CURRY IS GOOD FOR YOU!
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- A spice used for thousands of years, curry, may be a powerful new weapon in fighting Alzheimer's Disease, researchers said. Researchers from UCLA and the Department of Veterans Affairs said their study of curcumin, the yellow pigment in curry, found it broke up existing beta
amyloid on rats' brains and helped prevent accumulation of the destructive plaque.
Reporting in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the team said curcumin is more effective in stopping the protein fragments from forming than many other drugs being tested to treat the disease that affects 4 million Americans and millions more worldwide.
"The prospect of finding a safe and effective new approach to both prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease is tremendously exciting," said Gregory Cole, the main UCLA investigator.
"Curcumin has been used for thousands of years as a safe anti-inflammatory in a variety of ailments as part of Indian traditional medicine," Cole said. Recent animal studies "support a growing interest in its possible use for diseases of aging involving oxidative damage and inflammation like Alzheimer's, cancer and
heart disease."
Cole called for human trials of curcumin to establish safe and effective doses.
Now all we need is to prove beer is good for you too and then I can cancel my gym membership and set about becoming the healthiest guy in town.
Friday, December 31, 2004
NEW YEAR’S HUMBUG
So here it is again. Regular as clockwork. New Year’s Eve.
A time for compulsory fun and laughter, for queuing for the privilege of entering overcrowded and bars and clubs so you can buy overpriced watered-down drinks, for restaurants only offering revolting “Special Set Menus” wherever you look, and for every taxi being full and queues at the rank being round the block.
There are some redeeming features I suppose which can make for some light entertainment. There are inevitably a few who spectacularly misjudge their drinking capacity and are fast asleep in the middle of the road by 8.30pm, giving endless opportunities for humiliating photos, and wherever you are it’s a sure bet that someone, usually a rugby player with a nickname like “jockstrap” or some such, will try to climb on the bar, roaored on by his mates, and then either fall or get pushed off, necessitating a trip to casualty.
Other than that though I can think of no reason to venture outside of the environs of Chateau Chariot.
Happy New Year.
If anyone needs me I shall be at home, curled up with a good wife…
So here it is again. Regular as clockwork. New Year’s Eve.
A time for compulsory fun and laughter, for queuing for the privilege of entering overcrowded and bars and clubs so you can buy overpriced watered-down drinks, for restaurants only offering revolting “Special Set Menus” wherever you look, and for every taxi being full and queues at the rank being round the block.
There are some redeeming features I suppose which can make for some light entertainment. There are inevitably a few who spectacularly misjudge their drinking capacity and are fast asleep in the middle of the road by 8.30pm, giving endless opportunities for humiliating photos, and wherever you are it’s a sure bet that someone, usually a rugby player with a nickname like “jockstrap” or some such, will try to climb on the bar, roaored on by his mates, and then either fall or get pushed off, necessitating a trip to casualty.
Other than that though I can think of no reason to venture outside of the environs of Chateau Chariot.
Happy New Year.
If anyone needs me I shall be at home, curled up with a good wife…
Thursday, December 30, 2004
VERY CYNICAL, BUT DOES THAT MAKE HIM WRONG?
link
Bet that one will start some ranting of gargantuan proportions.
And one of the people I know who was in Phuket is our very own Attila the Gun, who is well-known for his moderate world view of things. When he sees that post I may have to absent myself for a while!
link
Bet that one will start some ranting of gargantuan proportions.
And one of the people I know who was in Phuket is our very own Attila the Gun, who is well-known for his moderate world view of things. When he sees that post I may have to absent myself for a while!
A CHRISTMAS TO FORGET
A Hong Kong couple who survived the tsunami after spending seven hours adrift when water surged through their Phuket hotel room are being investigated by the Social Welfare Dept.
Leung Wai-Kei, 27, said she had let go of a rail she was clinging to and grabbed hold of a floating mattress. Then she saw her husband, Ko Chung-Keung, 36, clinging to a piece of wood nearby.
The couple, who have two children, said in Phuket that they wanted to realize their dream of spending a sunny Christmas together. They said they had won $27,000 on horse racing recently.
But it emerged last night that they had been living on welfare payments for five years and they were separated two or three years ago.
A Social Welfare Dept spokesman said “I can confirm that we are investigating a fraud case involving a 27-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man after receiving a number of reports.”
A government source said Mrs Leung and her two children were claiming single-parent welfare payments of about $9,500 a month. Under the rules, a family of four can receive about $8,000 a month.
