Nathan Hauritz picks up first five-wicket haul as Australia beat Pakistan at MCG

Just what I like to see... Australia humbled Pakistan today by 170 runs in the first Test at the MCG on the back of improving off-spinner Nathan Hauritz's maiden five-wicket haul. Hauritz took the two remaining wickets in his first over after lunch to finish with 5-101 as Pakistan crashed to 251 in their second innings. Hauritz had Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf caught at short leg off the pad for 61 and five balls later had Saeed Ajmal (10) caught from a skied slog. Australia had set Pakistan 422 runs to win. I wish I could have been in Melbourne to see the last day!

Former Ku Klux Klan Member Ordained In Black Church

A former officer of the Ku Klux Klan has changed his ways and was ordained in San Diego so he could serve as a minister in one of the country's largest black denominations. Former imperial wizard Johnny Lee Clary said in a statement he was authorized by the Church of God in Christ to participate in the ministry of racial healing and conduct evangelism campaigns, according to reports.

Clark joined the KKK Youth when he was younger, then later became a national spokesman for the White Knights of the KKK. According to Clary's web site, he started reevaluating his life and eventually embraced religion. Clary changed his view on the world and racism. Clary said in a statement that he has learned good friends come in many colors. Clary now sees racism as a cancer, and says he wants to bring people together and not tear them apart. Absolutely amazing!

Alfa Romeo wins the Sydney to Hobart yacht race

The New Zealand supermaxi Alfa Romeo and its crew outsailed and outmanoeuvred the best supermaxis and the most experienced navigators in the world to storm across the finish line of the Rolex Sydney to Hobart in first place last night. The triumphant skipper, Neville Crichton, embraced his yacht's 146th victory in ocean racing since its launch in 2005 with an ecstasy fuelled by beating his arch rivals - Mark Richards on Wild Oats XI and Mike Slade on ICAP Leopard - in a light wind race that was the most unpredictable in years.

Get well coach!

Yesterday the best coach in American college football, Urban Meyer, announced he was quitting the Florida Gators due to health reasons. Today it seems that stance has been modified to an indefinite leave of absence to bolster his failing health, with a view to leading the team next season. Urban is the former coach of the Utah Running Utes, taking them to an undefeated season in 2004 and becoming the first BCS busters in the process. Since then he has taken the Gators to two national championships in 5 years. Coach, just get better fast, the world of college football is much poorer without you, and I wish you all the best in a speedy recovery.

Merry Christmas All

I would like to take the last few minutes of Christmas Day to do two important things. Firstly, to celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus who came into the world to save his brothers and sister and lead us back to the heavenly parents that gave us breath. Without Christ, Christmas would have no meaning. Secondly to thank a loving God for the family I have been blessed with, from my parents, to my wife, children, grandchildren and last but not least, caring friends. For a day of blessings, I am truly thankful. Merry Christmas all, with wishes for a successful, prosperous and edifying New Year.

'Balloon Boy' Parents Get Jail Time, 4 Years Probation

A Colorado judge sentenced 'Balloon Boy' father Richard Heene to 90 days in jail and four years probation today. Larimer County District Judge Stephen Schapanski prohibited Richard Heene from receiving any form of financial benefit, whether through the media, a book, or articles he might write stemming from the balloon hoax. The judge also required him to turn over quarterly bank statements to make sure he's not making money off this incident. His wife also got 20 days jail time. With their $42,000 or more restitution to pay, this is a great result for these two idiots. Brilliant.

All Blacks close decade with 100 wins

The All Blacks will close the year as the best team of the decade, winning 24 more games than any other side, and scoring 133 more tries than the second best attacking nation. It has essentially been the perfect ten years for the New Zealand rugby team, with the exception of one small trophy.

It will not be until 2011 that the All Blacks will be able to rectify the only caveat that currently blemishes their ever impressive record; with three World Cups “available” over the next ten years.

While some use all manner of vernacular in regards to New Zealand’s World Cup campaigns, such as failed expectations or even chokes, one of the main reasons that so much hype surrounds the All Blacks tilts at World Championship glory is because of their outstanding record before, after and in between these tournaments.

