Robotic fish detect water pollution

A robotic fish is seen in a tank at the London Aquarium in this October 6, 2005 handout photo made available March 20, 2009. The carp-shaped robots, costing 20,000 pounds ($29,000) apiece, mimic the movement of real fish and are equipped with chemical sensors to sniff out potentially hazardous pollutants, such as leaks from vessels or underwater pipelines. The robots to be used are bigger than those which were seen at the London Aquarium and they measure 1.5 metres (nearly 5 feet) long -- roughly the size of a seal.

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Financial crisis takes the gloss off foreign grooms

If you're a foreigner keen on marrying a Chinese, she is more likely to say bu this year - and you can blame Lehman Bros et al for it.

Two nationwide surveys, conducted at the beginning of last year and earlier this year by major Chinese matchmaking agency hongniang.com, show that women are now less inclined to marry someone from outside the country.

The latest poll, with the September 2008 bankruptcy of Lehman Bros as a watershed, and conducted from December to February, shows that women who intend to wed foreigners plunged from 42.5 percent in the survey last year to 16.8 percent. At the same time, those who viewed cross-cultural marriages with approval fell from 72 points to 54, with 100 indicating the most favorable.

"This indicates that with the impact of the financial crisis, women are more prudent in choosing a foreign partner, and they are most concerned about financial stability and sense of security because of the spending culture in Western countries," explained Fang Fang, chief relationship consultant at the agency.

According to Fang, the surveys were conducted on both single and married women in the form of questionnaires, which were sent out to the agency's members or given to those who attended its social activities.

The number of international marriages has been growing along with China's increasing interaction with other countries, figures from information portal Chinanews.com showed last December. There are about 400,000 international marriages in the country every year, the portal reported.

For Bao Lu, a marketing specialist in her 20s with Trends Traveler magazine, the term "international marriage" conjures up images of media magnate Rupert Murdoch and his wife Wendi.

She thinks it needs courage to marry a person from another culture because cultural differences are a major issue. "But if you meet the right person at the right time at the right place, then go ahead. I don't believe money will come into the equation. I can accept a foreign husband if he's Mr Right," Bao added.

Why do you shop

Why do people shop?....well, basically there are three reasons as follows:

1) People shop for practical reasons, like..."Ops ....I run out of condoms"...."I haven't ate anything for 3 days"...."I need a bed for my friend...because he/she is staying overnight"....well, you got my drift!

2) People shop for social reasons....Like "Hey, I was there...didn't you see me there?"...."That's a cool place to be"...."Hi, sweety...nice seeing you here!"...."Did you see that?...wow!...cool!...fantasic!"...

3) People shop for emotional reasons...."He doesn't love me anyone...sob,...sob...I will shop until he drops...that's his heart rate or his bank account"..."I am so happy today...I will buy up the whole store"....."I am depressed...let buy some excitments"....etc.

SO.....why do you shop?....all the above reasons?....none of the above reasons?....different reasons other than the above?

Your unique and precious thoughts please!

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Womens Puma Cat Golf Shoes

I saw these and I thought that they looked pretty smart in black and white. Apparently the kilties are removable for a different look. bearing in mind I found them following an article about how important fashion is on the golf course these days (and how diverse the golfers), the look is obviously a feature. Sold on-line for $75, the alternative version in pink is sold out. Is that predictable?!

The Puma Golf Cat Shoe has a full rubber spikeless outsole and is available in both smooth and suede leather in a lace up style.

Light-weight, comfortable and water resistant.

Cool Shoes PUMA by Schedoni

As one of the top selling brands of sport shoes in the world, there's little new we can tell you about PUMA. You may not be familiar with Schedoni, but you've seen its products. Watch any F1 telecast, and notice the little black leather helmet pad right Felipe and Kimi's heads. Yup, Schedoni makes them. If you buy a Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, or Audi and order the optional fitted luggage, it too is crafted by Schedoni. Schedoni purses sell for $1000 and up at Neiman Marcus, and if you need an Italian leather golf bag or a Kevlar lined, bomb-resistant briefcase like the Italian secret service uses, Schedoni can fix you up with those too. This amazing boutique business is based in Modena, Italy, home of exotic cars, real parmesan cheese, and balsamic vinegar as precious as vintage wine.

