One of two NASA spacecraft en route to the moon fired its engine on Dec. 3, 2011, slowing its speed to slip into lunar orbit on New Year's Eve.
Family and friends of the mission team gathered at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory to watch the drama unfold. Deputy project scientist Sami Asmar told the audience the engine burn occurred on time.
The maneuver was expected to last about 40 minutes. Deep space antennas in the California desert and Madrid were keeping tabs on the spacecraft and feeding real-time information to ground controllers. Its twin Grail-B will excute the same move on New Year's Day.
The duo will measure the moon's lumpy gravity field to determine what's inside straight down to the core.
Grail ---- short for Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory ----- is the 110th mission to target the moon since the dawn of the Space Age including the six Apollo moon landings that put 12 astronauts on the surface. Despite the attention the moon has received, scientists don't know everything about Earth's nearest neighbor.
Why the moon is ever so slightly lopsided with the far side more mountainous than the side that always faces Earth remains a mystery. A theory put forth earlier this year suggested that Earth once had two moons that collided early in the solar system's history, producing the hummocky region.
Grail is expected to help researchers better understand why the moon is asym-metrical and how it formed by mapping the uneven lunar gravity field that will indicate what's below the surface.
"It seems that the answer is not on the surface," said chief scientist Maria Zuber of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "We think that the answer is locked in the interior."
Previous lunar missions have attempted to study the moon's gravity ---- which is about one-sixth Earth's pull ----- with mixed results. Grail is the first mission devoted to this goal.
Once in orbit, the near-identical spacecraft will spend the next two months refining their positions until they are just 34 miles above the surface and flying in formation. Data collection will begin in March.
The $496 million missionwill be closely watched by schoolchildren. An effort by Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, will allow middle school students to use cameras aboard the probes to zoom in and pick out their favorite lunars spots to photograph.
Despite the latest focus on the moon, NASA won't be sending astronauts back anytime soon. The Obama administration last year nixed a lunar return in favor of landing humans on an asteroid and eventually Mars.
A jaunt to the moon ----- about 250,000 miles away from Earth ---- is usually speedy. Ittook the Apollo astronauts three days to zip there aboard the powerful Saturn Vrocket. Since NASA wanted to economize by launching on a small rocket, it took Grail a leisurely 3 1/2 months to make the trip covering 2 1/2 million miles.
NASA's last moonshot occurred in 2009 with the launch of a pair of spacecraft ---- one that circled the moon and another that deliberately crashed into the surface and uncovered frozen water in one of the permanently shadowed lunar craters.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Reading the writing on your tire's sidewall to be safe
Those numbers and letter etched into the sidewall of your tire are not a Bridgetone engineer's absent-minded doodles that made it past a slumbering quality assurance inspector. In fact, the hieroglyphics stand as the operator's manual of the rubber that meets the road, with each sequence telling you a bit more about the tires performance.
Thanks to the information researched by Karl Brauer, Edmunds.com's editor-in-chief, you can know all you need to about the tires on your car.
Two concentric circles of type provide not only the manufacturer's name, but a litany of information about the tire itself. The larger, outer circle of symbols provides the following information.
Tire Width
On cars, the three-digit number indicates the tire's section width in millimeters from sidewall edge to sidewall edge when measured up and over the tire's tread. Obviously, the larger the number, the wider the tire. This number is followed by a slash (/) on the other side of which more symbols reveal more information.
Aspect Ratio
The number immediately following the slash is the tire's aspect ratio, or the percentage of its section height compared to its section width. A lower number, below 55, can mean a short sidewall, which will afford better steering response and overall handling. The larger the number, the taller the tire and the more compromised the handling, but the better the fuel efficiency.
Internal Construction
It's possible to actually find a "B" (for bias-ply construction) following the aspect ratio number, but more likely an "R" (for radial construction) will be found. Radial consruction has been the industry standard in passenger-car tires for nearly 30 years.
Rim Diameter
While the width is indicated in millimeters, the rim diameter is recorded in inches. This is an important number to know if you are planning to upgrade your wheel size. If your rim diameter changes, your tires need to be changed, too.
Thanks to the information researched by Karl Brauer, Edmunds.com's editor-in-chief, you can know all you need to about the tires on your car.
Two concentric circles of type provide not only the manufacturer's name, but a litany of information about the tire itself. The larger, outer circle of symbols provides the following information.
Tire Width
On cars, the three-digit number indicates the tire's section width in millimeters from sidewall edge to sidewall edge when measured up and over the tire's tread. Obviously, the larger the number, the wider the tire. This number is followed by a slash (/) on the other side of which more symbols reveal more information.
Aspect Ratio
The number immediately following the slash is the tire's aspect ratio, or the percentage of its section height compared to its section width. A lower number, below 55, can mean a short sidewall, which will afford better steering response and overall handling. The larger the number, the taller the tire and the more compromised the handling, but the better the fuel efficiency.
Internal Construction
It's possible to actually find a "B" (for bias-ply construction) following the aspect ratio number, but more likely an "R" (for radial construction) will be found. Radial consruction has been the industry standard in passenger-car tires for nearly 30 years.
Rim Diameter
While the width is indicated in millimeters, the rim diameter is recorded in inches. This is an important number to know if you are planning to upgrade your wheel size. If your rim diameter changes, your tires need to be changed, too.
Some people need to re-take their driver's test
by Lindsey Todd
Central Bucks West High School
Does anyone know how to drive anymore?
OK, so I know I sound like an old granny, but it's totally true. I've had my license for a little more than a year and still consider myself to be a far better driver than some of these people allowed on the roads.
Last week, as I was trying to merge onto the bypass, there was a car in front of me going about 20 mph when, obviously, you're supposed to try to speed up and blend with the flow of traffic. Let me tell you, this elderly man took his sweet time merging, and by that point, there were cars speeding alongside of us, honking at him to make sure he wouldn't do anything stupid and collide with them as he merged.
Also, a few days ago in Doylestown, I came to an intersection with a left-turning llane and one that went straight. The car in front of me slowly moved to the left-turning lane, but then, as soon as the light turned green, WITHOUT putting his signal light on, decided he was going to go straight. He, too, was an elderly man.
Those are just two instances, but let me assure you there were several others similar to these that have also occurred while I was driving.
My point in specifying that these people who nearly caused accidents were elderly is simply this : If 16-year-old kids have to take a driver's test, a 76-year-old should also have to take (or in their case, re-take) the driving test. People of this age or even a little younger are typically not as sharp as they were 20 or 30 years ago, and therefore should be tested before they are allowed to continue driving when it could, in fact, be fatal to them and to others on the road.
It is true that teenagers have the highest likelihood to get into accidents during their first years behind the wheel, probably due to speedy driving or inattention to the road. But as dangerous as it is to drive 15 miles over the speed limit, I think it is also just as risky to drive 15 under the speed limit, which is exactly what many older people seem to do.
You can't drive on a 55 mph bypass at 45 mph without getting tailgated, honked at or flipped off, which creates a dangerous driving environment for all of the cars near you or around you. Slow or confused driving (such as suddenly deciding to go straight when in a turning lane) are the top causes of road rage, and since these are some of the common driving characteristics of elderly people, I strongly believe they should have to re-take the test.
This is not an insult to the older drivers out there. My grandpa is more than 80 years old and he is one of the sharpest, best drivers I know.
However, I would feel a lot better about taking on the roads if I knew that everyone else out there was just as qualified to drive as they were when they first took their test.
Central Bucks West High School
Does anyone know how to drive anymore?
OK, so I know I sound like an old granny, but it's totally true. I've had my license for a little more than a year and still consider myself to be a far better driver than some of these people allowed on the roads.
Last week, as I was trying to merge onto the bypass, there was a car in front of me going about 20 mph when, obviously, you're supposed to try to speed up and blend with the flow of traffic. Let me tell you, this elderly man took his sweet time merging, and by that point, there were cars speeding alongside of us, honking at him to make sure he wouldn't do anything stupid and collide with them as he merged.
Also, a few days ago in Doylestown, I came to an intersection with a left-turning llane and one that went straight. The car in front of me slowly moved to the left-turning lane, but then, as soon as the light turned green, WITHOUT putting his signal light on, decided he was going to go straight. He, too, was an elderly man.
Those are just two instances, but let me assure you there were several others similar to these that have also occurred while I was driving.
My point in specifying that these people who nearly caused accidents were elderly is simply this : If 16-year-old kids have to take a driver's test, a 76-year-old should also have to take (or in their case, re-take) the driving test. People of this age or even a little younger are typically not as sharp as they were 20 or 30 years ago, and therefore should be tested before they are allowed to continue driving when it could, in fact, be fatal to them and to others on the road.
It is true that teenagers have the highest likelihood to get into accidents during their first years behind the wheel, probably due to speedy driving or inattention to the road. But as dangerous as it is to drive 15 miles over the speed limit, I think it is also just as risky to drive 15 under the speed limit, which is exactly what many older people seem to do.
You can't drive on a 55 mph bypass at 45 mph without getting tailgated, honked at or flipped off, which creates a dangerous driving environment for all of the cars near you or around you. Slow or confused driving (such as suddenly deciding to go straight when in a turning lane) are the top causes of road rage, and since these are some of the common driving characteristics of elderly people, I strongly believe they should have to re-take the test.
This is not an insult to the older drivers out there. My grandpa is more than 80 years old and he is one of the sharpest, best drivers I know.
However, I would feel a lot better about taking on the roads if I knew that everyone else out there was just as qualified to drive as they were when they first took their test.
POP QUIZ (Hail to the Chiefs)
Rearrange the alphabetical list of presidents in the order in which they served.
Some hints : The current president is Barack Obama and George Washington was the first. Grover Cleveland, the only man elected to nonconsecutive terms, is 22 and 24.
John Adams Andrew Johnson
John Quincy Adams Lyndon B. Johnson
Chester A. Arthur John F. Kennedy
James Buchanan Abraham Lincoln
George H.W. Bush James Madison
George W. Bush William McKinley
Jimmy Carter James Monroe
Grover Cleveland Richard M. Nixon
Bill Clinton Barack Obama
Calvin Coolidge Franklin Pierce
Dwight D. Eisenhower James K. Polk
Millard Fillmore Ronald Reeagan
Gerald R. Ford Franklin D. Roosevelt
James A. Garfield Theodore Roosevelt
Ulysses S. Grant William H. Taft
Warren G. Harding Zachary Taylor
Benjamin Harrison Harry S. Truman
William Henry Harrison John Tyler
Ruthjerford B. Hayes Martin Van Buren
Herbert Hoover George Washington
Andrew Jackson Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Jeferson
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answers : 1. George Washington ; 2. John Adams ; 3. Thomas Jefferson ; 4. James Madison ; 5. James Monroe ; 6. John Quincy Adams ; 7. Andrew Jackson ; 8. Martin Van Buren ; 9. William Henry Harrison ; 10. John Tyler ; 11. James K. Polk ; 12. Zachary Taylor ; 13. Millard Fillmore ; 14. Franklin Pierce ; 15. James Buchanan ; 16. Abraham Lincoln ; 17. Andrew Johnson ; 18. Ulysses S. Grant ; 19. Rutherford B. Hayes ; 20. James A. Garfield ; 21. Chester A. Arthur ; 22. Grover Cleveland ; 23. Benjamin Harrison ; 24. Grover Cleveland ; 25. William McKinley ;26. Theodore Roosevelt ; 27. William H. Taft ; 28. Woodrow Wilson ; 29. Warren G. Harding ; 30. Calvin Coolidge ; 31. Herbert Hoover ; 32. Franklin D. Roosevelt ; 33. Harry S. Truman ; 34. Dwight D. Eisenhower ; 35. John F. Keenedy ; 36. Lyndon B. Johnson ; 37. Richard M. Nixon ; 38. Gerald R. Ford ; 39. Jimmy Carter ; 40. Ronald Reagan ; 41. George H.W. Bush ; 42. Bill Clinton ; 43. George W. Bush ; 44. Barack Obama
Some hints : The current president is Barack Obama and George Washington was the first. Grover Cleveland, the only man elected to nonconsecutive terms, is 22 and 24.
John Adams Andrew Johnson
John Quincy Adams Lyndon B. Johnson
Chester A. Arthur John F. Kennedy
James Buchanan Abraham Lincoln
George H.W. Bush James Madison
George W. Bush William McKinley
Jimmy Carter James Monroe
Grover Cleveland Richard M. Nixon
Bill Clinton Barack Obama
Calvin Coolidge Franklin Pierce
Dwight D. Eisenhower James K. Polk
Millard Fillmore Ronald Reeagan
Gerald R. Ford Franklin D. Roosevelt
James A. Garfield Theodore Roosevelt
Ulysses S. Grant William H. Taft
Warren G. Harding Zachary Taylor
Benjamin Harrison Harry S. Truman
William Henry Harrison John Tyler
Ruthjerford B. Hayes Martin Van Buren
Herbert Hoover George Washington
Andrew Jackson Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Jeferson
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answers : 1. George Washington ; 2. John Adams ; 3. Thomas Jefferson ; 4. James Madison ; 5. James Monroe ; 6. John Quincy Adams ; 7. Andrew Jackson ; 8. Martin Van Buren ; 9. William Henry Harrison ; 10. John Tyler ; 11. James K. Polk ; 12. Zachary Taylor ; 13. Millard Fillmore ; 14. Franklin Pierce ; 15. James Buchanan ; 16. Abraham Lincoln ; 17. Andrew Johnson ; 18. Ulysses S. Grant ; 19. Rutherford B. Hayes ; 20. James A. Garfield ; 21. Chester A. Arthur ; 22. Grover Cleveland ; 23. Benjamin Harrison ; 24. Grover Cleveland ; 25. William McKinley ;26. Theodore Roosevelt ; 27. William H. Taft ; 28. Woodrow Wilson ; 29. Warren G. Harding ; 30. Calvin Coolidge ; 31. Herbert Hoover ; 32. Franklin D. Roosevelt ; 33. Harry S. Truman ; 34. Dwight D. Eisenhower ; 35. John F. Keenedy ; 36. Lyndon B. Johnson ; 37. Richard M. Nixon ; 38. Gerald R. Ford ; 39. Jimmy Carter ; 40. Ronald Reagan ; 41. George H.W. Bush ; 42. Bill Clinton ; 43. George W. Bush ; 44. Barack Obama
Saturday, February 25, 2012
F. Y. I.
Did You Know?
Mr. Goodbar was originally sold by the fictitous Choclate Sales Corporation, created by Hershey president William Murrie because company founder Milton Hershey didn't think his idea for a chocolate bar with peanuts was a good one.
Quotable
by Charles Bukowski, American poet and writer (1920-1994)
"The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence."
Still on the Books
In Oklahoma, a permit signed by the mayor is required for dogs to congregate in groups of three or more on private property.
Back Then
Until the 16th century, women in many countries were prohibited from eating artichokes, which were believed to have aphrodisiac properties.
Presidents' Files
Thomas Jefferson was the first president to be inaugurated in Washington, D.C.
Point of Origin
Tangerines were named after the city of Tangier in Morocco, fromwhere they were first shipped to Europe.
Mr. Goodbar was originally sold by the fictitous Choclate Sales Corporation, created by Hershey president William Murrie because company founder Milton Hershey didn't think his idea for a chocolate bar with peanuts was a good one.
Quotable
by Charles Bukowski, American poet and writer (1920-1994)
"The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence."
