Offal over offal...

What is wrong with these people...do they want to be ridiculed? At the risk of receiving accusations of being severely prejudice and acertainreligionophobic I just wish sometimes they would have the sense to keep schtum.

HERE's what I'm on about: In the UK, a group of Muslims have opposed plans for the pet food company Butchers Pet Care to build a factory near Rugby (UK) as possible pork emissions will violate their religious rights. The spokesperson of one family that lives nearby, and that sensibly wish to remain nameless, said: "A significant proportion of meats used in the pet foods processes are pig meat...

"Our religion expressly forbids us to consume pig meat in any form. "Because of the way in which this meat material will leave the factory and give that the area can be 'rained upon' we will be consuming pork via inhalation of this 'rain'. "Not only that but our clothes will be contaminated by pork."

Surely if that is the case then ANYWHERE in the UK, or elsewhere for that matter, could be contaminated by such evil and foul precipitation.

Offal over offal...

What is wrong with these people...do they want to be ridiculed? At the risk of receiving accusations of being severely prejudice and acertainreligionophobic I just wish sometimes they would have the sense to keep schtum.

HERE's what I'm on about: In the UK, a group of Muslims have opposed plans for the pet food company Butchers Pet Care to build a factory near Rugby (UK) as possible pork emissions will violate their religious rights. The spokesperson of one family that lives nearby, and that sensibly wish to remain nameless, said: "A significant proportion of meats used in the pet foods processes are pig meat...

"Our religion expressly forbids us to consume pig meat in any form. "Because of the way in which this meat material will leave the factory and give that the area can be 'rained upon' we will be consuming pork via inhalation of this 'rain'. "Not only that but our clothes will be contaminated by pork."

Surely if that is the case then ANYWHERE in the UK, or elsewhere for that matter, could be contaminated by such evil and foul precipitation.

Olive's ordeal...outrageous...

Olive Beal, who has failing eyesight and uses a wheelchair, is a 108 years old; she has been told she must wait at least 18 months before she receives a new hearing aid, reports The Guardian.

"Born in 1899, Mrs Beal grew up in Paddington, west London, and went to school with Christabel Pankhurst, daughter of suffragette leader Emily, and helped at suffragette demonstrations."...what a life....and what a way to be treated.

Olive's ordeal...outrageous...

Olive Beal, who has failing eyesight and uses a wheelchair, is a 108 years old; she has been told she must wait at least 18 months before she receives a new hearing aid, reports The Guardian.

"Born in 1899, Mrs Beal grew up in Paddington, west London, and went to school with Christabel Pankhurst, daughter of suffragette leader Emily, and helped at suffragette demonstrations."...what a life....and what a way to be treated.

Offering opportunity...

Iraq's unexpected progress in the Asian Cup, overcoming first Australia and then South Korea (favorites and on-form previous winners respectively) to reach the final was capped this afternoon by their win over the tournament's highest scorers Saudi Arabia in the final (1 - 0) [Al Jazeera link]

"Al Jazeera's Hoda Abdel-Hamid was in the northern Iraqi Kurdish region in Irbil, said: "The scenes are incredible. I have been in Iraq for more than 11 years, and I have never seen anything like this."

Profoundly cheering news. Correspondents have been reporting all week that Iraq's progress has united the various ethnic groups in Iraq because the team includes Sunni and Shia Muslims and Kurds. Lets hope that the genuine and spontaneous euphoria that ensued has penetrated the brainwashed minds of at least some of the extremist suicide bombers to make them at least question their intended murderous cowardice. Lucy Williamson of the BBC reports that "The team said they wanted to give Iraq something to celebrate as a nation - they have done it and many others in Indonesia are celebrating with them..."

"What is true of the individual will be to-morrow true of the whole nation if individuals will but refuse to lose heart and hope." Mohandas Gandhi

Offering opportunity...

