today's news

[skiniks]

http://gawker.com/5030531/dead-monster-washes-ashore-in-montauk

Dead Monster Washes Ashore in Montauk

No, Lizze Grubman's still alive. This is an actual monster, some sort of rodent-like creature with a dinosaur beak. A tipster says that there is "a government animal testing facility very close by in Long Island," but unless the government is trying to design horrible Montauk monsters that will eat IEDs and fart fire at bad Iraqis, we're not sure why they would create such an unthinkable beast. Our guess is that it's viral marketing for something. Ali Lohan's new album perhaps. Click thru for larger dino-damage.

[dolly]

augh what in the fuck is that ^

Man stabbed, beheaded on bus to Winnipeg from Edmonton

JOE FRIESEN

Globe and Mail Update

July 31, 2008 at 6:07 AM EDT

BRANDON, MAN. — A young man travelling on a Greyhound bus was stabbed to death and beheaded by a stranger in a horrifying act of apparently random violence.

The incident occurred on a bus travelling from Edmonton to Winnipeg just before 10 p.m. Wednesday.

A man of about 18 who was sleeping with headphones on was suddenly attacked by his seat mate, according to the man who sat directly in front of them.

He was stabbed repeatedly with a large hunting knife, sending blood spraying across the interior of the bus. The driver quickly pulled over and passengers fled out the front door.

The man then sawed off the victim's head and carried it to the front of the bus.

The two did not apparently know one another. The victim boarded the bus in Edmonton, one witness said, and the attacker boarded in Manitoba.

A standoff with police ensued until about 1 a.m. local time.

One man was taken into custody.

Garnet Caton, 26, was sitting in the seat in front of the attacker.

"I was just reading a book and all of a sudden I heard a guy screaming. I turned around and the guy sitting right beside me was standing up and stabbing another guy with a big Rambo knife," he said.

"Right in the throat. Repeatedly."

The man wielding the knife had a shaved head and was wearing sunglasses, he said.

"He looked totally calm. He didn't say a word I don't think to anybody on the bus ... nothing. Just totally calm."

Mr. Caton said most passengers were sleeping at the time and didn't realize what was happening.

"I screamed 'stop the bus!' ... Everybody got the hell off, and people at the front of the bus didn't really understand what was going on. It almost turned into a trample scene there, everybody trying to get off the bus. But the guy didn't care at all. He wasn't concerned with anybody but the guy he was stabbing.

"The guy was totally calm. When he brought the head he looked at us and dropped it. It was like he was having a day at the beach. He couldn't be bothered by anything else."

[cjbreed]

^^^holy shit

and should we be angrier about this:

Exxon posts record $11.68 billion profit

World's largest publicly traded oil firm makes $11.68 billion in the quarter, but misses forecasts.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Exxon Mobil once again reported the largest quarterly profit in U.S. history Thursday, posting net income of $11.68 billion on revenue of $138 billion in the second quarter.

That profit works out to $1,485.55 a second.

That barely beat the previous corporate record of $11.66 billion, also set by Exxon in the fourth quarter of 2007.

But Exxon profit fell short of Wall Street estimates. Analysts predicted the company, the world's largest publicly traded oil firm, would make $12.1 billion in profit on $144.4 billion in revenue, according to Thomson Reuters.

Exxon shares fell about 2% in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

Excluding money set aside for a recent damage award related to the Valdez tanker spill back in 1989, Exxon made $11.97 billion in the quarter.

Pricey oil cuts both ways.

Exxon was both helped and hurt by high oil prices. As an oil producer, the company makes a lot of money when crude prices rise. Exxon made $10 billion from selling oil in the latest quarter, up nearly 70%.

But as a refiner, it must also buy crude oil to turn into gasoline. Exxon actually buys more crude than it sells.

Profits from its refining business totaled $1.6 billion in the quarter, less than half of what they were last year. "Record crude oil and natural gas realizations were partly offset by lower refining and chemical margins, lower production volumes and higher operating costs," Exxon said in a statement.

