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Introductions for World News for Kids: 1 to 10

Killer Storm Rages Through Western Europe

Over 60 people died in storms that lashed parts of France, Spain and Portugal. In France alone, 50 people died. Read on ...

Flightless Mosquitoes the Solution to Dengue Fever?

Scientists plan to control the spread of dengue fever by breeding genetically altered flightless mosquitoes. Dengue is spread by the bite of the female Aedes aegypti mosquito. Read on ...

Rahman Bags Double Grammy Honour for India

The popular music composer A.R. Rahman won two Grammy awards for his music in the film Slumdog Millionaire. Read on ...

Terror Targets India: Bomb Blast Kills 16

A bomb blast in the western Indian city of Pune in Maharashtra state killed 16 people and injured 40 more. This was the first such attack after the November 2008 terror strike in Mumbai. Read on ...

The Bt Brinjal Battle

Brinjal or egg-plant is not everybody's favourite vegetable, but it has been making headlines. A debate over the introduction of genetically modified brinjal has been raging in India. Read on ...

Athlete's Death Casts Gloom Over Games

The Winter Olympics began in Vancouver, Canada, under the shadow of the death of athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili in a training accident. Read on ...

Tourists Stranded in Machu Picchu

Heavy rain and resultant landslides in the Andes Mountains of Peru killed 20 people. For thousands of tourists, an Incan holiday was ruined. Read on ...

More Disturbing Attacks on Indians in Australia

Violent attacks on Indians, especially students, are increasing. Australia's government denies that the attacks are racist. India is now talking tough and demanding stern action. Read on ...

Haiti Hit By Massive Earthquake

The year 2010 began on a sad note in Haiti, where a massive earthquake struck. Around 200,000 people were killed, and hundreds of thousands lost their homes. Read on ...

Earthquake Rocks New Zealand

The earthquake that struck New Zealand's South Island was powerful, but there were no casualties or damage as it took place in a sparsely populated area. Four strong aftershocks followed within 24 hours. Read on ...

Poor Rainfall In India Affects Crops

The annual rainy season in India has brought very little rainfall. With most of the season already over, the government and farmers alike are losing hopes for a good harvest. Read on ...

World Leaders Propose Solutions to Global Hunger

The Group of Eight summit in Italy saw world leaders of developed economies working out new strategies for permanent solutions to global hunger and food scarcities. Read on ...

General Motors Out of Bankruptcy

General Motors, America's biggest car manufacturer, declared bankruptcy over a month ago. It is now back on track in record time as a new corporation whose biggest share is owned by the government. Read on ...

Violence Rocks China's Xinjian Province

Ethnic violence in China's Xinjiang province has left more than 150 people dead and hundreds injured. It has been the bloodiest violence in the country in decades. Read on ...

Federer is Number One Again

Swiss Roger Federer made tennis history on Sunday when he defeated USA's Andy Roddick to win a sixth Wimbledon title and a record 15th Grand Slam crown in a dramatic final. Read on ...

Honduras President Deposed

President Manuel Zelaya of Honduras was ousted from office by force and an interim president sworn in. Because of these developments, the Organization of American States suspended Honduras from membership a week later. Read on ...

Teenage Girl Lone Survivor from Yemeni Air Crash

A Yemeni jetliner crashed into the Indian Ocean near Comoros and killed 152 people on board. A lone survivor, a teenage girl, clung to floating wreckage for 13 hours and was rescued. Read on ...

Iraq Celebrates As US Troops Withdraw

Iraq and the USA signed a security agreement last January, which made June 30, 2009, the last date for all independent operations by US troops on Iraqi soil. The day was marked as "National Sovereignty Day" by the Iraqi government. Read on ...

Saina Nehwal Wins Indonesian Open Badminton Women's Title

India's 19-year-old Saina Nehwal won the women's singles crown at the Indonesian Open Badminton in Jakarta. Saina became the first Indian to win a Super Series badminton tournament. Read on ...

Michael Jackson, King of Pop, Dies at 50

Michael Jackson's death was sudden and mysterious. Fans all over the world continue to mourn their hero. He will always be remembered for his chartbusting hit music and his dancing skills. Read on ...

French President Calls For Ban on Burqas For Muslim Women

France's President Nicolas Sarkozy said the Islamic body-covering burqa is a garment that turns women into prisoners. The French parliament has set up a commission to study the wearing of burqas and niqabs with a view to banning these garments in public. Read on ...

World Hunger Figure Reaches One Billion

The United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization reveals that one in six people in the world is hungry. The number of hungry people has risen by more than 100 million since the year 2008. Read on ...

Thousands Protest 'Unfair' Election Result in Iran

The results of the recently held Presidential elections sparked off protests in Iran. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared re-elected, and thousands who supported his rival candidate, the moderate Mirhossein Mousavi, declared the results were false. Read on ...

Federer Wins French Open Crown

Roger Federer, who is considered by many to be the best tennis player of all time, won the French Open final. He became the sixth man ever to make a tennis Grand Slam. He equalled Pete Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slam event titles. Read on ...

World Health Organisation Declares Swine Flu Pandemic

The WHO declared that swine flu has reached the highest danger level of infectious disease and says it will continue to afflict large populations. Read on ...

Mystery Surrounds Air France Plane Crash

What caused Air France Flight 447 carrying 228 people to crash into the Atlantic Ocean? It is over two weeks since the tragedy occured, but the answers may never be found. Read on ...

World Environment Day on June 5: Become an Earth Warrior

World Environment Day, June 5, is the day to start doing your bit to save the earth. The world unites to fight for one cause - to combat climate change and save the planet. Read on ...

North Korea Conducts Nuclear Test

North Korea conducted a nuclear test and its official news agencies announced the event. This was the country's second nuclear test; the first one was in October, 2006. Read on ...

Spate of Attacks on Indian Students in Australia

A number of Indian students in Melbourne, Australia, were attacked in separate incidents in recent weeks. The violence seemed to be an expression of extreme racial hatred. Read on ...

