2-Min. Bio: Muammar Gaddafi

Famously dubbed the “mad dog of the Middle East” by former President Ronald Reagan, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has a reputation that has run the gamut from eccentric revolutionary to international pariah over his long career. Often seen swathed in animal skins and surrounded by a posse of virgin female bodyguards, the colorful leader has become as well known for his unusual personality as for his controversial political moves, the latest of which included celebrating convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi’s return to Libya.

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Bird-eating frog among 163 new species found in Mekong region

A frog that eats birds and a gecko with leopard stripes are among the 163 new species discovered last year in the Greater Mekong region of southeast Asia, according to a report by the World Wildlife Fund. The discovery of 100 new plants, 28 fish, 18 reptiles, 14 amphibians, two mammals and one bird species highlights the extent of the biodiversity in the region, said Barney Long, head of the WWF’s Asian Species Conservation program

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Review: ‘Beatles: Rock Band’ fun for jamming in groups

There I was, trying to wedge a microphone under my arm while simultaneously pressing colored buttons on a plastic guitar with my left hand, strumming it with my right hand and crooning, “I want to hold your hand …” So while it’s theoretically possible, “The Beatles: Rock Band” — whose 9/9/09 release coincides with the debut of remastered versions of the Beatles catalog — should not be played alone. Besides the impracticality of multiple-instrument play without the right equipment, there is something rather lonely about attempting to play in a world-famous band by yourself.

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