Iraq's unexpected progress in the Asian Cup, overcoming first Australia and then South Korea (favorites and on-form previous winners respectively) to reach the final was capped this afternoon by their win over the tournament's highest scorers Saudi Arabia in the final (1 - 0) [Al Jazeera link]

"Al Jazeera's Hoda Abdel-Hamid was in the northern Iraqi Kurdish region in Irbil, said: "The scenes are incredible. I have been in Iraq for more than 11 years, and I have never seen anything like this."

Profoundly cheering news. Correspondents have been reporting all week that Iraq's progress has united the various ethnic groups in Iraq because the team includes Sunni and Shia Muslims and Kurds. Lets hope that the genuine and spontaneous euphoria that ensued has penetrated the brainwashed minds of at least some of the extremist suicide bombers to make them at least question their intended murderous cowardice. Lucy Williamson of the BBC reports that "The team said they wanted to give Iraq something to celebrate as a nation - they have done it and many others in Indonesia are celebrating with them..."

"What is true of the individual will be to-morrow true of the whole nation if individuals will but refuse to lose heart and hope." Mohandas Gandhi

Other opportunity...

Back in March the US Government DEA announced the discovery of $207 million: it was the largest single drug cash seizure the world has ever seen; the find was the work of "Mexican law enforcement in collaboration with DEA ". Now they get to spend it! (picture link...)

Other opportunity...

Back in March the US Government DEA announced the discovery of $207 million: it was the largest single drug cash seizure the world has ever seen; the find was the work of "Mexican law enforcement in collaboration with DEA ". Now they get to spend it! (picture link...)

Over-offending...

Happy birthday Hugo. It seems to celebrate you've made a reasonable decision: for the first time I can remember (please correct me if I'm wrong) Hugo Chavez has publicly - broadcast live on all radio and television outlets - apologised for one of his outbursts. Link to El Universal or view page image in English from the Daily Journal Online: page 3 image HERE.

"Responding to the call of my friend, the president of Honduras (Mel Zelaya), if I've offended the (archbishop) of Tegucigalpa I offer my apologies, that's no problem for me"

...if...IF he's offended him! What he called him was - in response to the prelate's criticism of his administration - "another imperialist clown" who repeats whatever Washington says like a "parrot." However I'm prepared to believe that this apology is a good sign (oops, maybe not) perhaps it's just Hugo realising that just because he can be popular for slagging-off Bush it doesn't make it the right thing to do and you certainly shouldn't slag off your 'friends'. Chavez's blast at the cardinal "provoked uproar in Honduras, but President Zelaya resisted calls to make a formal demand for an apology, saying that he would instead enlighten the Venezuelan leader about Rodriguez Maradiaga's record of activism on behalf of the poor and downtrodden and the prelate's solid 'anti-imperialist' credentials...that and carrying on Castro's fight...and six years is not enough (a good excuse to change the constitution!...NOT!) an article in which he also decries the US's 'perverse campaign' in Europe against Venezuela...ah well, no change then, many happy returns...birthdays that is!

Over-offending...

Happy birthday Hugo. It seems to celebrate you've made a reasonable decision: for the first time I can remember (please correct me if I'm wrong) Hugo Chavez has publicly - broadcast live on all radio and television outlets - apologised for one of his outbursts. Link to El Universal or view page image in English from the Daily Journal Online: page 3 image HERE.

"Responding to the call of my friend, the president of Honduras (Mel Zelaya), if I've offended the (archbishop) of Tegucigalpa I offer my apologies, that's no problem for me"

...if...IF he's offended him! What he called him was - in response to the prelate's criticism of his administration - "another imperialist clown" who repeats whatever Washington says like a "parrot." However I'm prepared to believe that this apology is a good sign (oops, maybe not) perhaps it's just Hugo realising that just because he can be popular for slagging-off Bush it doesn't make it the right thing to do and you certainly shouldn't slag off your 'friends'. Chavez's blast at the cardinal "provoked uproar in Honduras, but President Zelaya resisted calls to make a formal demand for an apology, saying that he would instead enlighten the Venezuelan leader about Rodriguez Maradiaga's record of activism on behalf of the poor and downtrodden and the prelate's solid 'anti-imperialist' credentials...that and carrying on Castro's fight...and six years is not enough (a good excuse to change the constitution!...NOT!) an article in which he also decries the US's 'perverse campaign' in Europe against Venezuela...ah well, no change then, many happy returns...birthdays that is!