Madhav Kumar Nepal Takes Office as Prime Minister of Nepal

Nepal's veteran communist leader Madhav Kumar Nepal took oath as Prime Minister of Nepal. Later in the week, Republic Day celebrations were held to mark the first anniversary of the establishment of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. Read on ...

Cyclone Aila Rages Through Eastern India and Bangladesh

A severe cyclone hit parts of eastern India and Bangladesh and killed over 200 people. Read on ...

India Votes for Stability, Not Change

Dr.Manmohan Singh is set to head the Indian government once again as India's Prime Minister. The Congress Party is voted back to power in the general elections. Read on ...

Pope Benedict XVI Completes Weeklong Tour of Holy Land

The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, made a weeklong tour of the Holy Land, with the aim of promoting peace and interfaith harmony in the region. He visited Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian territories. Read on ...

Pakistan's Armed Forces Take on Taliban : Civilians Flee War Zone

As Pakistan's government battles the Taliban in the Swat Valley, thousands of civilians are fleeing the region. The safety of these displaced people is a cause for concern. Read on ...

Vast Coral Reef in South-East Asia May Disappear by End of Century, Warns WWF Report

The Coral Triangle, home to 3,000 fish species, is disappearing because of global warming, deforestation and pollution. Disturbing facts about the planet's oceans come to light at the World Ocean's Conference in Indonesia. Read on ...

Atlantis on 'Space Surgery' Mission for Hubble Telescope

Space Shuttle Atlantis launched off from Florida, USA, to perform a final servicing and repairs mission on the Hubble Space Telescope. Read on ...

Indian elections 2009: a symbol of people power

Standing proud as the world's largest democracy, the Indian elections are a vigorous exercise that brings the power to vote to over 714 million voters. On May 16, 2009, the country will know the results of this exercise. Read on ...

Swine flu flies to all corners of the earth

Claiming its first victim outside of Mexico, the dreaded swine flu has spread to all corners of the world through people travelling out of Mexico. Is it a pandemic? Only time will tell... Read on ...

US Navy Rescue Mission Recaptures Ship, Frees Captain From Somali Pirates

There was a series of attacks by pirates off the coast of Somalia in East Africa in the past week. An American ship and a French yacht were among those attacked. Read on ...

Japanese Government Announces Green Stimulus Package

Japan announced a government spending package to pull the country out of recession and to boost "green spending". The package includes the promotion of solar power generation and the production of electric cars. Read on ...

Antarctic Ice Bridge Collapses

An ice bridge which had held a large Antarctic ice shelf in place shattered suddenly. It could be the beginning of more ice collapse linked to global warming. Read on ...

Fiji's President Revokes Constitution

Fiji's military leader, President Ratu Josefa Iloilo, responded to the Court's declaration that his government was illegal by revoking the country's constitution. The international community condemned the action, calling the regime unlawful. Read on ...

International Concern Over North Korea's Rocket Launch

North Korea says its recent rocket launch was made to put a satellite into space. The international community says this was a practice run for a nuclear weapon attack. Read on ...

Pakistani Taliban Public Flogging Video Creates Shock Wave

A 17-year-old girl was flogged in public by four Taliban members, and the video recording broadcast over the internet. Pakistan's Chief Justice was the first to react. Read on ...

Earthquake in Italy Kills 150

Over 150 people died, 1,500 were injured, and 50,000 lost their homes after a powerful earthquake shook the Abruzzo region in Italy early on the morning of April 6, 2009. Read on ...

Volcano Erupts in Chile

A volcano that has been showing signs of activity over the last 18 months erupted, prompting authorities to close a national park in the region and shift local people out to safety. Read on ...

New Government Takes Over in Israel

The new government led by Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel talks tough, even as the United Nations presses for the creation of an independent Palestinian state to end the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. Read on ...

India Gets Its Own 'Air Force One' Plane

Three special aircraft have been acquired by the Indian Air Force to transport the country's President and Prime Minister. Read on ...

Militants Attack Police Academy in Pakistan

Militants made a surprise attack on a Police Training Academy near Lahore, killing 10 people and injuring 100. Pakistan's Taliban has claimed responsibility for the incident. Read on ...

Heads of Government to Seek Solutions to World Economic Crisis at G20 Summit

The forthcoming London G20 Summit has raised hopes for a solution to the global financial crisis, and attracted public protests as well. Read on ...

IPL Cricket Out of India in Second Season

The Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament has been shifted out of India to South Africa for its 2009 season. India's General Elections are scheduled at the same time, and the government said providing security for each of the 59 matches would be a problem. Read on ...

World's Cheapest Car Launched in India

Costing just 100,000 Indian rupees (US $1,979), the tiny Tata Nano is the cheapest car in the world. Read on ...

Volcano Erupts in Alaska

Mount Redoubt in Alaska had been showing signs of imminent activity since March 15, 2009. It erupted a week later, sending huge amounts of ash into the air. Read on ...

End to Recession in Sight?

In the USA, stock markets rose after the government announced its second bailout package for banks. European stock markets also showed an upward trend. Read on ...

Madagascar's President Marc Ravalomanana Steps Down

Armed forces took control of the Presidential offices, and 34-year-old opposition leader Andry Rajoelina was put up as the new President by military leaders. Read on ...

Ex-Guerrillas Win El Salvador Election

El Salvador in the Central Americas elects its first leftist President, from a party that was at one time a Marxist guerilla outfit. Read on ...

Sudan President's Arrest Ordered By International Criminal Court

Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir faces criminal charges by the international court for perpetrating genocide in the country's Darfur region. Read on ...

Dalai Lama Calls for End of Oppression in Tibet

On the fiftieth anniversary of Tibet's failed uprising against Chinese occupation, the Tibetan leader Dalai Lama as well as the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao try to address basic issues. Read on ...

