Thousands march in Hong Kong on New Year's Day, pledge to 'keep fighting'

HONG KONG -- Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters began marching in Hong Kong on New Year's Day, demanding concessions from the city's embattled government as the civil unrest that convulsed the Chinese-ruled city for over half a year spills into 2020.

Gathering on a grass lawn in Victoria Park under grey skies, citizens young and old, many dressed in black and some masked, carried signs such as "Freedom is not free" before setting off.

"It's hard to utter 'Happy New Year' because Hong Kong people are not happy," said a man named Tung, who was walking with his two-year-old son, mother and niece.

"Unless the five demands are achieved, and police are held accountable for their brutality, then we can't have a real happy new year," he added, referring to the push for concessions from the government including full democracy, an amnesty for the over 6,500 people arrested so far, and a powerful, independent investigation into police actions.

The pro-democracy march is being organized by the Civil Human Rights Front, a group that arranged a number of marches last year that drew millions.

Along the route, a number of newly elected pro-democracy district politicians mingled with the crowds on their first day in office, some helping collect donations to assist the movement.

"The government has already started the oppression before the New Year began ... whoever is being oppressed, we will stand with them," said Jimmy Sham, one of the leaders of the Civil Human Rights Front.

Thousands of Hong Kong revellers had earlier welcomed in 2020 on neon-lit promenades along the iconic skyline of Victoria Harbour, chanting the movement's signature eight-word Chinese protest couplet -- "Liberate Hong Kong. Revolution of our Time." -- for the final eight seconds before clocks struck midnight.

A sea of protesters then surged down Nathan Road, a major boulevard, blocking all lanes in a spontaneous march breaking out within minutes of the new decade. Some held signs reading "Let’s keep fighting together in 2020."

Overnight, police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons during some brief standoffs.

China's President Xi Jinping said in a New Year's speech that Beijing will "resolutely safeguard the prosperity and stability" of Hong Kong under the so-called "one country, two systems" framework.

Many people in Hong Kong are angered by Beijing's tight grip on the city which was promised a high degree of autonomy under this framework when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Beijing denies interference and blames the West for fomenting the unrest.

A group of 40 parliamentarians and dignitaries from 18 countries had written an open letter to Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam on New Year's Eve, urging her to "seek genuine ways forward out of this crisis by addressing the grievances of Hong Kong people."

The protest movement is supported by 59% of the city's residents polled in a survey conducted for Reuters by the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute.

Demonstrations have grown increasingly violent in recent months, at times paralyzing the Asian financial center.

Protesters have thrown petrol bombs and rocks, with police responding with tear gas, water cannon, pepper spray, rubber bullets and occasional live rounds. There have been several injuries. 

source: news.abs-cbn.com

U.S. dollar heads for worst year since 2003

NEW YORK - The dollar fell to its lowest in over three months against a basket of major currencies on Friday, on track for its biggest annual drop since 2003, on doubts over durability of a pickup in U.S. economic growth in wake of last week's tax overhaul.

One of the most dramatic market developments in 2017 was the breath-taking rise of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. While they have pulled back at year-end, many of these digital currencies have surged in value this year.

The greenback may lag further against its peers in 2018 as investors expected other major central banks to reduce their stimulus while the Federal Reserve has signaled it would raise interest rates further, analysts said.

"The dollar will face more headwinds in 2018," said Chris Gaffney, president of Everbank in St. Louis, Missouri. "The Fed won't be going at it alone in terms of taking off more gas from the stimulus pedal."

Bets the European Central Bank might consider raising interest rates by the end of 2018 due to evidence of higher inflation and business activity in the euro have lifted the euro, which was poised for its best yearly performance versus the greenback in 14 years.

The euro hit a three-month peak at $1.2013, bringing its annual gain to 14.1 percent. It was last up 0.68 percent at $1.2022.

Euro's rally was a drag on the greenback in 2017. The index that tracks the dollar versus the euro and five other major currencies fell as low as 92.169, which the lowest since Sept. 22. It was on track for its steepest annual decline since 2003.

The dollar also weakened against the yen, sterling, Canadian dollar, Swedish krona and Swiss franc, which are the other index components this year.

The dollar index at a 14-year peak at the start of 2017 on hopes for U.S. President Donald Trump's pro-growth economic agenda. Barring the most dramatic rewrite of the U.S. tax code in 20 years enacted last week, Trump and Republican lawmakers have struggled to pass legislation.

Furthermore, many institutional investors close their books at the year-end, a deadline for taxation and performance reporting, a time seen leading to dollar selling pressure, analysts said.

