Weird laws to know before you travel

A ban on wearing high heels isn't enforced in Carmel, Calif. But not so Athens, Greece (Stockbyte) You better bite your tongue when you visit Middleboro, Mass. Last week, residents voted in a town meeting to impose a $20 fine on any publicly uttered swear words. While this may catch some travelers to the community by surprise, it’s not the only place the uttering of curse words is illegal. Here are some of the wackiest local laws that visitors should be aware of before venturing out. 1. Be careful what you wear Laws governing clothing are common and should always be checked before traveling abroad. Qatar forbids indecent or revealing clothes, defined as “not covering shoulders and knees, tight or transparent clothes.” The Vatican City requires shoulder coverings and skirts or shorts to the knee in order to enter museums and churches. And, Castellammare di Stabia, south of Naples, has outlawed mini-skirts, low-cut jeans and too much cleavage, with violators risking a 300-euro fine. Thailand has a law demanding that you wear underwear at all times – also a good idea in general. In Italy, where foreign beach-goers can offend the local sensibility, laws often require cover-ups over swimsuits. In Lerici, on the Italian Riviera, you’re not allowed to walk the streets in just a swimsuit. That’s also true on the island of Capri, which has gone further to protect the serenity of the vacation spot by banning noisy shoes, such as clogs or wooden-soled sandals. 2. The shoes on your feet Carmel, Ca., where Clint Eastwood was mayor, has a famous historic ban on woman wearing high heels. Though the law isn’t enforced, tourists can purchase a commemorative permit allowing them to wear the shoes. But, you won’t get away with that in the historic sites around Greece. After many of the country’s landmarks, like the Acropolis, were damaged in recent years by visitors, the government banned people from wearing high heels at the ancient locations. Urban legend also has it that the city of Blythe, Calif., bans people from wearing cowboy boots unless they own at least two cows. However, even the city manager of Blythe has never heard of that rule being enforced, so you’re probably safe in those boots. 3. Pull up your pants While fashions change, one thing hasn’t. People wearing their pants sagged below the top of their boxers has had public officials up in arms for years. Five metro cities around Atlanta have banned saggy pants, skirts and shorts – specifically those more than three inches below the wearer’s hips. In Forest Park, Ga., violators can even face a $1,000 fine. Montgomery County in Alabama levies a $100 fine against juveniles and $150 fine against adults with the slogan: “Raise your pants, raise your image.” Delcambre, La., was the first town to make it a crime to “show your underwear in public.” There you can face six months in jail for a violation.

1923 Kanto Earthquake

With the massive quake and tsunami that struck Japan last week, the specter of another devastating event has returned: The 1923 Kanto earthquake, which shook the region around Tokyo, was the country's last "big one." The 7.9-magnitude quake reduced much of Tokyo to rubble, and as refugees tried to leave, firestorms swept through the city. More than 100,000 people died during the Kanto quake and its aftermath. These archival images, drawn from the U.S. Geological Survey, AP, and Brown University's Dana and Vera Reynolds Collection, show the horrifying wreckage. They're a reminder that Japan has faced brutally difficult rebuilding efforts before, and succeeded in building back better. [ See also, from the January 1924 edition of the Atlantic Magazine: Earthquake Days. ] (Alexis Madrigal and Alan Taylor) [24 photos]

Dog rescues abandoned newborn

A farm dog in Ghana has attained hero status after spending a night protecting an abandoned newborn human. Authorities say the dog, along with its two-week-old charge, was found under a bridge in Winkongo (which is near Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional Capital of Ghana), near the farm where he lives – with the tiny baby snuggled against him. A search party had been convened to look for the dog, not the baby, when the pooch's worried owner got concerned that her pet hadn't returned home in the evening. Searchers spent most of the night tracking the hound through nearby fields and woods, and came upon the unlikely pair quite some time later; finally locating him under the bridge near the farm he calls home, they were surprised to find the dog curled around a human infant. VIDEO: Waldorf-Astoria welcomes bee guestzzzzz Madam Rosemary Azure, Director of Health for the Talensi-Nabdam District, shared the remarkable story with the Ghana News Agency at a ceremony for a different occasion entirely – the launch of two vaccines that will help prevent diarrhea and pneumonia – although it's not impossible that officials will find themselves presiding over a medal presentation to "Hairy Poppins" sometime soon. The baby himself is in relatively fine fettle after his adventure. His umbilical cord had not been cut, and had gotten infected, but the little one was otherwise unharmed; he's had all his vaccinations, and is currently in the custody of a local health directorate until new, non-bridge arrangements can be made for him. Azure noted that she couldn't say what had led to the baby's desertion by his mother, but speculated that the parents were teenagers, and took the opportunity to caution locals against unprotected sex. Police are investigating. Any theories on what happened? And are you surprised that a dog took such good care of a human baby? Do your dogs take care of your kids like they're their own offspring? Discuss in the comments

Terror in the Land of Papua, What is the reason?

