A 999 call reporting milk being sold after its expiry date has been released by police as part of an appeal to ring operators only in an emergencies.
In the 48-second call a man complains that a shop is selling 'expired milk' which staff won't remove from the shelves.
The man says: "I'm in a store and the goods they've got here, they won't take them off the rack. There's expired milk and I've asked him [the shopkeeper] to take it off the shelf."
When the operator asks why he has called 999 the man replies: "He doesn't want to comply, that's why I want to involve the police."
Friday, December 31, 2010
Dog survives six-week winter walk in rural Berkshire
A lost dog which gave villagers the run around for more than six weeks as it braved sub-zero temperatures in rural Berkshire has finally been rescued. The mink hound, named Angel, is believed to have survived the freezing conditions by foraging for scraps. Wearing a red collar, she was spotted in Axford, Wilts, on 6 November before sightings were reported in Ramsbury, Enborne, Speen and Hungerford.
Angel was eventually rescued by the Newbury Dogs Trust on 16 December. Assistant manager Jenny Hopkins, who had to use a specialist net to catch Angel, said the dog had relied on its animal instincts to survive. "She would have probably travelled up to 30 miles a day for six weeks. We knew it was her because of the descriptions people were giving of her - she's a scruffy hound and most are smooth.
"I was out trying to catch her myself, but she wasn't accepting of people because she was so frightened. We even set up dog traps, but she wouldn't go in them. The villages were very rural. She disappeared for a few days before being spotted again and it was possible she was going down the tow-paths along the canal which had iced up. It was just survival of the fittest."
Paula Boyden, deputy veterinary director at the charity, added: "Given the weather conditions that we have experienced over the past few weeks, I am surprised to hear that she survived and was picked up in such good condition. However, with temperatures due to plummet to well below zero again, the challenge of finding food and shelter may well have proven to be an impossible task if she had not been rescued."
Angel was eventually rescued by the Newbury Dogs Trust on 16 December. Assistant manager Jenny Hopkins, who had to use a specialist net to catch Angel, said the dog had relied on its animal instincts to survive. "She would have probably travelled up to 30 miles a day for six weeks. We knew it was her because of the descriptions people were giving of her - she's a scruffy hound and most are smooth.
"I was out trying to catch her myself, but she wasn't accepting of people because she was so frightened. We even set up dog traps, but she wouldn't go in them. The villages were very rural. She disappeared for a few days before being spotted again and it was possible she was going down the tow-paths along the canal which had iced up. It was just survival of the fittest."
Paula Boyden, deputy veterinary director at the charity, added: "Given the weather conditions that we have experienced over the past few weeks, I am surprised to hear that she survived and was picked up in such good condition. However, with temperatures due to plummet to well below zero again, the challenge of finding food and shelter may well have proven to be an impossible task if she had not been rescued."
Puppy Love calendar has dog lovers feeling hot under the collar
It may be puppy love but it's anything but innocent. A new calendar which has been produced to raise funds for an Irish animal welfare charity is causing controversy thanks to its risque calendar girls - and dogs. The Puppy Love calendar was the idea of model Melissa Hayward who got her dog from Ash Animal Rescue in Wicklow three years ago.
She said that because they have a "no kill" policy, they are struggling to raise enough funds to feed and house all the animals they have at the shelter. So she convinced her friends to donate their time and expertise for free for the 1940s style photographs. All the models, make up artists and photographers waived their fees to make the glossy product.
But she admitted that she didn't expect so much controversy - especially surrounding one picture which shows a model breastfeeding a puppy. "The reaction from everyone has been great, even the people who said they can't stock it," she said. "But some have said they can't stock it because it's too sexy. I expected some reaction but not this."
The March model - Agata Dembiecka - is pictured cradling a puppy and appears to be breastfeeding it. "She's a member of PETA and she was completely comfortable with the shoot," said Melissa. They are hoping to sell 1,000 copies of the calendar for 10 euros each, with all funds going to Ash.
Surprisingly, The Daily Mail also have a problem with this. They do go to the trouble of publishing all the pages, mind.
She said that because they have a "no kill" policy, they are struggling to raise enough funds to feed and house all the animals they have at the shelter. So she convinced her friends to donate their time and expertise for free for the 1940s style photographs. All the models, make up artists and photographers waived their fees to make the glossy product.
But she admitted that she didn't expect so much controversy - especially surrounding one picture which shows a model breastfeeding a puppy. "The reaction from everyone has been great, even the people who said they can't stock it," she said. "But some have said they can't stock it because it's too sexy. I expected some reaction but not this."
The March model - Agata Dembiecka - is pictured cradling a puppy and appears to be breastfeeding it. "She's a member of PETA and she was completely comfortable with the shoot," said Melissa. They are hoping to sell 1,000 copies of the calendar for 10 euros each, with all funds going to Ash.
Surprisingly, The Daily Mail also have a problem with this. They do go to the trouble of publishing all the pages, mind.
Sex toy drive-thru opens in Alabama after finding a loophole in the law
Business is brisk with cars lining up three deep at a new drive-thru in Alabama that fought the law to sell adult items including vibrators, lubricants, lingerie and sex toys to customers who seek privacy and convenience. The Pleasures store in Huntsville is owned by Sherri Williams who found a loophole in the conservative Bible belt state's anti-obscenity laws. Sex toys can be sold if they are needed for 'medical, scientific, educational, legislative, judicial, or law enforcement' purpose.
'It's been doing well, and really well on nights when it's cold or rainy,' said employee Toni Kennedy. 'Discretion and the ease of it are big, and convenience. We're Americans. We like everything convenient.' A 1998 law banned the sale of products intended for sexual stimulation. With two sex-toy stores in Alabama's Tennessee Valley, Williams sued to overturn the law with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union.
She won initially when a federal judge ruled in 1999 there was no rational basis for the law. But the state appealed and Williams lost, allowing the law to remain on the books. The US Supreme Court refused to hear the case in 2007, ending Williams' challenge. Distribution of sex toys is a misdemeanour on the first offence with a maximum penalty of a $10,000 (£6,500) fine and one year in jail. The law does not ban possession. But under the legal loophole customers buying sex toys fill out an anonymous form with 10 questions including whether they or a partner have difficulty with sexual fulfillment.
YouTube link.
In November, Williams held the grand opening for an expanded Pleasures store in an old bank building at a busy intersection. It seemed like a waste not to use the old drive-thru window once run by bank tellers, so workers now sell all sorts of adult products from the side of the building. Just like at a fast-food restaurant, there's a brightly lit sign outside with products and prices - herbal 'enhancement pills' are eight dollars (£5) per dose. Williams believes her drive-thru is the first in the country to offer adult novelties for sale.
'It's been doing well, and really well on nights when it's cold or rainy,' said employee Toni Kennedy. 'Discretion and the ease of it are big, and convenience. We're Americans. We like everything convenient.' A 1998 law banned the sale of products intended for sexual stimulation. With two sex-toy stores in Alabama's Tennessee Valley, Williams sued to overturn the law with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union.
