Speedo unveiled a new three-piece swim-suit system on Wednesday that could be faster than the now-banned full-body suits used in the 2008 Olympics. Speedo’s new outfit combines a regulation suit, swim cap, and goggles. It has already been approved by Fina, swiming's governing body, and works to improve oxygen efficiency and reduce drag. Speedo-sponsored athlete Michael Phelps, who plans to wear the system at the 2012 London Olympics, said he believes swimmers may be able to break records... Read More
A Vermont man was partially swallowed by a sandbar as he attempted to cross the Dirty Devil River in eastern Utah last Wednesday. Robert Tesar, 25, was 23 days into an expedition with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) when he sank to his waist in the soft riverbed. Unable to free Tesar, and concerned about the 40-degree temperatures, the NOLS group activated an emergency beacon. After 13 hours, a volunteer crew from Wayne County working in conjunction with Classic Lifeguard Helicop... Read More
AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines, announced Tuesday that it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The airline is the last of the major U.S. carriers to file for bankruptcy after resisting the move for several year. Operations will continue normally as the company restructures in an attempt to lower its debts and labor costs, according to American Airline officials.
Read more at The New York Times
Police in Spain's Basque region arrested three Italian men earlier this month as they tried to smuggle 51 kilos of cocaine into the country using hollowed-out surfboards. The men made it from Chile to Bilbao’s Loiu Airport where they were picked up by police. Surfboard drug smuggling, which most often features badly painted and misshapen boards, has a surprisingly rich history.
Read more at Business Insider
United Kingdom Transport Secretary Justine Greening announced Monday that the country will no longer use military helicopters to help rescue stranded hikers and climbers. By 2016, the Ministry of Defense and Her Majesty's Coast Guard will retire its fleet of Sea King helicopters and transfer search and rescue responsibilities to private companies. "We are confident that ... a fully civilian service will be able to maintain the same standards in the future," Greening said. The announcement is p... Read More
