Wikinews Shorts: April 25, 2007
A compilation of brief news reports for Wednesday, April 25, 2007.
Kryptonite found by geologists
Geologists in Serbia have found a mineral which matches with Kryptonite, a fictional rock in the famous Superman series. Natural History Museum in London, England and the National Research Council of Canada are calling it a new mineral after tests were done by scientists. The rock is white and powdery and it does not have fluorine and is non-radioactive.
The chemical formula of Kryptonite is sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide, which British mineralogist Dr. Chris Stanley matched with the rock being held in London's Natural History Museum after searching on the internet. More information about the new mineral can be found at the Natural History Museum's website.
"I was amazed to discover that same scientific name written on a case of rock containing kryptonite stolen by Lex Luthor from a museum in the film Superman Returns," he said.
Sources
- "Scientists unearth Superman's "kryptonite"" — Reuters, April 25, 2007
- Press Release: "Superman beware, kryptonite is real" — Natural History Museum, April 25, 2007
Parts of Canada's new environment plan revealed
Environment Minister John Baird announced some details today that the Canadian government will reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020. Industrial pollution will be reduced in three to five years and air pollution would be split by 2015.
Baird was expected make his formal announcement on Thursday until, accidentally, the Conservative governments' documents were faxed to the Liberal Party, Canada's main opposition party.
This is the second time the Conservative government has made an alternative plan to Kyoto since 2006. The first one entitled the Clean Air Act, proposed by former Environment Minister Rona Ambrose, was rejected by the two other main opposition parties. The new one is entitled Turning the Corner.
Sources
- Greg Quinn and Mathew Carr. "Canada Plans to Curb Gas Emissions 20 Percent by 2020 (Update6)" — Bloomberg L.P., April 25, 2007
- David Ljunggren. "Canada vows to cut emissions by 20 pct by 2020" — Reuters, April 25, 2007
Rosie O'Donnell to leave The View
Rosie O'Donnell has been ordered to quit ABC's The View for not agreeing to her contract. ABC stated they wanted her for three more years but O'Donnell declined saying she wanted only one more year. She will officially leave the popular morning show in June, when her contract agreement ends.
O'Donnell's position has had ups and downs since she started. O'Donnell just this year had two feuds with famous American entrepreneur Donald Trump and claimed producer and co-host Barbara Walters did not come to her side.
She makes a total of US$3 million for co-hosting the show.
"Just didn't dovetail with what ABC was able to offer me. To all the viewers out there, I just want to say thank you for opening up your hearts and your homes to me this past year," O'Donnell said in a formal announcement.
Sources
- United Press International. "Rosie parting ways with ABC's 'The View'" — Monsters and Critics, April 25, 2007
- David Bauder - Associated Press. "Rosie O'Donnell Leaving ABC's 'The View'" — Forbes, April 25, 2007
