Google Celebrates Doctor Who 50th Anniversary With A Doodle And A Game

Google celebrates Doctor Who 50th anniversary (via The Inquirer)

IT PROBABLY hasn't escaped anyone's notice in Britain that Doctor Who will reach its half century anniversary on Saturday. As well as a feature length telly episode featuring at least three Doctors Who, there has been no shortage of fans waiting to…

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Which 'Doctor Who' Are You?

It was time, really, for a more updated test, as the "What Doctor Who Character Are You?" one we've posted in 2009 was starting to be a bit redundant. Okay, I was pleased with the results at the time (I was the 4th Doctor after all!), but as the test was not including the 11th one, I was wondering how different the results would be if he had been included... and, thanks to the BBC America site, I now have the answer.

Huge Hunt For Paris Gunman After Shootings At Newspaper Office And Bank

Huge hunt for Paris gunman (via AFP)

A huge manhunt was under way in Paris Tuesday for a lone gunman who shot and critically wounded a newspaper photographer in his office before opening fire outside a bank headquarters and hijacking a car. Officers on foot and in squad cars fanned across…

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The Furry Friend Factor [Infographic]

Over 46 percent of households in the United States have at least one furry, four-legged canine for whom they love and care. A considerable 12 percent have three of more canines living under the same roof. There is little doubt that we humans love our dogs as pets. There are a huge number of reasons for this deep affection that is pervasive throughout the country, a number of which can be explained by a small look at the psychology that applies to dogs that we love like family members.

To begin with, dogs and humans have been developing together for thousands of years. Man has relied on dogs for companionship and hunting since as early as 12,000 B.C.. As man's capacity for emotions developed from the beginning of time, so have those of dogs. They are able to feel the vast majority of feelings that we humans feel. They get excited, experience joy, can be shy, and feel distress as well. The spectrum of their internal lives is vast despite the fact that their long-term memory is quite limited when compared to ours. However, dogs have also been lucky enough to avoid developing some emotional reactions for which only humans are known. These include feelings related to pride, guilt, shame, and other negative states of mind. The most valued characteristic in the eyes of humans that dogs have developed, although, is the capacity to love. This ability is what allows us to welcome them into our hearts and treat them as equals in many ways.

Beyond sharing unconditional love with their owners, it has also been shown that dogs provide many other benefits to the average household. Dogs must be exercised either by walking or jogging. It has been shown that pet owners who engage in this activity with their dog are much more likely to be in good health when compared to individuals who do not own dogs. The dogs certainly enjoy this experience, and researchers have discovered that dogs can feel a certain “runner's high” that is comparable to that in humans, only more intense. Bringing a dog into your life will allow you to feel connected to nature and another creature in a very unique way. You both share the capacity to dream, love, and desire the absolute best out of life.

French Plans For More Wind Farms Fans Controversy

French plans for more wind farms fans controversy (via AFP)

Plans to dot France with wind farms are facing fierce opposition from critics worried they will blight a landscape that has helped make the country the world's top tourist destination. France relies heavily on nuclear power but is working to shift to…

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Ker-pow! Batkid Becomes Gotham City Hero For A Day [Video Included]

Ker-pow! Batkid becomes Gotham City hero for a day (via AFP)

A 5-year-old boy with cancer became a superhero for a day Friday, as San Francisco transformed itself into Gotham City and thousands turned out to see the Batkid fly to the rescue. Miles Scott, who was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 18 months old…

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Princess Anne Suggests Eating Horsemeat

It looks like Princess Anne has given a brand new meaning to the expression "My kingdom for a horse"... 

I'm not too surprised by the reaction of her compatriots though. Horses and rabbits are a no-no when it comes to food in the UK. I remember the first times I carelessly mentioned that I used to eat rabbits in France... I definitely horrified many people by doing so. They kind of looked at me like if I was Hannibal Lecter in person after that. I've learned my lesson since then and now tend to keep very quiet about my former eating habits. Better safe than sorry and all that...

Loup Dargent

Outrage In France Over New Racist Slur On Black Minister

"...Minute was also the first news outlet to report that former president Francois Mitterrand had a secret daughter -- although such was its reputation for unreliability that no other media followed up its scoop at the time." Yeah... I was actually very surprised to see Minute called a newspaper in this AFP's syndicated article. As far as I remember from when I was still living in France, there was not really any proper news as such in that Far Right rag, just sheer propaganda.

Anyway, read the article and let us know what you think of that so called "newspaper", okay?

Loup Dargent

Outrage in France over new slur on black minister (via AFP)

A weekly newspaper with a front page comparing a black government minister to a monkey hit newsstands in France on Wednesday, despite legal objections and a nationwide outcry over the racist slur. Amid mounting concern over similar recent incidents,…

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'4 On Your Side' Investigates Dangers At Pumpkin Fields [Video Included]

It looks like some of those pumpkins we carve for Halloween could have a rather sinister history after all... 

