Friday, 14 December 2012
Study links pesticides used by sheep farmers to long-term brain damage
Study links pesticides used by sheep farmers to long-term brain damage: A long-running campaign to highlight the health impacts of a dangerous chemical used by farmers in the UK has been vindicated by the conclusions of a major new study. Several hundred farmers in the UK are believed to have suffered debilitating health problems from exposure to organophosphate pesticides (OPs). A large number of them were sheep farmers, following government orders in the 1980s and 90s to treat their animals with the chemical to protect against the spread of a disease called sheep scab.
Mãe do atirador era professora da escola e também foi morta
Mãe do atirador era professora da escola e também foi morta:
CONNECTICUT, EUA — A mãe de Adam Lanza, atirador que matou 27 pessoas em uma escola em Connecticut nesta sexta-feira, está entre os mortos e é uma das professoras da pré-escola da Sandy Hook Elementary School. De acordo com a rede CBS, ela foi morta pelo filho dentro da local. Seu irmão, Ryan Lanza - que inicialmente foi indicado como autor dos crimes - está sendo interrogado. O diretor e o psicólogo da escola também foram mortos.
Ainda não se sabe se Adam se suicidou ou foi morto por policiais. De acordo com a emissora, uma pessoa com roupas militares foi detida, sob a acusação de ser possivelmente um segundo atirador. O homem, no entanto, estava gritando “eu não fiz isso” no momento de sua prisão.
As escolas da região foram fechadas como medida de precaução. Autoridades temem que esse seja o pior massacre desde o ataque de Virginia Tech, que deixou 33 mortos em abril de 2007.
O ataque também está sendo comparado ao massacre de Columbine, em abril de 1999, quando os estudantes Eric Harris, de 18 anos, e Dylan Klebold, de 17 anos, abriram fogo em sua escola. Treze pessoas morreram, 12 estudantes e um funcionário da instituição. Vinte e seis pessoas ficaram feridas. Após o atentado, os dois se mataram.
CONNECTICUT, EUA — A mãe de Adam Lanza, atirador que matou 27 pessoas em uma escola em Connecticut nesta sexta-feira, está entre os mortos e é uma das professoras da pré-escola da Sandy Hook Elementary School. De acordo com a rede CBS, ela foi morta pelo filho dentro da local. Seu irmão, Ryan Lanza - que inicialmente foi indicado como autor dos crimes - está sendo interrogado. O diretor e o psicólogo da escola também foram mortos.
Veja também
Em coletiva, um representante da polícia local disse o corpo do atirador foi encontrado em uma sala de aula. Ele teria usado quatro armas - dentre elas uma Sig Sauer e Glock 9 - e feito mais de 100 disparos no massacre. As pistolas foram compradas legalmente e estavam em nome de Ryan.- Galeria Nova tragédia com armas nos EUA
- ‘Não matei ninguém’, avisa jovem confundido com atirador de Connecticut
- Obama chora em pronunciamento sobre massacre em Connecticut
- ‘A professora da minha filha é uma heroína’
- Outros ataques de atiradores nos EUA
- Atirador mata 12 pessoas na estreia de ‘Batman’ no Colorado
- Os piores massacres dos últimos dez anos no mundo
- Série de ataques em escolas assombra os EUA
Ainda não se sabe se Adam se suicidou ou foi morto por policiais. De acordo com a emissora, uma pessoa com roupas militares foi detida, sob a acusação de ser possivelmente um segundo atirador. O homem, no entanto, estava gritando “eu não fiz isso” no momento de sua prisão.
As escolas da região foram fechadas como medida de precaução. Autoridades temem que esse seja o pior massacre desde o ataque de Virginia Tech, que deixou 33 mortos em abril de 2007.
O ataque também está sendo comparado ao massacre de Columbine, em abril de 1999, quando os estudantes Eric Harris, de 18 anos, e Dylan Klebold, de 17 anos, abriram fogo em sua escola. Treze pessoas morreram, 12 estudantes e um funcionário da instituição. Vinte e seis pessoas ficaram feridas. Após o atentado, os dois se mataram.
Ganarán más de 6 mdp al año, ministros de la SCJN
Ganarán más de 6 mdp al año, ministros de la SCJN: Los ministros de la Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nación, los consejeros de la Judicatura Federal y magistrados del Tribunal Electoral del Poder Judicial de la Federación tendrán una percepción anual bruta de 6 millones 118 mil 837 pesos
Nepal, Bhutan to assess air pollutants
Nepal, Bhutan to assess air pollutants: The Himalayan countries of Nepal and Bhutan will, in 2013, have two permanent air monitoring observatories set up by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) as part of a programme to reduce black carbon and other short-lived climate-forcing pollutants (SLCPs).
There has been increasing international attention on SLCPs – small particles and gases like black carbon, methane, and ozone – because of their warming effect on climate. Acting in decades – rather than the centuries taken by greenhouse gases like carbon di-oxide – SLCPs negatively impact human health and agricultural output.
The Climate and Clean Air Coalition, launched by the United Nations Environment Programme in 2011 to reduce SLCPs, has now grown to 33 member-countries
There has been increasing international attention on SLCPs – small particles and gases like black carbon, methane, and ozone – because of their warming effect on climate. Acting in decades – rather than the centuries taken by greenhouse gases like carbon di-oxide – SLCPs negatively impact human health and agricultural output.
The Climate and Clean Air Coalition, launched by the United Nations Environment Programme in 2011 to reduce SLCPs, has now grown to 33 member-countries
David Cameron rejects automatic block on porn to protect children
David Cameron rejects automatic block on porn to protect children: David Cameron has rejected proposals for an automatic block on online pornography over fears parents would assume the internet was safe for their children.
Prince Charles's £700m estate accused of tax avoidance
Prince Charles's £700m estate accused of tax avoidance:
The duchy of Cornwall gave the prince an income of £18m last year, but says it is not subject to paying corporation tax
HMRC has been asked to investigate alleged tax avoidance by Prince Charles's £700m hereditary estate.
The duchy of Cornwall last year provided Charles with an income of £18m and HMRC's anti-avoidance group is now being asked to examine its non-payment of corporation tax following a potentially significant court ruling on its legal status.
The issue has been raised by an accountant investigating the tax affairs of the duchy – an agricultural, commercial and residential landowner.
He has analysed the impact of a judicial ruling handed down last year. Anti-monarchy campaigners claim it shows the duchy is running "a well-entrenched tax avoidance scheme".
The duchy insists it "is not subject to corporation tax as it is not a separate legal entity for tax purposes". But John Angel, principal judge at the information rights tribunal, ruled last December it was a separate legal body to the prince.
Accountants now believe the ruling could leave the duchy exposed to the 24% levy on profits other organisations must pay. Any change to its tax status could result in a cut to the prince's income.
Republic, the campaign for an elected head of state, has asked HMRC's anti-avoidance team to investigate whether the ruling means the duchy is now "using a highly questionable interpretation of its legal status as a means of avoiding corporation tax obligations".
A spokesman for HMRC said it would evaluate the information and "take appropriate action". There is no suggestion any law has been breached. Clarence House strongly denies claims of avoidance.
The move comes as the House of Commons public accounts committee, which earlier this month criticised Starbucks, Google and Amazon for their "immoral" decisions to avoid paying more corporation tax, prepares to hold a hearing next year into the royal finances. As well as duchy income, last year Charles received £2.2m in grants from the taxpayer to pay for his travel by private jet, helicopter and train and the upkeep of Clarence House.
He voluntarily paid tax of £5m on his £18m income from the duchy last year, which Clarence House said was at the full 50% rate after deductions from expenses.
The duchy owns 53,000 hectares of land in 23 counties, including Prince Charles's Gloucestershire home of Highgrove. It has provided incomes to successive Princes of Wales since the 14th century. The assertion that the estate is inseparable from Charles has allowed him to use its gross profits to fund private and official spending including 26 valets, gardeners and farm staff. In the past five years he has received more than £86m from the arrangement.
But when Angel was tasked with deciding if the duchy should publish information about its environmental impact, he ruled it must be considered a separate legal body to the prince because of "the differentiation of the duchy and duke in commercial and tax matters as well as under legislation and the contractual behaviour of the duchy".
The judge said: "We find that the duchy is now a body or other legal person."
Independent accountants and a firm of tax lawyers consulted by the Guardian over the claims confirmed the ruling had the potential to undermine the prince's tax arrangements, but said it was not clear-cut.
"There appears to be no legal basis on which the duchy is not taxed and there is no legal basis for the arrangement under which Prince Charles pays tax on an ad hoc basis of his own making," said Richard Murphy, who runs Tax Research LLP, and has examined the duchy's arrangements. "We have a token PR gesture from Prince Charles, not unlike Starbucks' arrangement [to pay voluntary corporation tax]."
London tax law specialist, Robert Newey, said the court ruling is "persuasive, but not binding on other courts".
"It is certainly interesting that the tribunal concluded that the duchy of Cornwall was a body for purposes of the environmental information regulations," he said. "Corporation tax applies to 'companies', but for this purpose the term 'company' has a very wide meaning. It includes any body corporate or unincorporated association."
Clarence House strongly denies any tax avoidance and said that because Charles pays income tax on money received from the duchy, "it would therefore not only be legally wrong to introduce corporation tax, but it would also result in double taxation". It said the management of the duchy is subject to supervision by the Treasury.
"His taxes are checked by the Inland Revenue, like anyone else, which reviews all his business deductions," said a spokeswoman. "In 2011-2012, the Prince of Wales paid the full amount in tax, which was almost £5m during this period."
Graham Smith, director of Republic, said: "For Charles, the duchy operates as his own personal tax haven, depriving the public coffers of millions of pounds – money that could be spent on public services.
"At a time when the country is under unprecedented economic stress it is unacceptable that the heir to the throne is avoiding his tax obligations in this way."
The renewed scrutiny of Charles's tax affairs has thrown up other possible anomalies in his arrangements. The prince's spokesman, asked about the effect of the judge's ruling, gave a different reason to the duchy for the estate not paying corporation tax.
"Only companies pay corporation tax," the palace said. "The duchy is not a company, it is a trust which was set up to generate income for Princes of Wales."
This argument presents three problems for Charles, Murphy said. It is not true that only companies pay corporation tax – HMRC's tax rules say "unincorporated associations" and "groups of individuals carrying on a business that is not a partnership" are among the categories of organisations that must pay the tax.
Also, he said, if the duchy is a trust then it should be liable for capital gains tax, which it does not pay, saying it is not liable. Finally, the beneficiary of a trust, in this case Charles, is deemed to be the owner of the assets for inheritance tax purposes which means that when Charles dies, HMRC should levy inheritance tax on the assets before they go to Prince William.
Inheritance tax – which at the current rate of 40% would be a bill of £280m – has not been levied on the duchy.
A spokesman for Charles said: "The capital assets of the duchy do not vest in the duke and pass from one duke to another in perpetuity. The Prince of Wales has no entitlement to the duchy's assets."
Background
In 1992, the Queen volunteered to pay income and capital gains tax in a deal that exempted her from paying inheritance tax of up to £20m on the Queen Mother's will. Her main tax liability comes from her investment portfolio, which includes the Balmoral and Sandringham Estates, the value of which has never been disclosed. Her expenditure on official engagements is deductible from taxable income, but her dresses are not because they are likely to serve "a personal purpose which makes it disallowable".
Prince Charles receives state grants to help pay for his official duties, but for the bulk of his costs he draws income from the Duchy of Cornwall which is taxed at normal rates after deductions for expenses. He paid almost £5m in the tax last year on an income of just over £18m. Clarence House said this was almost all at the top rate of 50% after deductions. His return is audited by inspectors from the HMRC. The taxpayer covers council tax for Royal properties that are vacant or used as staff accommodation. In 2009 it was estimated the queen paid just £1,375 in rates for Buckingham Palace because of Westminster's low tax bands. Other than the Queen and Prince Charles, the royal family pays tax in the ordinary way.
HMRC has been asked to investigate alleged tax avoidance by Prince Charles's £700m hereditary estate.
The duchy of Cornwall last year provided Charles with an income of £18m and HMRC's anti-avoidance group is now being asked to examine its non-payment of corporation tax following a potentially significant court ruling on its legal status.
The issue has been raised by an accountant investigating the tax affairs of the duchy – an agricultural, commercial and residential landowner.