Outside of traditional currencies, bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies rebounded after two days of losses tied partly to more regulators toughening rules on digital currencies in a bid to curb excessive speculation.

Bitcoin was last up 1.13 percent at $14,599.99 on the Bitstamp exchange. It was off the record highs near $20,000 touched 12 days ago but still headed for a gain of roughly 1,400 percent in 2017.

Financial markets around the world will be closed on Monday on New Year's Day.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

'Hollyweed' sign prankster arrested

Los Angeles police on Monday arrested a local artist suspected of a New Year's Day prank in which he altered the letters of the famous Hollywood sign to read "Hollyweed."

Zachary Cole Fernandez, 30, was booked on a misdemeanor charge when he voluntarily surrendered to the authorities with his attorney at his side.

He was released on his own recognizance and ordered to appear in court on February 15, a police spokesman said.

Fernandez, who goes by the moniker "Jesus Hands" said he was inspired to change the sign by another similar incident in 1976 that was the work of an art student named Daniel Finegood.

He and his partner conducted research on the sign to determine how to scale the structure and place tarps over the 45-foot-tall o's to turn them into e's, Fernandez told the online magazine Vice.

They aimed to prompt a conversation about cannabis after California voters approved a measure to legalize recreational marijuana in November, he said.

But while many chuckled at his daring feat, one Los Angeles councilman, David Ryu, said he was not amused and would push for Fernandez to be prosecuted to the fullest.

"The Hollywood sign has seen many alteration attempts over the years for people seeking notoriety or commercial gain," he said in a statement. "Pranks of this nature deplete the resources of our valuable public safety personnel, in both responding to the prank and in responding to the increased crowds and copycat attempts that these incidents generate."

Police said Fernandez was charged with a misdemeanor charge of trespass, as opposed to vandalism, because he did not damage the sign.

The landmark was erected in 1923 as "Hollywoodland" to advertise a local real estate development.

It has undergone a number of transformations over the years, including in 1987, when pranksters changed it to "Holywood" to mark the visit of Pope John Paul II.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

2 men die after choking on mochi cakes on New Year's Day

TOKYO - Two men fatally choked on "mochi" rice cakes, a traditional New Year's food, in Tokyo on New Year's Day Sunday, according to the Tokyo Fire Department.

An 81-year-old resident of Itabashi Ward and a 60-year-old man from Kita Ward were rushed to hospitals after getting cake made of steamed glutinous rice stuck in their throats but were pronounced dead later.

A further nine people aged from 28 to 89 were taken to hospitals in the capital on New Year's Day after choking on rice cakes but survived.

==Kyodo

source: news.abs-cbn.com

13 financial resolutions for the New Year

MANILA, Philippines – With the New Year only days away, you should not only consider physical health in your resolutions but financial health as well.

ANC’s “On The Money” listed some financial resolutions to help you reach your financial goals:

Review your budget and spending habits
Making a list of the items and activities you spent for during the year will help you anticipate where you spend most on and where you can cut back.

Check the amount of savings you have at the end of the year
Pay off credit card debt you may have
Set your money goals
When you have accounted the saving you made for the year, use it to pay off any debts you may have to enter the New Year debt-free.

It will also help you set your money goals for the coming year.

“[Ask yourself], ‘This is how much I am making in 2013, will I ask for a raise this time?’ At least write it down in your head so you know where you are going, you know where your road map for 2014 is when it comes to your finances,” registered financial planner Rowena Suarez told ANC.

Get income protection through insurance
Health insurance
“Without [health insurance], you cannot work anymore if you are sick, and another thing is the high cost of medical expenses,” said Suarez.

Set a spending budget and review it regularly
Create an emergency fund equivalent to 3 to 6 months worth of expenses
Suarez said if your expenses reach P100,000 a month, then you need to have around P300,000 to P600,000 in your bank account for emergency funds.

“Don’t touch that,” she stressed.
Figure out your financial needs for retirement
Set up an automatic payment plan to pay yourself first
An automatic payment plan will also help you save every month, Suarez said.

“Sign up for an automatic savings plan system. Like every month, take out P5,000 or P10,000 from your account, and that’s like paying yourself,” she said.

Adopt a healthy lifestyle
Meet regularly with your family to discuss finances
Become financially literate
Suarez noted that becoming financially literate is key in reaching financial goals to prevent joining savings programs that don’t yield good interest.

“Get educated when it comes to financial programs. You have to look around and scout around, and study. There’s so many programs right now that gives free learning,” she said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Feng shui expert cites 'luckier' bets in 2013

MANILA, Philippines -- On February 10, the Chinese community will usher in the Lunar New Year and the "Year of the Water Snake."

Feng shui expert Master Joseph Chau said 2013 is a year of “challenges” and “conflicts.” Tensions may also escalate as election day draws near.

But candidates in the May 13 elections who are under the zodiac animal signs dragon, dog, rabbit, monkey, and snake are luckier.

Couples planning a wedding this year may want to postpone the date to next year. Chau said 2013 is a “blind year” because spring will come earlier on February 4 than the Chinese New Year. In the Chinese tradition, this is bad luck for weddings.

But, Chau added, money will be easier to earn this year.

Some good business opportunities are in the tourism sector, hotel and restaurant, transportation and even the stock market.

According to the 2013 feng shui chart, there are areas in the house or office that are luckier, such as the northeast where the wealth star is located, and south, for the prosperity star.

To start the year right, place five kinds of fruits like pineapple, apple, banana and orange at the dining table on the eve of New Year's day.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

New Year revelry in Boracay

MANILA, Philippines — The Yuletide season is all about celebrations. And, in a tropical country like the Philippines, perhaps we’re lucky that beaches like Boracay are just within reach if we want to spend the holidays away from the hustle and bustle of Manila. For urban dwellers, it seems like an alluring idea to just walk on shores with powdery white sand and frolic in the sea during Yuletide vacation.

According to Alfonso Chusuey, COO and assistant to the president for Boracay Garden Resort, the Yuletide season is a peak period for travelers, with an influx of guests checking in for the holidays.

Holidays in Boracay often have a happy and laid back atmosphere. However, the revelry goes on a fever pitch after Christmas Day, when people flock to the beach after spending time at home with their families during Christmas Eve. “We’re expecting full occupancy for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day,” Alfonso shares.

In anticipation of the New Year, Boracay lives up to its epicurean reputation for the next few days, becoming a party-filled venue. The merry-making series hits a crescendo on New Year’s Eve, when hotels and resorts host New Year’s Eve feasts and promote special holiday promos.

To illustrate, Boracay Garden Resort offers a special package up to January 2, 2012. Based on triple sharing, guests may avail of four days’ accommodation in a deluxe room for as low as P7, 924.00 net per person. The package includes breakfast and dinner meals together with roundtrip transfers via Caticlan.

The resort is also gearing up for a lavish Medya Noche (New Year’s Eve dinner) buffet spread at its beachfront. “We all look forward to Medya Noche to share warm, hearty meals with our loved ones,” says Mario Gatmaitan, Boracay Garden Resort’s food and beverage manager.

Set to be served buffet-style are Pinoy Roasted Calf Leg with onion gravy, Lechon de Carajay, Adobong Sugpo sa Aligue, Chicken Galantine, Beef Bulalo with Bone Marrow, Chicken Sisig, Tokwa’t Baboy, Arroz Valenciana, Rellenong Sugpo with Crab Roe Sauce, Lengua con Setas and Seafood Kare-Kare.

Other treats include Maple-brown Sugar Glazed Christmas Ham, Lemongrass Grilled Salmon Fillet in Green Thai Curry Sauce, Kalbi Tang (boiled Korean Ox-Tail), Southern Fried Chicken, London Fish and Chips, Roasted Steamship with Au Jus, Roasted Tom Turkey with Chestnut stuffing, Giblet gravy and Cranberry Sauce and Braised Duck in Star Anise.

Desserts spanning from Filipino to international cuisines will also be present. Examples include buko fruit salad, tiramisu, cheesecake, leche flan, bibingka, among others. “We have also included in the menu popular holiday drinks like hot chocolate, peppermint tea, salabat, ginumis, and buko pandan,” adds Gatmaitan.

If you want to have your food any time of the day, the resort has the Garden Café, an al fresco restaurant serving local and international cuisines. Those looking to cool off may take a dip in the resort’s 450-square meter main pool with poolside bar and deck.

But more than gastronomic fare and fun-filled days, Boracay is one of the safest places to spend the holidays. Henry Chusuey, chairman of the Henann Resorts group, which operates the Boracay Garden Resort, says that crime rates are low in Boracay. Save for petty mischief, no major crimes have been committed in the ‘island paradise’ for a long time.

In relation to New Year’s Eve, Henry also shares that igniting fireworks on the beach grounds per se is forbidden. This seems like a reassurance for guests who may worry about possible incidents of fireworks-induced injuries on hand and on land.

But for those who look forward to some fireworks, no worries. Henry says that Boracay Garden Resort, along with sister resorts Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Spa and Regency Lagoon Resort, will showcase the best fireworks display in Boracay—in a safe manner, of course.

For more information, visit www.boracaygarden.com.ph.

source: mb.com.ph