Indian Man loses wife at cards

An Indian husband has gambled his wife away after he lost a game of cards. The woman reportedly managed to escape from the house of the man who "won" her and complained to the police. The incident occurred in the village of Billauchpura around 250 miles from the city of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.

A police spokesman said: "The woman, who approached us on Tuesday, has alleged that her husband Raheesu had used her as a stake after he lost all his money while gambling." But Raheesu also lost that game to a man known only as Feroz, to whose home he later forced his wife to go.

The police said both men were on the run and they were making efforts to find them. M.P. Singh, additional superintendent of police, has ordered an inquiry into the incident. He said: "The case is a shocking one. We have initiated an inquiry into the matter and promise to take strict action against those behind the incident."

This truly boggles the mind. At least the poor wife knows she's better off without her man!

Afghanistan Rekindled

US President Barack Obama is going to send 30,000 extra troops to Afghanistan, prolonging the war, and putting more lives at risk. He also has set a time for withdrawal, one that is many, many years too late, even if it is only 18 months away. President Obama as well as his predecessor George W. Bush, both avoided history instead of learning from it. Here are some interesting thoughts:

• Even if there is a withdrawal at the stated time, it will be almost to a month, the same length of stay as the Russian who went home in defeat in 1989.
• A former commander of Soviet forces in Afghanistan has warned history is being repeated in the war-ravaged country as the United States and its allies become increasingly mired in an "unwinnable war."
• The allies should have left when the Taliban were first defeated, and let the Afghans run their own country. Trying to build Afghanistan into something it is never going to be is futile and naive.
• If the Taliban had become belligerent again, then they could have been defeated again in an appropriate, short, sharp reminder.
• Afghanistan is about as important as invading Somalia or other backwater. Leave them alone and spend our hard earned taxes on poverty and education.
  

Doctors thought he was in a coma, but he was in fact conscious

For 23 torturous years, Rom Houben says he lay trapped in his paralysed body, aware of what was going on around him but unable to tell anyone or even cry out. The car crash victim had been diagnosed as being in a vegetative state but appears to have been conscious the whole time. An expert using a specialised type of brain scan that was not available in the 1980s finally realised it, and unlocked Mr Houben's mind again. Mr Houben, 46, is now communicating with one finger and a special touchscreen on his wheelchair.

"Powerlessness. Utter powerlessness. At first I was angry, then I learnt to live with it," he said, punching the message into the screen during an interview with the Belgian RTBF network, aired on Monday. He has called his rescue his "renaissance". I cannot imagine what torture this man went through. My thoughts are with him for a decent recovery, not just of health but of his life.

FIFA invites ridicule by denying Irish request for replay

FIFA has rejected a request by the Irish soccer authorities for a World Cup replay following the debacle of the match in which the winning goal was scored through a blatant hand ball. The fact that the incident could be seen by every person in the stadium except for the referee and his two assistants, who completely missed is incredulous. But worse is the situation where FIFA appears to have kowtowed to the French officials who rejected a fair call for a replay, it really is mind boggling.

FIFA seriously needs to show more leadership and the world world that something this important is not merely "swept under the rug" as the cliche goes. The rejection of a replay is pathetic and immoral. I would also caution those who wish to label Thierry Henry as a cheat, that they are way off the mark, as he is and always was a man of integrity. He has further demonstrated this by backing the call for a replay. Having said all of this, the most important thing to be done here is for FIFA to stop hiding behind rules and just do the right thing. Ensure that a fair result is always the case.

Stinky Robber

Authorities in Florida are searching for an alleged bank robber with "notably bad breath" who asked a teller to fill an orange Halloween bag with cash. The Broward County sheriff's office says the man wore sunglasses when he held up the TD Bank branch in South Florida on Monday morning. I wonder if it was disguise to throw people off???

'Dumb' American criminals attempt robbery with ‘permanent marker pen disguises’

Two hapless robbers in America, Matthew McNelly and Joey Miller, have been arrested with the "worst disguises ever" after trying to hide their faces with permanent marker pen. McNelly, 23, and Miller, 20 were arrested by armed police in Carroll, Iowa, last Friday after witnesses reported seeing two men trying to break into an apartment with fake beards and "masks" scrawled on their faces.

