June 6, 2013 Edition

Justino Arciga Jr.

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

  1. North and South Korea agree to talks


    North Korea on Thursday, June 6, proposed talks with South Korea on a wide range of issues, from reopening a shuttered joint industrial complex to resuming cross-border family reunions. The surprise proposal, carried in a statement from the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea (CPRK), followed months of military tensions triggered by the North’s nuclear test in February. The CPRK, did not specify at what level the talks should take place, but said the venue and date “can be set to the convenience of the South side.” Initial subjects for discussion would be the future of the Kaesong joint industrial zone and the possible resumption of cross-border tours to the North’s Mount Kumgang resort, the CPRK said. Following the announcement, South Korea agreed to the proposal for talks, saying it would announce a date, venue, and agenda at a later date.


    Read the first story on Rappler.


    Read the follow-up story on Rappler.

  2. Enrile resigns Senate presidency

    'IRREVOCABLE' RESIGNATION. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile announces his resignation as Senate President in a privilege speech at the Senate, June 5 2013. Frame grab courtesy of the Senate livestream
    Juan Ponce Enrile irrevocably resigned the Senate presidency on Wednesday, June 5, on the second to the last session day of the chamber.

    Enrile, who was Senate President for 4 and a half years, delivered a privilege speech lamenting how his critics in the minority used the Senate fund controversy to destroy his name and derail the senatorial candidacy of his son and namesake, outgoing Cagayan Rep Juan Ponce “Jack” Enrile Jr. The 89-year-old Enrile said he had had enough of having to defend his fellow senators, as his Senate leadership position required him. Individual senators should be made individually accountable for their disbursements, he said. “Let us all be men and women worthy of being called ‘Honorable Senators.’ And let the chips fall where they may. And so as a matter of personal honor and dignity, I hereby irrevocably resign as Senate President,” Enrile said at the end of a 15-minute speech.


    Read the full story on Rappler.

  3. Turkey defends democratic credentials as tear gas flies

    MASSIVE RALLY. Anti-government protesters demonstrate in central Ankara June 5, 2013. Photo by Adem Altan/AFP
    Turkey’s embattled government insisted on Wednesday, June 5, it was “not a second-class democracy” even as police tear-gassed protesters who massed in the streets calling for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to quit. Two people have been killed in the six days of unrest nationwide, according to doctors and officials. The national doctors’ union said more than 4,000 had been injured, 43 of them severely, in protests police have sought to quell with tear gas, pepper spray and water cannon. Turkey’s Western allies have voiced concern in recent days about reports of police violence but Ankara has hit back at criticism of its handling of the crisis, a foreign ministry source told AFP.


    Read the full story on Rappler.

  4. Culture of waste is stealing from the poor

    NO LEFTOVERS. Pope Francis says wasting food is like stealing from the poor. File photo
    No more leftovers. This was the appeal of Pope Francis on World Environment Day as he decried a “culture of waste” that is “more despicable” because it neglects the plight of the hungry. “…throwing food away is like stealing from the tables of the poor, the hungry! I encourage everyone to reflect on the problem of thrown away food and wasted food to identify ways and means that, by seriously addressing this issue, are a vehicle of solidarity and sharing with the needy.” Food and Agriculture Organization data show that close to 870 million people around the world suffer from chronic malnutrition, while 1.3 billion tons of food end up wasted every year.


    Read the full story on Rappler.


    A related story is also on Rappler.

     

  5. Inquirer suspends ‘Pugad Baboy’ strip


    The satirical Pugad Baboy comic strip has been suspended by the Philippine Daily Inquirer supposedly because of its criticism of the hypocrisy of Christians on the issue of homosexuality. Cartoonist Apolonio “Pol” Medina Jr depicted the issue by having two characters talk about how hypocritical it is for Christians to denounce homosexuality when this is condoned or tolerated in Catholic all-girls schools. It used St Scholastica, a Catholic all-girls school as an example, drawing public ire. Medina however pointed out on Facebook that the strip first appeared in March but got this reaction only this June when the strip was republished. He insinuated that the suspension of his comic strip pending results of an investigation may be due to a series of anti-Marcos strips.


    Read the full story on Rappler.

