Monday, 3 December 2012
Large power cut in Stockholm
Large power cut in Stockholm: A major power cut hit parts of southern Stockholm Monday afternoon, bringing parts of the underground train network to a standstill, as well as putting out traffic lights.
US charges accountants over China
US charges accountants over China: The US financial regulator charges the Chinese units of five accounting firms, including the "Big Four", over refusing to hand over auditing data.
Loss of income caused by banks as bad as a 'world war', says BoE's Andrew Haldane
Loss of income caused by banks as bad as a 'world war', says BoE's Andrew Haldane: The economic impact of the global financial crisis has been as bad as a world war and as a result public anger at banks was reasonable and understandable, said Andrew Haldane, a senior Bank of England official.
UN to withdraw non-essential staff from Syria
UN to withdraw non-essential staff from Syria:
Missions to Syria cancelled and remaining staff on standby to move, in final step before full-scale evacuation
The United Nations is preparing to evacuate all non-essential staff from Syria and put those who remain in the country on standby to move to places of safety.
Citing the "prevailing security situation", the organisation has also cancelled all missions to Syria from abroad and suspended its activities inside the war-ravaged country.
The announcement was made by the UN's under-secretary for safety and security, Gregory Starr, on Monday afternoon. It marks the final step before a full-scale evacuation, a move that has not been ordered at any point during Syria's steady descent into chaos over the past 20 months.
The UN has kept an increasingly low profile in Syria since early in the summer. Most other international organisations, including the Arab League, have sharply wound back their work inside the country.
The Assad regime saw the first high-profile departure from its ranks in recent months on Monday with the apparent sacking of the foreign ministry spokesman, Jihad Makdissi. He has left Damascus, reportedly for London.
Fighting continued in Damascus for a fifth day, with the international airport again receiving no flights, although unlike late last week it notionally remained open. Regime forces clashed with rebels nearby throughout the day.
Intense outgoing rocket fire could be heard from behind the Kass Youn mountain, on the city's eastern fringe. The rockets appeared to be aimed at rebel strongholds on the rural outskirts of the capital, particularly Darraya, which has remained a staunch opposition hub despite months of security sweeps by regime troops and bombing by jets.
The fighting in the capital is the most significant challenge to the power base of the Assad regime since mid-July, when rebel groups launched a co-ordinated raid. That assault was put down by loyalist army divisions within a fortnight. The latest assault comes on the back of steady gains in rebel capabilities in the north and near Damascus.
Makdissi had been a forceful defender of the regime since the earliest days of insurrection. However, the once prolific Twitter user had not posted since late October and had been almost invisible in Syrian and foreign media for weeks. His sacking was announced by the Beirut-based Hezbollah TV station al-Manar, which claimed he had been removed because his stances were at odds with regime views. It is not yet clear whether he has defected.
Syria denied it planned to use its chemical weapons stockpile, after reports that the US had observed officials moving some components of the programme. "Syria has stressed repeatedly that it will not use these types of weapons, if they were available, under any circumstances against its people," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
The US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, who had earlier warned that Washington would take action if Syria used its chemical weapons, said: "I am not going to telegraph any specifics what we do in the event of credible evidence that the Assad regime has resorted to using chemical weapons against their own people, but suffice to say we are certainly planning to take action if that eventuality were to occur."
Also on Monday, a Lebanese MP confirmed that phone recordings of weapons transfers from Turkey to Syrian rebels, published in Lebanese media outlets including al-Akhbar and New TV, were of his voice. Orkab Sakr, who is aligned to the Future political bloc of the exiled opposition leader Saad Hariri, confirmed that he had organised the transfer of weapons to Syria. However, he said his activities for Hariri, who acts as the de facto head of the Sunni community in Syria as well as Lebanon, were limited to humanitarian missions.
Save the Children claimed on Monday that an aid shortfall of more than $200m was hindering relief efforts as winter sets in. More than 400,000 refugees are thought to be living in temporary accommodation outside Syria, and many more are expected to flee.
