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Diversions from NPR

• English Town Plans To Commemorate Luddites
  Nearly 200 years ago, workers in England took up arms against technology. Weavers protested the advent of mechanized looms with violence. Named for weaver Ned Lud, the Luddites feared machines would make hand weaving extinct. The people of Huddersfield are rising up again, but this time to commemorate the city's 19th century weavers.
• Jaguar Once Driven By Queen Is Up For Sale
  A Jaguar driven by Britain's Queen Elizabeth between 2001 and 2004 is up for sale. A memorabilia dealer bought it after the Queen owned it, and now he's selling it. The car comes with some regal extras — including an armrest designed to hold the Queen's famous handbag.
• Fired Worker Accused Of Disabling 100 Cars
  Police in Texas say a man fired from an auto dealership used an Internet service to remotely disable ignitions and set off car horns of more than 100 vehicles. And in the United Arab Emirates, nascent drivers are learning the rules of the road at a very young age. Kids as young as 5 can take driving lessons in real cars.
• British Students 'Confused' On Historic Facts
  Queen Elizabeth may seem ancient to school children, but did she really invent the telephone? Ten percent of British students think so, according to a survey of science knowledge. They also believe Sir Isaac Newton discovered fire, and Luke Skywalker was the first person on the moon.
• Shamrocks As Elusive As A Pot Of Gold
  There is a shamrock shortage throughout Ireland. Severe winter weather delayed the growing season. Plus, farmers have mostly replaced the natural hay meadows where shamrocks thrive with a lush grass preferred by another plant known as white clover.
• Peruvian Surfer Trains Alpaca To Catch A Wave
  Domingo Pianezzi of Peru has surfed with dogs, parrots, hamsters and cats. On Tuesday, Pianezzi caught some waves with an alpaca. He thought "it would be interesting to surf with the animal that represents Peru."
• PETA Offers Anti-Meat Trash Cans For Colo. Parks
  Colorado Springs removed all trash cans from public parks to save money. Now an animal rights group has offered to help. PETA's proposal has strings — new trash cans feature a woman in a lettuce bikini and an anti-meat slogan. The city's mayor says he'll consider the offer, if the group also has the trash picked up and hauled to the dump.
• Spain Could Add Siesta To Protected Cultural Icons
  An application has been presented to Madrid authorities calling for the 'siesta' to be given special cultural status to ensure its preservation. Bullfighting already is included on the list of "special cultural value," which is protected by law.
• Wanted: Couch Potato To Do What You Do Best
  A pharmaceutical company is looking for a professional couch potato. The chosen subject will get paid for doing "exactly what you do every single day." Except for one thing: The couch potato will also take the company's weight loss pill. The pill has passed clinical trials, and now the company wants a "real world" test.
• FBI's Most Wanted List Turns 60
  Thomas Holden was a real bad guy in the 1940s. He robbed banks and mail trains and killed his wife and her brothers. He eluded the FBI, until the agency created its 10 Most Wanted List. Holden was the first name and face on that list. He was nabbed when someone recognized him on a poster. The list turned 60 on Sunday.
• Skeleton Of World's Oldest Sea Dog On Display
  Hatch is the nickname given to the mongrel who sailed aboard King Henry VIII's flagship Mary Rose. It sank back in the 16th century. When the ship was raised, the dog's skeleton was found in near perfect condition. The skeleton goes on display at one of England's premiere dog shows.
• 'Anna Nicole' Opera To Premier Next Year
  The world premiere of <em>Anna Nicole</em> will be presented by London's Royal Opera next February. It will star Dutch soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek as the late model and Playboy playmate. Smith died of an accidental drug overdose in 2007. She was 39.
• Chef Charged With Serving Illegal Whale Meat
  A producer of the Academy Award-winning documentary <em>The Cove</em> helped set up a sting at a hip sushi restaurant in Santa Monica, Calif. The restaurant and the chef have been charged with serving illegal and endangered whale meat.
• 'Midnight Knitter' Wanted In N.J. Shore Town
  Someone in West Cape May, N.J, has been covering tree branches and lamp posts with brightly colored little scarves and sweaters. Police are on the lookout for the perpetrator dubbed The Midnight Knitter by a local paper. Technically the action is illegal because it's being done on public property without permission.
• Google Unveils Newest Map For Bicyclists
  Google Inc. is adding a bike lane with its latest online mapping option. The Internet giant tweaked the service so it could recommend routes that would steer bicyclists away from big hills and heavily congested streets.