While oil prices in the quarter were nearly twice as high as the same time last year, gasoline prices only rose about 30%. That's one reason why the stock of major oil companies - such as Exxon, Chevron, Royal Dutch Shell and BP - that both produce and refine crude has been relatively flat over the last year, despite the runup in oil prices.

Meanwhile, shares of companies that mostly produce oil, like Anadarko and Apache, have soared in the last year, while shares in refiners like Valero and Sunoco have tumbled.

Where the money goes

Exxon spent $7 billion in the second quarter finding and producing more new oil, up 38% from last year. Still, oil and natural gas production from the company fell 8%. Even excluding special events such as a labor strike in Nigeria and seizure of fields in Venezuela, production slipped 3%.

The company returned $10.1 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and stock buybacks, 12% more than last year.

On an earnings-per-share basis, Exxon made $2.22. That was still lower than analysts had expected, but 24% higher than last year, a gain Exxon attributed to its aggressive stock buyback plan.

The big international oil companies have been criticized for plowing much of their profits back into stock buybacks and other programs to benefit shareholders, as opposed to exploring for more oil which could bring down the price of crude for everyone.

"While oil companies are earning record profits and gas prices are soaring, the largest oil companies have invested more resources in stock buybacks than U.S. production," said Congressional Democrats in a press release shortly after Exxon announced its earnings.

Other critics charge the oil companies with deliberately restricting production in an attempt to keep prices high.

The industry says it's investing as much as it can in finding new oil, but is having a hard time given the shortage of workers and equipment in the sector.

Recent efforts by countries such as Russia, Venezuela and Kazakhstan to gain greater control of their own domestic oil resources have also hampered the ability of international oil companies to increase production.

In addition to making hefty profits, Exxon also had a hefty tax bill. Worldwide, the company paid $10.5 billion in income taxes in the second quarter, $9.5 billion in sales taxes, and over $12 billion in what it called "other taxes."

Political backlash

With Americans paying nearly $4 a gallon for gas, oil company earnings have been political fodder of late.

Congressional Democrats said they are having a conference later in the day to call for an end to tax breaks for big oil firms.

Several bills have been introduced in Congress to enact a "windfall" profits tax on these earnings, or at the very least eliminate manufacturing tax exemption oil companies now enjoy. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama wants to tax oil companies at a special rate every time crude goes over $80 a barrel.

Most plans would either use this newfound tax money to fund investments in renewable energy, or give it to low income Americans struggling with high energy prices.

But so far those efforts have been blocked - mainly by Republicans - who say raising taxes on oil companies will only discourage investments in finding new oil and raise the price of crude.

[Guest jeffvyain]

I want to get this instead of cable.

New York — LG Electronics will introduce today the first networked Blu-ray Disc player with the integrated ability to access and play back Netflix instant-streaming video content.

The LG model BD300 will be only the second set-top device compatible with the Netflix instant-streaming offering. The first was a dedicated $99 Roku player introduced earlier in the year. Microsoft’s Xbox 360 will also add the capability this fall.

The Netflix instant-streaming video service offers more than 12,000 movies and TV episodes in standard-definition format online for virtually instant playback.

Users will be required to register for a Netflix subscription membership, allowing its traditional mail-delivered disc rentals and now streaming video services via a broadband connection.

The “premium” positioned player will be 1080p HD output capable, and will also include built-in BD Live and Bonus View capability onboard, meaning it will be able to access online extra content and interactive features as well as play picture-in-picture running commentaries over the feature. The player will include a built-in Ethernet port for a wired connection to in-home Internet access networks, and will have the ability to accept additional storage through a USB port, although sufficient memory will be built into the player to run BD Live features out of the box, the company said.

LG digital media division marketing and sales VP Allan Jason said the third-generation Blu-ray player will ship in the fall at a suggested retail price range “well under $500. It will be competitively priced with the other new Blu-ray Disc players coming to market.”

