April 17, 2014 Edition

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

  1. PH confirms 1st MERS case

    AFP PHOTO / British Health Protection Agency

    The Department of Health announced on April 16 the first laboratory-confirmed case of the MERS Coronavirus infection in the Philippines. The man, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), had contact with another OFW who died of the virus in the United Arab Emirates. With the reported case, the Philippines and Malaysia – who also reported their first case on Wednesday – are the first 2 countries in Asia outside the Middle East to have a laboratory-confirmed case of the virus.

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  2. Hundreds feared dead in South Korea ferry sinking

    Yonhap/EPA

    South Korean rescuers, including elite navy SEAL divers, worked frantically under floodlights April 16 to find nearly 300 people missing after a ferry sank with 459 on board, mostly high school students bound for a holiday island. At least 164 people had been rescued, leaving 291 missing. There were 4 confirmed deaths, including a female crew member and a student. The 6,825-ton Sewol listed violently, capsized and finally sank – all within two hours of sending a distress signal at 9:00am (0000 GMT).

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  3. Unsolved media killings: PH 3rd worst country

    The New York-based watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) belied claims by the Aquino government that “there is no more impunity” in the Philippines. In its latest report published April 16, the CPJ said the Philippines retained its ranking as the 3rd worst country in solving murders of journalists following Iraq and Somalia. There were 3 new murders in the Philippines in 2013 hiking the total to 51 journalists still awaiting justice since the CPJ started its monitoring in 2008. The report took a swipe at a government statement declaring the end of impunity in the Philippines.

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  4. Aquino says sorry for NAIA’s malfunctioning aircon

    Malacanang photo bureau

    President Benigno Aquino III publicly apologized for failures in air conditioning at the international airport named after his father. It was already branded by an online travel guide as the world’s worst. The fresh debacle at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport 1, used by foreign airlines, came as millions of Filipinos begin traveling for the Easter holidays during one of the hottest months of the year. “We ask for understanding and patience but the processes in government are really strict,” he said, adding that the procurement process in government takes at least 4 months.

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  5. Despite clashes, peace deal with MILF holds

    Dennis Sabangan/ EPA

    The Philippine government said it was confident a peace deal with the country’s largest Muslim rebel group would hold despite fresh clashes that left 4 of its members dead. The fighting took place just two weeks after the 10,000-member Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed a peace deal to end their decades-old rebellion that had claimed tens of thousands of lives. Two soldiers and 18 gunmen were slain in the clashes in Basilan, the military said, while the MILF acknowledged 4 of its members were among those killed.

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  6. Mother slaps suspect then halts public execution

    Arash Khamooshi /Isna

    A photographer captured a rare and dramatic event in Iran’s Islamic republic. Balal was about to be executed for stabbing an 18-year-old man in a brawl. But on the day he was to be hanged in public, Balal was slapped in the face by the victim’s mother who decided to forgive him. The victim’s father then removed the noose around the neck of Balal, who was spared death. Balal’s mother went to the mother of the man her son had killed, and both hugged each other and sobbed, the Guardian reported.

    Read the full story on The Guardian.

  7. Meet Honda’s latest ASIMO humanoid robot

    AFP photo

    It walks and runs, even up and down stairs. It can open a bottle and serve a drink, and politely tries to shake hands with a stranger. Meet the latest ASIMO, Honda’s humanoid robot. Resembling a tiny astronaut, ASIMO – decked out in a white suit and helmet – stands 4 feet 3 inches tall and weighs in at 110 lbs. ASIMO – short for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility – was designed to help people, potentially in cases of reduced mobility. The first model was unveiled in 2000 after 14 years of research.

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  8. After boxing, Manny Pacquiao wants to conquer basketball

     File photo from AFP

    Mark Barroca, the primary point guard for Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) team San Mig Super Coffee, confirmed that Manny Pacquiao expressed interest in playing for the country’s professional basketball league. Barroca told Rappler they spoke about it during their friendly competition at Pacquiao’s home in General Santos. In a report by Spin.ph, the People’s Champ confirmed he is considering playing for the newly approved franchise of Columbian Autocar Corporation in the PBA. The news comes just days after he defeated Timothy Bradley Jr. via unanimous decision and won the WBO welterweight title in Las Vegas.

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  9. Ford Mustang turns 50; new model on top of Empire State building

    The Triple Yellow 2015 Mustang was taken apart, whisked up by elevator to the observation deck of the Empire State Building in New York and painstakingly reassembled overnight in freezing wind, rain and snow. Ford celebrated the 50th birthday of its beloved Mustang by displaying a new model of the convertible on top of the building on April 16. By sunrise, the convertible was glittering and the views stunning. It is the second time a Ford Mustang has gone on display atop the Empire State Building. The first time was in 1965.

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  10. Click and pray: 7 Holy Week visits for you

    File photo by Leon Neal/AFP

    Are you tied to your laptops this Holy Week? Or perhaps simply unable to visit churches? Just click and pray; Rappler has got it covered for you. For the soul-searching netizen, Rappler compiles 7 online retreats, recollections, and reflections for Holy Week. Check it out!

    Read the full story on Rappler.

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