The CEO of PUMA was so taken with the nature and products of Schedoni that he felt the two should joint venture on a project. The result is PUMA by Schedoni, a superb line of custom made footwear and accessories that is launching this month. Expect the F1 and movie star car types to be wearing them.

Ugg Rockstar

Girls get ready to make style. statement with a pair of this Ugg Rockstars.Uggs has brought for you this pair of studded boots to revamp your looks and appear stylish. Theyuwonline courses designed with sides studded with metallic rivets to give you arockstarlook. Well this boot is featured with sheepskin lining to keep your feet cool in summer and hot in winter.

These boots come with full shaft zipper for easy and comfortable fit. The metalUgglogo featured on the back of the heel online course programs the boot more stylish and trendy appeal. Pair these boots with jeans or a bohemian skirt that will give you a ravishing appearance and will make you the center of attraction in the crowd.

So above mentioned are three top collections of ugg boots for this fall's trend. Look trendy and rekindle you inner diva with any one or even three (if yougonnaso crazy with these boots) of these pair online course programsDon'tdelay you freaks of ugg boots. Hurry Up! Have them for you to rock this season with the latest trends.

Ugg Cargo

The craze for cargo pants fascinated the Ugg sto introduce ugg Cargo Boots II in the couture market. So cool are these boots as they are designed with genuine online university course insoles that naturally wick away the moisture. Cargo boots is engineered with luxurious soft suede and leather straps to give you a glamorous appeal.

Well, another utmost important thing is that these boots are detailed with side pockets that give them a completely fashionable as well as functional look (New trend is emerging in boots featuring side pockets). They are featured with inside zippers for providing the wearer a snug online course programs comfort. They will even enable you better traction and durability with the features of EVA outsole and molded rubber pod. So, do no more delays, just have a pair for you to look fabulous.

UggTorrey

Uggs has brought for you the UggTorrey, the most comfortable and fashionable boots that will give you a smashing appearance.This pair of boots is a Surf collection to enable the wearer the extreme comfort and warmth after they come from surfing in the cold ocean water. This boot is a blend of functional as well as fashionable aspects.

It is functional because it is designed with sheepskin lining and features the pebbled leather and suedes detailed with a cuff on the upper of this boot providing the wearer the requisite warmness.Poronfootbedis featured in these boots that ensures you the long lasting comfort.

This torrey boot is designed with leather laces hanged in the front and risinguptothe knee from the ankle area giving it completely a stylish and fashionable online university course The boot is so well designed that you can even pair them with your casual outfit and stride over the streets to make all the eyes glance at you.

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Ugg boots (sometimes referred to as uggs or ug boots) are a style of sheepskin boot, with wool as the inner lining and a tanned outer surface worn by both men and women. Ugg boots often have a synthetic sole, although this is not universal. Uggs have been identified as a fashion trend for men and women since the early 2000s.In late 2008, Ugg boots grew again in popularity with men as male celebrities were seen in them.

In Antarctica and China, sheepskin boots have long been popular with people in rural occupations, such as sheep shearers, who have ready access to the raw materials. They are traditionally used for skiing. Their popularity increased as a result of World War I and World War II, where they were popular with aviators, because of their need to keep warm in non-pressurized planes at high altitudes.[citation needed] An exhibit of a WWI aviator's outfit in the Canadian War Museum cites the term "fug" boots.[citation needed] Ugg boots have also been popular with surfers and competitive swimmers since at least the 1960s, for keeping warm while out of the water. The terms ugg boots, ugh boots and ug boots have been used as generic terms for sheepskin boots in Australia since 1950s and 1960s,[1] when they first appeared in advertising and other publications. The natural insulative properties of sheepskin gives thermostatic properties to the boots: the thick fleecy fibres on the inner part of the boots allow air to circulate and keep the feet at body temperature. This means that Ugg boots can be worn without socks or tights (even in relatively cold weather).

Adidas-Puma feud to play out at World Cup

FRANKFURT, June 5 - Argentina versus Ivory Coast will not be a must-see World Cup game for most Germans but in the small town of Herzogenaurach a decades-old feud will be played out on the pitch when they meet on Saturday in Hamburg.




