North Korea test-fires seven missiles
NORTH Korea has fired seven missiles on the eve of US Independence Day celebrations, increasing tensions. Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:08:00 GMT
Iran hangs 20 drug traffickers
IRAN hanged 20 drug traffickers today, official media reported, days after putting to death 12 other convicted criminals. Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:30:00 GMT
Nine Russian police killed in attack
NINE Chechen police were killed when militants fired on their car from a forest in the neighbouring Russian region of Ingushetia, one of the deadliest recent attacks in the volatile Caucasus. Sat, 04 Jul 2009 07:28:00 GMT
150,000 evacuated in south China
TORRENTIAL rain battering southern China has forced more than 150,000 people from their homes, toppled hundreds of houses and punched a dangerous hole in the spillway of a dam, Xinhua news agency reported. Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:51:00 GMT
In the News
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 07:00:00 +0200
Reckless Teens Think Death is Near The longstanding notion that teens engage in risky behavior because they feel a sense of immortality and invincibility is being challenged by new data that suggest that 15 percent of American teens think they will die before the age of 35. This fatalistic attitude prompts them to engage in risky behavior like drug use, fighting, unprotected sex, and other unsafe activities, increasing the chances that they will be arrested, contract HIV, or attempt suicide. Ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status were all linked to the teens’ outlook, with members of minorities and those from low-income households most likely to have a negative view of the future. Discuss
Sat, 4 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST
Which Birthday Marks the Start of Old Age? According to a US national survey on aging, the older people become, the younger they feel and the more likely they are to perceive "old age" as occurring later in life. The survey found not only that a gap exists between actual age and the age people say they feel, but also that this discrepancy increases with age. While, on average, survey respondents said old age begins at 68, people in the 30 to 64 age group maintained that it begins at around 70 and those 65 and older pushed the limit to 74. Respondents under 30, meanwhile, said they consider 60 the beginning of old age.
Fri, 3 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST
Researchers Hope to Block Type 1 Diabetes Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own cells mistakenly attack insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone crucial to the process of converting sugar to energy. Patients who suffer from this form of diabetes must rely on regular insulin injections in order to survive, but researchers are looking for a new way to treat diabetes, and their approach involves attacking the disease at its root. They are working to create a vaccine that will selectively shut down the immune system cells attacking the pancreas, thereby preventing the damage that necessitates later insulin injections.
Thai burglar falls asleep on the job
A Thai thief broke into a house but promptly fell asleep inside before stealing anything, police said on Friday. Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:36:00 +0200
Kiwi airline bares all for safety
New Zealand's national airline has started featuring nude cabin crew in their pre-flight safety videos to encourage passengers to pay attention. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:29:00 +0200
Priest blames holy wine for drink-driving
An Italian priest caught driving over the alcohol limit pleaded to police that it was only because of the Holy Wine he had drunk as part of the mass. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:37:00 +0200
Angry Russian boss pays workers in coins
Two Russian women got an unpleasant surprise when their former boss paid them more than $1 000 to settle a labour dispute Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:42:00 +0200
'Savvy' croc outwits Aussie hunters
A large and "savvy" crocodile which snatched a pet dog just metres away from two children has outwitted a team of Australian hunters. Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:41:00 +0200
Newark, Del. Ice Skating Rink Settles Violations of Ammonia Release
PHILADELPHIA (June 30, 2009) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that The Pond, Inc. has agreed to pay a $22,980 civil penalty for allegedly failing to immediately notify emergency response agencies of a hazardous chemical release at the companyâs ice skating rink, 101 John F. Campbell Drive, Newark, Del. Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:45:02 +0200
Virginia Gas Station Owner Settles Underground Storage Tank Violations
PHILADELHPIA (June 30, 2009) -- Petro Marketing and Brokerage Company, Inc. (Petro) and Patricia and John Wynn have settled alleged violations of underground storage tank (UST) regulations at three gas stations in Virginia, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today. Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:45:02 +0200
July Is Smart Irrigation Month
(Dallas, Texas â July 1, 2009) Smart Irrigation Month is an initiative developed by the Irrigation Association designed to educate the public about the benefits of water-saving practices, products, and services. Nationwide, landscape irrigation is estimated to account for roughly one-third of all residential water use. Smart irrigation practices use less water and can promote healthy lawns and reduced water bills. Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:45:02 +0200
Federal and State Agencies to Continue Investigation of Tannery Sludge Distribution to Northwest Missouri Farms
(Kansas City, Kan., July 1, 2009) - Results from the initial phase of a federal and state investigation into the use of leather tannery sludge as agricultural fertilizer on northwest Missouri farms do not appear to indicate any health risks posed by the levels of hexavalent chromium found in a limited number of farm soil samples, but further investigation to include more soil testing at other farms will begin early this month, agency representatives announced today. Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:45:02 +0200
EPA Proposes Stringent Standards for Large Ships
WASHINGTON â The Environmental Protection Agency today announced the next steps in a coordinated strategy to slash harmful emissions from ocean-going vessels. EPA is proposing a rule under the Clean Air Act that sets tough engine and fuel standards for U.S. flagged ships that would harmonize with international standards and lead to significant air quality improvements throughout the country. Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:45:02 +0200
Egypt: Power Has Already Been Transferred
Regardless of President Mubarak's title, his son has already effectively taken over the reins of power in Egypt, steering the country toward social and economic modernity. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:37:00 GMT
Honduras Coup D'état
The coup in Honduras that removed President Zelaya poses a threat to Latin America as a whole, a region that does not want to return to an era of military dictatorship. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:22:00 GMT
Nigeria's Envy
Obama's recent visit to Ghana says much about the country's potential, but it may say even more about the country Obama chose not to visit. Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:56:00 GMT
Ceuta, the Border-fence of Europe
In the autonomous city of Ceuta, African refugees find temporary asylum leading nowhere, unable to cross into Spain, unwilling to return to the countries whence they came. Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:47:00 GMT
Aftermath of Iran's Election
The blogosphere is one of the Iranian people's only outlets of expression. Worldpress.org reviews a collection of blogs from Iranians reacting to the election and the ensuing protests and brutality. Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:10:00 GMT
Iran's Elections: A Show Designed to Delay Democracy
Iran's fraudulent elections were designed to deceive the world, and now the backlash is coming from masses opposed not only to Ahmadinejad but to the regime as a whole. Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:38:00 GMT
Romania Headed toward National Bankruptcy
The degree to which the Romanian economy has begun to crumble, in both the state and private sectors, puts the country at imminent risk or national bankruptcy. Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:47:00 GMT
Returning to Sierra Leone: No Place like Home
A native of the small African country, who fled during its civil war, returns to find the nation developing at a surprising rate, although not without pitfalls. Thu, 14 May 2009 21:52:00 GMT
The longstanding notion that 
According to a US national survey on 
