London Free Press

New Year's Celebrations

Around the world.

Have a ball

The Times Square Ball drop has been around for more than 100 years. The Ball has since lost some weight (only to gain it back) and has gained some updated lighting to attract up to one million people each New Year's Eve.

The morning after pill

There's a new pill on the market and it's boasting the ability to cure your worst hangover. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently given the OK for this new pill - Blowfish - to be sold over-the-counter in the U.S.

Arab Spring

The Arab Spring, otherwise known as the Arab Awakening, is a revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests occurring in the Arab world that began on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010 following Mohamed Bouazizi's self-immolation in protest of police corruption and ill treatment.

World Agenda 2012

Review of the Year 2011

Happy Birthday

Tis the season to be jolly and enjoy the holidays with family and friends, but some are also celebrating their birthdays over this holiday. Take a look at what famous stars and notable figures were born during this magical time of year.

Weather woes

From the death and destruction of Japan's earthquake/tsunami to extreme weather in the U.S. that killed more than 1,000 people throughout of the year, Mother Nature seemed to be on the warpath in 2011. Canadians had plenty to "weather," experiencing our second-most expensive year for weather losses. The following are the top 10 weather stories of 2011, according to Environment Canada.

Santa's secret workshop

QMI Agency recently spent time with reclusive do-gooder Santa Claus at his isolated North Pole retreat. It was a discreet mission to uncover all we could about the secretive North Pole facilities and some little-known facts about the jolly old man himself.

2011: The year according to YouTube

2011 has proven to be a powerful year for YouTube and many of its subscribers, from Rebecca Black making the number one video of the year, to the merge of Google and YouTube. Here is a review of some of the biggest YouTube moments to hit this year.

North Korea's mystery man

Kim Jong-il — the so-called Dear Leader of North Korea’s totalitarian regime — has died at the age of 69

Rescuing a community

There has been a housing crisis on the northern Ontario Attawapiskat reserve since July 11, 2009, when a flood of wastewater hit eight buildings. The community has also been without a primary school for more than 10 years because of a diesel spill that contaminated the site in 1979.

Coming home

U.S. forces formally ended their nine-year war in Iraq on Thursday. Almost 4,500 U.S. soldiers and tens of thousands of Iraqis lost their lives in the war that began with a "Shock and Awe" campaign of missiles pounding Baghdad and descended into sectarian strife and a surge in U.S. troop numbers.

Holy Christmas Tree!

The Vatican Christmas tree, also called the Saint Peter's Square Christmas tree, is the decorated tree that is erected annually in Saint Peter's Square directly in front of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City to celebrate the Christmas holiday season. Polish-born John Paul II started the tradition of erecting a tall Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square in 1982. Since then, it has become an honour to donate the tree.

With a bit of imagination

To a kid, a box can become many things - a fort, an animal, a spaceship, an airplane, a hiding spot, a new bed. All you need is a little imagination and creativity, and the adventures begin. And this is why it, rightly, resides in the National Toy Hall of Fame.

Contaminated

In order to avoid vaccination, some American parents have decided to "naturally" immunize children. To do this, they exchange objects that carry chickenpox germs so their offspring produce antibodies and are protected from the disease. Authorities warn against this kind of practice because it may affect the health and safety of the public.

OS Education

These days, everyone wants a smartphone. But walking into a store and staring at the wall of devices can be daunting, to say the least. Rest assured, though, that everyone of those phones works on one of four pieces of software.

Plane rude

Late arrivals, bad weather, canceled flights - these things all contribute to stressful air travel. Recently, however, it seems the passengers are causing all the stress. Celebrities Alec Baldwin and Whitney Houston, even some RIM executives, have been letting their egos make flying ever more turbulent.

Congolese Violence

The day after the former Ivorian head of state appeared before the International Criminal Court (ICC), demonstrations against election proceedings in Congo became unruly in two Canadian cities. The election, marred by violence and massive logistical problems, has many similarities with the case against the country's former president, Laurent Gbabgo.

Iran captures spy plan

The U.S. spy plane which Iran claims to have downed is an RQ-170 Sentinel, developed by Lockheed Martin Skunk WOrks as a stealth UAW and operated by the USAF 30th Reconaissance Squadron

Marking 70 years since Pearl Harbor

On Dec. 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet moored at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack caused profound shock in the United States and precipitated America's entry into the Second World War in both the Pacific and European theatres.

Ready for ol' man winter?

Once again, winter is beginning to wrap its long cold arms around us - with most of us hoping not to be buried under too much snow and that the temperatures stay bearable. So what are the experts predicting for us this winter?

Worldwide corruption

The 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index scores 183 countries and territories from 0 (highly corrupt) to 10 (very clean) based on perceived levels of public sector corruption. It uses data from 17 surveys that look at factors such as enforcement of anti-corruption laws, access to information and conflicts of interest.

Ah...ah...ah choo!

It's winter time. And with that comes the colds, flu and lots of sneezes. Ever wonder why you are sneezing?