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If your ex-girlfriend had an IMDb page
Exhaustive list of continuity problems, errors in geography, and anachronisms, compiled for your reference. Of your ex-girlfriend.
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London deputy mayor resigns over "lies and financial misconduct"
In the latest instalment of a series of blunders by the new Tory London mayoral team, Boris Johnson's deputy mayor, Ray Lewis has resigned following accusations of financial misconduct and inappropriate behaviour. The alleged revelations were uncovered by a Guardian investigation
Johnson's predecessor, Ken Livingstone, commented yesterday, "In my entire eight years in office I suffered only one enforced resignation of any of my most senior officials, Lee Jasper - and that only after seven years - and this extreme contrast shows vividly the incompetence of Boris Johnson and his administration."
Allegations against Lewis centre around claims that he borrowed around £45,000 from parishioners including an elderly woman and a man with learning difficulties during his time as a priest in the mid-1990s.
The crisis for the team worsened after a press conference on Thursday when Lewis, dismissing the accusations, pointed out that he was a magistrate (justice of the peace). Yesterday, however, the Ministry of Justice said he never been appointed as a magistrate. In the latest instalment of a series of blunders by the new Tory London mayoral team, Boris Johnson's deputy mayor, Ray Lewis has resi... more -
Not just a pretty face
Hello my prettiez. If you love (to see or wear) make up as much as I do, this is good (GF, BFF, buddy, friend, whatever) information to share, as it is important to know what is hiding in these products that are so close to your skin and often not known or available to the public.
The rockstar blog of TheCoveted posted this awesome interview with Stacy Malkan, author of the book 'Not Just a Pretty Face. The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry'.
"Stacy Malkan is the Communications Director of Health Care Without Harm and co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
"All the major companies lined up at the hearing to complain that it’s too hard for them to get lead out of lipstick"
Q: Cosmetics are virtually unregulated in the United States. Meanwhile, in 2003 the European Union banned chemicals strongly linked to cancer, mutation, or birth defects from personal care products. Why are we so far behind?..."
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And if you are in San Francisco, there will be a special event July 19th (12-2pm). Join Stacy Malkan at the San Francisco Library’s Koret Auditorium for this free special event for moms, daughters, teens and weens. You don’t want to miss this — mark your calendars!
http://notjustaprettyface.org/index.php/book-tour/san-f...
When: Saturday, July 19, 12-2pm
Where: San Francisco Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco; Civic Center BART
Who: Emceed by Alexa at Movin’ 99.7. Stacy Malkan, author of “Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry,” Sarah Janssen, MD, PhD, MPH, science fellow, National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Jessica Assaf, Teens for Safe Cosmetics.
Win free gift baskets, non-toxic manicures and makeovers! Hello my prettiez. If you love (to see or wear) make up as much as I do, this is good (GF, BFF, buddy, friend, whatever) information ... more -
World's oldest mum: Indian woman, 72, has twins to fulfill desire for male child
Omkari Panwar, 72, already a mother of two and grandmother of four, gave birth to twins making her the world's oldest mother. It emerged that the reason for her decision to try for another child was the overwhelming desire for a son, which was finally fulfilled with the help of in vitro fertilization.
The twins, a boy and a girl, were delivered by an emergency Caesarean section in Mumbai, India, on Wednesday. The father of the twins, 75-year-old Charam Singh, told ABC News he was very happy, but was reluctant to give more information as he feared a negative public reaction to his wife's decision to give birth despite her age.
The couple used their life savings and took out an additional loan to pay for the expensive medical procedures. Panwar had such great difficulties during her pregnancy that her husband was concerned for her life. When she arrived in hospital, she was in serious condition and needed a blood transfusion. Although the babies were born a month too early and had a low birth weight, they are doing well.
Male children are of extreme importance in Indian society, especially in rural areas. It is common to abort female children, often because of the expenses associated with the dowry system, which is still practised across India despite it being officially banned. In some Indian states, parents are even eligible for financial support if they are willing to raise a daughter. Omkari Panwar, 72, already a mother of two and grandmother of four, gave birth to twins making her the world's oldest mother. It emerg... more -
Archeologists open secret cave under Mexican pyramid
Archeologists are opening a cave sealed for more than 30 years deep beneath a Mexican pyramid to look for clues about the mysterious collapse of one of ancient civilization's largest cities.