The couple, who were slightly injured, returned to Hong Kong last night and were sent to Tuen Mun Hospital, where Mrs Leung was admitted in stable condition. (from the SCMP)
D'oh!
A Hong Kong couple who survived the tsunami after spending seven hours adrift when water surged through their Phuket hotel room are being investigated by the Social Welfare Dept.
Leung Wai-Kei, 27, said she had let go of a rail she was clinging to and grabbed hold of a floating mattress. Then she saw her husband, Ko Chung-Keung, 36, clinging to a piece of wood nearby.
The couple, who have two children, said in Phuket that they wanted to realize their dream of spending a sunny Christmas together. They said they had won $27,000 on horse racing recently.
But it emerged last night that they had been living on welfare payments for five years and they were separated two or three years ago.
A Social Welfare Dept spokesman said “I can confirm that we are investigating a fraud case involving a 27-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man after receiving a number of reports.”
A government source said Mrs Leung and her two children were claiming single-parent welfare payments of about $9,500 a month. Under the rules, a family of four can receive about $8,000 a month.
The couple, who were slightly injured, returned to Hong Kong last night and were sent to Tuen Mun Hospital, where Mrs Leung was admitted in stable condition. (from the SCMP)
D'oh!
HO HUM
It's 11 am. It was pretty clear by about 8.30 that there was very little chance of any trades happening today. I've read all the blogs I'm interested in. I've read the SCMP cover to cover (including the Business section). I've read the BBC, the Telegraph and the Times reports on the cricket. CNN now seems to be on some sort of "Tsunami Repeat" mode where they just show the same stuff over and over again. The cricket isn't due to start again till 4pm.
What to do?
It's 11 am. It was pretty clear by about 8.30 that there was very little chance of any trades happening today. I've read all the blogs I'm interested in. I've read the SCMP cover to cover (including the Business section). I've read the BBC, the Telegraph and the Times reports on the cricket. CNN now seems to be on some sort of "Tsunami Repeat" mode where they just show the same stuff over and over again. The cricket isn't due to start again till 4pm.
What to do?
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
SPORT
Rugby
------
Leicester 50 - 7 Worcester
Cricket
-------
England 281 for 1 at end of Day 3 v South Africa
Magnificent....
Rugby
------
Leicester 50 - 7 Worcester
Cricket
-------
England 281 for 1 at end of Day 3 v South Africa
Magnificent....
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Sunday, December 26, 2004
TECHNOLOGICAL HELP NEEDED PLEASE
I hope everyone had a good christmas, but now I need your help please.
It is time for a new computer. Our Dell laptop is now 4 years old, which I believe makes it stone age in techie world.
Seeing as it has not moved from the table top here for over a year we might as well get one of those box things with a proper keyboard and decent size screen.
I know it needs to have a million USB ports for Palms, MP3's, printers, digital cameras etc etc but that is as much of a decision as I am qualified to make.
So I need some help.
It'll mainly be used for email / internet and storage for photos and MP3s, plus for burning CD's and DVD's.
Can someone who knows abouth these things please give me some advice on what to get.
Do I need bluetooth?
Do I need firwire? (What is firewire??)
Should it have built in CD and/or DVD readers and writers?
Should it have built in SD / Memory Stick readers?
What version of Windows should it run?
Should it have woofers and tweeters?
Should I have a bag on my head?
HELP.....
I hope everyone had a good christmas, but now I need your help please.
It is time for a new computer. Our Dell laptop is now 4 years old, which I believe makes it stone age in techie world.
Seeing as it has not moved from the table top here for over a year we might as well get one of those box things with a proper keyboard and decent size screen.
I know it needs to have a million USB ports for Palms, MP3's, printers, digital cameras etc etc but that is as much of a decision as I am qualified to make.
So I need some help.
It'll mainly be used for email / internet and storage for photos and MP3s, plus for burning CD's and DVD's.
Can someone who knows abouth these things please give me some advice on what to get.
Do I need bluetooth?
Do I need firwire? (What is firewire??)
Should it have built in CD and/or DVD readers and writers?
Should it have built in SD / Memory Stick readers?
What version of Windows should it run?
Should it have woofers and tweeters?
Should I have a bag on my head?
HELP.....
Thursday, December 23, 2004
SENSIBLE POLICIES FOR A HAPPIER MEXICO
Mexico City (dpa) - Come New Years, residents of Villahermosa, a
sizable city southeast of the capital, may no longer run around naked
in their own homes.
