Spanish police have seized an entire 42-piece crockery set made of cocaine. Plates, cups, pots and saucers had been put together using 20kg of the Class A drug.
Police seize 42-piece dinner set constructed entirely from cocaine
Friday, March 20, 2009
City's time capsule from 1960 was never buried
The mystery surrounding the buried location of a time capsule marking Santa Fe's 350th anniversary more than four decades ago has been solved: It was never underground.
The committee planning the city's 400th anniversary celebrations later this year had been searching for the location of the 150-pound steel tube from 1960, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported in Friday editions.
But it turns out that the time capsule never was.
The New Mexican said one of its reporters in 1964 discovered the unfilled tube in a back room of an office machine business, being used "as a shelf for empty plastic bottles and other useless objects."
Mayor Leo Murphy told the paper in the story more than 40 years ago that the project was abandoned because he was too busy trying to pay for bills incurred from the city's 350th anniversary.
"Those were days of confusion, days of chaos," he had told the New Mexican. "I was more interested in getting some friends to sign a note with me to cover the deficit the celebration ran up than I was in what happened to the capsule."
The capsule was supposed to be filled with items "pertinent to Santa Fe's 350th anniversary celebration" in 1960, around the time when the city was believed to have been founded in 1610. Historians later discovered evidence that it was founded in 1607 or earlier.
Twins commit perfect heist?
DNA evidence from a multimillion-euro jewelry heist in Berlin leads to twins with a criminal record, but since the evidence could point to either one, German law says that neither can be convicted:
German law stipulates that each criminal must be individually proven guilty. The problem in the case of the O. brothers is that their twin DNA is so similar that neither can be exclusively linked to the evidence using current methods of DNA analysis. So even though both have criminal records and may have committed the heist together, Hassan and Abbas O. have been set free.Both brothers have stolidly refused to comment ever since their arrests on February 11. Since no further evidence has become available, police cannot detain them.
Early Birds With Harmful Consequences
The sounds of birds chirping and fluttering outside your bedroom window are a welcome sign of spring, but scientists have evidence that suggests birds are nesting earlier due to global warming.
Let'em duke it out
Teachers let violent school kids battle it out inside a steel cage in bare-knuckle fist fights with no head protection.
Late Night Economy
“But do you know anything about the Dow Jones, ladies and gentlemen? The Dow Jones average went down to 6,000. Do you know what that means? Neither do I, but it’s the first time in 12 years that the Dow has been the same as Rush Limbaugh’s cholesterol.”
“According to a new study, people are sleeping less because they’re worried about the economy. I think also it might have something to do with the fact they’re sleeping under bridges.”
“And according to a top Russian scholar, the US economy will collapse next year, which comes as a huge shock to most people. I think we thought it was going to collapse this year, so we’ve got another year to party. Yeah!”
~ David Letterman
“According to a new study, people are sleeping less because they’re worried about the economy. I think also it might have something to do with the fact they’re sleeping under bridges.”
~ Craig Ferguson
“And according to a top Russian scholar, the US economy will collapse next year, which comes as a huge shock to most people. I think we thought it was going to collapse this year, so we’ve got another year to party. Yeah!”
~ Jay Leno
Japan's "suicide forest"
If those AIG executives take the repugican suggestion about killing themselves like the Japanese do to heart, then here is the place to do it ...
Aohkigahara Forest west of Tokyo at the base of Mount Fuji is also known as the "suicide forest."
According to Wikipedia, it's the second most popular suicide spot after San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge.
From CNN:
Aohkigahara Forest west of Tokyo at the base of Mount Fuji is also known as the "suicide forest."
According to Wikipedia, it's the second most popular suicide spot after San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge.
From CNN:
Japan's suicide rate, already one of the world's highest, has increased with the recent economic downturn. There were 2,645 suicides recorded in January 2009, a 15 percent increase from the 2,305 for January 2008, according to the Japanese government
Local authorities, saying they are the last resort to stop people from killing themselves in the forest, have posted security cameras at the entrances of the forest.
The goal, said Imasa Watanabe of the Yamanashi Prefectural Government is to track the people who walk into the forest. Watanabe fears more suicidal visitors will arrive in the coming weeks.
