Rubbish
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Joey's Crash
Fourteen year-old Joey's dad just got a brand new "Mustang '07 Eleanor".
It had been parked in the driveway for a few minutes when Joey started it up.
What could possibly go wrong?
It had been parked in the driveway for a few minutes when Joey started it up.
What could possibly go wrong?
The Reactable
Is a multi-user electronic music instrument with a tabletop tangible user interface. Several simultaneous performers share complete control over the instrument by moving physical objects on a luminous table surface. By moving and relating these objects, representing components of a classic modular synthesizer, users can create complex and dynamic sonic topologies, with generators, filters and modulators, in a kind of tangible modular synthesizer or graspable flow-controlled programming language.
This instrument is being developed by a team of digital luthiers (Sergi Jordà, Martin Kaltenbrunner, Günter Geiger and Marcos Alonso), at the Music Technology Group within the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain.
This instrument is being developed by a team of digital luthiers (Sergi Jordà, Martin Kaltenbrunner, Günter Geiger and Marcos Alonso), at the Music Technology Group within the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain.
The secret life cycle of gum
The five ages of chewing gum, from wrapper to stain on the pavement.
As part of a House of Lords debate this week on whether to tax chewing gum to help pay for cleaning it up, Lord Selsdon, a Conservative life presented his research into the life-cycle of gum.
Stick: Gum starts life in a wrapper with a nice notice on the outside, asking the chewer to "please use this wrapper prior to disposal".
Blob: "It then enters the mouth where, mixed with saliva and often respiratory pathogens - and occasionally blood if you have recently been to a dentist for teeth cleaning - it is masticated and then given its exit in the form of excrement," Lord Selsdon told the house.
Projectile: "This excrement is either spat on to the pavement, or disposed of in other ways, and carries with it certain dangers. As it hits the pavement, it is colloquially known as a 'gum turd'. This may retain viruses and bacteria for as long as it is wet."
Flat: It is then squashed by passing feet and wheels and becomes a flat. Those that are cleaned up - at a cost of up to £250,000 for a small city centre - might be steamed, scraped, lasered or doused with chemicals out of existence. According to the Keep Britain Tidy campaign, councils in England alone spent £8.5m in 2005 cleaning up gum.
Stain: But long after its removal - whether by cleaning or erosion over three to four years - evidence of its presence remains as a stain. The result - speckled pavements.
As part of a House of Lords debate this week on whether to tax chewing gum to help pay for cleaning it up, Lord Selsdon, a Conservative life presented his research into the life-cycle of gum.
Stick: Gum starts life in a wrapper with a nice notice on the outside, asking the chewer to "please use this wrapper prior to disposal".
Blob: "It then enters the mouth where, mixed with saliva and often respiratory pathogens - and occasionally blood if you have recently been to a dentist for teeth cleaning - it is masticated and then given its exit in the form of excrement," Lord Selsdon told the house.
Projectile: "This excrement is either spat on to the pavement, or disposed of in other ways, and carries with it certain dangers. As it hits the pavement, it is colloquially known as a 'gum turd'. This may retain viruses and bacteria for as long as it is wet."
Flat: It is then squashed by passing feet and wheels and becomes a flat. Those that are cleaned up - at a cost of up to £250,000 for a small city centre - might be steamed, scraped, lasered or doused with chemicals out of existence. According to the Keep Britain Tidy campaign, councils in England alone spent £8.5m in 2005 cleaning up gum.
Stain: But long after its removal - whether by cleaning or erosion over three to four years - evidence of its presence remains as a stain. The result - speckled pavements.
Swan in love with paddle boat
A swan who fell in love with a swan-shaped paddle boat has been moved to a zoo with his plastic lover.
Biologists in Muenster, north-western Germany, say the rare Black Australian Swan has been showing all the typical signs of love for its species, circling its plastic lover, staring endlessly at it and making crooning noises.
The swan now refuses to fly south for winter without his mate.
Park keepers say that 'Black Peter' as the lovesick swan is known, refused to leave the boat on the Aasee Lake - which also should be taken off during the cold weather.
Boat-owner Peter Overschmidt has agreed not to lock his boat away for the winter.
He said: "When you see how Peter circles the swan boat you know there could be no other option, it's the centre of his life."
Update: There are more photos here.
Biologists in Muenster, north-western Germany, say the rare Black Australian Swan has been showing all the typical signs of love for its species, circling its plastic lover, staring endlessly at it and making crooning noises.
The swan now refuses to fly south for winter without his mate.
Park keepers say that 'Black Peter' as the lovesick swan is known, refused to leave the boat on the Aasee Lake - which also should be taken off during the cold weather.
Boat-owner Peter Overschmidt has agreed not to lock his boat away for the winter.
He said: "When you see how Peter circles the swan boat you know there could be no other option, it's the centre of his life."
Update: There are more photos here.
Inmate Wins Right To Computer Files, Not Computer
It's a good news, bad news ruling for Brandon Sample.
Sample lives in a Georgia federal lockup, where he's doing 14 years for a money-laundering conspiracy. And for the last three years, he's been battling the Bureau of Prisons to get computer disks with information about his jail.
Today, Sample can claim victory. An appeals court in the nation's capital agrees that he's entitled to the computer files.
But in the same ruling, the judges say there's nothing in the law requiring prison officials to give him a computer to access the files.
The court says once he gets the disks, the government's obligation is complete. If he reads them, and how he does that, isn't up to the court.
Sample lives in a Georgia federal lockup, where he's doing 14 years for a money-laundering conspiracy. And for the last three years, he's been battling the Bureau of Prisons to get computer disks with information about his jail.
Today, Sample can claim victory. An appeals court in the nation's capital agrees that he's entitled to the computer files.
