Eight previously unknown invertebrate creatures have been discovered in an underwater cave in central Israel. The largest is a white shrimp-like crustacean. Another resembles a species of scorpion and is blind. The cave was uncovered during drilling at a quarry close to Tel Aviv. Scientists say it is a unique ecosystem that has been sealed off from the world for five million years and could contain other ancient lifeforms. "The uniqueness is of the environmental conditions and of the palaeohistory," said Dr Hanan Dimantman, a biologist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. "The result of this is that the ecosystem is unique. We are sure that the eight species that were found are only the beginning of the story of this ecosystem." ... http://news.bbc.co.uk censor News |
Editor - 18:08:00 06-01-06 |
World powers strike Iran deal |
World powers on Thursday agreed what Britain called a far-reaching package of incentives for Iran if it halts sensitive nuclear fuel enrichment, including an offer to suspend action against it in the U.N. Security Council. UnderSecretary of State Nicholas Burns pronounced Washington "very satisfied" with the agreement. U.S. officials said the package would be presented to Iran within days by the Europeans and perhaps the Russians and Chinese as well.But while the United States said the package included a commitment to "measures with teeth" if Iran spurns the gesture, as Tehran did before it was finalised, officials declined to specify the measures or even call them sanctions."We have agreed a set of far reaching proposals as a basis for discussions with Iran. We believe they offer Iran the chance to reach a negotiated agreement based on cooperation," British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said in a statement.... http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060601/ts_nm/nuclear_iran_dc
full News |
Editor - 17:45:00 06-01-06 |
Afghan women drivers face harassment, glares Few females are licensed or use vehicles though nation claims equal rights |
Everyone she passes — each taxi driver, every man and burqa-clad woman — is looking at Sofia. The stares and glares are no surprise: She’s female, she’s driving, and she’s just 14 years old.Women drivers are so rare in Afghanistan that it’s a head-turning, hand-pointing shock for most people who see one. The license bureau reports that of the more than 17,000 licenses issued in the Kabul area last year, only 85 went to women.Abdul Shokoor Ziaee opened Bakhtan Technical and Driving Course school after the 2001 fall of the Taliban, which had banned women from driving. He has seen a small increase recently in the number of women at his school, where colorful traffic signs cover the walls and a greasy, disassembled car engine sits on the front table. “More women should learn how to drive because men and women have equal rights. The other thing is that Afghanistan is developing, moving forward,” he says.... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13089041/
full News |
Editor - 17:42:00 06-01-06 |
OPEC decides to maintain oil output Group rejects Chavez call for reduced production, price floor |
OPEC, pumping almost as much as it can amid soaring oil prices, decided Thursday to keep its output steady, rejecting suggestions by Venezuela to cut production.Qatari Oil Minister Abdullah Attiyah told reporters of the decision after OPEC members finished a closed-door session that solidified an earlier informal agreement not to adjust its official output quota of 28 million barrels per day.Speaking shortly before OPEC's formal meeting, Attiyah said the market has more than enough supply but that "at this price level, OPEC won't cut production."However, Attiyah cautioned that OPEC could change course by the time it meets next in September.Emerging from the meeting, Venezuelan Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez confirmed OPEC would not alter its production.... http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/06/01/venezuela.opec.ap/index.html?section=cnn_world
full News |
Editor - 17:40:00 06-01-06 |
Attorney: 7 Marines, sailor face murder charges 8 to be charged in death of Iraqi civilian in April, defense lawyer says |
Military prosecutors plan to file murder, kidnapping and conspiracy charges against seven Marines and a Navy corpsman in the shooting death of an Iraqi civilian in April, a defense lawyer said Thursday.The eight men are being held in the brig at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base north of San Diego, said Jeremiah Sullivan III, who represents one of the men.The men served in Iraq with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, and are members of the battalion’s Kilo Company. The highest-ranking serviceman is a staff sergeant. Sullivan said he learned from Marine Corps attorneys that the charges have been drafted and official charging documents could be given to the men as early as Friday.The Iraqi man was killed west of Baghdad on April 26. His death was unrelated to the shootings of as many as two dozen civilians in the western Iraqi city of Haditha. The Pentagon is investigating troops from the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment in that case.... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13090111/
full News |
Editor - 17:38:00 06-01-06 |
A Look at U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq |
As of Thursday, June 1, 2006, at least 2,473 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes seven military civilians. At least 1,950 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers. The AP count is one higher than the Defense Department's tally, last updated Thursday at 10 a.m. EDT. The British military has reported 113 deaths; Italy, 31; Ukraine, 18; Poland, 17; Bulgaria, 13; Spain, 11; Slovakia, Denmark three; El Salvador, Estonia, Netherlands, Thailand, two each; and Australia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Romania, one death each. The latest death reported by the military: ... http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2030232
full News |
Editor - 17:36:00 06-01-06 |
|
post The Good, The Bad and The Ugly |
|