Gay Mormons object to church decision

SALT LAKE CITY - Lester Leavitt has made a request of his family: oppose their church's opposition to gay marriage.
Leavitt, from Pompano Beach, Fla., is asking his siblings and children on the West Coast to choose family over a call from Mormon church leaders to support a November ballot initiative to define traditional marriage California's constitution.
A letter from Thomas S. Monson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was to be read from the pulpit in church congregations Sunday.
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Since the letter began circulating on the Web last weekend, hundreds of Mormon blog posts have expressed disbelief, disappointment and outrage at the church's decision to wade into politics.
Being gay and MormonA lifelong Mormon who came out as a gay man in 2004, Leavitt wants his California relatives to walk out when Monson's letter is read.
"I thought by asking my family to do this, I was simply asking them to send a strong message to Salt Lake City that they disagree with the idea that any church has the right to entrench clearly religious dogma into the constitution of a state or country," he wrote in a letter posted on an Internet discussion group called q-saints. "I was just asking them to defend my civil rights."
Leavitt has worked as an activist on behalf of gay Mormons and has weathered an excommunication attempt. He said Monson's letter was a disappointing last straw and sent a certified letter to the church's Salt Lake City headquarters asking to have his name removed from the rolls.
"I wanted to remain a cultural Mormon," Leavitt, 44, said Thursday. "I thought there was a way, an opening up, but then all of a sudden, the church decides this ... and I'm not going to wait around."
Officially, the Mormon church teaches that homosexual sex is a sin, although celibate gays can remain active in church callings and activities. Since the 1990s the church has been politically active in defeating same-sex marriage initiatives nationwide, including asking its members to vigorously help pass California's Proposition 22 in 2000, which prohibited California from legally recognizing gay marriages performed outside the state.

Statue of Liberty’s crown may reopen to public

NEW YORK - The National Park Service is considering reopening Lady Liberty's crown for the first time since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, according to documents a congressman released on July Fourth.
The park service requested bids last month to study what it would take to safely open the Statue of Liberty's iconic headpiece to the public, according to documents released by U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y.
Liberty Island was closed after the terrorist attacks. The statue's base, pedestal and lower observation deck reopened in August 2004, after a $20 million effort to enhance fire safety.
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But the crown and its interior observation deck, which soar about 265 feet above New York Harbor, remained closed because the Park Service said there was no way to evacuate them safely in an emergency. The narrow spiral staircase that leads up to the crown doesn't comply with fire and building codes.
Visitors are now limited to the statue's 154-foot-tall pedestal

FedEx delivers hefty pot package to wrong place

BALTIMORE - FedEx prides itself on reliability. But a mistaken delivery tipped off police to a 200-pound shipment of marijuana that someone tried to send from Pembroke Pines, Florida to Baltimore via the shipping company.
Police tell The (Baltimore) Sun they learned about the shipment when it was delivered Tuesday to the wrong resident.
Authorities posed as FedEx employees and arrested the shipment's intended recipient, 30-year-old Richard Gwatidzo.

Lawn chair balloonist achieves his dream

BEND, Ore. - Using his trusty BB gun to help him return to Earth, a 48-year-old gas station owner flew a lawn chair rigged with helium-filled balloons more than 200 miles across the Oregon desert Saturday, landing in a field in Idaho.
Kent Couch created a sensation in the tiny farming community of Cambridge, Idaho, where he touched down safely in a pasture and was soon greeted by dozens of people who gave him drinks of water, local plumber Mark Hetz said.
"My wife works at the City Market," Hetz said. "She called and said, 'The balloon guy in the lawn chair just flew by the market, and if you look the door you can see him.