He has analysed the impact of a judicial ruling handed down last year. Anti-monarchy campaigners claim it shows the duchy is running "a well-entrenched tax avoidance scheme".
The duchy insists it "is not subject to corporation tax as it is not a separate legal entity for tax purposes". But John Angel, principal judge at the information rights tribunal, ruled last December it was a separate legal body to the prince.
Accountants now believe the ruling could leave the duchy exposed to the 24% levy on profits other organisations must pay. Any change to its tax status could result in a cut to the prince's income.
Republic, the campaign for an elected head of state, has asked HMRC's anti-avoidance team to investigate whether the ruling means the duchy is now "using a highly questionable interpretation of its legal status as a means of avoiding corporation tax obligations".
A spokesman for HMRC said it would evaluate the information and "take appropriate action". There is no suggestion any law has been breached. Clarence House strongly denies claims of avoidance.
The move comes as the House of Commons public accounts committee, which earlier this month criticised Starbucks, Google and Amazon for their "immoral" decisions to avoid paying more corporation tax, prepares to hold a hearing next year into the royal finances. As well as duchy income, last year Charles received £2.2m in grants from the taxpayer to pay for his travel by private jet, helicopter and train and the upkeep of Clarence House.
He voluntarily paid tax of £5m on his £18m income from the duchy last year, which Clarence House said was at the full 50% rate after deductions from expenses.
The duchy owns 53,000 hectares of land in 23 counties, including Prince Charles's Gloucestershire home of Highgrove. It has provided incomes to successive Princes of Wales since the 14th century. The assertion that the estate is inseparable from Charles has allowed him to use its gross profits to fund private and official spending including 26 valets, gardeners and farm staff. In the past five years he has received more than £86m from the arrangement.
But when Angel was tasked with deciding if the duchy should publish information about its environmental impact, he ruled it must be considered a separate legal body to the prince because of "the differentiation of the duchy and duke in commercial and tax matters as well as under legislation and the contractual behaviour of the duchy".
The judge said: "We find that the duchy is now a body or other legal person."
Independent accountants and a firm of tax lawyers consulted by the Guardian over the claims confirmed the ruling had the potential to undermine the prince's tax arrangements, but said it was not clear-cut.
"There appears to be no legal basis on which the duchy is not taxed and there is no legal basis for the arrangement under which Prince Charles pays tax on an ad hoc basis of his own making," said Richard Murphy, who runs Tax Research LLP, and has examined the duchy's arrangements. "We have a token PR gesture from Prince Charles, not unlike Starbucks' arrangement [to pay voluntary corporation tax]."
London tax law specialist, Robert Newey, said the court ruling is "persuasive, but not binding on other courts".
"It is certainly interesting that the tribunal concluded that the duchy of Cornwall was a body for purposes of the environmental information regulations," he said. "Corporation tax applies to 'companies', but for this purpose the term 'company' has a very wide meaning. It includes any body corporate or unincorporated association."
Clarence House strongly denies any tax avoidance and said that because Charles pays income tax on money received from the duchy, "it would therefore not only be legally wrong to introduce corporation tax, but it would also result in double taxation". It said the management of the duchy is subject to supervision by the Treasury.
"His taxes are checked by the Inland Revenue, like anyone else, which reviews all his business deductions," said a spokeswoman. "In 2011-2012, the Prince of Wales paid the full amount in tax, which was almost £5m during this period."
Graham Smith, director of Republic, said: "For Charles, the duchy operates as his own personal tax haven, depriving the public coffers of millions of pounds – money that could be spent on public services.
"At a time when the country is under unprecedented economic stress it is unacceptable that the heir to the throne is avoiding his tax obligations in this way."
The renewed scrutiny of Charles's tax affairs has thrown up other possible anomalies in his arrangements. The prince's spokesman, asked about the effect of the judge's ruling, gave a different reason to the duchy for the estate not paying corporation tax.
"Only companies pay corporation tax," the palace said. "The duchy is not a company, it is a trust which was set up to generate income for Princes of Wales."
This argument presents three problems for Charles, Murphy said. It is not true that only companies pay corporation tax – HMRC's tax rules say "unincorporated associations" and "groups of individuals carrying on a business that is not a partnership" are among the categories of organisations that must pay the tax.
Also, he said, if the duchy is a trust then it should be liable for capital gains tax, which it does not pay, saying it is not liable. Finally, the beneficiary of a trust, in this case Charles, is deemed to be the owner of the assets for inheritance tax purposes which means that when Charles dies, HMRC should levy inheritance tax on the assets before they go to Prince William.
Inheritance tax – which at the current rate of 40% would be a bill of £280m – has not been levied on the duchy.
A spokesman for Charles said: "The capital assets of the duchy do not vest in the duke and pass from one duke to another in perpetuity. The Prince of Wales has no entitlement to the duchy's assets."
Background
In 1992, the Queen volunteered to pay income and capital gains tax in a deal that exempted her from paying inheritance tax of up to £20m on the Queen Mother's will. Her main tax liability comes from her investment portfolio, which includes the Balmoral and Sandringham Estates, the value of which has never been disclosed. Her expenditure on official engagements is deductible from taxable income, but her dresses are not because they are likely to serve "a personal purpose which makes it disallowable".
Prince Charles receives state grants to help pay for his official duties, but for the bulk of his costs he draws income from the Duchy of Cornwall which is taxed at normal rates after deductions for expenses. He paid almost £5m in the tax last year on an income of just over £18m. Clarence House said this was almost all at the top rate of 50% after deductions. His return is audited by inspectors from the HMRC. The taxpayer covers council tax for Royal properties that are vacant or used as staff accommodation. In 2009 it was estimated the queen paid just £1,375 in rates for Buckingham Palace because of Westminster's low tax bands. Other than the Queen and Prince Charles, the royal family pays tax in the ordinary way.
Israeli foreign minister quits after fraud indictment
Israeli foreign minister quits after fraud indictment:
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Friday he was resigning after being charged with fraud and breach of trust, a move that could have repercussions on the upcoming general election.
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Friday he was resigning after being charged with fraud and breach of trust, a move that could have repercussions on the upcoming general election.
US sees $90bn boost from shale gas boom
US sees $90bn boost from shale gas boom: Combined investment valued at $90bn by big groups based on cheap energy and chemicals threatens to leave European industry behind
Slain principal was raising five girls
Slain principal was raising five girls: Principal Dawn Hochsprung, killed in Friday's shooting at her Connecticut elementary school, recently installed a new security system to ensure student safety.
iPad mini to outsell iPad, get Retina Display? iPad to slenderize?
Rumor trifecta brightens fanbois' Fridays
It was close. We Apple fanbois nearly had to endure an entire week without an iPad rumor, but as the week drew to a close those intrepid rumor-mongers at DigiTimes gifted us with two – in the same brief article, no less – and NPD Display Search added a third.…
It was close. We Apple fanbois nearly had to endure an entire week without an iPad rumor, but as the week drew to a close those intrepid rumor-mongers at DigiTimes gifted us with two – in the same brief article, no less – and NPD Display Search added a third.…
Connecticut school shooting: 27 killed, including 20 children, in Newtown
Connecticut school shooting: 27 killed, including 20 children, in Newtown: At least 27 people, including 20 young children, were killed in America's worst mass school shooting after a gunman opened fire during morning classes.
Obama lets the states decide on marijuana
Obama lets the states decide on marijuana: The campaign to legalise marijuana for recreational purposes in the United States has received a significant boost.
Obama treads carefully on gun ban
Obama treads carefully on gun ban: In the wake of Friday's school shooting in Connecticut that killed nearly 30 people, most of them children, the White House said President Barack Obama will consider a reinstatement of the assault weapons ban in his second term.
California leaks Social Security numbers for second time this year
California leaks Social Security numbers for second time this year: The Golden State has become something of a goldmine for potential identity thieves, having leaked thousands of residents' Social Security numbers this past year.
How the school shooting unfolded
How the school shooting unfolded: CNN's Susan Candiotti reports on how the Connecticut school shooting happened, leaving dozens of people dead.
White House to consider building a Death Star
White House to consider building a Death Star: A petition to build a Death Star space station has received the 25,000 signatures needed for it to be considered by the White House.
Connecticut school shooting: a loud pop, pop, pop and the slaughter had begun
Connecticut school shooting: a loud pop, pop, pop and the slaughter had begun: As the 600 pupils of Sandy Hook filed into lessons on a bright, chilly morning in Newtown yesterday, Dawn Hochsprung, the school's headmistress, sat down for a meeting in her office with six colleagues.
BMI and Waist Circumference; Cross-Sectional and Prospective Associations with Blood Pressure and Cholesterol in 12-Year-Olds
BMI and Waist Circumference; Cross-Sectional and Prospective Associations with Blood Pressure and Cholesterol in 12-Year-Olds:
by Marga B. M. Bekkers, Bert Brunekreef, Gerard H. Koppelman, Marjan Kerkhof, Johan C. de Jongste, Henriëtte A. Smit, Alet H. Wijga
Objective
Childhood and adolescent overweight, defined by body mass index (BMI) are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in later life. Abdominal adiposity may be more important in associations with cardiovascular diseases but waist circumference (WC) has been rarely studied in children. We studied associations between BMI and WC and blood pressure (BP) and cholesterol in 12-year-old children and prospectively changes in BMI or WC status between age 8 and 12 years and BP and cholesterol at age 12.
Study Design
Weight, height, WC, BP and cholesterol concentrations were measured in 1432 children at age 12 years. Linear regression was used to study the associations between high BMI and large WC (>90th percentile) and BP and cholesterol.
Results
Systolic BP was 4.9 mmHg higher (95% (CI 2.5, 7.2) in girls and 4.2 mmHg (95%CI 1.9, 6.5) in boys with a high BMI. Large WC was also associated with higher systolic BP in girls (3.7 mmHg (95%CI 1.3, 6.1)) and boys (3.5 mmHg (95%CI 1.2, 5.8)). Diastolic BP and cholesterol concentrations were significantly positively (HDL cholesterol negatively) associated with high BMI and large WC, too. Normal weight children with a history of overweight did not have higher blood pressure levels or adverse cholesterol concentrations than children that were normal weight at both ages.
Conclusion
A high BMI and large WC were associated with higher BP levels and adverse cholesterol concentrations. WC should be taken into account when examining cardiovascular risk factors in children.
by Marga B. M. Bekkers, Bert Brunekreef, Gerard H. Koppelman, Marjan Kerkhof, Johan C. de Jongste, Henriëtte A. Smit, Alet H. Wijga
Objective
Childhood and adolescent overweight, defined by body mass index (BMI) are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in later life. Abdominal adiposity may be more important in associations with cardiovascular diseases but waist circumference (WC) has been rarely studied in children. We studied associations between BMI and WC and blood pressure (BP) and cholesterol in 12-year-old children and prospectively changes in BMI or WC status between age 8 and 12 years and BP and cholesterol at age 12.
Study Design
Weight, height, WC, BP and cholesterol concentrations were measured in 1432 children at age 12 years. Linear regression was used to study the associations between high BMI and large WC (>90th percentile) and BP and cholesterol.
Results
Systolic BP was 4.9 mmHg higher (95% (CI 2.5, 7.2) in girls and 4.2 mmHg (95%CI 1.9, 6.5) in boys with a high BMI. Large WC was also associated with higher systolic BP in girls (3.7 mmHg (95%CI 1.3, 6.1)) and boys (3.5 mmHg (95%CI 1.2, 5.8)). Diastolic BP and cholesterol concentrations were significantly positively (HDL cholesterol negatively) associated with high BMI and large WC, too. Normal weight children with a history of overweight did not have higher blood pressure levels or adverse cholesterol concentrations than children that were normal weight at both ages.
Conclusion
A high BMI and large WC were associated with higher BP levels and adverse cholesterol concentrations. WC should be taken into account when examining cardiovascular risk factors in children.
People Are Living Longer, With More Disabilities Than Ever
People Are Living Longer, With More Disabilities Than Ever: skade88 writes "Worldwide, people are living longer. Their lives are starting to look more like the lives of Americans: too much food is a problem, death in childhood is becoming less common, and so on. Yet with a population that lives through what would once have killed us, disabilities are starting to become the norm. A research report from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation has a good glimpse into the new emerging world we find ourselves in." The Guardian has a nice visualization of the mortality data (but take note of shifting scales on the Y-axis).
