dlejano

Mar 292015
 

The Empire State Building dimmed its lights and the Eiffel Tower went dark Saturday as iconic landmarks across the world observed Earth Hour, the global climate change awareness campaign.

The usually glittering nighttime majesty of the Empire State Building was set to “faint sparkle” in New York, while theaters on Broadway also toned down the neon.

Millions of people around the world were taking part in the annual Earth Hour organized by conservation group WWF, with a string of well-known sights plunging into darkness globally.

Take a look at how different countries all over the world participated in this year’s Earth Hour:

 COLOMBIA

People light candles during Earth Hour environment campaign at the Jardin Plaza mall in Cali, Valle del Cauca department, Colombia, on March 28, 2015. Millions are expected to take part around the world in the annual event organised by conservation group WWF, with hundreds of well-known sights set to plunge into darkness. AFP PHOTO

People light candles during Earth Hour environment campaign at the Jardin Plaza mall in Cali, Valle del Cauca department, Colombia, on March 28, 2015. Millions are expected to take part around the world in the annual event organised by conservation group WWF, with hundreds of well-known sights set to plunge into darkness. AFP

VATICAN CITY

Activists of World Wide Fund (WWF) have set up pandas near St Peter's square as part of the Earth Hour campaign on March 29, 2014 at the Vatican. Lights went off in thousands of cities and towns across the world on today for the annual Earth Hour campaign, which is aiming to raise money via the Internet for local environmental projects. AFP

Activists of World Wide Fund (WWF) have set up pandas near St Peter’s square as part of the Earth Hour campaign on March 29, 2014 at the Vatican. Lights went off in thousands of cities and towns across the world on today for the annual Earth Hour campaign, which is aiming to raise money via the Internet for local environmental projects. AFP

PORTUGAL

A boy with his face decorated with luminous ink poses for a photograph with others during the symbolic switching off of the lights known as Earth Hour, Saturday, March 28, 2015, in Lisbon, Portugal. At 8:30 p.m. local time, individuals, businesses, cities and landmarks around the world switched off their lights for one hour to focus attention on climate change. AP

A boy with his face decorated with luminous ink poses for a photograph with others during the symbolic switching off of the lights known as Earth Hour, Saturday, March 28, 2015, in Lisbon, Portugal. At 8:30 p.m. local time, individuals, businesses, cities and landmarks around the world switched off their lights for one hour to focus attention on climate change. AP

NEW YORK CITY

The Empire State Building moments before going dark for Earth Hour March 29, 2014 - in which citizens are asked to turn off their lights for an hour from 8.30 to 9.30 pm local time to show awareness of climate change . It kicks off in Sydney and moves westwards around the globe. AFP

The Empire State Building moments before going dark for Earth Hour March 29, 2014 – in which citizens are asked to turn off their lights for an hour from 8.30 to 9.30 pm local time to show awareness of climate change . It kicks off in Sydney and moves westwards around the globe. AFP

FRANCE

In this two photo combination picture, the Eiffel Tower with its usual lighting at left, and after the lighting was switched off at right, at the occasion of the Earth Hour, in Paris, France, Saturday March 28, 2015. This Saturday, 28 March 8:30 p.m. local time, individuals, businesses, cities and landmarks around the world are switching off their lights for one hour to focus attention on climate change. AP

In this two photo combination picture, the Eiffel Tower with its usual lighting at left, and after the lighting was switched off at right, at the occasion of the Earth Hour, in Paris, France, Saturday March 28, 2015. This Saturday, 28 March 8:30 p.m. local time, individuals, businesses, cities and landmarks around the world are switching off their lights for one hour to focus attention on climate change. AP

PHILIPPINES

Performers wearing luminous costumes entertain the crowd during the symbolic switching off of the lights known as Earth Hour Saturday, March 28, 2015 at Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines. Earth Hour, participated in by more than 7,000 cities and townships worldwide, urges households and citizens to switch off their electricity for one hour to help reduce Carbon emissions to help save planet Earth. AP

Performers wearing luminous costumes entertain the crowd during the symbolic switching off of the lights known as Earth Hour Saturday, March 28, 2015 at Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines. Earth Hour, participated in by more than 7,000 cities and townships worldwide, urges households and citizens to switch off their electricity for one hour to help reduce Carbon emissions to help save planet Earth. AP

RUSSIA

People walk past St. Basil's Cathedral with its lights off as part of the Earth Hour environmental campaign in central Moscow on March 28, 2015. AFP

People walk past St. Basil’s Cathedral with its lights off as part of the Earth Hour environmental campaign in central Moscow on March 28, 2015. AFP

