Wayward Giant
A gray whale that was sighted off the coast of Namibia in early May was the first-ever appearance of the marine mammal south of the equator. The species had been extinct in the Atlantic since the 18th century and has been mainly confined to the North Pacific. A seperate one was sighted in the Mediterranean in May 2010. Experts say this could suggest the leviathan is recovering from the disastrous whaling hunts that ended in the 20th century, or it could mean changing climate is disrupting its feeding habits. Another possibility is that the increasing population could be allowing it to regain some of its ancient migratory routes. Gray whales grow up to 45feet in length and undertake the longest known migration of any mammal. They complete a round tip of over 18,000 miles between their summer feeding grounds in the high Arctic and winter breeding area off the coast of Mexico.
Citrus Greening
A nutrient-draining bacterial disease is devastating Flordia's citrus trees, posing a major threat to the state's economy and to the international trade in oranges, lemons, limes and citrus juices. Since it was discovered in 2005, this strain of "citrus greening" disease has rapidly spread from the south of the state to its northern border and beyond. Transmitted by the Asian citrus psylid, a minuscule fly that spreads the bacteria when it feeds on the foliage of trees, citrus greening is so named for its greening effect on infected fruit. Starving the tree of nutrients, the illness causes fruit to become bitter and drop from the tree before it is ripe. Though the disease affects all citrus fruits, including grapefruit and lemons, Flordia oranges have been most severly affected.
Jellyfish Boom
Overfishing of the world's oceans is the leading cause of an unprecedented jellyfish population boom, a new study claims. Published in the Bulletin of Marine Science, the report argues that the unrestricted fishing of small open-water fish, such as sardines and herring, has reduced the number of creatures that jellyfish complete with for plankton and other forms of food. By thinning out these hunting rivals, many of which also feed on jellyfish eggs, the unregulated fishing has eliminated the main checks on explosive jellyfish population growth. Over the past decade, that growth has been apparent, with jellyfish showing up in bodies of water where theyhad never before been a problem, such as the Sea of Japan and the Mediterranean Sea. There, they have clogged fishing nets and driven swimmers onto dry land.
Earthquakes
Iran was struck with the third deadly earthquake within a month's time when a 6.0 magnitude temblor killed a child and injured 20 others. The latest quake struck a remote mountainous region in the south of the country, where officials said 70 villages suffered severe damage.
* Earth movements were also felt in northwestern Libya and the Philippine province of Negros Occidental.
Tropical Cyclones
Bangladesh and Myanmar were spared a major catastrophe when Cyclone Mahasen weakened over the Bay of Bengal before arriving. Thousands of shacks along the coast of Bangladesh were destroyed, and officials reported at least six fatalities.
* Tropical Storm Jamala emerged briefly in the central Indian Ocean while Alvin formed off Mexico.
Volcanoes
Activity at Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano intensified, prompting officials to raise the alert level as lava bombs were tossed more than a half-mile from the crater. The country's National Disaster Prevention Center said ash fell on communities as far away as 15 miles from the towering volcano. Steam and vapor also blew toward Mexico City, which is located about 35 miles northwest of Popocatepetl. There have been several moderate blasts from "Popo" in recent years, with some forcing the government to evacuate as many as 75,000 people at a time.
* Lava has begun flowing from southwestern Alaska's Pavlof and Cleveland volcanoes. Both have been put on alert status and could pose ash risks to trans-Pacific aviation should they produce explosive eruptions
Cicada Snack Alert
Animal health experts are warning people living along the East Coast of the United States not to let their pets eat too many of the billions of cicadas that are emerging across the region. Every 17 years at this time, like clockwork, Brood II cicadas crawl out of the ground from North Carolina to New England. "As tempting as bugs may be, the outer skeleton of the cicada contains a tough material called chitin that is problem-atic when eaten in large quantities," cautioned Brian Collins, of the Cornell University Hospital for Animals. He said that chitin is also found in lobster shells, and eating too much could cause cats and dogs to experience vomiting or constipation, which would require a visit to the vet.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Aliens among us ------- but not at Penney's
The startling news for those at the Levittown library to hear Butch Witkowski talk about alien space beings is that the Great Bucks County UFO Flap of 2008 was phony.
"A hoax," he said.
In the room, believers who say extraterrestrials visit Earth and live among us appeared hurt, as if betrayed.
The "Bucks County Flap," as it's widely known to ufologists like Witkowski, is a case of mass "mysteria." Why so many people suddenly began seeing strange things in the night sky has never been fully explained.
It started with a single UFO sighting over a shuttered Mexican restaurant in Middletown on Jan. 26, 2008. Soon, hundreds of reports rolled in.
Strange flying crafts were reported over Sesame Place. An extraterrestrial was reported trying on clothes in the men's department of JCPenney at the Oxford Valley Mall.
A thousand people jammed the Gateway Auditorium at Bucks County Community College as the Pennsylvania Mutual UFO Network gathered record accounts of sightings. Discovery Channel cameras recorded it. A documentary was made and broadcast.
Witkowski, at the time a member of MUFON's "star team" investigators, disclosed that most of the reports were deemed false by MUFON's gumshoes.
"Don't get me wrong," he told the audience, "There were some good reports in there, but not 300. Today, some groups still talk about it as, you know, the biggest flap of the century. Got to remember one thing about a flap. The definition of a flap is multi-witness, not single-witness."
Most of the Bucks County flap stories were single-witness, such as the alien "gray" at Penney's.
Witkowski, who was vague about his line of work (something about working in a "computer center"), told me he believes in extraterrestrials. He saw six UFOs over Tuscon, Ariz., in 1989. Today, he is director of the UFO Research Center of Pennsylvania.
His Econonline van is fesstooned with the gadgetry necessary to investigate flying saucers, Bigfoot, ghosts, and "men in black" ----- government agents who track space aliens living on Earth.
"One investigation we just finished up was human spontaneous combustion," he said.
He was asked why "the government" won't come clean about space aliens taking human form.
"A hoax," he said.
In the room, believers who say extraterrestrials visit Earth and live among us appeared hurt, as if betrayed.
The "Bucks County Flap," as it's widely known to ufologists like Witkowski, is a case of mass "mysteria." Why so many people suddenly began seeing strange things in the night sky has never been fully explained.
It started with a single UFO sighting over a shuttered Mexican restaurant in Middletown on Jan. 26, 2008. Soon, hundreds of reports rolled in.
Strange flying crafts were reported over Sesame Place. An extraterrestrial was reported trying on clothes in the men's department of JCPenney at the Oxford Valley Mall.
A thousand people jammed the Gateway Auditorium at Bucks County Community College as the Pennsylvania Mutual UFO Network gathered record accounts of sightings. Discovery Channel cameras recorded it. A documentary was made and broadcast.
Witkowski, at the time a member of MUFON's "star team" investigators, disclosed that most of the reports were deemed false by MUFON's gumshoes.
"Don't get me wrong," he told the audience, "There were some good reports in there, but not 300. Today, some groups still talk about it as, you know, the biggest flap of the century. Got to remember one thing about a flap. The definition of a flap is multi-witness, not single-witness."
Most of the Bucks County flap stories were single-witness, such as the alien "gray" at Penney's.
Witkowski, who was vague about his line of work (something about working in a "computer center"), told me he believes in extraterrestrials. He saw six UFOs over Tuscon, Ariz., in 1989. Today, he is director of the UFO Research Center of Pennsylvania.
His Econonline van is fesstooned with the gadgetry necessary to investigate flying saucers, Bigfoot, ghosts, and "men in black" ----- government agents who track space aliens living on Earth.
"One investigation we just finished up was human spontaneous combustion," he said.
He was asked why "the government" won't come clean about space aliens taking human form.
Train Training
A dozen students are enrolled in a Locomotive Engineer and Conductor Basic Training Program at Bucks County Community College, the only course of its kind in this region.
Hysheika Clark works for the U.S. Postal Service, but given the mail agency's financial struggles, a long-term career there may not be in the cards.
"I need to do something that's not going anywhere for years to come," said the 31-year-old Philadelphia resident.
So Clark is looking to shift her career track, literally.
This spring, she is one of a dozen students in Mark Mattis' Locomotive Engineer and Conductor Basic Training Program at Bucks County Community College in Newtown Township. The 65-hour introductory course, part of the college's Division of Continuing Education, is the only one of its kind in this region.
It is designed to prepare students for railroad training programs on their path to becoming engineers or conductors for passenger/freight lines.
Mattis, a senior training specialist with NJ Transit, has been teaching this course for more than five years. The rail industry, he said, is not a field many people consider, but it offers good salaries and benefits and job security.
Engineers, for instance, can earn a training salary of $40,000 to $50,000 a year. After training and certification, which takes a couple of years, salaries can range from $60,000 to more than $100,000 annually, according to Mattis. "And it's exciting," he said.
The rail industry is heavily regulated and there's a lot to learn. Employees must absorb manuals full of safety protocols and other material. Learning the signals, say Mattis' students, is like learning a foreign language. And beyond the basics, each railroad company has its own special instructions and information that is constantly being updated.
"You have to have an eye for detail. You have to be prepared. You have to take your own responsibility. And you've got to stay on the ball," Mattis told his students during a recent class.
Though companies provide new hires with weeks-worth of training, Mattis' course is giving job-seekers a definite advantage and a head start, according to some former students.
Ryan Mulkeen of Bristol took the course in 2011 and when he started looking for a job, employers were impressed to see it on his resume, he said.
"It was a huge steppingstone," said the 33-year-old, now a freight conductor for CSX.
Mattis' students are of various ages and backgrounds. Some are taking the class because they like trains and want to learn more; others are looking for a career change.
Mulkeen signed up for the class after being laid off from a previous job as a heavy-equipment operator. He also comes from a family of railroaders.
Bob Ireland was working in car sales, but with the economy, things were slow and he was looking for a change.
"I wasn't having any luck finding work," said Ireland. A friend mentioned the course and it piqued his interest.
"It's something I never even thought about," he said. Ireland took the class last fall, and today, the 28-year-old Newtown man is an assistant conductor for Amtrak, working the New YOrk-to-Washington D.C., route.
"Mark's class really helped me out," he said.
Mattis introduces students to everything from railroad operating rules to locomotive operation to air brake theory. He also discusses how to apply and interview for a training program.
But his biggest piece of advice for potential railroaders? Don't be late.
There is , after all, a train to catch.
Hysheika Clark works for the U.S. Postal Service, but given the mail agency's financial struggles, a long-term career there may not be in the cards.
"I need to do something that's not going anywhere for years to come," said the 31-year-old Philadelphia resident.
So Clark is looking to shift her career track, literally.
This spring, she is one of a dozen students in Mark Mattis' Locomotive Engineer and Conductor Basic Training Program at Bucks County Community College in Newtown Township. The 65-hour introductory course, part of the college's Division of Continuing Education, is the only one of its kind in this region.
It is designed to prepare students for railroad training programs on their path to becoming engineers or conductors for passenger/freight lines.
Mattis, a senior training specialist with NJ Transit, has been teaching this course for more than five years. The rail industry, he said, is not a field many people consider, but it offers good salaries and benefits and job security.
Engineers, for instance, can earn a training salary of $40,000 to $50,000 a year. After training and certification, which takes a couple of years, salaries can range from $60,000 to more than $100,000 annually, according to Mattis. "And it's exciting," he said.
The rail industry is heavily regulated and there's a lot to learn. Employees must absorb manuals full of safety protocols and other material. Learning the signals, say Mattis' students, is like learning a foreign language. And beyond the basics, each railroad company has its own special instructions and information that is constantly being updated.
"You have to have an eye for detail. You have to be prepared. You have to take your own responsibility. And you've got to stay on the ball," Mattis told his students during a recent class.
Though companies provide new hires with weeks-worth of training, Mattis' course is giving job-seekers a definite advantage and a head start, according to some former students.
Ryan Mulkeen of Bristol took the course in 2011 and when he started looking for a job, employers were impressed to see it on his resume, he said.
"It was a huge steppingstone," said the 33-year-old, now a freight conductor for CSX.
Mattis' students are of various ages and backgrounds. Some are taking the class because they like trains and want to learn more; others are looking for a career change.
Mulkeen signed up for the class after being laid off from a previous job as a heavy-equipment operator. He also comes from a family of railroaders.
Bob Ireland was working in car sales, but with the economy, things were slow and he was looking for a change.
"I wasn't having any luck finding work," said Ireland. A friend mentioned the course and it piqued his interest.
"It's something I never even thought about," he said. Ireland took the class last fall, and today, the 28-year-old Newtown man is an assistant conductor for Amtrak, working the New YOrk-to-Washington D.C., route.
"Mark's class really helped me out," he said.
Mattis introduces students to everything from railroad operating rules to locomotive operation to air brake theory. He also discusses how to apply and interview for a training program.
But his biggest piece of advice for potential railroaders? Don't be late.
There is , after all, a train to catch.
The Month of June of 2013
The month of June is a month of National Observances :
- June 1st : Flip a Coin Day
- June 2nd : National Bubba Day
- June 3rd : Repeat Day (I said "Repeat Day")
- June 4th : Applesauce Cake Day
- June 5th : World Environment Day
- June 6th : National Gardening Exercise Day
- June 7th : National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
- June 8th : Name Your Poison Day
- June 9th : Donald Duck Day
- June 10th : Iced Tea Day
- June 11th : Hug Holiday
- June 12th : Red Rose Day
- June 13th : Sewing Machine Day
- June 14th : Flag Day
- June 15th : National Hollerin' Contest Day
- Junbe 16th : Fresh Veggies Day
- June 17th : Eat Your Vegetables Day
- June 18th : National Splurge Day
- June 19th : World Sauntering Day
- June 20th : Ice Cream Soda Day
- June 21st : Go Skate Day
- June 22nd : National Chocolate Eclair Day
- June 23rd : National Pink Day
- June 24th : Swim a Lap Day
- June 25th : National Catfish Day
- June 26th : Forgiveness Day
- June 27th : Sun Glasses Day
- June 28th : Insurance Awareness Day
- June 29th : Camera Day
- June 30th : Meteor Day
No sweeter sound than human laughter
When I think about the human laugh, I don't believe I can find anything in the world that is as strangely beautiful.
Some animals have a kind of "laugh." Monkeys can smile and chant in a way that's similar to laughing, and hyenas can manage a silly screeching chuckle, but when you hear people laugh, it replaces all the bad in a day with good. It's music that has no set rhythm or rhyme.
There are so many laughs. Evil cartoon laughs, laughing sighs, silent laughs, crying laughs. Even nervous laughs, which, in the moment, may represent an awkward situation rather than a happy one, are often linked to a humorous story in the future.
You don't realize how long someone's been unhappy until you hear them laugh. To see someone who's been sulking with an unmoved face part their lips like the way the clouds part for sunshine, you can't help but smile and laugh along with them. And when that happens, a whole world opens, not just for communication, but for life to begin again.
A person can't hide true laughter. It's a part of who you are. You shine through your laugh like a star shines through the atmosphere. It's so bright and light and can make it seem as though everything else has been forgotten.
I watch the happiest person laughing, in the moment, seeing not the world as it is but what it has to offer and not asking about it. Not questioning why things are, just being.
Laughter. It is nothing but music of pure bliss.
