February 2011 Archives

A NEW dinosaur has been discovered by British and US scientists - who have dubbed it Thunder-thighs after its huge legs.

Brontomerus mcintoshi may have used them to kick love rivals or ­predators in Utah, 110 million years ago. Dr Mike Taylor, of University College London, said: "It's an exciting find.

Chips taste better when you eat them using your fingers - and at the seaside, claim psychologists.

Along with the touch, look, smell and taste of the fries, experts have discovered the right "ambient sound", like waves crashing on to the shore, can make all the difference.

The Oxford University study showed how the brain can match up sounds and tastes. Professor Charles Spence said: "Given the association between fish and chips and the seaside, it's likely that listening to the sea will make them a gastronomic experience."

The findings mark the start of National Chip Week, ­celebrating our favourite dish, of which we eat two million tons a year.

A tiny Australian town called Speed has changed its name to Speedkills for a month in a bid to get drivers to lift off the accelerator.

A Malaysian woman came to the rescue of her husband, who was being mauled by a tiger, by swinging a soup ladle at the animal.

US marine archaeologists have found the sunken whaling ship belonging to the captain who inspired Herman Melville's classic 19th Century novel, Moby Dick.

The remains of the vessel, the Two Brothers, was found in shallow waters off Hawaii.

Captain George Pollard was the skipper when the ship hit a coral reef and sank in 1823.

His previous ship, the Essex, had been rammed by a whale and also sank, providing the narrative for the book.

Read the full story on the BBC

This video's attracting a fair bit of Youtube attention - it's an absolute classic. In a nutshell it's a Yeoman Warden at the Tower of London giving a guided tour for visitors.

It's simply brilliant...

This is part 2 of four (one of my favourites), but you can view the others here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeiW_bWZ2Is

This elderly woman managed to fight off six would-be thieves armed with sledgehammers as they attempted to break into a jewellery store in Northampton.

Makes you proud to be British...

Two of Malawi's most senior judicial officials are arguing over whether a new bill includes a provision that outlaws breaking wind in public.

Justice Minister George Chaponda says the new bill would criminalise flatulence to promote "public decency".

"Just go to the toilet when you feel like farting," he told local radio.

Scientists have built an "invisibility cloak" that can hide everyday objects by splitting light.

It's not quite on a par with Harry Potter's magic garment, but the "cloak", which is actually a lump of calcite crystal, can make objects like pins and paper clips disappear from sight.