AUSTRALIA

Fireworks go off at the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House to signal the start of the Earth Hour environmental campaign, among the first landmarks around the world to dim their lights for the event on March 28, 2015. Lights will go out in some 7,000 cities and towns from New York to New Zealand for Earth Hour to raise awareness of the need for sustainable energy use, and this year also to demand action to halt planet-harming climate change. AFP

Fireworks go off at the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House to signal the start of the Earth Hour environmental campaign, among the first landmarks around the world to dim their lights for the event on March 28, 2015. Lights will go out in some 7,000 cities and towns from New York to New Zealand for Earth Hour to raise awareness of the need for sustainable energy use, and this year also to demand action to halt planet-harming climate change. AFP

TUNISIA

Tunisians light air balloons during the Earth Hour on March 29, 2014 at the Roman amphitheater of Carthage on the outskirts of Tunis. Thousands of cities around the world turned off lights Saturday emblematic buildings during the "Earth Hour", a global event to warn of the dangers of climate change. The campaign, which is to turn off the lights for one hour starting at 20:30 local time, was intended to raise funds for projects of environmental protection this year. AFP

Tunisians light air balloons during the Earth Hour on March 29, 2014 at the Roman amphitheater of Carthage on the outskirts of Tunis. Thousands of cities around the world turned off lights Saturday emblematic buildings during the “Earth Hour”, a global event to warn of the dangers of climate change. The campaign, which is to turn off the lights for one hour starting at 20:30 local time, was intended to raise funds for projects of environmental protection this year. AFP

KUWAIT

Employees of the Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel pose behind candles during the Earth Hour on March 28, 2015 in Kuwait city. Thousands of cities around the world turned off lights emblematic buildings during the "Earth Hour", a global event to warn of the dangers of climate change. AFP

Employees of the Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel pose behind candles during the Earth Hour on March 28, 2015 in Kuwait city. Thousands of cities around the world turned off lights emblematic buildings during the “Earth Hour”, a global event to warn of the dangers of climate change. AFP

INDONESIA

Indonesian activists hold candles during a candle light vigil marking Earth Hour, in the main business district in Jakarta, Indonesia, Saturday , March 28, 2015. AP

Indonesian activists hold candles during a candle light vigil marking Earth Hour, in the main business district in Jakarta, Indonesia, Saturday , March 28, 2015. AP

GREECE

This picture shows the ancient Temple of Parthenon atop Acropolis hill in partial darkness during the Earth Hour initiative in Athens on March 28, 2015. Millions are expected to take part around the world in the annual event organised by conservation group WWF, with hundreds of well-known sights set to plunge into darkness. AFP

This picture shows the ancient Temple of Parthenon atop Acropolis hill in partial darkness during the Earth Hour initiative in Athens on March 28, 2015. Millions are expected to take part around the world in the annual event organised by conservation group WWF, with hundreds of well-known sights set to plunge into darkness. AFP

MALAYSIA

A general view shows the Malaysia's landmark Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur after the lights had been switched off for earth hour on March 28, 2015. Lights will go out in some 7,000 cities and towns from New York to New Zealand for Earth Hour to raise awareness of the need for sustainable energy use, and this year also to demand action to halt planet-harming climate change. AFP

A general view shows the Malaysia’s landmark Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur after the lights had been switched off for earth hour on March 28, 2015. Lights will go out in some 7,000 cities and towns from New York to New Zealand for Earth Hour to raise awareness of the need for sustainable energy use, and this year also to demand action to halt planet-harming climate change. AFP

SOUTH KOREA

A general view shows the Seoul city skyline and the landmark Namsan tower (R) during 'Earth Hour' on March 28, 2015. Lights will go out in some 7,000 cities and towns from New York to New Zealand for Earth Hour to raise awareness of the need for sustainable energy use, and this year also to demand action to halt planet-harming climate change. AFP

A general view shows the Seoul city skyline and the landmark Namsan tower (R) during ‘Earth Hour’ on March 28, 2015. Lights will go out in some 7,000 cities and towns from New York to New Zealand for Earth Hour to raise awareness of the need for sustainable energy use, and this year also to demand action to halt planet-harming climate change. AFP

SPAIN

The New Bridge of Ronda is enlightened from behind during the global climate change awareness campaign "Earth Hour", on March 28, 2015. Millions are expected to take part around the world in the annual event organised by environment conservation group WWF, with hundreds of well-known sights including the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Seattle Space Needle set to plunge into darkness for an hour to highlight the plight of the planet. AFP

The New Bridge of Ronda is enlightened from behind during the global climate change awareness campaign “Earth Hour”, on March 28, 2015. Millions are expected to take part around the world in the annual event organised by environment conservation group WWF, with hundreds of well-known sights including the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Seattle Space Needle set to plunge into darkness for an hour to highlight the plight of the planet. AFP