Some animals have a kind of "laugh." Monkeys can smile and chant in a way that's similar to laughing, and hyenas can manage a silly screeching chuckle, but when you hear people laugh, it replaces all the bad in a day with good. It's music that has no set rhythm or rhyme.
There are so many laughs. Evil cartoon laughs, laughing sighs, silent laughs, crying laughs. Even nervous laughs, which, in the moment, may represent an awkward situation rather than a happy one, are often linked to a humorous story in the future.
You don't realize how long someone's been unhappy until you hear them laugh. To see someone who's been sulking with an unmoved face part their lips like the way the clouds part for sunshine, you can't help but smile and laugh along with them. And when that happens, a whole world opens, not just for communication, but for life to begin again.
A person can't hide true laughter. It's a part of who you are. You shine through your laugh like a star shines through the atmosphere. It's so bright and light and can make it seem as though everything else has been forgotten.
I watch the happiest person laughing, in the moment, seeing not the world as it is but what it has to offer and not asking about it. Not questioning why things are, just being.
Laughter. It is nothing but music of pure bliss.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
7 myths about Prom Season
How to keep your kids safe.
Prom season is a rite of passage for many high schoolers ----- a time of photos, laughter and camaraderie with friends and classmates.
For anyone under age 21, however, there are serious legal consequences when it comes to alcoholic beverages or illegal substances.
Here's the law, courtesy of Falls District Judge Jan Vislosky:
"A person under the age of 21 commits a summary offense if he/she attempts to, or actually purchases, consumes, possesses or knowingly transports liquor, malt or brewed beverages. Penalties in Pennsylvania range from a fine between $25 to $300 plus court costs of about $125 and a 90-day driver's license suspension for a first offense, to a fine of between $25 and $500 plus court costs and up to a two-year license suspension for a third offense."
That's just the beginning for violators, however, according to Vislosky. She offers the truth behind seven common myths among teens:
Myth 1: My record will disappear when I turn 18.
PennDot will keep records of your violations and suspensions, and they will be everywhere. They will turn up when you are applying for a job or wherever you least expect they will.
Myth 2: I can hang out with my friends as long as I don't drink.
In Pennsylvania, "constructive possession" means if you are close enough to have control over something, you can be charged with possessing it ----- beer, drugs, any illegal substance. If you are there, you can be charged. It's up to the judge to decide your guilt.
Myth 3: Other than a fine and some suspension, my record won't hurt me.
Colleges check records of applicants and may reject them because they don't want students prone to getting into trouble, and may revoke scholarships as well.
Myth 4: No problem. I'm not going to college. I'm getting a job.
Employers check criminal histories for theft, drinking and drug violations. They want employees who are on time and aren't hung over or a risk for theft to get money for drugs. Many people apply for the same jobs; employers don't have to take risks.
Myth 5: I'm not drunk. I can drive.
Too many people have said this and were arrested before they made it home. Many are killed or injured each year ---- or worse, they killed someone else. DUI laws are strict. If you are charged with DUI and you are under 21, you will answer for both. Worse is the knowledge that you may have killed an innocent person.
Myth 6: If I make a mistake, it's only one time.
This was true when your parents were young, but not now. Kids need to be diligent all the time about dangers around them and situations that could get them in trouble. One mistake could haunt you for a long time.
Myth 7: Nothing is going to happen to me.
Watch the news; read the newspaper. Look at the memorials along the road and the broken heart DUI signs where people died. Many of them said the same thing.
Vislosky urges parents to discuss this with their kids. She also warns anyone under 21 to not drink. PERIOD. It can affect family, friends, your driver's license and your future.
Source: Kathy Kraeck, community mobilizer, Pennsbury LYFT, a program of the United Way of Bucks County, www.pennsburyLYFT.org
Prom season is a rite of passage for many high schoolers ----- a time of photos, laughter and camaraderie with friends and classmates.
For anyone under age 21, however, there are serious legal consequences when it comes to alcoholic beverages or illegal substances.
Here's the law, courtesy of Falls District Judge Jan Vislosky:
"A person under the age of 21 commits a summary offense if he/she attempts to, or actually purchases, consumes, possesses or knowingly transports liquor, malt or brewed beverages. Penalties in Pennsylvania range from a fine between $25 to $300 plus court costs of about $125 and a 90-day driver's license suspension for a first offense, to a fine of between $25 and $500 plus court costs and up to a two-year license suspension for a third offense."
That's just the beginning for violators, however, according to Vislosky. She offers the truth behind seven common myths among teens:
Myth 1: My record will disappear when I turn 18.
PennDot will keep records of your violations and suspensions, and they will be everywhere. They will turn up when you are applying for a job or wherever you least expect they will.
Myth 2: I can hang out with my friends as long as I don't drink.
In Pennsylvania, "constructive possession" means if you are close enough to have control over something, you can be charged with possessing it ----- beer, drugs, any illegal substance. If you are there, you can be charged. It's up to the judge to decide your guilt.
Myth 3: Other than a fine and some suspension, my record won't hurt me.
Colleges check records of applicants and may reject them because they don't want students prone to getting into trouble, and may revoke scholarships as well.
Myth 4: No problem. I'm not going to college. I'm getting a job.
Employers check criminal histories for theft, drinking and drug violations. They want employees who are on time and aren't hung over or a risk for theft to get money for drugs. Many people apply for the same jobs; employers don't have to take risks.
Myth 5: I'm not drunk. I can drive.
Too many people have said this and were arrested before they made it home. Many are killed or injured each year ---- or worse, they killed someone else. DUI laws are strict. If you are charged with DUI and you are under 21, you will answer for both. Worse is the knowledge that you may have killed an innocent person.
Myth 6: If I make a mistake, it's only one time.
This was true when your parents were young, but not now. Kids need to be diligent all the time about dangers around them and situations that could get them in trouble. One mistake could haunt you for a long time.
Myth 7: Nothing is going to happen to me.
Watch the news; read the newspaper. Look at the memorials along the road and the broken heart DUI signs where people died. Many of them said the same thing.
Vislosky urges parents to discuss this with their kids. She also warns anyone under 21 to not drink. PERIOD. It can affect family, friends, your driver's license and your future.
Source: Kathy Kraeck, community mobilizer, Pennsbury LYFT, a program of the United Way of Bucks County, www.pennsburyLYFT.org
Kennections
All five correct answers have something in common.
Can you figure out what it is?
1. The northern lights are the borealis form of what atmospheric display caused by solar wind?
2. What Great Pyrenees dog and her owner, Sebastian, from a '60s children's TV show inspired the name of a Glasgow pop group?
3. Which of Sylvia Plath's books of poetry was named for an "airy spirit" from Shakespeare's The Tempest?
4. What white flower is used to make scented tea in China and was a symbol of the "Arab Spring" revolution in Tunisia?
5. What daughter of Chief Powhatan was played by Q'orianka Kilcher in Terrence Malick's film The New World?
Bonus Question : What's the "Kennection" between all five answers?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answers : 1. Aurora
2. Belle
3. Ariel
4. Jasmine
5. Pocahontas
Bonus. All are Disney Princesses
Can you figure out what it is?
1. The northern lights are the borealis form of what atmospheric display caused by solar wind?
2. What Great Pyrenees dog and her owner, Sebastian, from a '60s children's TV show inspired the name of a Glasgow pop group?
3. Which of Sylvia Plath's books of poetry was named for an "airy spirit" from Shakespeare's The Tempest?
4. What white flower is used to make scented tea in China and was a symbol of the "Arab Spring" revolution in Tunisia?
5. What daughter of Chief Powhatan was played by Q'orianka Kilcher in Terrence Malick's film The New World?
Bonus Question : What's the "Kennection" between all five answers?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answers : 1. Aurora
2. Belle
3. Ariel
4. Jasmine
5. Pocahontas
Bonus. All are Disney Princesses
POP QUIZ (Up in the Air)
How much do you know about flying the friendly skies?
1. What is the cheapest day to fly domestically?
a) Monday
b) Wednesday
c) Friday
2. When is the best time to buy domestic airline tickets?
a) Sunday evening
b) Friday afternoon
c) Tuesday afternoon
3. What's the most important thing you can do to ensure your safety in an emergency evacuation?
a) Wear shoes
b) Count the rows between you and the nearest exit (keeping in mind, of course, that the nearest exit may be located behind you)
c) Pack important medications in your carry-on-bag
4. Which seat on the plane is statistically the safest?
a) Right next to the emergency exit
b) Anywhere in the first row
c) In the back, next to the bathroom
d) All of the above
5. What was the busiest air travel day of 2012?
a) Nov. 25
b) July 20
c) Dec. 24
d) Dec. 31
6. You're most likely to arrive at your destination on time if you fly on which of these days:
a) Friday
b) Wednesday
c) Saturday
7. What's the deal with your smartphone's "airplane mode" setting?
a) You can use your phone in airplane mode anytime during your flight
b) You can use your phone to watch videos or go online in airplane mode above 10,000 feet
c) You can't use your phone anytime during flight, in airplane mode or otherwise
8. According to the latest figures, what percentage of baggage is reported lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen?
a) 0.3 percent
b) 3 percent
c) 13 percent
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answers : 1. (b) : Wednesday is the least expensive day to fly, says Rick Seaney, cofounder and CEO of the travel-planning website : www.FareCompare.com, though Tuesday and Saturday are also good choices. [The most expensive days: Friday and Sunday.] Red-eyes and crack-of-dawn first flights of the day are usually priced the lowest, but if pulling an all-nighter doesn't sound like a fun way to start your vacation, try lunch-or dinnertime flights; they're your second-best options.
2. (c) : According to Seaney, airlines often kick off sales late Monday night. Other airlines then drop their prices to stay competitive, and this price matching usually happens by 3 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday. Be sure to act fast: By Thursday, most of the discounted fares will have been snapped up or pulled.
3. (a & b) : You should pack crucial meds in a carry-on in case checked luggage is lost, but don't try to grab it in an emergency ---- doing so will only slow down an evacuation. Counting rows allows you to find an exit by feel if visibility is low. And don't ditch your shoes (ideally closed-toe flats) mid-flight. "You'll need them in the event of an evacuation on the ground, potentially in rough terrain," says Emily McGee, director of communications for the Flight Safety Foundation.
4. (d) : "Statistically, there isn't really a way to determine where the safest seat is," says McGee. The reason is reassuring : "There aren't enough fatal accidents to develop any sort of trend." It makes sense that someone sitting in an exit row would evacuate before someone sitting farther away, but that's not as much of an issue as it might seem, McGee claims, "To be certified by the FAA, the airframe manufacturer must demonstrate that everyone ---- no matter where they are sitting ----- can be evacuated in 90 seconds or less, with half of the exit rows blocked or unusable," she says.
5. (b) : According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), summer is typically the busiest time of year for air travel. The most likely reason, says Dave Smallen, BTS director of public affairs, is that winter holiday travel tends to involve more driving than flying.
6. (c) : According to the BTS, 83.5 percent of Saturday flights arrived on time across the country in February 2013. The worst day: Friday, with only about 79 percent of flights arriving as scheduled.
7. (b) : Like all personal electronic devices, your cell phone can emit radio energy even when it's not actively trying to connect to anything. The FAA therefore restricts the use of all such devices below 10,000 feet because of potential interference with the plane's communications, navigation, flight control, and electronic equipment during the two most critical phases of flight : takeoff and landing. Above 10,000 feet, however, you can use your phone in airplane mode to watch videos, play games, or surf the Web. But don't expect to be able to talk or text anytime soon : In-flight cell phone use has been banned by the Federal Communications Commission since 1991.
8. (a) : It may seem like you're always the last person at the baggage carousel, but in reality, very few bags are reported as mishandled, which the Department of Transportation defines as "lost, damaged, delayed, or pilfered."
1. What is the cheapest day to fly domestically?
a) Monday
b) Wednesday
c) Friday
2. When is the best time to buy domestic airline tickets?
a) Sunday evening
b) Friday afternoon
c) Tuesday afternoon
3. What's the most important thing you can do to ensure your safety in an emergency evacuation?
a) Wear shoes
b) Count the rows between you and the nearest exit (keeping in mind, of course, that the nearest exit may be located behind you)
c) Pack important medications in your carry-on-bag
4. Which seat on the plane is statistically the safest?
a) Right next to the emergency exit
b) Anywhere in the first row
c) In the back, next to the bathroom
d) All of the above
5. What was the busiest air travel day of 2012?
a) Nov. 25
b) July 20
c) Dec. 24
d) Dec. 31
6. You're most likely to arrive at your destination on time if you fly on which of these days:
a) Friday
b) Wednesday
c) Saturday
7. What's the deal with your smartphone's "airplane mode" setting?
a) You can use your phone in airplane mode anytime during your flight
b) You can use your phone to watch videos or go online in airplane mode above 10,000 feet
c) You can't use your phone anytime during flight, in airplane mode or otherwise
8. According to the latest figures, what percentage of baggage is reported lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen?
a) 0.3 percent
b) 3 percent
c) 13 percent
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answers : 1. (b) : Wednesday is the least expensive day to fly, says Rick Seaney, cofounder and CEO of the travel-planning website : www.FareCompare.com, though Tuesday and Saturday are also good choices. [The most expensive days: Friday and Sunday.] Red-eyes and crack-of-dawn first flights of the day are usually priced the lowest, but if pulling an all-nighter doesn't sound like a fun way to start your vacation, try lunch-or dinnertime flights; they're your second-best options.
2. (c) : According to Seaney, airlines often kick off sales late Monday night. Other airlines then drop their prices to stay competitive, and this price matching usually happens by 3 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday. Be sure to act fast: By Thursday, most of the discounted fares will have been snapped up or pulled.
3. (a & b) : You should pack crucial meds in a carry-on in case checked luggage is lost, but don't try to grab it in an emergency ---- doing so will only slow down an evacuation. Counting rows allows you to find an exit by feel if visibility is low. And don't ditch your shoes (ideally closed-toe flats) mid-flight. "You'll need them in the event of an evacuation on the ground, potentially in rough terrain," says Emily McGee, director of communications for the Flight Safety Foundation.
4. (d) : "Statistically, there isn't really a way to determine where the safest seat is," says McGee. The reason is reassuring : "There aren't enough fatal accidents to develop any sort of trend." It makes sense that someone sitting in an exit row would evacuate before someone sitting farther away, but that's not as much of an issue as it might seem, McGee claims, "To be certified by the FAA, the airframe manufacturer must demonstrate that everyone ---- no matter where they are sitting ----- can be evacuated in 90 seconds or less, with half of the exit rows blocked or unusable," she says.
5. (b) : According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), summer is typically the busiest time of year for air travel. The most likely reason, says Dave Smallen, BTS director of public affairs, is that winter holiday travel tends to involve more driving than flying.
6. (c) : According to the BTS, 83.5 percent of Saturday flights arrived on time across the country in February 2013. The worst day: Friday, with only about 79 percent of flights arriving as scheduled.
7. (b) : Like all personal electronic devices, your cell phone can emit radio energy even when it's not actively trying to connect to anything. The FAA therefore restricts the use of all such devices below 10,000 feet because of potential interference with the plane's communications, navigation, flight control, and electronic equipment during the two most critical phases of flight : takeoff and landing. Above 10,000 feet, however, you can use your phone in airplane mode to watch videos, play games, or surf the Web. But don't expect to be able to talk or text anytime soon : In-flight cell phone use has been banned by the Federal Communications Commission since 1991.
