July 30, 2012 Edition

Michelle Fernandez

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

  1. ‘Gener’ now a typhoon
    Map of La Mesa Dam affected area. Graphics by Mich Garcia
    Pagasa warns of more rain to come with Gener intensifiying into a typhoon and w/ the another low pressure area in the vicinity of Bataan and Zambales. Storm signal number 3 is raised over the Batanes Group of Islands with Gener posing a threat to extreme Northen Luzon. The Department of Education suspended classes in Metro Manila, Monday, July 30 following non-stop rains over the weekend. Meanwhile the La Mesa Dam in Quezon City and the Ipo Dam in Bulacan are both near spilling levels, residents living in the area of the La Mesa Dam are being asked to evacuate. Water levels in 4 other reservoirs in Northen Luzon – Angat, Ambuklao, Pantabangan, and Magat are also on the rise. 
     
    Read more on Rappler:
  2. Syrian rebels call for international action amid threat of massacre
    The battle for Aleppo, Syria’s largest city and its financial capital has stretched on for over a week now, with Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid Moallem declaring that rebels will not be able to gain control over the city. Some say, rebel control over the city will lead to the overthrowing of the President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Meanwhile opposition leader Abdulbaset Sieda, head of the Syrian National Council warns of a “terrifying massacre” being planned by the regime and called on world allies to act and support rebel forces. Syria insists an international plot against the current regime is taking place, calling it a “global war against Syria.” Over 200,000 people have fled Aleppo in the last few days.

    Read more on CNN
  3. Records fall in Olympic swimming competition
    Two days into the swimming competition at the 2012 London Olympics and three world records have already been shattered – a big deal especially after high-tech polyurethane body suits were banned from competition in 2010. Prior to these Olympics, only two records have been broken since the ban in what is called the “textile suits era”. On day one of the swimming competition, Saturday, July 28, China’s 16-year-old phenom Ye Shiewen swam an amazing last 50m of her 400m IM, faster than the men’s 400m IM champion Ryan Lochte swam during the last 50m of his 400m IM win to set the game’s first world record. On day two, world records were also set by Dana Vollmer in the women’s 100m butterfly and South Africa’s Cameron van der Burgh in the 100m breaststroke. Meanwhile the rivalry between Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte was off to a rocky start, after Phelps failed to medal in the 400m IM, an event where Lochte captured the gold medal. Lochte however failed to hold on to a US lead in the last 50m of the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay, Sunday, giving the gold medal to France. The silver medal which he shares with Phelps is Phelp’s first Olympic silver medal and his 17th Olympic medal putting him two medals away from becoming the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time.

    Read more Olympics news on Rappler’s Olympic microsite.
  4. Ebola outbreak hits Uganda
    At least 14 people have died in the African nation of Uganda this month due to an Ebola outbreak.  Included in the death toll is one health worker who was treating other victims. Health authorities say, the outbreak was not detected earlier as victims did not exhibit normal symptoms of the disease such as hemorrhaging. Ugandan Health Minister Dr. Christine Ondoa describes the strain as “mild” compared to other strains of the disease and says victims lives can be saved with proper intervention. A national task force has been setup to address the outbreak. 

    Read more on CNN
  5. Police arrest hackers who stole data from 8.7M mobile customers
    Police in South Korea arrested on Sunday July 29, two hackers responsible for stealing data of 8.7 million customers of KT (formerly Korea Telecom), the second largest mobile operator in South Korea. KT says the hackers stole data such as customer names, phone numbers and residential registration numbers and sold the information to telemarketing firms. The hackers made around $880,000 by selling the stolen data. KT has apologized to its customers promising “such things (will) never happen again.” 

    Read more on Rappler
  6. On PNoy, Kabayan, and recycling news anchors turned politicians
    President Benigno Aquino III’s speech at TV Patrol’s 25th anniversary celebration caused quite a steer after the President used the opportunity to lambast TV Patrol anchor and former Vice President Noli de Castro. Many asked if the President was rude to give such a speech at such an event, while others pointed out that it was long over due. Rappler’s Citizen Journalism Director Chay Hofileña address both points in her Thought Leader’s piece TV Patrol and the anchor’s new clothes, saying the situation was an event waiting to happen, and that it brings about important issues about risks involved with recycling news anchors who turn politicians.

    Read more on Rappler
  7. Army battalion deployed to Basilan to hunt down Abu Sayyaf
    The 64th Infantry Battalion arrived in Basilan Sunday night, July 29 to hunt down alleged member of Abu Sayyaf supposedly behind the killing of 10 government troops last week. Another battalion is expected to be deployed to the province next month. The encounter between alleged Abu Sayyaf militants and Army troops started Thursday last week, July 26. The clash also killed 9 Abu Sayyaf rebels. The Provincial Peace and Order Council of Basilan is set to convene on Tuesday July 31 to address the issue. 

    Read more on Rappler.
  8. France defeats USA in 4x100m freestyle relay, Spain out of Olympic football
    The second official day of Olympic competition saw a series of upsets. Earlier on in the day British marathoner, and world record holder Paula Radcliffe announced she was pulling out of the games due to injury. An Olympic medal has since evaded Radcliffe, undeniably one of the best marathon runners in the world, she had hoped at one last shot on home soil. Meanwhile following their opening round loss to Japan, world champions Spain are out of the Olympics after another humiliating loss to Honduras 1-0. Honduras took the early with a goal in the eighth minute, several attempts by the Spanish team in the second half nearly made it but the favorites we unable to equalize. But the greatest upset of the night came at the Olympic Aquatic Center where the French men’s 4x100m freestyle team came from behind to defeat the US squad in the last 50m of the race. Since its introduction in 1964 the US has one the event every single time except in 2000, 2004 and 2012. The US had held the lead throughout the race, and at one point was ahead by a full body length. Their come from behind loss is the opposite of their historic victory in 2008 where Jason Lezak powered the team home in the dying minutes of the race to take the title from France. 

    Read more on Rappler here, here and here
     
     
     
  9. Romney: Jerusalem is capital of Israel
    For presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney, Jerusalem and not Tel Aviv is the capital of Israel. Romney made the pronouncement during his stop in Israel as part of a seven-day overseas tour adding that the United States needs to be “unapologetic ambassadors” to push for the advancement of common values between the two nations, including the insistence that Jerusalem is the cornerstone of the nation. Previous administrations have avoided the topic as Palestinians also see the city as the future capital of a state they hope to establish in the future. Romney also spoke up against Iran, promising that his administration would make it the “highest national security priority” to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear capabilities. 

    Read more on New York Times.
  10. IBP begins probe on disbarment complaints against De Lima
    PROBE HER. The IBP said the disbarment cases against De Lima have merit.
    The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) has found merit in the three disbarment cases filed against Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and announced today that it will investigate the complaints against her. This decision by the IBP puts De Lima’s nomination for Chief Justice at risk. The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) will now have to decide on whether or not to disqualify De Lima, reportedly the choice of President Benigno Aquino III for the post. The JBC is set to hold final deliberations on August 2 where they will come up with a shortlist of nominees for the position of Supreme Court Justice from which President will choose from. He has until August 29 to appoint a new Chief Justice. 

    Read more on Rappler

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