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

If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all. -- Noam Chomsky

Obama Urges His Party Not to 'Run for the Hills' (source: Voice Of America)

On IN THE NEWS: In his first State of the Union speech, the president urged Democrats to stay strong following Republican gains. He say (source: Voice Of America) - RSS and News widget on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 18 February 2010 | 6:54 pm

Ambassador for Young Spreads a Love of Books (source: Voice Of America)

Also on AMERICAN MOSAIC: A question from Russia about a religious group, the Old Believers. And music by Whitney Houston. (source: Voice Of America) - News widgets and RSS feeds on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 18 February 2010 | 6:54 pm

New Understanding of How Plants Use Water (source: Voice Of America)

On AGRICULTURE REPORT: Discovery may help engineer better plants. (source: Voice Of America) - RSS news feeds and Widgets on Feedzilla.com

Posted on 18 February 2010 | 6:54 pm

Obama pushing on health care end game (source: The Arizona Republic)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama has chosen a suburban St. Louis high school to make his closing argument for a health care overhaul, pushing a new anti-fraud plan as he cranks up the pressure on skittish Democratic lawmakers to act fast.... (source: The Arizona Republic) - News widgets and RSS feeds on Feedzilla.com

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Behind the scenes, crafting the US no-fly list (source: The Arizona Republic)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- It starts with a tip, a scrap of intelligence, a fingerprint lifted from a suspected terrorist's home.... (source: The Arizona Republic) - RSS feeds and Feed widget on Feedzilla.com

Posted on

Legal fight over death of eaglet rages on (source: The Philadelphia Inquirer)

When wildlife volunteers found it hobbling along a road on a Delaware River island, the endangered bald eaglet was dragging its maggot-covered broken tail. (source: The Philadelphia Inquirer) - News widgets and RSS feeds on Feedzilla.com

Posted on

Making progress, West. Phila. High wary of district move (source: The Philadelphia Inquirer)

Once in the spotlight for out-of-control hallways and poor academics, West Philadelphia High School has made strides in the last three years. (source: The Philadelphia Inquirer) - News widgets and RSS feeds on Feedzilla.com

Posted on

DeWeese invokes the Fifth on Veon trial (source: The Philadelphia Inquirer)

HARRISBURG - For three years, State Rep. Bill DeWeese has told anyone who would listen that he knew nothing about the controversial government bonuses handed out by the House Democratic caucus he once ran. (source: The Philadelphia Inquirer) - News widgets and RSS feeds on Feedzilla.com

Posted on

Berezovsky wins poison libel case

Oligarch Boris Berezovsky wins his libel case over claims he was behind the murder of former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 4:41 am

'Last Bali bomber' killed in Indonesia

Indonesia's president confirms security forces have killed the last main main suspect in the 2002 Bali bombings, Dulmatin.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 4:39 am

Aid agency attacked in Pakistan

Gunmen attack the office of a Western aid agency, killing six people and wounding others, the agency and police say.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 4:19 am

More schools fail Ofsted checks

More schools in England are being judged as inadequate in Ofsted's new-style inspections, according to figures just released.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 4:19 am

US 'hid terror suspect treatment'

A former UK spy chief says she did not know US intelligence services were mistreating terror suspects until after she retired.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 4:19 am

Facebook calls for 'iconic games'

Facebook calls on game designers to make an iconic title, such as Mario or Halo, specifically for the social network.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 4:19 am

Plane-spotters return from India

Two British plane-spotters return home from India after being fined for monitoring aircraft.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:59 am

Jerusalem row clouds Biden visit

US Vice-President Joe Biden meets Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, with discussions dominated by Israeli plans for 1,600 more homes in East Jerusalem.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:45 am

Insurers 'face $7bn Chile bill'

The earthquake in Chile may cost the global insurance industry as much as $7bn (£4.7bn), Swiss Re estimates.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:43 am

File-sharing sanctions 'unfair'

Illegal file-sharers should be fined, rather than have their internet connection cut off, says the boss of BT.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:39 am

Bendtner response delights Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praises the resolve of Nicklas Bendtner, who put recent media criticism behind him by scoring a hat-trick in the 5-0 Champions League win over Porto.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:34 am

