WHO convenes coronavirus forum next week
In a press release issued today, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a forum to be held in response to the coronavirus outbreak. “WHO is convening a global research and innovation forum to mobilize international action in response to the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV),” the release began, and reads as follows: "Harnessing...
Why is the West Spoiling for a Fight with Russia?
What are the consequences when elected governments make policy based on faith and imperial hubris instead of science and expertise? It's a question that is forcing itself on the world as we watch the United States, Britain, NATO and the Harper government continue to up the ante in the confrontation with Russia over the Ukraine....
Fish stock recovery given a fighting chance by European parliament
Strasbourg, France: On Oct. 23, the European parliament plenary voted on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and decided against the reintroduction of subsidies for the building of new boats. Parliamentarians also included a package on jobs for young fishermen and training for sustainable fishing practices that is essential...
COMMENT: We do not need a lex Breivik
By Ole Petter Ottersen. Anders Breivik's application to the University of Oslo for admission to the political science study programme created interest worldwide. Breivik did not qualify for the full programme, but will be able study specific topics. Here the university's rector explains the decision to grant him access to the...
Jury awards American woman $18.6 mill in lawsuit against Equifax
A jury awarded Julie Miller of Marion County, Oregon $18.6 million last Friday in a federal lawsuit against Equifax. The lawsuit claimed she spent two years trying to get Equifax Information Services to fix major mistakes on her credit report which cost her the opportunities to get new credit. Miller said she had contacted ...
Five accused of Delhi gang rape and murder plead not guilty
Five men pleaded not guilty yesterday to the rape and murder of a 23-year-old Delhi student. They face 13 charges and the death penalty in a specially set up "fast track court". The accused, Vinay Sharma, Pawan Kumar, Ram Singh, Mukesh Singh and Akshay Thakur, signed statements in the court declaring their innocence. The five...
Briton sentenced to death in Indonesia
A British woman has been sentenced to death in Indonesia for drug smuggling. Lindsay Sandiford, 56, was found guilty of breaking the tough drug laws in place in Indonesia at the Denpasar district court yesterday, having being found with 10.6 lb of cocaine, worth about £1.6m, in the lining of her suitcase at Bali's main airport...
Fires burning up eastern Australia in summer heatwave
Despite earlier cooler weather, heatwave conditions are expected to resume in New South Wales, Australia. Local weather service forecasts expect temperatures to rise above 40°C (104°F), as-experienced earlier in the week. The percentage of uncontained fires jumped as high as 20%. On Friday, local fire authorities have declared...
Mass shootings do little to change state gun laws
By: Joaquin Sapien, Propublica Following the mass shooting in Connecticut, the Obama administration and lawmakers around the country have promised to re-examine gun control in America. ProPublica decided to take a look at what's happened legislatively in states where some of the worst shootings in recent U.S. history have...
POWER OF THE INTERNET: Security firm to donate proceeds from WBC
Black Lotus Communications, which "prevents malicious traffic from reaching" websites, such as a Denial-of-service attack (DDoS), has announced their decision to donate revenue made from the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) to charity. The company has confirmed their intentions in a statement to Wikinews. "We have received...