She won initially when a federal judge ruled in 1999 there was no rational basis for the law. But the state appealed and Williams lost, allowing the law to remain on the books. The US Supreme Court refused to hear the case in 2007, ending Williams' challenge. Distribution of sex toys is a misdemeanour on the first offence with a maximum penalty of a $10,000 (£6,500) fine and one year in jail. The law does not ban possession. But under the legal loophole customers buying sex toys fill out an anonymous form with 10 questions including whether they or a partner have difficulty with sexual fulfillment.
YouTube link.
In November, Williams held the grand opening for an expanded Pleasures store in an old bank building at a busy intersection. It seemed like a waste not to use the old drive-thru window once run by bank tellers, so workers now sell all sorts of adult products from the side of the building. Just like at a fast-food restaurant, there's a brightly lit sign outside with products and prices - herbal 'enhancement pills' are eight dollars (£5) per dose. Williams believes her drive-thru is the first in the country to offer adult novelties for sale.
Man blames Ozzy Osbourne for him drinking and driving.
Ozzy Osbourne is considered the mad man of rock-and-roll, and a Portage County man claims the rocker's music drove him mad on Christmas Eve. Solon police say after 33-year-old William Liston, of Aurora, was arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence, he told the officer quote, "Ozzy Osbourne and his music made me do it." Frank Klarich, of Newbury, was driving through Solon when he came across Liston.
"A lady came up to us and said there was a driver ahead of her that was driving erratic, so we told her to get back in her car and we followed him...called 911," said Klarich. As Liston drove erratically on Route 91, and then 422, Klarich relayed his movements to police. "He was all over the road, bouncing from kerb to kerb. After he saw we were following him, that's when he accelerated and went ahead of us," Klarich said.
Solon police say at one point, Liston ran an SUV off the road. The driver was not hurt. Eventually police were able to catch up with Liston and charged him with OVI, hit-and-run and failure to control. Witnesses are amazed that no one was hurt. "His head was bouncing around and he was losing consciousness the whole time he was driving," said Klarich.
Police say they found a bottle containing four different kinds of prescription pills in Liston's pocket, and those who saw him on the road that night believe the drugs are more to blame than Ozzy Osbourne. "Just a poor excuse, you know...that's all," said Klarich. Police say this is Liston's second drunk driving arrest in six years. He had a prior conviction for the crime back in 2005.
With news video.
"A lady came up to us and said there was a driver ahead of her that was driving erratic, so we told her to get back in her car and we followed him...called 911," said Klarich. As Liston drove erratically on Route 91, and then 422, Klarich relayed his movements to police. "He was all over the road, bouncing from kerb to kerb. After he saw we were following him, that's when he accelerated and went ahead of us," Klarich said.
Solon police say at one point, Liston ran an SUV off the road. The driver was not hurt. Eventually police were able to catch up with Liston and charged him with OVI, hit-and-run and failure to control. Witnesses are amazed that no one was hurt. "His head was bouncing around and he was losing consciousness the whole time he was driving," said Klarich.
Police say they found a bottle containing four different kinds of prescription pills in Liston's pocket, and those who saw him on the road that night believe the drugs are more to blame than Ozzy Osbourne. "Just a poor excuse, you know...that's all," said Klarich. Police say this is Liston's second drunk driving arrest in six years. He had a prior conviction for the crime back in 2005.
With news video.
Airline passenger blames tabasco spill for lewd act
Arrested this week for allegedly masturbating while seated next to a teenage girl on an aeroplane, 50-year-old Rafael Escamilla told police that he was actually massaging and itching himself because he had spilled Tabasco sauce on his penis. Escamilla’s unique explanation for his alleged indecent exposure is contained in police reports detailing the December 26 incident on a SkyWest Airlines flight from Salt Lake City to Lewiston, Idaho. Escamilla, a Florida resident, was in Idaho visiting family.
The girl, a high school cheerleader who just turned 17, told police that she was seated directly next to Escamilla, and had chatted briefly with him at the trip’s outset. Mid-flight, as she looked at prom dresses in Seventeen magazine, the teenager spotted something moving “out of my corner of my eye.” In a handwritten statement, the girl recalled, “I looked over and I could clearly see the man’s penis going side to side under the tray table that was down.” Escamilla, she added, had one hand on his laptop (which was atop the tray table) and the other “under the tray table.” Upon arrival at Nez Perce County Regional Airport, the girl, upset and crying, told her father about what had transpired on the flight. The man contacted a Transportation Security Administration supervisor, who in turn summoned Lewiston Police Department officers.
When confronted by police, Escamilla denied exposing himself. “I wasn’t out, I wasn’t hanging out,” he claimed. As reported by Officer Chris Reese, Escamilla “explained to me that he had spilled Tabasco sauce or something similar on his ‘penis’ and had an incredible itch.” He was rubbing his groin, Escamilla explained, “because it was the worst ‘itch in the world.’” Escamilla said he tried to be discreet by covering himself with his laptop, but that the girl must have “suspected something.” During further questioning, Escamilla changed his Tabasco story, claiming that it “might” be from his breakfast that morning “as he did have Tabasco sauce with his eggs.” Asked why he did not just go to the bathroom to “take care of this problem,” Escamilla told Reese that he “didn’t feel that it would help.”
Reese noted that Escamilla used the words “rub” and “massage” to describe how he addressed the “incredible itch.” The cop reported that, “while I was speaking with [Escamilla], he never showed any obvious signs that he had an itch in this particular part of his body.” Escamilla was then handcuffed and transported to the county jail, where the above mug shot was snapped. He was charged with a misdemeanor count of indecent exposure, and a District Court hearing was set for January 18. According to an online biography, Escamilla is an accomplished physical therapist who holds a Ph.D. and has worked as a professor at Duke University and California State University. Escamilla currently works as research director at the Florida orthopedics and sports medicine institute founded by Dr. James Andrews, the noted surgeon whose clientele has included Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning, Charles Barkley, Jack Nicklaus, Roger Clemens, and Drew Brees.
The girl, a high school cheerleader who just turned 17, told police that she was seated directly next to Escamilla, and had chatted briefly with him at the trip’s outset. Mid-flight, as she looked at prom dresses in Seventeen magazine, the teenager spotted something moving “out of my corner of my eye.” In a handwritten statement, the girl recalled, “I looked over and I could clearly see the man’s penis going side to side under the tray table that was down.” Escamilla, she added, had one hand on his laptop (which was atop the tray table) and the other “under the tray table.” Upon arrival at Nez Perce County Regional Airport, the girl, upset and crying, told her father about what had transpired on the flight. The man contacted a Transportation Security Administration supervisor, who in turn summoned Lewiston Police Department officers.
When confronted by police, Escamilla denied exposing himself. “I wasn’t out, I wasn’t hanging out,” he claimed. As reported by Officer Chris Reese, Escamilla “explained to me that he had spilled Tabasco sauce or something similar on his ‘penis’ and had an incredible itch.” He was rubbing his groin, Escamilla explained, “because it was the worst ‘itch in the world.’” Escamilla said he tried to be discreet by covering himself with his laptop, but that the girl must have “suspected something.” During further questioning, Escamilla changed his Tabasco story, claiming that it “might” be from his breakfast that morning “as he did have Tabasco sauce with his eggs.” Asked why he did not just go to the bathroom to “take care of this problem,” Escamilla told Reese that he “didn’t feel that it would help.”