Oscar's omens...

Cute and spooky at the same time; and surely it can't be coincidence. Click on image for the full story of Oscar the cat at an old-people's home that is successfully predicting who is going to die! I can imagine the more nervous patients live in constant anxiety and hoping that Oscar doesn't show up on the bed one morning when they wake up!

"Oscar has a habit of curling up next to patients at the home in Providence, Rhode Island, in their final hours. According to the author of a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, the two-year-old cat has been observed to be correct in 25 cases so far. Staff now alert the families of residents when he sits down next to their ailing loved one. "

Oscar's omens...

Cute and spooky at the same time; and surely it can't be coincidence. Click on image for the full story of Oscar the cat at an old-people's home that is successfully predicting who is going to die! I can imagine the more nervous patients live in constant anxiety and hoping that Oscar doesn't show up on the bed one morning when they wake up!

"Oscar has a habit of curling up next to patients at the home in Providence, Rhode Island, in their final hours. According to the author of a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, the two-year-old cat has been observed to be correct in 25 cases so far. Staff now alert the families of residents when he sits down next to their ailing loved one. "

Odious offenders...

The flooding in England really is bringing out the low-life scum and maggots; of course there are various opinions and reasons as to why this flooding has been so bad but I have to share Baldinio's exasperation at some of the reasons given for the floods and those out to profit from the misfortunes of the homeowners etc affected by those floods. The crisis continues with hundreds of thousands of people now suffering the effects, many without potable water. However the depths of human depravity know no bounds: now we even have thieves stealing the flood defences! The Environment Agency (apart from confirming that more rain is due!!) says that flood defences were being damaged because some complete wankers were trying to steal them, this in and around Bewdley in Worcestershire (OK, the EA didn't use those words!): "Our staff pulled out all the stops to get both barriers up at Bewdley. These are vital structures that have protected people's homes and lives.

"It is shocking that anyone would take advantage of other people's misfortune at this time and we are now having to move staff away from their vital work to act as security."

Unbelievable...but that's not all: despite the looting and profiteering in some areas the Police are now warning flood victims to be wary of conmen exploiting the situation. They have said

"criminals pretending to be from utility companies to gain access into homes could be possible."

I think some very heavy-handed Police action is called for; no doubt with the help of local citizens. Anyone caught and charged for stealing/looting/racketeering/profiteering/fraud should be publicly bull-whipped for their shameful, disgusting behaviour (no I'm not joking!).

Odious offenders...

The flooding in England really is bringing out the low-life scum and maggots; of course there are various opinions and reasons as to why this flooding has been so bad but I have to share Baldinio's exasperation at some of the reasons given for the floods and those out to profit from the misfortunes of the homeowners etc affected by those floods. The crisis continues with hundreds of thousands of people now suffering the effects, many without potable water. However the depths of human depravity know no bounds: now we even have thieves stealing the flood defences! The Environment Agency (apart from confirming that more rain is due!!) says that flood defences were being damaged because some complete wankers were trying to steal them, this in and around Bewdley in Worcestershire (OK, the EA didn't use those words!): "Our staff pulled out all the stops to get both barriers up at Bewdley. These are vital structures that have protected people's homes and lives.

"It is shocking that anyone would take advantage of other people's misfortune at this time and we are now having to move staff away from their vital work to act as security."

Unbelievable...but that's not all: despite the looting and profiteering in some areas the Police are now warning flood victims to be wary of conmen exploiting the situation. They have said

"criminals pretending to be from utility companies to gain access into homes could be possible."

I think some very heavy-handed Police action is called for; no doubt with the help of local citizens. Anyone caught and charged for stealing/looting/racketeering/profiteering/fraud should be publicly bull-whipped for their shameful, disgusting behaviour (no I'm not joking!).

