A cyclist rides along South Oceans Boulevard outside Conrad Black's home in Florida, Sunday, March 2, 2008. There is a report that fallen media mogul Conrad Black has sold his mansion in Palm Beach, Florida. The Palm Beach Daily News is reporting the mansion has been bought by a California family for US $23.1 million. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
, On Thursday April 28, 2011, 11:08 pm EDTBy The Canadian Press
PALM BEACH, Fla. - There is a report that fallen media mogul Conrad Black has sold his mansion in Palm Beach, Florida.
The Palm Beach Daily News is reporting the mansion has been bought by a California family for US $23.1 million.
The newspaper attributes the information to a warranty deed from the Palm Beach County Clerk’s office.
Black was freed last summer while the courts deal with appeals of his fraud and obstruction of justice convictions that landed him a 6 1/2-year U.S prison sentence.
The mansion built in 1973 reportedly boasts five bedrooms, six bathrooms and a guesthouse.
Municipal records indicate the property has a “total” square footage of 21,672 that includes a tunnel beneath the street that allows the main property to be connected to the beach.
Real estate broker Lawrence Moens told the newspaper that he received two written offers from other potential buyers interested in the house.
“I had great sellers and buyers,” Moens said Thursday, describing Black and his wife, Barbara Amiel Black, as “gracious people.”
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Conrad Black sells another bauble from his once formidable empire
Friday, April 29, 2011
Prince William & Kate balcony kisses complete wedding
Getty Images
If you looked away from the screen for a moment, you probably missed it. It was a quick smooch. Kate turned to her groom, said something with a smile, and the prince reached over, rather hurriedly, and gave her a very quick kiss.
Maybe that's why he kissed her again.
The second kiss came just before the Royal Air Force flyover. Another first on a historic day: two kisses on the Buckingham Palace balcony by a newly married royal couple.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Dutch club VVV-Venlo sign 1-year-old child - Dirty Tackle
YouTube videos have led to a number of footballers getting signed by clubs around the world, but this might be the first time it's worked for an 18-month-old. It's very much a publicity stunt, but the popular YouTube clip of young Baerke van der Meij kicking balls into his toy chest caught the attention of relegation-threatened Dutch top flight club VVV-Venlo and prompted the club to sign him to a 10-year professional contract. Though, it is made clear that the contract is a "symbolic" one.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Pro surfer rescues woman swept out to sea
Call it coincidence, serendipity or divine intervention, Maira Khan's alive today thanks to a stranger's last-minute change of plans.
Swept out to sea, non-swimmer Khan was rescued by a pro surfer who wasn't supposed to be there.
"The fact that a pro surfer came and saved my life? It's a miracle."
James Pribram is a pro surfer. He was supposed to be in Canada that day, but an injured family member had him in California earlier than expected.
While standing on the balcony of his parents' Laguna Beach home, Pribram saw Khan climbing on the rocks below when a 6-foot-wave knocked her off-balance.
The waves battered her body against the rocks, sweeping her out to sea.
Pribram saw the distressed woman. He called for his mother, told her to call 911, and ran toward Khan.
In the very waters where he learned to surf, Pribram pulled a scraped and bleeding Khan from the water.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
500-year-old book, a history of the world, surfaces at small town US museum
SALT LAKE CITY - Book dealer Ken Sanders has seen a lot of nothing in his decades appraising "rare" finds pulled from attics and basements, storage sheds and closets.Sanders, who occasionally appraises items for PBS's Antiques Roadshow, often employs "the fine art of letting people down gently."
But on a recent Saturday while volunteering at a fundraiser for the small town museum in Sandy, Utah, just south of Salt Lake, Sanders got the surprise of a lifetime.
"Late in the afternoon, a man sat down and started unwrapping a book from a big plastic sack, informing me he had a really, really old book and he thought it might be worth some money," he said. "I kinda start, oh boy, I've heard this before."
Then he produced a tattered, partial copy of the 500-year-old Nuremberg Chronicle.
The German language edition printed by Anton Koberger and published in 1493 is a world history beginning in biblical times. It's considered to be one of the earliest and most lavishly illustrated books produced after Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press and revolutionized publishing.
