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Slide 2: China now No. 1 CO2 offender WASHINGTON — China has overtaken the USA to become the world's No. 1 industrial source of carbon dioxide, the most important global-warming pollutant, according to a scientific study to be published today. The study and two others — one recently published and another coming — agree that China's carbon-dioxide emissions surpassed those in the USA in 2006. That's decades earlier than had been predicted by the International Energy Agency four years ago. All three studies examine emissions of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal. Energy usage is the most significant man-made source of carbon dioxide, which accumulates in the atmosphere and traps heat. Unless China sharply cuts its emissions, "the situation is pretty bleak," says Richard Carson of the University of California, co-author of a study in today's Journal of Environmental Economics and Management. "There's a lot less time to do something than people previously thought." USA Today

Slide 3: Web sites promote "hypermiling" to save on fuel Wed Apr 30, 5:44 PM ET PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - As U.S. gasoline prices hit records on almost a daily basis, an increasing number of motorists are following a radical driving technique designed to eke out every last mile from a tank of fuel. Known as 'hypermiling,' the method can double gas mileage, even in gas-guzzling vehicles that would normally get less than 20 mpg. Promoted on a growing number of Web sites, hypermiling includes pumping up tires to the maximum rating on their sidewalls, which may be higher than levels recommended in car manuals; using engine oil of a low viscosity, and the controversial practice of drafting behind other vehicles on the highway to reduce aerodynamic drag -- a practice begun a few years ago by truck drivers. The price of gasoline -- which hit a record of nearly $3.61 per gallon on Tuesday, according to travel club AAA -- has rapidly emerged as the public's biggest economic concern. Gas prices are a "serious problem," ahead of jobs, and healthcare, according to a poll released on Tuesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation. The "advanced" techniques of hypermiling are in addition to well-known approaches including keeping speed down, accelerating gently, avoiding excessive idling and removing cargo racks to also cut down on aerodynamic drag. Adherence to hypermiling and other disciplines are designed to boost mileage well in excess of the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration's official ratings, which apply to each car model.

Slide 4: Official sees "destructive" Barbie influence TEHRAN (Reuters) - Imports of Barbie dolls and other Western toys will have destructive cultural and social consequences in Iran, the Islamic Republic's top prosecutor was quoted as saying on Monday. Iran's conservative clerical establishment often rails against the perceived dangers of U.S.-inspired culture and consumerism, branding it "Westoxication." But young Iranians are often keen consumers of such music, films and other goods from the West. Iconic toy brands can be bought in children's shops in the capital Tehran and elsewhere. "The appearance of personalities such as Barbie, Batman, Spiderman and Harry Potter and ... computer games and movies are all a danger warning to the officials in the cultural arena," said Prosecutor General Ghorban Ali Dori Najafabadi in a letter to Vice President Parviz Davoudi published in the Mardom Salari daily.

Slide 5: Japanese whisky voted best in the world From ANI London, Apr 27: Forget Scotch whisky, for the alcoholic beverage making to the top is Japanese whisky. Yoichi 20 years old, distilled on the shores of the Sea of Japan, has become the first variety produced outside Scotland to win the coveted single malt award in an international competition run by Whisky Magazine, the main industry publication. The whisky, distilled near the city of Sapporo on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, beat dozens of other varieties, including last year's winner, Talisker 18 years old, produced on the Isle of Skye. Suntory Hibiki scooped the award for the world's best-blended whisky. The decision to give the top prize to Yoichi followed a blind tasting of more than 200 of the world's finest varieties by a panel of 16 of the world's leading whisky experts. "Japanese whiskies performed magnificently and they are really starting to make waves," Times Online quoted Rob Allanson, editor of Whisky Magazine, as saying. Tetsuji Hisamitsu, chief blender at the Yoichi distillery, said he was "very moved" by the award. Asian News International