The United Nations is preparing to evacuate all non-essential staff from Syria and put those who remain in the country on standby to move to places of safety.
Citing the "prevailing security situation", the organisation has also cancelled all missions to Syria from abroad and suspended its activities inside the war-ravaged country.
The announcement was made by the UN's under-secretary for safety and security, Gregory Starr, on Monday afternoon. It marks the final step before a full-scale evacuation, a move that has not been ordered at any point during Syria's steady descent into chaos over the past 20 months.
The UN has kept an increasingly low profile in Syria since early in the summer. Most other international organisations, including the Arab League, have sharply wound back their work inside the country.
The Assad regime saw the first high-profile departure from its ranks in recent months on Monday with the apparent sacking of the foreign ministry spokesman, Jihad Makdissi. He has left Damascus, reportedly for London.
Fighting continued in Damascus for a fifth day, with the international airport again receiving no flights, although unlike late last week it notionally remained open. Regime forces clashed with rebels nearby throughout the day.
Intense outgoing rocket fire could be heard from behind the Kass Youn mountain, on the city's eastern fringe. The rockets appeared to be aimed at rebel strongholds on the rural outskirts of the capital, particularly Darraya, which has remained a staunch opposition hub despite months of security sweeps by regime troops and bombing by jets.
The fighting in the capital is the most significant challenge to the power base of the Assad regime since mid-July, when rebel groups launched a co-ordinated raid. That assault was put down by loyalist army divisions within a fortnight. The latest assault comes on the back of steady gains in rebel capabilities in the north and near Damascus.
Makdissi had been a forceful defender of the regime since the earliest days of insurrection. However, the once prolific Twitter user had not posted since late October and had been almost invisible in Syrian and foreign media for weeks. His sacking was announced by the Beirut-based Hezbollah TV station al-Manar, which claimed he had been removed because his stances were at odds with regime views. It is not yet clear whether he has defected.
Syria denied it planned to use its chemical weapons stockpile, after reports that the US had observed officials moving some components of the programme. "Syria has stressed repeatedly that it will not use these types of weapons, if they were available, under any circumstances against its people," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
The US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, who had earlier warned that Washington would take action if Syria used its chemical weapons, said: "I am not going to telegraph any specifics what we do in the event of credible evidence that the Assad regime has resorted to using chemical weapons against their own people, but suffice to say we are certainly planning to take action if that eventuality were to occur."
Also on Monday, a Lebanese MP confirmed that phone recordings of weapons transfers from Turkey to Syrian rebels, published in Lebanese media outlets including al-Akhbar and New TV, were of his voice. Orkab Sakr, who is aligned to the Future political bloc of the exiled opposition leader Saad Hariri, confirmed that he had organised the transfer of weapons to Syria. However, he said his activities for Hariri, who acts as the de facto head of the Sunni community in Syria as well as Lebanon, were limited to humanitarian missions.
Save the Children claimed on Monday that an aid shortfall of more than $200m was hindering relief efforts as winter sets in. More than 400,000 refugees are thought to be living in temporary accommodation outside Syria, and many more are expected to flee.
When Self-Published Ebooks Become Best-Sellers
When Self-Published Ebooks Become Best-Sellers: What do publishers do in a world where anyone can publish a book? It's a question with a good answer.
Amsterdam to create 'scum villages'
Amsterdam to create 'scum villages': Amsterdam is to create "Scum villages" where nuisance neighbours and anti-social tenants will be exiled from the city and rehoused in caravans or containers with "minimal services" under constant police supervision.