Monday, April 25, 2011
ReWalk Exoskeleton lets man walk for first time in 20 years
It's a modern-day miracle.
Thanks to technological advancement — specifically Argo's Medical Technologies' ReWalk Exoskeleton — Radi Kaiof is walking for the first time in 20 years.
"I feel normal. I stand and I feel tall."
Dubbed "an alternative mobility solution to the wheelchair for individuals with severe walking impairments, enabling them to stand, walk, ascend/descend stairs and more," the ReWalk Exoskeleton grants the previously wheelchair-bound individual user-initiated mobility.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Will Pull-On Denim be the new Jeggings?
Pull-On Denim by Beiji-Flor
We're always seeking out the next big denim trend, and while 1970s flares are big for spring, comfortable jean hybrids have really taken over the market. For the record we're on Team Jeggings (as long as zippers and pockets are still involved), anti- pajama jeans, and think JeanPants are a total joke. Pull-On Denim is the latest jean on the market, and we're not sure where we stand.
Pull-On Denim (aka POD jeans) was created by a Brazilian company called Beija-Flor and while they look like jeans and are made of denim, they have some major differences for your average pair. The first thing you'll notice is no zipper and button (see, this is why we're hesitant). En lieu of a typical closure, they feature a stretchy waistband that flattens your tummy.
Friday, April 22, 2011
8 thrilling volcano hikes
There are a number of active volcanoes a traveller can visit -- active in the sense of visible activity from steam or magma, not just the technical term applied to those that have erupted in the last 200 years. Here's a roundup of the best volcano hikes in the world
Bjarki-Sigursveinsson, Flickr Creative Commons
1. Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Best Hair Stylists
Tips on Choosing Hair Stylists
How your hair is styled is a very personal choice, and so is choosing your hair stylists. Hair styling is not always easy for one person to do on their own. A hair stylist is a great option for somebody wanting to give their hair a professional look.
Each hair stylist is a type of artist. Artists are all unique in their own ways, and likewise stylists are also unique in how they choose to style hair.
Emergency Dentist in Edmonton
Choosing an Emergency Dentist
Choosing a dentist that is also an emergency dentist is very important. It's a known fact that all dentists have an extensive amount of training, that only lets you know that they are able to do the minimal amount that is required, but having dentist that you trust and will work for you on a regular basis as well as an emergency basis is extremely beneficial.
Since the level of dental care varies from dentist to dentist, it is not wise to look for the cheapest dentist you can find. Some feel that all dentists are the same until it comes to one of their crowns or fillings falls out hours after leaving the dental office and the dentist is not on call. Think about cost last, and look into other factors first.
Billion-dollar phone bill sent to French distillery
The manager of a French distillery in the renowned Burgundy wine-making district was sent a sobering phone bill for 716,414,273 euros (1.02 billion dollars)."It's so enormous when you see it written down, you can't believe it, so several of us had a look," said Gerard Chaussee, who runs the Maison Vedrenne making various luxury spirits in Nuits-Saint-Georges in eastern France.
"At first I thought it was a forgery, what with all the things you can do with a computer these days. I looked at the bill from every angle," he said.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Get Help For My Marriage
Statistically speaking, nearly sixty percent of marriages fail. Many couples are looking into ways to avoid becoming that statistic. Although some marriages cannot be fixed, many can. It takes dedication and determination on the part of both the husband and the wife to help save their marriage, regardless of what the underlying problems are or who is at fault.
The following are some effective tips to help save marriage. However, for these to work, both the husband and wife must be committed to following these guidelines and work together to solve their differences.
Florists in Edmonton
Choosing a Florist for Wedding Bouquets
Before visiting any florist, you're going to want to figure out what colors your wedding is themed around. Knowing what colors you want in a bouquet will help the florist determine what flowers can be used, or what dyes the florist needs to prepare. If you know you want a specific type of flower, but you don't know if they come in the color you're looking for, ask the florist if they can dye flowers for you.
