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Friday, January 25, 2013

Batangas Today: “Lynx sighting in Colorado goes viral on Facebook and Reddit (Photo)” plus 7 more

Batangas Today: “Lynx sighting in Colorado goes viral on Facebook and Reddit (Photo)” plus 7 more


Lynx sighting in Colorado goes viral on Facebook and Reddit (Photo)

Posted: 25 Jan 2013 09:07 AM PST

A rare lynx sighting in Colorado is now going viral in social sites such as Facebook and Reddit, after a retired employee of the National Park Service (NPS) saw the two lynx and took photo of them, as shown below. Lynx are medium-sized wildcats that are being considered as endangered species.

As noted in the official Facebook page of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) on Thursday, January 24, 2013, the retired NPS employee who saw the pair of lynx was Steve Chaney, and that he spotted the rare animals last weekend. The photo has now more than 8,085 Shares, 11,425 Likes, and 1,200 comments.

On Reddit, the thread titled “Rare Lynx sighting in Colorado” has now over 1,135 comments and 28,005 up votes. It was uploaded by Reddit user jj_poophouse also on Thursday, who admitted that he wishes it was his photo, and that from what he understand, it was taken at about 8:30am on Molas Pass, between Silverton and Durango.

“I live in the foothills of Colorado and I saw one of these guys in my yard last month. Went out to get something from my car and one was just sitting in the shade besides the back wheel.” Reddit user whitewaterfanatic commented on the thread, noting that he was then around 15 feet from the animal.

“It was a lot smaller than these look, so it was probably pretty young, born in the wild after being reintroduced? In any case, I had no idea they were reintroducing them back into the wild. This is great. Lynx are just awesome.” The Reddit commentator added, noting that he walked away after realizing it was not a house cat.

According to Wikipedia, there are four living species of the Lynx genus: Eurasian lynx, Canada lynx, Iberian lynx, and the Bobcat, which is also known as a North American wildcat and is the smallest among the group. In 2010, CPW announced that their 11-year Reintroduction Program of the lynx has been successful.


Lynx sighting Colorado
Lynx sighting: Two lynx, which were spotted in Colorado
Image Credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife Facebook

McDonald’s Fish McBites, Filet-O-Fish to be marked as MSC-certified sustainable seafood

Posted: 25 Jan 2013 07:56 AM PST

McDonald’s fish servings, which include its Filet-O-Fish sandwich and the upcoming menu called Fish McBites, will be marked as certified-sustainable seafood. This is after McDonald’s has partnered with Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an independent nonprofit organization that sets standards for sustainable fishing.

McDonalds Filet-O-Fish sandwich

McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish sandwich
Image Credit: McDonalds.com

According to a press release at MSC.org on Thursday, January 24, 2013, McDonald’s USA will be the first local food chain that will adopt their blue ecolabel on its fish packaging. This will be applicable in all of their 14,000 restaurants across the country, proving that their fish is MSC-certified sustainable seafood.

As noted by MSC, McDonald’s Fish McBites, which will be unveiled this coming February, will also contain the blue “Certified Sustainable Seafood” label on its package, proving that the meat fish they serve does not only meet the high standards of quality, but was also taken with care from the ecosystem.

McDonald’s collaboration with the Marine Stewardship Council is a critical part of our company’s journey to advance positive environmental and economic practices in our supply chain,” Dan Gorsky, Senior Vice President of U.S. supply chain and sustainability, was quoted in the press release.

“We’re extremely proud of the fact that this decision ensures our customers will continue to enjoy the same great taste and high quality of our fish with the additional assurance that the fish they are buying can be traced back to a fishery that meets MSC‘s strict sustainability standard.” Gorsky added.

Back in October 2011, McDonald’s also started the same MSC certification to all its restaurants in Europe, to show that their commitment to be an eco-friendly company. On the other hand, McDonald’s USA has been working with the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership and Conservation International for more than a decade.


McDonalds Filet-O-Fish with MSC label
McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish package with MSC label
Image Credit: Marine Stewardship Council Facebook

Prince slams Madonna, Maroon 5 in Billboard Magazine interview

Posted: 25 Jan 2013 06:13 AM PST

Prince slams Madonna and pop rock band Maroon 5 in an interview with Billboard magazine on Tuesday, January 22, 2013.

The 54-year-old “Purple Rain” pop star reportedly revived his almost 20-year-old feud with the Material Girl singer.

During the interview, Prince said that,

It was always about Madonna.

She was getting paid, but at the same time we were selling more records and selling out concerts on multiple nights.

The Prince-Madonna conflict started after the two singers worked together on Madonna’s track “Love Song” from the 1988 Like a Prayer album.

Prince also chided Maroon 5′s own version of his “Kiss” hit song that was featured on the band’s 2012 album Overexposed.