Still on the Books
In Oklahoma, a permit signed by the mayor is required for dogs to congregate in groups of three or more on private property.
Back Then
Until the 16th century, women in many countries were prohibited from eating artichokes, which were believed to have aphrodisiac properties.
Presidents' Files
Thomas Jefferson was the first president to be inaugurated in Washington, D.C.
Point of Origin
Tangerines were named after the city of Tangier in Morocco, fromwhere they were first shipped to Europe.
Is 16 too young to drive?
by Julia Joseph
Archbishop Wood High School
Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the my whinning saga, "Jules' Rules."
Today, I present a topic that is very real to teenagers both now and always. It is important for you, and any teen in your life, to read this because I think it is a serious subject.
Consider this your official warning: You are about to enter the complaining zone.
Last month, I received a copy of the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual. My very own copy to love, and to hug, and to name George if I wished. And of course, I need to learn a thing or two from it before I hit the road.
I might want to wait a little while.
In Pennsylvania, at age 16, a resident is eligible to obtain a permit to drive a car. So right where you live, a child is allowed to operate a two-ton speeding silver bullet.
I know somebody who can get her license after a little more practice time. She is a sweetheart, believe me, but when I say she is an airhead, I mean it more about her than anyone else. To be honest, I don't know if I would ever ride with her ----- even after the state says it's OK.
This April, I will be 16. I don't think I'm going to suddenly become more coordinated and responsible in a few months. I mean, I'm just a clumsy little kid.
I trip over the rugs, which are in the same place every day, in the school hallway. ( I would like to point out that those rugs are a death trap.) My mom still helps me pack my lunch. I watch cartoons on Saturday morning.
Plus, I'm terrible aat those driving games in the arcades.
Risking receiving hate mail from my fellow teenagers, I'll go so far as to say that maybe the age for driving should be raised. I know for a fact that I wouldn't trust myself driving the family's Chevy Tahoe.
I am an innocent child ----- and driving is a grown-up's job.
Archbishop Wood High School
Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the my whinning saga, "Jules' Rules."
Today, I present a topic that is very real to teenagers both now and always. It is important for you, and any teen in your life, to read this because I think it is a serious subject.
Consider this your official warning: You are about to enter the complaining zone.
Last month, I received a copy of the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual. My very own copy to love, and to hug, and to name George if I wished. And of course, I need to learn a thing or two from it before I hit the road.
I might want to wait a little while.
In Pennsylvania, at age 16, a resident is eligible to obtain a permit to drive a car. So right where you live, a child is allowed to operate a two-ton speeding silver bullet.
I know somebody who can get her license after a little more practice time. She is a sweetheart, believe me, but when I say she is an airhead, I mean it more about her than anyone else. To be honest, I don't know if I would ever ride with her ----- even after the state says it's OK.
This April, I will be 16. I don't think I'm going to suddenly become more coordinated and responsible in a few months. I mean, I'm just a clumsy little kid.
I trip over the rugs, which are in the same place every day, in the school hallway. ( I would like to point out that those rugs are a death trap.) My mom still helps me pack my lunch. I watch cartoons on Saturday morning.
Plus, I'm terrible aat those driving games in the arcades.
Risking receiving hate mail from my fellow teenagers, I'll go so far as to say that maybe the age for driving should be raised. I know for a fact that I wouldn't trust myself driving the family's Chevy Tahoe.
I am an innocent child ----- and driving is a grown-up's job.
Maine's biggest lobster returned to Atlantic Ocean
The biggest lobster ever caught in Maine, a 27-pounder (12.25 kg) nicknamed "Rocky" with claws tough enough to snap a man's arm, was released back into the ocean on Thursday after being trapped in a shrimp net last week, marine officials said. The 40-inch (one-meter) male crustacean, about the size of a 3-year-old child, was freed in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, said Elaine Jones, education director for the state's Department of Marine Resources.
"All the weight is in the claws," Jones said. "It would break your arm."
The lobster was caught near the seaside village of Cushing and brought to the Maine State Aquarium in West Boothbay. The state restricts fishermen from keeping lobsters that measure more than 5 inches from the eye to the start of the tail.
Because he became acclimated to the water near the aquarium, the lobster was released in West Boothbay rather than where he was caught.
Scientists are unable to accurately estimate the age of lobsters of this size, said Jones.
The marine lab has no record of a larger lobster being caught in the state, she said. The world's largest recorded lobster was a 44-pounder (20-kg) caught off Nova Scotia in 1977, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
Maine lobstermen hauled in a record 100 million pounds (45.4 tons) of lobsters last year, due in part to overfishing of predators such as haddock, cod and monkfish.
"All the weight is in the claws," Jones said. "It would break your arm."
The lobster was caught near the seaside village of Cushing and brought to the Maine State Aquarium in West Boothbay. The state restricts fishermen from keeping lobsters that measure more than 5 inches from the eye to the start of the tail.
Because he became acclimated to the water near the aquarium, the lobster was released in West Boothbay rather than where he was caught.
Scientists are unable to accurately estimate the age of lobsters of this size, said Jones.
The marine lab has no record of a larger lobster being caught in the state, she said. The world's largest recorded lobster was a 44-pounder (20-kg) caught off Nova Scotia in 1977, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
Maine lobstermen hauled in a record 100 million pounds (45.4 tons) of lobsters last year, due in part to overfishing of predators such as haddock, cod and monkfish.
Spanish treasure lands after 200 years
Coins worth nearly half a billion dollars finally arrived in Spain on Saturday after lying in a sunken warship for more than 200 years and following a five-year legal battle between the Spanish government and a salvage company.
The Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes, a 49-gun navy frigate, set sail from the coast of Peru - then a colony of Spain - with coins to help replenish the Spanish treasury's coffers.
In 1804, British warships attacked as the frigate was approaching the Spanish port of Cadiz and the ship went down, with 249 killed, a Spanish government website said.
On Saturday, Spanish military aircraft landed at the Torrejon air force base near Madrid bearing 594,000 gold and silver coins recovered from the wreck by U.S.-based Odyssey Marine Exploration in 2007.
Spain had argued in court that it, not the salvage company, was the rightful owner of the cargo and the ship, and a U.S. judge ordered on February 17 that the coins be returned from Florida.
The company said it would abide by the ruling, although a spokeswoman said it "flies in the face of all legal precedent.
"This a victory for Spain and the United States," lawyer Jose Maria Lancho, who advised the Spanish government in its action against Odyssey, told Reuters.
"For Spain, this sunken ship, this archaeological site, is still a warship and we still have jurisdiction over what has happened to it."
The Spanish government plans to restore, conserve and catalogue the contents of the 17-tonne cargo, which it estimates to be worth 373 million euros ($496 million).
Several cities are vying to put the coins on show, but the culture minister said no decision had yet been taken. Spain has not said where it will keep the coins in the meantime, for security reasons.
While the treasure is now in Spain, there is still legal action pending.
Spanish news agency EFE reported the Peruvian government planned to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to claim part of the cargo.
And Malaga-based marine archaeology company Nerea, which Lancho also works with, has been asking a Spanish court to bring charges against Odyssey of damage to cultural heritage, damage to archaeological sites and trafficking in archaeological heritage.
Local media citing Spanish government sources reported part of the ship's cargo was still in Gibraltar, a British-administered territory in southern Spain whose sovereignty is disputed by the Spanish government.
"We are in touch with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As yet, we do not have any confirmation that any of the ship's contents are in Gibraltar," a British Embassy spokesman said in Madrid.
The Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes, a 49-gun navy frigate, set sail from the coast of Peru - then a colony of Spain - with coins to help replenish the Spanish treasury's coffers.
In 1804, British warships attacked as the frigate was approaching the Spanish port of Cadiz and the ship went down, with 249 killed, a Spanish government website said.
On Saturday, Spanish military aircraft landed at the Torrejon air force base near Madrid bearing 594,000 gold and silver coins recovered from the wreck by U.S.-based Odyssey Marine Exploration in 2007.
Spain had argued in court that it, not the salvage company, was the rightful owner of the cargo and the ship, and a U.S. judge ordered on February 17 that the coins be returned from Florida.
The company said it would abide by the ruling, although a spokeswoman said it "flies in the face of all legal precedent.
"This a victory for Spain and the United States," lawyer Jose Maria Lancho, who advised the Spanish government in its action against Odyssey, told Reuters.
"For Spain, this sunken ship, this archaeological site, is still a warship and we still have jurisdiction over what has happened to it."
The Spanish government plans to restore, conserve and catalogue the contents of the 17-tonne cargo, which it estimates to be worth 373 million euros ($496 million).
Several cities are vying to put the coins on show, but the culture minister said no decision had yet been taken. Spain has not said where it will keep the coins in the meantime, for security reasons.
While the treasure is now in Spain, there is still legal action pending.
Spanish news agency EFE reported the Peruvian government planned to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to claim part of the cargo.
And Malaga-based marine archaeology company Nerea, which Lancho also works with, has been asking a Spanish court to bring charges against Odyssey of damage to cultural heritage, damage to archaeological sites and trafficking in archaeological heritage.
Local media citing Spanish government sources reported part of the ship's cargo was still in Gibraltar, a British-administered territory in southern Spain whose sovereignty is disputed by the Spanish government.
"We are in touch with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As yet, we do not have any confirmation that any of the ship's contents are in Gibraltar," a British Embassy spokesman said in Madrid.
Heartless thieves pick lovers' padlocks in Germany
German police caught two thieves breaking open "lovers' padlocks" attached to a bridge over the Rhine River in the city of Cologne. The pair were cutting padlocks, left by amorous couples to symbolize their eternal love, off a railing on the Hohenzollern Bridge presumably to sell as scrap metal, police said.
"I spotted two men on the other side of the bridge tampering with the lovers' padlocks, so I called for back-up straight away," a police officer said. The men tried to escape with their loot after spotting police but were apprehended on the bridge.
Police discovered over 50 padlocks along with lock cutters in a trolley suitcase, wheeled along by the men. The pair will appear in court on charges of property damage, police said.
Love-struck couples have been fastening padlocks to railings of bridges, engraving them with their initials or adding a few sentimental words and then tossing the keys into the rivers below to symbolize their eternal love.
"I spotted two men on the other side of the bridge tampering with the lovers' padlocks, so I called for back-up straight away," a police officer said. The men tried to escape with their loot after spotting police but were apprehended on the bridge.
Police discovered over 50 padlocks along with lock cutters in a trolley suitcase, wheeled along by the men. The pair will appear in court on charges of property damage, police said.
Love-struck couples have been fastening padlocks to railings of bridges, engraving them with their initials or adding a few sentimental words and then tossing the keys into the rivers below to symbolize their eternal love.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Will Slovaks walk over Chuck Norris to Austria?
Slovaks have been voting overwhelmingly in favor of naming a new pedestrian and cycling bridge near their capital for 1980s action film and TV star Chuck Norris. The two other top names in the running for the bridge, which will span the Morava river and cross the border to Austria, were Maria Theresa after an Austro-Hungarian empress and the Devinska cycling bridge in honour of the closest village.
Norris, a martial arts expert-turned film star, is known for playing tough guy characters in such classic movies as "Lone Wolf McQuade," "Missing in Action" and "The Delta Force."
The actor's work has become a popular source of kitschy fun among Slovaks and a mainstay for local jokes about macho strength and invincibility.
The final decision will be up to a regional assembly. But regional Governor Pavol Freso has said it would follow the wishes of the people in the Internet ballot where Norris leads as the top choice for the bridge's name.
"The same way as we have so far been building it in full sight of the public, we will seek that the name is accepted by the public as well," he said.
The voting will run until April. As of Thursday, 1,157 votes have backed Norris, 74 percent of the total, leaving the runner up 'Maria Theresa Bridge' far behind with 8 percent.
Norris, a martial arts expert-turned film star, is known for playing tough guy characters in such classic movies as "Lone Wolf McQuade," "Missing in Action" and "The Delta Force."
The actor's work has become a popular source of kitschy fun among Slovaks and a mainstay for local jokes about macho strength and invincibility.
The final decision will be up to a regional assembly. But regional Governor Pavol Freso has said it would follow the wishes of the people in the Internet ballot where Norris leads as the top choice for the bridge's name.
"The same way as we have so far been building it in full sight of the public, we will seek that the name is accepted by the public as well," he said.
The voting will run until April. As of Thursday, 1,157 votes have backed Norris, 74 percent of the total, leaving the runner up 'Maria Theresa Bridge' far behind with 8 percent.
Pawnshops for prosperous accept wine as collateral
Some U.S. pawnbrokers are taking liquid assets - literally.
Along with family jewels and fine art they will accept wines as collateral for loans to help ease cash shortages of businesses and people on all rungs of the economic ladder.
"You'd be amazed by how many wealthy individuals have terrible credit ratings," said Jordan Tabach-Bank, head of Beverly Loan Co. in Beverly Hills, California.
"And besides, if you go to a bank, it can take weeks or months to get a loan. When we make a loan, it's usually the same day,"
The pawnshop for the prosperous lends to hedge-fund managers, bankers, lawyers, doctors and even Oscar winners.
"Most people have a vision of pawn shops as sad sites. But that's not the case here," Tabach-Bank said. "I have a lot of people who come in who have a business opportunity and they need an infusion of cash for business purposes."
USGoldBuyers.com, an online pawnbroker with an office in New York, will also accept fine wines, said spokesman Jose Caba, adding that the rich do not always have liquid assets to keep up with their expensive toys.
"That's where we come in," he said. "We don't really want to sell the wine, or any asset that we take in whether it be gold or fine art."
He estimates that about 90 percent of the loans made have been repaid.
But interest rates and length of the loans vary widely.
British-based pawnbroker, borro.com, recently lent $120,000 in exchange for 128 bottles of Chateau d'Yquem, which had an estimated worth of $250,000.
Within the last three weeks, borro.com had taken a case of 1989 Chateau Petrus, valued at about $38,000, for a loan of $24,000, said its Chief Executive Paul Aitken.
Loans were also secured on various vintages of the five First Growths Bordeaux: Chateau Haut-Brion, Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, Chateau Haut-Brion, Chateau Margaux and Chateau Mouton Rothschild -- top wines regularly sold at auctions where cases fetch tens of thousands of dollars.
Aitken's clientele, whose net worth ranges from $1 million to $10 million, are mostly small business owners with cash flow problems. Financial advisers and wealth managers recommend many of their clients to him.
Britain's Prime Asset Loans, based in Durham, has a specific list of wines it will loan against including the First Growth Bordeaux, Burgundy's Domaine de la Romanee-Conti and, depending on the vintage, Australia's renowned Penfolds Grange.
"We lend up to 70 percent of the value of the wines and the term is usually seven months," said Richard Mews, a partner at Prime Asset Loans. "Investors are using this type of loan more as it is quick, easy and there are no fees."
Credit Municipal de Paris, which has been offering loans against fine wines, champagnes and aged spirits since 2008, can keep more than 90,000 bottles in its 18th century wine cellar.
"Just deposit your bottles against a loan that is immediately awarded," said spokeswoman Florence Marambat, adding that Bordeaux were the wines most frequently offered as collateral.
Along with family jewels and fine art they will accept wines as collateral for loans to help ease cash shortages of businesses and people on all rungs of the economic ladder.
"You'd be amazed by how many wealthy individuals have terrible credit ratings," said Jordan Tabach-Bank, head of Beverly Loan Co. in Beverly Hills, California.
