Massawa, Eritrea: The Pearl of the Red Sea, Eritrea

Eritrea Travel: Massawa, Dahlak Islands - the Pearl of the Red Sea. Asmara, Africa's Beautiful Modernist City. Eritrea is located in NE. Africa.

Hanoi Hustle, Vietnam

Tin Tin and Kim set out to do for Hanoi what Biggie did for Brooklyn. Travel with Lonely Planet.

Ten Day Camel Safari, Thar Desert Rajasthan, India

This is a short documentary of our trek for ten days into the Thar Desert from Jaisalmer, an ancient city in Rajasthan, India. With just three camels; Papu, Lalu, and Babaloo and our trusted guide Rhman, we set out with all the food and water necessary for the foray. We trekked about 20 km per day going 7 to 8 hours on camel back. We slept on top of the dunes at night and battled dung beetles and the occasional snake. The people of the desert are incredibly hospitable and friendly and we had some amazing interactions. We got to know our camels intimately as well as our guide a hard working man who is passionate about life.

Rajasthan Highlights, India

In India, Rajasthan is known as the Land of Kings. Highlights include Udaipur, the 'Venice of the East' which houses the world's biggest turban; Jaisalmer's ancient fort which is still a working city and Pushkar's annual camel fair with people and camels as far as the eye can see. But it's the Karni Mata Temple in Deshnok where they honour the kaba rats, that might take your breath away.

Hawaii, Hawaii

Lonely Planet's lightning guide to Hawaii.

THAI FOOD Beef Panang, Malaysia

Dim and Cathy show you how to prepare beef Panang a mouth watering Malaysian dish with Sliced beef in a creamy coconut and Panang curry sauce. Thai recipes, Thai ingredients, Thai cooking instructions included

Animals performers during a circus show in Fuzhou, China

A tiger rides a horse during an animal circus show at a zoo in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province October 24, 2008.

Tigers and a lion stand on chairs during an animal circus show at a zoo in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province October 24, 2008.

A tiger walks on a ball during an animal circus show at a zoo in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province October 24, 2008.

A black bear rides a bike during an animal circus show at a zoo in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province October 24, 2008.

Penang Food Paradise, Malaysia

Nick Vivion visits Penang and describes it as one of the best food places in the world. From savoury to sweet Nick calls Penang a food paradise of epic proportions.

Tokyo Moods - Lonely Planet Travel Video, Japan

A peek at life in one of the most fascinating cities in the world. It also has to be the most exotic & clean place on earth. A most unusual combination. The music to the piece is called Sunya's Freedom and was composed by Ed Barguiarena. The shooting and execution was done by Nick Higgins www.nickhiggins.com and the piece was produced by Kerry Candaele and Nick Higgins.

Peter the great played with my balls, Russia

Here is a little summary of Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Paraguayans attempt to create world's biggest barbecue, Paraguay

Paraguayans barbeque beef during an attempt to create the world's biggest barbecue in Mariano Roque Alonso near Asuncion Oct. 26, 2008. In the attempt to get the Guinness World Record for the "Biggest barbeque in the World", more than 30,000 people grilled 28,000 kilograms of beef on fires covering an area 60 m wide by 100 m long.

Paraguayans wait to be served barbequed beef after an attempt to create the world's biggest barbecue in Mariano Roque Alonso near Asuncion Oct. 26, 2008.

Paraguayans barbeque beef during an attempt to create the world's biggest barbecue in Mariano Roque Alonso near Asuncion Oct. 26, 2008. In the attempt to get the Guinness World Record for the "Biggest barbeque in the World", more than 30,000 people grilled 28,000 kilograms of beef on fires covering an area 60 m wide by 100 m long.

Paraguayans barbeque beef during an attempt to create the world's biggest barbecue in Mariano Roque Alonso near Asuncion Oct. 26, 2008. In the attempt to get the Guinness World Record for the "Biggest barbeque in the World", more than 30,000 people grilled 28,000 kilograms of beef on fires covering an area 60 m wide by 100 m long.

Paraguayans barbeque beef during an attempt to create the world's biggest barbecue in Mariano Roque Alonso near Asuncion Oct. 26, 2008. In the attempt to get the Guinness World Record for the "Biggest barbeque in the World", more than 30,000 people grilled 28,000 kilograms of beef on fires covering an area 60 m wide by 100 m long.

