Cory Aquino

I was alerted by a Twitter trending topic that former Philippines president Corazon Aquino has passed away at the age of 76. She was propelled to power in 1986 after dictator Ferdinand Marcos was deposed in a popular uprising following the murder of opposition leader Benigno Aquino. The Philippines are in mourning for Asia's first female president, and for an icon for the return to democracy. Mrs Aquino died yesterday after battling colon cancer for more than a year; she had recently refused further treatment. She is to be buried next to her husband.

Last month of summer

August is here, and meteorologically speaking, it's the last month of summer. We were told this past week that tornadoes tend to occur in autumn, and the weather here has certainly been very autumnal. Out in the tropics, the Atlantic hurricane season is yet to produce a named storm, although the Antilles have seen their seasonal progression of tropical waves, with heavy rain and gusty winds. Tropical storm Lana is east of Hawaii, but not posing a threat to that US state.

Today is overcast with a soft breeze. The rainfall radar shows a thin line of rain crossing Lewis, and it should be here shortly.