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Face-hunting software will scour web for targets
A search engine that uses sophisticated facial recognition to allow users to identify and find people in online images will launch next month. But civil liberties groups say the biometric-style tool could compromise the privacy of anyone who has their picture online.
UK report says robots will have rights
The next time you beat your keyboard in frustration, think of a day when it may be able to sue you for assault. Within 50 years we might even find ourselves standing next to the next generation of vacuum cleaners in the voting booth.
Yellowcake galore: Iran claims 1,400 uranium mines
NICOSIA — Iran has reported it has 1,400 uranium mines in the country, only a few of which have been tapped. The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization said 1,400 mines were available for the extraction of uranium. The organization said the mines were located in central Iran and would be used to produce yellowcake for the nation's uranium enrichment program.
Israeli military watches idly as rockets launched into Jewish cities
JERUSALEM – The Israeli Defense Forces today spotted several Palestinian militants launching rockets from the Gaza Strip into nearby Jewish cities but were unable to take any defensive measures due to restrictions imposed by the government, WND has learned.
Town's residents flee for their lives as 120 elephants run amok
A HERD of nearly 120 wild Asiatic elephants trooped into a town in India's remote north-east before dawn yesterday, forcing thousands of sleeping residents to wake up and run for their lives.
Mohammed overtakes George in list of most popular names
Mohammed, and its most common alternative spelling Muhammad, are now more popular babies' names in England and Wales than George, reflecting the diverse ethnic mix of the population. The Office for National Statistics said there were 2,833 baby boys called Mohammed in 2006.
Visitors Kept Away From Hawaii Volcano
VOLCANO, Hawaii (AP) — Visitors to one of the world's most active volcanoes are being kept hundreds of feet away from a 55-acre lava delta that authorities believe may soon collapse into the Pacific Ocean.
Putin celebrates 'glorious' spy service
MOSCOW, Russia (Reuters) -- To the clink of champagne glasses and strains of classical music Wednesday, Russia's President Vladimir Putin saluted Russia's resurgent secret services for their role in guarding national interests.
Nomads lost all to severe drought, then floods
MANDERA, Kenya (Reuters) -- After all her goats died in a drought that swept East Africa last year, Habiba Abdi Gedi decided to settle a few kilometers from the Darwa River along the Kenya-Ethiopia border. But then this year abnormally heavy rains in the Ethiopian highlands caused flash floods, bursting the river's banks, and flooding her home.
Colorado Blizzard Strands Thousands
The Denver area was motionless for a second day Thursday. City streets were empty, nothing moved at the airport but the thousands of stranded travelers, long stretches of highway were impassable, even the mail couldn't get through after a powerful blizzard dumped 2 feet of snow on the region.
Earthquakes Shakes Central Oklahoma
Two minor earthquakes shook central Oklahoma, rattling nerves but causing no serious damage or injuries, authorities said.
Jakarta airport debuts iris scanner to speed traveler
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Jakarta's busy international airport introduced an iris scanner system on Thursday aimed at business travelers willing to pay around $200 per year to avoid long immigration lines. Under the "Saphire" program, frequent flyers register with the immigration authorities, pay the annual fee, and submit to scans of their left and right eyes, which authorities say are as individual as prints of the fingers or palm.
Chaos as BA cancels all UK flights for two days
Passengers are facing another day of chaos after British Airways cancelled all domestic flights from Heathrow tomorrow because of thick fog. The airline also said some European services would be grounded. Today thousands were stranded at Heathrow after 350 domestic and shorthaul flights were cancelled.
IDF: Hizbullah almost at full strength
Predicting that it is "just a matter of time" before Hizbullah attacks Israel, a high-ranking officer from the Northern Command revealed to The Jerusalem Post Wednesday that the Lebanese guerrilla group had nearly returned to full strength and was almost at the level it was before this summer's Lebanon war.
