Top News Stories –
UN to discuss Air Traffic Control for outer space –
An international air traffic control for outer space should be set up to prevent damage to satellites and spacecraft orbiting the Earth, according to proposal to be discussed at the United Nations next week. There are thought to be more than 19,000 pieces of debris larger than 4 inches across racing around the Earth at high speeds, while there are more than 500,000 bigger than a postage stamp. The number of particles smaller than this are thought to exceed tens of millions. Despite their relatively small size, most are travelling faster than 15,600mph and at these speeds a fleck of paint could do as much damage as a .22-calibre rifle bullet. [Daily Telegraph]
Treo the dog awarded animal VC –
A heroic military dog is to be honoured with the animal version of the Victoria Cross. Treo, an eight-year-old black Labrador, saved countless lives in Afghanistan last year by locating hidden roadside bombs. The search dog twice saved soldiers and civilians from catastrophe while out on patrol in Helmand province by sniffing out explosives which had been wired together in a daisy chain and hidden in the path. The medal was created by leading veterinary charity the PDSA and is recognised as the highest award an animal can receive for conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving in military conflict. (See List of the Day for human honours) [Daily Telegraph]
Cat owners ‘more educated than dog owners’ –
Cats have long been thought to be cleverer than dogs – and now it seems the same is true of their owners. People with cats are more likely to have university degrees than those with dogs, according to a scientific survey of pet ownership. The study also revealed that the combined cat and dog population of Britain is more than 20.8 million – 50 per cent higher than previously thought. Researchers at the University of Bristol say that the superior intelligence of cat owners is unlikely to be caused by their exposure to the famously cunning and selfish pets. Rather, more educated people tend to work longer hours and choose a pet to fit their lifestyles. Unlike dogs, cats require no walking and can manage with little human company.[Daily Telegraph]
Video of the Day –
flight patterns from Charlie McCarthy on Vimeo.
List of the day –
List of highest military honours throughout the world – [List from Wikipedia]
| Country | Image | Name | Date first awarded | Number awarded | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina |  |
Cross to the Heroic Valour in Combat | 18 | Last awarded in 1982 | ||
| Australia |  |
The Victoria Cross for Australia | 16 January 2009 | 3 | Replaced The Victoria Cross | |
| Bangladesh |  |
Bir Sreshtho | 15 December 1973 | 7 | ||
| Canada |  |
The Victoria Cross of Canada | 2 February 1993 | 0 | Date established. Replaced The Victoria Cross |
|
| China |   |
The Hero’s Medal | April 1951 | |||
| Denmark |  |
The Valour Cross | 18 November 2011 | 1 | ||
| Estonia |  |
The Cross of Liberty | 24 February 1919 | 3,156 | None has been awarded since 1925 | |
| France |  |
The Legion of Honour | 15 July 1804 | |||
| India |  |
Param Vir Chakra | 3 November 1947 | 21 | ||
| Israel |  |
The Medal of Valor | 19 January 1948 | 40 | Replacement for the Hero of Israel. None has been awarded since 1975. |
|
| Italy |  |
Gold Medal of Military Valour | 21 May 1793 | |||
| Luxembourg |  |
Military Medal | 3 August 1945 | |||
| Netherlands |  |
Military William Order | 30 April 1815 | 5,875 | ||
| New Zealand | |
The Victoria Cross for New Zealand | 26 July 2007 | 1 | Replaced The Victoria Cross. | |
| Norway |  |
The War Cross with Sword | 28 November 1941 | 285 | A new sword is awarded each time a person, who already has the War Cross, distinguishes him- or herself in battle.[6] | |
| Pakistan |   |
Nishan-e-Haider (Left) Hilal-e-Kashmir (Right) | 16 March 1957 | 11 | On 30 November 1995, the Government of Pakistan initiated the gazette notification to declare its Hilal-e-Kashmir equivalent to Nishan-e-Haider.All awards have been made posthumously. | |
| Russia |  |
The Gold Star | ||||
| Spain |  |
Laureate Cross of Saint Ferdinand | ||||
| United Kingdom |  |
The Victoria Cross | 26 June 1857 | 1357 1354 |
||
| United States |  |
The Medal of Honor | 26 March 1863 | 3468 3449 |
Different types from each of the branches of the US military.In the image, from left to right: The Army, the Coast Guard/Navy/Marine Corps, and the Air Force. | |
| Zimbabwe | The Gold Cross of Zimbabwe | 3 | Replaced the Grand Cross of Valour |
Other News Stories –
- Jordan Queen‘s educational reform program lauded in Jordan. Rania Al Abdullah and Princess Hessa bint Salman were briefed on the Jordan River Foundation (JRF) by the organization’s Director General Valentina Qussisiya. (zawya)
- The Eastern Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, one of the world’s largest water projects, has been delayed by about five years due to problems associated with water pollution, officials in east China’s Shandong province. (China Daily)
- Wang Jiarui, head of the Communist Party of China‘s liaison office, arrives in North Korea on a “goodwill visit” at the invitation of the Workers’ Party of Korea. (AFP) (Tehran Times) (The Straits Times)
- Charles McArther Emmanuel, son of President of Liberia Charles Taylor, is ordered to pay more than $22 million (£14 million) to five people tortured during the Second Liberian Civil War. (BBC)
- The Group of Seven nations agree to write off Haiti‘s debts following a conference in Iqaluit, Nunavut. (BBC)
- The Bank of Spain announces that Spain’s economy fell 3.6% in 2009, the most in decades. (Mercopress) (Reuters) (Business Spectator)
- Thousands protest in Togo against a decision by the Confederation of African Football to ban the country from the next two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations. (BBC) (Times of India)
- An Australian mining company signs a $70 billion deal to supply Chinese power stations with coal, in the country’s biggest ever export contract.(BBC) (The Hindu) (Sydney Morning Herald)
- Mark Durkan, former Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, resigns as leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP). (The Belfast Telegraph) (The Irish Times)
- French aid worker, Laurent Maurice, kidnapped in Chad last November, is released after 89 days of captivity, described as “tired but appears to be in good health”. (BBC) (CNN) (Philippine Daily Inquirer) (Reuters South Africa) (CTV News) (news.com.au)
- Afghan police admit they shot dead seven civilians, including two children, as they collected firewood in Spin Boldak, Kandahar, last Thursday.(Reuters) (Press TV) (France24)
- 23 Yemeni government soldiers are killed by the Houthis in two separate incidents: 15 are ambushed in Wadi al-Jabara, while the remaining 8 die in Sa’dah. (Press TV)
- The Taliban blow up a girls’ school in Huwaid, Pakistan, killing no one. (AFP)
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