Troca de identidades enfurece irmão do atirador
Troca de identidades enfurece irmão do atirador: Muitos meios de comunicação social divulgaram o nome de Ryan Lanza como sendo a identidade do atirador que matou dezenas pessoas na Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, no estado norte-americano do...
Discord follows US refusal to sign web pact
Discord follows US refusal to sign web pact: The ITU, part of the UN, expressed dismay that provisions within the treaty that guaranteed freedom of expression had been ignored by the US
Hundreds suffer cruise ship virus
Hundreds suffer cruise ship virus: More than 400 passengers from a cruise ship were affected by winter vomiting bug norovirus, Southampton's port health authority confirms.
Fitch keeps France's AAA rating
Fitch keeps France's AAA rating: Fitch maintains the French government's top AAA credit rating, the only major ratings agency left to say the country deserves to be among the world's most creditworthy borrowers.
Chinese children injured in knife attack outside primary school
Chinese children injured in knife attack outside primary school:
Police say villager is in custody after attack in Chengping as children were arriving for classes
Twenty-two children and one adult have been injured in a knife attack outside a primary school in central China, according to police.
A police officer said the attack in the Henan province village of Chengping happened shortly before 8am on Friday as students were arriving for classes.
The officer said a 36-year-old villager, Min Yingjun, was in police custody. She declined to give her name, as is customary among Chinese civil servants.
A county hospital administrator said the man first attacked an elderly woman then students, before being subdued by security guards. Guards have been posted in schools across China following a spate of attacks in recent years.
He said two students had been transferred to better-equipped hospitals outside the county.
Twenty-two children and one adult have been injured in a knife attack outside a primary school in central China, according to police.
A police officer said the attack in the Henan province village of Chengping happened shortly before 8am on Friday as students were arriving for classes.
The officer said a 36-year-old villager, Min Yingjun, was in police custody. She declined to give her name, as is customary among Chinese civil servants.
A county hospital administrator said the man first attacked an elderly woman then students, before being subdued by security guards. Guards have been posted in schools across China following a spate of attacks in recent years.
He said two students had been transferred to better-equipped hospitals outside the county.
'Plethora' of diseases caused by low vitamin D
'Plethora' of diseases caused by low vitamin D: Vitamin D should be added to milk and bread to combat widespread deficiency that is linked to variety of illnesses, doctors say
Geminid meteor shower brings shooting stars
The Geminid meteor shower reached a peak last night with up to 80 "shooting stars" visible per hour.
Frack me! UK shale gas bonanza 'bigger than North Sea oil'
Extraction to restart ... until the next tiny tremor
Analysis The government has given the go-ahead for further exploration of the UK's shale gas reserves. Independent surveys suggest these reserves may yield more energy for the nation than North Sea oil.…
Analysis The government has given the go-ahead for further exploration of the UK's shale gas reserves. Independent surveys suggest these reserves may yield more energy for the nation than North Sea oil.…
Europe ends probe over e-books
The European Commission ends a probe into price-fixing by major e-book publishers after they vowed to keep the market competitive.
Japonês usa fundo para funeral para concorrer a eleições
Um homem de 94 anos usou as poupanças para o seu funeral para se candidatar às eleições legislativas no Japão, a decorrer no próximo domingo.
CHINE • Nouvelle friction avec le Japon autour des îles Senkaku
"Un avion chinois se joint à la patrouille des îles Diaoyu [nom chinois des Senkaku]", titre le quotidien.
Journalists: Israel troops punched us, made us strip
Journalists: Israel troops punched us, made us strip: HEBRON, West Bank - Israeli soldiers have been accused of punching two Reuters cameramen and forcing them to strip in the street, before letting off a tear gas canister in front of them, leaving one of them needing hospital treatment.
Sponsored By: Shareholders Welcome New UBS
The 20% rally in UBS’s share price in the month to late-November, after the announcement at the end of October of a severe reduction in capital allocated to the fixed-income business, presents a challenge to other large banks. UBS has transformed its story to investors.
German court fines policeman in death of asylum seeker
German court fines policeman in death of asylum seeker: A German court has handed down a fine to a policeman found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of an asylum seeker. Oury Jalloh died of smoke inhalation in a prison cell after setting fire to his mattress.
HSBC: How Simple Became Complicated, and costly
HSBC: How Simple Became Complicated, and costly: LONDON (Reuters) - HSBC takes its name from its roots as the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, but there has long been a joke inside and outside the firm that the name stands for "How Simple Became Complicated".
Venezuela's Chavez improving after surgery complications
Venezuela's Chavez improving after surgery complications: CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's Hugo Chavez suffered unexpected bleeding caused by a six-hour cancer operation in Cuba, the government said, although the ailing president's condition began to improve on Thursday.
Slump in profit adds to Deutsche Bank woes
Slump in profit adds to Deutsche Bank woes: Deutsche Bank has warned on its profits for the final quarter as it expects them to be hit by high restructuring costs and writedowns. The news has come just a day after police raided the bank for suspected tax fraud.
‘Out of Control’ North Korean Satellite Orbits Around Earth
‘Out of Control’ North Korean Satellite Orbits Around Earth:
This picture received from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Dec. 12, 2012 shows the rocket Unha-3. (KNS/AFP/Getty Images)U.S. officials said Thursday that while North Korea was able to successfully launch a rocket earlier this week, the satellite that it sent into space appears to be losing control.
The object is “tumbling out of control,” an unnamed official told NBC News. The officials have not yet determined the purpose of the satellite.
If the satellite is out of control, it could pose a risk to other satellites and other objects orbiting the Earth. It could also pose a threat to people and property on the ground. In 2009, two satellites crashed above Siberia in Russia, creating a cloud of debris.
However, the South Korean Defense Ministry said that the satellite was circling around the Earth in a normal way, but it is still yet to be determined if it is functioning properly, reported the Yonhap News Agency.
“It is not yet known what kind of mission the satellite is conducting,” Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min Seok told the news agency. “It usually takes two weeks to evaluate whether a satellite is successful. For the time being, it is working normally.”
Even though the isolated and communist country sent a satellite into space, U.S. and South Korean officials believe that the launch was merely a guise to test out a long-range rocket capable of hitting targets as far away as the West Coast of the United States. The three-stage rocket has about the same range as an ICBM, or around 6,000 miles, Kim said.
The South Korean Navy on Thursday said that it found pieces of the long-range rocket off the coast of North Jeolla Province and will soon recover some of the pieces, according to the Daily NK website.
“The wreckage has the word ‘Ha’ written on it in Korean script, confirming that it is a fragment of the ‘Unha-3’ rocket,” a South Korean Defense Ministry official said, according to the website.
The United Nations Security Council and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon both condemned the North’s rocket launch on Wednesday, saying it was a clear violation of the Council’s imposed ban on Pyongyang from carrying out testings using ballistic missile technology.
The Security Council, which includes North Korea neighbors China and Russia, will convene on Thursday to discuss the launch.
The rocket launch on Tuesday came as a surprise due to reports that came out the same day which said satellite imagery showed that the rocket was removed from the launch pad for repairs.
This picture received from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Dec. 12, 2012 shows the rocket Unha-3. (KNS/AFP/Getty Images)
The object is “tumbling out of control,” an unnamed official told NBC News. The officials have not yet determined the purpose of the satellite.
If the satellite is out of control, it could pose a risk to other satellites and other objects orbiting the Earth. It could also pose a threat to people and property on the ground. In 2009, two satellites crashed above Siberia in Russia, creating a cloud of debris.
However, the South Korean Defense Ministry said that the satellite was circling around the Earth in a normal way, but it is still yet to be determined if it is functioning properly, reported the Yonhap News Agency.
“It is not yet known what kind of mission the satellite is conducting,” Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min Seok told the news agency. “It usually takes two weeks to evaluate whether a satellite is successful. For the time being, it is working normally.”
Even though the isolated and communist country sent a satellite into space, U.S. and South Korean officials believe that the launch was merely a guise to test out a long-range rocket capable of hitting targets as far away as the West Coast of the United States. The three-stage rocket has about the same range as an ICBM, or around 6,000 miles, Kim said.
The South Korean Navy on Thursday said that it found pieces of the long-range rocket off the coast of North Jeolla Province and will soon recover some of the pieces, according to the Daily NK website.
The United Nations Security Council and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon both condemned the North’s rocket launch on Wednesday, saying it was a clear violation of the Council’s imposed ban on Pyongyang from carrying out testings using ballistic missile technology.
The Security Council, which includes North Korea neighbors China and Russia, will convene on Thursday to discuss the launch.
The rocket launch on Tuesday came as a surprise due to reports that came out the same day which said satellite imagery showed that the rocket was removed from the launch pad for repairs.
Apple's iPhone found to infringe Sony, Nokia calling patents
Apple's iPhone found to infringe Sony, Nokia calling patents: A federal jury in Delaware today found Apple's iPhone infringes on three patents held by MobileMedia, a patent-holding company formed by Sony, Nokia, and MPEG LA.The jury found that the iPhone directly infringed U.S. patent 6,070,068, which was issued to Sony and covers a method for controlling the connecting state of a call; U.S. patent 6,253,075, which covers call rejection; and U.S. patent 6,427,078, which covers a data processing device.
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
Millions of adults have maths skills of a nine year-old
Millions of adults have maths skills of a nine year-old: One in four adults has the maths skills of a nine-year-old or worse and struggles with the most basic everyday sums, new research has claimed.
China 'ecological footprint' fear
China 'ecological footprint' fear: Retail bonanza fuels fears over 'ecological footprint'
China has the world's biggest ecological footprint, according to the Ecological Footprint Report released on Wednesday by WWF International.
Chinese citizens are now consuming resources at 2.5 times the rate at which the country's ecosystems can provide.
China has the world's biggest ecological footprint, according to the Ecological Footprint Report released on Wednesday by WWF International.
Chinese citizens are now consuming resources at 2.5 times the rate at which the country's ecosystems can provide.
Another Editor Steps Down in News Corp. Shake-Up
Another Editor Steps Down in News Corp. Shake-Up: As James Harding prepares to leave The Times of London, legal filings show that Rebekah Brooks received a $17.6 million severance when she resigned from News International.
Illegal wildlife trade threatens nations' security: WWF
Illegal wildlife trade threatens nations' security: WWF: Geneva (AFP) Dec 12, 2012
Poaching and illegal trade in protected species like elephants, rhinos and tigers has boomed into a $19-billion-a-year industry that threatens security and stability in many countries, the World Wildlife Fund warned Wednesday.
"Besides driving many endangered species towards extinction, illegal wildlife trade strengthens criminal networks (and) undermines national security," the WWF said in ............
Poaching and illegal trade in protected species like elephants, rhinos and tigers has boomed into a $19-billion-a-year industry that threatens security and stability in many countries, the World Wildlife Fund warned Wednesday.
"Besides driving many endangered species towards extinction, illegal wildlife trade strengthens criminal networks (and) undermines national security," the WWF said in ............
Fish have enormous nutrient impacts on marine ecosystems
Fish have enormous nutrient impacts on marine ecosystems: Athens GA (SPX) Dec 13, 2012
Fish play a far more important role as contributors of nutrients to marine ecosystems than previously thought, according to researchers at the University of Georgia and Florida International University. In a pair of papers in the journal Ecology, they show that fish contribute more nutrients to their local ecosystems than any other source-enough to cause changes in the growth rates of the .......
Fish play a far more important role as contributors of nutrients to marine ecosystems than previously thought, according to researchers at the University of Georgia and Florida International University. In a pair of papers in the journal Ecology, they show that fish contribute more nutrients to their local ecosystems than any other source-enough to cause changes in the growth rates of the .......
Greenland ice sheet carries evidence of increased atmospheric acidity
Greenland ice sheet carries evidence of increased atmospheric acidity: Seattle WA (SPX) Dec 13, 2012
Research has shown a decrease in levels of the isotope nitrogen-15 in core samples from Greenland ice starting around the time of the Industrial Revolution. The decrease has been attributed to a corresponding increase in nitrates associated with the burning of fossil fuels.
However, new University of Washington research suggests that the decline in nitrogen-15 is more directly related to....
Research has shown a decrease in levels of the isotope nitrogen-15 in core samples from Greenland ice starting around the time of the Industrial Revolution. The decrease has been attributed to a corresponding increase in nitrates associated with the burning of fossil fuels.
However, new University of Washington research suggests that the decline in nitrogen-15 is more directly related to....
