For the first time since the 19th century, us average Brits are about to become richer than the average American, according to a report today. This makes me feel absolutely loaded, despite the fact I've barely got two beans to rub together. Presumably the average American has just half a bean, or something.

Go team Britland! More money here - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7174372.stm

So, anyway, it's 2008. That means time to say goodbye to that other year we've all been taking for granted - the well worn old sock that was 2007.

It's a happy day for airshow-visiting 'plane geeks of the highest order - possibly the best loved weapon of mass destruction, the Avro Vulcan cold war bomber, has finally returned to the skies!

Today marks the 50th anniversary of Sputnik 1, the very first man-made satellite placed in geocentric orbit around the earth, and probably the first significant encroachment of man into space - testing the waters of the final frontier.

With no prior announcement, and coming literally out of the blue, the launch of Sputnik by the USSR took everyone by surprise - particularly the terrified American public, who panicked at the idea that their communist foe's technology could be more advanced than their own.

Is anyone else a little disturbed at the coverage the McCanns are still recieving, even now they've been named as formal suspects in the dissapearance of their daughter?

Win a trip to Space.

All you have to do is tell Audi, and New Scientist what you think the best patent of all time is. Read more here.

In a shocking turn of affairs, a Polish company has turned from its traditional lush lace wedding gowns and altar cloths to manufacturing a new product in order to boost profits. Understandably, given the new product, there has been a strong division of opinion over the route taken by the company, who are now manufacturing expensive, lacy g-strings along with the altar cloths that they have been making for 200 years.

Shockwaves were sent across the natural world last night, as a second stingray attack on a human being is as many months prompted a backlash against stingrays the world over. American James Bertakis was last night critically ill in hospital after being pierced by a sting ray barb to the heart, in a suicide attack which eerily echoes the violent end brought to Australian wildlife activist Steve Irwin in September.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6066862.stm

It is possible that the stingray was wearing a veil.

The Stingray World Council has immediately condemned the attack, saying that it is the work of a tiny fraction of extremist stingrays, and that its actions are in no way condoned by the vast majority of hard-working, law-abiding stingrays the world over.

we had snow flurries the other day. not looking forward to winter and being cold all the time. air conditioning replaced with blankets and long sleeves and hot cocoa.