Latin American summit backs Argentina on Falklands

Associated Press Writer= PLAYA DE CARMEN, Mexico (AP) — Latin American and Caribbean nations backed Argentina's claim of sovereignty to the Falkland Islands on Monday in a growing dispute with Britain over plans to drill for oil off the islands in the Atlantic.

At the Rio Group summit of 32 countries hosted by Mexico, Argentina presented a statement quoting Mexican President Felipe Calderon as saying that "the heads of state represented here reaffirm their support for the legitimate rights of the republic of Argentina in the sovereignty dispute with Great Britain."

Calderon did not speak directly about the matter.

Britain and Argentina have long disputed sovereignty of the Falkland Islands — known as Las Malvinas in Latin America — and fought a war over them in 1982........ read more>>

Latin American summit backs Argentina on Falklands

Expert: Using antiretroviral drugs early may curb HIV/AIDS spread

Antiretroviral drugs that are being used to prolong the lives of patients infected with HIV/AIDS could also be greatly effective in slowing its spread, epidemiologist Brian Williams said.

The concentration of the virus drops by a factor of 10,000 with antiretroviral treatment, resulting in 25 times the reduction of infectiousness, said Williams, formerly of the World Health Organization and now at the South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis. That means that if more people with HIV received this therapy early, there would be fewer new cases of the disease, he said Saturday at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

"We could effectively stop transmission within five years," Williams said...... read more>>

Expert: Using antiretroviral drugs early may curb HIV/AIDS spread

Bt brinjal: PM steps in after Pawar SOS

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has stepped in to make it clear that Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh will not have the last word on the introduction of Bt Brinjal or any GM (genetically modified) food.

This comes after a strong note from Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar to the Prime Minister last week suggesting that ad hoc decisions on GM foods — a clear reference to the moratorium on Bt Brinjal — would “set the clock back”, demoralise Indian scientists and jeopardies R&D crucial to food security.

Last week, the PM decided to define his government’s approach to the introduction of genetically modified (GM) foods after his Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC) echoed Pawar’s push for frontline technology in agriculture......... read more>>

Bt brinjal: PM steps in after Pawar SOS

Man smart, woman smarter?

What's common among Pepsi Cola, Yahoo, Xerox, Kraft, DuPont and Sara Lee? Not much, you might feel. But what is striking is that all these global firms currently have a female Chief Executive Officer (CEO)!

We live in exciting times - and this is true more than ever before if you are a young woman in most parts of the industrialised world. By this, I do not restrict my definition to the western world; trends are evident that women have cracked the glass ceiling, and there is a distinct rise in the growth of what some have labelled 'female power' in developing nations too.

A lot of data is on offer and some may view this with certain circumspection. Consider this: By the close of 2010, 60 percent of graduates across Asia, America and Europe will be women. And, that estimate indicates that about half of the American workforce is female, including 51 percent of the professional workers......... read more>>

Man smart, woman smarter?

Lion 'attacks' Durban family

A traumatised Ishal Haripersad, 35, and his wife, Ronica, 32, and their two sons, Isthir, 3, and Nihal, 2, were heading home to Umhlanga after a holiday in the Drakensberg when they decided to call in at the lion park on Tuesday.

Ishal Haripersad said they had been to the park before and when they entered, they were given strict warnings not to get out of their car or leave their windows open.

Then, a lion approached their Nissan Navara.

"We were not scared, but when the lion jumped on to the back of my bakkie and tore the tonneau cover, everyone in the car was hysterical. I was shaking: it was such a frightening experience. I was not expecting anything like that," said Haripersad........ read more>>

Lion 'attacks' Durban family

Manmohan Singh appeals for peaceful Budget Session

New Delhi, Feb 22 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today appealed Opposition to allow smooth functioning of the Parliament during the Budget session.

"I appeal to the Opposition not to have any disruption of Parliamentary proceedings as he Government is ready to discuss all issues in Parliament and," Dr Singh said as he arrived in Parliament for the start of the Budget session.

"We seek the Opposition's cooperation in the smooth running of this important session," he added.

However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to ask Dr. Singh and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to come clear on the Foreign Secretary-level talks with Pakistan........read more>>

Manmohan Singh appeals for peaceful Budget Session

Toyota faces US criminal probe

Toyota Motor Corp revealed it faces a US criminal investigation into its handling of the safety problems that led to massive vehicle recalls, while a US congressional panel accused it of making apparently misleading statements.

Adding to the Japanese automaker's deepening crisis on Monday, new documents detailing how Toyota beat back US safety regulators efforts for a wider probe in 2007 and disclosure of a US Securities and Exchange Commission request for documents.

