Your own island. How does that sound?

By Jessica Champion

These days you can buy almost anything; private jets, private boats and private resorts, but now you can buy your own island. There are many different varieties of islands available such as tropical, Canadian and many others. They range in sizes, shapes, styles, locations and price. Prices of Private islands vary from hundreds of thousands to millions. And although it might be rare to come across someone who has purchased one of these islands, it is becoming more and more common.

Why buy an island you say? People buy islands for many different reasons that can include business, investments, and leisure or just for the sake of showing the world that you have money. There are many websites out there that can help you browse islands fit to your budget and uses among many other factors as well as ensuring that you have the best experience possible whilst making you purchase.

The only downside to buying an island is the cost. Not many people have the odd couple of million dollars lying around that they can just grab at any time and buy whatever island they want. For the rest of us, we can dream and we can save, and maybe one day we can hopefully have the money to go out and buy an island to lie on hammocks and sip fruit smoothies for our retirement.

We can dream.

Chewing on the PM:

By Jessica Champion

Recently a pet chew toy has been released called ‘Droolia Julia’, the toy being a caricature of Prime Minister Julia Gillard with over-exagerated features such as the nose, breast and buttocks. The toy has been under speculation whether it is offensive or not and if its just another way that shows Australia isn’t ready for a female leader.

The Adelaide pet store “P&K Pets” has been overloaded with orders and the occasional complaint not long after it put the toy on its shelves. Employee Kyle who works there has told multiple news companies that he has received many orders and keep getting more from all sorts of places. “We’ve had orders from everywhere ~ Queensland, Victoria, WA, even the Northern Territory.” Though the toy has been popular, Kyle says that he has also received many complaints, in store and over the phone. Some employees have said that some customers have been quite abusive towards them about the toy saying that they are “sexist” and ‘they wouldn’t do it to a man’.

Though many people have had a “good laugh” over it, others have called it a “sick memento” and “extremely offensive”. Could it be showing that we as a country are not ready for female leadership, that deep down we are still a male dominated and sexist society?

Sources:

http://www.news.com.au/national-news/pets-doll-droolia-julia-being-sold-in-adelaide/story-fncynjr2-1226616272712

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/04/10/13/00/droolia-julia-dog-toy-flying-off-shelves

Lance Armstrong Making a Splash Back into Sport

The disgraced cyclist has signed up for three swimming events at the Masters South Central Zone Swimming Championships at the University of Texas.

US Masters swimming (USMS) does not insist on the same drug testing rules of the US anti-doping agency (USADA) which banned Armstrong from life from all of its activities for his performance enhancing drugs during his cycling career.

According to Rob Butcher, executive director of master swimming his mission is to “encourage adults to swim” and “Lance is a member of USMS so he is eligible to swim”.

The USMS does not drug test and so if Armstrong or any other competitors take drugs it will not be acted upon or even discovered.

Armstrong is pursuing his post-cycling career in triathlons before he was banned by USADA.

According to the meet event sheets, Armstrong has the second best qualifying time in the 1000 yard race and third fastest in the 1659 and the 500 yard events

Read more at http://www.smh.com.au/sport/swimming/armstrong-to-make-return-to-competitive-sport-20130404-2h8ax.html

New Zealand Cricketer beat up in a Christchurch bar

New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder tried to fight back as four men attacked him in a Christchurch bar.

"His shirt was ripped off and they were kicking him and punching him while was down”

Ryder was lying in a bush shaking, vomiting and covered in blood in the carpark of a McDonalds. An eyewitness who only wanted to be called Adam said that the brawl broke out behind him. According to Adam “it looked pretty unprovoked”. Four caucasian men believed to be in their late 20’s started punching the cricketer in the bars outside courtyard and pushed him out into the street. Ryder managed to stand up but was knocked back down almost instantly. A witness said he wasn't sure if they were friends but they said they “damn knew who he was”. The four men ran off when police sirens were heard. No further evidence has been released yet.

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/test-cricketer-jesse-ryder-has-fractured-skull-after-late-night-attack-20130328-2gva7.html

Space Station scope detects evidence of dark matter

Dark matter is an unknown thing which holds the galaxy together. Scientists have gathered more clues to what it is. A massive science instrument that is spinning the globe aboard the International Space Station may have provided its first glimpse of what may be dark matter. It makes up 25% of the universe. Scientists have known it exists due to its gravitational pull on galaxies and light. So far, equipment has been unable to detect what this matter is.

But recent information from the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, the most sensitive particle physics spectrometer, says it detected “evidence of a new physics phenomena”

http://www.news.com.au/technology/sci-tech/new-light-cast-on-dark-matter/story-fn5fsgyc-1226612129549

The Official "Grumpy Cat"

Grumpy Cat, real name 'tardar sauce', is a particularly famous dwarf cat. She became famous after her owner Tabatha Bundesen posted her photo on Reddit in September last year. Grumpy cat is known for her constant 'grumpy' expression. But since then ‘Grumpy Cat’ has become known globally. Now even "The Official Grumpy Cat" on Facebook has over 805,000 likes. Her owners have also begun creating captions to go with her famous images that relate to grumpy cat’s facial expressions.

This 'grumpy cat' has become so famous she even has the public buying merchandise,  such as 'grumpy cat' mugs, shirts, keychain, etc. Grumpy cat also feature in regular of Frisikies YouTube game show "Will Kitty Play With It?" episodes and appeared on, Good Morning America, Anderson Live and visited Time magazine for a photoshoot.

