Million Dollar Challenge to Continue

The James Randi Educational Foundation today announced that the Million Dollar Challenge is not to be cancelled after all. The cancellation was announced last year with a wrap-up date of March 2010. Obviously they've had a change of heart which is great news - the challenge certainly provides a wealth of entertaining discussion material.

Since 1998 the Million Dollar Challenge has been available to anyone who can provide hard evidence of paranormal phenomena or abilities, under mutually-agreed controlled conditions. So far the challenge has not been met.

Family Sues Genie

A family in Saudi Arabia is taking a genie to court, accusing it of theft and harassment. The local Al Watan newspaper reports that the genie stands accused of making threats, throwing stones and stealing mobile phones.

In traditional Islamic lore genies are known as jinn or djinn. According to the Koran they were created before mortal humans. A jinn may be good or evil.

The most interesting aspect of this story is that the lawsuit is being taken seriously by the Saudi courts, highlighting the gulf between Middle Eastern and Western legal systems. A spokesperson for a local court is quoted as saying they are trying to verify the truthfulness of the claims "despite the difficulty of doing so".

Excellent understatement. I wish them luck.