Reese noted that Escamilla used the words “rub” and “massage” to describe how he addressed the “incredible itch.” The cop reported that, “while I was speaking with [Escamilla], he never showed any obvious signs that he had an itch in this particular part of his body.” Escamilla was then handcuffed and transported to the county jail, where the above mug shot was snapped. He was charged with a misdemeanor count of indecent exposure, and a District Court hearing was set for January 18. According to an online biography, Escamilla is an accomplished physical therapist who holds a Ph.D. and has worked as a professor at Duke University and California State University. Escamilla currently works as research director at the Florida orthopedics and sports medicine institute founded by Dr. James Andrews, the noted surgeon whose clientele has included Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning, Charles Barkley, Jack Nicklaus, Roger Clemens, and Drew Brees.
Court rules that casino floor is not a weapon
The state Supreme Court has thrown out a felony assault conviction against a mixed martial arts fighter accused of slamming a drunk amputee into a casino floor. At issue, according to the opinion released on Thursday, was the prosecution's contention that the floor of Mason County's Little Creek Casino was a weapon. In a unanimous decision, the high court found that it was not. James Michael Marohl, described in court documents as a mixed martial arts fighter, was convicted of third-degree assault in the June 2007 incident, in which he forced an intoxicated man to the floor, according to the Supreme Court opinion. The other man suffered scrapes and bruises, and a broken prosthetic arm.
Writing for the unanimous court, Justice Richard Sanders noted that the alleged victim had been cut off from the bar after imbibing to excess. The man was walking to his seat when he knocked over a chair, nearly striking the wife of a friend of Marohl's. Confronted by the woman's husband, the alleged victim repeatedly put his arm around the man while attempting to apologize. Marohl then grabbed the alleged victim from behind and was forcing him toward the exit, when the amputee dropped to the floor. Sanders noted that conflicting descriptions of the incident were offered at trial. Witnesses for the prosecution described Marohl choking the victim until he lost consciousness and forcing him to the floor. Defense witnesses said Marohl was simply trying to guide him out of the bar when he tripped and fell.
In either case, both men fell to the casino floor, Sanders said. Either the choke hold or the impact caused the alleged victim to lose consciousness for several minutes. "The impact with the casino floor caused (the victim) to suffer bruises and scrapes on his face, and his prosthetic arm broke off above the elbow joint," Sanders said in the opinion. "Marohl got to his feet and walked away but then returned to try to help (the victim) off the ground." Charged with second-degree assault, a Mason County jury convicted Marohl of a lesser offence, third-degree assault. But the high court found jurors were misinformed when the prosecution suggested the casino floor could qualify and be considered as a weapon in determining whether Marohl committed third-degree assault.
"Accepting Marohl forced (the victim) to the ground, there is no evidence his use of the ground transformed it into an object similar to a weapon," Sanders noted. "The issue in this case is whether a floor is an instrument or thing likely to produce harm when the defendant causes the victim to impact the ground. The plain meaning of the statute is unambiguous - under these circumstances, the casino floor was not similar to a weapon, nor was it likely to produce bodily harm.'" Reversing a Court of Appeals decision affirming the conviction, the high court dismissed the jury's finding.
Writing for the unanimous court, Justice Richard Sanders noted that the alleged victim had been cut off from the bar after imbibing to excess. The man was walking to his seat when he knocked over a chair, nearly striking the wife of a friend of Marohl's. Confronted by the woman's husband, the alleged victim repeatedly put his arm around the man while attempting to apologize. Marohl then grabbed the alleged victim from behind and was forcing him toward the exit, when the amputee dropped to the floor. Sanders noted that conflicting descriptions of the incident were offered at trial. Witnesses for the prosecution described Marohl choking the victim until he lost consciousness and forcing him to the floor. Defense witnesses said Marohl was simply trying to guide him out of the bar when he tripped and fell.
In either case, both men fell to the casino floor, Sanders said. Either the choke hold or the impact caused the alleged victim to lose consciousness for several minutes. "The impact with the casino floor caused (the victim) to suffer bruises and scrapes on his face, and his prosthetic arm broke off above the elbow joint," Sanders said in the opinion. "Marohl got to his feet and walked away but then returned to try to help (the victim) off the ground." Charged with second-degree assault, a Mason County jury convicted Marohl of a lesser offence, third-degree assault. But the high court found jurors were misinformed when the prosecution suggested the casino floor could qualify and be considered as a weapon in determining whether Marohl committed third-degree assault.
"Accepting Marohl forced (the victim) to the ground, there is no evidence his use of the ground transformed it into an object similar to a weapon," Sanders noted. "The issue in this case is whether a floor is an instrument or thing likely to produce harm when the defendant causes the victim to impact the ground. The plain meaning of the statute is unambiguous - under these circumstances, the casino floor was not similar to a weapon, nor was it likely to produce bodily harm.'" Reversing a Court of Appeals decision affirming the conviction, the high court dismissed the jury's finding.
Spaz the kitten's exercise programme
Spaz, the deaf, visually challenged, slightly odd kitten has an exhausting workout in the washing machine.
YouTube link.
YouTube link.
Naked woman arrested for indecent exposure in store
A 22-year-old woman is behind bars after police say she took off all of her clothing and sexually harassed customers and employees inside the Royal Farms convenience store in Hebron. Jennifer Marie Riegler, of Accomac, Va., is charged with disorderly conduct, indecent exposure, disturbance of the peace, theft less than $100, fourth-degree sex offense, malicious destruction of property valued less than $500 and six counts of second-degree assault.
The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office says Riegler's arrest stemmed from an incident alleged to have occurred shortly before 9 a.m., Dec. 18, at the Royal Farms located on the 7900 block of Royalty Way. According to police interviews with store employees, Riegler walked inside the store, removed all of her clothing and strolled naked around the store. Police say she then made sexually suggestive comments to both customers and employees and engaged in sexually suggestive behaviour prior to lying on the floor in front of the donut rack.
Store employees assisted Riegler with getting dressed and she waited in the parking lot for deputies to arrive. When deputies arrived on the scene, they discovered that Riegler was eating fruit taken from inside the store that she had not purchased. Based on what the store employees reported to the deputies, Riegler was placed under arrest. Police say that when deputies attempted to place Riegler in a patrol car, she kicked one of them in the groin and another in the hand. Riegler was subdued and placed into additional restraints.
Riegler was transported to Peninsula Regional Hospital in Salisbury and a warrant was obtained charging her with the aforementioned offences. She was taken into custody and locked up in the Wicomico County Detention Center in lieu of $25,000 bond.
The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office says Riegler's arrest stemmed from an incident alleged to have occurred shortly before 9 a.m., Dec. 18, at the Royal Farms located on the 7900 block of Royalty Way. According to police interviews with store employees, Riegler walked inside the store, removed all of her clothing and strolled naked around the store. Police say she then made sexually suggestive comments to both customers and employees and engaged in sexually suggestive behaviour prior to lying on the floor in front of the donut rack.