If caught in the act, they face 36 hours of arrest or a fine of 133
dollars, the Mexican daily ``La Jornada'' reported Wednesday. The town
of half a million residents lies in a tropical zone about 750
kilometres southeast of Mexico City.
The town has also forbidden residents to appear at parties without
an invitation.
Only one council member, Rodrigo Sanchez, voted against the law,
saying it was ``laughable'' and ``an attack on civil rights''.
Mexican towns and cities are in the grips of a passing such
regulations, presumably in an effort to bolster city incomes.
But whether they actually make any money on the nudity law is
another thing: the town has also forbidden spying on one's neighbours.
Mexico City (dpa) - Come New Years, residents of Villahermosa, a
sizable city southeast of the capital, may no longer run around naked
in their own homes.
If caught in the act, they face 36 hours of arrest or a fine of 133
dollars, the Mexican daily ``La Jornada'' reported Wednesday. The town
of half a million residents lies in a tropical zone about 750
kilometres southeast of Mexico City.
The town has also forbidden residents to appear at parties without
an invitation.
Only one council member, Rodrigo Sanchez, voted against the law,
saying it was ``laughable'' and ``an attack on civil rights''.
Mexican towns and cities are in the grips of a passing such
regulations, presumably in an effort to bolster city incomes.
But whether they actually make any money on the nudity law is
another thing: the town has also forbidden spying on one's neighbours.
THE DANGERS OF LONG HAUL TRAVEL
We all know about the obvious dangers of long haul travel. Every airline now shows you one of those silly videos showing a smiling man or woman doing a variety of preposterous exercises to keep the blood going while you're shoehorned into your miniscule cattle class seat, lest you suffer from deep vein thrombosis and sue the bastards.
There are other dangers however.
Last night I decided to imbibe a spot of festive spirit with Genghis in the perennial favourite - Stormies in LKF. While there I had the (mis)fortune to bump into fellow blogger Shandyman. He was with undoubtedly the biggest man in HK, a huge Aussie, who I shall call Bruce for anonimity's sake. They were both off to Mud Island for Christmas on last nights flights, Shandy to the bosom of his family and Bruce to the bosom of his girlfriend. Both had packed and, in a burst of efficiency, had checked in much earlier in the day. They were in LKF to have a couple of rum and cokes each to set them on their way.
All well and good.
Except that before their pre-flight refreshments they had been to lunch in Dot Cod.
For 8 hours.
Shandy was upright, but only just.
Bruce was upright for a while, but then decided he needed to rest his eyes for 15 minutes or so by lying down in the middle of LKF, where he was the source of much amusement to the snaggle-toothed mainland tour parties who seemed to be out in even greater numbers than usual.
Bruce was eventually roused, but then Shandy realised he had forgotten something vital for his trip, the Little Madam.
Yes she was going too but had sensibly opted out of the pre-flight drinkathon.
Panic phone calls ensued and LM was eventually located, hopefully for her she was at a check-in desk getting her seat changed.
God knows if either of them made it to the flight, but my heart goes out to the poor people who had to sit next to either of them for 13 hrs.
We all know about the obvious dangers of long haul travel. Every airline now shows you one of those silly videos showing a smiling man or woman doing a variety of preposterous exercises to keep the blood going while you're shoehorned into your miniscule cattle class seat, lest you suffer from deep vein thrombosis and sue the bastards.
There are other dangers however.
Last night I decided to imbibe a spot of festive spirit with Genghis in the perennial favourite - Stormies in LKF. While there I had the (mis)fortune to bump into fellow blogger Shandyman. He was with undoubtedly the biggest man in HK, a huge Aussie, who I shall call Bruce for anonimity's sake. They were both off to Mud Island for Christmas on last nights flights, Shandy to the bosom of his family and Bruce to the bosom of his girlfriend. Both had packed and, in a burst of efficiency, had checked in much earlier in the day. They were in LKF to have a couple of rum and cokes each to set them on their way.
All well and good.
Except that before their pre-flight refreshments they had been to lunch in Dot Cod.
For 8 hours.
Shandy was upright, but only just.
Bruce was upright for a while, but then decided he needed to rest his eyes for 15 minutes or so by lying down in the middle of LKF, where he was the source of much amusement to the snaggle-toothed mainland tour parties who seemed to be out in even greater numbers than usual.
Bruce was eventually roused, but then Shandy realised he had forgotten something vital for his trip, the Little Madam.
Yes she was going too but had sensibly opted out of the pre-flight drinkathon.
Panic phone calls ensued and LM was eventually located, hopefully for her she was at a check-in desk getting her seat changed.