  6. Amazon deforestation reduced by nearly 84% – Brazil

    A member of the Public Security National Force --a national police elite unit-- walks through on the Amazonic forest reserve of Trairao, west of Para state, northern Brazil, looking for illegal deforestation places, on December 4, 2011. File photo by Lunae Parracho/AFP
    Brazil said Wednesday, June 5, it has reduced Amazon deforestation by nearly 84 percent over the past eight years and is nearing its international target for slowing devastation of the world’s largest rainforest. From August 2011 to July 2012, 4,571 square kilometers (1,764 square miles) of Amazon forest were destroyed, 27 percent less than during the previous corresponding period and the lowest rate since Brazil began monitoring, said Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira. It was the fourth consecutive annual reduction.


    Read the full story on Rappler.

  7. POEA goes online to protect OFWs

    LEGAL. POEA Deputy Administrator Amuersina Reyes, POEA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, Jobstreet.com Country Manager Mary Grace Colet, and Jobstreet Marketing Manager Carolyn Enriquez leads the fights against illegal recruitment of OFWs. Photo by Rappler/Ace Tamayo
    In an effort to “fight illegal recruitment,” the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has partnered with Jobstreet.com, an online recruitment company. Led by POEA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, the initiative is titled “Matalino ako! Hindi ako magpapaloko!” (I am smart! I will not be fooled!) and seeks to offer online educational resources to promote safe and real jobs for Filipinos who want to work overseas. In 2012 alone, the POEA reported 152 cases of illegal recruitment involving over 300 victims. The educational package includes “Top 10 Reminders to Avoid Illegal Recruitment,” “Pre-Employment Seminar” and “Frequently Asked Questions on Overseas Employment.”


    Read the full story on Rappler.

  8. Why Finnish babies nap in boxes


    A starter kit of baby clothes, sheets and toys given by the Finnish government to expectant mothers is said to have helped Finland achieve one of the world’s lowest infant mortality rates. A tradition that dates back to the 1930s, the maternity package, which is a gift from the government, is designed to give all children in Finland an equal start in life. The BBC reported that many Finnish babies, coming from all social backgrounds, take their first naps within the 4 cardboard walls of the box. The package comes with baby bodysuits, bathing products, nappies, bedding, a small mattress, a sleeping bag, and even outdoor gear. Mothers are given the option of either taking the box or a cash grant of 140 euros. About 95% choose the box which is worth much more. But to get either of the two, mothers are required to visit a doctor or pre-natal clinic before their 4th month of pregnancy.


    Read the full story on the BBC.

  9. Watch out for new Samsung New Galaxy Tab 3 types

    NEW GALAXY TABS. Samsung introduces the 8-inch and 10-inch Galaxy Tab 3 unit types. Screen shot from Samsung
    8-inch and 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab 3 units will expand the range of the Galaxy Tab 3 from the original 7-inch gadget, a Samsung Tomorrow blog revealed. The new 8-inch model, an upgrade of its 7-inch predecessor, appears to be positioned as a travel companion. The 10.1-inch version is being pushed as a home-based media entertainment gadget that can be shared with the family. The 8-inch Galaxy Tab 3 will have an 1.5GHz dual-core processor and 1.5GB of RAM. Running on Android 4.2, it comes in 16GB and 32GB storage variants that can be expanded with microSD cards up to 64GB. The 10-inch Galaxy Tab 3, on the other hand, has a 1.6GHz dual-core processor and uses 1GB of RAM. It comes with 16GB and 32GB variants, also runs on Android 4.2, and can take in microSD cards up to 64GB in size for added storage. Both the 8-inch and 10-inch tabs have cameras.


    Read the full story on Rappler.

  10. No bikinis in Indonesia Miss World

    Miss World 2012 title holder Yu Wenxia of China. Photo from Miss World's Facebook page.
    In deference to Muslim sensitivities, the Miss World beauty pageant that will be held in Bali and Bogor just outside Jakarta will not require contestants to wear bikinis, organizers said on Wednesday, June 5. The 137 women competing in the September beauty pageant will instead wear the traditional Indonesian sarong for the beach fashion part of the contest. The upcoming pageant has agitated the Indonesian Ulema Council (the top Muslim clerical body in the world’s most populous Muslim nation), which has called for a cancellation of the beauty contest. Organizers of the event are treading carefully as recent music acts held in Indonesia provoked controversy as a result of performers’ outfits. These included Beyonce and the Pussycat Dolls. Lady Gaga was forced to cancel her concert in 2012 after Muslim hardliners threatened to burn down her concert venue.


    Read the full story on Rappler.

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