Store employees assisted Riegler with getting dressed and she waited in the parking lot for deputies to arrive. When deputies arrived on the scene, they discovered that Riegler was eating fruit taken from inside the store that she had not purchased. Based on what the store employees reported to the deputies, Riegler was placed under arrest. Police say that when deputies attempted to place Riegler in a patrol car, she kicked one of them in the groin and another in the hand. Riegler was subdued and placed into additional restraints.
Riegler was transported to Peninsula Regional Hospital in Salisbury and a warrant was obtained charging her with the aforementioned offences. She was taken into custody and locked up in the Wicomico County Detention Center in lieu of $25,000 bond.
Robbery victim, 92, chews through restraints to freedom
A 92-year-old man left taped to a chair after a home-invasion robbery chewed through the restraints to free himself on Monday, according to the King County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff spokesman John Urquhart said the victim, who lives alone in a home on 205th in North Shoreline, answered a knock at his door at about 11 a.m. Monday. The two men outside said their car had broken down and asked to use the victim's phone.
YouTube link.
When he let them inside, the men taped him to a chair in the kitchen and spent more than an hour looking through the house for valuables. They took about $400 in cash and stole the homeowner's pickup truck. The victim was stuck in the chair for two more hours while he chewed his way through the tape to get free. He suffered some bruises but was not seriously injured.
The robbers were described as white men, both about 5-feet-8 inches tall and about 165 pounds. The truck they stole is a gold 2000 Ford Ranger with Washington License B34861L. The truck has a silver bulldog on the hood.
Sheriff spokesman John Urquhart said the victim, who lives alone in a home on 205th in North Shoreline, answered a knock at his door at about 11 a.m. Monday. The two men outside said their car had broken down and asked to use the victim's phone.
YouTube link.
When he let them inside, the men taped him to a chair in the kitchen and spent more than an hour looking through the house for valuables. They took about $400 in cash and stole the homeowner's pickup truck. The victim was stuck in the chair for two more hours while he chewed his way through the tape to get free. He suffered some bruises but was not seriously injured.
The robbers were described as white men, both about 5-feet-8 inches tall and about 165 pounds. The truck they stole is a gold 2000 Ford Ranger with Washington License B34861L. The truck has a silver bulldog on the hood.
Jailed US sisters may be freed if one donates kidney
Two US women convicted of armed robbery can be released but only if one donates a kidney to the other, the governor of Mississippi has said. Jamie and Gladys Scott were convicted in 1994 of taking part in a robbery that netted a mere $11.
Their lawyer, Chokwe Lumumba, hailed Gov Haley Barbour's decision as a victory. The sisters were eligible for parole in 2014 and rights activists had criticised their sentence as harsh.
Jamie, 38, who requires daily dialysis, and Gladys, 36, are serving life sentences. Mr Lumumba said: "I think it's a victory. I talked to Gladys and she's elated about the news. I'm sure Jamie is, too."
He said Gladys had volunteered the donation. Mr Barbour, a Republican, will agree the indefinite suspension of their sentences, which can be reversed if terms are broken.
Their lawyer, Chokwe Lumumba, hailed Gov Haley Barbour's decision as a victory. The sisters were eligible for parole in 2014 and rights activists had criticised their sentence as harsh.
Jamie, 38, who requires daily dialysis, and Gladys, 36, are serving life sentences. Mr Lumumba said: "I think it's a victory. I talked to Gladys and she's elated about the news. I'm sure Jamie is, too."
He said Gladys had volunteered the donation. Mr Barbour, a Republican, will agree the indefinite suspension of their sentences, which can be reversed if terms are broken.
Doctor accidentally strangled while using electric neck massager
Her neck aching after a night of wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve, Dr. Michelle Ferrari-Gegerson used an electronic massager to relieve the pain. That night, her lifeless body was found by her husband on the bedroom floor of their Parkland home. The culprit: the massager, say Broward Sheriff's Office detectives and the Medical Examiner's Office.
They believe it got tangled in her necklace and strangled her. Ferrari-Gegerson, 37, worked as a radiologist in the emergency room of Jackson Memorial Hospital and was the mother of a 1-year-old, colleagues said. "Last week she was here and she brought baked goods for various employees,'' said Barbara Perez Deppman, director for radiology at the hospital. "That's what type of person she was. Out of the blue, she would just give people food vouchers and take them out to lunch.''
According to BSO, Ferrari-Gegerson was discovered unconscious about 9 p.m. Christmas Eve by her husband, Dr. Kenneth Gegerson, a dentist. Gegerson, 43, called 911. When deputies and paramedics arrived, they found the electronic massager on the floor near her, according to BSO.
YouTube link.
BSO is withholding the brand and other details of the electronic massager while the investigation continues. Ferrari-Gegerson's apparent accident is not the first incident where an electronic massager has reportedly strangled someone. In December 2008, the Matoba Electric Manufacturing Company based in Saitama, Japan recalled an electronic foot massager after three reported cases in that country of women strangling themselves accidentally while using the machine as a neck massager.
They believe it got tangled in her necklace and strangled her. Ferrari-Gegerson, 37, worked as a radiologist in the emergency room of Jackson Memorial Hospital and was the mother of a 1-year-old, colleagues said. "Last week she was here and she brought baked goods for various employees,'' said Barbara Perez Deppman, director for radiology at the hospital. "That's what type of person she was. Out of the blue, she would just give people food vouchers and take them out to lunch.''
According to BSO, Ferrari-Gegerson was discovered unconscious about 9 p.m. Christmas Eve by her husband, Dr. Kenneth Gegerson, a dentist. Gegerson, 43, called 911. When deputies and paramedics arrived, they found the electronic massager on the floor near her, according to BSO.
YouTube link.
BSO is withholding the brand and other details of the electronic massager while the investigation continues. Ferrari-Gegerson's apparent accident is not the first incident where an electronic massager has reportedly strangled someone. In December 2008, the Matoba Electric Manufacturing Company based in Saitama, Japan recalled an electronic foot massager after three reported cases in that country of women strangling themselves accidentally while using the machine as a neck massager.
French model in anti-anorexia campaign dies
A French model who posed nude for an anti-anorexia campaign while suffering from the illness herself has died at the age of 28, her colleagues confirm. Isabelle Caro died on 17 November after being treated for an acute respiratory illness, Swiss singer Vincent Bigler told journalists. He added that he did not know the exact cause of death.
Ms Caro appeared in posters for an anti-anorexia campaign in 2007, but the ads were banned in several countries. It was not clear why it took so long for her death to be made public. The anti-anorexia campaign came amid a debate among fashion circles on the use of "ultra-skinny" models on the catwalk.
At the time she said: "I thought this could be a chance to use my suffering to get a message across, and finally put an image on what thinness represents and the danger it leads to - which is death." The model, who was 5ft 4in tall (1.65m) at the time of the poster campaign, reportedly weighed 32kg (five stones).