"And besides, if you go to a bank, it can take weeks or months to get a loan. When we make a loan, it's usually the same day,"
The pawnshop for the prosperous lends to hedge-fund managers, bankers, lawyers, doctors and even Oscar winners.
"Most people have a vision of pawn shops as sad sites. But that's not the case here," Tabach-Bank said. "I have a lot of people who come in who have a business opportunity and they need an infusion of cash for business purposes."
USGoldBuyers.com, an online pawnbroker with an office in New York, will also accept fine wines, said spokesman Jose Caba, adding that the rich do not always have liquid assets to keep up with their expensive toys.
"That's where we come in," he said. "We don't really want to sell the wine, or any asset that we take in whether it be gold or fine art."
He estimates that about 90 percent of the loans made have been repaid.
But interest rates and length of the loans vary widely.
British-based pawnbroker, borro.com, recently lent $120,000 in exchange for 128 bottles of Chateau d'Yquem, which had an estimated worth of $250,000.
Within the last three weeks, borro.com had taken a case of 1989 Chateau Petrus, valued at about $38,000, for a loan of $24,000, said its Chief Executive Paul Aitken.
Loans were also secured on various vintages of the five First Growths Bordeaux: Chateau Haut-Brion, Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, Chateau Haut-Brion, Chateau Margaux and Chateau Mouton Rothschild -- top wines regularly sold at auctions where cases fetch tens of thousands of dollars.
Aitken's clientele, whose net worth ranges from $1 million to $10 million, are mostly small business owners with cash flow problems. Financial advisers and wealth managers recommend many of their clients to him.
Britain's Prime Asset Loans, based in Durham, has a specific list of wines it will loan against including the First Growth Bordeaux, Burgundy's Domaine de la Romanee-Conti and, depending on the vintage, Australia's renowned Penfolds Grange.
"We lend up to 70 percent of the value of the wines and the term is usually seven months," said Richard Mews, a partner at Prime Asset Loans. "Investors are using this type of loan more as it is quick, easy and there are no fees."
Credit Municipal de Paris, which has been offering loans against fine wines, champagnes and aged spirits since 2008, can keep more than 90,000 bottles in its 18th century wine cellar.
"Just deposit your bottles against a loan that is immediately awarded," said spokeswoman Florence Marambat, adding that Bordeaux were the wines most frequently offered as collateral.
Bradley to hold fire after Twitter users left spitting mad
A dumb-founded Keegan Bradley said even he was taken aback by his excessive spitting as he watched television replays of his play during the final round of last week's Northern Trust Open in Los Angeles. Bradley ended up losing a three-way playoff for the title at Riviera Country Club, where fellow American Bill Haas triumphed, and was initially surprised his on-course expectorating had sparked widespread criticism on Twitter.
However, once he saw for himself via the telecast how much he spat during his pre-shot routine, the PGA Championship winner issued a public apology on his Twitter account.
"To be honest with you, I really had no idea I was doing it," Bradley told reporters at Dove Mountain Tuesday while preparing for this week's WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.
"And I feel bad.
"It's something that I'm going to work on and I just ask everybody to just kind of bear with me as I go through this, because it's something I've done without even knowing it. I'm going to truly work on it.
"It might take some time but I will do my best to stop. It's something that I'm glad that's come up, because I'm able to kind of nip it now. It's just a thing where I'm watching myself."
Bradley, who clinched his first major title by beating compatriot Jason Dufner in a playoff for last year's PGA Championship in Atlanta, conceded his lengthy pre-shot routine was also a concern.
"It's about visualization," the 25-year-old said. "It's kind of my way of staying not stagnant. It's something that you don't even really realize you're doing when you're in the heat of it.
"I will take a look at it and see if there are any improvements that I can make. But it's something that I've been doing and it's been working. Coming down the stretch, it (the time) does come up a little bit.
"But it doesn't seem to affect my ability, which is the most important," added Bradley, who earlier was presented with his trophy for winning the 2011 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award.
Bradley has been drawn to play against Australian Geoff Ogilvy, tournament champion in 2006 and 2009, in Wednesday's opening round at Dove Mountain.
However, once he saw for himself via the telecast how much he spat during his pre-shot routine, the PGA Championship winner issued a public apology on his Twitter account.
"To be honest with you, I really had no idea I was doing it," Bradley told reporters at Dove Mountain Tuesday while preparing for this week's WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.
"And I feel bad.
"It's something that I'm going to work on and I just ask everybody to just kind of bear with me as I go through this, because it's something I've done without even knowing it. I'm going to truly work on it.
"It might take some time but I will do my best to stop. It's something that I'm glad that's come up, because I'm able to kind of nip it now. It's just a thing where I'm watching myself."
Bradley, who clinched his first major title by beating compatriot Jason Dufner in a playoff for last year's PGA Championship in Atlanta, conceded his lengthy pre-shot routine was also a concern.
"It's about visualization," the 25-year-old said. "It's kind of my way of staying not stagnant. It's something that you don't even really realize you're doing when you're in the heat of it.
"I will take a look at it and see if there are any improvements that I can make. But it's something that I've been doing and it's been working. Coming down the stretch, it (the time) does come up a little bit.
"But it doesn't seem to affect my ability, which is the most important," added Bradley, who earlier was presented with his trophy for winning the 2011 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award.
Bradley has been drawn to play against Australian Geoff Ogilvy, tournament champion in 2006 and 2009, in Wednesday's opening round at Dove Mountain.
I don't like football, says Australian club owner
Fans often question whether wealthy club owners have a real passion for their teams but the followers of ailing A-league outfit Gold Coast United were left in no doubt at the weekend when Clive Palmer said he did not even like the sport.
A billionaire mining magnate, Palmer launched the club to much hoopla as an expansion team in 2008 and they finished third and fourth in the regular season in their first two years, albeit in front of the smallest crowds in the league.
The crowds have dwindled further this season - just 1723 turning out to watch them play Adelaide United two weeks ago - as the club has struggled on the pitch to fall well adrift at the bottom of the 10-team league.
The club's highly regarded coach Miron Bleiberg looks set to depart after being suspended for questioning the appointment of a 17-year-old as captain and Palmer's outburst at the weekend sparked a war of words with Football Federation Australia (FFA).
"I don't even like the game," Palmer told Brisbane's Sunday Mail. "I think it's a hopeless game. Rugby league's a much better game."
Palmer's comments cut deep for a sport still striving to gain a foothold in a crowded Australian market where rival codes rugby league and Australian Rules rule the roost and FFA chief executive Buckley condemned them.
"The comments are offensive to the players, coaches, administrators and volunteers who are the life and soul of Australian football," he said in a statement.
"We welcomed Clive into the game and lauded his investment, but no matter how frustrated Clive may feel about his involvement, these comments are out of order.
"I remind Clive that as a chairman and owner of a club, he has obligations to the competition, his fellow club chairman and investors in the other nine clubs, and to the game itself.
A billionaire mining magnate, Palmer launched the club to much hoopla as an expansion team in 2008 and they finished third and fourth in the regular season in their first two years, albeit in front of the smallest crowds in the league.
The crowds have dwindled further this season - just 1723 turning out to watch them play Adelaide United two weeks ago - as the club has struggled on the pitch to fall well adrift at the bottom of the 10-team league.
The club's highly regarded coach Miron Bleiberg looks set to depart after being suspended for questioning the appointment of a 17-year-old as captain and Palmer's outburst at the weekend sparked a war of words with Football Federation Australia (FFA).
"I don't even like the game," Palmer told Brisbane's Sunday Mail. "I think it's a hopeless game. Rugby league's a much better game."
Palmer's comments cut deep for a sport still striving to gain a foothold in a crowded Australian market where rival codes rugby league and Australian Rules rule the roost and FFA chief executive Buckley condemned them.
"The comments are offensive to the players, coaches, administrators and volunteers who are the life and soul of Australian football," he said in a statement.
"We welcomed Clive into the game and lauded his investment, but no matter how frustrated Clive may feel about his involvement, these comments are out of order.
"I remind Clive that as a chairman and owner of a club, he has obligations to the competition, his fellow club chairman and investors in the other nine clubs, and to the game itself.
Qatar would host 2020 Summer Games in October
Qatar is proposing to hold the 2020 Olympics in October to avoid the Gulf Arab state's searing summer heat, maintaining that the proposed October dates would "ensure ideal conditions for athletes and spectators." Details of the bid released Monday show that Doha would like to stage the Olympics from October 2-18 and the Paralympics from November 4-15.
"October in Doha is not like July and August. I don't think heat will be an issue," Qatar Olympic Committee General Secretary Sheik Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told reporters in the Qatari capital.
Qatar, which will host the 2022 soccer World Cup, has tried to quell fears about summer temperatures that can soar to 50 degrees Celsius by promising air-conditioned stadiums. But many still call for the event to be held in winter.
Al Thani dismissed concerns that October date would conflict with the many other sporting events scheduled at that time, saying that eight years was plenty of time to adjust event calendars.
"If we all agree on a date, everything can be adjusted," he said.
Qatar officials also said they would send female athletes to the Olympics for the first time. The IOC has offered Qatar wild card invitations for two female athletes to compete in London, swimmer Nada Arkaji and sprinter Noor al-Malki, Al Thani said, adding that the number could rise to four.
Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Brunei have never sent women athletes to an Olympics.
"Both Qatar and the Middle East are changing. Look at what is happening across the region. Change is in the air, and we see Doha 2020 as a way to change for the better," Al Thani said.
Organizers claim the Gulf state will not have to make significant expenditures on Olympic venues, saying 91 per cent of the sports venues for the Games are already built or planned. Qatar has budgeted $73 million for its 2020 bid, a statement said.
"We are presenting a games plan that dovetails perfectly with the significant investment Qatar is already making in sports facilities and essential infrastructure over the next few years. Our focus on utilizing existing venues and those already planned and budgeted means we can have certainty in delivering an accessible and low cost games in 2020," Al Thani said.
The surprise departure last week of Rome from the race to host the 2020 Olympics has put the spotlight on the finances of the five remaining candidates, with Azerbaijan's Baku and Qatar's Doha, initially seen as outsiders but cash-rich, set to gain in status.
Both Qatar, the world's top liquefied natural gas exporter and Azerbaijan's booming capital Baku, flush with the proceeds of oil and gas sales from reserves in the Caspian Sea, are aggressively going after global events.
It will be Doha's second successive Olympic bid after failing to make the cut for the 2016 Games. Baku also failed in the first hurdle for 2016.
The IOC will elect the winning bid in Sept 2013 at their session in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
"October in Doha is not like July and August. I don't think heat will be an issue," Qatar Olympic Committee General Secretary Sheik Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told reporters in the Qatari capital.
Qatar, which will host the 2022 soccer World Cup, has tried to quell fears about summer temperatures that can soar to 50 degrees Celsius by promising air-conditioned stadiums. But many still call for the event to be held in winter.
Al Thani dismissed concerns that October date would conflict with the many other sporting events scheduled at that time, saying that eight years was plenty of time to adjust event calendars.
"If we all agree on a date, everything can be adjusted," he said.
Qatar officials also said they would send female athletes to the Olympics for the first time. The IOC has offered Qatar wild card invitations for two female athletes to compete in London, swimmer Nada Arkaji and sprinter Noor al-Malki, Al Thani said, adding that the number could rise to four.
Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Brunei have never sent women athletes to an Olympics.
"Both Qatar and the Middle East are changing. Look at what is happening across the region. Change is in the air, and we see Doha 2020 as a way to change for the better," Al Thani said.
Organizers claim the Gulf state will not have to make significant expenditures on Olympic venues, saying 91 per cent of the sports venues for the Games are already built or planned. Qatar has budgeted $73 million for its 2020 bid, a statement said.
"We are presenting a games plan that dovetails perfectly with the significant investment Qatar is already making in sports facilities and essential infrastructure over the next few years. Our focus on utilizing existing venues and those already planned and budgeted means we can have certainty in delivering an accessible and low cost games in 2020," Al Thani said.
The surprise departure last week of Rome from the race to host the 2020 Olympics has put the spotlight on the finances of the five remaining candidates, with Azerbaijan's Baku and Qatar's Doha, initially seen as outsiders but cash-rich, set to gain in status.
Both Qatar, the world's top liquefied natural gas exporter and Azerbaijan's booming capital Baku, flush with the proceeds of oil and gas sales from reserves in the Caspian Sea, are aggressively going after global events.
It will be Doha's second successive Olympic bid after failing to make the cut for the 2016 Games. Baku also failed in the first hurdle for 2016.
The IOC will elect the winning bid in Sept 2013 at their session in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Swedish man survives for months in snowed-in car
A Swedish man was dug out alive after being snowed in to his car on a forest track for two months with no food, police and local media reported on Saturday. The 45-year-old from southern Sweden was found on Friday, emaciated and too weak to utter more than a few words.
He was found not far from the city of Umea in the north of Sweden by snowmobilers who thought they had come across a car wreck until they dug their way to a window and saw movement inside.
The man, who was laying in the back seat in a sleeping bag, said he had been in the car since December 19.
"Just incredible that he's alive considering that he had no food, but also since it's been really cold for some time after Christmas," a rescue team member told regional daily Vasterbottens-Kuriren, which broke the news.
Ebbe Nyberg, duty officer at the Umea police, said police saw no reason to doubt that the man had been stuck in the car for a very long time.
"We would not make something like this up. The rescue services were on site too and saw the same as us," he told Vasterbottens-Kuriren.
Umea University Hospital, where the man is recovering after being rescued by police and a rescue team, said in a statement he was doing well considering the circumstances.
Doctors at the hospital said humans would normally be able to survive for about four weeks without food. Besides eating snow, the man probably survived by going into a dormant-like state, physician Stefan Branth told Vasterbottens-Kuriren.
"A bit like a bear that hibernates. Humans can do that," he said. "He probably had a body temperature of around 31 degrees (Celsius) which the body adjusted to. Due to the low temperature, not much energy was used up."
Why the man ended up under the snow in the forest remains unknown, police said.
He was found not far from the city of Umea in the north of Sweden by snowmobilers who thought they had come across a car wreck until they dug their way to a window and saw movement inside.
The man, who was laying in the back seat in a sleeping bag, said he had been in the car since December 19.
"Just incredible that he's alive considering that he had no food, but also since it's been really cold for some time after Christmas," a rescue team member told regional daily Vasterbottens-Kuriren, which broke the news.
Ebbe Nyberg, duty officer at the Umea police, said police saw no reason to doubt that the man had been stuck in the car for a very long time.
"We would not make something like this up. The rescue services were on site too and saw the same as us," he told Vasterbottens-Kuriren.
Umea University Hospital, where the man is recovering after being rescued by police and a rescue team, said in a statement he was doing well considering the circumstances.
Doctors at the hospital said humans would normally be able to survive for about four weeks without food. Besides eating snow, the man probably survived by going into a dormant-like state, physician Stefan Branth told Vasterbottens-Kuriren.
"A bit like a bear that hibernates. Humans can do that," he said. "He probably had a body temperature of around 31 degrees (Celsius) which the body adjusted to. Due to the low temperature, not much energy was used up."
Why the man ended up under the snow in the forest remains unknown, police said.
Dalmatian, Dachshund could make Westminster show history
A wire-haired Dachshund, Pekingese, Dalmatian and German Shepherd defeated thousands of other competitors to advance to the final round of the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
They will be joined by victors from the sporting, working and terrier groups to vie for the best of show prize on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden where more than 2,000 dogs representing 185 breeds have competed over two days.
