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A hedge fund manager who invested billions of dollars of his clients' money with Bernard Madoff has agreed to relinquish control of his funds to court-appointed trustees. The New York attorney general's agreement with J. Ezra Merkin is expected to be approved by a state judge Thursday.

After a week of public outrage over the latest NRL sex scandal, a paediatrician has criticised sex education classes for failing to give teenage girls the skills to say 'no'. Adolescent physician Dr Rachel Skinner from Sydney University interviewed groups of girls aged between 14 and 19 about their first sexual experiences.

Demand for average 35.5mpg from all new vehicles by 2016 is president's 'biggest step' so far towards lowering pollutionBarack Obama is to compel US car makers to give up on gas guzzlers and step up production of a more fuel-efficient vehicle fleet.In a ceremony today at the White House, Obama will establish the first national limits on car exhaust and dramatically raise fuel efficiency standards. The new exhaust target - an average 35.5mpg by 2016 - will force US manufacturers to produce cars and trucks that are nearly 40% more efficient.Environmentalists said the new standards will do more to reduce global warming pollution than any of the other measures taken by Obama so far, and could lead to the overhaul of the US car industry. Cars and trucks are responsible for about a quarter of America's greenhouse gas emissions.'This is the biggest single step we can take to lower global warming pollution,' said Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Campaign.A senior administration officia

BANGKOK, Apr 19 (IPS) - When the Thai government imposed an emergency law cracking down on rampaging red-shirted protesters on the streets of Bangkok, the military, in combat gear, was not its only weapon. The state's censors were given liberty to silence critical media.

Frankfurt - Italy has received more Blue Flags for its beaches than last year by the non-profit organisation the Foundation for Environmental Education. A total of 113 locations with 227 beaches were given Blue Flags - nine more than last year, accor...