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Ghost

On a typical day at an English construction site, one would expect to experience hard hats, brickie's bums and mounds of chips smothered in beans and cheese - not headless monks, moving objects and sudden feelings of coldness.

However such were the reports coming from workers at Thorpe Park, an amusement park in Surrey, England, after construction began on the park's new water ride 'Storm Surge' earlier this week.


According to Mike Vallis, Thorpe Park Divisional Director, it was after digging 50 feet into the ground to prepare the site for construction that paranormal activity began.

Workers were suddenly thrust into the terrifying unknown. Desperation kicked in, spanners were dropped, and phone calls were made to the only people thought capable of dealing with such “fluffy nonsense” - the resident ghost busters.

Eagerly armed with a Ouija board and spook friendly camera gear, paranormal expert Jim Arnold arrived on the scene to report an immediate and strong indication of spectral presence. After some tests, Mr Arnold witnessed significant Ouija board activity, floating orbs and ghostly images at the site.

Further investigation revealed the proposed Storm Surge site was an area known as 'Monk's Walk', located not far from Chertsey Abbey. It was here, during the Ninth Century, that several priests were slaughtered during Viking raids before later being laid to rest in stone coffins.

The coffins had been exhumed, although according to the London Evening Standard, the walk, which linked the abbey to Thorpe Church, was built in the foreboding year of 666 AD.


Such news sparked the arrival of forensic geophysicist Peter Masters, of Cranfield University, for a second opinion. Using deep ground radar, Dr Masters affirmed that signals picked up at the site were similar to those of an ancient burial ground.

The news has been received as an ominous sign, as some workers are unwilling to return, while the ride is being shifted to another part of the park. However, entrepreneur and unorthodox councillor, Tom Hertley, believes the find presents a unique opportunity.

He says the site could be used for an attraction named 'The Cavern of Despair', where hard-core thrill-seekers would be locked in a subterranean pit for half an hour. He says overheads would be minimal and the entry fee high, all while alcoholics and drug abusers, who are bored with 'normality', could get help - by embarking on an underground, fear-laden rampage of sobriety.
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The Wild Life of Italy

February 8th 2011 01:28
The hunting game

With claims such as Leonardo da Vinci, pizza, Ferraris and great hair, Italy is arguably a land of great genius. However, beneath this genius, lies an undercurrent of wanton behaviour - lawlessness, libidinous politicians, and most recently, wayward huntsmen.

In the latest of Italian exploits that have missed their target, hunters are being given so much freedom they are starting to shoot members of the public.

Indeed, statistics reveal that 'death by hunter' is the latest in a number of steadily rising trends in Italy, as 35 people have been shot dead in the last four months, while another 74 were seriously injured.

Italy's anti hunting league, the LAC, has revealed all but one of these victims were hunters, killed by their fellow sportsmen. However, of those injured, 13 were found to be non-hunters, just folk riding their bicycles down lanes or strolling through woods.

Strollers, riders and wood skippers beware. Just why is this happening?

Italian law currently states hunters can approach a private property and fire anywhere within 50 metres of a road, or 150 metres of a house. Yet what the law doesn't state, is that hunters should wear glasses and/or become familiar with the region's wildlife before commencing.

Italy's Tourism Minister, Michela Vittoria Brambilla, is attempting to tackle the problem, although she is facing tough opposition from the country's “politically muscular hunting lobby”.

This aside, the laws that are in place are paid little heed. As last week, the EU enforced a shooting ban to protect migratory birds, which parts of Italy responded to by opening the hunting season early. In Lazaro, near Rome, the government even extended the hunting season.

LIPU, Italy's bird protection body, says regions forming their own laws are in a “situation of outrageous illegality”. However, many now believe the term "outrageous illegality", be it uncivilised, or decidedly hip, is fast becoming the nation's ideological slogan.

Dr Dion Crypto, Head of the Roman Organisation for Anthropological Research (ROAR), says this may not be far from the truth. He says increasing levels of consumer desire heaped upon a country with such stylish repute is creating tremendous cultural pressure, which is likely only to relieve itself with the return of the alcohol soaked orgy.
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Black magic and spells

An immense spiritual rift is thundering across civilised England, propelling young women towards the cauldrons of the underworld. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church is watching, as fear and paranoia steadily grow within its great walls. For once a seed is planted, it will grow.