It all comes as Toyota's top executive, the grandson of the company founder, prepares for a hearing on Capitol Hill over unintended acceleration problems that have been linked to at least five US deaths, with 29 other fatality reports being examined........ read more>>

Toyota faces US criminal probe

Japan - Top airline to raise surcharge

Japan Airlines planned to increase fuel surcharges for all its international flights from April, it said yesterday. The Japanese airline, which went bankrupt a month ago with $6 billion (R46.2bn) of debt, applied for the charge with the Transport Ministry, citing recent rises in fuel prices. Japan Airlines is going through a government-backed turnaround plan to rebuild itself under a new management team. Its domestic rival, All Nippon Airways, filed a similar request last week. - Sapa-AFP...... read more>>

Japan - Top airline to raise surcharge

Sony Online Entertainment's Free Realms Hits 8M Users

That model seems to be taking off in the U.S. now, based on the latest announcement from Sony Online Entertainment. The San Diego, Calif.-based company’s Free Realms massively multiplayer online game has amassed 8 million registered users since its launch in April 2009. Prior to the launch of Free Realms, Sony Online Entertainment had subscription-only online games such as EverQuest.

The game is a family-friendly fantasy title where players can create their own custom characters. If they want a deeper experience, they have to pay for virtual goods such as pets. People who don’t have credit cards can go into physical retailers and buy Station Cash, which can be redeemed for the virtual currency used in the game. Sony hasn’t yet said how many of the free players are converting to paid users...... read more>>

Sony Online Entertainment's Free Realms Hits 8M Users

* Lil Wayne, Shanell Deny They're Having A Baby * Science Salt - Health Issues When It Comes to Salt, No Rights or Wrongs. Yet.

Lil Wayne may have an impending jail sentence, but in recent days some news about the MC has set the Internet chatter ablaze: Does he have another baby on the way?

The Cash Money MC has been spotted attending events and snuggling with a new artist on his Young Money label named Shanell. The Massachusetts-born/Atlanta-raised songstress (real name: Shanell Woodgett), sister of former Danity Kane member D. Woods, began as a background dancer for artists like Kandi Burress, Petey Pablo and Ne-Yo before deciding to write songs. Teaming with her high school friend and producer Bangladesh, Shanell recorded a demo tape and aimed to become an artist herself along with writing for other people. She met Wayne while serving as a back-up dancer for Ne-Yo during the Up Close and Personal Tour (which featured the rapper along with Chris Brown)........ read more>>

* Lil Wayne, Shanell Deny They're Having A Baby * Science Salt - Health Issues When It Comes to Salt, No Rights or Wrongs. Yet.

Poland admits role in CIA rendition programme

The Polish authorities have for the first time admitted their involvement in the CIA's secret programme for the rendition of high-level terrorist suspects from Iraq and Afghanistan, it emerged today.

After years of stonewalling, Warsaw's air control service confirmed that at least six CIA flights had landed at a disused military air base in northern Poland in 2003.

"It is time for the authorities to provide a full accounting of Poland's role in rendition," Adam Bodnar, of the Warsaw-based Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, said.

"These flight records reinforce the troubling findings of official European inquiries and global human rights groups, showing complicity with CIA abuse across Europe."......read more>>

Poland admits role in CIA rendition programme

Reservation for women high on govt agenda: President

New Delhi, February 22: Amendment to the Constitution to provide 50 per cent quota to women in panchayats, a bill for preventing communal violence and amendment to the Waqf Act will be high on the agenda of Government, President Pratibha Patil today said.

In her address to a joint sitting of Parliament, Patil said, "Two bills for Constitutional amendment to provide 50 per cent reservation for women in panchayats and urban local bodies have already been introduced and it is hoped that these can be passed during this session".

She said the government was committed to ensuring early passage of the Women?s Reservation Bill which has been pending in the Rajya Sabha........ read more>>

Reservation for women high on govt agenda: President

Champions League Special: What Odds A Gross Upset For Barca Or Bordeaux To Draw A Blanc In Greece?

Christian Gross will need more than an underground ticket to overcome the Barcelona express to the Champions League final in the Bernabeu. The Swiss coach, who famously flashed his metro pass to the press when he became manager of Tottenham Hotspur in 1997, has turned the fortunes of VfB Stuttgart around since succeeding Markus Babbel in December.

Now he returns to the Champions League, where his reign with Die Roten began with a three-goal romp inside the first ten minutes against Unirea Urziceni which booked their passage to the last 16. Barcelona are an altogether different proposition to the plucky Romanians, with Pep Guardiola's side the red hot favourites to retain their crown....... read more>>

Champions League Special: What Odds A Gross Upset For Barca Or Bordeaux To Draw A Blanc In Greece?

NATO airstrike kills 19 civilians: Afghan officials

At least 19 civilians died in a NATO airstrike on a convoy of vehicles in southern Afghanistan, Afghan officials say.

