Japan firm to fly wedding plaques into space
Tokyo: The sky is no longer the limit for lovers looking for unusual ways to commemorate their nuptials, with a Japanese company now offering to blast commemorative wedding plaques into space.
Warpspace, a start-up based in Tsukuba City outside Tokyo, is introducing the new service in partnership with a local hotel popular for wedding banquets.
For about 30,000 yen ($270), newly-weds marrying at the hotel will be able to emboss their names and design elements on 16-by-eight-millimetre (one-fifth of a square inch) titanium plates that will be loaded onto a tiny satellite.
The satellite will be taken up to the International Space Station on a supply ship, and then released by astronauts. Customers will receive photos of the craft carrying their plaques as it swirls among the stars, Warpspace chief executive Toshihiro Kameda told AFP.
“Space trips are not common yet but couples can send up plaques that carry their affections,” Kameda said. “I want them to spread their happiness across the sky.” The company aims to make space more accessible to ordinary people, he said. “We want to make space enjoyable and usable.”
The satellite launch is not expected until next year, but the company will soon start taking orders from couples tying the knot. And while love may last forever, the commemorative plaques won’t.
The satellite is expected to stay in space for one to two years, and will eventually burn up in the earth’s atmosphere when it comes down. (AFP)
Eyeliner suspected of causing lead poisoning
Canberra: Three children in Australia are suspected to have fallen ill from using Pakistan-made Hashmi brand eyeliner contaminated with lead, authorities said.
The New South Wales state government issued a public health alert over the products, the BBC reported.
The kohl cosmetics were found to contain 84 per cent lead, as well as other dangerous metals. The products were legally imported but contained dangerously misleading packaging, the government said.
The Hashmi Kohl Aswad and Hashmi Surmi Special cosmetics were sold in specialty shops that stock Indian and Pakistani goods in Sydney, authorities said.
“Some of the product packaging even specifically states that no lead is present, which is a total disgrace,” said Matt Kean, the state minister overseeing regulation.
Doctors had raised concerns when they found lead in the blood of the children, all of whom were related.
“An investigation indicated the health concerns were likely to have been caused by one of the Hashmi brand eyeliners,” Kean said. Australians have been advised to stop applying the products. The matter will be further examined by the Australian Border Force. (IANS)
Social media stars to be arrested over dance challenge
Abu Dhabi: The Gulf Emirate of Abu Dhabi has ordered the arrest of three “famous” social media users for taking part in a viral dance challenge based on Canadian hip-hop superstar Drake’s hit song “In my feelings”. As part of the “Kiki” dance challenge, people get out of a slowly moving car and leave the door open as they dance alongside it in sync with the music.
The public prosecutor’s office did not reveal the names of the three people ordered detained. “Participants in this challenge get out of a moving car and leave the door open and dance on a public road next to the car, which is a danger to them and others on the road,” it said in a statement on Monday.
“This behaviour is contrary to the values of the Emirates’ society and constitutes a violation of public morals.” According to the statement, the detainees will be investigated “on charges of endangering their lives and the lives of others, and violating public morals using social networking sites. (AFP)