Saturday, April 9, 2011

Huge cargo plane transports £2million remote control truck...

Massive cargo plane transports £2m remote-controlled concrete pump to stricken Japanese nuclear plant

By WIL LONGBOTTOM
Last updated at 12:53 PM on 9th April 2011

95-ton pump could also bury damaged reactors in concrete
Two of vast concrete pumps being flown to Fukushima plant to avert nuclear disaster
Japanese government bans growing of rice in vicinity of crippled plant
Soil containing high levels of radioactive cesium found in two locations

A massive Russian cargo plane has been used to pick one of the world's largest concrete pumps to pour water on the stricken nuclear power plant in Japan.

The 95-ton pump is mounted on a 26-wheel truck and can be operated from two miles away by remote control, allowing it to shoot water into the damaged reactors.

If necessary, it could also be used to entomb one of the damaged nuclear reactors in concrete.

Rescue giant: A $2million concrete pump is loaded on to a special Russian cargo plane in Atlanta, Georgia

Into the belly of the beast: The massive pump can be remote-controlled from two miles away and could pour water into previously inaccessible parts of the Fukushima plant

High tech: If necessary, the pump could also be used to bury reactors in concrete

Dave Adams, CEO of Putzmeister America, the Wisconsin-based company which manufactures the pump, said: 'Our whole company fells hopeful that our equipment can be used to make a difference in helping solve the problem.'

Japanese authorities have struggled to cool the plant's reactors after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami knocked out its backup cooling systems.

The stricken plant is believed to have suffered a partial meltdown of its nuclear fuel after desperate attempts to cool the reactors failed.

It comes as the Japanese government announced it would ban farmers from planting rice into soil contaminated by radiation from the nuclear power plant.

95-ton: The heavy-duty machinery is one of two being flown to Japan to try and avert the nuclear crisis in Fukushima

Leviathan: Engineers in Japan have struggled to pump water into the reactors at the plant to keep them cool, resulting in the release of radioactive particles

The ban will apply to any soil found to contain high levels of radioactive cesium. Farmers who cannot grow rice will be compensated.

So far, soil that exceeds the new limit has only been found in two places in Iitate, around 25 miles from Fukushima.

Agriculture minister Michihiko Kano said: 'We had to come up with a policy quickly because we are in planting season.

'Following this, I want to hear the opinions of experts and local officials on how to remediate the soil.'

High levels of seawater contamination around the plant prompted Japan to set limits on the amount of radiation permitted in fish for the first time.

The contamination levels have since decreased after plant workers managed to plug a leak in one of the reactors.

3D street artist brings fantasy into real life...

3D artist who is simply streets ahead when it comes to drawing on the public's imagination

By MAIL FOREIGN SERVICE
Last updated at 5:32 PM on 8th April 2011

Kurt Wenner has been astonishing passers-by for many years now - but if anything his latest designs are his most stunning yet.

The street artist extraordinaire, a former NASA employee, uses a clever technique that makes his creations appear 3D.

And his most recent works, ranging Spider-man in Japan to gateway to the Caribbean in New York and a rainforest pathway on London's Embankment, are brought together in a new book.

Wenner produced a Northwest Fantasy in April 2010 in San Francisco for the British Columbia Tourist Board, but his Spider-man in Febuary 2011 at Universal Studios is even more impressive with a huge cardboard cutout completing the comic-book scene

Bringing pavements around the world to life, Kurt, 52, a former NASA employee, uses a clever technique in his street drawings that make them look perfectly 3D.

When viewed from the correct angle, street-goers standing on top of them look like they are floating in thin air and solid concrete appear as gaping chasms in a colourful illusion.

Kurt, 52, from Michigan, started up in 1982 using pastels and paints to decorate the streets of Rome.

He has since using complex calculations from his old job - creating conceptual drawings of extraterrestrial landscapes at NASA - to bring floors and walls to life.

Using his unique knowledge inventor Kurt fused the concept of murals like Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel paintings - frescoes that give extra depth - with 16th century Italian street art.

Pathway to glory: British Olympic cyclist Bradley Wiggins poses on his bike by A Forest Path in October 2010 on London's South Bank

Wenner first came to prominence with models who appeared to be gazing at their reflections in Curtatone in 1987, right, and he used a pool in the ground again in Mexico in Queretaro, in 2010 when he produced three magi leaping out of water

Kurt said: 'The book explores the birth Britain's street artists in the 1800s, and going back to its roots.

'Pavement art like this began in Rome in the late renaissance period, so it's been around for 100s of years.'

An image from Curtatone, Italy, in 1987 shows how he created amazing mirror images of real models on the concrete below them - the first ever interactive 3D street painting.

He added: 'The pieces look real because they are calculated to be perfectly and mathematically accurate. It's exactly how they would look if the objects in my paintings were actually there.

'I use a piece of string to measure fixed points between the viewing location and the painting. This lets me calculate exactly how the perspective should be.

'It takes me around five to seven days to complete an average-sized piece.

His book, Asphalt Renaissance is published by Sterling Innovation.

