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26. november 2002
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GM Rice can Grow in Harsher Environment
Scientists in the US and Korea has developed a new genetically engineered brand of rice that can survive harsher conditions. It can grow in colder and dryer climate than normal rice, and also survive high salt levels in the earth. This will make it possible to substantially increase yields in some developing countries. The scientists were stressing that the new gene introduced was no danger to the envirionment, as it is already present in some types of wild rice.
Still, expect anti-GM fanatics to listen to no sense.
8:37:22 PM 
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"But he is a moron!"
Françoise Ducros, communications director for Canadian prime minister Chretien, more and more comes across as she who pointed out that the emperor has no clothes. John Chuckman in Pakistan's Daily Times ponders why it so often takes a woman to point out what most people outside the US think about the US President (and why that woman is subsequently fired). His biting barrage against American neocons certainly deserve a wider readership.
PS: Nobody will be surprised to learn that Iraqi media has found the gaffe highly amusing.
10:42:12 AM
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Is this for real?
 Apparently, it has been a petition on the Net for some time to stop the upcoming Lord of the Rings movie Two Towers. The petition campaign was started by someone apparently thinking the title was intended to cash in on the WTC tragedy:
"Those of us who have seen The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring know what an amazing director Peter Jackson is. When I learned that there apparently was to be a sequel, I was overjoyed. However, Peter Jackson has decided to tastelessly name the sequel "The Two Towers". The title is clearly meant to refer to the attacks on the World Trade Center. In this post-September 11 world, it is unforgiveable that this should be allowed to happen. The idea is both offensive and morally repugnant."
I wonder how long it took before somebody told him?
7:41:41 AM
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No Cure for Obesity
The problem of overweight and obesity is on the increase worldwide, and there is no quick fix in sight. Some progress is made, however, on medicines that may still that hunger.
7:27:28 AM
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Norwegians have the most one-night stands
 An international study by Durex of the sex habits of young people reveals some differences between countries. On the frontpage of many Norwegian newspapers today: we have more one night stands than any other nation. Of those who responded, 72 per cent reported having a one-night stand at least once. Not surprisingly in light of this: 32 per cent had sex on first date.
More worrying, both for health reasons and for Durex' economy: half of them did it without a condom.
However, one major methodological warning: the study was done on Durex' web site.
One comment: I wonder why they call it casual sex. It is everything but!
7:18:17 AM
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Etna By Night
Etna on Sicily, Europe's most active volcano, is a spectacular sight in the dark, as captured by Fabrizio Villa (source).
6:48:27 AM
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Referrers Ranking Page Garbled
And only for me! Everybody else's is working... 
6:07:41 AM
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"Mommy! Send more money!"
Israel is sending top officials to the United States to ask for more financial aid and insists on no preconditions. Israel's economy has worsened substantually during the Palestinian intifada. Israeli media speculates that they will ask for $4 billion in direct military aid, and also $10 billion in loan guarantees.
Israel is already a major recipient of US foreign aid; receiving $2.9 billion from US taxpayers every year.
3:38:50 AM
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Blix Warns Iraq
 As the December 8 deadline looms near, UN's chief arms inspector Hans Blix (picture) issues a clear warning to Iraq not to stick to the 'we have no weapons of mass destruction' line. He also offers them a way out of it by suggesting they do a search of old warehouses, so they can save face by saying 'oops, we discovered some old mustard gas here.'
If Iraq still sticks to that story come Decmber 8, what will the Security Council do? 1) Declare Iraq to be in a material breach of the resolution, as the evidence that it has weapons of mass destruction is overwhelming; or 2) Give the arms inspectors time to find evidence that they have WMD. The first option will essentially be a signal to war, so I think we get something along the line of the second. Expect some heated arguments between the Security Council members after December 8.
3:09:02 AM
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Everything is Information
I am still chewing on this Wired article about the idea that the universe is one massive supercomputer. I am not talking about the universe being like a computer, but that it is literally one.
Wired seems to be on a metaphysical roll lately. I've given them a beating earlier, but this time I'm not sure if they deserve one.
1:52:00 AM
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Addiction
I admit to the occasional practice of metablogging, but I do so in my own secret chamber.
1:18:13 AM
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Strikes in France: Road Chaos Now, Air Chaos Soon
 Striking lorry drivers in France set up road blocks across the country, after negotiations over pay broke down. Reports say that threats from non-striking drivers and the police made most strikers abandon and take down their road blocks. But more striking misery is looming.
Now air traffic controllers are planning a 32-hour strike that will wreac havoc on air travel not only in France, but for the rest of Europe as well.
12:38:47 AM
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© Copyright 2002 Jan Haugland.
Last update: 01.12.02; 02:52:30.
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