Archive for December 4th, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO—Google and Microsoft each unveiled new charitable initiatives Tuesday, in separate efforts which channel millions of dollars to innovators tackling social ills.

Google launched its Global Impact Awards program with a first round of funding allocating a total of $23 million to seven organizations “changing the world.”

“Technology has dramatically improved our lives, from the speed at which we get things done to how we connect with others,” Google director of giving Jacquelline Fuller said in a blog post announcing the awards.

“Yet innovations in medicine, business and communications have far outpaced tech-enabled advances in the nonpr…Keep on reading: Google, Microsoft launch charity efforts
Source: Inquirer.net

NEW YORK—US stocks closed slightly lower Tuesday as Washington continued to wrangle over a budget plan that would avoid the year-end “fiscal cliff.”

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 14.05 points (0.11 percent) at 12,951.55 in closing trade.

The broad-market S&P 500 dipped 2.54 points (0.18 percent) to 1,406.92 while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite fell 5.51 (0.18 percent) to 2,996.69.

…Keep on reading: US stocks dip on fiscal cliff worries
Source: Inquirer.net

MANILA, Philippines—Typhoon “Pablo” (international name Bopha) has further weakened as it continued to move towards northern Palawan, the weather bureau said early Wednesday.

As of 5 a.m. Wednesday, the eye of Typhoon Pablo was located based on radar, satellite and surface data at 180 kilometers east of Puerto Princesa City, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Pablo was packing maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph, Pagasa said.

It was forecast to move west northwest at 24 kph, Pagasa added.

Signal No. 3 remai…Keep on reading: Typhoon ‘Pablo’ further weakens; Signal No. 3 still up in northern Palawan
Source: Inquirer.net

Universal Entertainment Corp. of Japanese businessman Kazuo Okada on Tuesday assailed the coverage of an international news agency on the alleged bribes paid by the gaming firm to a former consultant of state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

In a press statement, the company that holds one of the four gaming licenses in Pagcor’s Entertainment City development on Manila Bay also threatened Reuters with legal action.

“We believe that Reuters should be fully held to account legally for the damage brought about through their biased reporting, and we are exploring the possibility of taking legal actions against  them,” said the Okada-contr…Keep on reading: Okada firm hits Reuters on bribe stories, eyes suit
Source: Inquirer.net