Mayon Volcano on Alert Level 2 | The wRap

Here are today’s headlines – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:

• Mayon Volcano raised to Alert Level 2 on New Year’s Day

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raises the alert level of Mayon Volcano in Albay from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2 on Thursday, January 1. Alert Level 2 indicates an ‘increasing’ or ‘moderate’ level of unrest.

• Taiwan vows to defend sovereignty after China’s military drill

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te says the island is determined to defend its sovereignty and boost its defense in the face of China’s increasing expansion. This, after Beijing fired rockets towards the island and deployed a large number of warships and aircraft as part of its largest military drill around Taiwan to date.

• Meta created ‘playbook’ to fend off pressure to crack down on scammers, documents show

Internal documents from Meta show it has deliberately avoided being required by regulators to verify all advertisers on its platforms to weed out scams. Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, has been found to earn large revenues from fraudulent advertisers.

• Trump says National Guard being removed from Chicago, LA and Portland

U.S. President Donald Trump says his administration is withdrawing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland. Trump started deploying troops in June amid protests against his hardline immigration policies including efforts to ramp up deportations. — Rappler.com