8 myths from 'The Lost Symbol' on Freemasons decodedSeptember 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - After novelist Dan Brown portrayed the Freemasons in his new book 'The Lost Symbol', and wrote on the various myths surrounding them, the search for the truth behind the myths began. The Freemasons have for a long time been accused of everything from conspiring with extraterrestrials to practicing sexual deviancy to engaging in occult rituals to running the world-or trying to end it.
Obama: Allegations that Democratic health care legislation contains death panels are a 'lie'September 9th, 2009 Obama: Claims of death panels are a 'lie'WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says the charge that Democrats want to set up death panels as part of health care overhaul is a "lie, plain and simple."
Obama, in a speech to Congress on Wednesday night, denounced radio and cable TV talk show hosts and prominent politicians who alleged that his administration planned to set up panels of bureaucrats with the power to "kill off senior citizens." He called the allegations "cynical and irresponsible."
The charges were launched by former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and debunked by nonpartisan organizations. They claimed that Democratic legislative proposals would set up the so-called death panels to determine who gets treated.
Energy Dept. to give loan guarantee to Calif. solar company in city hit by auto plant closingSeptember 3rd, 2009 California solar company to get federal backingWASHINGTON — A California company that makes solar panels will receive a $535 million federal loan guarantee, allowing it to complete the first phase of a new manufacturing plant in Fremont. The expansion is expected to create up to 3,000 construction jobs and 1,000 long-term jobs.
Biologist dispels myth of 'man-eating' jumbo squidJuly 25th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A biologist has said that a jumbo squid's man-eating reputation has been blown out of proportions. University of Rhode Island (URI) biologist Brad Seibel has spoken against news reports about scuba divers off San Diego being menaced by large numbers of Humboldt's or jumbo squid.
Fish fear divers and snorkelers who try to count them for censusJuly 21st, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new research by scientists from the University of Victoria has shown that fish avoid the divers and snorkelers who try to count them, and that is why using snorkelers and SCUBA divers may misrepresent the number of fish. Not all types of fish are equally frightened by the divers, and Faculty of 1000 member Helen Yap, who recommended the study, explains that therefore "such methods may not provide an accurate picture of the actual diversity and abundance of fish communities."
Counting coral reef fish informs researchers about local ecological changes.
Volcano explosion didn't cause Earth to go into 'deep freeze' 74,000 years agoJuly 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has discounted a theory which suggested that when a giant volcano on Sumatra blew its top 74,000 years ago, the Earth went into deep freeze, cooling the climate by at least 10 degrees Celsius. The volcano, named Toba, may have ejected 1000 times more rock and other material than Mount St.
Obama administration warns senators: The highway construction fund will go broke in AugustJune 2nd, 2009 Administration: Highway fund to go broke in AugustWASHINGTON — The Obama administration is warning lawmakers that the trust fund that pays for highway construction will go broke in August unless Congress approves an infusion of as much as $7 billion. Sen. Barbara Boxer, chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said at a hearing Tuesday that the administration has told senators the Federal Highway Trust Fund will need an estimated $5 billion to $7 billion to keep current construction projects going.
2000 yr old sewn ship found in CroatiaMay 27th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Archaeologists have found an ancient sewn ship over 2000 years old in Novalia, Croatia. According to a report in Archaeological Discovery, the ship was found in the Caska Bay on the Island of Pag, near Novalja.
Clinton says job creation is a key element of US strategy for stabilizing AfghanistanApril 23rd, 2009 Clinton: job creation is key to Afghan stabilityWASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is telling Congress that local job creation is a key purpose of the $980 million in extra funds the State Department is requesting for its work in Afghanistan. Clinton is testifying before a House appropriations subcommittee that is reviewing the administration's request for $7.1 billion in additional funds for the State Department this budget year.
Ancient Mayans used rare clay to make blue pigmentApril 21st, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new research, scientists have determined that the ancient Maya civilization used a rare type of clay called "palygorskite" to produce Maya blue, a unique bright blue to greenish-blue pigment. As part of the research, the Spanish research team defined the features of palygorskite clay on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.
US think tank wants H1B cap raised to 195,000April 8th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Debunking the myth that H-1B visas steal American jobs, a US think tank has asked the Congress to instead raise the cap on them to promote economic growth and generate much needed tax revenue. Congress must raise the cap on H-1B visas coveted by Indian techies back to 195,000 visas per year - the maximum allowed as recently as 2001 - from the current 65,000, The Heritage Foundation analysts Jena Baker McNeill and Diem Nguyen said Tuesday.
Return of outsourced jobs not good for US: ObamaMarch 27th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In the midst of its worst recession in decades, President Barack Obama says it would be better to create new jobs that can't be outsourced instead of bringing back such low paying jobs from other countries. 'Not all of these jobs are going to come back,' he told a questioner during an 'Online Townhall' from the White House who asked when would jobs outsourced to other countries come back and be made available to the unemployed workers in the US.
Discovery astronauts finish third, final spacewalkMarch 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Two Discovery space shuttle astronauts completed maintenance work Monday on the International Space Station during the final spacewalk of the ongoing mission in orbit. During the six-and-a-half hour spacewalk, astronauts Joseph Acaba and Richard Arnold repositioned an equipment cart, deployed an external cargo mounting mechanism, lubricated the space station's robotic arm and reconfigured cables that power the station's gyroscopes.
Space shuttle Discovery docks with space stationMarch 18th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The space shuttle Discovery docked with the International Space Station (ISS) Tuesday for a construction mission that will allow the station to double its crew. The Discovery will deliver the fourth and final solar panel that will enable ISS to double the size of its crew to six astronauts.
Stickleback fish bust myth of born leadersJanuary 29th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Followers are just as important as leaders themselves in any undertaking, said a new study on stickleback fish, busting the myth of born leaders. Random pairing of fishes has shown how each member adopts the role of leader or follower.
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