When LaNisa Allen appealed her termination for taking unscheduled breaks, she probably thought it was a clear-cut case of sex discrimination. After all, Allen was only taking breaks to pump breastmilk for her infant at home. Something that, you know, only WOMEN do.

However, in the case of Allen vs. totes/Isotoner Corp., the Supreme Court of Ohio upheld Allen’s termination, ruling that Allen couldn’t prove that Isotoner, by calling her breaks to pump a “failure to follow directions” and firing her for it, was, in fact, discriminating against her based on her sex.

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Better Place, based in Palo Alto, California, has gotten the green light from the Japanese government to move forward on installing its battery swap stations for use by Tokyo’s taxi fleet. The company said it has received an undisclosed financial investment from the Japanese government for its “Tokyo pilot project,” which is intended to validate the feasibility of the battery swap stations by installing switchable batteries into the world’s first four completely electric taxis.

According to the company, they will partner with Tokyo’s largest taxi operator, Nihon Kotsu, for the project that was commissioned by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s Natural Resources and Energy Agency. The project is slated to begin in January 2010 and is a direct result of the successful battery switch demonstration earlier this year in Yokohama.

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A pair of bloodhounds from Britain join Kenya’s war against wildlife poachers.

Two bloodhounds, named Pension and Drastic, have arrived safely in Kenya to begin their new lives. The dogs’ legendary scenting abilities will be used to track poachers across the Amboseli reserve, Tsavo National Park and the Chyulu Hills.

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