In the News July 8, 2008

G-8 Battle Global Warming

The Group of Eight leading industrial nations endorsed halving world emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050, edging forward in the battle against global warming but stopping short of tough, nearer-term targets. The G-8 countries consists of the United States, Japan, Russia, Germany, France, Britain, Canada and Italy.

"This global challenge can only be met by a global response, in particular, by the contributions from all major economies," the G-8 said in a joint, five-page communique on climate.



Environmentalists have argued that the 50 percent reduction target is insufficient, and have clamored for ambitious targets for countries to cut emissions by 2020. Japan itself has set a national target for cutting emissions by between 60 percent and 80 percent by 2050, but has not set a midterm goal.

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New Research- More Mid-Life (and Older) STDs



Practice what you preach mom, dad, grandma, and granpa.
As older generations lead increasingly active sex lives, research shows they may also be suffering from a rise in sexually transmitted disease

According to Time.com, some physicians say that older patients are leading active sex lives — and their rates of sexually transmitted disease (STD) may be on the rise.
According to a study published last week online by the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections, researchers at England's West Midlands Health Protection Agency found that in less than a decade, STD rates had more than doubled among people ages 45 and older.
Researchers point to myriad factors contributing to the rise in STDs, among them a high mid-life divorce rate and the ease of finding dates online.

But perhaps the most critical reason is the older generation's lack of sex ed. Many older adults may have an outdated view of safe sex, believing that condoms are unnecessary after menopause or with partners they already know.


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Rescued Hostage Speaks Out

One of three American hostages rescued last week from Colombian rebels said that he believes his former captors will retaliate against those still being held.
Marc Gonsalves says FARC, which held him captive, uses revolutionary claims to cover criminal aims. Gonsalves was held prisoner by The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). He was one of three U.S. government contractors since February 2003, after their plane crashed in a remote region of the South American country.

"Right now, they're being punished because we got rescued," Marc Gonsalves said at San Antonio's Brooke Army Medical Center, where he and fellow ex-hostages Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell have been treated for days.


"They're going to get up early tomorrow morning, they're going to put a heavy backpack on their backs, and they're going to be forced to march with [a] chain around their neck while a guerrilla with an automatic weapon is holding the other end of [the] chain like a dog," Gonsalves said.

Gonsalves blasted the leftist rebel group, calling them "terrorists" who pretended to be fighting for the poor of Colombia so they could engage in crimes such as drug trafficking and extortion.

"They say they want equality; they say they just want to make Colombia a better place," Gonsalves said. "That's all a lie ... to justify their criminal activity."
"They are not a revolutionary group. They are terrorists -- terrorists with a capital T."

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Happy Birthday Ringo

Peace and Love ringostarr.com

Ringo Starr turned 68 this week. To mark the occasion, held a "peace and love" fest on a Chicago sidewalk .

"What could be wrong? Peace and Love. What a great birthday gift," the former Beatle said. "It's a happening."
"What a great birthday gift!" said Starr, surrounded by television cameras. "If you could pan around, you could see Chicago is full of peace and lovers."