Members of the European Union work together for Europe's common values such as democracy and social justice. In addition to solving the world's financial mess, there's at least one other common challenge the international body wants to confront: iPods. Today, the EU executive asked Europeans, especially children and youth, to turn that music down! — or risk long-term hearing damage or loss.

A report from EU scientists found that 2.5-10 million Europeans could suffer hearing loss, as a result of listening to MP3 players at over 89 decibels for at least one hour a day, for a five year period. Perhaps because the governments anticipate rising medical care costs as a result of the damage, the EU might impose a volume limit lower than the current 100 decibel maximum.
Should a supranational body be responsible for keeping MP3 players safe, or is a warning in the user's manual enough?
Source
Jessica Simpson openly talked about her love life yet again at the Nascar Bank of America 500 on Saturday night in Concord, NC. As someone that's constantly in the public eye, I'd think that she'd want to keep at least some things sacred, but it's pretty clear that she's not afraid to expose her heart or the details of her personal life to the world. Of course it's impossible to stay mum about the love in your life, but when it comes to your relationship, are you open and willing to talk about it every chance you get or do you prefer to keep the excitement of your personal life between you and your partner?
Source
Thousands of people appeared in St. Peter’s Square yesterday to watch as Pope Benedict XVI gave the Roman Church four new saints, one of who was of particular importance to Indian Catholics. Sister Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception, is the first Indian woman to achieve sainthood. Her nomination is seen as a comfort to those who have recently suffered at the hands of Hindu violence in India.
The three other saints are: Gaetano Errico, a Neapolitan priest who created an order of missionaries in the 19th century, Sister Maria Bernarda who dedicated her life as a nun in Ecuador and Colombia and Narcisa de Jesus Martillo Moran, another woman who aided the sick and poor in Ecuador. Mother Teresa was beatified in 2003, and though she's usually associated with India, she was Albanian.
Source
The desire for sex varies from person to person, and can range anywhere from a constant urge to a complete lack of interest. Essentially there’s no right answer for how often you should or shouldn’t want sex, but if you’re in a relationship, finding a mutual balance will go a long way in creating a harmonious sexual connection. I’m sure you all have your own happy medium, but ladies, in general, how does your sex drive differ from his?

Source
Despite the fervency of the some of the crowds McCain has been drawing lately, I'm sensing a worrying and definite attrition of supporters, perhaps even because of that very fervency — it is hard to deny that lately, there has been a shift in the tone of the McCain campaign. McCain debuted what's being touted as a "comeback" speech moments ago, as even some who haven't officially haven't renounced a McCain/Palin vote are expressing doubt.

I got this email from a friend this weekend, a Dole-Bush-Bush voting Republican explaining why she's doubting:
The last four months of the campaign make me furious. How dare they take away the (albeit unconventional) dignified essence of the candidate and leave us with this dumb hick woman and a mob of uniformed reactionary zealots and call that a case made for a vote? It's an ill-conceived and torturous soul-selling for victory that will only ultimately prove to be ironic when he loses. Furious! I couldn't feel more cheated out of my vote. I'm honestly considering not casting one.
A strong response of the current campaign strategy to be sure, but these waning, and some say uglier, days of the campaign have put many ill at ease supporting McCain. Conservative by birth Christopher Buckley wrote a column this weekend titled, "Sorry, Dad, I'm voting for Obama." To see what he said, read more