The soaring Teotihuacan stone pyramids, now a major tourist site about an hour outside Mexico City, were discovered by the ancient Aztecs around 1500 AD, not long before the arrival of Spanish explorers to Mexico.
But little is known about the civilization that built the immense city, with its ceremonial architecture and geometric temples, and then torched and abandoned it around 700 AD.
Archeologists are now revisiting a cave system that is buried 20 feet beneath the towering Pyramid of the Sun and extends into a tunnel stretching for some 295 feet (90 meters) with a height of 8 feet.
Archeologists are opening a cave sealed for more than 30 years deep beneath a Mexican pyramid to look for clues about the mysterious c... more -
Zimbabwe 'wanted' list deepens crisis
"Police in Zimbabwe said Friday they have put seven opposition members of parliament on a wanted list, a development that is likely to further dampen the possibility of talks between President Robert Mugabe and his rivals. The seven lawmakers are wanted in connection with crimes ranging from inciting public violence to attempted murder, said police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena.
The African Union issued a resolution this week urging dialogue between Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, head of the Movement for Democratic Change, to end violence that has plagued the country. The AU said it hopes dialogue may even lead to a national unity government.
An MDC spokesman said the arrests would hurt the chances of any dialogue.
"How can we go to the table when half the leadership is either on the run or in police custody?" said MDC Director of Information Luke Tamborinyoka.
The MDC has demanded the release of political prisoners as a precondition to talks with the ruling ZANU-PF party. Tsvangirai said this week that violence in Zimbabwe created conditions that are "not conducive" to negotiations ..." "Police in Zimbabwe said Friday they have put seven opposition members of parliament on a wanted list, a development that is likely to... more -
Down under, AC/DC's 'Highway to Hell' is funeral favourite
That's right, those crazy kids in Australia are reportedly opting for some rather unconventional last requests for their funerals.
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead from the Wizard of Oz, and Another One Bites the Dust by Queen are also popular, but the funeral chart is topped by Frank Sinatra' My way and Louis Armstrong's Wonderful World.
Apparently, other requests have included Monty Python's Always Look on the Bright Side of Life and Hit the Road Jack.
That's right, those crazy kids in Australia are reportedly opting for some rather unconventional last requests for their funerals. ... more -
The barman of the future
The world's first robotic barman has been unveiled at Selfridges with the help of Asahi beer. Not only can he pour beer he can reply politely to customers and stays calm under pressure. Although it took 200 hours to assemble him, the makers claim he is quicker than a human barman and has the arms of a gladiator. The world's first robotic barman has been unveiled at Selfridges with the help of Asahi beer. Not only can he pour beer he can reply p... more
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Sarkozy to greet Betancourt in France
Former hostage Ingrid Betancourt is to arrive in France on Friday, two days after a daring rescue mission freed her after six years in captivity in the jungles of South America.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy plans to greet Betancourt, who has dual Colombian and French citizenship, when she arrives at the at the Villacoublay military airport in Paris at 4 p.m. (1400 GMT), Sarkozy's office said
Sarkozy also plans to formally welcome Betancourt to Elysee Palace, the French president's official residence.
Betancourt was among 15 hostages -- including three Americans -- who were rescued Wednesday in a Colombian military operation. She was kidnapped by FARC rebels while campaigning for the Colombian presidency in February 2002.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner accompanied Betancourt's two grown children on a flight from France, where they live, to Colombia on Thursday, allowing Betancourt to see her children for the first time since she was taken captive. operation. Watch how Betancourt spent first day of freedom »
Sarkozy and other French leaders have long sought Betancourt's freedom, but a senior French official said Thursday that France was not aware of Betancourt's release in advance.
Claude Gueant, Sarkozy's closest aide and the Elysee chief of staff, said senior French leaders learned of the successful rescue mission "about 15 minutes before the Colombian wires began to spread the news," he said in an interview with France 3 television.
He said France played no role in the rescue operation and French officials "were not expecting it at that particular moment."
By contrast, American officials had shared intelligence with Colombia that led to the operation, and even U.S. presidential candidate John McCain -- who was in Colombia when the rescue happened -- said he learned of it the night before from Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and the country's defense minister
U.S. President George W. Bush said Uribe called him Wednesday to tell him about the
France, under former President Jacques Chirac and now Sarkozy, has played an active role in trying to win Betancourt's release and had been collaborating closely with Colombian authorities.
