America's Top Colleges 2011 on Shine. 7,500 earthquakes shake resolve in NZealand city. CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — It's been 10 months since the first big earthquake struck New Zealand's second-largest city. It's been nearly five months since a far more devastating one killed 181 people and crippled the downtown. And it's been just a few hours since yet another aftershock startled Christchurch residents during the night.
"I stop breathing," said Sheridan Cattermole, a bartender and a mom. "I get pins and needles all over. Seismologists have recorded 7,500 earthquakes in Christchurch since September — an average of more than 20 a day. Christchurch is the disaster that the world forgot. In New Zealand, the quake in Christchurch is reverberating. And nobody knows if the worst has passed. When Kevin Furlong, a professor of geosciences at Penn State University, came to Christchurch on a sabbatical last year, he thought he would be studying earthquakes in the abstract — not living through them. The quakes in the city have not followed the classic pattern, he said. Around-the-World Brief: 'Potter' Obliterates Foreign Record. By Ray SubersJuly 19, 2011 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 outpaced even the most generous prognostications this weekend, setting a new weekend record with an incredible $314 million at the foreign box office.
That's 20 percent up on the previous record-holder, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and 32 percent up on Half-Blood Prince's series record. Including its stunning domestic take, Deathly Hallows Part 2 also eclipsed Half-Blood Prince to set the worldwide opening weekend record with an astronomical $483.2 million. That improved to $542.2 million through Monday ($18 million domestic plus $41 million overseas), and the movie set a new record by passing the half-billion dollar mark in just six days. Not surprisingly, Potter's top territory was its native United Kingdom. It earned $37.8 million, which represented the biggest three-day weekend ever.
Discuss 'Harry Potter's record-breaking foreign opening on Facebook, Twitter, and in Box Office Mojo's forums. Weekend Report: 'Harry' Makes History. Google+ Reverses Social-Network Curse, Challenges Facebook. With technology, as in the rest of life, eternal verities have a funny way of turning out not to be so eternal after all. For eons, everybody has known that Google is hopelessly inept when it comes to building social-networking services. Each one it has unveiled has seemed to confirm that truism, from Wave (shuttered 2½ months after opening to the public) to Buzz (still extant, but famous mostly for the uproar over its shoddy privacy practices).
Last week, the search-engine kingpin announced Google+, its latest attempt to muscle its way into the people-centric territory where Facebook and Twitter reign supreme. Rather than launch this offering with a prematurely triumphant media event like the ones it gave Wave and Buzz, Google alerted the world to Google+'s existence via a modest blog post and a few videos. It's too early to declare Google+ a success. Google calls Google+ a "project," which is about right.
The way Circles look is as noteworthy as the way they behave. Vatican opens archives for unprecedented exhibit. VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican will display 100 select documents from its Secret Archives at an unprecedented exhibit next year that includes previously unpublished papers from its World War II papacy. "Lux in Arcana: The Vatican Secret Archives Revealed" opens in February at Rome's Capitoline Museums and marks the first time such precious documents, manuscripts and parchments have been allowed out of the Vatican vaults for view by the general public.
The occasion is the archive's 400th anniversary. On view will be the acts of Galileo's trial for heresy as well as the letter from members of the British Parliament asking Pope Clement XII to annul the marriage of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon — one of the key events that led to England's break with the Roman Catholic Church. Organizers said some of the previously unseen documents concern the papacy of Pope Pius XII, accused by some of failing to do enough to stop the Holocaust.
'Billions worth' of treasure found in Indian temple. 'Cars 2' keeps Pixar in driver's seat with $68M (AP) Gallery: Shocking scenes from the Vancouver Game 7 riots - Puck Daddy - NHL Blog. Inside Rogers Arena on Wednesday night, there was champagne in the Boston Bruins' dressing room and sullen faces for everyone wearing a Vancouver Canucks sweater after the home team's Game 7 loss in the Stanley Cup Final.
In downtown Vancouver, it was anarchy. Seventeen years after another Game 7 riot in the city, what began as a few random fires and incidents of vandalism by spectators became utter chaos, with looters stealing from local stores and police trying to clear the streets. From QMI: Between 130 and 140 people were sent to hospital, including three people with stab wounds and two suffering trauma, while a number of others were treated in the courtyard of a downtown hospital for the effects of tear gas.Most people were treated for tear gas and pepper spray effects, lacerations, facial trauma, substance abuse and head injuries, Alyssa Polinsky, spokeswoman for B.C.