Drought in the Horn of Africa delays migrating birds
Drought in the Horn of Africa delays migrating birds: Copenhagen, Denmark (SPX) Dec 13, 2012
The catastrophic drought last year in the Horn of Africa affected millions of people but also caused the extremely late arrival into northern Europe of several migratory songbird species, a study from University of Copenhagen published today in Science shows.
Details of the migration route was revealed by data collected from small back-packs fitted on birds showing that the delay resulted
The catastrophic drought last year in the Horn of Africa affected millions of people but also caused the extremely late arrival into northern Europe of several migratory songbird species, a study from University of Copenhagen published today in Science shows.
Details of the migration route was revealed by data collected from small back-packs fitted on birds showing that the delay resulted
OPEC Leaves Production Quotas in Place
OPEC Leaves Production Quotas in Place: The cartel, meeting in Vienna, faces huge challenges to its market position from rising production in the United States and elsewhere.
Crude prices have been stable and within the range the organization favors. Although oil prices for U.S.-produced oil have fallen into the range of $80 to $90 a barrel, the price of a global benchmark, Brent crude, remains well above $100 per barrel.
Crude prices have been stable and within the range the organization favors. Although oil prices for U.S.-produced oil have fallen into the range of $80 to $90 a barrel, the price of a global benchmark, Brent crude, remains well above $100 per barrel.
Ministers to decide on fracking
Ministers to decide on fracking: Ministers are expected to allow a firm to resume a controversial method known as fracking to exploit what it says are huge shale gas reserves off Lancashire.
In the US the technique has led to lower energy prices but has also been blamed for polluting water supplies.
In the US the technique has led to lower energy prices but has also been blamed for polluting water supplies.
Gérard Depardieu Called ‘Pathetic’ for Leaving France
Gérard Depardieu Called ‘Pathetic’ for Leaving France: French officials accused the actor of lacking patriotism after he moved Belgium in an apparent bid to avoid high taxes.
Universal Credit: 2 million will be better off refusing work
Universal Credit: 2 million will be better off refusing work: More than two million people will be better off if they refuse extra work under Iain Duncan Smith's flagship reforms to welfare.
EU nations agree to eurozone banking union
EU nations agree to eurozone banking union: European finance ministers have agreed a deal to give the European Central Bank new powers to supervise eurozone banks, embarking on the first step in a new phase of closer integration to help underpin the euro.
Romania facing a new political order
Romania facing a new political order: Prime Minister Victor Ponta was reelected with a convincing two-thirds majority in Romania's parliamentary election, enough to push through changes to the constitution. Observers fear a repeat of the "Hungarian model."
News Corp publisher's books linked to paper from endangered rainforests: RAN
News Corp publisher's books linked to paper from endangered rainforests: RAN: JAKARTA (Reuters) - HarperCollins, a division of News Corp, has been accused by a conservation group of using materials sourced from Indonesia's endangered rainforests.
For North Korea, next step is a nuclear test
For North Korea, next step is a nuclear test: SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea rattled the world on Wednesday by putting a satellite into orbit using the kind of technology that appears to demonstrate it can develop a missile capable of hitting the United States.
‘Zero Dark Thirty’ Torture Scenes Reopen Debate
‘Zero Dark Thirty’ Torture Scenes Reopen Debate: Critics, journalists and activists are divided over the suggestion that calculated infliction of pain and fear may have produced useful clues in hunt for Osama bin Laden.
Google Maps for iPhone launched
Google Maps for iPhone launched: Google launches a native version of its Maps app for the iPhone following complaints about Apple's default software.
Cameron Apologizes for British Role in Finucane Killing
Cameron Apologizes for British Role in Finucane Killing: Prime minister David Cameron spoke of “a shocking level of state collusion” in the 1989 death, but Patrick Finucane’s widow said the government was still covering up.
Macs hit by new wave of malware
Macs hit by new wave of malware:
Apple users who think they're immune to malware and other bugs need to pay attention: A new Trojan is infecting Apple computers in order to obtain victims' phone numbers and rob them via unexpected premium SMS charges.
Apple users who think they're immune to malware and other bugs need to pay attention: A new Trojan is infecting Apple computers in order to obtain victims' phone numbers and rob them via unexpected premium SMS charges.
Kim Jong-un’s Image Bolstered by Rocket Launching
Kim Jong-un’s Image Bolstered by Rocket Launching: North Korea’s rocket launch reinforced the idea among its people that despite isolation and sanctions, the Kim dynasty is on the right track.
Onion soaks up heavy metal
Onion soaks up heavy metal: Delhi, India (SPX) Dec 13, 2012
Onion and garlic waste from the food industry could be used to mop up hazardous heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, iron, lead, mercury and tin in contaminated materials, according to a research paper published in the International Journal of Environment and Pollution.
Biotechnologists Rahul Negi, Gouri Satpathy, Yogesh Tyagi and Rajinder Gupta of the GGS Indraprastha University
Onion and garlic waste from the food industry could be used to mop up hazardous heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, iron, lead, mercury and tin in contaminated materials, according to a research paper published in the International Journal of Environment and Pollution.
Biotechnologists Rahul Negi, Gouri Satpathy, Yogesh Tyagi and Rajinder Gupta of the GGS Indraprastha University
Algal ancestor is key to how deadly pathogens proliferate
Algal ancestor is key to how deadly pathogens proliferate: Athens GA (SPX) Dec 13, 2012
Long ago, when life on Earth was in its infancy, a group of small single-celled algae propelled themselves through the vast prehistoric ocean by beating whip like tails called flagella. It's a relatively unremarkable tale, except that now, more than 800 million years later, these organisms have evolved into parasites that threaten human health, and their algal past in the ocean may be the key to
Long ago, when life on Earth was in its infancy, a group of small single-celled algae propelled themselves through the vast prehistoric ocean by beating whip like tails called flagella. It's a relatively unremarkable tale, except that now, more than 800 million years later, these organisms have evolved into parasites that threaten human health, and their algal past in the ocean may be the key to
Poland cold snap death toll hits 30
Poland cold snap death toll hits 30: Warsaw (AFP) Dec 12, 2012
Sub-zero temperatures coupled with snowfall have claimed four more lives in Poland, raising to 30 the death toll since December 1, the interior ministry said Wednesday.
Just two weeks into December, the season has already proven deadlier than the entire month last year, when 19 people were recorded to have died, the ministry said.
Sub-zero temperatures coupled with snowfall have claimed four more lives in Poland, raising to 30 the death toll since December 1, the interior ministry said Wednesday.
Just two weeks into December, the season has already proven deadlier than the entire month last year, when 19 people were recorded to have died, the ministry said.
Investors eye possible negative ECB rates
Investors eye possible negative ECB rates: Interest rate on borrowing unsecured cash for a year in euro wholesale markets dips below zero for first time as market expects ECB switch to charging to park funds
Italians react to Berlusconi's political comeback
Italians react to Berlusconi's political comeback: Silvio Berlusconi's announced return to politics has been greeted by wide-spread skepsis. But the unemployed and pensioners have suffered from the austerity reforms - and may support the former Prime Minister.
Bomba encontrada na estação de Bonn tinha alto poder de destruição
Bomba encontrada na estação de Bonn tinha alto poder de destruição: Motivação da tentativa de atentado ainda é incerta. Suspeitos ligados ao radicalismo islâmico foram detidos para averiguação, mas liberados depois do interrogatório. Polícia divulgou retrato falado de dois suspeitos.
Deutsche Bank's offices raided
Deutsche Bank's offices raided: German prosecutors raid Deutsche Bank offices as part of an investigation into a tax evasion scheme involving the trading of carbon permits.
Germans give ground on banking union
Germans give ground on banking union: Wolfgang Schäuble, the German finance minister, said he was willing to compromise on some of his longstanding objections to the scheme
Merck warns over drugs price cut as fiscal fix
Merck warns over drugs price cut as fiscal fix: The chief executive of the second-largest US drug maker by revenues warns that capping prices on the industry, as part of healthcare cost reforms, could have long-term implications
German far-right party to pay million euro fine
German far-right party to pay million euro fine: A German court has ruled that the far-right National Democratic Party (NPD) must pay a penalty of 1.27 million euros for submitting a faulty financial returns report in 2007. The decision was the third and final ruling.
Gender gap in university applications widens further after fees rise
Proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds going to elite universities rises 10% as overall applications fall
Women are a third more likely to go to university than men, according to a Ucas report, widening the gender gulf in higher education.
Demand for university places fell in terms of applications (-8.8%) and acceptances (-13%) when higher fees were introduced for students this October. But the fall in the number of young men applying was about twice that of young women, with entry rates for both at 24.6% and 32.5% respectively.
This widens a long-standing gap in application rates for male and female students, according to the Ucas end of cycle report.
"The application rate for 18-year-old men remains below the entry rate for women throughout the period. That is, if the acceptance rate for men was 100%, the resulting entry rate for men would still be below that of women," the report said.
Bahram Bekhradnia, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, said the gap in university entries reflected attainment patterns within schools, but the reasons behind the trend were unclear.
"It's probably down to cultural reasons. The change was first noticed around the introduction of GCSEs and the move towards more continuous assessment and coursework in schools, though there's no evidence that this is the cause of the gender differences. This is an international phenomenon, it's not restricted to the UK," he said.
"Unless men are genuinely less smart than women this pattern will come to an end and be reversed at some time."
The number of AAA students accepting their university offers this September also fell slightly, dropping two percentage points on last year, a dip which "reflects the behaviour of applicants rather than institutions", according to Mark Corver, head of analysis and research at Ucas.
There was no increase in the acceptance rate of students who obtained AAB, despite a government policy which removed the cap on the number of students with AAB grades or higher universities were able to recruit
But a greater proportion of students enrolled on their preferred choices this autumn, with far fewer securing a university place through clearing.
The University and College Union (UCU) said the fall in acceptances show the government's higher education policies were failing. The UCU's general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: "Higher tuition fees forced a scramble for places last year, which simply highlights the unfair nature of the government's hike in fees."
University acceptance figures show half of the students who were offered a university place this autumn will be charged £9,000 tuition fees.
The proportion of English 18-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds entering universities with the highest entry requirements rose by 10% on last year.
Les Ebdon, director of the Office for Fair Access (Offa), welcomed the figures but warned that more should be done to improve access to university:
"Universities work hard to reach out to young people in communities where very few people go to higher education, helping to raise their aspirations and academic achievement, for example through summer schools and mentoring.
"But there are still wide gaps in participation. Overall, entry rates for 18-year-olds from advantaged areas remain three to four times higher than for those in disadvantaged areas."
Women are a third more likely to go to university than men, according to a Ucas report, widening the gender gulf in higher education.
Demand for university places fell in terms of applications (-8.8%) and acceptances (-13%) when higher fees were introduced for students this October. But the fall in the number of young men applying was about twice that of young women, with entry rates for both at 24.6% and 32.5% respectively.
This widens a long-standing gap in application rates for male and female students, according to the Ucas end of cycle report.
"The application rate for 18-year-old men remains below the entry rate for women throughout the period. That is, if the acceptance rate for men was 100%, the resulting entry rate for men would still be below that of women," the report said.
Bahram Bekhradnia, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, said the gap in university entries reflected attainment patterns within schools, but the reasons behind the trend were unclear.
"It's probably down to cultural reasons. The change was first noticed around the introduction of GCSEs and the move towards more continuous assessment and coursework in schools, though there's no evidence that this is the cause of the gender differences. This is an international phenomenon, it's not restricted to the UK," he said.
"Unless men are genuinely less smart than women this pattern will come to an end and be reversed at some time."
The number of AAA students accepting their university offers this September also fell slightly, dropping two percentage points on last year, a dip which "reflects the behaviour of applicants rather than institutions", according to Mark Corver, head of analysis and research at Ucas.
There was no increase in the acceptance rate of students who obtained AAB, despite a government policy which removed the cap on the number of students with AAB grades or higher universities were able to recruit
But a greater proportion of students enrolled on their preferred choices this autumn, with far fewer securing a university place through clearing.
The University and College Union (UCU) said the fall in acceptances show the government's higher education policies were failing. The UCU's general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: "Higher tuition fees forced a scramble for places last year, which simply highlights the unfair nature of the government's hike in fees."
University acceptance figures show half of the students who were offered a university place this autumn will be charged £9,000 tuition fees.
