Parrot scares off burglars with piercing screech
A crime-fighting parrot scared off a gang of burglars by screeching loudly during a night-time raid.
29 Jul 2010
... Gennadi Kurkul, 42, the bird's owner, said that his neighbours were full of praise for the noisy green Lory parrot.
He said: "They reached in through a window and managed to open the door and get in. But they must have disturbed Kuzya. He let out a massive scream. You could hear it all over the Docklands."
All the burglars managed to seize during their 4am raid was Mr Kurkul's wallet, which had been left close to the window.
Mr Kurkul, a Russian interpreter, added that the parrot was a fantastic pet who follows him round the house like a dog.
He said: "I don't keep him in a cage. He just finds a spot at night where he likes to sleep and settles down there sometimes under the stairs. He must have heard their footsteps and just started screaming."
Tower Hamlets police, who have been investigating the break-in, are already understood to have made an arrest. ...
Two nuns go on run over threat to send them to retirement home
Two fugitive nuns in their 80s have gone on the run in France to escape being sent to a retirement home by their Mother Superior.
23 Jul 2010
Sister Marie-Daniel, 86, and Sister Saint-Denis, 82, fled their nunnery two weeks ago after convent officials said they were being sent to a remote mountain retreat 250 miles away.
The pair vanished from the Sisters of Saint-Joseph convent in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, on the French Riviera convent, on July 12 and have not been seen since.
A third 89-year-old nun, Sister Maurice-Marie, has revealed she also wanted to flee but broke her leg four days before the two elderly sisters disappeared.
A convent insider had told France-Soir newspaper that the nuns were furious at being "put out to grass" in a retirement home after 50 years at the nunnery. ...
Two fugitive nuns in their 80s have gone on the run in France to escape being sent to a retirement home by their Mother Superior.
23 Jul 2010
Sister Marie-Daniel, 86, and Sister Saint-Denis, 82, fled their nunnery two weeks ago after convent officials said they were being sent to a remote mountain retreat 250 miles away.
The pair vanished from the Sisters of Saint-Joseph convent in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, on the French Riviera convent, on July 12 and have not been seen since.
A third 89-year-old nun, Sister Maurice-Marie, has revealed she also wanted to flee but broke her leg four days before the two elderly sisters disappeared.
A convent insider had told France-Soir newspaper that the nuns were furious at being "put out to grass" in a retirement home after 50 years at the nunnery. ...
He's used to people hanging on his every erudite word. Now Stephen Fry – actor, author, quizmaster of QI, enthusiastic tweeter and celebrated brainbox – has announced that he is to make a series for BBC2 about language.
"It's a bit of a secret but the BBC have commissioned me to do a five-part series on language, called Planet Word," he said. "Language is my real passion. So, I'm going to Beijing to interview the man who invented Pinyin, a phonetic version of the Chinese language. He's 105 years old … if he dies on me I'm going to be so annoyed."
Fry revealed details of his highbrow new project to 14-year-old Eden Parris in an interview for a Radio Times feature that enabled young readers to meet their TV heroes.
In a conversation that ranged from Harry Potter to Wagner, darts and porridge oats, Fry said: "I haven't seen a good documentary about language, where it comes from, how we speak it, the variations of it, whether languages are dying, whether we are better at speaking than we were. There are so many questions." ...
"It's a bit of a secret but the BBC have commissioned me to do a five-part series on language, called Planet Word," he said. "Language is my real passion. So, I'm going to Beijing to interview the man who invented Pinyin, a phonetic version of the Chinese language. He's 105 years old … if he dies on me I'm going to be so annoyed."
Fry revealed details of his highbrow new project to 14-year-old Eden Parris in an interview for a Radio Times feature that enabled young readers to meet their TV heroes.
In a conversation that ranged from Harry Potter to Wagner, darts and porridge oats, Fry said: "I haven't seen a good documentary about language, where it comes from, how we speak it, the variations of it, whether languages are dying, whether we are better at speaking than we were. There are so many questions." ...
A small telco has decided to turn the tables on irritating unsolicited calls by setting up a block of dummy phone numbers that play messages to trick marketers into lenghty and pointless sales pitches.
The wheeze is the work of Andrews and Arnold (AAISP), a small business provider, and was prompted by a deluge of unsolicited calls to its office lines over the past month.
The firm has reserved a block of four million VoIP lines for the prank. All are registered with the Telephone Preference Service, so any unsolicited marketing calls they get are likely to be the result of illegal use of autodialler software.
AAISP has adapted its anonymous call reject service so customers can use the honey pot message too. Today it kept one marketer punting "free calls" on the line for more than three and a half minutes. ...
Ta much, dear MSiegel
The wheeze is the work of Andrews and Arnold (AAISP), a small business provider, and was prompted by a deluge of unsolicited calls to its office lines over the past month.
The firm has reserved a block of four million VoIP lines for the prank. All are registered with the Telephone Preference Service, so any unsolicited marketing calls they get are likely to be the result of illegal use of autodialler software.
AAISP has adapted its anonymous call reject service so customers can use the honey pot message too. Today it kept one marketer punting "free calls" on the line for more than three and a half minutes. ...
Ta much, dear MSiegel
Finland has become the first country in the world to make broadband a legal right for every citizen.
From 1 July every Finn will have the right to access to a 1Mbps (megabit per second) broadband connection.
Finland has vowed to connect everyone to a 100Mbps connection by 2015.
In the UK the government has promised a minimum connection of at least 2Mbps to all homes by 2012 but has stopped short of enshrining this as a right in law.
The Finnish deal means that from 1 July all telecommunications companies will be obliged to provide all residents with broadband lines that can run at a minimum 1Mbps speed.
Broadband commitment
Speaking to the BBC, Finland's communication minister Suvi Linden explained the thinking behind the legislation: "We considered the role of the internet in Finns everyday life. Internet services are no longer just for entertainment.
"Finland has worked hard to develop an information society and a couple of years ago we realised not everyone had access," she said. ...
Ta much, dear BrightKnight
From 1 July every Finn will have the right to access to a 1Mbps (megabit per second) broadband connection.
Finland has vowed to connect everyone to a 100Mbps connection by 2015.
In the UK the government has promised a minimum connection of at least 2Mbps to all homes by 2012 but has stopped short of enshrining this as a right in law.
The Finnish deal means that from 1 July all telecommunications companies will be obliged to provide all residents with broadband lines that can run at a minimum 1Mbps speed.
Broadband commitment
Speaking to the BBC, Finland's communication minister Suvi Linden explained the thinking behind the legislation: "We considered the role of the internet in Finns everyday life. Internet services are no longer just for entertainment.
"Finland has worked hard to develop an information society and a couple of years ago we realised not everyone had access," she said. ...
Ta much, dear BrightKnight
How the Mail on Sunday fell for notorious ‘Steve Jobs’ spoof tweet
By Tim Edwards
LAST UPDATED JUNE 28, 2010
Apple and iPhone-bashing scoops are like gold dust on the internet. So it was with a certain amount of glee that the Mail on Sunday reported yesterday that Apple CEO Steve Jobs had said he may have to recall his new must-have smartphone, the iPhone 4.
The Mail reported: "The much-vaunted new iPhone 4 may be recalled, Apple boss Steve Jobs revealed last night. Posting a message on the social networking site Twitter, the tycoon said: 'We may have to recall the new iPhone. This I did not expect'."
There was only one problem. CEOSteveJobs is the Twitter account of an impostor. The owner admits as much in their bio, which reads: "I don't care what you think of me. You care what I think of you. Of course this is a parody account."
The page includes a number of other even less credible tweets than the one about an iPhone 4 recall, including: "Just FaceTimed my wife. If you know what I mean."
The Mail on Sunday realised its embarrassing error at some point yesterday and removed the article from the internet, although it can still be seen here. ...
By Tim Edwards
LAST UPDATED JUNE 28, 2010
Apple and iPhone-bashing scoops are like gold dust on the internet. So it was with a certain amount of glee that the Mail on Sunday reported yesterday that Apple CEO Steve Jobs had said he may have to recall his new must-have smartphone, the iPhone 4.
The Mail reported: "The much-vaunted new iPhone 4 may be recalled, Apple boss Steve Jobs revealed last night. Posting a message on the social networking site Twitter, the tycoon said: 'We may have to recall the new iPhone. This I did not expect'."
There was only one problem. CEOSteveJobs is the Twitter account of an impostor. The owner admits as much in their bio, which reads: "I don't care what you think of me. You care what I think of you. Of course this is a parody account."
The page includes a number of other even less credible tweets than the one about an iPhone 4 recall, including: "Just FaceTimed my wife. If you know what I mean."
The Mail on Sunday realised its embarrassing error at some point yesterday and removed the article from the internet, although it can still be seen here. ...
... Monsanto cheered the ruling and got its version of events into many major media stories. However, the Supreme Court left in place the lower trial court’s ruling barring the USDA from deregulating Roundup Ready alfalfa, and sent the case back down to the lower courts for further proceedings. What this means, as a practical matter, is that the USDA will have to complete the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process, including considering more than 200,000 public comments it has received since issuing a draft EIS in December of 2009.
“It should be no surprise that Monsanto’s PR machine is working hard to spin the truth about the decision,” according to Andrew Kimbrell, executive director of the Center for Food Safety. “Despite what the biotech seed giant is claiming, today’s ruling isn’t close to the victory they were hoping for…. While the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Monsanto by reversing an injunction that was part of the lower court’s decision, more importantly, it also ruled that the ban on GMO alfalfa remains intact, and that the planting and sale of GMO alfalfa remains illegal.”
“This point, which seems to be lost in some news reports, is actually a huge victory,” Kimbrell continued. “The Supreme Court ruled that an injunction against planting was unnecessary since, under lower courts’ rulings, Roundup Ready alfalfa had become a regulated item and was therefore illegal to plant. In other words, the injunction was ‘overkill’ because our [earlier] victory in lower federal court determined that USDA violated the National Environmental Policy Act and other environmental laws when it approved Roundup Ready alfalfa. The court felt that voiding the USDA’s decision to make the crop legally available for sale was enough.”
The L.A. Times quoted Paul Achitoff, a lawyer for Earthjustice, as saying, “To the extent that Monsanto is claiming this a victory, it’s a very hollow one since no one can plant their crops.”
“It should be no surprise that Monsanto’s PR machine is working hard to spin the truth about the decision,” according to Andrew Kimbrell, executive director of the Center for Food Safety. “Despite what the biotech seed giant is claiming, today’s ruling isn’t close to the victory they were hoping for…. While the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Monsanto by reversing an injunction that was part of the lower court’s decision, more importantly, it also ruled that the ban on GMO alfalfa remains intact, and that the planting and sale of GMO alfalfa remains illegal.”
“This point, which seems to be lost in some news reports, is actually a huge victory,” Kimbrell continued. “The Supreme Court ruled that an injunction against planting was unnecessary since, under lower courts’ rulings, Roundup Ready alfalfa had become a regulated item and was therefore illegal to plant. In other words, the injunction was ‘overkill’ because our [earlier] victory in lower federal court determined that USDA violated the National Environmental Policy Act and other environmental laws when it approved Roundup Ready alfalfa. The court felt that voiding the USDA’s decision to make the crop legally available for sale was enough.”
The L.A. Times quoted Paul Achitoff, a lawyer for Earthjustice, as saying, “To the extent that Monsanto is claiming this a victory, it’s a very hollow one since no one can plant their crops.”
Yes! When is she gonna start offering the snip to alcoholics?!
Well done the hecklers.
What a good idea! This should be required of all governments, innit.
That's a porkly Kookaburra, allright!
ID cards scheme to be scrapped within 100 days
Bill abolishing ID cards and national identity register will be first piece of legislation introduced to parliament by the new government, says Theresa May
Alan Travis, home affairs editor
Thursday 27 May 2010
The £4.5bn national identity card scheme is to be scrapped within 100 days, the home secretary, Theresa May, announced today.
The 15,000 identity cards already issued are to be cancelled without any refund of the £30 fee to holders within a month of the legislation reaching the statute book.
Abolishing the cards and associated register will be the first piece of legislation introduced to parliament by the new government. May said the identity documents bill will invalidate all existing cards.
The role of the identity commissioner, created in an effort to prevent data blunders and leaks, will be abolished.
The government said the move will save £86m over four years and avoid £800m in costs over the next 10 years that would have been raised by increased charges. An allied decision to cancel the next generation of biometric fingerprint passports will save a further £134m over four years. Savings to the public under the whole package will total £1bn.
The publication of the identity documents bill today marks the end of an eight-year Whitehall struggle over compulsory identity cards since they were first floated by the then-home secretary David Blunkett in the aftermath of 9/11.
More than 5.4m combined passport and identity cards were due to be issued when the scheme was started in earnest next year. This was projected to rise to 10m ID cards/passports being issued ever year from 2016 onwards. ...
Bill abolishing ID cards and national identity register will be first piece of legislation introduced to parliament by the new government, says Theresa May
Alan Travis, home affairs editor
Thursday 27 May 2010
The £4.5bn national identity card scheme is to be scrapped within 100 days, the home secretary, Theresa May, announced today.
The 15,000 identity cards already issued are to be cancelled without any refund of the £30 fee to holders within a month of the legislation reaching the statute book.
Abolishing the cards and associated register will be the first piece of legislation introduced to parliament by the new government. May said the identity documents bill will invalidate all existing cards.
The role of the identity commissioner, created in an effort to prevent data blunders and leaks, will be abolished.
The government said the move will save £86m over four years and avoid £800m in costs over the next 10 years that would have been raised by increased charges. An allied decision to cancel the next generation of biometric fingerprint passports will save a further £134m over four years. Savings to the public under the whole package will total £1bn.
The publication of the identity documents bill today marks the end of an eight-year Whitehall struggle over compulsory identity cards since they were first floated by the then-home secretary David Blunkett in the aftermath of 9/11.
More than 5.4m combined passport and identity cards were due to be issued when the scheme was started in earnest next year. This was projected to rise to 10m ID cards/passports being issued ever year from 2016 onwards. ...
... It took a just a brief meeting with an InfoLady for 60-year-old Nahar Hossain to finally identify the pest that destroyed his rice fields year after year. "She matched the picture of my crop with the one on her TV [netbook] and recommended a certain pesticide. I haven't had problems since," says Hossain, who had spent a lot of time and money seeking government help to no avail.
The success of the InfoLadies is making the failure of the state more noticeable. "We have corruption and political interference in every sector," says Gullal Singha, a state executive officer of Sagatha sub-district. Sagatha is severely affected by soil erosion and is home to the poorest of the poor. "Even the ultra-poor entitled for food relief are segregated as Bangladesh Nationalist Party poor or Awami League poor," says Aziz Mostafa, an elected representative of a local civic body.
This explains why thousands of Bangladeshis have embraced InfoLadies and their laptops, which are making lives easier and arguably better. "In most cases I'm able to provide an instant solution using my database," says Luich, who is educated to secondary school level. For skin infections, she sends the patient's picture to her organisation's call centre in Dhaka, where experts help with diagnosis and advise hospital referral if required.
"In many places there are no doctors for miles, and fatalities for easily curable diseases are very high. An InfoLady can save lives," says Shahadat Hossain of NGO Udayan Sabolombi Shangstha. Government statistics show Bangladesh has only three doctors per 10,000 people. ...
Ta much, dear MSiegel
The success of the InfoLadies is making the failure of the state more noticeable. "We have corruption and political interference in every sector," says Gullal Singha, a state executive officer of Sagatha sub-district. Sagatha is severely affected by soil erosion and is home to the poorest of the poor. "Even the ultra-poor entitled for food relief are segregated as Bangladesh Nationalist Party poor or Awami League poor," says Aziz Mostafa, an elected representative of a local civic body.
This explains why thousands of Bangladeshis have embraced InfoLadies and their laptops, which are making lives easier and arguably better. "In most cases I'm able to provide an instant solution using my database," says Luich, who is educated to secondary school level. For skin infections, she sends the patient's picture to her organisation's call centre in Dhaka, where experts help with diagnosis and advise hospital referral if required.
"In many places there are no doctors for miles, and fatalities for easily curable diseases are very high. An InfoLady can save lives," says Shahadat Hossain of NGO Udayan Sabolombi Shangstha. Government statistics show Bangladesh has only three doctors per 10,000 people. ...
Ta much, dear MSiegel
Turin police raid Scientology chapter
Sect suspected of inappropriately using sensitive personal data
20 May, 13:45
Turin police raid Scientology chapter (ANSA) - Turin, May 20 - Police raided a local Scientology chapter here and discovered a hidden archive which contained not only information on the group's members but also on the sect's 'enemies', the Turin daily La Stampa reported on Thursday.
Police were acting on a warrant issued by magistrates who have opened a probe into the religion which is suspected of violating laws governing the handling of personal information.
According to La Stampa, police searched the chapter on Via Bersezio for some nine hours and in the basement, behind a locked door, found the sect's secret archive which had files on magistrates, policemen, journalists and relatives of former members. La Stampa said magistrates were now examining these documents which were "chock full" of sensitive information dealing with sexual habits, health and political inclinations.
In 2000, the Italian supreme Court of Cassation recognised Scientology as a religion but said it was organised as a business and thus subject to taxation. ...
Ta much, dear Glenn321
Sect suspected of inappropriately using sensitive personal data
20 May, 13:45
Turin police raid Scientology chapter (ANSA) - Turin, May 20 - Police raided a local Scientology chapter here and discovered a hidden archive which contained not only information on the group's members but also on the sect's 'enemies', the Turin daily La Stampa reported on Thursday.
Police were acting on a warrant issued by magistrates who have opened a probe into the religion which is suspected of violating laws governing the handling of personal information.
According to La Stampa, police searched the chapter on Via Bersezio for some nine hours and in the basement, behind a locked door, found the sect's secret archive which had files on magistrates, policemen, journalists and relatives of former members. La Stampa said magistrates were now examining these documents which were "chock full" of sensitive information dealing with sexual habits, health and political inclinations.
In 2000, the Italian supreme Court of Cassation recognised Scientology as a religion but said it was organised as a business and thus subject to taxation. ...
Ta much, dear Glenn321
May 22, 2010
Saudi woman beats up morality policeman who quizzed her in public
James Hider, Middle East Correspondent
It has not been a good week for Saudi Arabia’s morality police, defenders of the kingdom’s strict Islamic values and the scourge of young men and women who dare to meet in public out of wedlock.
The zealous, all-male volunteer force from the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice patrols shopping malls, harassing unescorted women and arresting others for not wearing suitably modest dress, their religious authority unchallenged. They have even been known to ban florists from selling red flowers before Valentine’s Day.
This week, however, two separate reports emerged of Saudi women not just fighting back but besting the intimidating guardians of public morality.
The first case occurred in the eastern city of al-Mubarraz, when a member of the Mutaween, as the volunteer force is known, stopped a young couple in an amusement park and asked them to explain what their relationship was, since it is illegal for women not accompanied by a male relative to go out in public, let alone fraternise with another man.
According to the Saudi daily Okaz, the young man was so frightened by the officer’s questioning that he passed out — but his female companion, incensed at the intrusion, started hitting the morality policeman in the face so hard that he had to be taken to hospital.
Just as the Mutaween were dusting themselves off after that public humiliation, the Los Angeles Times reported that a Syrian-born Saudi woman had gone one step farther. After meeting a man in a public area in the province of Hail, she was spotted by religious policemen in a patrol car — at which point she whipped out a gun and started shooting at them, giving her male friend time to escape. ...
Saudi woman beats up morality policeman who quizzed her in public
James Hider, Middle East Correspondent
It has not been a good week for Saudi Arabia’s morality police, defenders of the kingdom’s strict Islamic values and the scourge of young men and women who dare to meet in public out of wedlock.
The zealous, all-male volunteer force from the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice patrols shopping malls, harassing unescorted women and arresting others for not wearing suitably modest dress, their religious authority unchallenged. They have even been known to ban florists from selling red flowers before Valentine’s Day.
This week, however, two separate reports emerged of Saudi women not just fighting back but besting the intimidating guardians of public morality.
