive IPO. Elsewhere, San Juan gets international attention, Carlos Yulo wins another gold, and scientists put tiny rescue gear on cockroaches. Yes, really.

Stay Sharp.

What happened: San Juan welcomed delegations from Australia and Cebu City for a governance exchange covering education, public safety, and digital services.

Zoom in: Australian Senator Josh Dolega highlighted San Juan’s education efforts and Right to Care Card. PSA data show San Juan recorded the country’s highest functional literacy rate among highly urbanized cities in 2024, at 94.5%. 

Why it matters: The visits gave San Juan a chance to showcase programs that other local governments could study, from emergency response to inclusive healthcare initiatives.

What’s next: San Juan is preparing a citywide CCTV network, radio communications, public Wi-Fi, and its Makabagong San Juan app. Cebu City, meanwhile, plans to continue exchanging practices with its sister city.

The Asian Development Bank approved $1.5 billion in financing for the Philippines to cushion the economic impact of the Middle East crisis. The loan will support the government’s UPLIFT program, including fuel and fertilizer subsidies, fare discounts, and assistance for affected households, workers, and businesses. It also helps address the widening fiscal gap.

PBBM Suspends LPG, Kerosene Taxes

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order 125 suspending excise taxes on LPG and kerosene as fuel prices rise. The move followed a Dubai crude average of $99.41 per barrel from Aug. 13 to Sept. 11, above the $80 threshold under Republic Act 12316. The suspension can last three months.

Mynt IPO Draws 20+ Investors

Mynt, the parent company of GCash, secured commitments from more than 20 global and domestic institutional investors for its planned IPO. The offering has a maximum indicative price of ₱10 per share and could raise up to ₱92.32 billion if the overallotment option is fully exercised. The public offering is scheduled for Oct. 6 to 12.

Industries Told to Recycle Water

Industries are being urged to recycle and conserve water as authorities prepare for worsening conditions linked to Super El Niño. The National Water Resources Board is cutting water allocations as part of preparations for possible shortages. The measures aim to preserve available supplies and manage competing demand from households, agriculture, and businesses.

Lakam Chiu posted bail via a surety bond after a Quezon City court set bail at ₱5.6M in her qualified theft case, and she was released from custody later Thursday. (Read more)

Yulo Adds Second Asian Games Gold

Carlos Yulo won his second gold medal at Asian Games after topping men’s vault with average 14.599, following his floor exercise title previous day in Nagoya, Japan on Friday. (Read More)

Taylor Swift Adds Four New Tracks

Taylor Swift’s Life of a Showgirl: The Encore adds four new tracks, Patient Zero, Cleveland!, Pink Clouding, and Babylon, with Variety reviewing the expanded release after its Friday debut online. (Read More)

Researchers in Australia have developed "paraborgs", giant burrowing cockroaches fitted with cameras and miniature medical injectors intended to navigate disaster zones and deliver emergency aid to people trapped under rubble. (Read More)

$100 Detector Reveals Invisible Cosmic Particles

University of Delaware researchers developed "CosmicWatch," an inexpensive, pocket-sized detector that tracks muons raining down from space, giving students and scientists a portable tool for high-altitude balloon missions and astrophysics research. (Read More)

AI-Generated Military Pity Scam Targets Veteran

Army veteran Raymond Gilbert lost money on TikTok purchasing a flag from a fake, AI-generated injured soldier video. Experts warn of rising online scams exploiting wounded military personas. (Read More)

ETH Zurich Unveils Autonomous Robotic Hand Inspired by 'The Thing' 

Engineers at ETH Zurich have created a dexterous, independent robotic hand reminiscent of the Addams Family character 'Thing', capable of complex autonomous movement and object manipulation. (Read More)

Pacific Northwest Tectonic Plate Slowly Tearing Apart

Scientists discovered that the Cascadia subduction zone off Vancouver Island is breaking apart piece by piece, revealing a slow-motion tectonic shutdown that reshapes our understanding of Earth's crust.

Study Reveals Human Brain May Have Evolved From Two Merged Nervous Systems

Stanford scientists discovered that the human forebrain and hindbrain develop from entirely separate progenitor pathways, suggesting that the brain evolved by fusing two ancient, independent nervous systems together.

New Genome Study Traces the Origins of Bats to Post-Dinosaur Europe

A major genome and fossil study reveals that bats first appeared in Europe roughly 65 million years ago following the dinosaur extinction, rapidly mastering flight and echolocation to dominate the night.

Astronomers Detect First Radio Signals and Magnetic Fields From an Exoplanet

Astronomers using the MeerKAT radio telescope detected radio waves originating directly from the gas giant Beta Pictoris b, marking the first potential detection of an exoplanet magnetic field and auroras outside our solar system.

👥 A Robin Padilla look-alike drew crowds outside the DOJ as supporters awaited the senator’s appearance over an obstruction complaint Friday. (Read more)

🆓 Mary Jane Veloso was released from prison after Marcos granted her absolute pardon, ending her years in Philippine prison custody. (Read more)

🌏 The Philippines topped the 2026 WorldRiskReport, scoring 46.69 on the World Risk Index and 69.27 on Storm Risk worldwide. (Read more)

🚬 Police seized ₱88 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in Negros Occidental during operations targeting illegal tobacco trade in the province. (Read more)

🚌 DOTr approved the LTFRB’s fare hike recommendation for PUVs, with new rates set to take effect September 28 nationwide. (Read more)

Pope Leo renewed his warnings regarding the potential dangers of artificial intelligence, emphasizing at a Vatican meeting and UNESCO that the technology introduces severe security risks and threatens international peace.

German Authorities Investigate 105-Year-Old Former Nazi Camp Guard

German prosecutors are investigating a 105-year-old former guard for alleged accessory to murder at a World War Two prisoner-of-war camp, highlighting ongoing efforts to prosecute aging Nazi-era crimes.

Lula Campaign Accuses U.S. of Interfering in Brazilian Election

The presidential election campaign of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva released a televised ad accusing U.S. President Donald Trump is attempting to influence Brazil's upcoming election and gain control over the nation's natural resources.

📝 Jollibee steals attention at ‘Forgotten Island’ LA premiere. (Watch here)

📝 Tarlac students, commuters cross the river on airbed after Aquino bridge collapse. (Read more)

📝 ‘The Love Hypothesis’ film draws criticism over Filipino representation (Read more)

📝 Mother in batangas shocked after giving birth to quadruplets she thought were triplets.(Read more)