CAROLINA NATURALLY

Thursday, August 19, 2010

The Daily Drift

The Daily Drift

Today's horoscope says:
It's not just your close friends who are happy with what you've been able to pull off recently -- it's also bosses, customers and more who have been watching to see if you're really ready for a big step up.
You've proven yourself worthy of the attention (and affection), so why not cut loose and celebrate a little?
You've been working hard for quite some time now.
Treat yourself to something nice for a change!

Today is:

Today is Thursday, August 19, the 231st day of 2010.

There are 134 days left in the year.

Today In History August 19

Today's unusual holiday or celebration is:

"Black Cow" Root Beer Float Day

Don't forget to visit our sister blog!

Just the News

Just the News

Powerful people who don't use cell phones

Warren Buffett, Tavis Smiley, and others refuse to tie themselves to a mobile line.

How they say it helps

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Billionaires who haven't taken 'the pledge'

Some of the world's richest people have promised to give away at least half of their fortunes.

High-profile holdouts

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Whiskey Bio-Fuel

It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "one for the road". Whiskey, the spirit that powers the Scottish economy, is being used to develop a new bio-fuel which could be available at petrol pumps in a few years.

Using samples from the Glenkinchie Distillery in East Lothian, researchers at Edinburgh Napier University have developed a method of producing bio-fuel from two main by-products of the whiskey distilling process – "pot ale", the liquid from the copper stills, and "draff", the spent grains.

Copious quantities of both waste products are produced by the £4bn whiskey industry each year, and the scientists say there is real potential for the bio-fuel, to be available at local garage forecourts alongside traditional fuels. It can be used in conventional cars without adapting their engines. The team also said it could be used to fuel planes and as the basis for chemicals such as acetone, an important solvent.

Full Story

'Ground Zero mosque' leader's past work

Imam at the center of the debate on the controversial structure was asked to aid the FBI post-9/11.

His work for the shrub

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The State Of The Nation

The State Of The Nation

Heavy rain leaves dramatic scenes in Tenn.

Flash floods derail a train and damage areas still recovering from May's deadly storms.

Photos of the destruction

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The most stressful cities in the U.S.

Residents in these areas bear the brunt of bad commutes, long work hours, and high unemployment.

Frayed nerves

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Hopeful about their American lives

Hispanic immigrants have a more positive view of U.S. life than those born here, a poll finds.

'Foot in both worlds'

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Technicality leaves border paths wide open

A group that controls two metal spans between Mexico and the U.S. says they aren't really "bridges."

Official term

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As The World Turns

As The World Turns

Kenyan held in albino sale sting

Police in Tanzania say they have arrested a Kenyan national who was attempting to sell an albino man. The arrest was made in a sting operation as police pretended to be businessmen buying albino body parts. Police say they struck a deal equivalent to more than $250,000 (£159,000) for the 20-year-old man.

Albino body parts are prized in parts of Africa, with witchdoctors claiming they have special powers. The Tanzanian government has promised to take action. According to the Tanzanian police a 28-year-old Kenyan man, Nathan Mutei, was arrested just outside the town of Mwanza as he attempted to sell an albino man. The regional police commander, Simon Siro, said that Mr Mutei had tricked a fellow Kenyan into believing he would secure a job in Tanzania as a truck driver's assistant.

But the police said Mr Mutei had secretly tried to find businessmen willing to buy 20-year-old Robinson Mkwama. The police commander said they had posed as potential buyers in order to make the arrest. Mr Mutei is due in court on Wednesday accused of human trafficking. In Tanzania, the body parts of people living with albinism are used by witchdoctors for potions which they tell clients will help make them rich or healthy.

Over the last three years more than 50 albino adults and children have been killed. The Tanzanian government promised to take action, and there have been some court cases. But justice is slow. So far, just seven men have been given death sentences. The number of albino killings has fallen, but the fear is still strong. African albinos are also under threat from skin cancer and for that reason they rarely live beyond the age of 40.

N. Korean jet crash shrouded in mystery

A downed plane in China raises questions about the possible illicit mission of its pilot.

Destination unclear

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13-year-old gets rare peek inside N. Korea

A U.S. boy's "peace forest" pitch gets a warm welcome in Pyongyang — with one big caveat.