Old Dogs
She can't hear well, she doesn't like the cold and she no longer goes on four-mile runs. But Chanel, a 20-year-old dachshund in Port Jefferson Station, N.Y., is enjoying the perks of being the world's oldest dog.
The next edition of the Guinness Book of World Records, due out in September, will make that title official. She's been featured in British newspapers. A producer for Jay Leno wants to fly her to California.
She's taking it all in stride as she ambles toward her 21st birthday on May 8, snuffling down chicken and pasta, then curling up to nap.
*****
My own Black Labrador Seamus 'Thunder' Mac Lesh is celebrating his 15th birthday this year and he still gets around pretty good for an old man. Having my other Black Labrador Angus 'Doogie' Mac Dougall - the three year old 'pup' - at his heels keeps him fit and feeling like a young 10 year old.
From Naples to Charlotte
A 350-year-old statue disappeared from a Naples church in an elaborate heist of artifacts nearly two decades ago.
Italian officials said they lost a national treasure.
The intricately carved bust of St. Innocent traveled from Italy to France -- losing its head in the journey -- before finding its way to the private home of a Charlotte couple, where it was seized by federal officials.
It will be returned to Italy this month, federal officials announced Thursday.
"I've never heard of this happening anywhere other than some big-time story in New York," said Neal Johnson, the Charlotte dealer who purchased the item from a Greensboro dealer and then sold it to the Charlotte couple. "You don't always know the lineage of pieces you buy."
The bust, by 17th-century Franciscan artist Diego da Careri, is made of wood and painted gold. It was part of a set of busts displayed at the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli alle Croci.
In November 1990, someone stole the statue, 16 similar busts and two oil paintings.
St. Innocent was born in Albano, Italy, and became pope in December 401, according to Catholic Online.
Two years ago, authorities in Rome contacted U.S. Customs and Enforcement officials with information that an Italian citizen had sold a similar wooden statue to an antiques dealer from Greensboro.
ICE tracked down the buyer as the owner of Caroline Faison Antiques, which specializes in 17th-, 18th- and 19th-century antiques. She purchased it at an antiques fair in France, Johnson said.
Johnson said there are similar fairs throughout Europe and Scandinavia where people go to buy and sell all types of centuries-old artifacts.
A man who answered the phone at Caroline Faison Antiques, but would not give his name, said the statue was purchased from a dealer. He said they did not know the bust was stolen, nor had they ever purchased stolen antiques in the past.
"Never happened before in 43 years," he said.
Johnson, the Charlotte dealer, specializes in antique lamps, but said she fell in love with the bust.
She purchased it from Caroline Faison and later sold it at her uptown shop to the Charlotte couple.
ICE contacted Johnson last year to see if she recognized pictures of the stolen items. She said the paint was almost gone, but she recognized the form of the bust.
When she realized it was stolen, she said she immediately bought the statue back from her customer and gave it to federal agents. Johnson said she did not get her money back from Faison, nor did she ask.
Using documents and photos, ICE and Italian authorities confirmed authenticity of the statue last week.
Officials said the investigation into the original heist continues. Brandon Montgomery, ICE spokesman, said no Americans have been charged. There is no evidence they knew they were buying a stolen item.
"A lot of times, what happens is the person who is knowingly stealing something puts it in the black market," he said. "It can go through three or four hands before it gets to the first legitimate buyer, so to speak."
The statue lost much of its value because of extensive damage. In addition to the head's being removed, a part of the cross the saint carried was missing and much of the paint had deteriorated. ICE research indicated the current value at about $27,000.
Once the statue is returned, it will be placed back on the altar of Santa Maria degli Angeli alle Croci.
Italian officials said they lost a national treasure.
The intricately carved bust of St. Innocent traveled from Italy to France -- losing its head in the journey -- before finding its way to the private home of a Charlotte couple, where it was seized by federal officials.
It will be returned to Italy this month, federal officials announced Thursday.
"I've never heard of this happening anywhere other than some big-time story in New York," said Neal Johnson, the Charlotte dealer who purchased the item from a Greensboro dealer and then sold it to the Charlotte couple. "You don't always know the lineage of pieces you buy."
The bust, by 17th-century Franciscan artist Diego da Careri, is made of wood and painted gold. It was part of a set of busts displayed at the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli alle Croci.
In November 1990, someone stole the statue, 16 similar busts and two oil paintings.