Slide 6: State moves to ban fake testicles on vehicles Apr 25, 12:03 PM ET Senate lawmakers in Florida have voted to ban the fake bull testicles that dangle from the trailer hitches of many trucks and cars throughout the state. Republican Sen. Cary Baker, a gun shop owner from Eustis, Florida, called the adornments offensive and proposed the ban. Motorists would be fined $60 for displaying the novelty items, which are known by brand names like "Truck Nutz" and resemble the south end of a bull moving north. The Florida Senate voted last week to add the measure to a broader transportation bill, but it is not included in the House version. In a spirited debate laced with double entendre, Senate lawmakers questioned whether the state should curtail freedom of expression in vehicle accessories. Critics of the ban included the Senate Rules Chairman, Sen. Jim King, a Jacksonville Republican whose truck sported a pair until his wife protested. The bill's sponsor doubted it would succeed. "It's probably not going to make it through the process," Baker said on Thursday. "It won't be much of story in a few days."

Slide 7: Brazil gives up on priest carried off by balloons April 25, 2008 SAO PAULO, Brazil---- Brazil's air force on Thursday suspended its search for a Roman Catholic priest who vanished after sailing into the air under a cluster of colorful balloons. The cleric's family chartered a private plane to continue the hunt. The Rev. Adelir Antonio de Carli has been missing since Sunday, when he lifted off from the port city of Paranagua strapped to 1,000 balloons and wearing a helmet, an aluminum thermal flight suit, waterproof coveralls and a parachute. ''Over the past few days, air force planes flew over 5,000 square kilometers (1,900 square miles) of land and sea and found no trace of the priest,'' the spokesman said. But the navy continued to search using a helicopter and two boats, he said. Denise Gallas, the treasurer of de Carli's parish, said his family chartered a twin-engine plane after several parishioners said they had ''premonitions'' he had landed near a small town called Barra Velha on the coast of Santa Catarina state. Jose Carlos Bom, a member of de Carli's technical support team, said if the 41-year-old priest descended on land and was not badly injured, ''he has a better than average chance of being alive because he has taken jungle- survival courses and is in excellent physical condition. ''However, if he is still out in the ocean somewhere, I am afraid the chances that he is alive are almost zero.'' According to Gallas, the priest hoped his flight would help raise money for a center where truck drivers could stop ''to rest and receive the gospel.'' Associated Press.

Slide 8: Was woman raped on telephone? Published: April 27, 2008 at 1:52 AM TUNIS, Tunisia, April 27 (UPI) -- A Tunisian family alleges their daughter was raped during a telephone conversation with a man, a lawyer for the family said. The 30-year-old man said he never touched the young woman. But he acknowledged he heard her scream while they were "totally into" an erotic telephone conversation -- and that she reported bleeding, Al Arabiya reported. Maha al-Metebaa, a lawyer representing the family, told the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Qabs the case needs careful investigation because of its unprecedented allegations. He said a medical examination had determined that the woman, 20, was no longer a virgin. "The intercourse did take place with all its details but verbally only," he said. "The sexual act did not really happen because the physical proximity factor is not there, yet it happened because there is a direct physical impact – the loss of virginity." United Press International

Slide 9: Tearful Troy Buswell admits behaviour 'unacceptable' PerthNow April 29, 2008 10:00am TROUBLED WA Opposition leader Troy Buswell has broken down in tears at a press conference and admitted he sniffed the chair of a female Liberal Party staffer. In this incident, he lifted her chair and started sniffing it after she had sat in it in his parliamentary office. With tears in his eyes, Mr Buswell had to compose himself before telling the media in Mandurah this morning that his behaviour had been unacceptable. Mr Buswell said he had repeatedly refused to deny the allegations because he wanted to protect the woman involved. But he broke down after he was asked about the effect of the reports on his wife and children. Mr Buswell said his wife was aware of the allegations before they were exclusively revealed in The Sunday Times at the weekend. "The issues of last October caused me to take stock well before they were made public and I've attempted personally to draw a line in the sand. The scandal follows an admission by the Liberal leader earlier this year that he had snapped open the bra of a Labor staffer. Deputy Liberal leader Kim Hames was today standing by Mr Buswell, describing him as a "rough diamond with a robust sense of humour''.

