University creates bee professor post

Bern University has set up a professorial post in bee health with the aim of better understanding the insect and its dwindling colonies. The post, funded with a SFr5 million ($5.89 million) donation by the Biel-based Vinetum foundation, will be attached to the university’s veterinary faculty. It aims to study the largely […]

Misspent energies …

Some voices in the US Congress are reportedly suggesting that the US cut back its financial contribution to the UN system and withdraw from some of its main bodies, such as the UN Human Rights Council, if the UN General Assembly votes in favour of recognising an independent Palestinian state […]

Jerusalem’s Festival of Lights

The light shines on Jerusalem JERUSALEM — When night falls on the Old City of Jerusalem this week, the walled enclave sheds its role as one of the world’s most contested pieces of real estate to become a luminous carnival of art installations and performances. Jerusalem’s Festival of Lights, now […]

France, Russia sign long-awaited Mistral sale

Russia’s Rosoboronexport military corporation and DCNS, the warships’ French maker, signed the contract on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg Economic Forum. French Foreign Trade Minister Pierre Lellouche, who was present along with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, estimated the contract at 1.12 billion euros. A Mistral-class ship can carry up […]

French E coli child victim in serious condition

One of the seven French children hospitalised with E coli was in a serious condition Friday, according to hospital sources. The four-year-old boy needs intensive care and sophisticated medical techniques, they say. The child needed dialysis overnight, according to Health Minister Xavier Bertrand, who visited the hospital in the northern […]

Protest called in Morocco after king’s speech

Casablanca, Morocco (CNN) — Some protesters not satisfied with the Moroccan king’s proposed constitutional reforms have called for a peaceful demonstration Sunday. “The national coordinators (of the movement) have called for a demonstration Sunday for a truly democratic constitution and a parliamentary monarchy,” a member of the Rabat wing said […]

Ginger and feverfew ease migraines

Migraine sufferers treated with a homeopathic preparation of ginger and the herb feverfew may find some pain relief, according to a preliminary study. Feverfew, which is derived from a flowering plant, has long been thought to be a remedy for headaches. It might offer an alternative to standard migraine medications, […]

‘Biggest porcelain haul’ found in Indonesia

JAKARTA — A $70-million haul of Ming Dynasty porcelain has been found in a 16th-century shipwreck off the Indonesian island of Java, a Portugal-based salvage company said Friday. Arqueonautas Worldwide (AWW) and its Indonesia-based partner RM Discovery Inc. said an “archaeological reconnaissance operation” had confirmed the discovery of the “biggest […]

Dirty Tools of War Propagandists

ARTICLE SUMMARY: After all the other fake stories used to whip up public support for wars, you’d think we had learned something. Apparently not, judging from the media’s unquestioning spreading of claims that Al Qathafi ordered Viagra-furled rapes – claims that, according to businessinsider.com look dubious under even a little […]

Opposition ridicules Merkel’s bailout deal

Germany’s opposition parties have poured scorn on the compromise brokered between Angela Merkel and French president Nicolas Sarkozy on a new Greek bailout package, which calls for the private sector to contribute voluntarily. “The idea of a voluntary contribution from the banks is ridiculous,” said Carsten Schneider, financial spokesman for […]

France raises concern over nuke-free Germany

France’s Energy Minister Eric Besson is urging the European Commission to tackle the knock-on effects of Germany’s decision to abandon nuclear power, fearing energy supplies problems, in a letter seen Friday. “Our national decisions can have a substantial impact on the balance between electricity demand and supply in other European […]