Updated Rules On UVVRP Being Implemented By The Seventeen LGUs

AUGUST 11, 2010

Updated Rules On UVVRP Being Implemented By The Seventeen LGUs

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has received numerous daily inquiries from the public regarding the implementation of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or the number coding scheme.

Resulting from the recent cancellation of several exemptions to the number coding scheme through the recently issued Memorandum Circular Number 4, the agency’s Twitter account (http://twitter.com/MMDA), as well as MMDA Hotline 136, have been flooded with questions and clarifications on the matter.

The UVVRP took effect on June 1996 as per MMDA Regulation Number 96-005 duly approved by the Metro Manila Council (MMC), the policy-making body of the MMDA, which is composed of the mayors of the seventeen local government units (LGUs) comprising Metro Manila.

The scheme was designed to curb the high volume of vehicles plying the national, city, and municipal roads within the metropolis, specifically during peak hours.

Under the regulation, all motor vehicles, both private and public, shall be prohibited from operating within Metro Manila during the corresponding days of the week, depending on the last digit of their license plates, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with observance of window hours for private vehicles from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

However, there were some modifications to the scheme during the years through various city / municipal resolutions and ordinances, depending on the respective LGUs.

Listed below are the most updated rules on UVVRP being implemented by the seventeen LGUs:

· Number coding is in effect from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., without window hours in Makati, Malabon, and Las Piñas.

· Marikina, Muntinlupa, Taguig, and Parañaque do not implement the number coding.

· Pasig City implements the number coding and observes window hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

· The number coding scheme is in effect in Caloocan, Mandaluyong, Manila, Navotas, Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan, and Valenzuela. The window hours of 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. is observed.

· Pasay City is implementing the UVVRP except on the following roads: Ninoy Aquino Avenue, MIA Road, Domestic Road, Airport Road, Sales Road, and portions of Buendia.

· Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), Circumferential Road 5 (C5), Diosdado Macapagal Avenue, and Roxas Boulevard all have window hours regardless of the city.

MMDA also reminds the public that the number coding is not implemented on weekends and is normally suspended during the observance of national and special holidays.

The full text of Memorandum Circular Number 4 may be viewed online at http://www.mmda.gov.ph/MEMOCIRCULAR04.htm.

Philippines Traffic and Vehicle Law Violations and Corresponding Penalties

Philippines Traffic & Vehicle Law Violations
and Corresponding Penalties.

Ever been surprised by an apprehending traffic officer with a violation you haven't heard of? Every motorist, at least once in his lifetime has been apprehended by a traffic officer. Sometimes, you are surprised by the apprehending officer with a "new" or improvised traffic violation, or at times it might be something real that you just haven't heard of. Knowing the violations might save you money and trouble. There are also some instances of wrong apprehensions, like the very popular 'driving without license' violation. Do not allow the apprehending officer to get away with this, when you really have a license but did not bring it, this would only mean a failure to carry a driver's license when operating motor vehicle with a fine of 150 pesos compared to 750 pesos for driving without license. Be calm and polite when confronted by a traffic officer. Shouting or yelling at them can also get you in trouble. There is a violation called "Arrogance or discourtesy towards a traffic officer" which will incur a 150 peso fine. If you are driving a car be sure to bring along with you your spare tire, as failure to do so will also result in a violation with a fine of 150 pesos.
Bring along your early warning device or buy one if you don't have one yet. This will save you 100 bucks and another 300 pesos if your car needs a little roadside repairs. Last but not least, please do remember to fasten your safety belts or be ready to pay 300 or even a 1000 pesos fine. Don't forget that using your mobile phone, be it calling, answering a call, or texting is also a violation of the law unless you have a hands free kit installed. Texting is still not permitted even with the installation of a hands free kit since texting cannot be done hands free.

Listed below are the traffic violations with corresponding penalties and subject of violation.

