Russian politicians are beginning to squirm under international scrutiny around their anti-gay legislation, but not enough yet to change, a prominent gay journalist told NBC on Friday. A campaign of anti-gay hate reminiscent of fascist propaganda has been consciously promoted by the Kremlin in the...
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Russian journalist gives a snapshot of gay life in Russia
↧
United Nations to question U.S. over spying allegations
The United Nations will approach the US government over a report by a German magazine that US intelligence spied on video conferences by top UN officials, a spokesman said Monday. “We are aware of the reports, and we intend to be in touch with the relevant authorities on this,” a UN...
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
↧
Women in Argentina sue for $54 million over faulty breast implants
About 300 women with faulty PIP breast implants have filed suit seeking $54.7 million in damages from three European companies, their attorney said Monday. “We have filed a class-action suit against France’s Poly Implant Protheses (PIP), Germany’s TUV Rheinland (quality control)...
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Meteor that exploded over Russia may have skimmed the Sun
The meteor that injured over 1,500 people when it exploded and showered debris over Russia in February may have had a close shave with the Sun earlier, researchers said Tuesday. A study of its composition showed the space rock had undergone “intensive melting” before entering...
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
‘The U.S. effect’: Researchers encouraged to report exaggerated or eye-catching results
Scientists who study human behaviour are more likely than average to report exaggerated or eye-catching results if they are based in the United States, according to an analysis of more than 1,000 research papers in psychiatry and genetics. This bias could be due to the research culture in the US,...
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
↧
The fight to investigate Detroit’s 11,000 forgotten rapes
Detroit’s reputation precedes it: its economic decline and apparent decay regarded as a warning sign for modern civilisation. But one Motor City native isn’t buying this narrative. “Detroit is a wonderful place,” enthuses Kym Worthy. “Yes, it’s half the size it...
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Missouri Democrat busted for marijuana possession
A Missouri Democrat was arrested on Sunday after police officers discovered marijuana and drug paraphernalia in his car. State Rep. Jeremy LaFaver (D-Kansas City) was pulled over by police for failing to respond to a previous charge that he had driven with an expired license tag and without...
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Watch: Mullet sporting Julian Assange stars in ‘Rap News’ parody video
The latest episode of the Australian-based YouTube video series “Juice Raps News” features WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange singing his own version of an 1980′s rock song. Hugo Farrant and Giordano Nanni are the two men behind Juice Rap News. In a joint statement, they explained...
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Syrian Christians fear rise of jihadist rebels
In Wadi al-Nassara, a valley in western Syria dotted with Christian hamlets, residents have hung white silk ribbons to mourn war victims and pray the army will defeat its jihadist foes. Portraits of “martyrs” who died in the 29-month conflict between government forces and rebel fighters...
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
↧
Judge approves $20 million settlement in Facebook class-action lawsuit
A US judge approved a deal in which Facebook will pay $20 million for using members “likes” as endorsements for ads. The pot of money is to be divvied up among attorneys, Internet privacy rights groups, and Facebook users who filed claims in the class-action lawsuit. US District Judge...
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Anti-gay conservative calls on Shepard Smith to ‘come out of the closet’
The head of a group known as America’s Survival, Inc. wants Shepard Smith to publicly acknowledge that he is gay. ASI President Cliff Kincaid gave a presentation at the National Press Club last Tuesday about his organization’s investigation of Fox News. The group’s 40,000-word...
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
‘Putin in women’s underwear’ painting seized by Russian police
Russian police said Wednesday they had raided an exhibition and confiscated a painting that portrayed President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev lounging together in women’s lingerie. Police said they confiscated four paintings by artist Konstantin Altunin and closed down the...
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Broccoli could help prevent arthritis: researchers
Eating plenty of broccoli could help to prevent or slow down the onset of osteoarthritis, researchers said Wednesday. Scientists at the University of East Anglia found that sulforaphane, which is found in broccoli as well as Brussels sprouts and cabbage, delays the destruction of cartilage in...
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
↧
United States and allies build case for military action in Syria
The United States and its allies built their case Wednesday for likely military action against the regime in war-torn Syria over alleged chemical weapons attacks, despite stern warnings from Russia. The ground for a military intervention was set out by US Vice President Joe Biden, who for the first...
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
‘Twerking’ to be included in next update of Oxford Dictionary
“Twerking”, the raunchy dance that set tongues wagging when enthusiastically performed by Miley Cyrus at the MTV awards, is one of the new terms to make the latest Oxford dictionary update. The former Disney child star, now 20, left audience members gobsmacked when she bent over and...
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Officials now say New Zealand milk scare was a false alarm
A botulism scare that sparked global recalls of Fonterra milk products was a false alarm and there was never any danger to consumers, New Zealand officials said on Wednesday after new tests. The crisis led to infant formula being taken off shelves from China to Saudi Arabia earlier this month and...
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Ecuador police clash with protesters over Amazon reserve oil drilling plan
Police in Ecuador clashed with ecologists and indigenous people protesting plans to open up a huge Amazon reserve to oil drilling. Four protesters were detained for a few hours but later released, Interior Minister Jose Serrano said on Tuesday. President Rafael Correa had announced a plan to...
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
↧
China to launch unmanned lunar lander by end of year: state media
China will send its first probe to land on the moon by the end of the year, space administrators said Wednesday according to state media. Planning and construction for the unmanned Chang’e-3 mission have been completed and it has “officially entered its launch implementation...
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Britain to submit UN resolution on Syria
Britain will on Wednesday submit a draft resolution to the UN Security Council condemning suspected chemical attacks in Syria and demanding “all necessary measures” to protect civilians. The announcement came as the United States and its allies pressed their case for likely military...
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Rising level of ocean acidity threatens sea life and exacerbates climate change: study
Global warming may get a nudge from its “evil twin,” ocean acidification.;
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