Slide 10: Attack Wing: Glider Makes Waves With Stealth and Speed Thursday, April 24, 2008 It weighs only 30 pounds and can be fully weaponized for assault and rescue. It has a 6-foot jet-wing that is steered with handheld rotary controls connected to its rudder. And it can hide more than 100 pounds of combat gear in a built-in compartment. The Gryphon attack glider, designed to penetrate combat zones at 135 miles per hour, could revolutionize the art of parachuting. It has got to be at the top of James Bond’s Christmas list this year. A vision straight out of "Batman," the carbon-fiber stealth glider quadruples the speed of similar craft — and there are quite a few special forces soldiers who would like to jump out of a plane at 30,000 feet and give it a whirl. Its helmet has a heads-up display and provides on-board oxygen for the jump. To land, a soldier separates the wing from his pack and releases his parachute to slow his descent. The wing remains attached to the soldier by a cord and lands before him.

Slide 11: Doctors to remove 16-pound facial tumor from girl

Slide 12: $2 Million Worth Of Marijuana Found In Lake County Grow House April 25, 2008 GROVELAND, Fla. -- Drug agents worked overnight Thursday and into Friday to clear out a massive marijuana grow house found in Lake County holding around 2,000 plants. Agents found $2 million worth of marijuana in the home and arrested the alleged operator. They discovered the house after power crews realized that the man who lived and worked at the house was climbing a utility pole and stealing electricity. The house is on Indigo Road in Groveland Room after room of the home was filled with marijuana plants. Deputies said the garage and a nearby barn were also used in the massive operation. Investigators believe the nearest neighbor lived about half a mile away. "I think the setting out here provided good cover for him, and I think that's probably why he chose this location for this setup," said Lt. John Herrell of the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Lake County deputies arrested 38-year-old Mario Guerra for running the operation. They said they found 2,000 plants. All of it was grown with a sophisticated system of underground irrigation, tract lighting and even cooling pumps. "A lot of marijuana [is] not going to make it to the streets and the neighborhoods in our county. So, we're glad about that," said Herrell.

Slide 13: Seattle's pigeons shot with darts at risk of painful death Seattle Times Someone is impaling pigeons in downtown Seattle with metal darts, and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is putting up $2,000 to help find out who. Several Seattle residents have called PETA in the past two weeks to report seeing three injured pigeons fluttering around with needlelike projectiles — about 3 to 4 inches long — piercing their heads, said Tori Perry, cruelty case worker for the Norfolk, Virginia-based organization. The bird were spotted in the 1400 block of Third Avenue and at the corner of Third Avenue and Union Street, she added. The darts were fired from a blow gun, lodging directly behind the birds' eyes without penetrating their brains, Perry said.

Slide 14: Flirting men to get haircut punishment Men who flirt publicly with women in northern Saudi Arabia are to be punished by being given haircuts. Prince Fahd bin Badr ordered police to administer the trims after seeing a group of men with long hair pestering female students as they left school in the town of Skaka. Many clergymen in the conservative Gulf country say men should not have long hair because Islam prohibits the sexes from emulating each other. Lancashire Evening Post

Slide 15: Expert: U.S. population to hit 1 billion by 2100 USA TODAY If the USA seems too crowded and its roads too congested now, imagine future generations: The nation's population could more than triple to 1 billion as early as 2100. That's the eye-popping projection that urban and rural planners, gathered today for their annual meeting in Las Vegas, are hearing from a land-use expert. "What do we do now to start preparing for that?" asks Arthur Nelson, co-director of the Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech, whose analysis projects that the USA will hit the 1 billion mark sometime between 2100 and 2120. "It's a realistic long-term challenge." The nation currently has almost 304 million people and is the world's third most populous, behind China (1.3 billion) and India (1.1 billion). China passed the 1 billion mark in the early 1980s. Nelson's projection assumes that current fertility rates remain constant but that longevity and immigration will continue to rise.