100 Most Amazing Things on Earth!

100Lobster robotsThe Office of Naval Research has developed an 18-inch-long robo-lobster to to roam the ocean floor in search of mines, divers in need of rescue and mermaids looking for hot crustacean love. Its oval paddles and tail allow it to maneuver in places in which human beings would get stuck and die. Such as shipwrecks and Star Jones’ belly button. 99Las Vegas98Condoms97Donald Trump’s hairWhy does a man worth $2.5 billion settle for looking as if Paris Hilton’s merkin died on his head?96Velcro95BBQ grills94The Great White disasterA simple thing like faulty pyrotechnics caused 100 Rhode Island clubgoers to die in a horrible blaze. Amazing…that 100 people paid to see a Great White show.93Bang caps92T-shirt bazookas91Roger ClemensWhat’s more amazing than winning 310 games and six Cy Young awards? Being a dick! (PS: The bile contained herein has nothing to do with our being based in New York.) 90Pinkie toesWhy do we have them? We don’t need them, but they are still there. We’re tired of them taking up valuable room in our socks, so let’s just chop the damn things off! Unngh! Man, that was such a bad idea.89Arnold Schwarzenegger’s and Maria Shriver’s facesEither Governor Grabass and Lady Skeletor have had way too much plastic surgery or they haven’t had enough. Imagine if they were your parents, and those faces were the last thing you saw as you were being tucked in. You’d have terrible nightmares. But you’d also be really rich, so quit your bellyaching, rich boy!88SharksWhat up, miracles of evolution? You say that the most amazing things about you are that you can swim as fast as 60 mph (makos), live up to 100 years (whale sharks) and even survive in fresh water (bull sharks)? Fair enough. But negative points for eating that surfer girl’s arm. (And, yes—don’t look down—we’re talking to you, Mr. Tiger Shark!)87YeastWe’re not sure precisely what it is, but this magical substance has the power to help make beer and bread and to induce vaginal infections. And who among us can boast a résumé like that?86Fireflies85One-eyed goats 84OxyContinNicknamed hillbilly heroin, this opium-derived painkiller had the power to cripple both Jack Osbourne and Rush Limbaugh. It’s so habit-forming, in fact, that we’ve developed an addiction just by writing about it. Do you have any? We’ll suck yo’ dick for a hit!83Icebergs82Hair plugs81Ascots80David BlaineWhat’s amazing about a magician who lies in a box for weeks doing absolutely nothing? That anyone gives a shit. But by mentioning it, don’t we give a shit? Damn you, Blaine, and your wizardly ways!79Sand78Lint brushes77The platypus The egg-laying, web-footed, four-chamber-hearted, duck-billed platypus just doesn’t fit in. But he makes up for not having any friends by being poisonous! Go on with your venomous self, Ducky!76Bottle openers75Dippin’ Dots ice cream74The three-toed slothThis lazy South American thingie is amazingly slow. In fact, it is listed as the world’s slowest mammal, clocking in at an average ground speed of six to eight feet per minute. Looks like they don’t refer to sedentary behavior as slothlike for nothing! It’d be funny if they did, though.73The Aquada carEvading the police during a high-speed chase just got a whole lot more creative with this amphibious car. It can drive on land. It can float on water. The only thing this car can’t do is explain to the police why you were carrying $40 million worth of stolen diamonds. Stupid car.72The Electric BraeThings that roll down this hill in Scotland appear to roll up it. Some say it’s an optical illusion due to the odd alignment of the hill and the road, but we think it’s the devil’s work.71The most pierced woman on earth70The OfficeWe’re pretty sure this fake documentary about office life is the funniest show on TV. However, since this is a British show, the heavy accents make us worry. What if this is, in fact, a hard-hitting drama?69Tropf’ Nix No-Drip PopsicleAfter years of waiting, Germany has finally produced a product on par with Wiener schnitzel. Using wine gum, this Popsicle droops but never, ever drips. Like Grandpa!68Bodies found in glaciersAs glaciers morph, scientists keep finding cool stuff that’s frozen and perfectly preserved in the ice. Stuff like the Bronze Age Man, who got his ass frozen more than 4,000 years ago. Hear that, Bronze Age Woman? He wasn’t dodging your calls after you refused to let him touch your boob on the first date—he was dead!673-D imagingToshiba has developed technology that will let you see 3-D images without wearing 3-D glasses. How? Science! Speaking of science, we once saw Captain Eo at Disney World and it gave us a chubby. 66Low-rider-jeans–inflicted girl crack65Carbonation64VolcanoesThe world’s most active lava barfer is Hawaii’s Mt. Kilauea, which has been doing it nonstop since 1983. It has destroyed 189 homes but has also added 544 acres to the island. So give it a break. 63The moonIt’s so cool that President Bush wants to send astronauts back there. Guess Cheney convinced him that Saddam has weapons of mass destruction hidden there, too. (Political humor rules!)62Contortionists61The longevity geneNow that scientists know what makes people live longer, they’ll be able to cure such age-related snafus as strokes. Hurry, dudes, we just hoovered a bag of baking soda. Our dealer is the pits!60Franklin Mint plates59Submarines58The Invisibility CloakUsing video projection, this cloak turns its wearer into a human chameleon. (Minus the forked tongue and penchant for doing whatever it is that chameleons do.)57Ratbear56Drone spy planes55Guns that shoot around cornersThey can swivel 63 degrees left or right and kill whoever is there. Hear that? It’s the Second Amendment weeping with pride.54Jeremiah: The Complete First Season DVDMGM Home Entertainment thinks someone on planet Earth is willing to pay $80 to own it. That’s amazingly wishful thinking, MGM!53Microwavable kettle corn52Hair extensions51The universal remote50Trapper Keepers49Gravity48The FifiThe miracle of life? Big deal. A prisoner-crafted vagina made from hand towels, rubber gloves, socks and a little bit of lubrication? Huge deal! Is there anything prisoners can’t do? You know, besides vote. 47The common coldIt’s unbeatable! It’s unshakable! Scientists can’t figure out how to kill the damn thing. Part of the problem is that it comes in all different shapes and sizes—like our nipples. 46Photocopiers45Veronica Varekova44Snow43The ear pillThis experimental drug might not only preserve your hearing, but it might also repair past damage. Better update your résumé, earplugs. Holy shit! Our earplugs have a better résumé than we do!42The semicolonWe like semicolons; using them isn’t hard at all. And using them to separate elements in a series of related phrases is what all the cool kids do. But like smoking pot, it can lead to harder punctuation. ;-(41Toilet bowls40The RobosapienScrew the Mars Rover! This $100 robot farts and belches. It can also dance, pick up items and rap, which makes it the greatest robot of all time. Sorry, C-3PO, you’re just too formal!39The Cassowary Anyone who still thinks that birds aren’t the direct ancestors of dinosaurs has obviously never taken a gander at this power-lifting parakeet. Reaching a length of six and a half feet, this flightless fiend enjoys attacking prey with a slashing claw. It’s also, like, superendangered—which should totally increase the value of the cassowary we recently posted on eBay. 38The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren37In-flight movies on demandPicking our own entertainment at 38,000 feet is fantastic. And don’t even get us started on how wet those FASTEN SEAT BELTS signs get us.36TiVo35Deja View CamwearThis tiny DV camera can clip onto a pair of glasses and allows you to record 30 seconds to a cell phone–size recorder. Perfect for doing things—some legal ones, even!34Automatic hammers33Ice-cream conesThey’re a precursor to taco-salad bowls in the “dinnerware you can eat” category. Imagine a world where all dishes were edible…and where our mother returned our phone calls. Sigh.32GPSThis navigation system made its debut during the Gulf War, when it helped guide missiles into enemies’ camps. Now it’s doing really important things, like not getting us lost on the way to Dairy Queen.31X-rays30Chainsaw juggling29Caffeine28Charlie the ParrotThis 104-year-old British macaw parrot is balding, likes to dance and says, “Fuck Hitler.” You would, too, if you were once owned by Winston Churchill. Dance, that is.27Carbon datingThe ability of scientists to pinpoint how many million years old a brontosaurus turd is makes us squeal with delight. (Like the time we thought we saw a flash of Uncle Jesse’s bush on Full House.) 26Conjoined twins25Low-carb beerWith carbohydrates having been declared weapons of mass asses, we enjoy this new slew of brews guilt-free. So when we drink a few, we feel no remorse about cutting up a former colleague into tiny pieces and burying him in the backyard.24Big metal boatsLogic tells us that if you drop a 97,000-ton hunk of steel into the ocean, it will sink to the bottom. But it doesn’t. Way to lie to us, logic! About the boats and pulling out. 23Theelectrocuting jacketThe No Contact Jacket administers an 80,000-volt shock that’ll zap a nagging bum—or Carrot Top—for aggressively asking for food.22Yao Ming21Tunnels20The instant-boiling mugJetboil has created a system that boils water in 90 seconds. A handy camping tool, it’s also a conversation piece. Talk about instant miso soup or, if you’re feeling crazy, coffee!19The orgasm machineDr. Stuart Meloy has developed a device that, after implantation, delivers the big O with a push of a button. Oprah Winfrey shows up at the push of a button? Awesome!18Scissors17Military dolphinsThese aquatic mercenaries used to get all up in our fishing nets, but they’ve redeemed themselves by aiding our military in detecting mines. They also make cool squeaky noises. Especially when they’re kept in perpetual captivity!16The NanoguitarThe world’s smallest guitar is about the size of a human blood cell and was built to show off the complex world of microelectromechanical devices—but what isn’t, these days? 15Glue14Bunker bustersThese muthas possess power equal to half that of the A-bomb, but they take out mountains instead of nations. Surgical strikes have never been more surgical-er!13Puppetry12The iTunes Music StoreYou can rock out to “Footloose” on a whim without fear of the MP3 police busting down your door. And you can’t beat the 99-cents-a-song price tag. Well, unless it were 98 cents. 11Hypnosis10LeatherKnowing that our jacket is somehow affiliated with hamburgers makes us happy. But if you think killing animals for clothing is wrong, then stick to wearing your nylon shirts and faux-baby-skin slacks.9ATMs8The Transrapid trainUsing electromagnetic levitation, the Shanghai Transrapid train goes really, really fast, all the while floating half an inch above its track. And here we thought the only fun thing to do with magnets was erase our roommate’s collection of Yes, Dear VHS tapes.7Internet betting6Showers5Earthquakes4The Tornado in a CanThe Windhexe forces compressed air into a tall steel funnel to produce winds that pulverize anything they meet. Including our in-laws. Thanks, Tornado in a Can!3Amateur porn2Air-show crashes 1The plastic thingies that keep pizza boxes off of pizza

