Link Banana

This is such a simple idea I’m amazed I’ve never heard of it before. The BBC has a new nature documentary filmed in India’s Perch National Park with hidden cameras, and a few attached to elephants (I wonder if that constitutes animal cruelty?). Looks interesting. More pictures at The Daily Mail.

(via BB Gadgets)

I’m actually a day late, but still interesting. Bonus points to those who knew that is was based on the letters N and D (for nuclear disarmament) in semaphore. More bonus points to those that knew semaphore is flag signaling.

(via clusterflock)

Two points: (1) the BBC has some pretty good headline writers, hence I stole this one, and (2) this situation deserves more attention — and outrage.

The UK-based groups agree that Israel has the right and obligation to protect its citizens, urging both sides to cease unlawful attacks on civilians.

But they call upon Israel to comply with its obligations, as the occupying power in Gaza, to ensure its inhabitants have access to food, clean water, electricity and medical care, which have been in short supply in the strip.

“Punishing the entire Gazan population by denying them these basic human rights is utterly indefensible,” said Amnesty UK Director Kate Allen.

I remember hearing about this idea a few months ago, but it appears that someone is actually thinking about building one. It’s essentially what it sounds like, a farm that stretches vertically rather than horizontally.

This $200 million project would be able to feed 72,000 people for a year and would grow everything from apples to winter squash. Of course, all of the products would be distributed directly to the casinos and hotels, who will be funding the project in the first place. The farm could potentially make up to $25 million a year, plus $15 million in potential tourist revenue. That means that it would eventually recoup the enormous start-up costs, especially with it’s projected $6 million per year operating costs.

(via Slashfood)

The BBC is reporting:

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki says he is ready to form a government of national unity, an official statement said. […]

But opposition leader Raila Odinga says Mr Kibaki must step down as president and that his preferred option remains for new elections to be held.

I have no doubt that this comes after at least some outside pressure. And though it’s clearly not the best outcome (which would be a truly fair election), it could certainly be better than continued violence and ethnic conflict.

Mitsubishi has built a tower 573 feet (173m) tall that serves no other purpose than testing the really fast elevators that are needed for really tall buildings. I can’t decide if it’s a massive waste of material or a necessary cost of building land-use-efficient building. Have an opinion?

(via Boing Boing)