May 5, 2014 Edition

Valerie Castro

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

  1. Senate reopens, eyes Sandiganbayan bill

    Senate PRIB file photo

    When Congress resumes session on Monday, May 5, among the priority legislation that the Senate will tackle is Senate Bill No. 2138. It will allow the anti-graft court to dispose of cases faster and more efficiently. Senate President Franklin Drilon said in a radio interview on Sunday, May 5, they hope to pass the bill within the month of May. Once enacted into law, the proposed bill will authorize individual justices to hear and receive evidence on behalf of other colleagues in the division of the Sandiganbayan they belong to. Drilon said leaders from the House and the Senate were scheduled to meet Monday to decide on priority bills.

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  2. Prepare for El Niño, use water wisely

    File photo by AFP

    Anticipating hotter and drier days ahead, Malacañang is urging households to conserve water to prevent water rationing when El Niño strikes in June. The weather phenomenon comes with unusually warm ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. Palace Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said Sunday, May 4, “We need proper discipline in our water consumption, conservation, and usage.” El Niño may last for 9 months and change normal rainfall patterns in the country. “We should be ready for the possibility that fewer but stronger typhoons might hit our country this year,” Coloma said.

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  3. Aid groups offer help to survivors

    Photo by Nasir Waqif/ EPA

    Various aid groups on Sunday, May 4, rushed to help survivors of a landslide in northern Afghanistan believed to have killed hundreds, if not thousands. Fast-moving mud and rock swept through the Aab Bareek village in Badakhsan province on Friday, May 2, burying homes in its path. Government said at least 300 died, although initial reports indicated as many as 2,500 may have perished. The landslides follow severe flooding in other parts of Afghanistan which left 159 people dead.

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  4. 5 foreign airlines moving to NAIA 3 in August

    Graphic by Renz Bautista/ Rappler

    Five international airlines will be transferring their operations to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 by August 2014, by which time the P1.9-billion rehabilitation project would be completed. The rehabilitation is 62% complete and should be fully done in July. Transportation Undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla said the twin improvements on NAIA 1 and NAIA 3 will decongest the old airport. The 5 airlines transferring to Terminal 3 are: Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, KLM, and Delta Airlines.

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  5. Earthquake rattles Tokyo but no tsunami

    Buildings shook in Tokyo early Monday, May 5, as a strong 6.0-magnitude quake struck and woke inhabitants off to enjoy a holiday. The epicenter was located near Izu Oshima island, southwest of central Tokyo, the Japanese Meteorological Agency said. The US Geological Survey said the quake struck at a depth of 155 kilometers. Japanese officials stressed there was no tsunami threat. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries but national broadcaster NHK warned of the possibility of aftershocks.

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  6. Study: Firstborn girls most successful

    Research shows that firstborn girls are likely to be the most ambitious and successful children in their families. Think Beyonce, Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey and Sheryl Sandberg. Citing research of scientists from the University of Essex in the UK, Salon magazine said the “oldest children are 16% more likely to excel academically than younger siblings.” But more significantly, “eldest daughters are an additional four percent more likely to go on to higher education than eldest sons – the next most successful sibling type.” Lead researcher Feifei Bu said one possible explanation is “parental investment.”

    Read the full story on Salon.

  7. Islamic jihadist group threatens Egypt with more attacks

    Egypt faces more attacks, an al-Qaeda-inspired jihadist group vowed, after it claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings carried out a day before the start of the presidential campaign. The first bomber targeted a checkpoint, killing a soldier and 6 policement. A second bomber targeted a nearby bus, wounding 5 civilians. The Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, or Partisans of Jerusalem, a group based in Sinai, has called for a revolt against military-installed authorities. Since the overthrow of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July, more than 1,400 of his supporters have been killed.

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  8. 2014 Palaro opens in Laguna

     Photo by Aki Yatco/Rappler

    Hobbled by last-minute construction scramble, the host of this year’s Palarong Pambansa, the Calabarzon region (Calamba, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) said it was more than ready for the country’s biggest and grandest sporting event. Laguna and the whole Southern Luzon region, according to Department of Education Dr Diosdado San Antonio, can deliver “the most unforgettable” Palaro yet. The Palaro officially opened Monday morning, May 5, at the Laguna Sports Complex. It brings together 6,000 athletes from 17 regions competing in 20 events.

    Read the full story on Rappler.

    The video of the opening ceremonies can be viewed on Rappler.

    A related story on the Palaro is also on Rappler.

  9. Acrobats seriously injured in circus

    JWEBB (@JDUBBSNK)/EPA

    “Hairialists” from the US, Brazil, Bulgaria and Ukraine who comprise the Medeiros Troupe acrobats were seriously injured Monday morning, Philippine time, when a platform collapsed during their act. Eight of the female acrobats were meant to hang by their hair in chandelier-like fashion. The metal apparatus from which they were hanging collapsed and 8 of the female acrobats fell 25-40 feet (about 8-12 meters), landing on another performer on the ground, police were quoted as saying. The injured acrobats were rushed to the hospital and were being treated in critical condition. The injuries were described as “non-life threatening.”

    Read the full story on Rappler.

  10. Spider-Man 2 corners over P100M on first 2 days

    Picture courtesy of Columbia Pictures

    On Day 2, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 registered earnings amounting to P112.6 million, the country’s biggest all-time first two days’ gross. Victor Cabrera, Columbia Pictures managing director, said the new record dislodges Iron Man 3, which grossed P110.9 million. The top-grossing movie was expected to claim an opening of $100 million in the US over the weekend. Peter Parker as Spider-Man protects the city of New York from villains and makes sacrifices in his personal life to protect those he cares about.

    Read the full story on Rappler.

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