RAPPLER

Madonna uses Tel Aviv stage to call for Mideast peace

Agence France-Presse — Thu, 31 May 2012 21:32:08 +0000

TEL AVIV, Israel - Pop icon Madonna kicked off her 2012 world tour on Thursday with a call for peace from a Tel Aviv stage.

"I chose to start my world tour in Israel for a very specific and important reason," she said, to applause and cheers from the capacity crowd.

"As ...

New therapy motivates paralyzed rats to walk

Agence France-Presse — Thu, 31 May 2012 21:24:45 +0000

WASHINGTON, USA - European researchers said Thursday, May 31, they have found a way to motivate paralyzed rats to learn to walk again through a combination of spinal cord stimulation and robotic-aided therapy.

The key to the method's success was how it engaged the rats to participate in their own rehabilitation, ...

Our galaxy to hit another in 4 billion years: NASA

Agence France-Presse — Thu, 31 May 2012 21:21:20 +0000

WASHINGTON, USA - Our galaxy is on a collision course with its nearest neighbor, Andromeda, and the head-on crash is expected in 4 billion years, the US space agency NASA said on Thursday, May 31.

Astronomers have long theorized that a clash of these galaxy titans was on the way, though ...

'Ambo' to bring rain over eastern PH

Rappler.com — Thu, 31 May 2012 17:49:29 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Public Storm Warning Signal #1 has been raised over 4 provinces as the active low pressure area east of the Visayas was upgraded to a tropical depression late Thursday, May 31.

Tropical Depression Ambo was spotted 260 kilometers east of Borongan, Eastern Samar as of 10 ...

Democratic reform irreversible in China: Chen Guangcheng

Agence France-Presse — Thu, 31 May 2012 16:49:30 +0000

NEW YORK, United States of America (AFP) - Chen Guangcheng, the blind Chinese activist whose flight to the US embassy in Beijing sparked a major diplomatic incident, said Thursday, May 31, that democratic change in China is slow, but irreversible.

"I'm very optimistic," Chen said. "Nobody can stop the ...

Is PH's 6.4% economic growth sustainable?

Rappler.com — Thu, 31 May 2012 12:17:50 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines' higher-than-expected 6.4% economic growth in the first quarter despite uncertainties abroad was a pleasant surprise to many. But is it sustainable?

The economic performance was the best in Southeast Asia for the period. It was the highest quarterly growth recorded in a non-election year since 2006, and ...

[Family] Things I learned from my mom when I was 7

Fritz Rodriguez — Thu, 31 May 2012 12:17:46 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Some of the best things I learned, I learned when I was 7.

I’ve always wanted a sister, but never had one. I used to complain a lot about this when I was younger. I wanted someone to tell me how it’s like ...

[Family] The prodigal mom

Kenny Nodalo — Thu, 31 May 2012 11:47:34 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - It’s unfortunate that my parents broke up when I was 10 years old. Mama went away. We were left in the care of my lolo (grandfather) and lola (grandmother).

You know the feeling of watching your friends who are happily with their parents during ...

Rappler Newscast | May 31, 2012

Rappler.com — Thu, 31 May 2012 11:44:59 +0000

Today on Rappler .

Ousted Chief Justice Renato Corona will NOT appeal his removal from office to the Supreme Court.

MANALO: that decision was made by the Chief himself. That was a call that he made. He wanted us to call ...

[Family] How I 'met' my mother

Joulo Visabella — Thu, 31 May 2012 11:29:47 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - My mother would qualify for the position of Mayor in Stepford. She is a former beauty queen; demure, dainty but strict and could be downright cruel. She was like the witch to my Hansel, except that she ate all the candy I thought ...

Comelec: Arroyo case strong despite missing witness

Rappler.com — Thu, 31 May 2012 11:18:03 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – The electoral sabotage case against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo remains strong despite the disappearance of a witness, Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair Sixto Brillantes said Thursday, May 31.

The witness, Russam Mabang, failed to show up at the bail hearing for Mrs Arroyo's electoral sabotage case ...

[Family] Time to relax

Eric Quejano — Thu, 31 May 2012 11:09:07 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - I was only 6 years old and starting with preschool when my mom left us to work abroad. That was in 1989; I can barely remember the exact details but what has stayed in my mind is her reason for leaving: our future.

[Family] My exact opposite, my hero

Criselda Aquino — Thu, 31 May 2012 11:01:01 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - My mother and I are not compatible.

She is meek. I am aggressive.

She is simple. I am complicated.

She has a big heart. I have a big mind.

But we’re partners in so many ways. Since my father passed away 10 years ...

Disrobing the Chief Justice

Rappler.com — Thu, 31 May 2012 10:19:50 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Who is Renato Coronado Corona before he joined the Supreme Court in 2002?

He was an unknown Palace bureaucrat who would later gain the trust and confidence of two Philippine presidents -- Fidel Ramos and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Both of them wanted him in the ...

[Family] The look of a fighter

Ira Agting — Thu, 31 May 2012 10:18:56 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Some people spend their whole lives searching for meaning — that one thing that powers and jolts them out of bed every morning; that single passion that makes them wake up with a smile. Envied are those who come even the slightest distance ...

[Family] I call her Nanay.

Anna Isabel C. Rodriguez — Thu, 31 May 2012 09:51:28 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - As I was growing up, she was always present. She’d come to every parent teacher conference and make friends with other moms. I remember coming and going to school with her 3 times every day — one trip to and from ...

Airlines hit back at CAB, threaten higher fares

Rappler.com — Thu, 31 May 2012 09:11:25 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Without overbooking and tickets that are non-refundable and non-rebookable, local airlines said higher airfares await.

This was the threat of budget carriers upon learning that the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) is set to implement orders suspending industry practices effective June 15 .

Local carriers Air Asia Philippines and South East Asian Airlines ...

PNoy open to outsider as Chief Justice

Rappler.com — Thu, 31 May 2012 08:59:21 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III will not limit his choice for Chief Justice to those in the Supreme Court, a Palace official said on Thursday, May 31.

"The President will decide based on the shortlist that will be given [by the Judicial and Bar Council]….And I think ...

Road to link NAIA airport terminals to be bid out soon

Rappler.com — Thu, 31 May 2012 08:36:53 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - The P15-billion expressway project that will connect the three airports in Manila got the green light from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), paving the way for its bidding, NEDA Director-General Arsenio Balisacan said Thursday, May 31.

Listed as one of the government's public-private partnerships (PPPs), the ...

Syria rebels give regime Friday deadline to end bloodshed

Agence France-Presee — Thu, 31 May 2012 08:33:13 +0000

DAMASCUS, Syria (AFP) - Armed rebels have given Syria's regime until Friday noon (0900 GMT), June 1, to observe Kofi Annan's plan for ending bloodshed in Syria, warning they will take "courageous decisions" if the deadline is not met.

The ultimatum by the Free Syrian Army came soon after US ambassador ...