Study finds multiple pollutants in women, can be passed on to babies
Study finds multiple pollutants in women, can be passed on to babies: Our bodies accumulate toxins and chemicals throughout our lifetime. From what we eat, to what we breath, environmental toxins like lead, mercury and PCBs that do not easily break down can be stored in our own fatty tissues. While it is unsure whether the co-exposure of these chemicals is more harmful that to each one separately, a new study shows that several risk factors are associated with a higher chance of median blood levels for these contaminants. In an analysis of data on over three thousand women, Brown University researchers concluded that all but 17.3 percent of the women aged 16 to 49 were at or above the median blood level for one or more of these chemicals, which can then passed to fetuses and babies.
2,000 primary pupils arrested for naughtiness
2,000 primary pupils arrested for naughtiness: Six primary school children are being arrested every day leading to youngsters being criminalised for behaviour that was once written off as naughtiness, a report claims.
David Cameron banned ministers from speaking to Dalai Lama
David Cameron banned ministers from speaking to Dalai Lama: David Cameron banned all contact with the Dalai Lama during crunch talks with Chinese Government over Euro bailout package earlier this year, leaked documents show.
Tax hitmen to track your spending
Tax hitmen to track your spending: Up to two million people are to have their credit files secretly checked under a crackdown on tax evasion to be unveiled by George Osborne to help raise another £10 billion.
Finnish Girl’s Laptop Seized Over Online Piracy
Finnish Girl’s Laptop Seized Over Online Piracy:
A file photo taken on April 18, 2009, shows supporters of The Pirate Bay website, one of the world's top torrent websites, demonstrating in Stockholm. (Fredrik Persson/AFP/Getty Images)
The father of a 10-year-old child in Finland paid a $390 fine to a Finnish anti-piracy organization, which also took the girl’s laptop, it was reported last week.
The girl searched the torrent site The Pirate Bay to download an album from Finnish pop star Chisu, but her father told the BBC that they were not able to download it. They purchased the album the next day.
The father, who was identified as Aki Nylund, told TorrentFreak that he was not happy with the anti-piracy organization’s demands.
“I got the feeling that there had been people from the mafia demanding money at the door,” Nylund told the site.
The country’s Copyright Information and Anti-Piracy Center discovered that the father’s ISP account was connected with The Pirate Bay.
“We have now reached a settlement in the matter. The police investigation has stopped and the rights holders have been compensated. All parties involved are satisfied with the settlement,” a representative with the organization told the BBC.
A file photo taken on April 18, 2009, shows supporters of The Pirate Bay website, one of the world's top torrent websites, demonstrating in Stockholm. (Fredrik Persson/AFP/Getty Images)
The girl searched the torrent site The Pirate Bay to download an album from Finnish pop star Chisu, but her father told the BBC that they were not able to download it. They purchased the album the next day.
The father, who was identified as Aki Nylund, told TorrentFreak that he was not happy with the anti-piracy organization’s demands.
“I got the feeling that there had been people from the mafia demanding money at the door,” Nylund told the site.
The country’s Copyright Information and Anti-Piracy Center discovered that the father’s ISP account was connected with The Pirate Bay.
“We have now reached a settlement in the matter. The police investigation has stopped and the rights holders have been compensated. All parties involved are satisfied with the settlement,” a representative with the organization told the BBC.
Confessions d'un Nobel
Confessions d'un Nobel:
El premi Nobel de Literatura 2012, el xinès Mo Yan, arriba per primer cop en català amb la publicació de ‘Canvis'
El premi Nobel de Literatura 2012, el xinès Mo Yan, arriba per primer cop en català amb la publicació de ‘Canvis'
Hungarians demonstrate against anti-Semitism
Hungarians demonstrate against anti-Semitism: Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Budapest to protest against comments made by a far-right member of parliament. The Jobbik MP called for Jews to be screened to see if they were security risks.
VIDEO: UN warns Israel of peace 'blow'
VIDEO: UN warns Israel of peace 'blow': The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, has warned that Israeli plans for thousands of new settler homes in East Jerusalem and the West Bank would deliver an almost fatal blow to chances of a peace deal with the Palestinians.