The proportion of English 18-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds entering universities with the highest entry requirements rose by 10% on last year.
Les Ebdon, director of the Office for Fair Access (Offa), welcomed the figures but warned that more should be done to improve access to university:
"Universities work hard to reach out to young people in communities where very few people go to higher education, helping to raise their aspirations and academic achievement, for example through summer schools and mentoring.
"But there are still wide gaps in participation. Overall, entry rates for 18-year-olds from advantaged areas remain three to four times higher than for those in disadvantaged areas."
German police expand search in Bonn bomb scare
German police expand search in Bonn bomb scare: German police have begun searching for a second suspect they believe was behind a bomb scare in the western city of Bonn. They have also determined that the explosive device had been "highly dangerous."
New Facebook privacy controls: What you should know
New Facebook privacy controls: What you should know:
Surprise! Facebook changed its privacy controls once again. There's a tweaked Activity Log, new Request and Removal tools for photo tag management, clearer warnings and more. But Facebook's not just giving us new features — it's taking something away, too.
Surprise! Facebook changed its privacy controls once again. There's a tweaked Activity Log, new Request and Removal tools for photo tag management, clearer warnings and more. But Facebook's not just giving us new features — it's taking something away, too.
Three Good Reasons Not To Send Nude Photos Via Snapchat
Three Good Reasons Not To Send Nude Photos Via Snapchat: Snapchat has attracted users (and funders) with its offer of photo flashing: the opportunity to send a photo to someone but have it "self-destruct" within 1 to 10 seconds. The promise of consequence-free sexting is attractive enough that the app is currently the fourth most popular in the iTunes store. Teens are reportedly flocking in droves to Snapchat. According to my colleague J.J. Colao, the app is used 30 million times a day, and according to Gigaom, Snapchat is about to nab $8 million in venture funding. Its founders, it should be noted, claim that risque photos are not fueling the app's growth. (However, please do take note of their self-selected promotional image, at right.)
German Lawmakers Vote to Protect Right to Circumcision
German Lawmakers Vote to Protect Right to Circumcision: The vote in Parliament brought to a close months of legal uncertainty set off by a court ruling that equated the practice with bodily harm and angered many German Jews and Muslims.
Nurse who died after royal baby prank call was found hanged
Nurse who died after royal baby prank call was found hanged:
Jacintha Saldanha was discovered at flat near King Edward VII hospital where Duchess of Cambridge was being treated
The nurse found dead after a hoax call to the hospital treating the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge was found hanged, the Guardian understands.
Jacintha Saldanha, 46, a mother of two from Bristol, was discovered unconscious at her nurses' flat near the private King Edward VII hospital in central London on Friday morning.
A postmortem has been carried out, with the results expected to be officially announced at the opening of the inquest into her death on Thursday morning at Westminster coroners court.
The Guardian confirmed a report on Sky News that she had been found hanged. Scotland Yard would not comment on the reports.
Saldanha was the nurse who answered a hoax call to the hospital from two Australian radio DJs in the early hours of Tuesday last week, just hours after the Duchess of Cambridge was admitted for acute morning sickness.
The nurse, who had worked at the hospital for more than four years, was discovered at around 9.30am on Friday morning. Reports that she left a suicide note have not been confirmed.
The death is not being treated as suspicious, and the inquest is expected to be opened and adjourned on Thursday as inquiries continue.
The family of the nurse are set to receive more than £350,000 from Southern Cross Austereo, the parent company of the Sydney station 2Day FM, whose presenters rang the hospital inquiring about the duchess's medical condition and posing as the Queen and Prince of Wales.
Saldanha is understood to be the nurse who answered the call, then, believing she was talking to members of the royal family, transferred it to a duty nurse on the duchess's ward.
The DJs, Mel Greig and Michael Christian, have spoken of their devastation over the "unforeseen consequences" of the call. Both are off air at the moment. The station has cancelled its Christmas party, and pledged to donate profits from advertising until the end of the year to a fund to help Saldanha's family.
The hospital has set up a memorial fund to help support her husband and two teenage children.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said on Wednesday the postmortem result "would be announced tomorrow at the inquest".
• For confidential support call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90
The nurse found dead after a hoax call to the hospital treating the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge was found hanged, the Guardian understands.
Jacintha Saldanha, 46, a mother of two from Bristol, was discovered unconscious at her nurses' flat near the private King Edward VII hospital in central London on Friday morning.
A postmortem has been carried out, with the results expected to be officially announced at the opening of the inquest into her death on Thursday morning at Westminster coroners court.
The Guardian confirmed a report on Sky News that she had been found hanged. Scotland Yard would not comment on the reports.
Saldanha was the nurse who answered a hoax call to the hospital from two Australian radio DJs in the early hours of Tuesday last week, just hours after the Duchess of Cambridge was admitted for acute morning sickness.
The nurse, who had worked at the hospital for more than four years, was discovered at around 9.30am on Friday morning. Reports that she left a suicide note have not been confirmed.
The death is not being treated as suspicious, and the inquest is expected to be opened and adjourned on Thursday as inquiries continue.
The family of the nurse are set to receive more than £350,000 from Southern Cross Austereo, the parent company of the Sydney station 2Day FM, whose presenters rang the hospital inquiring about the duchess's medical condition and posing as the Queen and Prince of Wales.
Saldanha is understood to be the nurse who answered the call, then, believing she was talking to members of the royal family, transferred it to a duty nurse on the duchess's ward.
The DJs, Mel Greig and Michael Christian, have spoken of their devastation over the "unforeseen consequences" of the call. Both are off air at the moment. The station has cancelled its Christmas party, and pledged to donate profits from advertising until the end of the year to a fund to help Saldanha's family.
The hospital has set up a memorial fund to help support her husband and two teenage children.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said on Wednesday the postmortem result "would be announced tomorrow at the inquest".
• For confidential support call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90
Times editor James Harding resigns
Times editor James Harding resigns:
One of youngest editors of the Murdoch-owned newspaper says it was made clear News Corp wanted to make new appointment
James Harding has resigned as Times editor after five years, telling journalists on the paper that he was leaving because News Corporation had made it clear it wanted him to go.
Harding summoned staff to a meeting at 3.30pm on Wednesday to announce that he had resigned. He will leave the paper at the end of the month and it is understood he is unlikely to stay on in another job at Times publisher News International or parent company News Corp.
In his resignation speech in the Times newsroom Harding told shocked colleagues: "It has been made clear to me that News Corporation would like to appoint a new editor of the Times. I have, therefore, agreed to stand down. I called Rupert [Murdoch] this morning to offer my resignation and he accepted it."
Harding added: "This job is a constant privilege and I hope you will, like me, look back with a sense of achievement at the work we have done."
He said he was "proud" of the paper's campaigns on tax avoidance, adoption and cycling and its "unflinching foreign coverage".
He thanked Murdoch for the "great honour" he did him in appointing him editor of the paper and said it was "a privilege and a point of pride" to work there.
Those in the newsroom for the announcement said that Harding was hugged by his emotional deputy editor Keith Blackmore, who will take over as interim editor. In tears, Blackmore said that he was "the best editor the times ever had".
John Witherow, the editor of the Sunday Times for the last 15 years, is being tipped as a possible replacement, along with his deputy Martin Ivens.
The appointment of a new Times editor must be approved by the independent directors of Times Newspapers, the News International subsidiary that publishes it, as part of a legally binding agreement entered into by Murdoch when he acquired the paper in 1981.
Stunned Times journalists took to Twitter to express their shock. Sports journalist Patrick Kidd said he was "immensely saddened" by Harding's "enforced resignation". He was "universally admired, a real positive force".
Reporter Fay Schlesinger tweeted: "James Harding's departure is a massive loss for us. Office quietest I've ever known it."
The timing of the resignation is particularly surprising given that Harding is been leading negotiations between editors and with No 10 in the wake of the Leveson inquiry over how to design a reformed system for press regulation that will operate without statute.
He is understood to have been in close talks with No 10 about how to create a body to certify the work of the press regulator that would be set up by royal charter – and chaired last Wednesday's meeting at the Delaunay restaurant, at which editors broadly agreed to sign up to the non-statutory provisions of the Leveson report.
Rupert Murdoch, chairman and chief executive of News Corp, said: "James has been a distinguished editor for the Times, attracting talented staff to the paper and leading it through difficult times. I have great respect for him as a colleague and friend, and truly hope we can work together again."
Harding said in News International's official statement: "For any journalist, it is an extraordinary privilege and a point of pride to see your work appear beneath the masthead of the Times, the greatest name in newspapers in the world.
"I feel hugely honoured to have been given the opportunity to edit the paper and deeply grateful for the experience of working among the finest journalists in the world. This paper has an unrivalled history and, I am extremely confident, a long and impressive future ahead of it."
Harding was appointed in late 2007 following the promotion of Robert Thomson to run Dow Jones and the Wall Street Journal following Rupert Murdoch's $5bn acquisition of the US financial information and news publisher. He was the second youngest ever editor of the title, aged 38 when he took over.
He came under criticism over the paper's decision to unmask the anonymous police blogger NightJack after his email was hacked by former Times journalist Patrick Foster.
Murdoch told the Leveson inquiry that he was "appalled" that a Times lawyer had misled the high court over how the paper came to reveal Richard Horton's identity and said he was "disappointed" that Harding decided to publish the story in the first place.
Harding began his career on the Financial Times. He opened the paper's Shanghai bureau and went on to become bureau chief in Washington before joining the Times as business editor.
In an email to staff, outgoing News International chief executive Tom Mockridge praised Harding's "energy, wit and inspiration" and the Times' coverage of key events including Olympic Games.
He added: "Since his appointment as editor in 2007, James has guided the Times through transformational change. Under his leadership the title has embraced the huge advancements in technology, whilst remaining true to the heart of the story and its world-renowned reputation as the paper of record.
"In the face of industry-wide pressures on circulation, the Times has managed to steady its market share and expand its subscription model."
James Harding has resigned as Times editor after five years, telling journalists on the paper that he was leaving because News Corporation had made it clear it wanted him to go.
Harding summoned staff to a meeting at 3.30pm on Wednesday to announce that he had resigned. He will leave the paper at the end of the month and it is understood he is unlikely to stay on in another job at Times publisher News International or parent company News Corp.
In his resignation speech in the Times newsroom Harding told shocked colleagues: "It has been made clear to me that News Corporation would like to appoint a new editor of the Times. I have, therefore, agreed to stand down. I called Rupert [Murdoch] this morning to offer my resignation and he accepted it."
Harding added: "This job is a constant privilege and I hope you will, like me, look back with a sense of achievement at the work we have done."
He said he was "proud" of the paper's campaigns on tax avoidance, adoption and cycling and its "unflinching foreign coverage".
He thanked Murdoch for the "great honour" he did him in appointing him editor of the paper and said it was "a privilege and a point of pride" to work there.
Those in the newsroom for the announcement said that Harding was hugged by his emotional deputy editor Keith Blackmore, who will take over as interim editor. In tears, Blackmore said that he was "the best editor the times ever had".
John Witherow, the editor of the Sunday Times for the last 15 years, is being tipped as a possible replacement, along with his deputy Martin Ivens.
The appointment of a new Times editor must be approved by the independent directors of Times Newspapers, the News International subsidiary that publishes it, as part of a legally binding agreement entered into by Murdoch when he acquired the paper in 1981.
Stunned Times journalists took to Twitter to express their shock. Sports journalist Patrick Kidd said he was "immensely saddened" by Harding's "enforced resignation". He was "universally admired, a real positive force".
Reporter Fay Schlesinger tweeted: "James Harding's departure is a massive loss for us. Office quietest I've ever known it."
The timing of the resignation is particularly surprising given that Harding is been leading negotiations between editors and with No 10 in the wake of the Leveson inquiry over how to design a reformed system for press regulation that will operate without statute.
He is understood to have been in close talks with No 10 about how to create a body to certify the work of the press regulator that would be set up by royal charter – and chaired last Wednesday's meeting at the Delaunay restaurant, at which editors broadly agreed to sign up to the non-statutory provisions of the Leveson report.
Rupert Murdoch, chairman and chief executive of News Corp, said: "James has been a distinguished editor for the Times, attracting talented staff to the paper and leading it through difficult times. I have great respect for him as a colleague and friend, and truly hope we can work together again."
Harding said in News International's official statement: "For any journalist, it is an extraordinary privilege and a point of pride to see your work appear beneath the masthead of the Times, the greatest name in newspapers in the world.
