Sunday, August 31, 2008
Website maps surnames worldwide
A website which maps global surnames has been launched to help people find the origins of their name and how far it may have spread.
The Public Profiler site plots eight million last names using data from electoral rolls and phone directories.
The site covers 300 million people in 26 countries, showing the origins of names and where families have moved to.
The site also reveals which of the five million forenames are most closely associated with different surnames and lists the top regions and cities for each surname.
Link. (May be slow due to heavy demand.)
The Public Profiler site plots eight million last names using data from electoral rolls and phone directories.
The site covers 300 million people in 26 countries, showing the origins of names and where families have moved to.
The site also reveals which of the five million forenames are most closely associated with different surnames and lists the top regions and cities for each surname.
Link. (May be slow due to heavy demand.)
Malaysian welder’s love plans unscrewed
A welder who tried to elongate his penis with a nut found himself in a pickle when the nut got stuck after he had an erection.
The victim, from Taman Sri Skudai, had apparently been trying to increase the length of his penis ahead of his engagement next week when disaster struck.
The incident occurred on Thursday and the 20-something-year-old victim went to the Sultanah Aminah Hospital here to seek treatment when he was unable to get the nut off himself.
Unfortunately, hospital authorities were at a loss and had to call the Fire and Rescue Department for assistance.
A department spokesman confirmed that they received a call from the hospital yesterday, and sent seven firemen to help out. They, too, were unable to remove the nut.
He was finally put out of his misery when doctors removed the offending spare part. Staff from the Hospital Sultanah Aminah drained out some of the blood and cut away some skin on the upper layer of his organ to remove the nut.
The victim, from Taman Sri Skudai, had apparently been trying to increase the length of his penis ahead of his engagement next week when disaster struck.
The incident occurred on Thursday and the 20-something-year-old victim went to the Sultanah Aminah Hospital here to seek treatment when he was unable to get the nut off himself.
Unfortunately, hospital authorities were at a loss and had to call the Fire and Rescue Department for assistance.
A department spokesman confirmed that they received a call from the hospital yesterday, and sent seven firemen to help out. They, too, were unable to remove the nut.
He was finally put out of his misery when doctors removed the offending spare part. Staff from the Hospital Sultanah Aminah drained out some of the blood and cut away some skin on the upper layer of his organ to remove the nut.
Papua hikers find 'WWII airman'
Australian hikers have found the suspected remains of a World War II airman hanging from a tree in dense forest in Papua New Guinea.
The moss-covered body appeared to be wearing a harness and goggles.
The discovery was made along the Kokoda Trail, in the east of the country, which was an important battleground during the war.
The Australian Defence Force is preparing to send officials to the scene for further investigations.
A force spokeswoman said it was too early to confirm the nationality of the pilot.
But he is likely to have come from Australia, Japan or the United States, as all three operated aircraft in the area during the war.
The moss-covered body appeared to be wearing a harness and goggles.
The discovery was made along the Kokoda Trail, in the east of the country, which was an important battleground during the war.
The Australian Defence Force is preparing to send officials to the scene for further investigations.
A force spokeswoman said it was too early to confirm the nationality of the pilot.
But he is likely to have come from Australia, Japan or the United States, as all three operated aircraft in the area during the war.
'Environmental volunteers' will be encouraged to spy on their neighbours
Councils are recruiting residents to report anyone who drops litter, fails to recycle their rubbish properly, or who allows their dog to foul the streets.
Advertisements looking for people to sign up for the unpaid "environmental volunteer" jobs have been posted across the country in recent months.
Critics said the scheme is encouraging a Big Brother society where friends and neighbours will be encouraged to "snoop" on one another.
The recruitment drive follows news that the Home Office is granting police powers to council staff and private security guards, allowing then to hand out fines for low-scale offences and ask for personal details.
Matthew Elliott, of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "Snooping on your neighbours to report recycling infringements sounds like something straight out of the East German Stasi's copybook.
"With council tax so high, the last thing people want to pay for is an army of busybodies peering through their net curtains at their neighbours as they put out their rubbish."
Advertisements looking for people to sign up for the unpaid "environmental volunteer" jobs have been posted across the country in recent months.
Critics said the scheme is encouraging a Big Brother society where friends and neighbours will be encouraged to "snoop" on one another.