God knows if either of them made it to the flight, but my heart goes out to the poor people who had to sit next to either of them for 13 hrs.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Never-changing calendar developed
BALTIMORE, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- A scientist at The John Hopkins University has developed a calendar that never changes from year to year, with Christmas always falling on a Sunday.Using computer programs and mathematical formulas, Richard Henry, professor in the Henry A. Rowland Department of Physics and Astronomy, is waging a Web-based campaign to have the world change to his model by Jan. 1, 2006. Henry said this transition date is ideal, because New Year's Day 2006 falls on a Sunday on both the old and proposed calendars, facilitating a seamless transition.Under Henry's plan, each new 12-month period is identical to the one that came before. Each month has either 30 or 31 days. January, for instance, would have 30 days, as would February, April, May, July, August, October and November. March, June, September and December would all have 31 days.To compensate for leap years, Henry proposes instituting instead a one-week "mini-month" between June and July every five or six years. In honor of his personal hero, Sir Isaac Newton, Henry has dubbed this period "Newton."
Only an American could think it's a good idea to have Christmas Day and New Year's Day always fall on a Sunday (presumably his logic is that then people wouldn't need to have a day off work - God forbid that might happen!).
BALTIMORE, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- A scientist at The John Hopkins University has developed a calendar that never changes from year to year, with Christmas always falling on a Sunday.Using computer programs and mathematical formulas, Richard Henry, professor in the Henry A. Rowland Department of Physics and Astronomy, is waging a Web-based campaign to have the world change to his model by Jan. 1, 2006. Henry said this transition date is ideal, because New Year's Day 2006 falls on a Sunday on both the old and proposed calendars, facilitating a seamless transition.Under Henry's plan, each new 12-month period is identical to the one that came before. Each month has either 30 or 31 days. January, for instance, would have 30 days, as would February, April, May, July, August, October and November. March, June, September and December would all have 31 days.To compensate for leap years, Henry proposes instituting instead a one-week "mini-month" between June and July every five or six years. In honor of his personal hero, Sir Isaac Newton, Henry has dubbed this period "Newton."
Only an American could think it's a good idea to have Christmas Day and New Year's Day always fall on a Sunday (presumably his logic is that then people wouldn't need to have a day off work - God forbid that might happen!).
YET ANOTHER CHRISTMAS JOKE
A small boy goes christmas shopping with his grandfather, but there are hundreds of people in the shopping mall and he soon gets seperated from his grandfather. Fortunately his grandfather had had the foresight to tell him what to do in case this happened, so, remembering his grandfathers instructions, he finds a policeman and tells him "I've lost my grandad". The policeman says "Don't worry lad. We'll find him for you. What's he like ?" The little boy replied "Jack Daniels and birds with big tits "
Boom boom....
A small boy goes christmas shopping with his grandfather, but there are hundreds of people in the shopping mall and he soon gets seperated from his grandfather. Fortunately his grandfather had had the foresight to tell him what to do in case this happened, so, remembering his grandfathers instructions, he finds a policeman and tells him "I've lost my grandad". The policeman says "Don't worry lad. We'll find him for you. What's he like ?" The little boy replied "Jack Daniels and birds with big tits "
Boom boom....
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
ANYONE LOOKING FOR A NEW AMAH?
Check out the second advert down on this list of helpers looking for work - Maribel Apostol Taguinod (Belle to her friends apparently!)
Surely someone out there can provide some form of employment for a 29 year old single female ex-model from the Philippines.
Shaky?
Shandy?
Hemlock?
Fumier?
Simon? (I'm sure Mrs M wouldn't mind)
Check out the second advert down on this list of helpers looking for work - Maribel Apostol Taguinod (Belle to her friends apparently!)
Surely someone out there can provide some form of employment for a 29 year old single female ex-model from the Philippines.
Shaky?
Shandy?
Hemlock?
Fumier?
Simon? (I'm sure Mrs M wouldn't mind)
Monday, December 20, 2004
ANOTHER CHRISTMAS JOKE
Heard a great joke on the Radio this morning. They claimed that George W Bush is Time Magazine's "Person of the Year".
What kidders eh.
They should have saved it for April Fools though.
I mean who would really believe that?
Turns out sadly it is true.
This puts Geroge W Bush in illustrious company. Previous winners of this award include Adolf Hitler in 1938, Josef Stalin in 1939 AND 1942 and Ayatollah Khomeni in 1979.
Clearly there are bonus points in the calculations used for causing huge numbers of deaths and crushing civil liberties and dissent.
