h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyID=2005-06-07T190906Z_01_DIT768553_RTRIDST_0_OUKOE-ODD-GERMANY-GOATS.XML

Yes, but is it Art? And if it is, should it be entered for the Turner Prize?

Well presumably it has piles of stuff in common with the rest of the entries

It's good to see that the US is enforcing border security...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4072746.stm

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4075586.stm

Slightly worrying. I can't say I'm that confident about the human race not blowing itself up in the long run.

I thought I would post this before someone else inevitably does.

It's about....BADGERS!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4077060.stm

Fishermen hold sub for ransom

http://www.guardian.co.uk/military/story/0,11816,1505078,00.html

Missing Dr Who Dalek found on Tor

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/4090676.stm

Ah, students. God bless 'em.


Geggs

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1432017.html?menu=

Queen buys an iPod.
Although, as it is the Queen, presumably it should be a wePod, or even a onePod.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4102018.stm

Teleportation over the internet.

Jacko to throw 'thank-you' concert


Michael Jackson is throwing a thank-you concert this weekend for some of his most dedicated fans in acknowledgement of their support during his child sex abuse trial.

The lucky few will be hand-picked by the Jackson family to attend the invitation-only bash at a California casino close to the singer's Neverland ranch.

It is unclear whether the self-styled King of Pop will make an appearance. He has not been seen in public since walking free from court on Monday and is said to be exhausted from the 16-week ordeal.

Frances Snyder, a spokeswoman for Chumash Casino, said security was being stepped in preparation for the celebration.

"We don't know who will perform. We're just told the Jackson family is putting together an event for fans they have selected," she told the Los Angeles Times.

The family is expected to choose a group of people who will receive invitations for Saturday night's event at the casino in Santa Ynez. Members of Jackson's family, including his father, Joe, have been staying at the casino hotel in recent weeks.

The casino is a popular concert venue and the seating will be in standard concert format, suggesting the event will be a performance rather than a party, according to the newspaper.

Ms Snyder said they were expecting a lot of interest but cautioned that it would be a private event and that cameras were banned inside.

Jackson, 46, was cleared of 10 counts of molestation and conspiracy on Monday after a 14-week trial that attracted hundreds of dedicated fans to Santa Maria court, California. They travelled from countries across the globe, including the UK and Ireland, gave up jobs and spent thousands in order to support their idol.

Whether Jackson would be capable of performing has become the subject of much speculation in recent weeks. The increasingly pallid and frail star made several hospital visits during his trial and was said to be suffering from excruciating back pain during jury deliberations.

California hit by fourth tremor

An undersea earthquake with a magnitude of 6.6 has struck off northern California - the fourth to hit the US West Coast this week.
The tremor struck at around 2230 on Thursday (0630 GMT Friday), some 200km (125 miles) west of Eureka.

Experts are trying to establish whether it was an aftershock of a magnitude 7.2 quake late on Tuesday, which sparked a tsunami alert for the whole West Coast.

There were no reports of injuries or damage following the latest quake.

"It's south of and farther out to sea than the 7.2 quake," Bruce Presgrave, a geophysicist at the USGS National Earthquake Information Center in Golden, Colorado, told Reuters news agency.

He added the latest episode might have been an aftershock.

'Active zone'

Earlier on Thursday, another quake with a magnitude of 4.9 struck near the town of Yucaipa, 126km (79 miles) east of Los Angeles.

Tremors were felt across a large area spanning the major cities of Los Angeles and San Diego.

Tuesday's 7.2 quake occurred under the ocean 146km (91 miles) west of Crescent City. A 5.2 quake shook Riverside County in southern California on Sunday.

But seismologists have played down the threat, saying that California is an "active zone", and therefore earthquakes can occur at short intervals without it being of particular significance.

Eleven people died when an earthquake struck northern Chile late on Monday. It had a magnitude of 7.9 and was felt in neighbouring Peru and Bolivia.

Another one, with a magnitude of 6.8, was felt in the Aleutian Islands, off Alaska, on Tuesday.

There were no reports of casualties or damage.

Cruise engaged to actress Holmes


Hollywood star Tom Cruise has become engaged to his girlfriend Katie Holmes at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
"Today is a magnificent day for me, I'm engaged to a magnificent woman," he told reporters on Friday.

Dawson's Creek star Holmes, 26, was wearing a large diamond ring as she accompanied Cruise, who was promoting his film War of the Worlds in France.

