Rappler Newscast | November 1, 2013

Story 1: HK TO MANILA EXECS: SORRY NOT ENOUGH
The Hong Kong government declines Manila’s apology over the 2010 hostage crisis that killed 8 tourists.
Hong Kong wants Manila to grant all four of its demands: a formal apology, compensation for the victims, holding officials accountable for the –quote– “mishandling of the incident,” and ensuring the safety of tourists.
On Thursday, Hong Kong’s Security Bureau denies the claim of Manila Councilor Bernadito Ang that Hong Kong accepted Manila’s apology.
Ang flew to Hong Kong after the Manila city council made an apology through a resolution.
On Thursday evening, Hong Kong’s Security Bureau, representatives of the victims’ families, and Ang release a joint statement that the parties agreed to –quote– “exchange further views” to find a solution.
Hong Kong lawmaker James To Kun-sun says compensation is one of the most contentious issues in the negotiations.
The South China Morning Post reports Ang proposed compensation worth HK $7.8 million or P43.7 million.
Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno reportedly earlier promised a higher amount: up to HK $20 million or P112 million.
Documents obtained by Rappler show former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim was found “administratively liable for simple neglect of duty” over the crisis.
But President Benigno Aquino sat on the recommendation made by the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.
Malacanang dismisses the decision to apologize to Hong Kong as a “personal initiative” on the part of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.
Aquino says the incident was the act of one individual and does not merit an official apology.

Story 2: PH ASKS US TO PROBE FILIPINO OIL WORKER’S DEATH
The Philippines asks the United States to investigate the death of a 38-year-old oil worker in the Gulf of Mexico, the fourth Filipino killed in the second deadliest US industry.
The Philippine Embassy in the United States says Ambassador Jose Cuisia Jr makes the request to the US Interior Department’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement or BSEE.
Peter Jorge Voces died Sunday while working on an oil platform.
He fell to his death after an empty storage tank knocked him off.
His death came less than a year after 3 Filipinos, who also worked in the Gulf of Mexico, died after an explosion on an oil platform.
Statistics show that workers like him face a 15.6% risk of dying on the job.

Story 3: NO MAJOR DAMAGE AS VINTA LEAVES PH
Typhoon Vinta — international name Krosa — moves away from the Philippines, causing no major damage after it made landfall in Cagayan Thursday.
In its 5pm bulletin, state weather bureau Pagasa says the typhoon is now outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
All storm warning signals have been lowered.
Disaster management officials are still assessing the damage caused by the typhoon.
One fisherman was reported missing in Abra province, while the national road from Aparri to Tuguegarao was temporarily impassable because of fallen trees.
A number of electrical posts also fell down, causing power outages.

Story 4: IN SOME CASES, US SPYING ‘HAS REACHED TOO FAR’: KERRY
In the middle of tensions between the US and its allies in Europe over spying allegations, US Secretary of State John Kerry says for the first time Thursday that in some cases, US spying has gone too far.
Speaking to a London conference, Kerry says innocent people are not being abused in the US surveillance operations to gather information.
But he adds, “In some cases, I acknowledge…that some of these actions have reached too far.”
Kerry says the US government is now doing a thorough review of surveillance practices.
Kerry’s remarks come in response to a question addressed to both him and British Foreign Secretary William Hague about government surveillance.
Recent allegations of widespread spying by the National Security Agency in countries like France, Germany and Spain sparked a major rift in trans-Atlantic ties.

Story 5: ‘ANONYMOUS’ HACK PUTS SINGAPORE ON ALERT
Activist group Anonymous hacks a Singapore newspaper website and threatens wider cyber attacks over Internet freedom.
The group opposes a new rule requiring news websites to obtain licenses.
The attackers, using the name “Messiah,” took over the blog of a Straits Times journalist, saying she distorted the group’s words in a report about the group’s plan to –quote– “wage war” on the Singapore government to protest the rules.
The Straits Times’ publisher says –quote–  “We have made a police report, and the police are investigating.”