Gueant said the military operation was one of several options France had been discussing to free Betancourt, but that Sarkozy also wanted to negotiate with the FARC rebels. France has several networks of communication with the rebels, Gueant said, all of which were moving ahead.
Colombian General Freddy Padilla de Leon told CNN the mission had been in the works for months, beginning when Colombian agents penetrated the leadership group of FARC, the extreme left-wing guerrilla group that has carried out attacks and kidnappings against the government since its formation in the 1960s.
The United States had recently obtained specific intelligence that helped pinpoint the location of the hostages, a senior U.S. official told CNN. The United States shared that information with the Colombian government, which carried out the rescue with minimal logistical support from the United States, the official said.
Former hostage Ingrid Betancourt is to arrive in France on Friday, two days after a daring rescue mission freed her after six years in... more -
"America rules, England sucks"
Just in time for America's Fourth of July celebrations, veteran actor Jack English goes over the finer points of exactly why America rules and England 'sucks'.
"Remember, nothing good has ever come out of Britain. And I know a lot of people liked the Beatles but they claimed they were bigger than Jesus and nobody is bigger than Jesus. Except maybe... Super Jesus." Just in time for America's Fourth of July celebrations, veteran actor Jack English goes over the finer points of exactly why America r... more -
Pentagon extends tour of Marines in Afghanistan
The Pentagon has extended the tour of 2,200 Marines in Afghanistan, after insisting for months the unit would come home on time.
The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is doing combat operations in the volatile south, will stay an extra 30 days and come home in early November rather than October, Marine Col. David Lapan confirmed Thursday.
Military leaders as recently as Wednesday stressed the need for additional troops in Afghanistan. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has often praised the work of the 24th MEU in fighting Taliban militants in Helmand Province.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, however, has repeatedly said he did not intend to extend or replace the U.S. Marines in Afghanistan, calling their deployment there an extraordinary, one-time effort to help tamp down the increasing violence in the south.
Asked about the possibility of an extension in early May, Gates said he would "be loathe to do that." He added that "no one has suggested even the possibility of extending that rotation."
Lapan said Thursday that commanders in Afghanistan asked that the Marines stay longer.
Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said the longer tour does not open the door to an extension beyond the 30 days, nor to the possibility of replacing them with other U.S. troops when they come out in November. "This is a slight addition to this tour and nothing more," he said.
He added that commanders in Afghanistan "asked for 30 more days to milk the fighting season to the bitter end and cement the gains they have made in the south."
The Pentagon announced in January that the Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., was being ordered to Afghanistan, largely because efforts to press other NATO nations to increase their troop levels at the time had failed.
At the same time, about 1,000 members of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, which is based at Twentynine Palms, Calif., was ordered to deploy also. That unit has been used to train Afghan security forces. As a result of the MEU's extended deployment, Marines from both units are now expected to return home at about the same time.
Commanders faced with increasing violence have said they need at least 7,500 more troops in Afghanistan. And President Bush and defense officials have said they hope to identify additional units by the end of the year that could go to Afghanistan early next year.
The Pentagon has said that more U.S. forces cannot be sent to the Afghan fight until decisions are made to further reduce troop levels in Iraq. In the last two months, violence in Afghanistan has led to more U.S. and coalition casualties there than in Iraq, and June was the deadliest month for U.S. troops in Afghanistan since the war began.
"The Taliban and their supporters have, without question, grown more effective and more aggressive in recent weeks ... as the casualty figures clearly demonstrate," Mullen told a Pentagon press conference Wednesday.
The heavy fighting has claimed the lives of a dozen members of the Marine units. One other Marine's death was not related to combat.
"It's a very complex problem, and it's tied to the drug trade, a faltering economy and, as I've said many times, the porous border region with Pakistan," said Mullen. "There's no easy solution, and there will be no quick fix."
There are 32,000 U.S. forces in Afghanistan, including 14,000 serving with the NATO-led coalition and another 18,000 conducting training and counterinsurgency.
