It’s a daughter for Tim Allen and wife Jane Hajduk
March 30, 2009
(ChattahBox) — Congratulations to Tim Allen, and his wife, actress Jane Hajduk, who gave birth to a daughter on Saturday. Tim’s publicist Marleah Leslie says Allen’s wife, actress Jane Hajduk, gave birth to a 5-pound, 13-ounce girl, Elizabeth, on Saturday in Los Angeles.
Both mother and daughter are reportedly doing great. This is the couples first child together. Read more
Madonna in Malawi court to adopt 4-year-old girl – final decision on Friday
March 30, 2009
(ChattahBox) — Madonna appeared in a Malawi court today and was told by officials a decision would be made on Friday whether she will be allowed to adopt a 3-year-old girl Chifundo James, whose mother died shortly after her birth. The girl’s name means “Mercy” in the local language Court official Thomson Ligowe confirmed that Madonna’s adoption application for her second child from the southern African nation, has been adjourned by the court until the end of the week. Read more
Aussies Turn Poisonous Toad Massacre Into a Party
March 29, 2009
(ChattahBox)—A somewhat wacky story out of Queensland, Australia today; hundreds of poisonous cane toad revelers from five towns, gathered in a celebratory hunting and massacring of thousands of poisonous cane toads, in a first of its kind event, called “Toad Day Out.” Billed as a family occasion, set in a carnival like atmosphere, complete with grilled sausage sandwiches, soft drinks (probably lots of beer), and prizes; hundreds of residents set out at night to capture the hated toads.
The rules of engagement stated the toads must be turned in alive and in good condition, for the hunters to receive any prizes. The captured enemy toads were then put to death for their heinous crimes, including spreading disease, and producing toxic venom from their skin glands. Read more
Waterboarding of ‘Prized’ Gitmo Prisoner Yielded False Leads
March 29, 2009
(ChattahBox)—An outstanding piece in the Washington Post this morning, chronicling the capture, imprisonment, interrogation and ultimate torture by waterboarding, of Abu Zubaida, captured in Pakistan by CIA officials in 2002, long considered a high-profile al-Qaeda “mastermind.” Former officials now acknowledge that Zubaida was not a mastermind of any sort, but a low-level fixer and travel agent for radical Muslim ideologues. Former CIA officials say any information Zubaida had; he gave up during traditional interrogations, and although the information was significant, the revelations were not of a blockbuster variety. Read more
“Friend” of Biden’s Daughter: Hawking Tape Showing Alleged Coke Use
March 29, 2009
(ChattahBox)—The gossipy “Page Six” of the New York Post came out today with a drug use story allegedly involving Vice President Joe Biden’s 27-year old daughter, Ashley. An anonymous male “friend” of Ashley’s allegedly took a video at a recent house party, which he attended, showing a young woman appearing to resemble Ashley Biden snorting lines of white powder through a straw. This unnamed male “friend” through his attorney, Thomas Dunlap, has reportedly been hawking this video to the highest bidder, at first asking for $2 million, then reducing his price to $400,000. Read more
Watchman: Promising New Device for Heart Problem, But not Without Risks
March 29, 2009
(ChattahBox)—Results of a new clinical study came out this week, testing a new device, dubbed the Watchman, which shows promise for treating atrial fibrillation, a common heart malfunction, suffered by more than more than two million men and women in the United States. Researchers hope this device can replace current drug therapies using blood thinners, such as coumadin and warfarin, which can have dangerous side affects, with prolonged use. Dr. David Holmes Jr. of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. led the study, which was paid for by the Watchman’s maker, Atritech Inc. of Plymouth, Minn. Read more
Hawaiian Living Coral Dated at 4,265 years Old: Scientists Call for Protection
March 29, 2009
(ChattahBox)—A team of researchers led by Texas A&M University, amazingly discovered that a type of coral living deep in the ocean off the coast of Hawaii, is 4,265 years old. Scientists thought the beautiful deep sea coral bed was at least a few hundred years old, but were surprised themselves to find it was “thousands” of years old instead. This discovery makes the Hawaiian coral one of the oldest, continuously living species on the planet. Scientists are concerned that poaching and damage from the nets of deep sea fishermen, will destroy this ancient deep-sea wonder of the world, and steps need to be taken to protect it. Read more
Tobacco Users Smacked With New Tax Hit
March 29, 2009
(ChattahBox) — Smokers and other tobacco users will get hit with the single largest federal tobacco tax increase ever on Wednesday. It calls for a 62-cents-a-pack increase, to $1.01, in federal excise taxes on cigarettes for the nation’s estimated 45 million cigarette smokers as well as increases in taxes on little cigars, cigars, and pipe and chewing tobacco. The tax on chewing tobacco will go up from 19.5 cents per pound to 50 cents.
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Stem Cell Treatment for Breast Enlargement Being Trialed in UK
March 29, 2009
(ChattahBox) — Not sure anyone envisioned stem cells being used for this purpose but a hospital in England is planning a trial to achieve ‘natural’ breast enlargement using cells from spare fat. Professor Kefah Mokbel, a consultant breast surgeon at the London Breast Institute at the Princess Grace Hospital, is in charge of a project to use the technique on healthy women who want larger breasts. He told the Sunday Times: ‘They [breasts treated with stem cells] feel more natural because this tissue has the same softness as the rest of the breast.’
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China Behind Vast International Computer Spy Network?
March 29, 2009
(ChattahBox) — Canadian researchers have uncovered a vast electronic spying operation that infiltrated computers, observed and stole documents from government and private offices around the world, according to a New York Times story reported on Saturday. A team from the Munk Center for International Studies in Toronto said at least 1,295 computers in 103 countries had been breached in less than two years by the spy system, which it dubbed GhostNet. Read more