(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 31 May 2023) At 3:00 AM today, the center of the eye of Typhoon "BETTY" {MAWAR} was estimated based on all available data at 320 km East of Itbayat, Batanes (21.2°N, 124.9°E) with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 150 km/h. It is moving North Northwestward slowly. Southwest Monsoon affecting Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due Southwest Monsoon. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. Moderate to Strong winds coming from South to Southwest will prevail with Moderate to Rough seas (1.2 to 2.8 meters).


TOP STORIES - Sunday, January 29, 2023

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online news monitoring)

29 January 2023, Sunday, as of 4PM

1. Marcos OKs VAT Refund Program for foreign tourists by 2024 [DZBB, Manila Bulletin, Philstar, CNN PHL, GMA News]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/858966/marcos-oks-vat-refund-program-for-foreign-tourists-by-2024/story/?just_in

2. Slain OFW in Kuwait:

-NBI conducts autopsy on slain OFW Jullebee Ranara

-PHL gov't to revisit bilateral labor agreement with Kuwait after Ranara's death

[Manila Bulletin, Philstar, ABS-CBN News, CNN PHL, GMA News]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/pinoyabroad/dispatch/858942/nbi-conducts-autopsy-on-slain-ofw-jullebee-ranara/story/

3. Rescued Chinese fishermen:

-China envoy: PCG rescue of Chinese fishermen a 'testament to friendship'

-No fishing gear found on Chinese vessel rescued in Eastern Samar - PCG

[Manila Bulletin, Philstar, CNN PHL, GMA News]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/858933/china-envoy-pcg-rescue-of-chinese-fishermen-a-testament-to-friendship/story/

4. Magnitude 5 earthquake hits Sarangani [Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Philstar, ABS-CBN News, CNN PHL, GMA News]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/scitech/science/858981/magnitude-5-earthquake-hits-sarangani/story/?just_in

5. Obiena seizes his first gold in 2023 season [Inqurier, Manila Bulletin, Philstar, Manila Times]

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/01/29/news/obiena-seizes-his-first-gold-in-2023-season/1876371

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