Tale of the tortoise and the hippo

A year after they first met, Owen, the baby hippo that survived last December's Tsunami, and Mzee, a 130-year-old tortoise are still best pals. They live together at the Haller Park preserve in Mombasa, Kenya.


Tale of the tortoise and the hippo

Fugitive Taliban Commander Sentenced To Life

Pakistan’s anti-terrorism court has in absentia sentenced to life imprisonment a fugitive Taliban commander, Mullah Dadullah, seen by many as the mastermind behind the Taliban-led resistance against US and allied forces in the Southern Afghani provinces of Zabul, Kandahar and Urgzan. The Anti Terrorism Court Quetta handed down six life sentences against six accused militants - two who are in jail and four including Mullah Dadullah who are still on the run - for the attempted murder of a Pakistani MP and provincial chief of the Islamist Jamiat-i-Ulema Islam (JUI) party, Maulana Mohammed Khan.

The court presided by Judge Abdul Ghias Nausherwani also fined the six 50,000 rupees (around 11,000 US dollars) each. It also sentenced the accused to another 16 years imprisonment after finding them guilty of crimes under two different laws: including the Explosives Act and Section 149 of Pakistan Penal Code.

Fugitive Taliban Commander Sentenced To Life

Charles Darwin: The Theory of Evolution

For thousands of years many philosophers had argued that life must of been created by a supernatural being / creator / God due to the incredible complexity of Nature (in particular, we humans and our minds). Thus it is remarkable that Charles Darwin (and others) were able to explain our existence by means of Evolution from Natural Selection - which is very obvious once understood.

In this web page (below) you will find some interesting quotes from Charles Darwin on the theory of Evolution, Natural Selection, Science, Humanity, God and Religion. These quotes will be written up and explained over time. Of greater significance, is the fact that there is also a very simple and obvious explanation of what matter actually is and thus how we can understand the metaphysical foundations of Evolution.

Charles Darwin: The Theory of Evolution

Health Tip: Does Your Dental Visit Require Antibiotics?

Although dental care is important for everyone, people who have had joint replacement surgery must be especially attentive before visiting the dentist.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, bacteria that cause infections in the mouth can travel through the bloodstream and settle near artificial joints.

Dental procedures that may require preventive antibiotics include work that may cause bleeding, injection of anesthetic into the gums, or dental extractions.

Health Tip: Does Your Dental Visit Require Antibiotics?

Mourners mark grim one-year tsunami anniversary

The siren from Banda Aceh's new tsunami warning system was sounded Monday morning at 8:16 a.m., marking one year to the minute since the first wave of the devastating Asian tsunami.

Survivors spent the day remembering those lost in the wall of waves that crashed into shores from Africa to Asia in a series of somber ceremonies marking the anniversary.

More than 230,000 people were killed when the most powerful earthquake in 40 years erupted beneath the ocean, displacing billions of tons of water last Dec. 26. Nations as far removed as Sri Lanka, Thailand and Somalia were affected.

Mourners mark grim one-year tsunami anniversary

`Love hormone' linked to fear factor

Love and trust really can conquer fear and anxiety.

Scientists have long been intrigued by the hormone oxytocin, which plays a role in complex social behaviour. The hormone is part of a system in the brain that controls the formation of emotional bonds, and plays a role during sex, childbirth and breastfeeding.

Now, scientists at the National Institutes for Health and Justus-Liebig University in Germany have discovered that oxytocin, which some have dubbed the hormone of love, can make volunteers less fearful.

`Love hormone' linked to fear factor

Christmas Sex Dangers Revealed

Christmas is the season of unprotected sex, according to a study.

The report cites as evidence a rise in abortions and sexually transmitted diseases in the New Year. It also reveals a peak of births - particularly outside marriage - nine months after Christmas. There was another, smaller peak indicating increased unprotected sex during the summer holiday period.

The report's authors are calling for seasonal sexual health campaigns, along the lines of Christmas drink-drive advertisements, to counter the trend.

The study, published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine on Tuesday, analysed data from the Office of National Statistics, the Public Health Laboratory Service and condom manufacturers.

Christmas Sex Dangers Revealed