Incendian sede priista en Sonora
Incendian sede priista en Sonora: Un grupo que se identificó como anarquista incendió con bombas molotov esta madrugada la sede del PRI en San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora.
Sunday, 2 December 2012
Papandreous deny Swiss cash claims
Papandreous deny Swiss cash claims: Margaret Papandreou, whose son George was prime minister, is named as the beneficial owner of a Swiss bank account holding €550m
Delta in talks to buy Virgin stake
Delta in talks to buy Virgin stake: Economic outlook and the lure of Virgin’s Heathrow slots prompt US airline to again target Singapore Airlines’ holding, says a person close to deal
Chinese carmakers head for Brazil
Chinese carmakers head for Brazil: A surge in car ownership among the country’s booming middle classes proves lucrative for the Chinese companies and their cheap vehicles
Council uses thermal-imaging to tackle illegally housed migrant workers
Council uses thermal-imaging to tackle illegally housed migrant workers: Thermal-imaging cameras are being use by a council to flush out migrant workers living in sheds and primitive outhousing.
Disturbios, atentado a Ciudad.-Mondragón
Disturbios, atentado a Ciudad.-Mondragón: Manuel Mondragón, subsecretario de la SSP, consideró que los hechos violentos de ayer fueron un atentado dirigido contra personas e instituciones.
Netanyahu brushes off world condemnation of settlement plans
Netanyahu brushes off world condemnation of settlement plans: JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday brushed off world condemnation of Israel's plans to expand Jewish settlements after the Palestinians won de facto U.N. recognition of statehood.
Israel bloqueia dinheiros para a Autoridade Palestiniana
Israel bloqueia dinheiros para a Autoridade Palestiniana: O Governo israelita anunciou o bloqueio das verbas que recebe em nome da Autoridade Palestiniana como uma das sanções aos palestinianos em resultado da sua iniciativa nas Nações Unidas para obterem o...
Instagram Will Monetize For Facebook As Always By Testing Solutions One Week At A Time
Instagram Will Monetize For Facebook As Always By Testing Solutions One Week At A Time: Instagram co-founder Mike Krieger gave a presentation on Friday at the 500 Startups Warm Gun Design Conference in San Francisco. Design is ascendant at tech companies, particularly in San Francisco, and Warm Gun highlights the way it drives results for companies. Many of the speakers echoed the same themes: make it easy, make it fast, make it simple.
Stem cells being made from blood
Stem cells being made from blood: A patient's own blood has been used to make personalised stem cells, which doctors hope can be used to treat a range of diseases.
Mysterious Atmospheric River Soaks California, Where Megaflood May Be Overdue
Mysterious Atmospheric River Soaks California, Where Megaflood May Be Overdue: Northern California is experiencing the first days of what weather forecasters are warning will be a long series of torrential rainstorms that could cause serious flooding across the northern one-third of the state. The relentless storms are being driven by a feature in the atmosphere you have probably never heard of: an atmospheric river. [More]
Drought Drops Lake Michigan Water to Near Record Low
Drought Drops Lake Michigan Water to Near Record Low:
By Sam Nelson
CHICAGO (Reuters) - The worst drought in the United States in over a half century slashed crop output, snarled river transportation and is now drawing down water in the U.S. [More]
By Sam Nelson
CHICAGO (Reuters) - The worst drought in the United States in over a half century slashed crop output, snarled river transportation and is now drawing down water in the U.S. [More]
U.S. Launches New Project to Develop Electric-Vehicle Batteries
U.S. Launches New Project to Develop Electric-Vehicle Batteries:
By Ayesha Rascoe
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration launched a fresh $120-million research project Friday, aimed at developing cheaper batteries for electric vehicles, a sector that has faltered despite billions of dollars of prior government investment.
The Energy Department will dole out the money over five years to establish a research hub for batteries and energy storage, backed by five national laboratories, five Midwestern universities and four private firms.
