Animal Thought to be Extinct Rediscovered in Wild 112 Years Later

The greater dwarf cloud rat, an animal which some believed to have gone extinct, has been rediscovered in Mt. Pulag National Park in the Philippines by American and Filipino scientists. It was first found on the heavily deforested Mt. Data.

Project lead Lawrence Heaney: "This beautiful little animal was seen by biologists only once previously -- by a British researcher in 1896 who was given several specimens by local people, so he knew almost nothing about the ecology of the species."

Researcher Danilo Balete, who captured the specimen on the mossy branch of a large tree roughly 7,700 feet up, said: "We had suspected from its broad, hand-like hind feet that it lived up in big trees, but this is the first evidence to confirm that."

Source: www.sciencedaily.com

John Cusack's Anti-War Film to Have Skimpily Dressed Amputee Chorus Line

Actor-producer John Cusack is set to release a new movie later this month entitled "War, Inc." in which he stars and also co-wrote. The political satire represents his outrage at the war in Iraq, and hopes it will get a reaction out of viewers.

Cusack said, "I think the movie should be kind of offensive. I'm shocked at how much good reaction we're getting." The film will include a chorus line consisting of female Iraq War vets showing lots of skin who are also amputees.

Hilary Duff, also in the film, said: "We're trying to raise awareness with it. It is funny and it is bizarre and a little disturbing. But really at the end of the day it's looking at what (our country is) doing, and it's not right."

Source: news.yahoo.com

Scientology Flagship Accused Of Asbestos Contamination

Scientology's cruise ship, the MV Freewinds, has been docked and sealed by officials in Curacao. A local newspaper, the Daily Herald, reports that the ship's structure released blue asbestos during reparatory and refurbishing work.

It is possible that many high-ranking members of the Church (including Tom Cruise) may have been exposed to asbestos aboard the ship. The shutdown occurred as church functions, including training services and courses, were being attended by Scientologists.

In 2001, a sworn affidavit from Lawrence Woodcraft, an architect and former Scientologist, was submitted that claimed there was raw blue asbestos, the most dangerous kind of asbestos, on the MV Freewinds. The Church of Scientology has consistently denied this claim.

Source: www.lawyersandsettlements.com

Florida Bans Testicles

The Florida Senate, after a lively and not so subtle debate, has voted to outlaw fake bull testicles. The testicles, sold under brand names like 'Truck Nutz', are a popular novelty accessory adorning the trailer hitches of Floridian trucks and cars.

Motorists will face a $60 fine if caught displaying the items.

Source: www.abc.net.au

Wal-Mart Thinks Wii Game is Perfect 'Fit' for Mother's Day

This Mother's Day, Wal-Mart is advising consumers to forgo flowers and candy and buy Mom the new "Wii Fit" game, due for release this month. The game is an exercise program controlled by a pressure-sensing board.

The gift would be a pre-order, though -- while Mother's Day is May 11, the game doesn't hit the shelves until May 19. Pre-ordering customers who pay $89.74 for the game will get a free $10 online gift card for Walmart.com.

Wal-Mart said it is pleased with a strong initial response to its marketing move, coming in the context of the economic downturn in which consumers are avoiding discretionary expenditures.

Source: news.yahoo.com

Fast Food Restaurant Caught Keeping Hamburger Buns in Men's Bathroom

Florida: A Sanford fast food restaurant has been fined after health inspectors found a dozen health violations including the use of the floor in the men's bathroom as storage space for hamburger buns.

The manager has so far refused to comment but according to customers she had been made aware of the issue on previous occasions but refused to take any action.

"The bread was stacked sky high to the ceiling, plus it was only about 12 inches from the men's commode. [I told her] 'You got the bread in the men's restroom.' She got angry with me..." said former customer Willie Jones.

Source: www.upi.com

McCain Forced to Clarify 'War for Oil' Remark

Sen. John McCain has been forced to explain a remark recently in which he seemed to suggest that the U.S. had invaded Iraq five years ago over oil. McCain was discussing his energy plan at a town-hall meeting in Denver. He said:

"My friends, I will have an energy policy that we will be talking about, which will eliminate our dependence on oil from the Middle East that will prevent us from having ever to send our young men and women into conflict again in the Middle East."

Asked about this, McCain said, "No, no, I was talking about that we had fought the Gulf War for several reasons." McCain was referring to the first Gulf War in the early 1990s, when "we didn't want [Saddam Hussein] to have control over the oil."

Source: news.yahoo.com

Bush Worst President in US History

According to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corp poll over 70% of the American public now disapprove of George W Bush's handling of the presidency.

The poll makes Mr Bush officially the most unpopular President in US history after beating Truman who polled a miserable 67% disapproval in January 1952.

Even President Nixon prior to his resignation managed to poll a disapproval rating of 66%.The poll also showed that 68% of Americans oppose the war in Iraq and 71% disapproval of Mr Bush as President.

Source: www.breakingnews.ie

Deadly Child Virus In China

This Friday there were 3,321 reported cases of a deadly virus, enterovirus 71, which causes hand, foot and mouth disease in kids. China's health ministry dispatched specialists to eastern China's Anhui province where the death toll has risen to 22.

978 kids are hospitalized, 48 are critical. "Authorities in Anhui.. are doing utmost to treat the children and strengthen disease control," said Wang Yan, a Anhui province official. 32 specialists in Fuyang City are to direct rescue work in Anhui.

A nationwide ordered stated said "all levels must recognize the importance and urgency of preventing the spread of infectious disease." The order also stated this was needed to guarantee the smooth staging of the Olympics and Paralympics in Beijing.

Source: www.cnn.com

Man With Each Arm Stuck in Machinery Uses Toe to Call 911

Florida: A man in Fort Walton Beach was freed by firefighters Thursday and airlifted to a hospital after getting his arms stuck at work around 2 a.m. They came to his rescue after he managed to dial 911 with his big toe on his flip phone.

He managed to shake the phone from his belt and dial it after kicking off a shoe and using the other foot to help pull off the sock.The press-like machine that looked like an elevator would've held him until morning if no call was made; he was alone.

A compressor was shut off behind the building by firefighters and the worker was then pried out of the machinery with a thick metal bar. According to rescuers, both arms should be fine.

Source: www.nwfdailynews.com