Amazing Things

Hello, I’m about to tell you about the amazing things about snakes. They have many interesting things such as how they move, eat, and how they find they’re food. They move by using they’re muscles to move they’re ribs, which they have very strong muscle’s in that area. They can also eat something a little bigger than they’re largest round spot on they’re body! And larger than they’re mouth. You may wonder how can they do that? Well they can dislocate they’re jaw and locate it again! Then it travels down there body just like our food goes down our throat. Now also you may wonder how they find they’re food? Well they have a tongue that can sence where they have been by they’re odors, and they can feel they’re pray’s foods vibration.
It is so very amazing how God could make these creatures. Now how could all this come from a single cell?

Awesome Leshan Giant Buddha(Leshan dafo) Sichuan, China

That’s awesome! How did the Chinese built it? Man wonder,not?
The Leshan Giant Buddha is the tallest stone Buddha statue in the world, built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It is carved out of a cliff face that lies at the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers in the southern part of Sichuan province in China, near the city of Leshan. The stone sculpture faces Mount Emei, with the rivers flowing below his feet.
The Leshan Giant Buddha (simplified Chinese: 乐山大佛; traditional Chinese: 樂山大佛; pinyin: Lèshān Dàfó) was built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It is carved out of a cliff face that lies at the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers in the southern part of Sichuan province in China, near the city of Leshan. The stone sculpture faces Mount Emei, with the rivers flowing below his feet.
The Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. It was undamaged by the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.
Construction was started in 713 AD, led by a Chinese monk named Haitong. He hoped that the Buddha would calm the turbulent waters that plagued the shipping vessels travelling down the river. When funding for the project was threatened, he is said to have gouged out his own eyes to show his piety and sincerity. Construction was completed by his disciples ninety years later. Apparently the massive construction resulted in so much stone being removed from the cliff face and deposited into the river below that the currents were indeed altered by the statue, making the waters safe for passing ships.