But in the same ruling, the judges say there's nothing in the law requiring prison officials to give him a computer to access the files.
The court says once he gets the disks, the government's obligation is complete. If he reads them, and how he does that, isn't up to the court.
Calf grows leg on back
In Lianyungang, East China's Jiangsu Province. The cow calf, just 17 days old, is now in good condition.
With photos.
Man Uses Mower To Cut Racial Slur
A 19-year-old Edgewater Park man was charged yesterday with cutting a large racial slur into a grassy, public lot across the street from a biracial teenager, police said.
Dennis E. Westphal, of Green Street, faces 18 months in state prison if convicted of bias intimidation and harassment. He was also charged with disorderly conduct.
The word n- was cut into tall grass in 10-foot letters sometime during the night of Aug. 30 or the morning of Aug. 31.
It was discovered by Eric Schneider as he walked his dog. His family believed it was directed at his sister-in-law, 16-year-old Kendahl Jones, who is biracial and lives with him on Bridgeboro Road.
No noise was heard the night the grass was cut, so it was thought the culprit used a hand mower.
Dennis E. Westphal, of Green Street, faces 18 months in state prison if convicted of bias intimidation and harassment. He was also charged with disorderly conduct.
The word n- was cut into tall grass in 10-foot letters sometime during the night of Aug. 30 or the morning of Aug. 31.
It was discovered by Eric Schneider as he walked his dog. His family believed it was directed at his sister-in-law, 16-year-old Kendahl Jones, who is biracial and lives with him on Bridgeboro Road.
No noise was heard the night the grass was cut, so it was thought the culprit used a hand mower.
Two fined for 'fixing' cat's leg
A couple who tried to fix their cat's broken leg with lollipop sticks and parcel tape have been ordered to pay £1,400 in fines and costs by a court.
Miaow the cat had to have one of its back legs amputated because owners John and Shariefa England refused to pay for vets to treat their pet after a dog attack.
John England, of Beeston, Nottingham, then decided to treat the cat himself by taping two lollipop sticks to either side of the injured leg.
The leg became infected and later had to be amputated.
The couple were sentenced at Nottingham Magistrates Court after previously being found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to their cat.
Miaow the cat had to have one of its back legs amputated because owners John and Shariefa England refused to pay for vets to treat their pet after a dog attack.
John England, of Beeston, Nottingham, then decided to treat the cat himself by taping two lollipop sticks to either side of the injured leg.
The leg became infected and later had to be amputated.
The couple were sentenced at Nottingham Magistrates Court after previously being found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to their cat.
Nude Couple's Feud Ends at Waffle House
No shirt, no service? What about no clothes at all? A couple that began squabbling in a motel room Friday morning carried their dispute over to an adjacent Waffle House diner in the nude, police said.
A woman, who was not identified, told officers she was staying in a room with Larry Boyd when he took a hit of cocaine, starting trashing their room and choking her.
She ran in the buff to the 24-hour diner off Interstate 40 west of downtown Nashville and locked herself in the bathroom. Boyd, also naked, followed her into the restaurant and then fled in a car.
He was arrested - still naked - after a short chase by police and was charged with driving under the influence, felony evading arrest and other charges.
A woman, who was not identified, told officers she was staying in a room with Larry Boyd when he took a hit of cocaine, starting trashing their room and choking her.
She ran in the buff to the 24-hour diner off Interstate 40 west of downtown Nashville and locked herself in the bathroom. Boyd, also naked, followed her into the restaurant and then fled in a car.
He was arrested - still naked - after a short chase by police and was charged with driving under the influence, felony evading arrest and other charges.
Woman, 82, flips car on forecourt
An 82-year-old pensioner who destroyed a diesel pump and overturned her car on the forecourt is welcome back, says the fuel station's manager.
Suzanne Cordeau was trying to manoeuvre her Toyota Starlet closer to the pump when she accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake.
The car careered across the forecourt in Tewkesbury, and hit a diesel pump - knocking it off its foundations.
Mrs Cordeau's car then hit a kerb before turning over on to its roof.
She escaped with minor injuries, but it took a team of 12 firefighters to free her from the wreckage.
Watch the CCTV footage here.
Suzanne Cordeau was trying to manoeuvre her Toyota Starlet closer to the pump when she accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake.
The car careered across the forecourt in Tewkesbury, and hit a diesel pump - knocking it off its foundations.
Mrs Cordeau's car then hit a kerb before turning over on to its roof.
She escaped with minor injuries, but it took a team of 12 firefighters to free her from the wreckage.
Watch the CCTV footage here.
'Jelly bellies' memo costs police chief his job
Police Chief Paul Goward was tired of looking around his department and seeing blubber hanging over the belts of some of his officers. So he sent out a memo exhorting the "jelly bellies" to shape up.
In the end, the department lost 190 pounds - all of them belonging to Goward. He was forced out as chief because some of his officers took offence at the memo.
The October 11 memo bruised feelings on the 80-member force, drew at least one anonymous letter of complaint from officers about the chief's management style and made his department the butt of jokes about fat cops and doughnuts.
Goward, 60, said he is not a fitness freak, was not "asking for a department full of Arnold Schwarzeneggers here" and did not order his officers to stay away from fast-food restaurants or doughnut shops. In fact, the 36-year police veteran, who has also worked in Kansas and South Carolina, said Winter Haven's force is no less fit than the others he has served on.
In the end, the department lost 190 pounds - all of them belonging to Goward. He was forced out as chief because some of his officers took offence at the memo.
The October 11 memo bruised feelings on the 80-member force, drew at least one anonymous letter of complaint from officers about the chief's management style and made his department the butt of jokes about fat cops and doughnuts.