Police responding to a call about the attempted burglary later pulled over a car matching the alleged suspects' vehicle. When they stopped their 1994 Buick Roadmaster, bewildered police discovered the drunk hapless pair – nicknamed “dumb and dumber” – complete with makeshift disguises.

Three Cheers for Citizen Power

A murder suspect who left his car running in a Florida street couldn't get away because a woman took the keys from the ignition. Now, 28-year-old Paul Gayle is being held at the Broward County Jail on charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and armed burglary.

Police say a woman walking her dog called 911 Tuesday, telling the dispatcher she heard screams from inside a home so she took the keys from the running car because she wanted police to check the vehicle.

The unidentified woman stayed on the line with the 911 operator until officers arrived and arrested Gayle. Officers found Hasting Clarke dead inside the Coconut Creek home. Authorities said Clarke and Gayle had been fighting over Clarke's former girlfriend.

Cricket forges strong bonds in friendship

In a story that illustrates how interethnic and international relations should be handled, former Indian cricketer and commentator Ravi Shastri, rushed to the side of his fellow commentator and former Pakistani cricket captain Wasim Akram when Akram's wife was rushed to hospital in Chennai in critical condition. Huma was admitted to the Apollo Hospitals on advice from doctors on board the Singapore-bound air ambulance where she received necessary intensive medical attention. Hospital sources said Huma suffered a multiple organ failure and she was put on ventilator support. The two colleagues stayed together for two hours while Akram's wife received the initial treatment she needed. In a region known for deep seated hatreds, this is a wonderful example of respect and friendship from two former masters of cricket, and a great message to the rest of the world.

Madonna the neighbour from hell

Apparently, Madonna is the "neighbour from hell" and been accused of using her New York home as a rehearsal studio. The singer has infuriated Karen George - who lives above Madonna in the apartment block overlooking Central Park - with her alleged "blaring music and stomping". George has filed a lawsuit against the 51-year-old pop star in Manhattan Supreme Court, complaining of "unreasonably high-decibel, amplified music and vibrations pouring through walls, ceilings and radiators". The lawsuit states: "Madonna and one or more of her invited guests repeatedly dance and train... to unreasonably high-decibel, amplified music, causing noise and vibration to pour through the walls, ceilings and radiators. It constantly amazes me the things that 'celebrities' will do just because they think they can.

Sam Stosur wins first WTA title

I am very happy that tennis World No. 15, fellow Australian Samantha Stosur, has won her first WTA tour title. She has been playing really well the last couple of years and deserves her win and her position in the women's game. Way to rock them Sammy!

Congratulations Ghana

Ghana held on with 10 men to beat Brazil in a penalty shoot-out to become the first African team to win the Under-20 World Cup on Friday and end a decade of South American dominance. What a wonderful result for football and for Africa. The final finished 0-0 after extra time at Cairo International Stadium, and Ghana's Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu scored the winning penalty to make it 4-3 after Brazil's Maicon missed a chance to win it at 3-2. Agyemang-Badu's confident shot uncorked wild scenes of jubilation by Ghana's players and staff, and their fans among the 68 000-strong crowd. Agyemang-Badu peeled off his shirt and thumped his chest as Brazil's dejected players fell to the ground in disbelief.

Honey, can I have one for Christmas please?!?

The Icon-A5 Light Sport Aircraft.

• Enough gas for 300 nautical miles.
• Flies at 120 m.p.h or 193 k/h.
• Seats 2.
• Has a safety parachute.
• ONLY $139,000 USD.
  
• Come on babe!
  

Jaycee's first photo

People magazine today published the first pictures taken of Jaycee Dugard since being freed from her kidnapping ordeal. After being held against her will for 18 years, much of it in a backyard hell straight out of a horror film, Jaycee wants the world to know that she is very happy to be back with my family. The photograph shows a smiling, serene looking young woman with happiness in her eyes. I can't imagine what it would have been like to be subjected to the things she endured, but I wish Jaycee and her family all the best, and hope they get the privacy they need to live as normal and productive life as possible.

The "Muumuu" bandit!