The recruitment drive follows news that the Home Office is granting police powers to council staff and private security guards, allowing then to hand out fines for low-scale offences and ask for personal details.
Matthew Elliott, of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "Snooping on your neighbours to report recycling infringements sounds like something straight out of the East German Stasi's copybook.
"With council tax so high, the last thing people want to pay for is an army of busybodies peering through their net curtains at their neighbours as they put out their rubbish."
Dog who stayed by dead master's side for 11 weeks honoured with statue
A devoted dog who stayed by his dead master's side for 11 weeks on a remote mountainside in winter is being recognised with a statue in his honour.
Border collie Ruswarp stuck by the side of owner Graham Nuttall after he got into trouble walking on 20 January 1990.
When Mr Nuttall, 41, did not return to Burnley in Lancashire from his day's walk in Llandrindod Wells, Powys, neighbours raised the alarm.
A week-long search found nothing, while missing person posters and leaflets also failed to produce any sightings.
But on 7 April walker David Clarke found the body by a mountain stream. Next to him was Ruswarp, who had stood guard over his master through snow and rain. The 14-year-old dog was so weak he had to be carried off the mountain. Despite being cared for by a local vet he died shortly after attending Mr Nuttall's funeral.
Now a bronze statue of Ruswarp – pronounced 'Russup' – is to be unveiled at Garsdale Station in North Yorkshire on the scenic Settle to Carlisle railway line.
Border collie Ruswarp stuck by the side of owner Graham Nuttall after he got into trouble walking on 20 January 1990.
When Mr Nuttall, 41, did not return to Burnley in Lancashire from his day's walk in Llandrindod Wells, Powys, neighbours raised the alarm.
A week-long search found nothing, while missing person posters and leaflets also failed to produce any sightings.
But on 7 April walker David Clarke found the body by a mountain stream. Next to him was Ruswarp, who had stood guard over his master through snow and rain. The 14-year-old dog was so weak he had to be carried off the mountain. Despite being cared for by a local vet he died shortly after attending Mr Nuttall's funeral.
Now a bronze statue of Ruswarp – pronounced 'Russup' – is to be unveiled at Garsdale Station in North Yorkshire on the scenic Settle to Carlisle railway line.
Disabled man banned after drunk driving at 3mph in wheelchair
A disabled man has been convicted of drunk driving in his electric wheelchair - and banned from the roads.
Michael Schneider, 20, was seen "weaving all over the road" at 3mph in the early hours of the morning. He told police who pulled him over in his home town of Hagen, Germany that he had been at a carnival.
Schneider told his local court this week: "I didn't know I wasn't allowed to drive my wheelchair while drunk." Disabled since birth, he said a ban would be "devastating" and stop him getting to work in a shoe factory.
But a judge fined him £80 and banned him - and his wheelchair - from the roads for a month.
He told Schneider: "Ignorance is no defence. This is a hard judgment for him but I would have applied the same penalty to a truck driver. In my opinion such a sentence is necessary."
Michael said: "I admit I was sozzled but I don't think I was a menace. If I hit anything the wheelchair would come off worst."
Michael Schneider, 20, was seen "weaving all over the road" at 3mph in the early hours of the morning. He told police who pulled him over in his home town of Hagen, Germany that he had been at a carnival.
Schneider told his local court this week: "I didn't know I wasn't allowed to drive my wheelchair while drunk." Disabled since birth, he said a ban would be "devastating" and stop him getting to work in a shoe factory.
But a judge fined him £80 and banned him - and his wheelchair - from the roads for a month.
He told Schneider: "Ignorance is no defence. This is a hard judgment for him but I would have applied the same penalty to a truck driver. In my opinion such a sentence is necessary."
Michael said: "I admit I was sozzled but I don't think I was a menace. If I hit anything the wheelchair would come off worst."
£300 fee for playing radio to the cats
The owners of a popular guest house are furious at receiving a £300 bill for playing music to their lodgers – cats. Mel and Maggie Boustead could not believe it when they were told that playing the radio at their cattery to keep feline guests happy with soothing music was an infringement of copyright.
Now the Performing Rights Society (PRS), which protects the copyright of songwriters and performers, has told the owners of Follybridge Kennels and Cattery, in Thorney Road, Peakirk, near Peterborough, that they owe fees for the past two years.
