Silly/Odd News Stories from around the World

[LeoXiao]

Originally Posted by WanderingKnight

I know the whole thing's pretty ridiculous, but these two functionalities, all in all, aren't such a bad idea. I was wondering the other day if there's some way to make a smaller flush for things like pee since blowing 6 liters away just for that is kind of wasting a lot of water.

There is. It's called using saved water from showers.

EDIT: Oh wait we were talking about mechanized toilets right? My bad.

[ganbaru]

Originally Posted by LeoXiao

There is. It's called using saved water from showers.

EDIT: Oh wait we were talking about mechanized toilets right? My bad.

Correct me if I am wrong , but I hear than they have in Europe with 2 ''flusch''.

[Anh_Minh]

I've seen some, but they're rare.

[kyon.haruhi.suzumiya]

Originally Posted by ganbaru

Correct me if I am wrong , but I hear than they have in Europe with 2 ''flusch''.

Not in Europe, but absolutely common in Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

[Echoes]

I don't think it's too uncommon in this part of Europe either. It's not like every household has one, but I've seen quite a few. My sample size isn't huge, though, I can't say I've really kept track of who does, and who does not, have dual flush toilets.

[kyon.haruhi.suzumiya]

Originally Posted by Echoes

I don't think it's too uncommon in this part of Europe either. It's not like every household has one, but I've seen quite a few. My sample size isn't huge, though, I can't say I've really kept track of who does, and who does not, have dual flush toilets.

Well, where in Europe is that? Other than Germany, Austria, and the Switzerland, I can't find any dual-flush toilets in Europe.

[Echoes]

That'd be Norway.

And this is one bizarre discussion.

[ganbaru]

Originally Posted by Echoes

That'd be Norway.

And this is one bizarre discussion.

It the Silly/Odd News Stories from around the World tread after all.

[Vexx]

Multi-function toilets (choose your blast level) are available in the USA as well now ... they just tend to be in the pricier toilets or the "green" department.

[TinyRedLeaf]

How to measure a Great White's bite

Mossel Bay, South Africa (Dec 2, 2008): One foot dangling in the water, marine biologist Enrico Gennari calls out to the shark circling the boat. "Come on, Come on, you can do it," he says, as the three-metre Great White cruises to within a few centimetres of the bait before turning disdainfully away.

This is not how you would imagine an experiment into a shark's biting strength to turn out.

Enrico had spent the previous three hours hanging what he calls "The Bitemeter" in the water. But the long metal rod with a bag of fishy remains at the end of it was not having much success.

The problem was not attracting the sharks. The volunteers who help with the research had deposited vast amounts of fish-flavoured water around our boat and we had a steady stream of visitors.

It was just that they did not really seem in the mood to eat. Enrico and the three volunteers had to be satisfied with photographing fins and occasionally plunging a pole into the shark's side to get a DNA sample.

Living with sharks

It all forms part of research being conducted by the South African Marine Predator Laboratory (Sampla) in Mossel Bay, which aims to build up a complete picture of the Great White's way of life.

As well as being home for about 80 Great Whites, Mossel Bay is also a popular tourist destination. Thanks in part to information that Sampla has provided, there has not been a fatal attack for almost 20 years.

After three-and-a-half hours on the water a shark puts Enrico out of his misery - and gives "The Bitemeter" a nip. "It was just 89 pounds per square inch — just a little bit more than a human bite," he announces triumphantly.

But for Enrico, a day spent trying to get a Great White to bite also proves that they are not demonic creatures attacking everything in sight.

"This shows us that the Great Whites aren't animals that bite something every time they meet it.

"It's not an incredible Pac-Man that bites everything. It's a very cautious animal."

- BBC News

[kyon.haruhi.suzumiya]

Wine now in cans for long train journeys

Any cultural survival guide for visitors to Japan will tell you many things one should refrain from doing in public places such as on the street or subway, including eating and blowing one’s nose. When it comes to eating however, there are two notable exceptions: ice cream is basically acceptable anytime and anywhere and significant train journeys, particularly on the shinkansen, call for a special train lunch box, the ekiben.

Now Japan Rail East is encouraging the breaking of another social taboo, public alcohol consumption, with the launch of “Premium Can Wine,” designed for exclusive sale on shinkansen and limited express trains. Available in white or red, the wine comes from Monde Vineyard in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan’s small wine producing region.



The product, developed by JR Group’s Nippon Restaurant Enterprise, draws on the Japanese affinity for drinks in cans and the recent trend towards pairing wine appropriately matched for Japanese flavors with traditional food. Priced at ¥500 ($4.95), this 300ml “civilized” canned beverage includes a cup.

I would also like to speculate that this product is targeting women, a segment of the Shikansen riding population that I don’t think you typically see downing beers.

Well, what do you people think?

[ganbaru]

Originally Posted by kyon.haruhi.suzumiya

Well, what do you people think?

Why not?

But, they might have problem with some purist, the kind of peoples than complain then the cork of their buttles is in plastic insted of cork.

[kyon.haruhi.suzumiya]

Originally Posted by ganbaru

Why not?

But, they might have problem with some purist, the kind of peoples than complain then the cork of their buttles is in plastic insted of cork.

Well, purists won't even buy such stuff to begin with. I, for one, WILL buy something like that... if only I lived in a JR East area. I live in a JR Central/JR West area.

[Mystique]

Sex please, we're British.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7755315.stm

[kyon.haruhi.suzumiya]

Originally Posted by Mystique

Sex please, we're British.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7755315.stm

Rebecca Findlay, from the Family Planning Association advised: "If anyone's having more sex at the moment whatever the reason, do think about your contraception, your condoms and any testing you might need for sexually transmitted infections.
"And you can get all of these for free on the NHS."

WTF, the NHS gives condoms for free!?

[Xellos-_^]

Originally Posted by Mystique

Sex please, we're British.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7755315.stm

you mean they are getting drunk instead?

[Mystique]

nah, just keeping themselves warm in the winter

and yes... go to most local family planning clinics and you can get free condoms. basic kinds and nothing special like durex ones (which are exp anyways), but they still protect you from infections.
Our medical centre at uni had a bucket at the reception if we wanted any.
I'm sure that may have been the source at some 'balloon' parties on some student party nights, lol.

But if we're going to play, may as well play safe.

[Solace]

You should probably inspect them first. You might end up with one of these.

[kyon.haruhi.suzumiya]

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

you mean they are getting drunk instead?

No, they are having sex. No, really. Because the National Health Service in the UK is giving condoms for free.

Originally Posted by Solace

You should probably inspect them first. You might end up with one of these.

Won't the condom be punctured?

[Solace]

Originally Posted by kyon.haruhi.suzumiya

Won't the condom be punctured?

That's the point of the joke. Sadly, the picture isn't doctored.