Goward, 60, said he is not a fitness freak, was not "asking for a department full of Arnold Schwarzeneggers here" and did not order his officers to stay away from fast-food restaurants or doughnut shops. In fact, the 36-year police veteran, who has also worked in Kansas and South Carolina, said Winter Haven's force is no less fit than the others he has served on.
Fury as Jellybaby Two Cleared Of All Charges
Two London Underground workers charged with racial harassment after they joked about a bag of Jelly Babies have branded their trial a farce after they were cleared.
The eight day trial is estimated to have cost the taxpayer hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Carlo Rozza and Victor Cooney denied taunting black colleague Daniel Jean-Marie with a bag of Jelly Babies.
They were accused of making jokes about black jelly babies and threatening to bite their heads off.
The eight day trial is estimated to have cost the taxpayer hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Carlo Rozza and Victor Cooney denied taunting black colleague Daniel Jean-Marie with a bag of Jelly Babies.
They were accused of making jokes about black jelly babies and threatening to bite their heads off.
Police's response to burglary-hit street? Put up a sign
Police have been lambasted by residents of a street where burglars targeted seven houses in four days.
The family homes, 150 yards apart in Belsize Park, London, all suffered burglaries or attempted break-ins in the early hours.
Yet the police response was to install notices on lamp posts that said: "Burglars operate in this area."
Today, furious residents of Glenmore Road said the burglars were "unbelievably professional", striking when they knew police shifts ended and homeowners would be asleep.
The family homes, 150 yards apart in Belsize Park, London, all suffered burglaries or attempted break-ins in the early hours.
Yet the police response was to install notices on lamp posts that said: "Burglars operate in this area."
Today, furious residents of Glenmore Road said the burglars were "unbelievably professional", striking when they knew police shifts ended and homeowners would be asleep.
Sheep sex immigrant jailed
An asylum seeker had sex with a ewe as its “male partner” looked on, a court heard.
Factory worker Hidyat Amin — who came to Britain from Iraq — romped with the sheep in a farm shed.
The 30-year-old Kurd was trapped by DNA evidence after his underpants and socks were found at the scene.
Amin was found guilty by a jury of having sex with an animal. Prosecutor Caroline Wigin said DNA swabs suggested a billion to one chance it was not him.
Amin, who fears deportation after three years in the UK, was sentenced to six months’ jail. But he could be out next week because of time already spent behind bars.
Factory worker Hidyat Amin — who came to Britain from Iraq — romped with the sheep in a farm shed.
The 30-year-old Kurd was trapped by DNA evidence after his underpants and socks were found at the scene.
Amin was found guilty by a jury of having sex with an animal. Prosecutor Caroline Wigin said DNA swabs suggested a billion to one chance it was not him.
Amin, who fears deportation after three years in the UK, was sentenced to six months’ jail. But he could be out next week because of time already spent behind bars.
Police flush 2,500 cans of beer
Police officers in Staffordshire have been working in shifts to pour 2,500 cans of beer and hundreds of bottles of spirits and champagne down a toilet.
The alcohol was confiscated from an off licence that was trading illegally and a judge ordered it to be destroyed.
Severn Trent said it could not be poured into the drains so officers at Hanley police station will spend the next week flushing it away.
Staffordshire Police said it was the only viable way to carry out the order.
The alcohol was confiscated from an off licence that was trading illegally and a judge ordered it to be destroyed.
Severn Trent said it could not be poured into the drains so officers at Hanley police station will spend the next week flushing it away.
Staffordshire Police said it was the only viable way to carry out the order.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Will It Blend?
The Total Blender that is used in the “Will it Blend” video series is the entry level blender for the Blendtec home product line.
The videos are divided into two sections, "Try This At Home" and "Don't Try This At Home".
The videos are divided into two sections, "Try This At Home" and "Don't Try This At Home".
Man Escorted From Gym For Grunting
You can lift, strain, crunch and sweat all you want at the Planet Fitness in the Dutchess County village. But whatever you do, do not grunt.
Yep, "no grunting." It says so, in black and white, on a sign posted at the gym. One former member learned the new rule the hard way.
"This is really absurd, especially the part about the grunting," said Al Argibay, a corrections officer who learned first-hand "no grunting" means exactly that.
Argibay said he was at a multi-press station, getting ready to squat about 500 pounds when the forbidden sin happened. "I let out a grunt, squatted down, back up, grunt again. That's it," explained Argibay. "Basically, grunt, grunt, basic breathing in heavy, and breathing out."
With video.
Yep, "no grunting." It says so, in black and white, on a sign posted at the gym. One former member learned the new rule the hard way.
"This is really absurd, especially the part about the grunting," said Al Argibay, a corrections officer who learned first-hand "no grunting" means exactly that.
Argibay said he was at a multi-press station, getting ready to squat about 500 pounds when the forbidden sin happened. "I let out a grunt, squatted down, back up, grunt again. That's it," explained Argibay. "Basically, grunt, grunt, basic breathing in heavy, and breathing out."
With video.
New weapon in battle of the bulge
Size really does count, just ask Australian underwear maker AussieBum which has just launched the "Wonderjock" for men who want to look bigger.
Since the launch seven days ago, AussieBum says it has sold 50,000 pairs of "Wonderjock," mostly on its Web site www.aussiebum.com and a handful of stores around the world.
"The design of the underwear, separates and lifts. The fabric cup protrudes everything out in front instead of down toward the ground," said "Wonderjock" designer Sean Ashby.
Ashby said the idea for the "Wonderjock" was the result of online feedback from customers who expressed an interest in looking bigger, just like women using the "Wonderbra."
Since the launch seven days ago, AussieBum says it has sold 50,000 pairs of "Wonderjock," mostly on its Web site www.aussiebum.com and a handful of stores around the world.
