Topic: University of Leeds

J.R.R. Tolkien: 10 quotes on his birthday

10 memorable quotes on life by the author of the popular "Lord of the Rings" series. 

Polar ice melt accelerates (+video)

The Earth's ice sheets are melting three times faster than they were two decades ago, 47 researchers say in a recently published study. The scientists fault human-created global warming for the dramatic increase in melting.

Are polar ice sheets shrinking? Report offers definitive answer at last.

Numerous studies in recent years have offered different – and sometimes conflicting – views about ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica. But a new report offers unprecedented scope.

Extreme global warming caused devastating die-off

As much as 95 percent of the Earth's species disappeared 250 million years ago as a result of dramatic temperature changes likely influenced by fierce volcanic eruptions. 

How well do you know J.R.R. Tolkien? Take our quiz

There is more to J.R.R. Tolkien than just 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings.' Take this quiz to test your knowledge on the great scholar and storyteller. 

Conservatives of a feather? Romney meets with British PM Cameron

US presidential candidate Mitt Romney is meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron today. They represent right-wing parties that were once close but have since drifted apart.

North Korea's Kim Jong-un not really in control, says brother

Kim Jong-un's brother reportedly wonders how long North Korea's Kim Jong-un can last – or how much say he will have over his own destiny, let alone that of his people.

Amanda Knox: A tearful appeal to overturn murder conviction (video)

Amanda Knox pleaded Monday to be acquitted of murdering her British roommate in Italy, where she has been in prison for four years. A panel is expected to release its decision in the Amanda Knox appeal after 2 p.m. ET today.

Raffaele Sollecito to be sentenced with Amanda Knox

Raffaele Sollecito usually sits near Amanda Knox while in court, but has shared little of the attention garnered by his co-defendant..

Horizons
Jelly batteries seen as safer, cheaper alternative to traditional cells

Jelly batteries have been successfully tested by a research team in the UK.

Amazon drought: A growing concern

Record droughts hit the Amazon's rain forests in 2005 and 2010. With climate models projecting more drying with global warming, researchers are keeping close watch for such extreme droughts.

Robot to explore Great Pyramid

Archaeologists will use a small robot to explore a shaft in the Great Pyramid of Giza that has remained sealed for four and a half millennia.

Why North Korea Cheonan sinking gets wrist slap from UN

North Korea agreed to its first talks with the US in a year, and is signaling interest in restarting the six-party talks about nuclear disarmament.

Amanda Knox not guilty, says Italian mafioso

Amanda Knox is serving a 26-year sentence for murder in Italy. Will new testimony – and forensic evidence – be enough to overturn her conviction?

Bangkok smolders day after crackdown on red-shirt protesters

Sporadic violence flared in Thailand Thursday as more red-shirt protesters left their camp in Bangkok, two more leaders surrendered, and a curfew was extended until Sunday.

Europe's $955 billion rescue package, Greek austerity, and moral hazard

Markets across the world soared after the European Central Bank promised the creation of a $955 billion rescue fund for eurozone countries with debt problems. But some economists are worried about moral hazard – bailouts leading to reckless spending.

Wall Street panics as Greece protests flare over austerity measures

Greece protests against the government's tough spending cuts broke out in Athens Thursday, was stocks plunged on Wall Street over concerns about tightening credit markets and declining global demand.

Who is the American slated to face trial in North Korea?

Details are emerging about Aijalon Mahli Gomes, the American who will face trial in North Korea after having crossed into the country 'illegally.' From Boston, he had been teaching English in South Korea.

To rein in Al Qaeda in Yemen, Britain taps its colonial past

Analysts in the UK says Britain's colonial history in Yemen may give it useful insights and expertise in dealing with the presence of Al Qaeda supporters there.

American missionary allegedly held by North Korea. A 'gift' to Pyongyang?

North Korea said it has detained a US citizen, widely believed to be Robert Park, a Korean-American missionary who crossed the border into North Korea with a message for the regime to close all labor camps. His fate could be tied up in the future of six-party talks. 

Amanda Knox conviction: Italy strikes back at US complaints

US student Amanda Knox's conviction for the murder of her roommate in Italy, has sparked some complaints of an unfair trial. Prosecutors and the Italian press are striking back.

Amanda Knox Italian murder trial nears verdict

The murder trial of American student Amanda Knox, accused by Italian prosecutors of conspiring with her boyfriend to kill her roommate, is winding down in Perugia.

Discoveries
NASA's CO2 satellite tanks, unlike CO2 levels themselves

Turkey tightens controls on Internet speech

The country's courts and governments have banned 850 websites this year, including YouTube and Blogger.

More Mail Bag matches

Readers remember pen pals they found through the Monitor's old Mail Bag column.