In his Billboard interview, the 2013 Icon Award winner also expressed his dissatisfaction against Maroon 5. According to Prince,

Why do we need to hear another cover of a song someone else did? Art is about building a new foundation, not just laying something on top of what’s already there.

The singer will receive his 2013 Icon Award at the Billboard Music Awards Ceremony at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on 19 May.

Django toys banned, eBay bans selling of ‘Django Unchained’ dolls due to “offensive in nature”

Posted: 25 Jan 2013 02:44 AM PST

The controversial Django toys have been banned at eBay, after they were classified as “offensive in nature.” This means that selling of the promotional toys, which include action figures of Candie, Schultz, Butch, Broomhilda, Stephen, and Django, from the Quentin Tarantino movie “Django Unchained” will be stopped.

Dyango toy eBay

Dyango toy being sold at eBay
Image Credit: eBay.com

According to TMZ on Thursday, January 24, 2013, eBay decided to ban the Django toys from their website, less than a week after The Weinstein Company, which produced the said film, discontinued the production of the said dolls, citing complaints from various African American groups, including Al Sharpton‘s ‘National Action Network.’

“Since the manufacturer of this product has discontinued the item’s sale due to its potentially offensive nature, we are not allowing it to be sold on eBay.” A statement from the email sent by eBay to their sellers on Wednesday night was quoted in the report, advising them not to re-sell them on their website.

TMZ added that a rep of eBay has confirmed to them that Django toys, which were priced at $2,495.95 for 3 pcs., have been banned because they were “in violation of our Offensive Materials policy.” The sale of the action figures is being dubbed as offensive to African American ancestors and their descendants.

The movie “Django Unchained,” which was released on December 25, 2012, has been controversial for its topic – the slave trade two years before the civil war. The film stars Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, and Christoph Waltz, who won the Golden Globe Best Supporting Actor award.


Dyango toys banned eBay
eBay page showing Dyango toys being banned
Screenshot Credit: eBay.com

Don Mclean fined for driving his Chrysler too fast

Posted: 24 Jan 2013 11:39 PM PST

Legendary singer Don Mclean was fined for driving his car too fast in Rockport, Maine. And yes, it was not the Chevy car he mentioned in his iconic song “American Pie” he was caught for over speeding, but rather his Chrysler. A local court imposed a fine of $400 Mcleanon Thursday, January 24, 2013, which he paid voluntarily.

Don Mclean Macy's Thanksgiving 2012

Don McLean, at the 2012 Macy’s
Thanksgiving Day Parade

Image Credit: Don Mclean Twitter

As noted at Bangor Daily News, a newspaper that covers a large portion of rural Maine, that day, Don Mclean was driving his Chrysler on September 7, 2012 on Route 90, near Camden Hills Regional High School, when Rockport Police Officer Craig Cooley asked him to pull over, saying that he was driving too fast.

Officer Cooley reportedly said that Mclean, 67, was traveling at 43 miles per hour on the school zone despite the flashing yellow lights were already on. Based on traffic rules, a driver should reduce his speed to 15 miles per hour in the school zone if he sees that the flashing yellow lights are on.

However, McLean said the traffic lights were not flashing that time; and a witness told the court that the lights began to flash at 7:10 a.m., but Cooley stopped the singer at 7:40 a.m. The police officer also said that the weather condition that time was fine, but the “Vincent” singer said it was foggy.

During the Thursday’s trial in front of Judge Patricia Worth, Don Mclean, through his lawyer Paul Gibbons, contested Cooley‘s claim but lost. However, the judge allowed him to pay only $400 instead of the original fine of $515. This is after Gibbons cited that his client was stopped after the school zone time has already ended.

Among the other songs that Don Mclean is known for include the 1970 classic song “And I Love You So” which was later covered by Perry Como, Helen Reddy, Shirley Bassey, Glen Campbell, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Elvis Presley. McLean was inaugurated into the Songwriters Hall of Fame back in 2004.

NBA All-Star 2013 reserves announced, Tim Duncan earns 14th nod, Chris Bosh 8th (Complete List)

Posted: 24 Jan 2013 09:27 PM PST

The names of the reserves for the 2013 NBA All-Star Games have been announced, with Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs now earning his 14th selection, while both Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kevin Garnett of Boston Celtics are tied on their 15th selection. The complete list is available below.

2013 NBA All-Star logo

2013 NBA All-Star logo
Image Credit: NBA.com

According to the announcement at NBA.com this Thursday, January 24, 2013, thirty NBA head coaches have selected the 14 players to be included in the 2013 NBA All-Star reserves, including two guards, three frontcourt players and two other players. To be fair, they were not allowed to choose from their own team.