A. Violations related to licensing
Violations Penalties Subject
1 Driving without license P 750.00 Driver
2 Driving with delinquent, invalid. suspended, ineffectual, revoked or improper license P 300.00 Driver
3 Failure to show or surrender driver’s license for cause upon due demand by person with authority to confiscate. P 150.00 Driver
Failure to carry driver’s license when Operating motor vehicle. P 150.00 Driver
Failure to sign driver’s license P 150.00 Driver
4 Driving while under the influence of Liquor or prohibited drug P 2,000.00 Driver
Driver
Driver
For the 2nd offense, Fine plus 1 year Suspension
Subsequent violation Revocation of driver’s license
5 Allowing an unlicensed/improperly licensed person to drive MV P 750.00 Owner/Operator
6 Possession and use of fake driver’s license. If the driver has been issued an authentic license, the same shall be confiscated and suspended for 6 months in addition to the fine.
If the driver has not been issued an authentic license, he shall not be qualified to secure driver’s license for a period of six (6) months in addition to the fine P 1500.00 Driver
7 Allowing another person to use his driver’s license – confiscation and suspension for one (1) month P 500.00 Driver
8 Use and involvement of MV by the driver in the commission of a crime-in case of court conviction, automatic revocation of driver’s license. P 1500.00 Driver
9 Student Driver operating a MV without being accompanied by a licensed driver. P 200.00 Student Driver

B. Violations related to registration.
11 Operating a MV which is unregistered/improperly registered delinquent or with invalid registration. If driver is also the Owner, MV shall be impounded until Properly registered P 450.00
P 450.00 Driver
Owner
12 Operating MV with unregistered substitute or replacement engine, engine block or chassis, change color, change body or configuration. In addition, MV shall be properly impounded until such parts are properly registered. P 500.00 Owner
13 Failure to carry in the MV the Certificate of Registration (CR) and Official Receipt (OR) (original or Photocopies) P 150.00 Owner
14 Operating/allowing the operation of MV with a suspended/revoked Certificate of Registration, P 450.00
MV impounded or its plates held during period of suspension / Revocation
15 Tourist Operating a non-Philippine registered MV beyond 90 day period of his sojourn. P 1500.00
MV shall not be allowed to operate until properly registered. Tourist

C. Violations relating to number plates and stickers.
16 MV number plates not firmly attached and visible. Dirty or uncared for plates.
Inconspicuously displaced plates in front and rear. NO STICKER showing current Registration P 150.00 Driver
17 License plates different from body Operator number on Public Utility Vehicle P 450.00 Owner
18 Improper display of MV plates by owner (permanent) plates to accommodate a better display of commemorative/other plates. P 500.00 Owner
19 Display of expired commemorative/other plates P 200.00 Owner
20 Tampered/Marked plates/stickers P 300.00 Owner
21 a. Illegal transfer and use of MV plates/tags or stickers from one MV to another except security plates on authorized vehicle Owner/Operator are conclusively presumed to have caused or permit such illegal transfer and liable to fine.
Driver of MV involved in illegal transfer of plates 1 month suspension of driver’s license.

P 7500.00 Driver


Owner
b. If MV is used and involved in commission of a crime, P 10000.00
Penalty plus motor vehicle impounded. Driver/Owner

D. Violations relative to equipment, parts, accessories, devices and marking of a motor vehicle
22 Operating MV with metallic tires on any public highway,
Defective brakes,
Improper/defective horn or signaling device,
Unnecessary lights visible in front of vehicle,
Missing or defective headlights/taillights,
Missing or red rear lights at both/each, side visible at least 100m from vehicle,
Missing or defective plate light,
Missing or defective brake lights,
Missing or defective wiper on the windshield,
Missing cut/disconnected muffler. P 150.00 each Driver
23 Dirty/unsightly or dilapidated MV. In addition, confiscation of plates until defects are corrected P 150.00 Owner/Operator
24 Failure to paint or improper painting of authorized route or painting of unauthorized route of PUJ P 375.00 Owner/Operator
25 Non-painting of business or trade name. P 150.00
Confiscation of plates until defects are corrected. Owner
26 a. Use of unauthorized improvised plates
b. Use of improvised plates to make MV appear as for hire. P 150.00
P 1,500.00 Owner
27 a. Dirty and/or unsanitary defective unit
b. Without/defective hand brakes
c. Without or defective speedometer or tachometer
d. Defective or broken windshield
e. Without or defective windshield wiper
f. Without rear view mirror
g. Without interior light P 150.00 Owner/Operator
28 Without name or business name and address inscribed on both sides of MV used for public services. P 150.00
Confiscation of plates until proper markings are made. Owner/Operator
29 Without spare tire P 150.00 Owner/Operator
30 Unauthorized bell sirens or exhausts whistle on emergency. P 150.00
Said gadgets shall be confiscated. Owner/Operator
31 Without red flag or red lights on projecting end of load extending more than a meter beyond the bed or body and in the evening, red lights visible at least 50 meters away P 150.00 Driver
32 Failure to paint appropriate body number on a MV for hire on both sides P 375.00 Owner/Operator
33 a. Failure to carry EWD
b. Failure to install EWD 4 meters away to the front and rear of the stalled/disabled MV. P 100.00
P 300.00 Driver
Driver
34 Without capacity markings P 150.00 Owner/Operator
35 Failure to wear safety belt while operating motor vehicle or while riding on front passenger seat P 1000.00
P 300.00 Owner/Operator
36 Without permanent tail gauge or failure to put “NOT FOR HIRE” sign in a private jeepney/jitney P 300.00 Owner