8. (a) : It may seem like you're always the last person at the baggage carousel, but in reality, very few bags are reported as mishandled, which the Department of Transportation defines as "lost, damaged, delayed, or pilfered."
Tempura-battered tarantula on menu at California bug fest
Hungry? How about tempura-battered fried Tarantula for an appetizer? They're frozen then defrosted before bug chef David George Gordon cuts off the abdomen, singes off hairs with a lighter and dunks the remaining spider body into batter.
"You just have to brown it up for a couple of minutes. Then I add my secret ingredient, a pinch of smoked paprika for flavor. The best part are the legs," said Gordon, speaking at an insect cooking demonstration in Hollywood aimed at showcasing insects as a sustainable food.
Other treats being served up at the third annual Bug-A-Thon at Ripley's Believe It or Not! Hollywood on Friday include Scorpion Scaloppine and dishes consisting of the chef's choice bugs: grasshoppers, cockroaches and other savory surprises.
Considered the planet's most sustainable source of eco-friendly and inexpensive animal protein, the practice of eating insects is practiced globally by two-thirds of the world's population, said Andrea Silverman, the manager of Ripley's Hollywood, who said the demonstration aimed to spread the word about the nutritional value of bugs.
"The tarantula was great. It tasted like shrimp tempura. I also tried the grasshoppers. I ate the whole thing starting with the head! It tasted like pepper!" she said.
She added that nutrient-rich crickets provide three times the calcium and iron as beef, require hundreds of times less water to generate the same amount of protein as a cow, and reportedly taste like "nutty shrimp."
"In America we're the weird ones because we don't eat bugs. We're a nation of bug-bashers," said Gordon, who has authored a bug cookbook and lives in Seattle with his wife and pet tarantula.
Other bugs deemed good enough to eat at the fest, which continues on Saturday, include ants, worms and termites as well as caterpillars, dung beetles and wasps.
"I bought these from Oaxaca, Mexico," Gordon explained of his favored Chapulines, or grasshoppers, that 10-year-old visitor Dylan Vaughan was brave enough to try and deemed them "good and spicy."
"You just have to brown it up for a couple of minutes. Then I add my secret ingredient, a pinch of smoked paprika for flavor. The best part are the legs," said Gordon, speaking at an insect cooking demonstration in Hollywood aimed at showcasing insects as a sustainable food.
Other treats being served up at the third annual Bug-A-Thon at Ripley's Believe It or Not! Hollywood on Friday include Scorpion Scaloppine and dishes consisting of the chef's choice bugs: grasshoppers, cockroaches and other savory surprises.
Considered the planet's most sustainable source of eco-friendly and inexpensive animal protein, the practice of eating insects is practiced globally by two-thirds of the world's population, said Andrea Silverman, the manager of Ripley's Hollywood, who said the demonstration aimed to spread the word about the nutritional value of bugs.
"The tarantula was great. It tasted like shrimp tempura. I also tried the grasshoppers. I ate the whole thing starting with the head! It tasted like pepper!" she said.
She added that nutrient-rich crickets provide three times the calcium and iron as beef, require hundreds of times less water to generate the same amount of protein as a cow, and reportedly taste like "nutty shrimp."
"In America we're the weird ones because we don't eat bugs. We're a nation of bug-bashers," said Gordon, who has authored a bug cookbook and lives in Seattle with his wife and pet tarantula.
Other bugs deemed good enough to eat at the fest, which continues on Saturday, include ants, worms and termites as well as caterpillars, dung beetles and wasps.
"I bought these from Oaxaca, Mexico," Gordon explained of his favored Chapulines, or grasshoppers, that 10-year-old visitor Dylan Vaughan was brave enough to try and deemed them "good and spicy."
Obama in heated exchanges with Code Pink anti-war protester
The woman who interrupted President Barack Obama's speech on counterterrorism policy on Thursday is well-known around Washington as a perennial protester on national security issues.
Medea Benjamin, a founder of anti-war women's group Code Pink, began demonstrating years ago on Capitol Hill, becoming an almost routine presence at hearings where high-ranking officials of the Bush administration appeared to talk about the Iraq war.
On Thursday, Benjamin got into an argument with Obama, interrupting his remarks at the National Defense University repeatedly to urge him to take faster action in releasing detainees from the U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
"You are our commander in chief. Close Guantanamo Bay!" Benjamin shouted toward the end of Obama's address.
"Why don't you sit down and I will tell you exactly what I'm going to do?" Obama replied. "Let me finish my sentence.
He called on Congress to lift the restrictions on detainee transfers and went on to discuss other steps toward closing the prison. He said he was lifting a moratorium on detainee transfers to Yemen.
"Release them today!" Benjamin shouted. "It's been 11 years!"
"Let me finish," Obama said. "This is part of free speech. You being able to speak, but also me listening, and me being able to speak."
He was able to continue for a bit but then Benjamin demanded to know why a teenager had been killed by a U.S. drone.
"Can you tell the Muslim people their lives are as precious are our lives? Can you take the drones out of the hands of the CIA? Can you stop the signature strikes?"
By this point, the Secret Service was leading her away, but Benjamin continued yelling as she left. "I love my country! I love the rule of law! The drones are making us less safe! And keeping people in indefinite detention in Guantanamo is making us less safe! Abide by the rule of law! You're a constitutional lawyer!"
Obama then drew hoots of laughter when he announced he was about to go off script. "The words of that woman are worth paying attention to," he said.
"Obviously I do not agree with much of what she said, and obviously she wasn't listening to me in much of what I said. But these are tough issues," Obama said.
The National Defense University said Benjamin was on its list of media personnel who would be attending the address.
Medea Benjamin, a founder of anti-war women's group Code Pink, began demonstrating years ago on Capitol Hill, becoming an almost routine presence at hearings where high-ranking officials of the Bush administration appeared to talk about the Iraq war.
On Thursday, Benjamin got into an argument with Obama, interrupting his remarks at the National Defense University repeatedly to urge him to take faster action in releasing detainees from the U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
"You are our commander in chief. Close Guantanamo Bay!" Benjamin shouted toward the end of Obama's address.
"Why don't you sit down and I will tell you exactly what I'm going to do?" Obama replied. "Let me finish my sentence.
He called on Congress to lift the restrictions on detainee transfers and went on to discuss other steps toward closing the prison. He said he was lifting a moratorium on detainee transfers to Yemen.
"Release them today!" Benjamin shouted. "It's been 11 years!"
"Let me finish," Obama said. "This is part of free speech. You being able to speak, but also me listening, and me being able to speak."
He was able to continue for a bit but then Benjamin demanded to know why a teenager had been killed by a U.S. drone.
"Can you tell the Muslim people their lives are as precious are our lives? Can you take the drones out of the hands of the CIA? Can you stop the signature strikes?"
By this point, the Secret Service was leading her away, but Benjamin continued yelling as she left. "I love my country! I love the rule of law! The drones are making us less safe! And keeping people in indefinite detention in Guantanamo is making us less safe! Abide by the rule of law! You're a constitutional lawyer!"
Obama then drew hoots of laughter when he announced he was about to go off script. "The words of that woman are worth paying attention to," he said.
"Obviously I do not agree with much of what she said, and obviously she wasn't listening to me in much of what I said. But these are tough issues," Obama said.
The National Defense University said Benjamin was on its list of media personnel who would be attending the address.
Pittsburgh on the Hudson? Wrong city in NY City campaign logo
For New York City mayoral hopeful Anthony Weiner, the road to City Hall leads through Pittsburgh.
Weiner, the candidate who infamously resigned from the U.S. Congress two years ago in a sexting scandal, unveiled a video announcing his mayoral candidacy and a campaign logo on his website on Wednesday.
The logo is written in blue and orange - the colors of Weiner's beloved New York Mets baseball team. But the image of the skyline that forms its backdrop, while similar to iconic images of New York's Brooklyn Bridge, is actually that of Pittsburgh's Roberto Clemente Bridge.
The goof was spotted by several reporters and comparative images of the two bridges were widely circulated on Twitter. Weiner's campaign could not immediately be reached for comment, but the logo on Anthonyweiner.com has since been changed.
Weiner on Thursday evening is to face his Democratic rivals for the first time at a candidate's forum in the Bronx. Polls suggest he enters the race in second place, trailing City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. Voters remain ambivalent about whether he should be running for office.
Weiner, once a popular six-term Congressman representing parts of Brooklyn and Queens, resigned from the U.S. House of Representatives after admitting he had sent a close-up image of his underpants over Twitter and then lied about it repeatedly. The image had been intended to be sent as a private message to a woman.
Weiner, the candidate who infamously resigned from the U.S. Congress two years ago in a sexting scandal, unveiled a video announcing his mayoral candidacy and a campaign logo on his website on Wednesday.
The logo is written in blue and orange - the colors of Weiner's beloved New York Mets baseball team. But the image of the skyline that forms its backdrop, while similar to iconic images of New York's Brooklyn Bridge, is actually that of Pittsburgh's Roberto Clemente Bridge.
The goof was spotted by several reporters and comparative images of the two bridges were widely circulated on Twitter. Weiner's campaign could not immediately be reached for comment, but the logo on Anthonyweiner.com has since been changed.
Weiner on Thursday evening is to face his Democratic rivals for the first time at a candidate's forum in the Bronx. Polls suggest he enters the race in second place, trailing City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. Voters remain ambivalent about whether he should be running for office.
Weiner, once a popular six-term Congressman representing parts of Brooklyn and Queens, resigned from the U.S. House of Representatives after admitting he had sent a close-up image of his underpants over Twitter and then lied about it repeatedly. The image had been intended to be sent as a private message to a woman.
Hamburgers for life reward to man who helped Ohio kidnap victims
The man made famous for putting down his Big Mac to help free three women held captive for about a decade in a Cleveland house will never have to buy a hamburger in his hometown again.
More than two weeks after Charles Ramsey became an instant folk hero after telling his story to television reporters, Cleveland food blogger Michelle Venorsky said on Thursday that 15 restaurants are offering him a free hamburger, whenever he wants it.
Venorsky floated the idea to her followers after seeing Ramsey's first interview on TV.
"He was so entertaining...I thought he should never have to pay for another meal in Cleveland again," Venorsky said in a phone interview.
Since his first interview on local TV, Ramsey, a dishwasher at a Cleveland restaurant, has become an Internet sensation. The restaurant produced a t-shirt with Ramsey's face and the words "Cleveland Hero" on the front, netting $21,000 for a fund set up for the women, who were held captive for about a decade.
Ramsey was not available for comment on Thursday. He has had brushes with the law in the past, including domestic violence convictions.
Amanda Berry, her six-year-old daughter, and two other women, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight, were discovered in the house of former school bus driver Ariel Castro on May 6. Ramsey heard Berry's calls for help and he and others helped her escape and call 911.
Castro has been charged with multiple counts of kidnapping and rape. He is in jail on an $8 million bond.
One restaurant owner, Sam McNulty, said the offer of free burgers to Ramsey "is a communal high-five from the Cleveland restaurant industry."
The kidnapping story has several fast food connections.
Ramsey's story, with its mention of a McDonald's hamburger, won him praise from the restaurant chain.
After the discovery of the women, Castro was arrested in front of a McDonald's about a mile from the house.
As a school bus driver, Castro was once accused of leaving a child alone on a bus, telling the child "lie down, bitch," while he visited a Wendy's restaurant.
Also, a neighbor reported seeing Castro park his school bus outside the house and bring a large bag of fast food and several drinks inside, even though he was thought to live alone. The neighbor said his mother called police, who warned Castro not to park his school bus outside the house.
Lawyers said in a statement on behalf of the three women that they are "happy and safe and continue to heal."
More than two weeks after Charles Ramsey became an instant folk hero after telling his story to television reporters, Cleveland food blogger Michelle Venorsky said on Thursday that 15 restaurants are offering him a free hamburger, whenever he wants it.
Venorsky floated the idea to her followers after seeing Ramsey's first interview on TV.
"He was so entertaining...I thought he should never have to pay for another meal in Cleveland again," Venorsky said in a phone interview.
Since his first interview on local TV, Ramsey, a dishwasher at a Cleveland restaurant, has become an Internet sensation. The restaurant produced a t-shirt with Ramsey's face and the words "Cleveland Hero" on the front, netting $21,000 for a fund set up for the women, who were held captive for about a decade.
Ramsey was not available for comment on Thursday. He has had brushes with the law in the past, including domestic violence convictions.
Amanda Berry, her six-year-old daughter, and two other women, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight, were discovered in the house of former school bus driver Ariel Castro on May 6. Ramsey heard Berry's calls for help and he and others helped her escape and call 911.
Castro has been charged with multiple counts of kidnapping and rape. He is in jail on an $8 million bond.
One restaurant owner, Sam McNulty, said the offer of free burgers to Ramsey "is a communal high-five from the Cleveland restaurant industry."
The kidnapping story has several fast food connections.
Ramsey's story, with its mention of a McDonald's hamburger, won him praise from the restaurant chain.
After the discovery of the women, Castro was arrested in front of a McDonald's about a mile from the house.
As a school bus driver, Castro was once accused of leaving a child alone on a bus, telling the child "lie down, bitch," while he visited a Wendy's restaurant.
Also, a neighbor reported seeing Castro park his school bus outside the house and bring a large bag of fast food and several drinks inside, even though he was thought to live alone. The neighbor said his mother called police, who warned Castro not to park his school bus outside the house.
Lawyers said in a statement on behalf of the three women that they are "happy and safe and continue to heal."
Prosecutor in Berlusconi sex trial receives mail with bullets
The prosecutor in former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's sex trial has received a series of anonymous letters of threats, including one with two bullets, Milan's chief prosecutor said on Thursday.
The letters against Ilda Boccassini have become more frequent since she requested a six-year jail sentence and a lifetime ban on holding public office for Berlusconi, Edmondo Bruti Liberati said.
"In the last few weeks there has been a crescendo of anonymous letters containing serious threats against Boccassini, including one yesterday containing two bullets," Bruti Liberati said in a statement.
On May 13, Boccassini requested the jail sentence and public office ban for Berlusconi, who is charged with paying for sex with a Moroccan night-club dancer when she was a minor and abusing his office to have her released from police custody.
In a six-hour-long closing argument, Boccassini said the so-called "bunga bunga" parties at villa of the 76-year old billionaire media tycoon involved a "system of organized prostitution." Berlusconi has denied the charges.
The verdict is expected on June 24.
The letters against Ilda Boccassini have become more frequent since she requested a six-year jail sentence and a lifetime ban on holding public office for Berlusconi, Edmondo Bruti Liberati said.
"In the last few weeks there has been a crescendo of anonymous letters containing serious threats against Boccassini, including one yesterday containing two bullets," Bruti Liberati said in a statement.
On May 13, Boccassini requested the jail sentence and public office ban for Berlusconi, who is charged with paying for sex with a Moroccan night-club dancer when she was a minor and abusing his office to have her released from police custody.