Heard a great joke on the Radio this morning. They claimed that George W Bush is Time Magazine's "Person of the Year".
What kidders eh.
They should have saved it for April Fools though.
I mean who would really believe that?
Turns out sadly it is true.
This puts Geroge W Bush in illustrious company. Previous winners of this award include Adolf Hitler in 1938, Josef Stalin in 1939 AND 1942 and Ayatollah Khomeni in 1979.
Clearly there are bonus points in the calculations used for causing huge numbers of deaths and crushing civil liberties and dissent.
Friday, December 17, 2004
HONG KONG SEVENS
Despite having been away on the day of the public sale I've got some tickets... nahnahnahnahnah...
The secret?
Give your amah a wedge of cash. Ask her to round up some friends. Give her a map and the time the tickets go on sale. Explain there might be a queue so best to get there a bit early. Then go on holiday.
Lo and behold - I've got tickets!
She has earnt her 13mth bonus this year.
Despite having been away on the day of the public sale I've got some tickets... nahnahnahnahnah...
The secret?
Give your amah a wedge of cash. Ask her to round up some friends. Give her a map and the time the tickets go on sale. Explain there might be a queue so best to get there a bit early. Then go on holiday.
Lo and behold - I've got tickets!
She has earnt her 13mth bonus this year.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
There was this man who worked for the Post Office and whose job it was
to process all the mail that had illegible addresses.
One day just before Xmas, a letter landed on his desk, simply
addressed in shaky handwriting to "God".
With no other clue on the envelope, he opened the letter and read,
"Dear God, I am an 83 year old widow living on the State pension.
Yesterday someone stole my purse. It had GBP100 in it, which was all the
money I had in the world and no pension due until after Christmas.
Next week is Christmas and I had invited two of my friends over for Xmas
dinner. Without that money, I have nothing to buy food with. I have no
family to turn to, and you are my only hope. God, can you please help me?"
The postal worker was really touched, and put a copy of the letter up on
the Staff Notice board, at the main sorting office where he worked.
The letter touched the other postmen and they all dug into their pockets and
had a whip round. Between them they raised GBP96.
Using an official franked Post Office envelope, they sent the cash onto
the old lady. And for the rest of the day, all the workers felt a warm
glow thinking of the nice thing they had done.
Christmas came and went. A few days later, another letter simply addressed
to God landed in the Sorting Office. Many of the postmen gathered around
while the letter was opened.
It read, "Dear God, How can I ever thank you enough for what you did for me?
Because of your generosity, I was able to provide a lovely dinner for my
friends. We had a very nice day, and I told my friends of your wonderful
gift - in fact we haven't gotten over it and our Vicar is beside himself
with joy.
By the way, there was GBP4 missing. I think it must have been those thieving
b******s at the Post Office."
to process all the mail that had illegible addresses.
One day just before Xmas, a letter landed on his desk, simply
addressed in shaky handwriting to "God".
With no other clue on the envelope, he opened the letter and read,
"Dear God, I am an 83 year old widow living on the State pension.
Yesterday someone stole my purse. It had GBP100 in it, which was all the
money I had in the world and no pension due until after Christmas.
Next week is Christmas and I had invited two of my friends over for Xmas
dinner. Without that money, I have nothing to buy food with. I have no
family to turn to, and you are my only hope. God, can you please help me?"
The postal worker was really touched, and put a copy of the letter up on
the Staff Notice board, at the main sorting office where he worked.
The letter touched the other postmen and they all dug into their pockets and
had a whip round. Between them they raised GBP96.
Using an official franked Post Office envelope, they sent the cash onto
the old lady. And for the rest of the day, all the workers felt a warm
glow thinking of the nice thing they had done.
Christmas came and went. A few days later, another letter simply addressed
to God landed in the Sorting Office. Many of the postmen gathered around
while the letter was opened.
It read, "Dear God, How can I ever thank you enough for what you did for me?
Because of your generosity, I was able to provide a lovely dinner for my
friends. We had a very nice day, and I told my friends of your wonderful
gift - in fact we haven't gotten over it and our Vicar is beside himself
with joy.
By the way, there was GBP4 missing. I think it must have been those thieving
b******s at the Post Office."
Friday, December 03, 2004
A JOKE TO FINISH THE WEEK
Raul, Ronaldo and Beckham were all at Real Madrid's canteen. They were eating lunch and Raul said; "Tapas again! If I get tapas one more time for lunch I'm going to jump off the top of the stadium." Ronaldo opened his lunch box and exclaimed, "Burritos again! If I get burritos one more time I'm going to jump off, too." Beckham opened his lunch and said, "Ham & Cheese again. If I get a Ham & Cheese sandwich one more time, I'm jumping too."
