Czech Traditional Puppets as presented (in Flash) by the National Museum of Taiwan.

Ricardo Montalban has died. As well as being Capt. Kirk's nemesis, Khan Noonien Singh, in a classic Trek episode and the movie The Wrath of Khan, he was known for playing the tall guy who ordered Tattoo around on Fantasy Island. He will be swaddled in rich, Cordovan leather for his burial, provided by Chrysler.

One to keep an eye on opening in two days or so -- whatever it may be. Looks like a Flash-based "Decorate the Oval Office" game by Ikea.

Entropa is causing some commotion. The supposedly collaborative piece has been installed in the headquarters of the European Council of Ministers in Brussels. Bulgaria complained about its depiction as a toilet, prompting Czech artist David Cerny to admit that it's a big hoax. more inside

Book Is Rallying Resistance to the Antivaccine Crusade. "Paul A. Offit sees a fiery debate on autism as being hijacked by vaccine opponents peddling false hope."

Obama's Playlist It's been confirmed that President-Elect Obama's first foreign trip as President Obama will be to Canada, reinstating a long tradition. While visiting Presidents have often given speeches to the Canadian public (tv and radio clips), this time we're going to give the President a little musical education, and you can help by voting for the top 49 songs to showcase Canada. more inside

We have identified the man to blame for the current global financial crisis and apparently it's David Bowie.

Human Hunters Genetically Shrink Their Prey. Animals hunted by humans are evolving faster than any other animals of their kind in the wild, becoming progressively smaller.

NASA Detects Mystery Booming Sound In Deep Space, Origin Unknown.

The story of the NS11 , a record-breaking airship which met a disastrous end. more inside

It's the bicentary of Louis Braille inventor of the writing system for the blind. But does it matter?

My Genome, My Self. "In the coming era of consumer genetics, your DNA will have much to tell you about the biological bases of your health, your physique and even your personality. But will this knowledge really amount to self-knowledge?"

A prenatal test for autism would deprive the world of future geniuses. [Via]

The Odyssey retold as part choose-your-own-adventure, part amusing multiple choice quiz. Test your classical knowledge or just ask yourself "What would Odysseus do?" more inside

Russia has agreed to cut gas supplies via Ukraine, claiming Ukraine have been siphoning off gas. Unfortunately, the Ukraine pipeline also supplies Austria, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, France, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey. 100% of Slovakia's gas is supplied via the pipeline and they have declared a state of emergency.

On the Wings of Love: At Temple's Aviary, Problem Birds Find Feathered 'Friends'. [Via]

Google has a new year's present for Mac users. Picasa for the Mac is finally available (in beta, like all Google products). Now I can finally wave goodbye to iPhoto. (I am doing a happy dance right now.) more inside

Best fiction of 2008. I haven't read a single one of these. Have you? What else would you recommend from last year's new books?

How would you feel about a half-human half-chimp hybrid?

The Uninvited - how to seriously disconcert the new guy in the building. If you need help with your costume let me know, I have made mine by wrapping a black t-shirt around my face with a hooded jacket and cut finger holes in black socks for the gloves. I do not have any black pants so will spray paint my legs on the night.