POLITICS & POLICY

Filipino Police Officer Elmer Soria Who Estimated Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) 10,000 Death Toll Fired from Post

Early news reports across the world, after Typhoon Haiyan 'Yolanda' struck the Philippines; put the estimated death toll at 10,000 with over 660,000 displaced. Considering the devastation caused by the typhoon, the figure seemed plausible. Now, it turns out that the actually death toll is far less, still bad enough and the official, who released the wild estimate of death toll has been sacked.
More news

UN Launches $301 million Appeal for Haiyan (Yolanda) Affected Philippines

As aid workers laboured round-the-clock to get food, clean water, shelter and basic medicines to the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, the United Nations (UN) Tuesday made a worldwide appeal for nearly $301 million funding to provide humanitarian assistance for the Philippines. The flash appeal for financial aid was launched by UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos after surveying the damage caused over the weekend by Typhoon Haiyan as it ripped thought nine regions in south-east Asia.

China Execs Urge To Abolish One-Child Policy

Several Chinese government officials have acknowledged the country's 30-year-old one-child policy needs to be revised. If not abolished, some remained wary any new amendments would pose more hazards than good for the world's second largest economy.

Iran, IAEA Agree To Strengthen Ties On Nuke Program

Even as talks in Geneva failed to arrive at an agreement on restraining Iran's nuclear program, the country has signed a joint statement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) agreeing to strengthen cooperation and dialogue to ensure the peaceful nature of the country's nuclear program.

NZ PM John Key May Postpone Philippines Visit, Pledges $2M Additional Aid

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key is expected to postpone his trip to the Philippines in the wake of Super Typhoon Haiyan. Mr Key was supposed to travel to Manila on the invitation of President Benigno Aquino from November 20 to 22 to discuss the two countries' mutual interest and cooperation.

Child Poverty in Australia, UNICEF and Community Groups Call to Prioritise Action

Even in times of economic well-being, nearly 600,000 or 17.3 per cent of Australia’s children continue to live in poverty, says a updated report released by the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS). As the new session of Parliament opens on Tuesday, the UNICEF and child rights activists called on the government to accord top priority to tacking the issue of child poverty.

Syrian National Coalition Conditionally Agrees to Join Talks in Geneva

Even as several other rebel groups declared their opposition to the Geneva talks on Syria, the main Western-backed Syrian National Coalition declared their conditional decision to participate in the international discussions on finding a way to end the two-and-half-year-old civil war.

Cash Crunch Threatens UN Aid to Palestinian Refugees

Facing a major cash crunch, the United Nations agency working among Palestinian refugees has warned that its operation could come to a standstill. Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi, chief of UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, has appeals to both traditional and new donors to step up support to help the agency sustain its operations.

Pages