Ice on fire

Methane trapped in sub-marine ice and permafrost could possibly fuel the world for hundreds of years – but there's an explosive snag ...

The next fossil fuel

Ozone hole has unforeseen effect on ocean carbon sink

The Southern Ocean has lost its appetite for carbon dioxide, and now it appears that ozone levels could be partly to blame.

Ozone hole has unforeseen effect on ocean carbon sink

Headlines

Headlines:

• Judge orders Madoff to forfeit over $170 billion
• House passes major energy-climate bill
• Brazil calls off search for additional Air France victims, debris
• Tenn. couple accused of domestic assault using Cheetos
• Googling for Argentine lover trumps Jacko, Farrah
• Iranian cleric urges executing some protesters
• Iran: new audience for US scholar's protest guide
• Web awash in tributes to slain Iranian protester

Local Headlines:

• Man charged with impersonating a cop, raping a woman
• Dentist charged with growing pot
• Concord city councilman heading to Iraq
• Sisters kidnapped and threatened at gunpoint
• 70-year-old grandfather deployed to Irrq

Hot chili grenades

India defense scientists are designing "non-lethal" hand grenades laced with hot chili powder.

From the BBC:

Researchers say the idea is to replace explosives in small hand grenades with a certain variety of red chili to immobilize people without killing them.

The chili, known as Bhut Jolokia, is said to be 1,000 times hotter than commonly used kitchen chillies.

Scientists at India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) are quoted as saying the potent chili will be used as a food additive for troops operating in cold conditions.

India plans hot chili grenades

President Obama dunks senior staff

President Obama on Friday dunked senior staff members Robert Gibbs, Rahm Emanuel and Peter Orszag at the White House Congressional Picnic.

President Obama dunks senior staff

Man Arrested for Attempting Pot, Cocaine Bank Deposit

Banks may need a bailout, but probably not this kind of one. Cameron B. Jefferson, 38, was arrested on charges of possession of cocaine and possession of cannabis after mistakenly depositing not just $200 in cash at the drive-thru teller, but a bag containing a small amount of marijuana and cocaine.

Full Story

Cleric: Some protesters 'worthy of execution'

The only ones 'worthy of execution' are this idiot cleric and any who think as he does!

Iran's dissenters should be punished harshly "without mercy," a senior cleric says in a nationally broadcast sermon.

Cleric: Some protesters 'worthy of execution'

• Photos
• Obama: Violence affects hope for dialogue

S.C. governor pledges to pay back taxpayers

First, he should resign ...


Play Video

Mark Sanford apologizes to state leaders and promises to pay back thousands spent on an earlier trip to Argentina.

S.C. governor pledges to pay back taxpayers

Also:

• GOP looks to recover after scandal
• Mystery of mistress 'Maria' deepens

And I Quote

To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.

~ President Theodore Roosevelt

Question and Answer

Question: What happened to the Irishman who tried to kill himself by ….swallowing 100 pain killers?

Answer: After two he began to feel better.

Chinese woman boiled man's head to cure daugther's psychiatric problems

The daughter isn't the only one with 'problems' ...

Lin Zongxiu, from the southwestern province of Sichuan, heard in 2008 that soup made with a man's head could help cure her daughter who had suffered from psychiatric problems for years, the Chengdu Commercial newspaper reported.

Full Story

Tourists get scary welcome to New York

Play Video

Minutes after leaving the airport, five tourists find themselves in a wild police chase.

Tourists get scary welcome to New York

Also:

• Suspects charged
• Find NYC crime stats

Examining the risk factors for anal cancer

We here at Carolina Naturally have a friend that is in his second year of battle with this cancer - the same one that took Farrah - he will not see his 40th birthday unless a cure for this currently incurable cancer is found right now.

He still has five years to go before number forty comes around - his doctors hope he sees this Autumn.

So, everyone take heed of the article linked below - it may save your life or the life of someone you know!
*****
The anus is the lowermost portion of the bowel; it connects the lower intestines to the outside world.

The risk factors for anal cancer

Headlines

Headlines:

• Iranian cleric calls for execution of election 'rioters'
• Report: Zimbabwe troops take over diamond fields, kill 200
• May incomes surge, but savings outpace spending
• Honduras heads toward crisis over referendum
• Web awash in tributes to slain Iranian protester

Megapiranha

If you thought piranhas were scary, be glad Megapiranha is no longer around.

