The joint isn't jumping any more
Friday 15 July 2011
Latest in hei-fi-views
Can you smoke cannabis in Amsterdam or not? Since the 1970s, many "coffee shops" have been granted a licence to sell up to 5g for smoking on the premises (but not, quaintly, if it's smoked with tobacco, because that's banned). Some weeks ago, the government ruled that, as of next year, tourists won't be allowed to indulge in coffee shops or anywhere else. But they've now decided to remove the "No-Cannabis Zone" notices that went up in the Dutch capital four years ago – on the grounds that cannabis is already illegal. Not that it matters, because many of the notices have been stolen. Apparently they're perfect for rolling joints on.
V iewers of the Happy League television dating show watched with interest as a 39-year-old unmarried Chinese music teacher called Liu Hao did a little song-and-dance routine, beating seven competitors and winning a date with a lady contestant. But one viewer wasn't rooting for him. He recognised the winner as the alarming Wu Gang, who's been wanted for 13 years for stabbing a man to death outside a restaurant. He is now in police custody – probably regretting he put so much giveaway passion into his rendition of "Delilah".
T he first human prey has advertised his services. Unemployed redneck Mork Encino, from Utah, is offering himself to "hearty gents who fancy themselves sportsmen and are tired of the usual game". He declares himself willing to be hunted and trapped (though not necessarily killed) for $10,000, or twice that sum if he's naked. British huntsmen still chafing at New Labour's hunting ban can find him on huntme4sport.com. "Candy asses" need not apply, apparently.
A heart-warming story from beyond time and space. In Little Axe, Oklahoma, the parents of a girl called Kaity built her a wooden bus stop in the shape of the Tardis. Tragically, it was pinched from her backyard last month by intergalactic scumbags. Whereupon a neighbour and fellow victim, Anthony Pago, put out a plea for money, planks and paint – and with 30 helpers built Kaity a new one and delivered it to the ecstatic teen. It was reported on KFOR News. Leaving thousands of viewers asking "What's a Tardis?", "What's Doctor Who?" and "What's a bus stop doing inside a box marked 'Police'?"
- 1 Kate Allen: It's time for America to put an end to this shameful scandal
- 2 Spotify: 1 million plays, £108 return
- 3 Chemotherapy is 'safe during pregnancy'
- 4 BBC to issue global apology for documentaries that broke rules
- 5 Rhodri Marsden: What we like and what we don't like are often closer than you'd think
- 6 Lightning kills an entire football team
- 7 I was born to be a killer. Every night I see the Devil in my dreams
- 8 Henry does it his way, ending on a high note
- 9 Modern lovers: The 'sexual body warriors' and pioneers transforming 21st-century relationships
- 10 Redknapp hints at same old faces for England
- 1 Robert Fisk: Ethnic conflict spreads over the mountains
- 2 Liverpool anger at Suarez despite day of apologies
- 3 Stefan Stern: Boardroom shame – and about time too
- 4 Smells like my teen spirit
- 5 Ian Burrell: There are too few female comics on TV – and the BBC knows it's not funny
- 6 Murdoch flies in as News Corp faces first US lawsuit
- 7 Amol Rajan: Stressed at work? Spare a thought for the Chinese
Free trial of new Independent iPad app
Get your daily dose of the best of British journalism, sponsored by American Airlines
Win a three-week coastal jaunt
Spend three weeks exploring every nook and cranny of gorgeous Atlantic Canada.
Amazing restaurant offers
Three glasses of free champagne and a special menu at 46 top London restaurants.
Latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Day In a Page
Apple admits it has a human rights problem
James Lawton: AVB looks all at sea
Procrastination: Not now – I'm busy
Silent revolution at the Baftas
The diva who had – and lost – it all


Comments