Supreme Court gets Tough After Ragging Death and Torture

The Supreme Court of India took a stern view of the spate of violent attacks on students in the name of ragging, and threatened that financial aid would be cut off to educational institutions which have permitted such incidents. Read on ...

Somdev Devvarman Shines at Davis Cup Matches

The Indian Davis Cup team moved into the third round of the tournament after defeating Chinese Taipei on their home ground last weekend. Read on ...

Sea Levels Rising At Alarming Rates

Melting polar ice caps are causing sea levels to rise at accelerated rates, according to environmental experts. Read on ...

Virender Sehwag Hits Fastest ODI Century by an Indian Cricketer

It took Virender Sehwag just 60 balls to score a century in the Hamilton one dayer. He steered India to a 10-wicket match victory and a series win over New Zealand. Read on ...

Hunting for Planets in Earth's Galaxy

The Kepler Telescope launched by NASA will look for planets orbiting stars other than the Sun in our galaxy. Read on ...

General Elections Announced in India

India will go to the polls from April 16, 2009 to elect 543 members to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament. Read on ...

Gandhi's Belongings Auctioned for Millions

Mahatma Gandhi's spectacles and some other possessions were sold at an auction in New York and bought by India's business tycoon Vijay Mallya. Read on ...

Terror Attack on Touring Sri Lankan Test Cricketers in Pakistan

Sri Lankan cricketers on their way to begin the day's play were shot at and injured by terrorists in Lahore. Read on ...

Mutiny in Dhaka: 70 People Killed by Rebels

Bangladesh's border patrol force's troops rose against their commanding officers and went on a killing spree. Read on ...

Global Concern Over Possibility of Nuclear Bomb in Iran

The United Nations expresses alarm as Iran launches its first nuclear reactor. Read on ...

Parts of Pakistan Under Taliban Control

The Swat valley in Pakistan is under Taliban control. Now, the Pakistan Government makes a deal with the militants, as the world voices its concern. Read on ...

Indians All the Way As 'Slumdog Millionaire' Sweeps Oscars

The 'Slumdog Millionaire' dream came true with eight Oscar awards, including two for A.R. Rahman's music and one for Resul Pookutty's Sound Mixing. Read on ...

A 'Big Bang' in Earth's Orbital Space

Two large satellites collided while in orbit around the earth, some 800 kilometres over Siberia. Read on ...

24 Hours on Mt. Everest? Oh, Brother!

Brothers Pemba, Nima and Phurba have climed Mount Everest 16 times. Now they want to set a new world record. Read on ...

Pet Chimpanzee Shot After Violent Attack

An American woman's pet chimpanzee escaped and attacked three people before it was shot dead. Read on ...

International Appeal to stop Iceland's Whaling for Jobs Program

Six countries appeal to Iceland's government to drop the plan to increase whale hunting to create jobs in that country's failed economy. Read on ...

Saved! Two Nuclear Submarines Collide; No Injuries or Leaks

The collision of a French and a British nuclear armed submarine in the Atlantic Ocean could have been a disaster. Read on ...

Plane Crash in New York Kills Fifty

In a freak accident, a commercial plane crash-landed onto a house in New York late on the night of February 12, 2009. Forty nine people on board and one person on the ground were killed. Read on ...

American Woman Athlete, Aged 56, Swims Across Atlantic

Jennifer Figge claims she is the first woman on record to swim across the Atlantic Ocean, a dream she cherished from childhood. Read on ...

Disastrous end to Lunar New Year Firework Display

Illegal fireworks destroyed a new building that was an architectural marvel and a huge tourist attraction in Beijing. Read on ...

Rahaman and Resul Win BAFTAS; Zakir Gets His Second Grammy

The Grammy Awards in Los Angeles and the BAFTA Awards in London were the two big showbiz events of the week. Indians made their mark at both. Read on ...

Four Nation Hockey Tournament in Chandigarh

The Punjab Gold Cup that brought world hockey greats New Zealand, Germany and Holland to Chandigarh was a huge crowd-puller. Read on ...

Bullet Train for India

India's Railway Minister Lalu Prasad announced that high-speed trains modelled on Japan's bullet train would soon be introduced along certain routes in India. Read on ...

Death Sentence for Makers of Killer Baby Milk in China

Contaminated milk consumption caused the death of six babies in China. A court handed out two death sentences and one of life imprisonment to the accused. Read on ...

Cholera Epidemic Spreads Countrywide in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe was hit by a cholera epidemic in August 2008, and nearly six months later, the disease has spread to all its 10 provinces. Read on ...

'Rim of Fire' in Indonesian Skies: 2009's First Solar Eclipse

Indonesians were among the lucky few who got to see an annular eclipse of the sun on 26 January this year. Read on ...

Hundreds Die In Australian Bush Blaze

Bush fires raging through Australia's southern state of Victoria have killed 180 people, and many of the fires were deliberately lit. Read on ...

Singapore's 'Boy Wizard'

Computer wiz Lim Ding Wen, aged nine, wrote a painting program that sold over 4000 times in two weeks. Read on ...

Fossil of Giant Snake Found in South America

A team of researchers found the fossilised remains of what must have been the world's largest snake, dwarfing even Hollywood's biggest horror fantasies. Read on ...

Climate Change: Some Chilling Facts

Most of the Northern Hemisphere has had an extremely harsh winter, the United Kingdom (U.K.) experienced snowfall that almost crippled the country, and China faces a severe drought crisis. Read on ...

Water-Ice on the Moon?

It is 100 days since Chandrayaan-I, India's first lunar space craft, was launched. Scientists meet at the ISRO Satellite Centre to discuss and review its findings. Read on ...

India's Winning Streak at the Australian Open

Indian tennis player Yuki Bhambri became the first Indian to win the junior Australian Open title, and Sania Mirza, who partnered Mahesh Bhupathi to win the Mixed Doubles, the first Indian woman to win a tennis Grand Slam Event. Read on ...

