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April 26th, 2024

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Karma? | The Aristocrats!

News of the Weird by Chuck Shepherd

By News of the Weird by Chuck Shepherd

Published April 21, 2016

Karma? | The Aristocrats!
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen (who left the company early, and like Bill Gates, became known for his philanthropy, which has been directed toward conservation projects including coral reef restorations) is the owner of the 300-foot yacht whose anchor in January accidentally crushed 14,000 square feet (about 80 percent) of the Cayman Islands' precious West Bay coral reef. Harm to the islands' ecosystem, world-famous for its diversity, will not quickly be repaired, said officials. The MV Tatoosh's business in the area was not reported, but Allen was not aboard. Cayman Islands is a popular Caribbean vacation and diving spot (and, of course, tax haven). [The Guardian (London), 1-28-2016] [National Geographic, 1-16-2016]


Australian Neville Sharp brought his "A" game to a pub in the Darwin suburb of Humpty Doo in February and, in a Guinness World Record attempt, expelled a 110.6-decibel belch (which, if certified by Guinness book officials, beats the old record of 109.9 by a gentleman in the U.K.). Sharp gives all credit to his sister for teaching him, as a child, proper belching technique. [Australian Broadcasting Corp. News, 2-23-2016]

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