This seed, according to the Catholic Church, has stemmed from Harry Potter, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, and a spate of other popular neo-pagan fantasy films, all which allegedly encourage youngsters to participate in the dark arts.

The claims have arisen after a purported surge in young women participating in Wicca activities. Quick to mitigate such evils, the Catholic Church have released an instructional book, entitled 'Wicca and Witchcraft: Understanding the Dangers'.

The handbook, written by former Oxford Wiccan Elizabeth Dodd, who is now converted to the faith, instructs the reader how to “evangelise a witch”. The book mentions that witchcraft may arise amongst friends, in a pub, or in front of the TV, and should not be dismissed as mere “broomstick buffoonery”.

In fact, the book suggests that young women, once on this path, are likely to cascade into a diabolical spiral, only to wind up hanging out with occult superstars such as Aleister Crowley. However, the book also states that such women are ultimately on a spiritual quest, and therefore can be converted.

This predictably swift and firm response from the Catholic Church, while well meant, has ignited outrage from social fantasy groups across the country.

Wayne 'wand master' Finnigan, head of the Harry Potter Midweek Social Club (HPMSC), says the news has smothered the revelry of socially inept eccentrics nationwide. He says not only does one now have to be guarded when meeting for lunch with crystal balls, but embroiderers, pyromaniacs and base jumpers, who rely on the group, are steadily rocketing towards bankruptcy.
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Raining cats and dogs

The weather. After being worshipped for thousands of years in various manners (a respect rightfully deserved), this elemental tour de force is facing a steady decline in gratitude, as humans are now attempting to tell it what to do. For why worship the weather when one can control it?

After all, there are numerous advantages in ordering the weather about. Make arid land farmable, hold countries to ransom - all while comfortably knowing that Saturday's 11 o'clock barbeque has a 100% chance of success.

These are at least some of the factors motivating Swiss company Meteo Systems, which, in a recent fit of scientific manifesto, claims to have caused more than 50 rainstorms over the Abu Dhabi Desert.

How is this done exactly? The company uses new technology - “a network of towers that use electricity to electrically charge the air”. The air, which is then ionised, seeds rain.

However, the idea is not new, as during Vietnam War, the US deployed mathematical genius John von Neumann (behind the atomic bomb) to affect a similar scenario over Vietnam (with less technology). The mission, named 'Operation Popeye', was to drown communists in a massive quagmire. The project failed miserably.

Not surprisingly, today's revived attempts at weather control have received mixed reviews from the scientific community. Dr Deon Terblanche, expert from the World Meteorological Organisation, says the experiments have “a chance outcome”, while Peter Wilder, from the Technical University of Munich, says he maintains an open mind about the technology.

In any case, the idea is being taken seriously, as over 40 countries around the world are currently engaged in efforts at whipping the weather into submission, with Beijing leading the charge.

Presently, Beijing employs around 50,000 people in weather modification centres, with the primary aim of turning fallow soil into fertile land (which has met with questionable degrees of success).

In analogous pursuits, scientists are attempting to control hail, fog, hurricanes and cyclones. Indeed, computer models are suggesting that if specific parts of the ocean could be warmed, it might just be possible to keep the weather pleasant for the weekend.

However, Doctor Kingsford Koolamachi, CEO of the British Anthropology Department (BAD), warns such weather manipulation could be culturally catastrophic. He says not only would the English be confronted with activities such as outdoor cooking, but a marked decline in the country's whinging could result in a national identity crisis.
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Genghis The Tree Hugger

January 28th 2011 07:27
Genghis Khan statue

During the 13th and 14th Centuries, the wrath of Genghis Khan and his henchmen sent a swift and somber cloud over the plains of Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Over 40 million civilians met their death at the end of this tyrant's callous arrows, in what has been touted "one of the bloodiest crusades in history".

However, after some consideration and revision, scientists have now decided that Genghis Khan and his bloodthirsty Mongolian Empire were the “greenest” oppressors ever .

No, it wasn't that the soldiers were naive, or that they were donned in Earthly robes and smeared in chlorophyll war paste. Rather, the heavy death toll was believed to have erased roughly 700 million tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere (roughly equal to the amount produced globally by petrol).