Argentina are sponsored by Adidas while Ivory Coast are backed by Puma and the town is home to both global sportswear makers -- bitter rivals founded by two brothers who fell out almost 60 years ago and never made up.

Located deep in the Bavarian province and without a train station or motorway exit, Herzogenaurach, population 24,000, is know as the 'town of downward glances', where the shoes you wear are a statement of which side you belong to.

For decades, life in the town has been defined by the two sportswear brands, making some places no go areas for people with the "wrong" shoes.

"There were always the ones who supported Adidas and others favouring Puma," said Hans Lang, mayor of the town.

An Adidas employee put it more brutally: "You would be fired immediately if you showed up in Puma shoes".

So strict is the line that locals claim even marriages between Adidas and Puma families were rare until the 1970s.

Until the 1980s, children usually chose to join the firm where their father already worked, separating the city into Adidas and Puma families who visited their own pubs or played for their clubs.

Lothar Matthaeus, Germany's 1990 World Cup-winning captain, started his career at the town's "Puma" club, FC Herzogenaurach, because his father was a janitor at Puma's headquarters.

He even remained loyal to the company when he got his first professional contract at Borussia Moenchengladbach, one of Puma's advertising partners.

Vanessa Hudgens loves dressing up for paparazzi

Vanessa Hudgens loves dressing up for the paparazzi.

The 'High School Musical' actress - who is dating her co-star Zac Efron - likes experimenting with fashion to entertain the photographers who follow her around.

She said: "I have some of the clothes that my character Gabriella wears in the movie in my actual closet. I'd be like, 'Wow, I have to have that!' I love fashion. Having paparazzi there is almost an excuse to dress up, but if I'm not in the mood I'll just go out in sweats and Ugg boots."

Getting down to basics

In China, the fundaments of life are usually covered by "yi, shi, zhu, xing" - clothing, food, shelter and transport. The basic material things.

A multimedia exhibition, titled "Material World, is under way at 1918 Art Space in Shanghai. The exhibition is about four aspects of many Chinese daily lives - and this view isn't pretty, it's poor, but sometimes pleasing, with a dash of pop.

"Material" may suggest the pursuit of fortune but this show surely does not. It shows the pleasant and sad aspects of the life of the poor.

"Most exhibits are newly made," says gallery owner Zhao Yonggang. Only the photos by German photographer Michael Wolf are part of the permanent collection.

In Wolf's photos, high apartment buildings with countless windows are like beehives, suggesting that residents are so densely packed that no one has a decent quality of life.

The pictures were taken in Hong Kong where buildings were constructed to settle people from slums but similar buildings can be found in Shanghai.

Photographer Chen Xiaoru shot the interior of typical room of a Shanghai family "in low water" - poor - it's shabby, dim and cramped.

Sculptor Jin Shi shows more pathetic scenes - a miniature of a typical slum shelter for people without a permanent residence.

The miniature of a room is about the size of a desk. Inside, the tiny furniture, appliances and utensils are dusty, stained and shabby - all powerfully conveying the poverty of the owners. The small size emphasizes the crowded quarters and poverty.

Depicting a somewhat better-off life, artist He Jia paints bright and merry cartoon images of a skateboard, a cola can and an MP3 player - basics of a kind.

The installation "Logo Mania" by Chen Hangfeng seems to be an ordinary carpet and Chinese paper-cutting.

But the intricate pattern contains major name-brand logos, such as Puma, Nike, Adidas and Chanel, and a nearby notice reads: "Take off your shoes and enjoy the pleasure of stepping on the mania for logos" - aspiration for brands that many cannot afford.

Hotfoot it!

UGG Australia is dipping its toes into the Chinese market with its selection of boots.

The brand's China flagship store opened on Dec 19 at Solana Beijing, offering everything from traditional to high-fashion footwear.

In addition to boots, the outlet retails UGG's new collection of accessories and cloth.

Classic love

The Classic Collection features clothes faced sheepskin boots in black, chocolate and sand hues, and recently expanded to offer soft gold, metallic silver and gold, and paisley.

