Ancient sea scorpion was bigger than a human

LONDON (Reuters) - Scientists have found the fossilised claw of a 2.5-metre (8-foot) sea scorpion, a nightmarish creature living before the age of dinosaurs.

The discovery of the 390-million-year-old specimen in a German quarry suggests prehistoric spiders, insects and crabs were much larger than previously thought, researchers at Bristol University said on Wednesday.

“This is an amazing discovery,” said university researcher Simon Braddy.

“We have known for some time that the fossil record yields monster millipedes, super-sized scorpions, colossal cockroaches, and jumbo dragonflies but we never realised, until now, just how big some of these ancient creepy-crawlies were.”

The find was described by Braddy and colleagues in the journal Biology Letters.

The claw of the sea scorpion Jaekelopterus rhenaniae measured 46 centimetres (18 inches) long, indicating the creature was half a metre longer than previous estimates of the ancient arthropods.

Just why prehistoric arthropods — creatures with external skeletons and segmented bodies — grew so large is unclear. Some scientists believe they may have become giants because of the higher levels of oxygen in the atmosphere in the past.

Another theory is that they evolved in an “arms race” alongside their likely prey, the early armoured fish.

The iPhone is Coming to the UK

Apple has announced the release date for the iPhone in the UK, as well as finally revealing which telecoms carrier will offer the handset.

After months of speculation Apple said today that O2, the mobile UK mobile phone operator owned by Spain’s Telefonica, would sell the 8GB handsets through Apple stores and the Carphone Warehouse for £269 from 9 November.

Buyers will have to sign up to an eighteen month contract, with a choice of three tariffs ranging between £35 and £55 per month. Subscribers will get unlimited anytime, anywhere mobile data usage, and free access to 7,500 wifi hotspots across the country.

“Our strategy at O2 is to bring our customers the best products and experiences”, said Matthew Key, chief executive O2 UK, said in a statement. “The iPhone is a breakthrough that is changing the way people use their mobiles forever, and we’re thrilled to have it exclusively for O2 customers in the UK”

The Quad-band handset has support for Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, as well as Edge and Bluetooth 2.0.

Source: IT Week

A Motto for the UK?

Rumours are abound that Gordon Brown and Downing Street are looking to chisel out a national motto for the UK.

Americans, Swedes, Samoans have a national motto, so why not the UK?

Mr Brown’s spokesman said he welcomed debate about a motto like France’s “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”.

But he said the prime minister was investigating a longer “statement of values” which could be used as part of any future “Bill of Rights”.

Mr Brown has urged a new relationship between government and citizens.

The Daily Mail reported that a five or six word motto could be emblazoned on every public building in Britain - and could even be included on UK passports and birth certificates to boost national pride.

What do you think, dear TeenToday readers? What sort of motto would you be proud to see on your passport?

Charles takes trip down memory lane with grandad’s motor

There was a link to his family’s past in store for Prince Charles when he made a rather remarkable discovery in Scotland this week. As he visited a garage in Ballater, Aberdeenshire, the heir to the throne was shown an ancient Land Rover which belonged to his late grandfather, King George VI.

Charles - in the town to visit local businesses with his wife the Duchess of Cornwall - closely inspected the vehicle, which has been sitting in the garage for the last 40 years. It was used by King George during the monarch’s stays at nearby Balmoral Castle.

“The Prince was very interested in it,” says garage owner Robert Pringle, who bought the car in 1966. “He was delighted.”

Though the Land Rover has fallen into disrepair since its royal transport heyday, Robert aims to restore it to its former glory. “We are planning to do it up,” he reveals. “It is a beautiful car and it still runs well.”

Source: hellomagazine

Rare Magna Carta to be Sold

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A rare 710-year-old copy of the Magna Carta valued at up to $30 million (14.9 million pounds) is due to be sold by The Perot Foundation at Sotheby’s in New York in December, the auction house said on Tuesday.

The Magna Carta established rights of the English people and curbed the power of the king. The U.S. Constitution includes ideas and phrases taken almost directly from the charter, which rebellious barons forced their oppressive King John to sign in 1215.

Sotheby’s said the Magna Carta was ratified and reissued with each monarch who succeeded John. It was enacted as law in 1297 by parliament when it was reissued by King Edward I. The copy to be sold is from 1297.