St. Innocent was born in Albano, Italy, and became pope in December 401, according to Catholic Online.
Two years ago, authorities in Rome contacted U.S. Customs and Enforcement officials with information that an Italian citizen had sold a similar wooden statue to an antiques dealer from Greensboro.
ICE tracked down the buyer as the owner of Caroline Faison Antiques, which specializes in 17th-, 18th- and 19th-century antiques. She purchased it at an antiques fair in France, Johnson said.
Johnson said there are similar fairs throughout Europe and Scandinavia where people go to buy and sell all types of centuries-old artifacts.
A man who answered the phone at Caroline Faison Antiques, but would not give his name, said the statue was purchased from a dealer. He said they did not know the bust was stolen, nor had they ever purchased stolen antiques in the past.
"Never happened before in 43 years," he said.
Johnson, the Charlotte dealer, specializes in antique lamps, but said she fell in love with the bust.
She purchased it from Caroline Faison and later sold it at her uptown shop to the Charlotte couple.
ICE contacted Johnson last year to see if she recognized pictures of the stolen items. She said the paint was almost gone, but she recognized the form of the bust.
When she realized it was stolen, she said she immediately bought the statue back from her customer and gave it to federal agents. Johnson said she did not get her money back from Faison, nor did she ask.
Using documents and photos, ICE and Italian authorities confirmed authenticity of the statue last week.
Officials said the investigation into the original heist continues. Brandon Montgomery, ICE spokesman, said no Americans have been charged. There is no evidence they knew they were buying a stolen item.
"A lot of times, what happens is the person who is knowingly stealing something puts it in the black market," he said. "It can go through three or four hands before it gets to the first legitimate buyer, so to speak."
The statue lost much of its value because of extensive damage. In addition to the head's being removed, a part of the cross the saint carried was missing and much of the paint had deteriorated. ICE research indicated the current value at about $27,000.
Once the statue is returned, it will be placed back on the altar of Santa Maria degli Angeli alle Croci.
Headlines
Headlines for March 20, 2009.
- Iran plays down Obama video message
- Appeals court rules Bernard Madoff must stay in prison
- Rep. Barney Frank: Gov't should stop Fannie, Freddie bonuses
- Threatening texts prompt three-school lockdown in Delaware
- Vermont Senate panel unanimously approves gay marriage bill
- Possible gas leak makes family's tap water flammable
- Blacklisted Hollywood actress Betsy Blair dies in London at 85
- US Navy: 2 vessels collide in Strait of Hormuz
- Former US officials seek improved Russia ties
- Somali clerics reject Bin Laden call
- Official: Taliban chief Mullah Omar in Afghanistan
- Darfur rebel group suspends peace talks with Sudan
More on US Birds
This isn't good!
Nearly one third of US bird species are "endangered, threatened or in significant decline", a report shows.
Nearly one third of US bird species are "endangered, threatened or in significant decline", a report shows.
Seeing Pink Elephants
From BBC-Science:
The little pink calf was spotted in amongst an 80-strong elephant herd
A pink baby elephant has been caught on camera in Botswana.
A wildlife cameraman took pictures of the calf when he spotted it among a herd of about 80 elephants in the Okavango Delta.
Experts believe it is probably an albino, which is an extremely rare phenomenon in African elephants.
They are unsure of its chances of long-term survival - the blazing African sunlight may cause blindness and skin problems for the calf.
Mike Holding, who spotted the baby while filming for a BBC wildlife program, said: "We only saw it for a couple of minutes as the herd crossed the river.Body illusions
Find out how to fool yourself into an out-of-body experience, an extra arm, or even a body swap.
Five tricks to fool the mind
Is life bubbling up in Mars mud?
Fossilized microbes could be strewn across the surface of Mars after hitching a ride in mud plumes from deep underground.
Is life bubbling up in Mars mud?
Wheat Tackles Fungus
The race is on to deploy new varieties of wheat resistant to the destructive fungus Ug99 which is sweeping the globe.
Resistant wheat to tackle destructive fungus
Mad over bonuses?