David Frei, the club's director of communications, said no wire-haired Dachshund had ever won Westminster, and had only won the best-in hound group twice.
"The only surprise would be if there weren't any surprises," said Frei. "Judging is all in the eye of the beholder. It's really a subjective process."
He added that balance and silhouette were critical.
Dogs competing in the show came from as far away as China, Russia, Brazil and Japan, but the majority were from the United States, particularly New York, California and Pennsylvania.
And while age is no barrier to victory -- the winners have ranged from more than 10 years to just nine months old -- history is on the side of the wire-haired Fox terrier.
The breed has won 13 best-in-shows. Terriers have triumphed 45 times, while all other six groups combined have won 58 blue ribbons.
But this year's competition has a solid chance at making history. There has never been a Dalmatian nor a wire-haired Dachshund best-in-show at Westminster.
Las Vegas odd makers are pointing to the Pekingese, at 6-to-1, as the favorite to prevail. Among Monday's pack of initial finalists, the Dalmatian was the long shot at 100-to-1.
Last year's winner, a Scottish deerhound named Hickory, was the first of its breed ever to win, defying the 60-to-1 odds against victory.
Six breeds competed for the first time this year -- the American English coonhound, the Cesky Terrier, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog, the Finnish Lapphund, the Norwegian Lundehund and Mexico's hairless Xoloitzcuintli.
On Monday a Chow chow owned by lifestyle guru Martha Stewart won the best-of-breed competition, but failed to place during the non-sporting group judging, which was won by the Dalmatian.
They will be joined by victors from the sporting, working and terrier groups to vie for the best of show prize on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden where more than 2,000 dogs representing 185 breeds have competed over two days.
David Frei, the club's director of communications, said no wire-haired Dachshund had ever won Westminster, and had only won the best-in hound group twice.
"The only surprise would be if there weren't any surprises," said Frei. "Judging is all in the eye of the beholder. It's really a subjective process."
He added that balance and silhouette were critical.
Dogs competing in the show came from as far away as China, Russia, Brazil and Japan, but the majority were from the United States, particularly New York, California and Pennsylvania.
And while age is no barrier to victory -- the winners have ranged from more than 10 years to just nine months old -- history is on the side of the wire-haired Fox terrier.
The breed has won 13 best-in-shows. Terriers have triumphed 45 times, while all other six groups combined have won 58 blue ribbons.
But this year's competition has a solid chance at making history. There has never been a Dalmatian nor a wire-haired Dachshund best-in-show at Westminster.
Las Vegas odd makers are pointing to the Pekingese, at 6-to-1, as the favorite to prevail. Among Monday's pack of initial finalists, the Dalmatian was the long shot at 100-to-1.
Last year's winner, a Scottish deerhound named Hickory, was the first of its breed ever to win, defying the 60-to-1 odds against victory.
Six breeds competed for the first time this year -- the American English coonhound, the Cesky Terrier, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog, the Finnish Lapphund, the Norwegian Lundehund and Mexico's hairless Xoloitzcuintli.
On Monday a Chow chow owned by lifestyle guru Martha Stewart won the best-of-breed competition, but failed to place during the non-sporting group judging, which was won by the Dalmatian.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
What's New Year's Eve without Guy Lombardo?
By Jerry Jonas
Although famed band leader Guy Lombardo has been gone for more than 30 years, somehow, a New Year's Eve without his music is to most individuals who are old enough to remember him like a Thanksgiving Day without turkey.
For all the years (1929 through 1976) that Lombardo and his Royal Canadians welcomed in a new year (initially on radio and later on both radio and TV) with their sentimental rendition of "Auld Lang Syne" (loosely translated as "times gone by"), he had been to New Year's Eve what Santa Claus is to Christmas.
This was particularly true for those of us who chose to spend the evening at home listening to Lombardo's tunes broadcast live from the ballroom of New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel rather than going out partying.
But since his death in 1977, the holiday evening just hasn't been the same.
Granted, the ball still descends at midnight over New York's Time Square, and the huge crowds still mill about, waiting to welcome in a new year.
However, the celebration's current TV honcho, Dick Clark (who hosted the first formal telecast of his New Year's Eve show in 1972 and has been joined since 2005 by Ryan Seacrest), is no Guy Lombardo.
Clark's choices of music and musical performers have traditionally been aimed at a much-younger audience, and what he identifies as "Rockin' Eve music" is what I insist is "headache music."
With the exception of watching the ball descend at the stroke of midnight, I basically pay scant attention to what ----in my mind, at least ----has evolved into extremely annoying telecasts.
Fortunately, I still have a mental store-house filled with exceptional New Year's Eve memories.
My earliest recollections of the holiday date all the way back to 1934. I was not quite 4 years old and my mother had gotten me out of bed to watch the revelers usher in the new year.
From the large Zenith console radio in our living room downstairs, I could hear the strains of "Auld Lang Syne." It was, of course, the Guy Lombardo orchestra broadcasting live from the Waldorf-Astoria.
Starting out of the second-story bedroom window, my mother and I watched the falling snow blanket our narrow Kensington street. Back then, most Philadelphia streets were all but empty of cars, as few people could afford them.
There were no elaborate light displays decorating the fronts of homes. The only exterior decorations were simple Christmas wreaths attached to the front-door windows of the row houses. Few of them, if any, had electric lights.
At midnight, those front doors began opening, one by one, and small groups of people made their way onto the sidewalk, shouting greetings, changing pots and pans and blowing on small paper horns.
Although I didn't quite grasp what was happening, the scene from that night is still as clear in my mind today as it was on that long-ago evening.
Through my succeeding childhood years, New Year's Eves were relatively quiet.
Occassionally, relatives or friends of my parents would drop in, but there was little partying. It was still the era of the Great Depression and few people in our neighborhood had money to spend frivoloously.
Most years, my two brothers and I were in bed sound asleep long before midnight.
My second major New Year's Eve recollection is from December 1941.
It had been barley three weeks since the country had been brought into World War II by the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor. I was nearly 11 years old and permitted to stay up until the midnight celebration.
Famed bandleader Glenn Miller's recording of "Elmer's Tune" was then the No. 1 song in the country, and that night, it seemed I heard it at least a dozen times. Even hearing it today transports me mentally to that distant time and place.
At midnight, the sadness of Lombardo's "Auld Lang Syne" seemed especially appropriate for the country's melancholy wartime mood.
During my late-teen years, New Year's Eve began to take on more meaning.
By then, World War II had ended and I had begun dating Betty, my future wife. Now, each year, there would be a New Year's Eve party at her house. But for me, that would soon be interrupted by the outbreak of war in Korea.
On Dec. 31, 1952, I would find myself standing watch in the bitter -cold darkness of a Korean trench line, watching an occasional illumination flare descend from the black sky and listening to sporadic bursts from a Chinese machine gun.
Later, warming up in a nearby bunker and listening to Lombardo's "Auld Lang Syne" on the Armed Forces Radio Network, I would dream of other, more-pleasant New Year's Eves that might still be in store for me.
And they would come.
During the next 58 years, most of my New Year's Evces would be spent at home, eating snacks, drinking punch and watching the ball descend on television, and then stepping outside and banging on pots and pans with Betty, our six children and our five grandchildren.
While we no longer have Guy Lombardo to entertain us, and the children and grandchildren have grown and no longer celebrate with us, Betty and I and our son, Dan (who still lives at home), still have a more-than-adequate supply of pots and pans.
Although famed band leader Guy Lombardo has been gone for more than 30 years, somehow, a New Year's Eve without his music is to most individuals who are old enough to remember him like a Thanksgiving Day without turkey.
For all the years (1929 through 1976) that Lombardo and his Royal Canadians welcomed in a new year (initially on radio and later on both radio and TV) with their sentimental rendition of "Auld Lang Syne" (loosely translated as "times gone by"), he had been to New Year's Eve what Santa Claus is to Christmas.
This was particularly true for those of us who chose to spend the evening at home listening to Lombardo's tunes broadcast live from the ballroom of New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel rather than going out partying.
But since his death in 1977, the holiday evening just hasn't been the same.
Granted, the ball still descends at midnight over New York's Time Square, and the huge crowds still mill about, waiting to welcome in a new year.
However, the celebration's current TV honcho, Dick Clark (who hosted the first formal telecast of his New Year's Eve show in 1972 and has been joined since 2005 by Ryan Seacrest), is no Guy Lombardo.
Clark's choices of music and musical performers have traditionally been aimed at a much-younger audience, and what he identifies as "Rockin' Eve music" is what I insist is "headache music."
With the exception of watching the ball descend at the stroke of midnight, I basically pay scant attention to what ----in my mind, at least ----has evolved into extremely annoying telecasts.
Fortunately, I still have a mental store-house filled with exceptional New Year's Eve memories.
My earliest recollections of the holiday date all the way back to 1934. I was not quite 4 years old and my mother had gotten me out of bed to watch the revelers usher in the new year.
From the large Zenith console radio in our living room downstairs, I could hear the strains of "Auld Lang Syne." It was, of course, the Guy Lombardo orchestra broadcasting live from the Waldorf-Astoria.
Starting out of the second-story bedroom window, my mother and I watched the falling snow blanket our narrow Kensington street. Back then, most Philadelphia streets were all but empty of cars, as few people could afford them.
There were no elaborate light displays decorating the fronts of homes. The only exterior decorations were simple Christmas wreaths attached to the front-door windows of the row houses. Few of them, if any, had electric lights.
At midnight, those front doors began opening, one by one, and small groups of people made their way onto the sidewalk, shouting greetings, changing pots and pans and blowing on small paper horns.
Although I didn't quite grasp what was happening, the scene from that night is still as clear in my mind today as it was on that long-ago evening.
Through my succeeding childhood years, New Year's Eves were relatively quiet.
Occassionally, relatives or friends of my parents would drop in, but there was little partying. It was still the era of the Great Depression and few people in our neighborhood had money to spend frivoloously.
Most years, my two brothers and I were in bed sound asleep long before midnight.
My second major New Year's Eve recollection is from December 1941.
It had been barley three weeks since the country had been brought into World War II by the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor. I was nearly 11 years old and permitted to stay up until the midnight celebration.
Famed bandleader Glenn Miller's recording of "Elmer's Tune" was then the No. 1 song in the country, and that night, it seemed I heard it at least a dozen times. Even hearing it today transports me mentally to that distant time and place.
At midnight, the sadness of Lombardo's "Auld Lang Syne" seemed especially appropriate for the country's melancholy wartime mood.
During my late-teen years, New Year's Eve began to take on more meaning.
By then, World War II had ended and I had begun dating Betty, my future wife. Now, each year, there would be a New Year's Eve party at her house. But for me, that would soon be interrupted by the outbreak of war in Korea.
On Dec. 31, 1952, I would find myself standing watch in the bitter -cold darkness of a Korean trench line, watching an occasional illumination flare descend from the black sky and listening to sporadic bursts from a Chinese machine gun.
Later, warming up in a nearby bunker and listening to Lombardo's "Auld Lang Syne" on the Armed Forces Radio Network, I would dream of other, more-pleasant New Year's Eves that might still be in store for me.
And they would come.
During the next 58 years, most of my New Year's Evces would be spent at home, eating snacks, drinking punch and watching the ball descend on television, and then stepping outside and banging on pots and pans with Betty, our six children and our five grandchildren.
While we no longer have Guy Lombardo to entertain us, and the children and grandchildren have grown and no longer celebrate with us, Betty and I and our son, Dan (who still lives at home), still have a more-than-adequate supply of pots and pans.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
POP QUIZ (trailblazers)
As this is the first Sunday of Black History Month, match these African American "firsts" with the elected office they held.
1. Edward Brooke a) Congressman, 1870, South Carolina
2. Cora Brown b) Congresswoman, 1968, New York
3. Shirley Chisholm c) Governor, nonelected, of Louisiana,
4. Carol Mosley Braun 1872
5. P.B.S. Pinchback d) Governor, elected, of Virginia, 1990
6. Sharon Pratt Kelly e) Mayor of major U.S. city, 1967,
7. Joseph Rainey Cleveland
8. Hiram Rhodes Revels f) Mayor of Washington, 1990
9. Carl B. Stokes g) State senator, in Michigan, 1952
10. Douglas Wilder h) U.S. senator, 1870, from Mississippi
i) U.S. senator, first woman, 1992,
from Illinois
j) U.S. senator, first post-
Reconstruction, 1966,
from Massachusetts
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answers : 1. j ; 2. g ; 3. b ; 4. i ; 5. c ; 6. f ; 7. a ; 8. h ; 9. e ; 10. d
1. Edward Brooke a) Congressman, 1870, South Carolina
2. Cora Brown b) Congresswoman, 1968, New York
3. Shirley Chisholm c) Governor, nonelected, of Louisiana,
4. Carol Mosley Braun 1872
5. P.B.S. Pinchback d) Governor, elected, of Virginia, 1990
6. Sharon Pratt Kelly e) Mayor of major U.S. city, 1967,
7. Joseph Rainey Cleveland
8. Hiram Rhodes Revels f) Mayor of Washington, 1990
9. Carl B. Stokes g) State senator, in Michigan, 1952
10. Douglas Wilder h) U.S. senator, 1870, from Mississippi
i) U.S. senator, first woman, 1992,
from Illinois
j) U.S. senator, first post-
Reconstruction, 1966,
from Massachusetts
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answers : 1. j ; 2. g ; 3. b ; 4. i ; 5. c ; 6. f ; 7. a ; 8. h ; 9. e ; 10. d
POP QUIZ (Honest Abe)
Happy Birthday, Abraham Lincoln. In honor of the occasion, let's review the basics.