Oval Office opposition online...

Following on from my Obama's girl post in as much as it concerns the 'YouTube Election', Kevin Marsh (Editor of the BBC's College of Journalism) has some good points re the CNN debate that had questions proposed online via Youtube; in the debate the Democrat candidates (the Repulicans get their turn later) also played their own YouTube videos. However by all accounts it was a bit of a let down. Kevin ends with an important observation:

"'Big media’s' monopoly of communication in the democratic process is over. Good. But hopes for 'citizen media' need to be realistic; as does any assessment of the enduring merits of 'big media' … like its ability to pose and press the really tough questions; like its persistence in coming back to the unanswered questions; like its ability to field ego against ego, personality against personality … not the most attractive aspect of 'big media, but its most necessary given the politics that we have"

Maybe he's right but I think that there is more to come and apparently for a 'first attempt' it wasn't too bad. (Links and comments 'liveblogging' the YouTube debate etc can be followed through Kevin's post on BBC News The Editors Blog.)

Jeff Jarvis (Buzz Machine and PrezVid - YouTube Campaign 2008) was livebloggong and now Debating the Debate:

"I’m writing my Guardian column this week about the YouTube debate (no surprise)and as I thought about it more, I decided that it was a clash of media. Here’s my take and then I’ll show you the quite contrary take of a BBC editor."

Oval Office opposition online...

Following on from my Obama's girl post in as much as it concerns the 'YouTube Election', Kevin Marsh (Editor of the BBC's College of Journalism) has some good points re the CNN debate that had questions proposed online via Youtube; in the debate the Democrat candidates (the Repulicans get their turn later) also played their own YouTube videos. However by all accounts it was a bit of a let down. Kevin ends with an important observation:

"'Big media’s' monopoly of communication in the democratic process is over. Good. But hopes for 'citizen media' need to be realistic; as does any assessment of the enduring merits of 'big media' … like its ability to pose and press the really tough questions; like its persistence in coming back to the unanswered questions; like its ability to field ego against ego, personality against personality … not the most attractive aspect of 'big media, but its most necessary given the politics that we have"

Maybe he's right but I think that there is more to come and apparently for a 'first attempt' it wasn't too bad. (Links and comments 'liveblogging' the YouTube debate etc can be followed through Kevin's post on BBC News The Editors Blog.)

Jeff Jarvis (Buzz Machine and PrezVid - YouTube Campaign 2008) was livebloggong and now Debating the Debate:

"I’m writing my Guardian column this week about the YouTube debate (no surprise)and as I thought about it more, I decided that it was a clash of media. Here’s my take and then I’ll show you the quite contrary take of a BBC editor."

Online Oval Office onslaught - Obama's oblectation...

Well, one assumes he'd like it although it could backfire (oblectation n. - delight, pleasure)

We've been hearing recently about the vast sums of money being collected from donors for the 2008 US Presidential Elections. This is no big surprise and we all know the Interent has many advantages. Some parties seem to grasp this more than others and Laura Smith-Spark for BBC News in Washington tells us that "Six months into the race, the Democratic contenders for the White House in 2008 are out-fundraising the Republicans by a wide margin." Michael Malbin, of the Campaign Finance Institute, agrees and notes that 'the Democrats have been ahead of the Republicans generally in building online communities.' and...

"Online fundraising is part of a strategy that's not only about money, it's about trying to build networks, building support among people to whom you can go back - people who can be reached at low cost and reached repeatedly,"

It was clear that before long any new and widely used Interent media tool would become part of the 'game'. Deborah Charles (Reuters) in Washington notes that in "2004 YouTube didn't exist. Three years later, politicians have learned to fear and revere the video-sharing Web site that has become a vital part of the campaign for the 2008 presidential election." She adds that more than 2.5 million people have viewed the video "I've Got a Crush...On Obama" on which, according to Adrants:

"In the song, the hottie dances, prances and gushes lustfully about her love for Obama, singing, "I never wanted anybody more than I want you" and "you can Barack me tonight" while giving the camera 'the look.'"

