Wales: Ironman Wales 2013- More than 1,500 tackle one of endurance sport’s toughest tests
Some 1,675 athletes from 40 countries travelled to Pembrokeshire to tackle themselves against the tri-sport strength-sapping challenge of the Ironman Wales event.
It is the most gruelling of events, whose trio of strength sapping challenges transcend sport and enter the realms of masochism.
With its 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26 mile marathon Ironman Wales came to Pembrokeshire for a third consecutive year.
The event saw thousands lining the streets to cheer on the competitors....
Wales Online
Japan: Geological records of Tohoku tsunami discovered in sand layers
Sand layers near an archaeological site in northern Japan provide clear evidence of three tsunami, one dating back more than 1,000 years.
According to researchers, the tsunami deposits close to the Takaose remains in the Shimonogo district here are the first geological sample showing three natural disasters that devastated the region in different periods.
The most recent layer was put down by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami that struck in 2011. The other two tsunami were believed caused by the magnitude-8.1 Keicho Sanriku earthquake in 1611 and the Jogan earthquake in 869, which had an estimated magnitude of between 8.3 and 8.4. ...
The Asahi Shimbun
Canada: Doctors study effects of explosions on soldiers’ brains
The long-term impact of roadside bombings on the brains of Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan is the focus of two research projects underway in Western Canada.
“In recent years, encounters with improvised explosive devices or IEDs in Afghanistan have inflicted traumatic brain injury on a number of Canadian soldiers,” said Dr. Robert Thirsk, a former Canadian astronaut who is now a vice-president with the Canadian Institute of Health Research.
“The impact of these blasts may not be immediately apparent. Months after the event the soldiers can suffer from the neurological problems and the mental disorders like anxiety that we’re reading about in the newspapers. These weapons may be improvised, but our response to them needs to be strategic.” ...
CBC
Denmark: For sale: Small Danish islands
Researcher recommends closing down and perhaps selling some small islands that are draining council coffers.
The number of people living on Denmark’s numerous small islands has been dropping for years, while the expenses of providing services to those who choose to remain have been rising. Every resident of the tiny island Egholm in the Limfjord near Aalborg costs the Aalborg Council over 143,000 kroner annually. Island dwellers on Barsø in the Lillebælt north of Aabenraa carry a 120,000 kroner price tag each.
A researcher in local planning from Aalborg University said it may be time to close some of the islands down. ...
The Copenhagen Post
Falkland Islands: New Falklands Museum to be a positive political statement
When the seat of government of the fledgling British colony in the Falkland Islands was moved from Port Louis to Stanley, in 1845, under the direction of Governor Moody, one of the first buildings to be constructed in what became known as the Government Dockyard, was a large store. This shingle clad, two story building, known as the Old Central Store still exists and is thought to be possibly the earliest large construction in the whole of the Southern Cone of South America.
Now, after nearly 170 years in government service, during which it has played several different roles, this imposing building, together with an equally imposing but traditionally-styled new building connected to it, will form the heart of a new national Falkland Islands Museum. Also on display in the old Government Dockyard will be exhibits too large to be accommodated at the museum’s present site some distance from the centre of the town and other historic buildings like the first blacksmith’s shop and the first jail. ...
Merco Press
Sweden: Greta, ‘world’s oldest rapper’, retires at 98
Greta Segerson, approaching her 99th birthday, is retiring. After nearly seven years as the “world’s oldest rapper”, she’s decided to leave the stage behind.
Segerson’s career has a rapper started in 2006 at a pensioner Christmas party.
“I used to sing at the pensioner parties; songs in Russian and German,” Segerson tells The Local. “And I got so tired of it and said no. They kept bugging me and finally I said I could rap instead. And I was astonished when they said yes.”
When Segerson, then a youthful 93, stepped onto the stage, all she could come up with was Jolly Bob, a ditty by Swedish singer and actor Lasse Dahlquist. The catchy song, partially set to the same tune as Yankee Doodle, was a hit when it was released in 1938 and tells the story of a happy sailor who had to dance a jig to win the hand of a beautiful barmaid. ...
The Local
Scotland: Edinburgh University to introduce US degree system
The days of Scotland’s traditional honours degree system look to be numbered after the Capital’s leading university took a first step towards introducing an American system.
Long a staple of student banter, rhyming slang expressions such as the “Geoff Hurst”, “Attila the Hun” and “Desmond Tutu” – used to refer to first, 2:1 and 2:2 honours degrees – could be consigned to the dustbin if Edinburgh University’s radical pilot of the Grade Point Average (GPA) system is successful.
The new system – used in the US and numerous other countries – differs from its Scottish counterpart in offering multiple gradings for each of the honours classifications of first, upper second, lower second and third class. ...
The Scotsman
