Noted

Post by **noreply66** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:35 am

Iran,the world's fourth largest oil producer,is using some of its petro-wealth to subsidize gasoline prices for its citizens. Iranian drivers pay about 40 cents a gallon for gas,most of which has to be imported because Iran has few refineries.

The Wall Street Journal

Post by **noreply66** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 9:58 am

Despite the exodus of New Orleans residents caused by Hurricane Katrina,business at Louisiana's casinos is booming.Louisiana casinos took in $220 million in May,up from $199 million in May 2005.Relief workers earning big paychecks are apparently fueling the boom.

Associated press

Post by **noreply66** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:17 am

About 30% of high school term papers are plagiarized,in whole or in part,from the Internet.Some school districts are paying thousands of dollars for computer software programs that scan the papers for telltale sentences from papers sold or shared on the Web.

Los Angeles Times

Post by **noreply66** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 8:25 pm

Among the 100 terms that are making their first appearance in the new edition of Merroam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary are "unibrow," biodiesel,: bird flu, drama queen,and mouse potato,slang for somebody who spends a lot of time on the computer.

Los Angeles Times

Post by **noreply66** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 8:38 am

Rising temperatures in the Western U.S. have stoked a dramatic increase in wildfires. Since the 1970s,according to a new study,the average fire season has grown more than two months longer,and lays waste to 6.5 more land.

The Boston Globe

Post by **noreply66** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 8:57 am

Every day,the Transportation Security Administration confiscates some 30,000 lighters at airport checkpoints

Time

Post by **noreply66** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 9:16 am

Model Kate Moss' stock has soared since a London Tabloid photographed her snorting cocaine. Moss earned $7 million a year before the photo was published,and then quikly lost several modeling job.But after signing new contracts with a slew of companies,including Burberry,Calvin Klien,and Virgin Mobile,Moss will earn an estimated $18 million this year.

New York Post

Post by **noreply66** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:19 am

The Crips,Bloods,and other notorious street gangs that once could be found only in the major cities now operate in 2,500 smaller cities,towns and villages,the FBI reports.The gangs are relying on the world wide web to showcase their exploits and recruit members.

Associated Press

Post by **noreply66** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 2:26 pm

The number of electoral democracies has nearly doubled in two decades,climbing from 66 nations in 1987 to 122 in 2005.

The New York Times

Post by **noreply66** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 2:43 pm

A joint publishing venture between Harlequin and NASCAR has released the first of 20 planned stock-themed romance novels.The idea behind the unusual partnership is to hook romance novel fans on auto racing.NASCAR estimates that 40% of its fans are women.

The Boston Globe

Post by **noreply66** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 7:47 am

Yachts are becoming as supersized as homes and meals.In the 1950s,the average U.S. boat measured 29 feet long and was 7 feet across the beam.Today,the average boat os 43 feet long and 17.5 feet wide.

Los Angeles Times

Post by **noreply66** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:04 am

A recent Brazilian survey that asked householders to identify themselves by race yielded 136 categories,including "snow white" and "cinnamon." Government officials are trying to reduce the official racial types to five: white,oriental,indigenous,black and brown.

The Economist

Post by **noreply66** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 9:50 am

One in eight American births in 2004 was premature,and one in 12 newborns had a low birth weight--the highest rates ever recorded,two federal reports found.Experts attributed the increase to more women in their late 30s and 40s giving birth,and to assisted reproduction methods,which results in more difficult pregnancies.

Los Angeles Times

Post by **noreply66** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:32 pm

The Department of Homeland Security's database of "critical infrastructure and key resources" deemed vulnerable to terrorist attacks has been winnowed down to 77,069 entries.After a flurry of embarrassing news stories,federal officials removed such "assets" as a popcorn factory in Indiana, a petting zoo in Alabama,and a kandaroo conservation center in Georgia.

USA Today

Post by **noreply66** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 8:03 am

The divorce rate in Irag has doubled in the past two years,due to the stress of constant violence,a stagnant economy,and the loosening of social stigmas.In that period,Iraqi courts have granted 301,446 divordes."It used to be something disgraceful," said an Iraqi lawyer,"but it has become something ordinary."

The Washington Post

Post by **noreply66** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 8:12 am

About 4 million people-half of them children under 5--have died as a result of fighting between Congo's army and rebel militias since 1998.Every six months,the toll of Congolese who die of malnutrition,disease, or violence equals that of 2004's deadly Indian Ocean tsunami.

The New York Times

Post by **noreply66** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 8:03 am

At the annual All-American Soap Box Derby World Championships held in Akron last weekend,45 percent of the competitors were girls.In 1971,the first year that they were eligible,only 2 percent were females.

USA TODAY

Post by **noreply66** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 8:15 am

A state court has ruled that North Carolina's 201-year-old law barring unmarried couples from living together is unconstitutional.Six states--Virginia,West Virginia,Florida,Michigan,Mississippi,and North Dakota still have laws on the books prohibiting cohabitation.

Los Angeles Time

BlindWhiteHat · Post by **BlindWhiteHat** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 10:29 am

Can anyone post on this thread or is it just for noreply? :roll:

Post by **noreply66** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 8:08 am

A huge island of discarded cups,bottle caps,plastic laundry baskets,rubber sandles,and other garbage has formed in an area of sluggish currents and slack winds halfway between California and Hawaii. The Eastern Garbage Patch ,as this floating dump is called,is twice the size of Texas.

Los Angeles Times.