Longest nails in the world(the pics may a little ugly,take care)

Lee Redmond holds the record in the Guinness Book of Records for longest fingernails on both hands. She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah and has been growing her nails ever since 1979. She is frequently referred to as The Queen of Long Nails and she has made appearances on CBS and Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum.
Although she had planned to cut her nails on November 22 2006, so she could better tend to her husband, who suffers from Alzheymer’s, she ultimately decided to keep growing them.

Strangest Plastic Surgeries

In Beverly Hills, cosmetic surgery is not just for those outside the womb. On 2007, Rhonda Hackensakis, joined many other Californians who are opting for controversial pre-natal surgeries. Her rationale? “I don’t want my own child to have to wait thirty years like I did. We’ve seen sonogram pictures that show she’s likely to have a sizeable schnoz, too. Why should she suffer from it when the science and technology now exists to make kids still more perfect little human beings, ready to take on the world the moment they emerge, and not predisposed to all the insecurities that result from something like that. If it makes just one kid more confident, it’ll all be worthwhile.” Doctors breaked and reconstructed the fetus’ nose while still in the womb, using new tools designed by a husband-wife team of surgeons, Guy and Nicole O’Gist. “After surgery,” says Guy O’Gist, “we plop the baby back in the womb to cook for another dozen weeks or so, where embryonic fluids smooth those surgical lines that might be seen if done outside the womb.”
Six-Pack SurgeryThe technique, called abdominal etching, is a kind of precision liposuction. The doc sucks out the fat that’s standing between the patient and, if everything goes well, the six-pack. The suction six-pack costs between $4,000 and $7,000 and is only suitable for certain patients. The procedure takes an hour or two. But pain can persist for days afterward. Swelling can last for weeks or even months. (The after picture was taken a little over a year after the surgery.) And there can be complications, such as infection and bleeding.
Facelifts for DogsIs Fido in need of a face-lift? Go see Edgado Brito, who is advancing the practice of pet plastic surgery in a land with a worldwide reputation for making people beautiful by any means. Brazilians have long been known for their penchant for cosmetic surgery, and Brito has been adapting those techniques for use on animals. “Plastic surgery is good for dogs!” said Brito, 45, a Doberman breeder who has worked as a veterinarian for 20 years. He can make protruding ears droop and uses Metacril to straighten bent ears. He uses Botox to fix inverted eyelashes. He has even tightened the mammillae of a couple of female dogs, whose owners wanted to show them after they had given birth. Simple surgeries usually cost from about $100 to $200. In Brazil, the United States and Europe, pet plastic surgery is increasingly in demand, despite objections from animal rights activists and some dog breeders.
Pointy Ears New York plastic surgoen Dr. Lajos Nagy created a surgical procedure to make human ears pointed, like a mythological creature. “Ears becoming pointed as a result of plastic surgery not only enhance the attractiveness of the face, but also improve the experience of listening to music.” says his website. Dr. Nagy is planning to introduce the method in Hungary.Weird Ear:Limit ear growth This is Life
Tongue bifurcation
Tongue bifurcation involves splitting the tongue with a laser to create a snake-like fork. One may argue that this is not any more deforming than rhinoplasty to reshape the nose or silicone breast implants to reshape the chest. But it does not conform to routine notions of aethestics for most people.
Growing Horns<piercing,more about piercing >
Piercing gets under skin - Pocketing ,more about thisIt is now possible to change the shape of almost any part of your body, with implants that are placed just beneath the surface of the skin. Surgical metals are inserted under the subcutaneous tissues, usually by non-medical personel. Risks of a procedure like this include movement of the implant, severe infection, and nerve damage. Is it worth going through all this to look like a character from Krull?
Revirgination: Hymen SurgeryThrough a surgical procedure called hymenorraphy, health care providers recreate the hymen by piecing together its remnants. Surgery can also include inserting a gelatin capsule filled with a blood-like substance that will burst during intercourse, simulating bleeding. If there is not enough hymen left, or if the woman was born without one, part of the vaginal wall is used to recreate this thin tissue. The procedure, considered relatively simple, is performed on an outpatient basis. In some countries, women will be seen several weeks after the procedure to follow up on any resulting physical effects and emotional issues. Hymenorraphy is generally illegal in countries where cultural traditions place great emphasis on the bride’s virginity before marriage. The procedure, however, is still performed illegally, and at a high cost. When it’s done illegally, standards of cleanliness, training, and the reputation of the health care provider are additional things to worry about. Some women may also have to worry about securing up to U.S. $2000.00 for the procedure (though it can often cost much less, even as low as U.S. $100.00, in some parts of the world.)

World Largest Arch Bridge in Dubai

Dubai to Build World’s Largest Arch Bridge : Dubai is set to spend $817-million on building the world’s largest arch bride, at 617-feet tall and 1-mile in length. Expect it to be in service by 2012.Dubai is the Tetsuo of cities, expanding so fast it’s on the verge of creating of its own universe. And architecture that looks like it’s from the 22nd century only adds to the sheer grandeur of its growth—this bridge, envisioned by NY architecture firm Fxfowle, will be the largest and tallest arch bridge in the world, at one mile long and 670 feet tall.Construction starts next month and is due to wrap up in 2012 after running some $817 million dollars. World’s first vacuum tube mass transit system will launch in Dubai shortly thereafter.