Needless to say this could prove embarrassing for Barack Obama as video wars break out; one video of women fighting over Obama and Rudy Giuliani (the Republican contender who impressed me most in the debates that I watched) has been watched by more than 500,000 in the first few days. Below an image of the beauties now battling for the various contenders.

The follow-up can be seen here on barelypolitical.com

"Debate '08: Obama Girl vs. Giuliani Girl.' Obama Girl and her crew do battle with the girls from the GOP. Including real footage from the actual show-down!"

Change of tack for a second: interestingly, and at last, it appears that an appetite for a 3rd major party is growing in the US; Angus Reid Global Monitor "Polls & Research" is a good place for most polls but especially the 2008 race. I guess the American people are fed up with the same old same old...that's for the future, maybe long term, but back to the short term and 2008: all this means that, at last, a US Presidential race will be anything but boring! ..hmmm, very interesting...below...is that 'the look' they mentioned?

Online Oval Office onslaught - Obama's oblectation...

Well, one assumes he'd like it although it could backfire (oblectation n. - delight, pleasure)

We've been hearing recently about the vast sums of money being collected from donors for the 2008 US Presidential Elections. This is no big surprise and we all know the Interent has many advantages. Some parties seem to grasp this more than others and Laura Smith-Spark for BBC News in Washington tells us that "Six months into the race, the Democratic contenders for the White House in 2008 are out-fundraising the Republicans by a wide margin." Michael Malbin, of the Campaign Finance Institute, agrees and notes that 'the Democrats have been ahead of the Republicans generally in building online communities.' and...

"Online fundraising is part of a strategy that's not only about money, it's about trying to build networks, building support among people to whom you can go back - people who can be reached at low cost and reached repeatedly,"

It was clear that before long any new and widely used Interent media tool would become part of the 'game'. Deborah Charles (Reuters) in Washington notes that in "2004 YouTube didn't exist. Three years later, politicians have learned to fear and revere the video-sharing Web site that has become a vital part of the campaign for the 2008 presidential election." She adds that more than 2.5 million people have viewed the video "I've Got a Crush...On Obama" on which, according to Adrants:

"In the song, the hottie dances, prances and gushes lustfully about her love for Obama, singing, "I never wanted anybody more than I want you" and "you can Barack me tonight" while giving the camera 'the look.'"

Needless to say this could prove embarrassing for Barack Obama as video wars break out; one video of women fighting over Obama and Rudy Giuliani (the Republican contender who impressed me most in the debates that I watched) has been watched by more than 500,000 in the first few days. Below an image of the beauties now battling for the various contenders.

The follow-up can be seen here on barelypolitical.com

"Debate '08: Obama Girl vs. Giuliani Girl.' Obama Girl and her crew do battle with the girls from the GOP. Including real footage from the actual show-down!"

Change of tack for a second: interestingly, and at last, it appears that an appetite for a 3rd major party is growing in the US; Angus Reid Global Monitor "Polls & Research" is a good place for most polls but especially the 2008 race. I guess the American people are fed up with the same old same old...that's for the future, maybe long term, but back to the short term and 2008: all this means that, at last, a US Presidential race will be anything but boring! ..hmmm, very interesting...below...is that 'the look' they mentioned?

Homer Hoopla - will it fit? Picture link to BBC news coverage of what is clearly advertising for the soon to be released and eagerly awaited The Simpsons Movie...Titanic is trembling in it's boots (I hope!!) Actually there's no way Homer would throw a doughnut away! I'm sure I'm not the only one posting this today but persons unknown have added a companion beside the Cerne Abbas Giant in Dorset. Watch aerial video coverage HERE. Not the first time the giant has been used for advertising (nor the first time he's appeared on Owsblog). For the killjoy's amongst you:

"The painted Simpsons character has been painted with water-based biodegradable paint which will wash away as soon as it rains."