Egypt's top cleric dies aged 81

Egypt's top Muslim cleric has died suddenly in Saudi Arabia at the age of 81.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:34 am

UK industrial output falls back

Industrial production in the UK fell unexpectedly in January, dropping by 0.4% form December, official data has shown.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:31 am

ANC wants Winnie Mandela clarity

South Africa's ANC asks Winnie Mandela to clarify a media report in which she apparently fiercely criticised ex-husband Nelson.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:29 am

Inmate reoffending 'costs £10bn'

Reoffending by thousands of criminals serving short sentences in England and Wales costs up to £10bn a year, says a report.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:25 am

German exports fall unexpectedly

German exports fell unexpectedly in January, with analysts saying that the cold weather that month was to blame.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:24 am

China 'seeking end to Buddhism'

The Dalai Lama accuses China of trying to "annihilate Buddhism", as Tibet marks 51 years since a failed revolt against Beijing.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:23 am

Oscar bosses defend Farrah Fawcett snub

Actress Farrah Fawcett was not in the Oscars memorial segment because she was more known as a TV star, the Academy says.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:19 am

Ashton sets out diplomatic vision

The EU's foreign policy chief, Lady Ashton, tells MEPs how she will shape Europe's new diplomatic service, as officials vie for influence.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:11 am

Economic storm not over, says PM

Gordon Brown warns of economic storms ahead but vows not to "let you down" as the date of the Budget is announced.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:01 am

Iran attacks US over Afghanistan

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says it is the US, not Tehran, that is playing a "double game" in Afghanistan.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 2:51 am

Northern Rock sees reduced losses

Northern Rock says that it made "good progress" in 2009, after reporting a sharp fall in its annual losses.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 2:48 am

US activist Granny D dies at 100

Granny D, who walked across the US at the age of 89 in support of election campaign finance reform, dies.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 2:43 am

Onions ruled out of opening Test

England bowler Graham Onions is ruled out of the first Test against Bangladesh with a back injury, while Stuart Broad faces a fitness test.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 2:35 am

Actor Sheen 'set for TV return'

Actor Charlie Sheen is expected to return to the set of Two and a Half Men after a spell in rehab, his publicist says.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 2:19 am

Gaza activist's death case opens

A court case brought by the family of Rachel Corrie, a US protester killed by an Israeli army bulldozer in 2003, opens in Israel.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 2:16 am

Legacy and Leo

Martin Scorsese on awards and leading actor DiCaprio

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 1:48 am

China's exports see big increase

China's exports surged 46% in February, figures show, raising hopes of a strong recovery in global trade.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 1:36 am

Burma law bans Suu Kyi from poll

A new election law formally bars pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from taking part in elections planned in Burma.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 1:19 am

Cars in rail 'Russian roulette'

The driving test should have compulsory questions on level crossings to teach good habits in learner drivers, says Network Rail.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 1:05 am

Life bans for Yousuf and Younus

Top Pakistan cricketers Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan are told they cannot represent their country again.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 12:56 am

Ring may be giant 'impact crater'

Deforestation in central Africa has revealed what could be an impact crater left by a giant space rock, scientists say.

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 6:26 pm

Galapagos tension

Can all species live side by side in unique ecosystem?

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 5:31 pm

Good egg - DNA of extinct birds found in ancient shells

The eggshells of long-dead and extinct species are a particularly good source to find preserved DNA, researchers say.

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 5:22 pm

Collider to shut down for a year

The Large Hadron Collider must be shut down for a year starting in late 2011 to address design flaws, the BBC has learned.

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 5:19 pm

'No proof' IVF aided by acupuncture

There is no evidence acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine boost the chance of IVF success, fertility experts warn.

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 5:17 pm

Ban honours UN's Haiti 'heroes'

Ban Ki-moon pays tribute to the 101 UN staff who died in the Haiti quake, as President Preval seeks US support for the economy.

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 5:12 pm

Dotcom Crash

10 years on from when the Nasdaq bubble burst

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 4:27 pm

Letterman blackmail is admitted

A US TV producer pleads guilty to attempting to blackmail US chat show host David Letterman over his affairs.

