October 26, 2007 The World Is Not Enough for Humans Humanity's environmental impact has reached an unprecedented scope, and it's getting worse . Since 1987 annual emissions of carbon dioxide—the leading greenhouse gas warming the globe—have risen by a third , global fishing yields have declined by 10.6 million metric tons and the amount of land required to sustain humanity has swelled to more than 54 acres (22 hectares) per person. Yet, Earth can provide only roughly 39 acres (15 hectares) for every person living today, according to the United Nation's Environmental Program's (UNEP) Global Environment Outlook , released this week. "There are no major issues," the report's authors write of the period since their first report in 1987, "for which the foreseeable trends are favorable." Despite some successes—such as the Montreal Protocol's 95 percent reduction in chemicals that damage the atmosphere's ozone layer and a rise in protected reserves of habitat to cover 12 percent of the planet—humanity's impact continues to grow. For example: …………….

Biodiversity— The planet is in the grips of the sixth great extinction in its 4.5-billion-year history, this one largely man-made. Species are becoming extinct 100 times faster than the average rate in the fossil record. More than 30 percent of amphibians, 12 percent of birds and 23 percent of our own class, mammals, are threatened. Climate— Average temperatures have climbed 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit (0.76 degree Celsius) over the past century and could increase as much as 8.1 degrees F (4.5 degrees C) over the next unless "drastic" steps are taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from, primarily, burning fossil fuels. Developed countries will need to reduce this globe-warming pollution by 60 to 80 percent by mid-century to stave off dire consequences, the report warns. "Fundamental changes in social and economic structures, including lifestyle changes, are crucial if rapid progress is to be achieved." Food— The amount of food grown per acre has reached one metric ton, but such increasing intensity is also driving rapid desertification of formerly arable land as well as reliance on chemical pesticides and fertilizers. In fact, four billion out of the world's 6.5 billion people could not get enough food to eat without such fertilization. Continuing population growth paired with a shift toward eating more meat leads the UNEP to predict that food demand may more than triple. Water— One in 10 of the world's major rivers, including the Colorado and the Rio Grande in the U.S., fail to reach the sea for at least part of the year, due to demand for water . And that demand is rising; by 2025, the report predicts, demand for fresh water will rise by 50 percent in the developing world and 18 percent in industrialized countries. At the same time, human activity is polluting existing fresh waters with everything from fertilizer runoff to pharmaceuticals and climate change is shrinking the glaciers that provide drinking water for nearly one third of humanity. "The escalating burden of water demand," the report says, "will become intolerable in water-scarce countries." The authors—388 scientists reviewed by roughly 1,000 of their peers—view the report as "an urgent call for action" and decry the " woefully inadequate " global response to problems such as climate change. "The amount of resources needed to sustain [humanity] exceeds what is available," the report declares. "The systematic destruction of the earth's natural and nature-based resources has reached a point where the economic viability of economies is being challenged," Achim Steiner, UNEP's executive director, said in a statement. "The bill we hand our children may prove impossible to pay." Scientific American

79% - Awaiting the Judgment Day Fri Oct 26, 12:00 AM ET About eight-in-ten Americans say that they have no doubt that God exists, that prayer is an important part of their lives, and that "we will all be called before God at the Judgment Day to answer for our sins." But the intensity of agreement with these indicators of religiosity has shown a modest decline in recent years, after increasing through much of the 1990s. While overall agreement with the three statements has remained fairly stable, the number of people who completely agree with each statement rose during the 1990s and has declined more recently. For example, the percentage completely agreeing that "we will all be called before God at the Judgment Day" rose from 52% in 1987 to more than 60% in the 1990s. It now stands at 54%, down 7 points from 1999 and five points from 2003.

Scientists find oldest living animal ..........and promptly kill it Monday October 29 2007 A clam that lived on the seabed in the frigid waters off Iceland's north coast has been hailed as the longest-lived animal ever discovered. The mollusc, which is thought to have lurked beneath the waves until at least the age of 405, would have been a juvenile when Galileo picked up his first telescope, Hamlet was first staged and the gunpowder plot failed to blow up King James I. The Arctica islandica clam was plucked from 80m-deep water by researchers at Bangor University in Wales, who were dredging the north Iceland shelf for the creatures. By studying their shells, the scientists hope to learn how the marine environment has changed in recent centuries. The clam was alive when it was brought to the surface, but at that point, the researchers had no idea how old it was. Only after cutting through the shell and counting annual growth rings under a microscope did they date the mollusc to between 405 to 410 years old. "Its death is an unfortunate aspect of this work, but we hope to derive lots of information from it," said Al Wanamaker, a postdoctoral scientist on the university's Arctica team. "For our work it's a bonus, but it wasn't good for this particular animal." Marine biologists are unclear why the particular species of clam, Arctica islandica, is so long-lived. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the current claim for the oldest animal goes to another Arctica clam that lived for 220 years, though an unofficial record is held by yet another that lived to 374 years old. Guardian