Paraguayans barbeque beef during an attempt to create the world's biggest barbecue in Mariano Roque Alonso near Asuncion Oct. 26, 2008. In the attempt to get the Guinness World Record for the "Biggest barbeque in the World", more than 30,000 people grilled 28,000 kilograms of beef on fires covering an area 60 m wide by 100 m long.

Paraguayans barbeque beef during an attempt to create the world's biggest barbecue in Mariano Roque Alonso near Asuncion Oct. 26, 2008. In the attempt to get the Guinness World Record for the "Biggest barbeque in the World", more than 30,000 people grilled 28,000 kilograms of beef on fires covering an area 60 m wide by 100 m long.

Paraguayans barbeque beef during an attempt to create the world's biggest barbecue in Mariano Roque Alonso near Asuncion Oct. 26, 2008.

Paraguayans barbeque beef during an attempt to create the world's biggest barbecue in Mariano Roque Alonso near Asuncion Oct. 26, 2008. In the attempt to get the Guinness World Record for the "Biggest barbeque in the World", more than 30,000 people grilled 28,000 kilograms of beef on fires covering an area 60 m wide by 100 m long.

A Paraguayan prepares to barbecue beef during an attempt to create the world's biggest barbecue in Mariano Roque Alonso near Asuncion Oct. 26, 2008.

Paraguayans are served barbequed beef after an attempt to create the world's biggest barbecue in Mariano Roque Alonso near Asuncion Oct. 26, 2008.

Paraguayans look for leftover bits after an estimated 28 tonnes of meat were consumed in an attempt to create the world's biggest barbecue in Mariano Roque Alonso near Asuncion Oct. 26, 2008.

San Francisco Soapbox Derby 2008, USA

"Crazy hippies," one man yelled as the insane contraptions passed him by. The collection of soapbox cars created for the 2008 Red Bull Soapbox Derby in San Francisco inspired a variety of reactions.

Mostly they were oohs, ahhs and cheers as the cars flew down Dolores, powered only by gravity, wind and human willpower...and then they were the crashes!

Slithering Masseurs, Israel

A spa treatment in Israel involves a writhing braid of live snakes. Try to relax

Hot girls and Ukraine's 'dirty' politics, Ukraine

The Ukrainian feminist movement 'Femen' has organised a series of mud wrestling contests on the capital's main square to protest against 'dirty' politics. It follows President Viktor Yushchenkos decision to dissolve parliament and call a snap election. The women said they were prepared to get their hands dirty to show how Ukraines political system was being dragged through the mud.

Burundi: Homestay with the Batwa Pygmies, Burundi

In Burundi Africa a small village of Batwa Pygmies opens its first eco-tourism venture. We were the first guests to experience their hospitality - and we highly recommend it! If you would like to try it too, details appear in the end credits of the clip.

Beauty and beast dance in water, USA

A female trainer and a one-year old tiger dance in the water in a zoo of South Carolina.

A female trainer poses with a one-year old tiger in a zoo of South Carolina.

A Viking in Korea, South Korea

Onision has lived in South Korea for the past year, and has more than a few opinions about his new home away from home.

Hi from Hawaii, Hawaii

Hawaiian Monk Seal!!!, Hawaii

"Pandas" parade in Paris, France

A panda parade : Paper mache pandas set up by members of the World Wildlife Fund are pictured on the Parvis des droits de l'Homme at Paris Trocadero esplanade to symbolize the 1,600 pandas left on earth and to call people to do their part in helping to reverse the deterioration of our natural environment.

A panda parade : Paper mache pandas set up by members of the World Wildlife Fund are pictured on the Parvis des droits de l'Homme at Paris Trocadero esplanade to symbolize the 1,600 pandas left on earth and to call people to do their part in helping to reverse the deterioration of our natural environment.

Naked In The Caribbean Islands!, Caribbean Islands

On Valentine's Day 2008, I won YouTube's "Greatest Love Story" contest. The grand prize was a trip for two to any Sandals Resort. So Iliana and I chose the island of St. Antigua in the bahamas. Her...

Backpacking in Thailand, Thailand

Backpacking Australia Guide. Series 1., Australia

A must see series for anyone thinking about coming t...

Travel to Sydney, Australia: A guide, Australia

Sydney is one of the most multicultural cities in th...

Brass Shackles, Thailand

How To Get Rich From Home Online! - Click Here!



In Thailand, in one refugee community, women believe they are enhancing their beauty by stretching their necks with brass rings.

