September 22, 2014 Edition

Valerie Castro

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

  1. 5 things Aquino should say in his UN speech

    President Benigno Aquino III’s speech at United Nations Climate Summit in New York on Tuesday in front of 120 world leaders could be a “powerful platform” for a climate-vulnerable, developing country like the Philippines. As the 3rd most vulnerable country in the world, the Philippines is in a unique position to move climate change negotiations forward. Advocates see the Tuesday summit as crucial in building political will to ensure that an ambitious legally-binding agreement is made in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiations in Paris in 2015. The Paris summit aims to come up with new greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets that will take effect in 2020. Climate Change Commissioner Lucille Sering says Aquino is likely to talk about local efforts in building resiliency to climate change. But climate justice advocates are hoping for more.

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  2. Naderev Saño on what’s at stake for PH in climate summit

    In a video interview with Rappler, Climate Change Commissioner Naderev Saño explained the principle of common but differentiated responsibility. He said, “Every individual, every country in this planet has a responsibility but it is differentiated because those who were largely responsible for the problem must have larger responsibility.” He explained the bitter pill: to avert this crisis, the world must “reindustrialize in the same scale as the first industrial revolution.” He admitted it is a very complex problem but his optimism lies in his belief in humanity’s ability to save itself and to rise above adversity. “Because the alternative is not even an alternative. It is the demise of human civilization. It is the demise of biodiversity.”

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  3. Leo DiCaprio new UN messenger of Peace

    Actor Leonardo DiCaprio took on his new role as UN Messenger of Peace with a special focus on climate change. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon called on DiCaprio to speak about “the most defining issue of our time.”  He said, “This is no small task. As we all know, the world is involved in the largest movement in human history. We are at a pivotal turning point of rapid climate change.” The appointment follows years of personal advocacy as an environmentalist. In 1998, he established the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation to “protect the Earth’s last wild places.”

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  4. Thousands protest climate change worldwide

    Celebrities, political leaders and the masses rallied in New York and across the globe Sunday demanding urgent action on climate change, with organizers saying 600,000 people hit the streets. Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio, UN chief Ban Ki-moon and Mayor Bill de Blasio all marched down New York’s Sixth Avenue, as part of what was proclaimed the largest climate protest worldwide in history. There were colorful and boisterous rallies in other major cities in Latin America, Europe, India and Australia, designed to build pressure ahead of a climate-change summit hosted by Ban in New York on Tuesday. The UN secretary general walked nine blocks in the parade with US former vice president Al Gore, who is now a climate advocate, de Blasio, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and French Ecology Minister Segolene Royal. Organizers said in addition to New York, another 270,000 people turned out at about 2,500 events around the world.

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  5. Alibaba’s Wall Street debut poised to break records

    Alibaba made its long-awaited Wall Street debut Friday on the heels of a record stock offering that opens the door to global expansion for the Chinese online retail giant. Company founder Jack Ma was on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange as trading opened, while a group of Alibaba customers rang the opening bell. A trading price was not available in the early minutes after the opening, which is not uncommon for stock market debuts. By raising as much as $25 billion, Chinese online giant Alibaba is poised to break the record for the largest initial public offering in history.

    Priced at $68 a share, Alibaba would raise $21.7 billion with the offering of 320 million shares. If underwriters exercise the option for 48 million additional shares, the amount would top $25 billion, breaking the 2010 record set by China’s AgBank.

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  6. Thai princess at Asian Games: No royal treatment

    This Thai princess insisted she’s treated just like any other athlete after her debut in the Asian Games dressage competition Saturday. Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, whose horse is named Prince Charming, is the granddaughter of Thailand’s king and was once listed among Forbes’ “Top 20 hottest royals”. She is staying in the athletes’ village just like thousands of her co-competitors. “They treat me like friends, a normal rider… If they treat me as a princess I would not be here, I’d be in another stable… the one thing they give me is respect.”  The 27-year-old is the latest in a line of royals to compete in top-level equestrianism, including Britain’s Zara Phillips, a 2012 Olympics silver-medalist.

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  7. Ebola shutdown uncovers 70 dead in S. Leone capital

    Sierra Leone wrapped up its 72-hour shutdown on Sunday, September 21. Authorities report that the action aimed at containing the Ebola epidemic had uncovered up to 70 dead bodies in and around the capital. Most of the west African country’s 6 million people were confined to their homes for a third straight day, with only essential workers such as health professionals and security forces exempt. Almost 30,000 volunteers have been going door-to-door to educate locals and hand out soap. Independent observers voiced concerns over the quality of advice being given out, deeming the shutdown a “mixed success” and complaining about the poor training of the door-to-door teams. Aid organizations and medical experts questioned the feasibility of reaching 1.5 million homes in three days and argued it could erode trust between the government and the people. Human Rights Watch’s Joe Amon described the shutdown as “more of a publicity stunt than a health intervention.”

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  8. Marchers condemn Kremlin role in Ukraine war

    Thousands of Russians on Sunday, marched through Moscow to protest Kremlin’s involvement in the Ukraine crisis, in the country’s first major anti-war rally since fighting erupted in April. It was also one of the largest rallies since President Vladimir Putin returned to the presidency in 2012. A huge column of protesters moved through the heart of the capital to condemn Moscow’s role in a conflict that has claimed nearly 3,000 lives and pitted Russians against Ukrainians. Some chanted “Peace to Ukraine, freedom to Russia, jail for Putin”. Others were armed with placards saying “Forgive us, Ukraine” and “Putin, stop lying.” Participants said the Russian president should pull troops out of Ukraine and stop meddling in the affairs of the fellow Slavic country. The rally, dubbed “The Peace March,” came amid a Russian media blackout on the presence of Russian troops in Ukraine.

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  9. US firefighter in Ice Bucket mishap dies

    A US firefighter who suffered serious injuries in an accident during an Ice Bucket Challenge event at a Kentucky university last month has died. Tony Grider, 41, had been on the ladder of a fire truck along with another firefighter when it got too close to a power line as it dumped ice-cold water on a marching band on August 21. Although the ladder never touched the high-voltage power line, a power surge energize the ladder and electrocuted the firefighters. The other firefighter was discharged from hospital. The Ice Bucket Challenge, in support of Lou Gehrig’s disease research, has sparked a worldwide craze.

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  10. Emma Watson: Gender equality is a men’s issue too

    UN Women Global Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson called on men to take part in the global campaign for women’s rights and gender equality. The British actress and Harry Potter star led the launch of UN Women’s “HeForShe” campaign at the UN Headquarters in New York on Saturday. Watson gave a personal speech that called on men and women to rethink gender stereotypes and the negative perception of feminism. She said, “How can we effect change in the world when only half of it is invited to participate in the conversation? Men, I would like to take this opportunity to extend your formal invitation. Gender equality is your issue, too.”

    Read the full story on Rappler.

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