The first case occurred in the eastern city of al-Mubarraz, when a member of the Mutaween, as the volunteer force is known, stopped a young couple in an amusement park and asked them to explain what their relationship was, since it is illegal for women not accompanied by a male relative to go out in public, let alone fraternise with another man.
According to the Saudi daily Okaz, the young man was so frightened by the officer’s questioning that he passed out — but his female companion, incensed at the intrusion, started hitting the morality policeman in the face so hard that he had to be taken to hospital.
Just as the Mutaween were dusting themselves off after that public humiliation, the Los Angeles Times reported that a Syrian-born Saudi woman had gone one step farther. After meeting a man in a public area in the province of Hail, she was spotted by religious policemen in a patrol car — at which point she whipped out a gun and started shooting at them, giving her male friend time to escape. ...
BP has yielded to pressure from the US Government by publishing a live webcam of its giant oil leak beneath the Gulf of Mexico.
The decision to screen the link came after a hearing in Congress in which BP was accused of blocking access to information from the ocean floor and hindering efforts by scientists to estimate its scale.
Congressman Ed Markey, who attended the hearing, said: “Oil has been spewing into the ocean for 30 days, yet the true extent of this spill remains a mystery. BP thinks this is their ocean, so they should control information about the spill.”
The publication of the link, which shows crude oil surging into the sea 5,000 feet below the surface, comes amid renewed criticism of BP in the US over claims that it had underestimated the scale of the leak.
The company initially said that 1,000 barrels a day were leaking from the site of the Deepwater Horizon blast.
It later raised this estimate to 5,000 barrels but has since admitted that the true figure is likely to be higher still.
BP said that the live feed had previously been made available only to a select handful of federal agencies, including the Department of the Interior, the Coast Guard and the Minerals Management Service (MMS). ...
The decision to screen the link came after a hearing in Congress in which BP was accused of blocking access to information from the ocean floor and hindering efforts by scientists to estimate its scale.
Congressman Ed Markey, who attended the hearing, said: “Oil has been spewing into the ocean for 30 days, yet the true extent of this spill remains a mystery. BP thinks this is their ocean, so they should control information about the spill.”
The publication of the link, which shows crude oil surging into the sea 5,000 feet below the surface, comes amid renewed criticism of BP in the US over claims that it had underestimated the scale of the leak.
The company initially said that 1,000 barrels a day were leaking from the site of the Deepwater Horizon blast.
It later raised this estimate to 5,000 barrels but has since admitted that the true figure is likely to be higher still.
BP said that the live feed had previously been made available only to a select handful of federal agencies, including the Department of the Interior, the Coast Guard and the Minerals Management Service (MMS). ...
ISP shuttered for hosting 'witches' brew' of spam, child porn
By Dan Goodin in San Francisco
19th May 2010
A federal judge has permanently pulled the plug on a California web hosting provider accused of harboring a "witches' brew" of pernicious content on behalf of child pornographers, spammers, and malware purveyors.
San Jose, California–based 3FN.net, which also operated under the name Pricewert, was also ordered to liquidate all assets and surrender more than $1m in illegal profits. The ruling by US District Judge Ronald M. Whyte was in response to a complaint filed in June in which Federal Trade Commission lawyers portrayed 3FN as a haven for some of the internet's most objectionable content.
FTC attorneys cited a mountain of evidence to support their claims, including instant message transcripts from high-level 3FN employees and logs from NASA servers that showed attacks originating from IP addresses controlled by 3FN. They also submitted findings from computer-forensics expert Gary Warner of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, NASA's office of the inspector general, and researchers from Spamhaus and Symantec in proving the allegations.
"These experts had analyzed data derived from internet searches which establish that defendant, an internet service provider, was engaged in widespread illegal activity," Whyte wrote in his ruling, which was dated April 8 but not announced by the FTC until Wednesday.
The FTC's June 4 complaint wasn't made public until after authorities obtained a temporary restraining order shuttering the service. Attorneys sought the order in secret to prevent 3FN customers from destroying evidence or finding new hosts. After...alleged...representatives failed to respond to the allegations in court, Whyte ruled that the order should become permanent. ...
By Dan Goodin in San Francisco
19th May 2010
A federal judge has permanently pulled the plug on a California web hosting provider accused of harboring a "witches' brew" of pernicious content on behalf of child pornographers, spammers, and malware purveyors.
San Jose, California–based 3FN.net, which also operated under the name Pricewert, was also ordered to liquidate all assets and surrender more than $1m in illegal profits. The ruling by US District Judge Ronald M. Whyte was in response to a complaint filed in June in which Federal Trade Commission lawyers portrayed 3FN as a haven for some of the internet's most objectionable content.
FTC attorneys cited a mountain of evidence to support their claims, including instant message transcripts from high-level 3FN employees and logs from NASA servers that showed attacks originating from IP addresses controlled by 3FN. They also submitted findings from computer-forensics expert Gary Warner of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, NASA's office of the inspector general, and researchers from Spamhaus and Symantec in proving the allegations.
"These experts had analyzed data derived from internet searches which establish that defendant, an internet service provider, was engaged in widespread illegal activity," Whyte wrote in his ruling, which was dated April 8 but not announced by the FTC until Wednesday.
The FTC's June 4 complaint wasn't made public until after authorities obtained a temporary restraining order shuttering the service. Attorneys sought the order in secret to prevent 3FN customers from destroying evidence or finding new hosts. After...alleged...representatives failed to respond to the allegations in court, Whyte ruled that the order should become permanent. ...
Less is More: Hunt's Ketchup Removes High Fructose Corn Syrup From Entire Retail Line
New Hunt's 100% Natural Ketchup Features Five Simple Ingredients
OMAHA, Neb., May 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hunt's®, a ConAgra Foods brand, is pleased to announce that it has removed the high fructose corn syrup from every bottle of its ketchup products. Hunt's 100% Natural Ketchup brings forth the naturally rich tomato flavor of Hunt's tomatoes and contains only five simple ingredients: tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, salt and other seasonings, with no high fructose corn syrup, artificial ingredients or preservatives.
"In direct response to consumer demand(1), Hunt's is pleased to offer ketchup sweetened with sugar and containing only five simple ingredients," said Ryan Toreson, Hunt's Ketchup brand manager. "Parents are looking for wholesome meals and ingredients they recognize—and the taste of Hunt's ketchup is something both kids and adults love. Even with the new recipe, we have maintained the same great tangy, sweet taste that Hunt's has always had and that consumers tell us they prefer."
Hunt's 100% Natural Ketchup began rolling out to major markets nationwide in mid-April. Consumers should be able to find product on shelves everywhere by mid-May. Suggested retail pricing for the new Hunt's ketchup recipe is the same as the previous recipe. ...
Ta much, dear MSiegel
New Hunt's 100% Natural Ketchup Features Five Simple Ingredients
OMAHA, Neb., May 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hunt's®, a ConAgra Foods brand, is pleased to announce that it has removed the high fructose corn syrup from every bottle of its ketchup products. Hunt's 100% Natural Ketchup brings forth the naturally rich tomato flavor of Hunt's tomatoes and contains only five simple ingredients: tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, salt and other seasonings, with no high fructose corn syrup, artificial ingredients or preservatives.
"In direct response to consumer demand(1), Hunt's is pleased to offer ketchup sweetened with sugar and containing only five simple ingredients," said Ryan Toreson, Hunt's Ketchup brand manager. "Parents are looking for wholesome meals and ingredients they recognize—and the taste of Hunt's ketchup is something both kids and adults love. Even with the new recipe, we have maintained the same great tangy, sweet taste that Hunt's has always had and that consumers tell us they prefer."
Hunt's 100% Natural Ketchup began rolling out to major markets nationwide in mid-April. Consumers should be able to find product on shelves everywhere by mid-May. Suggested retail pricing for the new Hunt's ketchup recipe is the same as the previous recipe. ...
Ta much, dear MSiegel
Bravo! I salute you, Sir!
The Daily Mirror has today broken a copyright ban to use the notorious photograph of David Cameron, Boris Johnson and other members of the 1986 Bullingdon all-male dining club on its election day front page, in order to ask its readers whether Cameron is the right man to be the next Prime Minister
"PRIME MINISTER? REALLY?" asks the front page headline of the only mainstream newspaper to back the Labour party today.
The photo was last seen in 2008, when the Daily Telegraph published it on the front page. It showed the undergraduates "oozing Oxbridge privilege from every pore" as The First Post put it at the time.
Amid fears at Conservative party headquarters that it might be used in future Labour campaign posters, it was quickly withdrawn from circulation with a claim that the copyright belonged to the Oxford-based photography company, Gilbert and Soame.
Since the Telegraph last used it, some media outlets, including The First Post, have commissioned artists' representations of the photograph, but until today no one has risked republishing the photo itself.
Daily Mirror editor Richard Wallace decided to risk the ire of the copyright owner and of the Tories, claiming its use is in the public interest. "This picture was, and is, in the public domain and its publication is absolutely in the public interest and will help inform voters' decisions before they cast their vote," he said.
The photo has clearly been a source of embarrassment to Cameron, if not to London Mayor Boris Johnson who is far less embarrassed by his "toff" background.
Another man who has reason to look at the photo twice is Jonathan Ford, who is sitting at Cameron's feet. His presence in the photograph was not significant when it was published in 2008. But it is now – because in January this year Ford became the chief leader writer of the Financial Times. And for the first general election since 1987, the FT is urging its readers to vote Tory today, not Labour.
With the Guardian, the Times and the Sun also giving up on Labour – the former going for the Lib Dems while Murdoch's papers have switched allegiance to Cameron – and the Daily Mail, Telegraph and Daily Express going for the Tories as always, the Labour party needs all the help it can get on the news-stands. Hence the Mirror's brazen decision.
"PRIME MINISTER? REALLY?" asks the front page headline of the only mainstream newspaper to back the Labour party today.
The photo was last seen in 2008, when the Daily Telegraph published it on the front page. It showed the undergraduates "oozing Oxbridge privilege from every pore" as The First Post put it at the time.
Amid fears at Conservative party headquarters that it might be used in future Labour campaign posters, it was quickly withdrawn from circulation with a claim that the copyright belonged to the Oxford-based photography company, Gilbert and Soame.
Since the Telegraph last used it, some media outlets, including The First Post, have commissioned artists' representations of the photograph, but until today no one has risked republishing the photo itself.
Daily Mirror editor Richard Wallace decided to risk the ire of the copyright owner and of the Tories, claiming its use is in the public interest. "This picture was, and is, in the public domain and its publication is absolutely in the public interest and will help inform voters' decisions before they cast their vote," he said.
The photo has clearly been a source of embarrassment to Cameron, if not to London Mayor Boris Johnson who is far less embarrassed by his "toff" background.
Another man who has reason to look at the photo twice is Jonathan Ford, who is sitting at Cameron's feet. His presence in the photograph was not significant when it was published in 2008. But it is now – because in January this year Ford became the chief leader writer of the Financial Times. And for the first general election since 1987, the FT is urging its readers to vote Tory today, not Labour.
With the Guardian, the Times and the Sun also giving up on Labour – the former going for the Lib Dems while Murdoch's papers have switched allegiance to Cameron – and the Daily Mail, Telegraph and Daily Express going for the Tories as always, the Labour party needs all the help it can get on the news-stands. Hence the Mirror's brazen decision.
A Detroiter who helped lead the drive to allow medical marijuana in Michigan is pushing for something bound to be equally controversial: legalizing pot in the city of Detroit.
"You've done a great job," meeting the detailed filing requirements, City Clerk Janice Winfrey said Wednesday as Tim Beck handed over more than 6,100 petition signatures.
Beck, 58, spent five weeks overseeing the collection of many more than the 3,700 signatures needed to get Detroit's November ballot to include his proposal. It would legalize possession of up to 1 ounce of pot on private property by adults 21 and older. ...
"You've done a great job," meeting the detailed filing requirements, City Clerk Janice Winfrey said Wednesday as Tim Beck handed over more than 6,100 petition signatures.
Beck, 58, spent five weeks overseeing the collection of many more than the 3,700 signatures needed to get Detroit's November ballot to include his proposal. It would legalize possession of up to 1 ounce of pot on private property by adults 21 and older. ...
... Julian Elcock, prosecuting, told the court after Hickinbottom ordered staff to hand over the money, the pensioners in the line told him “get out, we don't want this".
When he refused Mr Piddington stepped in and attempted to disarm the robber.
"Several other men came at this point – some of the customers and some builders working at the back of the bank,” he said.
"Together, they held the defendant on the ground until the police arrived."
In the footage the robber can be seen struggling for several minutes as customers sit on him and hold him down until the police arrived. ...
When he refused Mr Piddington stepped in and attempted to disarm the robber.
"Several other men came at this point – some of the customers and some builders working at the back of the bank,” he said.
"Together, they held the defendant on the ground until the police arrived."
In the footage the robber can be seen struggling for several minutes as customers sit on him and hold him down until the police arrived. ...
Powerful stem cells made by reprogramming adult tissue could reduce the need for animal testing of new drugs, according to a scientific pioneer of the technology.
Jamie Thomson, of the University of Wisconsin, told The Times that “in-vitro trials” based on so-called induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cells would refine pharmaceutical development so that fewer animal experiments would be required.
The cells were already being used as a source of human tissue for testing candidate drugs for safety and effectiveness, he said. As a result, fewer unworkable drugs would advance to animal studies, and some animal tests may become unnecessary.
“If what we are doing is successful it will dramatically reduce animal testing, and maybe towards the end of our lifespan actually eliminate it for some things,” Professor Thomson said. “I think we will have much better models for these things.” ...
Jamie Thomson, of the University of Wisconsin, told The Times that “in-vitro trials” based on so-called induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cells would refine pharmaceutical development so that fewer animal experiments would be required.
The cells were already being used as a source of human tissue for testing candidate drugs for safety and effectiveness, he said. As a result, fewer unworkable drugs would advance to animal studies, and some animal tests may become unnecessary.
“If what we are doing is successful it will dramatically reduce animal testing, and maybe towards the end of our lifespan actually eliminate it for some things,” Professor Thomson said. “I think we will have much better models for these things.” ...
Jay Leno's year is not getting any better. The much-mocked chat show host went head to head with Barack Obama at the White House correspondents' dinner yesterday and came off second best.
Obama, who showed at last year's event he has the gift of comic timing, got more laughs than Leno, and even some at the comedian's expense.
"The only person whose ratings fell more than mine last year is here tonight," the president said. "It is Jay." Leno was sitting a few feet away.
NBC's late-night host, who bombed last year when he moved to a primetime slot, was the headline act at Washington's biggest annual bash, which brings together politicians and celebrities.
Obama and Leno covered much the same ground, from Joe Biden's swearing at the signing of the healthcare bill to the Arizona immigration row, but Obama's joke writers outperformed Leno's. Obama began saying was busy and had hesitated over coming. "Biden talked me into it. He leaned over and he said, 'Mr President this is no ordinary dinner. This is a big (ELECTRONIC BLEEP)in' meal'."
Leno's line on Biden was limp, saying he was worried when Obama was elected that the "the comedy well at the White House had dried up. So thank you for picking Joe Biden."
On Arizona's tough new anti-immigration law, Obama took aim at Arizona senator John McCain and presidential rival: "Unfortunately John McCain couldn't make it. Recently he claimed he had never identified himself as a maverick. And we all know what happens in Arizona when you don't have ID. Adios amigos!" ...
Obama, who showed at last year's event he has the gift of comic timing, got more laughs than Leno, and even some at the comedian's expense.
"The only person whose ratings fell more than mine last year is here tonight," the president said. "It is Jay." Leno was sitting a few feet away.
NBC's late-night host, who bombed last year when he moved to a primetime slot, was the headline act at Washington's biggest annual bash, which brings together politicians and celebrities.
Obama and Leno covered much the same ground, from Joe Biden's swearing at the signing of the healthcare bill to the Arizona immigration row, but Obama's joke writers outperformed Leno's. Obama began saying was busy and had hesitated over coming. "Biden talked me into it. He leaned over and he said, 'Mr President this is no ordinary dinner. This is a big (ELECTRONIC BLEEP)in' meal'."
Leno's line on Biden was limp, saying he was worried when Obama was elected that the "the comedy well at the White House had dried up. So thank you for picking Joe Biden."
On Arizona's tough new anti-immigration law, Obama took aim at Arizona senator John McCain and presidential rival: "Unfortunately John McCain couldn't make it. Recently he claimed he had never identified himself as a maverick. And we all know what happens in Arizona when you don't have ID. Adios amigos!" ...
... Hollywood figures including Michael Douglas and Steven Spielberg were joined in the Washington Hilton on Saturday night by a new generation of entertainers, including the 16-year-old Canadian singer Justin Bieber and the Jonas Brothers. “Jonas Brothers are here; they’re out there somewhere,” Mr Obama said. “Sasha and Malia are huge fans but boys, don’t get any ideas. Two words for you: predator drones. You will never see it coming.”
The biggest laugh of the night was reserved for Mr Obama’s take on the confrontation between Rahm Emanuel, his combustible chief of staff, and Eric Massa, a Democrat who resigned from the House of Representatives after allegations of groping a male colleague.
“You wanna know what really tickles me?” Mr Obama asked. “Eric Massa.”
He continued: “Apparently, Massa claimed that Rahm came up to him one day in the House locker room, stark naked, started screaming obscenities at him. To which I say, ‘Welcome to my world’.” ...
The biggest laugh of the night was reserved for Mr Obama’s take on the confrontation between Rahm Emanuel, his combustible chief of staff, and Eric Massa, a Democrat who resigned from the House of Representatives after allegations of groping a male colleague.
“You wanna know what really tickles me?” Mr Obama asked. “Eric Massa.”
He continued: “Apparently, Massa claimed that Rahm came up to him one day in the House locker room, stark naked, started screaming obscenities at him. To which I say, ‘Welcome to my world’.” ...
When Australian comic book store owner Michael Baulderstone dressed up as Spider-Man for a promotional event in his shop last weekend, he never imagined by the end of the day he would become a real-life crime-fighting superhero.
But luckily, Mr Baulderstone’s “Spider-sense” was tingling and he was able to thwart a robbery attempt at his shop in the South Australian capital of Adelaide - with the aid of The Flash and some trusted Jedi Knights wielding light sabres. ...
But luckily, Mr Baulderstone’s “Spider-sense” was tingling and he was able to thwart a robbery attempt at his shop in the South Australian capital of Adelaide - with the aid of The Flash and some trusted Jedi Knights wielding light sabres. ...
THE LYNX EFFECT
Every spring for the last few years, a family of starlings has moved into the eaves of our house where they nest, and produce lots more starlings before leaving again at the end of the summer. Every morning at 4.30am on the dot, they suddenly come to life and take their morning exercise by running up and down the length of the house within the eaves, just above my daughter’s bedroom. It drives my daughter to distraction and makes it impossible for her to enjoy a good night’s sleep.
The problem is that try as I might, I cannot find their route into the eaves. Also, because of the way the roof is constructed, there is only the smallest gap between the main loft area and the eaves so I am unable to fill the void with wire netting or similar material to stop the little blighters from getting in.
A couple of weeks ago, I had an inspired idea. It occurred to me that if I could spray something totally revolting into the eaves through that tiny gap, I might make the flying rats decide to go somewhere else. Then I thought of Lynx Body Spray. Memories flooded back of how horrible our teenage son used to smell in years gone by when he used the stuff to attract members of the opposite sex (with very limited success it has to be said). Could the potion developed to attract ‘birds’ actually be used to repel them?
Off I went to the bedroom he used to occupy and rifled through his cupboards. Sure enough, amongst the spot creams and anti-bacterial face washes was the little black can. A quick spray revealed that it was just as I remembered it – disgusting! I went straight to the loft and emptied the entire can into the eaves of the house. Result: The starlings haven’t been near the place since!
I think I may have stumbled across a new product line for Unilever. What do you think?
Yours etc, ...
Jolly good show, what?
Every spring for the last few years, a family of starlings has moved into the eaves of our house where they nest, and produce lots more starlings before leaving again at the end of the summer. Every morning at 4.30am on the dot, they suddenly come to life and take their morning exercise by running up and down the length of the house within the eaves, just above my daughter’s bedroom. It drives my daughter to distraction and makes it impossible for her to enjoy a good night’s sleep.
