stranger (strān'jər)
that which is unfamiliar, uncommon, unknown, new or peculiar; behavior which differs from the ordinary or conventional to the point of being bizarre, queer, abnormal, an oddness, outlandish, oddness that is often excessively, fantastic or bizarre

then (ðen)
at a specific prior time, "the then president", "then he left", "go left first, then right", in that case or as a consequence, "if he didn't take it, then who did?", "keep it then if you want to", "the case, then, is closed", at that time; "I was young then", "prices were lower back then", that time, that moment, "we will arrive before then", "we were friends from then on" 

fiction (fĭk'shən)
something accepted as fact for the sake of convenience, although not necessarily true, making up imaginary happenings; anything made up or imagined, as a statement, story, literary narratives, which portray imaginary characters or events

Your Session Quote

There is only one success - To be able to spend your life in your own way. -- Christopher Morley

Can John Edwards Ever Rebuild His Career? (source: TIME)

Given the towering stack of strikes against him, can John Edwards resume any kind of public life? (source: TIME) - RSS and News widget on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 25 January 2010 | 4:50 am

Justice Department Defends Handling of Christmas Bomber (source: TIME)

Under growing criticism from Capitol Hill, the Justice Department on Thursday defended its decision to interrogate and arrest the suspected Christmas Day bomber as a criminal rather than an enemy combatant (source: TIME) - RSS news feeds and Widgets on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 25 January 2010 | 4:50 am

Primary Weighs Heavy for Dems in Michigan Governor Race (source: TIME)

The party may choose between two business-minded candidates as a big election year for governors across the nation takes shape (source: TIME) - News widgets and RSS feeds on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 25 January 2010 | 4:50 am

Thousands of vets could get benefits upgrade (source: The Arizona Republic)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The military has agreed to expedite a review the records of thousands of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans discharged with post-traumatic stress disorder to determine whether they were improperly denied benefits.... (source: The Arizona Republic) - RSS feeds and Feed widget on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 25 January 2010 | 4:00 am

Obama to announce aid for middle class (source: The Arizona Republic)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is set to announce a series of economic initiatives Monday aimed at helping struggling middle class families.... (source: The Arizona Republic) - RSS news feeds and Widgets on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 25 January 2010 | 4:00 am

White House advisers promise sharper focus on jobs (source: The Arizona Republic)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A politically shaken White House promised Sunday a sharper focus on jobs and the economy, but key advisers were less sure-footed on health care reform. They took a wait-and-see approach as the dust settles from the punishing loss of ... (source: The Arizona Republic) - RSS news feeds and Widgets on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 25 January 2010 | 4:00 am

Obama Endorses Task Force To Tackle Deficit (source: NPR)

One of the ideas to help lower the deficit, is to have a bipartisan commission work on it. (source: NPR) - RSS feeds and Feed widget on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 25 January 2010 | 2:00 am

Former eBay CEO Shares Her Values In A New Book (source: NPR)

Meg Whitman is running for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in California. She made her mark as the CEO of eBay. She's written a book about her experiences called The Power of Many: Values for Success in Business and in Life. She tells Ari Shapiro t... (source: NPR) - RSS feeds and Feed widget on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 25 January 2010 | 2:00 am

China steps up defense of Internet controls (source: Reuters)

BEIJING (Reuters) - China widened its attack against U.S. criticisms of Internet censorship on Monday, raising the stakes in a dispute that has put Google in the middle of a political quarrel between the two global powers. (source: Reuters) - RSS news feeds and Widgets on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 25 January 2010 | 1:16 am

In Obama's decision-making, a wide range of influences (source: Washington Post)

During one of his Afghan review meetings last year, President Obama surprised senior advisers by jumping into a discussion between two military officials about a new study of post-traumatic stress disorder. (source: Washington Post) - RSS news feeds and Widgets on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 24 January 2010 | 10:00 pm

Stakes are high as government plans exit from mortgage markets (source: Washington Post)

For more than a year, the government pulled out the stops to revive home buying by driving down mortgage rates. (source: Washington Post) - RSS news feeds and Widgets on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 24 January 2010 | 10:00 pm

