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Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman dies from suspected drug overdose

(Reuters) – Philip Seymour Hoffman, one of the leading actors of his generation, who won an Academy Award for his title role in the film “Capote,” was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on Sunday in what a New York police source described as an apparent drug overdose. Hoffman, 46, was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor of his Greenwich Village apartment by police responding to a 911 call, and Emergency Medical Service workers declared […]

Palace insists on “no-build zone policy” in eastern Visayas

MANILA, Feb 2 (PNA) — Despite some calls by typhoon “Yolanda” survivors for the abolition of the no-build zone policy, Malacanang on Sunday has remained firm in keeping its policy for the safety of residents. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan that the policy will continue to be implemented along the eastern seaboard of Eastern Visayas. Valte said that this was to avoid another calamity from wrecking havoc as […]

Storm “Basyang” kills 3, affects 42,000 people

MANILA, Feb.2 (PNA) — At least three people were killed while more than 42,000 individuals in Visayas and Mindanao were affected due to floods and landslides caused by heavy rain brought by tropical depression “Basyang”, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Sunday. NDRRMC identified the fatalities as Jose Haji Aque Babatid; 22, resident of Highway, Brgy. Baliwagan, Balamban, Cebu; Danny Tundag. 24, Daanbantayan, Cebu; and Dionesio Paler, 66, resident of […]

No special birthday plans so far for Aquino — Palace

MANILA, Feb 2 (PNA) — Five days from now, President Benigno S. Aquino will be turning 54, but according to a Malacanang official, the President has not yet planned anything special. It has been known that the President has always treated his birthday as an ordinary working day. On his birthday last year, the President visited a 15-year-old bone cancer patient at the Philippine Orthopedic Center in Quezon City. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said […]

Woody Allen’s adopted daughter revisits sexual abuse claim

(Reuters) — Woody Allen’s adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow, on Saturday (February 1) revisited her sexual abuse claim against the filmmaker in a letter on the website of the New York Times, as she questioned his acclaim in Hollywood. The revival of the accusation against Allen comes just ahead of this year’s Oscar Awards, where the 78-year-old filmmaker is nominated for best original screenplay for his drama “Blue Jasmine” starring Cate Blanchett. Allen was never arrested or prosecuted in the decades-old […]

Estrada settles P613 million power bill of Manila gov’t

MANILA, Feb.2 (PNA) — Mayor Joseph Estrada has already settled the P613 million power bills to Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) incurred by previous administration. Vice Mayor Isko Moreno said that the P613,697.511 Meralco bill is one of the biggest issues addressed by Mayor Estrada, noting the efficiency in collection of taxes this year. He said that under the leadership of Mayor Estrada, the city government has collected 3.5 billion pesos in less than 30 days […]

Last polar bear in Africa grieves after partner dies

Africa’s last polar bear mourns partner’s death. Courtesy Reuters/ Photo grabbed from Reuters video  (Reuters) — Wang, the only polar bear in Africa, has taken the death of his life-long partner very hard, tearing up toys and grass in the enclosure they shared, and two weeks after his loss he is still grieving. The 30-year-old Geebee was found dead on January 13 in the pool of her Johannesburg Zooenclosure after a heart attack. The two had been partners since […]

Indonesia’s Mt. Sinabung volcano erupts, kills at least 14 people

(Reuters) — Indonesia’s Mount Sinabung volcano erupted and killed at least 14 people on the western island of Sumatra on Saturday (February 1), the first time it is known to have claimed any lives, a senior government official said. The volcano has becoming increasingly active in recent months, regularly spewing columns of ash several kilometres into the air. The government has evacuated tens of thousands of residents near the area. The head of the evacuation team, […]

Canada strips newspaper publisher Conrad Black of honors

(Reuters) —  Canada has canceled two prestigious honors for Conrad Black, who once ran a newspaper empire stretching from the Chicago Sun-Times to Britain’s Daily Telegraph and the Jerusalem Post but who ended up in U.S. prison for fraud. The government on Friday (January 31) terminated his appointment as an officer of the Order ofCanada, which recognizes a lifetime of high achievement and merit. It also removed him from the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, ostensibly a group of cabinet ministers and other prominent Canadians appointed […]

Stern ends 30-year stint as NBA Commissioner; deputy Silver takes over post

(Reuters) — A new era began for the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Saturday when David Stern’s 30-year run as commissioner ended with his deputy, Adam Silver, taking over the helm. Stern had stated in October 2012 his intention to retire after exactly 30 years in charge and the league’s owners unanimously approved Silver as his successor. The handover was officially confirmed by the NBA on its Twitter account on Saturday with a picture of Silver, holding a basketball, […]

Thai vote starts peacefully, but political paralysis looms

(Reuters) – Thailand went to the polls under heavy security on Sunday in an election that could push the divided country deeper into political turmoil and leave the winner paralyzed for months by street protests, legal challenges and legislative limbo. Voting started peacefully a day after seven people were wounded by gunshots and explosions during a clash between supporters and opponents of embattled Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in a north Bangkok stronghold of her Puea Thai Party. […]

Storm “Basyang” exits PAR; fair weather felt in most of the country

MANILA, Feb. 2 (PNA) –Fair weather is to be experienced in most parts of country on Sunday with the absence of any weather disturbance seen near the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR)within the next three days, according to Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical ad Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Glaiza Escullar said that tropical depression “Basyang” which weakened into low pressure area around 8:00 p.m. Saturday and exited the PAR midnight. “Basyang” […]