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 2:38 pm

Obama backs Greece on speculators

The US president has 'responded positively' to calls to clamp down on market speculators, says the Greek PM after talks.

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 2:27 pm

US apology for Gaddafi comments

The US apologises for comments made by a spokesman after Libya's Col Gaddafi called for a holy war against Switzerland.

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 1:24 pm

Indian MPs approve women's bill

India's upper house sees a second day of uproar as it backs a bill to reserve a third of all parliamentary seats for women.

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 11:02 am

Israel and Syria in nuclear bids

Israel and Syria both tell a conference in Paris they want to use nuclear power to generate electricity.

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 9:01 am

Tracked down

Paedophile priest left untouched by Church and state

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 6:32 am

Third of EU emissions 'imported'

Research shows some EU countries "import" about a third of their carbon emissions from developing countries.

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 5:46 am

Can US broker Middle East peace?

Joe Biden is in the region to encourage talks between the Palestinians and Israel. What can be achieved?

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 5:24 am

Hard drive evolution could hit XP

Hard drives are about to undergo one of the biggest format shifts in 30 years but it could cause problems for Windows XP users.

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 4:29 am

Separation fear

Families fight 'racist' Israeli marriage and citizenship law

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 2:05 am

Biswas on India

Women's quotas - historic moment for largest democracy

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 2:00 am

Superweed predator to be released

A plant-eating predator that preys on aggressive superweed Japanese knotweed is to be given a trial release in England.

Posted on 8 March 2010 | 5:25 pm

BBC World News

Posted on 29 September 2009 | 5:16 am

Tentative tone takes hold as investors seek direction

Global Markets Overview: FTSE All-World index remains becalmed near six-week highs, with stock investors reluctant to push riskier assets higher without a fresh catalyst

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:58 am

Call for action on speculation rules

Germany and France are stepping up pressure for urgent EU action to tighten regulation in sovereign debt markets – in particular of credit default swaps – in the wake of the Greek crisis

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:16 am

Lone Star revives Korea Exchange Bank sale

Lone Star, the US private equity group, plans to resume selling its 51 per cent stake in Korea Exchange Bank, worth Won4,400bn at current market prices

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 2:34 am

Gunmen attack US aid agency in Pakistan

Suspected Islamist militants have attacked the office of a US-based Christian aid agency in Pakistan with a bomb and gunfire, killing 5 people, police say

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 1:12 am

China export growth beats estimates

Chinese exports rose 45.7 per cent in February from the same month a year earlier, beating forecasts and providing fresh evidence of a robust recovery in an economy poised to overtake Japan

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 10:35 pm

CFTC urges end to derivatives secrecy

A leading US financial regulator called for the prices of derivatives trades to be disclosed in the same way as stock prices, saying only large Wall Street banks benefited from the current lack of transparency

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 6:05 pm

Regulators tell US banks to hold funds

US regulators have told banks not to increase dividends or buy back shares until political and economic uncertainty surrounding the industry dissipates, in a move that will delay by months the return of capital to shareholders

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 3:30 pm

Barclays eyes large US bank deal

The UK banking group is looking at buying a large US retail bank as it tries to rebalance its business away from a booming investment banking franchise

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 1:58 pm

Europe cries foul over US defence tender

European countries have accused Washington of foul play after the continent’s largest aerospace and defence company pulled out of a multibillion-dollar race to supply the US military, alleging unfair ­competition

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 1:39 pm

Techs reflect on decade since dotcom boom

In January 2000, 17 dotcom companies paid more than $2m each to advertise during the Super Bowl, the season-ending national championship game for American footbal

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 1:37 pm

Brown says UK to maintain AAA credit rating (Reuters)

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown gestures as he bids farewell to Jordan's King Abdullah (not pictured) on the steps of 10 Downing Street central London March 9, 2010. REUTERS/Andrew WinningReuters - Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Wednesday he believed Britain would maintain its coveted top credit rating and announced a pay freeze for senior civil servants and military officers to help tame a record deficit.