E. Violations relative to weights and load limits.
37 Load extending beyond projected width without permit 200.00 Driver
38 a. Operating MV with wheel axle, or axle group loads in excess of the limits in Sec. 9, RA 4136 or any regulation without permit. P 150.00 Driver
b. Operating MV with total weight of cargo carrying device on passenger truck including cargo exceeding 100 kilos. P 150.00 Driver
c. Allowing more passengers and/or more freight or cargo in his vehicle more than the registered carrying capacity. P 150.00 Driver (If PUV, imposed upon Conductor)
d. Baggage or freight carried on top of truck exceeds 20 kilos per sq. meter and not distributed in such a manner as not to endanger the passenger or stability of the truck. P 150.00 Driver/Conductor

F. Violations relative to frauds and falsities
39 Use of invalid/ delinquent/ suspended/ revoked/ fake license, identification card or permit. P 1000.00 to
P 3000.000 Driver
40 Fake CR, OR, plates, tags or stickers/spurious documents P 1000.00 to
P 3000.000 Owner/Operator
41 Misrepresenting a copy of a document before the Traffic Adjudication Service P 1000.00 Owner/Operator/
Driver

G. Violations related to parking and drivers
42 Parking within an intersection
Parking on a crosswalk
Parking within 5 m. of the intersection of the intersection of curb lines
Parking within 4 m. of the driveway entrance to any fire station
Parking within 4 m. of a fire hydrant
Parking in front of a private highway
Parking on the roadway side of any unmoving or parked at the curb or edge of the highway
Parking at any place where official signs of prohibition have been erected
Allowing a passenger on top or cover of vehicle
Allowing a passenger to ride on running board, step board or
mudguard of MV while it is in motion
Disregarding traffic signs
Failure to use helmet while driving/riding a motorcycle P 150.00 each Driver
43 Reckless Driving
- 1st Offense
- 2nd Offense and suspension of Driver’s License
- 3rd Offense and revocation of Driver’s License
P 150.00
P 750.00
P 1000.00 Driver
44 Arrogance or Discourtesy P 150.00 Driver
45 Failure to dim headlights P 150.00 Driver
46 Driving in slippers or sleeveless shirt P 100.00 Driver
47 Driving in a place not for traffic or parking in a place not for parking
Failure to give way to police or fire department vehicle or ambulance
Hitching or permitting a person on a bicycle or roller skates to hitch
to the vehicl. P 100.00 Driver

H. Traffic Violations
48 Illegal turn P 150.00 Driver
49 Driving against traffic/counterflow P 2000.00 Driver
50 Illegal overtaking P 150.00 Driver
51 Overtaking at an unsafe distance P 150.00 Driver
52 Cutting an overtaken vehicle P 150.00 Driver
53 Failure to give way to an overtaking vehicle P 150.00 Driver
54 Increasing speed when being overtaken P 150.00 Driver
55 Overtaking when left side is not visible or clear P 150.00 Driver
56 Overtaking on a crest or grade P 150.00 Driver
57 Overtaking on a curve P 150.00 Driver
58 Overtaking at a railway grade crossing P 150.00 Driver
59 Overtaking at an intersection P 150.00 Driver
60 Overtaking between "Men Working" or "Caution" signs P 150.00 Driver
61 Failure to yield to the right of way P 150.00 Driver
62 Failure to come to a complete stop at a through street P 150.00 Driver
63 Failure to come to a complete stop at a stop intersection P 150.00 Driver
64 Failure to give proper turn/stop signals P 150.00 Driver
65 Illegal right turn P 150.00 Driver
66 Illegal left turn P 150.00 Driver
67 Failure to stop motor vehicle and apply handbrake when unattended P 150.00 Driver
68 Causing an obstruction to traffic P 150.00 Driver