90 degrees turned for Cathedral St Dominic, China

The Cathedral of St Dominic in Fuzhou city is being turned 90 degrees and will be moved south to make way for urban construction. The cathedral has had nearly 400 wheels attached and is being moved on rails. The two-story Catholic cathedral was built in 1933 and is a local attraction

The photo taken on Oct. 13, 2008 shows the working site where the Priest Building is being turned around in Fanchuanpu Catholic Church in Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province. The project of turning the Priest Building around is coming to an end as a right-angle turning was nearly finished in recent days. The building would keep on moving to the south later to give way to street building.

The photo taken on Oct. 13, 2008 shows the working site where the Priest Building is being turned around in Fanchuanpu Catholic Church in Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province. The project of turning the Priest Building around is coming to an end as a right-angle turning was nearly finished in recent days. The building would keep on moving to the south later to give way to street building.

Scientists warn of potential health risks from personal music players, European Union

A commercial board for the Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod is seen inside a metro station in downtown Paris March 22, 2006. Listening to personal music players at a high volume over a sustained period can lead to permanent hearing damage, European Union (EU) scientists warned Monday.

Listening to personal music players at a high volume over a sustained period can lead to permanent hearing damage, European Union (EU) scientists warned Monday.

Five to 10 percent of personal music player listeners risk permanent hearing loss, if they listen to a personal music player for more than one hour per day each week at high volume settings for at least five years, according to an opinion of the EU Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks released Monday.

The committee gave the opinion after the European Commission asked it to examine the health issue, given the widespread use of personal music players and the surge in the number of young people exposed to such noise.

The Commission, the executive body of the EU, said it would examine possible measures to better protect children and adolescents from exposure to noise from personal music players and other similar devices.

The Commission is organizing a conference in early 2009 in Brussels to evaluate the findings of the Scientific Committee with EU member states, industry, consumers and other stakeholders. The seminar will address precautions that users can take, as well as technical solutions to minimize hearing damage and the need for further regulations or revisions of existing safety standards to protect consumers.

"The scientific findings indicate a clear risk and we need to react rapidly. Most importantly we need to raise consumer awareness and put this information in the public domain. We need also to look again at the controls in place, in the light of this scientific advice, to make sure they are fully effective and keep pace with new technology," said EU Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva.

In recent years sales of personal music players have soared, in particular those of MP3 players. Overall, in the EU, it is estimated that roughly 50 to 100 million people might be listening to portable music players on a daily basis.

Asia's biggest electronics fair opens in HK, Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) 2008 starts today at two venues - the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center (HKCEC) and the Hong Kong Exhibition Center - and will last until Thursday.

More than 2,600 exhibitors from 29 countries and regions, occupying over 3,800 booths, display their latest products and technologies at the event organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

In addition to returning group pavilions from China and South Korea, new exhibitors including those from Canada, the Czech Republic, France and the United Arab Emirates will present their products at the show.

For the first time, the exhibition is expanded to occupy the Hong Kong Exhibition Center in the China Resources Building adjacent to HKCEC that will include the debut of a special sector - the In-Vehicle Electronics & GPS Zone.

The new zone was developed in response to the rapid growth in the industry sector and showcases the latest products from about 60 exhibitors that make auto equipment ranging from car entertainment, parking sensors, security devices, Blue tooth products and GPS units.

In 2008 the fair again has zones such as the popular Hall of Fame, featuring branded goods and stylish electronic products, Digital World, Home Tech for home appliances, home security products and personal care electronics, and the Technology Exchange Zone featuring breakthrough concepts and prototypes from Hong Kong research institutes, universities and tech incubator companies.

Exhibits at the Autumn Edition include audiovisual products, electronic accessories, home appliances, multimedia and electronic gaming, security products, telecommunications and more.

The section of Product Demo & Launch Pad at the fair is set up to help exhibitors introduce their latest products and services.

The fair attracted more than 58,000 buyers from 160 countries and regions in 2007. It is serving as a sourcing platform and a forum of information exchange as well as a showcase for new products this year, organizers said.

"The fair provides a perfect platform for releasing new designs, getting customer feedback and enhancing mutual communication," said Wes Hsu, director and vice-president of Airlux Electrical Co Ltd from Chinese Taiwan, which was one of the exhibitors at last year's fair.

The largest fair of its kind in Asia and the second--largest in the world, the fair is an important industry event with manifold business opportunities, participants said.

"This is my sixth year at the fair and the event seems to be growing every year," Terry Stone, general manager of Tempo (Aust) Pty Ltd, Australia, said during the 2007 event.