In a six-hour-long closing argument, Boccassini said the so-called "bunga bunga" parties at villa of the 76-year old billionaire media tycoon involved a "system of organized prostitution." Berlusconi has denied the charges.
The verdict is expected on June 24.
College student snares record long Burmese python near Miami
An 18-foot, 8-inch Burmese python set a record for the longest snake ever captured in South Florida, where the exotic species has taken up residence.
College student Jason Leon snared the female python in a rural area southeast of Miami earlier this month, when he saw part of it sticking out from brush along the roadside, said Carli Segelson, a spokeswoman for the state's Fish and Wildlife Commission.
The python broke the previous record set in 2012 by a 17-foot, 7-inch snake caught by researchers studying the impact of the growing population of pythons on the Everglades National Park.
With the help of his friends, Leon wrestled and killed the snake with a knife, Segelson said. He then reported the find through Florida's "IveGot1" program, which connects callers to wildlife researchers.
The Burmese python is an invasive species in Florida. Native to the region from India to lower China, the species has been documented to grow as long as 26 feet and weigh 200 pounds.
Florida sponsored a python hunting competition in January to see whether annual hunts might put a dent in the local population, and to provide specimens for further research.
Theories on how the snakes got into the Everglades include dumping by pet owners and the destruction of a nearby exotic pet dealership during the 1992 Hurricane Andrew.
College student Jason Leon snared the female python in a rural area southeast of Miami earlier this month, when he saw part of it sticking out from brush along the roadside, said Carli Segelson, a spokeswoman for the state's Fish and Wildlife Commission.
The python broke the previous record set in 2012 by a 17-foot, 7-inch snake caught by researchers studying the impact of the growing population of pythons on the Everglades National Park.
With the help of his friends, Leon wrestled and killed the snake with a knife, Segelson said. He then reported the find through Florida's "IveGot1" program, which connects callers to wildlife researchers.
The Burmese python is an invasive species in Florida. Native to the region from India to lower China, the species has been documented to grow as long as 26 feet and weigh 200 pounds.
Florida sponsored a python hunting competition in January to see whether annual hunts might put a dent in the local population, and to provide specimens for further research.
Theories on how the snakes got into the Everglades include dumping by pet owners and the destruction of a nearby exotic pet dealership during the 1992 Hurricane Andrew.
Relegation woes worry toothless Argentinos Juniors
Argentinos Juniors, staring into the jaws of relegation, have had a set of false teeth thrown at their coach by an angry fan while the club's president has quit his seat at the Argentine FA.
An irate fan threw a set of dentures at coach Ricardo Caruso Lombardi during Monday's 3-1 home defeat by Belgrano that left Argentinos bottom of the "Final" championship standings.
The result pushed the club where Diego Maradona started his professional career closer to the bottom three places in the relegation table based on teams' average points over three seasons.
Conspiracy theories have circulated that club president Luis Segura has made a deal with AFA President Julio Grondona for Argentinos to go down instead of big guns Independiente.
Grondona was president of Independiente, who are one of Argentina's 'Big Five' and have never been relegated, before he became AFA chief in 1979.
"I'm not going to put up with being insulted and attacked," said Segura of his resignation from his post as vice chairman of the AFA's executive committee.
"I presented my resignation as vice president of AFA and I think that answers those who doubted about a pact with Grondona," Segura told reporters.
Independiente are in the bottom three of the relegation standings who go down at the end of the season in June. Argentinos are the lowest team outside the drop zone.
The teams have had contrasting form in their last five matches with Independiente picking up 10 points and Argentinos losing all their games. There are five matches left.
Caruso Lombardi said: "If we have to go (down) we'll do it with our head held high. They'll have to take this team away in an ambulance."
An irate fan threw a set of dentures at coach Ricardo Caruso Lombardi during Monday's 3-1 home defeat by Belgrano that left Argentinos bottom of the "Final" championship standings.
The result pushed the club where Diego Maradona started his professional career closer to the bottom three places in the relegation table based on teams' average points over three seasons.
Conspiracy theories have circulated that club president Luis Segura has made a deal with AFA President Julio Grondona for Argentinos to go down instead of big guns Independiente.
Grondona was president of Independiente, who are one of Argentina's 'Big Five' and have never been relegated, before he became AFA chief in 1979.
"I'm not going to put up with being insulted and attacked," said Segura of his resignation from his post as vice chairman of the AFA's executive committee.
"I presented my resignation as vice president of AFA and I think that answers those who doubted about a pact with Grondona," Segura told reporters.
Independiente are in the bottom three of the relegation standings who go down at the end of the season in June. Argentinos are the lowest team outside the drop zone.
The teams have had contrasting form in their last five matches with Independiente picking up 10 points and Argentinos losing all their games. There are five matches left.
Caruso Lombardi said: "If we have to go (down) we'll do it with our head held high. They'll have to take this team away in an ambulance."
Chinese businessman pays record price for Belgian racing pigeon
A Chinese businessman has paid a world record 310,000 euros ($398,500) for a Belgian pigeon, highlighting Asia's huge and growing interest in racing birds.
The one-year-old award-winning pigeon named Bolt was bred by Belgian pigeon fancier Leo Heremans, a well-known name to pigeon enthusiasts, who sold his entire collection of 530 birds for 4.3 million euros at an auction over the weekend.
"You can compare it to artwork. A painting made by Picasso is worth more than one made by an unknown artist. It's the same with this pigeon," Nikolaas Gyselbrecht of pigeon auction site PIPA said on Tuesday.
Because the bird was still young, its new Chinese owner could use it for breeding for at least another eight years, Gyselbrecht said.
Although the event attracted interest from 27 countries, nine of the 10 most expensive racing pigeons sold at the auction were purchased by clients from China and Taiwan, PIPA said. ($1 = 0.7778 euros)
The one-year-old award-winning pigeon named Bolt was bred by Belgian pigeon fancier Leo Heremans, a well-known name to pigeon enthusiasts, who sold his entire collection of 530 birds for 4.3 million euros at an auction over the weekend.
"You can compare it to artwork. A painting made by Picasso is worth more than one made by an unknown artist. It's the same with this pigeon," Nikolaas Gyselbrecht of pigeon auction site PIPA said on Tuesday.
Because the bird was still young, its new Chinese owner could use it for breeding for at least another eight years, Gyselbrecht said.
Although the event attracted interest from 27 countries, nine of the 10 most expensive racing pigeons sold at the auction were purchased by clients from China and Taiwan, PIPA said. ($1 = 0.7778 euros)
Czech police seize 1 million liters of illegal booze
Czech police found a million liters of illegal alcohol hidden in underground tanks in one of the biggest seizures of untaxed booze ever.
Police have been chasing a widespread web of untaxed alcohol makers and distributors since a batch that included poisonous methyl alcohol killed 45 people and forced the government to ban all liquor sales for several weeks in September last year.
A spokesman said officers found the illicit booze at several unused industrial sites around the steel-making and mining center of Ostrava, in the eastern Czech Republic near Polish and Slovak borders, and at a site near the northern German border.
"Under the floors, in some places under a two-meter layer of cement and rubble, tanks with illegal ethanol were found," the police said in a statement.
Video footage showed officers and firemen using an earth mover, pneumatic drill and steel cutters to reveal the storage places.
Tax evasion from the sale of the booze would amount to about 12 million euros ($15.45 million), the police said.
The Czech Republic is one of Europe's heaviest drinking countries, and the world's leader in per-capita beer consumption of around 140 liters per year. Hard alcohol made from flavored ethanol is widely available in bars, stores and market kiosks, and popular especially among poorer Czechs.
Industry experts have estimated illegal liquor make up 15-25 percent of the market.
Police said they have not charged anyone in relation with the case yet. Last year, dozens of people were charged when police traced poisonous illicit alcohol to producers.
($1 = 0.7769 euros)
Police have been chasing a widespread web of untaxed alcohol makers and distributors since a batch that included poisonous methyl alcohol killed 45 people and forced the government to ban all liquor sales for several weeks in September last year.
A spokesman said officers found the illicit booze at several unused industrial sites around the steel-making and mining center of Ostrava, in the eastern Czech Republic near Polish and Slovak borders, and at a site near the northern German border.
"Under the floors, in some places under a two-meter layer of cement and rubble, tanks with illegal ethanol were found," the police said in a statement.
Video footage showed officers and firemen using an earth mover, pneumatic drill and steel cutters to reveal the storage places.
Tax evasion from the sale of the booze would amount to about 12 million euros ($15.45 million), the police said.
The Czech Republic is one of Europe's heaviest drinking countries, and the world's leader in per-capita beer consumption of around 140 liters per year. Hard alcohol made from flavored ethanol is widely available in bars, stores and market kiosks, and popular especially among poorer Czechs.
Industry experts have estimated illegal liquor make up 15-25 percent of the market.
Police said they have not charged anyone in relation with the case yet. Last year, dozens of people were charged when police traced poisonous illicit alcohol to producers.
($1 = 0.7769 euros)
Marijuana waste helps turn pot-eating pigs into tasty pork roast
With Washington state about to embark on a first-of-its-kind legal market for recreational marijuana, the budding ranks of new cannabis growers face a quandary over what to do with the excess stems, roots and leaves from their plants.
Susannah Gross, who owns a five-acre farm north of Seattle, is part of a group experimenting with a solution that seems to make the most of marijuana's appetite-enhancing properties - turning weed waste into pig food.
Four pigs whose feed was supplemented with potent plant leavings during the last four months of their lives ended up 20 to 30 pounds heavier than the half-dozen other pigs from the same litter when they were all sent to slaughter in March.
"They were eating more, as you can imagine," Gross said.
Giving farm animals the munchies is the latest outcome of a ballot measure passed by Washington voters in November making their state one of the first to legalize the recreational use of pot. The other was Colorado. Both were among about 20 states with medical marijuana laws already on their books.
The federal government still classifies cannabis as an illegal narcotic, and the Obama administration has not yet said what actions, if any, it will take in answer to the newly passed recreational weed statutes.
Matt McAlman, the medical marijuana grower who provided the pot leavings for Gross' pigs, says he hopes the idea expands with the likely impending expansion of Washington state's marijuana industry.
"We can have pot chickens, pot pigs, grass-fed beef," he said.
Draft regulations issued last week to govern the burgeoning recreational-use industry seem to leave open that possibility. The rules dictate that marijuana plant waste must be "rendered unusable prior to leaving a licensed producer or processor's facility," adding that mixing it with food waste would be acceptable.
Gross' pigs were butchered by William von Schneidau, who has a shop at the famous Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle. In March, von Schneidau held a "Pot Pig Gig" at the market, serving up the marijuana-fed pork as part of a five-course meal.
He quickly sold out the remaining weed-fed meat at his shop but plans another pot-pig feast later this summer, he said.
"Some say the meat seems to taste more savory," he said.
The results beg the question of whether pot-fed pork contains any measurable traces of THC, the mind-altering chemical ingredient in cannabis.
The European Food Safety Authority reported in 2011 that "no studies concerning tolerance or effects of graded levels of THC in food-producing animals have been found in literature."
The agency also noted that "no data are available concerning the likely transfer of THC ... to animal tissues and eggs following repeated administration."
Susannah Gross, who owns a five-acre farm north of Seattle, is part of a group experimenting with a solution that seems to make the most of marijuana's appetite-enhancing properties - turning weed waste into pig food.
Four pigs whose feed was supplemented with potent plant leavings during the last four months of their lives ended up 20 to 30 pounds heavier than the half-dozen other pigs from the same litter when they were all sent to slaughter in March.
"They were eating more, as you can imagine," Gross said.
Giving farm animals the munchies is the latest outcome of a ballot measure passed by Washington voters in November making their state one of the first to legalize the recreational use of pot. The other was Colorado. Both were among about 20 states with medical marijuana laws already on their books.
The federal government still classifies cannabis as an illegal narcotic, and the Obama administration has not yet said what actions, if any, it will take in answer to the newly passed recreational weed statutes.
Matt McAlman, the medical marijuana grower who provided the pot leavings for Gross' pigs, says he hopes the idea expands with the likely impending expansion of Washington state's marijuana industry.
"We can have pot chickens, pot pigs, grass-fed beef," he said.
Draft regulations issued last week to govern the burgeoning recreational-use industry seem to leave open that possibility. The rules dictate that marijuana plant waste must be "rendered unusable prior to leaving a licensed producer or processor's facility," adding that mixing it with food waste would be acceptable.
Gross' pigs were butchered by William von Schneidau, who has a shop at the famous Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle. In March, von Schneidau held a "Pot Pig Gig" at the market, serving up the marijuana-fed pork as part of a five-course meal.
He quickly sold out the remaining weed-fed meat at his shop but plans another pot-pig feast later this summer, he said.
"Some say the meat seems to taste more savory," he said.
The results beg the question of whether pot-fed pork contains any measurable traces of THC, the mind-altering chemical ingredient in cannabis.
The European Food Safety Authority reported in 2011 that "no studies concerning tolerance or effects of graded levels of THC in food-producing animals have been found in literature."
The agency also noted that "no data are available concerning the likely transfer of THC ... to animal tissues and eggs following repeated administration."
A gnome grows in Chelsea - at the flower show, that is
Some spectators at London's Chelsea Flower Show wouldn't be caught dead with one in the trunk of their Bentley, but garden gnomes have turned up at the show's 100th edition this year, for charity.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), which runs Chelsea in the grounds of the Christopher Wren-built Royal Hospital Chelsea, has lifted a ban on the ceramic figures with floppy hats and beards in order to raise funds for an RHS charity that supports the use of gardens in schools.
Some 100 gnomes decorated by singer Elton John, actress Helen Mirren, "Downton Abbey" screenwriter Julian Fellowes and other celebrities have taken up residence by the Great Pavilion at the heart of the show. They are also up for auction on e-Bay.
Sarah Easter, acting show manager, told Reuters the RHS was keen to have a bit of fun with the gnomes, but also wants to underscore the importance of getting children out in the fresh air to learn about flowers, vegetables and fruit.
"It's got huge health benefits, it's relaxing, it's good exercise and the design side of gardening gets underplayed," Easter said.
GARDENING NOT JUST FOR GROWNUPS
British pop singer Lily Allen told Reuters that gardening was particularly important for young people surrounded by touch-screen tablets and smartphones.
"I think there is so much immediate gratification these days it's probably quite good for young people especially to grow (plants) and feed them and watch, chill out and learn something about patience," she said as she strolled amongst a largely grey-haired crowd of VIPs and gardening enthusiasts.
Celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh, host of a BBC television show about the event that will be seen by millions every night this week, admitted he also has gnomes.
"I hide mine away but I've got them. They're round the back of a yew tree," Titchmarsh told Reuters.
He said Chelsea had pulled out all the stops for the 100th birthday edition, which will see more than 160,000 visitors this year and is famed for bringing plants from throughout the world into fashion as well as reviving old favorites, like roses.
"They always do their best, but they've done their 'double best' this year," he said as he hurried past the show gardens competing for a medal from the judges on Tuesday.
A few steps away, sponsors of the RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) Blue Water Roof Garden, where English designer Nigel Dunnett has created Chelsea's first "living roof", awaited the verdict.
"The judges were here this morning and you could have heard a pin drop," Lynn Patterson, RBC Director, Corporate Responsibilty, said.