Populist ire softens ahead of Bernanke confirmation vote (source: Washington Post)

The outlook for Ben S. Bernanke's confirmation to a second term as Federal Reserve chairman brightened over the weekend, as the Obama administration and key senators expressed confidence in his prospects. (source: Washington Post) - RSS news feeds and Widgets on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 24 January 2010 | 10:00 pm

Obama Faces Political Minefield Over Deficit (source: NPR)

President Obama is likely to outline a plan in his State of the Union address for fiscal responsibility. But don't look for immediate action to cut the deficit. Recent polls show that voters who are concerned about the deficit are also alarmed about unempl... (source: NPR) - RSS feeds and Feed widget on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 24 January 2010 | 10:00 pm

Republicans' allies eye state legislatures as redistricting nears (source: Washington Post)

Seeking to capitalize on the excitement among Republican potential donors after Scott Brown's stunning capture of a Senate seat in Massachusetts last week, two independent groups focused on helping the party regain state legislative majorities before next ... (source: Washington Post) - RSS and News widget on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 24 January 2010 | 10:00 pm

Debate grows in aftermath of quake: Should U.S. let more Haitians immigrate? (source: Washington Post)

From morning until night, Dieula Celestin's cellphone rings in Miami's Little Haiti. It is her younger brother, Roger Paul, calling from Port-au-Prince, where he and their 65-year-old mother live with no food, no job and no money in the street outside the ... (source: Washington Post) - News widgets and RSS feeds on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 24 January 2010 | 10:00 pm

Perry campaign defends using workers with criminal pasts (source: Houston Chronicle)

A handful of 300 part-time workers paid to turn out voters for Gov. Rick Perry in the GOP primary have criminal histories, including one with a felony drug conviction. (source: Houston Chronicle) - News widgets and RSS feeds on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 24 January 2010 | 9:05 pm

Sri Lanka Chooses Tuesday between Incumbent President and His Former Top General (source: Voice Of America)

The two Sinhalese have focused their campaigns on persuading the minority Tamils, who bore the brunt of the war, to vote for them (source: Voice Of America) - RSS feeds and Feed widget on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 24 January 2010 | 7:17 pm

For Democratic gov hopeful Shami, it all started with hair (source: Houston Chronicle)

Farouk Shami, who built a fortune in the beauty industry, says his business experience and a sense of responsibility drew him to the Texas race. (source: Houston Chronicle) - RSS and News widget on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 24 January 2010 | 7:14 pm

Libya Should Get Credit for Strides in Human Rights, Says Analyst (source: Voice Of America)

A political analyst says Libya has made significant strides in addressing human rights violations . (source: Voice Of America) - RSS and News widget on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 24 January 2010 | 6:24 pm

Rights Abuses Could Undermine Sudan's Election, Says Rights Group Official (source: Voice Of America)

HRW official says both the NCP and SPLM are abusing the rights of ordinary citizens ahead of the upcoming general election. (source: Voice Of America) - RSS and News widget on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 24 January 2010 | 6:02 pm

Sri Lanka opposition mulls move

Opposition politicians in Sri Lanka begin talks to decide what to do following the arrest of their defeated presidential candidate.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 11:44 pm

Toyota issues mass recall of Prius

Toyota recalls thousands of Prius cars in Japan because of braking problems, in the latest blow to the world's largest carmaker.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 11:05 pm

Chinese quake activist sentenced

An activist who questioned why so many died in a huge quake in China in 2008 is jailed for five years for subversion.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 10:26 pm

Ukraine awaits Tymoshenko's next move

Ukraine is waiting for Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to either contest results from Sunday's presidential election, or resign.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 9:34 pm

Philippine poll campaign begins

The campaign for presidential and senatorial candidates begins in the Philippines ahead of May's elections.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 8:49 pm

Haitian 'lasts 27 days in rubble'

The family of a Haitian man says he has survived four weeks under rubble since the devastating quake hit of 12 January.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 7:40 pm

