There is new research that says a quick look at the lengths of children’s index and ring fingers can be used to predict how well students will perform on the SATs. Kids with longer ring fingers compared to index fingers are likely to have higher math scores than literacy or verbal scores on the college entrance exam, while children with the reverse finger-length ratio are likely to have higher reading and writing, or verbal, scores versus math scores.
The panel that is investigating the shootings at Virginia Tech met in closed session on Monday and planned to tour the two buildings where 33 people were killed. An on-campus briefing for the group was closed under provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act that protect students’ privacy and briefings by law enforcement agencies. Reporters for several news organizations had objected, saying it that it did not appear the grounds for closing the meeting were properly applied in this case.
The Taliban in Afghanistan says the younger brother of a top military commander killed over the weekend will take over as chief military strategist for the movement. The Taliban named Mullah Bakht to succeed Mullah Dadullah, a one-legged fighter who was killed on Saturday in Helmand province in a joint operation involving British and Afghan troops and U.S. Special Forces.
Recent studies show that it would cost the world less than 1% of its GDP to put in place measures to curb greenhouse gas emissions in order to reduce the impact of global warming and climate change, an intergovernmental panel meeting in Bangkok said yesterday. The panel suggested several measures that ordinary people could contribute to in order to ensure more efficient use of energy. It also urged promotion of renewable fuels.
It started out as a quiet and normal protest, but ended in violence. The immigration rally, in Los Angeles, ended with a fight between the demonstraters and the police. The Police Chief William Bratton promised a department review to “determine if the use of force was appropriate.”
Several people, including about a dozen officers, were hurt during skirmishes at MacArthur Park near downtown. About 10 people were taken to hospitals for treatment of injuries including cuts, authorities said. None of the injuries seem to be serious. So far only one person has been arrested.
Iraqi officials have received reports that the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq was recently killed by Sunni tribesmen. With that being said the chief government spokesman stated that the information has not yet been confirmed. Iraqi officials have released similar reports in the past, only to acknowledge later they were inaccurate. U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker told reporters that American authorities in Baghdad were seeking more information.