VIVAnews - The terror and violence continued to occur in Papua. Once a German, Dietmar Pieper, became the victim. Recently became victims of the shooting of three men in two separate incidents. The first shootings occurred in front of the office of the Regional Office of Transportation, about 30 kilometers from the Papua Police headquarters. In this shooting, two civilians were affected, namely Iqbal Jayanto Rifai and Hardi. The shooting occurred at Jalan Abepura second and a member of the military are victims. In response, the Head of the Criminal Investigation Police Headquarters Commissioner General of Police in Papua Sutarman recognize that frequent misunderstandings among tribes. Minor problems which occur between the two men, often extends to involve the respective tribes. "They brought his tribe to attack another tribe so that a riot," said Sutarman capitol, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, June 6, 2012. Sutarman said the police have put forward persuasive measures to resolve the issue. One way is to convey to the problem does not resolve the dispute by way of war or violence. "The culture there that solve the problem by way of revenge. So a lot of problems in Papua is the casualties that must be paid by the inter-group," said former Metro Jaya police chief of this. Although it often occurs on terror, the police did not establish a standby status for the territory of Papua. Sutarman prefer to send a team there to back up security. "We've been there a long, difficult inter-regional communication and transportation is difficult. So many events that involve mass transport also requires too difficult. Probably too late for us there, we'll get there, but that in rural areas is difficult," he said. Sutarman and former West Java police chief added that cases of violence in Papua are not all related to Freeport. Generally dominated by disputes among villages. "Starting from a small problem," he said. In addition to persuasive way in terms of the settlement, Sutarman also emphasizes process rather than the law of custom and kinship. "If it can be solved by custom we push that issue is complete without involving the general public, could be solved if the community itself, we would encourage," said Sutarman. (Adi)

McLaren MP4-12C vs. Factory Five GTM: Motoramic TV

Ah, the McLaren MP4-12C. It's McLaren's first in-house road car since the legendary F1. And while the 12C is far less expensive than the F1, its base price is still $229,400. The car we drove tallied $270,690 and options can push the sticker beyond $300,000. For that, you get an undeniably exquisite machine constructed by the pedigreed craftsman of some of the world's best race cars. You get dihedral doors that open by sliding your hand along the bodywork. You get a twin-turbo, flat-plane-crank 3.8-liter V8 that howls out 592 horsepower and hurtles the car to 60 mph in about 3 seconds. And you get an ingenious suspension design that uses cross-linked hydraulic chambers in place of conventional shock absorbers, delivering both a shockingly supple ride and race-car roll control. In short, the MP4-12C is a lot of car for the money. But it's still a lot of money. So what do you do if you want top-tier supercar performance and dramatic mid-engine styling, but you only have $50,000 to spend? Enter the Factory Five GTM. With a 420 horsepower GM LS3 V8 propelling only 2,400 pounds, this is one of the few cars that would hound an MP4-12C on the track. (A 505-horsepower LS7 is also available, but frankly the LS3 seems pretty adequate.) You do have to be handy with a wrench, since the GTM is a component car. But GTM owner Gary Cheney has built 13 Factory Five cars, including three GTMs, and not only does he still have all his fingers, he insists that the building process is part of the fun. This particular GTM is set up for track duty, but it was surprisingly usable on the street, with deliciously communicative speed-sensitive power steering and Corvette Z06 brakes that are hugely overqualified for a 2,400 car. Plus, look at the thing. It just looks like it belongs in the supercar club. However, $50,000 is still a considerable sum. Wouldn't it be great if you could have a screaming-fast, reliable, exotic-looking mid-engine sports car for something more like $15,000? Without spoiling the ending, we have a solution for that, too.

Scott Walker retains governorship in Wisconsin recall race

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker retained his governorship Tuesday night, besting Democrat Tom Barrett in a race that was a referendum on Walker's decision to take on public employee unions. Walker led Barrett, who was the governor's 2010 opponent and is the current mayor of Milwaukee, 54 to 45 percent with 83 percent of precincts reporting. Walker beat Barrett in 2010, 52 to 46.5 percent. Following chants of "Thank you, Scott!" Walker delivered a victory speech from his Waukesha, Wis. headquarters focused on the future and the message he believes his win communicated to the nation. "Tonight, we tell Wisconsin, we tell our country, and we tell people all across the globe that voters really do want leaders who stand up and make the tough decisions," Walker said. Walker quickly pivoted to the future, expressing a desire to reunite his state, beginning with the state legislature. He said he plans next week to invite all members of the legislature to meet for brats, burgers and "maybe a little bit of good Wisconsin beer as well." "Tomorrow is the day after the election and tomorrow we are no longer opponents," Walker said. "Tomorrow we are one as Wisconsinites." A Walker win is a huge coup for the tea party movement, which rallied tea partyers across the country, as well as for fiscal conservatives and reform-minded Republicans. Walker was targeted last year for a recall by state and national labor groups, progressives, students and others who viewed his decision to push for an end to collective bargaining by state public employee unions as an attack on middle class America. "Tonight, Wisconsin voters rewarded political courage," Republican Governors Association Chairman Bob McDonnell said in a statement. McDonnell highlighted Walker's efforts as an attack on the "status quo" and against "unsustainable entitlements and long-term fiscal liabilities" and hailed the governor's actions to close the state deficit, reduce property taxes and improve schools. "His actions have made Wisconsin stronger today, and tomorrow. And they have improved the lives of the citizens of Wisconsin." Walker's efforts in Wisconsin drew support from the tea party, fiscal conservatives and many prominent Republicans across the country who personally and financially supported the governor in his recall race. Walker raised more than $30 million for the recall, according to estimates, compared to $4 million raised by Barrett, and Walker had several heavy-hitting outside groups in his corner, including the billionaire Koch brothers, who head up a nonprofit called Americans for Prosperity. While Walker received public support from figures such as Mitt Romney, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan, Democrats did not flock to Barrett's campaign. Though Bill Clinton did campaign for Barrett, Barack Obama did not--a decision Republicans pointed to as evidence of Barrett's weak standing. The president's campaign this week offered last-minute get-out-the-vote messages for Barrett via Twitter and via a campaign video, though it did not feature the president. The win by Walker will be viewed as a significant blow to big labor, which has been fighting stories of the movement's demise. Polls, campaign finance figures and anecdotal evidence consistently showed Republicans winning an advantage in terms of voter enthusiasm and energy. Want more of our best political stories? Visit The Ticket or connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or add us on Tumblr. Handy with a camera? Join our Election 2012 Flickr group to submit your photos of the campaign in action.