"I feel hugely honoured to have been given the opportunity to edit the paper and deeply grateful for the experience of working among the finest journalists in the world. This paper has an unrivalled history and, I am extremely confident, a long and impressive future ahead of it."
Harding was appointed in late 2007 following the promotion of Robert Thomson to run Dow Jones and the Wall Street Journal following Rupert Murdoch's $5bn acquisition of the US financial information and news publisher. He was the second youngest ever editor of the title, aged 38 when he took over.
He came under criticism over the paper's decision to unmask the anonymous police blogger NightJack after his email was hacked by former Times journalist Patrick Foster.
Murdoch told the Leveson inquiry that he was "appalled" that a Times lawyer had misled the high court over how the paper came to reveal Richard Horton's identity and said he was "disappointed" that Harding decided to publish the story in the first place.
Harding began his career on the Financial Times. He opened the paper's Shanghai bureau and went on to become bureau chief in Washington before joining the Times as business editor.
In an email to staff, outgoing News International chief executive Tom Mockridge praised Harding's "energy, wit and inspiration" and the Times' coverage of key events including Olympic Games.
He added: "Since his appointment as editor in 2007, James has guided the Times through transformational change. Under his leadership the title has embraced the huge advancements in technology, whilst remaining true to the heart of the story and its world-renowned reputation as the paper of record.
"In the face of industry-wide pressures on circulation, the Times has managed to steady its market share and expand its subscription model."
Testosterone Plus Low-Intensity Physical Training in Late Life Improves Functional Performance, Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Biogenesis, and Mitochondrial Quality Control in Male Mice
Testosterone Plus Low-Intensity Physical Training in Late Life Improves Functional Performance, Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Biogenesis, and Mitochondrial Quality Control in Male Mice:
by Wen Guo, Siu Wong, Michelle Li, Wentao Liang, Marc Liesa, Carlo Serra, Ravi Jasuja, Andrzej Bartke, James L. Kirkland, Orian Shirihai, Shalender Bhasin
Testosterone supplementation increases muscle mass in older men but has not been shown to consistently improve physical function and activity. It has been hypothesized that physical exercise is required to induce the adaptations necessary for translation of testosterone-induced muscle mass gain into functional improvements. However, the effects of testosterone plus low intensity physical exercise training (T/PT) on functional performance and bioenergetics are unknown. In this pilot study, we tested the hypothesis that combined administration of T/PT would improve functional performance and bioenergetics in male mice late in life more than low-intensity physical training alone. 28-month old male mice were randomized to receive T/PT or vehicle plus physical training (V/PT) for 2 months. Compare to V/PT control, administration of T/PT was associated with improvements in muscle mass, grip strength, spontaneous physical movements, and respiratory activity. These changes were correlated with increased mitochondrial DNA copy number and expression of markers for mitochondrial biogenesis. Mice receiving T/PT also displayed increased expression of key elements for mitochondrial quality control, including markers for mitochondrial fission-and-fusion and mitophagy. Concurrently, mice receiving T/PT also displayed increased expression of markers for reduced tissue oxidative damage and improved muscle quality. Conclusion: Testosterone administered with low-intensity physical training improves grip strength, spontaneous movements, and respiratory activity. These functional improvements were associated with increased muscle mitochondrial biogenesis and improved mitochondrial quality control.
by Wen Guo, Siu Wong, Michelle Li, Wentao Liang, Marc Liesa, Carlo Serra, Ravi Jasuja, Andrzej Bartke, James L. Kirkland, Orian Shirihai, Shalender Bhasin
Testosterone supplementation increases muscle mass in older men but has not been shown to consistently improve physical function and activity. It has been hypothesized that physical exercise is required to induce the adaptations necessary for translation of testosterone-induced muscle mass gain into functional improvements. However, the effects of testosterone plus low intensity physical exercise training (T/PT) on functional performance and bioenergetics are unknown. In this pilot study, we tested the hypothesis that combined administration of T/PT would improve functional performance and bioenergetics in male mice late in life more than low-intensity physical training alone. 28-month old male mice were randomized to receive T/PT or vehicle plus physical training (V/PT) for 2 months. Compare to V/PT control, administration of T/PT was associated with improvements in muscle mass, grip strength, spontaneous physical movements, and respiratory activity. These changes were correlated with increased mitochondrial DNA copy number and expression of markers for mitochondrial biogenesis. Mice receiving T/PT also displayed increased expression of key elements for mitochondrial quality control, including markers for mitochondrial fission-and-fusion and mitophagy. Concurrently, mice receiving T/PT also displayed increased expression of markers for reduced tissue oxidative damage and improved muscle quality. Conclusion: Testosterone administered with low-intensity physical training improves grip strength, spontaneous movements, and respiratory activity. These functional improvements were associated with increased muscle mitochondrial biogenesis and improved mitochondrial quality control.
Prior Infection of Chickens with H1N1 or H1N2 Avian Influenza Elicits Partial Heterologous Protection against Highly Pathogenic H5N1
Prior Infection of Chickens with H1N1 or H1N2 Avian Influenza Elicits Partial Heterologous Protection against Highly Pathogenic H5N1:
by Charles Nfon, Yohannes Berhane, John Pasick, Carissa Embury-Hyatt, Gary Kobinger, Darwyn Kobasa, Shawn Babiuk
There is a critical need to have vaccines that can protect against emerging pandemic influenza viruses. Commonly used influenza vaccines are killed whole virus that protect against homologous and not heterologous virus. Using chickens we have explored the possibility of using live low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) A/goose/AB/223/2005 H1N1 or A/WBS/MB/325/2006 H1N2 to induce immunity against heterologous highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A/chicken/Vietnam/14/2005 H5N1. H1N1 and H1N2 replicated in chickens but did not cause clinical disease. Following infection, chickens developed nucleoprotein and H1 specific antibodies, and reduced H5N1 plaque size in vitro in the absence of H5 neutralizing antibodies at 21 days post infection (DPI). In addition, heterologous cell mediated immunity (CMI) was demonstrated by antigen-specific proliferation and IFN-γ secretion in PBMCs re-stimulated with H5N1 antigen. Following H5N1 challenge of both pre-infected and naïve controls chickens housed together, all naïve chickens developed acute disease and died while H1N1 or H1N2 pre-infected chickens had reduced clinical disease and 70–80% survived. H1N1 or H1N2 pre-infected chickens were also challenged with H5N1 and naïve chickens placed in the same room one day later. All pre-infected birds were protected from H5N1 challenge but shed infectious virus to naïve contact chickens. However, disease onset, severity and mortality was reduced and delayed in the naïve contacts compared to directly inoculated naïve controls. These results indicate that prior infection with LPAI virus can generate heterologous protection against HPAI H5N1 in the absence of specific H5 antibody.
by Charles Nfon, Yohannes Berhane, John Pasick, Carissa Embury-Hyatt, Gary Kobinger, Darwyn Kobasa, Shawn Babiuk
There is a critical need to have vaccines that can protect against emerging pandemic influenza viruses. Commonly used influenza vaccines are killed whole virus that protect against homologous and not heterologous virus. Using chickens we have explored the possibility of using live low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) A/goose/AB/223/2005 H1N1 or A/WBS/MB/325/2006 H1N2 to induce immunity against heterologous highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A/chicken/Vietnam/14/2005 H5N1. H1N1 and H1N2 replicated in chickens but did not cause clinical disease. Following infection, chickens developed nucleoprotein and H1 specific antibodies, and reduced H5N1 plaque size in vitro in the absence of H5 neutralizing antibodies at 21 days post infection (DPI). In addition, heterologous cell mediated immunity (CMI) was demonstrated by antigen-specific proliferation and IFN-γ secretion in PBMCs re-stimulated with H5N1 antigen. Following H5N1 challenge of both pre-infected and naïve controls chickens housed together, all naïve chickens developed acute disease and died while H1N1 or H1N2 pre-infected chickens had reduced clinical disease and 70–80% survived. H1N1 or H1N2 pre-infected chickens were also challenged with H5N1 and naïve chickens placed in the same room one day later. All pre-infected birds were protected from H5N1 challenge but shed infectious virus to naïve contact chickens. However, disease onset, severity and mortality was reduced and delayed in the naïve contacts compared to directly inoculated naïve controls. These results indicate that prior infection with LPAI virus can generate heterologous protection against HPAI H5N1 in the absence of specific H5 antibody.
mMaple: A Photoconvertible Fluorescent Protein for Use in Multiple Imaging Modalities
mMaple: A Photoconvertible Fluorescent Protein for Use in Multiple Imaging Modalities:
by Ann L. McEvoy, Hiofan Hoi, Mark Bates, Evgenia Platonova, Paula J. Cranfill, Michelle A. Baird, Michael W. Davidson, Helge Ewers, Jan Liphardt, Robert E. Campbell
Recent advances in fluorescence microscopy have extended the spatial resolution to the nanometer scale. Here, we report an engineered photoconvertible fluorescent protein (pcFP) variant, designated as mMaple, that is suited for use in multiple conventional and super-resolution imaging modalities, specifically, widefield and confocal microscopy, structured illumination microscopy (SIM), and single-molecule localization microscopy. We demonstrate the versatility of mMaple by obtaining super-resolution images of protein organization in Escherichia coli and conventional fluorescence images of mammalian cells. Beneficial features of mMaple include high photostability of the green state when expressed in mammalian cells and high steady state intracellular protein concentration of functional protein when expressed in E. coli. mMaple thus enables both fast live-cell ensemble imaging and high precision single molecule localization for a single pcFP-containing construct.
by Ann L. McEvoy, Hiofan Hoi, Mark Bates, Evgenia Platonova, Paula J. Cranfill, Michelle A. Baird, Michael W. Davidson, Helge Ewers, Jan Liphardt, Robert E. Campbell
Recent advances in fluorescence microscopy have extended the spatial resolution to the nanometer scale. Here, we report an engineered photoconvertible fluorescent protein (pcFP) variant, designated as mMaple, that is suited for use in multiple conventional and super-resolution imaging modalities, specifically, widefield and confocal microscopy, structured illumination microscopy (SIM), and single-molecule localization microscopy. We demonstrate the versatility of mMaple by obtaining super-resolution images of protein organization in Escherichia coli and conventional fluorescence images of mammalian cells. Beneficial features of mMaple include high photostability of the green state when expressed in mammalian cells and high steady state intracellular protein concentration of functional protein when expressed in E. coli. mMaple thus enables both fast live-cell ensemble imaging and high precision single molecule localization for a single pcFP-containing construct.
N. Korea launch termed 'provocation'
N. Korea launch termed 'provocation': The rocket launch triggers worries among world leaders about nuclear weapons, the Iran issue and the balance of power in the Pacific.
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
Too Big Too Indict, HSBC, Barclays and UBS Set Ugly Precedent
Too Big Too Indict, HSBC, Barclays and UBS Set Ugly Precedent: Today's New York Times carries the story that HSBC has escaped criminal prosecution because of fears that an indictment on money laundering charges would undermine the financial system. It's a familiar argument - too familiar. But the actions of prosecutors risk undermining the broader social system, with even more serious consequences.
What Did The Air Force Just Launch Into Space?
What Did The Air Force Just Launch Into Space?: At 1:03 p.m. eastern time on Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. Air Force launched an unmanned Atlas 5 rocket into space from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The rocket's cargo, a small shuttle called the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, is an autonomous spacecraft that's been under development by the U.S. government for over a decade --though very few people know exactly what it's supposed to do.
Italy wants Google execs jailed for autism video
An Italian prosecutor has asked an appeals court to uphold jail sentences for three Google executives charged with violating the privacy of an Italian boy with autism by letting a video of him being bullied be posted on the site in 2006.
Attacker steals ‘old passwords’ from Oz defence academy site
Security fail sparks usual hypegasm
An attack on Australian Defence Force Academy systems operated by the University of New South Wales (UNSW), has spilled 20,000 user records.…
Twitter Knows It's Not All About The Filters
Twitter Knows It's Not All About The Filters: In all the spats about who can show a users picture on which network in which format, before Instagram and Twitter took away each other's ball, Twitter was holding on to a hole card... their mobile application was ready to go with all the funky filters that morph people's smartphone images into social media objects.
