Massive quakes in Indonesia have stirred two huge volcanoes from their slumber and sent shockwaves reverberating along a vast and volatile region known as the Pacific ”Ring of Fire”. Some of the most dramatic natural disasters of recent history have happened within the ring’s arc.
The World Health Organisation said on Tuesday that measures were being taken to destroy potentially deadly samples of the 1957 influenza virus, sent out unintentionally for tests to more 3 700 laboratories in 18 countries. The influenza virus to be destroyed, known as H2N2, vanished in 1968.
Thailand will next year host the world’s premier toilet event aimed at improving sanitary standards of public bathrooms, media reports said on Wednesday. Bangkok will play host to the ”World Toilet Expo and Public Toilet Forum” at an unspecified date next year, Deputy Public Health Minister Anithin Charnveerakul told The Bangkok Post.
Most Americans believe there is nothing wrong with openly gay male athletes participating in sports, but nearly 24% think an openly gay athlete would hurt their team, according to an NBC/USA Network poll. The mixed results of the survey on American attitudes toward gay athletes appear in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated.
The second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal between AC Milan and Inter Milan was abandoned when Inter fans behind the goal threw scores of flares on to the pitch, one of them striking AC Milan goalkeeper Nelson Dida. German referee Markus Merk stopped the game with Milan leading 1-0 on the night and 3-0 on aggregate.
Under-siege Queensland look likely to avert an exodus of key players despite the defection of Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe to Perth. The Reds have been buoyed by promising prop Greg Holmes signing a new two-year deal, while hooker Stephen Moore has also agreed to stay in Queensland.
A magnificent double century from Lou Vincent put New Zealand firmly in command of the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka at stumps on the third day. Vincent’s 224 was the seventh-highest Test innings by a New Zealander and provided the backbone of New Zealand’s 522 for nine declared.
Former United States president Bill Clinton this week announced that the Clinton Foundation is pledging $10-million to provide Aids treatment.
Four schoolgirls held by an Iranian man armed with two knives were freed by police after a five-hour hostage drama in western Germany on Tuesday, a police spokesperson said. Police said one of the girls was slightly injured by a knife but they were otherwise unhurt.
Workers at Ingwe Collieries’ Zululand Anthracite Colliery, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BHP Billiton, are determined to get their severance packages because the new owner of the mine seems to be "somewhat dubious", trade union Solidarity said in a statement on Wednesday.