Here are the scenes from the Vancouver riots: The turning over of police vehicles was an early part of the unrest. Mavs beat the Heat to win NBA championship. Apparent Immunity Gene ‘Cures’ Bay Area Man Of AIDS. CBS SF Bay (con't) Affordable Care Act Updates: CBSSanFrancisco.com/ACA Health News & Information: CBSSanFrancisco.com/Health SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) — A 45-year-old man now living in the Bay Area may be the first person ever cured of the deadly disease AIDS, the result of the discovery of an apparent HIV immunity gene. Timothy Ray Brown tested positive for HIV back in 1995, but has now entered scientific journals as the first man in world history to have that HIV virus completely eliminated from his body in what doctors call a “functional cure.” Brown was living in Berlin, Germany back in 2007, dealing with HIV and leukemia, when scientists there gave him a bone marrow stem cell transplant that had astounding results. “I quit taking my HIV medication the day that I got the transplant and haven’t had to take any since,” said Brown, who has been dubbed “The Berlin Patient” by the medical community.
“I’m cured of HIV. Scientists said Brown received stem cells from a donor who was immune to HIV. 150,000 in Arkansas apply for scholarship aid. WHO: Cell phone use can increase possible cancer risk. Cell phone use 'possibly carcinogenic' NEW: Experts say there are ways to minimize cell phone radiation It's in the same "hazard" category as lead, engine exhaust and chloroformUntil now, WHO has said no adverse health effects have been establishedThe cell phone industry maintains that there is no conclusive evidence of danger (CNN) -- Radiation from cell phones can possibly cause cancer, according to the World Health Organization.
The agency now lists mobile phone use in the same "carcinogenic hazard" category as lead, engine exhaust and chloroform. Before its announcement Tuesday, WHO had assured consumers that no adverse health effects had been established. A team of 31 scientists from 14 countries, including the United States, made the decision after reviewing peer-reviewed studies on cell phone safety. "The biggest problem we have is that we know most environmental factors take several decades of exposure before we really see the consequences," said Dr. Is your cell phone safe? Dr. Record-setting performances highlight a bizarre week on Mt. Everest. When Doomsday Isn't, Believers Struggle to Cope. Mexican authorities find 513 illegal immigrants in 2 tractor-trailers. By the CNN Wire Staff May 18, 2011 8:35 a.m. EDT X-ray equipment detects immigrants in tractor-trailers The immigrants primarily are from Central America, AsiaAttorney general: Each of them paid $7,000 to reach the U.S.X-ray equipment detects the immigrants at checkpoints in the state of ChiapasChiapas borders Guatemala and is a key crossing point Mexico City (CNN) -- Mexican authorities said they found and detained more than 500 illegal immigrants from Central America and Asia who were crammed inside two tractor-trailers heading toward the United States on Tuesday.
X-ray equipment detected the immigrants at checkpoints in the southern state of Chiapas, the state attorney general's office said. Inside the tractor-trailers, they found 513 people from El Salvador, Ecuador, China, Japan, Guatemala, India, Nepal, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. Guatemala's president declares 'state of siege' after 'massacre' More than 500 immigrants detained 2010: Group helps immigrants with desert.
Djokovic switched to gluten-free diet, now he's unstoppable on court. Curious about what's fuelling Novak Djokovic's rocket ride to the verge of the top ranking in men's tennis? Well, it's not pasta. At least not the standard kind. Before the current season, Djokovic switched to a gluten-free diet and suddenly most forms of processed carbohydrates became off-limits to him. Just as suddenly, he grew into an unstoppable force on the tennis court. In January he defeated world No. 1 Rafael Nadal to win the Australian Open, and this past Sunday he dropped Nadal again to win the Italian Open. The 23-year-old attributes much of his success to his eating habits. Common in starchy foods, gluten helps make bread rise and bagels chewy. Djokovic said off-season testing determined he was allergic to gluten, prompting the drastic shift in his eating habits.
“I have lost some weight but it's only helped me because my movement is much sharper now and I feel great physically,” he told the Mirror in April. Líderes: Articles: Octavio Viramontes - $15,000 winner of the NCLR-Best Buy Emerging Latino Leaders Scholarship. I was raised in an underprivileged town called Jalpa, Zacatecas, México. My dad, through a related program as the Bracero program, came to the United States to arduously work in order to provide for my family. My family consists of one older brother, one younger brother, a twin, and my dear beloved parents. My environment didn’t present social, academic or career opportunities; however my brothers and I are blessed with priceless morals and values.
Due to economic causes, my dad brought my entire family to find the “American Dream.” I was only seven when I arrived to a small house in a new country that I was forced to call “home.” Octavio's essay My willpower and my boldness to dream the impossible has led me to strive to be the best and along the way become an agent of change. I want to help communities to revitalize their lifestyles and bring new and innovative changes through bioengineering that will help them in their endeavors. I’m an engineer of aspirations and dreams. Delano High senior earns prestigious $100,000 scholarship - Bakersfield.com. Troy Polamalu gets his college degree - Shutdown Corner - NFL Blog.
