Massive celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China have begun in China where it is Thursday, October 1. Full round-up and coverage of the celebrations, Xinhua. Live video, Xinhua. Heavy security will be in force in Tiananmen Square where a large military parade will highlight China’s position as a world power, Voice of America. Live Blog from Reuters reporter Lucy Hornby at Tiananmen Square, Reuters. Memories of Chairman Mao’s declaration of a new China from those who witnessed the event in Tiananmen Square, AFP. China before Mao, ABC Radio National Rear Vision, Transcript and Audio.
Workers at France Telecom has been committing suicide, sometimes at work, at what some have said is an alarming rate. Since France Telecom was privatized a decade ago, workers have complained about the conditions. 24 workers have committed suicide in the past 18 months, including 8 since this summer alone, NPR.
Members of the Forbes 400, the 400 wealthiest individuals in America, collectively lost $300 billion last year. Microsoft founder Bill Gates is #1 on the list with assets worth $50 billion, CNN Money.
A two-day Distracted Driving Summit sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation is taking place in Washington, D.C. today and tomorrow. Speakers at the summit called for all states to ban texting while driving, Christian Science Monitor. Summit homepage, DOT. Twitter username DistractedDriving.