MANILA, Philippines -- At 4:00 a.m. today, Tropical Storm "CHEDENG" was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 365 km East of Catarman, Northern Samar (12.2°N, 128.3°E) with maximum sustained winds of 115 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 145 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 13 kph.

Storm signal no. 2 has been raised by PAGASA over the  following provinces:

Samar
Bicol:
Catanduanes
Albay
Camarines Norte
Camarines Sur
Sorsogon

WASHINGTON (AP) – Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the embattled managing director of International Monetary Fund, has resigned, saying he wanted to devote "all his energy" to battle the sexual assault charges he faces in New York.

The IMF's executive board released a letter from the French executive Wednesday in which he denied the allegations lodged against him but said that with "sadness" he felt he must resign. He said he was thinking of his family and he wanted to protect the IMF.

MADRID (PNA/Xinhua) -- At least 10 people died in two successive earthquakes in southeast Spain on Wednesday, local officials confirmed.

The first earthquake, measuring 4.4 on the Richter Scale and lasting eight seconds, occurred around 17:03 local time (1503GMT), while a 5.2 magnitude quake happened around one hour and 45 minutes later and lasted for just four seconds.

The epicenter of both quakes are just seven km from the town of Lorca, 55 km from the city of Murcia.

MANILA, Philippines  --  It is estimated that the damage from the recent  twin disasters in Japan (9.0-magnitude quake and tsunami) could total to $310 billion according to Japanese government.

As per our latest monitoring , Kyodo news agency reported that the death toll has reached 14,919 people, while 9,893 remain unaccounted for.

Citing police data, the agency said that Miyagi reported 8,924 victims ,registering the highest number among six prefectures affected by the biggest earthquake to hit Japan in 140 years.

MANILA,Philippines (PNA) -  Alongside the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit , the Philippines and Vietnam held bilateral talks to discuss their respective country’s claim on the greatly disputed area in the South China Sea.

In a press conference in Jakarta, Secretary Ramon Carandang said that President Benigno C. Aquino III and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung talked about how each country may find ways to easing tensions as regards competing claims in the area.

MANILA, Philippines-- President Benigno S. Aquino III reiterates that he is happy with his Cabinet’s performance and refutes lingering rumors of a Cabinet revamp.

In an informal press briefing with the Malacanang Press Corps following his attendance at the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Jakarta,  the Chief Executive cited the dedicated performance of his Cabinet as they exert extra efforts to ensure the delivery of basic needs to the Filipino people.

Manila,Philippines-- As per latest monitoring by MB Online, Typhoon Bebeng leaves nine dead and one missing in Albay.

PAGASA Update:

At 5:00 a.m. today, Tropical Storm "BEBENG" was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 60 km Southeast of Casiguran, Aurora (15.9°N, 122.6°E) with maximum winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph. It is forecast to move North Northwest at 15 kph.

Signal No. 2 (60-100 kph winds):

Aurora

Isabela

Quirino

Nueva Viscaya

Ifugao

Mt. Province