INDIA

The Indian Presidential Palace stands in darkness after lights were turned out for one hour to mark Earth Hour in New Delhi, India, Saturday, March 28, 2015. Earth Hour was marked worldwide at 8.30 p.m. local time and is a global call to turn off lights for 60 minutes in a bid to highlight the global climate change. AP

The Indian Presidential Palace stands in darkness after lights were turned out for one hour to mark Earth Hour in New Delhi, India, Saturday, March 28, 2015. Earth Hour was marked worldwide at 8.30 p.m. local time and is a global call to turn off lights for 60 minutes in a bid to highlight the global climate change. AP

UNITED KINGDOM

A picture taken on March 28, 2015 in central London shows The London Eye in central London illuminated ahead of Earth Hour campaign. Millions are expected to take part around the world in the annual event organised by conservation group WWF, with hundreds of well-known sights set to plunge into darkness. AFP

A picture taken on March 28, 2015 in central London shows The London Eye in central London illuminated ahead of Earth Hour campaign. Millions are expected to take part around the world in the annual event organised by conservation group WWF, with hundreds of well-known sights set to plunge into darkness. AFP

THAILAND

Temple of Dawn is seen moments after its lights are turned off for Earth Hour 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand , Saturday, March 28, 2015. Around the world, people and organisations will be turning their lights off from 8:30 to 9:30 pm local time. AP

Temple of Dawn is seen moments after its lights are turned off for Earth Hour 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand , Saturday, March 28, 2015. Around the world, people and organisations will be turning their lights off from 8:30 to 9:30 pm local time. AP

TAIWAN

The Taipei 101 Building is seen darkened during the Earth Hour in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, March 28, 2015. Organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature, Earth Hour is observed every year to create awareness about conservation of energy and climate change. Around the world, people and organisations will be turning their lights off from 8:30 to 9:30 pm local time. AP

The Taipei 101 Building is seen darkened during the Earth Hour in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, March 28, 2015. Organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature, Earth Hour is observed every year to create awareness about conservation of energy and climate change. Around the world, people and organisations will be turning their lights off from 8:30 to 9:30 pm local time. AP

MACEDONIA

Activists of the Red Cross light candles to form the number "60" during "Earth Hour" in Skopje's main square on March 28, 2015. Thousands of cities around the world turned off lights on emblematic buildings during the "Earth Hour", a global event to warn of the dangers of climate change. AFP

Activists of the Red Cross light candles to form the number “60” during “Earth Hour” in Skopje’s main square on March 28, 2015. Thousands of cities around the world turned off lights on emblematic buildings during the “Earth Hour”, a global event to warn of the dangers of climate change. AFP

JAPAN

Eriko Ukimura plays the violin during the "Earth Hour" in Tokyo Saturday, March 28, 2015. The light at a Tokyo hotel lobby was turned off momentarily on Saturday as part of global campaign to raise awareness on environmental issues. AP

Eriko Ukimura plays the violin during the “Earth Hour” in Tokyo Saturday, March 28, 2015. The light at a Tokyo hotel lobby was turned off momentarily on Saturday as part of global campaign to raise awareness on environmental issues. AP

GERMANY

Candles in paper bags are placed to form the lettering "Save our climate, Now" in front of the Brandenburger Gate in Berlin during the the global climate change awareness campaign "Earth Hour" on March 28, 2015. Millions are expected to take part around the world in the annual event organised by environment conservation group WWF, with hundreds of well-known sights including the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Seattle Space Needle set to plunge into darkness for an hour to highlight the plight of the planet. AFP

Candles in paper bags are placed to form the lettering “Save our climate, Now” in front of the Brandenburger Gate in Berlin during the the global climate change awareness campaign “Earth Hour” on March 28, 2015. Millions are expected to take part around the world in the annual event organised by environment conservation group WWF, with hundreds of well-known sights including the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Seattle Space Needle set to plunge into darkness for an hour to highlight the plight of the planet. AFP

DL

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Mar 132015
 
In photos: Underwater tour of battleship Musashi

MANILA, Philippines —Microsoft co-founder and entrepreneur Paul Allen on Friday sponsored an unmanned underwater probe of the World War II Japanese battleship Musashi that was blown into pieces in an undersea explosion 70 years ago. The Musashi sank at the Sibuyan Sea in Romblon in October 1944 during the battle of Leyte, losing half of its 2,400 crew. It was last seen disappearing into the water in one piece. Here are screen captures of the underwater inspection: Crew of the Octopus observe a moment of silence for the sailors who lost their lives onboard the Musashi. The ROV about to be loaded onto the Octopus. The ROV about to be loaded onto the Octopus. The ROV being winched into the Octopus. The wreck of the Musashi, one of the largest battleships in history. According to Japanese colleagues, the Musashi sank with five aircraft onboard. The Musashi’s massive propellers, which propelled the massive warship across Philippine waters some 70 years ago. The wreck of the Musashi, one of the largest battleships in history. The wreck of the Musashi, one of the largest battleships in history. The entrance to the Musashi’s secondary gun barbette. Real-time position of the ROV tracked via GPS on the Octopus. After the fifth wave of US attacks, the Musashi started listing. The wreck of the Musashi, one of the largest battleships in history. The wreck of the Musashi, one of the largest battleships in history. The wreck of the Musashi, one of the largest battleships in history. The Bluefin-12 Read More …