San Jose, California Police apparently need our help in identifying a man known as the "Muumuu Bandit" who has robbed at least two local businesses. The first robbery occurred on July 11th, 2009 at around 12:40pm at a Payday Loan store located in the 700 block of Story Road. One week later, on July 18th at 10:36am, the same man robbed a liquor store in the 3900 block of Snell Ave. He’s described as an unknown race male, 5’6” to 5’8” tall and weighing about 170 pounds. It’s not unusual for suspects to wear disguises when committing robberies, but this suspect’s choice of disguises is noteworthy. During both robberies, he wore a pink long sleeved gown or “muumuu” with a white and purple floral pattern on it, along with a tan-colored straw garden hat, white gloves and tan shoes. Hmmmmmmmmm!

Obama's Peace (sorry, Political) Prize

Here is an excerpt from a Reuters article that encapsulates my feelings on this subject...

The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday to President Barack Obama, the third prominent U.S. Democrat to win recently, only seemed to reinforce an impression the prize can be as much about politics as about peace.

Some observers interpreted the Nobel less than nine months into Obama's presidency, before he had had time to pursue much peace policy, as a last dagger from Europe tossed at Obama's Republican predecessor, former President George W. Bush, who was unpopular there.

Obama won a Nobel Prize???

I am thunderstruck by this award. I would have never thought of Barack Obama as a worthy recipient beforehand, as there so many others I would have believed more deserving. I do not want to denigrate what he has accomplished, because he has changed some direction for the U.S. But not enough to win a Nobel Peace Prize in my mind. It's simply too early to tell. Fine if he completes his first term and accomplishes something meaningful. But he would have had to be nominated inside the first 90 days of his presidency and to base a prize of such prestige on less than 90 days in office is farcical. He may be worth the prize at a later date, but not now. To give President Obama his due, even he says he does not deserve the recognition.

Golf and rugby to be among sports at 2016 Olympics

The International Olympic Committee voted today to bring golf to the 2016 Olympic games for the first time in more than a century. The IOC is also permitting rugby to make its first appearance at the Olympics since 1924. Rugby, which was voted in 81-8 with one abstention, received less resistance than golf, which was voted in 63-7 with two abstentions.

Some IOC members were hesitant to vote for golf due to the high costs associated with the sport, potential accessibility issues, and the fact that some clubs exclude women members, according to the Associated Press.

Tiger Woods, however, is reportedly thrilled, indicating in a taped message that he would participate in the 2016 Olympics if golf were approved. "There are millions of young golfers worldwide who would be proud to represent their country," Woods told reporters from the Presidents Cup in San Francisco. "It would be an honor for anyone who plays this game to become an Olympian."

I am totally stoked because my favourite sport, rugby, and my favourite sports team ever, The All Blacks, will be at the Olympics in Brazil. We might just have to see if we can make the trip to see the ABs win the gold medal.

Why do we give fools so much media attention?

First there was Kanye West, a total idiot and marginally talented...but we give him air time and all of a sudden we suffer the consequences. More Kanye West, when what we had seen was already too much. Now we have Jon and Kate Gosselin, two nobodies who had a really awful reality show, and we get to see and hear their inane prattlings about their divorce! Why? Nobody is interested. Who cares about drivel? When is the media going to learn that bs breeds bs? Just tell them to shut up and move on! Find something worthwhile to fill our hearts and minds so we don't become as moronic as the fools we are trying to get away from.

Reflections of Christ: A New Testament

I had the opportunity today to visit with my buddy Mark Mabry. He is an amazing photographer who has just published his second book about the life of Christ, which is beautiful and heart-warming. While spending the afternoon with him I got to view the entire large size set of photographs that were taken for the book. It was an amazing thing to see his work. My wife interviewed him the other day and this her story about that meeting ...

Oldest "Human" Skeleton Found--Disproves "Missing Link

Scientists have announced the discovery of the oldest fossil skeleton of a human ancestor. The find reveals that our forebears underwent a previously unknown stage of evolution more than a million years before Lucy, the iconic early human ancestor specimen that walked the Earth 3.2 million years ago. The centerpiece of a treasure trove of new fossils, the skeleton—assigned to a species called Ardipithecus ramidus—belonged to a small-brained, 110-pound (50-kilogram) female nicknamed "Ardi."

