Microsoft and the DAISY digital talking books consortium are to work together on a tool for the blind and otherwise print-disabled that translates Microsoft Word documents into a digital audio standard. The two organizations said on Tuesday the collaboration was aimed at producing a free, downloadable plug-in that would translate documents based on Open XML […]
World’s hottest chile pepper is discovered in Assam, India
Researchers at New Mexico State University recently discovered the world’s hottest chile pepper. Bhut Jolokia, a variety of chile pepper originating in Assam, India, has earned Guiness World Records’ recognition as the world’s hottest chile pepper by blasting past the previous champion Red Savina. In replicated tests of Scoville heat units (SHUs), Bhut Jolokia reached […]
Can you put a price tag on pain?
Apparently you can. A new study in Australia estimates that pain in the country costs Aus $34.3 billion (US$30.7 billion). The study, conducted in collaboration with the University of Sydney, says this translates into a cost of Aus $11,000 (US$9,847) for each of the estimated 3.2 million people grappling with pain in the country. The […]
3,500 Chinese given the name “Olympics”
Chinese couples have been known for a long time to be giving weird names to their newly born children. Names have even been taken from major corporates like Ford. The upcoming Beijing Olympics is more than just a point of pride for China – it has become an important part of the national consciousness that nearly 3,500 children have been […]
The Pianist
There is certainly much to be said about the woman who built up a $40 million foie gras business in a country where cheese whiz and peanut butter are the cracker toppings of choice. I, however, cannot say much at all, since the woman in question was unable to make the interview we had scheduled. […]
A tribute of Che Guevaran ideals.
Yesterday was the 40th death anniversary of the Latin American revolutionist Che Guevara. In this occasion I would like to share with my viewers a folio from the Che Guevara’s life. Rising of a new star. Ernesto Guevara de la Serna commonly known as Che Guevara, El Che or just Che (‘Che’ variously translates as […]