Trip's disappointment

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Global conspiracy theory fascinates Castro

The Cuban leader showcases a popular idea about a shadowy group that's said to run global affairs.

Bilderberg Club

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Woman Strangled Roommate Over Hamburger

A Minneapolis woman has been charged with allegedly strangling her roommate over a hamburger.

Strangled Over Hamburger

Non Sequitur

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Entertain Us

New actor in iconic John Wayne role

The "True Grit" character that won The Duke his only Oscar is recast with a celebrated actor.

'Totally different'

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A 1794 document found in Ike papers

A document written by a federal judge 216 years ago has turned up in an unlikely place: in President Dwight Eisenhower's archives in Kansas.

Full story

Popcorn? Blood? Bedbugs Hit NYC Theaters

Bedbugs have attacked a popular movie theater in Times Square as New York battles the persistent pests.

Full story

Squirrel Cherry Nut Poppin' Zippers Daddies

Put A Lid On It by the Squirrel Nut Zippers

Zoot Suit Riot by the Cherry Poppin' Daddies

In Matters Of Health

In Matters Of Health

228 million eggs recalled

An outbreak of salmonella poisoning prompts an Iowa egg producer to issue a major recall.

Brands, states affected

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Teen hearing loss rising rapidly

A new study shows that 1 in 5 teens is now affected — which can mean big problems later.

The most likely culprit

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Your Bra Can Kill You And Other Medical Myths

Medical myths are sometimes hilarious and sometimes they're downright dangerous information. No matter how often they're debunked, people will still believe them. Why? Because when you're told something is true throughout your entire life, it can be difficult to change your mind. That's how medical myths can spread.

Here are 10 medical myths.

How healthy is your sleeping position?

Two common ways of falling asleep may put harmful stress on internal organs.

One side is better than the other

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Strange Bedfellows

Full story

Peculiar and unknown facts about shut-eye. Did you know sleep affects your memory, heart health, teeth, and more.

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Food wars

Battle over town's ban on chain restaurants

A lawsuit claims that Springdale, Utah's prohibition of "formula restaurants" is unconstitutional.

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Battle for burger superiority heats up

Burger lovers are abuzz over a pizza burger, a burger-doughnut combo, and the "Meat Beast."

'Top burger' winner

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KFC faces lawsuits from its own stores

Declining sales blamed on confusing ads prompt some franchise owners to take action.

Meat of the matter

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All That's Trendy

Hot right now: Barefoot running

Foot "gloves" are selling fast, but is it safe for runners to forgo shoes?

Who shouldn't wear them

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Culinary DeLites

Culinary DeLites

Krispy Kreme Cheeseburger

You and I know it as the Luther Burger, but now Krispy Kreme is selling cheeseburgers made with their distinctively sweet donuts in place of the bun at state fairs. For $5, you get one Krispy Keme cheeseburger that contains over a thousand calories!

Krispy Kreme chocolate-covered bacon can even be added to top it off for $1 extra. Thus far the reviews for this new burger have been positive. The fair vendors know that the attendees like to try different food and are not usually counting fat grams or calories. The instant heart attack was created by Nathan Morrissey of Machine Head restaurant. It was, apparently, an attempt to surpass last year’s fair delicacy, chocolate-covered bacon on a stick. They both sound pretty scary.

It’s not a true Luther burger unless it contains bacon, but chocolate-covered bacon? That may be going just too far!

Full Story

Truly easy ways to get more fiber

Go beyond brown rice and add these six foods to meals you're already eating.

Add a treat to smoothies

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The World's Largest Portable Barbeque

Jack Henriques, a British engineer, built what might be the largest portable barbeque pit in the world. It’s 16 feet long, 11 feet tall, and can cook three whole pigs or two cows and seven whole sheep at the same time:

Each of the seven coal trays is fixed to a custom-built scissor jack, which can be raised or lowered using a turning handle.
This ensures that the cooking temperature can be easily changed for each tray, without the difficulty of moving and disturbing the meat.
The cooker also features abattoir-style meat hooks on which whole animal carcases can be hung for cooking.
God-grilla – which can grill 500 burgers at once – was commissioned by the Stone Barn, a wedding venue in the Cotswolds village of Aldsworth, Glos.

Full Story