The fossil puts to rest the notion, popular since Darwin's time, that a chimpanzee-like missing link—resembling something between humans and today's apes—would eventually be found at the root of the human family tree. Indeed, the new evidence suggests that the study of chimpanzee anatomy and behavior—long used to infer the nature of thfossil, e earliest human ancestors—is largely irrelevant to understanding our beginnings.Welcome, cousin!

Polanski's mess

I have waited s few days until the smoke had cleared a little on Roman Polanski's arrest in Switzerland for a 32-year-old child sex charge. I listened to the French government talk rubbish about how wonderful he is and ask how the U.S. could ask for the arrest of a 'genius'. It may be an old case, but Polanski admitted the charges, then ran before he could be sentenced. He is guilty of committing serious crimes against a teenage, aged 13 years. I understand that he has paid a price and paid civil compensation, and also the victim herself wants nothing to do with the prosecution. But the Europeans are bleating to much about justice when Polanski drugged a girl with alcohol and then sexually abused her. Time for them to be quiet on this subject and acknowledge the wrong. If Polanski was not a celebrity, there would not be a sound uttered by politicians to release him and the fairness of U.S. courts.

Prayers for Samoa, the Philippines and Indonesia

My prayers and heart go out to family and friends, and the people of Samoa, who may have been hurt or injured in the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit the South pacific nation. My son-in-law and his family are from Western Samoa, and I have friends live in Western and American Samoa. May God bless you all in your efforts to minimise your losses and comfort you in your grief. Similarly my thoughts are with the Filipino and Indonesian peoples who are suffering just as much with storms, earthquakes and flooding.

Unearthed: bird-like dinosaur with four wings

Chinese researchers have unearthed the fossil of a bird-like dinosaur with four wings in north-eastern China, which they suggest is a missing link in dinosaurs' evolution into birds.

In a paper in the journal Nature, they said they found the well-preserved fossil of the Anchiornis huxleyi, which roamed the earth about 160 million years ago, in a geological formation in China's north-eastern Liaoning province.

About the size of a chicken, the fossil has a total body length of less than 50 centimetres and a skull about six centimetres long, lead researcher Xing Xu at the Chinese Academy of Science in Beijing told Reuters in an email.

This finding suggests that birds are likely to be descended from a kind of small-sized four-winged dinosaur about 160 million years ago.

Targeting Cancer Tumors With Bee Venom

A bee sting can be painful, but its venomous payload might hold promise for a beneficial purpose—fighting cancer. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have used an ingredient of bee venom called melittin to shrink or slow the growth of tumors in mice. Melittin's anti-tumor potential has been known for years, but it hasn't been used as a drug because it also attacks healthy cells, including vital red blood cells.

Now the researchers have found a way, using the burgeoning field of nanotechnology, to pinpoint tumors for attack by melittin while largely shielding healthy cells. They do this by attaching the bee-venom ingredient to nanoparticles, which are ultra-tiny, synthetically manufactured spheres. The resultant product, called nanobees, are injected into the blood stream where they circulate until they reach and attack cancerous tumors. The approach also has the potential to avoid some of the toxic side effects seen in older cancer therapies like chemotherapy. As a cancer survivor I think this breakthrough is awesome!

Bryan Adams Unplugged

I had the privilege over the weekend to hear Bryan Adams performing at the "U" (thanks to tickets from my friend Blair). I remember seeing him with my daughter Leanne in Sydney in 1997 (yikes that was 12 years ago!) and really loved the concert. This time it was totally different, no band, no gimmicks, no full-on electronics. Bryan played totally with acoustic guitars and was backed up by his piano player and friend Gary Bright on most of the songs. Bryan Adams is an amazing songwriter and a wonderful performer. The whole concert was spent talking to the audience with little anecdotes on the songs themselves which providfed a very intimate atmp0shpere. It was great, so thanks Bryan and Blair.

Terrorist shoots is mouth of at UN

In his first U.N. appearance, Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gadhafi issued a slashing attack on the Security Council and chastised the world body on Wednesday for failing to prevent some 65 wars since the U.N. was founded in 1945. "It should not be called the Security Council, it should be called the 'terror council,' " he said.

It galls me that a terrorist of such long-standing has the cheek to stand before the world and criticise a body set up to do great good. He is a joke and should continue to be the pariah that he deserves to be. Unfortunatley the only way to stop despotic fools like him is to take him out, permanently.