"The design of the underwear, separates and lifts. The fabric cup protrudes everything out in front instead of down toward the ground," said "Wonderjock" designer Sean Ashby.
Ashby said the idea for the "Wonderjock" was the result of online feedback from customers who expressed an interest in looking bigger, just like women using the "Wonderbra."
Paralyzed Ferret Finds Home
While most vets would have put a paralyzed ferret to sleep, new owner Bill Higbee gives Scooter the royal treatment.
When the local vet told Higbee about the ferret, he says he knew he had to adopt him.
Scooter's back legs are paralyzed, so Higbee built him a wheelchair "so his little legs can hang off the side and get stronger and things."
"We ran the aisles of Ace Hardware with this scooter," said Higbee.
That is not the only treatment Scooter gets. He also gets acupuncture once a week and regular shots of B-12.
With video.
When the local vet told Higbee about the ferret, he says he knew he had to adopt him.
Scooter's back legs are paralyzed, so Higbee built him a wheelchair "so his little legs can hang off the side and get stronger and things."
"We ran the aisles of Ace Hardware with this scooter," said Higbee.
That is not the only treatment Scooter gets. He also gets acupuncture once a week and regular shots of B-12.
With video.
Man removes sharp hand tool from rear at gunpoint
A police encounter with a naked man near the El Cerrito BART station turned into an arrest on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon.
Passersby called officers about 7:50 a.m. to report that a naked many was lying on a tree stump beside the Ohlone Greenway path, exposing himself and masturbating.
Police saw John Sheehan and arrested him on suspicion of indecent exposure.
Officers led him to the nearest street. Before putting Sheehan in the back of his car, Sgt. Paul Keith asked him if he had anything on him that police should know about.
Sheehan replied that he had hidden a screwdriver in his anal cavity.
Unsure about what to do, police called for a fire engine. Firefighters quickly decided that an emergency room would be better equipped to deal with the situation.
Passersby called officers about 7:50 a.m. to report that a naked many was lying on a tree stump beside the Ohlone Greenway path, exposing himself and masturbating.
Police saw John Sheehan and arrested him on suspicion of indecent exposure.
Officers led him to the nearest street. Before putting Sheehan in the back of his car, Sgt. Paul Keith asked him if he had anything on him that police should know about.
Sheehan replied that he had hidden a screwdriver in his anal cavity.
Unsure about what to do, police called for a fire engine. Firefighters quickly decided that an emergency room would be better equipped to deal with the situation.
Pollock work 'earns record price'
A work by Jackson Pollock has become the most expensive painting sold, at a price of about $140m (£73m).
Unnamed art experts said that US media magnate David Geffen had sold the 4ft by 8ft work, No 5, 1948, to Mexican financier David Martinez.
The reported price exceeds the $135m (£71m) paid in June for a 1907 portrait by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt.
The Pollock work features the US artist's famous drip-and-pour style.
Why not make your own?
Unnamed art experts said that US media magnate David Geffen had sold the 4ft by 8ft work, No 5, 1948, to Mexican financier David Martinez.
The reported price exceeds the $135m (£71m) paid in June for a 1907 portrait by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt.
The Pollock work features the US artist's famous drip-and-pour style.
Why not make your own?
Cow gets a leg-up
A prized dairy cow is putting her best foot forward again after an Australian-first effort to fit a prosthetic limb.
Latrobe dairy farmer Geoff Heazlewood admits it was just a whim when he suggested Theresa, a two-year-old heifer, get an artificial leg.
Last weekend Theresa was fitted with a new leg, just three months after one of her rear legs was amputated after a fall down an embankment.
A week after fitting the artificial leg, made of timber and fibreglass, everything is going well.
Mr Heazlewood said the cow seemed to take a few minutes to get used to the new leg, but had adjusted fairly well.
Latrobe dairy farmer Geoff Heazlewood admits it was just a whim when he suggested Theresa, a two-year-old heifer, get an artificial leg.
Last weekend Theresa was fitted with a new leg, just three months after one of her rear legs was amputated after a fall down an embankment.
A week after fitting the artificial leg, made of timber and fibreglass, everything is going well.
Mr Heazlewood said the cow seemed to take a few minutes to get used to the new leg, but had adjusted fairly well.
Brittle euro notes baffle Germans
German police are trying to find out why some euro banknotes of various denominations have been disintegrating - and who is responsible.
The notes are believed to have come into contact with sulphuric acid - perhaps during a cleaning process, police spokesman Michael Maasz said.
Hundreds of the brittle notes have appeared in at least 17 German towns and cities, German media report.
The popular German daily Bild says a blackmail attempt is one of the possibilities that police are investigating.
The paper says the banknotes are not forgeries.
There's a photograph of a couple of the crumbling notes here.
The notes are believed to have come into contact with sulphuric acid - perhaps during a cleaning process, police spokesman Michael Maasz said.
Hundreds of the brittle notes have appeared in at least 17 German towns and cities, German media report.
The popular German daily Bild says a blackmail attempt is one of the possibilities that police are investigating.
The paper says the banknotes are not forgeries.
There's a photograph of a couple of the crumbling notes here.
Otter 'escorts' mate to hospital
Hospital staff were amazed to see an otter appear to escort its injured mate to the front door of their building.
The animals paused at the door and one appeared to look up at an intercom, according to staff at Broadford Hospital on the Isle of Skye.
The otters eventually ran away, leaving bloody footprints where they had been.
Charge nurse Chrisann O'Halloran said the night shift could not believe what they were seeing on the hospital's CCTV cameras on Thursday morning.
The animals paused at the door and one appeared to look up at an intercom, according to staff at Broadford Hospital on the Isle of Skye.
The otters eventually ran away, leaving bloody footprints where they had been.
Charge nurse Chrisann O'Halloran said the night shift could not believe what they were seeing on the hospital's CCTV cameras on Thursday morning.