Green Protection for the Taj Mahal

The Uttar Pradesh Forest Department begins a drive to plant 'Tulsi' or Holy Basil to reduce atmospheric pollution around the Taj Mahal. Read on ...

Sri Lanka's Humanitarian Crisis : Thousands Trapped in War Zone

Thousands of civilians are trapped in a small territory in the war zone as the Sri Lankan army's intense fighting with rebel forces continues. Read on ...

'Ibuki' : Japan's 'Green' Monitor Orbits the Earth

Japan launches earth's first satellite that can measure carbon dioxide and methane emissions to assist studies on climate change. Read on ...

World Economic Forum Davos 2009 Begins On Gloomy Note

The global economic crisis and fears about near zero economic growth in the coming year are the chief concerns at Davos 2009. Read on ...

Barack Obama Sworn In As 44th American President

A nation celebrates and pins its hopes on Barack Obama as he becomes U.S.A.'s first African-American President. Read on ...

Alive! American Plane Makes Miracle Crash-landing on Hudson River

A US Airways airliner with 155 people on board landed safely in the Hudson River in New York City after a bird-hit. Read on ...

Indonesian Ferry Sinks, Over 230 People Drowned

In the early hours of Sunday, January 11, 2009, an Indonesian boat carrying 267 people sank after being hit by a cyclone. Read on ...

Somdev Devvarman : India's New Tennis Star

Somdev Devvarman, 23, surged to the men's singles finals at the 2009 Chennai Open, his first ATP Tour final. He now stands at 154 in the world rankings. Read on ...

Medical Research : Location, Mt. Everest

A group of London doctors climbed Mt. Everest, and their findings could help in the treatment of critically ill patients. Read on ...

India's Software Giant Satyam Computer Services in Country's Biggest Corporate Scandal

'Satyam' means 'Truth' in any number of Indian languages - Its founder Chairman reveals that most of its profits and assets are falsified, and the figures are staggering. Read on ...

Indian Army Battles Infiltrating Terror Groups in Kashmir

Indian troops have been fighting infiltrators from two major terror outfits in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district since New Year's Day, 2009. Read on ...

Tintin Turns Eighty

Tintin, the boyish detective who roams the world with his dog Snowy, first appeared in print 80 years ago. Read on ...

Slumdog Millionaire's Big Haul at the Golden Globe Awards

A.R.Rahman becomes the first Indian to win a Golden Globe Award, for his music in the film Slumdog Millionaire. Read on ...

Terror Blasts in Assam on New Year's Day

The serial explosions that ripped through Guwahati on the first day of 2009 killed six people and shocked all of India. Read on ...

Gaza Under Fire: Israel Refuses to Relent

The Israeli bombing and siege of the Gaza Strip enters its 11th day, in spite of the huge numbers of victims, and worldwide appeals for peace. Read on ...

Anchor rips through phone and internet cable

Millions of phones and internet connections in Africa and the Middle East have gone blank because a ship's anchor ripped through an undersea communications cable. Read on ...

Plans to shut Guantanamo Bay prison

With President-elect Barack Obama about to take his oath of office, the US Defence Secretary has announced plans to close the infamous prison camp in Cuba. Read on ...

Bird Flu Virus Returns to Asia

The Bird Flu is back. Hundreds of thousands of poultry are being culled across Asia. Are migratory birds responsible? Read on ...

UN Conference on Climate Change

The world may be a few steps closer to fighting global warming. The climate change conference at Poznan, Poland, marked the half-way point in a two-year process towards reaching a new global agreement. Read on ...

Riots Rage in Greece After Cop Shoots Boy

The shooting of a fifteen year old Alexandros Grigoropoulos by a police officer in Athens sparked off violent riots by outraged masses in Greece. Read on ...

A Glider at the Railway Station

A railway station has all kinds of visitors passing through it. Sarnath, near Varanasi, had a rather special one, reports the PTI. Read on ...

Rags-to-Riches: The Café Route

What makes a best-selling writer? Does it pay to follow, say, J.K. Rowling’s writing methods? A new European best-seller and a first-time author’s success story. Read on ...

A safety net for cheetahs, vultures & dolphins

The cheetah, the Egyptian vulture, and some varieties of dolphins are all endangered species. This is what a UN conference on conservation found out. Read on ...

Gunning for Clouds

The Olympic Games will kick off at Beijing's open air stadium in August 2008, in the rainy season. But the government has promised clear skies. Clouds beware! Read on ...

Potatoes get you into the pink of health

Word's just in: potatoes are good for you. A team of Spanish researchers say that eating potatoes could have a beneficial effect on the body's immune system. Read on ...

Pretty Bird No More

No one quite knew how the Indian parakeet landed in London. But people were happy to see this colourful bird in their parks. Now they are being told that the rising number of parakeets poses a danger to local birds… Read on ...

Guns Everywhere

It was the worst day in the life of any American college campus. A student went on a shooting spree at Virginia Tech in the US, killing 31 people. In the US today, buying a gun is as easy as buying milk. There is one gun killing every 17 minutes. One child or teen is killed by a gun every three hours. People who have been demanding strict gun control laws in the US say the time for it has come. Leading them is a group of mothers, called the Million Mom March campaign. Read on ...

Black swan falls in love with pedal boat

A Black Swan imported into Germany from Australia seems to have found her partner for life. There's one problem. Her partner is a pedal boat shaped like a giant white swan. Read on ...

An invasion of toxic toads

Australians are up in arms against the poisonous cane toads that are killing local animals, from the dingo and snake to the croc. They are wondering if they should call the army out... Read on ...

Tattoos that Talk

Russian prisoners have a unique way of communicating with each other - tattoos. Studying these tattoos has been Danzig Baldayev's hobby and he has now released a book on them. Read on ...

A New Ancient Civilisation

Archaeologists have found a brand 'new' old civilisation that is on par with those of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and India. Read on ...