Nations Aligning May Point Toward The End of Damascus and the Beginning of the End - Bill Wilson
WASH—Dec 21—KIN--Iran’s president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has declared that his country’s scientists have mastered the nuclear cycle making Iran a legitimate nuclear power. At the same time, al Qaeda has signaled its disapproval of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas’ announcement for elections, leading counter-terrorist analysts to believe the terror group has its sites set on Israel as it arms Islamic fighters from Lebanon, Iraq and Gaza. In addition, security analyst DEBKAfile reports that Syrian president Bashar Assad is in Moscow seeking arms to bolster his army and Hezbollah terrorist. Assad has a reported half a billion dollars of Iranian money to buy the weapons from Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Syria in Bush's Cross Hairs
Exclusive: A classified document suggests the Administration is considering a plan to fund political opposition to the Damascus government. Some critics say it would be an unwarranted covert action.
Report: US looking to topple Assad
TIME magazine exclusive: Classified document suggests Bush Administration considering plan to fund political opposition to Damascus government. Some critics say it would be an unwarranted covert action.
Israel's Domestic Enemy
After nearly sixty years on the sidelines, Israel's third and final enemy may be joining the battle. Foreign states are Israel's enemy no. 1. With the declaration of Israeli independence in May 1948, five foreign armed forces invaded Israel. All the major wars that followed — 1956, 1967, 1970, 1973 — involved Israelis at war with neighboring armies, air forces, and navies. Today, the greatest threat comes from weapons of mass destruction in Iran and Syria. Egypt increasingly presents a conventional arms danger.
Government declares war on homeschooling families
The German government, in a throwback to its National Socialist Workers Party heritage, has declared war on homeschool families, promising to bring those with banned "religious convictions" into alignment with the state regulations.
Nativity Scene Rejected at Wash. Capitol
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - The state's Christmas tree controversy has shifted from the airport to the Capitol, where the governor lit a menorah this week, but officials rejected a Nativity scene.
head:
Hypersonic Cruise Missile: America's New Global Strike Weapon
The mission: Attack anywhere in the world in less than an hour. But is the Pentagon's bold program a critical new weapon for hitting elusive targets, or a good way to set off a nuclear war?
Virtual Mind Games Revive Controversial Experiment
Infamous experiments almost 50 years ago discovered that ordinary people—under orders from an authority figure—would deliver apparently lethal electrical shocks to complete strangers.
SYRIA MULLS S-300PMU2 SYSTEM
MOSCOW [MENL] -- Syria has been discussing the procurement of the advanced S-300 air and missile defense system from Russia.
US Middle East Commander Gen. John Abizaid puts in request for another carrier in Gulf region as warning to Syria and Iran
DEBKAfile’s military sources report that this request, revealed by a senior Pentagon official, is the first time in four years that an American general has asked for a special force as a deterrent for Syria and Iran. Our Washington sources interpret the publication of Gen. Abizaid’s request during the visit to Iraq of the new defense secretary Robert Gates’ and head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace as indicating that the Bush administration is heading for a major operation against the two key threats to Iraq’s stability: the Sunni insurgents supported by Syria and the Shiite militias, which receive arms, intelligence and funding from Tehran.
China, Kazakhstan pledge to develop strategic partnership
BEIJING, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- China and Kazakhstan issued their bilateral cooperation strategy for the 21st century and a blueprint for economic cooperation here on Wednesday afternoon. The two sides also signed 11 cooperation agreements covering trade, energy, science and technology, culture and education.
China hopes 1st joint China-Japan history study proceed well
BEIJING, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- China hopes the first joint study between China and Japan on history can proceed well, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said here Thursday. The joint history study will kick off next Tuesday and the two countries have each appointed a 10-member team to conduct the research.
Malaysia calls for expansion of scientific cooperation with Iran
Malaysian Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Jamaleddin Jerjis on Thursday underlined the need for expanding mutual scientific ties with Iran. Jerjis held talks with Iran's ambassador to Malaysia Mehdi Khandagh-Abadi, and emphasized the Islamic Republic's decisive role in the world progress including the Muslim World and the Middle East.
Congressman Criticized for Muslim Letter
A Republican congressman has told constituents that unless immigration is tightened, "many more Muslims" will be elected and follow the lead of a recently elected lawmaker who plans to use the Quran at his ceremonial swearing-in.