So in the past year or two we’ve seen a boy named Brian who always has bad luck, a girlfriend who’s overly attached, and a cat with a grumpy face. What will be the next big meme?

By Sharai Behrens

Visit Grumpy Cats Website: http://www.grumpycats.com/

Or her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheOfficialGrumpyCat

Read More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumpy_Cat

High Energy for Australia’s 2013 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

With 2013 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week being a great success so far, from Berlin to New York, and then London, Milan and Paris, it has finally come to the last country of its five-month fashion phenomena, Australia. Australia is stoked to be hosting the final stage of this years fashion week, and are looking to put on an amazing show, despite the slight mishaps in the beginning, with lack of designers and management issues, in a result of the show being moved forward a month. Located at Carriageworks in Eveleigh, the five-day fashion showcase will kick of with Australian designers Camilla and Marc. 

Alex Perry and Aurelio Costarella will both be there. Alex with expectations of new youth range, and Aurelio marking 30 years in the fashion industry. Designers Toni Maticevski, Ginger & Smart, Romance Was Born, Alice McCall, Manning Cartell, Emma Mulholland and Lisa Ho will also be showcasing collections throughout the week, as well as We Are Handsome returning for their second year in the show. But the date movement has meant that some designers, such as Zimmerman, after 16 years of being in Sydney’s show, unfortunately won’t be seen this year. But still this line up has great potential and I’m sure will ‘WOW’ the invited guests.

But although only the invited guests (such as other designers, buyers, and the press) are allowed to attend the show, a giant screen is being set up in Martin Place to broadcast the runway action for the general public. Lord Mayor Clover Moore commented:  "We're working to encourage Sydneysiders to get out on the streets and support our fashion scene - Martin Place will become a front row seat."

Just as I am, I know all the fashionistas in Australia and around the world are excited to see what Sydney will bring for this years fashion week. The energy is high, and I’m 

confident Sydney will pull off an amazing show.

By Sharai Behrens

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/fashion-week-first-20130404-2h886.html#ixzz2PlT3gr8O

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/the-diary/fresh-start-to-fashion-week-20130303-2feqe.html#ixzz2PlHZtW37

Top 10 2013 Global Destinations:

Number One:

Rio de Janeiro,

- Being the host of the 2014 world cup and the 2016 Olympics, Rio de Janeiro is the number one travel destination of 2013. The party capitol and tropical paradise, is most famous for its Carnival hedonism and is definitely on the must see list.

Number Two:

Turkey,

- Turkey is definitely a must see on your travel destination list, for it withholds a huge amount of history (such as Gallipoli) and is a cultural hotspot. It has great places to see and also has amazing shopping locations such as the famous 'Grand Bazaar'. 

Number Three:

Kimberly, Australia,

- Why not go somewhere in your own country this time round? The Kimberly has a huge amount of interesting geological formations and different species. There are many ways you can travel through the Kimberly, such as on a coach, in a tour group, by your self , or even part of a personal friend group. There are many places to see, and it will be an unforgettable trip.

Number Four:

Phuket, Thailand,

- Phuket, Thailand is a great travel destination for people of all ages and holiday ideas, whether you want to party, shop, swim or relax. Thailand is also a great place for a family holiday and is an interesting place full of beautiful people, food and places.

Number Five:

Hvar, Croatia,

- Hvar, Croatia is an amazing destination and is the sunniest island out of all the Croatian Islands. It is very much like Venice and is full of elaborate and amazing buildings decorated with beautiful stone carvings.

Number Six:

Rome, Italy,

- Rome is an amazing place that is full of life and people.  It has many architectural heirlooms and history to share. it may not still be 'the capital of the world' but it is still an amazing place that should be shared. 

Number Seven:

Ireland,

- Ireland is full of amazing sites, beautiful landscapes and lovely people. It is a historical place with new things to see everywhere you go, the country is full of cultural hots spots and is a must see.

Number Eight:

Burgos, Spain,

- Burgos is dominated by its gothic and religious architecture and glittering jewels.  Beyond its amazing structures you will find the small hint of legend and experience the amazing food and the small town feel

Number Nine:

Mexico,

- Being in Mexico, you will be able to enjoy the delicious food and 

experiences. IT is full of adventure and there is a nice community spirit. You won't get bored as there are many activities and sites to see.

Number Ten:

Paris, France,

- Paris is a magical city full of amazing historical landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower. If you look hard enough you may be able to find the typical stereotypes of what you will come across, but it is much more enjoyable to look around the backstreets, explore the unexplored and just have fun.

By Jess Champion

Scientists create new ‘invisible cloak’

Scientists have managed to create an invisibility
 cloak like that of the one in Harry Potter

Scientists claimed to have found an invisible cloak which hides you in broad daylight...but only works if you see in microwaves.

It is made up of a new metal called metascreen which consists of lengths of copper tape attached to a flexible polycarbonate film. It works by scattering and cancelling out incoming microwaves."When the scattered fields from the cloak and the object interfere, they cancel each other out and the overall effect is transparency and invisibility at all angles of observation," said Andrea Alu, a physicist.

read more: http://www.news.com.au/technology/sci-tech/scientists-invent-a-harry-potter-invisbility-cloak/story-fn5fsgyc-1226608113001