Dunnett said water conservation, another big theme at this year's show, was a key part of an exhibit that ties North American plants into an urban design meant to highlight the potential for greening city rooftops.
"Water conservation and really wise use of water is at the heart of it," Dunnett said.
Another of the gardens has been created by the Sentebale charity for vulnerable children in the southern African country of Lesotho, supported by Prince Harry, whose grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, is patron of the RHS.
In the Great Pavilion, amongst the fruit, vegetables and blooms of every shape and color, 10-times gold medalists Karen and Peter Warmenhoven said their 100-year-old Dutch family firm has been bringing Amaryllis flowers and bulbs to Chelsea for 25 years, fulfilling a dream of Peter's grandfather.
The company now has customers all over the world. Is it worth the full time staff, growing flowers in Spain to have them ready in time for Chelsea and how much does it all cost?
"You don't want to know," Peter Warmenhoven said.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), which runs Chelsea in the grounds of the Christopher Wren-built Royal Hospital Chelsea, has lifted a ban on the ceramic figures with floppy hats and beards in order to raise funds for an RHS charity that supports the use of gardens in schools.
Some 100 gnomes decorated by singer Elton John, actress Helen Mirren, "Downton Abbey" screenwriter Julian Fellowes and other celebrities have taken up residence by the Great Pavilion at the heart of the show. They are also up for auction on e-Bay.
Sarah Easter, acting show manager, told Reuters the RHS was keen to have a bit of fun with the gnomes, but also wants to underscore the importance of getting children out in the fresh air to learn about flowers, vegetables and fruit.
"It's got huge health benefits, it's relaxing, it's good exercise and the design side of gardening gets underplayed," Easter said.
GARDENING NOT JUST FOR GROWNUPS
British pop singer Lily Allen told Reuters that gardening was particularly important for young people surrounded by touch-screen tablets and smartphones.
"I think there is so much immediate gratification these days it's probably quite good for young people especially to grow (plants) and feed them and watch, chill out and learn something about patience," she said as she strolled amongst a largely grey-haired crowd of VIPs and gardening enthusiasts.
Celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh, host of a BBC television show about the event that will be seen by millions every night this week, admitted he also has gnomes.
"I hide mine away but I've got them. They're round the back of a yew tree," Titchmarsh told Reuters.
He said Chelsea had pulled out all the stops for the 100th birthday edition, which will see more than 160,000 visitors this year and is famed for bringing plants from throughout the world into fashion as well as reviving old favorites, like roses.
"They always do their best, but they've done their 'double best' this year," he said as he hurried past the show gardens competing for a medal from the judges on Tuesday.
A few steps away, sponsors of the RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) Blue Water Roof Garden, where English designer Nigel Dunnett has created Chelsea's first "living roof", awaited the verdict.
"The judges were here this morning and you could have heard a pin drop," Lynn Patterson, RBC Director, Corporate Responsibilty, said.
Dunnett said water conservation, another big theme at this year's show, was a key part of an exhibit that ties North American plants into an urban design meant to highlight the potential for greening city rooftops.
"Water conservation and really wise use of water is at the heart of it," Dunnett said.
Another of the gardens has been created by the Sentebale charity for vulnerable children in the southern African country of Lesotho, supported by Prince Harry, whose grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, is patron of the RHS.
In the Great Pavilion, amongst the fruit, vegetables and blooms of every shape and color, 10-times gold medalists Karen and Peter Warmenhoven said their 100-year-old Dutch family firm has been bringing Amaryllis flowers and bulbs to Chelsea for 25 years, fulfilling a dream of Peter's grandfather.
The company now has customers all over the world. Is it worth the full time staff, growing flowers in Spain to have them ready in time for Chelsea and how much does it all cost?
"You don't want to know," Peter Warmenhoven said.
Man climbs onto dome of St Peter's to protest Italian politics
A man climbed onto a ledge on the dome of St Peter's Basilica on Monday and unfurled a banner protesting against a "political horror show", an apparent reference to Italy's embattled coalition struggling with recession and high unemployment.
Identified by police as Marcello Di Finizio, the man unfurled a white banner reading "Stop this massacre! The political horror show is continuing," in English, scrawled in black and red ink, with "Help us Pope Francis" in Italian.
He also waved an Italian flag as he balanced precariously above a small window near the top of the 137-metre dome.
Italy is stuck in its longest recession since quarterly records began in 1970, and jobless rates are close to record highs. Support for a month-old coalition government has already fallen to 34 percent from 43 percent since it was cobbled together in April to bring an end to political stalemate.
Di Finizio has staged similar protests on the dome in the past. Last October he stayed there overnight with a banner criticizing multinationals, Europe, and former Prime Minister Mario Monti.
Identified by police as Marcello Di Finizio, the man unfurled a white banner reading "Stop this massacre! The political horror show is continuing," in English, scrawled in black and red ink, with "Help us Pope Francis" in Italian.
He also waved an Italian flag as he balanced precariously above a small window near the top of the 137-metre dome.
Italy is stuck in its longest recession since quarterly records began in 1970, and jobless rates are close to record highs. Support for a month-old coalition government has already fallen to 34 percent from 43 percent since it was cobbled together in April to bring an end to political stalemate.
Di Finizio has staged similar protests on the dome in the past. Last October he stayed there overnight with a banner criticizing multinationals, Europe, and former Prime Minister Mario Monti.
Gandhi blood sample up for auction in London
Two microscope slides bearing the blood of former Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi are to go on sale in London on Tuesday and are expected to fetch from 10,000 pounds to 15,000 pounds ($15,200-$22,800).
The slides were obtained in 1924 when the father of the Indian independence movement was recovering from an appendectomy near Mumbai. He was thought to have donated the blood to the family he was staying with at the time.
"To Gandhi devotees, it has the same status as a sacred relic to a Christian," said Richard Westwood-Brookes, a historical documents expert at Mullock's auctioneers which is selling the item.
"It is an artefact which is revered by disciples of Gandhi, particularly in India and therefore that is the sort of person who would go for it," he added.
The slides are part of a larger collection of items obtained by Mullock's, which include the former leader's sandals, shawl and bed linen.
Demand for Gandhi memorabilia has been steadily growing since Mullock's sold soil samples and blades of bloody grass purportedly from the spot where Gandhi was assassinated in 1948, for 10,000 pounds ($15,200) last year.
($1 = 0.6582 British pounds)
The slides were obtained in 1924 when the father of the Indian independence movement was recovering from an appendectomy near Mumbai. He was thought to have donated the blood to the family he was staying with at the time.
"To Gandhi devotees, it has the same status as a sacred relic to a Christian," said Richard Westwood-Brookes, a historical documents expert at Mullock's auctioneers which is selling the item.
"It is an artefact which is revered by disciples of Gandhi, particularly in India and therefore that is the sort of person who would go for it," he added.
The slides are part of a larger collection of items obtained by Mullock's, which include the former leader's sandals, shawl and bed linen.
Demand for Gandhi memorabilia has been steadily growing since Mullock's sold soil samples and blades of bloody grass purportedly from the spot where Gandhi was assassinated in 1948, for 10,000 pounds ($15,200) last year.
($1 = 0.6582 British pounds)
Prague metro plans to launch love train for singles
Rail passengers searching for love in the Czech capital need look no further than the daily commute as the city makes plans to designate carriages on its underground trains for singles.
Prague transport company Ropid wants to set aside carriages on some or all of its trains for singles seeking a soul mate, a service that could launch by the end of this year.
The city-owned company will start polling passengers to determine whether they would be interested.
Spokesman Filip Drapal said the initiative was one of the activities the city-owned company hoped would lure people out of their cars and onto public transportation.
"We want to emphasize that public transport is not only a means of travel but that you can do things there that you cannot do in your car," he told Reuters.
Prague, with a population of 1.2 million, attracted 5.4 million foreign visitors in 2012 with a mix of centuries-old architecture and cobblestone streets and cheap Pilsner beer.
The city's three metro lines span more than 59 km and transported 580 million passengers in 2011.
Prague transport company Ropid wants to set aside carriages on some or all of its trains for singles seeking a soul mate, a service that could launch by the end of this year.
The city-owned company will start polling passengers to determine whether they would be interested.
Spokesman Filip Drapal said the initiative was one of the activities the city-owned company hoped would lure people out of their cars and onto public transportation.
"We want to emphasize that public transport is not only a means of travel but that you can do things there that you cannot do in your car," he told Reuters.
Prague, with a population of 1.2 million, attracted 5.4 million foreign visitors in 2012 with a mix of centuries-old architecture and cobblestone streets and cheap Pilsner beer.
The city's three metro lines span more than 59 km and transported 580 million passengers in 2011.
Jon Stewart's humor a hit with millions of envious Chinese
Humor may not always translate well, but Jon Stewart is picking up millions of fans in China, where his gloves-off political satire is refreshing for many in a country where such criticism is a rarity - especially when directed at their own leaders.
A recent segment on North Korea scored over 4 million views on microblogger Sina Weibo, and even stodgy state broadcaster CCTV has used Stewart's "The Daily Show" in a report, though they wouldn't let a Chinese version of him near their cameras.
Recent popular sequences have included one in which Stewart lampooned the Chinese hackers who hacked into the New York Times computer system earlier this year, wondering if that was the best they could do.
But far from squelching Stewart, CCTV even used one of his sequences on Guantanamo Bay to criticize Obama in a regular broadcast - a move widely derided by netizens.
In China, however, such criticism tends not to be welcomed by the government. Dissident artist Ai Weiwei, who regularly criticizes the government for what he sees as its flouting of the rule of law and human rights, was detained for 81 days in 2011, sparking an international outcry.
"There's nothing like political satire here," said David Moses, who studies and writes about Chinese humor.
Though the exact timing of Stewart's entrance to China is unclear, many have been watching him for four or five years, mainly through the Internet and Weibo.
"Being a journalist, you have to find out the truth," said Mao Moyu, a Shanghai journalism student who got hooked on Stewart four years ago.
"If there's ... something that hurts the public interest you have to stand out, no matter how sharp the thing is. You have to stand out and say that's not right."
Part of Stewart's popularity is that he seems cool to young people in love with all things foreign, but a thirst for satire that is not afraid to show its face contributes too, Moses said.
The closest thing that exists in China is coded references and puns that tweak official pronouncements or sound like obscenities.
"That's just shooting a finger at the government. But this is full-fledged jokes and routines about North Korea or about China and trade...It's just what they wish they could do here," Moses said.
Free translations into Chinese by Stewart's fans have boosted his popularity. In fact, one - known as Gu Da Bai Hua - now even has his own fan base.
China's thirst for foreign satire is so great that Stewart is not the only popular U.S. comic. Some Chinese say they prefer rival television satirist Stephen Colbert - although humor may not be the only issue at stake.
"I think I like Stephen Colbert's pronunciation more because it's much clearer for me," said Shanghai student Peng Cheng.
A recent segment on North Korea scored over 4 million views on microblogger Sina Weibo, and even stodgy state broadcaster CCTV has used Stewart's "The Daily Show" in a report, though they wouldn't let a Chinese version of him near their cameras.
Recent popular sequences have included one in which Stewart lampooned the Chinese hackers who hacked into the New York Times computer system earlier this year, wondering if that was the best they could do.
But far from squelching Stewart, CCTV even used one of his sequences on Guantanamo Bay to criticize Obama in a regular broadcast - a move widely derided by netizens.
In China, however, such criticism tends not to be welcomed by the government. Dissident artist Ai Weiwei, who regularly criticizes the government for what he sees as its flouting of the rule of law and human rights, was detained for 81 days in 2011, sparking an international outcry.
"There's nothing like political satire here," said David Moses, who studies and writes about Chinese humor.
Though the exact timing of Stewart's entrance to China is unclear, many have been watching him for four or five years, mainly through the Internet and Weibo.
"Being a journalist, you have to find out the truth," said Mao Moyu, a Shanghai journalism student who got hooked on Stewart four years ago.
"If there's ... something that hurts the public interest you have to stand out, no matter how sharp the thing is. You have to stand out and say that's not right."
Part of Stewart's popularity is that he seems cool to young people in love with all things foreign, but a thirst for satire that is not afraid to show its face contributes too, Moses said.
The closest thing that exists in China is coded references and puns that tweak official pronouncements or sound like obscenities.
"That's just shooting a finger at the government. But this is full-fledged jokes and routines about North Korea or about China and trade...It's just what they wish they could do here," Moses said.
Free translations into Chinese by Stewart's fans have boosted his popularity. In fact, one - known as Gu Da Bai Hua - now even has his own fan base.
China's thirst for foreign satire is so great that Stewart is not the only popular U.S. comic. Some Chinese say they prefer rival television satirist Stephen Colbert - although humor may not be the only issue at stake.
"I think I like Stephen Colbert's pronunciation more because it's much clearer for me," said Shanghai student Peng Cheng.
Winning ticket for $590.5 million Powerball lottery sold in Florida
A single winning ticket for a record Powerball lottery jackpot worth $590.5 million was sold in Florida, organizers said late on Saturday, but there was no immediate word about who won one of the largest jackpots in U.S. history.
The winning numbers from Saturday night's drawing were: 10, 13, 14, 22 and 52, with a Powerball number of 11. The odds of winning were put at 1 in 175 million.
The winning ticket was sold at a Publix supermarket in Zephyrhills, a suburb of Tampa, according to the Florida Lottery.
The winner or winners had not come forward as of Sunday morning, said Connie Barnes, a Florida Lottery spokeswoman. The winning ticket holder's name will become part of the public record because a check will be made out to the winner, but that person or persons need not appear in public to acknowledge the prize, Barnes said.
The grand prize, accumulated after two months of drawings, surpassed the previous record Powerball payoff of $587.5 million set in November 2012.
The largest jackpot in U.S. history stands at $656 million, won in the Mega Millions lottery of March 2012. That prize was split between winners in Maryland, Kansas and Illinois.
The Multi-State Lottery Association, based in Iowa, announced the Powerball results in a brief message on its website, saying, "There was one winner sold by the Florida Lottery for the last drawing's $590,500,000 grand prize."
The extremely long odds of winning did not deter people from buying tickets at staggering rates. California was selling $1 million in tickets every hour on Saturday, said Donna Cordova, a spokeswoman for the California Lottery, which has only been selling Powerball tickets since April 8.
The $2 tickets allow players to pick five numbers from 1 to 59, and a Powerball number from 1 to 35.
The winning numbers from Saturday night's drawing were: 10, 13, 14, 22 and 52, with a Powerball number of 11. The odds of winning were put at 1 in 175 million.
The winning ticket was sold at a Publix supermarket in Zephyrhills, a suburb of Tampa, according to the Florida Lottery.
The winner or winners had not come forward as of Sunday morning, said Connie Barnes, a Florida Lottery spokeswoman. The winning ticket holder's name will become part of the public record because a check will be made out to the winner, but that person or persons need not appear in public to acknowledge the prize, Barnes said.
The grand prize, accumulated after two months of drawings, surpassed the previous record Powerball payoff of $587.5 million set in November 2012.
The largest jackpot in U.S. history stands at $656 million, won in the Mega Millions lottery of March 2012. That prize was split between winners in Maryland, Kansas and Illinois.
