Other News

Ukraine in State of Upheaval

The crisis between Russia and Ukraine are escalating as Ukraine’s new leaders accused Russia of declaring war with Kiev mobilizing its troops. The international community called for diplomatic solutions.

Italian drama, “The Great Beauty”, wins Oscars for best foreign language film

(Reuters) — Italian drama “The Great Beauty” won the Oscar for best foreign language film at the 86th annual Academy Awards on Sunday (March 2), capping its successful awards season run in the United States and Europe. The film, directed by Paolo Sorrentino and considered the favorite to win the Academy Award, follows an aging writer’s reflections on life and his search for meaning among Rome’s idle high society. Sorrentino accepted the award alongside the producer of the film, Nicola Giuliano. It […]

Skyway is Still Safe

Skyway Traffic Management and Security Department Head Ret. Gen. Louie Maralit said that the Skyway remains safe even though there were many incidents of vehicles falling from the said structure. He added that the height of the traffic barrier on the sides of the Skyway is according to international standards and that drivers and motorists should always be careful and follow traffic rules.

86th Academy Awards Winners: Oscars 2014

As the 86th Academy Awards opened on Sunday (Monday: Philippines, Manila) we were welcomed by the hilarious comedian Ellen DeGeneres relaxed in her white tuxedo and bog floppy necktie. Highlight of the awards show was the epic group selfie which was shared by Ellen on her Twitter account.  The tweet, which the Oscar host sent out during the broadcast with the help of stars like Meryl Streep, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Lupita Nyong’o and Brad Pitt, received 921,000 retweets in […]

Premiere Trains Start Operations

Philippine National Railways starts the operations of its premiere trains today to alleviate the traffic problem. The route of the said trains is from Tutuban Manila to Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Operations started at 5:30 AM in Tutuban and 8:00 AM in Sta. Rosa. The premiere trains have a higher fare of 60 to 90 pesos, because it is more comfortable, with reclining seats, wi-fi and comfort rooms.

Ukraine mobilizes for war, calls up reserves

(Reuters) – Ukraine mobilized on Sunday for war and called up its reserves, after Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to invade in the biggest confrontation between Moscow and the West since the Cold War. Ukraine’s security council ordered the general staff to immediately put all armed forces on highest alert, the council’s secretary Andriy Parubiy announced. The Defense Ministry was ordered to conduct the call-up, potentially of all men up to 40 in a country […]

Grigor Dimitrov wins Mexican Open tournament

Grigor Dimitrov survived a stern test from South Africa’s Kevin Anderson to win the Mexican Open tournament in the early hours of Sunday morning, (March 2) 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(5) after nearly three hours of play. Dimitrov, still recovering from an epic semi-final battle against Briton Andy Murray, earned his second tour-level title, and his first at 500 level. He took the Stockholm Open 250 Series title last year. The 22-year old Bulgarian fought to take […]

West scrambles, Kiev braces as Putin threatens Ukraine war

(Reuters) – The West faced its biggest confrontation with Russia since the Cold War and Ukraine marshaled its forces for defense after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the right to invade his neighbor. Ethnic Russian forces have already bloodlessly seized Crimea, an isolated Black Sea peninsula where most of the population are Russian and Moscow has a naval base, and sought to disarm the small Ukrainian contingents there on Sunday. Of potentially even greater concern […]

Thousands protest in Hong Kong vs editor stabbing and erosion of media freedoms

Thousands in Hong Kong took to the streets on Sunday (March 2) to protest the stabbing of a former chief editor in an attack that has fuelled concerns about what many see as an erosion of media freedoms. Holding a banner declaring “they can’t kill us all”, the protesters in black shirts and wearing blue ribbons symbolizing press freedom expressed their shock and anger at the attack last Wednesday (February 26). Shirley Yam, the Vice […]

Witnesses recall fear, chaos after China train station attack

(Reuters) – Witnesses to chilling violence at a Chinese train station placed under heavy security on Sunday recalled moments of fear and chaos after at least 29 people were killed in what authorities called a terrorist attack by Xinjiang militants. Officials said a group of knife-wielding “terrorists” from the restive Xinjiang region launched a premeditated attack at the Kunming Railway Station in China’s southwest on Saturday night. More than 130 people were wounded. Armed riot […]

‘After Earth,’ ‘Movie 43’ sweep Razzies; Sandler left empty-handed

(Reuters) – Big budget sci-fi flop “After Earth” and ensemble comedy “Movie 43” led the Razzie Awards on Saturday while annual favorite Adam Sandler went home empty-handed at the ceremony that mauled Hollywood’s worst films and performances of the year. “After Earth,” starring Will Smith and his teenage son Jaden, picked up three gold spray-painted raspberry accolades: Jaden Smith for worst actor, Will Smith for worst supporting actor and worst screen combo for the father-son […]

’12 Years a Slave,’ Oscar frontrunners sweep Spirit Awards

Actress Lupita Nyong’o and director Steve McQueen pose with their awards for ”12 Years a Slave” backstage at the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California March 1, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Danny Moloshok (Reuters) – Harrowing slavery drama “12 Years a Slave” swept the Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday with five wins, just one day ahead of the Oscar ceremony on Sunday. “12 Years a Slave” won five of its seven nominations at the […]