The NATO force includes more than 52,000 troops from as many as 40 countries
The Pentagon has extended the tour of 2,200 Marines in Afghanistan, after insisting for months the unit would come home on time. ... more -
Torture music: shades of Gray
Singer David Gray has warned that US interrogators playing loud music as a form of torture - including his own song Babylon - is no laughing matter.
According to the BBC: David Gray's track Babylon is reportedly a favourite of US interrogators in Iraq.
The singer, whose breakthrough track got to number 5 in the UK chart in 2000, said the music isn't the thing: "it could be Tchaikovsky's finest or it could be Barney the Dinosaur ... it really doesn't matter, it's going to drive you completely nuts."
Singer David Gray has warned that US interrogators playing loud music as a form of torture - including his own song Babylon - is no la... more -
Dozens die in Myanmar ferry sinking
A ferry sank in a river in Myanmar's cyclone-battered Irrawaddy delta, killing nearly 40 people, state-media reported Friday.
The motorized ship sank in the Yway river Tuesday after water entered its stern section, the New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported. The report did not give details on how the accident happened.
The newspaper said 38 people were killed and 44 others rescued.
The ferry, named "Myo Pa Pa Tun," was traveling from Pakeikkyi village to Myaungmya, about 94 miles west of Yangon, the newspaper said.
Myaungmya was not badly affected by Cyclone Nargis, which left a swath of death and devastation in the delta when it struck in early May. More than 84,000 died in the storm.
People living in Myanmar's vast delta region often travel and transport goods by boat because of the lower cost and inaccessibility of many areas by road.
Boat accidents are common in the river deltas and coastal regions of Myanmar. In May, a ferry collided with another passenger boat in Twantay canal near Yangon killing at least 6 people.
A ferry sank in a river in Myanmar's cyclone-battered Irrawaddy delta, killing nearly 40 people, state-media reported Friday. ... more -
As Cali burns, some refuse to evacuate
Piles of charred rubble smoldered near California's scenic coastal highway Thursday as a ferocious wildfire descended on the storied tourist town of Big Sur, destroying vacation homes and sending forest creatures running toward the sea for cover.
The stubborn blaze, which has burned more than 100 square miles in the Los Padres National Forest, was just one of hundreds raging around the state. And officials on Thursday reported California's first firefighter death this year — a volunteer who collapsed on the fire line in Mendocino County.
So much forest has burned near Big Sur that animals have been forced out of their habitat and onto the roads. Buzzards flew overhead to snatch up dead rodents and squirrels, and residents reported seeing bear, deer and other big animals migrating toward the Pacific Ocean.
Meanwhile, crews near the Pacific Coast Highway fought back flames from homes and historic landmarks, including the upscale Ventana Inn, which was surrounded by crackling, burning brush.
Several homes perched on a ridge about a quarter-mile from the cliffside inn fell victim to the fire the night before.
At least 20 homes have been destroyed in the area since the blaze broke out June 21, up from 17 homes counted Wednesday. The fire was only 5 percent contained by Thursday evening.
Many Big Sur residents followed mandatory evacuation orders issued this week, but some chose to defy the orders, staying behind to try to save their homes and businesses.
Kirk Gafill, general manager of Nepenthe, said he and five employees were up all night trying to protect the cliffside restaurant his grandparents built in 1949. Wearing dust masks, the crew scrambled to stamp out embers, some the size of dinner plates, that were dropping from the sky, he said.
"We know fire officials don't have the manpower to secure our properties," Gafill said. "There are a lot of people in this community not following evacuation orders. Based on what we saw during Katrina and other disasters, we know we can only rely on ourselves and our neighbors."
Greg Ambrosio, who lives next to Nepenthe, signed a waiver Wednesday night to stay in his house. But his plans to stay were disrupted when he was awoken by a neighbor in the middle of the night who warned of the approaching inferno.
"Then there's a knock on the door, and we go outside and the fire had just expanded. It was Armageddon," he said. "Just yellow smoke and ash mixed with fire. It was just raining down."
Ambrosio said he and his wife grabbed their cat and drove to a relative's house for the night.
A total of 367 wildfires are burning in the state, most ignited by lightning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire, and the U.S. Forest Service. That figure is down from a peak of roughly 1,500 fires just a few days ago.
In all, the wildfires have scorched more than 790 square miles and destroyed at least 65 structures across northern and central California since June 20, according to Cal Fire.