Stonehenge savaged in American attack
Stonehenge, Britain’s most iconic heritage site, has been savaged by a leading publication in the American tourist industry.
National Geographic Traveler says that the Neolithic and Bronze Age stone circle is “a mess”, “over-loved” andover here lacking in magic.
The criticisms are made in a survey by the magazine of conditions at 94 UNESCO World Heritage Sites based on a point-scoring system.
Two other UK sites - the city of Bath and the West Country’s Jurassic Coast - won higher marks and praise.
Norway’s West Fjords topped the study, with 87 points, while Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley was placed bottom with just 39 points. Also doing badly in the latest survey were the Great Wall of China (55 points) and the Pyramids of Giza (50 points).
National Geographic Traveler says that the Neolithic and Bronze Age stone circle is “a mess”, “over-loved” and
The criticisms are made in a survey by the magazine of conditions at 94 UNESCO World Heritage Sites based on a point-scoring system.
Two other UK sites - the city of Bath and the West Country’s Jurassic Coast - won higher marks and praise.
Norway’s West Fjords topped the study, with 87 points, while Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley was placed bottom with just 39 points. Also doing badly in the latest survey were the Great Wall of China (55 points) and the Pyramids of Giza (50 points).
British believe Dubya is more dangerous than Kim Jong-il
America is now seen as a threat to world peace by its closest neighbours and allies, according to an international survey of public opinion published today that reveals just how far the country's reputation has fallen among former supporters since the invasion of Iraq.
Carried out as US voters prepare to go to the polls next week in an election dominated by the war, the research also shows that British voters see George Bush as a greater danger to world peace than either the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il, or the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Both countries were once cited by the US president as part of an "axis of evil", but it is Mr Bush who now alarms voters in countries with traditionally strong links to the US.
The finding is mirrored in America's immediate northern and southern neighbours, Canada and Mexico, with 62% of Canadians and 57% of Mexicans saying the world has become more dangerous because of US policy.
Even in Israel, which has long looked to America to guarantee national security, support for the US has slipped.
Only one in four Israeli voters say that Mr Bush has made the world safer, outweighed by the number who think he has added to the risk of international conflict, 36% to 25%. A further 30% say that at best he has made no difference.
Carried out as US voters prepare to go to the polls next week in an election dominated by the war, the research also shows that British voters see George Bush as a greater danger to world peace than either the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il, or the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Both countries were once cited by the US president as part of an "axis of evil", but it is Mr Bush who now alarms voters in countries with traditionally strong links to the US.
The finding is mirrored in America's immediate northern and southern neighbours, Canada and Mexico, with 62% of Canadians and 57% of Mexicans saying the world has become more dangerous because of US policy.
Even in Israel, which has long looked to America to guarantee national security, support for the US has slipped.
Only one in four Israeli voters say that Mr Bush has made the world safer, outweighed by the number who think he has added to the risk of international conflict, 36% to 25%. A further 30% say that at best he has made no difference.
Britain: the most spied on nation in the world
A stark warning that Britain is turning into a Big Brother society, where the lives of millions are routinely monitored and tracked from cradle to grave, is given today by the Government's privacy watchdog.
Richard Thomas, the Information Commissioner, says more and more personal data is being collected and stored on all of us, both by the state and big business.
"The combination of CCTV, biometrics, databases and tracking technologies can be seen as part of a much broader exploration, often funded with support from the US/UK 'war on terror', of the use of interconnected 'smart' systems to track movements and behaviours of millions of people in both time and space," the report says.
Mr Thomas said last night that the concerns he voiced two years ago that "we are sleepwalking into a surveillance society" were turning out to be correct.
Richard Thomas, the Information Commissioner, says more and more personal data is being collected and stored on all of us, both by the state and big business.
"The combination of CCTV, biometrics, databases and tracking technologies can be seen as part of a much broader exploration, often funded with support from the US/UK 'war on terror', of the use of interconnected 'smart' systems to track movements and behaviours of millions of people in both time and space," the report says.
Mr Thomas said last night that the concerns he voiced two years ago that "we are sleepwalking into a surveillance society" were turning out to be correct.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Cars
Here's another video clip of a car in Manchester failing to deal with the rise and fall bollards.
A human racing car.
And here's a very well behaved wheel.
A human racing car.
And here's a very well behaved wheel.
Introducing The Glider Mouse
Hela's New Glider Mouse is a revolutionary ergonomic mouse.
The central mouse position gives you an optimal working posture and eliminated the painful motion of repeatedly having to reach out for the mouse next to the keyboard. The Glider Mouse is very easy to use and ideal for both right and left handed users. Simply plug in the mouse into a USB port and you're already making progress towards a more healthy and comfortable way of working your computer.
The experienced central mouse user will notice significant improvements in positioning of click buttons, and scroll wheel. The "glider" moves effortlessly across the pad with accurate pointer movements. The advanced user can configure the mouse using 12 switches for customized programming to suit individual needs. No extra drivers or software is required.
£149.00
The central mouse position gives you an optimal working posture and eliminated the painful motion of repeatedly having to reach out for the mouse next to the keyboard. The Glider Mouse is very easy to use and ideal for both right and left handed users. Simply plug in the mouse into a USB port and you're already making progress towards a more healthy and comfortable way of working your computer.
The experienced central mouse user will notice significant improvements in positioning of click buttons, and scroll wheel. The "glider" moves effortlessly across the pad with accurate pointer movements. The advanced user can configure the mouse using 12 switches for customized programming to suit individual needs. No extra drivers or software is required.
£149.00
Driver Halts Bus Because Passenger Coughs
A New York City bus driver stopped his bus because a passenger coughed. The Transit Authority acknowledges something happened on the X10 Express bus from Staten Island Tuesday, but two different stories are coming out.