"I have seen a lot of improvements, especially new designs in audio-visual products, kitchenware and small electrical appliances," said Stone, who added he met many suppliers at the fair.

A concurrent event is electronicAsia, the region's leading trade event for all kinds of components, assemblies, electronic production and display technologies, and which also includes the special World of Display Technology themed zone.

Now in its 12th edition, electronicAsia features over 560 exhibitors and 700 booths from 17 countries and regions and is a valuable accompaniment to the HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition).

Hong Kong has long been linked with the electronics business and the city continues to be a leading light in this industry.

Hong Kong's sales of electronic products continue to soar- electronics exports grew by 10.5 percent to 87.7 billion U.S.dollars in the first six months of 2008 in comparison with the same period in 2007.

The two world-class events will bring more than 3,100 exhibitors and 4,500 quality booths.

Visitors enjoy soy milk hot spring in Japan, Japan

Visitors enjoy in a soy milk hot spring in Hakone, Japan, Oct. 12, 2008. The day is the soy milk festival of Japan. A hot spring holiday inn in Hakone Kowakien provided soy milk hot spring for guests.

An employee adds soy milk into a soy milk hot spring in Hakone, Japan, Oct. 12, 2008. The day is the soy milk festival of Japan. A hot spring holiday inn in Hakone Kowakien provided soy milk hot spring for guests.

Visitors enjoy in a soy milk hot spring in Hakone, Japan, Oct. 12, 2008. The day is the soy milk festival of Japan. A hot spring holiday inn in Hakone Kowakien provided soy milk hot spring for guests.

BBtv WORLD (Tibet): Inside Lhasa, Tibet

Russian Soyuz TMA-13 spaceship to be prepared for launch, Russia

A Russian Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft is set on its launch pad on the Baikonur cosmodrome Oct. 10, 2008. U.S. space tourist Richard Garriott, Russian cosmonaut Yury Lonchakov and U.S. astronaut Michael Fincke are scheduled to fly to the International Space Station on Oct. 12, 2008.
The Russian Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft is set on its launch pad on Baikonur cosmodrome Oct. 10, 2008. U.S. space tourist Richard Garriott, Russian cosmonaut Yury Lonchakov and U.S. astronaut Michael Fincke are scheduled to fly to the International Space Station on Oct. 12, 2008.

New generation of Chinese passenger aircraft makes successful flight, China

A new-generation short haul passenger aircraft solely developed in China has completed a successful trial flight, paving the way for commercial production next year, the manufacturer announced on Friday.

A new-generation short haul passenger aircraft solely developed in China has completed a successful trial flight, paving the way for commercial production next year, the manufacturer announced on Friday.

The Xinzhou-600, developed by Xi'an Aircraft Industry Company (XAC) of the China Aviation Industry Corporation I (AVIC I), flew on Thursday in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, said the AVIC I.

The turboprop aircraft was a new version of the Xinzhou-60 that can carry 50 to 60 passengers. The Xinzhou-600 had been updated with a more comfortable cabin and better designed body structure and maintenance system, said Geng Ruguang from the AVIC.

It was also designed for inter-island flights, which would helpit in the Southeast Asia and island nation markets, Geng said.

XAC took about three years to develop the Xinzhou-600, which would be delivered to clients from the second half of 2009, he said.

The company has orders for 136 Xinzhou-60s and has exported them to Zambia, the Republic of Congo, Laos, Zimbabwe and Bolivia since 2006.

This would give China the edge to compete in the global market for turboprop aircraft, where demand is expected to reach 1,900 in20 years.

Geng said the company had started to plan the development of the next generation aircraft, the Xinzhou-700.

Iceland teeters on the brink of bankruptcy, Iceland

This volcanic island near the Arctic Circle is on the brink of becoming the first "national bankruptcy" of the global financial meltdown.

Home to just 320,000 people on a territory the size of Kentucky, Iceland has formidable international reach because of an outsized banking sector that set out with Viking confidence to conquer swaths of the British economy, from fashion retailers to top soccer teams

A man walks out of a branch of Landsbanki in Reykjavik, Iceland October 7, 2008. PM Haarde warned Monday that the heavy exposure of the tiny country's banking sector to the global financial turmoil raised the spectre of national bankruptcy.

The strategy gave Icelanders one of the world's highest per capita incomes. But now they are watching helplessly as their economy implodes, their currency losing almost half its value, and their heavily exposed banks collapsing under the weight of debts incurred by lending in the boom times.