The next day Raul opened his lunch box, saw Tapas and jumped to his death. Ronaldo opened his lunch, saw a burrito and jumped too. Beckham opened his lunch, saw the Ham & Cheese and jumped to his death as well.
At the funeral Raul's wife was weeping. She said, "If I'd known how really tired he was of Tapas I never would have given it to him again!"
Ronaldo's wife also wept and said, "I could have given him tacos or enchiladas! I didn't realize he hated burritos so much."
Everyone turned and stared at the skinny arseless bint wearing oversized sun glasses and trailer trash trucker baseball cap.
"Hey, don't look at me," said Posh, "David made his own lunch."
(Thankyou reader)
And with that I'm off to Bali for a week.
Byeeeeeeee
Raul, Ronaldo and Beckham were all at Real Madrid's canteen. They were eating lunch and Raul said; "Tapas again! If I get tapas one more time for lunch I'm going to jump off the top of the stadium." Ronaldo opened his lunch box and exclaimed, "Burritos again! If I get burritos one more time I'm going to jump off, too." Beckham opened his lunch and said, "Ham & Cheese again. If I get a Ham & Cheese sandwich one more time, I'm jumping too."
The next day Raul opened his lunch box, saw Tapas and jumped to his death. Ronaldo opened his lunch, saw a burrito and jumped too. Beckham opened his lunch, saw the Ham & Cheese and jumped to his death as well.
At the funeral Raul's wife was weeping. She said, "If I'd known how really tired he was of Tapas I never would have given it to him again!"
Ronaldo's wife also wept and said, "I could have given him tacos or enchiladas! I didn't realize he hated burritos so much."
Everyone turned and stared at the skinny arseless bint wearing oversized sun glasses and trailer trash trucker baseball cap.
"Hey, don't look at me," said Posh, "David made his own lunch."
(Thankyou reader)
And with that I'm off to Bali for a week.
Byeeeeeeee
BREAKING NEWS FROM CNN
So far today no car bombs have exploded in Iraq. A spokesman for the interim Iraqi government described this as "totally unprecedented" and vowed the government would work "tirelessly" to ensure an immediate return to chaos.
A spokesman for the Association of Baghdad Car Dealers commented that if there was not immediate government action his members would be forced to consider laying off staff in "the near future" as demand for new cars to replaced those used by the bombers is crucial to their market.
UPDATE FROM REUTERS
Normal Service has been resumed
15:31 03Dec2004 RTRS-UPDATE 1-Car bomb in northern Baghdad kills 14 - police
BAGHDAD, Dec 3 (Reuters) - A car bomb killed at least 14 people on Friday in the tense northern Baghdad neighbourhood of Aadhamiya, police said.
Aadhamiya is a mainly Sunni area that has seen frequent attacks by insurgents. There was no immediate information on the target of the car bomb attack.
Earlier on Friday, gunmen stormed a police station in southern Baghdad, killing 11 policemen.
So far today no car bombs have exploded in Iraq. A spokesman for the interim Iraqi government described this as "totally unprecedented" and vowed the government would work "tirelessly" to ensure an immediate return to chaos.
A spokesman for the Association of Baghdad Car Dealers commented that if there was not immediate government action his members would be forced to consider laying off staff in "the near future" as demand for new cars to replaced those used by the bombers is crucial to their market.
UPDATE FROM REUTERS
Normal Service has been resumed
15:31 03Dec2004 RTRS-UPDATE 1-Car bomb in northern Baghdad kills 14 - police
BAGHDAD, Dec 3 (Reuters) - A car bomb killed at least 14 people on Friday in the tense northern Baghdad neighbourhood of Aadhamiya, police said.
Aadhamiya is a mainly Sunni area that has seen frequent attacks by insurgents. There was no immediate information on the target of the car bomb attack.
Earlier on Friday, gunmen stormed a police station in southern Baghdad, killing 11 policemen.
HOW SAD IS THIS?
"Santacam" to allay paedophile fears
LONDON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - A Father Christmas will have a webcam in his grotto to overcome parents' concerns after a number of high-profile paedophile cases in Britain in the past few years.
The St Elli shopping centre in Llanelli, south Wales, said children taking part in the traditional Christmas ritual of telling Santa their gift wishes would also sit beside him rather than on his knee.