Wall Street banker Michael Goga tells the New York Post that he cleared his throat and coughed. The driver told him he had to get off the bus, because he didn't want germs spread.
When Goga refused to leave, the driver took the bus out of service and ordered everyone off in Lower Manhattan.
Goga then called police to file a complaint.
Transit spokesman Charles Seaton says the driver only wanted Goga to cover his mouth, and the passenger than dialed 9-11.
Wall Street banker Michael Goga tells the New York Post that he cleared his throat and coughed. The driver told him he had to get off the bus, because he didn't want germs spread.
When Goga refused to leave, the driver took the bus out of service and ordered everyone off in Lower Manhattan.
Goga then called police to file a complaint.
Transit spokesman Charles Seaton says the driver only wanted Goga to cover his mouth, and the passenger than dialed 9-11.
Man steals 5,000 pairs of shoes to savour the odour
A man suspected of stealing about 5,000 pairs of shoes in order to enjoy their odour has been arrested.
"I was enjoying their smell", Masashi Kamata, 28, a resident of Moriyama-ku, Nagoya, was quoted as telling investigators. "Indoor shoes for school sexually stimulate me. I couldn't throw away the shoes I obtained."
In the specific case for which he was arrested, Kamata stole two pairs of shoes from a girl that were being dried on the premises of her home in Owariasahi, Aichi, in September last year.
Local police confiscated about 5,000 pairs of school indoor shoes for girls and boys from a warehouse he had rented in Moriyama-ku on Wednesday.
"I was enjoying their smell", Masashi Kamata, 28, a resident of Moriyama-ku, Nagoya, was quoted as telling investigators. "Indoor shoes for school sexually stimulate me. I couldn't throw away the shoes I obtained."
In the specific case for which he was arrested, Kamata stole two pairs of shoes from a girl that were being dried on the premises of her home in Owariasahi, Aichi, in September last year.
Local police confiscated about 5,000 pairs of school indoor shoes for girls and boys from a warehouse he had rented in Moriyama-ku on Wednesday.
Woman dies next to own grave
A Dutch woman, who had meticulously planned her own funeral after the death of her husband last year, died next to the grave in Amsterdam where she wanted to be buried, a newspaper reported.
The 65-year-old widow probably died of a heart attack while she was visiting the family grave where her name, but no date, was already inscribed, De Telegraaf daily reported Wednesday.
The woman was carrying a bag with her containing her will when she died and had already organized details of her funeral including the music she wanted played, the paper said.
Thanks Annemarie!
The 65-year-old widow probably died of a heart attack while she was visiting the family grave where her name, but no date, was already inscribed, De Telegraaf daily reported Wednesday.
The woman was carrying a bag with her containing her will when she died and had already organized details of her funeral including the music she wanted played, the paper said.
Thanks Annemarie!
Jilted groom finds fitting new bride
A jilted Romanian man found a new bride by asking which of his neighbours could fit into the wedding dress.
Florin Mazilu, from Malu Mare in southeastern Romania, is now recommending buying the dress first and looking for the wife second.
He claims his stand-in bride has turned out to be the love of his life after original fiancée Adelina Epure dumped him four days before their wedding.
Mazilu spread word in his hometown that he would marry any girl who fitted into the wedding dress and the wedding ring he had already bought.
Within hours he had found 21-year-old local Ana Maria who fitted perfectly into the dress and ring.
Florin Mazilu, from Malu Mare in southeastern Romania, is now recommending buying the dress first and looking for the wife second.
He claims his stand-in bride has turned out to be the love of his life after original fiancée Adelina Epure dumped him four days before their wedding.
Mazilu spread word in his hometown that he would marry any girl who fitted into the wedding dress and the wedding ring he had already bought.
Within hours he had found 21-year-old local Ana Maria who fitted perfectly into the dress and ring.
Thousands set drumming record
Percussionists in India have banged their way into the Guinness Book of Records.
They set a new world record in Shillong, north east India, for the largest number of people drumming at the same time.
The 7,951 drummers, schoolchildren and members of the police, performed an orchestrated piece called Positive Vibrations composed by local musician, Rudy Wallang.
Guinness adjudicator Michael Whitty presented a certificate to RG Lyngdoh, the region's tourism minister, who clearly thought he had won an Oscar.
But he's every right to feel proud, as his drummers beat the previous Hong Kong record in February 2005 by a thumping 200.
There's a slideshow here.
They set a new world record in Shillong, north east India, for the largest number of people drumming at the same time.
The 7,951 drummers, schoolchildren and members of the police, performed an orchestrated piece called Positive Vibrations composed by local musician, Rudy Wallang.
Guinness adjudicator Michael Whitty presented a certificate to RG Lyngdoh, the region's tourism minister, who clearly thought he had won an Oscar.
But he's every right to feel proud, as his drummers beat the previous Hong Kong record in February 2005 by a thumping 200.
There's a slideshow here.
House built in under three hours
A group of builders has put up a house in under three hours to demonstrate the benefits of new construction methods.
The house was built outside York's National Railway Museum to coincide with a Housing Corporation conference there on Wednesday.
It was made completely out of wood from a design used by housing associations that is said to cost under £18,000.
Museum visitors were able to walk around the finished two-storey house before it was dismantled.
The house was built outside York's National Railway Museum to coincide with a Housing Corporation conference there on Wednesday.
It was made completely out of wood from a design used by housing associations that is said to cost under £18,000.
Museum visitors were able to walk around the finished two-storey house before it was dismantled.
Teenager fed live cat to snarling dog
A convicted robber was told that he is facing a jail sentence after he admitted feeding a live cat to his Staffordshire bull terrier.
