Popular Elsewhere
16:54 UK time, Monday, 16 May 2011
A look at the stories ranking highly on various news sites.
The Independent's most read story a will soon be available on the high street. The article says the blood test heralds a new medical era. It explains vital structures on the tips of a person's chromosomes, called telomeres, are examined. Scientists believe are one of the most important and accurate indicators of the speed at which a person is ageing. It goes on to suggest the results of the tests might also be of interest to companies offering life-insurance policies or medical cover.
The New York Times' most blogged article claims a . It says the billionaire founder of Blackwater Worldwide flew in Colombian soldiers disguised as construction workers. The article says the force is intended to conduct special operations missions inside and outside the country, defend oil pipelines and skyscrapers from terrorist attacks and put down internal revolts. It speculates the troops could be used to suppress potential uprisings. The story goes on to warn that introducing American soldiers to the mercenary troop creates a volatile situation.
The Atlantic's most popular piece looks at . It argues that while she is famous for being an "unbending, hard-charging, red-meat ideologue" while she was in office she acted differently. It uses the example of her teaming up with the Democrats to "tame big oil". The article speculates that if she runs for president she'll have to decide what kind of politician she wants to be.
A popular Slate article argues the . The prototype cost £10,000 - then roughly the price of a nice London house. It is difficult to quantify the vast number of lives saved. For the author Tim Harford this illustrates the problem with judging an investment in innovation based on the estimated return on your investment. He argues that it often just can't be predicted.
A popular story on Time looks at the . The sentence, which has been suspended, was for pouring acid on a woman's face. The article says the suspension came after outcry against it. It was at first allowed under a law which allows analogous retribution to violent crime. It goes on to say the law is rooted in an "eye for an eye" approach to justice based on 7th Century Islamic jurisprudence.
