BBC News - Alcohol 'more harmful than heroin' says Prof David Nutt

BBC News - Alcohol 'more harmful than heroin' says Prof David Nutt: "Alcohol is more harmful than heroin or crack when the overall dangers to the individual and society are considered, according to a study in the Lancet."

For Roman Catholics, a Renewed Interest in Exorcism - NYTimes.com

For Roman Catholics, a Renewed Interest in Exorcism - NYTimes.com: "There are only a handful of priests in the country trained as exorcists, but they say they are overwhelmed with requests from people who fear they are possessed by the Devil.

Now, American bishops are holding a conference on Friday and Saturday to prepare more priests and bishops to respond to the demand. The purpose is not necessarily to revive the practice, the organizers say, but to help Catholic clergy members learn how to distinguish who really needs an exorcism from who really needs a psychiatrist, or perhaps some pastoral care."

Conservative peer Lord James of Blackheath: I'm a money washer, not a money launderer - Northern Ireland, Local & National - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Conservative peer Lord James of Blackheath: I'm a money washer, not a money launderer - Northern Ireland, Local & National - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk: "'I have had one of the biggest experiences in the laundering of terrorist money and funny money that anyone has had in the City. I have handled billions of pounds of terrorist money.'"

China may be bigger economy than US within two years – Telegraph Blogs

China may be bigger economy than US within two years – Telegraph Blogs: "Here’s a finding that will have any red-blooded American spluttering into his cornflakes. According to the Conference Board, a highly respected economic research association, China will overtake the US as the world’s biggest economy by 2012, or within two years."

BBC News - Alcohol 'more harmful than heroin' says Prof David Nutt

BBC News - Alcohol 'more harmful than heroin' says Prof David Nutt: "Alcohol is more harmful than heroin or crack when the overall dangers to the individual and society are considered, according to a study in the Lancet."

From Farm to Fridge to Garbage Can - NYTimes.com

From Farm to Fridge to Garbage Can - NYTimes.com: "How much food does your family waste?

A lot, if you are typical. By most estimates, a quarter to half of all food produced in the United States goes uneaten — left in fields, spoiled in transport, thrown out at the grocery store, scraped into the garbage or forgotten until it spoils."

t r u t h o u t | Veteran Suicides Outnumber US Military Deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan

t r u t h o u t | Veteran Suicides Outnumber US Military Deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan: "More than 1,000 veterans in California under 35 died after returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan between 2005 and 2008 - three times as many California service members who were killed in conflict overseas, according to a recently published Bay Citizen report."

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad calls for 9/11 investigation - Telegraph

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad calls for 9/11 investigation - Telegraph: "Speaking at a late night rally, he said: “I announce that the formation of an independent and neutral team to examine the facts and discover the truth of the September 11 events is the demand of all the peoples of the region and the world.”"

AFP: Canada declares Bisphenol A toxic

AFP: Canada declares Bisphenol A toxic: "OTTAWA — Canada has become the first country in the world to declare as toxic Bisphenol A, a compound used in many consumer products, despite opposition by the chemical industry."

Atheists, agnostics most knowledgeable about religion, survey says - latimes.com

Atheists, agnostics most knowledgeable about religion, survey says - latimes.com: "Report says nonbelievers know more, on average, about religion than most faithful. Jews and Mormons also score high on the U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey."

UN to appoint Earth contact for aliens | News.com.au

UN to appoint Earth contact for aliens | News.com.au

The End of Privacy: Entire City to Track People With Public Eye Scanners

The End of Privacy: Entire City to Track People With Public Eye Scanners: "Imagine a public eye scanner that can identify 50 people per minute, in motion. Now imagine that the government install these scanner systems all across an entire city. Or don't imagine it, because it's already happening, right now."

Hotter-burning sun warming the planet - Washington Times

Hotter-burning sun warming the planet - Washington Times: "'The sun has been at its strongest over the past 60 years and may now be affecting global temperatures,' said Sami Solanki, the director of the renowned Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Gottingen, Germany, who led the research.

'The sun is in a changed state. It is brighter than it was a few hundred years ago and this brightening started relatively recently -- in the last 100 to 150 years,' Mr. Solanski said."

Brain's reward system helps drive placebo effect | Reuters

Brain's reward system helps drive placebo effect | Reuters: "(Reuters Health) - Want to maximize the placebo effect? A good way to do this, according to a new study, is to tell someone they have a decent chance of getting the real treatment instead of a fake pill, but keep them guessing."

Worst heat ever - NYPOST.com

Worst heat ever - NYPOST.com: "While this month's sizzling weather may feel unbearable, with the temperature hitting a high of 97 degrees yesterday, tying a record, it pales in comparison to the heat wave that city residents endured in the summer of '96 -- 1896, that is."

Chief exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth says Devil is in the Vatican -Times Online

Chief exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth says Devil is in the Vatican -Times Online: "Chief exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth says Devil is in the Vatican"

California city approves marijuana farming - U.S. news - Life - msnbc.com

California city approves marijuana farming - U.S. news - Life - msnbc.com: "OAKLAND, California — The city of Oakland, California on Tuesday legalized large-scale marijuana cultivation for medical use and will issue up to four permits for 'industrial' cultivation starting next year."

Chinese Edge Closer to Supercomputing Record - NYTimes.com

Chinese Edge Closer to Supercomputing Record - NYTimes.com: "SAN FRANCISCO — A Chinese supercomputer has been ranked as the world’s second-fastest machine, surpassing European and Japanese systems and underscoring China’s aggressive commitment to science and technology."

Terrafugia Transition 'flying car' gets go-ahead from US air authorities - Telegraph

Terrafugia Transition 'flying car' gets go-ahead from US air authorities - Telegraph: "The Terrafugia Transition, a light aircraft that can convert into a road-legal automobile, is to go into production after being given a special weight exemption by the US Federal Aviation Administration."

Smarter Than You Think - I.B.M.'s Supercomputer to Challenge 'Jeopardy!' Champions - NYTimes.com

Smarter Than You Think - I.B.M.'s Supercomputer to Challenge 'Jeopardy!' Champions - NYTimes.com: "For the last three years, I.B.M. scientists have been developing what they expect will be the world’s most advanced “question answering” machine, able to understand a question posed in everyday human elocution — “natural language,” as computer scientists call it — and respond with a precise, factual answer."