TresSugar

Front Page: World Marks 20 Years Since Fall of Berlin Wall

TresSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:00:18 -0800

As Germany and the rest of the world mark 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, those who experienced the momentous moment are sharing their memories. - BBC News
Iran has charged three US citizens with espionage after they crossed into the country from Iraq. - Voice of America
Jon Gosselin and Levi Johnston made a joint appearance in Times Square yesterday. - New York Daily News
Three big Wall Street firms are set to pay $30 billion in bonuses this year. - Bloomberg
Alice S. Rossi, a noted scholar and founder of the National Organization for Women (NOW), died last week at the age of 87. - New York Times
Disney's revamped version of A Christmas Carol took the top spot at the box office this weekend, bringing in $31 million. - BuzzSugar

German Ad: AIDS Is the New Hitler

TresSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:00:00 -0700

Did you just lose your lunch looking at this ad? I almost did when I first saw it. The creators of the nightmarish German AIDS awareness ad say that they "knew the face we gave to the illness could not be a pretty one" - and what's uglier than having sex with Adolf Hitler?

The video version, which will soon be played in cinemas and on television, shows a couple having sex. At the end, the man's face turns into Hitler's and the screen reads "AIDS is mass murderer." As you can expect, many people are outraged. Some say the campaign further stigmatizes people living with AIDS, while others argue that the sensationalized message fails to offer any preventative advice.

Do you think using Hitler in this ad is a necessary evil that will wake people up to the risk of AIDS, or is this ad unnecessarily offensive?

Celebrity Underwear Museum - Hilarious or Horrifying?

TresSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:30:00 -0700

If you're in Brussels, Belgium anytime soon, you might want to check out the recently opened "Musee du Slip" or in English, the celebrity underwear museum! Artist Jan Bucquoy has been collecting the undergarments of famous people for some time now, and he's finally decided to share them with the world.

In the collection faded blue boxer shorts from Belgium's finance minster sit next to a G-string from classic porn star Brigitte Lahaie. All underwear must have been worn by the person for at least one day. There are also photos of people like Nicolas Sarkozy or Margaret Thatcher with underwear superimposed on their heads. Bucquoy explains his vision:

"I want to create poetry with everyday things by putting them in a different context. I say underpants are art. Put them in a frame and create a new way of looking at the world."

Do you like his idea of art?

First Wives Urged to Stay Away From Sexist Berlusconi's Italy

TresSugar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:30:53 -0700

How do you say "sexist" in Italian? Berlusconi. At least that's what a group of female academics in Italy think. They're urging wives of male G8 leaders to stay home from the G8 conference to be hosted by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi next month in Italy.

While the Obamas offer Americans at least a picture of marital bliss, Italians are being treated to a messy divorce. Since Berlusconi's wife of 20 years Veronica Lario filed for divorce in April, a colorful series of allegations about his love life and treatment of women have come out. The 72-year-old leader, who has had his fair share of other scandals including countless criminal trials, has been accused of having an affair with an 18-year-old and hiring paid escorts. Of course, he denies any "spicy" relations.

The academics also call into question Berlusconi's attempt to appoint showgirls, actresses, and a Big Brother contestant as candidates in the European elections.

Perhaps the first wives will attend, if only so their husbands have less free time to spend with their Italian host.

Boob Jobs Offered to Job Seekers - Hilarious or Horrifying?

TresSugar — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Health insurance, an easy commute, flexible hours, or a simple paycheck might attract you to a job these days, but an understaffed health clinic in Prague is using free plastic surgery to lure doctors, nurses, and secretaries.

New employees who sign a three-year contract can choose between free breast implants, liposuction, or tummy tucks. Breast implants typically cost three times the average nurse's monthly salary, so it's a great deal!

Does this sounds like a good perk (pun intended)?

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Swiss Voters Outlaw Nudity in Nature

TresSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0700

After an invasion of German nudists, voters in the Swiss Alps have banned hiking in the buff.

The tiny canton (state) of Appenzell Inner Rhodes held a show-of-hands vote on the "disgraceful" practice at their open-air assembly. The majority decided to impose a fine of about $176 on people found hiking around their mountains sans pantaloons. Considering this conservative canon only gave women the vote in 1990, it's not surprising that naked hikers make them blush.

Would you vote to ban nude hikers, or should they have the right to go au natural in nature?

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Briefing Book! Newspapers in Europe Make Money

CitizenSugar — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:30:55 -0700

Newspapers in Europe aren't failing because they're making money off something other than news. - Gawker
A lawyer trying to sell tape of Ashley Biden (Joe Biden's 27-year-old daughter) allegedly doing cocaine has been withdrawn the sale. - Huffington Post
Facebook gets family-friendly with new private groups. - geeksugar
Women create award-winning virginity video game. - Lemondrop
College admission officers dish about how to get off the wait list. - The Daily Beast
Secretary Geithner was 98 lbs. of solid nerd until he became: the Toxic Assets Avenger! - Indecision Forever

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Lawmakers Crack Down on Guns After Shooting Rampages

CitizenSugar — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 10:30:28 -0700

Shooting rampages filled today's headlines. In Alabama, a man killed a dozen people, including the members of his own family. Over in Germany, a 17-year-old boy attacked a high school, killing at least 16 people.

When attacks occur, European countries often hurry to tighten gun laws. Following two school massacres within a year, Finland announced plans today to raise the minimum age for handgun ownership from 15 to 20. In Belgium, lawmakers passed strict gun laws in 2006 after a racially motivated shooting of a toddler and her black babysitter. In Portugal, the parliament is considering denying bail to anyone suspected of a gun crime.

American lawmakers have responded, too. After the Virginia Tech massacre, the governor signed an executive order requiring that anyone ordered by law to get mental health treatment be added to a database of people barred from buying guns.

Do you think this is the correct response to gun-related tragedies?

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Picture It: Schwarzenegger Is the (Pretty) Face of CA in Europe

CitizenSugar — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:41:45 -0800

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger spent the week in Europe, attending the 79th Geneva International Motor Show. No word if the Austrian-born politician now speaks German with a heavy American accent.

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Italian Town Bans "Ethnic" Restaurants

LibertySugar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 06:00:13 -0800

Lucca, Italy has barred new ethnic restaurants from opening in its medieval center - but there's still no word whether an establishment could get away with putting moo shu pork on a pizza. The conservative city council says it wants to protect local specialties from an exotic-food invasion.

Hoping to clear things up, a spokesman said: "By ethnic cuisine we mean a different cuisine." Oh different, that helps? He continued: "That means no new kebabs, Thai or Lebanese restaurants." And making it even more confusing, he said a French restaurant would be allowed, but probably not a Sicilian restaurant, since they usually use Middle Eastern ingredients.

Do you think towns should be allowed to pass laws like these?

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