Rappler Newscast | October 3, 2014

Today on Rappler.

• Albay needs about P118 million monthly to prepare for Mayon’s eruption.
• Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters clash with opposition.
• Australia launches airstrikes against ISIS.

ALBAY NEEDS P118M A MONTH FOR MAYON EVACUATION
The province of Albay says it will need at least P117.7 million or $2.6 million every month to prepare for Mayon volcano’s explosion.
There are more than 50,000 people in evacuation centers in various parts of the province.
Albay governor Joey Salceda says “There’s no way for this volcano except to erupt. It’s only a question of time.”

TYPHOON PHANFONE SEEN TO ENTER PH THIS WEEKEND
State weather bureau Pagasa warns – a typhoon will enter the Philippines over the weekend.
Typhoon Phanfone will be named Neneng once it enters the Philippine area of responsibility.
It’s expected to be at 1,180 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes by Saturday morning, bringing rain to most parts of the country.

Check out Rappler’s Project Agos microsite – a one-stop shop to help the public prepare better for disasters.  
Project Agos aims to raise awareness on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and management.
You can see what to do before, during and after natural disasters like floods and earthquakes.
Visit www.rappler.com/projectagos.

BINAY CAMP: MENDOZA’S COA REPORT ALREADY ‘DISCREDITED’
Audit commissioner Heidi Mendoza testified against the Binays in a Senate hearing Thursday.
Mendoza said based on a past special audit report, dubious transactions happened while Elenita Binay was mayor.
But the Binay camp downplays Mendoza’s testimony…
saying it’s from a discredited graft complaint.
The case was dismissed in 2011 for – quote – “fundamental issues of arbitrariness” by anti-graft court Sandiganbayan.

US LIFTS 40-YEAR ARMS BAN TO BOOST VIETNAM SEA DEFENSE
The US partially lifts a 40-year ban on arms sales to former foe Vietnam to help boost defenses in the tense South China Sea.
Observers say the decision will not sit well with leaders in Beijing.
US officials deny the policy change is “anti-China…”
and will consider each request from Vietnam on a “case-by-case” basis.

FIGHTS BREAK OUT BETWEEN PRO, ANTI-PROTEST GROUPS IN HK
In Hong Kong – pro-democracy protesters clash with opposition groups.
Police step in, creating a barricade separating the clashing groups.
The clashes continue to keep the city at a standstill, with protesters threatening to occupy government buildings.

A SEA VANISHES: SATELLITE PHOTOS SHOW DISAPPEARING ARAL SEA
The perils of climate change – what used to be one of the world’s largest lakes is now mostly a desert.
Dramatic images from space agency NASA taken Tuesday reveal the Aral Sea in central Asia shrinking at a rapid pace.
The UN Environment Programme says the only way to save what remains of the Aral Sea would be transboundary cooperation among former Soviet nations Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

AUSTRALIAN WAR PLANES TO JOIN STRIKES ON ISIS IN IRAQ
Australia launches airstrikes against terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or ISIS Friday.
Around 600 Australian troops join the US-led air assault.
Australia also transports weapons to Kurdish forces fighting ISIS in northern Iraq.

THE wRap: YOUR WORLD IN ONE READ

ISLAMISTS RAPE, SELL WOMEN BECAUSE THEY ARE ‘WAR BOOTIES’
A new United Nations report reveals terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or ISIS considers women as goods to be raped, sold as sex slaves, or given as a prize to its fighters.
ISIS even opened an office in Iraqi city Mosul to sell abducted women.
Teenage boys are also not spared from sexual assaults.
The UN condemns these crimes against humanity.

100 PEOPLE IN TEXAS BEING MONITORED FOR EBOLA EXPOSURE
Health officials in Texas monitor at least 100 people for Ebola symptoms after being in contact with patient Thomas Eric Duncan.
Four “close family members” of the patient are legally required to stay home without visitors until October 19.
Duncan travelled to Ebola-stricken Liberia before returning to the United States.
This year’s Ebola outbreak is the deadliest in history, having claimed more than 3,000 lives.

LEGAL STEPS TAKEN VS PHOTOGRAPHER STALKING PRINCE GEORGE
Prince William and wife Kate take legal action against a photographer for stalking their son Prince George.
The move comes after a photographer tried to take pictures of the prince in London’s Battersea Park.
The royal couple insists their son – quote – “must be permitted to lead as ordinary a life as possible.”

For the full top 10 visit Rappler.com’s ‘the wRap.’

– Rappler.com

Newscast Production Staff