Kenya's Quiet Casualty: Flowers

Officials fear Somali militants to blame

(NEWSER) - At least 12 people were injured early today when someone hurled a grenade into a small bar in Nairobi. Speculation is rampant that the attack might be the work of Somali militants retaliating against Kenya’s incursion into the country last week, but so far officials are not publicly blaming al-Shabab or any other militant group, the New York Times reports. Nairobi residents have been warned for days that an attack might be coming, one specifically aimed at a club or mall. More»

Genetically modified blue rose coming to US

(NEWSER) - OK, it's not exactly the bluest of blues, but a Japanese company plans to put what it hails as the world's first blue rose on sale in the US in early November. The flower is genetically modified, necessary in this case because roses lack the ability to synthesize delphinidin, a pigment found in blue flowers, explains Wired . (Hence the reason blue roses—or white ones dyed blue—signify the unattainable.) Named Applause, the flower by Suntory has been sold in Japan since 2009, and a single rose goes for about $50, notes CNET . More»

Explosion may have been caused by cigarette butt

(NEWSER) - More than 100 people are dead after a pipeline explosion in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, which is believed to have been ignited by a cigarette butt thrown into an open sewer that fuel was leaking into, the BBC reports. Dozens of other victims have been taken to hospitals, and many are burned beyond recognition, according to an ambulance service spokesperson. The pipeline runs through a heavily populated slum, and residents say homes had been built right up next to it, the AP adds. More»

Dolly Parton, say hello to George Burns and Abe Lincoln

(NEWSER) - Valentine's Day makes people think of roses. And when you think of roses, you think of ... George Burns, naturally. Maybe not, but the late comedian does have a variety of rose named after him. Mental Floss tracks down nine—actually, eight—more celebrities who've lent their names to the flower:

• Dolly Parton
• Freddie Mercury
• Santana
• Paul McCartney

Opposition gearing up for street protests

(NEWSER) - Tensions are rising in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi as angry opposition supporters prepare for three days of protests over the re-election of President Mwai Kibaki in an allegedly rigged ballot. Opposition protests have been banned by the Kibaki regime, triggering concerns that rallies could spark major clashes. Some 600 people have already been killed since the Dec. 27 vote. More»