A search engine that uses sophisticated facial recognition to allow users to identify and find people in online images will launch next month. But civil liberties groups say the biometric-style tool could compromise the privacy of anyone who has their picture online.
UK report says robots will have rights
The next time you beat your keyboard in frustration, think of a day when it may be able to sue you for assault. Within 50 years we might even find ourselves standing next to the next generation of vacuum cleaners in the voting booth.
Yellowcake galore: Iran claims 1,400 uranium mines
NICOSIA — Iran has reported it has 1,400 uranium mines in the country, only a few of which have been tapped. The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization said 1,400 mines were available for the extraction of uranium. The organization said the mines were located in central Iran and would be used to produce yellowcake for the nation's uranium enrichment program.
Israeli military watches idly as rockets launched into Jewish cities
JERUSALEM – The Israeli Defense Forces today spotted several Palestinian militants launching rockets from the Gaza Strip into nearby Jewish cities but were unable to take any defensive measures due to restrictions imposed by the government, WND has learned.
Town's residents flee for their lives as 120 elephants run amok
A HERD of nearly 120 wild Asiatic elephants trooped into a town in India's remote north-east before dawn yesterday, forcing thousands of sleeping residents to wake up and run for their lives.
Mohammed overtakes George in list of most popular names
Mohammed, and its most common alternative spelling Muhammad, are now more popular babies' names in England and Wales than George, reflecting the diverse ethnic mix of the population. The Office for National Statistics said there were 2,833 baby boys called Mohammed in 2006.
Visitors Kept Away From Hawaii Volcano
VOLCANO, Hawaii (AP) — Visitors to one of the world's most active volcanoes are being kept hundreds of feet away from a 55-acre lava delta that authorities believe may soon collapse into the Pacific Ocean.
Putin celebrates 'glorious' spy service
MOSCOW, Russia (Reuters) -- To the clink of champagne glasses and strains of classical music Wednesday, Russia's President Vladimir Putin saluted Russia's resurgent secret services for their role in guarding national interests.
Nomads lost all to severe drought, then floods
MANDERA, Kenya (Reuters) -- After all her goats died in a drought that swept East Africa last year, Habiba Abdi Gedi decided to settle a few kilometers from the Darwa River along the Kenya-Ethiopia border. But then this year abnormally heavy rains in the Ethiopian highlands caused flash floods, bursting the river's banks, and flooding her home.
Colorado Blizzard Strands Thousands
The Denver area was motionless for a second day Thursday. City streets were empty, nothing moved at the airport but the thousands of stranded travelers, long stretches of highway were impassable, even the mail couldn't get through after a powerful blizzard dumped 2 feet of snow on the region.
Earthquakes Shakes Central Oklahoma
Two minor earthquakes shook central Oklahoma, rattling nerves but causing no serious damage or injuries, authorities said.
Jakarta airport debuts iris scanner to speed traveler
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Jakarta's busy international airport introduced an iris scanner system on Thursday aimed at business travelers willing to pay around $200 per year to avoid long immigration lines. Under the "Saphire" program, frequent flyers register with the immigration authorities, pay the annual fee, and submit to scans of their left and right eyes, which authorities say are as individual as prints of the fingers or palm.
Chaos as BA cancels all UK flights for two days
Passengers are facing another day of chaos after British Airways cancelled all domestic flights from Heathrow tomorrow because of thick fog. The airline also said some European services would be grounded. Today thousands were stranded at Heathrow after 350 domestic and shorthaul flights were cancelled.
IDF: Hizbullah almost at full strength
Predicting that it is "just a matter of time" before Hizbullah attacks Israel, a high-ranking officer from the Northern Command revealed to The Jerusalem Post Wednesday that the Lebanese guerrilla group had nearly returned to full strength and was almost at the level it was before this summer's Lebanon war.