Story 6: CHINA NAMES ISLAMIC GROUP AS ‘SUPPORTER’ OF TIANANMEN ATTACK
China’s top security official names an Islamic group as a “behind-the-scenes” supporter of Monday’s car crash in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.
China says the East Turkestan Islamic Movement or ETIM “supported” what it calls a terrorist attack at the symbolic heart of the Chinese state.
On Monday, a sports utility vehicle crashed in Tiananmen Square, killing two tourists and injuring dozens.
The three people in the car also died.
Beijing police say the vehicle had a license plate from Xinjiang, the far western region where China’s mostly Muslim Uighur minority is concentrated.
ETIM is known as a militant Islamic separatist organization that seeks an independent state in Xinjiang.

Story 7: THE wRap: YOUR WORLD IN ONE READ
At number 5, Lonely Planet reveals its top travel destinations for 2014.
In its Best in Travel guide published Tuesday, Lonely Planet rates destinations based on their “topicality, excitement and that special x-factor.”
Brazil, Antarctica, and Scotland top the list of best destinations.
In cities, Paris emerges number one, while Sikkim in India is voted the best region for 2014.
The Philippines gets a nod too.
Palawan makes it to the list of best value travel destinations, thanks to its jungle rivers, limestone cliffs and beaches.

At number 6, Facebook may expand the scope of its data collection – and that may include tracking how long a user’s cursor hovers on screen.
The Wall Street Journal reports Facebook’s analytics chief Ken Rudin says the site is testing technology that can collect data on user interactions with the social network, like whether the newsfeed is in a viewable area or how long you spend on a page.
Rudin says Facebook may use the information for product development for targeted advertising, among other purposes.
WSJ reports the tests are ongoing, and the social network will know “within months” if it will incorporate the data collection system into the site.

And at number 10, The US Federal Aviation Administration relaxes rules banning passengers from using electronic devices on planes.
The FAA will allow passengers to use their devices during takeoffs and landings on planes with systems that protect against electronic interference.
This means passengers can read, listen to music, and play games – but cellphone calls are still prohibited.

Story 8: DRAFT APPLICANTS BEGIN PBA JOURNEY IN ROOKIE CAMP
The PBA Rookie camp marks the beginning of the PBA draft on Sunday, and the start of a brand new season for Asia’s first play-for-pay basketball league.
Jane Bracher reports.

For 85 young basketball players, the road to their PBA dreams starts here inside the Gatorade Hoops Center on Shaw Boulevard.
The rookie hopefuls went through a series of physical tests and workouts to measure their biometrics.
The activities included pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups, and a vertical leap test.
The rookies were also measured for their weight, height, and wingspan.
All the teams are expected to bid for Ateneo big man Greg Slaughter.

GREG SLAUGHTER, PBA ROOKIE DRAFT APPLICANT: Well, it’s my first year in the PBA. Hopefully I learn the ropes and adapt pretty quickly. I feel ready, I’m confident in myself. I’m excited to play.

Reigning UAAP MVP Terrence Romeo is confident that he’s ready for the big league.
He’s skipping his last year of college basketball.

TERRENCE ROMEO, PBA ROOKIE DRAFT APPLICANT: Napansin ko ngayon yung right time kasi maganda yung naipakita ko sa UAAP. Tapos hindi ko na alam ano pa yung maipapakita ko pa next year. So ngayon na lang ako mas pinipilit ko pa mag-improve. (I figured now is the best time (to apply for the draft) because I played well in the UAAP. I’m not sure what else I can showcase next year. So as early as now I’m doing my best to improve my game.)

At the PBA Rookie camp, the rookies get to show off in front of the PBA coaches.
They proved that they have what it takes to play for Asia’s first play-for-pay league.
27-year-old Darwin Cordero, came all the way from Zamboanga to realize his dream.

DARWIN CORDERO, PBA ROOKIE DRAFT APPLICANT FROM ZAMBOANGA: Unrated ako. Syempre galing probinsya, hindi naglaro ng UAAP or NCAA. Siguro naman kaya kong makipag-sabayan. (Of course I’m unrated because I come from the province, I didn’t play in the UAAP or NCAA but I guess I can keep up with the rest of the field.)

There are  85 hopefuls but only 10 teams in the PBA.
Getting drafted is the first step in the journey to basketball stardom.
Jane Bracher, Rappler. Manila.