Thomas Friedman of the NY Times visited Google headquarters and reported on it. Not sure why a political Op-Ed Columnist would write about Google, but he does bring up some good points. Especially about how wireless devices hooked into Google and the Web will only increase web use in a big way. An interesting read.

Check out the new Google Toolbar!

Best-Selling U.S. Author Leon Uris Dies at the age of 78. May he rest in peace.

In case anyone missed the Jewelry-Related Ask Yahoo question about the Hope Diamond, here it is.

I don't know. This whole thing seems fishy to me.

Excerpt:

Several US biotechnologists are working on cloning pets. However, customers could get a shock. Last year, scientists in Texas created Cc, for Copy Cat, but the resulting kitten looked nothing like its originator.

It's getting pretty heated.

Excerpt:

The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee said Tuesday he favors developing new technology to remotely destroy the computers of people who illegally download music from the Internet.

Castro apparently falls victim to Miami radio prank.

Excerpt:

Cuban leader Fidel Castro apparently fell victim to a prank by a Miami radio station, and used crude expletives against Miami talk show hosts who led him to believe he was on the phone with his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez.

The recording of the conversation was repeatedly aired since Tuesday by the Spanish-language radio station El Zol 95.7, which had already played a similar prank on Chavez in January, pretending Castro was on the line.

The make-believe Chavez sought help from Castro in tracking down a suitcase containing secret documents he said he lost during the leaders' recent trip to Argentina.

I've heard of similar pranks in the past. I'm surprised there isn't a better protocol between politicians to ensure they are speaking to the right person... I tried to surf the site of Elzol to try and find a clip, but couldn't really understand anything. If someone finds a clip, please give us the url in the comments. Thanks!

In Energy Science News: Diamonds are a MEMS Best Friend.

Excerpt:

A revolutionary new method for growing the world's smoothest and purest diamond films has been developed at Argonne. This technology "ultra-nanocrystalline diamond films" could provide the materials breakthrough needed to push the fledgling field of micro-machines called "MEMS" into the commercial mainstream.

Happy Father's Day, David Robinson! Even though I was rooting for New Jersey, I'm happy for David Robinson that he went out playing a tremendous game, playing his last game as a champion, winning the championship in the waning moments of Father's Day. It doesn't get much better than that for a player. Congratulations!

George Will has written some final words about David Brinkley, who died last Wednesday, one month before his 83rd birthday.

Brinkley was a great moderator. He had class, humor and a stateliness missing from the news airwaves these days.

Even better than this article on spam, which details some efforts made by Yahoo to reduce spam, like forcing you to identify a picture when sending out email, is this comment about creating fake open relays to fool spammers. I hope there will be a major solution soon. It's just getting too crazy.

Wired has a great article on a new technology. Merging technology with cells.

I am sad to report that DT member Mercier has passed away. He suffered complications from a surgical procedure. He was only 21 years old. If anyone would like to send cards please check here. Condolensces to his family from our whole community.

Heidi Klum is teaming up with Mouawad Jewelers for a new collection. It's called, appropriately, Mouawad, the Heidi Klum Collection.

AP "Strange News" reports: Jeweler's Dog Eats $1,800 Diamond. Now that's an expensive meal!

Jaguar had a promotion in Monaco involving a massive Pink Diamond. Seems that Helen Stewart, wife of Sir Jackie Stewart, had the key that turned the lock to win a Diamond Necklace. Congratulations!

Also, congratulations to JPM and Kimmi on being one-two in the Monaco Grand Prix. I won't bother mentioning the third man on the podium...since it isn't too hard to guess who it is...