'I Like Your Tan': PM's Obama Gaffe

"The Italian Prime Minister has been blasted for his blundering welcome of the US president-elect after he praised Barack Obama's "suntan". Silvio Berlusconi made the comment at a joint press conference with Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev."I will try to help relations...

Bee Gees belter may help cheat death

So long as we don't get generations of paramedics singing along to the tunes in their heads whilst resuscitating patients, I think I'm all for it:"The Bee Gees' 1977 falsetto stomper Stayin' Alive could be the latest...

Internet searches stimulate brain more than books

As someone who uses the internet a LOT I'm not sure whether I should be pleased by this finding, or saddened at the seemingly inevitable fate of the humble book:"Searching the Internet may stimulate and help improve brain function more than reading a book. Researchers at the...

SpongeBob in NY torture sideshow

"Children's cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants is being used as part of an art installation to protest against water-boarding as a form of torture. The Water-boarding Thrill Ride by artist Steve Powers has been installed at Coney Island theme park in New York. A sign on...

Heavy metal monk in second album

Just stumbled upon this nice piece about a Capuchin monk who sings in a heavy metal band, which has just released a second album.This not-so-young (62) monk certainly has the energy for it.Something about those hand gestures doesn't look entirely Christian though ... "At...

Chicago locals beware the birds

"Chicago residents have been sharing tips about how to avoid coming under attack by dive-bombing blackbirds. Cyclists and pedestrians complain of being pecked after being chased for up to 100m (100 yards) by the...

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008)

Matthew Harding takes his unique style of dancing around the world, and this is the end result - a video that surely would cheer anyone up (well, nearly):" 14 months in the making, 42 countries, and a cast of thousands. Thanks to everyone who danced...

'Snail mail' blazes slow e-trail

"Muriel, Austin and Cecil are snails for the electronic age. The gastropods have been fitted with equipment to allow them to send e-mails on behalf of visitors to a website. Instead of instantaneous communication,...

Cannabis blunder at Tokyo airport

"An unwitting passenger arriving at Japan's Narita airport has received 142g of cannabis after a customs test went awry, officials say.A customs officer hid a package of the banned narcotic in a side pocket of a...

US orchestra conducted by robot

Having worked in the classical music profession, I can appreciate that following a robotic conductor can be awkward and tiresome ... I never expected to see an actual robot conducting an orchestra though."A US orchestra has held its most unusual performance - being conducted...

US police seen in kicking video

"US police are investigating a video showing a group of officers in Philadelphia apparently pulling three suspects out of a car and beating them.The incident was filmed by a TV helicopter overhead. The officers were responding to reports of a shooting nearby, police said."

Violinist plays for taxi driver

"A violinist who left his 285-year-old instrument in a taxi in the United States is playing a concert to thank the driver who returned it to him.Philippe Quint is giving a private 30-minute performance on Tuesday in the cab waiting area at Newark Liberty International...

Extremist violence rocks Hamburg

"Street battles lasting several hours have gripped the German port city of Hamburg, in what police describe as the worst riots there for years.Left-wing demonstrators angered by a neo-Nazi rally hurled bottles at...

Lesbos islanders dispute gay name

"Campaigners on the Greek island of Lesbos are to go to court in an attempt to stop a gay rights organisation from using the term "lesbian". The islanders say that if they are successful they may then start to fight...

Campaign to lick lollipop rage

"For generations, lollipop men and women have shepherded schoolchildren safely across roads armed only with their trusty signs.But they are about to undergo a Robocop-style makeover: their signs are to be equipped with cameras in an effort to combat "lollipop rage" by...

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