Cruise, 42, was previously married to actresses Mimi Rogers and Nicole Kidman, from whom he separated in 2001.

Cruise said on Friday: "Yes, I proposed to her. It was early this morning at the Eiffel Tower, so I haven't slept at all."

Something magnificent has happened to me and something extraordinary, and I'm so happy I just can't restrain myself


A whirlwind romance

Asked why he chose the famed Paris landmark, he replied: "I've never been to the Eiffel Tower. It's Paris, it's a beautiful city, it's very romantic."

When asked about the date of the wedding, Cruise said he was taking it "one step at a time but we'll decide it soon".

He did not answer reporters' further questions about wedding plans, saying they were up to Holmes' father to decide.

Holmes, who will be Cruise's third wife, starred in US TV series Dawson's Creek and films Wonder Boys, as well as the film Phone Booth and her latest movie Batman Begins.

Their spokesmen confirmed the pair were in a relationship in April.


Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise adopted two children while married
On Wednesday the actor dismissed media claims that the relationship was just a publicity stunt.

"I have to laugh. It's just ridiculous," he said at the European premiere of War of the Worlds in Berlin.

He spoke of how happy he was at their relationship, describing it as "magnificent".

Mission Impossible and Top Gun star Cruise split last year from actress Penelope Cruz, who he met on the set of Vanilla Sky. They had been together for three years.

He was married to Australian actress Kidman for more than 10 years. They adopted two children and share custody of them.

Holmes recently split with American Pie actor Chris Klein, calling off their engagement after five years together.

Coastguards warn over sea safety

Coastguards are urging people to take extra care on beaches
Soaring temperatures this weekend could lead to a spate of accidents at the seaside, coastguards have warned.
Day-trippers and holidaymakers are being told to take extra care and follow safety advice while in the sea.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) says it is particularly concerned about the number of parents and young children who get into trouble swimming.

Forecasters have predicted the hottest weekend of the year so far, with temperatures due to hit 32C (89.6F).

Parts of the UK are expected to reach 30C on Saturday. This is set to rise to 32C - a 2005 high - on Sunday, exceeding forecasts of 30C for Mediterranean coastal resorts.

The MCA is launching its Sea Smart campaign this weekend, promoting sea and beach safety.

"Hot weather inevitably means more people visiting the beach, which in turn results in more incidents," said chief coastguard John Astbury.

Sun hazards

The Met Office has warned fair-skinned people of a very high sunburn risk, while the RAC has urged people to plan journeys to avoid long queues.

The year's highest temperature so far was 31.9C (89.4F) in London on 27 May.

MCA's Sea Smart code
Spot the dangers
Always go swimming with a friend
Find and read safety signs
In an emergency call for help, tell a lifeguard or dial 999 for the coastguard
Parts of England and Wales are due to enjoy the warmest weather, while temperatures should reach 28C in Scotland. Northern Ireland will be cooler.

The hot weather is predicted to cause thundery showers on Sunday and Monday, leading to slightly cooler weather.

A Met Office statement read: "With soaring temperatures, concerns rise for people's wellbeing.

"The sun is at its strongest at this time of year and sunburn is a real hazard."

During the heatwave of 2003, some 27,000 people across Europe died as a direct result.

In the UK there were 2,000 deaths caused by the heat - 85% of which were people aged 75 and over.

Health experts say it takes just two consecutive days of heatwave temperatures to have a significant effect on health.

After the 2003 heatwave, the government instituted a warning system which identified four levels of risk. Currently, this weekend is at level one, the lowest risk level, where general vigilance is urged.

Hottest day of year is forecast

Forecasters predicted the UK's hottest weekend of the year
The UK's mini heatwave looks set to continue as forecasters have predicted that Sunday will be the hottest day of the year so far.
Temperatures are likely to soar to 33C (91F) in London and many Britons are expected to flock to beaches and parks.

BBC weather forecaster Jo Farrow said: "It is going to be a warm end to the weekend," adding that central England and Scotland would experience showers.

On Saturday the UK enjoyed higher temperatures than the Costa del Sol.

The temperature reached 28C (82.4F) in Birmingham, 27C (80.6F) in parts of south east England and Yorkshire, and 24C (75.2F) in Aberdeenshire.

'Thundery showers'

Ms Farrow said the humidity of recent days was set to continue, but "cooler, fresher air from the west" would "bring some relief".

She said there were likely to be "heavy bursts of rain across many parts of Scotland", as well as "thundery showers" in central England.