"Everything is closed. We couldn't sell our stock or take money from the bank," said Johann Sigurdsson as he left a branch of Landsbanki in downtown Reykjavik.

The government had earlier announced it had nationalized the bank under emergency laws enacted to deal with the crisis.

"We have been forced to take decisive action to save the country," Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde said of those sweeping new powers that allow the government to take over companies, limit the authority of boards, and call shareholder meetings.

A full-blown collapse of Iceland's financial system would send shock waves across Europe, given the heavy investment by Icelandic banks and companies across the continent.

One of Iceland's biggest companies, retailing investment group Baugur, owns or has stakes in dozens of major European retailers, including enough to make it the largest private company in Britain, where it owns a handful of stores such as the famous toy store Hamley's.

Kaupthing, Iceland's largest bank and one of those whose share trading was suspended last week to stop a huge sell-off, has also invested in European retail groups.

Thousands of Britons have accounts with Icesave, the online arm of Landsbanki that regulators said was likely to file for bankruptcy after it stopped permitting customers to withdraw money from their accounts Tuesday.

To try to wrest control of the spiraling situation, the government also loaned $680 million to Kaupthing to tide it over and said it was negotiating a $5.4 billion loan from Russia to shore up the nation's finances.

The speed of Iceland's downfall in the week since it announced it was nationalizing Glitnir bank, the country's third largest, caught many by surprise despite warnings that it was the "canary in the coal mine" of the global credit squeeze.

Famous for its cod fishing industry, geysers, moonscape and the Blue Lagoon, Iceland last year won the UN's "best country to live in" poll, with its residents deemed the most contented in the world.

A branch of Iceland's Landsbanki Bank in Reykjavik October 6, 2008. The country's market authority took control of Landsbanki. Russia would provide a loan of 4 billion euros ($5.44 billion), the Icelandic central bank said.

No more.

Despite sunny skies Tuesday after three days of unseasonably cold weather, Reykjavik's mood remained grim, cafes were half-empty, real estate agents sat idle, and retailers reported few saleir acquisition wallets were filled by a stock market boom and a well-funded pension system.

Back home, the average family's wealth soared 45 percent in half a decade and gross domestic product rose at around 5 percent a year. But the whole system was built on a shaky foundation of foreign debt.

The country's top four bcing its debts, such as the more than $5.25 billion racked up by Kaupthing in five years to help fund British deals.

Iceland is unique "because the sheer size of its financial sector puts it in a vulnerable situation, and its currency has always been seen as a high risk and high yield," said Venla Sipila, a senior economist at Global Insight in London.

The krona is suffering in part from a withdrawal by a falloff in what are called carry trades, where investors borrow cheaply in a country with low rates, such as Japan, and invest in a country where returns, and often risks, are higher.

After watching the free-fall for several days, the Central Bank of Iceland stepped in Tuesday to fix the exchange rate of the currency at 175, a level equal to 131 krona against the euro.

Haarde said he believed the measures had renewed confidence in the system. He also was critical of the lack of an Europe-wide response to the crisis, saying Iceland had been forced to adopt an "every-country-for-itself" mentality.

He acknowledged that Iceland's financial reputation was likely to suffer from both the crisis and the response despite strong fundamentals such as the fishing industry and clean and renewable energy resources.

As regular Icelanders begin to blame the government and market regulators, Haarde said the banks had been "victims of external circumstances."

Richard Portes s were reckless," said. "Quite the contrary. They were hugely unlucky."

The world's tallest Lego tower at 29.48 m, Austria

Reaching for the top Guinness World Record judge Carlos Martinez stands in front of the world's tallest Lego tower at 29.48m in Vienna yesterday. The tower beat the previous record of 29.3 m.

Lego Master Builders Erik Therkelsen (L) and Per Knudsen of Denmark work in front of the world's tallest standing Lego tower at 29.48 metres in Vienna October 5, 2008. The tower beat the previous record of 29.3 metres.

Lego Master Builders Erik Therkelsen (L) and Per Knudsen of Denmark work in front of the world's tallest standing Lego tower at 29.48 metres in Vienna October 5, 2008. The tower beat the previous record of 29.3 metres.

Picture shows the world's tallest standing Lego tower at 29.48 metres in front of the city hall in Vienna October 5, 2008. The tower beat the previous record of 29.3 metres.

