Motivation makes a difference

February 21, 2012 at 5:52 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

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THE NEWS

Odd news from around the world

Do not pee on transformers: “A man was sentenced to a year in prison for attempting to rob a UK power substation that exploded when he urinated against a transformer. Michael Harper, 36, was permanently disfigured after suffering serious burns in the blast at the electricity substation under a railway arch in Leicester, central England, The Leicester Mercury said today. The father of two was left burning on the floor by his accomplice, 50-year-old Richard Boyce, who tried to drive off but later was found by police with blistered hands. The incident last March also left 2000 homes and businesses without power and caused £26,500 ($42,000) damage as the two men tried to take metal from the station last March. Harper was jailed for a year after pleading guilty to burglary and criminal damage at Leicester Crown Court, while Boyce was sentenced to four years in jail.”

‘Secret Slimming’ pants? “The underwear, responsible for flattening stomachs and shaving inches from hips and thighs, has traditionally been made of thick and rather unattractive material. Yet sales of the pants, favoured by Bridget Jones, have jumped 12 per cent in just two years at M&S, with stores such as Debenhams seeing even bigger rises. So Marks & Spencer have overhauled the design – and claim their ‘secret slimming’ range is so flattering that women will now be proud to show it off to the men in their lives. “Garments have become less functional, no longer just for special occasions, and instead have evolved into smoother, flattering shape wear that women can feel attractive wearing.” The M&S underwear range is made of lightweight micro-fibre material, which claims to banish VPL and boost comfort.”

A bill of rights for dolphins? “Dolphins are so intelligent that they should be thought of as ‘non-human persons’ and given their own bill of rights, it is claimed. A coalition of scientists, philosophers and animal welfare groups have come up with a declaration of dolphin rights which they hope will one day be enshrined in law. This would stop them being kept in zoos and waterparks, and being attacked by fishermen. Whales would also be elevated above other animals by the list of rules, leading to whalers being classed as murderers, the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s annual conference heard in Vancouver. Philosopher Thomas White said: ‘Scientific evidence is now strong enough to support the claim that dolphins are, like humans, self-aware, intelligent beings with emotions and personalities. ‘Accordingly, dolphins should be regarded as “non-human persons” and valued as individuals. From an ethical perspective, the injury, deaths and captivity of dolphins are wrong.’”

London rioter identified by his crosseyes: “A cross-eyed arsonist who set fire to a shop and post office during the August riots has been jailed for eight years, after police spotted his unusual eyes on CCTV. Andrew Burls, 23, started blazes at Regen’s Lingerie boutique in Rye Lane, Peckham, south London, which spread through neighbouring Greggs bakery and a post office in the same street, during riots that spread across the capital last year. The damage cost more than £1 million and left six people homeless. Despite covering his face with a bandana, officers combed through hours of CCTV footage and spotted Burls, of Peckham, because of his distinctive crossed eyes. The 23-year-old originally denied the offence, but was jailed for a total of eight years at Inner London Crown Court today after pleading guilty on January 30 to two counts of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and one of burglary with intent to steal”

Do Brits ENJOY being in freeway traffic jams? “For most of us, four hours on the M25 would be enough to send our mood plunging and our blood pressure soaring. Yet some visitors are so keen to see the motorway’s sights – and service stations – that a tour of the 117-mile road has sold out. The bus company running the £15-per-head trip announced yesterday that it was adding extra dates to meet ‘huge’ demand. Highlights of the coach tour include visits to Heathrow Airport’s Terminal Five, Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex and the Dartford River Crossing bridge. But Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company said one of the biggest attractions for visitors is the chance to see the new services being built at Cobham in Surrey. The services, which will include a McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Shell garage, are due to be completed at the end of the summer.”

And don’t forget to catch up with all the Strange Justice before you go.