blownlight.com – Page 1137

Iranian International Master Dorsa Derakhshani discusses her chess career with Wikinews

19 December, 2020

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Tuesday, April 14, 2020 In February 2017, the Iranian Chess Federation announced two teenage chess players, Dorsa Derakhshani and her younger brother Borna Derakhshani, were banned from representing the national team. The federation announced their decision although Dorsa Derakhshani had previously decided and informed the chess federation she did not wish to play for Iran. […]

Author Amy Scobee recounts abuse as Scientology executive

19 December, 2020

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Monday, October 11, 2010 Wikinews interviewed author Amy Scobee about her book Scientology – Abuse at the Top, and asked her about her experiences working as an executive within the organization. Scobee joined the organization at age 14, and worked at Scientology’s international management headquarters for several years before leaving in 2005. She served as […]

Saturn moon Enceladus may have salty ocean

19 December, 2020

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Thursday, June 23, 2011 NASA’s Cassini–Huygens spacecraft has discovered evidence for a large-scale saltwater reservoir beneath the icy crust of Saturn’s moon Enceladus. The data came from the spacecraft’s direct analysis of salt-rich ice grains close to the jets ejected from the moon. The study has been published in this week’s edition of the journal […]

New drug from lizard’s saliva

19 December, 2020

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Saturday, April 30, 2005 A chemical part of the saliva of a poisonous lizard, the Gila monster, has become an integral partner in the control of Type 2 diabetes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved its use for people who have not achieved adequate control of their diabetes with oral medications. Byetta, or […]

International bodies express concern over Israel-Hezbollah conflict

19 December, 2020

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Thursday, July 20, 2006 International humanitarian organisations and human rights watchdogs have expressed concerns over the rising civilian casualties and the humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing conflict in Lebanon and northern Israel. They have also warned the warring groups that their conduct may not comply with international laws governing the safety of civilians in […]

European airspace closed by volcanic ash

19 December, 2020

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Thursday, April 15, 2010 Hundreds of thousands of air travelers had their travel plans disrupted in Europe by volcanic ash from the Eyjafjallajökull eruption. Tens of thousands of air travelers were stranded when all flights into and out of the United Kingdom were grounded, as it became one of the first nations to be affected. […]

Dutch financial institution ING takes impairment charge

19 December, 2020

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Wednesday, February 20, 2008 Dutch financial institution ING Group reported today in its quarterly results an impairment charge of €194 million euros (approximately US$285.6 million). However, as a result of selling an equity stake in rival ABN AMRO, the net profit of €2.48 billion, was 18% higher than last year. The impairment charge is a […]

South African cricketer AB de Villiers announces international retirement

19 December, 2020

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Saturday, May 26, 2018 On Wednesday, South African cricketer AB de Villiers announced his retirement from international cricket. The 34-year-old batsman uploaded a video message on Twitter saying it was a “tough decision” and he was “tired”. De Villiers joined the national team, the Proteas, in 2004, featuring in a test match against England. Since […]

One year on: Egyptians mark anniversary of protests that toppled Mubarak

19 December, 2020

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Wednesday, January 25, 2012 Across Egypt hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets for the day, marking exactly one year since the outbreak of protests leading to 83-year-old longstanding ruler Hosni Mubarak’s downfall. The country’s decades-long emergency rule was partially lifted this week; meanwhile, a possible economic meltdown looms and a newly-elected parliament held […]

Westchester County, NY to build affordable housing for non-whites

19 December, 2020

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Thursday, August 13, 2009 In a settlement, hailed by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a “historic civil rights settlement,” the county government for Westchester County, New York has agreed to spend US$51.6 million to build 750 affordable housing units that will primarily be offered to non-white minorities. The settlement […]