by Etienne Lamy-Smith with Kerry Sheridan in Miami Agence France-Presse BEIJING, China (AFP) — Scientists in China have created the first monkeys cloned by the same process that produced Dolly the sheep more than 20 years ago, a breakthrough that could boost medical research into human diseases. The two long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) named Hua Hua and Zhong Zhong were born at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Institute of Neuroscience in Shanghai, and are […]
Other News
SpaceX performs first ‘static fire’ of Falcon Heavy rocket
MIAMI, United States (AFP) — SpaceX on Wednesday test-fired its Falcon Heavy rocket for the first time in a launch pad experiment aimed at giving its main engines a trial workout before blasting off in the coming days. Touted as the “world’s most powerful rocket,” the Falcon Heavy is designed to one day carry crew and supplies to deep space destinations such as the Moon and Mars. “Falcon Heavy hold-down firing this morning was good. […]
Maduro, mired in crises, hits re-election campaign trail
by Maria Isabel SANCHEZ Agence France-Presse CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) – With Venezuela in economic free-fall, massively unpopular President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday launched his sudden campaign for a new term in a vote to be held by late April. The 55-year-old, who was Hugo Chavez’s handpicked successor, will be the ruling socialist party’s sole candidate. Maduro, a former union activist and bus driver assumed power in April 2013 after longtime president Hugo Chavez died in office from […]
White House to release immigration ‘framework’ Monday
by Michael Mathes Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – The White House will release a “legislative framework” for immigration reform on Monday that is acceptable to both Democrats and Republicans, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. The immigration issue is a source of bitter partisan tension in Washington, and was the primary cause of a three-day federal government shutdown that saw employees who were deemed non-essential furloughed without pay. “After decades of inaction by Congress, it’s time […]
Tennis: Cornet investigated after missing three drugs tests
PARIS, France (AFP) – Frenchwoman Alize Cornet was placed under a disciplinary investigation on Wednesday after missing three random drug tests, the French tennis federation (FFT) announced. The FFT said they had been informed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) that 27-year-old Cornet, ranked at 42 in the world, had missed the tests in a 12-month period and will not be considered for Fed Cup duty while the inquiry is ongoing. However, she insisted that the ITF […]
Kuwait protests after Saudi ‘insults’ minister
KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait (AFP) — Kuwait on Wednesday protested to Saudi Arabia over derogatory remarks made by a senior adviser to the Saudi royal court against one of its cabinet ministers. Deputy foreign minister Khaled al-Jarallah told reporters that he conveyed the Kuwaiti complaint to the Saudi ambassador in the country. “We have expressed our regret and blame over the insult against (commerce minister) Khaled al-Roudhan, a minister who enjoys the full trust of all in Kuwait,” he […]
British PM urges social media investors to act on abuse
DAVOS, Switzerland (AFP) — British Prime Minister Theresa May will encourage activist investors on Thursday to pressure social media firms into clamping down on fake news, hate speech and sexual harassment. “Investors can make a big difference here by ensuring trust and safety issues are being properly considered. And I urge them to do so,” she will say in a speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos. She will highlight how a group of shareholders recently demanded […]
Hindu queen film releases in India amid high security
MUMBAI, India (AFP) — A controversial Indian movie that has angered Hindu extremists finally opens on Thursday amid heightened security owing to fears of widespread riots. Police are on high alert across several states after protesters pledged to disrupt the release of “Padmaavat,” a Bollywood epic about a mythical Hindu queen. Radical groups say the film will portray queen Padmavati falsely, a claim producers vehemently deny, and have threatened to attack any cinema that shows it. Violent […]
PBA PHILIPPINE CUP: Fajardo’s monster game powers sloppy SMB over pesky Globalport
By Vivem Soriano Eagle News Service Reigning four-time MVP June Mar Fajardo scored 34 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, dished out 3 assists and blocked 3 shots to lead the defending Philippine Cup champions San Miguel Beermen to a 107-93 rout against Globalport Batang Pier. Globalport was a tough customer though. Turnovers and sloppy plays had powerhouse SMB down at the half 43-47. It was still a close game at the end of the 3rd quarter […]
PBA PHILIPPINE CUP: Cañaleta leads Meralco romp over former team Kia
By Vivem Soriano Eagle News Service Journeyman KG Cañaleta scored 17 points over his former team as the Meralco Bolts sent the Kia Picanto crashing back to earth with a 105-76 beatdown at the Araneta Coliseum. This was a much needed win for Meralco, who has always performed well with import-laden conferences but has always struggled with the All-Filipino Conference. The Bolts move to a 2-3 win-loss record with the victory. Another good news for […]
UST Civil Law dean Divina: “My conscience is clear”
(Eagle News) — “My conscience is clear.” University of Santo Tomas Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina had this to say on Wednesday after a Senate joint committee report said disbarment proceedings should be initiated against him over the death of hazing victim Horacio Castillo III. “I did not do anything wrong, illegal or unethical,” Divina–who, according to the report should also resign–said in a statement. According to Divina, he “did all (he) could have done under […]
More flee as Mount Mayon spews lava
LEGAZPI, Albay– Tens of thousands more people have fled Mount Mayon, relief workers said Wednesday, as foreign tourists arrived to watch the flaming lava and giant clouds spurting from its crater. More than 70,000 residents are now crammed in schools and other buildings, a figure that has nearly doubled over the past three days, officials said, two weeks after the volcano in Albay began showing signs of activity. Volcanologists on Monday warned of a […]





