July 19, 2001

YOU CAN'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR

Want humour? Want bizarre? Want to say to yourself "what the f...?" Do yourself a huge favour and check out Fake?, a series of radio interviews available at the CBC's www.120seconds.com (click on "features"). Fake? currently features six surreal segments with some intriguing characters, including an elderly Jewish lady who is suing the surgeon-general because the cigarettes she smokes haven't delivered on their promise to cause cancer. Don't miss Elvis' twin, the Cat Bounty Hunter, and a man who is adamant that cow's milk is filled with pus, viruses and bacteria. Your job, then, is to vote: which segments are real, and which are Fake? Good luck...

COLD WAR BACK IN BUSINESS

I've written before about Echelon, the satellite system set up during the Cold War that has the potential to eavesdrop on virtually any telephone conversation, fax or e-mail exchange in the world at any moment. The reality of Echelon was exposed in March of 1999 when it was revealed that over 120 spy satellites are involved which can process three million electronic communications per minute. The European Union recently sent a delegation to Washington, D.C. on a fact-finding mission regarding Echelon, but left empty-handed when American officials refused to reveal any information. The EU is investigating claims that America is using the satellite network to gather industrial espionage from European companies for American rivals. (The Independent)

LONG LIVE THE VIRGIN GODDESS

Four-year-old Preeti Shakya has been chosen as the new Kumari, or "virgin goddess" of Nepal, after a months-long search for a successor to the last Kumari, whatever-her-name-was, who lost her divine status when she began menstruating. Shakya beat out other aspiring virgin goddesses by surviving tough tests which included spending a night among the heads of ritualy slaughtered goats and buffaloes. Potential Kumari's must also have perfect skin, hair, eyes and teeth. (The Guardian)

LIFE AFTER BRAIN DEATH

British scientists studying near-death experiences (NDEs) in heart attack patients have published their research which suggests that consciousness may continue after the human brain stops functioning. The researchers found that, in some cases, "people with no brain function...have well-structured, lucid thought processes with reasoning and memory formation." Since the initial study of 63 heart attack patients, the team has found over 3,500 people with lucid memories that seemed to occur at a time when they were clinically dead. The researchers speculate that human consciousness may work independently of the brain, using the physical brain as a mechanism to manifest thoughts, somewhat like a television which translates electromagnetic waves into pictures and sounds. Results of the year-long study were published in February in the journal Resuscitation.

THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON DRUGS

I guess it wouldn't hurt to be brighter than a 40W bulb if you wanna be a drug smuggler. Christopher Dowling, 20, of Ireland, had the smashingly brilliant idea of reporting his missing suitcase to airport authorities, despite the fact that it contained 35 lbs. of hashish. He was promptly arrested when he arrived to pick up his bag. Meanwhile, in Melbourne, Australia, a man was arrested with a bag of cocaine after ticking off the "yes" box on a customs form that asked "are you carrying illegal substances?" (Fortean Times)

EVEN DISASTERS FAVOUR THE RICH

A report from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies which tracked deaths from natural disasters in the 1990s, revealed that, on average, 23 people die per disaster in rich countries, 145 people die per disaster in medium developed nations, and 1,051 people die per disaster in very poor countries.

LET'S MAKE A DEAL

A woman at the Jaleshwari bazaar in Bengal, India, who was unable to feed herself or her baby, reportedly offered to "gift" the child to anyone willing to give him a good home. In exchange, all she asked for was enough money to get home. The Telegraph newspaper of Calcutta reports that a childless couple in their forties gave the distraught woman 300 rupees, or approximately $6, in exchange for the child.

BAD SPERM, BAD!

Scientists have known for about 20 years that sperm counts in human males has been declining. Now, a new study from the University of Newcastle in Australia has revealed a dramatic increase in genetically damaged human sperm. The study estimates that up to 85 per cent of sperm produced is DNA-damaged, and researchers believe that this may be responsible for mutations in the embryo which has led to a global increase in testicular cancer. The abnormalities in sperm are presumed to be due to environmental causes including exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, and electromagnetic radiation. (Montreal Gazette)

GLORY, GLORY, HALLELUJAH!

This trippy little optical illusion is making the email rounds with instructions to "stare at the four dots in the centre of this image for thirty seconds, then close your eyes and look up at the ceiling." Trust me, itıs worth one minute of your precious time.

CLICK HERE FOR WAY MORE TRIPPY NEWS

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