#1. The Other Darfur
Infighting in Somalia has been so bad for so long that reader — and editor — fatigue set in years ago. Which is why many Americans were surprised to hear that more than 1 million Somalis had fled their homes in 2007 in a refugee crunch whose scope and severity rival that of Darfur. "We have a major crisis," Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the top U.N. envoy for Somalia, told TIME. "And it's being ignored." The violence hampering humanitarian efforts has also kept U.N. forces at bay. It's a Catch-22, Ould-Abdallah says. "We cannot go there because there is no security, and because we don't go there, there isn't security."
#2. A Nuclear Six-Pack
In August, when six nuclear weapons were accidentally loaded onto the wing of a B-52 bomber and flown from North Dakota to Louisiana, it was not so much a case of imminent danger — experts agree that if the plane had crashed, fail-safe devices would have prevented the warheads from detonating — but rather a glaring display of how easily our nuclear safeguards can fall apart. In violation of security protocol, the crew only checked the missiles on the wing that contained dummy warheads. And the mistake, which marks the first time in nearly 40 years that nukes have flown over U.S. airspace on the wings of a bomber, went unnoticed for more than 36 hours.
#3. U.N. Dials Back AIDS Estimates
The United Nations revealed it had overestimated the number of people infected with HIV by some 6.3 million worldwide and lowered the 2007 total to 33.2 million. The reduction is based on better reporting methods, particularly in India and sub-Saharan Africa. Efforts to curb the disease also appear to be working, with the new report noting that annual infection rates likely peaked in the late 1990s. But public-health advocates worry these signs of improvement could lead to complacency. Dr. Andrew Zolopa, an HIV expert at Stanford, warns against "lowering our guard," adding that 33.2 million is "still a very big number."
#4. Undue Influence at the White House?
In July a Congressional oversight committee revealed that despite a law prohibiting most federal officials from engaging in partisan political activities, the White House praised high-ranking officials at the Office of National Drug Control Policy for appearing on behalf of as many as 18 Republicans in competitive races in the three months leading up to the 2006 election. For example, during this time period, officials appeared at two events for Missouri Senator Jim Talent, who ended up losing the election. These findings — coming just after former Surgeon General Richard Carmona testified that the White House had barred him from speaking out about such issues as stem-cell research, and amid an investigation into the firings of several U.S. Attorneys — raise even more questions about the White House's political influence over federal agencie
#5. Coming to Grips with TB
Tuberculosis — as a plane-hopping honeymooner reminded Americans this summer — isn't restricted to the developing world. According to the World Health Organization, to date 41 countries have confirmed cases of extensively drug-resistant TB. And the region with the highest level of TB treatment failures? Europe. As a result, 15% of new TB cases in Eastern Europe, the Baltic States and Central Asia are multi-drug-resistant, a rate three times higher than in any other part of the globe. Yet most doctors are still forced to use TB treatments that are some 50 years old and even more antiquated detection methods
#6. Angola's Booming Economy
After nearly three decades of civil war that ended in 2002, having claimed more than 500,000 lives, Angola was a devastated and broken nation. But five years later, thanks to increased oil production, the International Monetary Fund estimates the sub-Saharan nation's economy will have ballooned 24% this year, one of the fastest growth rates in the world. (In comparison, China's booming economy is projected to grow 11.5% this year.) The government is putting some of this wealth into new roads and public transportation, but critics worry the influx of cash is mostly lining the pockets of the elite — and building mansions in the capital city of Luanda.
#7. Obesity Rate Levels Off Among U.S. Adults
As child obesity rates continue to rise in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that obesity rates among American adults have been holding fairly steady at 34% — or some 72 million people. Although the study found no significant increase in adult obesity between 2003 and 2006, medical experts are reluctant to classify this as a victory against the obesity epidemic. "It's possible that we're just up against a ceiling," says Kelly Brownell, director of Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity.
#8. Brazil's Big Oil Find
In November, Brazil's state-run oil company Petrobas announced the largest oil discovery worldwide since 2000. Though the country is already a self-sufficient oil producer, the new Tupi field — located off the eastern coast of South America, beneath a crust of salt a mile thick in some places—could turn Brazil into a major exporter to rival Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. Brazil wasted no time in protecting the area that is expected to produce as much as 8 billion barrels of light crude oil. The day after the Petrobas announcement, the government withdrew 41 exploration blocks in the Tupi region from an auction for private companies.
#9. Earmarking — Alive and Well
Despite their party's pledge to cut back on earmarking in federal spending bills, many Democrats continue to tack on funds for pet projects. One of the biggest — and most unabashed — pork procurers is Rep. Jack Murtha of Pennsylvania. In 2007 alone, he pushed through $166.5 million in earmarks, including $23 million for the National Drug Intelligence Center, which is located in his hometown of Johnstown, Pa. Murtha, who chairs the powerful defense-appropriations committee, managed to keep funding the center even after the General Accountability Office declared it was not only a waste of money, but a duplication of intelligence work being done elsewhere.