BBC to reveal total performer pay

The BBC is to reveal the total amount paid to its performers who broadcast on radio and television.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 7:24 pm

Jackson doctor appears in court

Michael Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, denies a charge of involuntary manslaughter over the singer's death.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 6:04 pm

Smartphones to get even smarter

A quantum physics trick is set to give smartphones and hand-held devices pressure-sensitive switches and screens.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 6:04 pm

Brain injury linked to gambling

Californian scientists think they may have discovered the part of the brain which makes people fear losing money.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 6:04 pm

Fertile forties pregnancy warning

Experts fear older women are ditching contraception in the mistaken belief that fertility inevitably wanes at a certain age.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 6:03 pm

US soldier 'waterboarded' daughter

A US soldier is arrested after allegedly waterboarding his four-year-old daughter for not reciting the alphabet, say Washington state police.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 5:41 pm

Ice 'probable cause' of BA crash

The fault which caused a plane to crash land at Heathrow airport in January 2008 was "unrecognised", a report says.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 5:23 pm

UK to launch civilian aid group

A UK civilian stabilisation group is to be launched later to help rebuild countries hit by conflict or disaster.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 5:12 pm

Better worker rights laws urged

Laws protecting workers' rights need to be improved to properly tackle poverty, a charity says.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 5:04 pm

MPs to decide on vote referendum

MPs are to vote on Gordon Brown's plan for a referendum on changing Britain's "first past the post" voting system.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 5:03 pm

Canada airbase boss held for murders

The commander of Canada's largest Air Force base has been charged with the murder of two women, police say.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 4:53 pm

Shop sales 'worst for 15 years'

UK retail sales described as 'awful' as icy weather and the unsteady economy keep shoppers at home.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 4:35 pm

West eyes 'strong' sanctions against Iran

Pressure is building in the West for new international sanctions against Iran, after its announcement it will step up uranium enrichment.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 4:09 pm

Snow misery continues in US

Fresh snow is forecast to hit the Mid-Atlantic US as some cities remain largely paralysed for a third day by blizzards.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 3:46 pm

Poll quandary

Will Ukraine PM Yulia Tymoshenko challenge outcome?

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 2:56 pm

Open plan

Why surprise plays little part in latest Afghan operation

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 1:24 pm

UK police commander jailed for corruption

Metropolitan Police Commander Ali Dizaei is sentenced to four years for misconduct and perverting the course of justice.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 11:26 am

Biswas on India

Why doesn't Bollywood take a stand?

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 11:24 am

Warne blasts Strauss Test absence

Shane Warne describes England captain Andrew Strauss's decision to miss his country's tour of Bangladesh next month as disrespectful.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 11:23 am

ICC rejects Darfur rebel charges

The first Darfur war crimes suspect to face international judges has the charges against him dropped.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 11:07 am

Pitt and Jolie sue Sunday paper

Hollywood couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt sue the News Of The World newspaper over allegations about their relationship.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 11:03 am

Ex-Merrill boss takes over at CIT

The former chief executive of Merrill Lynch, John Thain, was at the heart of the bonus row - now he has a new job as boss of US lender CIT.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 10:51 am

Enceladus water story reinforced

The Cassini probe returns yet more data to back up the idea of a sub-surface sea on Saturn's moon Enceladus.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 10:16 am

Iran opposition leader 'jailed'

An Iranian opposition leader is jailed for six years over unrest following June's disputed presidential election, reports say.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 10:00 am

Al-Qaeda offshoot calls for jihad

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula calls on Muslims in the region to wage holy war against the US and its allies.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 9:45 am

Migrants saved from Gulf of Aden

Somali fishermen save some 126 migrants who were reportedly forced into the sea at gunpoint by traffickers.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 9:38 am

Avalanche kills troops in Kashmir

India says at least 17 soldiers have been killed after an avalanche struck a high-altitude military training camp in Kashmir.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 8:37 am

France and Russia in warship deal

France is to sell Russia an advanced helicopter assault ship, and is considering a request for three others, officials say.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 6:53 am

First film of giant deep-sea fish

Scientists film the giant serpent-like oarfish in its natural deep-sea habitat for the first time, as well as the rare manefish.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 6:23 am

China shuts down hacking website

Three people are arrested as China's largest training website for hackers is shut down, state media reports.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 5:12 am

Hewitt on Europe

Is the euro being stretched to breaking point?