CCTV footage showed Callum Myers grinning as two friends watched him dangle the cat above the snarling dog. He stood back as the dog savaged it, snapping its ribs and ripping open its heart. The cat’s owners later identified their pet, Tigger, by its collar.
At Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court yesterday, he admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the animal on March 15 last year. Myers, 18, who was on licence for robbery at the time of the attack, showed no remorse and was told that he faced a life ban from keeping animals.
The court was told that a local resident had tried to prise the cat from the dog’s jaws, after hearing a horrendous noise outside his home.
Myers has a history of cruelty, and had enticed Gypsy to kill a puppy a few weeks earlier.
CCTV footage showed Callum Myers grinning as two friends watched him dangle the cat above the snarling dog. He stood back as the dog savaged it, snapping its ribs and ripping open its heart. The cat’s owners later identified their pet, Tigger, by its collar.
At Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court yesterday, he admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the animal on March 15 last year. Myers, 18, who was on licence for robbery at the time of the attack, showed no remorse and was told that he faced a life ban from keeping animals.
The court was told that a local resident had tried to prise the cat from the dog’s jaws, after hearing a horrendous noise outside his home.
Myers has a history of cruelty, and had enticed Gypsy to kill a puppy a few weeks earlier.
Raging bullock chases policeman up motorway
As a police patrol officer, he was expecting to command some authority when called to deal with an unusual road hazard.
But for one bullish road hog PC Steve Thomson's fluorescent visibility jacket and tone of voice had the exact opposite effect.
So when the officer was confronted with an angry young bullock fast approaching down a dual carriageway there was was only one thing for it - run away.
The unfolding drama was captured on video by a camera mounted inside the officer's patrol car, and you can watch the video here.
But for one bullish road hog PC Steve Thomson's fluorescent visibility jacket and tone of voice had the exact opposite effect.
So when the officer was confronted with an angry young bullock fast approaching down a dual carriageway there was was only one thing for it - run away.
The unfolding drama was captured on video by a camera mounted inside the officer's patrol car, and you can watch the video here.
Dad arrested for pulling son from bed
A Dad who dragged his teenage son out of bed to get him to college has been charged with assault.
The conscientious father grabbed the 16-year-old by the arm and hauled him up when he ignored his mum’s calls at 8.15am.
The angry lad rang police — and two officers raced to his home. They arrested the 44-year-old dad, locked him in a cell for six hours then charged him with common assault and obstructing police. Later the boy begged cops to drop the case. But the Crown Prosecution Service is pressing ahead and the father has already appeared in court.
Magistrates banned identification of the pair from Plymouth, Devon, before granting the dad bail.
The father, who has never been in trouble, is fighting the case. He added: “It should be nothing to do with the police.”
The conscientious father grabbed the 16-year-old by the arm and hauled him up when he ignored his mum’s calls at 8.15am.
The angry lad rang police — and two officers raced to his home. They arrested the 44-year-old dad, locked him in a cell for six hours then charged him with common assault and obstructing police. Later the boy begged cops to drop the case. But the Crown Prosecution Service is pressing ahead and the father has already appeared in court.
Magistrates banned identification of the pair from Plymouth, Devon, before granting the dad bail.
The father, who has never been in trouble, is fighting the case. He added: “It should be nothing to do with the police.”
Burglar 'happily' posed for photo
A burglar who allowed his photo to be taken as he fled a house he had broken into has been given a 51-week jail sentence suspended for two years.
Daniel Johnson, 32, of no fixed address, had burgled Astrid Sims' home and stolen bank cards and a bus pass.
Mrs Sims, 69, shouted for help as Johnson left her flat in Redland, Bristol, on 10 September.
Bristol Crown Court heard Johnson posed for a picture taken by a neighbour on her camera phone.
Jason Taylor, prosecuting, told the court that Johnson had "consented" to having his picture taken and had then cycled off on a bike.
Daniel Johnson, 32, of no fixed address, had burgled Astrid Sims' home and stolen bank cards and a bus pass.
Mrs Sims, 69, shouted for help as Johnson left her flat in Redland, Bristol, on 10 September.
Bristol Crown Court heard Johnson posed for a picture taken by a neighbour on her camera phone.
Jason Taylor, prosecuting, told the court that Johnson had "consented" to having his picture taken and had then cycled off on a bike.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Branded Branding
Imagine your logo, branded directly onto the live animal hide before the tanning process. Imagine an authentic scar-tissue patterned leather. Imagine a completely new, completely unique material for your leather goods. Imagine an ancient process updated with 21st Century technology. That's Branded Branding.
Man Accused of Licking Woman's Toe
A man with mischief afoot entered a home and licked the toe of a sleeping woman over the weekend, police said. The man reportedly licked the woman's left big toe while she was sleeping early on Sunday.
The woman was sleeping next to her husband, who chased the suspect from the house and down the street.
The suspect was wearing a black, hooded sweat shirt, white shorts and white shoes.
The woman was sleeping next to her husband, who chased the suspect from the house and down the street.
The suspect was wearing a black, hooded sweat shirt, white shorts and white shoes.
Miami Zoo Hosts Poop Exhibit
Meadow muffins. Guano. Faeces. Solid waste. Kaka.
The words for poop are endless, but the Miami Metrozoo has another term to add to the list: educational.
Now on display is 5,000-square-foot exhibit on excrement titled “The Scoop on Poop,'' which invites visitors to explore the science of scat. The exhibit is filled with photos of animals in some of their most indelicate moments. Stool sample models abound: haylike football-sized balls (elephant), kidney-bean-looking pellets (porcupine) and coallike lumps coated with fur (black bear).
Beyond the “ick'' factor, however, zoo officials and the exhibit's creators say there is a lot of information being imparted. Visitors can smell the stench of flowers that mimic dung to attract flies for pollination. Videos include one of a hippo spreading its droppings around to mark its territory. Simple games include “Who Dung It?''
