English in Colleges Roils French Parliament
May 23, 2013
The French Parliament is debating a bill that seeks to introduce English-language courses at the country's public universities. The bill, which has already generated fierce debate inside the walls of Parliament and out, is part of a larger reform package for France's higher education system. The package has been touted by Higher Education Minister Genevieve Fioraso as boosting the appeal of French universities at a time when enrollments are dropping.
Camaraderie Prime Attraction for Mall-goers
May 23, 2013
A prime attraction of going to the mall is the interaction with other people, and that trumps online shopping, a new survey shows. The survey canvassed people in a variety of locations, and 81 percent of respondents said that they preferred shopping with other people to shopping along, even if it meant traveling up to a half hour to get there.
Harry Potter 1st Edition Breaks Auction Record
May 22, 2013
An author-annotated first edition of the first Harry Potter book has sold for $228,000, the highest ever paid for a book featuring "the boy who lived." An anonymous bidder agreed by telephone to pay 150,000 British pounds for the copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
U.N. Wants You to Eat Insects
May 19, 2013
Bugs are right up there with cows, pigs, and chickens. The Food and Agriculture Organization, an arm of the United Nations, has issued a report adding insects to a list of viable sources. Specifically, the FAO has included a few hundred species of insects that are edible and, actually, nutritious. On the list are species of ants, beetles, caterpillars, cicadas, crickets, dragonflies, termites, and wasps.
Under the guidance of famed engineer Joseph Strauss, who had built more than 400 drawbridges, construction on the Golden Gate Bridge began on January 5, 1933. Construction went on steadily for four years, until the bridge was opened to traffic on May 27, 1937. (Actually, it was opened to foot traffic on that day; vehicles could not cross until the next day.)