The four companies joining the project are Dow Chemical Co, Applied Materials Inc, Johnson Controls Inc and Clean Energy Trust.
During the Obama administration's first term, jump-starting advanced battery manufacturing was a major national initiative, which saw the Energy Department plow $2 billion of grants into 29 battery makers to build or update plants.
But the industry was hobbled by overcapacity, limp demand for electric vehicles and high-profile bankruptcies, including the collapse of government-backed battery maker A123.
Still, the government defended its efforts, saying that despite some failures, most of its investments were successful and helped double renewable-energy output from wind and solar.
"Not every company succeeds," Energy Secretary Steven Chu said at a news conference Friday announcing the new project. [More]
By Ayesha Rascoe
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration launched a fresh $120-million research project Friday, aimed at developing cheaper batteries for electric vehicles, a sector that has faltered despite billions of dollars of prior government investment.
The Energy Department will dole out the money over five years to establish a research hub for batteries and energy storage, backed by five national laboratories, five Midwestern universities and four private firms.
The four companies joining the project are Dow Chemical Co, Applied Materials Inc, Johnson Controls Inc and Clean Energy Trust.
During the Obama administration's first term, jump-starting advanced battery manufacturing was a major national initiative, which saw the Energy Department plow $2 billion of grants into 29 battery makers to build or update plants.
But the industry was hobbled by overcapacity, limp demand for electric vehicles and high-profile bankruptcies, including the collapse of government-backed battery maker A123.
Still, the government defended its efforts, saying that despite some failures, most of its investments were successful and helped double renewable-energy output from wind and solar.
"Not every company succeeds," Energy Secretary Steven Chu said at a news conference Friday announcing the new project. [More]
DNA directly photographed for first time
DNA directly photographed for first time:
Fifty-nine years after James Watson and Francis Crick deduced the double-helix structure of DNA, a scientist has captured the first direct photograph of the twisted ladder that props up life.
Fifty-nine years after James Watson and Francis Crick deduced the double-helix structure of DNA, a scientist has captured the first direct photograph of the twisted ladder that props up life.
Enrique Peña Nieto takes office as Mexico's president
Enrique Peña Nieto takes office as Mexico's president: Violent protests greet inauguration of PRI candidate who brings party back into government after 12 years
Enrique Peña Nieto has formally taken office as Mexico's new president with a vow to restore peace and security and tackle vested interests that have hindered economic prosperity.
As several hundred protesters threw firebombs at police and smashed windows, Peña Nieto marked the return of the Institutional Revolutionary party (PRI) with a 13-point plan including populist handouts as well as reforms designed to boost the economy and modernise the education and justice systems.
"Mexico has not achieved the advances that the population demands or deserves," Peña Nieto said. "It's time for us together to break the myths and paradigms and all else that has limited our development."
Inaugural events were marred all day by protesters opposed to the return of the PRI after 12 years out of power.
Inside and outside the congressional chambers where he took the oath of office, his opponents called his inauguration an "imposition" of a party that ruled for 71 years using a mix of handouts, graft and rigged elections. At least four demonstrators and four officers were injured as protesters clashed with police who used teargas and 65 people were detained.
Vandals smashed windows of stores, banks and a hotel and made bonfires of furniture dragged into the streets. One downtown bank office where all the windows were broken had the words "Welcome Peña" painted across the facade in green.
Peña Nieto countered with a speech full of specifics, from creating an integrated crime prevention program to ending the patronage and buying of teacher positions that rules the public education system.
He said he would put security at the centre of all policies for Mexicans and their families and would work to ensure that roads and cities were again "peaceful areas where Mexicans can travel safely without fear of loss of their liberty or life".
Mexico has suffered a spike in violence since the outgoing president, Felipe Calderón launched an offensive against organised crime upon taking office six years ago. An estimated 60,000 people have been killed by drug violence since then. While officials first said most of the victims were involved in organised crime, the killings and kidnapping spread to innocent civilians as drug gangs came to rule entire towns and even parts of some states.
