Fiction helps build empathy in children, says researcher
(Relaxnews) – At the American Psychological Association’s 122nd Annual Convention, which wrapped up the week in Washington, DC, York University psychologist Raymond Mar led a presentation on the important and oft forgotten role of narrative fiction, highlighting its ability to instill empathy. Taking into account the opinions of others, anticipating their reactions and realizing their […]
Aquino hints at second term
By Mynardo Macaraig MANILA (AFP) – Philippine President Benigno Aquino has said he may try to change the constitution and serve a second term in office, a stunning announcement in a nation haunted by dictatorship. The Philippines’ constitution restricts presidents to serving a single term of six years, designed to stop a repeat of dictator […]
Are we too clean?
(Relaxnews) – Recent studies indicate that an obsession with cleanliness could be doing more harm than good. Is it time to part with some age-old conventions? On the docket for this week’s 248th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS) was research by Arizona State University citing concerns over the prevalence of […]
Read all about it: News you can wear
(WASHINGTON-AFP) – Even if you don’t open a newspaper, turn on a television, log on to a computer or pull out a smartphone, you can get news — from wearable technology. As wearables gain traction, news purveyors are eyeing these devices for their potential to deliver headlines and more to people who want to stay […]
MoMA focuses on film this fall
(Relaxnews) – MoMA New York has unveiled its fall film exhibition program, taking in an almost-lost 1930s classic, an evening with artist Christopher Williams and the largest-ever US retrospective of Georgian cinema. The museum will present 1932 motion picture Sidney Lanfield’s “Hat Check Girl” after collaborating with Twentieth Century Fox to preserve what is thought […]
Fil-Ams enjoy fun, exciting activities at 9th edition Ambassadors tour
By Manny V. Ilagan MANILA – Another ‘FUN’ homecoming full of exciting activities marked this year’s 9th Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour to the Philippines (ACGTDT). Despite the threat of Tropical Depression Inday brewing at the northeast of the Philippines area of responsibility, the 9th ACGTDT, held from July 28 to 31, was […]
This is what a $900 cupcake looks like
(Relaxnews) – Some husbands give their wives flowers and jewelry for their birthday. Others commission local bakers to come up with the most extravagant cupcake possible and are willing to part with $900 for it. That’s what happened in Toronto recently, when Lisa Sanguedolce of Le Dolci bakery was approached by a man to create an over-the-top […]
Elvis shooting target sells for $27,500
(WASHINGTON-AFP) – A paper target riddled with bullets fired by Elvis Presley at his personal shooting range sold for $27,500 at the first auction of Elvis artifacts hosted by his estate. It was the surprise turn at the inaugural Auction at Graceland, a highlight of the ongoing Elvis Week in Memphis, Tennessee marking the 37th […]
US sends 130 more military advisors to Iraq: Hagel
SAN DIEGO (AFP) – The United States has sent 130 more military advisors to northern Iraq to assess the scope of the humanitarian crisis there, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Tuesday. “I recommended to the president and the president has authorized me to go ahead and send about 130 new assessment team members up […]
Pollution, whales prompt shipping slow-down in SoCal
LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Concerns about pollution and endangered whales in southern California have prompted six global shipping companies to try slower speeds in exchange for cash incentives, environmental groups said. The companies agreed to slow down – from typical speeds of 14-16 knots down to 12 knots or less – in exchange for $2,500 […]
Delays in balikbayan box deliveries continue as port congestion worsens
LOS ANGELES – With the port congestion in Manila worsening and inspections by the Department of Homeland Security in US ports continuing, the delivery of balikbayan boxes will continue to experience delays of at least two weeks, a senior official of the Philippine American Shippers Association said on Monday. “There is just no way balikbayan […]
Intel to use ‘big data’ to battle Parkinson’s disease
SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) – US computing giant Intel announced Wednesday it was joining an effort to battle Parkinson’s disease with new big data and wearable technologies to improve research and treatment. Intel said it would work with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research—created by the “Back to the Future” Canadian-American actor – on […]
Geologists warn of mega quake for north Chile
PARIS (AFP) – North Chile is at risk of a mega earthquake after a tremor in April released only some of the tension building along a high-risk fault zone since 1877, researchers said Wednesday. Two studies published in the journal Nature said the 8.1-8.2 magnitude quake that shook the city of Iquique, killing six people […]
God is the guardian of undocumented children
By Andrea Acosta El Pregonero (Translated by Elena Shore) SILVER SPRING, Md., – While children cross the border alone, their parents in the United States are going through intense anxiety – and the only thing they can do is pray to God to protect their kids along the journey. Each successful trip is God’s […]
12 REASONS TO CALL ME
My number is below. Your first step in overcoming debt problems is recognizing you have a problem! If worries about your credit card bills or a pending foreclosure are keeping you awake at night, you probably already know you’re in over your head. Just cruising along, juggling credit cards, taking from one to pay the […]
R2-D2-like robot butler rolls out at Cupertino hotel
(Relaxnews) – Not far from Apple’s corporate campus, a major hotel brand has hired what it calls the industry’s first robotic butler, described as Wall-E, Rosie and R2-D2 all rolled into one. Aloft Hotels, part of the Starwood Hotels & Resorts group, will on August 20 be introducing its latest hire, A.L.O., a roving cyber […]
The feature that next-generation planes may go without
(Relaxnews) – Windowless airplanes appear to be the future of travel, with yet another design firm removing the cumbersome portals in its renderings of the next-generation jet. In its drawings for the IXION airplane, Technicon Design France, based near Paris, imagines a jet that would be free of individual windows, a move that would reduce […]
Michael Jackson aims to be King of Twitter with video
(NEW YORK, United States-AFP) – Five years after his death, Michael Jackson is back with a new video that breaks new ground by premiering on Twitter. The late King of Pop — who pioneered music videos in the 1980s with the advent of MTV — had written the song “A Place With No Name” with […]
Cast of ‘Love Boat’ to help Princess Cruises fete 50th birthday
(Relaxnews) – To help fete Princess Cruises’ 50th anniversary next year, the company has tapped the cast of the iconic 1980s TV series “Love Boat” to serve as its global ambassadors. It was the show that popularized the notion of cruising with its weekly plots of romantic escapades and amusing little adventures and misadventures aboard […]
‘The Interview’ with Seth Rogen and James Franco edited to satisfy North Korea
(Relaxnews) – Sony ultimately caved to threats from the North Korean government and returned to the editing room with its upcoming comedy, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Directed by Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen, “The Interview” stars James Franco and Rogen as an American talk show host and his producer. The two men wind up […]