"For eastern parts of England there will be a glorious start. More sunshine and blue skies, and still that heat and humidity," Ms Farrow added.

Ladbrokes has cut odds on the UK breaking 100F (37.8C) this year.

The bookmakers cut the odds from 6/1 to 5/1. It had been offering 16/1 in January.

Seaside warning

The UK's record temperature of 38.1C (100.6F) was recorded in Gravesend, Kent, in 2003. This year's high was 31.9C (89.4F) in London on 27 May.

Thundery showers are forecast for Sunday and Monday, followed by slightly cooler weather.

Motoring organisations have warned drivers to exercise restraint this weekend and consider alternative routes when heading out, amid the risk of congestion on popular routes to the coast or other outdoor attractions.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) have urged people at the seaside to take extra care to avoid accidents.


Coastguards are urging people to take extra care on beaches

A 35-year-old man drowned on Saturday evening while cooling off in a popular boating lake.

The man, who has not been named, was swimming in Caldecott Lake, in the Walton Park area of Milton Keynes, when he is understood to have got into difficulties and disappeared.

During the heatwave of 2003, some 27,000 people across Europe died as a direct result.

In the UK there were 2,000 deaths caused by the heat - 85% of which were people aged 75 and over.

Health experts say it takes just two consecutive days of heatwave temperatures to have a significant effect on health.

After the 2003 heatwave, the government instituted a warning system which identified four levels of risk. Currently, this weekend is at level one, the lowest risk level, where general vigilance is urged.

Monday June 20, 09:24 AM

Flash floods hit north Yorks as much of country swelters
LONDON (Reuters) - Flash floods struck parts of north Yorkshire overnight, cutting off villages, washing out roads and devastating homes while much of the country sweltered in record temperatures.

Two RAF helicopters were scrambled to rescue people after the river Rye burst its banks near the market town of Helmsley in North Yorkshire after heavy rainfall.

The flood waters peaked at Helmsley at 1.37 a.m. (on Monday), police said.

A number of roads in the area were closed and were unlikely to reopen quickly. No deaths have been reported as yet.

"We rescued nine people and were very relieved when a further nine people who had been reported missing turned up safe," said a spokesman for RAF Kinloss.

People were plucked to safety from trees, cars and roofs, he said.

The Environment Agency said the flash floods were caused by a heavy burst of rainfall over a short period.

One resident told BBC radio the six-foot deluge had destroyed her home.

"Most of it is down in the garden, across the fields -- cars have been moved out of the garage onto the patio.

"It is just total devastation".

The last serious flash flood in Britain hit the Cornish village of Boscastle last summer. About 30 cars were swept out to sea and people had to be winched to safety from rooftops.

The floods around Helmsley occurred when much of Britain baked in a heatwave. Temperatures hit 33 degrees Celsius (91.40F) in London, hotter than many places in the Mediterranean.

Monday June 20, 10:23 AM

Tom Cruise pranksters face possible assault charges



Four men arrested for squirting water at Tom Cruise at the British premiere of "War of The Worlds" could be charged with assault on the Hollywood star, police said on Monday.

The men, who were arrested and bailed on suspicion of assault, will be interviewed by officers later today.

"We will see whether to pursue the charges, see whether the victim wants to pursue it," a spokesman at Scotland Yard said.

Cruise, 42, was on a walk-about prior to the screening of the latest screen adaptation of the H.G. Wells classic in London's Leicester Square when a bogus journalist stuck a joke microphone in front of him.

As Cruise started to talk, he was squirted with water from the microphone prompting the star to lose his cool.

"I'm here giving you an interview, answering your questions and you do something really nasty ... you're a jerk ...jerk... you're a jerk," the actor told the prankster in front of legitimate reporters.

Cruise said it was "disgusting" that someone should act in such a way.

"I really work hard to make people feel good," he said as he towelled himself dry.

The joker and his three-man camera crew were later arrested.

A crowd of about 5,000 fans had waited hours in temperatures that hit 32 degrees Celisus (89.60F) to see their idol and his new fiancee Katie Holmes.

Cruise was engaged to 26-year old Holmes at the Eiffel Tour in Paris on Friday.

Media said the fake journalist and camera crew were filming a sketch for an upcoming Channel 4 comedy programme, but no-one was available to comment at the broadcaster

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/4111160.stm

'A 14-year-old girl is suing her local council for £50,000 in damages after she fell pregnant at a special needs boarding school.'


Give me strength...

where was the school?

just read it bit daft she must of said yes