Posted on 10 March 2010 | 4:26 am

First Iraq vote results expected by Thursday: U.N. (Reuters)

An Iraqi soldier secures workers unloading boxes of parliamentary election ballots at a tally centre in Baghdad March 9, 2010. Iraq held their parliamentary election on Sunday. REUTERS/Thaier al-SudaniReuters - Preliminary results of Iraq's parliamentary election, a vote seen as a litmus test of its young democracy, are likely to be released by Thursday, a United Nations official said Wednesday.


Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:59 am

Palestinians complain to Biden about settlement plan (Reuters)

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden arrive at Ben Gurion International airport near Tel Aviv, March 8, 2010. REUTERS/Ronen ZvulunReuters - Palestinians told U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday that Israel's new plan to build 1,600 homes for Jewish settlers challenged Washington's efforts to get indirect peace talks underway.


Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:48 am

Aid group attacked in northwest Pakistan; 6 dead (AP)

Map locates Mansehra, Pakistan, where a suicide bomber struck World Vision, a large Christian humanitarian groupAP - Suspected militants armed with grenades attacked the offices of a Christian aid group helping earthquake survivors in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, killing six employees and wounding several others, police and the organization said.


Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:38 am

Taliban claim suicide attack on NATO-Afghan base (AP)

Map locates Khost province, Afghanistan, where a suicide bomber targeted a U.S.-Afghan base that killed NATO service membersAP - The Taliban claimed responsibility Wednesday for a suicide bombing inside a U.S.-Afghan base in eastern Afghanistan that killed two NATO service members.


Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:35 am

Biden's West Bank tour clouded by settlement plans (AP)

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, left, and his wife Jill, second from left, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and his wife Sara, second from right, pose for photographers ahead of their joint dinner the Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem, Tuesday, March 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)AP - Israel's new plan to build 1,600 apartments for Jews in Palestinian-claimed east Jerusalem overshadowed Vice President Joe Biden's visit to the West Bank on Wednesday.


Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:09 am

Indonesia confirms Bali bomb mastermind killed (AFP)

An undated picture of the militant leader Dulmatin. The Al-Qaeda-trained bomber is the suspected mastermind of some of the region's most notorious attacks and the United States' Rewards for Justice programme had posted a 10 million US dollar bounty on his head.(AFP/HO/File)AFP - Indonesia's president on Wednesday confirmed that a bombmaker believed to be behind the Bali bombings was killed in a Jakarta raid and vowed to keep hunting extremists in a landmark address to Australia's parliament.


Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:06 am

Gates: Some troops could leave Afghanistan early (AP)

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, center, greets U.S. troops as he tours the training grounds of Camp Blackhorse, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Wednesday, March 10, 2010. Gates raised the possibility Wednesday that some of the U.S. forces involved in the Afghanistan surge could leave the country before President Barack Obama's announced July 2011 date to begin withdrawal.  (AP Photo/Jim Watson, Pool)AP - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates raised the possibility Wednesday that some of the U.S. forces involved in the Afghanistan surge could leave the country before President Barack Obama's announced July 2011 date to begin withdrawal.


Posted on 10 March 2010 | 3:03 am

Bomb kills 5 as Gates, Ahmadinejad visit Afghanistan (AFP)

US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates inspects troops at Camp Blackhorse training ground in Kabul. A car bomb has killed five people in Afghanistan as the Iranian president and the US defence secretary pay duelling visits to the war-torn country.(AFP/File/Jim Watson)AFP - A car bomb killed five people in Afghanistan on Wednesday, as the Iranian president and the defence secretary of Iran's arch-foe, the United States, paid duelling visits to the war-torn country.


Posted on 10 March 2010 | 2:40 am

Iceland opposition toughens on new "Icesave" talks (Reuters)

Reuters - Iceland's opposition turned up the heat on the center-left government on Wednesday to hold out for a tough new "Icesave" debt accord with Britain and the Netherlands, after a referendum rejection of its previous deal.

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 2:39 am

Runaway Prius driver: Brakes were 'almost burned' (AP)

Driver James Sikes talks about his experiences in his Toyota Prius during a news conference held at Toyota of El Cajon Tuesday, March 9, 2010, in El Cajon, Calif. Sikes' 2008 Toyota Prius raced out of control on a San Diego freeway Monday. A California Highway Patrol officer helped him stop the car.  (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)AP - Before he called 911, James Sikes says he reached down with his hand to loosen the "stuck" accelerator on his 2008 Toyota Prius, his other hand on the steering wheel. The pedal didn't move.