TOOLS AGAINST MMDA OFFICERS

I just reached my limit last weekend, and decided to take action against the abusive MMDA enforcers. I basically called up the MMDA head office and inquired from the Personnel Officer, Antonio Pagulayan, to clarify their policies. Here is what I got:

If any of these abuses seem familiar to you, Mr. Pagulayan has asked that you call either the MMDA hotline (136) or call the METRO BASE at 0920 9389861 or 0920 9389875 and ask for an Inspectorate. They will send inspectors to the place where these MMDA officers are extorting, even while you are arguing out of your apprehension. DO NOT JUST SURRENDER YOUR RIGHT AND PAY OFF THE MMDA TRAFFIC OFFICER, CHALLENGE (if you have sound basis of course) THE TRAFFIC CITATION:

1. MMDA officers are not allowed to group together in order to apprehend. They are not even allowed to stand together in groups of 2 or more. The only time they are allowed to work together is for special operations (probably when they apprehend groups of buses for smoke belching).

2. Swerving IS NOT a traffic violation. Moving one lane to the left or right is not swerving, no matter where on the road you do it. And it is even less of a violation when you do it with a signal. Swerving is defined as shifting 2 or more lanes very quickly. So you can argue your way out of this, and call the Metro Base for help.

3. Sadly, using the yellow lane is a traffic violation and will get you a ticket. However, buses are really not allowed to go out of the yellow lane, so if you see selective apprehension of private cars only, you may complain.

4. MMDA has confirmed that your license MAY NOT BE CONFISCATED at a traffic apprehension. The only time they can do so is if you are part of an accident, or it is your third violation and you have not settled your fines yet. They are only allowed to give you a ticket, which you can contest. He recommends actually receiving the ticket in some instances, so that you can report the officer who did it.

5. Also, you are free to ask any of these officers for their "mission order", which is written by their supervisor. If they apprehend you for a violation that is not in their mission order for the day, you can report them and they will receive disciplinary action.



Must Know: MMDA rules on Car Number-Coding

1. No window hours: Makati, Malabon and Las Pinas. Number Coding is in effect from 7am to 7pm!

2. No number coding: Taguig, Marikina and Paranaque. So, feel free to roam around these cities anytime.

3. Pasig City has window hours of 9am to 4pm (note the 1 hour additional to the normal 10-3pm window).

4. San Juan has window hours now according to MMDA website.

5. Pasay City is implementing Number Coding except on the following roads: Ninoy Aquino Avenue, MIA Road, Domestic Road, Portions of Airport Road , Sales Road , Tramo.

6. EDSA, C5, Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Avenue, Roxas Blvd (Pasay) have window hours regardless of the city (meaning one can drive via EDSA in Makati any day).

7. For the rest of Metro Manila (Caloocan, Mandaluyong, Manila, Muntinlupa, Navotas, parts of Pasay, Pateros, Quezon City, Taguig, and Valenzuela) number coding is in effect (window hours of 10am-3pm is also observed).

10 Dangerous Toothpaste Ingredients

Even though toothpaste (in some form or another) has been around as long as the Ancient Greeks have, the formula (as we know it) did not become popular until World War I. As soon as companies began manufacturing toothpaste, people began to purchase the magical concoction – guaranteed to produce glistening teeth! White teeth were all the rage after World War I had ended, and toothpaste quickly became a product that most people simply couldn't live without.

Toothpaste is one item that nearly everyone uses today, but what makes this concoction so special? Whether you brush your teeth once per day or three times per day, chances are that you've never taken the time to read that ingredient list. Some believe that the ingredients contained in a standard package of toothpaste are essential – others believe that water may be just as effective. In the end, there’s a good reason why most toothpaste packages warn: “Do Not Ingest!”

10. Formaldehyde

That same ingredient that coroners can't live without can be found inside of your toothpaste tube. Formaldehyde kills all of those small bacteria that climb onto your teeth after eating or sleeping. If a large amount of formaldehyde is accidentally ingested, the result could be fatal. Severe formaldehyde ingestion results in jaundice, kidney damage, liver damage, and death.

9. Detergent

Foam, suds, activation! What would toothpaste be without that satisfying soapy feeling? Manufacturers use regular detergent in order to appease the masses that prefer bubbly toothpaste. While bubbles may be fun, be careful if you accidentally ingest a large amount of this stuff – swallowing detergent can cause digestive tract burning.