Piles of Old Money Found in Pa. Home Oct 27, 3:27 PM (ET) WINDBER, Pa. (AP) - Talk about throwing away money. Piles of old coins worth as much as $200,000 were found in a long-abandoned home, including scores that the owner had apparently thrown down a hole in the wall. Jeff Bidelman, owner of Rare Collectibles near Johnstown, said he was helping the family clean out the house after the death of the owners, who had not lived there for two decades. He was dragging a bag of old coins down the steps when he noticed the hole in an upstairs wall. "The woman said when she was a kid, there were always rumors that that's where they threw their money," Bidelman told the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat. Within minutes of tearing down the first-floor wall below the hole, Bidelman was wading in piles of old coins. "They think they are going to get $100,000," Bidelman said. "I think they will probably get $200,000." After sorting through the coins, Bidelman found some minted as early as 1793. Some are worth about $8,500 and have already been posted on the Web for purchase, Bidelman said. The family's name and the exact location of the home in Windber, about 10 miles southeast of Johnstown, has not been disclosed.

** THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT AUTHENTICATE THE CONTENT OF THESE IMAGES ** This image provided Monday, Oct. 29, 2007 by hunter Rick Jacobs shows an image taken by a camera with an automatic trigger set up in Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest on Sept. 16, 2007. The only thing certain about the critter photographed by a hunter's camera is that some people have gotten the notion it could be a Sasquatch, or bigfoot. Others say it's just a bear with a bad skin infection .

Close to Web, But Not Too Close OCTOBER 25, 2007 Nearly one-quarter of US adults—and 31% of singles—think the Internet could serve as a replacement for a significant other, according to the Zogby International and 463 Communications ' "Internet Attitudes" poll. Men and women were equally likely to think that the Internet could act as a surrogate for a significant other. Some 31% of those who called themselves political "progressives" were open to the Internet being a proxy spouse, and 18% of those who considered themselves "very conservative" said they would consider it as a substitute. Regardless of how attached they were to the Internet, most respondents were not prepared to implant it into their brain, even if it were safe. Only 11% of US adults said they would be willing to implant a device that would let their mind to access the Internet. Zogby and 463 surveyed 9,743 US adults online in October 2007. ………The real replacement for significant other: Http://www.realdoll.com/

Pot ideas will test acceptance Signature gatherers want to change marijuana laws in Oregon, which has a high rate of users………….. Monday, October 22, 2007 The Oregonian Oregonians, prepare for reefer referendum madness. Starting today, signature gatherers will ask Portland residents to put a law on next year's ballot decriminalizing possession of as much as an ounce of marijuana. It's a weird request, as possessing that much pot is already decriminalized statewide. Oregon was the first state to decriminalize a little dope, way back in 1973. Having a little marijuana is now a civil violation, like speeding, punishable by a $500 to $1,000 fine. Other Oregon pot fanciers want to move way beyond removing penalties. They're aiming for a 2010 ballot measure to legally sell marijuana through Oregon liquor stores, taxing the sales for state revenue -- a law that, if passed, guarantees a war with the federal government. NORML, the main U.S. group backing marijuana legalization, identifies Oregon, Nevada and Vermont as the three states where its legal pot dream seems most possible. "We just had a conference in D.C., and there were so many people from Oregon declaring their intent for this initiative, that initiative, medical marijuana," NORML spokesman Allen St. Pierre said. "I'm not really sure what's going on up there." What seems to be happening is a union of two of this pioneering state's great loves: ballot initiatives and dope smoking. Our ballots have carried more initiatives than any other state: 341 through last year, according to the Initiative and Referendum Institute. And more than 1 in 8 Oregonians uses marijuana yearly, the federal government estimates, well above the 10.5 percent national average. Oregon ranks fifth in yearly marijuana use, third in use by adults older than 25. We also have one of the highest rates of people trying pot for the first time and lowest rates of residents who call monthly pot smoking very risky, the federal figures show. "You just draw a line from Seattle to all the way just south of Los Angeles, and 50 miles inland," St. Pierre said. "That is the most tolerant place in the United States for marijuana, bar none."

Washington County Teacher Charged with Rape of Student October 24th, 2007 @ 5:28pm (KSL News) A teacher at Hurricane High School was arrested today, charged with five counts of rape. Cris Morris, a 29-year-old female teacher from Washington City, is accused of having sexual intercourse with a juvenile male student. Under Utah law, a juvenile student is incapable of consenting to sexual relations with a teacher, which constitutes the act as rape. Morris was booked into the Washington County Jail and has been placed on administrative leave while the Washington County School District investigates. KSL News.com

Teacher sex abuse allegations increase The Associated Press Tuesday, October 23, 2007 A nationwide Associated Press investigation found more than 2,500 cases over five years in which educators were punished for sexual misconduct. The figures were gathered as part of a seven-month investigation in which AP reporters sought records on teacher discipline in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Across the country, sexual misconduct allegations led states to take action against the licenses of 2,570 educators from 2001 through 2005. That figure includes licenses that were revoked, denied and surrendered.

