Archive for December, 2009
Sequins and samba: Havana’s Club Tropicana celebrates turning 70
Amid a dazzle of sequins, feathers and samba, the Cuban capital’s famous night-club celebrates its 70th birthday.
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Japan asked not to give Thatcher 20 "karate ladies", papers show
Japan was asked not to greet Britain’s first female prime minister with a security escort of 20 “karate ladies”, newly-released government papers show.
New Yorkers shred bad memories from 2009 on ‘Good Riddance Day’
New Yorkers bid goodbye to bad memories from 2009 by shredding documents linked to negative experiences.
Animal Collective record voted album of the year by UK critics
Dance act Animal Collective’s record Merriweather Post Pavilion is hailed album of the year in a critics’ poll.
How scientists are turning to music to put across their message
Scientists are turning to music to put across their messages: whether informing the public or campaigning. The BBC’s Pallab Ghosh looks at some of the most notable offerings.
AI technology used to resolve games conversation puzzle
Prize-winning “chatbot” technology is being used in an attempt to solve one of “the last uncracked problems” in games design.
Chimps seen using cleavers to chop up food
For the first time, chimps are observed using tools to chop up and reduce food into smaller bite-sized portions.
‘Barry from DC’ – President Obama makes surprise radio call
The US president makes a surprise call during a radio show with outgoing Virginia Governor Tim Kaine.
Naked biking allowed in New Zealand, but put on a helmet!
Two men cycling while naked in New Zealand are let off with a warning to put a helmet on, escaping a lewd behaviour charge.
US police officer rebuked for drawing gun in snowball fight
A senior police official in Washington DC says an off-duty officer was wrong to draw his gun during a public snowball fight.