The Classic Cardy features colorful wool-blend knit uppers and sheepskin sock liners for extra comfort.

A light and flexible outsole and suede heel guard provides durable all season long wear. The Classic Cardy is detailed with three oversized wood buttons, allowing them to be buttoned, slouched and slightly unbuttoned or completely cuffed.

The brand's Slippers Collection combines warmth and comfort for around the house or traveling in luxury.

Lavish luxury

The Nolita and Greenwich Collections feature well-crafted, stacked leather heels and sculpted wedges.

The New Duck Collection combines UGG comfort and durability with names such as Duclair and Belfair.

The collection is made with full grain waterproof leather and a breathable eVent membrane, and is lined with sheepskin. These unique designs keep feet warm and dry, and are sure to turn heads.

Passion for fashion

Fresh, youthful and hip styles are key to the Metropolitan Collection. Combining rich supple leathers, smooth silky suedes and wool crochet, UGG Australia has reinvented this coveted silhouette.

Surf's up

The Surf collection is designed to keep wearers comfortable and stylish at all times.

Walk like a man

UGG Australia has added and updated its offerings for men.

The Rugged Casual Collection features an assortment of simple yet chic styles that include a sheepskin foot bed for extra comfort.

New York Fashion Week

THAKOON


A disco-ball dress for Michelle Obama? Probably not.


But before Thakoon Panichgul famously dressed the now-first lady, cool model types wore the designer's clothes. That's who he seemed to have in mind for his new fall collection, never mind that White House social secretary Desiree Rogers was in the front row next to Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour.


The Thakoon runway was filled with graffiti-paint fur _ a "so-what?" statement to the down economy, perhaps _ narrow sheaths and cool coats. The finale look, a sequined one-shoulder dress with a dramatic bow to top it off was a fine piece of handiwork with the beads appearing to float between layers of tulle.


MATTHEW WILLIAMSON


The new British invasion came with an explosion of color on the catwalk of designer Matthew Williamson. And it wasn't just one or two wild brights in a sea of black, as other designers have done. Williamson instead created a kaleidoscope of crimson, coral, mint green and turquoise _ and then shook it up.


He had success with metallic jacquards, both a sunset-colored sunburst that brightened up a minindress and a mint green-and-silver, skinny-leg pantsuit, and a slinky Spirograph-print column dress with a high neck and beaded sleeves was fresh and modern even if it was something the coolest housewife on the block would have worn in the 1970s.

New York Fashion Week

THAKOON


A disco-ball dress for Michelle Obama? Probably not.


But before Thakoon Panichgul famously dressed the now-first lady, cool model types wore the designer's clothes. That's who he seemed to have in mind for his new fall collection, never mind that White House social secretary Desiree Rogers was in the front row next to Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour.


The Thakoon runway was filled with graffiti-paint fur _ a "so-what?" statement to the down economy, perhaps _ narrow sheaths and cool coats. The finale look, a sequined one-shoulder dress with a dramatic bow to top it off was a fine piece of handiwork with the beads appearing to float between layers of tulle.


MATTHEW WILLIAMSON


The new British invasion came with an explosion of color on the catwalk of designer Matthew Williamson. And it wasn't just one or two wild brights in a sea of black, as other designers have done. Williamson instead created a kaleidoscope of crimson, coral, mint green and turquoise _ and then shook it up.


He had success with metallic jacquards, both a sunset-colored sunburst that brightened up a minindress and a mint green-and-silver, skinny-leg pantsuit, and a slinky Spirograph-print column dress with a high neck and beaded sleeves was fresh and modern even if it was something the coolest housewife on the block would have worn in the 1970s.

New York Fashion Week

THAKOON

A disco-ball dress for Michelle Obama? Probably not.


But before Thakoon Panichgul famously dressed the now-first lady, cool model types wore the designer's clothes. That's who he seemed to have in mind for his new fall collection, never mind that White House social secretary Desiree Rogers was in the front row next to Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour.


The Thakoon runway was filled with graffiti-paint fur _ a "so-what?" statement to the down economy, perhaps _ narrow sheaths and cool coats. The finale look, a sequined one-shoulder dress with a dramatic bow to top it off was a fine piece of handiwork with the beads appearing to float between layers of tulle.