Slide 16: Madonna Stunned By Sexual Cleansing Ritual Pop superstar Madonna was left shocked and appalled by a bizarre sex ritual which young widows in Malawi have to go through after their husbands die - because it fuels the spread of Aids in the country. In her new documentary I Am Because We Are, Madonna chronicles the plight of the people in the African nation, where she adopted her son David in 2006, and she admits some local customs left her feeling sick. In one segment of the harrowing new film, the star reveals a young widow is forced to have sex three times with a stranger from outside her village as part of a cleansing ritual. She says, "When this woman's husband dies of Aids, she is required by the village head tribal chief to go through this sexual cleansing. Until she does, basically the village is, like, at a standstill. And, if she refuses to do it, she will be ostracized by everyone." starpulse

Slide 17: Crowley man arrested after trying to cash $360 billion check FORT WORTH -- An aspiring record label owner is singing the blues after he was arrested last week for allegedly trying to pass a $360 billion check at a Fort Worth bank. Employees at the Chase Bank at 8601 S. Hulen St. grew suspicious after seeing all those zeroes (10 to be exact) and called the check's owner. The woman said the suspect, Charles Ray Fuller, 21, of Crowley, is her daughter’s boyfriend and that he did not have permission to take the check or cash it. Fuller was arrested on suspicion of fraud, along with unlawfully carrying a weapon and possession of marijuana after officers found less than 2 ounces of the drug and a .25-caliber handgun and magazine in his pockets. While inside a patrol car, police say Fuller blurted out that he is starting his own record label and had been given the money by his girlfriend’s mother to help him start it. Apparently breaking into the music business does not come cheap. Luckily for him, bail was a lot less expensive. Fuller was released from Mansfield Jail on Thursday after posting $3,750 bail.

Slide 18: St. Lucie teacher: Bikini charter cost me my job Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Tuesday, April 29, 2008 PORT ST. LUCIE — Tiffany Shepherd, a biology teacher at Port St. Lucie High School, learned last week that she will not be asked to return when school starts next year, nor will she finish this school year. Shepherd doesn't think it's her teaching skills that the St. Lucie County School District found objectionable but, rather, her after-school job as a bikini mate aboard Smokin' Em Charters fishing tours. As such, Shepherd, a 30-year-old buxom blonde from Fort Pierce with an undergraduate degree in pre-med, performs the usual duties of a mate, but wears a bikini and fetches drinks and sandwiches for the men on board. It's a job she took three weeks ago to help support her three young sons following a divorce, something she says is difficult to do on a teaching salary. "I can make $600 in two days (fishing)," she said. "That's a week's pay for me in two days." Smokin' Em Charters, a Port St. Lucie-based company, gained notoriety earlier this month when it was kicked out of the Fort Pierce city marina for violating the city's family-friendly atmosphere. The charter company's Web site has pictures of some of the bikini mates, many of them partially nude, and says the only job requirement is to look "hot in a bikini."

Slide 19: Mickey Mouse Operation Forget Miley Cyrus. Check out Disney's Chinese underwear ad……………… April 29, 2008, at 6:23 PM ET The May issue of Vanity Fair hits newsstands tomorrow, but it's already made the cover of the New York Post. The issue features a photograph of Miley Cyrus, star of the Disney Channel's mega-hit Hannah Montana, clutching a satin sheet to her otherwise naked torso……………. Staring down at the throngs of shoppers on Beijing's Xinjiekou Nandajie Avenue, a busy commercial thoroughfare about a mile west of the Forbidden City, was a white girl who looked all of 12, reclining in a matching bra-and- panties set adorned with Disney's signature mouse-ear design. In a particularly creepy detail, the pigtailed child was playing with a pair of Minnie Mouse hand puppets. In the upper left-hand corner was the familiar script of the Disney logo.

Slide 20: Pelican takes on an F-111 The jet was flying at 900m on a test bombing raid at Evans Head, northern NSW, when a pelican struck the fiberglass nose and was sucked into an engine……..pics next (2) slides.

Slide 50: Sophia Bush D.O.B: July 8, 1982 BIRTHPLACE: Pasadena, California HAIR: Brown EYES: Brown VITAL STATS: Sophia is currently dating her OTH co-star, Chad Michael Murray, while living in Wilmington, NC; she enjoys reading, photography, hanging out with her friends and scrapbooking in her spare time.