LG Electronics and Netflix plan to demonstrate the BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player for the first time Thursday night to invited press members at its 2008 summer line show here.

Jason said that in addition to playing back Netflix streaming video and Blu-ray Disc content in up to full 1080p resolution, the player will also up-convert standard-definition DVDs to 1080p.

“Consumers are all about content,” Jason told TWICE. “They are speaking loudly saying ‘We want what content we want, when we want it and we want flexibility in how we get it.’ ”

Netflix makes its instant-streaming video service available to members who sign up for eight out of nine membership packages. Each package entitles members to varying numbers of Blu-ray and DVD disc rentals at one time. Membership including an unlimited streaming video package runs about $8.99/month. Netflix members (the company said it has 8.4 million of them) may stream videos for playback on their PCs or on TVs via the Roku and soon LG BD300 player. In the fall Xbox 360 game console users will also have access to streaming content from Netflix.

Streaming content includes some day-and-date movie releases, but for the most part, movie selections are older catalog fare. However, the streaming service also includes episodes of many popular TV programs, many of which first appear the day after they originally air, said Steve Swasey, a Netflix spokesman.

The player will rely on a wired broadband connection and queue-based user interface. Netflix members will use the Netflix Web site to add movies and TV episodes to their individual instant Queues. Those choices will automatically be displayed on members’ TVs and available to watch instantly through the LG player.

Once selected, movies will begin playing in as little as 30 seconds, LG said. With the BD300’s accompanying remote control, Netflix members will be able to browse and make selections on the TV screen and also have the ability to read synopses and rate movies. The streamed videos can also be fast-forwarded and rewound.

The BD300 also includes LG’s SimpLink technology, which allows users to control similarly equipped LG TV and AV products via onscreen menus or directly from the product.

Jason said LG opted to work with the Netflix service because “they have the highest visibility amongst consumers. They have the latest movie releases both on Blu-ray and DVD and they now have a service that’s moving beyond just disc-based movies. We think LG and Netflix is the perfect marriage. We now have player that takes full advantage of their full portfolio.”

In addition to the 12,000 standard-definition instant-streaming titles, the Netflix catalog includes more than 700 movies in high-definition Blu-ray Disc format and more than 100,000 titles in standard-definition DVD, which the player will up-convert to 1080p.

[broneck]

augh what in the fuck is that ^

Man stabbed, beheaded on bus to Winnipeg from Edmonton

this is absolutely fucked.

http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=5e5e949c-989a-47f7-86da-53801510af24

I can't believe this shit happened in real life.

[darkanimal]

Thank you, Photoshop Disasters for this latest bit of nightmare fodder. Yes, there is a disembodied hand on that mustachioed Olympian's shoulder. Possibly a ghost. Possibly some poor athlete who wasn't deemed Milk-worthy. Possibly a sly comment on China's mutation-high pollution levels. Possibly some poor photo editor who's about to get fired. Whatever the case, really makes the case for hormone-free milk...

best comment:

SUEB0B said... The giant can reach that far because he is a discus thrower.

July 29, 2008 4:19 PM

[cuddlysheep]

damn, dont sleep in a bus in canada. word for the wise

this is absolutely fucked.

http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=5e5e949c-989a-47f7-86da-53801510af24

I can't believe this shit happened in real life.

[Guest]

"When we saw the head, we knew he was dead,"

...................................

[broneck]

as opposed to when they saw him stabbed in the face 70 times

seriously though, when does this ever happen, anywhere

[broneck]

RCMP have identified a 40-year-old Edmonton man accused of repeatedly stabbing and then beheading 22-year-old Winnipegger Tim McLean on a Greyhound bus in southern Manitoba on Wednesday night.

RCMP said Vince Weiguang Li is charged with second-degree murder. He is scheduled to appear in court in Portage la Prairie today.

