A new laser is to be built that is as powerful as “concentrating the rays of the sun for the entire earth onto the tip of a pen”. Scientists claim it could allow them boil the very fabric of space, AKA the vacuum. Because that’s a fantastic idea. It is official, mankind has a death-wish.
An Indonesian lawmaker quit politics yesterday after he was caught watching pornography on his tablet computer during a session in parliament. At least this guy was awake, unlike some of the pictures I’ve seen taken during our parliamentary sessions.
The controversial law banning full-face veils came into effect today in France, home to Europe’s largest Muslim population. Public wearing of niqabs or burqas is now liable for a fine of 150 euros and a citizenship course; people charged with forcing women to wear full-face veils may be subject to jail time.
Hoo. BP’s planning on restarting deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico on 10 wells this summer; U.S. regulators seem to be giving it the go-ahead in exchange for tougher safety rules. In unrelated news, President Obama promised last week to cut U.S. oil imports by 33%