■ United States
Political novice uses Web
A self-proclaimed outsider who's trying to unseat a nine-term congressman has put his campaign on the virtual auction block. Jeffrey Vance, a political neophyte, is offering shares in his fledgling campaign on eBay at US$20 a pop. Vance, 42, who's seeking the Democratic nomination to take on California Republican Representative Wally Herger, said he quickly realized he would go nowhere without money. But his platform is grounded in the belief that special interests are to blame for some of the nation's problems. So, trying to follow in the footsteps of national politicos exploiting the Internet, Vance is offering US$20 certificates "of Democratic freedom." So far, the certificates are not being snapped up too swiftly.
■ United States
Prince walks into trouble
Royalty, shmoyalty. The guy was walking on the wrong part of the street. Like many a commoner before him, His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Prince Charles' younger brother, was scolded by police for ignoring the strict pedestrian code on upscale Belle Meade Boulevard, in Nashville, Tennessee. Proper use of the boulevard has long been a sore point among Belle Meade residents. They have decreed the only legal place to walk on the boulevard is on the inside lanes facing traffic, and pedestrians must move to the grassy median if traffic is coming. The Belle Meade police pointed this out -- politely -- to His misplaced Highness. It appears the prince was otherwise well treated in Nashville, or as he put it: "I've been spoiled rotten."
■ United States
Lab animals perish
Thirteen monkeys and dozens of hamsters used in disease research at a US government laboratory in Montana died after a heater malfunctioned and the temperature climbed to 37oC. Many other animals in the same room were not harmed, said Marshall Bloom, associate director of Rocky Mountain Laboratories. The animals that died last weekend were used to research chronic wasting disease and similar disorders. An alarm sounded but it was not designed to alert security staff, he said.
■ United States
Americans love `I love you'
Nearly three-quarters of Americans -- not counting those who live alone -- say "I love you" at least once a day, according to a new poll. The poll, conducted in November by Chappaqua-based Reader's Digest and the Gallup Organization, asked 1,000 adults living in households how often they said the three little words to their spouse or children. Seventy-three percent claimed they said it once a day, including 71 percent of men and 74 percent of women.
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