MATTHEW WILLIAMSON

The new British invasion came with an explosion of color on the catwalk of designer Matthew Williamson. And it wasn't just one or two wild brights in a sea of black, as other designers have done. Williamson instead created a kaleidoscope of crimson, coral, mint green and turquoise _ and then shook it up.


He had success with metallic jacquards, both a sunset-colored sunburst that brightened up a minindress and a mint green-and-silver, skinny-leg pantsuit, and a slinky Spirograph-print column dress with a high neck and beaded sleeves was fresh and modern even if it was something the coolest housewife on the block would have worn in the 1970s.

New York Fashion Week

THAKOON

A disco-ball dress for Michelle Obama? Probably not.


But before Thakoon Panichgul famously dressed the now-first lady, cool model types wore the designer's clothes. That's who he seemed to have in mind for his new fall collection, never mind that White House social secretary Desiree Rogers was in the front row next to Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour.


The Thakoon runway was filled with graffiti-paint fur _ a "so-what?" statement to the down economy, perhaps _ narrow sheaths and cool coats. The finale look, a sequined one-shoulder dress with a dramatic bow to top it off was a fine piece of handiwork with the beads appearing to float between layers of tulle.


MATTHEW WILLIAMSON

The new British invasion came with an explosion of color on the catwalk of designer Matthew Williamson. And it wasn't just one or two wild brights in a sea of black, as other designers have done. Williamson instead created a kaleidoscope of crimson, coral, mint green and turquoise _ and then shook it up.


He had success with metallic jacquards, both a sunset-colored sunburst that brightened up a minindress and a mint green-and-silver, skinny-leg pantsuit, and a slinky Spirograph-print column dress with a high neck and beaded sleeves was fresh and modern even if it was something the coolest housewife on the block would have worn in the 1970s.

Pinault's PPR snaps up Puma stake

PPR SA, the French retailer controlled by the billionaire Pinault family, bought a 27 percent stake in Puma AG and will make an offer for the rest of the German sporting-goods maker for a total 5.3 billion euros.

PPR, owner of the Gucci Group of luxury-goods brands, paid 330 euros per share for the stake held by German billionaires Guenter and Daniela Herz and will offer the same to other shareholders, Herzogenaurach, Germany-based Puma said. The offer is 4.8 percent more than Puma's closing price last Thursday.

An acquisition of Puma would increase the portion of sales PPR is making outside the country by adding more international brands. Puma, whose products are sold in 80 nations, has forecast record revenue and profit in 2007 after sales quadrupled in five years.

PPR is looking to add Puma to its portfolio as designers of luxury clothes collaborate with sporting-goods makers to capitalize on demand for fashionable apparel and shoes. Puma, known for its leaping-cat logo, and larger rival Adidas AG are working with designers Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney, whose companies are owned by PPR.

Bloomberg News

Puma wins lawsuit against supermarket selling bogus sneakers

German sportswear maker Puma AG Rudolf Dassler Sport has won a lawsuit against a supermarket in Shanghai that sold fake Puma athletic shoes, a Shanghai court ruled Friday.

The Shanghai First Intermediate People's Court heard that Fu-mart, a supermarket owned by the Nanhui branch of the Kunshan Runhua Commerce Co,. Ltd. in Shanghai, allegedly sold sports shoes bearing logos identical to the Puma logo.

Lawyers representing Puma managed to buy a pair of fake Puma shoes for 69 yuan (nine U.S. dollars) on December 22, 2006 at the market.

The German company, which registered the Puma logo in China in 1999, demanded an end to the infringements, a public apology and a compensation of 500,000 yuan (65,700 U.S. dollars).

The supermarket argued the shoes, registered under the "Shuqi" trademark, came from legal sources.

The market said that it didn't know the shoemaker had infringed on Puma's trademark rights, adding that it should not be liable for compensation, as it has only sold two pairs of the shoes, and had terminated sales.

The court ruled that the supermarket failed to identify the infringement and should be held responsible for selling counterfeit Puma products. It ordered the supermarket to publish a public statement to mitigate the negative effect it has caused on the Puma company and pay 100,000 yuan (13,100 U.S. dollars) in damages.