Scientists photograph giant squid live in the wild for first time

TOKYO (AP) -- Japanese researchers have something you normally only see in horror movies: photos of a live giant squid.

They also have one of its nearly 20-foot-long tentacles.

Experts have, for the first time, been able to observe the legendary 26-foot long purplish-red sea creature up close and personal. And they have magnificent pictures to prove it.

A researcher with Japan's National Science Museum tells The Associated Press that the squid struggled for more than four hours to get away. It pulled so hard on a line of shrimp bait, that it
severed one of its own tentacles. They hauled it onboard and he says it was "quite an experience to feel the still-functioning tentacle" on his hands.

Giant squids are the world's largest invertebrates and can grow to a length of more than 50 feet. The one caught on camera was likely an adult female.

Police say man slowed chase to smoke crack

DUNN, N.C. (AP) -- Police in Dunn were racing after the suspect in a stolen car chase on Wednesday when something unusual happened.

The officer who initiated the chase says the driver of the stolen car was trying to delay his arrest so he could finish smoking some crack cocaine.

Officer John Parker says he noticed a white Buick with an apparent expired tag. When he checked the license plate number, he found the car was stolen. Parker chased the car, which turned onto another street and slowed down.

Parker says the suspect knew he was going to be caught because he put both of his hands up while still driving down the road and smoking a pipe.

The chase ended in the parking lot of the Dunn American Legion post. A second officer says the suspect tried to continue smoking crack even after his car was stopped.

James Ammons is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, crack and drug paraphernalia and for refusing to stop for police and careless and reckless driving.

___

Information from: The Daily Record, http://www.dunndailyrecord.com/

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Officer who shot double amputee in wheelchair won't be charged

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- A Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer who shot and killed a 67-year-old double amputee in a wheelchair will not face criminal charges.

Police had gone to the home of Alexander Ehrenburg on May 10 after a family friend asked authorities to check on him.

When firefighters received no response at the home, they knocked open the door and saw Ehrenburg pointing a gun.

Firefighters then backed out, prompting a police response with SWAT officers and negotiators. Ehrenburg reportedly hung up the phone on negotiators. Police tried to throw a portable phone inside the home to resume contact, and when they knocked open the door, police say they saw Ehrenburg raise a handgun from his lap and point it at officers.

Ten-year veteran officer Chris Kimbell shot Ehrenburg, who was soon pronounced dead at Carolinas Medical Center.

A hearing is scheduled for next week to determine if police
follows policies during the standoff with Ehrenburg.

___

Information from: The Charlotte Observer,
http://www.charlotte.com

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Forecaster theory of mobsters causing Katrina labeled ridiculous

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) -- Was Hurricane Katrina a man-made product?

An Idaho weatherman thinks so, but a Western Carolina University hurricane expert says the whole notion is laughable.

Meteorologist Scott Stevens, a nine-year veteran of KPVI-TV in Pocatello, says he was struggling to forecast weather patterns starting in 1998 when he discovered the theory on the
Internet.

Stevens says Japan's Yakuza mafia used a Russian-made electromagnetic generator to cause Hurricane Katrina in a bid to avenge itself for the Hiroshima atomic bomb attack -- and that the
technology will soon be wielded again to hit another US city.

Western Carolina's Rob Young says he's been researching hurricanes for nearly 20 years and he says there was nothing unusual about Katrina's satellite imagery.

Stevens' bosses say their employee can think and say what he wants -- as long as he keeps the station out of the debate and acknowledges that his views are his own opinion.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

City of Boston spends $50K putting tennis shoes on statues

BOSTON (AP) -- Benjamin Franklin has roller skates. Samuel Adams, a pair of hip new running shoes. As for stodgy old George Washington, he's sporting purple velvet boots.

What's up with the Founding Fathers' footwear?

That's what people in Boston have been asking the past few days after some of the city's most venerable statues began sporting a new look.

Turns out it wasn't a prank, as some first suspected. It's an idea Mayor Tom Menino had to promote the idea that people should use their feet more and their cars less.

The so-called "Sneakers on Statues" campaign is part of a $50,000 effort to showcase Boston's "walkability" to tourists. Menino says it's especially timely when you consider the price of gas these days.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Yes.

Average age, crash rate up in motorcycledom

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) -- Chrislee Hounshell broke ribs, bruised his heart and tore neck muscles in a motorcycle crash last April.

At age 52, it took him some time to recuperate. But there was no question of whether he would ride again on weekends and holidays.

