Americans came close to taking up arms against their compatriots when the US launched an air attack on Copperco, a rogue mining consortium in Congo linked to terrorist attacks against American-owned business. Missiles were already en route to their target when it emerged that the mines are being guarded by Dog Soldiers Inc, the privatised wing of the armed forces that provides mercenaries to businesses in high-risk areas. After calling off the attack, President Chelsea Clinton said: 'The loss of profits to US companies is not enough to justify a civil war on foreign soil.' MF
Land Rover, rebranded as Commando in 2032, has won the Le Mans 24-hour race. With motor racing in decline, ultra-tough personal survival courses have become the trend. Competitive events are conceived to test man and machine to the limit. Dangerous and often fatal, the events are wildly popular. DL
A novel solution to ageing is to use the 'two-way' diet pill, which both blunts the appetite and prevents calories being absorbed by the body. It could aid health as well as longevity. 'We have known for 100 years that cutting back on calories boosts health and lifespan,' says Dr Jacqueline Foster of Birmingham University. 'Now we are going to test it methodically on human volunteers.' But results won't be in for 25 years. JB
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