A New Home Builder in Edmonton
Tips on Finding a New Home Builder
For anyone who is trying to build a home, they know that this is a big challenge to find a good new home builder. Nevertheless, it is worth all the trouble if you can finally build a house that you can claim as your own. Because building a house is a great personal project it takes lots of planning, money and effort. Furthermore, the need to seek for professional advice is more important than ever. This will ensure that you meet few complications as possible. If you think already to build your very own house, then here are a few tips to take note when choosing a right house builder.
Tips for Choosing an Accounting Firm
The accounting firm you choose should be one that you feel comfortable dealing with. Whether you hire just one accountant or a company team of accountants, you, as the owner of a company or professional service should be assured of their competence and their efforts on your behalf. You may not know much about accountants, but you know your business. In managing a business, it's important to understand how the business makes a profit and do not confuse profit with cash flow.
When comes to accountants they should know the law concerning business taxes and what best to do for your company's financial security. If you feel that your accountant or his firm is not giving your financial concerns the right amount of interest and time, you should choose another financial firm.
Your business is important. When choosing an accounting firm, you should feel that you are treated with dignity and not high handedness. You may know little about accounting practices, but you are hiring a professional firm to work for you as extended employees and are the firm's client. You will be paying for your services from your extended business firm to do your taxes, handle legal tax matters and advising you on setting up your company's books, payroll and other accounting matters. Whether your company's accounting employees work from their own company headquarters or come to your company, they will act as advisers or does the actual accounting work itself. You need to feel confident in their ability and in their genuine concern for the welfare of your company or business office.
Choose a financial firm that handles accounting tasks for businesses or for professional offices that explains its methods to you without waiting for you to ask questions about how they will handle your accounting needs. Let your new extended employees introduce its members to you and give you samples of what their work looks like and what they will do for you. Make sure that you know how you will be charged for your new extended employees' salaries and when they expect to be paid for doing your company's books, payroll or whatever else you are hiring your new accountants to do. If you think that you are hiring a certified public accountant, check to see that they are certified. Remember when hiring a new accounting firm that you are the boss even if financial matters overwhelm you.
Visit http://accountantedmonton.com to learn more about choosing an accounting firm for your needs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Gray
British Royal Wedding Blogs
William & Kate announce their engagement (Samir Hussein/WireImage)
London's more stressed-out than backstage at New York fashion week, which can only mean one thing: less than two weeks until the Royal Wedding!
The whole city is aflutter with last-minute prep -- street cleaners frantically sand-blasting paving slabs, gardeners rushing to prune every tulip around Buckingham Palace's grounds, and it seems like all 1,800 guests have hired every decent tailor or seamstress in town, as they're all booked out until April 28!
PHOTOS: Inside Kate's princess prep!
Basically, we're going mad.
However, surprisingly, all is rather calm on team WillKat. At last Friday's Westminster Abbey dress rehearsal, Kate Middleton looked radiant and composed.
With the company of Prince Harry, Carole and Pippa Middleton (and most pageboys and bridesmaids), she spent 90 minutes running through the entire ceremonial program.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Arnold Schwarzenegger sad he’s not young anymore
Arnold Schwarzenegger has been busy since he left the California governor's office in January.Among other things, he's traveled to South America with director pal James Cameron; attended a Scorpions concert in Moscow with former USSR President Mikhail Gorbachev; and been immortalized as a comic book superhero known as The Governator.
But while his life seems pretty great from the outside, Schwarzenegger confesses in the latest Newsweek that he has trouble looking at himself in the mirror these days--though it's not because of the sorry fiscal shape in which he left California. Rather, it seems the 63-year-old ex-governor is having trouble coming to terms with the fact he's getting old.
"I feel terrific about where I am in my life, when I look back at what I've accomplished," the former governor tells Lloyd Grove. "But I feel so sh*tty when I look at myself in the mirror."
Indeed, Schwarzenegger is a long way from his days as Conan the Barbarian. He's heavier, and his perpetually spray-tanned face is accentuated with crow's feet. But he's still in decent shape for a guy his age--not that Schwarzenegger sees that.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Mercedes-Benz reinvents the automobile
A hydrogen-powered fuel cell that emits water powers the new and very green Mercedes-Benz F CELL.