Nations Aligning May Point Toward The End of Damascus and the Beginning of the End - Bill Wilson
WASH—Dec 21—KIN--Iran’s president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has declared that his country’s scientists have mastered the nuclear cycle making Iran a legitimate nuclear power. At the same time, al Qaeda has signaled its disapproval of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas’ announcement for elections, leading counter-terrorist analysts to believe the terror group has its sites set on Israel as it arms Islamic fighters from Lebanon, Iraq and Gaza. In addition, security analyst DEBKAfile reports that Syrian president Bashar Assad is in Moscow seeking arms to bolster his army and Hezbollah terrorist. Assad has a reported half a billion dollars of Iranian money to buy the weapons from Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Syria in Bush's Cross Hairs
Exclusive: A classified document suggests the Administration is considering a plan to fund political opposition to the Damascus government. Some critics say it would be an unwarranted covert action.
Report: US looking to topple Assad
TIME magazine exclusive: Classified document suggests Bush Administration considering plan to fund political opposition to Damascus government. Some critics say it would be an unwarranted covert action.
Israel's Domestic Enemy
After nearly sixty years on the sidelines, Israel's third and final enemy may be joining the battle. Foreign states are Israel's enemy no. 1. With the declaration of Israeli independence in May 1948, five foreign armed forces invaded Israel. All the major wars that followed — 1956, 1967, 1970, 1973 — involved Israelis at war with neighboring armies, air forces, and navies. Today, the greatest threat comes from weapons of mass destruction in Iran and Syria. Egypt increasingly presents a conventional arms danger.
Government declares war on homeschooling families
The German government, in a throwback to its National Socialist Workers Party heritage, has declared war on homeschool families, promising to bring those with banned "religious convictions" into alignment with the state regulations.
Nativity Scene Rejected at Wash. Capitol
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - The state's Christmas tree controversy has shifted from the airport to the Capitol, where the governor lit a menorah this week, but officials rejected a Nativity scene.
head: Hypersonic Cruise Missile: America's New Global Strike Weapon
The mission: Attack anywhere in the world in less than an hour. But is the Pentagon's bold program a critical new weapon for hitting elusive targets, or a good way to set off a nuclear war?
Virtual Mind Games Revive Controversial Experiment
Infamous experiments almost 50 years ago discovered that ordinary people—under orders from an authority figure—would deliver apparently lethal electrical shocks to complete strangers.
SYRIA MULLS S-300PMU2 SYSTEM
MOSCOW [MENL] -- Syria has been discussing the procurement of the advanced S-300 air and missile defense system from Russia.
US Middle East Commander Gen. John Abizaid puts in request for another carrier in Gulf region as warning to Syria and Iran
DEBKAfile’s military sources report that this request, revealed by a senior Pentagon official, is the first time in four years that an American general has asked for a special force as a deterrent for Syria and Iran. Our Washington sources interpret the publication of Gen. Abizaid’s request during the visit to Iraq of the new defense secretary Robert Gates’ and head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace as indicating that the Bush administration is heading for a major operation against the two key threats to Iraq’s stability: the Sunni insurgents supported by Syria and the Shiite militias, which receive arms, intelligence and funding from Tehran.
China, Kazakhstan pledge to develop strategic partnership
BEIJING, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- China and Kazakhstan issued their bilateral cooperation strategy for the 21st century and a blueprint for economic cooperation here on Wednesday afternoon. The two sides also signed 11 cooperation agreements covering trade, energy, science and technology, culture and education.
China hopes 1st joint China-Japan history study proceed well
BEIJING, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- China hopes the first joint study between China and Japan on history can proceed well, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said here Thursday. The joint history study will kick off next Tuesday and the two countries have each appointed a 10-member team to conduct the research.
Malaysia calls for expansion of scientific cooperation with Iran
Malaysian Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Jamaleddin Jerjis on Thursday underlined the need for expanding mutual scientific ties with Iran. Jerjis held talks with Iran's ambassador to Malaysia Mehdi Khandagh-Abadi, and emphasized the Islamic Republic's decisive role in the world progress including the Muslim World and the Middle East.
Congressman Criticized for Muslim Letter
A Republican congressman has told constituents that unless immigration is tightened, "many more Muslims" will be elected and follow the lead of a recently elected lawmaker who plans to use the Quran at his ceremonial swearing-in.