June 24, 2013 Edition

Edward Snowden has asked for asylum in Ecuador, its foreign minister said on June 23, as the ex-NSA contractor seeks to escape US justice for revealing a vast phone and Web snooping drive. Ecuador is led by President Rafael Correa, an outspoken leftist, populist and critic of the United States in the mold of his late mentor Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. Ecuador has been sheltering WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange at its London embassy for the past year. Snowden arrived Sunday in Moscow from Hong Kong, where he first fled with a trove of secrets taken from the National Security Agency.

Read the full story on Rappler.

Malaysia’s government declared a state of emergency in two southern districts choked by smoke from forest fires in Indonesia as air pollution levels reached a 16-year high on June 23. Environment minister G. Palanivel said the air pollutant index (API) hit 750 in the town of Muar — the highest reading seen in Malaysia for 16 years — Sunday morning, with two other southern towns also reaching hazardous levels. An API level of more than 300 is defined as “hazardous” in Malaysia. Haze is an annual problem during drier summer months, when westerly monsoon winds blow smoke from forest fires and slash-and-burn land-clearing on the huge Indonesian island of Sumatra, which lies across the Malacca Strait from Malaysia and Singapore.

Read the full story on Rappler.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines has called on security forces and local officials to “coordinate and move for the safe and speedy release” of the Fil-Moroccan sisters who were kidnapped on June 22. Nadjova and Linda Abdelbasit, both indie filmmakers, were kidnapped by members of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Barangay Liangm Patikul, Sulu, the military said.  Nadjova took up film studies at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University and works for Amnesty International. Her film Bohe, Sons of the Waves (“bohe” is Tausug for “water”) earned her a nomination for the Gawad Urian and Cinemalaya Awards.

Read the full story on Rappler.


Editor’s note: In a previous version of this story’s graphic, we placed a black flag with Arabic calligraphy on top of the word “kidnapping.” The black flag has been associated with the Abu Sayyaf Group, which was tagged by the military for this kidnapping. We regret that this juxtaposition, which lacked the proper context, has offended some people. 

The Aquino government is hopeful the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will finally agree on remaining key issues of a proposed peace deal when talks resume in July. “We hope that there will be a good resolution to the talks,” said Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte. Government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said that both sides had agreed on a date next month to further discuss contentious issues. This ends a deadlock on issues regarding wealth and power sharing between the national and regional governments. The two parties hope to sign a final peace agreement this year.

Read the full story on Rappler.

Nelson Mandela is in a critical condition, South Africa’s presidency said on June 23, a sudden and significant deterioration in the hospitalized hero’s health. Mandela, now a frail 94-year-old, was previously said to be in a serious but stable condition. But after more than two weeks of intensive treatment at Pretoria’s Mediclinic Heart Hospital, his condition is said to have deteriorated over the weekend. President Jacob Zuma visited Mandela on Sunday evening and was told by doctors “that the former president’s condition had become critical over the past 24 hours.”

Read the full story on Rappler.

The Manila Bay reclamation issue has sparked debates among environmentalists, heritage advocates and concerned citizens. It touches on various issues – from environmental impact to heritage conservation to economic growth. Why should you care about Manila Bay? What does its reclamation mean to the Philippines?

Check our infographic on Rappler.

Sen Vicente Sotto III stressed that there is no more mandatory drug testing needed when one applies or renews for a driver’s license. Sotto, the principal author of Republic Act No. 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, said that the new law does not only remove a “useless requirement but also allows motorists a respite from costly drug tests.” The senator issued the statement following an statement by Land Transportation Office chief Virginia Torres that driver’s license applicants will still need to undergo drug testing. Signed into law last May 30 by President Benigno Aquino III, R.A. 10586 states that “drug testing will only be conducted for those driving under the influence as determined by law enforcement authorities based on certain manifestations, like overspeeding, weaving, lane straddling, swerving and others.”

Read the full story on Rappler.

US daredevil Nik Wallenda became the first man to cross Grand Canyon on a tightrope on June 24 (Manila time). The 34-year-old, who walked across the Niagara Falls last year, said winds were higher than expected as he crossed a Canyon tributary gorge some 1,500 feet above the Little Colorado River in eastern Arizona. He took just under 23 minutes to cross the 1,400 feet – faster than anticipated – giving a thumbs up and half-running the last several yards to reach the other side.

Read the full story on Rappler.

This year sees the debut of “Apprentice Asia,” a reality TV show where 12 contestants, successful business(wo)men in their own industries are pitted against each other in what is being touted as the “world’s toughest job interview.” What’s at stake is a 6-figure salaried position under Tony Fernandes, one of Asia’s most recognized entrepreneurs. The show is timely as the economic spotlight swivels toward Asia where burgeoning economies have been showing robust growth levels. Tactful confrontations, a tendency to quit, and reluctance to lay the blame have characterized the first few episodes. Does this reflect how we are as a continent?

Read the full story on Rappler.

“Monsters University” — a prequel to Pixar’s 2001 hit “Monsters, Inc” — buried Brad Pitt zombie flick “World War Z” and took the top spot at the US box office, provisional figures showed Sunday. The animated movie that tells how monster buddies Mike and Sulley became friends and honed their scaring skills took in US$82 million, compared to just US$66 million for the apocalyptic blockbuster, on their opening weekend.

Read the full story on Rappler.