Wenner created this visual feast in October 2008 at Waterloo rail station in London. Notes appear to float off the ground in The Moneypit

The cover of Kurt's new book Asphalt Renaissance displays some of his most memorable desings

Friday, April 8, 2011

Horse surfing is new beach craze...

From Grand National to horse surfing - riders make a splash

These riders have taken horse racing to new limits - by racing each other through the waves on surf boards attached to their horses saddles.

Related Tags:: France

Grand Splashional: Horse surfers rule the waves in exciting new sport (Picture: Caters)

Just a short cord attaches the surfer to the horse and rider - who can travel at speeds of up to 35mph through the waves.

Daredevil surfers and riders have even taken to racing each other through the surf in beaches in Baule, on the west coast of France.

It comes just two weeks after we revealed all on another new equine-related pursuit: horse-boarding.

Horse-boarding involves being pulled on a skateboard at up to 56kph (35mph).

It has become so popular that a training centre has opened and Britain’s first championships are to be held this year.

The 2011 Grand National takes place this weekend at Aintree. It's Britain's biggest race of the year.

Lawyers told to lower their skirts... at the hemline.

Your skimpy skirts and high heels just won’t do, trainee solicitors told

With the sun out and temperatures rising, the young women of the City law firm Allen & Overy decided it was time to do the same for their hemlines.

Women were told to increase the lengths of their skirts and reduce the height of their heels or face 'uncomfortable discussions' with the HR department Photo: ALAMY

By Jonathan Russell 10:00PM BST 08 Apr 2011

Unfortunately, the sight of dozens of trainee solicitors arriving for work in “very short skirts” did not fill senior partners with the joys of spring.

After several complaints about the amount of flesh on show, an email was sent to the company’s 105 trainees reminding them of the sartorial standards expected by their employer — one of the five leading firms in the City known as the “Magic Circle”.

Women were told to increase the lengths of their skirts and reduce the height of their heels or face “uncomfortable discussions” with the human resources department.

“We’ve been asked to draw your attention to the fact that HR have received numerous complaints about the way female trainees have been dressing around the office,” stated the email from Allen & Overy’s trainee solicitor liaison committee.

It went on: “The main problem seems to be very short skirts and high heels and generally looking like we’re going clubbing instead of to the office. HR would like this to be addressed asap so they don’t have to have uncomfortable discussions with individuals about it, especially as we’re now getting into summer and are more likely to be wearing less as it gets hotter!”

The email also described instances of trainees failing to come to work without brushing their hair properly, and warned that inappropriately dressed solicitors “may miss out on appointments such as client meetings”.

In a sign that the edict failed to find favour among some young women at the firm, it was leaked to the legal blog rollonfriday.com.

Allen & Overy’s dress code stipulates “business casual” dress while in the office and suits when meeting clients.

A spokesman for the company refused to be drawn yesterday on exactly what length of skirt and height of heel passed the “business casual” test.

“I don’t think we are that prescriptive,” the spokesman said. “These are pretty intelligent people.” Referring to the email, the spokesman added: “It was just a reminder to people to apply a little common sense.

“There were a couple of examples of girls whose skirts were too short and heels that were too high.”

Allen & Overy is the second major company this year to find details of its corporate dress code being aired in public.

In January, it was disclosed that 44 pages of guidance from UBS, the Swiss investment bank, extended to the colour of female employees’ underwear — skin-coloured — the best perfume to wear and the length of employees’ toenails — short, “to extend the life of your knee socks and stockings”. Men were told how to tie and knot and to get their hair cut once a month.

In 2003, JP Morgan issued a three-page memo reminding male members of staff to shave, polish their shoes and consider investing in an iron.

The email suggested that a dress-down code at the investment bank had led to “dress collapse” in some cases.

“Shaving, polishing your shoes and being smart add to the professional tone,” stated the email from David Hitchcock, a former Gurkha captain and the firm’s head of corporate access. “Also, any good electrical shop will sell you a steam iron.”

A real doll, a limited edition Royal Kate

8 April 2011, 9:33

Now Kate Middleton's a real doll

A doll modelled on Kate Middleton has gone on sale in London's Hamleys toy store - priced at £35 each.

Just 10,000 of the limited edition dolls have been created, dressed and accessorised by seven British fashion designers.

The Princess Catherine Engagement Doll by Arklu, features her famous blue Issa dress, reports the Daily Mail.

The Eaton clutch bag is an exact replica of Kate's, with gold mock snakeskin leather effect, horseshoe clasp and gold chain.

The doll's high-heeled slingback shoes are inspired by British shoe maker Beatrix Ong, and the doll's engagement ring contains a real purple amethyst.

Lucie Follett, director of Artklu, said: "The British fashion industry contributes £22bn to the UK economy.

"That's a big figure so in some senses what we're doing here is promoting British designers and put them out there and say hey it's all about British style and that explains the brand's name which is Champions of British Style."

US electronics store RadioShack offers free guns to Dish Network subscribers...

US electronics chain offers free guns to TV subscribers

A new promotion by RadioShack electronics chain in the US states of Idaho and Montana is offering free guns to first-time subscribers of satellite TV service Dish Network.

