Newsbriefs: make art, not war

By Ændrew Rininsland

<Grand Theft Auto: Vatican City?

According to a BBC report, a man attempted to jump into Pope Benedict XVI’s popemobile during his weekly public audience Wed., Jun. 6. He was quickly wrestled to the ground and it appears the Pope was unaware of the attempt. The man was then taken to hospital for psychiatric evaluation. Vatican spokesperson Federico Lombardi described the attempt as a cry for attention and not an attempt on the Pope’s life. The man did not receive bonus points and was unable to attempt the secret “Popemobile Rampage” missions available by pressing the square button once in the popemobile.

Fine Arts talents revealed

Anyone who has ever wondered how those mysterious art students spend their time in the upper levels of the art parkade have one last chance to find out. The creative manifestations from the University of Calgary’s faculty of fine arts graduates are currently on display in the Nickel Arts Museum–Canada’s largest university museum. The exhibition–titled Merge–features an eclectic mix of paintings, sculptures, prints and photos. Intrigued members of the public can view these works until June 8, when they will be re-absorbed into the mythical, intangible underground art world.

Roller-Shoes are death-traps: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report

The popular “Heelys” roller-shoes contributed to more than 1600 emergency room visits in the U.S. within the last year alone, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said this week. Of those injuries, 20 per cent were ascribed to “unfortunately-placed poles,” 15 per cent to “unfortunately-placed stairs,” 30 per cent to “unfortunately-placed road debris” and a whopping 35 per cent to “unfortunately-placed arms of pedestrians.” This is just the most recent in a string of reports decrying the shoes, including a recommendation by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommending safety padding for the adventure-addicted children who chose to wear them.

Stephen Harper unwittingly sides with U.S. in missile debate

According to thestar.com, on Tue., Jun. 5, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke to reporters in Paris where he rebuked Russian President Vladimir Putin for his criticisms of the proposed NATO plan to institute a missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic. However, Harper assured Parisians that “there is no reason to interpret this act as a threat against Russia,” a statement which echoed U.S. President George W. Bush who told reporters in Prague that “Russia is not our enemy.” Putin has threatened to re-aim portions of Russia’s enormous post-Cold War nuclear missile arsenal at targets in Europe. Harper was in Paris for the annual G8 summit, which started Wednesday in Heiligendamm, Germany and wraps up Fri., Jun. 8.

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