Homer Hoopla - will it fit? Picture link to BBC news coverage of what is clearly advertising for the soon to be released and eagerly awaited The Simpsons Movie...Titanic is trembling in it's boots (I hope!!) Actually there's no way Homer would throw a doughnut away! I'm sure I'm not the only one posting this today but persons unknown have added a companion beside the Cerne Abbas Giant in Dorset. Watch aerial video coverage HERE. Not the first time the giant has been used for advertising (nor the first time he's appeared on Owsblog). For the killjoy's amongst you:

"The painted Simpsons character has been painted with water-based biodegradable paint which will wash away as soon as it rains."

Image link to nutty (Nutters?) news.

The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) said that the squirrels were kitted out by foreign intelligence services - but they were captured two weeks ago by police officers.

Image link to nutty (Nutters?) news.

The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) said that the squirrels were kitted out by foreign intelligence services - but they were captured two weeks ago by police officers.

Oversight or overstating...

Anyone notice the (accidently on purpose?) mistake in the following list for the Ealing By-Election this week? [Link]

In full: Ealing Southall candidates : Here is the list of candidates in the Ealing Southall by-election taking place on 19 July. Their names, and the description of who they are standing for are as described on the returning officer's official list of candidates:

Nigel Bakhai, Liberal Democrats
John Sydney Cartwright, The Official Monster Raving Loony Party
Sati Chaggar, English Democrats - 'Putting England First!'
Salvinder Singh Dhillon, Respect - Peace, Justice, Equality
Sarah Janet Edwards, Green Party
Kuldeep Singh Grewal, Independent
Tony Lit, David Cameron's Conservatives
Yakub Masih, Christian Party 'Proclaiming Christ's Lordship'
Jasdev Singh Rai, Independent
KT Rajan, UK Independence Party
Virendra Kumar Sharma, The Labour Party Candidate
Gulbash Singh, Independent

It involves the names of the parties...and I do not mean the bylines e.g. English Democrats' "Putting England First!" or Respect's "Peace, Justice, Equality".

I posted a possible reason in THIS BBC R5L Message Board thread; obviously I could be wrong but it does seem a very strange 'mistake' to make and I have never heard that phrase before.

In-depth article on the By-election plus party info etc can be found HERE. (link to Wikipedia)

Oversight or overstating...

Anyone notice the (accidently on purpose?) mistake in the following list for the Ealing By-Election this week? [Link]

In full: Ealing Southall candidates : Here is the list of candidates in the Ealing Southall by-election taking place on 19 July. Their names, and the description of who they are standing for are as described on the returning officer's official list of candidates:

Nigel Bakhai, Liberal Democrats
John Sydney Cartwright, The Official Monster Raving Loony Party
Sati Chaggar, English Democrats - 'Putting England First!'
Salvinder Singh Dhillon, Respect - Peace, Justice, Equality
Sarah Janet Edwards, Green Party
Kuldeep Singh Grewal, Independent
Tony Lit, David Cameron's Conservatives
Yakub Masih, Christian Party 'Proclaiming Christ's Lordship'
Jasdev Singh Rai, Independent
KT Rajan, UK Independence Party
Virendra Kumar Sharma, The Labour Party Candidate
Gulbash Singh, Independent

It involves the names of the parties...and I do not mean the bylines e.g. English Democrats' "Putting England First!" or Respect's "Peace, Justice, Equality".

I posted a possible reason in THIS BBC R5L Message Board thread; obviously I could be wrong but it does seem a very strange 'mistake' to make and I have never heard that phrase before.

In-depth article on the By-election plus party info etc can be found HERE. (link to Wikipedia)

One-off...

It was the first...and it was the best...13th July 1985...now they're 10 a penny and crap albeit well-intentioned (IMHO). Just cast your eyes over THIS playlist! Two of the highlights HERE (OK, I know I'm a couple of hours late...it's now July 14th!)

One-off...

It was the first...and it was the best...13th July 1985...now they're 10 a penny and crap albeit well-intentioned (IMHO). Just cast your eyes over THIS playlist! Two of the highlights HERE (OK, I know I'm a couple of hours late...it's now July 14th!)

One or other...