Rotating Tower - Worlds First Dynamic Architecture in Dubai

The Dynamic Architecture building, which will be constantly in motion changing its shape, will be able to generate electric energy for itself as well as for other buildings. Forty-eight wind turbines fitted between each rotating floors as well as the solar panels positioned on the roof of the building will produce energy from wind and the sunlight, with no risk of pollution. The total energy produced by this inbuilt ‘powerhouse’ every year will be worth approximately seven million dollars.
Each turbine can produce 0.3 megawatt of electricity, compared to 1-1.5 megawatt generated by a normal vertical turbine (windmill). Considering that Dubai gets 4,000 wind hours annually, the turbines incorporated into the building can generate 1,200,000 kilowatt-hour of energy.As average annual power consumption of a family is estimated to be 24,000 kilowatt-hour, each turbine can supply energy for about 50 families. The Dynamic Architecture tower in Dubai will be having 200 apartments and hence four turbines can take care of their energy needs. The surplus clean energy produced by the remaining 44 turbines can light up the neighborhood of the building.However, taking into consideration that the average wind speed in Dubai is of only 16 km/h the architects may need to double the number of turbines to light up the building to eight. Still there will be 40 free turbines, good enough to supply power for five skyscrapers of the same size.The horizontal turbines of the Dynamic Architecture building are simply inserted between the floors, practically invisible. They neither need a pole nor a concrete foundation. In addition, they are at zero distance from the consumer, which makes maintenance easier.The modern design of the building and the carbon fiber special shape of the wings take care of the acoustics issues. Producing that much electric energy without any implication on the aesthetic aspect of the building is a revolutionary step in tapping alternative energy sources. Furthermore, this energy will have a positive impact on the environment and economy.

World's top most polluted cities

World's top most polluted cities1. Chernobyl, Ukraine2. Dzerzhinsk, Russia3. Haina, Dominican Republic4. Kabwe, Zambia5. La Oroya, Peru6. Linfen, China7. Mailuu-Suu, Kyrgyzstan8. Norilsk, Russia9. Ranipet, India10. Rudnaya Pristan, RussiaAreas that researcher s have declared the most polluted in the world are typically little known even in their own countries. Yet they in total afflict more than 10 million people, experts reported today.The kinds of pollution in these areas not only lead to cancers, birth defects, mental retardation and life expectancies approaching medieval levels, but are also often found all around the globe.Lets make Earth a better place to live.

Amazing Facts about Health and Body

A man named Charles Osborne had the hiccups for approximately sixty-nine years. 1 out of every 4 kids in the USA is overweight. 41% of women apply body or hand moisturizer a minimum three times a day. 75-90% of primary physician visits are due to stress.A Russian man who wore a beard during the time of Peter the Great had to pay a special tax. A blink lasts approximately 0.3 seconds. A ear trumpet was used before the hearing aid was invented by people who had difficulty hearing. A fetus develops fingerprints at eighteen weeks. A fetus starts to develop fingerprints at the age of eight weeks. A fetus that is four months old, will becomes startled and turn away if a light is flashed on the mother's stomach. A headache and inflammatory pain can be reduced by eating 20 tart cherries. A human embryo is smaller than a grain of rice at four weeks old. A kiss for one minute can burn 26. A little under one quarter of the people in the world are vegetarians. A person infected with the SAR...

?Naked woman? spotted on Mars in Nasa image

MYSTERY DAME: The image of what looks like a naked woman with her arm outstretched was among several taken on the red planet and sent back to Earth by Nasa ?s Mars explorer SpiritLife on Mars? Well, bizarre images have emerged showing a mystery female figure walking down a hill on the arid planet.The photo of what looks like a naked woman with her arm outstretched was among several taken on the red planet and sent back to Earth by Nasa?s Mars explorer Spirit, the Daily Mail reported on Wednesday, citing an unnamed website.Though no official confirmation has come from Nasa whether the figure is an alien or an optical illusion caused by a landscape on Mars, it has set the internet abuzz that there really is life on Mars.As one enthusiast put it on the website, ?These pictures are amazing. I couldn?t believe my eyes when I saw what appears to be a naked alien running around on Mars.?The news of the mystery woman on Mars came just days after a team of French scientists claimed to have di...

World's smallest Body-builder

Meet the world's smallest bodybuilder At just 2ft 9in, Indian muscleman Aditya 'Romeo' Dev is the world's smallest bodybuilder. Pint-sized Romeo is well-known in his hometown of Phagwara, India - for his ability to lift 1.5kg dumbbells - despite his overall 9kg body weight. Every day, crowds flock to the local gym to the see the mini-muscleman in training. Mini muscleman: Romeo, pictured with his trainer Ranjeet Pal, weighs just 1 st 6 lbs. Unlike many dwarfs, Romeo is well proportioned, with a head circumference of 15in and a chest measurement of 20in. Romeo said: "I've been training as a bodybuilder for the last two years and by now I think I must be the strongest dwarf in the world. "I have always been fit but since I started working out, I have become famous for my strength. "My size has never stopped me. I train with dumbbells and do aerobics and dance. People are always pleased to see me. I have been invited on TV shows and dance on stage." Howzat: Romeo bats away any ...