Green cars typically don't turn heads in eco-obsessed San Francisco, where hybrids are common and even $100,000 electric Tesla Roadsters aren't rare. But when a trio of Mercedes-Benz F CELL cars recently trolled the city's streets, hands waved and horns honked. For it's not often that you catch a concrete glimpse of the future.
Mercedes brought these four-door, B-Class machines to the city by the bay as part of a 125-day, January-to-June, 18,000-mile global trek to mark the 125th anniversary of Carl Benz's invention of the automobile. In many ways, these cars represent as radical a leap as when Benz first introduced his motorized contraption. While the alt-fuel focus of most auto companies remains gas-electric and pure electric engines, a few companies remain committed to the so-called fuel cell vehicle.
In the simplest terms: A fuel cell-powered car carries tanks filled with hydrogen, which when exposed to oxygen generate electricity that's stored in lithium-ion batteries. The main emission is simple water. Mercedes' F CELL can get about 400 kilometers (250 miles) per four-kilogram tank of hydrogen, which means about a $48 fill-up at a European hydrogen depot. The F CELL's potential leaves one particular engineer almost giddy.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Edmonton Home Builders
Visit http://homebuilderedmonton.net/ to learn more.
Seattle teacher renames Easter eggs ‘spring spheres’
School children across North America look forward to Easter eggs in April. Students at one Seattle school, however, may only be allowed to call them 'spring spheres.'Reports about a teacher at a Seattle-area elementary school have drawn the focus of several news outlets in the United States, Canada and the U.K. A teen who volunteered at the school says she was told she had to refer to Easter eggs as 'spring spheres' when she asked the teacher if she could bring them as a special treat for the class.
"When I took them out of the bag, the teacher said, 'Oh look, spring spheres' and all the kids were like 'Wow, Easter eggs.' So they knew," the student said in an interview with MyNorthwest.com, the organization that originally broke the news.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
The world's friendliest countries
They say you can never go home again-and you may not want to after relocating to Canada, Bermuda or South Africa.
These are the countries where it's easiest to befriend locals, learn the language, fit into the new culture and integrate into the community, according to respondents to HSBC Bank International's Expat Explorer survey, the results of which were released late last month.
Canada was most welcoming for the second year in a row; more than half of survey-takers there said they'd made friends with locals. In Bermuda 57 per cent have had the pleasure, and the same for South Africa.
To determine the world's friendliest countries, Forbes looked at the results of HSBC Bank International's Expat Explorer survey in four categories: ability to befriend locals, success in learning the local language, capacity for integrating themselves into the community, and ease in which they fit into the new culture.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Hiring the Right Accounting Firm
Hiring the Right Accounting Firm
Some people believe that hiring an accounting firm is only for businesses, but the fact is that there are times when it can be helpful for individuals and families as well. It all depends on your needs. When you are looking for a company to help with your finances, you want to follow some guidelines so that you can be sure to find what will work right for you. Read more at http://accountantedmonton.com/accounting-firm-to-hire
World's oldest man dies in Montana
SALMON, Idaho (Reuters) - A 114-year-old retired railroad worker reputed to be the world's oldest living man died of natural causes on Thursday in the farming community of Great Falls, Montana.Walter Breuning, who had lived in a local nursing home since 1980, was declared oldest man on July 18, 2009, by the Guinness Book of World Records.
"I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend and a great Montanan, Walter Breuning," Governor Brian Schweitzer said in a statement. "He was wise even beyond his years."
Breuning was born September 21, 1896, in Melrose, Minnesota, and spent most of his early life in South Dakota before taking a job with the Great Northern Railway in 1913, according to the Rainbow Senior Living retirement home in Great Falls.
He moved to Montana in 1918 to clerk for the railway and married Agnes Twokey, a telegraph operator, four years later.
He retired from the railroad at age 66. He attributed his longevity to restricting daily meals to breakfast and lunch and to downing an aspirin a day.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Jennifer Lopez Named 2011's 'World's Most Beautiful' By People Magazine
Jennifer Lopez has yet another distinction to add to her name! In addition to actress/singer/"American Idol" judge, the 41-year-old mother tops People magazine's 2011 annual "World's Most Beautiful" list.