The Multi-State Lottery Association, based in Iowa, announced the Powerball results in a brief message on its website, saying, "There was one winner sold by the Florida Lottery for the last drawing's $590,500,000 grand prize."
The extremely long odds of winning did not deter people from buying tickets at staggering rates. California was selling $1 million in tickets every hour on Saturday, said Donna Cordova, a spokeswoman for the California Lottery, which has only been selling Powerball tickets since April 8.
The $2 tickets allow players to pick five numbers from 1 to 59, and a Powerball number from 1 to 35.
Germans blame euro zone crisis for Eurovision debacle
Germans lamented their unexpectedly poor showing at the Eurovision Song Contest, blaming Chancellor Angela Merkel's tough stance in the euro zone crisis for their failure to win any points from 34 of the 39 countries voting.
Denmark's Emmelie de Forest won the event, watched by around 125 million people across Europe, with 281 points while German act Cascada was 21st out of 26 countries, getting just 18 points from Austria, Israel, Spain, Albania and Switzerland.
"There's obviously a political situation to keep in mind - I don't want to say 'this was 18 points for Angela Merkel'," said Germany's ARD TV network coordinator Thomas Schreiber. "But we all have to be aware that it wasn't just Cascada up there on stage (being judged) but all of Germany."
Merkel is popular in Germany for her firm position during the euro zone crisis. But she is loathed in parts of Europe for her insisting on painful austerity measures in countries such as Greece, Spain and Italy in exchange for rescue packages.
"It's unexplainable," said ARD expert commentator Peter Urban on Sunday after Cascada singer Natalie Horler was 21st even though German media had touted her as a favorite. More than 8 million Germans watched, a 44 percent market share.
"Is it that people just don't like us?" Urban was asked on ZDF TV. "There's some truth to that," he said.
"There will be two German soccer teams in the Champions League final next week and maybe people didn't want Germany to win Eurovision too."
Denmark's Emmelie de Forest won the event, watched by around 125 million people across Europe, with 281 points while German act Cascada was 21st out of 26 countries, getting just 18 points from Austria, Israel, Spain, Albania and Switzerland.
"There's obviously a political situation to keep in mind - I don't want to say 'this was 18 points for Angela Merkel'," said Germany's ARD TV network coordinator Thomas Schreiber. "But we all have to be aware that it wasn't just Cascada up there on stage (being judged) but all of Germany."
Merkel is popular in Germany for her firm position during the euro zone crisis. But she is loathed in parts of Europe for her insisting on painful austerity measures in countries such as Greece, Spain and Italy in exchange for rescue packages.
"It's unexplainable," said ARD expert commentator Peter Urban on Sunday after Cascada singer Natalie Horler was 21st even though German media had touted her as a favorite. More than 8 million Germans watched, a 44 percent market share.
"Is it that people just don't like us?" Urban was asked on ZDF TV. "There's some truth to that," he said.
"There will be two German soccer teams in the Champions League final next week and maybe people didn't want Germany to win Eurovision too."
EU finds time to tell restaurants how to serve olive oil
Critics ridiculed European Union bureaucrats on Saturday for taking time off fighting the euro zone's debt crisis to impose strict new rules on how restaurants serve olive oil.
From January 1, 2014, eateries will be banned from serving oil to diners in small glass jugs or dipping bowls, and forced instead to use pre-sealed, non-refillable bottles that must be disposed of when empty.
The European Commission said the move is designed to improve hygiene and reassure consumers the olive oil in restaurants has not been diluted with an inferior product.
But critics say the rules are a sop to Europe's olive oil producers, and will only add to the frustration felt by many towards a bloated EU bureaucracy regarded as out of touch with the concerns of ordinary Europeans.
"If the European Union was logical and properly run, people wouldn't be so anti-Europe. But when it comes up with crazy things like this, it quite rightly calls into question their legitimacy and judgment," said Marina Yannakoudakis, a British Conservative member of the European Parliament.
The Commission said its proposal was supported by 15 out of 27 EU member governments, including the continent's main olive oil producers - Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal - which are among the countries worst affected by the euro crisis.
"The fact that the EU is the world's major producer of olive oil - for up to 70 percent of the olive oil globally - perhaps this is even more than just a good consumer story for European citizens," commission spokesman Oliver Drewes told reporters.
Yannakoudakis said the Commission's defense of the plans highlighted how out of touch their priorities were.
"The economic crisis in these countries isn't because of olive oil, it's because of the euro, and they should be concentrating on solving that problem," she told Reuters by telephone.
Germany opposed the plans in a vote by EU government officials behind closed doors, while Britain - which regularly cites perceived meddling from Brussels as the reason for its strained relationship with Europe - abstained.
German newspaper Sueddetsche Zeitung described the plan as "the weirdest decision since the legendary curvy cucumber regulation", referring to now-defunct EU rules on the shape of fruit and vegetables sold in supermarkets.
The regulations are based on rules in force in Portugal since 2005, and are part of an EU initiative to help olive oil producers hit by rising operating costs and falling profits in recent years.
But Enzo Sica, owner of Italian restaurant Creche des Artistes close to the EU quarter of Brussels, said the rules would prevent him from buying his extra virgin olive oil direct from a traditional supplier in Italy.
"They say they're thinking about consumers, but this will increase costs for us and our customers as well. In this time of crisis, surely they should be worrying about other things rather than stupid stuff like this."
From January 1, 2014, eateries will be banned from serving oil to diners in small glass jugs or dipping bowls, and forced instead to use pre-sealed, non-refillable bottles that must be disposed of when empty.
The European Commission said the move is designed to improve hygiene and reassure consumers the olive oil in restaurants has not been diluted with an inferior product.
But critics say the rules are a sop to Europe's olive oil producers, and will only add to the frustration felt by many towards a bloated EU bureaucracy regarded as out of touch with the concerns of ordinary Europeans.
"If the European Union was logical and properly run, people wouldn't be so anti-Europe. But when it comes up with crazy things like this, it quite rightly calls into question their legitimacy and judgment," said Marina Yannakoudakis, a British Conservative member of the European Parliament.
The Commission said its proposal was supported by 15 out of 27 EU member governments, including the continent's main olive oil producers - Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal - which are among the countries worst affected by the euro crisis.
"The fact that the EU is the world's major producer of olive oil - for up to 70 percent of the olive oil globally - perhaps this is even more than just a good consumer story for European citizens," commission spokesman Oliver Drewes told reporters.
Yannakoudakis said the Commission's defense of the plans highlighted how out of touch their priorities were.
"The economic crisis in these countries isn't because of olive oil, it's because of the euro, and they should be concentrating on solving that problem," she told Reuters by telephone.
Germany opposed the plans in a vote by EU government officials behind closed doors, while Britain - which regularly cites perceived meddling from Brussels as the reason for its strained relationship with Europe - abstained.
German newspaper Sueddetsche Zeitung described the plan as "the weirdest decision since the legendary curvy cucumber regulation", referring to now-defunct EU rules on the shape of fruit and vegetables sold in supermarkets.
The regulations are based on rules in force in Portugal since 2005, and are part of an EU initiative to help olive oil producers hit by rising operating costs and falling profits in recent years.
But Enzo Sica, owner of Italian restaurant Creche des Artistes close to the EU quarter of Brussels, said the rules would prevent him from buying his extra virgin olive oil direct from a traditional supplier in Italy.
"They say they're thinking about consumers, but this will increase costs for us and our customers as well. In this time of crisis, surely they should be worrying about other things rather than stupid stuff like this."
What's in a name? U.S. starts using Myanmar as well as Burma
The Southeast Asian nation formerly known as Burma received further backing from the White House on Monday in its campaign to be called Myanmar.
Successive U.S. governments have refused to acknowledge the name change made in the late 1980s by the country's military rulers. The United States for years deliberately referred to the nation of 60 million people as Burma, so as not to give legitimacy to military governments.
But in a nod to political reforms made by President Thein Sein, the White House acknowledged it is now employing the name Myanmar more often than before.
"We have responded by expanding our engagement with the government, easing a number of sanctions, and as a courtesy in appropriate settings, more frequently using the name Myanmar," White House spokesman Jay Carney said.
Thein Sein met with U.S. President Barack Obama in the Oval Office on Monday in the first visit to the White House by a president of Myanmar, or Burma, in 47 years. Obama used the name Myanmar, not Burma, throughout his comments to reporters.
But his spokesman employed both names.
"Burma has undertaken a number of positive reforms, including releasing over 850 political prisoners, easing media restrictions, permitting freedom of speech, assembly and movement," Carney said.
In their meeting, Obama urged the president to take steps to halt violence against Muslims in his country and move ahead with economic and political reforms.
Successive U.S. governments have refused to acknowledge the name change made in the late 1980s by the country's military rulers. The United States for years deliberately referred to the nation of 60 million people as Burma, so as not to give legitimacy to military governments.
But in a nod to political reforms made by President Thein Sein, the White House acknowledged it is now employing the name Myanmar more often than before.
"We have responded by expanding our engagement with the government, easing a number of sanctions, and as a courtesy in appropriate settings, more frequently using the name Myanmar," White House spokesman Jay Carney said.
Thein Sein met with U.S. President Barack Obama in the Oval Office on Monday in the first visit to the White House by a president of Myanmar, or Burma, in 47 years. Obama used the name Myanmar, not Burma, throughout his comments to reporters.
But his spokesman employed both names.
"Burma has undertaken a number of positive reforms, including releasing over 850 political prisoners, easing media restrictions, permitting freedom of speech, assembly and movement," Carney said.
In their meeting, Obama urged the president to take steps to halt violence against Muslims in his country and move ahead with economic and political reforms.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Earthwek: A Diary of the Planets (May 10, 2013)
Greenhouse Milestone
The amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere is on the verge of exceeding 400 parts per million (ppm) this month, a concentration of the climate-warming gas not seen on the planet in 3 million years. That projection is based on observations made at Mauna Loa Observatory, the volcano-top Hawaiian lab where measurements of atmospheric CO2 have been collected since 1958. Since then, the seasonally fluctuating levels have risen from 316 ppm at an escalating rate. According to Ralph Keeling, a geochemist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the surpassing of the 400-ppm mark should serve as a warming that despite increased public awareness of the danger posed by global warming, worldwide carbon dioxide emissions show no sign of reversing.
MERS Virus Spreads
A new SARS-like virus that has killed 18 of the 30 people infected since it first emerged last September claimed five more victims in late April and early May. Two of the latest patients were being treated in a Saudi intensive care unit, according to the country's health officials. The viral strain causes what is now being called MERS, or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. Infections causes acute pneumonia and kidney failure. Most of the virus's victims have been in or from around Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but authorities say they are unable to determine why. The World Health Organization says it is unknown exactly how the disease is transmitted or how far around the globe it has spread. The U.N. agency says there is no need to impose travel restrictions in Saudi Arabia at this time, but it urged the world health community to stay vigilant to contain any future outbreaks.
Arctic Acid
Global greenhouse gas emissions have caused the level of acidity in the Arctic Ocean to rise 30 percent since the dawn of the Industrial Age, threatening to bring dire consequences to the region's fragile ecosystem, scientists warn. The pollution has caused pH to reach its lowest level in the Arctic for at least the last 55 million years. The Arctic is most vulnerable to acidification because its cold waters can absorb more carbon dioxide. Its strong freshwater inflow also makes it less able to chemically neutralize the acidification effects of the greenhouse gas. The current acid levels threaten some species with a direct risk of extinction, and fish stocks may also be affected, scientists say.
Volcanoes
Four German tourists and their local guide were killed when one of the Philippines most active volcanoes exploded, sending boulders "as large as cars" raining down on the climbers. The blast at Mayon was caused by rainwater coming in contact with super-heated volcanic material.
* Three explosions from Alaska's Cleveland volcano sent a continuous plume of ash, steam and vapor soaring into key air traffic routes between the U.S. and Asia. Some flights were forced to steer clear of the ash plume.
Earthquakes
A sharp quake struck near Iran's main nuclear reactor, in the southwestern city of Bushehr. While there were no reports of damage or injuries, a stronger quake in the same area last month killed 37 people and virtually leveled two villages.
* Earth movements were also felt in central New Zealand, St. Kitts and Nevis and in southeastern Idaho.
Asteroid Defense
Measures to protect Earth from a catastrophic impact by an asteroid or other near-Earth objects (NEO) are being developed in a four-year plan by the European Space Agency. The plan comes less than three months after a meteor exploded over Russia's Ural region, injuring hundreds. There are currently 10,000 NEO's that have orbits bringing them relatively close to Earth. Detlef Koschny, head of the agency's NEO study office, says more coordinated scans of the sky each night are necessatry to find currently undiscovered NEOs. Studies to determine if it would be more effective to deflect threatening asteroids with an explosion or an impact by a large object are also being planned. The proposals were discussed at an international conference near Madrid.
Monkey Math
Baboons may be as skilled as a human child at distinguishing between different amounts, a new study has shown. In a series of trials conducted by pssychologists at the University of Rochester, a small troop of olive baboons was shown to be generally successful at choosing which of two plastic cups contained more peanuts. According to the study, the baboons were not counting the legumes one-by-one, a skill that only humans are known to have for quantities greater than three or four. Instead, the researchers believe that the primates used a rough "eyeballing" technique. This is similar to the way that human toddlers, who have not yet learned to properly count, size up differences in quantity.
The amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere is on the verge of exceeding 400 parts per million (ppm) this month, a concentration of the climate-warming gas not seen on the planet in 3 million years. That projection is based on observations made at Mauna Loa Observatory, the volcano-top Hawaiian lab where measurements of atmospheric CO2 have been collected since 1958. Since then, the seasonally fluctuating levels have risen from 316 ppm at an escalating rate. According to Ralph Keeling, a geochemist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the surpassing of the 400-ppm mark should serve as a warming that despite increased public awareness of the danger posed by global warming, worldwide carbon dioxide emissions show no sign of reversing.
MERS Virus Spreads
A new SARS-like virus that has killed 18 of the 30 people infected since it first emerged last September claimed five more victims in late April and early May. Two of the latest patients were being treated in a Saudi intensive care unit, according to the country's health officials. The viral strain causes what is now being called MERS, or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. Infections causes acute pneumonia and kidney failure. Most of the virus's victims have been in or from around Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but authorities say they are unable to determine why. The World Health Organization says it is unknown exactly how the disease is transmitted or how far around the globe it has spread. The U.N. agency says there is no need to impose travel restrictions in Saudi Arabia at this time, but it urged the world health community to stay vigilant to contain any future outbreaks.
Arctic Acid
Global greenhouse gas emissions have caused the level of acidity in the Arctic Ocean to rise 30 percent since the dawn of the Industrial Age, threatening to bring dire consequences to the region's fragile ecosystem, scientists warn. The pollution has caused pH to reach its lowest level in the Arctic for at least the last 55 million years. The Arctic is most vulnerable to acidification because its cold waters can absorb more carbon dioxide. Its strong freshwater inflow also makes it less able to chemically neutralize the acidification effects of the greenhouse gas. The current acid levels threaten some species with a direct risk of extinction, and fish stocks may also be affected, scientists say.
Volcanoes
Four German tourists and their local guide were killed when one of the Philippines most active volcanoes exploded, sending boulders "as large as cars" raining down on the climbers. The blast at Mayon was caused by rainwater coming in contact with super-heated volcanic material.