World's Biggest Burger

A restaurant near Detroit took a big bite out of the Guinness Book of World Records with the mother of all burgers. All 134 pounds of the so-called "absolutely ridiculous burger" can be yours for a mere $350-dollars and 24 hours notice.A restaurant near Detroit took a big bite out of the Guinness Book of World Records with the mother of all burgersDetroit, MI -- A restaurant near Detroit took a big bite out of the Guinness Book of World Records with the mother of all burgers.All 134 pounds of the so-called "absolutely ridiculous burger" can be yours for a mere $350-dollars and 24 hours notice.The "absolutely ridiculous burger" takes 12 hours to prepare and requires three men to help flip it for grilling, and place it between the 50-pound buns.Source : wjbf.com

Amazing Holes on Earth

kimberley big hole - south africa apparently the largest ever hand-dug excavation in the world, this 1097 metre deep mine yielded over 3 tonnes of diamonds before being closed in 1914. the amount of earth removed by workers is estimated to total 22.5 million tonnes. glory hole - monticello dam a glory hole is used when a dam is at full capacity and water needs to be drained from the resevoir. this is the glory hole belonging to monticello dam in california and it ??s the largest in the world, its size enabling it to consume 14 ??400 cubic feet of water every second. the hole can be seen at the top left of the photo above. if you were to jump in for some reason your slightly damp body would shoot out near the bottom of the dam . bingham canyon mine, utah this is supposedly the largest man-made excavation on earth. extraction began in 1863 and still continues today, the pit increasing in size constantly. in its current state the hole is 3/4 mile deep and 2.5 miles wide. great blue h...

The world's most expensive Indian Saree

How often have you come across a Rs. 40 lakh ($100,000) ? Silk Saree? Chennai Silksof its kind and it is seeking an unmistakable entry into the Guinness Book of World Records for being the most unique and expensive saree.The exceptionally stunning saree is meticulously woven with 12 precious stones and metals to depict 11 of Raja Ravi Verma's popular paintings. Explicitly projected is 'Lady Musicians.'Besides, the border of the saree pictures 10 other paintings of the artist that pays tribute to 20th century artist.The best part of the saree being that the women in the paintings are intricately hand-woven and beautified with jewels of gold, diamond, platinum, silver, ruby, emerald, yellow sapphire, sapphire, cat's eye, topaz, pearl and corals.Already in the Limca Book of Records, this 40 lakh saree will be the first silk saree that required the use of 7,440 jacquard hooks and 66,794 cards during the weaving process. Moreover, a group of consummate workers took nearly 4,680 hours.

Move over '.com' and get ready for '.hotel' or '.sports'

Move over '.com' and get ready for '.hotel' or '.sports'
Come 2009, and almost any word will be able to replace ".com" in a Web page address - thanks to a decision made by the organization that manages the technical underpinnings of the Web, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, (ICANN).ICANN unanimously approved the new guidelines as weeklong meetings in Paris concluded.Top-level domain names, or TLDs, refer to Internet name suffixes, such as the ubiquitous .com, .net and .org, among others. Currently, there are more than 200 TLDs, which also include the two-character country codes used by websites, such as Britain's .uk.Under the new plans, a domain name, the suffix at the end of a website address, can now be based on any string of letters.This will allow individuals to register a domain based on their own name, for example, as long as they can show a "business plan and technical capacity".The result could be the creation of thousands or even millions of new addresses.ICANN also voted collectively to open public comment on a separate proposal to permit addresses entirely in non-English languages for the first time."We are opening up a new world and I think this cannot be underestimated," BBC quoted Roberto Gaetano, a member of ICANN, as saying.Dr Paul Twomey, chief executive of ICANN, described passing the resolution as a "historic moment".ICANN officials said some technical issues for the new system must still be worked out, but it could be reviewing the first applications for new TLDs as early as 2009. (ANI)

The longest truck in the world

The longest truck in the worldSo, have you ever this truck? May you ever seen the truck below
Longest truck in the world - Hart hitches a ride in a 182ft Road Train
“Some drivers just won’t pass us, they are too scared”
Posted by Blue Bird Sparrow at 6/29/2008 07:19:00 AM 0 comments

The Worlds Longest Bike

The Worlds Longest Bike - Amazing
The Worlds Longest Bike
It has been to our attention that the longest bike in the world, officialy registered by Guiness record book is from Russia.It’s creator Oleg “Leshij” Rogov was from Tver city, a small town near Moscow city. He was a big biker fan since his childhood. One day he has got an idea to build the longest bike in the world, according to his own story “probably after he got too much  beer inside”.
So after two years of planning and delaying he did it. He built the bike that was 31 feet 4 inches long (9 metres 57 cm). After the thing was ready he sent his claim to the Guiness book and got registered as longest bike in the world.The saddest part of the story is that he got into accident and died this summer, still we have the photos of his creation, it would be some kind of tribute to him.
Posted by Blue Bird Sparrow at 6/29/2008 07:52:00 AM 0 comments

Bangabandhu Agricultural University

BSMRAU is located at Salna, Gazipur about 40 km north of Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. It is originated from the Institute of Postgraduate Studies in Agriculture (IPSA). It was metamorphosed as Bangladesh College of Agricultural Sciences in in 1983 and subsequently developed into a postgraduate institute by an act in the Parliament (act No. 1 of 1994) through the active collaboration and cooperation of the Government of Bangladesh, Japan and U.S.A. In 1998 IPSA has been renamed as Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University by an Act in the Parliament (act No. 16 of 1998).
The goal of BSMRAU is to contribute the growth and development of the farm economy in Bangladesh by providing intellectual leadership and by producing quality graduates at the M.S. and Ph.D. Level. BSMRAU strengthens its postgraduate education and research programs with an outreach program designed to improve the economic well-being of farmers and to accelerate rural development.