"It's so crazy. Rarely am I left speechless, but I feel honored. I feel not worthy, you know? I feel happy and proud. Proud that I'm not 25!," she told the mag of her honor.
Jennifer said she's in a better place now in her forties, compared to when she was in her twenties.
"I feel better, I feel smarter. In my 20's, I just wasn't there in my mind and my soul and my spirit. It's just great to be in the position I'm in now and be able to share that with the world," she explained.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Another star knocked out of the `Dancing' ballroom
Talk about a TKO.
Legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard was knocked out of the "Dancing With the Stars" ballroom Tuesday — one night after earning his highest scores on the hit ABC show.
Leonard and his professional partner, Anna Trebunskaya, collected 21 points out of 30 for their Viennese waltz on Monday's episode, but viewers failed to keep them as contenders in the competition.
Judges' scores are combined with viewer votes to determine which celebrity is ousted each week.
"That's life, and I put up a good fight," Leonard said. "I will cherish this moment: great friends, great people, great show."
Host Tom Bergeron called the 54-year-old Olympian "the heart of the show this season."
Trebunskaya said she and Leonard had fun together.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Classical Night Gets An Update On 'Dancing' As New Pair Takes The Lead
It was classical night on "Dancing with the Stars," but it was a modern update on a centuries-old number that brought a new pair to the top of the leaderboard.
Former Disney star Chelsea Kane and her professional partner, Mark Ballas, took inspiration from "Harry Potter" for their Viennese waltz and their modern take created a big stir at the judges' table. At first, however, it seemed as if the pair were going to get a poor score as Len Goodman took Mark on for updating the classic number.
PLAY IT NOW: Kirstie Alley Shows Off Her New Tattoo On ‘Dancing With The Stars’
"This is the Viennese waltz! It's 300 years old! It is the most traditional of all the dances," Len stated.
"But she's 22," Mark protested.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Highlights From ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Season 12
"I don't care that she's 22," Len shouted back as the audience booed. "Her job at 22 is to interpret a dance that is 300 years old. It's your job to help her get through it, not to distract her by creeping all over the floor."
Monday, April 11, 2011
The real reason IKEA is so confusing to navigate
If you've ever spent a Kafkaesque Sunday ambling aimlessly through the labyrinthine interior of an IKEA with frantic thoughts of escape flitting through you mind, we may finally have an explanation for your ordeal.What seemed like a meaningless exercise in gratuitous brutality was actually a clever sales ploy. That's right, they make it impossible to escape on purpose.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Alan Penn, a professor of architectural computing at University College London, recently gave a lecture on why IKEA makes their stores so difficult to navigate.
According to Prof. Penn, getting lost in the store leaves shoppers feeling "licensed to impulse purchase." And the strategy works. Approximately 60 per cent of purchases at IKEA weren't on shoppers' lists.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Nazi warplane lying off UK coast is intact
LONDON (Reuters) - A rare World War Two German bomber, shot down over the English Channel in 1940 and hidden for years by shifting sands at the bottom of the sea, is so well preserved a British museum wants to raise it.
The Dornier 17 -- thought to be world's last known example -- was hit as it took part in the Battle of Britain.
It ditched in the sea just off the Kent coast, southeast England, in an area known as the Goodwin Sands.
The plane came to rest upside-down in 50 feet of water and has become partially visible from time to time as the sands retreated before being buried again.
Now a high-tech sonar survey undertaken by the Port of London Authority (PLA) has revealed the aircraft to be in a startling state of preservation.
Ian Thirsk, from the RAF Museum at Hendon in London, told the BBC he was "incredulous" when he first heard of its existence and potential preservation.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Fix or replace: Thinking ahead on home repairs
We've all been there. Your dishwasher breaks for the eighth time in as many months, and it's the moment of truth: Do you pay to fix the darn thing, or do you replace it altogether? It's tempting to just save yourself the trouble of paying for labor, but sometimes it's wiser to make a repair. So next time something breaks, don't be caught off guard and make the wrong call. Instead, know which items are worth the trouble, and which are simply worthy of the trash.
