4 Dec - Night Owl Picks

 University in climate flap details inquiry reach
Outside reviewer named, will eye e-mails for data 'manipulation'
The British university at the center of what climate skeptics are calling "Climategate" on Thursday named an outside reviewer and detailed what would be investigated.

The University of East Anglia said Sir Muir Russell, until recently vice-chancellor at the University of Glasgow, will investigate whether scientists at its prestigious Climate Research Unit fudged data on global warming.

Hundreds of e-mails and other data stolen from university computers and then leaked online late last month have been seized upon by skeptics as proof that scientists conspired to hide evidence that global warming was not as strong as generally believed.

India will not sign binding emission cuts 
India would however accept international verification of reductions if supported by financing and technology transfers.
Climate talk collapse better for planet: NASA's Hansen The planet would be better off if the forthcoming Copenhagen climate change talks ended in collapse, according to a leading U.S. scientist who helped alert the world to dangers of global warming.

Any agreement likely to emerge from the negotiations would be so deeply flawed, said James Hansen, that it would be better for future generations if we were to start again from scratch.

"I would rather it not happen if people accept that as being the right track because it's a disaster track," Hansen, who heads the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York, told the Guardian newspaper.

"The whole approach is so fundamentally wrong that it is better to reassess the situation. If it is going to be the Kyoto-type thing then will spend years trying to determine exactly what that means."

On Wednesday China and other big developing nations rejected core targets for a climate deal proposed by the Danish hosts in a draft text, such as halving world greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

MIT Team Asks: Is Increase in Greenhouse Gas Part of Natural Cycle?  
A team of MIT scientists recorded a nearly simultaneous world-wide increase in methane levels -the first increase in ten years. What baffles the team is that this data contradicts theories stating humans are the primary source of increase in greenhouse gas. It takes about one full year for gases generated in the highly industrial northern hemisphere to cycle through and reach the southern hemisphere. Since all worldwide levels rose simultaneously throughout the same year, however, it is probable that this may be part of a natural cycle - and not the direct result of man's contributions

 Putin Will Consider Running for President Again
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says he will think about running for the Russian presidency again in 2012, and says his decision will hinge on Russia's recovery from the global financial crisis.

Russia's Putin says YUKOS owners ordered murders 

Secret Service agents could be fired for White House breach

E-mail scam aims to take advantage of swine flu fears

HIV/Aids Prevention is Key to Health Delivery -NACP Boss Stresses
Of the 2.7 million new HIV infections that occur worldwide in 2007, 1.9 million were in Africa.

Deadly Suicide Blast Rips Through Hotel in Somalia 
The blast targeted a university graduation ceremony being attended by a number of government officials; at least 19 killed.

African Music Treasures

Mnemonics Compilation Site Helps Stick Facts to Your Brain 

 Catholic Cardinal: Gays Go to Hell

Ousted Honduras president sees world support crumble 

Never Underestimate Local Knowledge
To Korean online users addicted to the local portals festooned with a plethora of menu links, the spartan design of Google's front page comes as a shocking reminder how different from the rest of the world their ethnic online behaviors are.