#10. Déjà Vu in East Africa
In what looks alarmingly like the lead-up to the border war that killed 70,000 people less than a decade ago, tensions are once again building between Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea, with the International Crisis Group estimating that each country has at least 100,000 troops poised for battle. The conflict centers on the town of Badme, which a U.N.-appointed boundary commission awarded to Eritrea in 2002. But Ethiopia refuses to comply, despite having signed a binding agreement. Other countries are exerting pressure to try to prevent another border war, with the U.S. State Department recently requesting that both sides exercise maximum restraint.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Top 10 Underreported Stories In 2007, According To CNN
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Cool Usb Stuff You Can Buy For Pc
USB 3 Inch Plasma Ball
Description : This Plasma ball light will create a unique and fun environment on your desk or workstation.- SKU : UBS-Plasma-Ball-1016
- Powered by your USB port (or 2 AA batteries)
- This Plasma ball light will create a unique and fun environment on your desk or workstation.
- Watch with amazement as the electricity follows your finger tips across the 3-inch glass ball.
- This USB Lightening Ball is small enough to not take up too much desktop space,and is big enough to amaze your co-workers with its awe inspiring light show.
- Accessories :
- User Manual
- USB Power
USB Mini Lava Lamp
Description : USB Mini Lava Lamp. Easy to use no need to use battery, just plug it into the USB cord. ( 10 Units/ Lot)- SKU : USB-Lava-Lamp-10
- battery: no
- size: 6.5 x 19.5cm
- USB lava lamp, different color liquid flashing when connected with USB port
- Easy to use no need to use battery, just plug it into the USB cord
USB Mini Massage Ball
Description : USB Mini Massage Ball. Massage human body for shoulder, thigh, waist, neck, back side, feet and hands.- SKU : USB-Massage-Ball-01
- Description:
- USB massager can help to relax when working front PC.
- Massage human body for shoulder, thigh, waist, neck, back side, feet and hands,
- One touch on/off switch,
- Vibration speed: 3600 rpm,
- USB power: 4.0-5.5V
- Dimensions: 75mmX38mm
- Weight: 120g
- 1.5 meters USB cable
- Different colors are available
- This USB massage ball only for massage purpose, not for medical treatment
USB Mini Aquarium With Two Fishes
Description : USB Mini Aquarium with 2 novelty dummy fishes available in blue or black colour.- 4pcs AA battery (not included) or USB (included)
- Blue LED light
- EN/71 standards
- Colors available: blue / black
- 2 novelty dummy fishes
- Box dimensions: 10 x 9 x 10cm
USB Flexible Keyboard
Description : USB flexible keyboard feeling so soft and comfortable.- SKU : USB-Flexible-Keyboard-01
- Anti-pollution
- Watertinghthess
- Acid and Alkaline-proof
- High dustproof.
- The special printing technology guarantees the letter on the buttons of keyboard not to be worn away for a long time.
- Feeling soft comfortable.
- Soft without any sound while typing.
- The button bears to type 2 milion times.
USB Car Ashtray
Description : USB Car Ashtray .Absorbing smoke in your working area- SKU : USB-Car-Ashtray-01
- Absorbing smoke in your working area.
- Use it to cutdown on smoke and odors around your desk
- Features :
- USB powered or operate by 2 x "AA" batteries
- Minimize smoke and odors
- Smoke will pass through the filter and absorb by the carbon.
- Tray and filter can be removed for easy cleaning
- Open/close the cover to turn on/off Red LED indicator
Friday, December 28, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Hilarious Wii Accident
Want to know how to ruin Christmas with one quick swing of the wii baseball bat? Watch and learn.
Hilarious Wii Accident - Watch more free videos
Hot Blonde Agrees To Get Punched
A smokin hot Norwegian blonde girls agrees to get punch in the face. I dont think she knew what she was getting in to.
Hot Blonde Agrees To Get Punched - Watch more free videos
Always Clear Download History
Clear Download History - Watch more free videos
Yes People Can Fly
It's flying!
Imagine a wind tunnel that could be used for testing the aerodynamics of an F1 racing car, turn it upright, step into the airflow and you are skydiving. It's a proven concept operating in several countries to the benefit of the skydiving community and anyone else who wishes to taste the thrill of freefall in a completely safe environment.
More Info At www.airkix.com
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Top Ten Fastest Production Cars Ever Made
1. Bugatti Veyron 253 mph
2. Koenigsegg CCR 241 mph
3. McLaren F1 240 mph
4. Saleen S7 223 mph
5. Ferrari Enzo 220 mph
6. Jaguar XJ220 212 mph
7. Bugatti EB110 GT 212 mph
8. Pagani Zonda S 208 mph
9. Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren 207 mph
10. Porsche Carrera GT 207 mph
Escaped Zoo Tiger Kills Teenager, Mauls Two Men
Enlarge The big cat exhibit at the San Francisco Zoo was cordoned off as a crime scene Wednesday while investigators tried to determine whether a Siberian tiger that killed a visitor and mauled two men escaped on its own, the city's police chief said.
