Daily News Highlights – November 15, 2015 Edition

More than 120 people were killed and dozens more are injured after a wave of coordinated attacks swept through Paris on a busy Friday night, November 13. At least 8 militants wrought unprecedented violence on the streets of the French capital, attacking the Bataclan concert hall, several restaurants, and the historic Stade de France national stadium. 

France is currently under a state of emergency, and security across the world has been heightened, as world leaders from across the political spectrum condemn the attacks. 

Read the latest about the Paris attacks on Rappler.

US President Barack Obama is set to challenge China when Asia-Pacific leaders gather in the Philippines this week, speaking out on a territorial row and lobbying to set pro-American trade rules.  

The annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit is meant to forge unity on free trade within the region, but this year’s meeting risks becoming entangled in various US-China power struggles. The global menace of terrorism will also be an unwanted talking point after gunmen massacred more than 120 people in a series of coordinated attacks in Paris on Friday, November 13. 

Agence France-Presse reports.

US President Barack Obama is set to visit a coastal facility in the Philippines as the Southeast Asian country faces a dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), “to showcase our maritime cooperation with the Philippines.”

This trip is scheduled on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (APEC) in Manila. Philippine government sources told Rappler that Obama is planning to visit a US frigate in the Philippines, likely in Subic.

Read more on Rappler. 

Indonesia will on November 25 announce the results of an investigation into the AirAsia crash last year that killed 162 people, the committee probing the case said Saturday, November 14.

The Airbus A320-200 went down in the Java Sea on December 28 in stormy weather during what was supposed to be a short trip from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore.

Read more on Rappler.

The Cleveland Clinic, a leading US hospital, said Thursday, November 12, it is preparing to offer women uterine transplants, a technology that has been proven in Sweden and could help those struggling with infertility.

The clinical trial is open to women of childbearing age who are unable to become pregnant “because they were born without a uterus, have lost their uterus, or have a uterus that no longer functions,” said a hospital statement.

Agence France-Presse reports.

On Thursday, November 12, Facebook announced updates on its first collaborative project with Oculus: the new 360 video feature on Facebook which allows publishers to upload videos that record all 360 degrees of a scene, giving viewers an “immersive viewing experience.”

The new feature, initially launched on September 23, can now be viewed on iOS devices and the Samsung Gear VR, in addition to its initial compatibility with Android devices and web browsers.

Read more on Rappler.

Calling for a political ceasefire, Vice President and opposition leader Jejomar Binay said that he is tasked to greet leaders who will be on state visits to Manila, on top of their participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting, the region’s biggest and most high-profile economic forum. 

APEC comes as Philippine presidential bets hit the campaign trail and trade barbs even ahead of the official campaign period in February 2016.

Read more on Rappler.

Head coach Tab Baldwin admitted that while he would certainly prefer more opportunities for Gilas Pilipinas to meet and practice, he appreciates the once-a-week set-up right now, happily taking the opportunity to make progress however small it may be.

“It’s good to see the cream of the Philippine basketball crop on one basketball court at one time,” said a “one hundred percent” satisfied Baldwin, during the first of the team’s 25 practice sessions last Monday, November 9. This is in preparation for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) by July next year where they will try to salvage a 2016 Rio Olympics berth.

Read more on Rappler.

In a matter of seconds, a road crash can dramatically change lives. But sadly, road crashes have become “routine” events, writes Dinna Dayao. On Sunday, November 15, we mark the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, and remember to all be responsible road users.

Dayao writes about ways we can honor the memory of all road crash victims.

The Atacama Desert in Chile is the driest place on earth, but it is also one of the most beautiful. Pediatrician and traveler Oscar Purugganan embarked on a trip to Atacama recently, after years of yearning to go. There, he found out that the place where he was looking for pink flamingos and surreal sunsets offered so much more wonderful sights and experiences.

Read more on Rappler.