Scientists delayed the start of 2006 by a second through the first "leap second" in seven years -- to keep the clocks within 0.9 second of the Earth's rotational time, which can speed up or slow down because of many factors.
The US senate recently temporarily withdrew oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, while discussing the military spending bill.
Shell faces contempt of court proceeding in Nigeria for violating the Benin High Court's order to stop gas flaring from its oil wells.
Bamboo will be used to generate electricity in two power projects to begin soon in Assam's Jagiroad and Silchar towns -- a use developed by scientists of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
China's criminal law has been revised: people assisting foetal gender selection leading to abortion will now be jailed.
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