A glance at the week that was
The fake 'New York Times'
Commuters across the US didn't pay much attention when handed free copies of the New York Times, but they might have done a double-take at the dateline (July 4th, 2009) and a headline shouting: Iraq War Ends. The copies were highly realistic spoofs (left) printed by people connected with political hoaxers the Yes Men. Some 1.2 million copies were printed in all, and featured stories such as "Court indicts Bush on high treason charge". The real New York Times wrote about it on its site and said it was "looking into it".
The real Batman
On the list of silly lawsuits, the mayor of the Turkish city of Batman may well have written a glorious chapter for himself. He's suing Warner Bros, and Christopher Nolan, director of The Dark Knight, because, the mayor says, they stole the city's name without first asking permission. He's seeking a share of royalties as compensation. "There is only one Batman in the world," he has declared, and blames the film's success on a number of unsolved murders, suicides and problems citizens have in registering businesses abroad. Insert Joker gag here.
We now know
• Scientists say they have found a gene for cocaine addiction, which addicts are 25 per cent more likely to have than non-users.
• If you invest €390,000 in a Vermont ski resort you'll automatically get a US Green Card for you, your spouse and any of your children who are under-21.
• Scientists have found a way to turn tequila into diamonds.
"I've been sleeping like a baby. Sleep two hours, wake up and cry. Sleep two hours, wake up and cry."John McCain on how he has coped since losing the US presidential race
The numbers
12- The age of a Limerick girl detained for three months after pleading guilty to stealing two cars and dangerous driving.
8- Ireland's ranking in a gender equality global index. Norway was top.
29%- The proportion of Irish rivers and streams that are polluted, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.