* Three explosions from Alaska's Cleveland volcano sent a continuous plume of ash, steam and vapor soaring into key air traffic routes between the U.S. and Asia. Some flights were forced to steer clear of the ash plume.
Earthquakes
A sharp quake struck near Iran's main nuclear reactor, in the southwestern city of Bushehr. While there were no reports of damage or injuries, a stronger quake in the same area last month killed 37 people and virtually leveled two villages.
* Earth movements were also felt in central New Zealand, St. Kitts and Nevis and in southeastern Idaho.
Asteroid Defense
Measures to protect Earth from a catastrophic impact by an asteroid or other near-Earth objects (NEO) are being developed in a four-year plan by the European Space Agency. The plan comes less than three months after a meteor exploded over Russia's Ural region, injuring hundreds. There are currently 10,000 NEO's that have orbits bringing them relatively close to Earth. Detlef Koschny, head of the agency's NEO study office, says more coordinated scans of the sky each night are necessatry to find currently undiscovered NEOs. Studies to determine if it would be more effective to deflect threatening asteroids with an explosion or an impact by a large object are also being planned. The proposals were discussed at an international conference near Madrid.
Monkey Math
Baboons may be as skilled as a human child at distinguishing between different amounts, a new study has shown. In a series of trials conducted by pssychologists at the University of Rochester, a small troop of olive baboons was shown to be generally successful at choosing which of two plastic cups contained more peanuts. According to the study, the baboons were not counting the legumes one-by-one, a skill that only humans are known to have for quantities greater than three or four. Instead, the researchers believe that the primates used a rough "eyeballing" technique. This is similar to the way that human toddlers, who have not yet learned to properly count, size up differences in quantity.
Earthweek: A Diary of the Planet (May 3, 2013)
Bird Flu Concerns
A growing chorus of public health specialists is sounding the alarm for a deadly strain of bird flu that has so far killed 23 people in China. "This is definitely one of the most lethal influenza viruses we have seen so far," said Keiji Fukuda, an epidemiologist with the World Health Organization. Most of the reported H7N9 infections have occurred in or around Shanghai. Other confirmed cases were reported in Beijing and in the provincesof Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui and Henan. There was a single confirmed case in Taiwan. Symptoms include fever and coughing and, in more critical cases, pneumonia. There is no evidence to suggest that the virus can be transmitted between humans. Public health experts now believe that the approximately 110 people so far diagnosed with H7N9 were infected directly by chickens, ducks and other birds found at poultry markets.
Wildebeest Virus
The mass annual calving of wildebeests in Tanzania is increasingly bringing domestic cattle into contact with a deadly virus that kills livestock but doesn't harm the wild animals. The malignant catarrhal fever virus is deposited onto grassland in the birth fluids of female wildebeests and by the nasal secretions of their newborns. Livestock become exposed when they later graze over the same area, and they die quickly from the infection. There is no cure or vaccine. Masai and Sukuma herders once were able to move their animals far from the wildebeests during calving season, but most of those lands have been taken by farmers, investors and even residential developers. Cattle are now forced to share the wild pastures with the wildebeests, bringing them ever more in direct contact with the virus.
Clouds Shield Warming
Small particles released by plants in warmer weather could help to boost cloud production and reduce the effect of global warming, a new study suggests. By surveying nearly a dozen forests across Europe, North America and southern Africa, the team of Finnish physicists found that in warmer weather, plants tend to emit higher concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere. When these small, floating chemicals bind with water vapor, they can create the "seeds" of clouds. With more VOCs in the air, we can expectto see more clouds in the sky. That could be good news for those concerned about climate change. As warmer weather leads to higher levels of cloud production, more sunlight will be deflected back into space and prevented from warming the surface of the Earth. But the authors of the study caution that the global impact of this cloud-seeding effect is expected to be quite small.
Coral Sea Cyclone
Tropical Cyclone Zane briefly threatened to roar ashore along northern Queensland's coast after forming over the Coral Sea. But the storm became disorganized and brought only locally heavy rain and gales when it made landfall late in the week on the Cape York Peninsula.
Earthquakes
A sharp quake centered in northern India's Jammu and Kashmir region killed one person and injured 59 others. The shaking wrecked several buildings and caused cracks to appear in many others. About 25 students were hurt in their damaged schools.
* A mild tremor shook the Marina del Rey coast near Los Angeles.
Gulf Spill Legacy
Crude oil that polluted the Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon disaster is still causing health defects in at least one species of fish that is an indicator of the region's marine ecosystem health, researchers say. A team from universities in California, South Carolina and Louisiana has monitored the killfish since the disaster occurred in April 2010. Writing in the journal Environmental Science and technology, they say that Gulf killfish embryos exposed to sediment from oiled locations have developmental abnormalities that include heart defects, delayed hatching and reduced hatching success. They caution that other Gulf species may also be suffering similar effects.
Lobster Return
With the help of offshore wind farms, German scientists are about to reintroduce lobsters to the water around a North Sea island that was once home to unfold numbers of the crustaceans. World War II bombing of Helgoland sent tons of toxins into the water, killing off most of the creatures. While lobster fishing was a thriving industry for centuries before the bombing, the lobster population has remained very low but stable during the decades since the war ended, according to Heinz-Dieter Franke of the Biological Institute Helgoland. He and others hope the rocky foundations of the new North Sea wind farms will provide good habitats for the lobsters, which are extremely aggressive toward each other and need lots of personal space. Der Spiegel reports that about 3,000 lobsters will be released in the Borkum Riffgat offshore wind farm during a three-year pilot project.
A growing chorus of public health specialists is sounding the alarm for a deadly strain of bird flu that has so far killed 23 people in China. "This is definitely one of the most lethal influenza viruses we have seen so far," said Keiji Fukuda, an epidemiologist with the World Health Organization. Most of the reported H7N9 infections have occurred in or around Shanghai. Other confirmed cases were reported in Beijing and in the provincesof Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui and Henan. There was a single confirmed case in Taiwan. Symptoms include fever and coughing and, in more critical cases, pneumonia. There is no evidence to suggest that the virus can be transmitted between humans. Public health experts now believe that the approximately 110 people so far diagnosed with H7N9 were infected directly by chickens, ducks and other birds found at poultry markets.
Wildebeest Virus
The mass annual calving of wildebeests in Tanzania is increasingly bringing domestic cattle into contact with a deadly virus that kills livestock but doesn't harm the wild animals. The malignant catarrhal fever virus is deposited onto grassland in the birth fluids of female wildebeests and by the nasal secretions of their newborns. Livestock become exposed when they later graze over the same area, and they die quickly from the infection. There is no cure or vaccine. Masai and Sukuma herders once were able to move their animals far from the wildebeests during calving season, but most of those lands have been taken by farmers, investors and even residential developers. Cattle are now forced to share the wild pastures with the wildebeests, bringing them ever more in direct contact with the virus.
Clouds Shield Warming
Small particles released by plants in warmer weather could help to boost cloud production and reduce the effect of global warming, a new study suggests. By surveying nearly a dozen forests across Europe, North America and southern Africa, the team of Finnish physicists found that in warmer weather, plants tend to emit higher concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere. When these small, floating chemicals bind with water vapor, they can create the "seeds" of clouds. With more VOCs in the air, we can expectto see more clouds in the sky. That could be good news for those concerned about climate change. As warmer weather leads to higher levels of cloud production, more sunlight will be deflected back into space and prevented from warming the surface of the Earth. But the authors of the study caution that the global impact of this cloud-seeding effect is expected to be quite small.
Coral Sea Cyclone
Tropical Cyclone Zane briefly threatened to roar ashore along northern Queensland's coast after forming over the Coral Sea. But the storm became disorganized and brought only locally heavy rain and gales when it made landfall late in the week on the Cape York Peninsula.
Earthquakes
A sharp quake centered in northern India's Jammu and Kashmir region killed one person and injured 59 others. The shaking wrecked several buildings and caused cracks to appear in many others. About 25 students were hurt in their damaged schools.
* A mild tremor shook the Marina del Rey coast near Los Angeles.
Gulf Spill Legacy
Crude oil that polluted the Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon disaster is still causing health defects in at least one species of fish that is an indicator of the region's marine ecosystem health, researchers say. A team from universities in California, South Carolina and Louisiana has monitored the killfish since the disaster occurred in April 2010. Writing in the journal Environmental Science and technology, they say that Gulf killfish embryos exposed to sediment from oiled locations have developmental abnormalities that include heart defects, delayed hatching and reduced hatching success. They caution that other Gulf species may also be suffering similar effects.
Lobster Return
With the help of offshore wind farms, German scientists are about to reintroduce lobsters to the water around a North Sea island that was once home to unfold numbers of the crustaceans. World War II bombing of Helgoland sent tons of toxins into the water, killing off most of the creatures. While lobster fishing was a thriving industry for centuries before the bombing, the lobster population has remained very low but stable during the decades since the war ended, according to Heinz-Dieter Franke of the Biological Institute Helgoland. He and others hope the rocky foundations of the new North Sea wind farms will provide good habitats for the lobsters, which are extremely aggressive toward each other and need lots of personal space. Der Spiegel reports that about 3,000 lobsters will be released in the Borkum Riffgat offshore wind farm during a three-year pilot project.
How old is too old to drive?
In a heartbreaking courtroom scene, Harold Horowitz turned to the family of his victim and apologized for the series of events that ended in death for Eric Hammer last October.
Oct. 1, 2012, was a Monday. It was about 10 p.m. Horowitz left a senior center in Warminster. Without reaizing he was headed the wrong way, he turned right on St. David's Avenue and headed across the westbound lanes of busy Street Road. Hammer, 27, riding westbound on his motorcycle, was unable to avoid Horowitz's Toyota, and crashed into the passenger side. Hammer, the father of two young children, was killed.
Horowitz was charged with involuntary manslaughter. Judge Rufe sentenced him to eight years probation and revoked his driving privileges.
Horowitz told Hammer's loved ones: "That I should wind up, at my age, with this awfulness, devastates me."
Horowitz's age: 85. So here's the issue: At what age should we surrender driving privileges?
It is an uncomfortable question, especially since boomers retire by the millions every year. In the suburbs, surrendering your license means becoming dependent on others after a lifetime of driving freedom. It is a tough transition.
The older person is almost always the last to realize how age has diminished driving skills, said Angela Foreshaw, spokeswoman for AARP's safe driving program. AARP offers refresher courses to make older drivers aware of how age affects reflexes and eyesight.
"But it's really up to family members to ask is my mom or dad really safe to drive? Then convince them to stay off the roads if they pose a danger," she said.
The symptoms of deteriorating driving skills are well known. Frequent close calls. Ticking off other drivers. Getting lost in familiar neighborhoods. In the last six months, I have encountered all three.
Two weeks ago on the Levittown Parkway, an older woman made a sudden, reckless left turn from the right lane, nearly causing me to hit her with my car.
On Bristol-Oxford Valley Road, I was two cars behind an older man who refused to travel much more than 25 mph on the two-lane road, where the posted speed is 40 mph. The driver of the first car behind the older man flashed her headlights and honked her horn. At the next to the slow driver, who appeared to be about 90. He was pale and held the wheel with a death grip.
Last winter, on a weeknight, our doorbell rang. We didn't know the woman standing there. She appeared to be in her 80's. She was upset. She told me she had gone out for milk, and was lost. She chose our house at random, she said. I assumed her confusion was due to unfamiliarity with Levittown's winding streets.
But her address was only a few blocks away, and she told my wife and me that she had lived there for decades. She blamed the early darkness for her confussion.
My wife took me aside and insisted I take our car and escort the woman to her home. When I offered to do this, the embrassed woman insisted she could drive herself, and left.
When will this woman realize her driving days are probably over? How often do these things happen every day?
Another sign of deteriorating driving skills: unexplained dents and scratches on an older driver's car.
Ten days after Harold Horowitz struck and killed Eric Hammer, police in Evesham, N.J., pulled over an 81-year-old man whose car had a shattered windshield, blood and hair on it. The man said he hit "something," but couldn't remember what or where.
Despite a massive search, police have never found who the man struck.
Once we turn 50, driving skills diminish. Refresher courses in defensive driving are a great idea. It might save someone's life, or prevent this sad anecdote.
Eric Hammer's fiancee, Aileen Scharle, with whom he has a son, 5, and a daughter, 2, told Judge Rufe that her daughter still waits for her father to come home.
Oct. 1, 2012, was a Monday. It was about 10 p.m. Horowitz left a senior center in Warminster. Without reaizing he was headed the wrong way, he turned right on St. David's Avenue and headed across the westbound lanes of busy Street Road. Hammer, 27, riding westbound on his motorcycle, was unable to avoid Horowitz's Toyota, and crashed into the passenger side. Hammer, the father of two young children, was killed.
Horowitz was charged with involuntary manslaughter. Judge Rufe sentenced him to eight years probation and revoked his driving privileges.
Horowitz told Hammer's loved ones: "That I should wind up, at my age, with this awfulness, devastates me."
Horowitz's age: 85. So here's the issue: At what age should we surrender driving privileges?
It is an uncomfortable question, especially since boomers retire by the millions every year. In the suburbs, surrendering your license means becoming dependent on others after a lifetime of driving freedom. It is a tough transition.
The older person is almost always the last to realize how age has diminished driving skills, said Angela Foreshaw, spokeswoman for AARP's safe driving program. AARP offers refresher courses to make older drivers aware of how age affects reflexes and eyesight.
"But it's really up to family members to ask is my mom or dad really safe to drive? Then convince them to stay off the roads if they pose a danger," she said.
The symptoms of deteriorating driving skills are well known. Frequent close calls. Ticking off other drivers. Getting lost in familiar neighborhoods. In the last six months, I have encountered all three.
Two weeks ago on the Levittown Parkway, an older woman made a sudden, reckless left turn from the right lane, nearly causing me to hit her with my car.
On Bristol-Oxford Valley Road, I was two cars behind an older man who refused to travel much more than 25 mph on the two-lane road, where the posted speed is 40 mph. The driver of the first car behind the older man flashed her headlights and honked her horn. At the next to the slow driver, who appeared to be about 90. He was pale and held the wheel with a death grip.
Last winter, on a weeknight, our doorbell rang. We didn't know the woman standing there. She appeared to be in her 80's. She was upset. She told me she had gone out for milk, and was lost. She chose our house at random, she said. I assumed her confusion was due to unfamiliarity with Levittown's winding streets.
But her address was only a few blocks away, and she told my wife and me that she had lived there for decades. She blamed the early darkness for her confussion.
My wife took me aside and insisted I take our car and escort the woman to her home. When I offered to do this, the embrassed woman insisted she could drive herself, and left.
When will this woman realize her driving days are probably over? How often do these things happen every day?
Another sign of deteriorating driving skills: unexplained dents and scratches on an older driver's car.
Ten days after Harold Horowitz struck and killed Eric Hammer, police in Evesham, N.J., pulled over an 81-year-old man whose car had a shattered windshield, blood and hair on it. The man said he hit "something," but couldn't remember what or where.
Despite a massive search, police have never found who the man struck.
Once we turn 50, driving skills diminish. Refresher courses in defensive driving are a great idea. It might save someone's life, or prevent this sad anecdote.
