News Briefs 29-11-2004

Like to travel? Then the Daily Grail offers you a round-the-world trip with today's news.

• The mystery of the non-shifting sands of China's Badain Jaran desert has been solved.
• An ancient stone tortoise discovered in China. Stone hare found in second place.
• The first phase of work to preserve the caves where the 500'000-year-old Peking Man was discovered has been completed.
• China's SARS vaccine seems to have no side effects ... yet.
• Remember the dolphins who saved New Zealanders from a shark attack? Poachers may have killed two of them. I won't blame dolphins if they refuse to help us again.
• Located off the Cornish Coast in England is St Michael's Mount, a site of mystery and mythology.
• Another big cat sighting in Fife, Scotland, by a woman walking her dog. If the dog were a poodle, I would have used it as bait.
• A new species of fish may have been discovered in Antarctic waters.
• Dean Hamer's book The God Gene: How Faith is Hardwired into our Genes is getting a lot of attention (Amazon US or UK).
• Another interesting book is Amulets,by Sheila Paine, investigating how and why objects are used as talismans against supernatural forces (Amazon US or UK).
• Here's more information on the Russian "Stonehenge".
• A toxin from a tree in India is the perfect murder weapon. Phew, I'm so glad it isn't maple syrup.
• Heard of Carbon Sequestration? Neither had I, but it's a word I hope the Inuit get to know.
• The Inuit are at a loss for words to describe the species of wildlife migrating from the south that have never been seen so far north until now.
• A minor earthquake has split Mt St Helen's lava dome. After a late night and too many drinks, I know how she feels.
• Prehistoric hunters are no longer being blamed for the rapid decrease in bison populations thousands of years ago. Neanderthal lawyers celebrate.
• Middle East expert found guilty of smuggling stolen artifacts from Iraq. Neanderthal lawyers celebrate again.
• Ruins and artifacts dating from 5000 to 3000-years-old have been discovered in Iran.
• A medieval village has been discovered in the UK's Western Isles.
• Caffeine can prevent male baldness, according to a German study. Long white, short black, latte or cappucino?
• An Indian soldier used ketchup and civilian volunteers to get a bravery medal.

Quote of the Day:



The meaning of life is creative love. Not love as an inner feeling, not as a private sentimental emotion, but love as a dynamic power moving out into the world and doing something original.

Tom Morris, Philosopher