Gmail Outage Embarrasses Internet Giant -- Cause Was a Software Update
Gmail Outage Embarrasses Internet Giant -- Cause Was a Software Update: What would life be like if Google crashed? People got an unexpected opportunity to experience Google withdrawal on Monday morning, when a configuration change to piece of infrastructure known as a "load balancer" knocked Gmail offline for total of 18 harrowing minutes.
Facebook ignores 'minimal' user vote, adopts new privacy policy
Facebook ignores 'minimal' user vote, adopts new privacy policy:
Facebook users' seven-day voting period on the new privacy policy came to an end with far less than the 30 percent required to sway Facebook's opinion. It's stark reminder of how huge Facebook is, not to mention how ineffective the voting policy was from the start.
Facebook users' seven-day voting period on the new privacy policy came to an end with far less than the 30 percent required to sway Facebook's opinion. It's stark reminder of how huge Facebook is, not to mention how ineffective the voting policy was from the start.
North Korean rocket works, puts something into orbit
North Korean rocket works, puts something into orbit:
Cunning PR ruse had West thinking launch would be delayed due to glitches
North Korea has successfully launched a rocket that it claims is a peaceful vehicle, but which western nations suspect is a long-range missile.…
Cunning PR ruse had West thinking launch would be delayed due to glitches
North Korea has successfully launched a rocket that it claims is a peaceful vehicle, but which western nations suspect is a long-range missile.…
Microsoft updates Windows Phone 8 but won't say what it fixes
Microsoft updates Windows Phone 8 but won't say what it fixes: Microsoft today began delivering an update to Windows Phone 8 smartphones that provides unspecified "performance enhancements" that some customers say include an OS fix for random reboots and Wi-Fi enhancements. A spokeswoman said Tuesday that "Microsoft isn't going into detail into the specific enhancements at this time."
Apple's Most Important Patent is Invalid
Apple's Most Important Patent is Invalid: Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) has two months to contest a decision by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which ruled that the Steve Jobs multi-touch patent is invalid.
Two Challenges to Fixing Software Patents
Two Challenges to Fixing Software Patents: Software patents play a huge--and controversial--role in our economy. In a recent post, I explained some of the unique problems that software innovations pose to the patent system. This post extends that discussion by exploring two structural hurdles to addressing those problems: (1) the challenge of defining "software," and (2) which regulatory institution(s) can implement any fixes. In the near future, I will conclude this three-part series of posts by exploring specific ideas to fix software patents.
Public Buses That Listen To Passengers' Conversations Have Been Around For Five Years
Public Buses That Listen To Passengers' Conversations Have Been Around For Five Years: The Daily had an interesting report this week -- picked up by Wired -- about "government officials quietly installing sophisticated audio surveillance systems on public buses across the country to eavesdrop on passengers." I know what you're thinking: "Woo! More epic bus fight scenes that come with audio."
Reconciling Innovation With Control: The Air Force's $1.3 Billion Lesson In Agile
Reconciling Innovation With Control: The Air Force's $1.3 Billion Lesson In Agile: What are we to make of the news that the Air Force recently canceled a six-year-old software modernization effort that had consumed $1.3 billion and produced nothing of value? Note, that’s $1.3 billion, not $1.3 million. And it’s not that the project produced less benefit than expected. It produced absolutely no benefits at all. The whole project has been canned.
Brain Cells Made from Urine
Brain Cells Made from Urine:
Some of the waste that humans flush away every day could become a powerful source of brain cells to study disease, and may even one day be used in therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Scientists have found a relatively straightforward way to persuade the cells discarded in human urine to turn into valuable neurons.
[More]
Some of the waste that humans flush away every day could become a powerful source of brain cells to study disease, and may even one day be used in therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Scientists have found a relatively straightforward way to persuade the cells discarded in human urine to turn into valuable neurons.
[More]
Poisoning the Well: How the Feds Let Energy and Mining Companies Pollute Underground Water
Federal officials have given energy and mining companies permission to pollute aquifers in more than 1,500 places across the country, releasing toxic material into underground reservoirs that help supply more than half of the nation's drinking water.
In many cases, the Environmental Protection Agency has granted these so-called aquifer exemptions in Western states now stricken by drought and increasingly desperate for water.
[More]
In many cases, the Environmental Protection Agency has granted these so-called aquifer exemptions in Western states now stricken by drought and increasingly desperate for water.
[More]
Indiana Jones 'crystal skull' may be hoax
Indiana Jones 'crystal skull' may be hoax:
An archaeologist in Belize has filed a lawsuit against the makers of the film "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," alleging that the movie profits off references to an artifact illegally stolen from the country.
An archaeologist in Belize has filed a lawsuit against the makers of the film "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," alleging that the movie profits off references to an artifact illegally stolen from the country.
Anti-whaling activists unveil latest ship, bought from Japan
Anti-whaling activists unveil latest ship, bought from Japan: CANBERRA (Reuters) - Anti-whaling activists unveiled on Tuesday their latest weapon against Japanese whalers in the frigid Southern Ocean, a $2 million ship funded by the producer of The Simpsons television series and purchased in secret from the Japanese government.
Copper restricts the spread of global antibiotic-resistant infections
Copper restricts the spread of global antibiotic-resistant infections: Southampton, UK (SPX) Dec 11, 2012
New research from the University of Southampton has shown that copper can prevent horizontal transmission of genes, which has contributed to the increasing number of antibiotic-resistant infections worldwide.
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in bacteria is largely responsible for the development of antibiotic-resistance, which has led to an increasing number of difficult-to-treat healthcare
New research from the University of Southampton has shown that copper can prevent horizontal transmission of genes, which has contributed to the increasing number of antibiotic-resistant infections worldwide.
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in bacteria is largely responsible for the development of antibiotic-resistance, which has led to an increasing number of difficult-to-treat healthcare
Scientists pinpoint great-earthquake hot spots
Scientists pinpoint great-earthquake hot spots: Paris, France (SPX) Dec 11, 2012
"We find that 87% of the 15 largest (8.6 magnitude or higher) and half of the 50 largest (8.4 magnitude or higher) earthquakes of the past century are associated with intersection regions between oceanic fracture zones and subduction zones," says Dietmar Muller, researcher at the University of Sydney in Australia and lead author of the Solid Earth paper.
"We find that 87% of the 15 largest (8.6 magnitude or higher) and half of the 50 largest (8.4 magnitude or higher) earthquakes of the past century are associated with intersection regions between oceanic fracture zones and subduction zones," says Dietmar Muller, researcher at the University of Sydney in Australia and lead author of the Solid Earth paper.
Mercury in coastal fog linked to upwelling of deep ocean water
Mercury in coastal fog linked to upwelling of deep ocean water: Santa Cruz CA (SPX) Dec 11, 2012
An ongoing investigation of elevated mercury levels in coastal fog in California suggests that upwelling of deep ocean water along the coast brings mercury to the surface, where it enters the atmosphere and is absorbed by fog.
Peter Weiss-Penzias, an environmental toxicologist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who leads the investigation, emphasized that the amount of mercury
An ongoing investigation of elevated mercury levels in coastal fog in California suggests that upwelling of deep ocean water along the coast brings mercury to the surface, where it enters the atmosphere and is absorbed by fog.
Peter Weiss-Penzias, an environmental toxicologist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who leads the investigation, emphasized that the amount of mercury
Japan firm recalls China tea on pesticide fears
Japan firm recalls China tea on pesticide fears: Tokyo (AFP) Dec 11, 2012
Japanese food company Ito En on Tuesday issued a huge recall of Chinese-grown tea after some of it was found to contain illegal levels of pesticide residue.
The firm said it was recalling about 400,000 packages of Oolong tea after spot testing revealed pesticide residue levels above Japanese food safety limits.
Japanese food company Ito En on Tuesday issued a huge recall of Chinese-grown tea after some of it was found to contain illegal levels of pesticide residue.
The firm said it was recalling about 400,000 packages of Oolong tea after spot testing revealed pesticide residue levels above Japanese food safety limits.
Indonesia says it has found more virulent bird flu strain
Indonesia says it has found more virulent bird flu strain: Jakarta (AFP) Dec 11, 2012
Indonesia has identified the bird flu virus that killed hundreds of thousands of ducks in recent weeks as a more virulent type which is new to the country, according to a letter seen Tuesday.
"We found a highly pathogenic avian influenza sub-type H5N1 (virus) with clade 2.3..." the agriculture ministry's veterinary chief Syukur Iwantoro said in the letter obtained by AFP.
Indonesia has identified the bird flu virus that killed hundreds of thousands of ducks in recent weeks as a more virulent type which is new to the country, according to a letter seen Tuesday.
"We found a highly pathogenic avian influenza sub-type H5N1 (virus) with clade 2.3..." the agriculture ministry's veterinary chief Syukur Iwantoro said in the letter obtained by AFP.
Israeli Researchers Use Rust To Store Solar Energy
Israeli Researchers Use Rust To Store Solar Energy: Using the power of the sun and ultrathin films of iron oxide (commonly known as rust), researchers at the Technion, Israel's Institute of Technology, have found a novel way to split water molecules to hydrogen and oxygen. The breakthrough, published this week in the scientific journal Nature Materials, could lead to less expensive, more efficient ways to store solar energy in the form of hydrogen-based fuels. This could be a major step forward in the development of viable replacements for fossil fuels.
Delta Buys 49 Percent Of Virgin Atlantic For $360 Million
Delta Buys 49 Percent Of Virgin Atlantic For $360 Million:
LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines said it had bought Singapore Airlines' 49 percent stake in Britain's Virgin Atlantic for $360 million and agreed a transatlantic joint venture with Virgin.
Virgin and Delta on Tuesday said under the joint venture they would share costs and revenues on routes between Britain and North America.
The pair plan to cooperate on services between New York and London, with a total of nine daily round-trip flights from London Heathrow to John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.
"Our new partnership with Virgin Atlantic will strengthen both airlines and provide a more effective competitor between North America and the U.K., particularly on the New York-London route, which is the largest airline route between the U.S. and Europe," said Delta Chief Executive Richard Anderson.
The airlines said they would file an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation for competition clearance and that the deal would need to be reviewed by the U.S. Department of Justice and the European Union's competition regulator.
The deal will enable Delta to expand at London's Heathrow airport, a lucrative hub for corporate passengers where landing slots are generally hard to acquire. Virgin is the second-largest carrier at Heathrow after IAG'sBritish Airways.
Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, is operating at close to full capacity after Britain's coalition government blocked its expansion in 2010.
British entrepreneur Richard Branson said he would retain his 51 percent stake in Virgin Atlantic and maintain the brand of the airline he founded in 1984.
"The partnership allows both carriers to offer a greatly expanded network at Heathrow and to overcome slot constraints, which have limited the growth and competitive capability of both airlines," said Branson.
The two carriers will operate a total of 31 peak-day round-trip flights between the U.K. and North America, 23 of which operate at London Heathrow.
The partnership will be similar to that operated by American Airlinesand IAG's British Airways (BA) since 2010 on transatlantic and some European routes.
Singapore Airlines bought 49 percent of Virgin Atlantic for $965 million in 1999, but has been open to selling its stake since at least mid-2011 when a price of $500-$600 million was mooted in markets.
Singapore Airlines has been refocusing on its key markets where it is under pressure from budget airlines, launching its own budget carrier, Scoot, to ply Asian middle-distance routes and bolstering its Asian regional carrier, SilkAir.
LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines said it had bought Singapore Airlines' 49 percent stake in Britain's Virgin Atlantic for $360 million and agreed a transatlantic joint venture with Virgin.
Virgin and Delta on Tuesday said under the joint venture they would share costs and revenues on routes between Britain and North America.
The pair plan to cooperate on services between New York and London, with a total of nine daily round-trip flights from London Heathrow to John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.
"Our new partnership with Virgin Atlantic will strengthen both airlines and provide a more effective competitor between North America and the U.K., particularly on the New York-London route, which is the largest airline route between the U.S. and Europe," said Delta Chief Executive Richard Anderson.
The airlines said they would file an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation for competition clearance and that the deal would need to be reviewed by the U.S. Department of Justice and the European Union's competition regulator.
The deal will enable Delta to expand at London's Heathrow airport, a lucrative hub for corporate passengers where landing slots are generally hard to acquire. Virgin is the second-largest carrier at Heathrow after IAG'sBritish Airways.
Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, is operating at close to full capacity after Britain's coalition government blocked its expansion in 2010.