Eric Hammer's fiancee, Aileen Scharle, with whom he has a son, 5, and a daughter, 2, told Judge Rufe that her daughter still waits for her father to come home.
Kennections
All five correct answers have something in common.
Can you figure out what it is?
1. What actor used the word pilgrim 23 times in his movie The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance?
2. Which world leader from 1966 to 1984 (off and on) was the only daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru?
3. What Renaissance artist, obsessed with human flight, wrote Codex on the Flight of Birds circa 1505?
4. Who survived 31 assassination attempts during his leadership of the French Resistance and his political career?
5. Who was the first U.S. president to visit Ireland while in office?
Bonus Question: What's the "Kennection" between all five Answers?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answers : 1. John Wayne
2. Indira Gandhi
3. Leonardo Da Vinci
4. Charles De Gaulle
5. John F. Kennedy
Bonus Answer : All are namesakes of international airports
Can you figure out what it is?
1. What actor used the word pilgrim 23 times in his movie The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance?
2. Which world leader from 1966 to 1984 (off and on) was the only daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru?
3. What Renaissance artist, obsessed with human flight, wrote Codex on the Flight of Birds circa 1505?
4. Who survived 31 assassination attempts during his leadership of the French Resistance and his political career?
5. Who was the first U.S. president to visit Ireland while in office?
Bonus Question: What's the "Kennection" between all five Answers?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answers : 1. John Wayne
2. Indira Gandhi
3. Leonardo Da Vinci
4. Charles De Gaulle
5. John F. Kennedy
Bonus Answer : All are namesakes of international airports
All of us yawn and no one really knows why
A person yawn a lot. A friend said this is a sign the brain isn't getting enough oxygen. Is that true?
Most of us yawn more often in the early morning and late evening. Does it mean you're tired? Bored? Not getting enough oxygen? It turns out we actually know very little about why we yawn.
When a doctor was in medical school, one of his teacher speculated that yawning was a response to low oxygen or high carbon dioxide levels. That theory was fairly common. It was also plausible: When we open our mouths and take in a deep breath, we take oxygen into the body and expel carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is waste produced by the body's cells and needs to be eliminated.
Unfortunately, the theory that yawning reflects low oxygen or high carbon dioxide levels isn't true. Yawning occurs even when oxygen and carbon dioxide levels are normal. And research has shown that volunteers do not yawn less after being exposed to high oxygen levels of carbon dioxide.
Another myth is that yawning always indicates a need for sleep. It is true people often yawn as they are ready to retire for the night. But we also yawn when we get up in the morning and at other times during the day. Yawning appears to depend on a variety of factors such as arousal level, distraction, and even seeing someone else yawn.
Here are some reasonable explanations why people yawn (though none has been proven):
(1) The lungs are full of tiny little air sacs. Not all of them are filled with air. If an air sac remains without air, it can collapse. When you yawn, you take in more air than with a normal breath. That opens up tiny airways and prevents them from collapsing. This could explain why yawning seems to occur when your breathing is shallow, such as when you're tired or bored.
(2) Yawning is associated with streching of the muscles and joints and an increased heart rate. So it may serve as a preparation for an increased level of alertness, especially after a period of relaxation.
(3) Yawning could provide nonverbal communication to others that it is time to relax.
Finally, yawning may be a sign of disease. Although rarely the first sign, excessive yawning has been observed among people with multiple sclerosis, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and Parkinson's disease. I say this with trepidation. Please don't misunderstand : Yawning is not a sign that you have one of these terrible diseases. It is just a sign that you're human.
In fact, we humans are in good company. All mammals and many other animals yawn. Why does a lion yawn? A penquin? We can't answer that question any better for them than for us.
Most of us yawn more often in the early morning and late evening. Does it mean you're tired? Bored? Not getting enough oxygen? It turns out we actually know very little about why we yawn.
When a doctor was in medical school, one of his teacher speculated that yawning was a response to low oxygen or high carbon dioxide levels. That theory was fairly common. It was also plausible: When we open our mouths and take in a deep breath, we take oxygen into the body and expel carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is waste produced by the body's cells and needs to be eliminated.
Unfortunately, the theory that yawning reflects low oxygen or high carbon dioxide levels isn't true. Yawning occurs even when oxygen and carbon dioxide levels are normal. And research has shown that volunteers do not yawn less after being exposed to high oxygen levels of carbon dioxide.
Another myth is that yawning always indicates a need for sleep. It is true people often yawn as they are ready to retire for the night. But we also yawn when we get up in the morning and at other times during the day. Yawning appears to depend on a variety of factors such as arousal level, distraction, and even seeing someone else yawn.
Here are some reasonable explanations why people yawn (though none has been proven):
(1) The lungs are full of tiny little air sacs. Not all of them are filled with air. If an air sac remains without air, it can collapse. When you yawn, you take in more air than with a normal breath. That opens up tiny airways and prevents them from collapsing. This could explain why yawning seems to occur when your breathing is shallow, such as when you're tired or bored.
(2) Yawning is associated with streching of the muscles and joints and an increased heart rate. So it may serve as a preparation for an increased level of alertness, especially after a period of relaxation.
(3) Yawning could provide nonverbal communication to others that it is time to relax.
Finally, yawning may be a sign of disease. Although rarely the first sign, excessive yawning has been observed among people with multiple sclerosis, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and Parkinson's disease. I say this with trepidation. Please don't misunderstand : Yawning is not a sign that you have one of these terrible diseases. It is just a sign that you're human.
In fact, we humans are in good company. All mammals and many other animals yawn. Why does a lion yawn? A penquin? We can't answer that question any better for them than for us.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Did you know that May is a month of a myriad of national observances?
If you feel strongly about a good cause and can get the United States Congress to see its importance, you might hear words like proclamation, reaffirmation or resolution coming out of Washington, D.C.
The month of May has had two important holidays each year. Everyone knows the meaning of Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day. It may come as a surprise that there are other holiday observances in the fifth month of the year.
Two important holidays occur on May 1. Every year, on May 1, Law Day is observed. Lawyers and law students make up the nearly 400,000 members of the American Bar Association, which was founded in 1878. This is a holiday observing the legal business of our country.
Also, on May 1, Loyalty Day is observed. It is a day to reaffirm loyalty to the United States. Since 1958, each year the president of the United States requires all U.S. government buildings to display the American flag on May 1. The purpose of all this is to ask Americans to show their loyalty to the United States.
May 2 is a National Day of Prayer observed on the first Thursday in May. The National Day of Prayer was first recognized by the Continental Congress in 1775 and again in 1952. This is a day when prayer becomes a major factor for religious people of all faiths.
May 5 is Cinco De Mayo, a day of Mexican victory in 1862 giving the country independence from France in the battle of Puebla.
May 6 is National Nurses Day. The United States Congress approved this and the bill was signed by President Reagan in 1982. A week of observances ends on the birth date of Florence Nightingale, May 12.
May 7 is National Teacher Day, pushed byEleanor Roosevelt in 1953 and the 81st Congress.
May 12, the second Sunday in May, is known as Mother's Day. Mothers received their homor thanks to the action of Anna Jarvis in 1912.
May 15 is Peace Officers Memorial Day remembering those who lost their lives. This became a reality in 1962 as a day of observance designated by President John F. Kennedy.
May 18 is Armed Forces Day an observance on the third Saturday in May since 1950.
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. Originally known as Decoration Day, after World War II the name was changed to Memorial Day.
Everyone should remember May 31 in honor of the World Health Organization that passed a resolution calling for the last day of May to be known as World No Tobacco Day, a United Nations observance.
Hopefully, May will keep you busy with observances. Note that nearly every one of the days in May sends a message that makes America a better place to live, work, attend school or just enjoy retirement.
The month of May has had two important holidays each year. Everyone knows the meaning of Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day. It may come as a surprise that there are other holiday observances in the fifth month of the year.
Two important holidays occur on May 1. Every year, on May 1, Law Day is observed. Lawyers and law students make up the nearly 400,000 members of the American Bar Association, which was founded in 1878. This is a holiday observing the legal business of our country.
Also, on May 1, Loyalty Day is observed. It is a day to reaffirm loyalty to the United States. Since 1958, each year the president of the United States requires all U.S. government buildings to display the American flag on May 1. The purpose of all this is to ask Americans to show their loyalty to the United States.
May 2 is a National Day of Prayer observed on the first Thursday in May. The National Day of Prayer was first recognized by the Continental Congress in 1775 and again in 1952. This is a day when prayer becomes a major factor for religious people of all faiths.
May 5 is Cinco De Mayo, a day of Mexican victory in 1862 giving the country independence from France in the battle of Puebla.
May 6 is National Nurses Day. The United States Congress approved this and the bill was signed by President Reagan in 1982. A week of observances ends on the birth date of Florence Nightingale, May 12.
May 7 is National Teacher Day, pushed byEleanor Roosevelt in 1953 and the 81st Congress.
May 12, the second Sunday in May, is known as Mother's Day. Mothers received their homor thanks to the action of Anna Jarvis in 1912.
May 15 is Peace Officers Memorial Day remembering those who lost their lives. This became a reality in 1962 as a day of observance designated by President John F. Kennedy.
May 18 is Armed Forces Day an observance on the third Saturday in May since 1950.
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. Originally known as Decoration Day, after World War II the name was changed to Memorial Day.
Everyone should remember May 31 in honor of the World Health Organization that passed a resolution calling for the last day of May to be known as World No Tobacco Day, a United Nations observance.
Hopefully, May will keep you busy with observances. Note that nearly every one of the days in May sends a message that makes America a better place to live, work, attend school or just enjoy retirement.
F. Y. I.
Point of Distinction
The first bird domesticated by humans was the goose.
Quotable
by Salvador Dali, Spanish painter (1904-1989)
"Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings."
Still on the Books
In Blue Hill, Neb., no female wearing a "hat that would scare a timid person" can be seen eating onions in public.
State Stats
Venice, Fla., is known as the Shark Tooth Capital of the World.
The first bird domesticated by humans was the goose.
Quotable
by Salvador Dali, Spanish painter (1904-1989)
"Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings."
Still on the Books
In Blue Hill, Neb., no female wearing a "hat that would scare a timid person" can be seen eating onions in public.
State Stats
Venice, Fla., is known as the Shark Tooth Capital of the World.
Powerball jackpot could go higher than $600 million
The Powerball jackpot Saturday night could exceed the $600 million figure being advertised, possibly rivaling the largest lottery payoff in U.S. history, a Texas Lottery official said on Saturday.
"Oftentimes, the advertised amount is lower than what the actual jackpot ends up being," said Kelly Cripe, a spokeswoman for the Texas Lottery. "It's entirely possible this $600 million jackpot will end up being a bigger jackpot."
Chances of winning the Powerball on Saturday were one in 175 million, Cripe said, but that did not deter people from buying up tickets at staggering rates. California was selling $1 million in tickets every hour on Saturday, said Donna Cordova, a spokeswoman for the California Lottery, which has only been selling Powerball tickets since April 8.
Texas Lottery officials reported $1.2 million in hourly sales between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. local time, with ticket sales for the Saturday draw topping $18.4 million.
The ticket sale rate on Saturday was nearly double Friday's rate, Cripe said, and a jump of some 686 percent over last Saturday.
The Powerball lottery, which has not had a winner in two months, is offered in 43 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
A Powerball lottery record was set in November with a $587.5 million jackpot that topped the $550 million figure that was advertised, thanks to last-minute sales.
The largest jackpot in U.S. history was the $656 million in the Mega Millions lottery in March 2012. That prize was split between winners in Maryland, Kansas and Illinois.
If Saturday's Powerball drawing yields no winner, all records will be shattered as the jackpot for Wednesday's drawing would go to $925 million.
Many Americans were playing the "if I win" game ahead of Saturday's drawing.
"If I win, I'm going to spend a lot of it on liquor, women and gambling," said Austin lawyer Donald Dickson. "I'll likely squander the rest of it."
In New York City, talent acquisition agent Michelle Amici was more philanthropic.
"Not sure that I'd buy anything," she said. "Rather, I'd attempt to quench my wanderlust by traveling the world. I'd also donate a large portion to education reform."
Lottery players such as Austin marketing professional Becky Arreaga was not discouraged by the long odds.
"As long as the odds are 1 in anything, I'm in," said Arreaga, a partner at Mercury Mambo marketing firm. "I truly believe I could be the one."
"It's only a couple bucks for a small daydream," said Russell Williams, 35, a salesman in Austin, Texas.
Bonnie Carreno of El Paso, Texas, rarely plays but was taking a chance on this one. "I only ever buy a ticket when I see the amazing numbers in the headlines," she said.
The $2 tickets allow players pick five numbers from 1 to 59, and a Powerball number from 1 to 35. The numbers will be drawn Saturday at 10:59 p.m. EDT (0259 GMT on Sunday) in Tallahassee, Florida.
"Oftentimes, the advertised amount is lower than what the actual jackpot ends up being," said Kelly Cripe, a spokeswoman for the Texas Lottery. "It's entirely possible this $600 million jackpot will end up being a bigger jackpot."
Chances of winning the Powerball on Saturday were one in 175 million, Cripe said, but that did not deter people from buying up tickets at staggering rates. California was selling $1 million in tickets every hour on Saturday, said Donna Cordova, a spokeswoman for the California Lottery, which has only been selling Powerball tickets since April 8.
Texas Lottery officials reported $1.2 million in hourly sales between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. local time, with ticket sales for the Saturday draw topping $18.4 million.
The ticket sale rate on Saturday was nearly double Friday's rate, Cripe said, and a jump of some 686 percent over last Saturday.
The Powerball lottery, which has not had a winner in two months, is offered in 43 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
A Powerball lottery record was set in November with a $587.5 million jackpot that topped the $550 million figure that was advertised, thanks to last-minute sales.
The largest jackpot in U.S. history was the $656 million in the Mega Millions lottery in March 2012. That prize was split between winners in Maryland, Kansas and Illinois.
If Saturday's Powerball drawing yields no winner, all records will be shattered as the jackpot for Wednesday's drawing would go to $925 million.
Many Americans were playing the "if I win" game ahead of Saturday's drawing.
"If I win, I'm going to spend a lot of it on liquor, women and gambling," said Austin lawyer Donald Dickson. "I'll likely squander the rest of it."
In New York City, talent acquisition agent Michelle Amici was more philanthropic.
"Not sure that I'd buy anything," she said. "Rather, I'd attempt to quench my wanderlust by traveling the world. I'd also donate a large portion to education reform."
Lottery players such as Austin marketing professional Becky Arreaga was not discouraged by the long odds.
"As long as the odds are 1 in anything, I'm in," said Arreaga, a partner at Mercury Mambo marketing firm. "I truly believe I could be the one."
"It's only a couple bucks for a small daydream," said Russell Williams, 35, a salesman in Austin, Texas.
Bonnie Carreno of El Paso, Texas, rarely plays but was taking a chance on this one. "I only ever buy a ticket when I see the amazing numbers in the headlines," she said.
The $2 tickets allow players pick five numbers from 1 to 59, and a Powerball number from 1 to 35. The numbers will be drawn Saturday at 10:59 p.m. EDT (0259 GMT on Sunday) in Tallahassee, Florida.
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