The problem is that try as I might, I cannot find their route into the eaves. Also, because of the way the roof is constructed, there is only the smallest gap between the main loft area and the eaves so I am unable to fill the void with wire netting or similar material to stop the little blighters from getting in.
A couple of weeks ago, I had an inspired idea. It occurred to me that if I could spray something totally revolting into the eaves through that tiny gap, I might make the flying rats decide to go somewhere else. Then I thought of Lynx Body Spray. Memories flooded back of how horrible our teenage son used to smell in years gone by when he used the stuff to attract members of the opposite sex (with very limited success it has to be said). Could the potion developed to attract ‘birds’ actually be used to repel them?
Off I went to the bedroom he used to occupy and rifled through his cupboards. Sure enough, amongst the spot creams and anti-bacterial face washes was the little black can. A quick spray revealed that it was just as I remembered it – disgusting! I went straight to the loft and emptied the entire can into the eaves of the house. Result: The starlings haven’t been near the place since!
I think I may have stumbled across a new product line for Unilever. What do you think?
Yours etc, ...
Jolly good show, what?
Pigeons are pure evil.
29-Apr-2010
Ellen Sedeno
Wake Forest University
Purple Pokeberries hold secret to affordable solar power worldwide
Pokeberries – the weeds that children smash to stain their cheeks purple-red and that Civil War soldiers used to write letters home – could be the key to spreading solar power across the globe, according to researchers at Wake Forest University's Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials.
Nanotech Center scientists have used the red dye made from pokeberries to coat their efficient and inexpensive fiber-based solar cells. The dye acts as an absorber, helping the cell's tiny fibers trap more sunlight to convert into power.
Pokeberries proliferate even during drought and in rocky, infertile soil. That means residents of rural Africa, for instance, could raise the plants for pennies. Then they could make the dye absorber for the extremely efficient fiber cells and provide energy where power lines don't run, said David Carroll, Ph.D., the center's director.
"They're weeds," Carroll said. "They grow on every continent but Antarctica."
Wake Forest University holds the first patent for fiber-based photovoltaic, or solar, cells, granted by the European Patent Office in November. A spinoff company called FiberCell Inc. has received the license to develop manufacturing methods for the new solar cell.
The fiber cells can produce as much as twice the power that current flat-cell technology can produce. That's because they are composed of millions of tiny, plastic "cans" that trap light until most of it is absorbed. Since the fibers create much more surface area, the fiber solar cells can collect light at any angle – from the time the sun rises until it sets. ...
Ellen Sedeno
Wake Forest University
Purple Pokeberries hold secret to affordable solar power worldwide
Pokeberries – the weeds that children smash to stain their cheeks purple-red and that Civil War soldiers used to write letters home – could be the key to spreading solar power across the globe, according to researchers at Wake Forest University's Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials.
Nanotech Center scientists have used the red dye made from pokeberries to coat their efficient and inexpensive fiber-based solar cells. The dye acts as an absorber, helping the cell's tiny fibers trap more sunlight to convert into power.
Pokeberries proliferate even during drought and in rocky, infertile soil. That means residents of rural Africa, for instance, could raise the plants for pennies. Then they could make the dye absorber for the extremely efficient fiber cells and provide energy where power lines don't run, said David Carroll, Ph.D., the center's director.
"They're weeds," Carroll said. "They grow on every continent but Antarctica."
Wake Forest University holds the first patent for fiber-based photovoltaic, or solar, cells, granted by the European Patent Office in November. A spinoff company called FiberCell Inc. has received the license to develop manufacturing methods for the new solar cell.
The fiber cells can produce as much as twice the power that current flat-cell technology can produce. That's because they are composed of millions of tiny, plastic "cans" that trap light until most of it is absorbed. Since the fibers create much more surface area, the fiber solar cells can collect light at any angle – from the time the sun rises until it sets. ...
April 30, 2010
Belgium poised to ban full-face Muslim veils in public spaces
Rory Watson in Brussels
Belgium is poised to become the first country in Europe to ban Muslim veils that cover the face fully after the lower house of parliament overwhelmingly endorsed the move last night.
In one of their last legislative decisions before national elections next month, 134 members of the House of Representatives supported moves to prohibit the burka, a head-to-toe garment, and the niqab — which covers only the woman’s face — in public buildings, streets and sports grounds. No MP opposed the ban and two abstained. The decision, taken on grounds of public security and the need to identify individuals, will give further impetus to demands in France and the Netherlands for similar measures. ...
Belgium poised to ban full-face Muslim veils in public spaces
Rory Watson in Brussels
Belgium is poised to become the first country in Europe to ban Muslim veils that cover the face fully after the lower house of parliament overwhelmingly endorsed the move last night.
In one of their last legislative decisions before national elections next month, 134 members of the House of Representatives supported moves to prohibit the burka, a head-to-toe garment, and the niqab — which covers only the woman’s face — in public buildings, streets and sports grounds. No MP opposed the ban and two abstained. The decision, taken on grounds of public security and the need to identify individuals, will give further impetus to demands in France and the Netherlands for similar measures. ...
Banksy gives band £200k painting 'in apology for stealing their name'
Banksy, the graffiti artist, gave a £200,000 painting to a band after he accidentally "stole" their name as the title to his new film, Exit Through the Gift Shop.
Banksy, the graffiti artist, gave a £200,000 painting to a band after he accidentally "stole" their name as the title to his new film, Exit Through the Gift Shop.
... "The Bible is a manual of bad morals (which) has a powerful influence on our culture and even our way of life. Without the Bible, we would be different, and probably better people," he was quoted as saying by the news agency Lusa.
Saramago attacked "a cruel, jealous and unbearable God (who) exists only in our heads" and said he did not think his book would cause problems for the Catholic Church "because Catholics do not read the Bible.
"It might offend Jews, but that doesn't really matter to me," he added. ...
Saramago attacked "a cruel, jealous and unbearable God (who) exists only in our heads" and said he did not think his book would cause problems for the Catholic Church "because Catholics do not read the Bible.
"It might offend Jews, but that doesn't really matter to me," he added. ...
... When he finally finished, he was left with the head-scratching task of getting the 18-tonne yacht out of the back garden.
Owen nervously looked on as a huge crane was brought in to carefully hoist it 40ft in the air over his late mother's detached house and onto a lorry.
It was then driven to a marina and to Owen's delight it floated and showed no signs of leaking when lowered into the water.
Now, 28 years after he first started, the dad of one is at last preparing to set sail in his beloved yacht, Wight Dolphin, with his long-suffering wife Anne.
Owen said: "I am so relieved that it's finished.
"There were times when I thought it would never end but I'm the sort of person who likes to finish something once I've started.
"A lot of people build their own boats but they do it with kits - I did it from scratch with sheets of steel and pieces of wood.
"I did have a few problems but I got there in the end.
"Now that it's finished I am really pleased and proud with what I have done." ...
Owen nervously looked on as a huge crane was brought in to carefully hoist it 40ft in the air over his late mother's detached house and onto a lorry.
It was then driven to a marina and to Owen's delight it floated and showed no signs of leaking when lowered into the water.
Now, 28 years after he first started, the dad of one is at last preparing to set sail in his beloved yacht, Wight Dolphin, with his long-suffering wife Anne.
Owen said: "I am so relieved that it's finished.
"There were times when I thought it would never end but I'm the sort of person who likes to finish something once I've started.
"A lot of people build their own boats but they do it with kits - I did it from scratch with sheets of steel and pieces of wood.
"I did have a few problems but I got there in the end.
"Now that it's finished I am really pleased and proud with what I have done." ...
April 23, 2010
Stranded Britons rescued by £1,000-a-week cruise liner Celebrity Eclipse
Graham Keeley aboard SS Celebrity Eclipse, Bilbao
As she sipped champagne at breakfast time in the lavish Moonlight Sonata banqueting suite, Caroline Birtill reflected on how her luck had changed.
Twenty-four hours earlier she had been stuck in Benalmadena on the Costa del Sol with no route home and four days late for work.
Now she was the first of 2,000 British passengers given a free trip home from Spain on the luxury cruise liner Celebrity Eclipse, in one of the biggest peace-time evacuations in recent years.
“The teachers at my school have been very sympathetic,” said Ms Birtill, 57, head of languages at a school in Nunthorpe, near Middlesbrough.
“They might not feel so sympathetic if they saw me now.”
Ms Birtill had paid £480 for a week on the Costa del Sol but was about to spend 28 hours sailing from Bilbao to Southampton on a 15-deck cruise ship, which normally costs around £1,000 per person for a week’s cruise.
With tens of thousands of Britons struggling to get home to Britain amid the travel chaos caused by the no-flight ban, the cruise liner’s US owners, Celebrity Cruises, stepped in to offer their five-star ship to take home.
The ship, which boasts its own lawn with real grass, three swimming pools, 13 bars, two penthouse suites, and a resident glass-blowing team, was about to embark on its maiden voyage with travel industry representatives earlier this week.
However, a last-minute rethink by bosses with an eye for a PR coup led to the mercy mission. The £500 million Celebrity Eclipse set sail from Southampton on Thursday and docked in Bilbao early today.
After all the passengers had boarded it set sail from Bilbao for Southampton just after 1pm GMT.
Most of the tired Britons boarding the ship had been bussed from southern Spain to the Basque port overnight for journey home. Some had been flown by tour operators to resorts in Spain from Mexico and Egypt. ...
Well done, those bosses with an eye for a PR coup!
Stranded Britons rescued by £1,000-a-week cruise liner Celebrity Eclipse
Graham Keeley aboard SS Celebrity Eclipse, Bilbao
As she sipped champagne at breakfast time in the lavish Moonlight Sonata banqueting suite, Caroline Birtill reflected on how her luck had changed.
Twenty-four hours earlier she had been stuck in Benalmadena on the Costa del Sol with no route home and four days late for work.
Now she was the first of 2,000 British passengers given a free trip home from Spain on the luxury cruise liner Celebrity Eclipse, in one of the biggest peace-time evacuations in recent years.
“The teachers at my school have been very sympathetic,” said Ms Birtill, 57, head of languages at a school in Nunthorpe, near Middlesbrough.
“They might not feel so sympathetic if they saw me now.”
Ms Birtill had paid £480 for a week on the Costa del Sol but was about to spend 28 hours sailing from Bilbao to Southampton on a 15-deck cruise ship, which normally costs around £1,000 per person for a week’s cruise.
With tens of thousands of Britons struggling to get home to Britain amid the travel chaos caused by the no-flight ban, the cruise liner’s US owners, Celebrity Cruises, stepped in to offer their five-star ship to take home.
The ship, which boasts its own lawn with real grass, three swimming pools, 13 bars, two penthouse suites, and a resident glass-blowing team, was about to embark on its maiden voyage with travel industry representatives earlier this week.
However, a last-minute rethink by bosses with an eye for a PR coup led to the mercy mission. The £500 million Celebrity Eclipse set sail from Southampton on Thursday and docked in Bilbao early today.
After all the passengers had boarded it set sail from Bilbao for Southampton just after 1pm GMT.
Most of the tired Britons boarding the ship had been bussed from southern Spain to the Basque port overnight for journey home. Some had been flown by tour operators to resorts in Spain from Mexico and Egypt. ...
Well done, those bosses with an eye for a PR coup!
The day the Ku Klux Klan paid a visit to this cauldron of racial hatred in Mississippi is deeply etched on James Young’s memory. He remembers his father standing in the front room of the family home with a shotgun in his hand as Klansmen rampaged through the town, lynching blacks and firebombing their churches.
That was 1964, when whites held every elected office in the town down to the local tax assessor and one of the Deep South’s most infamous atrocities had just unfolded — the murder of three civil rights workers depicted a generation later in the film Mississippi Burning.
It is no surprise then that Mr Young, 53, still struggles to describe how he feels about becoming the first black mayor of Philadelphia, Mississippi. Many contend that his election was even more remarkable and unforeseen than Barack Obama’s ascent to the White House.
“I recently met a black lady, she was about 100 years old,” Mr Young says as he sits in the tiny mayor’s office, two blocks from the courthouse where five years ago the Klan leader who masterminded the 1964 murders finally met justice and was convicted of manslaughter.
“She said, ‘I didn’t think I’d ever live to see a black president.’ Her next statement was: ‘And I sure did not ever believe a black man would be mayor of Philadelphia’ .” ...
... “I had to get somebody to answer my phone at home. I got calls from all over the world and from all 50 states, people just ringing to congratulate me, people crying on the phone, telling me they couldn’t believe it had happened in Philadelphia. I just didn’t think Philadelphia had garnered that much attention.
“Older black men and women kept coming to the office, they started talking, they would start crying, the tears rolling down their cheeks, not believing that they had lived long enough to see this, knowing the struggles that took place in the 50s and 60s in this area and in the South. They would start talking about events in their life, the mistreatment, not being able to vote, being excluded from the political scene — for me to be elected mayor of Philadelphia was to them a dream come true.” ...
That was 1964, when whites held every elected office in the town down to the local tax assessor and one of the Deep South’s most infamous atrocities had just unfolded — the murder of three civil rights workers depicted a generation later in the film Mississippi Burning.
It is no surprise then that Mr Young, 53, still struggles to describe how he feels about becoming the first black mayor of Philadelphia, Mississippi. Many contend that his election was even more remarkable and unforeseen than Barack Obama’s ascent to the White House.
“I recently met a black lady, she was about 100 years old,” Mr Young says as he sits in the tiny mayor’s office, two blocks from the courthouse where five years ago the Klan leader who masterminded the 1964 murders finally met justice and was convicted of manslaughter.
“She said, ‘I didn’t think I’d ever live to see a black president.’ Her next statement was: ‘And I sure did not ever believe a black man would be mayor of Philadelphia’ .” ...
... “I had to get somebody to answer my phone at home. I got calls from all over the world and from all 50 states, people just ringing to congratulate me, people crying on the phone, telling me they couldn’t believe it had happened in Philadelphia. I just didn’t think Philadelphia had garnered that much attention.
“Older black men and women kept coming to the office, they started talking, they would start crying, the tears rolling down their cheeks, not believing that they had lived long enough to see this, knowing the struggles that took place in the 50s and 60s in this area and in the South. They would start talking about events in their life, the mistreatment, not being able to vote, being excluded from the political scene — for me to be elected mayor of Philadelphia was to them a dream come true.” ...
Alistair Darling: the world will back IMF bank taxes
UK chancellor says that Britain, the US and the eurozone countries agree that banks need to be cut down to size
Larry Elliott and Jill Treanor
Wednesday 21 April 2010
The G20 group of rich and poor countries is likely to make rapid progress on a radical IMF plan to tax the world's financial institutions in the hope of reaching a deal by the end of the year, the chancellor, Alistair Darling, said today.
Speaking to the Guardian, the chancellor said that Britain, the US and the eurozone countries were agreed that action needed to be taken to cut banks down to size and to prevent another crisis putting pressure on public finances.
Despite opposition from Canada, which will host the next G20 meeting this summer, Darling said pressure from those countries with major financial centres would keep the issue high on the agenda. The resilience of Canada's banks during the three-year financial crisis has made Ottawa reluctant to discuss taxes on finance at the G20, but the chancellor said: "If everybody else wants to discuss it, nobody is going to keep it off the agenda."
Prospects for an international deal have improved since the Obama administration adopted a more aggressive approach towards Wall Street banks earlier this year. Darling said: "I hope that we will have the principles agreed by the end of the year, and convert them into practice later."
He added, however, that there would be no sudden introduction of either of the two charges proposed by the IMF this week: a financial stability contribution to fund any future bailout; and a financial activities tax on bank profits and pay. ...
UK chancellor says that Britain, the US and the eurozone countries agree that banks need to be cut down to size
Larry Elliott and Jill Treanor
Wednesday 21 April 2010
The G20 group of rich and poor countries is likely to make rapid progress on a radical IMF plan to tax the world's financial institutions in the hope of reaching a deal by the end of the year, the chancellor, Alistair Darling, said today.
Speaking to the Guardian, the chancellor said that Britain, the US and the eurozone countries were agreed that action needed to be taken to cut banks down to size and to prevent another crisis putting pressure on public finances.
Despite opposition from Canada, which will host the next G20 meeting this summer, Darling said pressure from those countries with major financial centres would keep the issue high on the agenda. The resilience of Canada's banks during the three-year financial crisis has made Ottawa reluctant to discuss taxes on finance at the G20, but the chancellor said: "If everybody else wants to discuss it, nobody is going to keep it off the agenda."
Prospects for an international deal have improved since the Obama administration adopted a more aggressive approach towards Wall Street banks earlier this year. Darling said: "I hope that we will have the principles agreed by the end of the year, and convert them into practice later."
He added, however, that there would be no sudden introduction of either of the two charges proposed by the IMF this week: a financial stability contribution to fund any future bailout; and a financial activities tax on bank profits and pay. ...
Good aim; good lad.
Pray Before the Head of 'Bob'
The Ultimate Oracle: Over 1625038 Questions Answered
Of the many True Oracles, none are more profound than the Mystical Smoking Head of 'Bob'. Not even the Severed Head of Arnold Palmer can penetrate the veils of bulldada protecting the Norms from the Terrifying Truths and Puzzling Evidence.
Concentrate and ask a Yes or No Question
Oh, By The Frop Of His Pipe, Grant Me Vision!
The Ultimate Oracle: Over 1625038 Questions Answered
Of the many True Oracles, none are more profound than the Mystical Smoking Head of 'Bob'. Not even the Severed Head of Arnold Palmer can penetrate the veils of bulldada protecting the Norms from the Terrifying Truths and Puzzling Evidence.
Concentrate and ask a Yes or No Question
Oh, By The Frop Of His Pipe, Grant Me Vision!
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"Guerrilla gardeners" sprucing up London by night
Wed Apr 14, 2010
By Rebekah Curtis
LONDON (Reuters Life!) - They defy the power of the state with raids under cover of darkness using grenades, slingshots and surreptitious sprinkling in an all out war to beautify the capital's neglected public spaces.
London's "guerrilla gardeners," armed with spades and trowels, are behind a number of the floral displays on the city's roundabouts (traffic circles) and roadside spaces.
They often operate in the dark of night because they are gardening in public spaces without permission from governmental authorities who don't often take kindly to their interference.
"I will do it at night or when it's pouring with rain," said Richard Reynolds, founder of website www.guerrillagardening.org and author of "On Guerrilla Gardening."
"When it's a new location it's better out of hours. You're less likely to have confrontation with a contractor," said the 32-year-old, whose job is in advertising. "You don't know what's going to happen."
Some participants start operating in daylight as they gain confidence, he said, and add their own touches to the city when no one is looking.
For weeks, one city worker has been sprinkling thousands of wild flower seeds in the capital during his daily walk to work, because he wants to brighten up the city, he said. ...
Wed Apr 14, 2010
By Rebekah Curtis
LONDON (Reuters Life!) - They defy the power of the state with raids under cover of darkness using grenades, slingshots and surreptitious sprinkling in an all out war to beautify the capital's neglected public spaces.
London's "guerrilla gardeners," armed with spades and trowels, are behind a number of the floral displays on the city's roundabouts (traffic circles) and roadside spaces.
They often operate in the dark of night because they are gardening in public spaces without permission from governmental authorities who don't often take kindly to their interference.
"I will do it at night or when it's pouring with rain," said Richard Reynolds, founder of website www.guerrillagardening.org and author of "On Guerrilla Gardening."
"When it's a new location it's better out of hours. You're less likely to have confrontation with a contractor," said the 32-year-old, whose job is in advertising. "You don't know what's going to happen."
Some participants start operating in daylight as they gain confidence, he said, and add their own touches to the city when no one is looking.
For weeks, one city worker has been sprinkling thousands of wild flower seeds in the capital during his daily walk to work, because he wants to brighten up the city, he said. ...
Medical Marijuana Bill Moves Through Maryland Senate In Landslide
First Posted: 04-10-10
The Maryland Senate voted on Saturday to allow patients access to medical marijuana at state-licensed dispensaries. The bill now moves to the state's lower chamber.
The bill was approved overwhelmingly, with bipartisan support and without objections or discussion, by a 35-12 margin.