8. Seaweed

Stretchy and slimy, seaweed holds that paste together. Without this green stuff, toothpaste would simply fall apart! The good news is that seaweed isn't toxic. In fact, seaweed has a number of nutritional benefits, though hitting the sushi bar is a better way of gaining those benefits.

7. Peppermint Oil

Minty, minty, minty! Fresh breath can only be kept fresh with the help of peppermint oil! While refreshing when brushing your teeth, peppermint oil can cause a slow pulse, heartburn, and muscle tremors if it is consumed.

6. Paraffin

As slick as the petroleum that it is derived from, paraffin creates a smooth paste that oozes onto your toothbrush. As you might imagine, paraffin wasn't meant to be eaten. If you happen to swallow this ingredient, you may end up with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and severe constipation.

5. Glycerin Glycol

Never heard of this ingredient before? Sure about that? Glycerin glycol is added to toothpaste in order to prevent the paste from becoming too dry – it’s also found in antifreeze. Even though glycerin is not toxic, this additive may cause nausea if swallowed.

4. Chalk

That’s right – chalk. Thanks to the fact that chalk is made from exoskeletons, it’s hard enough to remove all of that caked on gunk from your pearly whites. Chalk dust may cause lung problems if inhaled, and swallowing a bit of chalk could cause bleeding.

3. Titanium Dioxide

This is another common toothpaste ingredient, though it’s usually found in white paint. When added to toothpaste, titanium dioxide has the safe effect on your teeth as it does on walls – it keeps them nice and white (for a few hours, at least!). Ingesting titanium dioxide won't hurt you, but it isn't recommended either.

2. Saccharin

Something has to combat that terrible detergent taste! Saccharin is sweet, but not too sweet – just the way that most people like their toothpaste! Saccharin has been a hot topic of debate every since Theodore Roosevelt was in the White House. The USDA tried to ban the substance in 1972, though it is considered “safe” to ingest today.

1. Menthol

One last ingredient to add a minty note to your breath. Without menthol, toothpaste might taste like, well, chalk, glycerin, paraffin, detergent, titanium dioxide, and seaweed! Go ahead and ingest menthol if you like, but sipping some tea containing menthol is a far better idea than chewing on your tube of toothpaste.

Lesson from the Manila Hostage taking

It was frustrating too see how the hostage taking ended leaving some hostages dead..It shown us how weak our official and police methods in handling such crisis.
It fails for some obvious reason

1. Negotiating skills of hostage crisis- Thay should issue positive statement to the hostage taker-Says ok we wil reinstate you in the police force again-grab him -and says later we lied-just like Sen. Mirriam said once-I lied-Lying is not bad when you were saving innocent lives, isnt it?
2. Lack of training of police in assault operation- No coordination- They just standing there waiting the suspect to peek hoping to take some shot.- they should watch in you tube-how the police commando storm the japanese embassy in Peru years back..
3. No elements of surprise - They finding hard time opening the door..and urong sulong ang assult..If its terorrist-all hostages would be dead by then..
4. Too early violent response for hostage crisis--remember peru hostage crisis-it took months to end but still in the end they were praised..Its good to end a crisis early if we were sure what we were doing..
5. Live media coverage - Suspects watch every police move in bus television-watch how his relative were treated by police-It agitate him to the point negotiating is not an option..
3. Lack of equiptments- A must for any assault opeartion
No night vision google- they should take advantage of the darkness-
a. kill all lights (hard eventhough because of media people lights and spotlights)
No ladder - Imagine police swat climbing in the back of the bus - grrrr they could use ladder making them more mobile at the same time easy peeking..
No flex camera - They should have used it-ive seen it the movie swat to determine location of hostage taker..Pathetic our local swat police just merely peeking the windows hoping in luck to see the location of the hostage taker..
No Gas Mask- Its funny the police enter the bus without gas mask and keep snooping out the have refresh air even after the siege was over..Rescuing the victims will be lot easier if they used gas mask and google entering the bus..wheeew..it cost only 50 dollars in ebay..
Media airing the whole scenario- Emotional attachment of the hostage taker is critical-ive seen his family in someway being manhandled by police making the suspect agitated.
No infrared camera- The hostage taker was easier to be spotted using body heat registering infrared camera..
Despite all these our police force displays gallantry..imagine assault without body armor?thats amazing-ive only seen it in movies..
But we salute our police forces, they did well specially waiting sniper on stand by waiting for a shot- limited resources and lack of training was to blame-still it was resolved- its the system and method needs improvement..
Godwilling hope this kind of incident will not be repeated..