1. What year was Lincoln born?
a) 1789 b) 1799
c) 1809 d) 1819
2. Where is the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park?
a) Illinois b) Virginia
c) Indiana d) Kentucky
3. What were the names of Lincoln's mother and father?
a) Sarah and Thomas
b) Nancy and Thomas
c) Nancy and Robert
d) Mary and Robert
4. He served as a captain in the Sangamon County Rifles during this war.
a) Black Hawk War
b) War of 1812
c) Mexican War
d) Tecumseh's War
5. How many years did Lincoln serve in the Illinois state legislature?
a) Two b) Four
c) Six d) Eight
6. How many years did Lincoln serve in Congress?
a) Two b) Four
c) Six d) Eight
7. In what year did Lincoln marry Mary Todd?
a) 1832 b) 1842
c) 1852 d) 1862
8. Which list of names below reflects the correct birth order of the Lincolns' four sons, from oldest to youngest?
a) Willie, Eddie, Tad, Robert
b) Tad, Robert, Eddie, Willie
c) Robert, Eddie, Willie, Tad
d) Robert, Eddie, Tad, Willie
9. In what year did Lincoln run as a Republican against Stephen A. Douglas for U.S. Senate?
a) 1859 b) 1858
c) 1857 d) 1856
10. Which of the following was not one of Lincoln's chief rivals for the GOP nomination in 1860?
a) William H. Seward
b) Simon Cameron
c) Salmon P. Chase
d) Hannibal Hamlin
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answers : 1. c ; 2. d ; 3. b ; 4. a ; 5. d ; 6. a ; 7. b ; 8. c ; 9. b ; 10. d
1. What year was Lincoln born?
a) 1789 b) 1799
c) 1809 d) 1819
2. Where is the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park?
a) Illinois b) Virginia
c) Indiana d) Kentucky
3. What were the names of Lincoln's mother and father?
a) Sarah and Thomas
b) Nancy and Thomas
c) Nancy and Robert
d) Mary and Robert
4. He served as a captain in the Sangamon County Rifles during this war.
a) Black Hawk War
b) War of 1812
c) Mexican War
d) Tecumseh's War
5. How many years did Lincoln serve in the Illinois state legislature?
a) Two b) Four
c) Six d) Eight
6. How many years did Lincoln serve in Congress?
a) Two b) Four
c) Six d) Eight
7. In what year did Lincoln marry Mary Todd?
a) 1832 b) 1842
c) 1852 d) 1862
8. Which list of names below reflects the correct birth order of the Lincolns' four sons, from oldest to youngest?
a) Willie, Eddie, Tad, Robert
b) Tad, Robert, Eddie, Willie
c) Robert, Eddie, Willie, Tad
d) Robert, Eddie, Tad, Willie
9. In what year did Lincoln run as a Republican against Stephen A. Douglas for U.S. Senate?
a) 1859 b) 1858
c) 1857 d) 1856
10. Which of the following was not one of Lincoln's chief rivals for the GOP nomination in 1860?
a) William H. Seward
b) Simon Cameron
c) Salmon P. Chase
d) Hannibal Hamlin
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answers : 1. c ; 2. d ; 3. b ; 4. a ; 5. d ; 6. a ; 7. b ; 8. c ; 9. b ; 10. d
F. Y. I.
Actually Stated
"Golden, ripe, boneless bananas, 39 cents a pound" ---from a supermarket advertisement
Famous First
The first known pizzeria, Antica Pizzeria, opened in Naples, Italy, in 1738.
By the Numbers
Rainforests used to cover 14 percent of the Earth's surface but now only cover around 6 percent.
Still on the Books
In Massachusetts, no gorilla is allowed in the back seat of any car.
Tool of a Tail
A leopard's tail is about as long as its entire body and helps with balance and making sharp turns quickly.
Table Tidbits
In the United Kingdom, Snickers candy bars were initially called Marathon Bars because "snickers," a British colloquialism for someone's underwear.
"Golden, ripe, boneless bananas, 39 cents a pound" ---from a supermarket advertisement
Famous First
The first known pizzeria, Antica Pizzeria, opened in Naples, Italy, in 1738.
By the Numbers
Rainforests used to cover 14 percent of the Earth's surface but now only cover around 6 percent.
Still on the Books
In Massachusetts, no gorilla is allowed in the back seat of any car.
Tool of a Tail
A leopard's tail is about as long as its entire body and helps with balance and making sharp turns quickly.
Table Tidbits
In the United Kingdom, Snickers candy bars were initially called Marathon Bars because "snickers," a British colloquialism for someone's underwear.
F. Y. I.
Quotable
by Oscar Wilde, Irish writer and poet (1854-1900)
"To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance."
Still on the Books
In San Antonio, Texas, it is illegal for both sexes to flirt or respond to flirtation using the eyes or hands.
Back Then
In ancient Greece, garlic and onions were considered aphrodisiacs.
Long live Juliet
Every Valentine's Day, the Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare's lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet.
Famous First
Richard Cadbury produced the first box of chocolates for Valentine's Day in 1868.
Love Connection
Alexander Graham Bell applied for his patent on the telephone, an "Improvement in Telegraphy," on Valentine's Day 1876.
by Oscar Wilde, Irish writer and poet (1854-1900)
"To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance."
Still on the Books
In San Antonio, Texas, it is illegal for both sexes to flirt or respond to flirtation using the eyes or hands.
Back Then
In ancient Greece, garlic and onions were considered aphrodisiacs.
Long live Juliet
Every Valentine's Day, the Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare's lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet.
Famous First
Richard Cadbury produced the first box of chocolates for Valentine's Day in 1868.
Love Connection
Alexander Graham Bell applied for his patent on the telephone, an "Improvement in Telegraphy," on Valentine's Day 1876.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Mattel to issue William and Kate dolls for royal anniversary
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are really getting dolled up for the first anniversary of their royal wedding. Mattel Inc, the U.S. maker of Barbie dolls, said this week it will release a special two-doll set in April to mark the one-year anniversary of Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding at Westminster Abbey.
The figures, part of Mattel's Barbie Collector series, will come dressed up in outfits duplicating those the couple wore in a ceremony that was viewed by an estimated 3 billion people worldwide.
For William, that means a pint-sized version of his red Irish Guards outfit with a bright blue sash.
For Kate, that means a miniature of the traditional white dress and veil she wore, as well as a teeny-tiny tiara just like the diamond-studded original she borrowed from Queen Elizabeth.
The price for the two-doll set is $100 and Mattel is taking pre-orders at http://www.barbiecollector.com/.
The royal couple joins others in Mattel's Barbie Collector, including country singers Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, as well as TV stars Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
The figures, part of Mattel's Barbie Collector series, will come dressed up in outfits duplicating those the couple wore in a ceremony that was viewed by an estimated 3 billion people worldwide.
For William, that means a pint-sized version of his red Irish Guards outfit with a bright blue sash.
For Kate, that means a miniature of the traditional white dress and veil she wore, as well as a teeny-tiny tiara just like the diamond-studded original she borrowed from Queen Elizabeth.
The price for the two-doll set is $100 and Mattel is taking pre-orders at http://www.barbiecollector.com/.
The royal couple joins others in Mattel's Barbie Collector, including country singers Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, as well as TV stars Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
Tightrope walker to attempt first crossing of Niagara Falls
Canada agreed on Wednesday to allow a member of the Flying Wallenda family of daredevils to attempt a tightrope walk over Niagara Falls, clearing the way for the stunt some time during the summer. Nik Wallenda, 33, secured support on the American side of the falls last September when New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill giving him one year to perform the feat, which Wallenda says will be the first attempt in more than a century.
On Wednesday, the board of Canada's Niagara Parks Commission voted unanimously to allow Wallenda to go ahead, reversing its earlier decision.
"It's been a dream of mine since I was 6 years old," Wallenda said by telephone from Niagara, where he had earlier attended the board meeting. "This was a dream many told me was impossible: two countries to change laws. I'm blessed, that's all I can say."
The Niagara Parks Commission also passed a motion on Wednesday barring a similar stunt more than once every 20 years.
"This decision was approved in part in recognition of the role that stunting has played in the history and promotion of Niagara Falls," Janice Thomson, the chairwoman of the commission, said in a statement.
"We have made it clear that this is a very unique one-time situation. It's not an everyday activity and will not be allowed to become an everyday activity."
Wallenda, a seventh-generation member of the Wallenda family of circus performers who said he has been tightrope-walking since he was 2 years old, said he will be the first person to ever cross directly over the falls. Past attempts took place further down the gorge, he said.
"I'll be walking through the mist thrown off by the falls," he said, adding that although that may sound as though it would cause slippery conditions, his suede wire-walking shoes actually grip better when wet.
He plans to rig a 2-inch-diameter wire rope between cranes on either side of the falls, some 1,800 feet apart, he said. The date has not been set, but is expected to be in the summer.
He will continue to train on a full-scale high-wire rig on an airport runway in Pittsburgh, with simulated mist.
"I've done walks farther and higher," he said. "This will be the most iconic."
On Wednesday, the board of Canada's Niagara Parks Commission voted unanimously to allow Wallenda to go ahead, reversing its earlier decision.
"It's been a dream of mine since I was 6 years old," Wallenda said by telephone from Niagara, where he had earlier attended the board meeting. "This was a dream many told me was impossible: two countries to change laws. I'm blessed, that's all I can say."
The Niagara Parks Commission also passed a motion on Wednesday barring a similar stunt more than once every 20 years.
"This decision was approved in part in recognition of the role that stunting has played in the history and promotion of Niagara Falls," Janice Thomson, the chairwoman of the commission, said in a statement.
"We have made it clear that this is a very unique one-time situation. It's not an everyday activity and will not be allowed to become an everyday activity."
Wallenda, a seventh-generation member of the Wallenda family of circus performers who said he has been tightrope-walking since he was 2 years old, said he will be the first person to ever cross directly over the falls. Past attempts took place further down the gorge, he said.
"I'll be walking through the mist thrown off by the falls," he said, adding that although that may sound as though it would cause slippery conditions, his suede wire-walking shoes actually grip better when wet.
He plans to rig a 2-inch-diameter wire rope between cranes on either side of the falls, some 1,800 feet apart, he said. The date has not been set, but is expected to be in the summer.
He will continue to train on a full-scale high-wire rig on an airport runway in Pittsburgh, with simulated mist.
"I've done walks farther and higher," he said. "This will be the most iconic."
Partners main source of happiness around the globe: poll
Nearly two-thirds of married couples and people with a significant other say their partner is the most important source of happiness in their lives, according to a new global poll released on Valentine's Day. And nearly half of all singles yearn above all else to find a sweetheart, with about 45 percent saying finding a partner would bring them the greatest happiness.
"What strikes us when we look at the data is that you have this majority of global citizens who are really looking at home for happiness," said Keren Gottfried, research manager at Ipsos Global Public Affairs, which conducted the survey in 24 countries.
South Africa reported the highest levels of domestic bliss, with 82 percent of settled South Africans saying nothing could make them happier than their partner.
Japanese and South Korean couples were at the other end of the scale. Nearly half said they would hesitate to say their partner was the single best thing in their lives, although they conceded that he or she was the source of at least some of their happiness.
For many couples, about 38 percent globally, the best thing about their relationship was the sex, according to the poll. This was especially true for Brazilians. Nearly 60 percent said that nothing could make them happier than having a good sex life.
But the Japanese, South Koreans and Britons tended to value other qualities in their partner. Only 15 percent of Japanese ranked their sex lives above all else as a source of contentment.
Single people in the same three countries also reported a resilient independence, with only a third or less of single Japanese, South Koreans and the Britons saying finding someone to settle down with was the most important step in their search for happiness.
Single Indonesians were the most preoccupied with finding a mate. Nearly 70 percent said nothing could make them happier, followed by 57 percent of Turks and 56 percent of Mexicans.
But even among couples who lived together, the poll found signs of restlessness with slightly more than a quarter of people in such relationships saying that finding someone else to be with would make them happiest of all.
Ipsos interviewed 21,248 in an online survey in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United States.
Fifty-nine percent of the people surveyed said they were married or living with their partner, while 41 percent said they were not.
"What strikes us when we look at the data is that you have this majority of global citizens who are really looking at home for happiness," said Keren Gottfried, research manager at Ipsos Global Public Affairs, which conducted the survey in 24 countries.
South Africa reported the highest levels of domestic bliss, with 82 percent of settled South Africans saying nothing could make them happier than their partner.
Japanese and South Korean couples were at the other end of the scale. Nearly half said they would hesitate to say their partner was the single best thing in their lives, although they conceded that he or she was the source of at least some of their happiness.
For many couples, about 38 percent globally, the best thing about their relationship was the sex, according to the poll. This was especially true for Brazilians. Nearly 60 percent said that nothing could make them happier than having a good sex life.
But the Japanese, South Koreans and Britons tended to value other qualities in their partner. Only 15 percent of Japanese ranked their sex lives above all else as a source of contentment.
Single people in the same three countries also reported a resilient independence, with only a third or less of single Japanese, South Koreans and the Britons saying finding someone to settle down with was the most important step in their search for happiness.
Single Indonesians were the most preoccupied with finding a mate. Nearly 70 percent said nothing could make them happier, followed by 57 percent of Turks and 56 percent of Mexicans.
But even among couples who lived together, the poll found signs of restlessness with slightly more than a quarter of people in such relationships saying that finding someone else to be with would make them happiest of all.
Ipsos interviewed 21,248 in an online survey in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United States.
Fifty-nine percent of the people surveyed said they were married or living with their partner, while 41 percent said they were not.
"Malachy" the Pekingese wins prestigious U.S. dog show
A placid Pekingese slowly trotted to victory on Tuesday at the 136th Westminster Kennel Club dog show, beating a Dalmatian, a German Shepherd, a Dachshund and three other canines to become the first of his breed to win the prestigious annual event since 1990.
Malachy, a four-year-old dog formally known as Ch. Palacegarden Malachy, charmed the packed Madison Square Garden arena crowd, who roared their approval when his win was announced.
Judge Cindy Vogels, who was sequestered from the two-day competition until she entered the ring for the best-in-show finale, described the 11-pound Malachy as "a super dog who had a stupendous night."
"He was spectacular," she said of the dog who has been number-one in the toy group for the past two years and has won 115 best-in-show titles.
"He conforms to the (breed's) standard so magnificently ... tonight, he was flawless," she said.
The Pekingese, who drew a fair amount of affectionate laughter from the crowd with his mop of highly fluffed hair, won them over with soulful glances up at handler David Fitzpatrick, as he strode about the ring at a deliberate pace that contrasted with the other dogs' trotting gates.
"Their gate should be slow and dignified," Fitzpatrick said of the toy breed. Earlier in the day, he added, the dog had been "very quiet and relaxed," although he noted "he's an extrovert in the ring."
The other dogs competing in the best-in-show round included an Irish setter, a Kerry blue terrier and a Doberman pinscher. No Irish setter, Dalmatian or Dachshund has ever won best in show at Westminster, the nation's second-oldest sporting event behind only the Kentucky Derby race for thoroughbred horses.
Fitzpatrick said Malachy, owned by Iris Love and Sandra Middlebrooks as well as himself, would now retire to the life of a house pet. "He won't be doing commercials, he's been working hard enough for the past two years," Fitzpatrick said.
But first, the nation's newest top dog will embark upon a string of television appearances on news and talk shows befitting other celebrities with one name, such as Madonna and Cher.
The handler promised the dog would soon be back to "running around the house and chasing squirrels outside -- all the normal things."
Describing Malachy's nature, Fitzpatrick said "he's dignified, devoted, and a wonderful companion. He's charming."
Malachy, a four-year-old dog formally known as Ch. Palacegarden Malachy, charmed the packed Madison Square Garden arena crowd, who roared their approval when his win was announced.
Judge Cindy Vogels, who was sequestered from the two-day competition until she entered the ring for the best-in-show finale, described the 11-pound Malachy as "a super dog who had a stupendous night."
"He was spectacular," she said of the dog who has been number-one in the toy group for the past two years and has won 115 best-in-show titles.
"He conforms to the (breed's) standard so magnificently ... tonight, he was flawless," she said.
The Pekingese, who drew a fair amount of affectionate laughter from the crowd with his mop of highly fluffed hair, won them over with soulful glances up at handler David Fitzpatrick, as he strode about the ring at a deliberate pace that contrasted with the other dogs' trotting gates.
"Their gate should be slow and dignified," Fitzpatrick said of the toy breed. Earlier in the day, he added, the dog had been "very quiet and relaxed," although he noted "he's an extrovert in the ring."
The other dogs competing in the best-in-show round included an Irish setter, a Kerry blue terrier and a Doberman pinscher. No Irish setter, Dalmatian or Dachshund has ever won best in show at Westminster, the nation's second-oldest sporting event behind only the Kentucky Derby race for thoroughbred horses.
Fitzpatrick said Malachy, owned by Iris Love and Sandra Middlebrooks as well as himself, would now retire to the life of a house pet. "He won't be doing commercials, he's been working hard enough for the past two years," Fitzpatrick said.