Kitchen Appliances
If one of your kitchen appliances is making that awkward whirring sound again, then you know it's time to see about a solution. But oftentimes, repairs are expensive. In general, if a kitchen appliance is still within warranty, then it's worth having it fixed. Depending on your warranty specifications, the manufacturer will make the necessary changes for free or for a very small service charge. If your product is out of warranty, then skip any repair that would cost more than half the price of a new product. In general, a newer product is the better long-term investment. If your appliance is more than eight years old and is having problems, then it may be best to replace it. (For related reading, see Extended Warranties: Should You Take The Bait?)
Friday, April 8, 2011
Woman lives large in what may be New York’s smallest apartment
Felice Cohen does just that. And she's not complaining.
The writer and professional organizer's tiny New York apartment is becoming a bit of a real-estate celebrity. Watch Cohen give a tour of her impeccably organized 90-square-foot apartment below (via FairCompanies.com):
Cohen was willing to sacrifice space for financial peace of mind. She pays a mere $700 (USD) a month to live one block from Central Park — a price unheard of in Manhattan.
The organizational genius managed to make the closet-like space functional enough for her to live there for years. She has a home office, makeshift kitchenette and ceiling-grazing loft bed.
She gave The Globe and Mail a few tips on living simply and strategically — she's most proud of the shelving unit and her use of vertical space — touting the benefits of her streamlined life:
Thursday, April 7, 2011
My dog Puszek
Swedish couple endures (natural) disaster honeymoon, saying they witnessed 6 catastrophes
STOCKHOLM - Honeymoons aren't always easy for newlyweds, but six natural disasters?When Stefan and Erika Svanstrom of Stockholm set out on their 4-month-long honeymoon with their baby girl on Dec. 6, they say they got more than they bargained for: Immediately they were stranded in Munich, Germany, due to one of Europe's worst snowstorms, he said.
But that was just the beginning.
After that, he said, they experienced the devastation of a cyclone in Cairns, Australia, and the flooding in Brisbane, and narrowly escaped the bush fires in Perth.
"We escaped by the skin of our teeth," Svanstrom said, recalling how they were evacuated in Cairns and were forced to spend 24 hours on a cement floor in a shopping centre with 2,500 others. "Trees were being knocked over and big branches were scattered across the streets."
Just before they arrived in New Zealand, the 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch and in Tokyo, they felt Japan's largest temblor since records began, he said.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Oldest woman to finish a marathon, 92, honoured
HONOLULU, Hawaii - Gladys Burrill wasn't thinking about breaking a world record when she power-walked and jogged through the Honolulu Marathon at age 92.
Gladys Burrill crosses the finish line during the Dec. 12, 2010 Honolulu Marathon, making her the oldest woman to ever complete a marathon.
(Honolulu Marathon/AP Photo)But Burrill, a part-time Hawaii resident nicknamed the "Gladyator," learned soon after finishing the Dec. 12 race with a time of nine hours 53 minutes that she likely qualified for the recognition.
Guinness World Records confirmed Burrill's accomplishment Saturday, and the Hawaii House of Representatives honoured her with a certificate and lei during a ceremony Monday.
Her advice for others wanting to live a long and healthy lifestyle?
"Just get out there and walk or run," she said Monday. "I like walking because you can stop and smell the roses, but it's a rarity that I stop."
Burrill had been a multi-engine aircraft pilot, mountain climber, desert hiker and horseback rider before she ran her first marathon in 2004 at the age of 86.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Stamp design gaffe tears Kate and William apart
Stamp design gaffe tears Kate and William apart
It may come as a shock, but Kate Middleton and Prince William have 'split' less than one month before they are due to tie the knot.
A new stamp officially released by New Zealand Post and sold in the South Pacific island nation of Nieu will mark the couple's wedding on 29 April.
The commemorative stamp, launched last week, is actually a double stamp - with the prince on one, his bride on the other and a perforated line down the middle.