Maryland would join 14 other states in legalizing medical marijuana. The neighboring District of Columbia legalized it in a 1998 referendum that was only recently allowed by Congress to go into effect. The District's city council is writing rules to establish the city's medical marijuana policy.
Current Maryland law allows defendants charged with pot possession to cite a medical necessity defense. If a judge deems the drug to be beneficial, a maximum hundred dollar civil fine is imposed.
Lawmakers and advocates argued that the law unfairly forced patients to obtain marijuana in the black market. The new law would bring transparency and regulation to the industry.
"I'm very proud of my Senate colleagues today for voting to provide some of our most vulnerable residents with the compassion and care that they deserve," said Sen. David Brinkley (R-Frederick), the bill's sponsor and a two-time cancer survivor. "Anyone who has watched a loved one suffer from a debilitating illness would agree that we should not stand between doctors and patients, or deprive seriously ill people safe access to a legitimate medicine if it can help them cope with their illness." ...
First Posted: 04-10-10
The Maryland Senate voted on Saturday to allow patients access to medical marijuana at state-licensed dispensaries. The bill now moves to the state's lower chamber.
The bill was approved overwhelmingly, with bipartisan support and without objections or discussion, by a 35-12 margin.
Maryland would join 14 other states in legalizing medical marijuana. The neighboring District of Columbia legalized it in a 1998 referendum that was only recently allowed by Congress to go into effect. The District's city council is writing rules to establish the city's medical marijuana policy.
Current Maryland law allows defendants charged with pot possession to cite a medical necessity defense. If a judge deems the drug to be beneficial, a maximum hundred dollar civil fine is imposed.
Lawmakers and advocates argued that the law unfairly forced patients to obtain marijuana in the black market. The new law would bring transparency and regulation to the industry.
"I'm very proud of my Senate colleagues today for voting to provide some of our most vulnerable residents with the compassion and care that they deserve," said Sen. David Brinkley (R-Frederick), the bill's sponsor and a two-time cancer survivor. "Anyone who has watched a loved one suffer from a debilitating illness would agree that we should not stand between doctors and patients, or deprive seriously ill people safe access to a legitimate medicine if it can help them cope with their illness." ...
Austrian takes pickaxe to Street View spymobile
Septuagenarian has hard line on privacy
By Lester Haines
9th April 2010
An Austrian old timer could be in a spot of bother with police after he chased a Street View spymobile with a pickaxe, the Austrian Times reports.
Google's Orwellian Opels have apparently come out of winter hibernation to continue their invasion of Austria. This didn't go down too well with 70-year-old Hermann Zach, who strongly objected to one prowling the streets of Steyregg earlier this week.
Zach explained: “I was working in the garden when I noticed this weird car on the road. I told the driver to make a move but he just didn’t listen. So I grabbed my pickaxe and ran after him." ...
Septuagenarian has hard line on privacy
By Lester Haines
9th April 2010
An Austrian old timer could be in a spot of bother with police after he chased a Street View spymobile with a pickaxe, the Austrian Times reports.
Google's Orwellian Opels have apparently come out of winter hibernation to continue their invasion of Austria. This didn't go down too well with 70-year-old Hermann Zach, who strongly objected to one prowling the streets of Steyregg earlier this week.
Zach explained: “I was working in the garden when I noticed this weird car on the road. I told the driver to make a move but he just didn’t listen. So I grabbed my pickaxe and ran after him." ...
Amen, Sister. Bless ya.
Why we must break up the banks
Paul Krugman says it isn't necessary – but breaking up financial giants would at least give us hope that things can change
Dean Baker
Wednesday 7 April 2010
It's not often that I disagree with Paul Krugman, but there are occasions where at least one of us is wrong. And the treatment of too big to fail (TBTF) banks is one of them.
Krugman argued in a column last week that breaking up the TBTF banks is not a necessary part of financial reform. Krugman pointed to the example of Canada as a country with a well-regulated financial system. Canada did not experience a financial crisis in 2008 in spite of the fact that five big banks essentially account for the whole of the Canadian banking system. On the other side, Krugman noted that the collapse of large numbers of small banks can also create a crisis, pointing to the chain of bank collapses at the start of the Great Depression.
These are valid points, but to paraphrase Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz: "we're not in Canada anymore." While Canadian banking regulation appears to have been effective thus far (we may want to see how they cope with a yet to deflate housing bubble before pronouncing it a success), Canada is a very different country from the United States. In Canada, they have had universal Medicare for 40 years. As the first President Bush used to say, it is a kinder, gentler, country.
This matters for financial regulation, because there is a level of independence and integrity on the part of the regulators in Canada that does not exist in the United States. The line in Washington is that if you want to talk to someone from Goldman Sachs, call the treasury department. ...
Paul Krugman says it isn't necessary – but breaking up financial giants would at least give us hope that things can change
Dean Baker
Wednesday 7 April 2010
It's not often that I disagree with Paul Krugman, but there are occasions where at least one of us is wrong. And the treatment of too big to fail (TBTF) banks is one of them.
Krugman argued in a column last week that breaking up the TBTF banks is not a necessary part of financial reform. Krugman pointed to the example of Canada as a country with a well-regulated financial system. Canada did not experience a financial crisis in 2008 in spite of the fact that five big banks essentially account for the whole of the Canadian banking system. On the other side, Krugman noted that the collapse of large numbers of small banks can also create a crisis, pointing to the chain of bank collapses at the start of the Great Depression.
These are valid points, but to paraphrase Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz: "we're not in Canada anymore." While Canadian banking regulation appears to have been effective thus far (we may want to see how they cope with a yet to deflate housing bubble before pronouncing it a success), Canada is a very different country from the United States. In Canada, they have had universal Medicare for 40 years. As the first President Bush used to say, it is a kinder, gentler, country.
This matters for financial regulation, because there is a level of independence and integrity on the part of the regulators in Canada that does not exist in the United States. The line in Washington is that if you want to talk to someone from Goldman Sachs, call the treasury department. ...
Welsh lifeboatman on a shopping trip saves the Titanic
Crew member of yacht sinking in the Caribbean phones friend in Aberystwyth to mobilise international rescue
Martin Wainwright
Tuesday 6 April 2010
... "He came on my mobile shouting 'Alex, I'm in the shit and I need your help'," said Evans, who was queuing to pay at the DIY store with his mother.
His credulity was also stretched by the name of the yacht – which like the ill-fated luxury liner that hit an iceberg in 1912 belongs to a company called the White Star Line.
It was only after heartfelt reassurances that he swung into action, co-ordinating the rescue from the store's kitchen section. He took down grid references for the 79-metre, 1,700-tonne yacht on a till receipt and phoned them through to Milford Haven coastguards.
The alert was passed to Falmouth, which deals with international emergencies, and within an hour a French spotter plane located the Titanic. A United States coastguard cutter arrived at the scene shortly afterwards and towed the damaged vessel to port.
Evans said that his friend had made a sensible choice, because his Royal National Lifeboat Institution contacts meant that the coastguard in turn did not suspect a hoax.
He said: "In his panic, I think it was either me or his mum, and she might not have had much luck if she had rung the coastguard and said 'My son is in a sinking ship in the Caribbean called the Titanic'."
The yacht, which was playfully renamed after its previous owners decided to transfer its old name to a new ship, had taken on two and a half metres depth of water in the engine room by the time rescuers arrived.
Corbett, who is also from Aberystwyth, was taken ashore with the other two crewmen and is due back in Wales later this week.
Renaming a ship is notoriously unlucky, and choosing Titanic might be considered a particular challenge to fate. Evans said: "If you really have to rename a ship, you are supposed to swim around her three times naked, explaining why. But even then I don't think it's a good idea to choose a name like Titanic. I certainly wouldn't."
Crew member of yacht sinking in the Caribbean phones friend in Aberystwyth to mobilise international rescue
Martin Wainwright
Tuesday 6 April 2010
... "He came on my mobile shouting 'Alex, I'm in the shit and I need your help'," said Evans, who was queuing to pay at the DIY store with his mother.
His credulity was also stretched by the name of the yacht – which like the ill-fated luxury liner that hit an iceberg in 1912 belongs to a company called the White Star Line.
It was only after heartfelt reassurances that he swung into action, co-ordinating the rescue from the store's kitchen section. He took down grid references for the 79-metre, 1,700-tonne yacht on a till receipt and phoned them through to Milford Haven coastguards.
The alert was passed to Falmouth, which deals with international emergencies, and within an hour a French spotter plane located the Titanic. A United States coastguard cutter arrived at the scene shortly afterwards and towed the damaged vessel to port.
Evans said that his friend had made a sensible choice, because his Royal National Lifeboat Institution contacts meant that the coastguard in turn did not suspect a hoax.
He said: "In his panic, I think it was either me or his mum, and she might not have had much luck if she had rung the coastguard and said 'My son is in a sinking ship in the Caribbean called the Titanic'."
The yacht, which was playfully renamed after its previous owners decided to transfer its old name to a new ship, had taken on two and a half metres depth of water in the engine room by the time rescuers arrived.
Corbett, who is also from Aberystwyth, was taken ashore with the other two crewmen and is due back in Wales later this week.
Renaming a ship is notoriously unlucky, and choosing Titanic might be considered a particular challenge to fate. Evans said: "If you really have to rename a ship, you are supposed to swim around her three times naked, explaining why. But even then I don't think it's a good idea to choose a name like Titanic. I certainly wouldn't."
It has been a good week for Charles Brewer-Carias. He caught a highly venomous snake. He had a snail named after him. His discovery of a new species of frog was confirmed. And he came a step closer to unveiling what he reckons is the world's oldest living organism.
If that sounds implausible it is because Brewer-Carias is implausible: a septuagenarian explorer, naturalist, author and adventurer who belongs in a Victorian novel but lives on a hill overlooking Caracas and plans, among other things, an expedition to El Dorado.
"This is what keeps me going: discovery," he said, from a home decorated with butterflies, tarantulas and huge bugs in glass cases. "It's about transmitting information that has been shielded from humans for aeons."
Arguably modernity and its rules have been shielded from Brewer-Carias, the grandson of a British diplomat, since he decided more than half a century ago to explore Venezuela's jungles and live a life less ordinary.
He had trained as a dentist and ended up using those skills to treat and study the Yekuana tribe, whose language he speaks fluently, and lead expeditions of botanists and geographers. ...
If that sounds implausible it is because Brewer-Carias is implausible: a septuagenarian explorer, naturalist, author and adventurer who belongs in a Victorian novel but lives on a hill overlooking Caracas and plans, among other things, an expedition to El Dorado.
"This is what keeps me going: discovery," he said, from a home decorated with butterflies, tarantulas and huge bugs in glass cases. "It's about transmitting information that has been shielded from humans for aeons."
Arguably modernity and its rules have been shielded from Brewer-Carias, the grandson of a British diplomat, since he decided more than half a century ago to explore Venezuela's jungles and live a life less ordinary.
He had trained as a dentist and ended up using those skills to treat and study the Yekuana tribe, whose language he speaks fluently, and lead expeditions of botanists and geographers. ...
Some of the suppressed fury of German Catholics about the handling of the child abuse scandal spilled over into an attack on a bishop during Easter Sunday High Mass.
Bishop Felix Genn had to hold aloft an incense container to fend off the blows from a broomstick wielded by an angry parishioner trying to beat him on the altar of Germany's ancient Münster Cathedral.
The attack was the first act of physical violence in a highly emotional Easter festival that has been overshadowed by months of child molestation accusations against priests.
The 44-year-old assailant ran forward at the beginning of the service and toppled the large Easter candle, then turned on the bishop. ...
Nice try.
Bishop Felix Genn had to hold aloft an incense container to fend off the blows from a broomstick wielded by an angry parishioner trying to beat him on the altar of Germany's ancient Münster Cathedral.
The attack was the first act of physical violence in a highly emotional Easter festival that has been overshadowed by months of child molestation accusations against priests.
The 44-year-old assailant ran forward at the beginning of the service and toppled the large Easter candle, then turned on the bishop. ...
Nice try.
It may yet become known as the Good Friday Rebellion. Across Germany, Roman Catholic priests admitted from the pulpit that the Church had betrayed and abused children in its care — and quietly but firmly many believers let the Church know that they were deeply unhappy.
At the Jesuit-run Saint Canesius church in Berlin, worshippers were asked in the customary Good Friday High Mass to pray for Pope Benedict XVI and the bishops of the Church. The congregation duly knelt. Then the priest appealed: “Let us pray for the children who have been done great injustice within the Church community, who were abused.” The congregation made to bend their knees but the priest was not finished. “And for those who have sinned against children,” he added. Half of the congregation, perhaps 150 people, remained silently standing — a rare flash of defiance. The cause could have been a nasty outbreak of rheumatism — St Canesius has a cold stone floor — but similar scenes were reported across the country.
More than 20 out of 27 dioceses had agreed to integrate the prayers into the service. The formula had been worked out by Stephan Ackermann, Bishop of Trier, charged with investigating the abuse claims. Last week he introduced a hotline for victims and found that 20 callers said that they had been abused in his diocese.
“No, the prayer for the children wasn’t a surprise,” said one of the Berlin worshippers, “it was relief. But did you notice there were only three families in the congregation? That was unusual here but at the moment churches are not places you take children.” ...
At the Jesuit-run Saint Canesius church in Berlin, worshippers were asked in the customary Good Friday High Mass to pray for Pope Benedict XVI and the bishops of the Church. The congregation duly knelt. Then the priest appealed: “Let us pray for the children who have been done great injustice within the Church community, who were abused.” The congregation made to bend their knees but the priest was not finished. “And for those who have sinned against children,” he added. Half of the congregation, perhaps 150 people, remained silently standing — a rare flash of defiance. The cause could have been a nasty outbreak of rheumatism — St Canesius has a cold stone floor — but similar scenes were reported across the country.
More than 20 out of 27 dioceses had agreed to integrate the prayers into the service. The formula had been worked out by Stephan Ackermann, Bishop of Trier, charged with investigating the abuse claims. Last week he introduced a hotline for victims and found that 20 callers said that they had been abused in his diocese.
“No, the prayer for the children wasn’t a surprise,” said one of the Berlin worshippers, “it was relief. But did you notice there were only three families in the congregation? That was unusual here but at the moment churches are not places you take children.” ...
Let's have that over here, please.
Poor lions prolly got tummyaches.
A major figure in Mexico's violent underworld known as the King of Heroin has been arrested in the western state of Michoacan.
Jose Antonio Medina, nicknamed 'don Pepe' was allegedly the largest smuggler of heroin into the United States, responsible for running thousands of pounds worth of heroin into southern California each year.
Mr Medina, 36, ran a complex smuggling operation that delivered at least 440 pounds (200 kg) of heroin each month across the Mexica border in Tijuana for the powerful La Familia drug cartel, according to Ramon Pequeno, head of the anti-narcotics division of Mexico's federal police.
The heroin, which was hidden in vehicles driven acorss the border, sold for about $60 a gram in the U.S, netting Medina a profit of about $12-million a month.
The arrest comes as a government report claims Mexican criminal organizations have more than doubled heroin production in a year and have cemented their grip as the predominant wholesale suppliers of illicit drugs in the United States, taking over from Colombia where production of the drug has declined in recent years..
The report by the National Drug Threat Assessment concluded that Mexican groups were the only drug trafficking enterprises operating in every region of the United States, with heroin production in Mexico rising from 17 pure metric tons in 2007 to 38 tons in 2008. ...
Goddamn that shit is evil.
Jose Antonio Medina, nicknamed 'don Pepe' was allegedly the largest smuggler of heroin into the United States, responsible for running thousands of pounds worth of heroin into southern California each year.
Mr Medina, 36, ran a complex smuggling operation that delivered at least 440 pounds (200 kg) of heroin each month across the Mexica border in Tijuana for the powerful La Familia drug cartel, according to Ramon Pequeno, head of the anti-narcotics division of Mexico's federal police.
The heroin, which was hidden in vehicles driven acorss the border, sold for about $60 a gram in the U.S, netting Medina a profit of about $12-million a month.
The arrest comes as a government report claims Mexican criminal organizations have more than doubled heroin production in a year and have cemented their grip as the predominant wholesale suppliers of illicit drugs in the United States, taking over from Colombia where production of the drug has declined in recent years..
The report by the National Drug Threat Assessment concluded that Mexican groups were the only drug trafficking enterprises operating in every region of the United States, with heroin production in Mexico rising from 17 pure metric tons in 2007 to 38 tons in 2008. ...
Goddamn that shit is evil.
Yeah, and the Frogistanis agree with her.
Ze Frenssch are no longair feeling cozy towairds scarkozy.
A judge has rejected a $657m (£437m) deal to compensate workers who suffered ill-health after helping out at New York's Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks, ruling the sum is not adequate.
Federal judge Alvin Hellerstein said the proposed payout was not a fair deal for about 10,000 police officers, firefighters and labourers made sick by the dust and debris.
Under the settlement, the amount received by each responder is based on a complicated points system that would give some workers only a few thousand dollars while others might qualify for $1m or more.
The judge said he was concerned too much of the money would be eaten up by legal fees and that the plaintiffs were being pressured into signing up to the agreement before they knew how much they stood to receive.
A third or more of the cash was expected to go to lawyers.
Workers have been given just 90 days to decide whether they agree to the terms, far too short a time for such an important decision, said Hellerstein.
"I will not preside over a settlement that is based on fear or ignorance," he said.
Hellerstein, who rules over all federal court litigation related to the terror attacks, had heard from several tearful responders speaking about their illnesses, and received letters and phone calls from others expressing confusion about the deal. ...
Federal judge Alvin Hellerstein said the proposed payout was not a fair deal for about 10,000 police officers, firefighters and labourers made sick by the dust and debris.
Under the settlement, the amount received by each responder is based on a complicated points system that would give some workers only a few thousand dollars while others might qualify for $1m or more.
The judge said he was concerned too much of the money would be eaten up by legal fees and that the plaintiffs were being pressured into signing up to the agreement before they knew how much they stood to receive.
A third or more of the cash was expected to go to lawyers.
Workers have been given just 90 days to decide whether they agree to the terms, far too short a time for such an important decision, said Hellerstein.
"I will not preside over a settlement that is based on fear or ignorance," he said.
Hellerstein, who rules over all federal court litigation related to the terror attacks, had heard from several tearful responders speaking about their illnesses, and received letters and phone calls from others expressing confusion about the deal. ...
... In the bullpen tonight Jim Pagliaroni was telling us how Ted Williams, when he was still playing, would psyche himself up for a game during batting practice, usually early practice before the fans or reporters got there.
He’d go into the cage, wave his bat at the pitcher and start screaming at the top of his voice, “My name is Ted fucking Williams and I’m the greatest hitter in baseball.”
He’d swing and hit a line drive.
“Jesus H. Christ Himself couldn’t get me out.”
And he’d hit another.
Then he’d say, “Here comes Jim Bunning. Jim fucking Bunning and that little shit slider of his.”
Wham!
“He doesn’t really think he’s gonna get me out with that shit.”
Blam!
“I’m Ted fucking Williams.”
Sock!
Mr Bouton also points out that Mr Williams was fond of calling himself Mr Baseball, Teddy Baseball, and Teddy fucking Baseball of the MFL (Major Fucking League).
He’d go into the cage, wave his bat at the pitcher and start screaming at the top of his voice, “My name is Ted fucking Williams and I’m the greatest hitter in baseball.”
He’d swing and hit a line drive.
“Jesus H. Christ Himself couldn’t get me out.”
And he’d hit another.
Then he’d say, “Here comes Jim Bunning. Jim fucking Bunning and that little shit slider of his.”
Wham!
“He doesn’t really think he’s gonna get me out with that shit.”
Blam!
“I’m Ted fucking Williams.”
Sock!
Mr Bouton also points out that Mr Williams was fond of calling himself Mr Baseball, Teddy Baseball, and Teddy fucking Baseball of the MFL (Major Fucking League).
The US Senate was stuck behind a roadblock in the person of Jim Bunning, the Republican senator from Kentucky who who used Senate procedural rules to shut down its business.
