They Seem To Have Found Another Earth – A new planet outside of Earth’s solar system has been identified with many similarities to our own – making it the latest best potential target for life. Kepler 22-b, which is about 2.4 times the size of Earth and lies in the so-called “Goldilocks zone”, has a relatively comfortable surface temperature of about 22C (72F) and orbits a star not unlike Earth’s sun. [guardian]
COP17: China’s Promise Leaves More Questions – There’s been mixed reaction at COP17 to China’s announcement that it would accept a legally binding agreement to reduce carbon emissions. In a seeming dig at the United States, China’s chief negotiator, Xie Zhenhua, speaking through a translator, said: “It’s time for us to see who is acting in a responsible way to deal with the common challenge of human beings.” [mail&guardian]
‘Incoherent’ Selebi In Prison Hospital – Former police chief and ex-president of Interpol Jackie Selebi on Monday left hospital to begin his 15-year jail sentence for corruption, the national prosecuting authority (NPA) confirmed. Selebi who was reportedly incoherent and disoriented on arrival, is being held in the prison’s infirmary, accompanied by his wife. [news24]
H&M Uses Fake Bodies With Real Models’ Heads – All that griping about how models’ slender proportions are completely unrealistic? Turns out they are literally unrealistic — as in, they are totally fake. H&M has been sticking real models’ heads on computer-generated bodies, reveals Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet. [huffpo]
Some Christians Are Angry With Johnny Depp – If some Christian groups get their way, Johnny Depp will end up with a lump of coal in his stocking this Christmas. The “Pirates of the Caribbean” star has enraged at least two religious organizations by contributing vocals to the song “Jesus Stag Night Club” by the British band Babybird. [reuters]
Tiger Woods Wins First Tournament Since Sex Scandal – Tiger Woods won his first golf tournament in two years Sunday when he sank a birdie putt on the 18th hole to edge Zach Johnson by one shot and capture the Chevron World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks. Woods finished at 10 under par to win his own tournament, which benefits Woods’ charitable foundation. [latimes]
BP Accuses Halliburton Of Destroying Gulf Spill Evidence – BP accused Halliburton Co of destroying evidence that the oilfield services company did inadequate cement work on the Gulf of Mexico oil well that blew out last year, and asked a federal judge to punish Halliburton. The accusation, in a BP court filing, raises the stakes ahead of a trial to assign blame and damages for the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history. [reuters]
Protesters Accuse Putin’s Party Of Rigging Votes – Several thousand protesters took to the streets Monday night and accused Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s party of rigging this weekend’s parliamentary election in which it won the largest share of the seats. It was perhaps the biggest opposition rally in years and ended with police detaining about 300 activists. [abcnews]
S&P Threatens Eurozone Downgrade – Standard & Poor’s said Germany and France may be stripped of their AAA credit ratings as the debt crisis prompts 15 euro nations to be put on review for possible downgrade. The euro area’s six AAA rated countries are among the nations to be placed on a negative outlook. [bloomberg]
Amanda Knox Signs Book Deal – The Amanda Knox story is one step closer to bookstores everywhere, as she has signed with a very powerful literary agent in DC. Amanda recently inked a deal with lawyer/lit agent Robert Barnett — who has brokered book deals for some of the biggest names imaginable … Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin and Dick Cheney. [tmz]
Sepp Blatter Confirms Goal Line Technology Is Coming Soon – FIFA president Sepp Blatter has reportedly said that goal line technology could be implemented as early as next season. Blatter said it is “accurate, fast and uncomplicated.” He says the International Football Association Board will discuss the technology in March 2012 and could be used in the 2012-13 season if approved. [sportsillustrated]
CNN Asks: Is South Africa Addicted To Coal? – Coal is the new gold in South Africa — it’s also one of the worst polluters on the planet. South Africa is the world’s fourth largest coal exporter with over 40 billion tons of the fossil fuel in reserves. But the of host of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, currently taking place in Durban, is under increasing pressure to curb its addiction to coal. [cnn]
The Beginning Of The End For Facebook? – Rightly or wrongly, what’s caused me to start to evaluate whether Facebook has peaked is my own declining use of the site. I find myself using it less and less each day, sometimes going days or weeks without checking it. Interestingly, I have also observed that many in my network are posting less often. What may be happening is that consumers are experiencing Facebook fatigue. [time]
Britain’s Biggest Restaurant Opens In Bristol – The biggest restaurant in the UK opened its doors this week with a capacity of feeding a small army of 2,100 diners a night. Bristol’s harborside restaurant Za Za Bazaar spans 30,000 square feet (2,790 square meters) and two floors, and serves up an all-you-can-eat buffet that includes Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Italian and traditional British fare. [luxuo]
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