Effectively, Wills and Kate can be torn apart.
The second-in-line to the throne is also worth NZ$1 (CAD $0.74) more than his bride - with Kate's side worth $2.40 (CAD$1.78), and her husband-to-be $3.40 (CAD $2.53).
Together the Royal Wedding stamps are worth NZ$5.80 (CAD $4.31).
It is predicted the unusual stamp will soon become a collectors' item.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Images of American flag taken by Apollo 14 astronauts provide fuel for conspiracists
MONTREAL - Did all the manned U.S. lunar landings between July 1969 and December 1972 actually take place or were they hoaxes?A Canadian book publisher has taken a closer look at images acquired by the Apollo 14 astronauts just before they left the moon 40 years ago.
What Robert Godwin uncovered will probably provide more ammunition for those who doubt a U.S. astronaut ever set foot on Earth's celestial neighbour.
Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin are credited with being the first humans to set foot on the moon, on July 20, 1969.
One frequently used argument is that video of the Stars and Stripes planted on lunar soil appears to show the flags blowing in the wind — even though there's no atmosphere on the moon.
Godwin says two frames of film taken from the Apollo 14 lunar lander in February 1971 may lead some people to believe that's true.
In one frame, the American flag is pointed to the right, while in another frame, it's pointing in another direction — to the left.
Godwin, 53, says he was drawn to Apollo 14 after viewing high-resolution images of that landing site which were taken recently by a lunar reconnaissance satellite.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Rutgers University defends Snooki's $32,000 appearance
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. university defended spending about $32,000 to bring reality television star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi to campus this week, despite several students questioning if it was a wise use of money.
The speaking fee Rutgers University in New Jersey paid to the star of the MTV reality television series "The Jersey Shore" is $2,000 more than Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winning author Toni Morrison will receive to speak at graduation on May 15.
"We have more than 200 events on our campus during the course of the year, everything from scholarly presentations to entertainment," Rutgers spokesman Steve Manas said. "The students canvassed for who they wanted here and had the funds available."
More than 1,000 people came to the university to hear Snooki speak Thursday.
Student Hina Rehman, 20, said she found it disappointing her tuition money was going to fund the event.
"The fact that our school spent $32,000 to bring her is ridiculous," she said. "It's fine the money used here is meant for entertainment purposes, but I think we can get better entertainment than that."
Manas said the event was funded by the Rutgers University Programing Association, a student events group that receives some of the mandatory fees tacked onto tuition. The university will pay Morrison for her commencement speech with money from a deal with beverage company Pepsi.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
US: 'Fuselage rupture' on Southwest plane that made emergency landing in US desert city
PHOENIX - Federal officials said a "fuselage rupture" forced a Southwest Airlines flight to make an emergency landing Friday in an Arizona desert city, and passengers described a large hole at the top of the plane.The cause of the hole was not immediately known.
"It's at the top of the plane, right up above where you store your luggage," passenger Brenda Reese told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "The panel's not completely off. It's like ripped down, but you can see completely outside... When you look up through the panel, you can see the sky."
Reese said the plane had just left Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for Sacramento, California, when she awoke after hearing a "gunshot-like sound." She said oxygen masks then dropped for passengers and flight attendants as the plane dove.
Terrorism was not suspected because an FBI spokesman in Sacramento, Steve Dupre, said "it appears to be a mechanical issue."
Friday, April 1, 2011
British Royal Wedding Blogs
For most people, dropping into a store and paying cash for a loaf of bread or a carton of milk is no big deal. The members of the royal family are not "most people."
In fact, for centuries, they haven't bothered to carry cash at all. Instead, whenever they needed to pick up something around town, they simply borrowed a little cash from an assistant or member of their security team (and presumably paid them back).
The tradition began a long time ago and was due to do an old-school fear of germs and insects. The unspoken rule never went away. But Prince William, who is set to marry Kate Middleton on April 29, is doing his darndest to change the cash-less practice.
It may be hard to believe, but William is the first member of the royal family to actually handle cash. William wishes to be seen as a "modern royal" and not someone who is out of touch with regular people.