HEADLINES from GB

FIFA's rankings proves the old adage that there are three types of lies - lies, damn lies and statistics.

i just don't get why Brazil is first, and Italy is second. Ya I know that Brazil has won 5 world cups, and Italy has won 4, but Italy is playing way better than Brazil right now.

The rankings are based on a team's performance over an 8 year period (if you thinks that's crazy, just remember that until a few weeks ago it was only the last 4 years and that was why the rankings wo so unpopular). Up until the quarterfinal, Brazil hadn't lost a game since 1998.

Britain was gripped by the "Witchcraze" from the late 1500s to the late 1600s. But an artifact unearthed at a farmhouse dating from only about 1830 shows that the fear of dark forces persisted far longer than previously thought.
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Artefact recalls witches' shadow

By Greig Watson

A chilling reminder of our superstitious past has been unearthed from a rural farmhouse.

The "witch bottle" was discovered buried in old foundations in the Lincolnshire village of Navenby.

Containing bent pins, human hair and perhaps urine, the bottles were supposed to protect a household against evil spells.

Dated to about 1830, it is evidence the fear of dark forces persisted far longer than previously thought.

Discovered by accident during building work, the artifact initially sat unrecognised in a cupboard. Jo Butler, the house's owner, described what they found.

She said: "The builder was breaking up foundations with a pick and he came across the bottle.

"We saw it contained metal bits and this kind of strap but had never heard of witch bottles and put it under the stairs."

It was only recognised when taken to an open evening held by the archaeology department of Lincolnshire County Council.

He said: "It was an incredible moment. It was the first one I had physically seen and they are really quite rare artifacts, so to have that handed in was quite something."

The "bottle", in this case more likely to have been a glass inkwell or candlestick, had been damaged during discovery but still had its contents.

Mr Daubney said: "It seems a bit like voodoo, using human hair and pins but it's not entirely clear why these items where used.

"One theory is that the pins were put in urine so when the witch went to the toilet, it felt like they were passing the sharp metal.

"What the bottles were intended to do was bounce back spells on the sender.

"Even if you did not know who the witch was, you would make one of these and sit back to see who died, then that person was the witch."

Death sentence

Britain in the late 1500's, and for 100 years after, was gripped by the "Witchcraze".

This saw hundreds of women persecuted and sometimes executed, for alleged involvement in black magic.

The most famous British trials were at North Berwick, in Scotland, in 1591 and Pendle, Lancashire in 1612.

Matthew Hopkins was England's Witchfinder General. He was responsible for the condemnations and executions of some 230 alleged witches. His reign of terror lasted from 1644 - 1646. His first victim was a one-legged woman. In Suffolk alone, he executed 68 "witches."

Most "witches" were hanged, rather than the burning at the stake of popular imagination.

Protecting hearth and home from such malignant forces took various forms, including putting shoes beneath the floorboards and walling up cats.

Witch bottles, often made from stoneware, were most common in the 1600's, at the height of the witchcraft scares.

The Navenby example, however, has been dated at 1830, a time when such beliefs were thought to have been dying out.

"This late date is really incredible," said Mr Daubney. "Such traditions do tend to linger in more rural areas like Lincolnshire and Norfolk but this is very rare."

He added: "It could be either that the people who made this really believed in witches or it could be a kind of harmless tradition, a little like throwing salt over your shoulder.

"But the care with which this has put together, with a leather strap to hold it, could suggest the former."

The bottle is being conserved and will go on display at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life in Lincoln.

How to spot a witch

Disease endemic among crops, cattle and people

Animal companion or 'familiar', most often a toad or cat

A squint, being the mark of the evil eye

Floats when thrown, bound, into water (then you were executed). Therefore, if you weren't a witch, you sank and drowned

"Devil's marks" which do not feel pain or bleed

Confession after prolonged torture

http://www.bbc.co.uk/lincolnshire/conte ... ture.shtml

Canada should ask Jürgen Klinsmann (former trainer of the German National Soccer [Football] team) if he can train the Canadian National SOccer team... He is worth his money, dudes!

I remeber now! Thats right. But they are so evenly matched, they should have like a italy vs brazil type scenario. Where they battle for top spot.

18 Jul 2006
GREEN LIGHT GIVEN FOR BAE SYSTEMS NIMROD MRA4 PRODUCTION

British Defence Secretary Des Browne (far right) says the Government has given the go-ahead to the programme.

Image caption: The new BAE Systems Nimrod MRA4 performs a flypast at the Farnborough Airshow.

The Rt Hon Des Browne MP, Secretary of State for Defence, announced today at Farnborough International 2006 that the UK government has signed a production contract with BAE Systems for a 12-aircraft fleet of the next-generation Nimrod aircraft, the MRA4, successor to the in-service Nimrod MR2. Immediately following the announcement, the Nimrod MRA4 made its first public appearance as it performed a fly-past in the skies above Farnborough.

Mike Turner, chief executive of BAE Systems, said: “The new Nimrod MRA4 is a world leader in terms of maritime patrol platforms and will give the UK at least 30 years of adaptable capability in maritime reconnaissance and attack operations. The aircraft has the potential to fulfil a number of important strategic roles for the RAF. The Nimrod programme has also broken new ground in terms of the close working relationship that was formed between BAE Systems and our customer – and we have learnt some valuable lessons in project management that are now benefiting the whole of our business”.

Key to winning the customer’s confidence has been the Company’s steady progress since 2003 on design maturity and the preliminary work that has been done on the through-life support programme, a vital element in ensuring a smooth transition from the in-service Nimrod MR2 fleet to the successful delivery of the new MRA4 to the front line.

The Nimrod MRA4, which had its maiden flight in August 2004, is a highly-capable maritime reconnaissance and intelligence gathering platform with a sophisticated mission system, excellent communications, advanced defensive aids and the potential to carry a wide range of modern weapons. Nimrod’s new integrated mission system enables the crew to gather, process and display up to 20 times more technical and strategic data than the MR2 variant currently in service with the Royal Air Force. The aircraft will also give the RAF an increased range of operations of over 6,000 miles and 14 hours’ loiter time without refuelling.

In a schedule that is expected to continue through 2007, three Nimrod MRA4 development aircraft have already conducted more than 125 trial flights, including live link-ups with Royal Navy destroyers, at sea. Successful missions include the MRA4’s first overseas deployment, for hot weather trials in Sicily.

A comprehensive five-year partnered support proposal, which will detail management of the RAF’s transition from the in-service Nimrod MR2 to the new MRA4, is being prepared for submission to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 2007.

baesystems.com