Sotheby’s said there are fewer than 20 copies of the Magna Carta and that this copy, which has been on display at the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington D.C., is one of only two held outside of Britain. The other copy, also from 1297, is owned by the Australian government.

David Redden, Sotheby’s vice chairman, said the document “symbolizes mankind’s eternal quest for freedom; it is a talisman of liberty”.

Sotheby’s said The Perot Foundation, created by billionaire former U.S. presidential candidate Ross Perot to make philanthropic grants, would use the money for its charities. The Foundation bought the Magna Carta in 1984.

Source: Reuters

Brown: We’ll Punish And Prevent Crime

Gordon Brown painted his vision for Britain today, covering key political themes: crime, education, immigration, security, the environment and, above all, health - which Mr Brown will put at the heart of his premiership.

He said the Government would continue to be tough on the causes of crime: “My answer to crime and disorder - our policy - is both to punish and prevent.”

The Prime Minister reminded delegates that the Government were working to remove illegal guns from Britain’s streets.

“No parent should ever have to endure the suffering of the family of Rhys Jones,” he said.

Source: Sky News

Iranian Leader Gets Cold Welcome

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been denounced as “a petty and cruel dictator” by a university chief in the United States.

He came under fire as he took to the stage at New York’s Columbia University to address students and answer questions.

Columbia President Lee Bollinger rounded on him over Iran’s human-rights record and foreign policy.

“Mr. President, you exhibit all the signs of a petty and cruel dictator,” he said, to loud applause.

He said Mr Ahmadinejad’s denial of the Holocaust might fool the illiterate and ignorant.

“(But) when you come to a place like this it makes you simply ridiculous.

The truth is that the Holocaust is the most documented event in human history.”

Mr Ahmadinejad said Mr Bollinger’s introduction was “an insult to information and the knowledge of the audience here.”

He also accused him of “unfriendly treatment” and of being influenced by the American media and politicians.

Earlier Mr Ahmadinejad defended his country’s record on human rights, saying its citizens are “very joyous, happy people”.

He made the claim as hundreds of people gathered outside the United Nations and Columbia University to protest against his appearances in the US.

Mr Ahmadinejad told reporters: “People in Iran are very joyous, happy people. They’re very free in expressing what they think.”

In a television interview he rejected suggestions Iran was building a nuclear weapon or planning to go to war.

His visit to America has infuriated politicians, religious groups and other organisations.

George Clooney, Girlfriend Hurt in Motorcycle Crash

George Clooney is doing well in the wake of the motorcycle accident in which he was injured on Friday.

According to Access Hollywood, Clooney e-mailed the show’s Nancy O’Dell and said, “All is fine.” The playful actor added, “Not like giving birth,” referring to O’Dell recently having her first child.

Clooney, 46, suffered a hairline fracture of a rib and road rash, and girlfriend Sarah Larson, 28, suffered a broken foot, his rep said, when they were struck by a turning car while riding through New Jersey. Both were released after receiving treatment.

Meanwhile, Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush interviewed Albert Sciancalepore, 27, who was involved in the accident with Clooney.

“My main concern was there’s two people on the ground, they just hit me and, you know, I’m concerned for them,” Sciancalepore, a chef, said.

“They’re both bleeding, it’s more of a shock than anything, not because he’s a celebrity, but more to the fact that there’s two people hurt on the ground that could have been severely hurt,” he said.

Source: People

Salma Hayek Welcomes Baby Girl

Actress Salma Hayek is celebrating becoming a mother for the first time, after she gave birth to a girl.

The star and fiance Francois-Henri Pinault welcomed Valentina Paloma Pinault at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Friday.

Cari Ross, a spokesperson for the couple, says, “Mother and child are doing well.”

Pinault, 45, also has two children from a previous relationship.

Source: Reuters

Posh Joins the Pussycat Dolls?

Victoria Beckham must have some very generous friends in the States. Despite her lack of talent, the star has somehow managed to convince The Pussycat Dolls to adopt her for a stage performance early next year.

A source said, “They’ve been blown away by Victoria since she arrived in LA. They love her style and think she has the perfect figure for the group. They are all huge Spice Girl fans and can’t wait to have her on stage with them.” Let’s just hope she doesn’t sing!

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