December 14, 2014 Edition

Michelle Fernandez

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

  1. Overtime for Lima climate talks

    After scrambling on an extended day of talks, negotiators finally broke a deadlock between rich and developing countries on forging the elements of a world pact to curb climate change. A years-old dispute over sharing responsibility for tackling the climate problem drove the 12-day haggle to extra time, darkening prospects for the most ambitious environmental accord ever. In the end, they were able to adopt a format for national pledges to cut greenhouse gases.

    Read more on Rappler.

     

  2. Will it be a diplomatic heartbreak, or will ‘lawfare’ prevail?

    The Philippines made history by being the first country to legally challenge China’s expansive sea claims. A strategy that analysts refer to as “lawfare,” Manila resorted to arbitration as China flexes its military muscle in disputed areas. Yet China rejects the case and snubs a December 15 deadline to respond. Its refusal to participate sparks questions on whether Beijing will comply with a decision favorable to the Philippines. If not, will Manila get the “enduring solution” it is after?

    Rappler looks at this international arbitration dilemma.

     

  3. Filipino executed in Saudi, groups outraged

    An advocacy group for millions of Filipinos working overseas has condemned the execution of a Filipino worker in Saudi Arabia and accused the Aquino administration of failing to adequately defend Carlito Lana. Lana, who was convicted of killing his employer, was executed Friday, December 12, after the victim’s family did not issue an affidavit of forgiveness to prevent the execution under Saudi law.

    Read more on Rappler.

     

  4. How volunteers helped in typhoon emergency response

    As Typhoon Ruby (international name: Hagupit) threatened and eventually battered the Visayas and surrounding regions in the Philippines recently, volunteers armed with laptops and the passion to serve helped in emergency response work through Rappler’s Project Agos disaster information management platform. They monitored social media for reports of typhoon damage, flooding, local weather, and calls for rescue. The information scoured from social media sites were relayed to disaster coordinators at the Ruby Response cluster command center of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). From there, action officers deployed resources to address critical situations and provide feedback, which volunteers would relay back to those requesting for help via social media, all in real time.

    Read the full story on Rappler, and know how you can volunteer the next time a disaster or emergency occurs.

  5. Will Pacquiao-Mayweather finally push through in 2015?

    After weeks of hearing only one side speaking publicly about a potential fight, Floyd Mayweather Jr finally addressed the subject of the long-delayed clash with Manny Pacquiao during an interview with Showtime boxing commentator Steve Farhood on Friday, December 12. Mayweather, the undefeated 5-division champion who currently sits atop THE RING magazine’s pound-for-pound list, responded to Pacquiao’s challenges saying he “absolutely” wants to make the fight for May 2, 5 years after people first began calling for the bout.

    Read more on Rappler.

     

  6. In the eye of the storm: Pinoy storm chasers

    Ruby’s first landfall on December 6 sent people scrambling to safety. But a group of scientists did the exact opposite. Storm chasers from the state weather bureau PAGASA were two towns away from Ruby’s landfall – Dolores, Eastern Samar, all the better to understand the typhoon. Some of them have been chasing storms for decades. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it – the information they gather is crucial not only to scientists but to the communities that will take the storm’s first hit.

    Watch and read more on Rappler.

     

  7. A Filipino doctor on the frontlines of the Ebola fight

    As the world battles the Ebola virus, thousands of health workers fight on the frontlines – and among them, Filipinos. One such Filipino worker is Dr Natasha Reyes, who worked as a medical coordinator for Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres, MSF) in Liberia. The Filipina doctor has been with the non-governmental organization since 2007 and has worked in several African outbreaks in the past, including cholera in Sierra Leone, and measles and hepatitis E in South Sudan. Reyes knew how dangerous Ebola is, but she went to Liberia anyway, because people needed help, the country’s health system needed as many professionals as possible, and a lot of work needs to be done.

    Read more about Natasha Reyes’ work, on this profile on Rappler.

     

  8. China commemorates bloody day

    For the first time ever, China officially commemorated the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, where 300,000 civilians were massacred as Japanese troops pillaged the city. The commemoration, led by President Xi Jinping, is a sensitive topic: it is usually called as the “Rape of Nanjing” in China, and with the fragile ties between China and Japan, the event could affect regional tensions further. During the commemoration, Xi called out the continued denial of Japanese nationalists over the event, and said China and other peace-loving people around the world will not allow it.

    Read more on the BBC, and on Xinhua.



  9. Mark your calendars, number lovers


    Many people noticed that on Saturday, December 12, the date was 12/13/14, a fun coincidence, especially for mathematics geeks. It might just be a fun sequence of integers for most of us, but it actually will be the last sequential date for this century (if you are following the MM-DD-YY format). But there will still be a lot of interesting dates for years to come. The Smithsonian magazine lists some “fun dates” you might want to look out for in the next 89 years – or specifically, until the next set of sequential integers roll around in our calendars.

    Read more on the Smithsonian magazine.

    Calendar from Shutterstock

     

  10. Will Valerie Weigmann succeed Megan Young?

    Will Miss Philippines Valerie Weigmann be the next queen of the World? On Sunday, December 14, the world will finally know who will succeed Miss World 2013 Megan Young, as dozens of the most beautiful and talented women vie for the crown. Right now, Weigmann has some points up against the other ladies, as she vies for two key awards: People’s Choice and Beauty with a Purpose awards. The Miss World finals night will be held starting 2:30pm London time, where the reigning Miss World will be joined by Tim Vincent and Frankie Cena as hosts the show.

    Rappler live blogs the Grand Finals starting 7pm Manila time on December 14.

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