Hounshell is among an increasing number of mid-life crisisists. And he is evidence of a resulting shift in the demographics of those who have accidents other than drunks and little girls who think they can fucking ride a hawg.

Survey data from the Motorcycle Industry Council shows the median age of motorcycle riders in 2003 was 41, up from just over 27 in 1985. And more of them are crashing those bikes, according federal and state data analyzed by the University of North Carolina
Highway Safety Research Center -- and that's the funny part.

Experts say there are many reasons for the increase. But all agree on one thing: Ridership growth hasn't been met with a corresponding number of safety courses. That and old people suck balls.

Man charged in hurricane fundraiser plan

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- Police in Jacksonville have arrested a man whom they say tried to sell stolen potato chips under the guise of a fund-raiser for Hurricane Katrina victims.

Jerod Edward Bates was arrested yesterday and charged with obtaining property under false pretenses, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, felony conspiracy, breaking and entering a motor vehicle, larceny and possession of stolen property.

Arrest warrants say Bates broke into a Frito Lay truck on Monday, took almost 500 dollars worth of products and then attempted to sell them with the intent on keeping the returns.

The warrants also say Bates is accused of conspiring with a 15-year-old to break into the vehicle. He also is accused of breaking into a second motor vehicle and stealing a purse and its
contents.

Hunting for gas in Mississippi

BILOXI, Miss. (AP) -- Gas shortages associated with Hurricane Katrina are easing in parts of Mississippi, where power is restored and tanker trucks operate. But for many in rural areas, finding fuel is a daily struggle and a necessity for survival.

One woman says she waited in line seven hours to buy a five-gallon container of gas for $25. Five dollars a-gallon. She says she would have paid $20.

A man says the gas shortage has created a "madhouse." He protects his supply with a .357 Magnum. Many gas cans on pickup trucks are secured with locks and chains.

Another Mississippian has this message for the governor and the president: "We've got plenty of people bringing us food and water. What we need is petrol. We can't do anything without gas."

Cogongrass: Attacking the Southeast US

CAMILLA, Ga. (AP) -- A botanical invader could be more of a scourge than kudzu, the Japanese vine smothering everything in its path.

The Forest Service says cogon grass has established a beachhead in the Southeast. Cogon is on every continent except Antarctica.

Experts warn that given enough time, Cogon grass could turn the Southeast into a biological desert -- a grassy savanna devoid of all native species.

Officials are trying to stamp it out, or at least stop its invasive spread.

The plant is ranked among the world's ten most dangerous weeds. It has displaced African nomads and taken over clearings in Asian forests used for centuries to grow crops.

Cogongrass: http://www.cogongrass.org

Police operation targets possible snipers near cell phone workers

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- There are reports from New Orleans of shots being fired at cellphone workers on towers trying to restore service.

Authorities have been going door to door at nearby apartment buildings, sometimes forcing doors open in their search for potential snipers.

Some pawn shops in the area are federally licensed gun dealers that were looted in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The operation includes dozens of New Orleans police, Louisiana State Police, ATF and other law enforcement members. Most are wearing flak jackets.

No shots have been heard during this morning's operation and no one has been pulled out of any apartments.

Hong Kong jury convicts American woman of murdering her husband with a milkshake

HONG KONG (AP) -- An American in Hong Kong has been convicted of murdering her wealthy investment-banker husband.

A seven-person jury decided that Nancy Kissel slipped the man a drugged milkshake and beat him to death in the couple's luxury apartment.

Kissel showed no expression as the jury returned the verdict in the November 2003 death of her husband, Robert, of New York.

The conviction carries a mandatory life sentence.

The defense argued that Kissel killed her husband in self-defense and was the victim of abusive sex.

There's no word on an appeal.

In response to my post, the world responds (late)

VIENNA, Austria (AP) -- The world is reacting to America's disaster.

Saudi Arabia says it's ready to increase crude oil production to replace market shortages. Venezuela is offering humanitarian aid and fuel.

Canada's Red Cross is assembling volunteers.

French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder sent messages of sympathy to President Bush.

Pope Benedict says he's praying for victims of the "tragic" hurricane while China's President Hu Jintao expressed his belief that the American people would "rebuild their beautiful
homeland."

But not all responses were positive. Islamic extremists are rejoicing. Internet chatter referred to the storm as "Private" Katrina, and said it had joined the global holy war against the US [EDITOR'S NOTE: These people are fucking insane].