For the Eastern Conference All-Star 2013 team, five of them were first-timers which include Tyson Chandler (New York Knicks), Paul George (Indiana Pacers), Jrue Holiday (Philadelphia 76ers), Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers), and Joakim Noah (Chicago Bulls); while it will be the second time for Luol Deng (Chicago Bulls).

For their starters, it will be Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks), Kevin Garnett (Boston Celtics), Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics), Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat), and obviously, LeBron James (Miami Heat). Not to mention, Chris Bosh (Miami Heat) will be joining the team, who is on his 8th nod on the NBA All-Star Game.

On the other hand, the Western Conference All-Star 2013 team include James Harden (Houston Rockets), LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail Blazers), David Lee (Golden State Warriors), Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs), Russell Westbrook (OKC), Zach Randolph (Memphis Grizzlies), and Duncan, of course.

This will be the first time for Harden in his first season with the Rockets, while it will be the second All-Star nod for Aldridge, Lee, and Randolph. Westbrook is on his third, while it will be fifth for Parker. The team starters will be Kevin Durant (OKC), Blake Griffin (L.A. Clippers), Dwight Howard (L.A. Lakers), Chris Paul (L.A. Clippers), and Kobe Bryant.

As noted by NBA, the 62nd NBA All-Star Game will be held on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013 (8 p.m. ET) at the Toyota Center in Houston, which will exclusively be aired on TNT and on ESPN Radio in the US. The 2013 NBA All-Star Game is being expected to be featured in more than 200 countries worldwide in over 40 languages.

* 2013 Eastern Conference All-Star Team:

Carmelo Anthony (New York)

Chris Bosh (Miami)

Tyson Chandler (New York)

Luol Deng (Chicago)

Kevin Garnett (Boston)

Paul George (Indiana)

Jrue Holiday (Philadelphia)

Kyrie Irving (Cleveland)

LeBron James (Miami)

Joakim Noah (Chicago)

Rajon Rondo (Boston)

Dwyane Wade (Miami)

* 2013 Western Conference All-Star Team:

LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland)

Kobe Bryant (L.A. Lakers)

Tim Duncan (San Antonio)

Kevin Durant (OKC)

Blake Griffin (L.A. Clippers)

James Harden (Houston)

Dwight Howard (L.A. Lakers)

David Lee (Golden State)

Tony Parker (San Antonio)

Chris Paul (L.A. Clippers)

Zach Randolph (Memphis)

Russell Westbrook (OKC)

New Stomach Bug: Symptoms points to Sydney strain as cause of US outbreak

Posted: 24 Jan 2013 08:25 PM PST

New Stomach Bug

New Stomach Bug
Image Credit: CDC

A new stomach bug is on the outbreak according to a report by US health officials on Thursday, January 24, 2013.

There are already about 140 cases related to this new strain of stomach bug that was recorded since September.

Health authorities points to the new Sydney strain of norovirus, identified last year, as the cause of the stomach bug. Norovirus, also known as Norwalk virus, is reportedly highly contagious and can spread in the air; and is noted to be the number one cause of food poisoning in the US.

Reports say that the Sydney strain has already caused vomiting and diarrhea sickness in Japan, Western Europe, and other parts of the world.

According the report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Sydney strain accounts for about 60 percent of norovirus outbreaks in the US. The CDC reported that Noroviruses are the leading cause of epidemic gastroenteritis, including foodborne outbreaks, in the US.

Officials say that these virus commonly spread in schools, cruise ships and nursing homes during winter season.

Experts say that there is no available medicine yet for those who got infected by the new stomach bug. People who got sick can only guard against dehydration, health officials explained.

15,000 Crocodiles Escape Rakwena Crocodile Farm in South Africa

Posted: 24 Jan 2013 03:37 PM PST

About 15,000 crocodiles escaped from the Rakwena Crocodile Farm in South Africa, according to a Telegraph report on Thursday, January 24, 2013.


15,000 crocodiles escape
Group of crocodiles
Image Credit: ALAMY

Farm owners were forced to open their gates to avoid a storm surge. The Limpopo river near the farm reportedly rose due to heavy rains.

Rakwena Crocodile Farm is reportedly owned by Johan Boshoff.

Reports say that since the escape, a number of crocodiles have since been recaptured, but more is on the loose.

The crocodiles were able to walk as far as 75 miles away from the Rakwena farm.

According to Zane Langman, son-in-law of Boshoff,

There used to be only a few crocodiles in the Limpopo River. Now there are a lot.

We’ve been recapturing them as and when the local farmers phone us to tell us that there are crocodiles on their property.

Langman explained that recapturing of the crocodiles is being done at night since crocodiles are easier to catch as their eyes shine red in the dark.

Residents near the farm were warned by Animal safety experts to stay inside their homes and avoid getting near these crocodiles.

The Limpopo province in South Africa reportedly suffered serious flooding that claimed the lives of at least 10 individuals and left many family homeless.

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