Ms Caro's acting instructor, Daniele Dubreuil-Prevot, said that Ms Caro had died after returning to France from a job in Tokyo. She said family and close friends had held a funeral ceremony in Paris last month. Mr Bigler, who was a friend of Ms Caro, said: "She was hospitalised for 15 days with acute respiratory disease and was recently also very tired, but I do not know the cause of her death."
Ms Caro appeared in posters for an anti-anorexia campaign in 2007, but the ads were banned in several countries. It was not clear why it took so long for her death to be made public. The anti-anorexia campaign came amid a debate among fashion circles on the use of "ultra-skinny" models on the catwalk.
At the time she said: "I thought this could be a chance to use my suffering to get a message across, and finally put an image on what thinness represents and the danger it leads to - which is death." The model, who was 5ft 4in tall (1.65m) at the time of the poster campaign, reportedly weighed 32kg (five stones).
Ms Caro's acting instructor, Daniele Dubreuil-Prevot, said that Ms Caro had died after returning to France from a job in Tokyo. She said family and close friends had held a funeral ceremony in Paris last month. Mr Bigler, who was a friend of Ms Caro, said: "She was hospitalised for 15 days with acute respiratory disease and was recently also very tired, but I do not know the cause of her death."
TSA bans bikini woman for ‘unusual contour’ around buttocks - Update
A woman who became a YouTube sensation earlier this month when she went through airport security in a bikini spent a night at the airport on Tuesday because of TSA agents' concerns about an "unusual contour" around her buttocks. Tammy Banovac says she is hand-searched every time she goes through airport security because she uses a wheelchair. But ever since the TSA instituted new "enhanced" pat-downs that involve touching of genitals, she has found herself feeling violated.
"If it happened anywhere else, it would have been sexual assault," she says of the procedure. It was because of this that on November 30 she appeared at Oklahoma City's Will Rogers Airport in a bikini, in protest and presumably in the hopes that her revealing outfit would eliminate the need for a pat-down. Banovac was searched and interrogated for an hour before being refused access to her flight by TSA agents who said they found residue of nitrates, which can be used on bombs, on her person. When she came back to the airport the next day, she was allowed to board her flight.
But now Banovac says the TSA found another reason to bar her from boarding. As she tried to board a flight - fully clothed - for the first time since the earlier incident, the TSA informed her they had found an "unusual contour" around her buttocks which they couldn't explain. Banovac offered to strip for the agents to prove that she's not hiding anything TSA agents aren't allowed to fully undress a passenger, so they had no choice but to deny her access to her flight.
"This is the most ridiculous sky security theatrics imaginable," she said. Banovac ended up spending the night at the airport before being allowed to board a flight to Phoenix on Wednesday morning. It's not clear if she passed security wearing the same outfit as the night before. She told reporters that her YouTube fame has made her life miserable, and she is routinely recognized at airports.
With news video. Previously.
"If it happened anywhere else, it would have been sexual assault," she says of the procedure. It was because of this that on November 30 she appeared at Oklahoma City's Will Rogers Airport in a bikini, in protest and presumably in the hopes that her revealing outfit would eliminate the need for a pat-down. Banovac was searched and interrogated for an hour before being refused access to her flight by TSA agents who said they found residue of nitrates, which can be used on bombs, on her person. When she came back to the airport the next day, she was allowed to board her flight.
But now Banovac says the TSA found another reason to bar her from boarding. As she tried to board a flight - fully clothed - for the first time since the earlier incident, the TSA informed her they had found an "unusual contour" around her buttocks which they couldn't explain. Banovac offered to strip for the agents to prove that she's not hiding anything TSA agents aren't allowed to fully undress a passenger, so they had no choice but to deny her access to her flight.
"This is the most ridiculous sky security theatrics imaginable," she said. Banovac ended up spending the night at the airport before being allowed to board a flight to Phoenix on Wednesday morning. It's not clear if she passed security wearing the same outfit as the night before. She told reporters that her YouTube fame has made her life miserable, and she is routinely recognized at airports.
With news video. Previously.
Pregnant Spanish women pushing to get 'baby cheque' bonus
Pregnant women in Spain are pushing to give birth before January 1st to receive the €2500 (£2130) 'baby cheque' from the government before the scheme ends and are asking to be induced or have caesarean sections.
The cheque bebé was introduced in July 2007 as an incentive to try and boost Spain's population. However, the scheme will be axed at midnight on New Year's Eve as part of the government's austerity drive in the face of the country's national debt.
"What we're seeing in the public sector is that women who are due to give birth in the first fortnight of January are coming in and saying they are spotting blood or that their waters have broken," a midwife in a Seville hospital said. "They don't dare say so openly but we know they want to bring the due date forward."
The rush to get the payout before the year ends has also seen a rise in the number of women requesting caesarean sections. "If there's no medical reason not to, we can do that," said David Marchante, the medical director of the Belén clinic in Madrid. Spain's birth rate is 1.36 for every woman of childbearing age – below the EU average of 1.4.
The cheque bebé was introduced in July 2007 as an incentive to try and boost Spain's population. However, the scheme will be axed at midnight on New Year's Eve as part of the government's austerity drive in the face of the country's national debt.
"What we're seeing in the public sector is that women who are due to give birth in the first fortnight of January are coming in and saying they are spotting blood or that their waters have broken," a midwife in a Seville hospital said. "They don't dare say so openly but we know they want to bring the due date forward."
The rush to get the payout before the year ends has also seen a rise in the number of women requesting caesarean sections. "If there's no medical reason not to, we can do that," said David Marchante, the medical director of the Belén clinic in Madrid. Spain's birth rate is 1.36 for every woman of childbearing age – below the EU average of 1.4.
Man sees angel in piece of wood
An Oklahoma man says he found something special over Christmas while he was cutting some wood. Mark Bishop has been trimming trees for about 25 years now. Over the years he's come across a lot of images in the branches. Mark says "over the years I guess it's kept me from losing interest." He used to just admire them and then throw them out but now he's started keeping them.
He's found ducks, and even the moon, he wears a few of his favourites around his neck. Mark says "what I do is after I make a cut I pick up a piece to look at the end there's not always a picture but to me that makes it more miraculous." But it was on Christmas Day that Mark found an image he'll never forget. He says "I see the body coming down and the arms perhaps coming out and the face with this being the glow or the aura around it."
He was stacking wood when this piece caught his eye. Mark says "when I picked it up I was about to throw it away and I thought, it looks like an angel." Turns out this angel was exactly what Mark needed that day. He says "this was the first Christmas I didn't get to spend with my daughter and I was pretty depressed."
He says it's brought him peace amidst the chaos of life. Tto me to have any picture in it at all speaks to the beauty of God that we never see and it was hidden in a tree on top of all that. He's shown the angel to several people. One lady thought it looked like the second coming of Christ. Mark says he doesn't find an image in every tree in fact he says it's rarely the case. For him that's part of what makes it so special.
With news video.
He's found ducks, and even the moon, he wears a few of his favourites around his neck. Mark says "what I do is after I make a cut I pick up a piece to look at the end there's not always a picture but to me that makes it more miraculous." But it was on Christmas Day that Mark found an image he'll never forget. He says "I see the body coming down and the arms perhaps coming out and the face with this being the glow or the aura around it."
