GRUMPY OLD MAN

It has long been said that there is a fine line between genius and madness.

Now Psychologists have discovered that creative people have a gene in common which is also linked to psychosis and depression.

They believe that the findings could explain why "geniuses" like Vincent van Gogh and Sylvia Plath displayed such destructive behaviour.

The gene, which is called neuregulin 1, plays a role in brain development but a variant of it is also associated with mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

(From an article in the Daily Telegraph)

Global research website OnePoll.com, asked women from 20 countries to rate nations on their talent in the bedroom and give reasons for their answers.

First the good news. English men make better lovers than the Germans.

Now the bad news. We are trailing behind the rest of the world when it comes to the language of love.

It turns out that Englishmen are too lazy - while the Germans are 'too smelly'.

English men were criticised for 'letting women do all the work'.

Swedish men were 'too quick to finish', Dutchmen too rough and Americans too dominating.

Greeks were deemed 'soppy'.

As may be expected, latin countries came top in the 'best lover' list, with Spain at number one, followed by Brazil, Italy and France.

WORLD'S WORST LOVERS

1. Germany (too smelly)
2. England (too lazy)
3. Sweden (too quick)
4. Holland (too dominating)
5. America (too rough)
6. Greece (too lovey-dovey)
7. Wales (too selfish)
8. Scotland (too loud)
9. Turkey (too sweaty)
10. Russia (too hairy)

WORLD'S BEST LOVERS

1. Spain
2. Brazil
3. Italy
4. France
5. Ireland
6. South Africa
7. Australia
8. New Zealand
9. Denmark
10.Canada

Read more at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1216621/Unhygienic-German-men-voted-worst-bed-lazy-English-come-second-battle-sheets.html#ixzz0STlsXFOF

THERE ARE A POTTEED POMEGRANATE

(The Times - Sign in China)

Seen in Spar shop, Eastbourne.

(The Times)

This strange sign is from Jackie Toulson of Northfleet, Kent:

"We were camping in the grounds of the racecourse in the town of Most in the Czech Republic at the 2CV world meeting when my husband came across this in the gents toilets. No we haven’t a clue either"

Any suggestions?

(Times Online)

'Before you turn on the charm, Philip, that's Nigel my new bodyguard'

(Mac in the Daily Mail)

DON'T SQUEEZE OUR MUFFINS

Two foreign exchange students were threatened with legal action by Tesco after they were caught 'contaminating food' - by squeezing a muffin.

The 17-year-old Italian girls visited the store, where one of them picked up a blueberry muffin from the bakery counter to see how fresh it was.

She then tested a second cupcake with a squeeze before opting for a third which the girls bought from the branch in Exeter, Devon.

But as they left the store they were stopped by a burly security guard who told them they had been spotted on CCTV cameras.

They were taken to a basement room for 'questioning' where they were warned they could be prosecuted and fined.

Staff told them they had committed an offence of 'food contamination' and gave them a document containing formal advice.

The pre-printed piece of paper warned of the potential criminal action the girls faced and instructed them to call a lawyer.

Officials at Tesco then contacted their carers and the girls were allowed to leave the shop following the ordeal on Saturday.

Colin Gott, who was a host for the Italian girls, said they were left 'shocked and distressed' by the experience.

(From the Daily Mail)

I remember when I was young having family holidays in Spain and seeing the Germans hurry down to the pool or beach before breakfast each day to 'reserve' their sunbeds by placing towels on them.

Many of the towels mysteriously finished up in the water before their owners returned!

It emerged this week that German holidaymakers no longer need to rush to the pool at dawn to reserve sunloungers – they can now book them from home.

Thomas Cook, which is not allowing British travellers the same privileges, has revealed nine properties in winter sunshine resorts where the "Towelgate" scheme is operating.

Beware - battle lines are set to be drawn.

The Brits will not take this lying down!

(Based on an article in the Daily Telegraph)

Why are we overly PC, when it is not necessary, or expected?

Home Office staff were warned not to eat in front of their Muslim colleagues during the month of Ramadan, which finished at the weekend.

A five-page advice booklet told civil servants that eating lunch near a colleague who is fasting can make them feel hungry.

The Home Office Islamic Network produced the advice which said: “In practical terms, please be sensitive when eating lunch near a Muslim colleague who is fasting.

“This can make an individual feel hungrier and make it more challenging to observe the fast.”

It also urged Home Office managers to be flexible over working hours because Muslims may be following a different routine during Ramadan.

During the holy month devout Muslims do not drink or eat from dawn until sunset and, according to the document, must avoid ‘all obscene and irreligious sights and sounds’.

The Islamic Network is one of a number of staff faith and equality groups within the Home Office and paid for by the taxpayer.

The booklet was distributed to staff and posted on the department’s internal intranet system but the Home Office said it was not “formal departmental guidance.”

But the Muslim Public Affairs Committee, which claims to be fighting a ‘political jihad against Islamophobia’, attacked the document.

It said: “It is designed to create more hatred in the hearts of non-Muslims. We don’t care how much non-Muslims eat in front of us.

“It’s never been an issue and never will be and we have never asked for any special treatment or sensitivity from non-Muslims whilst fasting.”

(From an article in the Daily Telegraph)

Why can't we co-exist in peace without all this nonsense?

(From The Times)

Do you want to know where your child is every minute of the day?

Now you can with the 'num8' watch - a satellite tracking device costing £149.99 which can be securely fastened to a child's wrist and locates the wearer to within ten feet.

An alarm is triggered if it is forcibly removed.

The makers claim the GPS tracking device will offer anxious parents peace of mind and allow children the independence to go out to play on their own.

But critics have said the 'tagging' is a step too far in the climate of paranoia over child safety.

Parents will be able to see their child's location on Google maps by texting 'wru' to a special number, or clicking 'where r you' on the secure website linked to the device. The street address and postcode will be displayed.

Safe zones can also be set up in which children can play. An alert will be sent to the parents if the child strays out of that area.

Steve Salmon, of makers Lok8u, said: 'Losing your child, if only for a brief moment, leads to a state of panic and makes parents feel powerless. The overriding aim of num8 is to give children their freedom and parents peace of mind.'

But Dr Michele Elliott, director of children's charity Kidscape, said: 'Is the world really that unsafe that parents need to track their children electronically? I don't think so.'

(From an article in the Daily Mail)

GORDON  BROWN’S longstanding bid to downplay the need for swingeing spending cuts was finally exposed yesterday, after leaked documents revealed that his officials had been planning large reductions for many months.