British entrepreneur Richard Branson said he would retain his 51 percent stake in Virgin Atlantic and maintain the brand of the airline he founded in 1984.
"The partnership allows both carriers to offer a greatly expanded network at Heathrow and to overcome slot constraints, which have limited the growth and competitive capability of both airlines," said Branson.
The two carriers will operate a total of 31 peak-day round-trip flights between the U.K. and North America, 23 of which operate at London Heathrow.
The partnership will be similar to that operated by American Airlinesand IAG's British Airways (BA) since 2010 on transatlantic and some European routes.
Singapore Airlines bought 49 percent of Virgin Atlantic for $965 million in 1999, but has been open to selling its stake since at least mid-2011 when a price of $500-$600 million was mooted in markets.
Singapore Airlines has been refocusing on its key markets where it is under pressure from budget airlines, launching its own budget carrier, Scoot, to ply Asian middle-distance routes and bolstering its Asian regional carrier, SilkAir.
Os dois lados da talidomida
Os dois lados da talidomida: Meio século após o escândalo da talidomida, que resultou em milhares de casos de malformação em recém-nascidos, o medicamento ainda é usado no tratamento da lepra, da aids e de diversos tipos de câncer.
Mysterious Alaska Pyramid Fears Said Behind US Nuke Test
An interesting report prepared by the Aerospace Defence Forces circulating in the Kremlin today states that the “subcritical” nuclear test conducted by the United States last Wednesday (5 December) was in preparation for a much larger atomic explosion being planned by the Americans whose fears are rising over the “sudden” emergence of a mysterious underground pyramid in Alaska believed to be rising to the surface.
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FedEx has been 'systematically overcharging' customers for years, according to internal email - @BloombergNews
FedEx Corp. (FDX) has been “systematically overcharging” customers by billing businesses and government offices at higher residential rates, a company sales executive said in an internal e-mail unsealed in a lawsuit.
“I have brought this to attention of many people over the past five or six years, including more than one managing director, and no action has been taken to address it,” Alan Elam wrote in an e-mail on Aug. 2, 2011. “My belief is that we are choosing not to fix this issue because it is worth so much money to FedEx,” Elam said in a separate e-mail that day.
“I have brought this to attention of many people over the past five or six years, including more than one managing director, and no action has been taken to address it,” Alan Elam wrote in an e-mail on Aug. 2, 2011. “My belief is that we are choosing not to fix this issue because it is worth so much money to FedEx,” Elam said in a separate e-mail that day.
Primeiro-ministro do Mali detido por militares
Primeiro-ministro do Mali detido por militares: O primeiro-ministro do Mali, Cheick Modibo Diarra, foi detido hoje por um grupo de militares, confirmaram fontes do exército, citadas pelas agências internacionais, sem explicar as razões por detrás da...
"Europa segue mesma política que levou ao Holocausto"
"Europa segue mesma política que levou ao Holocausto": O ministro dos Negócios Estrangeiros israelita, Avigdor Lieberman, acusou hoje a Europa de adotar uma política hostil para com os judeus, semelhante à do "final dos anos 30", reagindo à condenação pela..
Quase um milhão sofre de distúrbios alimentares
Quase um milhão sofre de distúrbios alimentares: Quase um milhão de pessoas na Austrália, a maioria das quais do sexo feminino, sofre de anorexia, bulimia ou de outro tipo de distúrbios alimentares, indica um relatório divulgado hoje.
Sheryl Sandberg offloads $41.5m in Facebook shares in just 6 weeks
Chief Operating Officer ditched $26m as a little Xmas bonus
Facebook's Chief Operating Officer has divested herself of MORE Facebook shares, ditching just under a million on Friday and netting a cool $26.2m. A little something for Christmas, perhaps?…
Facebook's Chief Operating Officer has divested herself of MORE Facebook shares, ditching just under a million on Friday and netting a cool $26.2m. A little something for Christmas, perhaps?…
India mulls probe into Wal-Mart lobbying
India mulls probe into Wal-Mart lobbying: NEW DELHI/MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's government said it was prepared to launch an inquiry into lobbying by Wal-Mart Stores Inc., buckling under an opposition campaign to discredit a flagship economic policy.
Lufthansa cabin staff accepts pay deal
Lufthansa cabin staff accepts pay deal: A fierce wage dispute at German carrier Lufthansa has finally come to an end as cabin crews agreed to a wage deal brokered by an arbiter. The flight attendants accepted a lower pay raise in exchange for job guarantees.
Mayan apocalypse: Chinese farmer builds survival pods in case of a disaster
Mayan apocalypse: Chinese farmer builds survival pods in case of a disaster: A Chinese farmer has designed survival pods in case of disaster.
A Clinical Trial and Suicide Leave Many Questions: Part 1: Consent?
The suicide of Dan Markingson, a 26 year old man participating in a psychiatric trial, has again made the news, and will serve us for a life-time of study and discussion of research ethics, along with the TeGenero and Jesse Gelsinger cases.
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Swedish food third most expensive in Europe
Swedish food third most expensive in Europe: Sweden is the third most expensive culinary nation in Europe, with prices 20 per cent above the EU average, reports news agency TT. The most expensive is Norway, with Denmark as a close second.Swedish fruit, vegetables and potatoes are the second most expensive in Europe, after Norway. In contrast, the fish, milk, cheese and eggs, are slightly cheaper than the EU average.The cheapest food is found in Bulgaria, according to new statistics from Eurostat and Statistics Sweden.
Monday, 10 December 2012
Abitibibowater wins Canada case on environmental cleanup costs
Abitibibowater wins Canada case on environmental cleanup costs: OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Supreme Court of Canada ruled on Friday in favor of newsprint maker Abitibibowater Inc, which now operates as Resolute Forest Products Inc, in a case on liability for environmental cleanup costs in Newfoundland.
Grassland Carbon Storage
Grassland Carbon Storage: Plants "breathe in" CO2 and create biological mass. This is a form of sequestration. Forests, grasslands and shrublands and other ecosystems in the West sequester nearly 100 million tons of carbon each year, according to a Department of the Interior recent report. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica. In temperate latitudes, such as northwestern Europe and the Great Plains and California in North America, native grasslands are dominated by perennial bunch grass species, whereas in warmer climates annual species form a greater component of the vegetation. Carbon that is absorbed through natural processes reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The 100 million tons sequestered in western ecosystems is an amount equivalent to – and counterbalances the emissions of – more than 83 million passenger cars a year in the United States, or nearly 5 percent of EPA’s 2010 estimate of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
NOAA predicts sea level will rise 0.2 to 2 meters by 2100
NOAA predicts sea level will rise 0.2 to 2 meters by 2100: The worst potential scenario for sea level rise around the US coastline this century is more than two meters, says an authoritative report issued today by NOAA's Climate Program Office. Regardless of how much warming occurs over the next 100 years, sea level rise is not expected to stop in 2100. More than 8 million people in the US live in areas at risk of coastal flooding. Along the Atlantic Coast alone, almost 60 percent of the land that is within a meter of sea level is planned for further development, with inadequate information on the potential rates and amount of sea level rise.
Despair after climate conference, but U.N. still offers hope
Despair after climate conference, but U.N. still offers hope: DOHA (Reuters) - At the end of another lavishly-funded U.N. conference that yielded no progress on curbing greenhouse emissions, many of those most concerned about climate change are close to despair.
Glencore gets Chinese go-ahead for 6.1bn Viterra buy
Glencore gets Chinese go-ahead for 6.1bn Viterra buy: Zurich (AFP) Dec 07, 2012
The Swiss commodities giant Glencore said Friday that Chinese authorities have approved its purchase of the Canadian agri-business group Viterra and that it had thus cleared the last regulatory hurdle to the $6.1-billion deal.
"This was the final outstanding regulatory approval of Glencore's acquisition of Viterra," the Swiss company said in a statement
The Swiss commodities giant Glencore said Friday that Chinese authorities have approved its purchase of the Canadian agri-business group Viterra and that it had thus cleared the last regulatory hurdle to the $6.1-billion deal.
"This was the final outstanding regulatory approval of Glencore's acquisition of Viterra," the Swiss company said in a statement
Gravity and Plants
Gravity and Plants: When one examines the roots of a plant, one sees a tangled mess of tendrils. It is well known that plant growth patterns are influenced by a variety of stimuli, gravity being one amongst many. On Earth plant roots exhibit characteristic behaviors called waving and skewing, which were thought to be gravity-dependent events. This is how the roots develop and grow in terms of direction and changes in direction. However, Arabidopsis plants grown on the International Space Station (ISS) have proved this theory wrong, according to a study published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Plant Biology: root waving and skewing occur in spaceflight plants independently of gravity.
Arctic Report Card 2012
Arctic Report Card 2012: The 2012 Arctic Report Card is an annual description of the state of the Arctic that is sponsored by NOAA. The first Arctic Report Card was published in in 2006. Nearly 150 scientists from 15 countries contributed to this year's report. A major finding of the Report Card 2012 is that numerous record-setting melting events occurred, even though, with the exception of a few limited episodes, Arctic-wide it was an unremarkable year, relative to the previous decade, for a primary driver of melting - surface air temperatures. From October 2011 through August 2012, positive (warm) temperature anomalies were relatively small over the central Arctic compared to conditions in recent years (2003-2010). Yet, in spite of these relatively moderate conditions, new records were set for sea ice extent, terrestrial snow extent, melting at the surface of the Greenland ice sheet, and permafrost temperature.
100 Million Electric Miles: Chevy Volts Reach Milestone
100 Million Electric Miles: Chevy Volts Reach Milestone: Chevrolet Volt owners collectively have driven more than 100 million all-electric miles since the vehicle went on sale two years ago this month. The average Volt owner travels more than 65 percent of the time in pure electric mode as the car was designed – only using the gasoline-powered generator for longer trips. By charging regularly, Volt owners drive approximately 900 miles, or a month and a half, between fill-ups. However, many Volt owners quickly exceed that average, based on an EPA-estimated 98 MPGe that puts electric-only range at 35 mpg city and 40 mpg on the highway.
New Concerns Over Lead Exposure
New Concerns Over Lead Exposure: Is Lead exposure limits set low enough? There is strong evidence that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) general industry standards for lead exposure, set more than 30 years ago, are inadequate to protect worker populations. A report by the National academies conducted at the request of the Department of Defense (DOD), whose employees at military firing ranges are exposed to lead recurrently when they handle ammunition, conduct maintenance on ranges, and breathe lead dust released into the air by gunfire. Lead is a highly poisonous metal (regardless if inhaled or swallowed), affecting almost every organ and system in the body. The main target for lead toxicity is the nervous system, both in adults and children. There are other potential body toxic effects too.
Salmon to Blame for Upstream Contaminants
Salmon to Blame for Upstream Contaminants: As water in streams and rivers flow, pollutants and contaminants that come from urban, agricultural, and industrial runoff are carried downstream. But how and why are scientists finding contaminants upstream of industries and developments? The culprit: salmon. Research by University of Notre Dame stream ecologist Gary Lamberti and his laboratory has revealed that salmon, as they travel upstream to spawn and die, carry industrial pollutants into Great Lakes streams and tributaries. The team advises, if you plan on catching and eating fish from a Lake Michigan tributary with a strong salmon run, the fish may be contaminated by pollutants.
Hollande under fire for lawsuit move
Hollande under fire for lawsuit move: The French president has been accused of improper interference after writing to a court to back a defamation case brought by his partner
Belarus negotiator hints at Kyoto exit, says others could follow
Belarus negotiator hints at Kyoto exit, says others could follow: DOHA/LONDON (Reuters) - Belarus, one of three fossil-fuel reliant states outmanoeuvred at Kyoto pact talks by small island states endangered by climate change, said it may consider quitting the process and Ukraine and Kazakhstan may do the same.
EU receives Nobel for building "continent of peace"
EU receives Nobel for building "continent of peace": OSLO (Reuters) - The European Union will receive the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize at a ceremony in Oslo on Monday, honored by the Norwegian committee for bringing decades of peace and democracy to Europe after the horrors and division of two world wars.
Elusive rare cat filmed up close
Elusive rare cat filmed up close: A Sunda clouded leopard, one of the world's most enigmatic cats, is filmed up close.
Sub-Antarctic lake to be explored
Sub-Antarctic lake to be explored: Final checks are under way in Antarctica before the launch of a daring attempt to investigate an ancient lake beneath the ice-sheet.
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