Bangladesh Agricultural University

Established as the East Pakistan Agricultural University on 18 August 1961, BAU evolved to present name in 1972. Agricultural University was established to provide facilities for higher education and research work in Agriculture and all its branches. The University is 4 kilometer south of the Mymensingh town and occupied 1200 Acres areas by the side of Old Brahamputra river. It consists of 6 faculties and 41 departments. Among them, 8 departments belong the faculty of Veterinary Science, 15 belong to Agriculture, 5 belong to Animal Husbandry, 5 belong to Ari-Econ & Rural Sociology, 4 belong to Agri-Engineering & Technology and 4 belong to Fisheries faculty.
Around 90 different research projects are now in progress under the supervision of BAU Research System (BAURES).
Moreover, there are some other academic & research components associated with the University, which are: Graduate Training Institute, Committee for Advance Studies and Research (CASR) and Bangladesh Agricultural University Research System (BAURES).


BAU At a Glance
Name
Bangladesh Agricultural University
Type
Teaching, Residential
Establishment
1961
Faculties
1.Veterinary Science, 2. Agriculture, 3. Animal Husbandry, 4.Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology, 5. Agricultural Engineering and Technology , 6. Fisheries
Institutes
1.Graduate Training Institute 2.Committee for Advance Studies and Research (CASR), 3.Bangladesh Agricultural University Research System (BAURES)

Bangladesh Open University

Bangladesh Open University, the only distance learning university in Bangladesh, was established on October 21, 1992 by an Act of Parliament. The Government of Bangladesh and the Asian Development Bank have provided funds for setting up of the University. The Bangladesh Open University is an all terms system of education contributing to the uplifting of the overall educational scenario in the country. Through formal & non-formal programs it gives educational opportunities to the large section of population, helping in the human resource development of the country. Prime objective of Bangladesh Open University is to transform the country's vast human resources into an educated and trained work-force by extending to them a wide range of academic programs both formal and non-formal. BOU`s programs are aimed at every one, particularly working people and women and those socially disadvantaged groups who cannot enroll in traditional universities.
The University has already set up 10 Regional Resources Centers in different districts. Two more RRCs are now under construction. Besides, the university has 80 Local Centers in different parts of the country. There are 800 Tutorial Centers with at least one in every Thana (Police Station).

BOU At a Glance
Name
Bangladesh Open University
Type
Teaching in distance mode
Establishment
October 21, 1992
Jurisdiction
Entire Bangladesh

Jahangirnagar University

Located at Savar near Dhaka, Jahangirnagar University is one of the leading Universities in Bangladesh. The University is a residential one. It was formally launched on 12 January 1970 by its first chancellor Rear Admiral S.M. Ahsan, Governor of former East Pakistan. After Emergence of Bangladesh the Government enacted the Jahangirnagar University Act. 1973, which repealed the previous ordinance and renamed the University as Jahangirnagar University.The University owes its present shape to this act under which it is now functioning.

JU At a Glance
Name
Jahangirnagar University
Type
Teaching
Establishment
20th August, 1970
Academic Year
1st July to 30th June
Postal Address
Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 1342.
Land Area
697.56 Acre.
Faculties
Mathematical and Physical Sciences,
Arts And Humanities,
Social Sciences
Institutes
Institute of Life Sciences ; Institute of Computer and Information Technology
PABX
7708478-85
Fax
880-2-7708383
E-mail
ju@bangla.net
Website
http://www.juniv.edu

Islamic University

The Islamic University has been established in1985 with a view to combining and coordinating different branches of education of Humanities and modern science with the Islamic Education and promote research on modern branches of education and to develop a new curriculum of modem education based on ethical and moral values of Islam.
The foundation stone of the University was laid on 22nd November, 1979 at Shantidanga - Dalulpur under the districts of Kustia-Jhenidah and the Islamic University Act was passed on 27th December, 1980. In 1982 the University was shifted to Gazipur and admission of students began in the session of 1985-86. Then on 10th January, 1990 the University re-shifted to its original site at Shantidanga Dulalpur.

IU At a Glance
Name
Islamic University
Type
Teaching & Research
Establishment
1985
Academic Year
June to July
Sectorial Boundary
175 Acres of Land

National University

National University is the central authority of graduate and post-graduate collages in Bangladesh. It was established under an Act of the Govt. of the People's Republic of Bangladesh with features distinct from those of the traditional Universities of the country. It grew out of the exigencies of time who most of the Universities were encumbered with unwieldy roll strength, menaced by student unrest and bard-pressed to see to their obligations towards the affiliated college, which bore the bulk of tertiary education in the country.
The objectives of the University is not only to ease the situation but also to improve the standard of education by upgrading the curriculum and syllabuses and ensuring academic discipline in all spheres. The University along with its own academic program is vested with powers to affiliated college and with its coming into existence, all the college, so long affiliation to other Universities of the country, excepting those teaching agriculture, engineering and medical science have come under its jurisdiction.
Apart from the units providing campus teaching, the university has been its components about one thousand colleges. These colleges under its academic control cater for courses leading to Pass, Honors and Master's degrees to different disciplines. It provides the curricular and syllabuses, gives guideline for admission, arrange inspection, holds examinations, publishes results and awards certificates.

