Other News

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” […]

Warmer temperature recorded in Metro Manila Sunday

MANILA, Feb. 2 (PNA) -–Temperature in Metro Manila rose to 24.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday morning due to weakening northeast monsoon, the state weather bureau said. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather observer Lenny Ruiz said the temperature record was warmer compared on Saturday morning at 22.5 degrees Celsius and Friday’s temperature at 18.7 degrees Celsius However, Ruiz said cold mornings were still expected in the metropolis until mid-February due to the […]

Storm “Basyang” makes 8 landfalls in Visayas

MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) — Tropical storm “Basyang” (Kajiki) has maintained its strength and speed as it continues to make landfall over the islands of Visayas, the state weather bureau said on Saturday. In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Fernando Cada said tropical storm Basyang has a total of eight landfalls after making five landfalls Friday night. He said that around 12:30 a.m. Basyang made a landfall at the City of Naga in Cebu then […]

U.N. appoints former NYC Mayor Bloomberg cities, climate change envoy

(Reuters) – U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday appointed former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg as his special envoy for cities and climate change, in a bid to build momentum ahead of a planned U.N. summit meeting in September. Ban said Bloomberg will assist him in “consultations with mayors and related key stakeholders, in order to raise political will and mobilize action among cities as part of his long-term strategy to advance efforts on […]

‘ChewBacca’ hackers targeted retailers in 11 countries: RSA

(Reuters) – A cyber criminal ring targeting small retailers in 11 countries stole data on 49,000 payment cards using a malicious software known as “ChewBacca” before the operation was shut down, according to a cyber research firm. RSA FirstWatch disclosed the attacks on Thursday on its website. It said the firm’s researchers uncovered the ring, whose victims included small companies in the United States, Russia, Canada and Australia. They managed to steal details from some […]

Mexican president to seek OK on telecom, oil reform specifics

(Reuters) – Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said on Friday he will send secondary laws that flesh out landmark telecoms and energy reforms for congressional approval as he seeks to boost competition and economic growth. Pena Nieto pushed a series of reforms through Congress last year, which also spanned taxes and education, but the implementation of energy and telecoms reforms requires a separate batch of secondary laws. He held off fast-tracking the reforms. The move […]

Nadella outran better-known candidates for Microsoft CEO

(Reuters) – The race to determine the next head of Microsoft Corp looks to have ended where it began, with the software giant poised to take the route of least risk and tap rising internal star Satya Nadella for the job. After a bruising, five-month selection process, the list of contenders was cut to six serious candidates, with the chief executive job nearly going to Ford Motor Co CEO Alan Mulally, an outsider favored by […]