Aside from being a politician of eccentric views, and not highly popular among Republicans, Bunning is best known as a skilled major league baseball pitcher of the 1950s and 1960s. He may not have been one of the great pitchers – measured by the standards of Warren Spahn or Bob Gibson, say – but he has the distinction of being one of the few players to ever pitch a perfect game in the majors. (A perfect game being one where no opposing batter reaches first base.)
There are more details of Bunning's baseball career here – including Bunning's appearance in the best book about baseball ever written, Ball Four, by Jim Bouton ...
Aside from being a politician of eccentric views, and not highly popular among Republicans, Bunning is best known as a skilled major league baseball pitcher of the 1950s and 1960s. He may not have been one of the great pitchers – measured by the standards of Warren Spahn or Bob Gibson, say – but he has the distinction of being one of the few players to ever pitch a perfect game in the majors. (A perfect game being one where no opposing batter reaches first base.)
There are more details of Bunning's baseball career here – including Bunning's appearance in the best book about baseball ever written, Ball Four, by Jim Bouton ...
200 Russian tanks found abandoned in forest
The Russian army is embroiled in an embarrassing scandal after 200 of its tanks were found abandoned near a forest in central Russia, unguarded and unlocked.
By Andrew Osborn in Moscow
Published: 2:18PM GMT 28 Feb 2010
A news website near the city of Yekaterinburg posted a video of the forgotten tanks showing passers-by clambering inside the vehicles and playing with empty ammunition belts. The only items that seemed to be missing were live rounds and the keys to the tanks' ignitions.
"There are tanks all over the forest, abandoned," an unnamed reporter on the video says. "If you need one, come and get it."
Locals in a nearby village said the tanks had been sitting there for almost four months covered in snow. The armoured vehicles were identified as a mixture of T-80 and T-72 battle tanks, the workhorses of the Russian army. ...
The Russian army is embroiled in an embarrassing scandal after 200 of its tanks were found abandoned near a forest in central Russia, unguarded and unlocked.
By Andrew Osborn in Moscow
Published: 2:18PM GMT 28 Feb 2010
A news website near the city of Yekaterinburg posted a video of the forgotten tanks showing passers-by clambering inside the vehicles and playing with empty ammunition belts. The only items that seemed to be missing were live rounds and the keys to the tanks' ignitions.
"There are tanks all over the forest, abandoned," an unnamed reporter on the video says. "If you need one, come and get it."
Locals in a nearby village said the tanks had been sitting there for almost four months covered in snow. The armoured vehicles were identified as a mixture of T-80 and T-72 battle tanks, the workhorses of the Russian army. ...
... Buffett has been criticizing overreaching corporate managers and complaisant directors for decades. But the question of how to motivate good corporate behavior has taken on new weight as Washington debates reining in the financial giants whose missteps brought the economy to its knees two years ago.
The Obama administration last month proposed separating banks' proprietary trading activities from their federally subsidized deposit-gathering and lending ones. Other proposed rules would increase the amount of capital banks hold against losses and how much cash they carry to deal with a surge of withdrawals.
But Buffett said there's a simpler way to cap risk-taking: Forcing lavishly compensated CEOs to take responsibility for assessing the risks at their firms -- and putting their own wealth at stake, to boot.
"It is the behavior of these CEOs and directors that needs to be changed," he wrote. "They have long benefitted from oversized financial carrots; some meaningful sticks now need to be employed as well."
The comment reflects a theme that has run through Buffett's letters to investors over the years: Shareholders are best served by managers who think like owners. More often, he has said, they are ill served by executives who instead pursue value-destroying mergers or pile up debt in a bid to boost returns. ...
The Obama administration last month proposed separating banks' proprietary trading activities from their federally subsidized deposit-gathering and lending ones. Other proposed rules would increase the amount of capital banks hold against losses and how much cash they carry to deal with a surge of withdrawals.
But Buffett said there's a simpler way to cap risk-taking: Forcing lavishly compensated CEOs to take responsibility for assessing the risks at their firms -- and putting their own wealth at stake, to boot.
"It is the behavior of these CEOs and directors that needs to be changed," he wrote. "They have long benefitted from oversized financial carrots; some meaningful sticks now need to be employed as well."
The comment reflects a theme that has run through Buffett's letters to investors over the years: Shareholders are best served by managers who think like owners. More often, he has said, they are ill served by executives who instead pursue value-destroying mergers or pile up debt in a bid to boost returns. ...
... Barledeanu describes himself as a "director" of his own films and considers each collage to be a movie in itself. While many are light-hearted, others are darker, infused with black humour and often focusing on the man he calls his "greatest fear". "I knew that if he knew about my work Ceausescu would not sleep in peace in his grave," he said. "If people had found out about my work they could have chopped my head off … But this is my revenge."
Many of the most explosive collages were made after 1989, but those that were made during the regime have already interested collectors. Antoine de Galbert of La Maison Rouge art foundation said he appreciated "the risk involved" in Barledeanu's work, while Jérôme Neutres of the Grand Palais said the artist's background lent the collages a unique appeal. "Of course there is a fairytale aspect to his work, but that is not important to me. What I like is that he has been spared the usual artistic circles and his work is refreshing as a result," he said.
Whatever the world thinks, Barladeanu says he will carry on working regardless. "It's like eating pie or sandwiches. It fulfils me," he said in his fast-paced Romanian slang. "If I were reincarnated in another life I would still be making collages, and if I could take them to the moon I would."
Many of the most explosive collages were made after 1989, but those that were made during the regime have already interested collectors. Antoine de Galbert of La Maison Rouge art foundation said he appreciated "the risk involved" in Barledeanu's work, while Jérôme Neutres of the Grand Palais said the artist's background lent the collages a unique appeal. "Of course there is a fairytale aspect to his work, but that is not important to me. What I like is that he has been spared the usual artistic circles and his work is refreshing as a result," he said.
Whatever the world thinks, Barladeanu says he will carry on working regardless. "It's like eating pie or sandwiches. It fulfils me," he said in his fast-paced Romanian slang. "If I were reincarnated in another life I would still be making collages, and if I could take them to the moon I would."
Duck Billed Platypus USB Drive
by Ally - on February 19th, 2010
[The] duck billed platypus is such an under loved creature. Thankfully one seller is finally having mercy on the animal. Now you can show your platypus loving side with this handy USB drive. Sure, some people might think it’s silly to carry around a platypus USB drive, but they clearly just don’t know what they’re missing. This happy creature is perfectly content holding onto even the most dull documents that you need.
Of course it’s only half of a platypus instead of the whole thing. Instead of having back legs he just has a USB port. Which is tragic for him, but handy for you. The drive holds 4GB of the necessary items you need to store within it....
Ta much, dear Anneliese
by Ally - on February 19th, 2010
[The] duck billed platypus is such an under loved creature. Thankfully one seller is finally having mercy on the animal. Now you can show your platypus loving side with this handy USB drive. Sure, some people might think it’s silly to carry around a platypus USB drive, but they clearly just don’t know what they’re missing. This happy creature is perfectly content holding onto even the most dull documents that you need.
Of course it’s only half of a platypus instead of the whole thing. Instead of having back legs he just has a USB port. Which is tragic for him, but handy for you. The drive holds 4GB of the necessary items you need to store within it....
Ta much, dear Anneliese
I’m tired of this shit.
It’s about time that everyone learned their damn homophones. If you slept your way through the fourth grade or just skipped all of the grammar lectures because you were too busy sucking off that dude in the locker room, then maybe this table will help clear up some of the fucking confusion.
Commonly fucked up homophones.
These …are not …the fucking same.
Affect - Your horrendous grammar affects the quality of your input as an interlocutor.
Effect - Your grammar’s effects are so unspeakable that you should be prosecuted at The Hague.
*Hint: Effect is most commonly a noun; affect is most commonly a verb.
Bare - By using improper grammar, you are laying bare your ignorance.
Bear - I cannot bear this any longer: please, learn your damn homophones. ...
... Discreet - If you can’t discern the difference between homophones, then be discreet.
Discrete - There is a discrete difference between someone who knows homophones and someone who does not. ...
... Its - Bad grammar shall no longer rear its ugly head.
It’s - It’s a terrible thing to use improper grammar.
*Hint: Its can only be possessive; It’s is a contraction of ‘it’ & ‘is’.
Loose - The grammar gods shall let loose some horrible plague upon you should you choose to continue fucking up homophones.
Lose - Using bad grammar is a social stigma, which makes you lose credibility. ...
... Your - Your grammar sucks.
You’re - You’re an idiot if you fuck up homophones.
*Hint: Your can only be possessive; you’re is a contraction of ‘you’ & ‘are’....
... Please, learn your damn homophones.
You think this is obscene? Do you even read any of the stupid shit you write? That’s obscene.
Ta much, dear MSiegel
It’s about time that everyone learned their damn homophones. If you slept your way through the fourth grade or just skipped all of the grammar lectures because you were too busy sucking off that dude in the locker room, then maybe this table will help clear up some of the fucking confusion.
Commonly fucked up homophones.
These …are not …the fucking same.
Affect - Your horrendous grammar affects the quality of your input as an interlocutor.
Effect - Your grammar’s effects are so unspeakable that you should be prosecuted at The Hague.
*Hint: Effect is most commonly a noun; affect is most commonly a verb.
Bare - By using improper grammar, you are laying bare your ignorance.
Bear - I cannot bear this any longer: please, learn your damn homophones. ...
... Discreet - If you can’t discern the difference between homophones, then be discreet.
Discrete - There is a discrete difference between someone who knows homophones and someone who does not. ...
... Its - Bad grammar shall no longer rear its ugly head.
It’s - It’s a terrible thing to use improper grammar.
*Hint: Its can only be possessive; It’s is a contraction of ‘it’ & ‘is’.
Loose - The grammar gods shall let loose some horrible plague upon you should you choose to continue fucking up homophones.
Lose - Using bad grammar is a social stigma, which makes you lose credibility. ...
... Your - Your grammar sucks.
You’re - You’re an idiot if you fuck up homophones.
*Hint: Your can only be possessive; you’re is a contraction of ‘you’ & ‘are’....
... Please, learn your damn homophones.
You think this is obscene? Do you even read any of the stupid shit you write? That’s obscene.
Ta much, dear MSiegel
It appears that this kid needs to be giving rupee murdick some intart00bz lessons.
Viking frogmen chase Street View spymobile
Google enjoys a traditional Norwegian welcome
By Lester Haines
10th February 2010
Last weekend saw the launch of Google's privacy-busting Street View in Norway, and it didn't take long for locals to spot a traditional Viking welcome for the Great Satan of Mountain View's spymobile on the streets of Bergen:
Luckily for the Google operative, he was able to outrun the belligerent, rubber-clad locals and make good his escape...
Well done the Viking lads!
Google enjoys a traditional Norwegian welcome
By Lester Haines
10th February 2010
Last weekend saw the launch of Google's privacy-busting Street View in Norway, and it didn't take long for locals to spot a traditional Viking welcome for the Great Satan of Mountain View's spymobile on the streets of Bergen:
Luckily for the Google operative, he was able to outrun the belligerent, rubber-clad locals and make good his escape...
Well done the Viking lads!
... A snow day is a good time to catch up on everyone's blogs. I see this list was published at both Le Café Witteveen and the Rabid Atheist, but it's a meme worth repeating. I give you,
12 Reasons Why Gay Marriage Should Be Illegal
1. Homosexuality is not natural, much like eyeglasses, polyester, and birth control.
2. Heterosexual marriages are valid because they produce children. Infertile couples and old people can’t legally get married because the world needs more children.
3. Obviously, gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.
4. Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage is allowed, since Britney Spears’ 55-hour just-for-fun marriage was meaningful.
5. Heterosexual marriage has been around a long time and hasn’t changed at all; women are property, blacks can’t marry whites, and divorce is illegal.
6. Gay marriage should be decided by people, not the courts, because the majority-elected legislatures, not courts, have historically protected the rights of the minorities.
7. Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That’s why we have only one religion in America.
8. Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.
9. Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.
10. Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That’s why single parents are forbidden to raise children.
11. Gay marriage will change the foundation of society. Heterosexual marriage has been around for a long time, and we could never adapt to new social norms because we haven’t adapted to things like cars or longer life-spans.
12. Civil unions, providing most of the same benefits as marriage with a different name are better, because a “separate but equal” institution is always constitutional. Separate schools for African-Americans worked just as well as separate marriages for gays and lesbians will.
Ta much, dear Anneliese
12 Reasons Why Gay Marriage Should Be Illegal
1. Homosexuality is not natural, much like eyeglasses, polyester, and birth control.
2. Heterosexual marriages are valid because they produce children. Infertile couples and old people can’t legally get married because the world needs more children.
3. Obviously, gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.
4. Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage is allowed, since Britney Spears’ 55-hour just-for-fun marriage was meaningful.
5. Heterosexual marriage has been around a long time and hasn’t changed at all; women are property, blacks can’t marry whites, and divorce is illegal.
6. Gay marriage should be decided by people, not the courts, because the majority-elected legislatures, not courts, have historically protected the rights of the minorities.
7. Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That’s why we have only one religion in America.
8. Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.
9. Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.
10. Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That’s why single parents are forbidden to raise children.
11. Gay marriage will change the foundation of society. Heterosexual marriage has been around for a long time, and we could never adapt to new social norms because we haven’t adapted to things like cars or longer life-spans.
12. Civil unions, providing most of the same benefits as marriage with a different name are better, because a “separate but equal” institution is always constitutional. Separate schools for African-Americans worked just as well as separate marriages for gays and lesbians will.
Ta much, dear Anneliese
Vikings vs Pirates: Film at eleven.
I often wish more costumed pets'd attack their owners: it might end the lamentable practice. ;)
Ta much, dear Edosan
Neurons have been created directly from skin cells for the first time, in a remarkable study that suggests that our biological makeup is far more versatile than previously thought.
If confirmed, the discovery that one tissue type can be genetically reprogrammed to become another, could revolutionise treatments for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s, opening up the possibility of turning a patient’s own skin cells into the neurons that they need.
The study by scientists from Stanford University, California, also suggests that skin cells could be reprogrammed to provide a limitless supply of blood or bone marrow for personalised transfusions. ...
If confirmed, the discovery that one tissue type can be genetically reprogrammed to become another, could revolutionise treatments for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s, opening up the possibility of turning a patient’s own skin cells into the neurons that they need.
The study by scientists from Stanford University, California, also suggests that skin cells could be reprogrammed to provide a limitless supply of blood or bone marrow for personalised transfusions. ...
Executive pay should be capped at 20 times average, says union leader
A Davos meeting was told executive pay had reached unsustainable levels compared with workers' pay
Larry Elliott
Wednesday 27 January 2010
A union leader representing 20 million workers worldwide tonight called for executive salaries to be capped at 20 times the pay of the average worker as he branded the system for rewarding business leaders "corrupt" and a "racket".
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Philip Jennings, general secretary of the UNI global union, said the pay gap between those running companies and their workforces had widened to "unsustainable levels".
High-profile support for the union argument was provided by the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, who said the current remuneration model could not be tolerated. "It is morally indefensible and we can't allow a tiny minority to skew the system", Sarkozy said.
The French president added that world leaders should not use recovery from recession as an excuse to slacken the pace of reform. "We need a revolution in world regulation to put labour standards on the same footing as those for trade."
Sarkozy said he couldn't understand why the International Labour Organisation, which tries to raise labour standards, had a lower status than the World Trade Organisation, which seeks to liberalise trade. ...
A Davos meeting was told executive pay had reached unsustainable levels compared with workers' pay
Larry Elliott
Wednesday 27 January 2010
A union leader representing 20 million workers worldwide tonight called for executive salaries to be capped at 20 times the pay of the average worker as he branded the system for rewarding business leaders "corrupt" and a "racket".
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Philip Jennings, general secretary of the UNI global union, said the pay gap between those running companies and their workforces had widened to "unsustainable levels".
High-profile support for the union argument was provided by the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, who said the current remuneration model could not be tolerated. "It is morally indefensible and we can't allow a tiny minority to skew the system", Sarkozy said.
The French president added that world leaders should not use recovery from recession as an excuse to slacken the pace of reform. "We need a revolution in world regulation to put labour standards on the same footing as those for trade."
Sarkozy said he couldn't understand why the International Labour Organisation, which tries to raise labour standards, had a lower status than the World Trade Organisation, which seeks to liberalise trade. ...
January 27, 2010
The gay cartoonists who had the last laugh
Humour was a vital weapon in the campaigning gay press, a new exhibition of cartoon strips reveals
Joseph Galliano
... [David] Shenton and his fellow cartoonist Kate Charlesworth, 59, are mounting an exhibition, Drawn Out and Painted Pink, at the Drill Hall in Central London, of about 240 of their four-panel, line-drawn cartoon strips from the 1970s to the present day, arranged like brickwork and with the floor space filled with wry installations that comment on gay culture and history.
It includes the “Out of the Closet rail” full of joke clothes. Thus they have what Shenton calls a Rubik’s cube harness. “Harnesses were so difficult to put on, so we’ve made a complicated one with a set of instructions that are impossible to follow.” They’ve also made a three-armed, two-man rainbow-flag shirt and the “Duvet of Love” mosaic made from badges. It is typical of such playful artists that even the objects they make are cartoonish.
The show is presented like a 1980s nightclub, all black-painted walls and glitter balls. A pink stripe guides the visitor through the exhibition and functions as a timeline of landmark events for gay people.
The meat of the show is the work that both artists published in papers such as Gay News in the 1970s, Capital Gay and The Pink Paper in the 1980s and 1990s, where they (along with a small handful of fellow cartoonists such as Cath Jackson and Alison Bechdel) put everyday gay experience on the page. By default they were documenting the history of gay liberation in Britain. They turned gay people from the butt of the joke to those delivering the punch lines. ...
The gay cartoonists who had the last laugh
Humour was a vital weapon in the campaigning gay press, a new exhibition of cartoon strips reveals
Joseph Galliano
... [David] Shenton and his fellow cartoonist Kate Charlesworth, 59, are mounting an exhibition, Drawn Out and Painted Pink, at the Drill Hall in Central London, of about 240 of their four-panel, line-drawn cartoon strips from the 1970s to the present day, arranged like brickwork and with the floor space filled with wry installations that comment on gay culture and history.
It includes the “Out of the Closet rail” full of joke clothes. Thus they have what Shenton calls a Rubik’s cube harness. “Harnesses were so difficult to put on, so we’ve made a complicated one with a set of instructions that are impossible to follow.” They’ve also made a three-armed, two-man rainbow-flag shirt and the “Duvet of Love” mosaic made from badges. It is typical of such playful artists that even the objects they make are cartoonish.
The show is presented like a 1980s nightclub, all black-painted walls and glitter balls. A pink stripe guides the visitor through the exhibition and functions as a timeline of landmark events for gay people.
The meat of the show is the work that both artists published in papers such as Gay News in the 1970s, Capital Gay and The Pink Paper in the 1980s and 1990s, where they (along with a small handful of fellow cartoonists such as Cath Jackson and Alison Bechdel) put everyday gay experience on the page. By default they were documenting the history of gay liberation in Britain. They turned gay people from the butt of the joke to those delivering the punch lines. ...
Euthanasia is not an exchange student program.
Schadenfreude's not usually mah thang, but I hate hummers and the people who buy them.
A “financial crisis responsibility fee” - I like it.
I like it very much, thank you.
I like it very much, thank you.
You can't beat a yak, mate.
Bonus: Ends with great pun.
The shock decision by rugby union player Gareth Thomas to announce that he is gay has triggered speculation that other sports stars might come out. Thomas is Wales's most-capped player and a former British and Irish Lions captain. The fact that he has confirmed his sexuality while still playing the game has been praised by gay rights campaigners.
Yesterday the 6ft 3in, 16-stone rugby star said he hoped he could make a difference to others struggling with their sexuality. "I just want to thank everyone for the amazing response I have received, on behalf of me, my family and friends," Thomas said. "I hope that by saying this I can make a big difference to others in my situation."
But he said he did not want to be known as a "gay rugby player" and hoped people would treat his sexuality as "irrelevant" to his career. "What I choose to do when I close the door at home has nothing to do with what I have achieved in rugby," he said. "I'd love for it, in 10 years' time, not to even be an issue in sport, and for people to say: 'So what?'" ...