According to the Carnegie Institution's Department of Global Ecology (CIDGE), the 40 million people that were annihilated inhabited roughly 22% of the Earth's total land area. Since the majority of these were agricultural workers, vast tracts of harvested land were restored to forest after the deaths, resulting in a drastic reduction in CO2.

Although many have scoffed at the institute's research methods, some ecologists believe this may be the first instance of “successful man-made global cooling”.

Other major depopulation episodes (which caused reforestation) that came under revision were the Black Death, the fall of China's Ming Dynasty, and the conquest of the Americas. However none of these made anywhere near the environmental impact of the Mongol Empire.

Lead author of CIDGE, Julia Pongratz, says it's a misconception that human impact on climate change began with the industrial revolution. She adds although the find is unlikely to alter the pages of history, it may lead to better land use.

While the analyses was intended as a 'harmless environmental study', its results have nonetheless sparked pandemonium across the fields of Mongolia. As hundreds of alleged descendants, from the numerous children Genghis conceived in his debaucherous harems, are now in disarray over their family icon's new soft 'tree hugger' label.
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A lone wine drinker

The great pleasures in life. To some, this may be throwing yourself off a cliff, playing the bagpipes through an amplifier, or sunning on the deckchair with your Cocker Spaniel.

[ Click here to read more ]
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Paramecia

Skimming the frontier of bioethics, in what could be described as a tawdry biological game show, scientists have developed classic games such as pinball into 'Biotic Pinball PONG DONG' - using live organisms in a world first.

[ Click here to read more ]
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Revenge of the Fox

January 17th 2011 07:59
Red Fox

The comely appearance of the sharp witted fox has only added to its allure, thrusting it into the spotlight - in a world where it would be better off hidden.

[ Click here to read more ]
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Mona Lisa Still Baffles After 500 Years

January 15th 2011 04:58
Crafted by renown renaissance man Leonardo da Vinci over roughly 16 years, the Mona Lisa remains arguably the most revered piece of artwork to date.

The enigmatic expression of the subject (which most believe is Lisa del Giocondo), along with the technique and composition, has both awed and confounded admirers from various gardens and crevices throughout the globe


[ Click here to read more ]
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While many are focusing on New Year's resolutions, or recovering from over indulgence and extended family awkwardness, a fierce war is raging on a North Atlantic Island between an energy giant and the most spirited karaoke singers, musicians and magical creatures of the land.

On the auspicious day of Threttándinn, Icelandic singer Bjork officially launched a karaoke marathon and song festival extravaganza as part of a campaign to win back her country's natural resources


[ Click here to read more ]
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In a desperate bid to dispel the dark cloud of recession, the Romanian Government has declared witchcraft a legal profession in order to curb tax evading witches who cast spells for cash-in-hand.

The move has outraged the witches of Bucharest, sparking a ring of neo-pagan protests


[ Click here to read more ]
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The Art of Healing in the 21st Century

November 29th 2010 06:19
In a world exploding with human activity, resources are becoming increasingly strained, competition is high, and time is short. Citizens of the great industrialised nations are feeling the pinch – lost, saddened, hurried, driven by financial lust, and disconnected from the rhythm of their hearts.

And with floundering mental health resources and the proliferation of online living, ways to calm these wordy ills are taking on new forms. In New York recently, one man has taken the initiative to dress up in an eight foot padded panda suit, offering the citizens of Brooklyn a punch for one cent


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Within the kernel of the world's largest and most biologically diverse rainforest, lies the city of Manaus. Previously termed the 'City of the Forest', this Amazonian city, which sounds like it could be a German men's club, is today a booming metropolis.

However, nearby this ode to mankind, the jungle still harbours some of the greatest secrets on Earth. For last month, a local fisherman was hunting in the Rio Negro during its lowest level in 100 years, when he discovered ancient etchings beneath the water


[ Click here to read more ]
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The Soldier of Gaia in Disguise

October 29th 2010 06:50
For millions of years the powers of Gaia have thundered across the earth, governing the unwritten laws of the world with ferocity, scintillating beauty and the inevitability of change. Today, the commodification of all things great and small is contesting these powers in a game it cannot win.

As this beast of industrialisation rages ignorantly against the powers of the goddess, many scientists, eco-warriors and politicians struggle to tame its chaos – all while the world's ecosystems are being splintered to the core. The situation is dire. However, Japan, has a plan


[ Click here to read more ]
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