A Penalty Kick into Disaster

The Pakistani players thought that it was football they were playing in Afghanistan. The local police cried foul when they saw them in shorts - and shaved their heads. Read on ...

Hi-tech Schools

Bi-Jiangang is from Guizhou, a poor province in China. He has started a school that has made the Chinese government rethink its school system. Read on ...

Kids Learn to Fight From Politicians

A man saw some children abuse and fight each other, and break furniture, in Dhaka. They said they were acting out a scene from the Parliament. Read on ...

Concorde

Controversial concorde jets will soon be cleared for commercial flights expected to take off from November this year. Read on ...

World's Largest Blanket

Val Stone, a Devon, UK,-based pensioner has made the world's largest crocheted blanket and plans to sell it to raise money for a cancer fund. Read on ...

Jean Clad Superman

In a new television serial, Smallville, soon to hit the US, Superman will appear as an American teenager of the 21st century. This news has upset many of his loyal fans. Read on ...

Square Watermelons

Farmers in the southern Japanese town of Zentsuji have discovered a technique to grow their watermelons in square shape because of lack of space in refrigerators. Read on ...

Toddler teacher in UK

Even before she uttered her first word, Diana had learnt sign language to speak to her mother who happens to be deaf. Read on ...

Angry Little Girls

The Angry Little Asian Girl is the brainchild and hero of Lela Lee's collection of short animated films and comic strip series of the same name to tackle racism, gender issues and stereotypes. Read on ...

Gaseous twist to the Delphic legend

In ancient Greece, the shrine at Mount Parnassus, in Delphi were drawn by the prophetic powers of the priestess of Apollo. She could foretell everything. But, from where did the Oracle get her prophetic powers? Read on ...

Photocopies of babies

Humans can be ‘photocopied’ too, like documents! Italian doctor Severino Antiniro is all set to create the first cloned or ‘photocopy’ babies of the world. But countries across the world have protested strongly. Read on ...

Swear, it's true!

Schools in England will soon be teaching their pupils the meaning of swear words in an attempt to stop them from using bad language. Does that make any sense? Read on ...

Counting the world in different ways

There are many interesting ways to count the world's population, as was discovered at a recent United Nations seminar attended by 55 countries. Each country seems to have its own way of carrying out its census operations. Read on ...

Every dog has his bark

There's good news for pet owners. A Japanese toy maker has recently launched a hand-held electronic device that can gauge a dog's moods by listening to its bark... Read on ...

The Don's dream team

Sachin Tendulkar is the only contemporary cricketer to feature in Don Bradman's dream team, as revealed in the recently published book `Bradman's Best'. And the composition of the team has raised a contoversy. Read on ...

Rats Race through US Cities

The furry creatures are plaguing Americans with nightmares. Latest measures to check the rodents include task forces and rat-proof garbage cans. Read on ...

Historic global warming treaty signed

In spite of heated opposition from nations like the United States of America, representatives from 178 countries have signed an agreement to help check global warming. Read on ...

It's Hi Harry, Bye Hardy Boys

Clean and well scrubbed heroes like the Hardy Boys are no longer selling well. The more realistic Harry Potters with magical powers have captured the imagination of the young generation. Read on ...

Advertisement for Dogs

For a British advertising firm it makes better sense to attract the attention of their pet dogs than their owners! Read on ...

They Don't Listen To Us

Teenagers give American adults barely a passing grade on their efforts to stop young people from drinking, smoking and using drugs, according to a 'report card' released in Chicago, USA. Read on ...

A Battle Well Fought

Twelve-year-old Nkosi Johnson died of AIDS on June 1. Infected since birth, the boy became one of the strongest symbols of the fight against AIDS in South Africa. Read on ...

Reaching the Top of the World

Temba Tsheri Sherpa is no ordinary school boy. At the age 16, he has dared to conquer the highest mountain peak in the world - Mount Everest - after a tragic failed attempt last year. Read on ...

The 'English Pinch' in Bangladesh

Like everyone else, Bangladeshis also want to find 'good' jobs and do well in life. And, for that, they have to upgrade their English skills. Read on ...

First Pope to Set Foot in Mosque

Pope John Paul II created history by setting foot in the Omayyad mosque in Damascus, on his historic visit to Syria. He is the first Pope in Christianity's 2000 year history to enter a mosque. Read on ...

Where Guns rule

The American government seems to have turned a blind eye to the increasing violence amongst school children. But worried moms and grandmoms take out a march for tighter gun laws... Read on ...

World's First Space Tourist

Millionaire Dennis Tito paid through his nose for the space joyride - and raked up controversy. Read on ...

Beef in McDonald's Fries

The beefy fast food giant is frying in its own fat - the Hindus are protesting against the use of beef flavour that the company uses to 'enhance' the taste of its french fries. Read on ...

Dolphin in the mirror

Just like chimps and gorillas, dolphins too can recognise themselves in the mirror! Till recently it was felt that only humans and great apes had this ability. Read on ...

Where are the Children?

Slavery does not exist in America anymore. But in western and central Africa, from where slaves were sent to America, trading in child slaves still continues. Read on ...

In Shakespearean Settings!

A castle, anonymous threats, and a family feud... all the ingredients of a tragedy by William Shakespeare. And it's all been caused due to a humble seed. Read on ...

No Singlish, we're Singaporeans

The Singapore government wants the local lingo, Singlish, to be replaced by 'proper' English that can be readily understood by the rest of the world. Its dream is to be a major 'globalised' country and the youth are all for it. Read on ...

Slices of Italy

From classic pizzas to super-fast pizzas to the world's largest pizza, Italians walked away with almost all the top prizes in the annual World Pizza Championship, this year. Read on ...

The Privileged Moles

To avoid running into the homeless on the streets, Toronto's richer citizens prefer to be underground. As a result, the virtual city below the ground bustles with activity, while the streets on top are empty. Read on ...

The Final Descent

After 15 years of serving as a space laboratory, and the residential quarters of many astronauts, Russia's pride, the Mir space station, was finally laid to rest. Read on ...

