itwbennett writes "After a networking error first reported on Wednesday last week caused computers in Chile and the US to come under the control of a system that censors the Internet in China, the 'root DNS server associated with the networking problems has been disconnected from the Internet,' writes Robert McMillan. The server's operator, Netnod, has 'withdrawn route announcements' made by the server, according to company CEO Kurt Lindqvist."

An increasing number of US schools are using time limits to battle the latest threat to our children, the epidemic of teenage hugging. Gabrielle Brown, a freshman at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, says that this perilous form of physical intimacy, which involves closing or holding the arms around another person or group of persons, has become so popular that students easily slip into its dark embrace. Brown says, "If somebody were to not hug someone, to never hug anybody, people might be just a little wary of them and think they are weird or peculiar." Noreen Hajinlian, principal of George G. White School adds, "Touching and physical contact is very dangerous territory." For her sake, I hope Noreen will be spared the horror of learning what usually happens on prom night.

The poor economy hasn't seemed to hit niche dating sites, and one of the fastest growing niches is for nerds. Chicago based Nerds at Heart holds events where nerds gather to socialize and shout out trivia, flirt over a game of Risk, or compare notes on AP exams. Last year the top five niche dating categories gained market share, while general matchmaking sites stayed about the same. Just remember, no matter how socially awkward you are, there is someone just as awkward who would like a hug.

In a disgusting display of public affection dozens of East Valley students in Mesa Arizona, participated in a group hug to protest a school ban on hugs lasting more than 2 secs. The district said a list of acceptable and non-acceptable behaviors will be handed out to students and that they are simply trying to save the children from the horror of human contact.