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Category Archives: WORLD

Can Kenya’s Hidden Aquifer Prevent a Water War?

David Smothers September 14, 2013

This week’s jaw-dropping news that a massive aquifer has been discovered beneath Kenya conjured up all sorts of visions of the desert instantly greening like a Chia Pet. But it’s not as easy as digging a well—the aquifer opens up a whole other set of political and environmental issues that face the African nation. News… Continue Reading »

NEWS, WORLD

76-Year-Old Argentinian Cardinal Bergoglio Named New Pope, First Ever from Americas

David Smothers March 13, 2013

In a major surprise, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, an Argentinian cardinal predicted by almost no one, has been named Pope by the Papal Conclave. He will be the first-ever pope from the Western Hemipshere, and will take the name Francis I. Bergoglio was announced to a packed and cheering St. Peter’s Square minutes ago, following the… Continue Reading »

WORLD

Why Daylight Saving Time Is Pointless

David Smothers March 10, 2013

Ugh. You’re up an hour early, your body hates you for it, and even a gallon of coffee can’t get your day on track. Daylight savings sucks. But you know the worst part? It doesn’t have to be like this. Daylight savings isn’t as old as you think it is. First suggested by Benjamin Franklin,… Continue Reading »

WORLD

Malala Yousufzai, advocate of education for women via Internet, nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

David Smothers March 5, 2013

The young Pakistani girl, Malala Yousufzai, that was brutally shot in the head by the extremist Taliban group for publicly advocating women education via the internet has been nominated as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize. She is the youngest such nominee for the prize in history. Of all the recipient nominees for the prize,… Continue Reading »

INNOVATION, NEWS, TECHNOLOGY, WORLD

Forest Whitaker’s Non-Profit Thinks Tech Will Bring Peace to Africa

David Smothers February 28, 2013

What defines something as “peaceful”? The absence of war, for one, is a pretty obvious element. Respect, generosity and open-mindedness make sense too. But it takes more than just understanding the definition to be a true advocate of peace, a just-launched non-profit says. PeaceEarth, a digital-first project, aims to create a network of “peace builders”… Continue Reading »

MILITARY, NEWS, WORLD

North Korea Might Have Just Tested a Nuclear Bomb

David Smothers February 11, 2013

This isn’t good. North Korea has reportedly conducted a nuclear test. Unusual seismic activity in the region was detected that indicated a nuclear bomb and South Korea has told a United Nations Security Council diplomat that North Korea performed a nuclear test. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty Organization put out this statement: “Today our monitoring… Continue Reading »

CURIOSITY, MARS, NEWS, PLANETS, WORLD

Mars Rover Curiosity Has Successfully Drilled for the First Ever Sample of Mars’ Virgin Bedrock

David Smothers February 11, 2013

Since Curiousity has landed on Mars, it’s been roving around finding all manner of…curiosities. Today, it’s pulled off an intergalactic first and drilled 2.5 inches deep into the red planet’s bedrock to obtain a sample. No one—no robot, as ever managed to pull that off before. 2.5 inches deep and 0.63 inches wide, the hole… Continue Reading »

JPL, NASA, NEWS, WORLD

How NASA Wants Us to Explore the Universe With Robotic Avatars and Holodecks

David Smothers February 8, 2013

Take three minutes of your life to listen to Dr. Jeff Norris, one of the science rock stars at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. He talks about how NASA is working to democratize space exploration by using robots, holodecks and 3D technologies so we can all see space with our own eyes using space probes that… Continue Reading »

CELEBRITY, NEWS, WORLD

Can Lance Armstrong Rebuild His Brand?

David Smothers January 29, 2013

His words were unequivocal, his face somber. To Oprah Winfrey’s direct questions about whether he had used banned substances to enhance his athletic performance, Lance Armstrong, seven-time winner of what is considered to be the most grueling sports event in the world, cycling’s Tour de France, answered simply, “Yes.” The man who became an American… Continue Reading »

CONSOLE, GAMING, NEWS, POLITICS, WORLD

Gamers Start Petition to Ban Region Locking in the U.S.

David Smothers January 21, 2013

A group of gamers has started a special petition designed to attract the White House’s attention to the practice of region locking in the video game industry as well as in the entertainment one as a whole. Devices like home consoles can sometimes be region locked by manufacturers, meaning the devices sold in one country or territory… Continue Reading »