as_the_crow_flies said...

as_the_crow_flies at 09:52 PM JST - 26th September

Is it illegal to sell a snapping turtle if you're keeping a poisonous snake without permission? Or illegal to keep a poisonous snake without permission while selling a snapping turtle?

Only if the turtle is actually caught snapping at the moment of sale. Otherwise you're clear on both counts. A…

Posted in Pet shop operator arrested for selling poisonous snakes at 09:52 PM JST - 26th September
as_the_crow_flies at 08:45 PM JST - 26th August

A smart move by Singapore. They probably took a quick side glance at the bad press that China's behaviour has bought it over the ridiculous charade of the so-called "protest parks" during the Olympics.

Posted in Singapore eases ban on outdoor protests at 08:45 PM JST - 26th August
as_the_crow_flies at 08:29 PM JST - 26th August

Ordering even one bowl of Yoshinoya gyudon is already a crime. Ordering 15 calls for capital punishment.

Posted in Man arrested for eating at Yoshinoya without paying for 12 hours at 08:29 PM JST - 26th August
as_the_crow_flies at 08:48 PM JST - 24th August

Considering mobiles can and have been adapted to act as detonators, I'd have thought most people would be prepared to do without them during a flight as a trade-off for greater peace of mind. I know what my priorities are.

Posted in U.S. public divided on in-flight cell phone use at 08:48 PM JST - 24th August
as_the_crow_flies at 08:24 PM JST - 24th August

He was wearing a T-shirt and jeans, and carrying two mobile phones, police said.

Since when has the victim's appearance, of someone already found, been the subject of police reports of events. Isn't that for (unfound) suspects.

neighbors saw four or five men quarrel and three cars leave the area…

Posted in Brazilian man fatally stabbed in Aichi at 08:24 PM JST - 24th August
as_the_crow_flies at 05:32 PM JST - 18th August

Wow! DNA like, being used like, to identify people?!!! That's just so, like, twenty-first century! Soon they'll be able to like, show paternity with DNA in Japan!

Posted in Murder evidence DNA points to inmate in separate case at 05:32 PM JST - 18th August
as_the_crow_flies at 11:13 PM JST - 6th August

Can anyone tell me, apart from the meaningless statistics, what "40% self-sufficient" actually means? It's double-talk to me, like 40% honest, 40% home-made, 40% pesticide-free, 40% fresh... George Orwell would be feeling vindicated if he read Kyodo News stories, even though he wrote "1984" thinking of Stalinism, it seems like…

Posted in Japan's food self-sufficiency rate recovers to 40% at 11:13 PM JST - 6th August
as_the_crow_flies at 03:12 PM JST - 30th July

The more Japan tries to protect itself from changing economic realities (i.e the Japanese notion of continuing to to use expensive production methods for agriculture, even when there are much a host of other places doing it much cheaper) the more painful the fall when it comes.Two eighty year olds…

Posted in Farmers welcome collapse of WTO talks; business leaders disappointed at 03:12 PM JST - 30th July
as_the_crow_flies at 03:01 PM JST - 7th July

The welfare office rejected his applications on the grounds that he could assume work judged sufficient

Huh? Can anyone tell me what that means in English? Whatever it is, doesn't alter the fact the man is apparently trying to support himself and explained his problem: no fixed address, no…

Posted in Homeless man seeks welfare payments at 03:01 PM JST - 7th July
as_the_crow_flies at 11:38 AM JST - 2nd July

Respect for President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal who is saying it like it is. Let's hope he can pursuade his counterparts around the region to do the same. A bit of straight talking must give the people of Zimbabwe some hope.

Posted in African leaders call for power-sharing deal in Zimbabwe at 11:38 AM JST - 2nd July