But first, the nation's newest top dog will embark upon a string of television appearances on news and talk shows befitting other celebrities with one name, such as Madonna and Cher.
The handler promised the dog would soon be back to "running around the house and chasing squirrels outside -- all the normal things."
Describing Malachy's nature, Fitzpatrick said "he's dignified, devoted, and a wonderful companion. He's charming."
Afghan govt asks for headscarves, less make-up on TV
An Afghan government request that female television presenters don headscarves and avoid heavy make-up angered journalists on Tuesday, who said the move was proof authorities expected the Taliban to regain a share of power. Afghan and U.S. officials have been seeking peace negotiations with the Islamist group ousted over a decade ago as a means to ensure stability after foreign combat troops leave, though the talks are in a very fragile state.
In a letter distributed to media, the Ministry of Culture and Information said it had received complaints from members of parliament and families that female news presenters were not observing Islamic and cultural ethics.
"All female news presenters must avoid heavy make-up and wear a headscarf," Minister Sayed Makhdoom Rahin told Reuters by telephone, adding this applied to state and private TV stations.
The ministry's plea came as a surprise to some Afghan media. All female anchors appear with their heads covered, sparking suggestions the directive was designed to impress the Taliban by pandering to their ultra-conservative views.
"Since we are at the beginning of serious peace and reconciliation talks, the government wants to show they are like the Taliban," said Zarghoona Roshan, a radio journalist for 10 years before she joined media development group Nai.
"The request itself is useless," Roshan added, adjusting her two-toned black and grey headscarf. Nai, which also tracks media infringements, estimates there are around 120 female TV presenters across the country.
Nai's executive director Abdul Mujeeb Khalvatgar said the government had been piling pressure over the past year to restrict content and "keep the public away from the facts they need.
"We have concerns, fears, that this pressure is the beginning of media limitation and this is because of the Taliban. They are paving the way for them," he said.
Khalvatgar cited numerous examples of pressure on the press over the last year, including throwing acid on a veteran Afghan journalist and preventing a Turkish soap opera from being aired.
While Afghan women have gained back basic rights in education, voting and work since the Taliban was toppled in 2001, their plight remains severe and future uncertain as Afghan and U.S. officials seek to negotiate with the hardline group.
As the 2014 deadline looms for foreign combat troops to return home, some activists in and outside Afghanistan fear that women's rights may be sacrificed in the scramble to ensure the West leaves behind a relatively stable and peaceful state.
U.S. officials said last week they wanted to accelerate the talks so peace negotiations can be announced at a NATO summit in May. The Taliban's announcement last month that it was opening a political office in Qatar was seen as a prelude to peace talks.
In a letter distributed to media, the Ministry of Culture and Information said it had received complaints from members of parliament and families that female news presenters were not observing Islamic and cultural ethics.
"All female news presenters must avoid heavy make-up and wear a headscarf," Minister Sayed Makhdoom Rahin told Reuters by telephone, adding this applied to state and private TV stations.
The ministry's plea came as a surprise to some Afghan media. All female anchors appear with their heads covered, sparking suggestions the directive was designed to impress the Taliban by pandering to their ultra-conservative views.
"Since we are at the beginning of serious peace and reconciliation talks, the government wants to show they are like the Taliban," said Zarghoona Roshan, a radio journalist for 10 years before she joined media development group Nai.
"The request itself is useless," Roshan added, adjusting her two-toned black and grey headscarf. Nai, which also tracks media infringements, estimates there are around 120 female TV presenters across the country.
Nai's executive director Abdul Mujeeb Khalvatgar said the government had been piling pressure over the past year to restrict content and "keep the public away from the facts they need.
"We have concerns, fears, that this pressure is the beginning of media limitation and this is because of the Taliban. They are paving the way for them," he said.
Khalvatgar cited numerous examples of pressure on the press over the last year, including throwing acid on a veteran Afghan journalist and preventing a Turkish soap opera from being aired.
While Afghan women have gained back basic rights in education, voting and work since the Taliban was toppled in 2001, their plight remains severe and future uncertain as Afghan and U.S. officials seek to negotiate with the hardline group.
As the 2014 deadline looms for foreign combat troops to return home, some activists in and outside Afghanistan fear that women's rights may be sacrificed in the scramble to ensure the West leaves behind a relatively stable and peaceful state.
U.S. officials said last week they wanted to accelerate the talks so peace negotiations can be announced at a NATO summit in May. The Taliban's announcement last month that it was opening a political office in Qatar was seen as a prelude to peace talks.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Russia's Putin gets a drink fit for dinosaurs
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin received a drink fit for dinosaurs on Friday when he was presented with a sample of ancient water from a sub-glacial Antarctic lake pierced by Russian scientists.
Russian scientists said this week they had drilled through Antarctica's frozen crust to the vast Lake Vostok, which has lain untouched for at least 14 million years hiding what scientists believe may be unknown organisms and clues to life on other planets.
"Well, did you drink the water?" Putin asked Russia's Natural Resources Minister Yuri Trutnev after being presented with a vial of water which the government said was from the Vostok borehole.
Trutnev, looking flustered, assured Putin that he had not tried a drop of the water.
"Well it would have been interesting you know: dinosaurs drank it and Trutnev, a member of the Russian government, too," Putin said with a smile.
Trutnev stifled a chortle and said he did not want to be dinosaur.
Sealed deep under the ice, Lake Vostok is one of the world's last unexplored frontiers. Scientists suspect its depths may provide a glimpse of the planet before the ice age.
Russian scientists said this week they had drilled through Antarctica's frozen crust to the vast Lake Vostok, which has lain untouched for at least 14 million years hiding what scientists believe may be unknown organisms and clues to life on other planets.
"Well, did you drink the water?" Putin asked Russia's Natural Resources Minister Yuri Trutnev after being presented with a vial of water which the government said was from the Vostok borehole.
Trutnev, looking flustered, assured Putin that he had not tried a drop of the water.
"Well it would have been interesting you know: dinosaurs drank it and Trutnev, a member of the Russian government, too," Putin said with a smile.
Trutnev stifled a chortle and said he did not want to be dinosaur.
Sealed deep under the ice, Lake Vostok is one of the world's last unexplored frontiers. Scientists suspect its depths may provide a glimpse of the planet before the ice age.
Canada's winter so tame, festival buys fake snow
The usually frigid Canadian city of Winnipeg - often nicknamed Winterpeg - has been so mild and dry this winter that a popular snow-sculpting competition has been forced to truck in 200 loads of fake flakes for this year's annual event. While Europe shivers through a severe cold snap that has killed hundreds of people, Winnipeg has enjoyed its third-mildest January in more than a century, with the average temperature a relatively balmy -10.8 Celsius (12.6 Fahrenheit).
It's been the same story across much of Canada. Toronto, the country's biggest city, was forecast to climb well above the freezing mark on Thursday, while Berlin will be at -11 C going into the weekend and Paris and London will hover around -6 C.
"People refer to Winnipeg as Winterpeg so they expect it to be really cold, but everyone is really happy about the warm weather," said Emili Bellefleur, spokeswoman for Festival du Voyageur, which includes snow carvings of wolves, bison and cultural symbols around the city of 700,000.
"We're going to take it, you know?"
With supplies of natural snow skimpy, the festival is trucking in artificially made snow from a winter recreation area, similar to the machine-made snow used on ski hills.
Bellefleur said she knows of only one other year that the 43-year-old festival had to buy artificial snow.
Winnipeggers and others in Western Canada can thank a flip-flop in air pressure patterns for the mild winter, which has funneled warmer southwest air across the Prairies, said Natalie Hasell, meteorologist at Environment Canada.
Normally, the La Nina weather phenomenon off the Pacific Coast of North America would leave the Prairies digging out of frigid, snowier than usual conditions.
But this winter it's been much milder, and bone dry. Nearly all of the country's main grain-growing region has received below-normal precipitation since November 5.
While Winnipeggers have happily put away their snow shovels, a dozen of the Festival du Voyageur's snow sculptors, coming from as far away as Switzerland, the Netherlands and even Mexico have been shocked by the mild weather.
Usually, "the worst part for them when they come from Mexico is dealing with the cold itself," Bellefleur said. "Not necessarily the (lack of) snow."
It's been the same story across much of Canada. Toronto, the country's biggest city, was forecast to climb well above the freezing mark on Thursday, while Berlin will be at -11 C going into the weekend and Paris and London will hover around -6 C.
"People refer to Winnipeg as Winterpeg so they expect it to be really cold, but everyone is really happy about the warm weather," said Emili Bellefleur, spokeswoman for Festival du Voyageur, which includes snow carvings of wolves, bison and cultural symbols around the city of 700,000.
"We're going to take it, you know?"
With supplies of natural snow skimpy, the festival is trucking in artificially made snow from a winter recreation area, similar to the machine-made snow used on ski hills.
Bellefleur said she knows of only one other year that the 43-year-old festival had to buy artificial snow.
Winnipeggers and others in Western Canada can thank a flip-flop in air pressure patterns for the mild winter, which has funneled warmer southwest air across the Prairies, said Natalie Hasell, meteorologist at Environment Canada.
Normally, the La Nina weather phenomenon off the Pacific Coast of North America would leave the Prairies digging out of frigid, snowier than usual conditions.
But this winter it's been much milder, and bone dry. Nearly all of the country's main grain-growing region has received below-normal precipitation since November 5.
While Winnipeggers have happily put away their snow shovels, a dozen of the Festival du Voyageur's snow sculptors, coming from as far away as Switzerland, the Netherlands and even Mexico have been shocked by the mild weather.
Usually, "the worst part for them when they come from Mexico is dealing with the cold itself," Bellefleur said. "Not necessarily the (lack of) snow."
India ministers quit after caught watching porn in parliament
Three Indian politicians from a morally conservative party, including a women's affairs minister, resigned on Wednesday after being caught watching pornography on a mobile phone during a session of state parliament. News channels broadcast footage showing Karnataka state Minister for Cooperation Laxman Savadi sharing a porn clip with his colleague C.C. Patil, the minister for women and child development, while sitting in the state assembly.
The owner of the phone, state Minister for Ports, Science and Technology Krishna Palemar, also quit.
"We are requesting the honorable Speaker of the House to conduct an inquiry and we'll come out with a clean chit," Patil said, denying that they were deliberately looking at porn.
The three men said they did not want to cause any embarrassment for their party, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which rules the state and is in opposition at a national level.
There has been outrage over the incident not just from rights activists and right-wing Hindu groups in conservative India, but also from the riling Congress party which called for the assembly to be dissolved.
"We live in a country where there already is this social mindset that women are disposable commodities and are seen as transferable properties," Renuka Chowdhary, a former federal minister for women's development and a member of the Congress Party.
"It really is troubling that the people who are in positions of power and have the responsibility to change things actually have the same mindset and are busy watching porn," she told the CNN-IBN news channel.
Girls and women in largely patriarchal India face a barrage of threats including rape, dowry-related murder, forced marriage, domestic violence, honor killings and human trafficking.
The owner of the phone, state Minister for Ports, Science and Technology Krishna Palemar, also quit.
"We are requesting the honorable Speaker of the House to conduct an inquiry and we'll come out with a clean chit," Patil said, denying that they were deliberately looking at porn.
The three men said they did not want to cause any embarrassment for their party, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which rules the state and is in opposition at a national level.
There has been outrage over the incident not just from rights activists and right-wing Hindu groups in conservative India, but also from the riling Congress party which called for the assembly to be dissolved.
"We live in a country where there already is this social mindset that women are disposable commodities and are seen as transferable properties," Renuka Chowdhary, a former federal minister for women's development and a member of the Congress Party.
"It really is troubling that the people who are in positions of power and have the responsibility to change things actually have the same mindset and are busy watching porn," she told the CNN-IBN news channel.
Girls and women in largely patriarchal India face a barrage of threats including rape, dowry-related murder, forced marriage, domestic violence, honor killings and human trafficking.
India ministers quit after caught watching porn in parliament
Three Indian politicians from a morally conservative party, including a women's affairs minister, resigned on Wednesday after being caught watching pornography on a mobile phone during a session of state parliament. News channels broadcast footage showing Karnataka state Minister for Cooperation Laxman Savadi sharing a porn clip with his colleague C.C. Patil, the minister for women and child development, while sitting in the state assembly.
The owner of the phone, state Minister for Ports, Science and Technology Krishna Palemar, also quit.
"We are requesting the honorable Speaker of the House to conduct an inquiry and we'll come out with a clean chit," Patil said, denying that they were deliberately looking at porn.
The three men said they did not want to cause any embarrassment for their party, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which rules the state and is in opposition at a national level.
There has been outrage over the incident not just from rights activists and right-wing Hindu groups in conservative India, but also from the riling Congress party which called for the assembly to be dissolved.
"We live in a country where there already is this social mindset that women are disposable commodities and are seen as transferable properties," Renuka Chowdhary, a former federal minister for women's development and a member of the Congress Party.
"It really is troubling that the people who are in positions of power and have the responsibility to change things actually have the same mindset and are busy watching porn," she told the CNN-IBN news channel.
Girls and women in largely patriarchal India face a barrage of threats including rape, dowry-related murder, forced marriage, domestic violence, honor killings and human trafficking.
The owner of the phone, state Minister for Ports, Science and Technology Krishna Palemar, also quit.
"We are requesting the honorable Speaker of the House to conduct an inquiry and we'll come out with a clean chit," Patil said, denying that they were deliberately looking at porn.
The three men said they did not want to cause any embarrassment for their party, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which rules the state and is in opposition at a national level.
There has been outrage over the incident not just from rights activists and right-wing Hindu groups in conservative India, but also from the riling Congress party which called for the assembly to be dissolved.
"We live in a country where there already is this social mindset that women are disposable commodities and are seen as transferable properties," Renuka Chowdhary, a former federal minister for women's development and a member of the Congress Party.
"It really is troubling that the people who are in positions of power and have the responsibility to change things actually have the same mindset and are busy watching porn," she told the CNN-IBN news channel.
Girls and women in largely patriarchal India face a barrage of threats including rape, dowry-related murder, forced marriage, domestic violence, honor killings and human trafficking.
French min deletes "stay indoors" tip for homeless
A French health minister tried to tweet her way out of embarrassing blog advice that homeless people should not go outdoors during the ice-cold snap in Europe. Junior minister Nora Berra was ridiculed on the Internet for writing a blog at the weekend saying toddlers, old people, the sick and homeless were particularly vulnerable in times of extreme cold and should "avoid going outdoors."
Her note sparked a flurry of Twitter messages and media reports that she was suggesting the homeless not leave home.
Berra sought to limit the damage via a tweet that redirected readers to a refreshed blog note where the reference to homeless people no longer existed. "There are some subjects that lend themselves badly to irony," she tweeted on Tuesday.
Hundreds of people, many of them homeless, have been killed in recent days as bitterly cold weather sweeps Europe, with temperatures dropping to minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 Fahrenheit) in parts of France.
Many French cities are opening extra night-time shelter for homeless people.
Her note sparked a flurry of Twitter messages and media reports that she was suggesting the homeless not leave home.
Berra sought to limit the damage via a tweet that redirected readers to a refreshed blog note where the reference to homeless people no longer existed. "There are some subjects that lend themselves badly to irony," she tweeted on Tuesday.