Superman Renounces His U.S. Citizenship in 900th Issue of Action Comics - FoxNews.com. Superman is no longer an American. In Action Comics’ new record-breaking 900th issue, the iconic super hero renounces his U.S citizenship following a clash with the federal government. The Man of Steel, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1938, has always been recognized as a devoted American warrior who constantly fought evil, but as of Thursday, he is no longer the country's own to claim.
"I intend to speak before the United Nations tomorrow and inform them that I am renouncing my U.S. citizenship," he says in a cell in the issue. "I'm tired of having my actions construed as instruments of U.S. policy. " Superman even questions his longtime motto: "Truth, justice and the American way. " "Truth, justice, and the American way -- it's not enough anymore," he states.
Superman's creators defended the decision. "Superman is a visitor from a distant planet who has long embraced American values. The landmark issue is certainly sparking controversy. Www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/rss_viewer/birth-certificate-long-form.pdf. Sony issues warning after PlayStation Network attack - Video Games Blog Plugged In. Cnbc.com Six days after a security breach of its PlayStation Network, Sony said Tuesday that the incursion was much worse than expected and hackers had obtained personal information on 70 million subscribers. The company, in a blog entry posted Tuesday afternoon, added it is still unsure if the intruder also obtained credit card data for members who have that on file with the service, which provides online functionality for the PlayStation 3.
"Although we are still investigating the details of this incident, we believe that an unauthorized person has obtained the following information that you provided: name, address (city, state, zip), country, email address, birthdate, PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login, and handle/PSN online ID," wrote Patrick Seybold, senior director of corporate communications for Sony Computer Entertainment America. Top Selling Video Games Sony (SNE) says the attack has led it to begin rebuilding the system. Kate Middleton Surpasses Lady Di as the Most-Mentioned Royal in the Media. There are still eight days before Kate Middleton officially joins the royal family, but the princess bride is already becoming more popular than her famous crowned kin -- even the late Princess Diana.
The Global Language Monitor, a Texas company that tracks word usage trends around the world, has just released a study tracing how many times Middleton has been mentioned in different types of media over the last three months. Turns out Middleton is a major headliner. People can't seem to keep her name out of their mouths. Getty Images / AP The late Princess Diana, left, was a major media magnet during her lifetime, and princess-to-be Kate Middleton seems to be following in her footsteps. According to the Global Language Monitor, Middleton is quickly becoming the media's most-mentioned member of the royal family. He said that figure includes mentions of Middleton across all forms of online media, including blogs and social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter. www.bauergriffin.com.
Airbus A380 Jumbo Jet Clips Tail Of Another Plane While Taxiing At JFK Airport NO SOUND. First Orbit - the movie. Princeton FML. What the fuck has Obama done so far? University - Revealing the benefits of Colombian drug legalization. For his senior thesis, Woodrow Wilson School concentrator Gustavo Silva Cano produced a cost-benefit analysis of the drug prohibition policy in his home country of Colombia. Silva Cano's research supported drug legalization in Colombia, a surprising conclusion that opposed his personal beliefs. Photos: Denise Applewhite The senior thesis: Quintessentially Princeton The capstone of Princeton students' academic journey is the senior thesis, an independent work that requires seniors to pursue original research and scholarship under the guidance of faculty advisers. Research topics are inspired by learning experiences in and out of the classroom -- on campus or around the world.
Known as a quintessential part of the Princeton experience, the senior thesis encourages students to develop as independent thinkers by tackling a rigorous intellectual challenge. Other stories: Posted April 19, 2010; 12:00 p.m. by Ushma Patel "Before starting to write my thesis I was a staunch believer of prohibition. University - Princeton makes offers to 8.39 percent of applicants in record admission cycle. Posted March 30, 2011; 12:00 p.m. by Emily Aronson Princeton University has offered admission to 2,282 students, or 8.39 percent of the record 27,189 applicants for the class of 2015 in what may be the most selective admission process in the University's history. This compares with Princeton's final admission rates of 8.8 percent for the class of 2014 and 10.1 percent for the class of 2013. The applicant pool has increased 98.5 percent over the past seven years, with Princeton's strong academic programs and financial aid policies continuing to appeal to prospective students from around the United States and the world.
"Our competitive acceptance rate continues a trend Princeton has been experiencing over the last several years," Dean of Admission Janet Rapelye said. The Office of Admission mailed letters to applicants at noon March 30, and students also will be informed of their admission decision through an online notification system beginning at 5 p.m. Back To Top. Harvard physicist puts fires out with electrified wand, hopes to share on HarvardConnection. Two crazy weeks produce a Final Four full of surprises - The Dagger - NCAAB Blog. Japan earthquake: For one quake survivor, self-help in the face of seeming helplessness.
Indices. How-to-jailbreak-and-unlock-your-iphone: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance. WikiLeaks Archive — Cables Uncloak U.S. Diplomacy. International - the global coalition against corruption.