Posted: Monday, 29 October 2007 7:20PM Man in N.J. Charged with Having Sex with a Corpse TEANECK, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- Police in Teaneck arrested a man for allegedly having sex with a corpse. Anthony Merino, a 24-year-old lab technician, was arrested Sunday after a security guard saw him having sex with a dead 92-year-old woman in the Holy Name Hospital morgue, police said. The suspect works part time at Holy Name Hospital, holds a full time job at Overlook Hospital and another part time position at Bio Reference Labs in New Jersey. Merino is charged with desecrating human remains in the second degree. His bail has been set at $400,000. Merino is also expected to undergo a psychological evaluation and is restricted from working in a health care facility. 1010.news

'Suicide blonde' kills three people while trying to kill herself Last updated at 17:33pm on 30th October 2007 A model who killed three people while trying to commit suicide has been told she faces up to ten years in jail. Stunning Jeanette Sliwinski deliberately rammed her car into another vehicle that had stopped at a red light. The three occupants of the car were killed instantly in the horror smash - while Sliwinski only suffered a broken ankle in the accident, which happened two years ago. The trial of the former 23-year-old lingerie model has captivated America, with her model photos being posted on numerous blogs and websites. Sliwinski was depressed and delusional when she jumped into her car and raced through a Chicago suburb. Prosecutors said she had jumped three red lights before slamming into a car containing musicians Michael Dahlquist,39, John Glick,35, and Douglas Meis,29. The impact of the collision was so fierce their car was up ended and crashed down on the pavement killed all three instantly. The men were in a Honda Civic waiting at traffic lights when Sliwinski's car struck them from behind. Police said she was travelling at 70mph and made no attempt to brake. The model was on her way to see a psychiatrist after a bust-up with her mother. A judge found the model guilty on three counts of reckless homicide, but said she was mentally ill at the time. Judge Garritt Howard told her she faces up to ten years when he sentences her next month. The family of one of the victims said after the case that he was sorry she had not carried out her death wish. "The one thing that would have brought this thing to closure would have been had she been successful in what she set out to do that day," David Meis, brother of victim Douglas Meis. Daily Mail

The trial of the former 23-year-old lingerie model has captivated America, with her model photos being posted on numerous blogs and websites.

Sliwinski was depressed and delusional when she jumped into her car and raced through a Chicago suburb.

Prosecutors said she had jumped three red lights before slamming into a car containing musicians Michael Dahlquist,39, John Glick,35, and Douglas Meis,29.

The impact of the collision was so fierce their car was up ended and crashed down on the pavement killed all three instantly.

The men were in a Honda Civic waiting at traffic lights when Sliwinski's car struck them from behind.

Police said she was travelling at 70mph and made no attempt to brake.

The model was on her way to see a psychiatrist after a bust-up with her mother.

A judge found the model guilty on three counts of reckless homicide, but said she was mentally ill at the time.

Judge Garritt Howard told her she faces up to ten years when he sentences her next month.

The family of one of the victims said after the case that he was sorry she had not carried out her death wish.

"The one thing that would have brought this thing to closure would have been had she been successful in what she set out to do that day," David Meis, brother of victim Douglas Meis.

Daily Mail

POSTED Sunday, October 28, 2007 Hovercraft surprises, floats its way into our hearts Maybe I have been asleep for too long, but a New Zealander has come out of nowhere with a homemade hovercraft . The designer, Rudy Heeman, has been working on this craft for the past 11 years and has experienced some painful trial and errors in the testing phase, but it seems to be mostly functional now. The craft can get to speeds upwards of 60 MPH and includes extendable wings to assist in the hovering/flying process at those top speeds. It can hover up to six feet above the surface of the water, but the optimal height is four feet, six inches. Officially, this isn't a hovercraft, but a "wing in ground effect vehicle," meaning a hybrid hovercraft and airplane. There is no word on commercial availability, but it is a two-seater and Heeman likely has people lining up for rides. There isn't a top to the vehicle either, so bring a helmet.

'Spider-Man' Bracelet Shoots Pepper Spray From Wrist New Device Inspired By Super Hero UPDATED: 9:09 am EDT November 1, 2007 ORLANDO, Fla. -- A Florida man who was inspired to help crime victims by a super hero has invented a pepper-spray bracelet that shoots a stream of chemicals at the flick of a wrist. The pepper spray bracelet, created by Domonique Torrence, is worn around the wrist and is activated by a button located in the palm of the hand. "You can hold your books, you can jog and if you are attacked, it's still secured to your hand," Torrence said. Torrence said he came up with the idea after a friend of his was attacked. Mary Fisher, who was attacked at gunpoint twice while in Florida, said the bracelet could protect her. "I'm thinking if he grabs you around the neck, you might be able to shoot him with this and disable him," Fisher said. The device and replacement pepper spray cartridges will sell for $30 later this year, according to the report.

iShoes , Movin ' and Groovin ' at 15MPH Why roll around on a Ferrari Segway looking like a dork when you can look like a dork rolling around on these electric iShoes at 15mph? At least you'll be able to wear your own kicks when you strap into these things, which fit men's shoe sizes 8 to 12 and women's sizes 7 to 10. Get these babies up to speed and you might just want to sing the body electric.

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