Posted on 10 March 2010 | 2:27 am

Osmonds return to stage after death of Marie's son (AP)

AP - Marie Osmond told a Las Vegas Strip audience as she returned to the stage less than two weeks after her son's apparent suicide that she has relied on her spirituality to cope with his death

Posted on 10 March 2010 | 1:40 am

Obama pushing on health care end game (AP)

US President Barack Obama speaks on healthcare and health insurance reform at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania. Obama has launched a populist assault on price-gouging American insurance firms, escalating his last-ditch bid to pass a historic health reform bill.(AFP/Saul Loeb)AP - President Barack Obama has chosen a suburban St. Louis high school to make his closing argument for a health care overhaul, pushing a new anti-fraud plan as he cranks up the pressure on skittish Democratic lawmakers to act fast.


Posted on 10 March 2010 | 1:20 am

Senate to pass jobless aid, business tax breaks (AP)

Job seekers during a career fair in San Diego, California, in January 2010. The United States lost fewer jobs than expected in February and the unemployment rate held at 9.7 percent, the government said Friday, cautioning the data may be skewed by winter storms.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Sandy Huffaker)AP - Legislation blending help for the jobless with popular tax breaks for businesses and individuals is slated to pass the Senate Wednesday over protests from conservatives who say it adds too much to the $12.5 trillion national debt.


Posted on 10 March 2010 | 1:19 am

AP-GfK Poll: Obama more popular than Congress (AP)

President Barack Obama speaks with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou during a ceremony honoring Greek Independence Day in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, March 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)AP - Americans have come to detest Congress ever more deeply as it nears the end of a nasty fight over health care. But more than half still back President Barack Obama, a bright spot for a Democratic Party counting on its leader to help stave off expected losses in elections this fall.


Posted on 10 March 2010 | 1:17 am

Pelosi faces biggest test on healthcare vote (Reuters)

Reuters - The leader of the House of Representatives -- a persuasive arm-twister and deal maker -- faces her toughest challenge yet in the coming weeks: getting 216 votes to pass final legislation revamping the U.S. healthcare system.

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 11:02 pm

Economists trim 2011 U.S. growth forecast (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. economists raised their forecast for economic growth in 2010 in March, the third straight monthly rise, while trimming their growth forecast for 2011, according to a survey released on Wednesday.

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 10:40 pm

Dunleavy, Los Angeles Clippers sever ties (AP)

FILE - In this Feb. 3, 2010, file photo, then-Los Angeles Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy glares at his team during an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks in Atlanta. Dunleavy is out as general manager of the Clippers, barely a month after relinquishing his head coaching duties. The team announced it severed ties with Dunleavy late Tuesday afternoon, March 9, 2010, in an e-mail. Assistant general manager Neil Olshey will take over Dunleavy's job. (AP Photo/Gregory Smith, File)AP - Mike Dunleavy and the Los Angeles Clippers parted company for good Tuesday, barely a month after he relinquished his head coaching duties to focus solely on being general manager.


Posted on 9 March 2010 | 9:59 pm

Toyota, U.S. officials investigate runaway Prius (Reuters)

In this Feb. 7, 2010 photo, the tailends of unsold 2010 Toyota Prius sedans form a long line at a Toyota dealership in Lakewood, Colo. Toyota owners and stockholders have peppered the Japanese automaker with more than 80 class-action lawsuits in the wake of widespread recalls, some contending that defective engineering has caused injuries or deaths and others claiming the company's woes have damaged the value of the vehicles. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Reuters - U.S. safety regulators and Toyota dispatched teams on Tuesday to inspect a Prius that sped out of control on a California freeway a day earlier, as the automaker struggled to reassure consumers shaken by its recall crisis.


Posted on 9 March 2010 | 9:02 pm

Democrats doubt deadline on healthcare (Reuters)

Reuters - Congressional Democrats on Tuesday cast doubt on their chances of meeting the White House's March 18 deadline for voting on a stalled healthcare overhaul, but said they are moving as fast as they can.

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 7:23 pm