In his speech, Peña Nieto turned to his usual style of results-oriented governing with the list, having started his term as governor of Mexico state with 608 projects that he promised to complete.
The tone of was conciliatory, an attempt to alleviate fears about a return to the PRI's autocratic past. "I will respect every voice," he said. "I will run an open government that speaks with honesty, seeks opinion, listens to its citizens ... I will be a president who is close to the people."
Many of his proposals harkened back to the old populist PRI, promising pensions for the elderly, life insurance for single mothers to support their children through college, a program to end hunger and a new system of passenger trains.
The political analyst Jesus Silva-Herzog Marquez said: "It was very concrete, very practical, zero ideology. I think Peña Nieto is not a person who thinks in abstract terms."
Before he took the oath of office, leftist congressional members inside the chamber gave protest speeches and hung banners, including a giant one reading "Imposition consummated. Mexico mourns".
"One word sums up December 1: restoration. The return to the past," said Congressman Ricardo Monreal of the Citizens' Movement party.
Peña Nieto had campaigned as the new face of the PRI, repentant and reconstructed after being voted out of the presidency in 2000.
Before his public swearing-in on Saturday hundreds of opponents banged on tall steel security barriers around Congress, threw stones, bottle rockets and firecrackers at police and yelled "Mexico without PRI!" Police responded by spraying teargas from a truck and used fire extinguishers to put out flames from petrol bombs. One group of protesters rammed and dented the barrier with a large truck before being driven off by police water cannon.
"We're against the oppression, the imposition of a person," said Alejandro, 25, a student protester. "He gave groceries, money and a lot more so people would vote for him."
"The president is like Salinas: 'I don't see you, I don't hear you,'" said Aurelio Medina, 64, a vendor and protestor referring to the former PRI President Carlos Salinas de Gortari.
Despite the public protests, the atmosphere inside Congress during the swearing-in ceremony was far less chaotic than six years ago, when a Calderón security unit literally had to muscle him past blockades and protesters to get him into the building so he could take the oath of office after a razor-thin disputed victory over a leftist candidate.
Enrique Peña Nieto has formally taken office as Mexico's new president with a vow to restore peace and security and tackle vested interests that have hindered economic prosperity.
As several hundred protesters threw firebombs at police and smashed windows, Peña Nieto marked the return of the Institutional Revolutionary party (PRI) with a 13-point plan including populist handouts as well as reforms designed to boost the economy and modernise the education and justice systems.
"Mexico has not achieved the advances that the population demands or deserves," Peña Nieto said. "It's time for us together to break the myths and paradigms and all else that has limited our development."
Inaugural events were marred all day by protesters opposed to the return of the PRI after 12 years out of power.
Inside and outside the congressional chambers where he took the oath of office, his opponents called his inauguration an "imposition" of a party that ruled for 71 years using a mix of handouts, graft and rigged elections. At least four demonstrators and four officers were injured as protesters clashed with police who used teargas and 65 people were detained.
Vandals smashed windows of stores, banks and a hotel and made bonfires of furniture dragged into the streets. One downtown bank office where all the windows were broken had the words "Welcome Peña" painted across the facade in green.
Peña Nieto countered with a speech full of specifics, from creating an integrated crime prevention program to ending the patronage and buying of teacher positions that rules the public education system.
He said he would put security at the centre of all policies for Mexicans and their families and would work to ensure that roads and cities were again "peaceful areas where Mexicans can travel safely without fear of loss of their liberty or life".
Mexico has suffered a spike in violence since the outgoing president, Felipe Calderón launched an offensive against organised crime upon taking office six years ago. An estimated 60,000 people have been killed by drug violence since then. While officials first said most of the victims were involved in organised crime, the killings and kidnapping spread to innocent civilians as drug gangs came to rule entire towns and even parts of some states.