100 up! Just a quick (self congratulatory) note to say that if anyone ever bothers to scroll down beyond the newest post or two, or had a peek at what's in the sidebar (about 10% of what was in the old Owsblog sidebars!) you'll note that on my Neocounter (wonderful blog tools) I have reached visits from 102 countries...I have been waiting for a couple of weeks since reaching 100 because one flag has 'Europe' - and so could be any of the European countries that I already have flags for - and another says 'other', now of course 'other' does indeed mean another so should definitely count as being something apart from the rest but just to be one the safe side I have been patiently (NOT!) biding my time.

One or other...

100 up! Just a quick (self congratulatory) note to say that if anyone ever bothers to scroll down beyond the newest post or two, or had a peek at what's in the sidebar (about 10% of what was in the old Owsblog sidebars!) you'll note that on my Neocounter (wonderful blog tools) I have reached visits from 102 countries...I have been waiting for a couple of weeks since reaching 100 because one flag has 'Europe' - and so could be any of the European countries that I already have flags for - and another says 'other', now of course 'other' does indeed mean another so should definitely count as being something apart from the rest but just to be one the safe side I have been patiently (NOT!) biding my time.

Yesterday they published the results of the online vote for the Seven New Wonders of the World. They were selected from an initial list of 21 nominations and the 'winners' are the following:


Great Wall of China, China
Petra, Jordan
Christ the Redeemer (statue), Brazil
Machu Picchu, Peru
Chichen Itza, Mexico
Colosseum, Italy
Taj Mahal, India

The Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt was awarded a place as an Honorary Candidate mainly (one presumes) because it the only remaining of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Seems to me those from well-populated countries would have a huge advantage over other countries (China, India, Mexico...) but I guess the fact that Peru, Jordan and Italy are also there - and ahead of the USA - means I'm mistaken. However nearly all of the above are 'semi-ancient' and so more modern wonders - another set completely apart from the list above, which would include bridges, dams, tunnels etc - should also be compiled, much like this one undertaken by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

There is a new site now open for nominations for the Seven Wonders of the Natural World and an overview of the categories are: Animal Reserve, Canyon, Fjord Cave, Grotto Coastline, Cliff, Forest, Wood, Geological site, Glacier, Mountain, Volcano, Rocks, Nature, Conservancy Park, Oasis , Deserts, Prehistoric natural site, Underwater World, Reef, Water, Sea, Lake, River, Waterfall and other; to me some of those seem a bit odd (Animal Reserve and Conservancy Park for instance) This will be difficult, there must be at least one in every single country. I'll give it some thought and let you know mine in due course :-)

Yesterday they published the results of the online vote for the Seven New Wonders of the World. They were selected from an initial list of 21 nominations and the 'winners' are the following:


Great Wall of China, China
Petra, Jordan
Christ the Redeemer (statue), Brazil
Machu Picchu, Peru
Chichen Itza, Mexico
Colosseum, Italy
Taj Mahal, India

The Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt was awarded a place as an Honorary Candidate mainly (one presumes) because it the only remaining of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Seems to me those from well-populated countries would have a huge advantage over other countries (China, India, Mexico...) but I guess the fact that Peru, Jordan and Italy are also there - and ahead of the USA - means I'm mistaken. However nearly all of the above are 'semi-ancient' and so more modern wonders - another set completely apart from the list above, which would include bridges, dams, tunnels etc - should also be compiled, much like this one undertaken by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

There is a new site now open for nominations for the Seven Wonders of the Natural World and an overview of the categories are: Animal Reserve, Canyon, Fjord Cave, Grotto Coastline, Cliff, Forest, Wood, Geological site, Glacier, Mountain, Volcano, Rocks, Nature, Conservancy Park, Oasis , Deserts, Prehistoric natural site, Underwater World, Reef, Water, Sea, Lake, River, Waterfall and other; to me some of those seem a bit odd (Animal Reserve and Conservancy Park for instance) This will be difficult, there must be at least one in every single country. I'll give it some thought and let you know mine in due course :-)