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 5:10 am

Indian economy 'to grow by 7.2%'

India's economic growth forecast raises the chance that state support could be withdrawn.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 5:00 am

How should the world react to Iran?

The West pushes for 'strong sanctions' over Iran's uranium plans. What is your reaction?

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 4:13 am

Sword lord - swallower sets world record with 18 blades

An Australian performance artist sets a world record by swallowing 18 swords at the same time.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 3:18 am

Xstrata resumes dividend payments

Mining group Xstrata is to resume dividend payments despite reporting a drop in full-year profits.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 2:38 am

Avatar dethroned at US box office

Romantic drama Dear John knocks sci-fi blockbuster Avatar off the top spot in the North American box office in its opening weekend.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 2:26 am

Shuttle makes final night flight

The US space agency (Nasa) has launched its shuttle Endeavour on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 2:17 am

Katrina tragedy 'inspired Saints'

New Orleans Saints' quarterback Drew Brees said the Hurricane Katrina disaster inspired his side to a 31-17 Super Bowl win over Indianapolis Colts.

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 1:37 am

Who's talking

How a talent show winner scored in Las Vegas

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 1:16 am

Port or paradise

Audio slideshow of project threat to Kenya beauty spot

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 1:09 am

Australia tightens migrant rules

Australia's immigration minister says policy will change to focus on skilled migrants, to support mining and health needs.

Posted on 7 February 2010 | 10:37 pm

Pirate bill could 'breach rights'

An influential group of MPs and peers says the government's plans on illegal file-sharing could breach the rights of net users.

Posted on 5 February 2010 | 10:49 am

BBC World News

Posted on 29 September 2009 | 5:16 am

JAL to stay with American Airlines

Japan Airlines has decided to maintain its business partnership with American Airlines, spurning an offer by American rival Delta to defect to the latter’s SkyTeam alliance

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 9:43 pm

Toyota to recall Prius over brake problem

Toyota was set on Tuesday to announce a recall of its latest-model Prius petrol-electric hybrid in Japan to fix a problem with the software that controls its brakes

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 9:02 pm

China quake activist jailed for subversion

Tan Zuoren, a Chinese activist who sought to document shoddy construction that contributed to deaths in the country’s devastating 2008 earthquake, has been sentenced to five years in prison

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 8:50 pm

Jackson’s doctor pleads not guilty

The doctor hired to care for Michael Jackson was charged with killing the pop star after a lengthy investigation that found a lethal cocktail of drugs in the singer’s system when he died last year

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 8:14 pm

DE Shaw eyes rival firms’ distressed holdings

DE Shaw has set up an in-house team to look at buying portfolios of distressed assets and is targeting rival hedge fund firms’ holdings

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 4:05 pm

Xstrata sees ‘advantages’ in possible Glencore link-up

Xstrata fuelled renewed talk of a merger with Glencore, the privately held commodities trader, with the chief executive of the miner suggesting that a union could create value

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 3:35 pm

Bid to bring healthcare bill in from the cold

Democratic lawmakers and officials express scepticism that President Obama’s latest attempt to revive healthcare reform will have better chances of succeeding than earlier attempts

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 1:48 pm

US courts support for Iran sanctions

The US launched a renewed push to rally support for sanctions against Iran after President Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad pledged to enrich uranium closer to the level needed for nuclear weapons

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 1:04 pm

Traders make $8bn bet against euro

Data from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange show net short positions against the single currency rising from 39,500 contracts to 43,700 contracts, equivalent to $7.6bn

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 12:03 pm

SAP admits it lost customers’ trust

SAP admits it has lost the trust of some of its customers as the world’s largest business software maker seeks to justify a sudden management reshuffle

Posted on 8 February 2010 | 11:41 am