Human Robot

Robots in the human image? A Japanese company is claiming that its new robot, PaRePo, is designed to act and indeed, even react, like a human. And it is here to help uncommunicative family members speak to each other! Read on ...

Girl Power in Gaul!

The popular Asterix comics, which has tickled the funny bone of millions for over 40 years, is finally seeing change. The latest comic has introduced an all-women army. Read on ...

Coconut Oil + Kerosene = Fuel

A coconut farmer in Thailand has invented a new fuel, which he is using to drive his car and run his machines. The fuel has become so popular in Southern Thailand that some companies are even running their boats on it. Read on ...

The Night of the Women

The mayor of the Colombian capital Bogota had an unusual idea. He ordered the men to stay off the streets for one night. And the women took over... Read on ...

Still Standing Tall

A severe earthquake did not make Seattle crumble or lead to untold human tragedies recently because most buildings had been constructed in an earthquake-resistant manner. What a contrast to the recent Gujarat quake where buildings fell like a pack of cards. Read on ...

The Kiwi is Australian!

The kiwi bird is New Zealand's most enduring national symbol. But now, much to the disbelief and regret of New Zealanders, a team of scientists is claiming that the bird has Australian origins. Read on ...

A Film on Anne Frank

The life of Anne Frank, the young teenager who died in a Nazi concentration camp, became well known when her diary got published after the Second World War. And now her life is being made into a mini-film for TV, in America. Read on ...

Child's Play!!

The creators of America's newest hip toys are two small boys. But far from being exceptions to the rule, they are part of a breed of child inventors whose toys are being very well-received in the Western market. Read on ...

Ancient Library in the Desert

The ancient city of Chinguetti in North Africa, has been discovered to house centuries-old Islamic manuscripts in its libraries. The city though, seems to be sinking into the sands that surround it. Read on ...

Bush Takes the Cake

It's out, finally. George W. Bush has been declared the President of the United States of America. But, are the Americans happy about a verdict that comes after a much-publicised five-week-old drama? Read on ...

The Fossil Tree

The oldest tree in the world, dating 90 million years, has just been discovered in Australia. And it has sent botanists into a flurry of excitement. Read on ...

Still Going Strong!

A play that's been running for 48 years now! The whodunit Mousetrap, has broken every record in theatre circles on the eve of its 20,000th performance. Read on ...

The China Doll

Kan Yue-sai didn't find a single Chinese looking doll in a market flooded by blonde blue eyed dolls, in China. So she made a black haired Chinese one. Read on ...

Cruising in the Sky

In six years time you may be able to cruise the sky in luxury planes!! The planes will have everything a person could possibly want while travelling long distances - a live band, a chair that converts into a bed, a shower room, a casino and a dining room on the upper floor. Read on ...

The Writer

From a gang member and murderer to the best-selling author of children's books. Prison has changed Stanley Williams all right. Read on ...

What an Enigma!

With the recent arrest of a man, the British police claims to have cracked the mystery of the theft of Enigma, the ultra-superior code machine used by Germans during World War II. But has it really? Read on ...

The Borders of the Internet

A ruling by a French judge, ordering a popular search engine to block out sites on the internet dealing in sale of Nazi material in France, has raised a storm of controversy in the World Wide Web. Read on ...

To Russia with Love?

Is importing 'Teletubbies', the British television series for toddlers, to Russia, such a good thing for Russian children? Opinions differ. Read on ...

Language Split

People are up in arms in Sri Lanka. Besides creating the existing social divide between the Tamils and the Sinhalese, the government's decision to discard English as a State language, may have caused the civil war.That is why the government has hurriedly reintroduced English language courses in the country. Read on ...

This Park Bench has an Address

It's a park bench in the British town of Bristol. And it's been given a postcode to enable the six vagrants who sleep on it, register for free medical care. Read on ...

New Year in South Pole

A team of eight young people have planned an adventurous new year for themselves. They have started walking from Canada, towards the South Pole. They intend to usher in the new year 2001 at the Pole. Read on ...

The Grand Head Hunt

A record six million people have fanned out all over China, to count the number of people in the country. The Chinese government wants to check if the target set for the year 2000, is in place. But is it already too late? Read on ...

Bead Calculator

The abacus is the ancestor of the modern day calculator. But unlike the computer, it is relatively simple to operate as it consists of vertical rods on which wooden beads slide freely. Some people still swear by the abacus even today, and use it to solve some tough calculations. Read on ...

Messing Up, Alphabetically

To signal their newly-independent status from the rule of the Soviet Union, countries of Central Asia abandoned the Russian script and adopted other scripts. But nine years down the line, they've realized that changing scripts is somewhat more difficult than changing governments. Read on ...

Hanoi's Good Samaritan

Like other tourists Jimmy Pham too, was taken in by the charming street children of Vietnam's cities. Unlike other tourists though, Pham stayed back to help them find a future. Read on ...

Finns Favour Freezing Swim

The burning craze in Finland is ice swimming where a hole is cut in the ice and people bathe in the frigid waters. Though sending shivers down the spine, doctors say it is very refreshing to the body and mind. Read on ...

Bid your Name into a Bestseller

Gone are the days when publishers vied with each other to buy a particular author's book. Today the authors are auctioning characters in their forthcoming books to the highest bidder to create a character in the bidder's name. Read on ...

What Lies Beneath

The excavation of a huge graveyard at Iraq's Umm al-Ajarib site, sheds fresh light on the magnificent Sumerian civilization of yore. Read on ...

Dead Poet's society

The new poet-laureate for the city of Birmingham in England is Roshan Doug, an Indian. And he is determined to make English poetry available to the sizeable Asian community in Birmingham. Read on ...

Winner Juice

When Japanese sportswoman, Naoko Takahashi, won the women's marathon at the Sydney Olympics, the juice that she drank for energy made as much news as her win. For this wonder juice, made of the stomach juices of hornets, is known to improve the stamina of the drinkers, phenomenally. Read on ...

