Around the world

United States

Lessons include Simpsons quotes

Universities across the US are using satirical references from The Simpsons to grab students' attention and convey lessons in literature and all manner of popular culture. "If the references are important enough to be lampooned by The Simpsons, these works must be important cultural milestones," says Hofstra University adjunct English professor Richard Pioreck.

Obama: I've been mistaken for valet

He may be president now, but Barack Obama says he's a black man who has been mistaken for the valet.

Obama tells People magazine that every black professional male his age has had someone hand over their keys while waiting outside a restaurant. That happened to him, he said. First lady Michelle Obama says her husband also used to have trouble catching cabs and once was mistaken for a waiter at a black-tie party.

Australia

Study points to benefits of fruit

An Australian study has found that women who regularly eat fruit are happy and less prone to depression. A poll by the University of Queensland questioning 6,000 women found that eating at least two portions of fruit each day lowers their risk of depression. "We found that women who ate at least two servings of fruit a day were less likely to suffer from depression than women who ate fewer servings," University of Queensland professor Gita Mishra said in a statement.

Japan

Lingerie maker recalls 20K bras

A Japanese lingerie maker is recalling more than 20,000 brassieres after complaints that underwires suddenly poked out, sometimes while women were wearing them. The Japanese division of lingerie maker Triumph International, which has made a name for itself with concept lingerie such as a solar-powered bra, said they made the move due to fears of injury.

Vietnam

Nation's population hits the 90m mark

As of April 1, the population of Vietnam was more than 90.49 million, with 44.62 million men and 45.87 million women, Vietnam's General Statistics Office said on Wednesday. The information was released at a conference in Hanoi on Wednesday.

AP - Xinhua - Reuters

(China Daily 12/18/2014 page10)