Saving the Nude Beach 2, USA

Shenzhou VII's companion satellite sent back clear pictures, USA

Shenzhou VII spacecraft is seen in this picture taken by the 40-kilogram companion satellite six seconds after it was released by Chinese astronaut. It is the first picture taken by this companion satellite which has sent back more than 1,000 pictures of Shenzhou VII spacecraft.

Shenzhou VII spacecraft is seen in this picture taken by the 40-kilogram companion satellite three minutes after it was released by Chinese astronaut. The companion satellite has sent back more than 1,000 pictures of Shenzhou VII spacecraft.

Shenzhou VII spacecraft is seen in this picture taken by the 40-kilogram companion satellite six minutes after it was released by Chinese astronaut. The companion satellite has sent back more than 1,000 pictures of Shenzhou VII spacecraft.

Save the Nude Beach! (San Onofre)

Elephant orphanage in Nairobi

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A baby elephant reacts to his caretaker in front of visitors at a wildlife trust in Kenyan capital Nairobi Oct. 2, 2008. Visitors are allowed only about an hour each day at the trust, an elephant orphanage founded in the 1970s to take in baby elephants orphaned by ivory poachers.

Baby elephants follow a keeper enroute to their watering place at a wildlife trust in Kenyan capital Nairobi Oct. 2, 2008. Visitors are allowed only about an hour each day at the trust, an elephant orphanage founded in the 1970s to take in baby elephants orphaned by ivory poachers.

A baby elephant is fed with milk in front of visitors at a wildlife trust in Kenyan capital Nairobi Oct. 2, 2008. Visitors are allowed only about an hour each day at the trust, an elephant orphanage founded in the 1970s to take in baby elephants orphaned by ivory poachers.

Two baby elephants have sand baths at a wildlife trust in Kenyan capital Nairobi Oct. 2, 2008. Visitors are allowed only about an hour each day at the trust, an elephant orphanage founded in the 1970s to take in baby elephants orphaned by ivory poachers.

An elephant keeper talks to school pupils about the baby elephants at a wildlife trust in Kenyan capital Nairobi Oct. 2, 2008. Visitors are allowed only about an hour each day at the trust, an elephant orphanage founded in the 1970s to take in baby elephants orphaned by ivory poachers.

Elephant-blogging in Benin with Xeni (BBtv WORLD: West Africa)

World's biggest computing grid launched

The world's largest computing grid is launched on Friday, ready to tackle mankind's biggest data challenge from the earth's most powerful accelerator, according to local media reports.

Three weeks after the first particle beams were injected into the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the Worldwide LHC Computing Grid (WLCG) now combines the power of more than 140 computer centers from 33 countries to analyze and manage more than 15 million gigabytes of LHC data every year.

A technician walks under the core magnet of the CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) experiment at the European Organization for Nuclear Research CERN (Centre Europeen de Recherche Nucleaire) in the French village of Cessy, near Geneva March 22, 2007. International physicists at a vast underground complex near Geneva launched a 20-year project on Wednesday to re-enact the "Big Bang" to try to explain the origins of the universe and how it came to harbor life.

The United States is a vital partner in the development and operation of the WLCG. Fifteen universities and three U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories contribute their power to the project.

"The U.S. has been an essential partner in the development of the vast distributed computing system that will allow 7,000 scientists around the world to analyze LHC data," said Glen Crawford of the High Energy Physics program in DOE's Office of Science.

"Particle physics projects such as the LHC have been a driving force for the development of worldwide computing grids," said Ed Seidel, director of the U.S. National Science Foundation's Office of Cyber infrastructure. "The benefits from these grids are now being reaped in areas as diverse as mathematical modeling and drug discovery."

When the LHC starts running at full speed, it will produce enough data to fill about six CDs per second. Dedicated optical fiber networks distribute LHC data from CERN in Geneva, Switzerland to 11 major "Tier-1" computer centers in Europe, North America and Asia. From these, data is dispatched to more than 140 "Tier-2" centers around the world.

Physicists in the United States and around the world will sift through the LHC data torrent in search of tiny signals that will lead to discoveries about the nature of the physical universe. Through their distributed computing infrastructures, these physicists also help other scientific researchers increase their use of computing and storage for broader discovery.

"Grid computing allows university research groups at home and abroad to fully participate in the LHC project while fostering positive collaboration across different scientific departments on many campuses," said Ken Bloom from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, manager for seven Tier-2 sites in the United States.