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

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/greece/5984266/Hero-Greek-woman-sets-fire-to-drunken-Britons-genitals.html

Ouch! But...you really shouldn't do that.

RF

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8188027.stm

Basically, statistics monitoring the number of swine flu cased being reported has dropped significantly over the last week.

I know that this may be a regional or local authority thing, but large numbers of succeptible people, including young children, have left the country over the last couple of weeks on holiday. Is it possible that this is why the reported rate has dropped?

I'm still squirming from the torched willy story.

It's time for the local publicans to put a stop to this crass behaviour though.... and of course for the British lads to get a life.

What an advertisement for the 'British way of life'

Oh yes, I've seen the ladybugs. I rather liked their invasion. Much better than the wasps

(I've even seen a ladybug pushing a wasp around on a window, not unlike that youtube tortoise-and-cat video)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8189231.stm

This article debunks what is apparently a hit on youtube (concerning the 'islamisation' of Europe)

http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14167834

Britain faces 3rd World style blackouts and a severe energy crisis thanks to government inaction.

A Greek woman accused of setting fire to the genitals of a British tourist in Crete is due to appear in court.

The woman admitted assault after dousing the man's private parts in alcohol and igniting them

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8189296.stm

... didn't I post that this morning? (see 6301)

RF

a confirmed case of backlog blindness (it can hit any of us from time to time)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/08/04/California_Won_t_Accept_Its_Own_IOUs.htm

THE bankrupt State of California has paid out over $682 million in IOUs. Small businesses are expected to pay taxes based on the IOU “income,” but at the same time they refuse to accept the IOUs as tax payments.

That's hysterical without actually being funny...

Face shape a clue to mental decline in men of 79-83 years

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8192193.stm


Dr Lars Penke, who led the study, said: "Previous research has suggested that cognitive decline is an aspect of body-wide ageing. This link could show that facial symmetry can be used as a marker which could predict this decline."

Shades of phrenology here?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/german-jews-want-mein-kampf-reprinted-1769960.html

Controversy about a possible (scholarly) reprinting of 'Mein Kampf' in Germany

Former cabinet minister Hazel Blears' car has been attacked while she was out canvassing voters.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8192919.stm

I bet she put them down as "Undecideds"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/aug/09/david-mitchell-mens-health

Is this true ladies ?

Sorry, boys, most of us prefer it if you wash and shave (and, dare I say it a whole lot of us like it that you are thoughtful enough to wax your backs)

I'm sticking to Johnny Depp

He wouldn't be so sticky if he got a wash

Wax my back????? Wax ... my ... back???

Why on earth would I do that ?

Away from the waxing weirdness,

"one in six or 7.3 million people say that if the remote control was broken, they would prefer to watch a TV programme they did not like rather than get up to change the channel."

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2524672.0.Glasgow_is_named_laziest_city_in_Britain.php

A woman was being held in Paris today after attacking the Mona Lisa with a cup of English breakfast tea.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23730764-details/LATEST:+Mona+Lisa+in+English+breakfast+tea+attack/article.do