REBLOG! Copper Beech Farm …$US190 Million

Michael Courtenay — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:27:57 +0000

Earlier this month Sydney’s house prices topped out at $AU50 million – Altona, a Point Piper harbour front mansion – In the US however, a house has just gone on the market with an asking price of $AU195 Million.

Copper Beech Farm – named for the Copper Beech trees, not a US misspell - is set on 20 hectares/50 acres of manicured (subdividable) lushness, it boasts 12 bedrooms – excluding separate staff quarters – 9 bathrooms, standout views across Long Island Sound, two islands, private beach, grassed tennis court, 25-metre swimming pool, a proper geenhouse, gatehouse and stone carriage house.

The Neo-French Renaissance style isn’t the reason for such a high asking price, nor is it’s history, Copper Beech Farm is a breezy 45 minute drive – as if you’d drive – to New York City. What’s that sound real-estate agents keep making? “Location, location, location.” :: Read the full article »»»»

Australian Scientists 3D-Print NEW Organs …US Student 3D-Prints a Gun

Michael Courtenay — Sat, 11 May 2013 18:04:47 +0000

It’s proof perhaps that we live in an ironic world, Australian researchers are on the cusp of creating new human organs via 3D-printing. While a US student fires the first bullet from a home-made 3D Printed polymer gun.

On the up-side, Australian scientists say they have found a way to grow human body parts using 3D printing technology. The technology isn’t the only cleverness here, 3D printers are now so portable that they might be installed in hospitals.

The University of Wollongong’s Centre for Electromaterials Science is opening a research unit at Melbourne’s St Vincent’s Hospital where 3D printing will be used to reproduce tissue material.

In the US, the State Department has successfully demanded the removal of the 3D printed gun’s schematics from Defcad, a file-sharing site run by Defense Distributed, the group at the centre of the 3D-printed gun controversy.

However, those worried about the ability to download 3D-printed gun blueprints, fret not: The Pirate Bay is apparently on the case, the 3D Printed guns schematics are available for download :: Read the full article »»»»

New Zealand, Land of the Bad-taste Baby Name?

Verity Penfold — Sun, 05 May 2013 23:39:03 +0000

They’re an odd lot the Kiwis, overtly polite, a little too enthusiastic and well, very brown-slack. New Zealand government officials have released a list of baby names put forward by parents that have been rejected by the registrar of births, deaths and marriages because they were too out-there or just down-right offensive, including “V8″ and “Mafia No Fear”.

The list of 77 names reveals one child was set to be called “Anal” before the Department of Internal Affairs vetoed the proposal, while another child narrowly avoided being dubbed “.” or full stop.

Other names on the list included “4Real”, “Lucifer”, and “/”. In some cases, parents appeared to have lost any inspiration for coming up with a moniker for their offspring, wanting to call the latest addition to the family simply “2nd”, “3rd” or “5th”.

The inhabitants of the small southern nation are apparently a proud bunch, the registrar’s rules forbid a name that might imply a child holds an official rank or title, so “King”, “Duke” and “Princess” were among those that had been turned down, we love a good over-reach!

“Justice” was the most popular, having been rejected 62 times, although “Justus” and “Juztice” also failed to gain official approval. Surprisingly there where very few applications for offensive – possibly an oxymoron – hobbit names submitted :: Read the full article »»»»

CHINA! Authorities Arrest Hundreds Over RAT MEAT Scam

Diana Detaux — Sun, 05 May 2013 01:41:57 +0000

Chinese authorities have broken a major crime racket that passed off more than $AU1 million in rat as mutton. Police have arrested 900 suspects since January for selling and producing fake or tainted meat products, the Ministry of Public Security said in a statement.

During the crackdown, police discovered one suspect, surnamed Wei, had used additives to spice up and sell rat, fox and mink meat at markets in Shanghai and Jiangsu province. Despite persistent efforts by police, “food safety crimes are still prominent, and new situations are emerging with new characteristics”.

Food safety and environmental pollution are chronic problems in China and public anxiety over cases of fake or toxic food often spreads quickly. In April, many consumers lost their appetite for poultry as an outbreak of the H7N9 bird flu virus spread in China :: Read the full article »»»»

Google Recognises Palestine

M.Aaron Silverman — Sun, 05 May 2013 01:19:13 +0000

Internet search behemoth Google has recognised Palestine’s upgraded United Nations status, placing the name “Palestine” on its search engine instead of “Palestinian Territories,” the US company said, raising the ire of Israel. The domain name www.google.ps, Google’s search engine for the territories, now brings up a homepage with “Palestine” written underneath the Google logo.

In November last year the UN general assembly upgraded Palestine to the status of non-member observer state by a vote of 138 votes in favour, 9 against and 41 abstentions.

Palestinian authorities have since begun to use the “State of Palestine” in diplomatic correspondence and issued official stamps for the purpose. The google recognition took effect this week, Google spokesman Nathan Tyler said in a statement :: Read the full article »»»»

Legendary Divinyls Front-woman Chrissy Amphlett Dies

Verity Penfold — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 01:00:30 +0000

One of Australia’s most revered rock legends, Chrissy Amphlett, best known as the singer of the Divinyls, has died in New York aged 53. The charismatic front-woman was surrounded by family and friends at her home when she died on Monday morning.

Her husband of 14 years, former Divinyls drummer Charley Drayton, says Amphlett died of breast cancer and multiple sclerosis. In a statement released by ARIA, he added she had fought the diseases with “exceptional bravery and dignity”

Christine Joy Amphlett was born in Geelong, Victoria, in 1959.

She gained fans – including this fan – for her energetic performances, complete with a signature outfit of a school uniform and fishnet stockings. Amphlett revealed her fight against multiple sclerosis in 2007 and in 2010 announced she had breast cancer :: Read the full article »»»»