Mar 092015
 
Saudi Arabia executes OFW convicted of murder

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Feb 102015
 
Etihad flew record number of passengers, cargo in 2014

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Feb 102015
 
Erwiana: From domestic helper to human rights activist

Indonesian former maid Erwiana Sulistyaningsih attends a press conference in Hong Kong on February 10, 2015 after her employer was convicted of beating her in a “torture” case that sparked international outrage and spotlighted the plight of migrant domestic workers in the Middle East and Asia. AFP HONG KONG — From a “simple village girl” too petrified to report the torture she was facing, Erwiana Sulistyaningsih has become a confident advocate of workers’ rights in a city where maids often live in slave-like conditions. Shocking pictures emerged of a severely beaten Sulistyaningsih looking frail and skinny and in a critical condition at an Indonesian hospital in January last year, and focused the spotlight on the rights of domestic helpers in Hong Kong. The photos and her account of the abuse she received shocked the Asian financial hub and sparked anger amongst the migrant worker community, renewing concerns over the abuse of domestic helpers. Sulistyaningsih, who according to the judge’s verdict “described herself as a simple village girl, coming from a village where her parents are farmers”, was sent back to Indonesia by her former employer, Law Wan-tung, when she became too weak to walk. She told the court that Law covered her in makeup to hide her injuries for the trip to the airport and strapped a nappy on her as she could not use the toilet. A little over a year later, a healthier looking Sulistyaningsih was back in Hong Kong and won a landmark case against Law, who Read More …

Feb 092015
 
‘Tortured’ Indonesian maid’s Hong Kong employer found guilty

Indonesian former maid Erwiana Sulistyaningsih (C) leaves the court of justice in Hong Kong on February 10, 2015 after her employer was convicted of beating and starving the Indonesian maid in a “torture” case that sparked international outrage and spotlighted the plight of migrant domestic workers in the Middle East and Asia. AFP HONG KONG — A Hong Kong woman was convicted Tuesday of beating and starving her Indonesian maid in a “torture” case that sparked international outrage and spotlighted the plight of migrant domestic workers in the Middle East and Asia. The verdict, read out to a courtroom packed with journalists and activists, was met with cheers by supporters of Erwiana Sulistyaningsih, a former domestic helper who has become the face of a campaign for improved workers’ rights in the financial hub. Pictures of the injuries sustained by Sulistyaningsih, who was admitted to hospital in her home country emaciated and in a critical condition, at the hands of mother-of-two Law Wan-tung fuelled anger in Indonesia and shocked Hong Kong. “She was, for want of a better word, a prisoner on those premises,” Judge Amanda Woodcock said, referring to Sulistyaningsih, who told the court she had been “tortured.” “I am sure she was telling the truth,” Woodcock said, adding: “She was completely isolated. “She did not complain about the abuse because of fear… When Erwiana left Hong Kong, she was a shadow of her former self.” “You are remanded in custody,” Woodcock told Law, after announcing that the 44-year-old had Read More …

Jan 132015
 
Pope Francis’ arrival in Sri Lanka in photos

COLOMBO — Pope Francis has arrived safely in Sri Lanka for the first leg of a weeklong trip to Asia that will also include the Philippines. Take a look at the photos of his arrival in Colombo: Pope Francis waves to people waiting on a road to welcome him on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015. Pope Francis arrived in Sri Lanka Tuesday at the start of a weeklong Asian tour saying the island nation can’t fully heal from a quarter-century of ethnic civil war without pursuing truth for the injustices committed. AP A Sri Lankan Catholic holds a portrait of Pope Francis and awaits his arrival, on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015. Less than a week after its longtime president was surprisingly voted out of office, Sri Lanka welcomes Pope Francis on Tuesday, with the island nation’s Catholic minority hoping he can help heal the lingering wounds of the country’s 25-year civil war. Catholics make up slightly more than 6 percent of Sri Lanka’s population of 21 million, according to the government. AP Pope Francis walks down an airstair upon arrival in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015. Pope Francis has arrived safely in Sri Lanka for the first leg of a weeklong trip to Asia, received at the airport by newly elected President Maithripala Sirisena and Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith. AP Pope Francis walks upon arrival as colorful Sri Lankan dancers perform in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Jan. 13, Read More …