The words for poop are endless, but the Miami Metrozoo has another term to add to the list: educational.
Now on display is 5,000-square-foot exhibit on excrement titled “The Scoop on Poop,'' which invites visitors to explore the science of scat. The exhibit is filled with photos of animals in some of their most indelicate moments. Stool sample models abound: haylike football-sized balls (elephant), kidney-bean-looking pellets (porcupine) and coallike lumps coated with fur (black bear).
Beyond the “ick'' factor, however, zoo officials and the exhibit's creators say there is a lot of information being imparted. Visitors can smell the stench of flowers that mimic dung to attract flies for pollination. Videos include one of a hippo spreading its droppings around to mark its territory. Simple games include “Who Dung It?''
A Seven-Year-Old Designated Driver
Meet Alfredo Martinez. While the Nevada man should be saluted for knowing that he was too drunk to get behind the wheel last night, he probably should not have tabbed his seven-year-old son as his designated driver. Martinez, 37, was arrested after Reno cops spotted his car weaving across lanes and stopping suddenly. When officers pulled over the vehicle before it could enter a highway, they found a plastered Martinez in the passenger seat and his son behind the wheel.
Martinez directed the boy to drive him home because he was too drunk to do it himself, cops said. He is facing a felony child endangerment rap.
With great mugshot.
Martinez directed the boy to drive him home because he was too drunk to do it himself, cops said. He is facing a felony child endangerment rap.
With great mugshot.
Ailments that make us all click
Chickenpox is the most searched for subject on the most popular health website in the UK.
Conditions linked to stress, infections and "embarrassing" illnesses also dominate people's health worries according to the list of NHS Direct's top 20 inquiries.
The information, "possibly the country's largest ever health snapshot", is derived from the nine million inquiries to the NHS Direct website in the past six months.
While chickenpox topped the chart with almost 111,800 searches, pregnancy came a close second with 108,600 inquiries.
The list contains a large number of worries associated with work-related stress and sensitive subjects such as sexually transmitted diseases.
Thrush (90,000 searches) and diabetes (83,000) occupy positions three and four, and in fifth place is irritable bowel syndrome, with 70,400 searches.
Here is the NHS Direct top 10 searches.
Conditions linked to stress, infections and "embarrassing" illnesses also dominate people's health worries according to the list of NHS Direct's top 20 inquiries.
The information, "possibly the country's largest ever health snapshot", is derived from the nine million inquiries to the NHS Direct website in the past six months.
While chickenpox topped the chart with almost 111,800 searches, pregnancy came a close second with 108,600 inquiries.
The list contains a large number of worries associated with work-related stress and sensitive subjects such as sexually transmitted diseases.
Thrush (90,000 searches) and diabetes (83,000) occupy positions three and four, and in fifth place is irritable bowel syndrome, with 70,400 searches.
Here is the NHS Direct top 10 searches.
The Welsh car park where the English are charged double
It is one of the most popular tourist spots in North Wales but English visitors are being charged twice as much as the Welsh to use the same car park.
A car park attendant, who is supposed to charge £4 for an all-day ticket, is charging just £2 if drivers speak Welsh.
On entering the car park, used largely by tourists travelling on the Snowdon Mountain Railway, a motorist speaking Welsh asked the cost of parking.
But instead of charging him £4 as advertised, the attendant charged the driver just £2 saying: "Well, it's half price for Welsh people."
The Commission for Racial Equality is looking into the dual pricing policy at the car park.
A car park attendant, who is supposed to charge £4 for an all-day ticket, is charging just £2 if drivers speak Welsh.
On entering the car park, used largely by tourists travelling on the Snowdon Mountain Railway, a motorist speaking Welsh asked the cost of parking.
But instead of charging him £4 as advertised, the attendant charged the driver just £2 saying: "Well, it's half price for Welsh people."
The Commission for Racial Equality is looking into the dual pricing policy at the car park.
Police called to round up wayward sheep from cul-de-sac
Counting a procession of woolly sheep is recommended to send restless insomniacs slipping into a deep, peaceful slumber.
Waking up to find a flock of 40 of them have invaded your front garden on the other hand is guaranteed to make the day start with a jolt.
This is the scene which greeted Daphne Willson when she opened the curtains onto her usually quiet and tranquil cul-de-sac.
Around 40 of them were contentedly nibbling her neighbour's lawn and browsing on her pot plants.
A spokeswoman for Hertfordshire police said: "We were called following reports that a woman had a flock of sheep in her garden. The sheep were gathered up, and the council then cleared up the road."
Waking up to find a flock of 40 of them have invaded your front garden on the other hand is guaranteed to make the day start with a jolt.
This is the scene which greeted Daphne Willson when she opened the curtains onto her usually quiet and tranquil cul-de-sac.
Around 40 of them were contentedly nibbling her neighbour's lawn and browsing on her pot plants.
A spokeswoman for Hertfordshire police said: "We were called following reports that a woman had a flock of sheep in her garden. The sheep were gathered up, and the council then cleared up the road."
Film fans faint at Saw III show
Staff at a UK cinema have had to call emergency services three times in one night because of a spate of people passing out during horror film Saw III.
One woman was taken to hospital and two other adults were treated by medics after fainting in Stevenage, Herts.
And in a separate case, a man collapsed at a cinema in Peterborough, Cambs, "due to the film's content".
"If you know you're squeamish, don't go," warned a spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service.
One woman was taken to hospital and two other adults were treated by medics after fainting in Stevenage, Herts.
And in a separate case, a man collapsed at a cinema in Peterborough, Cambs, "due to the film's content".
"If you know you're squeamish, don't go," warned a spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service.