Maggie said she feared that music-loving moggies such as Charlie, Tiny and Daisy, were missing their favourite tunes as the radio has now been turned off.
Mel said: "It is outrageous that they want us to pay for a licence so animals can listen to the radio. We won't pay it. Instead the cats will have to go without. We have been told we can have it on during 'out of office hours', but the cats don't want it on when they are trying to sleep."
A spokeswoman for the PRS said: "If the music is predominantly for the cats, then a licence is not required, and we would not charge these people for a radio licence. PRS will investigate this case to ensure that the customer has not been incorrectly assessed, and if a mistake has been made, we will apologise."
However, she added: "If it is a premises where the radio is audible to staff and visitors, however, a licence may be required. The cost for this licence will depend on the size of the premises."
Now the Performing Rights Society (PRS), which protects the copyright of songwriters and performers, has told the owners of Follybridge Kennels and Cattery, in Thorney Road, Peakirk, near Peterborough, that they owe fees for the past two years.
Maggie said she feared that music-loving moggies such as Charlie, Tiny and Daisy, were missing their favourite tunes as the radio has now been turned off.
Mel said: "It is outrageous that they want us to pay for a licence so animals can listen to the radio. We won't pay it. Instead the cats will have to go without. We have been told we can have it on during 'out of office hours', but the cats don't want it on when they are trying to sleep."
A spokeswoman for the PRS said: "If the music is predominantly for the cats, then a licence is not required, and we would not charge these people for a radio licence. PRS will investigate this case to ensure that the customer has not been incorrectly assessed, and if a mistake has been made, we will apologise."
However, she added: "If it is a premises where the radio is audible to staff and visitors, however, a licence may be required. The cost for this licence will depend on the size of the premises."
Lusty couple warned to quieten down
A cavorting couple who have noisy sex sessions for up to four hours are driving the neighbours bonkers.
And after a series of complaints, the marathon romps have caused council chiefs to slap a noise abatement order on Steve and Caroline Cartwright to stop them from shouting and screaming during their late night and early morning love-making.
For two years, neighbours have been getting their knickers in a twist over the prolonged noise.
The lengthy escapades have led to over 25 visits from the police and the pair have been arrested twice for causing a nuisance to neighbours and people passing by their open bedroom window.
Police have monitored the situation and council environmental officers have frequently measured the sound level coming from the couple’s upstairs bedroom.
Full story here.
And after a series of complaints, the marathon romps have caused council chiefs to slap a noise abatement order on Steve and Caroline Cartwright to stop them from shouting and screaming during their late night and early morning love-making.
For two years, neighbours have been getting their knickers in a twist over the prolonged noise.
The lengthy escapades have led to over 25 visits from the police and the pair have been arrested twice for causing a nuisance to neighbours and people passing by their open bedroom window.
Police have monitored the situation and council environmental officers have frequently measured the sound level coming from the couple’s upstairs bedroom.
Full story here.
Boy gets shoulder from elbow
A teenage cancer patient has undergone successful surgery to rebuild his shoulder using his elbow.
Tom Lemm, 15, from Pontefract, had his left arm amputated by surgeons at Leeds General Hospital because of a tumour at the top of the limb.
Doctors used tissue and muscle from his unaffected elbow to create a new shoulder in what is believed to be the first UK operation of its kind.
Tom's surgeon said the shoulder would be able to support an artificial arm.
In the operation, the whole arm and the shoulder joint were removed. The surgeons then used the elbow joint and tissue from the arm to reconstruct a shoulder joint.
A metal plate was then inserted into Tom's collar bone, and the new joint grafted on to the area where his shoulder was.
Tom Lemm, 15, from Pontefract, had his left arm amputated by surgeons at Leeds General Hospital because of a tumour at the top of the limb.
Doctors used tissue and muscle from his unaffected elbow to create a new shoulder in what is believed to be the first UK operation of its kind.
Tom's surgeon said the shoulder would be able to support an artificial arm.
In the operation, the whole arm and the shoulder joint were removed. The surgeons then used the elbow joint and tissue from the arm to reconstruct a shoulder joint.
A metal plate was then inserted into Tom's collar bone, and the new joint grafted on to the area where his shoulder was.
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