Too Much Information

In this age of shrinking physical distances, the internet and computers have made an enormous amount of information available to people, at the mere click of a mouse. The only problem is, there's too much of it, says a report that has recently been published in the United States. Read on ...

A Show of Endurance

The Olympics might be about speed, but the Paralympics, presently on at Sydney, are about something far more important. Endurance in the face of the harshest challenge. Read on ...

Sitting in Rows is Better for Primary School Kids

Do children learn more sitting in neat rows or in round groups? A recent study throws more light on the old fashioned row theory as it increases their attention span. Read on ...

The Yellow River

The Yellow river flows through 4345 km across the length and breadth of China. Once called the cradle of Chinese civilisation, the river is actually dying because of human exploitation, negligence and indifference. Read on ...

Report cards

The United States and Great Britain have long enjoyed the reputation of having the best manpower, especially in technology-related fields. But failing educational standards in these countries have forced them to look eastwards, towards India, for a few good men. Read on ...

These Boots are meant for Flying!

Russians have created the world's fastest boots, which allow the wearer to take nine-feet long strides. Powered by petrol, they promise to literally sweep you off the feet. Read on ...

Tintin raises storm in 'Millionnaire' Quiz Show

It was an ordinary question on a character in the Tintin comic books, in the French version of the 'Who wants to be a millionnaire' game show. But like all Tintin adventures, the answer has raised doubts on whether the show itself is rigged or not. Read on ...

The Young Tax Commandos

A new academy to train children to be tax commandos has recently opened in Moscow and 139 students between 10 and 15 are given military-style training to tackle an increasing number of tax evaders. Read on ...

Brushed under the Carpet

Situated at the tip of northern Africa, Morrocco has for long been a tourist's delight. Fine weather, and lovely carpets. And, the bulk of these beautiful ccarpets that attract tourists in droves, are made by child workers in punishing conditions. Read on ...

A Children's Park in the Train

Yes, Swiss Railways have created a children's corner in some trains where the young travellers can clamber on slides designed like dinosaurs, read books, listen to music or paint. The problem is, adults might start protesting at being left out of the fun. Read on ...

Acting Colour Blind?

England's world-famous Royal Shakespeare Company has broken with tradition. It has cast a black actor to play the leading role of a white, English king, Henry VI. What does this trend indicate in a country where racism is still a problem? Read on ...

Illiterate Americans

Fifty million Americans are in danger of being declared 'illiterate' for not knowing the use of the computer. The internet is soon going to be that pervasive in America, warns a study. Read on ...

Birds!!!

There are too many pigeons in London's Trafalgar Square and they are leaving their waste all over the historic tourist attraction. So the city authorities have come up with a novel way of preventing the birds from breeding so much. Read on ...

Worming into the Olympics

What is the biggest show atthe Sydney Olympic? No, not gravity-defying leaps of gymnasts, but the amazing food habits of thousands of earthworms whose help has been specially enlisted to make Olympian amounts of garbage, eco-friendly. Read on ...

The Olympic Gold Rush

If you thought the US is leading the medal tally at the Sydney Olympics, think again. It's tiny Barbados. Ranked by population, this Caribbean country with one medal ranks number one! Read on ...

Kidnapped for the Camel Race

Rich Arabs play a terrifying race. They place little child jockeys on the backs of camels and then make them run races, risking dangerous falls. Ten year-old Pakistani boy Mohammad, was kidnapped to be a jockey too. Read on ...

The Woman who Terrifies Burma's Military

A few days ago, the Burmese military prevented the charismatic pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, from travelling. The military has the guns, but she has the courage. Read on ...

Olympic Swim Against the Tide

Fatima Abdeljamid of Bahrain is setting a trend. She is among the few women from the Middle East countries to take part in the Olympics. Will other female athletes follow? Read on ...

The Big Meltdown

Is the earth heading for a catastrophic meltdown of its ice as a result of global warming? Two scientific studies suggest it could well be, given the fact that the earth has heated up in these 50 years like never before. Read on ...

Fungus Threatens Chinese Warriors

China's prized cultural treasure, a spectacular 'army' of terracotta warriors, horses and charioteers, is facing threat from 40 species of fungus. Specialists are working round the clock to cure these historic figures. Read on ...

Homing in on Prisons

The Iranian government is converting military centres and prisons into housing units for newly weds in Iran. This could hold a lesson for India. Read on ...

Talking Through their Hats for Peace

Children from war-torn countries are gathering at a conference in Winnipeg, Canada, to tell the world that they have had enough of war. Many of them will wear hats throughout for fear of being identified Read on ...

The Bright Ones

Krishna and Rama are two very bright Russian boys. While five-year-old Krishna has, in one year, been promoted from class one to three, four-year-old Rama has done brilliantly in an admission test meant for six-year-olds. Read on ...

A Girl Soldier Speaks Out

At seven Arumuyam Malar could handle a gun better than a pencil. Duped into becoming a child guerrilla of the LTTE in Sri Lanka, 14-year-old Malar has spent seven years as a frontline soldier fighting the Sri Lankan army, which captured her recently. Read on ...

For the Olympic Heights of Stamina

Sportspersons have tried it all to get stamina enough to break all records and win the precious gold. Recently a US swimmer decided to follow the horse's footsteps! Read on ...

Destination Mir

Russia has launched a television game show to revive interest in its ageing space station, Mir. The winner of the show gets to travel to the Russian space station Mir, which has been in space for 14 years now. 19-08-2000 Read on ...

'Panda Seeks Mama Dog'

A newspaper report recently asked pet lovers in China to help an abandoned baby panda in a zoo. The response was great. Pandas are shy, cute animals - and they are on the verge of extinction. 19-08-2000 Read on ...

Three Nations or One?

