Headlines below the fold

Well, the world didn't end with Comet Elenin or planet Nibaru in September.

But don't worry: "Reverend" Camping is betting it really, really will end next week.

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How global warming will shake up the NBA.

The "discovered" if you don't eat as much, you tend to grow less. well, duuuh. But then they make this statement:

Studies have shown that global warming will affect regions of the Earth differently -- some countries will see stark affects, and others won't. Applying that concept, one over time could find soccer or basketball players who grow up in drought-stricken regions -- say, the state of Texas (the Dallas Mavericks's current crop is pictured above) -- outclassed by athletes from currently underrated, rain-drenched locales such as the Indian state of Assam. Scouts pay attention.

So absurd in so many ways...the main one being that a rain drenched locale, where insects abound, crops rot and landslides kill folks, does not always correlate with the ability to eat food...

Uh, fellows, it's bad science like this that makes a lot of folks sceptical about global warming.

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Another priest killed in the Southern Philippines. Since he is Italian it made the headlines. The real question is who did it? The Muslim terrorists tend to kidnap Italians, because they pay huge ransoms, and unlike a Filipino priest two years ago who was killed fighting off the kidnappers, there is no evidence the priest resisted being kidnapped.

The paper hints it was his opposition to mining in the area. That makes more sense...

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Laura Pollan has died of Dengue fever...

Ziva Sahl, blogging at babalu, said:

I will forever hold in my heart the image of Laura Pollán, dressed in white, carrying gladiolus, leading the column of Las Damas de Blanco. How many of us waited every Sunday for news of their weekly act of brave resistance, their peaceful, dignified walk down Havana’s 5th Avenue, as we prayed for their safety, the release of their husbands and all political prisoners, and inspired by their bravery and dignity, dared to hope for more, so much more for Cuba.

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can yoga relieve pain?

It's a good exercize which can help in musculoskeltal aches and pains, but the real pain relief part is based on the relaxation/deep concentration side effects of good yoga.

It's a variation of self hypnosis, and yes in suggestible people it will relieve pain (as will biofeedback, relaxation technique, music, prayer, faith healing, and placebo pills).

Ah, but how can you tell if you are one of the folks that can benefit. The eyeroll test, described in this PDF paper. It's a neurological ability, not anything magic.
But note:
if you have ADD or other mental reasons that you can't concentrate, however, the test might not be accurate.

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If you see a small helicopter drone flying over your areas in New Zealand, don't worry: It's Peter Jackson saving money...

here's an example of what it can do

OM-Copter demonstration from omstudios on Vimeo.