Centered in the Hindu Kush region, no injuries reported yet, but landslides have occurred. A resident said the ground shook for two minutes.

Scientists at Cambridge University discover that bees can detect the differences between four human faces, picking out a target face accurately.

I understand now how people say they can go through a whole box in one sitting.

How can an event that includes an explosion, whips, a brass band, cow horns, and 1,000 cowbells not be outstanding?

Even Christopher Walken would appreciate it.

First time I’ve roasted one atop the veggies.

It won the British Association of Toy Retailers’ Best Construction Toy of 2005 award, and last year was voted Special Toy of the Year by the U.S. Toy Industry. What is it? There are only two elements: a steel ball and a plastic rod with two magnets at each end with a steel plug between the magnets.

I wouldn’t mind finding a set or two under the tree.

The influences behind Sir Paul McCartney’s animal rights activism and his vegetarianism.

This year, we got the sad news that a relative has Alzheimer’s. Before she became ill, she would give me tips on starting roses from cuttings, which she had tremendous success doing.

Here are some suggestions if someone on your list has Alzheimer’s or a similar condition.

Not on an open fire, but in the oven.

Some believe that elephants get staggeringly drunk on fermented fruit from the marula tree in Africa.

Biologists say this is not true. While humans may make alcoholic drinks from the fruit, elephants prefer to eat ones still on the tree. Even if the animal stuffed itself on the fallen fruits, it would still not ingest enough to be drunk.

But it might feel pretty darn good afterward.

Tropical plants have a tough time these cold nights. Some nursery experts advise using Christmas lights to help them through. Bonus: a festive-looking yard.

For a time, I was worried about the bougainvillea by the entry. Festooning with lights seemed to help, and now that it has survived several winters, I don’t really have to be concerned.

A Santa story with a Royal Castle, a Wishing Spirit, a Magic Stone, and a Gnome family of helpers.

While the makers of the Bugatti Veyron claim a top speed of 252.8 mph, the CCR goes 241 and hopes to top 253.

Think it’s just what you need to hurry through Christmas shopping? It will set you back a very cool $665,000. But if your dream car is made of honeycombed aluminum strengthened with carbon fiber and kevlar, then this is your baby.

There they are in their Christmas finery, plopped down on the lap of a complete stranger who doesn’t look anything like someone they know and trust.

Brought to my attention some time ago - thanks Kate!

And the kitchen and the bathroom. The lively bird of prey was uninjured after crashing through a fisherman’s window. It was released after being corraled in a box, but not before leaving its mark on Peder Hansen.

If this should happen to you, be sure to put on heavy clothing, as Hansen later did, including thick gloves. Those hawk claws are sharp.

A train in Norway hits 40 reindeer, killing 20 outright, the rest have to be shot.

A deer herder blamed the lack of fence maintenance along the tracks. Railroad officials counter by saying it is impossible to fence in all the tracks.

From now through Jan. 1, Holly, Velvet, Peppermint, and Belle will be on view at the north side of the zoo. They eat hay, grass, straw, and moss.

Perhaps that carrot left by the fireplace each Christmas by the kids was not the treat they thought it would be for Rudolph and gang. The cookies for Santa were always demolished, but there was usually half a carrot left, occasionally only a stub. Sometimes the break was suspicious, looking as if Santa broke it in two.

When Santa died (sorry, kids), he left behind a reindeer, later named Douglas, for the fir. His new owner has a Christmas tree farm, and has two more reindeer, Balsam and Clarisse.

Smoke from the oil depot fire is expected to remain over London for several days.

In Sydney, text-messaging fires up participants in attacks between ethnic gangs.

In the pre-dawn hours of December, most of us are snug in our beds. Few will be out staring into a frigid sky, hoping for a glimpse of meteor showers, especially since a full moon will be hindering good views.

But fans of celestial fireworks, bundled up and optimistic, are aware that there is still some moonless sky tomorrow morning. Best viewing times for major American cities here.