How careful can you be about hurting a nation's sentiments? Not careful enough, it appears from a recent lawsuit in China. A Chinese man is suing a Japanese firm for suggesting that China, Hong Kong and Taiwan are three separate countries!19-08-2000 Read on ...

A Green Olympic Village

The Olympic Games are all about achievement on the track and comfort off it. The Sydney Olympic Village will house 15,000 athletes in 800 houses, 355 apartments and 336 modular homes. And it will run on solar power. 19-08-2000 Read on ...

An Olympics with a Difference

No swimming and running contests here. The 'Abilympics', held in Czechoslovakia, was more to do with enhancing the skills of the physically challenged - from car driving to embroidery and pottery… 19-08-2000 Read on ...

Mending Fences

African countries are trying to build bridges and destroy fences to create the largest animal reserve in the world. This will help the wildlife and safaris to travel freely across countries in the continent. 19-08-2000 Read on ...

The Day it Rained Fish

While residents of a port town in Britain saw the sky rain fish last weekend, residents of Calcutta couldn't find any fish to buy in the markets. Read on ...

Little Ali's Heart

The Haider family was worried sick. Their baby had a hole in his heart. Their Pakistani doctors had no cure. Then they were told about the heart institute that could cure him. But it was located across the border, in India… Read on ...

Bermudas on Beaches - and in Parliament

The sober chambers of Parliament in Bermuda will soon witness the unusual sight of members wearing Bermuda shorts to work. This dress code has just been approved by lawmakers in all seriousness. Read on ...

Creating News to Cover News

These days TV channels and newspapers will go to any lengths for news. Even if it means making worse an already dangerous situation, as a continuing hostage drama in the Philippines shows… Read on ...

Do Computer Games Make You Violent?

Violent computer games are not good for children. They make them violent. That's what studies carried out in the US and the UK are saying. Read on ...

Smart Future

In future you might have a computer for a friend and might live forever. A least that's what Ian Pearson says. Pearson is a professional day-dreamer. Read on ...

Olympic Games are Fair Game for TV Satire

There's a comedy serial on Australian television on the Olympic Games. Funnily enough, it anticipates all the goof-ups that the Olympic officials have been making one after the other. Read on ...

Boys' Cancer Unites Warring People

In their illness, two young boys from Cyprus have made permanently fighting communities forget their politics of enmity for the moment. Read on ...

Buried under a Garbage Mountain

A huge pile of garbage collapsed on a group of homeless people, crushing them in the process. At least 218 people died under it. Read on ...

Shopping for Buyers

Companies are going out of their way to make their customers buy their wares. But, to what extent? Read on ...

Children's Theatre of the World

It is children who will inherit the planet from adults and on whom will lie the burden of fashioning a new world order from the chaos of now. And what better way to do it than use theatre as a medium? Read on ...

The Colour of China is Red - Henna Red

Flying dragons, blooming roses, and countless other patterns as tattoos - this is the latest craze of young Chinese. And they are using the Indian 'mehndi' or henna for it. Read on ...

The Woman who Builds Sand Castles

Marjon Katerberg builds castles in the sand all the time. And gets paid for it, too. The international sand artist has just carved the largest sand sculpture park in the world. Read on ...

Every Ball You Bowl, Every Shot You Play

By Brishti Bandyopadhyay; Illustration by Sudheer Nath Read on ...

The Girl who Failed the Citizenship Test

The US government refuses to make 24-year-old Vijai Shree a citizen, because she is unable to take an oath of loyalty to the country. Read on ...

The Minister who Couldn't Add

Poland's Education Minister resigned last week because he made a mistake in calculating the budget for primary schools. Read on ...

Orphanage for Elephants

Five baby elephants were being sent home from the orphanage. But they were very sad. Read on ...

Operation Rescue of Penguins

A big oil spill in South African seas has endangered the lives of more than 15,000 penguins. This week the world's biggest ever rescue mission was launched to save and clean up the birds that are coated with oil, so that they may live. Read on ...

Chattering Kids and Teacher's Tape

A teacher could not control a bunch of children. She thought of an innovative idea to do it. She taped their mouths. Read on ...

The World's First Floating Airstrip

An airstrip right in the middle of the sea. It's unsinkable, and portable too. Read on ...

Fire in Water

The Olympic torch for the Sydney 2000 games was carried through the Great Barrier Reef to reach Sydney. Read on ...

Eight Year Old Rules the Publishing World

The adult world of poets, writers and publishers are stunned. Sahara Sunday Spain has achieved what most of them have not dreamt about -- a whopping advance for her book of poems. Read on ...

Old PCs Save Precious Lives

Americans throw away perfectly fine computers for newer and faster models. Why not send them to hospitals in countries where they need access and not speed, asked Zina Munoz. It was a golden idea. Read on ...

The Fearless Doctor

She is a grandmotherly figure at the age of 65. But Nelsa Amin is the only one who has dared to enter a kidnapper's hideout, to treat hostages. Read on ...

Flying Granny, Courageous Climber

A 60-year-old granny flies around the world and a 30-year-old man climbs a mountain with artificial limbs -- winning against all odds. And both of them are doing it for a cause. Read on ...

Cartoon Time

On June 23, the newspapers reported that US scientists have found evidence of water on planet Mars... Read on ...

A Tale of Two Wonders

One boy studies at home in the US in the home schooling system. The other makes parothas for a living in Tamil Nadu. Both made it to the top -- entirely on their own grit and determination. Read on ...

Children e-Lead the Way

Children are taking to the Internet, like ducks take to water. A US survey says the number of children logging on to the Internet has tripled in the past three years, says a US survey. Read on ...

Honey Cigarettes

Beware of sweet cigarettes! No, not the ones that look like cigarettes but are actually toffees and you can bite into them. These are real cigarettes, which can be smoked. Read on ...

Holi in Fiji

For the Indo-Fijian community, Holi started even before it took off in India - six hours earlier. And it was celebration time with a 'gulal' or dry colour made from a local flower, Holi songs and sweetmeats. Read on ...