In his speech, Peña Nieto turned to his usual style of results-oriented governing with the list, having started his term as governor of Mexico state with 608 projects that he promised to complete.
The tone of was conciliatory, an attempt to alleviate fears about a return to the PRI's autocratic past. "I will respect every voice," he said. "I will run an open government that speaks with honesty, seeks opinion, listens to its citizens ... I will be a president who is close to the people."
Many of his proposals harkened back to the old populist PRI, promising pensions for the elderly, life insurance for single mothers to support their children through college, a program to end hunger and a new system of passenger trains.
The political analyst Jesus Silva-Herzog Marquez said: "It was very concrete, very practical, zero ideology. I think Peña Nieto is not a person who thinks in abstract terms."
Before he took the oath of office, leftist congressional members inside the chamber gave protest speeches and hung banners, including a giant one reading "Imposition consummated. Mexico mourns".
"One word sums up December 1: restoration. The return to the past," said Congressman Ricardo Monreal of the Citizens' Movement party.
Peña Nieto had campaigned as the new face of the PRI, repentant and reconstructed after being voted out of the presidency in 2000.
Before his public swearing-in on Saturday hundreds of opponents banged on tall steel security barriers around Congress, threw stones, bottle rockets and firecrackers at police and yelled "Mexico without PRI!" Police responded by spraying teargas from a truck and used fire extinguishers to put out flames from petrol bombs. One group of protesters rammed and dented the barrier with a large truck before being driven off by police water cannon.
"We're against the oppression, the imposition of a person," said Alejandro, 25, a student protester. "He gave groceries, money and a lot more so people would vote for him."
"The president is like Salinas: 'I don't see you, I don't hear you,'" said Aurelio Medina, 64, a vendor and protestor referring to the former PRI President Carlos Salinas de Gortari.
Despite the public protests, the atmosphere inside Congress during the swearing-in ceremony was far less chaotic than six years ago, when a Calderón security unit literally had to muscle him past blockades and protesters to get him into the building so he could take the oath of office after a razor-thin disputed victory over a leftist candidate.
Fracking firm ready to press on
Fracking firm ready to press on: The head of a company involved in fracking says it is ready to press on quickly with shale gas production if a UK ban on the technique is lifted.
Free school in row over plans to scrap religious education
Free school in row over plans to scrap religious education: One of the Government's flagship free schools has become the first in England to try to abolish religious education lessons.
The secret behind a Stradivarius - imperfection
The secret behind a Stradivarius - imperfection: Scientists use cutting-edge technology to reveal the mystery behind a Strad's masterful sound.
Saturday, 1 December 2012
Pledges to Fight Global Warming Inadequate, U.S. Off Track: Study
Pledges to Fight Global Warming Inadequate, U.S. Off Track: Study:
By Alister Doyle and Marton Kruppa
DOHA (Reuters) - Major nations' policies are inadequate to limit global warming and the United States is off track even in carrying out its weak pledge to limit greenhouse gas emissions, a scientific scorecard showed on Friday.
The Climate Action Tracker report, issued on the sidelines of talks among almost 200 countries in Doha about climate change, said a toughening of policies was still possible to avert damaging floods, heat waves and rising seas.
Major emitters China, the United States, the European Union and Russia all got "inadequate" ratings for their plans to help limit global warming to an agreed U.N. [More]
By Alister Doyle and Marton Kruppa
DOHA (Reuters) - Major nations' policies are inadequate to limit global warming and the United States is off track even in carrying out its weak pledge to limit greenhouse gas emissions, a scientific scorecard showed on Friday.
The Climate Action Tracker report, issued on the sidelines of talks among almost 200 countries in Doha about climate change, said a toughening of policies was still possible to avert damaging floods, heat waves and rising seas.
Major emitters China, the United States, the European Union and Russia all got "inadequate" ratings for their plans to help limit global warming to an agreed U.N. [More]
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