NATO confirms that it fired Sunday on a group of vehicles that it believed contained insurgents, only to discover later that women and children were in the cars. NATO did not say how many died.

Amanullah Hothaki, the head of the provincial council for Uruzgan province, said 19 people were killed in the strike, which hit three minibuses as they drove down a main road.

Interior Ministry spokesman Zemeri Bashary said he had reports of 27 people killed. He said there were 42 people in the vehicles, all of them civilians....... read more>>

NATO airstrike kills 19 civilians: Afghan officials

Health care reform / FDA / DEA 2

Many Pharmaceutical companies are making billions of dollars from America. The elderly, the majority,and the minorities, who are on many medications needed, prescribed by their Physicians. Some are insured, while others are not. Shame on you.

Cried on Friday when picking up a script, watching the poor not purchase food,they had to purchase their medications.
I was tempted to use my card to buy them some groceries, knew that I should have, as they would have been able to eat something during the weekend.

Now some of you might think, so what, others of you might say, ah..to bad. I say this: It is time for Change, We will not wait........ read more>>

Health care reform / FDA / DEA 2

Akon-ic debut

If Bollywood stars want a foothold in Hollywood, vice versa also holds true. International pop stars doing numbers for desi films started as far back as Samantha Fox in Rock Dancer (1995).

More recently, there was Snoop Dog in Singh is Kingg, followed by Kylie Minogue in Blue and now Akon will be seen in Anubhav Sinha’s Ra.One starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor, which has music by Vishal and Shekhar........ read more>>

Akon-ic debut

Farhan Akhtar and Deepika Padukone on Music Ka Mahamuqqabla

Today’s performance will be a musical treat for all to see as Shreya’s Superstars battle it out with Shankar’s Rockstars for the second time in Music Ka Mahamuqqabla.

To add some more energy to this musical battle, Farhan Akhtar and Deepika Padukone show their support to the two warring captains of the show, with Deepika taking Shreya’s side and Farhan choosing Shankar’s team.

True to his character, shy and somber, Karthik aka Farhan finds himself a cozy place among the audience and sits far from the glare and glitz of the stage. It takes the might and persistence of Deepika to pull him back up to the stage, the place where he rightly belongs....... read more>>

Farhan Akhtar and Deepika Padukone on Music Ka Mahamuqqabla

British authorities say heroin in London may cause anthrax, 1 user hospitalized

LONDON - British health authorities have warned that contaminated heroin being sold in London may cause anthrax, after one addict was hospitalized with the potentially fatal disease.

The warning follows a similar outbreak in Scotland that has infected 19 heroin addicts since December, including nine deaths. Authorities suspect the heroin or an agent mixed with the drug was likely contaminated.

"All heroin in London carries the risk of anthrax contamination," said Brian McCloskey of London's Health Protection Agency.

Anthrax is a bacterial disease that can be treated with antibiotics if caught early........ read more>>

British authorities say heroin in London may cause anthrax, 1 user hospitalized

Celine Dion reveals agony over failed pregnancies

London: Celine Dion has bared her heartache over four failed attempts to get pregnant again.

The acclaimed singer, who has five Grammy awards to her credit along with more than 200 million sale records, revealed she cried "rivers" over each unsuccessful bid to have a second child through IVF.

"You do everything right and you're careful and you rest and then... the disappointment hits you like a wave. But I swear, I'll keep trying until it works," the Daily Express quoted her as saying.

The 41-year-old star confessed resorting to the "gruelling" process of preparing her body for a fifth IVF attempt, which included wearing oestrogen patches, having blood tests every other day, undergoing ultrasound scans and having daily hormone injections....... read more>>

Celine Dion reveals agony over failed pregnancies

Toyota Study Sees No Electronic Problem: Report

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A study funded by Toyota Motor Co supports the automaker's assertion there is no evidence of problems in the electronics of Toyota and Lexus cars, the Wall Street Journal said on Sunday.

The newspaper said it had obtained a copy of the study being carried out by the Menlo Park, California-based engineering firm, Expondent.

"Exponent has so far been unable to induce, through electrical disturbances to the system, either unintended acceleration or behavior that might be a precursor to such an event, despite concerted efforts toward this goal," the Journal quoted the February 4 preliminary report as saying.

Toyota has been under fire for a series of safety lapses, including incidents of unwanted acceleration that could be caused by electronic failures........ read more>>

Toyota Study Sees No Electronic Problem: Report

Olympic Hopes Rest With Skating Favorite Kim Yu-na

TORONTO — The megastar of figure skating, Kim Yu-na, lives with her mother in a Korean neighborhood here, a world away from her life of fame in Asia.