The gun give away promotion has unsurprisingly sparked criticism by gun-control advocates elsewhere in the United States Photo: ALAMY

By Emanuelle Degli Esposti 12:17PM BST 08 Apr 2011

John Marshall, owner of a RadioShack store in Mountain Home, Idaho, said the flagging economy was behind the promotion, which he began advertising this week.

"There's no problem with it here; this isn't New York City," he said about the gun giveaway.

Customers who sign up to Dish Network packaged for the first time are given a coupon for $135 (£82) to buy either a pistol or a shotgun from a local sporting goods store. The promotion has unsurprisingly sparked criticism by gun-control advocates elsewhere in the United States.

The guns-for-subscriptions offer is the brainchild of Steve Strand, owner of a RadioShack store in Montana's Bitterroot Valley.

Mr Strand affirmed that the promotional campaign was a sure-fire strategy to target satellite subscribers in a region where firearms are commonplace. Since the offer was introduced last autumn, Mr Strand said that subscriptions for Dish Network packages have increased threefold.

Surprisingly perhaps, he said that women constitute the majority of his client base.

"All I can tell you is, grandma is packing a gun in Montana," he said.

"I might not even consider such a program if I were in Detroit city but we have a different demographic out here," he added.

Classic rotary phone spruced up for digital age....

Dial R for retro: Classic rotary telephone spruced up for the digital age

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 3:06 PM on 8th April 2011

With telephone technology moving forward at an astonishing rate, it's sometimes comforting to take refuge in simpler times.

This new phone, which brings the classic rotary dial telephone into the digital age, aims to bridge that gap.

Developed by SagemCom, the 'Sixty' pays tribute to the timeless landline design that continues to sit in homes across the world.

Digital upgrade: The 'Sixty' pays tribute to the timeless classic rotary dial phone that continues to sit in homes across the world

However a few design upgrades have been made to ensure it is fully equipped for the 21st century.

Most notably, while the shape of the original rotary dial phone has been maintained, most of its body has gone, making the Sixty much lighter.

Likewise, the idea of buying a phone with a cord in 2011 is almost absurd; so SagemCom have done away with the rotary's trademark coiled cable.

The bright orange device also has a digital display with a touchscreen, can store up to 20 minutes of messages and offers ten hours of talk time.

Chic: While the shape of the original rotary dial phone has been maintained, most of its body has gone, making the Sixty much lighter

No wires: The idea of buying a phone with a cord in 2011 is almost absurd

The Sixty isn't the first phone gadget to take modern telecommunications down a somewhat retro route.

Earlier this year a device that turned an iPhone into an old-fashioned rotary-style handset was released.

And that followed hot on the heels of another accessory that took Apple's phone back to the mid-1980s with a plastic cover designed to make their high-tech gadget look like a 'brick', once the ultimate status symbol.

Inspiration: The classic rotary design (left) is still very much en vogue, even if technology has left it behind

Thursday, April 7, 2011

In the pink.... obsessed mother decks out house and children...

In the pink: Mother obsessed with the colour decks out her entire house, right down to the bleach

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 11:28 AM on 7th April 2011

It may not be everyone's cup of tea but for Wanda Matthews shocking pink is not so much a colour but a life choice.

The mother-of-two has made her council house in Bolton, Greater Manchester, into a candy-coloured shrine to the hue, right down to only buying pink cleaning products.

Over three years, she has converted the three-bedroom home into a vision in pink with everything from carpet, wallpaper and furniture in the colour.

Miss Matthews, 20, wears something pink every day, keeps fit by working out with rose-pink weights, listens to a pink iPod and has a pink mobile phone.

Bright: Wanda Matthews in her very pink home in Bolton

Her wardrobe is crammed with an array of pink clothes, shoes and accessories while the kitchen has a baby pink kettle, toaster, pots, pans and ironing board.

Daughters Keira, two, and Keelie, three, are also roped into the theme - dressed up in pink clothes and given pink toys to play with.

Next up is a hot pink renovation for the bathroom, a repainting of the garden fence and an attempt to decorate her oven in heat-proof pink paint.

Miss Matthews said: 'Some people may think that it's a bit much, but I don't care. My friends and family know me surrounded by pink, so they're used to it.

'I just never get sick of the colour and neither do my little girls. I don't know what I'd do if I had a boy though.

'I don't think I have anything other people would find unusual, but people normally react by saying "wow, that's a lot of pink".'

The mother-of-two in her kitchen, which even has pink cleaning products

Even toiletries and bleach have to fit in with the colour theme, with beauty products including perfume, sun-tan lotion and deodorant all picked for their colour.

The mother said: 'I buy pink cleaning products as well over others, like pink bleach and that, so maybe that's strange to other people.'

Her daughters have proved to be the perfect excuse to fuel her obsession and now have a pink-themed playroom with pink furry fairy lights and a pink chandelier.

Her penchant for the colour is unsurprisingly now shared by her boyfriend but she says he has long accepted it as part of their lives.

'It's a proper fetish. While some people don't understand, I never get sick of all this pink. Danny knows I love it and doesn't criticize,' Miss Matthews said.

The Quirky Globe

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