links for 2010-12-09


  • Passengers could be riding Venetian-style water taxis down the River Irwell next summer.

    Manchester Water Taxi Ltd plans to launch the yellow ‘waxis’, claiming they will help reduce pollution and congestion.

    It is hoped the 40ft boats will travel between Manchester Victoria and the Trafford Centre, with stops at Spinningfields, Exchange Quay and MediaCityUK. Bosses at the firm are urging people to register their support in the region’s draft Local Transport Plan, which sets future transport priorities.

  • The batch of 250,000 US classified documents released by WikiLeaks to several news outlets, some of whose content was made public Sunday, sheds new light on the sordid nature of American imperialist intrigue and conspiracy around the globe.

    The Author will analyze the documents more thoroughly in a subsequent article, but "highlights" published by the Guardian and the New York Times are revealing.

    The leaked material consists of classified cables from US embassies, some dispatched as recently as early 2010. The cables, most of which date from 2007-2010, contain US officials' comments on foreign governments and leaders and speculation about the activities and maneuvers of the latter, as well as details about American foreign policy operations.

    In a revelation that should surprise no one, the US State Department and American diplomacy in general turn out to be a vast nest of spies.

  • It would seem that these days, there’s nothing Russell Brand won’t consider remaking. He’s already set to hit our screens in Arthur, and now he’s taking aim at another, not-quite-so-high-profile comedy classic: Rentaghost.

    Yes, really. The 80s children's TV show that many of you will recall, some even fondly, about the agency for oddball spooks, ghouls, witches and other supernatural types, really is becoming a film for Warner Bros.

    (tags: film)