McLean's friends have identified him as the victim of Wednesday's shocking and horrific attack, which occurred around 8:30 p.m. while the eastbound bus was 20 km west of Portage on the Trans-Canada Highway.

The driver immediately pulled to the side of the highway and everyone but the suspect and McLean scrambled off. RCMP arrested a man without incident during a standoff at 1:30 a.m. Thursday.

Police have not yet said what the motive was. Witnesses said it appears it was a random attack.

McLean's friends have turned to the Internet to express feelings of anguish, horror and anger. Several Facebook groups have been created as an outlet for them.

"The guy who did that brutal senseless murder totally needs to be HUNG. My heart goes out to the familly (sic) of Tim. May you rest in peace Tim," a woman wrote in one group. One man, who wrote that he is from Poland and saw coverage of the murder on CNN, said: "To his family, I am very sorry for your grief. From what I have read below, Tim sounded like a great guy. My prayers are with you."

didn't see that coming.

[TransparentCranium]

sadfsadf

Edited November 1, 2018 by TransparentCranium

[cjbreed]

Familly (sic) hahahhaha my gut hurts.

i don't get it. why does your gut hurt?

[TransparentCranium]

asdfasdf

Edited November 1, 2018 by TransparentCranium

[cjbreed]

laughing at what?

[TransparentCranium]

asdfsadfasdf

Edited November 1, 2018 by TransparentCranium

[broneck]

he's laughing at a typo. someone spelled familly wrong when talking about a boy who was beheaded.

[TransparentCranium]

asdfasdf

Edited November 1, 2018 by TransparentCranium

[cjbreed]

ohhhhh that's right

because misspelled words are fuckin hilarious...

just wanted to be sure it wasn't from laughing at the innocent dude on the bus getting brutally murdered and mutilated in front of all those people

[TransparentCranium]

asdfasdf

Edited November 1, 2018 by TransparentCranium

[timber]

That's insanely horrible - I read about this last night and then went and watched some interviews with the other people on the bus. They really do think this is totally random and he would have killed anyone he was sitting next to.

[cjbreed]

That would be a little wrong don't you think?

[Charlie Delta]

Appropriate use of image...

[ExileOnMainSt]

Just heard about this shit today.

"He didn't do anything to provoke the guy. The guy just took a knife out and stabbed him, started stabbing him like crazy and cut his head off," said Garnet Caton, 26, a passenger on the Edmonton-to-Winnipeg bus.

"Some people were puking, some people were crying, other people were in shock ... everybody was running, screaming off the bus."

I mean, what the fuck. The knife had better been motherfucking huge for people on that bus to not help the poor kid.

I don't understand how you see a middle aged, not big at all man stabbing some guy in the face and your first reaction is to.. puke?

[kunk75]

same with 9/11. the whole box-cutter thing still irks me.

i am amazed at the shit people will standby during. i ran obver once to help a woman who's boyfriend was literally beating the shit out of her in a crowded parking lot. when it broke up, 2 grown men said this had been going on for half an hour.

[cjbreed]

^^how about a social experiment. we could send kunk all over the country to beat people up, and see how long it takes for someone to step in. i'd be curious to see how response time varies in different regions of america.

[kunk75]

you guys forget that by sufu standards, i am a giant but only really large and slightly resemble a serial killer by typical societal standards.

they did a 20/20 like this where by and large, people did nothing.

[broneck]

i wondered that also, but i guess no one wanted to attack the guy with the hunting knife unarmed...and by the time they'd armed themselves with a tire iron/crowbar/whatever, the poor guy was already dead and headless.

[cjbreed]

kunk - i know, but for joke purposes you are the best fit...

[DüM]

yeah a rambo knife and a boxcutter are very different.

[broneck]

i envision someone going to try and wrestle him down and getting stabbed in the throat and suddenly there's 2 people dead. I guess if like 5 guys co-ordinated an attack they'd succeed pretty easily, but by the time you've been stabbed 10 times or so you don't really have much chance of living.