New York legalizes same-sex marriage
The New York State Legislature passed a bill Friday that legalizes same-sex marriage in the state. It was signed into law by Democratic governor Andrew Cuomo. New York now becomes the sixth and largest U.S. state with legalized same-sex marriage. The practice is legal in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire,...
QUNFUZ: Some shock, no awe
picture by Ali FarzatBy last Friday, if it hadn’t already done so, the Syrian regime effectively declared war on its own people, killing at least a hundred protestors. Throughout this week parts of Syria have fallen under outright siege.The tanks and infantry which haven’t peeped across the occupied Golan since 1973 entered...
Recent scandals show ongoing battle for Chinese food security
A slew of food scandals have occurred in China in recent weeks, highlighting the country's ongoing challenge with maintaining levels of food safety.Most recently, a report on broadcaster CCTV2 revealed that a Shanghai producer of steamed buns (mantou) used contained dye and excessive amounts of artificial sweetener in the ...
Ivory Coast expels British, Canadian ambassadors
The incumbent leader of the Ivory Coast, Laurent Gbagbo, is expelling the Canadian and British ambassadors, according to state television. State television reports the envoys are being expelled as a reciprocal measure, as the respective countries did not recognise Gbagbo's leadership. This is following his decision not to...
Climate computer game lets you see how our choices can impact climate
Nina Chestney, Reuters Ever wondered how one person could save the planet from the effects of climate change? A British-made computer game on trial release Monday creates different ways of doing just that. Fate of the World puts the Earth's future in players' hands, placing them in charge of an international environmental...
QUNFUZ: Things that happened while I was there
Editor's note: the following is a list of things that took place during the author's trip to Palestine a couple of weeks ago.A large demonstration was held in central Nablus calling for the release of the thousands of prisoners held in the Israeli gulag.Israeli forces shelled Gaza.The Palestinian Authority arrested 53 men in...
"My father is Li Gang" goes viral in China
“My Father is Li Gang!” has become the most popular catchphrase in the Chinese Internet in the past few days. First of all, you may ask, who is Li Gang? Li Gang is the deputy director of the police department in the northern district of Baoding city, Hebei province.On October 16, a car accident took place in Hebei University,...
Mexico's Lerma River is Dying
By Andrea Arzaba The Lerma Santiago River (commonly known as “Rio Lerma”) is Mexico’s second longest river. At the same time, it used to be a source of drinking water for the capital and the central part of the country. During the 17th and 18th centuries, large haciendas were established along this river. Unfortunately, today...
Charlie the smoking chimpanzee dies aged 52
Charlie, a Chimpanzee in a South African zoo who became addicted to cigarettes, has died at the age of 52, exceeding the average lifespan of a captive chimpanzee by twelve years. After a video of Charlie puffing on cigarettes discarded by visitors appeared on the Internet, the animal and the zoo gained international attention...
The Commonwealth Games 2010 begin in India
Amidst heightened security precautions the 2010 Commonwealth Games officially begins today in New Delhi, India. The Commonwealth Games is a multi-sport event which is held every four years since 1930 between the athletes of members of the Commonwealth of Nations. For the first time this event ...