He was stacking wood when this piece caught his eye. Mark says "when I picked it up I was about to throw it away and I thought, it looks like an angel." Turns out this angel was exactly what Mark needed that day. He says "this was the first Christmas I didn't get to spend with my daughter and I was pretty depressed."
He says it's brought him peace amidst the chaos of life. Tto me to have any picture in it at all speaks to the beauty of God that we never see and it was hidden in a tree on top of all that. He's shown the angel to several people. One lady thought it looked like the second coming of Christ. Mark says he doesn't find an image in every tree in fact he says it's rarely the case. For him that's part of what makes it so special.
With news video.
Australian man 'discovered missing wife on Antiques Roadshow' after 28 years
An Australian has claimed his missing wife has been spotted on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow in Britain, almost three decades after she mysteriously vanished. Lynette Dawson, a mother-of-two, went missing from Sydney in 1982 and was presumed dead - although her body was never found. Now her ex-husband Chris Dawson claims that an image of a woman at the Antiques Roadshow, which was filmed in Padstow, Cornwall in 2006 and recently aired on Australian TV is his former spouse.
But her Australian family dispute his claims that the woman is Lynette and have launched an appeal to help trace the identity of the woman. They have called on residents of Padstow to identify her they hope they can finally put the matter to rest. Mr Dawson, a former Sydney footballer, who has remarried and is living on the Golden Coast sent an email to his daughter after a friend recorded the show.
"The show was filmed in Padstow, Cornwall, in England, and the likeness to your mum is uncanny. It has given us a strong sense of hope that at last her whereabouts may be known," the email read. Since the email was published in Australia Mr Dawson has refused to talk further about the television sighting.
But Lynette's sister, Patricia Jenkins, said she believes the images are not her missing sibling. "There is no way this is Lyn. Just the clothes tell me it's not her," she said. "She would never wear anything frilly or lacy." Two separate coroners' inquires in 2001 and 2003 found Mrs Dawson was murdered and recommended a known person be charged with an indictable offence, but no charges have ever been brought.
But her Australian family dispute his claims that the woman is Lynette and have launched an appeal to help trace the identity of the woman. They have called on residents of Padstow to identify her they hope they can finally put the matter to rest. Mr Dawson, a former Sydney footballer, who has remarried and is living on the Golden Coast sent an email to his daughter after a friend recorded the show.
"The show was filmed in Padstow, Cornwall, in England, and the likeness to your mum is uncanny. It has given us a strong sense of hope that at last her whereabouts may be known," the email read. Since the email was published in Australia Mr Dawson has refused to talk further about the television sighting.
But Lynette's sister, Patricia Jenkins, said she believes the images are not her missing sibling. "There is no way this is Lyn. Just the clothes tell me it's not her," she said. "She would never wear anything frilly or lacy." Two separate coroners' inquires in 2001 and 2003 found Mrs Dawson was murdered and recommended a known person be charged with an indictable offence, but no charges have ever been brought.
Couple's late son was secret sperm donor for lesbian aunt's partner
A 15-year old boy secretly donated sperm to his aunt's lesbian partner so they could have children, his parents have discovered. Charlie Lowden's parents Charles and Lynn are now coming to terms with the fact that the two children they considered to be their nephew and niece are actually their biological grandchildren. They only discovered the family secret last December after Charlie, 20, died following a routine hernia operation. After his death it emerged that several years previously he offered to donate sperm - unofficially - to his aunt Sarah Ashman, now 40, who is his mother's younger sister, and her partner Claire, now 30.
He knew they had wanted to have a baby, but Claire had suffered a miscarriage after becoming pregnant by another donor. Claire Ashman, a beautician from Choppington in Northumberland, subsequently gave birth to a boy, Carlton, now five. Three years later they asked him to donate again, which he did, resulting in Sarah, who is now two. The lesbian couple agreed to keep Charlie's true identity as the father under wraps. However, his death forced his aunt to confess the situation to her sister.
Mrs Lowden, 52, said: "When our Charles died we were broken hearted. We thought we had nothing left of him. But there is. I just wish that we had known about all of this before he died so that Charlie could know we had accepted it." She continued: "When Charlie died, Sarah said I had no idea how special he had been to her – but now I do." Despite Carlton being "the spitting double" of his father, Mrs Lowden said she remained "quite oblivious" to the truth. Even though Charlie used to grab the boy, hold him up to the mirror and laugh, "Who’s the daddy? I’m the daddy", Mrs Lowden still did not realise what he was saying.
The couple had wanted to call the boy Charles, but he refused, so they chose Carlton as a cipher name instead. Sarah Ashman, who entered a civil partnership with Claire last year after 13 years together, said: "Charles was very special to me. He was great. When he died, it was our secret. But I had to tell Lynn. I couldn’t go through life not telling her because they are her grandchildren." Mrs Lowden described knowing Carlton was her grandson as "just like having our Charlie back. We’ve got the next best thing to him and it’s not a secret anymore," she said. "I’m absolutely delighted. He did it for a reason and he has left a legacy."
He knew they had wanted to have a baby, but Claire had suffered a miscarriage after becoming pregnant by another donor. Claire Ashman, a beautician from Choppington in Northumberland, subsequently gave birth to a boy, Carlton, now five. Three years later they asked him to donate again, which he did, resulting in Sarah, who is now two. The lesbian couple agreed to keep Charlie's true identity as the father under wraps. However, his death forced his aunt to confess the situation to her sister.
Mrs Lowden, 52, said: "When our Charles died we were broken hearted. We thought we had nothing left of him. But there is. I just wish that we had known about all of this before he died so that Charlie could know we had accepted it." She continued: "When Charlie died, Sarah said I had no idea how special he had been to her – but now I do." Despite Carlton being "the spitting double" of his father, Mrs Lowden said she remained "quite oblivious" to the truth. Even though Charlie used to grab the boy, hold him up to the mirror and laugh, "Who’s the daddy? I’m the daddy", Mrs Lowden still did not realise what he was saying.
The couple had wanted to call the boy Charles, but he refused, so they chose Carlton as a cipher name instead. Sarah Ashman, who entered a civil partnership with Claire last year after 13 years together, said: "Charles was very special to me. He was great. When he died, it was our secret. But I had to tell Lynn. I couldn’t go through life not telling her because they are her grandchildren." Mrs Lowden described knowing Carlton was her grandson as "just like having our Charlie back. We’ve got the next best thing to him and it’s not a secret anymore," she said. "I’m absolutely delighted. He did it for a reason and he has left a legacy."
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Indian man becomes 'world's oldest father' aged 94
A 94-year-old Indian farmer is claiming to be the world's oldest dad. Ramajit Raghav claims his wife Shakuntala, 59, gave birth to their son Karamjit just last month. The couple have described the boy as "god's gift" — and aren't ruling out having more. Ramajit said: "It is great that I have become the world's oldest dad.