Well done, and everyone whose hearts and minds are functional agree with you.
Yesterday the 6ft 3in, 16-stone rugby star said he hoped he could make a difference to others struggling with their sexuality. "I just want to thank everyone for the amazing response I have received, on behalf of me, my family and friends," Thomas said. "I hope that by saying this I can make a big difference to others in my situation."
But he said he did not want to be known as a "gay rugby player" and hoped people would treat his sexuality as "irrelevant" to his career. "What I choose to do when I close the door at home has nothing to do with what I have achieved in rugby," he said. "I'd love for it, in 10 years' time, not to even be an issue in sport, and for people to say: 'So what?'" ...
Well done, and everyone whose hearts and minds are functional agree with you.
¡Viva Cataluña! Las corridas de toros Fin!
When physicist Vitaly Efimov heard his theory had finally been proven, he ran up to the younger scientist who had verified it and gave him a high five.
Efimov had predicted a quantum-mechanical version of Borromean rings, a symbol that first showed up in Afghan Buddhist art from around the second century. The symbol depicts three rings linked together; if any ring were removed, they would all come apart.
Efimov theorized an analog to the rings using particles: Three particles (such as atoms or protons or even quarks) could be bound together in a stable state, even though any two of them could not bind without the third. The physicist first proposed the idea, based on a mathematical proof, in 1970. Since then, no one has been able to demonstrate the phenomenon in the lab — until recently.
A team of physicists led by Randy Hulet of Rice University in Houston finally achieved the trio of particles, and published their findings in the online journal Science Express.
"It was very exciting, because after 40 years of this prediction being out there, it was finally verified," Hulet told LiveScience. ...
Efimov had predicted a quantum-mechanical version of Borromean rings, a symbol that first showed up in Afghan Buddhist art from around the second century. The symbol depicts three rings linked together; if any ring were removed, they would all come apart.
Efimov theorized an analog to the rings using particles: Three particles (such as atoms or protons or even quarks) could be bound together in a stable state, even though any two of them could not bind without the third. The physicist first proposed the idea, based on a mathematical proof, in 1970. Since then, no one has been able to demonstrate the phenomenon in the lab — until recently.
A team of physicists led by Randy Hulet of Rice University in Houston finally achieved the trio of particles, and published their findings in the online journal Science Express.
"It was very exciting, because after 40 years of this prediction being out there, it was finally verified," Hulet told LiveScience. ...
The banks' defence of Fortress Bonus is starting to crumble. Their claim that unilateral action against excessive rewards by the UK would damage the City has been a key plank of their case against bonus reform, but that has been demolished by the chancellor's bank levy in the pre-budget report.
In this column I have repeatedly argued that action by the UK, where the financial sector is so dominant, would send a powerful signal to the rest of the world and embolden other countries to follow suit.
So it has proved: Nicolas Sarkozy is introducing a similar tax, with one French official saying "There is no obstacle to doing it now if it has been done in London." Angela Merkel is making warm noises; the hope is that the rest of the EU and the United States will join in.
Politically, the tax surcharge was a clever move. By sparking international action, the sting has been drawn from the Conservatives' cry of "class war"; George Osborne and David Cameron could not oppose the measure without alienating an angry public. ...
In this column I have repeatedly argued that action by the UK, where the financial sector is so dominant, would send a powerful signal to the rest of the world and embolden other countries to follow suit.
So it has proved: Nicolas Sarkozy is introducing a similar tax, with one French official saying "There is no obstacle to doing it now if it has been done in London." Angela Merkel is making warm noises; the hope is that the rest of the EU and the United States will join in.
Politically, the tax surcharge was a clever move. By sparking international action, the sting has been drawn from the Conservatives' cry of "class war"; George Osborne and David Cameron could not oppose the measure without alienating an angry public. ...
Kucinich seeks 60 percent excise tax on TARP executive bonuses
By Sabrina Eaton, The Plain Dealer
December 10, 2009
Cleveland Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich wants to impose a 60 percent excise tax on the fat bonuses that were paid to executives of companies that took money from last year's bank bailout.
On Wednesday, he proposed an amendment to a pending financial industry reform bill that would do that and impose an additional 70 percent tax on TARP recipients' corporate profits.
"Without the extraordinary actions of the federal government, many of these institutions would have collapsed a long time ago," Kucinich told the House Rules Committee, arguing that his amendment would hold "to account those institutions and individuals that made the decisions that led to the crisis." ...
By Sabrina Eaton, The Plain Dealer
December 10, 2009
Cleveland Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich wants to impose a 60 percent excise tax on the fat bonuses that were paid to executives of companies that took money from last year's bank bailout.
On Wednesday, he proposed an amendment to a pending financial industry reform bill that would do that and impose an additional 70 percent tax on TARP recipients' corporate profits.
"Without the extraordinary actions of the federal government, many of these institutions would have collapsed a long time ago," Kucinich told the House Rules Committee, arguing that his amendment would hold "to account those institutions and individuals that made the decisions that led to the crisis." ...
In the world of global warming very important to save all animals that live on Earth. Some companies even donate money to this target and more one way to pay attention of the peoples - to create USB drives in shape as animals. For example Panda USB drive, Elephant USB drive or USB Zoo series. Today we join new “friend“ – fun Lizard USB drive. Verily, lizard it’s not whale or other rare animal, but we must to save every bug in order to leave the beautiful World to the descendants.
When the mobile library stopped visiting, it was a blow for the villagers of Westbury-sub-Mendip. And when they found out they could lose their beloved red phone box, there was something of an outcry.
Happily a bright spark in the Somerset village (population 800) hatched a clever plan to tackle both difficulties. Why not buy the phone box and use it to set up a mini-library?
Today, the small but perfectly formed Westbury book box was doing a brisk trade. Adults were bringing in thrillers, romances and true-crime books, leaving them on the four wooden shelves and choosing another to take home. Young book fans were hunting around in the children's section – a big red box on the floor – for Roald Dahl and Horrid Henry favourites.
Parish councillor Bob Dolby, who cleans and polishes the phone box/library with his wife, Lyn, beamed with pride. "It has really taken off," he said. "Turnover is rapid and there's a good range of books, everything from reference books to biographies and blockbusters." ...
...the parish council bought the box, a Giles Gilbert Scott K6 design, for £1, and Dolby screwed the four shelves into place. A local business donated a sign and a wag added a "Silence please" notice. Residents donated books to get the project going and it became an instant hit, all for an outlay of just £30. ...
Happily a bright spark in the Somerset village (population 800) hatched a clever plan to tackle both difficulties. Why not buy the phone box and use it to set up a mini-library?
Today, the small but perfectly formed Westbury book box was doing a brisk trade. Adults were bringing in thrillers, romances and true-crime books, leaving them on the four wooden shelves and choosing another to take home. Young book fans were hunting around in the children's section – a big red box on the floor – for Roald Dahl and Horrid Henry favourites.
Parish councillor Bob Dolby, who cleans and polishes the phone box/library with his wife, Lyn, beamed with pride. "It has really taken off," he said. "Turnover is rapid and there's a good range of books, everything from reference books to biographies and blockbusters." ...
...the parish council bought the box, a Giles Gilbert Scott K6 design, for £1, and Dolby screwed the four shelves into place. A local business donated a sign and a wag added a "Silence please" notice. Residents donated books to get the project going and it became an instant hit, all for an outlay of just £30. ...
Judge wipes out couple's mortgage after bank's 'repulsive' behaviour
A New York judge was so angry with a bank's "harsh, repugnant, shocking and repulsive" behaviour towards a financially struggling couple that he wiped out their $525,000 (£316,000) mortgage.
By Tom Leonard in New York
Published: 12:06AM GMT 26 Nov 2009
In an unusual legal decision that may cheer ordinary homeowners but dismay lenders, Judge Jeffrey Spinner took a tough line on a California-based bank that he considered had been determined to foreclose on the couple's home in Suffolk County, Long Island.
His ruling against OneWest and its IndyMac mortgage division has relieved Greg Horoski and his wife, Diane Yano-Horoski, of the $291,000 they owed on the original loan as well as $235,000 in interest.
OneWest took $814 million in federal bailout money but has a reputation for foreclosing quickly on property owners who falls into arrears. ...
... The judge attacked the bank for repeatedly refusing to work out a deal, for misleading him about the sums in the case and for its treatment of the couple.
He wrote that OneWest's conduct was "inequitable, unconscionable, vexatious and opprobrious", cancelling the debt to deter it from "imposing further mortifying abuse" against the couple. ...
... Mr Horoski...told the New York Post, "I think the judge felt it was almost a personal vendetta. It was like dealing with organised crime."
A New York judge was so angry with a bank's "harsh, repugnant, shocking and repulsive" behaviour towards a financially struggling couple that he wiped out their $525,000 (£316,000) mortgage.
By Tom Leonard in New York
Published: 12:06AM GMT 26 Nov 2009
In an unusual legal decision that may cheer ordinary homeowners but dismay lenders, Judge Jeffrey Spinner took a tough line on a California-based bank that he considered had been determined to foreclose on the couple's home in Suffolk County, Long Island.
His ruling against OneWest and its IndyMac mortgage division has relieved Greg Horoski and his wife, Diane Yano-Horoski, of the $291,000 they owed on the original loan as well as $235,000 in interest.
OneWest took $814 million in federal bailout money but has a reputation for foreclosing quickly on property owners who falls into arrears. ...
... The judge attacked the bank for repeatedly refusing to work out a deal, for misleading him about the sums in the case and for its treatment of the couple.
He wrote that OneWest's conduct was "inequitable, unconscionable, vexatious and opprobrious", cancelling the debt to deter it from "imposing further mortifying abuse" against the couple. ...
... Mr Horoski...told the New York Post, "I think the judge felt it was almost a personal vendetta. It was like dealing with organised crime."
Senior police officers could lose the consent of the British public unless they abandon misguided approaches to public protests that are considered "unfair, aggressive and inconsistent", an inquiry has found.
Denis O'Connor, the chief inspector of constabulary, used a landmark report into public order policing to criticise heavy-handed tactics, which he said threatened to alienate the public and infringe the right to protest.
The report, published today, called for a softening of the approach and urged a return to the "British model" of policing, first defined by 19th-century Conservative prime minister Sir Robert Peel. O'Connor advocated an "approachable, impartial, accountable style of policing based on minimal force and anchored in public consent".
The initial reaction from protest groups was positive. A lawyer from environmental organisation Climate Camp, believed to be the largest network of activists in the country, described the findings as a "huge step forward". ...
Denis O'Connor, the chief inspector of constabulary, used a landmark report into public order policing to criticise heavy-handed tactics, which he said threatened to alienate the public and infringe the right to protest.
The report, published today, called for a softening of the approach and urged a return to the "British model" of policing, first defined by 19th-century Conservative prime minister Sir Robert Peel. O'Connor advocated an "approachable, impartial, accountable style of policing based on minimal force and anchored in public consent".
The initial reaction from protest groups was positive. A lawyer from environmental organisation Climate Camp, believed to be the largest network of activists in the country, described the findings as a "huge step forward". ...
King Kong's metal skeleton sold for £120,000
A metal skeleton used to make King Kong come to life in a 1933 film has been sold
Tuesday 24 November 2009
... The armature was the base for a 22-inch model of the gorilla used in the movie's climax at the top of the Empire State building in New York.
It was bought by an anonymous bidder for £121,250, including buyer's premium, at Christie's auction house in South Kensington, London. ...
A metal skeleton used to make King Kong come to life in a 1933 film has been sold
Tuesday 24 November 2009
... The armature was the base for a 22-inch model of the gorilla used in the movie's climax at the top of the Empire State building in New York.
It was bought by an anonymous bidder for £121,250, including buyer's premium, at Christie's auction house in South Kensington, London. ...
Paris Hilton's lawyers are preparing to move against the New Zealand firm who thought it would be a bit of wheeze to advertise empty billboard space in Auckland by sticking up a fetching snap of El Reg's fave celebutard with the slogan "Vacant". ...
Well done, Boris! Maybe I won't kick your shins after all.
The internet has done for Scientology. Could it rumble the Christians, too?
While Hubbard's cult gets ever more exposed, it's a shame other religions are not forced to justify their own doctrinal lunacies
o Marina Hyde
o guardian.co.uk, Friday 30 October 2009 23.00 GMT
Draw near, infidels, for these are dark days for the Knights of Hubbard. Do not despair entirely – the Church of Scientology remains insanely rich, has excellent and rapacious lawyers, and according to the International Scientology News, "every minute of every hour, someone reaches for L Ron Hubbard technology … simply because they know Tom Cruise is a Scientologist". So unless the world's supply of troubled fools is melting away quicker than the Arctic ice cap, they can probably hold off trying to lure disaffected Kabbalists into their cultish communion, after the fashion of Pope Benedict and the Anglicans. And yet, all things considered, it has not been the best of weeks for our operating thetans.
In France, Scientology was found guilty of defrauding its followers after a judge effectively debunked the idea of the church's trusty e-meter, a crude polygraph whose readings are used to encourage Scientologists to purchase everything from books to extreme sauna courses. In Los Angeles, the Oscar-winning (even if it was only for the abysmal Crash) director Paul Haggis cut his ties with Scientology in protest at what he branded their tolerance of homophobia, adding for good measure that the church's claim that they do not tell people to "disconnect" from unsupportive family members was untrue – his own wife had been ordered to do so. Meanwhile, Scientology's chief spokesman Tommy Davis stormed out of a television interview with Martin Bashir, after the latter pressed him on what we might delicately term "certain articles of faith". The alien stuff, basically. ...
While Hubbard's cult gets ever more exposed, it's a shame other religions are not forced to justify their own doctrinal lunacies
o Marina Hyde
o guardian.co.uk, Friday 30 October 2009 23.00 GMT
Draw near, infidels, for these are dark days for the Knights of Hubbard. Do not despair entirely – the Church of Scientology remains insanely rich, has excellent and rapacious lawyers, and according to the International Scientology News, "every minute of every hour, someone reaches for L Ron Hubbard technology … simply because they know Tom Cruise is a Scientologist". So unless the world's supply of troubled fools is melting away quicker than the Arctic ice cap, they can probably hold off trying to lure disaffected Kabbalists into their cultish communion, after the fashion of Pope Benedict and the Anglicans. And yet, all things considered, it has not been the best of weeks for our operating thetans.
In France, Scientology was found guilty of defrauding its followers after a judge effectively debunked the idea of the church's trusty e-meter, a crude polygraph whose readings are used to encourage Scientologists to purchase everything from books to extreme sauna courses. In Los Angeles, the Oscar-winning (even if it was only for the abysmal Crash) director Paul Haggis cut his ties with Scientology in protest at what he branded their tolerance of homophobia, adding for good measure that the church's claim that they do not tell people to "disconnect" from unsupportive family members was untrue – his own wife had been ordered to do so. Meanwhile, Scientology's chief spokesman Tommy Davis stormed out of a television interview with Martin Bashir, after the latter pressed him on what we might delicately term "certain articles of faith". The alien stuff, basically. ...
Dog given medal after 'canine CPR'
CHRISTINE KELLETT
October 28, 2009
Jim Touzeau with his dog Teka and RSPCA Queensland's Bundaberg Inspector Patrick Yeates. Photo: RSPCA Queensland
A central Queensland dog which jumped up and down on its owner's chest after the man suffered a massive heart attack may have saved his life.
Teka the three-year-old Australian cattle dog has been given the RSPCA's animal achievement award following the 2007 feat at a glass factory near Bundaberg.
Owner Jim Touzeau's heart stopped and he collapsed unconscious on the factory floor when Teka climbed onto his chest and began to jump repeatedly with all four paws.
The dog also barked in his face, rousing him enough to raise the alarm with his son.
She also ran outside and barked to attract attention.
Medical experts have been unable to say whether the canine CPR had any medical impact but say Mr Touzeau would not be alive today if not for Teka's efforts.
"I don't know if she actually kick-started my heart. But the doctors said that if I hadn't come to and called for help the chances are I would be dead," Mr Touzeau said.
"My heart had definitely stopped."
The 79-year-old glass craftsman also suffered deep cuts when he fell and sliced himself open on plate glass at the his Tinana factory.
He has since been fitted with a defibrillator implant.
"I lost my wife six years ago this Christmas and it's a pretty lonely life on your own,'' he told brisbanetimes.com.au.
"I got Teka three years ago and she's a terrific companion. She just never leaves my side. Because it's just the two of us, I rely on her and she relies on me."
Mr Touzeau said he remembered nothing of the heart attack, but recalled waking up to Teka on his chest.
"She was really thumping my chest with her two front feet,'' he said.
"It was out of the blue [behaviour] for her.
"She must have been thinking 'I better wake this fella up or I won't get any dinner'.''
The RSPCA will present the state-based commendation to Teka today and will also nominate her for a Purple Cross - the charity's highest bravery medal.
RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty said Teka had shown incredible intuition.
"This award isn't given away lightly. If she hadn't been there he probably would not have woken up."
Ta much, dear Edosan
CHRISTINE KELLETT
October 28, 2009
Jim Touzeau with his dog Teka and RSPCA Queensland's Bundaberg Inspector Patrick Yeates. Photo: RSPCA Queensland
A central Queensland dog which jumped up and down on its owner's chest after the man suffered a massive heart attack may have saved his life.
Teka the three-year-old Australian cattle dog has been given the RSPCA's animal achievement award following the 2007 feat at a glass factory near Bundaberg.
Owner Jim Touzeau's heart stopped and he collapsed unconscious on the factory floor when Teka climbed onto his chest and began to jump repeatedly with all four paws.
The dog also barked in his face, rousing him enough to raise the alarm with his son.
She also ran outside and barked to attract attention.
Medical experts have been unable to say whether the canine CPR had any medical impact but say Mr Touzeau would not be alive today if not for Teka's efforts.
"I don't know if she actually kick-started my heart. But the doctors said that if I hadn't come to and called for help the chances are I would be dead," Mr Touzeau said.
"My heart had definitely stopped."
The 79-year-old glass craftsman also suffered deep cuts when he fell and sliced himself open on plate glass at the his Tinana factory.
He has since been fitted with a defibrillator implant.
"I lost my wife six years ago this Christmas and it's a pretty lonely life on your own,'' he told brisbanetimes.com.au.
"I got Teka three years ago and she's a terrific companion. She just never leaves my side. Because it's just the two of us, I rely on her and she relies on me."
Mr Touzeau said he remembered nothing of the heart attack, but recalled waking up to Teka on his chest.
"She was really thumping my chest with her two front feet,'' he said.
"It was out of the blue [behaviour] for her.
"She must have been thinking 'I better wake this fella up or I won't get any dinner'.''
The RSPCA will present the state-based commendation to Teka today and will also nominate her for a Purple Cross - the charity's highest bravery medal.
RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty said Teka had shown incredible intuition.
"This award isn't given away lightly. If she hadn't been there he probably would not have woken up."
Ta much, dear Edosan
The Church of Scientology was convicted of organised fraud in France today in a ground-breaking judgment which denounced the cult for swindling vulnerable members out of thousands of euros.
The church was ordered to pay fines totalling €600,000, and Alain Rosenberg, its leader in France, was fined €30,000 and given a two-year suspended sentence. Five other French scientologists were given fines of between €1,000 and €20,000.
But Paris Criminal Court stopped short of banning scientology altogether in France, on the grounds that prohibition could drive it underground where it would be difficult to control.
The ruling, likely to have repercussions for scientologists around the world, came in a case brought by Nelly Reziga and Aude-Claire Malton, former members who said they had been cheated out of €49,500 and €21,000 respectively. ...
The church was ordered to pay fines totalling €600,000, and Alain Rosenberg, its leader in France, was fined €30,000 and given a two-year suspended sentence. Five other French scientologists were given fines of between €1,000 and €20,000.
But Paris Criminal Court stopped short of banning scientology altogether in France, on the grounds that prohibition could drive it underground where it would be difficult to control.
The ruling, likely to have repercussions for scientologists around the world, came in a case brought by Nelly Reziga and Aude-Claire Malton, former members who said they had been cheated out of €49,500 and €21,000 respectively. ...
