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The Canadian Environmental Law Assocation and the Canadian organization Environmental Defence jointly conducted a study that was released to the public on Thursday, saying that chemicals released by new vinyl curtains may pose a significant health risk. The study noted that many shower curtains contain more than 100 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phthalates and organotins, some of which may be released into the air when first taken from a package. These chemicals, responsible for the characteristic smell of new vinyl, may cause damage to k

Environmental activist and former Vice-President Al Gore today announced his support for Democratic candidate Barack Obama in the United States presidential election. In an email sent to Obama supporters, Al Gore voices his support for the presumptive nominee. "From now through Election Day," he writes, "I intend to do whatever I can to make sure he is elected President of the United States." He believes that Obama is the candidate who will "bring change to America" in issues such as the Iraq War, the American economy, and climate change. "Ov

In the opening day of 2008 WiMAX Expo Taipei (June 2), WiMAX Forum and Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) held the "WiMAX Forum Operator Summit" for global WiMAX operators at Far Eastern Plaza Hotel to examine and forecast the opportunity of WiMAX. In addition, WiMAX Forum released the "Executive Summary of the WiMAX Forum Global WiMAX Subscriber & User Forecast" during a press conference at Taipei Show Hall 2. Besides of the announcements and M-Taiwan Pavilion showcase, the WiMAX Forum Taiwan Chapter also held the "Open House of

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) announced that it has withdrawn from the Northern Territory National Emergency Response. The AMA head, Rosanna Capolingua, said that working with the Government has been fraught with problems and is too costly. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said that he is not concerned about the future of the Northern Territory Intervention and that the Australian Government would look at other organizations to take over the AMA's role. The Northern Territory National Emergency Response also known as the Intervention w

The Australian Government is to lobby Asian counties to reduce fuel subsidies and price caps in a bid to lower fuel prices, which the Government argues that fuel subsidies are artificially inflating fuel prices across the Asia-Pacific region. Resources and Energy Minister, Martin Ferguson said that the Rudd Government does not want to be critical of countries which have used the subsidies to help promote development, however he said that "the challenge of dealing with energy subsidies in our region is a serious one". Shadow Minister for Forei

People in London yesterday were surprised to see hundreds of cyclists in varying degrees of nakedness riding through the city as the annual London Naked Bike Ride took place, one of many other rides as part of World Naked Bike Ride. The ride was intended to protest against oil dependency and celebrate cycling and the human body. The ride took a route past many well known landmarks in London, starting from Hyde Park Corner then going via locations including Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Covent Garden, Oxford Street

Over 50 people have been confirmed dead and at least one million people have fled from their homes as a result of heavy flooding across much of southern China. In the Guangdong and Jiangxi provinces alone, at least 6,000 homes have been submerged and destroyed by the flood. Further rainfall is expected to occur throughout the next ten days. The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) has issued a warning on the situation. "Faced with the increasingly severe rain and flood situation, at 16 o’clock of June 12, Flood Control and Drought Relie

A blast at the Apache Energy plant on Varanus Island on June 3, 2008 cut off one-third of Western Australia's (WA) gas supply, Apache Energy says that it could take up to two months before the supply from Varanus Island gas plant will be partially resumed. The gas crisis in Western Australia is set to worsen this week, "I think the most difficult times are ahead of us. I think this week will be very difficult and I think the following week will be very difficult, and I mean very difficult", The WA Premier Alan Carpenter said.

Different from the past three years, 2008 the 4th-annual Taipei 101 Run Up was held earlier in the top half of 2008 today (June 15). Approximately 2,500 people, world-class runners, corporate teams and individual people, participated in the challenge to climb 2046 steps (390 meters height), 91 floors at this race. Chinese Taipei Road Running Association (CTRRA), the race organizer, set up the "ChampionChip" timing system and recruited several local volunteers for the floor service from vast industries. Australian cyclist Paul Crake was paralyz

Narayanhity Royal Palace, home to Nepal's kings for over a century, was today converted into a public museum, further signifying the country's recent transition from a monarchy to a republic. At a brief ceremony, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala hoisted the national flag where previously only the royal flag had flown, and unveiled a plaque reading "Narayanhity National Museum". Proclaiming the museum as belonging to the people, Koirala said, "Today the son of a common people has hoisted the country's flag in this palace. Now Nepal has ent

After four days of deliberation, a jury found Basil Parasiris not guilty Friday in the shooting death of a Laval police Constable in March of 2007. Laval police were executing a "no knock" warrant on Parasiris' Brossard home March 2, 2007, when Parasiris fatally shot officer Daniel Tessier, thinking he was an invader in his home. The warrant was issued to investigate drug trafficking in the area. Only a small amount of cocaine and marijuana was found during the execution of the search warrant. Parasiris still faces charges stemming from firea

Interstate 80 is closed in Cedar County, Iowa, east of the Iowa City area, due to flooding from the Iowa River and Coralville Lake. The flooding that has devastated cities in eastern Iowa has travelled downstream and is now threatening Iowa City and Coralville, both of which have issued evacuations for low-lying areas. Flooding on the Cedar River earlier filled Waterloo, Cedar Falls, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with record-breaking water levels. Interstate 80 is closed between mile markers 266 and 267, with a 281-mile long detour to get around it