Khulna University

Up to 1987, Rajshahi University was the only University in the northern part of Bangladesh. In 1987 Khulna University was established in order to cater to the growing educational needs of the country especially the north-western area of it. It plans to set up different Schools such as Science and Technology. Life Science, Management and Business Administration, Social Science, Arts and Humanities, Law, Education and an Institute of Fine Arts. The academic program of the University started in August 1991.

KU at a Glance
Name
Khulna University
Type
Teaching & Research
Establishment
1987
Faculties
1. Physical Sciences
2. Social Sciences
3. Applied Sciences & Technology
4.Life Sciences
5. Medical Sciences
Academic Year
June to July

University of Chittagong

Situated in the hilly region of Chittagong, the University of Chittagong is one of the biggest universities in Bangladesh. It is endeared with the natural flora and fauna in the lap of hills. The University had its functional start with only 4 departments, the composite segments of some two faculties. That was also in minimal extent with the teachers and the taught as well as with the other necessary administrative work forces. Now it has boomed to a larger extent with 6 individual faculties, 28 departments, 3 institutes and 2 Research Centers catering to the needs about 15 thousand students of different disciplines and researches and others advanced fields.

University of Rajshahi

Established in 1953, Rajshahi University is the second largest University in Bangladesh and is the highest abode of learning in the Northern region of Bangladesh. The Northern areas of the country were comparatively lagging behind in higher education since the University of Dhaka, then the only of its kind in the country, was far away and was not very easily accessible to the student of this part. Thus the necessity of a University in the Northern part of the country was felt and Rajshahi University Act 1953 (East Bengal Act XV of 1953) was passed by the East Pakistan Provincial Assembly on March 31, 1953. The land area ( 300 hectares) of the University is one of the largest of it's kind in the country. It locates at a pastoral setting of Motihar close to the city of Rajshahi

University of Dhaka

The first-ever University in Bangladesh, Dhaka University began with 192 students and 3 faculties in July 1st, 1921. The current Emergency Building of Dhaka Medical College was the Main building of the University. P. J. Hartog was the first Vice Chancellor and the first Registrar was Khan Bahadur Nazir Uddin Ahmad.
The University of Dhaka was established under the Govt. of India Act. XVIII of 1920 (Which was based on the recommendations of the Calcutta University Commission presided over by Sir Michael Sadler) as a unitary, teaching and residential University with a constitution similar in many respects to those of the then contemporary English University Following the creation in 1947 of the province of East Bengal as a part of Pakistan.
The East Bengal Educational Ordinance, 1947, was promulgated, by which the University, without prejudice to its original character as a teaching and residential University was entrusted with sole authority to recognize and affiliate all educational institutions in East Bengal above Materict and High Madrasa standard Accordingly, in 1947, the University of Dhaka affiliated 58 1st and 2nd grade colleges throughout the whole of East Bengal After independence the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh promulgated the adaptation of University Laws by the Bangladesh Ordinance No. 1 of 1972. Afterwards, in pursuance to the Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, the President Order No. 11 of 1973 which is called the "Dacca University Order, 1973 was promulgated.

Govt. Universities in Bangladesh

University of Dhaka
University of Rajshahi
University of Chittagong
Khulna University
National University
Islamic University
Jahangirnagar University
Bangladesh Open University
Bangladesh Agricultural University
Bangabandhu Agricultural University
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
Private UniversitiesForeign Universities in Bangladesh

Study in Bangladesh

The education system in Bangladesh is divided into 4 levels-- Primary (from grades 1 to 5), Secondary (from grades 6 to 10), Higher Secondary (from grades 11 to 12) and tertiary. Alongside national educating system, English medium education is also provided by some private enterprises. They offer 'A' level and 'O' level courses. There is also Madrasa system which emphasizes on Arabic medium Islam-based education. This system is supervised by the lone Madrasa Board of the country.
In 1998 there were about 52,000 primary schools 11000 secondary institutions. The five years of lower secondary education concludes with a Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination. Students who pass this examination proceed to two years of Higher Secondary or intermediate training, which culminate in a Higher Secondary School (HSC) examination. Five education boards lead by the Ministry of Education deal with education up to HSC level.
Under-graduate level is finished with HSC. Then begins graduation level which is dealt by universities. Universities also offer Master's and Doctorate degrees.
There are 11 government universities and approximately 20 private universities in Bangladesh. Specialized universities are Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Bangladesh Agricultural University and Bangabandhu Shaikh Mujib Medical University.

Education

Education

Like many other issues, education is also an obsession of internet surfers. People of all walks of life, especially young generation, crave for to-the-point information on educational facilities and sources. Internet, we firmly believe, can serve in the best way by providing information about world-class educational institutions and their methods. Here, in Education section of Bangla2000, we have tried our best to serve you with information on educational institutes and sources worldwide. For necessary information try the following categories

Kanye West rails against Bonnaroo criticism

NEW YORK (AP) — Kanye West defended himself from criticism over his delayed performance at Bonnaroo, saying on his blog that the flak he's taken has left him "the most offended I've ever been."
West's performance at the Tennessee festival was scheduled for 2:45 a.m. in the early morning of June 15. West didn't take the stage until 4:25 a.m., angering much of the crowd who had stayed up late to see the rapper perform.
The delay was caused by problems setting up West's elaborate stage set, which included an interplanetary landscape of a wavy black platform and a video screen above. Pearl Jam, who had performed on the main stage earlier that evening, also went an hour over its scheduled time. While waiting for West's concert to begin, many in the crowd pelted the stage with glow sticks and beer.