"We're not certain whether this incident occurred as a result of human action or whether this was an incident where the animal was able to get out of the grotto," Police Chief Heather Fong said.
The San Francisco medical examiner identified the person who was fatally mauled as 17-year-old Carlos Sousa Jr., of San Jose, Calif. The two other victims, ages 19 and 23, were upgraded to stable condition Wednesday at San Francisco General Hospital after undergoing surgery to have their wounds cleaned and closed, surgeon Rochelle Dicker said. They suffered deep bites and claw cuts on their heads, necks, arms and hands.
The tiger, named Tatiana, attacked a zookeeper about a year ago during a public feeding, said Robert Jenkins, the zoo's director of animal care and conservation.
Tuesday's attack occurred just after 5 p.m., closing time, on the east end of the 125-acre grounds.
The 300-pound tiger did not leave through an open door, Jenkins said. But he could not explain how it escaped; the tiger's enclosure is surrounded by a 15-foot-wide moat and 20-foot-high walls.
"There was no way out through the door," Jenkins said. "The animal appears to have climbed or otherwise leapt out of the enclosure."
Fong said officers were gathering witness accounts and physical evidence from the enclosure. She would not say if the investigation had yielded any clues about how the animal got loose.
The first attack happened right outside the tiger's enclosure — the victim died at the scene. Four responding officers came across his body when they made their way into the dark zoo grounds, police spokesman Steve Mannina said.
Then they saw the second victim about 300 yards away. The man was sitting on the ground, blood running from gashes in his head, the tiger sitting near him. Suddenly, the tiger attacked the man again, Mannina said.
The officers started approaching the tiger, bearing their handguns. When it started moving in their direction, several of the officers fired, killing the animal.
Only then did they see the third victim, who had also been mauled.
Police spent Wednesday morning searching for possible additional victims but found none.
From NPR reports and The Associated Press
Can You See The Space Station From Earth
Watch this video from NASA Brain Bites to learn how you can see the International Space Station from Earth.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Terminator 2 Robot Fetches £250,000
Featured above is a robot that made up to the 1991 Arnold Schwarzenegger film Terminator 2 and lately made up to the headlines eyeing a handsomely rich owner. And here it found one! It managed to generate a sale of £250,000 ($500, 000) at an auction. An anonymous buyer is being tagged as the proud holder of this 6ft 2ins robot T-800.
The buyer cracked up the deal by dropping almost five-times the expected price. It was anticipated to fetch £5.000. The sale of this robot was complemented with a sale of a life-sized T-Rex head, a prop used in Jurassic Park for £65,000 and Michael Keatons mask from Batman Returns that got sold for £5,300.
$1 mn Diamond-Studded Christmas Tree, Not the Most Expensive One
With the Christmas celebration away only counted days, people are preparing in high spirits to make a blast. And talk about accessories, the latest offerings gives you an excuse to burn money including $1.8 mn Christmas tree (world’s most expensive), Steve Quick’s gold and diamond studded Christmas tree and lately in news 84-feet tall Shelton tree at Rockefeller center.
And here is a new entrant by Kee Jewelry to the list of the ornamental accessories designed on the occasion of Christmas–$1 mn diamond-festooned Christmas tree. Unveiled in Singapore, it is ornamented with 21,798 sparkling diamonds counting 913 carats, 3,762 crystal beads and is adorned with 456 lights.
If you are a foodie and above mentioned things fail to calm down your curiosity then $100 Chocolate Santa and $45, 0000 most-expensive X-mas hamper would surely make your tongue smile. And for geeks, a $455 USB cake is quite tempting. And for all moms, who keep on cribbing about their house décor can eye $1,817,355 gold Santa Claus. I think by unveiling diverse offerings, I have done justice to all my savvy readers. Ant one left?
Man to Sell Soul on eBay for $1 mn
I used to wonder if someone can be so desperate to sell out his soul in order to earn money for investing in Christmas celebration. But here I found one. News is that an American man has put his soul to the ebay’s auction block demanding £500,000. It is being said the proud buyer can take home his spirit fitted in a glass jar along with a contract “relinquishing ownership”. Since, the spirit is currently not in use, so the Los-Angles based seller thought that sale is a better option than any devil ruling it.
The seller also wish to buy it back as the money earned from the present sale would add spark to his ordinary life. The initial bid is $1 million, but amazingly he has yet to receive an offer. But hopes are still alive as there is another day to go. The auction can be seen as a replica of one of an episode of the Simpson’s, wherein Bart sells his soul to Milhouse. Also, if you can recall Bart laughing madly at failure of automatic doors to stay closed.
$25,000 Coins Help Man Buy Truck
Paul Brant (70) has now been saving $$$$$ for years but with a difference. Unlike other investors, this man has saved coins worth $25,000 in coffee cans, water jugs and piggy banks and has purchased a new Dodge Ram half-ton pickup truck. This purchase by him happened after an interval of 13 years when he bought a truck with spare change. The old truck doesn’t offer four-wheel drive and this is what enforced him to buy a new one. During