Hundreds of people, many of them homeless, have been killed in recent days as bitterly cold weather sweeps Europe, with temperatures dropping to minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 Fahrenheit) in parts of France.
Many French cities are opening extra night-time shelter for homeless people.
Frozen sauerkraut causes German motorway chaos
Piles of sauerkraut tumbled out of a truck on a busy German motorway and quickly froze to the autobahn surface, causing a massive traffic jam near Frankfurt during Tuesday's morning rush hour, police said.
A truck carrying hundreds of packages of the famous German pickled cabbage delicacy crashed into another vehicle before dawn near the western town of Friedberg near Frankfurt and scattered its contents across the motorway.
With temperatures far below zero for the last week, the sauerkraut froze almost instantly and created impassable obstacles, causing traffic to back up for 10 km. The motorway was completely shut down for four hours while authorities struggled to scrape the frozen sauerkraut away.
A truck carrying hundreds of packages of the famous German pickled cabbage delicacy crashed into another vehicle before dawn near the western town of Friedberg near Frankfurt and scattered its contents across the motorway.
With temperatures far below zero for the last week, the sauerkraut froze almost instantly and created impassable obstacles, causing traffic to back up for 10 km. The motorway was completely shut down for four hours while authorities struggled to scrape the frozen sauerkraut away.
Mum tells Westwood to say sorry for swearing
Lee Westwood was forced to apologize after his mum caught him swearing on live television at last week's Qatar Masters, the world number three said on Tuesday. The incident occurred during the 38-year-old Briton's closing 69 Sunday, a round that left him in a tie for 12th place behind tournament winner Paul Lawrie who finished on 15-under-par.
"My mum was the first person on the phone and she said you might want to apologize," Westwood told reporters ahead of this week's Dubai Desert Classic.
"I didn't think that down at four-under-par I would be on TV. It's amazing how sensitive these microphones are."
After the conversation with his mum, Westwood issued an immediate apology on his Twitter account.
"Sorry about swearing on the 16th tee. Came off like a rocket and thought it was going further! Wash my mouth out! Perils of live tv!," he wrote.
Westwood, who also finished in a tie for 17th at the Abu Dhabi Championship two weeks ago, said he had mixed feelings about his early-season form.
"If I was making an appraisal of the first couple of weeks, I've hit it a lot better than I normally do," he explained.
"My putts are quite nice, I'm starting to roll a few longer ones in, but it's just been early-season sloppiness really, making too many bogeys and not making a birdie when I should.
"My wedge shots also haven't been quite as sharp as they ought to have been."
Westwood said he would need to be accurate off the tee at the Dubai Desert Classic starting Thursday.
"Normally they grow the rough up a little bit here," he said. "They've also got the greens firm so it puts a bit of a demand on hitting the fairways."
"My mum was the first person on the phone and she said you might want to apologize," Westwood told reporters ahead of this week's Dubai Desert Classic.
"I didn't think that down at four-under-par I would be on TV. It's amazing how sensitive these microphones are."
After the conversation with his mum, Westwood issued an immediate apology on his Twitter account.
"Sorry about swearing on the 16th tee. Came off like a rocket and thought it was going further! Wash my mouth out! Perils of live tv!," he wrote.
Westwood, who also finished in a tie for 17th at the Abu Dhabi Championship two weeks ago, said he had mixed feelings about his early-season form.
"If I was making an appraisal of the first couple of weeks, I've hit it a lot better than I normally do," he explained.
"My putts are quite nice, I'm starting to roll a few longer ones in, but it's just been early-season sloppiness really, making too many bogeys and not making a birdie when I should.
"My wedge shots also haven't been quite as sharp as they ought to have been."
Westwood said he would need to be accurate off the tee at the Dubai Desert Classic starting Thursday.
"Normally they grow the rough up a little bit here," he said. "They've also got the greens firm so it puts a bit of a demand on hitting the fairways."
German police use Facebook pictures to nab crooks
Police in the German state of Lower-Saxony will soon use their networks of Facebook "friends" to find missing persons and hunt out suspected criminals, according to the state's interior minister. The decision to use social media in manhunts follows the completion of a pilot scheme in the northern city of Hanover last year which drew sharp criticism from data protection groups.
The scheme helped police clear up six criminal investigations and two missing persons cases after identikits of suspects and stills from Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage were circulated on the social networking site Facebook.
Two cases were resolved just hours after the information was uploaded to the site.
"Our successes so far clearly show that the police must not shut themselves off from this medium," state interior minister of Lower-Saxony, Uwe Schuenemann, said in a statement.
"The police department in Lower-Saxony can adapt to new trends," he said. "With a fan page the police is showing itself to be modern and approachable."
Data protection groups heavily criticized the publication of suspects' pictures on Facebook during the pilot last year, arguing that personal data directed through Facebook could end up on an American internet server, outside the influence of EU data protection laws.
The new system, which will be introduced in the near future, will direct Facebook users to a police server via an internet link, said Schuenemann.
But the state commissioner for data protection, Joachim Wahlbrink, said this was not enough and the decision would lead to the circulation of the personal information on the internet which can never be completely deleted.
"Once this data has been saved, those involved will always be pilloried," his spokesman, Michael Knaps, said.
The scheme helped police clear up six criminal investigations and two missing persons cases after identikits of suspects and stills from Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage were circulated on the social networking site Facebook.
Two cases were resolved just hours after the information was uploaded to the site.
"Our successes so far clearly show that the police must not shut themselves off from this medium," state interior minister of Lower-Saxony, Uwe Schuenemann, said in a statement.
"The police department in Lower-Saxony can adapt to new trends," he said. "With a fan page the police is showing itself to be modern and approachable."
Data protection groups heavily criticized the publication of suspects' pictures on Facebook during the pilot last year, arguing that personal data directed through Facebook could end up on an American internet server, outside the influence of EU data protection laws.
The new system, which will be introduced in the near future, will direct Facebook users to a police server via an internet link, said Schuenemann.
But the state commissioner for data protection, Joachim Wahlbrink, said this was not enough and the decision would lead to the circulation of the personal information on the internet which can never be completely deleted.
"Once this data has been saved, those involved will always be pilloried," his spokesman, Michael Knaps, said.
South African man escapes zombies but not police
South African police have arrested a suspected fraudster for impersonating the award-winning traditional singer Khulekani Kwakhe "Mgqumeni" Khumalo, who died in 2009. The unnamed man, who appeared in court in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province on Tuesday, had said he had not died but was kidnapped by a witchdoctor who cast a spell on him and imprisoned him in a cave with zombies, local media reported.
Thousands of people in Khumalo's rural eastern home village of Esiggumeni, turned out to see the man at the weekend. Riot police with truncheons and water cannons were deployed to keep the crowd under control.
"I have always been alive," he was quoted as telling the crowd by the Independent Online news site. "I have lost a lot of weight but it is me."
Police said the suspect's fingerprints do not match those of the famed singer. The man also does not have the same scars on his face as Khumalo had.
"Detectives conducting the enquiry were convinced that the matter required criminal investigation," police said in a statement.
Thousands of people in Khumalo's rural eastern home village of Esiggumeni, turned out to see the man at the weekend. Riot police with truncheons and water cannons were deployed to keep the crowd under control.
"I have always been alive," he was quoted as telling the crowd by the Independent Online news site. "I have lost a lot of weight but it is me."
Police said the suspect's fingerprints do not match those of the famed singer. The man also does not have the same scars on his face as Khumalo had.
"Detectives conducting the enquiry were convinced that the matter required criminal investigation," police said in a statement.
Anfield cat becomes Internet hit
A cat that invaded the famous Anfield turf for three minutes during Liverpool's 0-0 Premier League draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Monday has become an internet celebrity.
Several Twitter sites claiming to be the real deal sprung up within hours of the cat's Lionel Messi-like slalom across the pitch during the first half.
One, @AnfieldCat, had already attracted 17,368 followers early on Tuesday while video footage of the feline's antics were proving popular on the internet.
The latest post on the Twitter site had a gentle dig at Liverpool's city rivals: "Everton rumoured to be interested in signing me, Bill Kenwright too paw to stump up the money."
Liverpool fans, known for their humor, serenaded the tabby cat on the night with the chant "A cat, a cat...a cat, a cat, a cat" to the tune of the Kop battle cry "Attack..Attack"
The cat eventually sauntered off and was last seen in the arms of an Anfield steward.
Several Twitter sites claiming to be the real deal sprung up within hours of the cat's Lionel Messi-like slalom across the pitch during the first half.
One, @AnfieldCat, had already attracted 17,368 followers early on Tuesday while video footage of the feline's antics were proving popular on the internet.
The latest post on the Twitter site had a gentle dig at Liverpool's city rivals: "Everton rumoured to be interested in signing me, Bill Kenwright too paw to stump up the money."
Liverpool fans, known for their humor, serenaded the tabby cat on the night with the chant "A cat, a cat...a cat, a cat, a cat" to the tune of the Kop battle cry "Attack..Attack"
The cat eventually sauntered off and was last seen in the arms of an Anfield steward.
Indonesia pilot grounded in pre-takeoff crystal meth check
Lion Air's slogan "We make you fly" came a bit too close to home this weekend when one of the Indonesian airline's pilots tested positive for crystal meth after being arrested just hours before he was due to take off. The 44-year-old pilot for Indonesia's largest domestic airline by passenger volume was arrested in a hotel on Saturday in Surabaya, Indonesia's second city, Sumirat Dwiyanto, spokesperson for the National Narcotics Agency, told Reuters.
He was due to head to fly to Makassar on Sulawesi island, Balikpapan on Borneo and back to Surabaya, Dwiyanto said.
"The pilot ... was arrested (on Saturday) at 3.30 am with 0.04 grams of crystal meth slipped in an envelope and he was later tested positive for the drug," Dwiyanto said.
He is the second pilot to test positive for Lion Air in 2012. Crystal meth is known as "shabu-shabu" in Indonesia and between 2010 and 2011 it overtook marijuana as the number one drug in the country of 240 million people, a senior narcotics agency official said.
Budget Airline Lion Air serves domestic flights and routes from Indonesian cities to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh. A spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment.
In November it placed a $21.7 billion order with Boeing, its biggest commercial order on record. The 230 short-haul 737 jets deal takes Lion Air's orderbook to more than 400 planes.
The government now will require pilots and cabin crew to undergo drug and alcohol tests before boarding a plane, Transport Ministry spokesman Bambang Ervan told Reuters by telephone.
Indonesia is struggling to upgrade its civil air safety after a series of deadly accidents that led the European Union in 2007 to ban all Indonesian airlines from its airspace. The ban was lifted progressively starting in 2009.
He was due to head to fly to Makassar on Sulawesi island, Balikpapan on Borneo and back to Surabaya, Dwiyanto said.
"The pilot ... was arrested (on Saturday) at 3.30 am with 0.04 grams of crystal meth slipped in an envelope and he was later tested positive for the drug," Dwiyanto said.
He is the second pilot to test positive for Lion Air in 2012. Crystal meth is known as "shabu-shabu" in Indonesia and between 2010 and 2011 it overtook marijuana as the number one drug in the country of 240 million people, a senior narcotics agency official said.
Budget Airline Lion Air serves domestic flights and routes from Indonesian cities to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh. A spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment.
In November it placed a $21.7 billion order with Boeing, its biggest commercial order on record. The 230 short-haul 737 jets deal takes Lion Air's orderbook to more than 400 planes.
The government now will require pilots and cabin crew to undergo drug and alcohol tests before boarding a plane, Transport Ministry spokesman Bambang Ervan told Reuters by telephone.
Indonesia is struggling to upgrade its civil air safety after a series of deadly accidents that led the European Union in 2007 to ban all Indonesian airlines from its airspace. The ban was lifted progressively starting in 2009.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Greece publishes tax dodger list to name and shame
A famous singer and a retired basketball star were on a list of 4,000 top tax dodgers released by the Greek government as part of a name-and-shame policy to get evaders to pay up. Tax evasion is endemic in Greece and its international lenders, the EU and the IMF, have insisted Athens improve tax collection if they are to continue bankrolling the debt-laden country.
The list released late Sunday includes a host of convicted tax frauds and failed businessmen, a prominent singer, the husband of a former government minister as well as a retired basketball star who was recently released from a two-year jail term for illegally owning an arms cache.
Athens has been threatening to publish the list for months and had to change privacy laws to follow through on the threat. It had been kept in a safe in parliament, where lawmakers were allowed to read it without taking notes.
Greek authorities have stepped up the prosecution of tax sinners since Lucas Papademos, a technocrat banker, was named prime minister in November with a mandate to push through budget cuts and economic reforms demanded by the country's lenders.
Police have already detained a string of businessmen for tax arrears and most of them will face trial over the coming months.
Lifting the veil of secrecy that has so far protected tax dodgers will convey a sense of justice to honest taxpayers squeezed by an unprecedented tax onslaught as part of EU/IMF-imposed austerity policies, analysts said.
"It will also protect honest people from doing business with unreliable partners," said Dimitris Mardas, an economics professor at the University of Thessaloniki, Greece's second-biggest city, which was rocked by revelations last week that a top local tax official was part of an extortion racket.
The 4,000 people featured in the list owed Greece about 15 billion euros in total, but publishing it may be largely symbolic. Much of that money cannot be recovered, Mardas said. "Many just can't pay -- some are even owed money by the government itself," he said.
Topping the list with arrears of 952 million euros is a convicted tax fraud who is already serving a 504-year prison sentence for issuing fake receipts to companies that wanted to lower their tax bill.
Greece has about 60 billion euros ($77.52 billion) in unpaid taxes, a figure equivalent to about a quarter of its economy, according to an EU report published in November.
Just 8 billion euros of that amount can be quickly recovered, the EU said, though even that is a sum big enough to cut the country's budget deficit by half.
The list released late Sunday includes a host of convicted tax frauds and failed businessmen, a prominent singer, the husband of a former government minister as well as a retired basketball star who was recently released from a two-year jail term for illegally owning an arms cache.
Athens has been threatening to publish the list for months and had to change privacy laws to follow through on the threat. It had been kept in a safe in parliament, where lawmakers were allowed to read it without taking notes.
Greek authorities have stepped up the prosecution of tax sinners since Lucas Papademos, a technocrat banker, was named prime minister in November with a mandate to push through budget cuts and economic reforms demanded by the country's lenders.
Police have already detained a string of businessmen for tax arrears and most of them will face trial over the coming months.
Lifting the veil of secrecy that has so far protected tax dodgers will convey a sense of justice to honest taxpayers squeezed by an unprecedented tax onslaught as part of EU/IMF-imposed austerity policies, analysts said.
"It will also protect honest people from doing business with unreliable partners," said Dimitris Mardas, an economics professor at the University of Thessaloniki, Greece's second-biggest city, which was rocked by revelations last week that a top local tax official was part of an extortion racket.
The 4,000 people featured in the list owed Greece about 15 billion euros in total, but publishing it may be largely symbolic. Much of that money cannot be recovered, Mardas said. "Many just can't pay -- some are even owed money by the government itself," he said.
Topping the list with arrears of 952 million euros is a convicted tax fraud who is already serving a 504-year prison sentence for issuing fake receipts to companies that wanted to lower their tax bill.
Greece has about 60 billion euros ($77.52 billion) in unpaid taxes, a figure equivalent to about a quarter of its economy, according to an EU report published in November.
