Humans are using too much Sun

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Human greed takes lion's share of solar energy - HUMANS are just one of the millions of species on Earth, but we use up almost a quarter of the sun's energy captured by plants - the most of any species. The human dominance of this natural resource is affecting other species, reducing the amount of energy available to them by almost 10 per cent, scientists report. Researchers said the findings showed humans were using "a remarkable share" of the earth's plant productivity "to meet the needs and wants of one species". They also warned that the increased use of biofuels - such as ethanol and canola - should be viewed cautiously, given the potential for further pressure on ecosystems.

'Scepticism' over climate claims - The public believes the effects of global warming on the climate are not as bad as politicians and scientists claim, a poll has suggested. The Ipsos Mori poll of 2,032 adults - interviewed between 14 and 20 June - found 56% believed scientists were still questioning climate change. There was a feeling the problem was exaggerated to make money, it found. The Royal Society said most climate scientists believed humans were having an "unprecedented" effect on climate. The survey suggested that terrorism, graffiti, crime and dog mess were all of more concern than climate change.

Recent British attacks:

Dr Mohammed Asha: Arrested on the M6

Heathrow evacuated over suspect package

'Terror ringleader' is brilliant NHS doctor - An Iraqi junior doctor and a brilliant neurologist working for the NHS are among the suspects being quizzed over the series of bomb attacks across Britain, it emerged today.

Hospital registrar in terror bust - AN Indian national arrested at Brisbane's international airport overnight over the UK terror plots was a registrar at the Gold Coast Hospital in Southport.

Five Doctors Held Over Attacks - Five doctors are now being held in connection with the recent attempted terror attacks - one is an Iraqi doctor who trained in Baghdad.

Mobile phone calls failed to trigger London blasts - The attempted London car bombings were meant to be detonated by calls to mobile phones in the two vehicles, but failed for technical reasons, the Evening Standard reported Monday.

Police hunted Glasgow suspect before attack - Scottish police were investigating a man suspected of attacking Glasgow airport on Saturday even before the incident in which a fuel-laden jeep slammed into a terminal building.


Trooper, students killed in mosque clash - A Pakistani paramilitary trooper and up to eight students have been killed, during clashes at a mosque run by a Taliban-style movement in Islamabad.

Saudi foils 180 'terror' attacks since 2003 - Saudi Arabia has foiled 180 "terrorist" operations by Al-Qaeda since 2003 and averted a catastrophe in the oil powerhouse, the interior minister said in comments published Monday. "The security forces have caused the failure of 180 terrorist operations," local media quoted Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdel Aziz as saying.

Russia shuts down Allofmp3.com - The music download website whose activities threatened to scupper Russia's entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has been shut down. The site, Allofmp3.com, was quietly closed as the Kremlin sought to end criticism from the United States that Russia was failing to clamp down on music and video piracy.

Iran, Venezuela in "axis of unity" against U.S. - The presidents of Iran and Venezuela launched construction of a joint petrochemical plant on Monday, strengthening an "axis of unity" between two oil-rich nations staunchly opposed to the United States. Venezuela's Hugo Chavez and Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who both often rail against Washington, also signed a series of other deals to expand economic cooperation, ranging from setting up a dairy factory in Venezuela to forming an oil company. "The two countries will united defeat the imperialism of North America," a beaming Chavez told a news conference during an official visit to the Islamic Republic, which the United States has labeled part of an "axis of evil".

Iran rejects Stone film request - Iran has rejected a request by United States filmmaker Oliver Stone to make a film about President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the website of the news network Press TV reported on Sunday. Ahmadinejad's media advisor, Mehdi Kalhor, said that Stone had requested to make a film about Ahmadinejad which was however rejected by the president. "We have already seen his documentaries - even though Stone is considered a member of the opposition group in the US, it is still part of the Great Satan," he said.

New Drug Deletes Bad Memories - Do you have a really bad memory, or past heartache, that you would prefer to forget? Researchers at Harvard and McGill University (in Montreal) are working on an amnesia drug that blocks or deletes bad memories. The technique seems to allow psychiatrists to disrupt the biochemical pathways that allow a memory to be recalled.

Drug charges for grappler's doctor - The personal doctor of Chris Benoit, a pro wrestler said to have killed his wife and son before committing suicide, was charged yesterday with improperly dispensing painkillers and other drugs to other patients.

Bush Decision on Libby Draws Fire - President Bush's move to commute former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby's 2 ½-prison term for lying and obstruction of justice in the CIA leak case has drawn harsh criticism from Democrats who said the decision showed the administration's lack of accountability. Stopping short of issuing a pardon, Mr. Bush issued a statement Monday sparing Libby from jail, but he left in place a $250,000 fine and probation for the ex-chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney.