Couple accused of selling monkey meatballs!

What?!?

JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesian police have arrested a couple who made meatballs from the flesh of protected monkeys, an animal conservation group said on Wednesday.

The pair poached dozens of rare Javan langurs, also known as silver-leaf monkeys, from Baluran National Park in the east of Java island, according to a statement released by Indonesia-based animal protection group ProFauna.

"Police found 30 kilograms (65 pounds) meat estimated to come from 20 - 25 individuals, two rifles and a live langur," the statement said.

"The couple admitted that they had known what they did was against the law and they hunted the monkeys for their meat because beef and chicken were more expensive than the protected monkeys."

Meatball soup, known locally as bakso, is a popular dish in Indonesia.

The statement said police were now broadening their investigation to include checks on vendors suspected of selling the monkey meatballs, while ProFauna was in talks with the national park caretakers to prevent further poaching.

Indonesian law states that perpetrators of wildlife crimes face a maximum five year prison term and a fine of 5 million rupiah ($555), but the law is not always strictly enforced.

Hmm...I wonder what they taste like?

Another crazy funeral in Puerto Rico!

Remember in 2008, when we chronicled the saga of the Stand-up stiff Dead Guy? You know the one that wanted to be "standing up" on his funeral? Well, you been upstaged son.

Meet "Ghost Rider"!

22 year old bike messenger David N. Morales Colón was shot and killed in Barrio Obrero last Thursday. As his last wish, he wanted to be on his favorite motorcycle in his wake. The same funerary home that prepared the other guy, got the assignment and displayed this garish event!

Seriously, we have to stop doing this kind of crap. It really cheapens us.

Then again, it looks kind of funny. It doesn't look as creepy as the other guy.

He will be interred today in a regular casket, not on his motorcycle!

After getting their iPhone prototype, Apple send its attack dogs with Gestapo type police actions!

It looks like no good deed goes unpunished!

SEATTLE – Authorities seized computers, digital cameras, a cell phone and other items from a technology blog editor who posted pictures and details of a lost iPhone prototype.

A computer-crime task force made up of multiple law enforcement agencies searched Gizmodo editor and blogger Jason Chen's house and car in Fremont, Calif., on Friday, according to a statement and search warrant documents provided by Gizmodo.

The warrant, issued by a Superior Court judge in San Mateo County, said the computers and other devices may have been used to commit a felony. Steve Wagstaffe, spokesman for the San Mateo County District Attorney's office, confirmed the warrant's authenticity.

Members of the Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team took several computers, hard drives, digital cameras, cell phones and other gadgets, plus Chen's American Express bill and copies of his checks.

Last week Gizmodo had one of the Web's hottest scoops when it posted photos of an Apple device that appeared to be a next-generation iPhone. It had been found in a bar in Redwood City, which is in San Mateo County, and sold for $5,000 by an unknown person to Gizmodo, a gadget blog owned by Gawker Media Inc.

After Chen, 29, posted photos and details about the phone, Apple acknowledged the device belonged to the company, and Gizmodo returned it.

Gawker Media said California law, which protects journalists from having to turn over anonymous sources or unpublished material to law enforcement during a search, should apply to Chen's property.

"Are bloggers journalists? I guess we'll find out," Nick Denton, who runs Gawker Media, wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

Wagstaffe said the district attorney's office is examining that issue.

Apple spokesman Steve Dowling declined to comment.

The Boobquake Experiment has begun!

It all began with a quote from Muslim Cleric, and became an Internet sensation.

After prominent Iranian cleric Kazem Sedighi said that women’s immodesty increases earthquakes, a Purdue University student named Jen McCreight created a Facebook event called “Boobquake,” calling for the women of the world to wear their most revealing outfits on Monday, April 26.

Sedighi was quoted in the Chicago Tribune saying, “Many women who do not dress modestly … lead young men astray, corrupt their chastity and spread adultery in society, which (consequently) increases earthquakes.”

The plan, of course, is to embarrass Sedighi if a significant increase in earthquakes does not occur on Monday. The event has more than 177,000 “confirmed” guests and 57,000 “maybes.” There’s also a Facebook page that has been liked by more than 37,000 users, and a Twitter (Twitter) hashtag called #boobquake that’s getting several updates per minute. Boobquake has been all over the mainstream media and merchandise is already rolling out — T-shirts and the like. It’s this weekend’s social media phenomenon.

For many, this is an example of how social media can raise public awareness and generate discussion. For quite a few straight men of the more narrow-minded variety, though, it’s mostly an opportunity to do some extra ogling. Both of those are the last things Sedighi wants.

The event has nevertheless stirred up a lot of controversy even among non-religious people. Some groups of feminists are saying that it only adds to the sexualization of women, in contrast to others who are saying that it’s all about women having the freedom to present themselves however they want.

McCreight responded to the concerns in her blog (blog), saying she never knew the event would become much more than a private joke, and that she’d have been more careful about wording and execution had she known.

And the box office champion this week is...

LOS ANGELES – "How to Train Your Dragon" continues to breathe fire at the box office, while newer releases are mostly blowing smoke.

The DreamWorks Animation adventure took in $15 million to reclaim the No. 1 spot in its fifth weekend of release. "How to Train Your Dragon" opened in first place in late March, then dropped back into the pack. But it has held up strongly and climbed to the top again amid a flurry of so-so new releases.

The tale of a Viking youth and his pet dragon raised its total to $178 million and is on its way to becoming a $200 million hit.

Premiering weakly at No. 2 with $12.3 million was Jennifer Lopez's romantic comedy "The Back-up Plan," released by CBS Films. Another comedy, Steve Carell and Tina Fey's "Date Night" from 20th Century Fox, held up well to finish at No. 3 with $10.6 million, raising its total to $63.5 million.

Among the weekend's other newcomers, the Warner Bros. action flick "The Losers" flopped at No. 4 with $9.6 million. Disney's nature film "Oceans" had a solid opening for a documentary, coming in at No. 8 with $6 million.

"How to Train Your Dragon" nearly regained the No. 1 spot the previous weekend but wound up a close second to Lionsgate's superhero comedy "Kick-Ass." In its second weekend, "Kick-Ass" slumped to No. 5 with $9.5 million, down 52 percent from its debut, lifting its total to $34.9 million.

Revenues for "How to Train Your Dragon" were off a scant 23 percent from the previous weekend.

"To be No. 1 in week five, it's an exciting time," said Anne Globe, head of marketing for DreamWorks Animation. "Especially to be decisively No. 1 after last weekend's box-office shenanigans."

The box office had ended in rare photo finishes for two straight weekends as movies bunched up tightly in the rankings. Though "How to Train Your Dragon" was the clear winner this time, top movies again were crowded closely together as the weekend's newcomers failed to grab much attention.

Overall Hollywood revenues should top out at about $100 million, the lowest-grossing weekend of the year, said Paul Dergarabedian, box-office analyst for Hollywood.com.

Fans may simply be watching their finances amid the slow economic recovery, saving their money for the onslaught of summer blockbusters that starts May 7 with "Iron Man 2."

"They may be saying, 'I want to see big summer movies, so I'm just going to wait,'" Dergarabedian said. "Then suddenly, we're going to have this massive weekend when 'Iron Man 2' opens after we've had these mediocre weekends."

While "The Back-up Plan" opened weakly, CBS Films was hoping it would hold up well in subsequent weekends, as romantic comedies often do.

"Jennifer Lopez's films have great legs, as does she," said Steven Friedlander, head of distribution for CBS Films.

"The Back-up Plan" stars Lopez as a single woman who gets pregnant through artificial insemination, then meets the man of her dreams.

"The Losers," whose cast includes "Avatar" co-star Zoe Saldana, is a comic-book adaptation about a Special Forces team looking for payback after a mission goes bad.

Narrated by Pierce Brosnan, "Oceans" offers up-close glimpses of blue whales, walruses, sea turtles, spider crabs and other aquatic life. Since opening on Earth Day Thursday, "Oceans" has taken in $8.5 million.

"Oceans" played in narrower release than other new movies, averaging $4,975 in 1,206 theaters, a fair result for a documentary. By comparison, "The Back-up Plan" averaged $3,735 in 3,280 theaters and "The Losers" averaged $3,271 in 2,936 cinemas.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. "How to Train Your Dragon," $15 million.

2. "The Back-up Plan," $12.3 million.

3. "Date Night," $10.6 million.

4. "The Losers," $9.6 million.

5. "Kick-Ass," $9.5 million.

6. "Clash of the Titans," $9 million.

7. "Death at a Funeral," $8 million.

8. "Oceans," $6 million.

9. "The Last Song," $3.7 million.

10. "Alice in Wonderland," $2.2 million.

It was 10 years ago today. Remember Elián González?

On April 22, 2000, the Elián González saga came to an end in the early hours in the morning on a hushed Hialeah street.

The boy, who was taken by his mother on the perilous 90 mile illegal boat trip from Cuba to Key West, was the center of controversy between the United States and Cuba. Elián's distant relatives claimed that her mother, who drowned when the boat capsized, had wanted that Elián stayed in America. His father, still living in Cuba, was asking for his son to be returned, and to resume a normal life in that island.

At the end International law prevailed, and in a daring raid, Elián was whisked away by FBI agents to be reunited with his dad and back home to Cuba.

If you are asking whatever happened to Elián, well he's 16 now, and a member of the Pioneers, the cadre of Communist party cadets.

In an antiquated political system, that holds to the ideas of a discarded cold war, it's almost quaint to see little Elián playing Political Officer.

What will happen in another 10 years. Probably Elián will become a Tele-communications executive with ATT.

It's official - Leonard Nimoy retires from acting!

The news were confirmed 50 minutes ago.

Leonard Nimoy, the actor who has famously portrayed "Star Trek's" original alien Spock for over 40 years, has announced he's officially hanging up the pointy Vulcan ears for good.

Nimoy, 79, plans to retire shortly from show business and the "Star Trek" convention circuit, according to the Canadian newspaper Toronto Sun.

The actor, director and photographer will be attending the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo this weekend, and told the paper that beyond this event he only has a few more public appearances scheduled.

Nimoy also currently guest stars on the television show "Fringe," produced by J.J, Abrams who directed last summer's re-launched "Star Trek" film franchise chronicling a younger original series cast on their first mission on the starship Enterprise.

The retirement announcement all but guarantees that an elder, "from-the-future" Spock (at least played by Nimoy) will not make an appearance in the next "Star Trek" movie.

"I want to get off the stage. Also, I don't think it would be fair to Zachary Quinto," Nimoy told the Toronto Sun, referring to the actor who portrays young Spock in the new Trek film. "He's a terrific actor, he looks the part, and it's time to give him some space. And I'm very flattered the character will continue."

Boldly going from Boston to the bridge

Nimoy, born in Boston, Mass. in 1931, began his acting career at the age of 20, taking on roles in a number of campy science fiction. In the early and mid-1960s, he appeared in episodes of major series including "Bonanza," "Perry Mason" and "Get Smart" in 1966.

Also in that year, Nimoy landed a role in a new series created by Gene Roddenberry called "Star Trek." Nimoy played Commander Spock, the half-human, half-Vulcan first mate and science officer aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise, helmed by Captain James T. Kirk, played by William Shatner.

Nimoy donned fake, pointy, elvish ears, some swooping eyebrows, an early-Beatles hairdo, and a poker face to play the half-human, half-alien character.

Spock – for the most part – maintained a stoic demeanor per his Vulcan ancestry and his green-tinted blood ran cool in his veins. But this uber-"logical" side of Spock occasionally struggled with his more emotional half and was torn at times between the two cultures.

"Star Trek" ran until 1969 and despite low ratings the show garnered a cult-like following on syndication in the years ahead.

Nimoy, for his part, went on to star in a number of made-for-television movies and theatrical productions in the 1970s, his Star Trek days apparently behind him. But when studio executives green-lit a proposed new television series instead as a feature film with the original crew, Nimoy found himself back in his Starfleet uniform.

A career at warp speed

The character of Spock would continue his journey in all six original series movies, as well as episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episodes in 1991, and then in an alternate timeline established in last summer's Abrams-directed flick. Nimoy also lent his voice to Trek-themed video games and other products over the years, adding to the legend of his character.

Nimoy also directed the third and fourth "Star Trek" movies, the latter of which, 1986's "'Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home," has been roundly received by audiences and critics alike as perhaps the best Trek film of all for its humor and, oddly enough, humanity. (The plot involved time-traveling back to late 20th century Earth to bring humpback whales, extinct in the future, to the 23rd century when "Star Trek" takes place to answer the calls of a devastating alien probe seeking the intelligent makers of whale song whispers heard across space eons before.)

"I felt like 'Star Trek IV' was my personal statement on 'Star Trek,'" Nimoy told the Toronto Sun.

In two autobiographies, 1975's "I Am Not Spock," followed by 1995's "I Am Spock," Nimoy shared his coming-to-grips of being constantly associated with his famous Star Trek character.

In addition to this work, Nimoy has also made musical recordings and done voiceovers for documentaries and as Spock and himself in cartoons such as "The Simpsons" and "Futurama," and of course "Star Trek: The Animated Series" in the 1970s.

"Live long and prosper"

Among his many memorable on-screen moments as Spock, Nimoy came up with the now-iconic, V-shaped hand gesture often accompanied by the Vulcan axiom "live long and prosper," both inspired by his Jewish heritage.

The albeit-less-friendly Vulcan nerve pinch – an incapacitating touch to a neck but more civilized than one of Kirk's wildly exaggerated-for-TV haymaker punches – was also an on-set invention by Nimoy for his character.

Overall, Nimoy's retirement is sure to leave a hole in many "Star Trek" fans and others' hearts. But when pushing octogenarian-hood, retiring – as Spock himself might say – perhaps is the only logical thing to do.