"I am a strong follower of Lord Shiva. I wanted to have an offspring and prayed for him. This child is god's gift to me." The proud father, who was a wrestler in his youth, puts his virility down to his high-calorie diet. He added: "My daily diet comprises of three litres of milk, half a kilo of almonds and half a kilo ghee (clarified butter). I had visited a quack in the village and he gave me some tablets but I didn't take them and threw them away."
When asked whether he was worried about his child's future, Ramajit said he would still be playing with his son in a decade. He added: "Nothing will happen to my child as I will die only if a black snake bites me and that is very far. Visit me after 10 years and you will find me in the same appearance." It is unknown how many children Ramajit has.
The farmer lives in the village of Kharkhoda in Haryana, northern India. If his claim is true Ramajit would take the title of the world's oldest dad from another Indian Nanu Ram Jogi. Nanu fathered his 22nd child at the age of 90 in 2007. Doctors have, however, questioned the validity of Ramajit's claim.
With news video.
"I am a strong follower of Lord Shiva. I wanted to have an offspring and prayed for him. This child is god's gift to me." The proud father, who was a wrestler in his youth, puts his virility down to his high-calorie diet. He added: "My daily diet comprises of three litres of milk, half a kilo of almonds and half a kilo ghee (clarified butter). I had visited a quack in the village and he gave me some tablets but I didn't take them and threw them away."
When asked whether he was worried about his child's future, Ramajit said he would still be playing with his son in a decade. He added: "Nothing will happen to my child as I will die only if a black snake bites me and that is very far. Visit me after 10 years and you will find me in the same appearance." It is unknown how many children Ramajit has.
The farmer lives in the village of Kharkhoda in Haryana, northern India. If his claim is true Ramajit would take the title of the world's oldest dad from another Indian Nanu Ram Jogi. Nanu fathered his 22nd child at the age of 90 in 2007. Doctors have, however, questioned the validity of Ramajit's claim.
With news video.
Twins in Poland have different fathers
In only the seventh known case of its kind in the world, twins born in the north of Poland were conceived by two different fathers. The mother of the twins got pregnant after she was having sex with her husband and her lover - though not at exactly the same time.
After giving birth to twins, a boy and a girl, the woman filed for divorce and accused her husband of denying fatherhood so that her lover would have to recognize the twins as his own and pay for their upkeep.
However, DNA tests show that the husband was the father of the baby boy, while the lover was the father of the baby girl.
“It’s only the seventh such case in the world. Such rare cases are possible when an ovulating woman produces two eggs and has sex with two partners in a short period of time,” says Doctor Piotr Koziol from Forensic Medicine Institute in Lublin who conducted the DNA tests. The woman is now living with both twins and her lover.
After giving birth to twins, a boy and a girl, the woman filed for divorce and accused her husband of denying fatherhood so that her lover would have to recognize the twins as his own and pay for their upkeep.
However, DNA tests show that the husband was the father of the baby boy, while the lover was the father of the baby girl.
“It’s only the seventh such case in the world. Such rare cases are possible when an ovulating woman produces two eggs and has sex with two partners in a short period of time,” says Doctor Piotr Koziol from Forensic Medicine Institute in Lublin who conducted the DNA tests. The woman is now living with both twins and her lover.
Woman sees image of Jesus in chest X-ray
A holiday miracle in central Indiana is bringing hope to one family. An Elwood woman is battling cancer by keeping Jesus close to her heart, literally. She has the X-rays to prove it. Karen Sigler had surgery December 6th to remove cancer from her right breast, "I was just really scared I was going to die."
Sigler thinks God has been trying to send her a message. Right before her surgery she was shopping at the Dollar General down the street from her house when a random man came up to her with something to say, "He said Jesus said you're going to be healed." That Dollar General conversation didn't calm her fears or restore her faith.
On December 12th, Sigler was sick in the hospital with pnemonia. She says Jesus made himself clear right on her x-ray, "My faith just got a little stronger since I seen that Jesus was sitting on my heart and that he's there and you can see him. He's there."
YouTube link.
Now, Sigler is hopeful. She is waiting to find out if her cancer is gone and will start chemo in January. Sigler says she has no doubt anymore that she is going to be okay, "He's gonna show himself one way or another. If it takes an X-ray."
Sigler thinks God has been trying to send her a message. Right before her surgery she was shopping at the Dollar General down the street from her house when a random man came up to her with something to say, "He said Jesus said you're going to be healed." That Dollar General conversation didn't calm her fears or restore her faith.
On December 12th, Sigler was sick in the hospital with pnemonia. She says Jesus made himself clear right on her x-ray, "My faith just got a little stronger since I seen that Jesus was sitting on my heart and that he's there and you can see him. He's there."
YouTube link.
Now, Sigler is hopeful. She is waiting to find out if her cancer is gone and will start chemo in January. Sigler says she has no doubt anymore that she is going to be okay, "He's gonna show himself one way or another. If it takes an X-ray."
Dog climbs ladders and scales buildings
Bubba the dog can climb a ladder. Bubba likely gets his love of heights from his owner Levi Baker, who is a roofing contractor. The pair spends most of their time together on top of homes and buildings in Phoenix.
"One day we [were] just tearing off a roof," said Baker, as he recalled Bubba's first climb. "Next thing we know, we hear the dog at the edge of the roof scattering around."
Baker said Bubba has been a roof dog ever since that fateful day. Bubba's special skills get him a lot of attention. People stop to take pictures of him on the roof, and he's been known to cause a traffic jam or two.
Bubba, however, lacks one important skill. He needs help to climb back down his ladder.
Video.
"One day we [were] just tearing off a roof," said Baker, as he recalled Bubba's first climb. "Next thing we know, we hear the dog at the edge of the roof scattering around."
Baker said Bubba has been a roof dog ever since that fateful day. Bubba's special skills get him a lot of attention. People stop to take pictures of him on the roof, and he's been known to cause a traffic jam or two.
Bubba, however, lacks one important skill. He needs help to climb back down his ladder.
Video.
Skinny jeans, adult films and human excrement sell 'like hot cakes' in North Korea
Skinny jeans, adult films and human excrement are among some of the most wanted items for consumers in North Korea.
Kim Young-soo, a professor at Seoul's Sogang University who has interviewed several recent defectors from the Communist country, said that the items were selling "like hot cakes". Other popular items sold in North Korea included TV dramas and instant noodles, he said.
Shops began selling human excrement to deal with acute shortages of fertiliser in North Korea. "Each household used to use human excrement as fertilizer, but because it's hard to keep up with the amount, human manure shops showed up at markets," Professor Kim said.
Skinny jeans also became popular items for sale in the North after a ban on fashionable trousers was lifted. "Skinny jeans are now popular and are changing the fashion style of women in Pyongyang," Professor Kim said.
Kim Young-soo, a professor at Seoul's Sogang University who has interviewed several recent defectors from the Communist country, said that the items were selling "like hot cakes". Other popular items sold in North Korea included TV dramas and instant noodles, he said.
Shops began selling human excrement to deal with acute shortages of fertiliser in North Korea. "Each household used to use human excrement as fertilizer, but because it's hard to keep up with the amount, human manure shops showed up at markets," Professor Kim said.