She needs no disguises or bodyguards. She has no reason to brace for mobs of fans. With the ease of anonymity, she trains at her rink. She eats out, and sings in karaoke clubs.

But in her home country, South Korea, Kim is anything but ordinary.

“When you’re with her in Korea, it’s like you’re traveling with Princess Diana; Yu-na’s that famous there,” said her coach, Brian Orser, a two-time Olympic silver medalist for Canada. “But here, things are obviously quieter. It gives her a chance for a normal life. She can focus on what she has to do.”......... read more>>

Olympic Hopes Rest With Skating Favorite Kim Yu-na

Apolo Anton Ohno did not come to Vancouver looking to break any records. He just wanted to win some more medals. Gold ones. Silver ones. Even bronze ones.

He will take them all if he could. So far, he has taken two. And he is just getting started.

The native of nearby Seattle, who has had nearly as many fans at the Pacific Coliseum as the Canadians during these Olympics, finished third in the 1,000 metres on Saturday to win a bronze medal. Having already won a silver medal in the 1,500 metres last week, the short-track speed skater now has a combined seven medals in three Winter Games......... read more>>

Google wraps $125 million purchase of video compression technology company On2 Technologies

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - Google Inc. said Friday that it finished its $124.6 million purchase of On2 Technologies Inc. after shareholders of On2 voted to approve the deal.

Google said that as per its agreement with the maker of video compression technology, outstanding On2 common shares will be converted to the right to 15 cents per share and 0.0010 of a share of Google common stock. Cash will be paid in lieu of any fractional shares, Google said.

Google also said it plans to buy back the same number of its shares that it issued through the purchase. The company will fund the buybacks with cash on hand........ read more>>

Google wraps $125 million purchase of video compression technology company On2 Technologies

Google Earth dives into oceans

San Francisco, February 07: Google Earth mapping service is letting people use the internet to dive into the world's oceans or see the ruin that World War II bombings rained on European cities.

The Internet powerhouse on Thursday added an Ocean Showcase and WW II era aerial photographs to its free, interactive online atlas.

"The historical imagery feature gives people a unique perspective on the events of the past using today's latest mapping technology," Laura Scott of Google Europe said in a blog post.

"We hope that this World War II imagery will enable all of us to understand our shared history in a new way and to learn more about the impact of the war on the development of our cities."

The feature includes images taken in 1943 of 35 European cities pictures and of war-battered Warsaw in 1935 and 1945. Google Earth users are able to do side-by-side comparisons of the cities then and now......... read more>>

Google Earth dives into oceans

Corals reef in danger of being wiped off the face of the Earth

Washington, Feb 22 (ANI): If reports are anything to go by, then coral reefs are in danger of being wiped off the face of the Earth, all due to global warming. Corals get most of their energy from microscopic

algae that live in their tissue. These algae are colourful and are what gives corals their vivid hue.

When environmental factors go out of the range that corals are used to (such as warming water), the symbiosis between the coral and the algae breaks down and corals effectively expel the algae and turn white.

The coral is then deprived of its source of energy, and dies. According to NSERC-funded researcher Dr. Simon Donner, an assistant professor in the department of geography at the University of British Columbia, mass coral bleaching events were thought to be extremely rare as far back as 30 years ago........ read more>>

Corals reef in danger of being wiped off the face of the Earth

A Month After the Quake, Haiti Needs to Rebuild

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Thirty days after the catastrophic earthquake that killed more than 170,000 people in Haiti, the Pan American Development Foundation renewed its call for financial support as the nonprofit and its partners are implementing plans to get Haitians to work, to rebuild their homes and to take care of their families.

"Today, hundreds of thousands of people continue to live under tarps, bed sheets or simply out in the open," says Jimmy Jean-Louis, the actor and spokesperson for PADF's disaster relief and recovery efforts. "We need to move survivors out of these miserable camps and into safe homes. I am asking people to contribute to this vital recovery and reconstruction phase by calling toll free (877) 572-4484.".........read more>>

A Month After the Quake, Haiti Needs to Rebuild

Hellner best in class

WHISTLER, British Columbia - Marcus Hellner of Sweden sprinted away from his rivals near the finish line yesterday to win the men’s 30-kilometer cross-country pursuit.

Hellner pulled away from his three remaining competitors after entering the ski stadium, building enough of a lead to sprint alone down the final straight.

Hellner even had time to look back at his chasers before slowing down to raise his arms in celebration as he crossed the finish line.

Hellner clocked 1 hour 15 minutes 11.4 seconds for his first Olympic medal. Tobias Angerer of Germany finished 2.1 seconds behind for the silver medal, and Johan Olsson of Sweden took bronze, 2.8 seconds back........read more>>

Hellner best in class