WASHINGTON – The federal government is nearing a decision to allow the sale of meat and milk from cloned cows and their offspring, according to officials from government, industry and consumer groups. The Food and Drug Administration is expected to take a major step toward approval soon, proposing to permit the sales, subject to 60 days of public comment and some additional review. That could lead to choice cuts of steak and cartons of milk produced from cloned cattle landing in kitchens within the next several years.
Oklahoma: Blast an apparent suicide
One person was killed in an explosion near a packed football stadium at the University of Oklahoma Saturday night in what authorities said appeared to be a suicide. The blast, in a traffic circle in Norman about 100 yards from Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, could be heard by some in the crowd of 84,000, but the university’s president said no one inside the stadium was ever in danger. “We are apparently dealing with an individual suicide, which is under full investigation,” he said.
California: Scientists see new moon
The astronomers who claim to have discovered the 10th planet in the solar system have another intriguing announcement: It has a moon. While observing the new, so-called planet Xena from Hawaii in September, a team of astronomers led by Michael Brown of the California Institute of Technology spotted a faint object trailing next to it. Because it was moving, astronomers ruled it was a moon and not a background star, which would have looked stationary. By determining the moon’s distance and orbit around Xena, scientists should be able to calculate how big Xena is.
New law puts limits on paparazzi
Paparazzi who commit assault in pursuit of celebrity photographs could be hit with hefty civil penalties in California under a new law. The law would allow victims of paparazzi assaults to file lawsuits seeking up to three times the damages they suffered. The plaintiffs could also ask for punitive damages and a court order requiring the photographer to give up any income earned from the pictures involved. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the bill on Friday. It takes effect Jan. 1.
From Herald news services
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