Super Typhoon Passes Over Into W. PH Sea

Super typhoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan) has passed over the last major landmass in the Philippines as it makes its way to the open waters of the West Philippine Sea, the state-run weather bureau said Friday night, reports Inquirer.net. 

World's Strongest Typhoon Ever Slams PH

Super Typhoon Haiyan -- perhaps the strongest storm ever -- plowed across the central Philippines on Friday with 235 kph winds, leaving widespread devastation, reports CNN.

Typhoon Yolanda Leaves at Least 100 Dead

One of the strongest storms on record killed more than 100 people whose bodies lay in the streets of Tacloban, Leyte, one of the hardest-hit cities, reports Inquirer.net. Nearly 750,000 people were forced to flee their homes and damage was believed to be extensive.

SC Rules Marriage of Convenience to American Is Valid

For love or convenience? Either way, the marriage would be “equally valid.” The Philippine Supreme Court has refused to nullify the marriage of a Filipino woman to an American, even if she claimed that she only wed him to acquire US citizenship, reports Inquirer.net. 

Pinoy Tennis Ace Wins Second ATP World Tour Title

Filipino Treat Huey and British Dominic Inglot won their second ATP World Tour title in their sixth team final Sunday at the Swiss Indoors Basel, reports ATPWorldTour.com. Huey and Inglot moved up to 11th position in the Emirates ATP Doubles Team Rankings, after recording a 6-3, 3-6, 10-4 victory over Julian Knowle and Oliver Marach in 65 minutes.

EU Donates $3.5M to Central Visayas Quake Victims

The European Union is providing $3.5 million in humanitarian aid to about 350,000 people who lost their homes and livelihoods when a magnitude-7.2 earthquake ravaged Bohol island and nearby provinces in Central Visayas on October 15, reports Inquirer.net.

PH Seeks Extension for OFW's Blood Money

The Philippines is seeking an extension to save an OFW who is facing execution in Saudi Arabia as the deadline to raise the $1-million blood money to save Joselito Zapanta passed, reports Inquirer.net. $1 million is needed to pay the family of his landlord’s Sudanese accountant whom Zapanta killed in a rental dispute in 2007.

Canada Slashing Backlogs, Reuniting Families

Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander on November 1 pledged aggressive action to reunite more families in 2014, reports Balita Pinoy.  Canada aims to admit 50,000 parents and grandparents over two years (2012 and 2013) and  an additional 20,000 in 2014.