HEADS UP: Robredo Wins in SC, Taal Volcano Monitored (Feb. 17)

Here's a Heads Up from Reportr.World on news that you need to know today, Feb. 17:

TOP STORIES

• Vice President Leni Robredo remains in office after the Supreme Court trashed the election protest of former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. The ruling showed that the truth prevailed, she said.
• What's next for Robredo? She can use the "added legitimacy" to play kingmaker or run for a new position in 2022.
• Taal Volcano is being monitored for increased activity as dozens are evacuated from volcano island. Here's an explanation from Phivolcs.
• It's Ash Wednesday, here's your guide to fasting and masses at the start of the Lenten Season.

• Jollibee is going Japanese. It partnered with Yoshinoya Philippines to expand the beef bowl chain's local footprint.
• How much did Filipinos add to cart in 2020? For the average shopper, money spent is enough for an airfryer. 
• Here are the top apps for Filipinos during quarantine year 2020.
• Meet the hairstylist who is giving free makeovers to the homeless who are the most disadvantaged by the pandemic.

METRO-REGIONS

• In Batangas, villagers were evacuated from inside the Taal Volcano permanent danger zone as a precaution, said the NDRRMC. Alert Level 1 stays, meaning an eruption is not imminent.
• The first tropical depression of 2021, Auring, could form as early as tomorrow, according to PAGASA. It will likely bring rains to the Visayas and Mindanao.
• Coming this June, the Central Luzon Link Expressway or CLLEX that will connect Tarlac to Nueva Ecija
• More on infrastructure, the first phase of the Manila-Clark Railway is halfway done.

WORLD

• Here's an explainer on COVAX, a global alliance for vaccine equity. Among its beneficiaries is the Philippines.
•  The World Health Organization has approved AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine, which could speed up the global rollout of jabs.
• NASA wants to fly a helicopter on Mars for the first time

Here's an update on COVID-19 cases as of 4 p.m. of Feb. 16: