Macy’s closing 40 stores
MACY’S will close 36 of its 770 stores following “disappointing” sales and earnings last year and weak holiday sales, as part of its plan to shut down 40 locations across…
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Trump: Syrian Refugees ‘could be ISIS’
Silent Muslim protester removed from campaign rally GOP frontrunner Donald Trump said Syrian refugees are “probably” ISIS during a campaign rally in South Carolina that was quickly disrupted by protesters,…
Gov. Brown proposes $171-B state budget
CALIFORNIA Governor Jerry Brown announced a $170.6 billion spending plan for the state, covering funding for schools, climate change programs, and services for the poor, elderly and disabled. At a…
LAPD: Crime in Los Angeles rose rapidly in 2015
LAST year, for the first time in over a decade, all categories of crime rose across Los Angeles, according to data from the Los Angeles Police Department. As law enforcement…
PH top court rules EDCA constitutional
THE Philippine Supreme Court on Tuesday, Jan. 12, upheld the constitutionality of an executive agreement between the Philippines and the United States that permits increased rotational presence of US military…
Husband and wife behind Forever 21’s global success
“OUR life is what our thoughts make it.” That’s a powerful quote by Marcus Aurelius. According to writer Alyssa Sparacino, New Year’s resolutions are a bit like babies: They’re fun…
A strong message this new year from Pia!
PIA Wurtzbach, the newly crowned Miss Universe, the latest pride of the Philippines, has become a celebrity with her interviews on almost every television channel here in the US. Her…
Steps to employment-based immigrant petitions
THERE are 140,000 employment-based immigrant visas available yearly and these employment-based immigrant visa are divided into five preference categories: Priority Workers (E1); Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees and Persons of Exceptional…
Client food retailer seeks Chapter 7 relief
CLIENT is a specialty food retailer that started operations in a commercial center two years ago. Five partners invested $50K each for a total of $250K for a food business…
2016 minimum wage increase affects more than minimum wage earners
Q. WHAT is the new minimum wage? A. Effective January 1, 2016, the minimum wage in California will be $10.00 per hour. Most employees in California are entitled to be…
The ABCs of foreign bank and financial accounts (FBAR)
IF you have offshore bank accounts, should you report the accounts to the US government? Yes, if the aggregate balances exceed $10,000 at any time during the year. What if…
Got debt but feeling ashamed to get help?
IF you are experiencing debt problems, you may find it difficult to talk to other people about it to the point that you are not getting the help that you…
Why I will vote for Binay to be next President of the Philippines
Examining the slate of presidential candidates for the upcoming Philippine election, l believe that Vice-president Jejomar Binay is the most qualified among all the candidates. Please take pause and consider…
Greggy Araneta’s winsome drop by at the BBM-USA Assembly
LOS ANGELES—We had big excitements in our neighborhood at the Historic Filipinotown last Sunday, Jan. 4. There were predictable enthusiasm, pleasant surprises and enterprising constancy. Most astonishingly, what we learned…
Prayer in time of transition
“FROM that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:23) Many of us are deeply concerned about the things that…
US auto sales hit record in 2015, poised for bigger year in 2016
THE auto industry closed 2015 with an all-time high of 17.47 million vehicles sold, surpassing the 2000 record of 17.35 million by 5.7 percent. Given the average national price of…
Insufficient deep sleep could lead to Alzheimer’s
NOT getting enough deep sleep could set the stage for Alzheimer’s, according to a Jan. 4 report from National Public Radio (NPR). During sleep in animals, the brain seems to…
Walmart supplier recalls approx. 90K pounds of meat
A COMPANY supplying Wal-Mart with meat is recalling about 90,000 pounds of product due to potential contamination from extraneous wood material, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Monday, Jan….
Pew survey finds Millennials less favorable about religion, news media
MILLENNIALS, who constitute one-third of America’s population, hold less favorable view of news media and religion compared to older generations, according to a Pew Research Center survey. The report, published…
Immigrant groups mark one-year anniversary of historic driver’s license law
ONE year ago, California’s Assembly Bill 60 (the Safe and Responsible Driver Act) was implemented statewide, granting eligible immigrants legal driver’s licenses regardless of status. Over 600,000 undocumented Californians have…
El Niño brings heavy storms, floods to California coast
THE last in a powerful series of storms from tropical El Niño hit the California coast this week, stirring heavy waves that flooded some low-lying streets and crept toward ocean-front…
FBI looking into San Bernardino shooters’ whereabouts 18 minutes after massacre
The FBI has not yet accounted for where two shooters were during the 18 minutes after the Dec. 2 massacre at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California. Officials…
Yoga for beginners
From the Sankskrit root “yuj” which means “to yoke,” yoga is an ancient practice and philosophy promoting inner peace by joining the spirit and physical body together. The physical postures…
Filipino singing superstars on the international stage
EVEN before the advent of reality talent show competitions on TV, we had capably established and stamped our distinct mark, as Filipinos, in the international music scene. The unprecedented record…
The reunification of Filipino World War II veterans and their families
An estimated 260,000 Filipino soldiers fought alongside American troops during World War II, helping us win one of our most important victories. In recognition of their bravery and sacrifice, they…
New year, new resolutions of celebrities
IT’S the start of the year and again, we set goals for ourselves hoping that we get to religiously do them. Just like us, showbiz personalities have their own list…
USCIS says don’t submit original documents
ON January 4, 2016, the USCIS announced that people should NOT submit original documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, photographs, naturalization certificates, etc.) to USCIS with any…
Exemptions to inadmissibility bars for employment-based adjustment applicants
FOREIGN professionals wishing to immigrate to the US (as permanent residents) may do so under 3 general classifications: • 1st Preference (EB1) – extraordinary ability foreign professionals; outstanding researchers and…
What factors will the court look at in awarding spousal support?
THE purpose of spousal support is not defined by the legislature in that its purpose varies according to the facts and circumstances of each case. The facts and circumstances of…
Do you support Pres. Obama’s executive action on gun control?
IN a rare display of emotion, President Barack Obama shed tears as he passionately spoke to the nation about the urgent need to cure the gun violence epidemic in America…