"It's a sad sign of the times," St Elli manager Gilmour Jones was quoted as saying by the Guardian newspaper on Friday. "But I'm afraid that it was either this or not having Santa's grotto at all."
At the risk of sounding like an old fart, has the world really degenerated to the point where a "Santacam" is necessary before parents will lets their kids go to see Santa?
"Santacam" to allay paedophile fears
LONDON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - A Father Christmas will have a webcam in his grotto to overcome parents' concerns after a number of high-profile paedophile cases in Britain in the past few years.
The St Elli shopping centre in Llanelli, south Wales, said children taking part in the traditional Christmas ritual of telling Santa their gift wishes would also sit beside him rather than on his knee.
"It's a sad sign of the times," St Elli manager Gilmour Jones was quoted as saying by the Guardian newspaper on Friday. "But I'm afraid that it was either this or not having Santa's grotto at all."
At the risk of sounding like an old fart, has the world really degenerated to the point where a "Santacam" is necessary before parents will lets their kids go to see Santa?
Thursday, December 02, 2004
MOBILE PORN
One of the main drivers of 3G mobile phone growth globally is expected to be "adult content" downloads. In most of the world this is quietly brushed under the carpet and everyone pretends it's for video-conferencing and the like, however the porn industry was originally widely credited with ensuring the success of VHS over Betamax many years (it was the format of choice for filiming apparently as the cameras and equipment were cheaper than the Betamax equivalents, even though Betamax was by far and away the better quality format), and has been largely behind the explosive growth in web.
In Belgium however they have recognised this and while they still don't have 3G there, they are using it to promote 2G and MMS functions as this ad (not work safe) none-too-subtly shows. (website found courtesy of Shaky, though he may not want me to mention that)
I can scarcely imagine what their 3G ad will be like
One of the main drivers of 3G mobile phone growth globally is expected to be "adult content" downloads. In most of the world this is quietly brushed under the carpet and everyone pretends it's for video-conferencing and the like, however the porn industry was originally widely credited with ensuring the success of VHS over Betamax many years (it was the format of choice for filiming apparently as the cameras and equipment were cheaper than the Betamax equivalents, even though Betamax was by far and away the better quality format), and has been largely behind the explosive growth in web.
In Belgium however they have recognised this and while they still don't have 3G there, they are using it to promote 2G and MMS functions as this ad (not work safe) none-too-subtly shows. (website found courtesy of Shaky, though he may not want me to mention that)
I can scarcely imagine what their 3G ad will be like
BLOG
"Word of the Year"
And YOU can choose blog of the year here
In keeping with Asian voting practices, I am happy to announce that my vote is for sale. Any bloggers desperate to win and prepared to cheat start counting your pennies and feel free to leave your bids in my comments section.
And don't worry that this blatant auction means my vote will be discounted. My vote WILL be counted because otherwise the next time Simon and I play squash there will be an "accident"....
"Word of the Year"
And YOU can choose blog of the year here
In keeping with Asian voting practices, I am happy to announce that my vote is for sale. Any bloggers desperate to win and prepared to cheat start counting your pennies and feel free to leave your bids in my comments section.
And don't worry that this blatant auction means my vote will be discounted. My vote WILL be counted because otherwise the next time Simon and I play squash there will be an "accident"....
HARRY REDKNAPP
Sadly Harry Redknapp has left Portsmouth Football Club for some time out of the game. Like many footballing folk, he was as well known for his gifts with the English language as he was for his gifts at management.
A few of his classic comments are below... (the comment on Samassi Abou's bout of food poisoning is a particular favourite of mine)
* On his former West Ham striker: "John Hartson's got more
previous than Jack the ripper"
* On the ignoble art of 'diving': "Abou retaliated but the
fellow went down as if he was dead, and then started rolling
around."
* On his relationship as Portsmouth's director of football with
the club's then-manager: "I shall not be interfering with Graham
Rix."
* On tactics: "I sorted out the team formation last night lying in
bed with the wife. When your husband's as ugly as me, you'd only
want to talk football in bed."
* On a training-ground scrap between Alvin Martin and Matthew
Rush: "I've seen better fights at a wedding."
* On Samassi Abou: "He don't speak the English too good."
* On a striker he subsequently signed who went on to score just
two goals for West Ham: "I look at Arsenal's bench and they have
Davor Suker sitting there. The man's a legend and would score goals by the
bucketload whoever he played for."
* On West Ham's Uefa Cup chances: "Where are we in relation to
Europe? Not too far from Dover."
