Latin America

Daily News Highlights – September 20, 2015 Edition

Gwen De La Cruz

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

  1. Pope Francis urges ‘freedom’ for Cuba Church

    Pope Francis began a historic trip to Cuba and the US by calling for “freedom” for the Church in Havana. The pontiff who helped broker a thaw in Cuba-US relations hailed improving ties between the two countries as “an example for reconciliation.”

    The first Latin American pope met Cuban President Raul Castro at the start of a trip meant to promote freedom and human rights on the island.

    Read more on the BBC.

  2. Palace picks on Poe’s ‘new morning’ slogan

    Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda questioned Senator Grace Poe’s campaign slogan as “somewhat confusing.” Lacierda said it is unclear if the independent presidential bet wants to continue the administration’s daang matuwid (straight path) or pursue her tagline of a bagong umaga (new morning).

    The Palace mouthpiece said it is administration standard-bearer Mar Roxas and his preferred running mate Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo who “perfectly fit the bill” of daang matuwid.

    Read more on Rappler.

  3. Palace on refugees: We have limited resources

    Malacañang reiterated that the Philippines has limited resources to accept Syrian refugees. Responding to the call of the UN refugee agency to admit refugees, Palace Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr echoed the statement of President Benigno Aquino III.

    “We need to assess our resource capabilities as we do have real resource constraints,” Coloma said.

    The head of the UN refugee agency in the Philippines asked if Aquino’s daang matuwid (straight path) could be extended to help desperate Syrian refugees.

    Read more on Rappler.

  4. 5-year-old Syrian girl dies in new migrant boat sinking

    A 5-year-old Syrian girl died along with other refugees attempting to cross from Turkey to Greece. The accident happened east of the Greek island of Lesbos, which saw a heavy influx of Syrian refugees.

    The death followed the drowning of 3-year-old Syrian refugee Aylan Kurdi, whose images shocked the world. On Friday, September 18, the body of another 4-year-old Syrian girl washed up on a beach in Turkey.

    Read more on Rappler.

  5. PH, China clash on Japan’s military expansion

    The Philippines and China offered different responses to the passage of controversial Japanese laws expanding the role of Tokyo’s military abroad. Manila welcomed the laws while Beijing said these endanger regional peace.

    The Philippines and Japan have maritime disputes with China over islands in the South China Sea and the East China Sea.

    Japan’s new laws allow its troops to fight overseas for the first time since the end of World War Two.

    Read more on Rappler and the BBC.

  6. FBI probes Malaysia’s troubled fund – report

    1Malaysia Development Berhad | money-laundering | photo from shutterstock

    The FBI opened an investigation into alleged money-laundering related to Malaysia’s troubled state development fund. The Wall Street Journal reported that the scope of the probe is still unknown.

    The FBI’s probe came after Switzerland, Singapore and Hong Kong started inquiring into transactions related to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). Alleged mismanagement and corruption of the fund caused a political crisis for Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.

    Read more on the Wall Street Journal.

  7. Thai pro-democracy protesters stage rare rally

    Anti-Junta protests in Thailand | Photo from EPA

    Over 200 pro-democracy activists staged a rare protest in Bangkok to mark the anniversary of the 2006 coup that ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. They carried anti-junta banners and shouted pro-democracy slogans on Saturday evening, September 19.

    The coup caused a political crisis and power struggles in Thailand.

    Saturday’s protest also seemed intended to embarrass now Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha ahead of a speech at the UN in New York.

    Read more on the New York Times.

  8. Xi to Rupert Murdoch: China open to media

    China | Western media | Xi Jinping | Photo from Shutterstock

    Chinese President Xi Jinping told media mogul Rupert Murdoch that Beijing remains open to Western media despite withholding residence visas for foreign reporters. Murdoch was in China to check business opportunities in the world’s second largest economy.

    China blocked the websites of The New York Times and Bloomberg after the outlets investigated the family wealth of Xi, and former premier Wen Jiabao in 2012.

    Reuters is also blocked, along with the Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal.

    Read more on The Guardian.

  9. Top Vatican reporter profiles Tagle in book

    Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle is the subject of a new book. Veteran Vatican journalist Cindy Wooden profiled the so-called Asian Pope Francis.

    Luis Antonio Tagle: Leading by Listening highlights similarities in Tagle and Francis’ pastoral approach focused on listening to others.

    Wooden told Rappler: “I hope the book will inspire people to listen to others with great respect like he does, even if it’s just members of their own family.”

    Read more on Rappler.

  10. Filipinos post 12 million tweets on Aldub date

    The craze over the “AlDub” loveteam broke Twitter records, with netizens using #AlDubMostAwaitedDate more than 12 million times. The fans broke their previous record of 6 million tweets with #AlDubtheAbduction.

    Fans were exhilarated over the date of Yaya Dub played by actress Maine Mendoza, and Alden Richards in the noontime show Eat Bulaga. The tandem is a huge hit, dominating pop culture, ratings and cyberspace.

    Read more on Rappler.

    Read more on their much-awaited date on Rappler.

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