August 5, 2014 Edition

Two American missionary workers who contracted the Ebola virus are recovering after an experimental treatment known as ZMapp was administered to them. CNN reported that 3 top secret vials were flown to Liberia last week to be used on Dr Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol who both worked with Samaritan Purse, an aid organization. The experimental serum, never been tried on humans before and only on monkeys, was developed from harvested antibodies within the blood of mice who were exposed to fragments of the virus. CNN said that within an hour of receiving the serum administered through an IV, Brantly’s condition was “nearly reversed.” Writebol needed a second dose before a significant improvement was observed.

Read the full story on CNN.

The number of those who have died from the deadly Ebola virus has reached 887, after 61 deaths were recorded between July 31 and August 1 in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. The World Health Organization (WHO) said the total number of confirmed and likely cases from the outbreak has reached 1,603. WHO Director General Margaret Chan described the response of some of the countries that have reported cases as “woefully inadequate.” She also said the outbreak has been “moving faster than our efforts to control it.”

Read the full story on Rappler.

A man who had recently been to West Africa was admitted Monday, August 4, to the Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan with high fever and gastrointestinal problems, but seems unlikely to have Ebola. The city health department said testing results will be made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “as soon as they are available,” or within 48-72 hours. Kent Brantly, an American doctor infected with the virus, seems to be “improving,” while Nancy Writebol was expected to return to the US for further treatment on Tuesday, August 5, the CDC director said.

Read the full story on Rappler.

A related story is on the New York Times.

Both Israel and Hamas have agreed to respect a new Egyptian-brokered ceasefire that was to start 8 am local time (0500 GMT) on Tuesday, August 5. It would last initially for 72 hours like a previous one that collapsed within hours of starting on Friday, August 1. Following a wave of violence in Gaza, there has been mounting pressure by Western allies on Israel to stop causing civilian casualties. The truce is expected to be followed by talks on a more lasting arrangement. The fighting has killed over 1,800 Palestinians and 64 Israeli soldiers in and near Gaza, and 3 civilians in Israel.

Read the full story on Rappler.

A related story is on the New York Times.

The heaviest monsoon rains will fall on Metro Manila from Wednesday to Thursday, August 6 to 7, state weather forecaster Jori Loiz said. As Typhoon Jose (Halong) enhances the southwest monsoon and affects parts of Luzon, state weather bureau PAGASA warned Metro Manila to be ready for rain from Tuesday, August 5, all the way to Friday, August 8. On Monday, August 4, heavy rain caused gridlock in Metro Manila streets and forced the suspension of classes in some areas. Metro Manila is home to at least 12% of the Philippine population.

Read the full story on Rappler.

Heavy traffic as a result of monsoon rain pouring over Luzon on Monday, August 4, made the commute home for most Metro Manilans a miserable experience. Congestion was reported along EDSA, a major thoroughfare, while side streets were also choked. Monday began with a accident involving a 14-wheeler truck that rammed 8 vehicles along the southbound lane of C5 just before dawn. The truck carrying sand, was waiting to be towed when its brakes malfunctioned and hit 8 vehicles near the Kalayaan flyover.

Read the full story on Rappler.

A related story on the 9-vehicle accident is also on Rappler.

A study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said the Philippines will need P436 billion (about $9.9 billion) to construct a new international airport. The new airport that would replace the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport will have a capacity of 130 million passengers a year, and 4 runways that can handle 700,000 aircraft landings and take-offs annually. JICA recommended Sangley Point in Cavite as site. The transportation and communications department wants the new international airport to be operational by 2027.

Read the full story on Rappler.

President-elect Joko “Jokowi” Widodo kicked into high gear preparations for a transition, while rival Prabowo Subianto still awaits the decision of the Constitutional Court on his petition challenging election results. With about 11 weeks before he assumes the presidency, Jokowi created a 5-person transition team that would prepare “strategic matters related to planning for 2015.” Outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, however, said Jokowi should wait for the Court’s decision. “After this, I will proactively communicate with the president-elect,” he added. The transition team will set short-term and medium-term priorities in preparation for the October 20 inauguration.

Read the full story on Rappler.

Scientists have classified the Myotis midastactus, a golden bat believed to live only in Bolivia, as a new species. Its golden-yellow, very short and woolly fur is very distinct. The bright color, unique among New World Myotis species, earned the bat its new name, after the Greek legend of King Midas and his golden touch, the BBC reported. The mouse-eared bat had previously been classified as a Myotis simus, which is found in South America.

Read the full story on the BBC.

A study by Oxford University suggests that playing video games for less than an hour each day contributes positively to child development. Young people who engaged in video games were better adjusted compared to those who did not play at all. But those who spent more than 3 hours reported lower satisfaction with their lives. The research involved 5,000 kids aged 10-15 years old. Experimental psychologist Dr Andrew Przybylski pointed out, however, that for children, the strength of family relationships plays a larger role than video games.

Read the full story on the BBC.