In the News

[stimpsonslostson]

If you go down to the woods today you're in for a big surprise!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4489792.stm

Sounds like utter b0ll0cks to me, but there ya go. I never trusted squirrels.
p

[Fez]

must be the evil variety of squirrel if they're black; the bushy-tailed mafia are also thought to be responsible for nut-larndering and demanding protection money from nesting birds. dont cross them or you'll find a mouse head in your bed!

[Mike]

A new Hydrogen Powered plane has been successfully tested on short flights of about 22 minutes. Boeing are developing the technology to see if they can develop more fuel efficient planes. The motor uses Hydrogen and Oxygen to produce power and only produces water and heat as a by product.

The one problem with the hydrogen powered cells is the actual production of the hydrogen which, at the moment, is not at all sustainable. . . oh well, if they get something that requires a huge production system maybe they will invest in a more efficient method of production.

[stimpsonslostson]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/7333108.stm

clashes along the route of the olympic torch in london. What are your thoughts on this?
I'm concerned I must say- being the sports nut I am. (I get nothing done when the BBC have streaming footage). I don't really like the introduction of politics into my sports watching. However in this case its hard to ignore.
Should China have been given the games? Possibly not- the decision is always political and I think especially so this time. The games will obviously be a great networking excersise for various international parties etc (not to mention all the sponsors who are gonna get massive exposure in one of the worlds fastest growing economies).
Should there be a boycott? I dont think I'd like to see this happen. BUT something has to be done about the Tibet situation, with the chinese government editing and censoring the media (and even internet) coverage of the conflict you have to wonder whats actually happening. Hypothetically say that in advance of the CapeTown olympics (they bid for 2012 i think) that the SA government behaved in a similar way to the Masai I think that international condemnation would be swift and crushing. (But then S.Africa isn't such a huge economical honeypot!).
I just really hope the games aren't marred in any way.
P

[BarcelonAl]

NZ man uses hedgehog as weapon...ok, so we shouldn't laugh as he did hit a 15 year old with it, but it is slightly giggle-worthy! :)

As far as the Beijing Olympics go; no I don't think there should be a boycott or mass-disruption of the Games, but I do feel that any of the pre-emptive marketing stunts (such as the torch relay) are fair-game for protest as long as nothing harms anyone who has nothing to do with the situation.

I would be worried about public events such as the marathons and that strange walking event if I were an organiser or athlete as they could be very easy to disrupt...

[Mike]

A man blinded in WW2 blitz has had his sight restored after 60 years! Amazing the advances to eye medicine in such a space of time. It was a great relief to him as he was starting to go blind in his other eye! eek.

[Mike]

A new solar system similar to our own has been discovered orbiting OGLE-2006-BLG-109L (the star), it was such a catchy name, good old OGLE-2006-BLG-109L that I thought I should post it for your titillation.

[Mike]

A tea cake will cost the UK Taxman about £3.5 million after being ruled as a cake and not a biscuit as it has been for the last 20 years. The government feels it would be unjust to give the £3.5 million back to M&S because it was the customers who were paying the VAT in the first place. Well. That leads me to believe that they will be wanting to return the VAT to us directly then. . . . or is that not their intention either?

Tiger Tim the most successful British open air tennis player in recent years has been bagged by the BBC for their Wimbledon coverage this year. Yay for tiger tim.

[BarcelonAl]

That leads me to believe that they will be wanting to return the VAT to us directly then. . . . or is that not their intention either?

We all live in hope...besides, between the whole population I think we'd end up with about 5p!

Tiger Tim the most successful British open air tennis player in recent years has been bagged by the BBC for their Wimbledon coverage this year. Yay for tiger tim.

Hmm...it wasn't really difficult for him to be the most successful British open air tennis player though was it? He only had Greg 'The Chin' Rusedski for competition for most of the 90's and 00's!

[Mike]

The metro had an amazing story today

Headline - Painful lesson in love for randy dog.

The story went like this - An amorous dog had to be freed by fire fighters after his testicles got caught in his would be lover's cage. You can imagine the rest, he was freed by bolt cutters. . . . could you imagine what was going through his head at that time?

[stimpsonslostson]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jh ... tviewedbox The perfect library? Any suggestions as to what is missing? Any you don't think deserve their place?
P

[BarcelonAl]

I'd add 'Grapes of Wrath' by Steinbeck in there. It's a beautifully written story and one that really encapsulates Depression-Era America.

[Mike]

Firefox logo has been spotted in deep space! Cool or what? Here are the images too.

[Mike]

Brian May Queen guitarist extraordinary is now the Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University. Quality appointment if you ask me, rock and roll is acceptable in that cool office.

JK Rowling will appear in court to try and stop the publication of an unofficial Potter Guide based on the popular Lexicon website.

[BarcelonAl]

The new chip that will store all of Phil's music collection...just!