With firefighting resources stretched thin early in the fire season, counties have been recruiting volunteer firefighters to help with smaller blazes.
On Thursday, volunteer firefighter Robert Roland, 63, died in a Mendocino County hospital after collapsing a day earlier while battling lightning-sparked blazes in the area, north of the San Francisco Bay region. It was the first reported death of a firefighter this season, and the governor ordered flags at the Capitol to fly at half-staff. Piles of charred rubble smoldered near California's scenic coastal highway Thursday as a ferocious wildfire descended on the storied t... more -
Hot teachers, seduced students
In the last few years it seems that being a teacher and sleeping with your students is the ‘in’ thing to do. So we compiled a list of some of the hottest teachers to, ahem, inappropriately relate with their students.
Crazy, some of these are really hot, wouldn't that been nice in high school :) In the last few years it seems that being a teacher and sleeping with your students is the ‘in’ thing to do. So we compiled a list of ... more -
Facebook video chat is here
Webcam girls and tecies rejoice! Facebook Video Chat is here!
TokBox has released a flash based video chat application for Facebook that will allow users with a webcam or microphone to video chat with friends.
The ToxBox application is very easy to install and doesn’t require any downloads. Once you load the application, and open Facebook Chat, you’ll see a ToxBox link below next to the names of users who have the capability to chat. Click the link, the ToxBox flash application loads and you are ready to go!
One thing, Facebook Video Chat is only availabe for Firefox but who still uses Safari or IE anyway? Webcam girls and tecies rejoice! Facebook Video Chat is here! ... more -
Losing faith in Seattle, Bye bye Seattle Sonics B-ball
"At 9:09 p.m. PST on Wednesday, George Michael raises the microphone to his mouth and shouts out to the audience at KeyArena: "How are you feeling, Seattle!!!"
Well, since you asked …
The Mariners are in last place, my wife dragged me to your concert, you just sang a buzz-killing cover of "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" -- but worst of all, just a few hours ago the city caved in and agreed to a $45 million settlement with Clay Bennett that will allow the carpetbagger to move the Sonics to Oklahoma City after 41 years in Seattle, an even worse financial deal than giving Jim McIlvaine $35 million. So, George, while you're strutting around the KeyArena stage as the first official act of the post-Sonics era -- this is what we have to look forward to -- in what is now their former home?"
Click link for full story... "At 9:09 p.m. PST on Wednesday, George Michael raises the microphone to his mouth and shouts out to the audience at KeyArena: "How are... more -
Facebook, Myspace users 'a danger to the world and themselves'
Online social networking site users are more likely to carry out extreme actions and develop a warped sense of their own identity, according to an expert at the West London Mental Health Trust.
Dr Himanshu Tyagi also suggested the sites may explain the recent Bridgend suicides, in which 17 young people from the same small town all killed themselves, and added:
""People used to the quick pace of online social networking may soon find the real world boring and unstimulating, potentially leading to more extreme behaviour to get that sense.
"Young people who have no experience of a world without online societies put less value on their real world identities and can therefore be at risk in their real lives, perhaps more vulnerable to impulsive behaviour or even suicide."
So is this there truth in this or is this sensational nonsense, akin to the claim that all emos class 'flirting with death' as a hobby? Is this an expert warning of the valid cons of the ever-expanding world of social networks or a man out of touch with today's modern communication methods? Online social networking site users are more likely to carry out extreme actions and develop a warped sense of their own identity, acc... more -
The origins of 10 of your favorite Muppets
I, like a lot of you, grew up on Sesame Street and the Muppets. But do you ever stop to wonder where they came from? Some of the characters we know and love today were recycled from other T.V. shows and commercials Jim Henson worked on and others were invented by using whatever materials were around. I, like a lot of you, grew up on Sesame Street and the Muppets. But do you ever stop to wonder where they came from? Some of the chara... more
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Prostitute has sex for gas card
Our economy is in such a state that women are actually having sex in exchange for gasoline. Wow... But since a gallon of gas here where I live (NYC) is creeping up towards $5.00 it is nice to know it is an option. KIDDING but you get my drift. We need more bike lanes! Our economy is in such a state that women are actually having sex in exchange for gasoline. Wow... But since a gallon of gas here wher... more
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