Megapiranha was up to 3 feet long (1 meter) - a fish-beast four times as big as piranhas living today, studies of its jawbones indicate. It lived about 8 million to 10 million years ago and might have been quite comfortable stalking cartoon animals in an "Ice Age" movie.

Another close relative of the piranha, called pacu (singular and plural), is not so scary. Pacu have squared-off stumps of teeth used for munching veggies. (For the record, tales of carnivorous piranhas eating humans are fictional.)

Now a newly uncovered jawbone of a transition species ties all these teeth together. Named Megapiranha paranensis, this previously unknown fossil fish bridges the evolutionary gap between flesh-eating piranhas and their plant-eating cousins.

Read the rest: Three-foot 'mega' piranha fossil uncovered, paleontologists say.

G8 to Iran: end violence, reflect will of people

Foreign ministers from Group of Eight countries on Friday said they deplored post-election violence in Iran and urged Tehran authorities to ensure that the outcome of Iran's disputed election reflects the will of the Iranian people.

End violence, reflect will of people

Couple accused of assault using Cheetos

What's next ... Pork Rinds?

Authorities in Shelbyville, Tennessee say a couple got into a fight using the orange puffy snacks.

Assault by Cheetos

Mercy

Duffy

Swiss tram company touts nude hikers

Toggenburger Bergbahnen AG says that, apart from the usual breathtaking panorama and mountain wildlife, tourists might catch sight of ramblers wearing only hiking boots and socks.

Swiss tram company touts nude hikers

Bear-feeding woman causes nuisance

Karen Noyes often fed the black bears that came to her home near the Oregon coast.

Bear-feeding woman causes nuisance

Iranians watching 'Lord of the Rings'

In an apparent effort to keep people indoors, the Iranian state television network is running a marathon of the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy, according to Time magazine.

Iranians watching 'Lord of the Rings'

Somehow, I don't think the oppressive government is too swift here - showing a marathon of a trilogy of movies in which a small group band together to unite the populous to overthrow and defeat an oppressive 'government' ... and are successful at it I might add ... at a time when the populous is in the process of uniting to do just that ... overthrow and defeat an oppressive government ... that would be themselves.

Yep, none too swift.

Angry boss pays workers in coins

Two Russian women got an unpleasant surprise when their former boss paid them more than 36,000 rubles to settle a labor dispute - in dozens of heavy bags full of tiny coins.

Full Story

China marks anti-drug day with executions

At least 20 people were executed, an equal number condemned and hundreds put on trial as China marked a global anti-drug day with stark warnings of rising illicit drug use, state press said.

Full Story

Seven smart ways to buy happiness

MSN has an article on how to spend your money to optimize happiness.

1. Relationships

2. Time

3. Health

4. Learning

5. Debt relief

6. Giveaways

7. Security

MSN: 7 smart ways to buy happiness

Europeans' sweet tooth may have been survival trait

People from Europe are among the most sugar-sensitive people in the world, a new genetic analysis concludes – a trait that could have helped ancient populations spot energy-rich foods.

Sweet tooth may have been survival trait

Prosecutors to appeal Stanford's release on bond

Texas billionaire R. Allen Stanford's release on bond while he awaits trial on charges he swindled investors out of $7 billion in a massive investment scam could be thwarted if prosecutors get their way.

Stanford

Opposition leader's aide banned from leaving Iran

Iranian authorities have barred journalists for international news organizations from reporting on the streets and ordered them to stay in their offices.

Opposition leader's aide banned from leaving Iran

Like, that will work!

Unusual Holidays and Celebrations

Today happens to be:

Ugly Dog Day
and
Take Your Dog To Work Day

Don't Mess With Droopy

Bullfight

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

Samsun, Samsun, Turkey
Leuven, Brussels-Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, Belgium
Vienna, Wien, Austria
Brussels, Brussels-Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, Belgium
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Tehran, Esfahan, Iran
Cordoba, Andalucia, Spain
Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
Sudbury, England, United Kingdom

as well as Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, Scotland, Germany, and the United States

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

It's a sociable day -- there's no doubt about that -- but for you, it's also the kind of day that's all about surprises -- nice ones, too.
You'll know that for certain when the person who's been leaving you messages (both in person and psychically, whether you're willing to admit it or not) actually ambles right up to you to say exactly what's on their mind.
Prepare yourself -- but not too much.

Will do.