Two flagship branches of the Church of Scientology in France have been sentenced to pay fines of over €600,000 (£550,000) after being convicted of "fraud in an organised gang" today by a court in Paris.
The judgment against the Scientology Celebrity Centre and a related bookshop in Paris is one of the most important to involve the controversial organisation in recent years.
The judges stopped short of the total ban the prosecution had called for, so the church will be allowed to continue its activities in France where it is estimated to have 45,000 members.
Four officials of the church in France received suspended prison sentences of between 18 months and two years as well as fines ranging from €5,000 to €30,000.
Judges said that the four had avoided jail in part because of "efforts by the [church] to change its practices". An appeal is expected.
The case was brought by two female former members who alleged that they were pressured into paying large sums of money to the church after joining in the 1990s. They also alleged that members of the church had harassed them to buy a variety of products including vitamins and to sign up for "purification" courses costing thousands of euros. One said she had been advised by a financial adviser from the church to take out a large loan to finance her activities within the organisation. ...
The judgment against the Scientology Celebrity Centre and a related bookshop in Paris is one of the most important to involve the controversial organisation in recent years.
The judges stopped short of the total ban the prosecution had called for, so the church will be allowed to continue its activities in France where it is estimated to have 45,000 members.
Four officials of the church in France received suspended prison sentences of between 18 months and two years as well as fines ranging from €5,000 to €30,000.
Judges said that the four had avoided jail in part because of "efforts by the [church] to change its practices". An appeal is expected.
The case was brought by two female former members who alleged that they were pressured into paying large sums of money to the church after joining in the 1990s. They also alleged that members of the church had harassed them to buy a variety of products including vitamins and to sign up for "purification" courses costing thousands of euros. One said she had been advised by a financial adviser from the church to take out a large loan to finance her activities within the organisation. ...
Thoughts on the Whitehouse.gov switch to Drupal
by Tim O'Reilly | @timoreilly | comments: 38
Yesterday, the new media team at the White House announced via the Associated Press that whitehouse.gov is now running on Drupal, the open source content management system. That Drupal implementation is in turn running on a Red Hat Linux system with Apache, MySQL and the rest of the LAMP stack. Apache Solr is the new White House search engine.
This move is obviously a big win for open source. As John Scott of Open Source for America (a group advocating open source adoption by government, to which I am an advisor) noted in an email to me: "This is great news not only for the use of open source software, but the validation of the open source development model. The White House's adoption of community-based software provides a great example for the rest of the government to follow."
John is right. While open source is already widespread throughout the government, its adoption by the White House will almost certainly give permission for much wider uptake.
Particularly telling are the reasons that the White House made the switch. According to the AP article:
White House officials described the change as similar to rebuilding the foundation of a building without changing the street-level appearance of the facade. It was expected to make the White House site more secure - and the same could be true for other administration sites in the future....
Having the public write code may seem like a security risk, but it's just the opposite, experts inside and outside the government argued. Because programmers collaborate to find errors or opportunities to exploit Web code, the final product is therefore more secure.
More than just security, though, the White House saw the opportunity to increase their flexibility. Drupal has a huge library of user-contributed modules that will provide functionality the White House can use to expand its social media capabilities, with everything from super-scalable live chats to multi-lingual support. In many ways, this is the complement to the Government as Platform mantra I've been chanting in Washington. When you build a vibrant, extensible platform, others add value to the foundation you establish; when you join such a platform, you get the benefit of all those features you didn't have to develop yourself. ...
by Tim O'Reilly | @timoreilly | comments: 38
Yesterday, the new media team at the White House announced via the Associated Press that whitehouse.gov is now running on Drupal, the open source content management system. That Drupal implementation is in turn running on a Red Hat Linux system with Apache, MySQL and the rest of the LAMP stack. Apache Solr is the new White House search engine.
This move is obviously a big win for open source. As John Scott of Open Source for America (a group advocating open source adoption by government, to which I am an advisor) noted in an email to me: "This is great news not only for the use of open source software, but the validation of the open source development model. The White House's adoption of community-based software provides a great example for the rest of the government to follow."
John is right. While open source is already widespread throughout the government, its adoption by the White House will almost certainly give permission for much wider uptake.
Particularly telling are the reasons that the White House made the switch. According to the AP article:
White House officials described the change as similar to rebuilding the foundation of a building without changing the street-level appearance of the facade. It was expected to make the White House site more secure - and the same could be true for other administration sites in the future....
Having the public write code may seem like a security risk, but it's just the opposite, experts inside and outside the government argued. Because programmers collaborate to find errors or opportunities to exploit Web code, the final product is therefore more secure.
More than just security, though, the White House saw the opportunity to increase their flexibility. Drupal has a huge library of user-contributed modules that will provide functionality the White House can use to expand its social media capabilities, with everything from super-scalable live chats to multi-lingual support. In many ways, this is the complement to the Government as Platform mantra I've been chanting in Washington. When you build a vibrant, extensible platform, others add value to the foundation you establish; when you join such a platform, you get the benefit of all those features you didn't have to develop yourself. ...
A detailed membership list of the British National party containing names, addresses and telephone numbers was published on the internet this morning.
The list, which contains thousands of names, was published on Wikileaks, a website that purports to be a clearing house for information to be published anonymously.
The source of the data remains unclear but it appears to show details of the BNP's members and supporters at 15 April this year, as well as data about members whose subscriptions to the party had lapsed. ...
Out the bastards, and make the british nazi party illegal.
The list, which contains thousands of names, was published on Wikileaks, a website that purports to be a clearing house for information to be published anonymously.
The source of the data remains unclear but it appears to show details of the BNP's members and supporters at 15 April this year, as well as data about members whose subscriptions to the party had lapsed. ...
Out the bastards, and make the british nazi party illegal.
Paintings by dog sell for more than £1,000
Paintings done by a dog called Sam are selling for up to £1,045 in Maryland, USA.
19 Oct 2009
Selling for up to $1700 (£1,045) for an individual work, Sam has put his brush to 22 different canvases Photo: BARCROFT MEDIA
Using the lush surroundings of his home town of Eastern Shore, Maryland as his muse, Sam's paintings are attracting a loyal art world following.
Some of his 22 paintings - done using a tailor-made paintbrush held in his mouth - have sold for up to $1700 (£1,045).
"Sam is a regular renaissance dog and his abstract paintings are all the rage with the hip New York galleries," says Mary Stadelbacher, Sam's owner.
"He loves his painting and would happily carry on for hours if I left him to it.
"He loves to work in a variety of colours and layers his paintings with darker shades first and then moves on to lighter ones later."
Mary, who runs Shore Service Dogs, in the United States took in six-year-old Sam four years ago as a rescue dog.
"He had been bounced around a couple of dog pounds, so I couldn't have that," says Mary about Sam, who is a bloodhound, sheep-dog cross. ...
Paintings done by a dog called Sam are selling for up to £1,045 in Maryland, USA.
19 Oct 2009
Selling for up to $1700 (£1,045) for an individual work, Sam has put his brush to 22 different canvases Photo: BARCROFT MEDIA
Using the lush surroundings of his home town of Eastern Shore, Maryland as his muse, Sam's paintings are attracting a loyal art world following.
Some of his 22 paintings - done using a tailor-made paintbrush held in his mouth - have sold for up to $1700 (£1,045).
"Sam is a regular renaissance dog and his abstract paintings are all the rage with the hip New York galleries," says Mary Stadelbacher, Sam's owner.
"He loves his painting and would happily carry on for hours if I left him to it.
"He loves to work in a variety of colours and layers his paintings with darker shades first and then moves on to lighter ones later."
Mary, who runs Shore Service Dogs, in the United States took in six-year-old Sam four years ago as a rescue dog.
"He had been bounced around a couple of dog pounds, so I couldn't have that," says Mary about Sam, who is a bloodhound, sheep-dog cross. ...
Peasants Worldwide Rise up Against Monsanto, GMOs
La Via Campesina carries out Global Day of Action against Monsanto
MEXICO - October 16 - Today, International World Food Day, as declared by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, La Via Campesina is mobilizing globally along with allies in an overwhelming expression of outright rejection of Monsanto and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), in the name of food sovereignty.
In the United States today, protests and teach-ins against Monsanto are taking place in Maine and Wisconsin. In Brazil, Via Campesina members are carrying out actions in the headquarters of Monsanto and Syngenta. In Europe, where nine countries have prohibited GMOs, Via Campesina organized an anti-Monsanto brigade traveling throughout the region. In India, thousands of farmers and allies are carrying out hunger strikes and occupying lands. Actions are being carried out in at least 20 countries and all nine regions where La Via Campesina is present.
Meanwhile, world leaders are preparing to meet at the FAO World Food Summit in Rome in November, where the powers of global governance and agribusiness will utilize the desperation of starving nations to accelerate the expansion of GMO-based agriculture throughout the world. The Obama administration's proposal to dedicate over a billion dollars of emergency funding to developing countries for agriculture, and the U.S. government's Global Food Security Initiative are thinly veiled efforts to this end.
Peasants, landless workers, migrants, indigenous peoples and consumers, identified transnational corporations, especially Monsanto, which, together with Syngenta, Dupont and Bayer control over half of the world's seeds, and are thus the principal enemies of peasant sustainable agriculture and food sovereignty for all peoples. La Via Campesina is in a daily struggle to protect native seeds, patrimony of humanity, from corporations and patents. Today, October 16, the strength of the movement is pushing the public opinion to reject Monsanto's take-over of the food system.
"It's time for all civil society to recognize the gravity of this situation, global capital should not control our food, nor make decisions behind closed doors. The future of our food, the protection of our resources and especially our seeds, are the right of the people," said Dena Hoff, coordinator of Via Campesina North America. ...
... High Mowing Seeds and several environmental groups challenged the U.S. Department of Agriculture's decision to de-regulate the sale of genetically modified sugar beets.
Tom Stearns is president of High Mowing Seeds in Wolcott. Stearns said he was concerned that the beet variety sold by the Monsanto Corporation would contaminate fields of organic beets raised by one of High Mowing's seed suppliers.
(Stearns) We had an organic chard and beet farmer in the same region that the GM sugar beets were being produced for seeds. The beet pollen can blow up to several miles, so the concern was that we really needed to make sure that these were sufficient distances separated between them to make sure there were contamination problems, because then my organic seed would have GMO genes in it.
(Host) Stearns and the environmental groups sued in January 2008. This week, a U.S. District Judge in California ruled that the government failed to follow federal law that required a full environmental impact study.
(Stearns) He ruled that there are major chances of negative environmental impact and that they need to do this whole study before the GMO sugar beets are allowed to be planted anymore. ...
Tom Stearns is president of High Mowing Seeds in Wolcott. Stearns said he was concerned that the beet variety sold by the Monsanto Corporation would contaminate fields of organic beets raised by one of High Mowing's seed suppliers.
(Stearns) We had an organic chard and beet farmer in the same region that the GM sugar beets were being produced for seeds. The beet pollen can blow up to several miles, so the concern was that we really needed to make sure that these were sufficient distances separated between them to make sure there were contamination problems, because then my organic seed would have GMO genes in it.
(Host) Stearns and the environmental groups sued in January 2008. This week, a U.S. District Judge in California ruled that the government failed to follow federal law that required a full environmental impact study.
(Stearns) He ruled that there are major chances of negative environmental impact and that they need to do this whole study before the GMO sugar beets are allowed to be planted anymore. ...
Nano-sized magnetic particles that can be guided to tumours and heated up to kill cancerous cells could offer hope to patients with forms of the disease currently considered incurable.
The tiny iron oxide particles are essentially “cooked” using a magnetic heating wand that is waved over the affected area. Scientists say the technique would be painless and could even be administered in GP surgeries or outpatient clinics.
“There has been virtually no improvement in survival rates for lung cancer in the last three decades,” said Dr Sam Janes, of the Centre for Respiratory Research at University College London who is co-leading the research. “We’re aiming to target these cancers for which chemotherapy has failed.”
Unlike conventional untargeted treatments, the nanoparticles can be directed exclusively toward the affected cells either by using external magnets, or by attaching the particles to “cancer-seeking” biological agents such as antibodies. Once the nanoparticles are in place in the tumour, they can be heated, killing any cells in their vicinity. ...
The tiny iron oxide particles are essentially “cooked” using a magnetic heating wand that is waved over the affected area. Scientists say the technique would be painless and could even be administered in GP surgeries or outpatient clinics.
“There has been virtually no improvement in survival rates for lung cancer in the last three decades,” said Dr Sam Janes, of the Centre for Respiratory Research at University College London who is co-leading the research. “We’re aiming to target these cancers for which chemotherapy has failed.”
Unlike conventional untargeted treatments, the nanoparticles can be directed exclusively toward the affected cells either by using external magnets, or by attaching the particles to “cancer-seeking” biological agents such as antibodies. Once the nanoparticles are in place in the tumour, they can be heated, killing any cells in their vicinity. ...
Well done, Waitrose, et al...but why hasn't sky network dumped faux news?
Mozilla unveils cure for Web 2.0 world run amok
Putting XSS worms on notice
By Dan Goodin in San Francisco
3rd October 2009
The Mozilla Foundation has unveiled an early version of its Firefox browser that it says could virtually eliminate one of the most common attack forms now menacing the web.
It implements an inchoate technology the foundation calls CSP, short for the Content Security Policy specification. It allows web developers to embed a series of HTML headers into their sites that by default block some of the most abused features from being offered. Newer versions of Firefox, and other browsers if they adopt the standard, would then enforce those policies across the site's entire domain.
The primary aim of CSP is to immunize websites from attacks based on XSS, or cross-site scripting. The exploits frequently target javascript, Adobe Flash and other user-supplied content that allows attackers to inject malicious content and code into trusted websites. Administrators then have the option of whitelisting only the types of content they need to make their sites work as designed.
"A lot of the big sites who are dealing with user content and who are seeing some of these problems with cross-site scripting, we've heard excitement from them," said Johnathan Nightingale, whose official title at Mozilla is human shield. "It's hard to filter out all the potentially bad things that a malicious user can include." ...
Putting XSS worms on notice
By Dan Goodin in San Francisco
3rd October 2009
The Mozilla Foundation has unveiled an early version of its Firefox browser that it says could virtually eliminate one of the most common attack forms now menacing the web.
It implements an inchoate technology the foundation calls CSP, short for the Content Security Policy specification. It allows web developers to embed a series of HTML headers into their sites that by default block some of the most abused features from being offered. Newer versions of Firefox, and other browsers if they adopt the standard, would then enforce those policies across the site's entire domain.
The primary aim of CSP is to immunize websites from attacks based on XSS, or cross-site scripting. The exploits frequently target javascript, Adobe Flash and other user-supplied content that allows attackers to inject malicious content and code into trusted websites. Administrators then have the option of whitelisting only the types of content they need to make their sites work as designed.
"A lot of the big sites who are dealing with user content and who are seeing some of these problems with cross-site scripting, we've heard excitement from them," said Johnathan Nightingale, whose official title at Mozilla is human shield. "It's hard to filter out all the potentially bad things that a malicious user can include." ...
Airline asks passengers to use toilet before boarding
A Japanese airline, All Nippon Airways, has started asking its passengers to visit the lavatory before boarding, in an attempt to reduce carbon emissions. ...
A Japanese airline, All Nippon Airways, has started asking its passengers to visit the lavatory before boarding, in an attempt to reduce carbon emissions. ...
World's youngest female karate black belt arrives in UK
Varsha Vinod, 5, the girl from Allappuzha, India, who is the world's youngest female karate black belt, has arrived in the UK for a spar with the British champion.
02 Oct 2009
Varsha Vinod, aged five, has become the youngest karate black belt in the world Photo: CATERS
In May, Varsha became the youngest ever girl to get an officially recognised black belt.
High-kicking Varsha faced up to British Karate Federation Champion Juan Moreno in London.
Luckily the match-up was not for real, although dad-of-two Juan, 31 years her senior at 36, admitted he was shocked at just how good Varsha was.
He said: "She is the ultimate karate kid.
"It's hard to remember she is just five. Her skills and concentration are amazing.
"I have two young children myself but I couldn't imagine them putting in the concentration and effort Varsha has.
"I think it is an extraordinary achievement how far she has come in just a few short years.
"Varsha, her trainer and her dad are definitely the real thing." ...
... Her mother, schoolteacher Sunitha Vinod, 27, said her daughter had a wisdom beyond her years.
She said: "Varsha has always been quite a serious little girl and she knows what she wants, I am very proud of her. ...
Varsha Vinod, 5, the girl from Allappuzha, India, who is the world's youngest female karate black belt, has arrived in the UK for a spar with the British champion.
02 Oct 2009
Varsha Vinod, aged five, has become the youngest karate black belt in the world Photo: CATERS
In May, Varsha became the youngest ever girl to get an officially recognised black belt.
High-kicking Varsha faced up to British Karate Federation Champion Juan Moreno in London.
Luckily the match-up was not for real, although dad-of-two Juan, 31 years her senior at 36, admitted he was shocked at just how good Varsha was.
He said: "She is the ultimate karate kid.
"It's hard to remember she is just five. Her skills and concentration are amazing.
"I have two young children myself but I couldn't imagine them putting in the concentration and effort Varsha has.
"I think it is an extraordinary achievement how far she has come in just a few short years.
"Varsha, her trainer and her dad are definitely the real thing." ...
... Her mother, schoolteacher Sunitha Vinod, 27, said her daughter had a wisdom beyond her years.
She said: "Varsha has always been quite a serious little girl and she knows what she wants, I am very proud of her. ...
[funny suthun acceynt, y'all]Yup! Them Brits is some clevah folks! Hee-yuck![/funny suthun acceynt, y'all]
Ta much, dear Anneliese
Ta much, dear Anneliese
It's not a leopard, it's a cheetah.
The figures were swiped from outside the home of Miss Law, who is also an actress, in West Hampstead, London, in August 2007.
After the theft the 77 year-old jokingly cast herself as a "neighbourhood witch" and posted a warning on shrubs that a curse would be put on the thief.
Now the thief has returned the stone statues along with a hand-written note saying: "Help me please. I have been very, very ill since I stole these. Please lift the curse."
In return, the Kingdom star has put up a new sign saying: "Thank you for returning the statues. All curses lifted."
She said she had been inspired to cast the curse by her daughter's role as Professor Sybil Trelawney in the Harry Potter films. ...
After the theft the 77 year-old jokingly cast herself as a "neighbourhood witch" and posted a warning on shrubs that a curse would be put on the thief.
Now the thief has returned the stone statues along with a hand-written note saying: "Help me please. I have been very, very ill since I stole these. Please lift the curse."
In return, the Kingdom star has put up a new sign saying: "Thank you for returning the statues. All curses lifted."
She said she had been inspired to cast the curse by her daughter's role as Professor Sybil Trelawney in the Harry Potter films. ...
Brown intervenes in bank charges standoff
PM tells bankers to settle long-running court battle over refunds for excessive charges 'without further delay' ...
PM tells bankers to settle long-running court battle over refunds for excessive charges 'without further delay' ...
Lovely man! Bet he won't be wearing any stilettos for awhile!!
Following his victory at Sunday's Bank World Athletics Final meet in Thessaloniki, Greece, an exhausted Usain Bolt told journalists: "I was running on fumes. That was the last race this year. ... It was the last energy I had."
Life in the fast lane is not easy - even when you are the fastest man in the world.
The 23-year-old Bolt, world-record holder for the 100 and 200 metres, arrived home yesterday.
During a press conference on Sunday, he said he was looking forward to returning to Jamaica and getting "lots of rest".
Dr Paul Wright, a Kingston-based physician who specialises in sports medicine, said Bolt's handlers should listen to the champion sprinter.
"If they don't step in, he won't last another 24 months," Wright warned.
"Any athlete doing what are called power events has certain energy needs and must be properly monitored." ...
Life in the fast lane is not easy - even when you are the fastest man in the world.
The 23-year-old Bolt, world-record holder for the 100 and 200 metres, arrived home yesterday.
During a press conference on Sunday, he said he was looking forward to returning to Jamaica and getting "lots of rest".
Dr Paul Wright, a Kingston-based physician who specialises in sports medicine, said Bolt's handlers should listen to the champion sprinter.