Mad over bonuses? Then read this from DDay over @ Digby's Digs:
"The sense of entitlement to a system that rewards them regardless and shovels massive amounts of money and power in their direction. heck, we learned today that 13 bailed-out companies owe $220 million in back taxes and lied to congress about it. Of course they did. that's the system they've created - protections for their corporate bottom line, riches for them personally, crumbs for everyone else. Reaganomics basically set this in motion 30 years ago, and the system has been in place for so long that any alternative path is like the true forms on the outside of the cave instead of the shadows on the inside we think represent reality. But the public knows intuitively that they've been getting a raw deal for decades, and the bonuses are only a small part of the story."He explains that nagging irritation you have been feeling in your posterior for years quite well.
No end to their shamelessness
While the American International Group comes under fire from congress over executive bonuses, it is quietly fighting the federal government for the return of $306 million in tax payments, some related to deals that were conducted through offshore tax havens.
More in the New York Times
Ostara
Today is the Vernal Equinox (in other words, the first day of spring) - the day when light and dark are equal in the length of time in the sky.
It is also the festival of Ostara.
It is also the festival of Ostara.
Fit for an Elven Queen
From TreeHugger:
All photographs by Lucy Gauntlett
Well it isn't covered in mirrored glass, but it is still pretty cool: a restaurant in a treehouse. One can almost imagine Galadriel hosting dinner in Lothlórien, but in fact It was built in New Zealand for an advertisement for the Yellow Pages and everything was ordered out of the book.
Article continues: Treehouse Restaurant Fit For An Elven Queen
State of the Birds
Wired Science has a good summary of the first federal State of the Birds report, which is arguably the most successful citizen science project to date, in which individuals from around the US reported local observations to produce a detailed census of bird populations in the nation.
The first federal State of the Birds report was released Thursday, marking the beginning of an unprecedented collaboration between government researchers and conservation groups — and the underlying data comes from you."The data that goes into this report is by and large not collected by a few tin-head scientists or conservation organizations, but by millions of individuals," said John Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology. "We can begin to put together spectacularly massive databases that show us, in great detail with fine-grained scope, what the trends are."
The trends identified by the report are generally known. Hundreds of bird species are threatened by habitat loss, pollution and climate change. But in other ways, the report is novel. "It's a break from the one-institution, or handful-of-institution, approach," said Cornell University ornithologist Andrew Farnsworth. "This kind of partnership hasn't happened before."
Permanent tent-city?
The tent-city in Sacramento, the capital of California, is so big and entrenched that the city is debating installing plumbing and other amenities. Meanwhile Sacramento's vacancy rate is higher than the national average: "10.4 percent of rental housing units are vacant and 4.8 percent of owned units are vacant."
The primitive settlement sits in the shadow of the state capitol and is home to about 300 people who have no toilets or running water, creating unsanitary conditions that advocacy groups worry could promote diseases like cholera. With the downturn in the economy and more working-class people losing their jobs and their homes, the tent city is expanding.
The mayor of Sacramento, Kevin Johnson, said in an interview that he wants to create a permanent tent city for the homeless, although he is not sure where it should be. He said he recognized that doing so would be difficult politically. But he said a permanent site could bring sanitation services and regulations like a ban on drugs and alcohol.
Our Readers
Some of our readers today have been in:
Davao, Davao City, Philippines
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Beijing, Beijing, China
Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, malaysia
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Helsinki, Southern Finland, Finland
New Delhi, Delhi, India
Leuven Brussels, Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, Belgium
Swindon, England, United Kingdom
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Moscow, Moskva, Russian Federation
Gelnhausen, Hessen, Germany
Coquitlam, british Columbia, Canada
as well as Trinidad & Tobago, Serbia, Argentina, Vietnam, New Zealand, Slovenia and South Africa
Davao, Davao City, Philippines
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Beijing, Beijing, China
Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, malaysia
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Helsinki, Southern Finland, Finland
New Delhi, Delhi, India
Leuven Brussels, Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, Belgium
Swindon, England, United Kingdom
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Moscow, Moskva, Russian Federation
Gelnhausen, Hessen, Germany
Coquitlam, british Columbia, Canada
as well as Trinidad & Tobago, Serbia, Argentina, Vietnam, New Zealand, Slovenia and South Africa
Daily Horoscope
Today's horoscope says:
Today you will be in an excellent position to affect your crowd in a very positive way.
That's good, always positive!
Today you will be in an excellent position to affect your crowd in a very positive way.
That's good, always positive!
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