seenewstoday.com : Top News updates

Tiny "fibers" may have played role in 787 battery failure, NTSB says
SEATTLE (Reuters) – The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is investigating whether tiny fiber-like formations, known as dendrites, inside lithium-ion batteries could have played a role in battery failures on two Boeing Co 787 Dreamliners last month. Dendrites – just one of several possible causes under investigation by the agency – accumulate as a battery is charged and discharged, and can cause short circuits, according to battery experts. …

North Korea says it has conducted third nuke test
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- North Korea successfully detonated a miniaturized nuclear device at a northeastern test site Tuesday, state media said, defying U.N. Security Council orders to shut down atomic activity or face more sanctions and international isolation.

Moody's says downside risks to global economy have abated
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Moody’s Investor Services on Tuesday said downside risks for the global economy had receded in the past three months, though a number of dangers still remained. In its latest Global Macro Risk Scenarios report, the ratings agency also said it expected economic growth to be slow in many countries. “While our central forecasts are little changed, the downside risks have definitely abated over the past three months,” said Colin Ellis, Moody’s Senior Vice President for Macro Financial Analysis. …

Fine dining meets fast food at one Aussie McDonald's
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Would you like a knife and fork with that? In a world first, a McDonald’s franchise in Australia is offering full table service for its dine-in customers, complete with china plates, glassware and metal utensils in place of the more usual paper boxes and plastic. Meals are also brought to the table by waiters and waitresses, and diners can daintily dab their lips with cloth napkins after eating. “It’s very popular,” store manager Michelle Steain told Reuters of the five-week trial service. “Everyone seems to be loving it. …

Ex-US Navy SEAL remembered for dedication to others; nearly 7,000 people at memorial service
ARLINGTON, Texas – As military service members carried the flag-draped coffin out of a football stadium, the sounds of bagpipes echoed and people saluted Chris Kyle, an ex-Navy SEAL sniper who wrote a bestselling book called “America’s Sniper” and dedicated his post-military career to helping other veterans.

North Korea apparently conducts controversial nuclear test following seismic event
SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea apparently conducted a widely anticipated nuclear test Tuesday, strongly indicated by an “explosion-like” earthquake that monitoring agencies around the globe said appeared to be unnatural.

Fantino defends Uganda grant decision against religious, anti-gay claims
OTTAWA – International Co-operation Minister Julian Fantino is defending the Conservative government’s decision to provide funding to an Ontario evangelical group that has described homosexuality as a perversion and a sin.

South Korea confirms North Korean nuclear test
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- South Korea is confirming that North Korea has tested a nuclear device in defiance of U.N. orders to stop building atomic weapons.

Egyptians protest on anniversary of Mubarak's fall
CAIRO (AP) -- Security forces sprayed protesters with water hoses and tear gas outside the presidential palace as Egyptians marked the second anniversary of the fall of autocrat Hosni Mubarak's with angry demonstrations against his elected successor.