"If they don't step in, he won't last another 24 months," Wright warned.
"Any athlete doing what are called power events has certain energy needs and must be properly monitored." ...
Have great and fortunate rebirths, you incredibly classy lady!
There's some high-quality tea gear as well as high-quality high weirdness here.
PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (Reuters) - Fast food giant McDonald's on Tuesday lost an eight-year trademark battle against a Malaysian curry restaurant after the country's highest court allowed the latter to use the prefix 'Mc'.
Malaysia's Federal Court dismissed an application by McDonald's Corporation to appeal against an earlier Appeals Court judgement which allowed McCurry to use the prefix. ...
Malaysia's Federal Court dismissed an application by McDonald's Corporation to appeal against an earlier Appeals Court judgement which allowed McCurry to use the prefix. ...
After his record-breaking efforts in the sprints, Usain Bolt is now contemplating a future in the long jump, the 23-year-old said. The Jamaican has frequently expressed his desire to become a legend in the sport like Jesse Owens and Carl Lewis, who both excelled in the sprints and the long jump. "I tell my coach I'd love to try the long jump before I retire. Definitely," said the triple world record holder. "Hopefully I can do this before I retire because I think I'd be very good."
Mike Powell, the American long jumper whose world record of 8.95m has stood since the 1991 World Championships, believes Bolt could be the first to crack nine metres.
"With his height [6ft 5in] he is the type who would scare me … he is tall and fast." Powell believes the Jamaican could revitalise the event. "We are dealing with a freak-of-nature athlete. He is off the charts. He is destroying other athletes, making them look like kids."
The debate over whether Bolt will compete in the 400m rages on. The Jamaican said he would run the one-lap distance as a season's opener next year, but reiterated that he was not keen on the event. Could he be persuaded in time for 2012? "I don't know. I don't want to do it but if my coach decides I'm dominant over the 100 and 200 and let's try something new, I'll definitely try to put my heart into it also."
Bolt was presented with a piece of the Berlin Wall to take back to Jamaica, an acknowledgement of his triple gold medal-winning performances over the last 10 days....
Mike Powell, the American long jumper whose world record of 8.95m has stood since the 1991 World Championships, believes Bolt could be the first to crack nine metres.
"With his height [6ft 5in] he is the type who would scare me … he is tall and fast." Powell believes the Jamaican could revitalise the event. "We are dealing with a freak-of-nature athlete. He is off the charts. He is destroying other athletes, making them look like kids."
The debate over whether Bolt will compete in the 400m rages on. The Jamaican said he would run the one-lap distance as a season's opener next year, but reiterated that he was not keen on the event. Could he be persuaded in time for 2012? "I don't know. I don't want to do it but if my coach decides I'm dominant over the 100 and 200 and let's try something new, I'll definitely try to put my heart into it also."
Bolt was presented with a piece of the Berlin Wall to take back to Jamaica, an acknowledgement of his triple gold medal-winning performances over the last 10 days....
August 17, 2009
The 10 best silly events in Britain
The authors of new book Wacky Nation have taken part in more than 100 silly British events. Here's their pick
James Bamber and Sally Raynes
... 6. BRAMBLES CRICKET MATCH
The game of cricket can never be described as crazy or mad, but owing to a quirk of nature, there is one English cricketing tradition that definitely isn’t dull. Once a year a sandbank appears in the middle of The Solent, and two local yacht clubs take full advantage of this odd venue to play what is probably the world’s quickest cricket match.
Sailing to the venue at sunrise, the players waste no time in setting up the wicket once the water reveals the first grains of sand. Beyond the opening few balls when players maintain a modicum of etiquette, the game inevitably descends into a comic farce with diabolical bowling, rugby tackling and streaking dogs diverting play. Thirty minutes later, the sea rolls back in and the referee announces a waterlogged pitch prompting a hasty retreat back to the boats. Spectators are welcome, provided they have access to a boat, but only members of the two competing yacht clubs can play.
Location: Middle of The Solent. (50° 47′ 41″ N, 1° 17′ 15″ W)
Date: Saturday 22nd August 2009. 6am start (ouch!)
Further information: www.royal-southern.co.uk ...
... 1. WORLD GRAVY WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
A paddling pool in a pub beer garden, alongside a bowling green, provides the incongruous setting for the prestigious Gravy Wrestling Championships. Forget any expectations of Lucha Libra or WWF style action, with bucketfuls of Bistro added this is less a combat sport and more a very muddy pantomime. The aim is to wrestle your opponent into submission however judges also award points for humour and penalize competitors for force-feeding. In past contests, hula dancers and French maids have come face to face with judo experts and Hulk Hogan look-alikes, setting up truly David and Goliath battles.
It all makes for an amusing spectacle, but the highlight of gravy wrestling is watching the competitors struggle to stay on their feet let alone perform a flat back bump. Whilst the action may not be authentic, the gravy certainly is, especially if you find yourself face down in the brown slop at some point in the day. Just don’t request extra gravy with your roast dinner if you hang around for lunch.
Location: Rose and Crown, Bacup, Lancashire
Date: August Bank Holiday Monday
Further Information: www.rosenbowl.co.uk ...
ALSO FUN AND WORTH NOTING:
... WORLD STONE SKIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
‘Toss on!’ Everyone knows how to skim a stone, but purists will be disappointed if they expect to turn up and win the world championship based on their skimming prowess. With three attempts, competitors need only manage three skims whilst hoping their stone stays within the confines of a now flooded, disused quarry on Easdale Island. Then, it’s all about how far the stone travels that decides the winner. Intriguingly, the quarry is just 63 metres long, but anyone who manages to achieve the not impossible feat of hitting the back wall will probably become world champion.
The championships are open to everyone, even the smallest toddlers, provided they can stand up without too much assistance. The same applies to the men, who often perform abysmally, skimming with power instead of technique. Younger entrants demonstrate neither power nor technique, probably too weary of falling into the water. There is a pre-skim party on the Saturday night with BBQ and live music and much fervent debate amongst the locals on correct skimming technique.
Location: Easdale Island, near Oban, Argyll and Bute
Date: Sunday 27th September 2009
Further information: www.stoneskimming.com ...
The 10 best silly events in Britain
The authors of new book Wacky Nation have taken part in more than 100 silly British events. Here's their pick
James Bamber and Sally Raynes
... 6. BRAMBLES CRICKET MATCH
The game of cricket can never be described as crazy or mad, but owing to a quirk of nature, there is one English cricketing tradition that definitely isn’t dull. Once a year a sandbank appears in the middle of The Solent, and two local yacht clubs take full advantage of this odd venue to play what is probably the world’s quickest cricket match.
Sailing to the venue at sunrise, the players waste no time in setting up the wicket once the water reveals the first grains of sand. Beyond the opening few balls when players maintain a modicum of etiquette, the game inevitably descends into a comic farce with diabolical bowling, rugby tackling and streaking dogs diverting play. Thirty minutes later, the sea rolls back in and the referee announces a waterlogged pitch prompting a hasty retreat back to the boats. Spectators are welcome, provided they have access to a boat, but only members of the two competing yacht clubs can play.
Location: Middle of The Solent. (50° 47′ 41″ N, 1° 17′ 15″ W)
Date: Saturday 22nd August 2009. 6am start (ouch!)
Further information: www.royal-southern.co.uk ...
... 1. WORLD GRAVY WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
A paddling pool in a pub beer garden, alongside a bowling green, provides the incongruous setting for the prestigious Gravy Wrestling Championships. Forget any expectations of Lucha Libra or WWF style action, with bucketfuls of Bistro added this is less a combat sport and more a very muddy pantomime. The aim is to wrestle your opponent into submission however judges also award points for humour and penalize competitors for force-feeding. In past contests, hula dancers and French maids have come face to face with judo experts and Hulk Hogan look-alikes, setting up truly David and Goliath battles.
It all makes for an amusing spectacle, but the highlight of gravy wrestling is watching the competitors struggle to stay on their feet let alone perform a flat back bump. Whilst the action may not be authentic, the gravy certainly is, especially if you find yourself face down in the brown slop at some point in the day. Just don’t request extra gravy with your roast dinner if you hang around for lunch.
Location: Rose and Crown, Bacup, Lancashire
Date: August Bank Holiday Monday
Further Information: www.rosenbowl.co.uk ...
ALSO FUN AND WORTH NOTING:
... WORLD STONE SKIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
‘Toss on!’ Everyone knows how to skim a stone, but purists will be disappointed if they expect to turn up and win the world championship based on their skimming prowess. With three attempts, competitors need only manage three skims whilst hoping their stone stays within the confines of a now flooded, disused quarry on Easdale Island. Then, it’s all about how far the stone travels that decides the winner. Intriguingly, the quarry is just 63 metres long, but anyone who manages to achieve the not impossible feat of hitting the back wall will probably become world champion.
The championships are open to everyone, even the smallest toddlers, provided they can stand up without too much assistance. The same applies to the men, who often perform abysmally, skimming with power instead of technique. Younger entrants demonstrate neither power nor technique, probably too weary of falling into the water. There is a pre-skim party on the Saturday night with BBQ and live music and much fervent debate amongst the locals on correct skimming technique.
Location: Easdale Island, near Oban, Argyll and Bute
Date: Sunday 27th September 2009
Further information: www.stoneskimming.com ...
Shericka does it again - 400-metre runner produces her best for a silver medal
Published: Wednesday | August 19, 2009
Elton Tucker, Assistant Editor - Sport
Berlin, Germany:
Jamaica's Shericka Williams posted a personal-best 49.32 seconds yesterday to take silver in the women's 400 metres final at the 12th World Championships in Berlin.
It was the 23-year-old's second silver at a major championships in 12 months, following her surprise second place at the Beijing Games last year.
Williams posted her second personal- best time in consecutive rounds. Her time in the final was just two-hundredths of a second outside the national record, 49.30, held since July 2002 by Lorraine Fenton. She had won her semi-final in 49.51.
Jamaican-born American Sanya Richards won the gold in a world leading 49.00, while bronze went to Russia's Antonina Krivoshapka in 49.71.
Another Jamaican, Novlene Williams-Mills, was fourth in a season-best 49.77.
Jamaica's medal tally at the championships now stands at five - two gold, two silver and a bronze. They are second on the medals table behind the United States with three gold, two silver and two bronze. Russia come next, also with seven - two gold, one silver and four bronze. ...
Published: Wednesday | August 19, 2009
Elton Tucker, Assistant Editor - Sport
Berlin, Germany:
Jamaica's Shericka Williams posted a personal-best 49.32 seconds yesterday to take silver in the women's 400 metres final at the 12th World Championships in Berlin.
It was the 23-year-old's second silver at a major championships in 12 months, following her surprise second place at the Beijing Games last year.
Williams posted her second personal- best time in consecutive rounds. Her time in the final was just two-hundredths of a second outside the national record, 49.30, held since July 2002 by Lorraine Fenton. She had won her semi-final in 49.51.
Jamaican-born American Sanya Richards won the gold in a world leading 49.00, while bronze went to Russia's Antonina Krivoshapka in 49.71.
Another Jamaican, Novlene Williams-Mills, was fourth in a season-best 49.77.
Jamaica's medal tally at the championships now stands at five - two gold, two silver and a bronze. They are second on the medals table behind the United States with three gold, two silver and two bronze. Russia come next, also with seven - two gold, one silver and four bronze. ...
... "I congratulate Shericka on her second place. I know she is going to do much better because there is further development for her to do. I hope the next time around she'll get the gold to make us prouder and even happier."
Errol Williams was also proud of his daughter's performance and said she did what he expected.
Her cousin, David Cooper, shared in the family's celebrations but had concerns that Shericka's home was still without electricity supply even after her performance in the Beijing Olympics last year.
He said that the Jamaica Public Service has begun running power lines in the community since February, but there had been delays.
"Her grandmother (Kathleen Clarke) even went on the television last year and begged for the light and she died (in March) and until now we haven't got light nor the roads fixed and these are so badly needed," Cooper said.
The family is hoping that Shericka will not have to return to a home of darkness as they want her performance to influence the relevant authorities to address their concerns.
Errol Williams was also proud of his daughter's performance and said she did what he expected.
Her cousin, David Cooper, shared in the family's celebrations but had concerns that Shericka's home was still without electricity supply even after her performance in the Beijing Olympics last year.
He said that the Jamaica Public Service has begun running power lines in the community since February, but there had been delays.
"Her grandmother (Kathleen Clarke) even went on the television last year and begged for the light and she died (in March) and until now we haven't got light nor the roads fixed and these are so badly needed," Cooper said.
The family is hoping that Shericka will not have to return to a home of darkness as they want her performance to influence the relevant authorities to address their concerns.
I didn't get to see the race - Novlene's Mom
Published: Wednesday | August 19, 2009
Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator
After waiting with bated breath for the start of the women's 400-metre final yesterday, their television screens suddenly went blank. It was a power outage.
Relatives of Novlene Williams-Mills, along with residents of the small farming community of Gravel Hill, St Ann, missed out on the opportunity of watching their superstar compete in the one-lap event.
"I spent most of the morning planting peas with my husband on our little farm. I left him in the field and hurried home to watched the race. I was there with my son, his wife and my grandchildren. The rain was falling heavily and just as the race was about to start, the light went. I was very disappointed," said Larose Williams, Novlene's mother.
Novlene ran a season-best 49.77 seconds to finish fourth behind the United States' Sanya Richards, Jamaica's Shericka Williams and Russia's Antonina Krivoshapka. ...
"Infrastructure" is a non-word pon De Island, Mon - dem na know wha dat.
Dem rich peepul h'an' rich towns got road widdout holes, scatterlight dish, runnin' watah (sum na even got no ketchment tank!), 'lectricitty, phone dat work, big teevee dem. Da paar peepul h'an' da small towns dem got nuttin.' It na even mattah whedda dem can pey da bills - dem na run lines until dem get enuff bribe a goa wid de work.
Worst of all, even where they have run the lines, the quality of service is inconsistent beyond imagining as this story proves.
Published: Wednesday | August 19, 2009
Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator
After waiting with bated breath for the start of the women's 400-metre final yesterday, their television screens suddenly went blank. It was a power outage.
Relatives of Novlene Williams-Mills, along with residents of the small farming community of Gravel Hill, St Ann, missed out on the opportunity of watching their superstar compete in the one-lap event.
"I spent most of the morning planting peas with my husband on our little farm. I left him in the field and hurried home to watched the race. I was there with my son, his wife and my grandchildren. The rain was falling heavily and just as the race was about to start, the light went. I was very disappointed," said Larose Williams, Novlene's mother.
Novlene ran a season-best 49.77 seconds to finish fourth behind the United States' Sanya Richards, Jamaica's Shericka Williams and Russia's Antonina Krivoshapka. ...
"Infrastructure" is a non-word pon De Island, Mon - dem na know wha dat.
Dem rich peepul h'an' rich towns got road widdout holes, scatterlight dish, runnin' watah (sum na even got no ketchment tank!), 'lectricitty, phone dat work, big teevee dem. Da paar peepul h'an' da small towns dem got nuttin.' It na even mattah whedda dem can pey da bills - dem na run lines until dem get enuff bribe a goa wid de work.
Worst of all, even where they have run the lines, the quality of service is inconsistent beyond imagining as this story proves.
Bolt advances to semi-final
2009-08-18
Jamaican Usain Bolt cruised to an easy victory to book his place in the semi-final of the men’s 200 metres on today’s fourth day of the 12th World Championship at the Berlin Olympic Stadium.
Bolt, who is bidding to add the half-lap gold to his awesome world-record 9.58 victory in the 100-metre final on Sunday, clocked 20.41 in the opening heat of the second round.
Earlier he won his opening heat in 20.70.
Bolt's Jamaican teammate Steve Mullings also booked his place, winning Heat Three in 20.23.
Jamaican Ramone McKenzie was eliminated in the first round this morning. ...
2009-08-18
Jamaican Usain Bolt cruised to an easy victory to book his place in the semi-final of the men’s 200 metres on today’s fourth day of the 12th World Championship at the Berlin Olympic Stadium.
Bolt, who is bidding to add the half-lap gold to his awesome world-record 9.58 victory in the 100-metre final on Sunday, clocked 20.41 in the opening heat of the second round.
Earlier he won his opening heat in 20.70.
Bolt's Jamaican teammate Steve Mullings also booked his place, winning Heat Three in 20.23.
Jamaican Ramone McKenzie was eliminated in the first round this morning. ...
Shelly-Ann Fraser sped to a national-record 10.73 seconds to add the world 100 metres title to her Olympic crown at the 12th IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany, last night.
Two Jamaican women hit the line almost together as Kerron Stewart bagged silver in 10.75 to equal her personal best, which was set earlier this season.
Fraser did not reach the dizzying heights of Usain Bolt, who set a new men's mark on Sunday, but she clipped one-hundredth of a second off the national record set in September 1996 by the great Jamaican sprinter Merlene Ottey.
American Carmelita Jeter prevented a repeat of the Beijing sweep when she took the bronze in 10.90.
Jeter, in fact, had looked the favourite for gold after the first two rounds but Fraser tested her bullet start in the semi-finals with a 10.79 season-best clocking and again put it together in the final to hold off the fast-finishing Stewart.
Defending champion Veronica Campbell-Brown was fourth in a season-best 10.95 and Aleen Bailey eighth in 11.16, as Jamaica paraded four athletes in a final at the World Championships for the first time.
Only three countries were represented in the final. The United States and The Bahamas both had two representatives.
"I am happy and excited as I have really worked hard for this," said Fraser, whose victory was all the more remarkable as just over three months ago she had an appendectomy.
Last night, she admitted that there was still some discomfort from the operation. ...
Two Jamaican women hit the line almost together as Kerron Stewart bagged silver in 10.75 to equal her personal best, which was set earlier this season.
Fraser did not reach the dizzying heights of Usain Bolt, who set a new men's mark on Sunday, but she clipped one-hundredth of a second off the national record set in September 1996 by the great Jamaican sprinter Merlene Ottey.
American Carmelita Jeter prevented a repeat of the Beijing sweep when she took the bronze in 10.90.
Jeter, in fact, had looked the favourite for gold after the first two rounds but Fraser tested her bullet start in the semi-finals with a 10.79 season-best clocking and again put it together in the final to hold off the fast-finishing Stewart.
Defending champion Veronica Campbell-Brown was fourth in a season-best 10.95 and Aleen Bailey eighth in 11.16, as Jamaica paraded four athletes in a final at the World Championships for the first time.
Only three countries were represented in the final. The United States and The Bahamas both had two representatives.
"I am happy and excited as I have really worked hard for this," said Fraser, whose victory was all the more remarkable as just over three months ago she had an appendectomy.
Last night, she admitted that there was still some discomfort from the operation. ...
A shotgun-wielding septuagenarian killed two men and wounded two others who tried to rob his shop in New York.
Charles Augusto Jr, 72, bought a 12-gauge pistol-grip shotgun 30 years ago after a similar attempt, so he was prepared when four young men entered his restaurant supply company in Harlem yesterday afternoon and announced that they were carrying out a "stick-up".
One of the robbers, a 29-year-old with a criminal history, produced a 9mm pistol and beat a 35-year-old shop employee identified as "JB" over the head while his accomplices attempted to restrain the shop’s other employee with plastic ties.
Seated across the room, Mr Augusto reached for his weapon, took aim at the gunman and fired, killing him almost almost immediately. He fired two more shots, striking all three of the remaining robbers, who ran out of the shop bleeding. ...
Charles Augusto Jr, 72, bought a 12-gauge pistol-grip shotgun 30 years ago after a similar attempt, so he was prepared when four young men entered his restaurant supply company in Harlem yesterday afternoon and announced that they were carrying out a "stick-up".
One of the robbers, a 29-year-old with a criminal history, produced a 9mm pistol and beat a 35-year-old shop employee identified as "JB" over the head while his accomplices attempted to restrain the shop’s other employee with plastic ties.
Seated across the room, Mr Augusto reached for his weapon, took aim at the gunman and fired, killing him almost almost immediately. He fired two more shots, striking all three of the remaining robbers, who ran out of the shop bleeding. ...
Jolly good show.