Miss Universe 2010 National Costume

Miss Great Britain Tara Vaitiere Hoyos poses in her national costume - a Beefeater's uniform with wet-look leggings. Because that's what we all wear in Great Britain, obviously

Rima Fakih, Miss USA 2010, wears a costume inspired by the Seal of the President of the United States as a tribute to Barack Obama. She apparently drew a basic design, and then Victoria's Secret Fashion Show designer Martin Izquierdo came up with the final creation.

Name a famous Belgian. Kim Clijsters, you say? So that's why Miss Belgium Cilou Annys is decked out in tennis paraphernalia

Miss Philippines in a gorgeous gown waving traditional fans

Miss Egypt Donia Hamed poses in her national costume at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada

Think "France" and you think berets, the Tricolour and the Eiffel Tower. All Miss France Malika Menard is missing is a bicycle and a string of onions

The costume worn by Jesinta Campbell, Miss Australia 2010, was described as "a dingo's breakfast" by some, though the Telegraph's Fashion Director, Hilary Alexander, quite liked it, saying: "the sheepskin shrug is bang on trend, the Ugg boots are as quintessentially Australian as Aussie Rules, and having the 'togs' hand-painted by an Aboriginal artist is a master-stroke"

Miss Brazil Debora Lyra poses in her national costume at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada August 16, 2010.

Miss Australia strikes a nice pose as well

Organisers originally claimed that the costume worn by Maiko Itai, Miss Japan 2010, was designed by John Galliano. But when a missosology.org forum member pointed out that the dress was ripped off from a Yumi Katsura 2008 collection, the claim was retracted

Poor Miss Zambia 2010, Alice Musukwa. Not only does she have to carry a large calabash, she also has two gourds for a bra, and phallic gourds on her dress

Asselina Kuchukova, Miss Kazakhstan 2010, seems to be courting favour by wearing all of the other countries' flags in her elaborate headdress

Miss India with a traditional namaskar greeting

Miss Venezuela Marelisa Gibson wears a costume covered in glittering shards in tribute to a glass monument to revolutionary icon Ernesto "Che" Guevara that was shot up and destroyed less than two weeks after it was unveiled by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's government

Miss Colombia Natalia Navarro is dressed as India Catalina, an indigenous woman who acted as interpreter and intermediary for the Spanish invaders. To many people in Colombia, she is an icon of the extermination of the Precolumbian inhabitants

The costume worn by Miss Bahamas Braneka Bassett is called The Flamingo. We assume that's the Las Vegas casino

Miss Curacao Safira de Wit has sequined hibiscus flowers on her head, a dress that opens to reveal a harbour scene, and ruby slippers. There's no place like home!

Miss Ukraine Anna Poslavska poses in a dress which appears to be covered in wheat, while her hairstyle seems to be a nod to former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko

Miss Albania Angela Martini wears a costume inspired by the country's flag - and a trip to Ann Summers

Miss Italy Jessica Cecchini wears a Roman Gladiator costume. Thumbs up or down?

Miss Switzerland Linda Faeh seems to be prepared for battle with her sword and shield. We thought they always remained neutral

The designer of the costume worn by Miss Ireland Rozanna Purcell says it "incorporates Irish lace, Celtic Symbols, and the rich colours of Ireland". We can't help thinking she looks more like a swords and sorcery fantasy illustration

Miss Kosovo Keshtjella Pepshi has a gold antelope head on her head and a sceptre. No, we don't know why

Miss Angola Jurema Ferraz clearly doesn't believe in the maxim "less is more"

Kenia Martinez, Miss Honduras. Where the tigers come from, right?

Miss Guam Vanessa Torres seems to have had a long run through lush tropical foliage on her way to the pageant

Awurama Simpson, Miss Ghana 2010, wears an adaptation of traditional West African women's wear

Many of the Caribbean and Latin American countries have chosen flamboyant Carnival costumes. Here's Miss Nicaragua Scharllette Allen Moses

Anyoli Abrego, Miss Panama 2010

Miss Dominican Republic Eva Arias

Miss Paraguay Johana Benitez Olmedo

Miss British Virgin Islands Josefina Nunez

Miss U.S. Virgin Islands 2010 Janeisha John - neither from the U.S. nor an island

Miss Haiti Sarodj Bertin

Cunningly, Elena Semikina, Miss Canada, distracts attention from the fur she seems to be wearing by flashing a bit of leg

Shortest number move to solve Rubik`s Cube puzzle revealed

An international team of researchers using computer time lent to them by Google has found every way the popular Rubik's Cube puzzle can be solved, and showed it can always be solved in 20 moves or less.

The study is just the latest attempt by Rubik's enthusiasts to figure out the secrets of the cube, which has proven to be altogether far more complicated that its jaunty colors might suggest.

At the crux of the quest has been a bid to determine the lowest number of moves required to get the cube from any given muddled configuration to the color-aligned solution.

"Every solver of the Cube uses an algorithm, which is a sequence of steps for solving the Cube," said the team of mathematicians, who include Morley Davidson of Ohio's Kent State University, Google engineer John Dethridge, German math teacher Herbert Kociemba and Tomas Rokicki, a California programmer.

"There are many different algorithms, varying in complexity and number of moves required, but those that can be memorized by a mortal typically require more than forty moves."

One may suppose God would use a much more efficient algorithm, one that always uses the shortest sequence of moves; this is known as God's Algorithm. The number of moves this algorithm would take in the worst case is called God's Number. At long last, God's Number has been shown to be 20."

The research, published online, ends a 30-year search for the most efficient way to correctly align the 26 colored cubes that make up Erno Rubrik's 1974 invention.

"It took fifteen years after the introduction of the Cube to find the first position that provably requires 20 moves to solve," the team said. "It is appropriate that fifteen years after that, we prove that twenty moves suffice for all position."

Using computers lent to them by Google -- the company won't disclose how many or how powerful they are -- the team crunched through billions of Cube positions, solving each one over a period of "just a few weeks."

The study builds on the work of a veritable pantheon of Rubik's researchers, starting with Morwen Thistlethwaite who in 1981 showed 52 moves were sufficient to reach the solution from any given Cube position.

By May 1992, Michael Reid showed 39 moves was always sufficient, only to be undercut a mere day later by Dik Winter, who showed 37 moves would work.

Rubik's enthusiasm extends not only to God's number, but the speed with which the tricky puzzle can be solved.

The current world record holder is Dutch Erik Akkersdijk who successfully solved the puzzle in just 7.08 seconds.

Source: Yahoo News

10 US Military Aircraft Project That Never Made It

Over the years the USA has developed many formidable aircraft. However, there were many that didn’t ever get far from the drawing board for a variety of reasons. Some were simply before their time while others were of no time in particular (or perhaps shouldn’t have been). Others still look like they were designed for a science fiction movie. Take a look at ten US military aircraft that never quite made it. X-13 Vertijet Image Credit Wikimedia In 1947 the US Navy awarded the Ryan Company a contract to see whether or not a fighter plane would take off vertically and the result was ultimately the X-13, after the Air Force took over the project in 1943. The ultimate aim at the beginning was to evaluate whether or not submarine based aircraft would be feasible and it is easy to imagine this beauty leaping from the seas. Later still, once the Air Force became involved the aim was to develop a jet powered VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft. It did indeed make a vertical take-off, transitioned to horizontal flight and back again in 1957. It was then demonstrated in Washington DC where it crossed the Potomac River, coming to rest at the Pentagon. Unfortunately the Air Force chose not to develop the Ryan X-13 Vertijet any further because there was a lack of operational requirement. HZ-1 Aerocycle Reconnaissance is important in the field and the US Army wanted, in the 1950s, to have a simple personal helicopter that could be operated by pilots with limited flight experience and with a small amount of instruction. It was seen as a potential motorcycle of the air and, certainly, the early tests showed quite a lot of promise. However, once further studies had been conducted it was discovered that the HZ-1 was too difficult to control in untrained hands. This was further evidence when on test flights the contraption crashed twice. The project was canceled. (Image Credit) F2Y Sea Dart Image Credit WIkimedia Only a prototype for the Convair F2Y Sea Dart was ever made, but you can see where perhaps the inspiration for Thunderbird 4 came from. It does hold one record, despite its short-lived life – it is the only seaplane to ever go faster than the speed of sound. The seaplane was a result of a 1948 competition by the US Navy for a supersonic interceptor aircraft. In November 1954 the Sea Dart disintegrated in mid-air during a demonstration for the Navy and the media, killing its test pilot. That was the end of that, but the Navy had been losing interest anyway as problems with supersonic fighters on aircraft carriers had been solved and the Sea Dart had outlived its potential and use. Northrop YB-49 Image Credit Wikimedia You would be forgiven for thinking that the above flying wing heavy bomber was developed in the 1980s or 90s. In fact, the YB-49 was designed and constructed just after the Second World War. It was passed over for a much more conventional design from Convair, the B-36. The first prototype suffered massive engine failure and the second came down in 1948, killing its pilot (Captain Glen Edwards, after whom Edwards Air Force Base is named). The aircraft suffered structural failure and the outer wing sections became detached from the center section, effectively putting paid to the program. Image Credit Wikimedia There is quite a neat coda attached to the aborted project. In 1980 the owner of the company, Jack Northrop, elderly and wheelchair bound, was taken back to where the company was founded. There he was taken to a top secret area and shown a model of the Air Force’s plans for their new Advanced Technology Bomber, the B-2A. It was a flying wing. Northrop is said to have exclaimed I know why God has kept me alive for the past 25 years. XC-120 Packplane Image Credit Wikimedia We have already seen Thunderbird 4, so here is a glimpse of the real life Thunderbird 2. It was quite unique when developed and flown for the first time in 1950 as it has a removable cargo pod. This huge pod was positioned below the fuselage and was intended to make the loading of cargo much quicker – the pod could be removed, a new one placed in and the plane would be ready for take off again. The aircraft was tested extensively and made appearances at a number of air shows in the 1950s. However it was eventually scrapped for more traditional cargo carrying models. XF-85 Goblin Image Credit Wikimedia The Goblin was conceived during the Second World War and was designed to be a plane within a plane. The intention was for the Goblin (nicknamed the Flying Egg) to be carried in the bomb bay of the enormous Convair B-36. Its duty was to act as a defender – a parasite fighter – which would be dropped from the bomb bay of the mother ship in times of need and could harry enemy fighters while the B-36 went on its way. All in all a really cool idea, however, the project was soon scrapped. The reason for its cancellation is almost mundanely obvious. The US Air Force decided that aerial refueling was a much safer way to extend the range of its fighters. Republic XF-103 Thunderwarrior The Thunderwarrior was developed at the beginning of the cold war and was the response to the need to develop a high speed interceptor to destroy soviet bombers. Thunderbird 1 anybody? The Thunderwarrior never passed the mock up stage, however. Work on the prototype was continuously delayed by engine problems. The nose of the aircraft was completely taken up by enormous radar set which offered (for the time) very long ranges of detection. Its missiles were carried in bays on the side of the fuselage and they would be released through the bay flipping up and effectively rotating the missiles out of the bays. The project was finally canceled in 1957. Image Credit Wikimedia A-12 Avenger II Image Credit Wikimedia The Avenger II still manages to look futuristic and it was part of a program from McDonnell Douglas and General Dynamics. It was intended to be based on aircraft carriers and would act as an all weather stealth bomber. The project was however, way too expensive and it was canceled in 1991. The flying wing concept was back in vogue by the nineties and the Avenger was in the shape of an isosceles triangle with the cockpit at its apex. The internal weapons bay would carry smart bombs and other air-to-ground ordnance. Perhaps not unsurprisingly, the A-12 gained the nickname the Flying Dorito. (image Credit) Convair XFY Pogo Image Credit Wikimedia The Pogo was an experiment in vertical takeoff and landing and was known as a tailsitter. It launched and landed on its tail. Due to standing on its tail it was designed to be able to operate from small warships. Take off was fine, although the problems really came with the landing. The pilot had to look over his shoulder to judge the distance between the plane and the ground while at the same time working the throttle to ease the plane down to its landing position. Technical problems such as this aside, had they persisted it would have meant that only the most experienced pilots could have flown the Pogo and so putting one on every small warship would not have been feasible. However, with only half the speed of contemporary jet engine fighters which were at the time approaching Mach 2, the project was put on hiatus in 1954. Lockheed YF-12 Image Credit Wikimedia We will finish with one that was successful – well, almost. The Lockheed YF-12 was a prototype interceptor which spawned the SR-71 Blackbird. However, despite breaking all sorts of records during testing, including a speed record of 2,070.101 mph (3,331.505 km/h) and altitude record of 80,257.86 ft (24,462.6 m), both on 1 May 1965, the program ended in 1968. One word says it all – Vietnam. At the time defense of continental USA was less of a priority and so the project was shelved. However, there is a happy ending for the Lockheed YF-12. They continued flying for many years with the USAF and with NASA in the role of research aircraft.