Новости за 20.12.2015

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has arrived in Athens on a two-day official visit.

Donald Trump's pageant days are over after his controversial comments about immigrants created a backlash, but the Miss Universe show must go on.

High air pollution has forced Iranian authorities to close all schools and kindergartens in the capital for two days beginning Sunday, December 20, saying the pollution had reached dangerous levels.

The Israeli military and Lebanese security officials said three rockets fired from Lebanon have landed in Israel.

A total of 26 Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) gunmen and three soldiers were killed in a week-long offensive in Al Barka, Basilan, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Mindanao Command (AFP-Wesmincom) confirmed yesterday. 42 others, 16 of them from the Abu Sayyaf, were also wounded in the fierce fighting. Maj. Filemon Tan, Wesmincom spokesman, said they are validating reports that among the slain militants was a Malaysian jihadist identified as Mohammed Najib Bin Husein, also known as “Abu Anas.”... Читать дальше...

The battle between the Pro tablets from Microsoft and Apple is like settling the Wharton-issue. There are supporters and there are those who are against it with so much passion. Now, take whichever side you find more reasonable. Both the iPad Pro and the Surface Pro 4 are geared for productivity. These two already have what it takes to be top contenders, and it’s quite hard to choose between them. The concept behind these two Pro tablets is to be able to bring your work everywhere. Both styluses were designed for creative purposes... Читать дальше...

After 14 consecutive years of being the No.1 projector brand in the world, Epson Philippines Corporation (EPC) secured local market leadership last year and became the dominant projector brand in the Philippines.

Today everyone wants to be seen in their best light, and LuMee makes it happen. This brilliant front-lit smartphone case is changing the way people shoot and share social media. It’s your time to shine with LuMee only available in all Switch stores nationwide. BRILLIANT VACATION MEMORIES After a gorgeous day in the country, the fun doesn’t have to set with the sun. LuMee brightens all your best vacation moments. NIGHTLIFE After dark is when you &LuMee really shine. At clubs or concerts, limos or luaus... Читать дальше...

Police seized some 130 kilos of dried marijuana leaves which were supposed to be distributed in Metro Manila from a suspected plantation in Benguet province. Chief Supt. Victor Deona, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said his men intercepted the van delivering the dried marijuana leaves at the Balintawak portion of the North Luzon Expressway at around 8:30 a.m. yesterday. BUSTED – Interior and Local Governments Secretary Mel Senen S. Sarmiento and Philippine National... Читать дальше...

2015 has sealed LG Electronics’ position as an innovation leader in the local market, thanks to the Philippine launch of revolutionary LG products: the Curved 4K OLED TV and V10 smartphone, among others.

ST. PETER CANISIUS The Catholic Church honors today the life and works of Saint Peter Canisius (San Pedro Canisio), the patron of the Catholic press and a Doctor of Catechetical Studies. Feast masses, processions, and novenas will be held in several Catholic churches in many parts of the world in honor of one of the most influential religious figures during his time. Born in Holland in 1521, St. Peter entered the Jesuit Order in 1543. He died in 1597. St. Peter promoted the Catholic press through his work. Читать дальше...

The stage is all set for the Miss Universe 2015 pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada – and so is our representative Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Pia Alonso Wurtzbach. Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2015 Pia Alonso WurtzbachPhoto courtesy of hilishi.com This year’s edition is an interactive search with online votes comprising 20 per cent of an entrant’s score; the other 80 per cent coming from four global celebrities. So voting is real-time! In years past, audiences simply adhered to the judge’s decision. Today, with viewer’s... Читать дальше...

"Star Wars" fans flocked Sunday, December 20, to the German capital's Zion Church for a special service themed around the sci-fi movie.

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that some roads along Roxas Boulevard will be temporarily closed to traffic on Wednesday, December 23, 2015 starting at 1 pm, to give way to the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival Parade of Stars.

The Prague Zoo in Czech Republic says it has the longest Chinese giant salamander now on Earth.

President Aquino is expected to sign the proposed 2016 P3.002-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) on Tuesday, December 22.

Armed, not with a light-saber but a paintbrush, Filipino artist Rodel Gonzalez displays his paintings in a 5-day exhibit at the Bonifacio Global City Cinemas until today. He is the only Filipino-blooded artist licensed to create paintings for Star Wars, which is currently hitting the big screen. The art gallery, which opens from 11 in the morning ‘til 11 in the evening, showcases Gonzalez’ aesthetic works culled in oil and acrylic. George Lucas, creator of the Star Wars series, actually bought four of his masterpieces. Читать дальше...

Financial Times columnist Philip Stephens, in his article “How history echoes Syria’s unholy war,” observed that “as in 17th-century Europe, it is the involvement of outside forces that has kept the fires burning.” (Here’s the link to the complete article, http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/914a4f24-9845-11e5-9228-87e603d47bdc.html#axzz3ur5WWkRe) Map photo courtesy of uartutravel.eu “One way of looking at the fighting in Syria is an uprising of the majority Sunni against the Alawite, or quasi-Shia regime of Badar-al Assad,” he continued. Читать дальше...

The five-millionth foreign tourist to the Philippines this year is expected to arrive on Monday, December 21, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said in an advisory.

Various kinds of statues and richly embellished garments of Holy Mary, Jesus’ Mother, are displayed in a museum within the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist in Lindogon Simala, Sibonga, Cebu. The museum attracts both local and foreign tourists. (Juan Carlo de Vela)

Most Filipino Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) go abroad in the hopes of providing a better living condition for their family. Just from 2014, there have been 2,320,000 registered OFWs from all over the Philippines at the Philippine Statistics Authority. From the number of OFWs above, there are 32.9% of OFWs with P40,000.00 - P99,000.00 recorded remittances per month.

KP Tower at Juan Luna Street corner Recto in Divisoria, Manila caught fire Sunday afternoon as shoppers flocked to the center for their Christmas errands.

Twelve soldiers, conducting clearing operations against Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits in Albarka, Basilan, were wounded after accidentally triggering an improvised explosive device on Sunday morning.

The House of Representatives has moved swiftly to standardize the definition of significant housing vocabulary in a bid to address mix-ups in the use of terminologies by housing stakeholders that has made the implementation of programs addressing the worsening housing problem in the country even more difficult.

After non-stop chart-topping hits, worldwide concerts and events, British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran’s name has been one of the most-talked about artists for 2015. However, at the end of his world tour, he also bid farewell to his 5.5-million Instagram followers and 16 million Twitter fans on Saturday, Dec. 12, saying that he will be “taking a break” from social media.