The Null Device

A novel cost-cutting measure: Overburdened medical advice helpline staff instructed to mimic answering machine: (BBC News)

Even when callers realised they were listening to a real person, and challenged them, the call handlers repeated the message as if they were an answerphone. This was done to avoid callers getting into lengthy discussions with patients.

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Japan embraces the Internet -- snubbing PCs and instead using public Internet kiosks and third-generation mobile phones. (Washington Post)

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Hoax or just Queensland? Police alerted to planned Ku Klux Klan rally in Queensland. (The Age)

Circulars being delivered around the state's southeast have said Grand Dragon William Roberts of the Imperial Klans of America would be the guest speaker at a rally on February 26 ... The circulars invite the 'white public' to the meeting at Brookvale Park, near Oakey, about 200km west of Brisbane, to witness a cross lighting ceremony. No drugs or alcohol allowed.

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U & 2 repeats itself: CBS threatens to sue musicians for sampling newscaster Dan Rather. (WIRED News)

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