Researchers crack of common cold

Scientists announced today they have cracked the genetic code of all known species of the common cold virus, a major step in possibly developing a cure, perhaps even a vaccine, for the common cold.

49 Killed in Plane Crash Near Buffalo

A Continental flight from Newark to Buffalo crashed into a house about five miles from Buffalo Niagara International Airport on Thursday night, killing 49 people, officials said.

Alaska volcano still restless

An aerial photograph taken over Mount Redoubt on February 2, 2009 shows a muddy outflow stream and waterfall discharging from the glacier on the upper north flank of the volcano. This discharge is caused by increased heat in the summit region since January 25, 2009. (Alaska Volcano Observatory/ U.S. Geological Survey)

Still unrest continues at Alaska’s Mount Redoubt.  My wife and I have (okay he is just a friend of my wife) a good friend named Steve living in Anchorage.  Our thoughts are with him and his family. 

Big Drop in Households’ Net Worth

Study Shows Big Drop in Households’ Net Worth

The leap in wealth that Americans thought they were enjoying over the past several years has already turned out to be a mirage, according to new estimates by the Federal Reserve.

Details of a Trimmer Stimulus Emerge

The new stimulus package seemed to defy Washington’s peculiar laws of physics, where numbers that go up don’t often come back down.

But by producing a compromise with a sticker price of about $789 billion — less than the amount approved in either the House or the Senate — Congress appears to have ensured quick passage. Indeed, the Senate may begin debate on the package Thursday and may even pass it before the House, which would endorse it by the end of the week.

Israeli Who Wins?

Results confirm Israeli deadlock

Neither leader is willing to step aside The final results of Israel’s general election have confirmed that neither of the two main parties can form a government on its own. With military and overseas ballots counted, the governing Kadima still had 28 seats and the opposition Likud had 27 – well short of the 61 they needed. Party leaders are seeking coalition partners to form a government. Israel’s president is expected to begin consultations next week about which party to ask to form a government.

Bushfire Appeal

Kidman donates to bushfire appeal

The couple wanted to show their support to all affected in the bushfires Nicole Kidman and husband Keith Urban have donated A$500,000 (£228,278) to the bushfire appeal in Australia. The couple, who are currently out of the country, appeared on a satellite link during a live televised appeal aimed to raise money for the Red Cross. Kidman, 41, said they were grieving “for the people who have been struck so devastatingly by this disaster”.

India welcomes Mumbai admission

India has described the admission by Pakistan that last year’s Mumbai terror attacks were partly planned on its soil as a “positive development”.

The attacks on Mumbai had overshadowed relations for weeks

A foreign ministry statement said India also expected Pakistan to take steps to dismantle the “infrastructure of terrorism” on its territory.