* On a spurned chance against Chelsea: "Joe Cole missed an open
goal that my f*cking missus could have scored."
* On the crowd barracking Michael Carrick: "Everyone f***ing jumps
all over you. When Michael Carrick gave the ball away the other
week there was 20,000 people c*nting him off. He give a bad ball and they are
all f***ing 'wan**r.'"
* On new signings: "With the foreigners it's more difficult. Most of
them don't even bother with the golf, they don't want to go
racing. They don't even drink."
* On signing Portuguese winger Dani: "My missus fancies him. Even I don't
know whether to play him or f*ck him."
* On his playing career: "Even when we had Moore, Hurst and
Peters, West Ham's average finish was about 17th. Which just shows how
crap the other eight of us were."
* On Paolo Di Canio's one-fingered gesture to Aston Villa fans:
"From a still picture how does anybody know what Di Canio was doing?
He might have been signalling to a team-mate about a tactic from a corner.
He might have been gesturing a tactical change. He could have been showing
that the score was 1-0."
* On Samassi Abou's mystery ailment: "The lad went home to the
Ivory Coast and got a bit of food poisoning. He must have eaten a dodgy
missionary or something."
* And then there was his interview with Sportonair.com after Harry's
West Ham side had surrendered a first-half lead against Arsenal
and ultimately lost the match
Reporter: Harry, what message did you give the players
at half-time?
Redknapp: "Just 'play the same as we did first half.'
What do you f*cking think I said to them at half-time?"
Reporter: "Dunno."
Redknapp: "'Go and f*cking sit back and let them attack
us' or summink? Is that what you think I said? What a f*cking stupid
question."
He will be sorely missed
Sadly Harry Redknapp has left Portsmouth Football Club for some time out of the game. Like many footballing folk, he was as well known for his gifts with the English language as he was for his gifts at management.
A few of his classic comments are below... (the comment on Samassi Abou's bout of food poisoning is a particular favourite of mine)
* On his former West Ham striker: "John Hartson's got more
previous than Jack the ripper"
* On the ignoble art of 'diving': "Abou retaliated but the
fellow went down as if he was dead, and then started rolling
around."
* On his relationship as Portsmouth's director of football with
the club's then-manager: "I shall not be interfering with Graham
Rix."
* On tactics: "I sorted out the team formation last night lying in
bed with the wife. When your husband's as ugly as me, you'd only
want to talk football in bed."
* On a training-ground scrap between Alvin Martin and Matthew
Rush: "I've seen better fights at a wedding."
* On Samassi Abou: "He don't speak the English too good."
* On a striker he subsequently signed who went on to score just
two goals for West Ham: "I look at Arsenal's bench and they have
Davor Suker sitting there. The man's a legend and would score goals by the
bucketload whoever he played for."
* On West Ham's Uefa Cup chances: "Where are we in relation to
Europe? Not too far from Dover."
* On a spurned chance against Chelsea: "Joe Cole missed an open
goal that my f*cking missus could have scored."
* On the crowd barracking Michael Carrick: "Everyone f***ing jumps
all over you. When Michael Carrick gave the ball away the other
week there was 20,000 people c*nting him off. He give a bad ball and they are
all f***ing 'wan**r.'"
* On new signings: "With the foreigners it's more difficult. Most of
them don't even bother with the golf, they don't want to go
racing. They don't even drink."
* On signing Portuguese winger Dani: "My missus fancies him. Even I don't
know whether to play him or f*ck him."
* On his playing career: "Even when we had Moore, Hurst and
Peters, West Ham's average finish was about 17th. Which just shows how
crap the other eight of us were."
* On Paolo Di Canio's one-fingered gesture to Aston Villa fans:
"From a still picture how does anybody know what Di Canio was doing?
He might have been signalling to a team-mate about a tactic from a corner.
He might have been gesturing a tactical change. He could have been showing
that the score was 1-0."
* On Samassi Abou's mystery ailment: "The lad went home to the
Ivory Coast and got a bit of food poisoning. He must have eaten a dodgy
missionary or something."
* And then there was his interview with Sportonair.com after Harry's
West Ham side had surrendered a first-half lead against Arsenal
and ultimately lost the match
Reporter: Harry, what message did you give the players
at half-time?
Redknapp: "Just 'play the same as we did first half.'
What do you f*cking think I said to them at half-time?"
Reporter: "Dunno."
Redknapp: "'Go and f*cking sit back and let them attack
us' or summink? Is that what you think I said? What a f*cking stupid
question."
He will be sorely missed