World's Tallest Man: From Turkey without Love!

The world's tallest man - who also has the largest hands and feet - has been named by Guinness World Records for the launch of its 2010 book. At 8ft 1in (2.47m), Sultan Kosen, from Turkey, is about 4in (10cm) taller than previous title-holder Bao Xishun. The 27-year-old's hands measure 10.8in (27.5cm) and his feet 14.3in (36.5cm).

Mr Kosen, whose height is due to the medical condition pituitary gigantism, said he hoped his new-found fame would bring him love for the first time. "The first thing I want to do is have a car that I can fit in, but more than that I want to get married," he said. "Up until now it's been really difficult to find a girlfriend. I've never had one, they were usually scared of me. I'm hoping now I will find one." He went on: "Hopefully now that I'm famous I'll be able to meet lots of girls. I'd like to get married."Best of luck, Sultan.

Happy Birthday Hayz

I just want to wish my beautiful daughter Hayley, Happy Birthday. Her birthday is on the 18th, but because she lives in New Zealand, her birthday is actually happening right NOW! I love you babe, and hope you have a wonderful day. I love you and miss you very much. Love this photo!!!

NZ scientists give new hope to heart patients

The New Zealand Auckland University scientists have made a breakthrough that could save the lives of thousands of heart patients worldwide and eventually offer an alternative to heart transplants. Scientists from the university's Bioengineering Institute, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Department of Physiology have developed the technology to power a wireless heart pump, New Zealand Herald reported on Wednesday.

Heart pumps keep sufferers of congenital heart failure alive as they await a donor heart. But current heart pump technology requires a wire cable to go through a patient's stomach and chest, which can cause serious infections or even death. The new pump uses magnetic fields to transfer power through a person's skin and can pump on average seven liters of blood per minute and operate 24 hours a day. The device could be implanted in around 50-thousand people each year within ten years.

New Zealand Heart Foundation medical director Dr Norman Sharpe said the technology could benefit the few dozen New Zealanders who undergo heart transplants each year, and would provide better quality of life to them. It makes me proud to be a Kiwi!

Medvedev caught off-guard

Dmytri Medevedev the Russian president seems all lost for words when meeting lovely Elena Dementyeva, the Russian tennis star. He had just presented her with with a medal and doesn't appear to be speaking to her eyes, if you know what I mean.

Patrick Swayze dies from cancer

I am saddened by the news that Patrick Swayze has passed away. While not the greatest actor of our generation, I did enjoy many of his films, my favourite being "Point Break". The hunky actor who danced his way into viewers’ hearts with “Dirty Dancing” and then broke them with “Ghost,” died yesterday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 57 years old, the same age as my Dad when he died of a heart attack, both too, too young.

Kanye West is a complete and total jerk

After watching and reading about Kanye West, I hesitate to bring up his completely ignorant and unwarranted outburst against Taylor Swift. I hesitate because I don't want to add to this churlish and asinine self-aggrandizement. Kanye West is a jerk, pure and simple, and should be sent back to the trash can where he came from, wherever that may be. Who cares what he has to say? He is a nothing, a nobody and I couldn't care less that he likes Beyonce better.

If a white performer had interrupted Beyonce, who thankfully has so much class and dignity, in the way that West did to Taylor Swift, he would have been called a racist! West is quoted as saying, ""I'll always push try to push the envelope, try to get a rise out of people, and try to entertain them too." We, the public, should push back too, push West back to oblivion where he belongs! He is untalented trash.

Giant New Python Species Invading Florida

Africa's largest snake—the ill-tempered, 20-foot-long (6.1-meter-long) African rock python—is colonizing the Florida, new discoveries suggest. Six African rock pythons have been found in Florida since 2002. More troubling, a pregnant female and two hatchlings have been found, which means the aggressive reptiles have set up house.

More dangerous than even Burmese pythons—which are known to eat alligators (alligator-python picture)—the African pythons are "so mean, they come out of the egg striking," said Kenneth Krysko, senior herpetologist at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville. "This is just one vicious animal."