4 On Your Side investigates dangers at pumpkin fields (via Repost Video News)

it's innocent fun .... who doesn't like carving pumpkins in october? or making warm pumpkin pie in november? "but have you ever wondered how these pumpkins got here? Who picked it off the vine and made sure it was here for you to enjoy? We did. And…

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What China Is Really Trying To Hide [Petition]

Tibetans who refuse to fly the Chinese flag above their homes risk being beaten or shot in the latest attempt to break their spirits. But now is the best moment in ages to bring hope to Tibet's proud, but desperate people.

China’s leaders are mounting an intense campaign to draw a veil over their rights abuses and persuade governments to vote them onto the UN Human Rights Council. So if enough of us shine a light on what’s going on in Tibet -- squashing an ancient religion, banning journalists, dawn arrests -- we can get China to back away from its hard-line policy to be sure of getting the 97 votes it needs.

Let’s show the Tibetan people that the world hasn’t forgotten them. China is feeling the heat as 13 governments just called them out on human rights in Tibet. Sign to stand with Tibet, then share this with everyone. When one million have signed we’ll deliver it to crucial UN delegations, and make it massive in the media.

>> Click here to sign the petition

December 2015 Release For New 'Star Wars' Movie

December 2015 release for new 'Star Wars' film (via AFP)

The first of a hotly-anticipated new series of "Star Wars" movies will be released on December 18, 2015, the makers of the legendary sci-fi franchise said Thursday. The announcement lays to rest reports suggesting that the film, announced last year…

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Book Tour: 'Adorned' by Georgeann Swiger [Book Trailer And Giveway Included]

Today's Book Tour for 'Adorned', a paranormal romance novel, is mega-filled with stuff, including book excerpts, a book trailer as well as a giveaway... It's also a "hot from the press" kind of book as it's been released today. (Yes, I know, this post is practically a scoop and all...)

Enjoy!

Loup Dargent

Christianity, Voodoo Mix On Haiti's Day Of Dead

Christianity, voodoo mix on Haiti's Day of Dead (via AFP)

In a Port-au-Prince cemetery, Haitians gathered Saturday to ask "the spirit of death" for any number of desires, ranging from housing to visas, during Haiti's Day of the Dead. "It's a tradition: on the Day of the Dead, after church, I come to greet…

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Banksy's Nazi-Themed Picture Auctioned Off For New York Charity

Banksy Nazi picture auctioned off for New York charity (via AFP)

British artist Banksy has donated a "vandalized" oil painting to a New York thrift shop to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for HIV patients and the homeless. It is the latest stunt in the graffiti superstar's month-long pop up exhibition on the…

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Cover Reveal: 'The Kingdom' By Emily Walker

Today, we've got a rather timely book related post as this Cover Reveal is for 'The Kingdom', a horror novel written by Emily Walker...

But, it's also a horror novel with a an environmental twist as it looks like Mother Nature is fighting back in this story. Wow!

Enjoy!

Loup Dargent

5 Halloween Lighting Ideas

Lighting is a great way of creating ambiance to your party and it is really important part of a successful décor. Creating the right ambiance is especially important when it comes to Halloween parties and here are five ideas that you can use at your party this autumn.

Marcia Wallace, Voice Of 'The Simpsons' Mrs Krabappel, Dies

'Simpsons' voice actress of 'Mrs Krabappel' dies (via AFP)

Marcia Wallace, the voice of Edna Krabappel -- Bart Simpson's jaded, chain-smoking schoolteacher on the animated show "The Simpsons" -- has died, the show producers said Saturday. She was 70. Wallace died in Los Angeles of complications from pneumonia…

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Avoid These Self-Tanning Mistakes

'When self-tanning goes wrong...' 

Before 1960’s the only way to get a tan is to stay outdoors and bathe under the harmful rays of the sun. Self tanning products were introduced due to the scientific studies that link skin cancer with sun exposure. Products that mimic the effects of traditional tan were discovered and developed in order to get tan without exposing the skin to the harmful rays of the sun. So today, getting a tan is that easy. All you have to do is apply self tanning products and viola - instant tan! And what’s really great about these products is that you can apply it to your body in the comfort of your home. 

The Private Mission To Save Planet Earth (From Asteroids)

The Private Mission To Save Planet Earth (From Asteroids) (via Planetsave)

Our Solar system is a potentially world-altering place when it comes to asteroid impacts; planetary scientists continue to find plentiful evidence of multiple and massive asteroid impacts on other planets and the various moons that orbit them…And,…

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Release Day Party: ' When Dreamers Wake' By J.E. And M. Keep [Giveaway Included]

We’re very happy to celebrate the release day party for When Dreamers Wake today, a post-apocalyptic science fiction novel. 

Enjoy the release day party, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway!