The Decline and Fall of Western Civ for 28 Apr.

It's the end of the world as we know it...

• The Sun reports that the EU is demanding cows alter diets to reduce global warming emissions.
  
  The call came after the UN said livestock emissions were a bigger threat to the planet than transportation emissions.

• U.S. researchers have simulated half a virtual mouse brain on a supercomputer, reports BBC News.

• Fox News asks what do a plunger, a playpen, a jockstrap, fake plastic breasts, a pregnancy test and five pairs of underwear have in common?
  
  They were among nearly 260,000 items of sometimes bizarre trash that either was left or washed up on New Jersey's beaches last year. The total: about 40 tons.

• 'Mama Mike' Bloomberg is at it again. The mayor is telling New Yorkers how to live their lives. This time, he wants them to cut down on electricity. And pay a hefty price up front in the hope of saving money down the road, reports The New York Post.
  
  But Bloomberg's not just offering advice; he plans to force New Yorkers to live as he sees fit: i.e., frugally, over the long-term - and green.
  
  

  The truth is, the mayor's ideas may save New Yorkers money one day - or they may not.
  
  Like it or not, [New Yorkers] will soon be investing a hefty chunk of [their] spare funds in equipment that, like CFLs, will save us money (supposedly) later on. And that will let the city launch a "frontal assault" on global warming - even if no scientist in his right mind would argue that it'll have one iota of an impact on temperatures.

• AFP reports the demise of a call-girl ring and pending trial of an alleged madam claiming thousands of clients has Washington "riveted" by the chance powerful men may now be caught with their trousers down, with a senior state department official apparently first to fall.
  
  The funny thing is, the only ones "riveted" in Washington is the press corps -- and then only when and if the sex scandal involves Republicans.
  
  Cigar anyone?

• Speaking of Washington, AFP reports the U.S. Congress' vote to push for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq was wrong and will bring comfort to Al-Qaeda insurgents, Australian Prime Minister John Howard said Friday.
  
  

  "If there is a perception of an America defeat in Iraq, that will leave the whole of the Middle East in great turmoil and will be an enormous victory for terrorism."

• Susan J. Douglas tells us why women hate Hillary.
  
  Not that long ago, feminists wanted to be treated as equals. Now, the new wave of old feminism demands a Granny "Sex in the City" approach ever so evident when Douglas concludes:
  
  

  If Hillary Clinton wants to be the first female president, then maybe, just maybe, she should actually run as a woman.

• And finally, Hogzilla, a near-mythical monster hog that roamed south Georgia, is about to get a little bigger, reports AP.
  
  

  An independent filmmaker is producing a horror movie about the super swine called "The Legend of Hogzilla," and has even enlisted the beast's killer on the set as an adviser.

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