Just 8 billion euros of that amount can be quickly recovered, the EU said, though even that is a sum big enough to cut the country's budget deficit by half.
London's Big Ben is leaning, parliament sinking: reports
The landmark clock tower containing Big Ben at Britain's Palace of Westminster, is tilting, while media reports Monday said the mother of all parliaments was slipping into the River Thames, raising fears over its future. The House of Commons commission, which is responsible for the upkeep of the 19th century neo-Gothic parliamentary estate popular with tourist photographs, was due to meet Monday.
Media reports said it would discuss a surveyor's report which could recommend lawmakers move out for repairs costing up to one billion pounds, while the Daily Telegraph said another proposal might be to sell to Russian or Chinese developers for about 500 million pounds ($779.7 million).
But a commission spokesman said there was no surveyor's report, and members were only meeting to discuss setting up a group to look at general long-term renovation of the grade 1-listed building designed by Charles Barry and Augustus Welby Pugin.
"I think there's been twos and twos added together and come up with we are selling to the Russians, but they won't be talking about anything like that," the spokesman said.
The 96-metre tall clock tower, which houses the bell originally nicknamed Big Ben, leans about 46 cm to the left of its peak.
A construction expert who worked on the leaning tower of Pisa in Italy and a multi-storey carpark under the houses of parliament in central London, said there was nothing to worry about, and it would take 10,000 years to reach an angle of concern.
Professor John Burland of Imperial College London also said work on the underground Jubilee train line in the 1990s had not caused dramatic movement, while a spokesman for the commission said the tilt could have existed since its construction in 1859.
The lean which is just visible to the naked eye had "been there for years," Burland said.
"When I first started work on the car park it was obvious that it was leaning," he told BBC radio.
"It was probably developed at a very early stage because there's no cracking in the cladding and we think it probably leant while they were building it and before they put the cladding on.
"That was a long time ago and buildings do lean a little bit."
He also dismissed concern in the media that parliament was slipping into the Thames, while the commission's spokesman denied the walls around the palace were suffering from a particularly bad subsidence problem causing Big Ben to lean.
The current building, which houses the upper and lower chambers as well as the offices of some lawmakers, was built after its medieval predecessor was largely destroyed by fire in 1834 and has required constant maintenance.
"There's no such thing as an old building that isn't cracked," he said.
"In fact they're beneficial because the building moves thermally more than is caused by the Jubilee Line and the movements concentrated around the cracks and, if they didn't, there'd be cracking elsewhere.
"So these have been there for years and they're certainly not caused by the Jubilee Line or the car park."
Media reports said it would discuss a surveyor's report which could recommend lawmakers move out for repairs costing up to one billion pounds, while the Daily Telegraph said another proposal might be to sell to Russian or Chinese developers for about 500 million pounds ($779.7 million).
But a commission spokesman said there was no surveyor's report, and members were only meeting to discuss setting up a group to look at general long-term renovation of the grade 1-listed building designed by Charles Barry and Augustus Welby Pugin.
"I think there's been twos and twos added together and come up with we are selling to the Russians, but they won't be talking about anything like that," the spokesman said.
The 96-metre tall clock tower, which houses the bell originally nicknamed Big Ben, leans about 46 cm to the left of its peak.
A construction expert who worked on the leaning tower of Pisa in Italy and a multi-storey carpark under the houses of parliament in central London, said there was nothing to worry about, and it would take 10,000 years to reach an angle of concern.
Professor John Burland of Imperial College London also said work on the underground Jubilee train line in the 1990s had not caused dramatic movement, while a spokesman for the commission said the tilt could have existed since its construction in 1859.
The lean which is just visible to the naked eye had "been there for years," Burland said.
"When I first started work on the car park it was obvious that it was leaning," he told BBC radio.
"It was probably developed at a very early stage because there's no cracking in the cladding and we think it probably leant while they were building it and before they put the cladding on.
"That was a long time ago and buildings do lean a little bit."
He also dismissed concern in the media that parliament was slipping into the Thames, while the commission's spokesman denied the walls around the palace were suffering from a particularly bad subsidence problem causing Big Ben to lean.
The current building, which houses the upper and lower chambers as well as the offices of some lawmakers, was built after its medieval predecessor was largely destroyed by fire in 1834 and has required constant maintenance.
"There's no such thing as an old building that isn't cracked," he said.
"In fact they're beneficial because the building moves thermally more than is caused by the Jubilee Line and the movements concentrated around the cracks and, if they didn't, there'd be cracking elsewhere.
"So these have been there for years and they're certainly not caused by the Jubilee Line or the car park."
$5 here, $37 there: Americans' indulgences add up
Those venti lattes add up.
U.S. workers spend more than $1,000 a year on coffee and another $2,000 on lunch, with men and young workers more willing to indulge in a $5 coffee than women or older colleagues, according to a survey of Americans' workplace spending habits.
The survey, by Accounting Principals, a unit of staffing services company Adecco SA, found that U.S. workers, on average, spend $37 per week for lunch, but men spend more: $47 a week, versus $27 for women. Men also pay more for coffee -- $26 a week is typical -- and are more likely to complain about the selection of office vending machines.
One of the sharpest differences is between young workers and older ones. Professionals between 18 and 34 spend almost $25 a week on coffee, $11 more than co-workers over age 45, Accounting Principals said. Such free-spending ways may be changing. Nearly half of the young vow to save this year by bringing lunch to the office.
Americans' total annual bill for coffee and lunch is double the $1,500 a year spent on commuting to work, said the poll, which surveyed 1,000 currently employed Americans and was conducted last month.
Office workers are not clamoring for change, however. Asked whether their bosses should upgrade the lunch room or buy better coffee, workers said comfortable chairs and better computer equipment are bigger priorities.
U.S. workers spend more than $1,000 a year on coffee and another $2,000 on lunch, with men and young workers more willing to indulge in a $5 coffee than women or older colleagues, according to a survey of Americans' workplace spending habits.
The survey, by Accounting Principals, a unit of staffing services company Adecco SA, found that U.S. workers, on average, spend $37 per week for lunch, but men spend more: $47 a week, versus $27 for women. Men also pay more for coffee -- $26 a week is typical -- and are more likely to complain about the selection of office vending machines.
One of the sharpest differences is between young workers and older ones. Professionals between 18 and 34 spend almost $25 a week on coffee, $11 more than co-workers over age 45, Accounting Principals said. Such free-spending ways may be changing. Nearly half of the young vow to save this year by bringing lunch to the office.
Americans' total annual bill for coffee and lunch is double the $1,500 a year spent on commuting to work, said the poll, which surveyed 1,000 currently employed Americans and was conducted last month.
Office workers are not clamoring for change, however. Asked whether their bosses should upgrade the lunch room or buy better coffee, workers said comfortable chairs and better computer equipment are bigger priorities.
Four-year-old U.S. boy pulls out marijuana at school
A four-year-old U.S. boy who announced to his teacher at school snack time that he wanted to share pulled nine bags of marijuana out of his jacket pocket, police said on Wednesday. Police in Meriden, Connecticut were called to Hanover Elementary School Tuesday afternoon after the young special needs student displayed the drugs, authorities said.
Meriden police said the nine individually wrapped bags of marijuana appeared prepared for sale.
Hanover Elementary School principal Miguel Cardona called it an "extremely unfortunate" and "isolated" incident that was not witnessed by any other students.
"What's so disheartening is this is really an adult issue and problem and adult behavior put a student at risk," Meriden schools superintendent Mark Benigni told Reuters.
"This student had no idea what he brought to school or what the substance was," he added.
Authorities are not releasing the names of the student or parents and police said there is a possibility for arrests pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Department of Children and Families is also looking into the incident.
Meriden police said the nine individually wrapped bags of marijuana appeared prepared for sale.
Hanover Elementary School principal Miguel Cardona called it an "extremely unfortunate" and "isolated" incident that was not witnessed by any other students.
"What's so disheartening is this is really an adult issue and problem and adult behavior put a student at risk," Meriden schools superintendent Mark Benigni told Reuters.
"This student had no idea what he brought to school or what the substance was," he added.
Authorities are not releasing the names of the student or parents and police said there is a possibility for arrests pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Department of Children and Families is also looking into the incident.
Revealed: Famous names who snubbed UK queen's honors
Receiving an honor from Britain's Queen Elizabeth marks the pinnacle of many careers. But for more than 250 people named in a once-secret official document, the idea was so unappealing that they turned down the monarch's offer. Artist Lucian Freud, sculptor Henry Moore and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" author Roald Dahl all rejected honors, according to papers released by the British government on Thursday.
"Psycho" film director Alfred Hitchcock also refused an award in 1962, only to accept a knighthood shortly before his death in 1980.
Other public figures named on the official list include painters Francis Bacon and L.S. Lowry and the "Brave New World" novelist Aldous Huxley.
The British government was forced to publish the document after repeated requests under freedom of information laws.
Previously, rejected honors only came to light through unofficial leaks or if the person involved chose to spoke about their decision to snub the twice-yearly "gongs."
Several well-known writers appeared on the list, which only includes people who are no longer alive.
Poet Philip Larkin refused the chance in 1968 to become an OBE, or Officer of the Order of the British Empire, one of the five classes of the chivalric order set up by King George V in 1917 to recognize service in the arts, science, charities and public bodies. Larkin later accepted a higher ranking CBE, or Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Eveyln Waugh, who wrote "Brideshead Revisited" and "Scoop," rejected an offer in 1959 to become a CBE.
Graham Greene, author of "Our Man in Havana" and "The Quiet American," turned down the same honor three years earlier, only to accept honors later in life. "The Chronicles of Narnia" creator C.S. Lewis also said no to a CBE.
The government gave no details of why people rejected their honors.
In the past, "refuseniks" have cited a range of reasons, from antipathy to the monarchy and Britain's colonial past, to a general lack of interest in prizes or a fear of perpetuating snobbery.
The late J.G. Ballard, whose books include "Crash" and "Empire of the Sun," said he turned down an honor for services to literature in 2003.
"The whole thing is a preposterous charade," he was once quoted as saying in the Sunday Times newspaper. "Thousands of medals are given out in the name of a non-existent empire. It makes us look like a laughing stock."
"Psycho" film director Alfred Hitchcock also refused an award in 1962, only to accept a knighthood shortly before his death in 1980.
Other public figures named on the official list include painters Francis Bacon and L.S. Lowry and the "Brave New World" novelist Aldous Huxley.
The British government was forced to publish the document after repeated requests under freedom of information laws.
Previously, rejected honors only came to light through unofficial leaks or if the person involved chose to spoke about their decision to snub the twice-yearly "gongs."
Several well-known writers appeared on the list, which only includes people who are no longer alive.
Poet Philip Larkin refused the chance in 1968 to become an OBE, or Officer of the Order of the British Empire, one of the five classes of the chivalric order set up by King George V in 1917 to recognize service in the arts, science, charities and public bodies. Larkin later accepted a higher ranking CBE, or Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Eveyln Waugh, who wrote "Brideshead Revisited" and "Scoop," rejected an offer in 1959 to become a CBE.
Graham Greene, author of "Our Man in Havana" and "The Quiet American," turned down the same honor three years earlier, only to accept honors later in life. "The Chronicles of Narnia" creator C.S. Lewis also said no to a CBE.
The government gave no details of why people rejected their honors.
In the past, "refuseniks" have cited a range of reasons, from antipathy to the monarchy and Britain's colonial past, to a general lack of interest in prizes or a fear of perpetuating snobbery.
The late J.G. Ballard, whose books include "Crash" and "Empire of the Sun," said he turned down an honor for services to literature in 2003.
"The whole thing is a preposterous charade," he was once quoted as saying in the Sunday Times newspaper. "Thousands of medals are given out in the name of a non-existent empire. It makes us look like a laughing stock."
Babette's errant email cripples German parliament
The German parliament's email system was hampered for several hours for more than 4,000 staffers and deputies when hundreds of workers responded to an errant email sent by one staffer named "Babette" to all 4,032 co-workers. The flood of emails began when "Babette" accidentally replied to "all" on the Bundestag email list with a short answer to a colleague: "Please bring me a copy of the new directory."
Their exchange quickly multiplied when hundreds of colleagues responded with comments ranging from please "remove my name from your list" to "I'd like to take this opportunity to say hello to my mother."
It was a rare moment of light-hearted confusion in a country with a reputation for doing things with precision.
Many Germans working in the parliament remained uncharacteristically relaxed. One member of parliament for the Greens party, Volker Beck, said: "One mistaken click and the parliament's email system is turned into a new social network."
One anonymous staffer in the usually anonymous parliament building wrote: "I think this is great. We should do this once a month. It'll help us grow together."
A spokeswomen of the Bundestag confirmed that there had been a flood of emails in response to the errant email and that it was possible, as German media reported, that emails in the parliament were delayed by up to a half an hour due to the high volume.
Their exchange quickly multiplied when hundreds of colleagues responded with comments ranging from please "remove my name from your list" to "I'd like to take this opportunity to say hello to my mother."
It was a rare moment of light-hearted confusion in a country with a reputation for doing things with precision.
Many Germans working in the parliament remained uncharacteristically relaxed. One member of parliament for the Greens party, Volker Beck, said: "One mistaken click and the parliament's email system is turned into a new social network."
One anonymous staffer in the usually anonymous parliament building wrote: "I think this is great. We should do this once a month. It'll help us grow together."
A spokeswomen of the Bundestag confirmed that there had been a flood of emails in response to the errant email and that it was possible, as German media reported, that emails in the parliament were delayed by up to a half an hour due to the high volume.
School bans fuzzy boots used to hide cell phones
Singer Nancy Sinatra may have had boots made for walking, but she never attended Pottstown Middle School. Starting Monday the Philadelphia suburban district is banning the wearing of fuzzy open-top boots, including the popular Ugg brand, to middle school classes because students have been stashing cell phones in the loose footwear, according to district director of community relations John Armato.
"Cell phones are a problem for obvious reasons," Armato said.
Superintendent Reed Lindley said the school principal asked for the boot ban "because of the classroom disruptions that are resulting from ringing cell phones."
Students at the school can avoid going toe-to-toe with school officials by wearing boots that lace up and usually have a snugger fit.
First time offenders will get detention, and subsequent violations include two detentions, followed by confiscation of the phone, Armato said.
Middle school parent Adrienne Beyer said she thinks the ban is extreme.
"I understand there may be a handful of kids that shove cell phones down their boots, but why does the handful have to ruin it for the other 600 students? But, I said to my daughter, 'It's a rule and we're going to follow it,'" Beyer said.
Ugg sheepskin boots originated in Australia and New Zealand and have become popular with pre-teens and teenagers in the United States in recent years.
"Cell phones are a problem for obvious reasons," Armato said.
Superintendent Reed Lindley said the school principal asked for the boot ban "because of the classroom disruptions that are resulting from ringing cell phones."
Students at the school can avoid going toe-to-toe with school officials by wearing boots that lace up and usually have a snugger fit.
First time offenders will get detention, and subsequent violations include two detentions, followed by confiscation of the phone, Armato said.
Middle school parent Adrienne Beyer said she thinks the ban is extreme.
"I understand there may be a handful of kids that shove cell phones down their boots, but why does the handful have to ruin it for the other 600 students? But, I said to my daughter, 'It's a rule and we're going to follow it,'" Beyer said.
Ugg sheepskin boots originated in Australia and New Zealand and have become popular with pre-teens and teenagers in the United States in recent years.
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