March 2011

NASA satellites detect extensive drought impact on Amazon forests

March 31, 2011 Environment

WASHINGTON, March 30 — A new NASA-funded study has revealed widespread reductions in the greenness of Amazon forests caused by last year's record-breaking drought, the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said Tuesday in a statement.

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Annual summer beach clean-up, eco-art held in Subic

March 31, 2011 Environment

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, March 30 – Hundreds of residents and stakeholders in this Freeport have joined hands to protect the environment during the annual summer beach cleanup organized by The Lighthouse Marina Resort and the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians (IYFR).

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Death toll reaches 11,232 from great quake-tsunami in Japan

March 31, 2011 Environment

TOKYO, March 30 — The National Police Agency said on Wednesday that the catastrophic earthquake and ensuing tsunami have left 11,232 people dead and 16,361 others unaccounted for in Japan by 10:00 a.m. local time (0100 GMT).

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Japanese spacecraft survive powerful earthquake and tsunami

March 31, 2011 Science & Technology

MOSCOW, March 30 — Japan's HTV-3 space freighter and two satellites were not damaged in the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami, the Spaceflight Now portal reported, citing space industry officials.

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U.A.E. man beats up imam for refusing to exorcise him of jinn

March 31, 2011 People/Events

DUBAI, March 30 — An imam of a mosque in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, was beaten up by a local man for refusing to chase away an evil spirit from his body, the Emirate Al Youm newspaper said.

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NASA’s Messenger makes first orbital photo of Mercury

March 31, 2011 Science & Technology

MOSCOW, March 30 — NASA's Messenger spacecraft, the first ever to enter the orbit of Mercury, has fetched its first photo, the project's website said.

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Scientists develop biochip to help detect diseases, pollutants

March 31, 2011 Science & Technology

SEOUL, March 30 — South Korean researchers said Wednesday that they have developed a highly sensitive biochip capable of precisely detecting diseases and environmental pollutants.

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Pia: 'TV shows should be mindful of children's rights'

March 31, 2011 People/Events

MANILA, March 30 — Senator Pia Cayetano on Wednesday weighed in on the controversy created by the March 12 episode of "Willing Willie" show on TV5 during which a six-year-old boy, known only as 'Jan-Jan,' was made to gyrate like a macho dancer during one of the show's segments.

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Gov't eyes making quake-hit cities 'special zones' for reconstruction

March 31, 2011 Environment

TOKYO, March 30 — The government is eyeing designating municipalities devastated by the March 11 earthquake and ensuing tsunami as ''reconstruction special zones'' to facilitate their reconstruction through deregulation and preferential tax treatment, government sources said Tuesday.

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