National

Scientists have identified a previously unknown type of ancient human through analysis of DNA from a finger bone unearthed in a Siberian cave. The extinct “hominin” (humanlike creature) lived in Central Asia between 48,000 and 30,000 years ago. An international team has sequenced genetic material from the fossil showing that it is distinct from that […]

Infantino LLC is recalling more than 1 million baby slings after three infant deaths were reported, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday. The CPSC said consumers should immediately stop using the slings for children younger than four months due to suffocation risks. Since 2009, the CPSC received reports of three deaths due to […]

A school that has allowed its pupils to start the day an hour later says it has seen absenteeism decline. At Monkseaton High School, in North Tyneside, 800 pupils aged 13-19 have started lessons at 10am since October. Early results indicates that general absence has dropped by 8% and persistent absenteeism by 27%. Head teacher […]

A company backed by Microsoft chairman Bill Gates is in talks with Japan’s Toshiba to develop a new generation of nuclear reactors. Mr Gates’ TerraPower and Toshiba are investigating technology for mini-reactors, which are more cost-efficient than conventional units. The hope is that the new reactors might be suitable for use in cities or emerging-market […]

In the White House room where Abigail Adams used to air out her clean laundry, Vice President Joe Biden used some dirty language. A microphone picked up Biden uttering the “F” word Tuesday in the majestic East Room of the White House, as President Obama signed the historic health care reform bill into law. After […]

President Obama on Tuesday signed into law a sweeping health care reform bill, the nation’s most substantial social legislation in four decades, achieving a top priority of his administration. Greeted by applause from enthusiastic supporters, he said, “Today after almost a century of trying; today, after over a year of debate; today, after all the […]

Google has stopped censoring its search results in China, ignoring warnings by the country’s authorities. The US company said its Chinese users would be redirected to the uncensored pages of its Hong Kong website. In January, Google had complained about a “sophisticated cyber attack originating from China”. China has criticised the move, while the White […]

The Growing Movement For Publically Owned Banks by Ellen Brown        As the states’ budget and credit crises deepen, four states have initiated bills for state-owned banks, and candidates in seven states have included that solution in their platforms.  “Hundreds of job-creating projects are still on hold because Michigan businesses and entrepreneurs cannot get bank […]

Facebook has responded to a an apparently massive attempt to steal passwords from its users. “There’s another spoofed email going around that claims to be from Facebook and asks you to open an attachment to receive a new password,” read a post on the Facebook Security page. “This email is fake. Delete it from your […]

Democrats have the 216 votes needed to pass health care reform legislation in the House on Sunday, the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus told CNN. “This is a historic day and we are happy warriors,” Rep. John Larson, D- Connecticut, told CNN’s “State of the Union.” He added, “We’ve got the votes.” But the […]

Civil rights icon and veteran Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia, said anti-health care bill protesters Saturday repeatedly yelled the “N” word at him as he left a heath care meeting and walked to the Capitol. “I haven’t seen heard anything like this in more than 40 years, maybe 45.” Lewis said. “Since the march from Selma […]

Former President Bill Clinton made several phone calls Saturday to lobby wavering Democrats to sign on to the health care reform bill, Democratic sources told CNN. Clinton made phone calls to an unspecified number of House Democrats on Saturday as leaders tried to round up the 216 necessary votes to pass the bill. According to […]