Groundbreaking study on near-death experiences

Clinical psychologist and author Liz Dale is asking anyone who has had a near-death experience (NDE) to participate in an online survey regarding the experience and its consequences – especially those in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Survey results will inform a groundbreaking study and a new book to be published by Balboa Press, a division of Hay House. The survey is live now at http://lizdale.com/survey.html.

Dale's official site (http://lizdale.com/) has become an important resource for those with academic or personal interests in the NDE phenomenon. It includes access to over 1,300 books about NDEs. Dale anticipates that her new survey will make important contributions to the literature, as well as pave the way for future investigations.

Survey respondents can remain anonymous if they wish. Likewise, Dale asks that anyone who submits stories only use their first names and avoid sharing confidential personal information. Examples of questions from the survey include:

• "Were there any changes in your personality since your NDE?"
• "Were there any changes in your religious or spiritual beliefs since your NDE?"
• "Were there any distressing aftereffects from your NDE?"

The forthcoming book on NDE aftereffects will not be Dale's first; in 2000, she published "Crossing Over and Coming Home: Twenty-One Authors Discuss the Gay NDE as Spiritual Transformation." The following excerpt from the book captures the essence of this research and the intensely personal and profound nature of the stories people have shared with her: "And then I felt the presence of Jesus Christ all around me. And I asked him, 'Do I really have to go back?' Then Christ said that he would send me guardian angels to aid me in my healing, and to guide and protect me. I awakened to find two men kneeling over me, with expressions of apprehension and concern on both their faces. For some reason I felt that they might be gay men. I felt very strongly that both men symbolized what would prove to be a succession of 'angels' that Christ had promised to send me."

2014: One birth every 8 seconds and one death every 12 seconds in US

As each nation prepares to begin the new year, the U.S. Census Bureau on Monday projected that on Jan. 1 the United States population will be 317,297,938. This represents an increase of 2,218,622, or 0.7 percent, from New Year's Day 2013.

In January, one birth is expected to occur every eight seconds in the United States and one death every 12 seconds.

World population

The projected world population is set at 7,137,577,750, an increase of 77,630,563, or 1.1 percent from New Year's Day 2013. An estimated 4.3 births and 1.8 deaths are expected worldwide every second, the Census Bureau says.

India added 15.6 million people over the one-year period, which led all countries, followed by China, Nigeria, Pakistan and Ethiopia.

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IAMGOLD Corp. reports death at South America gold mine

IAMGOLD Corp. reported the death of a local contractor employee on Monday at the company's Rosebel gold mine in Suriname, South America. The Rosebel gold mine is located in the mineral rich Brokopondo district in north eastern Suriname.

“The accident occurred while clearing trees for the Rosebel tailings pond expansion project,” the company said in a press statement. “No one else was injured during the accident. The company and the contractor have notified the individual's family. The Rosebel mine is offering assistance and support to the individual's family and workforce.”

The Rosebel emergency response team was immediately activated after the incident and internal emergency services personnel were called to the site. Rosebel also notified the relevant government authorities and other stakeholders.

Investigations led by Rosebel have been initiated to determine the cause of the accident. The local authorities have been notified and they will conduct their own investigation.

“The immediate thoughts of management are with the family, friends and co-workers of our colleague,” the company said.

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