So far the giant snakes have been found only in a single square mile (2.6 square kilometers) of suburban area west of Miami. Pet breeders unprepared for the pythons' ferocity may have released them. If this is true, and breeders or pet keepers have set them free, then they should all be charged in court and sent to jail, this is a disaster! Un-be-freakin'-leivable, some people are just morons.

Serena Williams penalized on match point.

Serena Williams US Open came to an abrupt halt today after being penalized a full point for an outburst against a line umpire, reportedly laced with expletives. The biggest shock was that the deduction came on match point, with her opponent Kim Clijsters of Belgium already holding the upper hand. The surprising thing as not the loss so much, because Clijsters is a former world no. 1, but the invective from Serena.
I really have a lot of respect for the Williams sisters, they are supremely talented, hard working and generally very polite and thoroughly nice young ladies. I wish Serena a swift rebound from this setback, I am sure she will regain her normal poise. I guess it shows that anyone can lose their cool in stressful situations. Anybody! I also wish Kim the best in her final, she too is a class act.

Robber returned to ask victim for date

Columbus, Ohio police say a suspect in a robbery was arrested when he returned to the home about two hours later to ask the victim out on a date.

Police say 20-year-old Stephfon Bennett of Columbus was among three men who robbed a couple late Sunday. The woman recognized Bennett as one of the robbers when he returned to ask her out. She had a relative call 911.

Bennett was arrested in front of the home. He was arraigned Tuesday on a charge of aggravated robbery and was being held in the Franklin County jail on $100,000 bail.What a total idiot!

Lizzi Miller's belly

The fashion industry couldn't ignore plus-size women forever. After all, an estimated 41 percent of U.S. women are larger than a size 14. "No wonder, then, that when Glamour magazine published a nearly nude photo of plus-size model Lizzi Miller, who bears a belly not a six-pack, who wears a girl-next-door grin not a high-fashion glare, they were flooded with letters of praise from readers. May this just be the beginning of the end for stick models who bear no resemblance with real, beautiful, women. Too many suffer from severe depression about their wonderful bodies by being compared to the nauseatingly skinny women in magazines and television. And yes, Lizzi is lovely.

Awesomely Practical Bangladesh

In an inspiring display of sensibility, the prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has ordered male government employees to stop wearing suits, jackets, and neckties.

In addition to eliminating pointless and uncomfortable decorative elements from men’s clothing, the move will help minimize the need for air conditioning. Accompanying the government’s laudable decision was an order not to turn air conditioners in government buildings below 75 degrees F.

Under the new dress code – which applies even to the highest levels of government – men may also wear their shirts untucked, instead of stuffing the bottom portion into their pants for no good reason other than to conform to some arbitrary display of professionalism. The BBC reports that the government plans to encourage private businesses to follow its example.

Samoa Goes Left

Samoa has become the first country since the 1970s to change the side of the road on which cars are driven. At 0600 local time (1700GMT) sirens sounded and drivers were told to move from the right side to the left.

The government brought about the change to bring Samoa into line with other South Pacific nations. A two-day holiday was declared to ease traffic as people got used to the new rules, which faced legal challenges from groups which predicted chaos.

Of course, they did, it's safer and smarter.

Unbelieveable, North Koreans Drown Southerners Without Warning

North Korea unleashed walls of water from one or more of its dams on Sunday, sending a flash flood roaring through the heavily armed border with South Korea and sweeping away six South Koreans, officials in Seoul said.

The six South Koreans, who are still missing, include an 8-year-old boy. They were camping or fishing on the Imjin River, which flows from the North, enters South Korea north of Seoul, and meanders close to the border before emptying into the Yellow Sea.

“The government will send a telegram to the North on Monday to protest and demand a satisfying explanation,” the Unification Ministry of South Korea said in a statement.

Officials said the Imjin River’s water level on the border doubled, to 15.1 feet, after North Korea began releasing water without warning at 2 a.m. on Sunday, either from its newly built Hwanggang Dam 17 miles north of the border or from a smaller dam downstream.

Is this not governmental murder?

Security Guards Sacked in Kabul

Eight private security guards at the US embassy in Kabul have been sacked over claims that they took part in drunken parties and lewd bullying rituals. The embassy said the guards, who were photographed in various stages of nudity, had now left Afghanistan. Embassy officials did not confirm the guards' nationalities or names.

