School teaches confidence through fire eating

TAIPEI, Taiwan: A private training centre was closed last week after parents and city officials complained the centre was making students walk on glass and eat fire. Mai-teh International Intelligence Research Institute was registered as a private training centre two years ago with the intention of building courage in its students. According to Reuters, students paid the equivalent of $932 for a term’s worth of after-school classes. Video and testimonies acquired by authorities show the school used corporal punishment and may have violated laws in its confidence-building exercises. Extreme confidence-building training is typically provided by the military, like the U.S. Marine Corps.

New patent on the pizza box

NEW YORK, New York: An American inventor is attempting to revolutionize the pizza box by selling a box that breaks down into convenient serving plates and a refrigerator-friendly storage size. The GreenBox converts a standard-size pizza box made from 100 per cent recycled paper to four plates and a half-size storage box. NY Daily News reported the GreenBox was the innovation of William Walsh, who came up with the idea while in college 20 years ago. Walsh ripped off a portion of pizza box to use as a plate and is now hoping to cash in on the 2.3 billion pizza boxes manufactured each year in the United States.

100,000 women offended by prime minister

ROME, Italy: Italian women are petitioning to voice their offence at their prime minister’s behaviour. More than 100,000 women signed a petition initiated by a local newspaper, La Repubblica, after Silvio Berlusconi directed a sexist comment at an opposition politician. Berlusconi made a jab at Rosy Bindi on a late-night talk show saying she was “always more beautiful than intelligent.” Bindi spoke against Berlusconi, saying she was not among the women at his disposal. Three Italian intellectuals quickly drafted feminist manifestos denouncing Berlusconi, claiming he degrades women and democracy at the same time, reported the Associated Press. Berlusconi has been at the centre of several scandals this year. His wife filed for divorce after his decision to make former showgirls candidates in European Union elections. Earlier in October, a judge reversed an immunity law protecting Berlusconi from corruption charges filed against him.

Rich in oil, not in water

CARACAS, Venezuela: As a means to conserve water, President Hugo Chavez is encouraging Venezuelans to stop singing and opt for a three-minute shower. The oil-rich country has run into problems with blackouts due to an increasing demand on its electrical power. Under-investment and a drop in hydroelectric dams’ water levels have forced the government to take energy-conserving measures. Reuters reported Chavez spoke about his own bathing habits, saying a three-minute shower is plausible. Chavez is also considering using airplanes to force rain from clouds in an effort to bring more water. Other proposals included the creation of a ministry to deal with electricity shortages and a law prohibiting inefficient appliances.

Published in Volume 64, Number 9 of The Uniter (October 29, 2009)