A standards watchdog revealed the scandal this week saying guards had brawled, drunk vodka from each other's buttocks and urinated on people. You must be kidding, what next? We are supposed to be setting a good example and winning friends. This is moronic!

Iran Gets First Woman Government Minister

Iranian MPs have approved the first woman minister in the 30-year history of the Islamic republic. Her name is Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi who was approved as health minister.

She was one of 18 nominations for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's new cabinet to be approved. Two other women were among three rejected nominees.

The president's choice for defence minister, Ahmad Vahidi, who is wanted by Argentina over a deadly 1994 bombing of a Jewish centre, won strong backing. The vote follows months of wrangling after disputed elections in June.

Hey, it is some sort of progress... right?

A load of bull!

South Jordan, Utah, police used a Taser to stop a charging bull.

The animal escaped from its owner around 9800 South and 1300 West on Wednesday. Several people tried to corral it, but the bull knocked down an 80-year-old man and cut him.

Police responded and deployed a Taser on the animal. The owner then was able to get the bull into a trailer. The man who was knocked down was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

Canada 'racist' according to ANC

Maybe I am missing the point but I see something wrong with this story from BBC News...

The governing party in South Africa, the ANC, has condemned as "racist" a decision by Canada to grant a white South African man refugee status. Brandon Huntley, 31, had told officials in Canada he could not return to South Africa after seven different attacks.They included three stabbings, which he said he had suffered as a result of his skin colour.

But a party spokesman said the African National Congress was shocked by the "sensationalist" allegations. "Canada's reasoning for granting Huntley a refugee-status can only serve to perpetuate racism," Ishmael Mnisi said.

It seems to me that the ANC would have been arguing the exact reverse if the person seeking refugee status was not a white man. This truly smacks of double standards.

Reality bites: Pit bull flattens deputy's tires

From Cumberland County, N.C., comes this deflating tale... Sheriff's Deputy Lynn Lavallis responded to a call Sunday from Gloria Bass about a dog chasing her daughter on her bicycle, trying to bite the back tire. When Lavallis pulled into Bass' driveway, there was nothing to see. Lavallis parked the patrol car and got out to investigate.

Enter Bass' pit bull, which proceeded to tear into the car's tires, flattening all four. "The dog didn't try to attack the deputy. He just doesn't like tires," said Debbie Tanna, a sheriff's spokeswoman. A sheriff's investigator, an animal control officer and a tow truck were summoned. Bass wasn't cited; her dog was on her property and didn't bite anything human. Bass will be billed for four new tires — $504.60. Heheheheheh! Smart dog!

Some people are unbelievable!

A mother-of-four was murdered by her partner days after she changed her Facebook status from "married" to "single", a court has heard.

Hayley Jones, 26, was found by her children at the family home. She had been fatally stabbed.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that Brian Lewis, 31, killed her after telling friends he could not stand to lose her to another man.

WOW! The New BMW Sports Hybrid!

Low impact, high speed ... the futuristic BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics two-door concept hybrid car can get to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds yet uses less fuel than a Toyota Prius. Hon, can I have one???? Pleeeeeeeeeeeease.

Lost Kangaroo Roams German Countryside

Locals of small towns in western Germany have been surprised to see a kangaroo on the outskirts of their hamlets and even crossing their roads. Nobody knows where the exotic escapee came from -- but they hope that, when they eventually catch it, they can give it a new home in a local zoo.

Drivers traveling in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate are keeping a look out for a stray kangaroo. For around three weeks now, the kangaroo has been seen at various sites between the towns of Gerolsheim, Ebertsheim and Maxdorf near the western German city Mannheim.

Locals have seen the kangaroo lingering on the outskirts of the various towns several times. One policeman even saw it hanging out in a local sports ground, but nobody has been quick enough to catch the marsupial, the likes of which are indigenous almost exclusively in Australia. On Monday, it became clear the exotic escapee was on the move, as it crossed the A61 highway in the early evening. Surprised drivers spotted the kangaroo, including one woman who says she almost ran over the animal. Witnesses reported the sighting to the police, but by the time they had arrived it was too dark to track the elusive creature.