Skinny jeans also became popular items for sale in the North after a ban on fashionable trousers was lifted. "Skinny jeans are now popular and are changing the fashion style of women in Pyongyang," Professor Kim said.
Couple accused of using pliers to pull child's teeth and toenails
Authorities believe a Southern Indiana woman and her boyfriend used a pair of pliers to pull out a three-year-old boy's teeth and toenails. Andrew Richards, 27, was charged with child battery and confinement. The boy's mother, 22-year-old Jessica Carder, was charged with aiding child battery and neglect. Both were held on a $50,000 cash bond in the Jefferson County Jail in Madison on Tuesday.
Richards admitted to pulling the boy's teeth but did not say how. "I just pulled a tooth. My dad pulls my teeth all the time. I ain't traumatized," Richards said to reporters as he was escorted back to jail. Prosecutors said they know how Richards pulled those teeth.
"There's evidence, supported by their interviews that pliers were used to extract the teeth. There is also damage to the gum line," Jefferson County Prosecutor Chad Lewis said. He also said there was evidence Richards had been taking and abusing Oxycontin that night. Richards denied those allegations. Carder did not have anything to say about the charges.
The boy's grandfather, Karl Andersen, said he sought custody for the boy after incidents that happened earlier in the year. The boy is currently in custody of his biological father's parents. "It's kind of hard to understand him talking because he's got all them teeth missing on the top," Andersen said. "He's doing really good." Richards and Carder each face a maximum of 20 years behind bars for the charges.
Richards admitted to pulling the boy's teeth but did not say how. "I just pulled a tooth. My dad pulls my teeth all the time. I ain't traumatized," Richards said to reporters as he was escorted back to jail. Prosecutors said they know how Richards pulled those teeth.
"There's evidence, supported by their interviews that pliers were used to extract the teeth. There is also damage to the gum line," Jefferson County Prosecutor Chad Lewis said. He also said there was evidence Richards had been taking and abusing Oxycontin that night. Richards denied those allegations. Carder did not have anything to say about the charges.
The boy's grandfather, Karl Andersen, said he sought custody for the boy after incidents that happened earlier in the year. The boy is currently in custody of his biological father's parents. "It's kind of hard to understand him talking because he's got all them teeth missing on the top," Andersen said. "He's doing really good." Richards and Carder each face a maximum of 20 years behind bars for the charges.
Man posing as Hillary Clinton robs bank at gunpoint
A gun-wielding man wearing a Hillary Clinton mask robbed a Sterling bank on Dec. 27, authorities said.
The man walked into the Wachovia bank in Community Plaza at about 9:14 a.m., approached a teller, brandished a firearm and demanded cash, according to Loudoun County sheriff’s office reports.
The robber then fled the bank in an unknown direction with an undisclosed amount of cash. No injuries were reported, according to Kraig Troxell, spokesman for the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.
Witnesses described the robber as a 6-foot-tall black man. He was last seen wearing a black jacket with a red shirt underneath, according to reports.
The man walked into the Wachovia bank in Community Plaza at about 9:14 a.m., approached a teller, brandished a firearm and demanded cash, according to Loudoun County sheriff’s office reports.
The robber then fled the bank in an unknown direction with an undisclosed amount of cash. No injuries were reported, according to Kraig Troxell, spokesman for the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.
Witnesses described the robber as a 6-foot-tall black man. He was last seen wearing a black jacket with a red shirt underneath, according to reports.
Bangladeshi TV station told not to show hangman series
A television channel in Bangladesh has been ordered to stop broadcasting interviews with the country's most famous hangman, officials say. They say that the government has ordered the three-part show off air because it could frighten children. The hangman, who has hanged nine people in his 21 years in prison, has requested anonymity. But he said that the programmes on the private channel, Banglavision, were mainly about his lifestyle.
The prison authorities wrote to Banglavision requesting them not to broadcast the programme, which "might affect the tenderness of the children and the mentality of the mass people of the country". So far only one part of the series has been broadcast. The letter wrtten to the TV station from the prison authorities said that it was in the public interest for the programmes not to be broadcast.
"The motive of our programme was not a campaign against capital punishment or in favour of capital punishment," said Banglavision Head of News Mostofa Feroz. "A released man cannot be stopped from talking to the media - it is against the freedom of media and his freedom of rights," he said. The hangman started working as an executioner seven years ago and was trained for the job while serving a 30-year murder sentence - passed down when he was aged only 16 - for murder.
He was released early in August after getting 18 months' time off for working as a hangman. Bangladesh has executed 411 people since the country gained independence in 1971. All hangmen are prisoners or former convicts who have trained in jail for the job. The unnamed hangman said that he carried out the hangings to reduce his time in jail. "Although I did not like to hang anyone in the gallows, I did it to decrease the span of my jail term. For each hanging, I got two months' exemption from my 30-year jail term," he said.
The prison authorities wrote to Banglavision requesting them not to broadcast the programme, which "might affect the tenderness of the children and the mentality of the mass people of the country". So far only one part of the series has been broadcast. The letter wrtten to the TV station from the prison authorities said that it was in the public interest for the programmes not to be broadcast.
"The motive of our programme was not a campaign against capital punishment or in favour of capital punishment," said Banglavision Head of News Mostofa Feroz. "A released man cannot be stopped from talking to the media - it is against the freedom of media and his freedom of rights," he said. The hangman started working as an executioner seven years ago and was trained for the job while serving a 30-year murder sentence - passed down when he was aged only 16 - for murder.
He was released early in August after getting 18 months' time off for working as a hangman. Bangladesh has executed 411 people since the country gained independence in 1971. All hangmen are prisoners or former convicts who have trained in jail for the job. The unnamed hangman said that he carried out the hangings to reduce his time in jail. "Although I did not like to hang anyone in the gallows, I did it to decrease the span of my jail term. For each hanging, I got two months' exemption from my 30-year jail term," he said.
Berlin police pepper spray snowballers
Two Berlin police officers were pelted by snowballs thrown by a group of about 40 youths but were able to fight them off with pepper spray, police said.
The officers were investigating a brawl early Saturday morning. They ignored demands from a group of about 25 youths to leave and were then attacked by snowballs.
The number of youths throwing snowballs quickly grew to 40.
The officers first retreated but then fought back with the pepper spray, prompting the youths to flee. Many were later arrested. There were no injuries, police said.
The officers were investigating a brawl early Saturday morning. They ignored demands from a group of about 25 youths to leave and were then attacked by snowballs.
The number of youths throwing snowballs quickly grew to 40.
The officers first retreated but then fought back with the pepper spray, prompting the youths to flee. Many were later arrested. There were no injuries, police said.
Stranded horse rescued from Warwickshire canal
A horse had to be rescued by firefighters after becoming stranded in a Warwickshire canal.
YouTube link.
Two fire engines from Stratford and Studley attended the rescue off Pennyford Lane in Wootton Wawen, near Henley in Arden. Crews were assisted by a boat and took almost two hours to free the animal.
YouTube link.
Two fire engines from Stratford and Studley attended the rescue off Pennyford Lane in Wootton Wawen, near Henley in Arden. Crews were assisted by a boat and took almost two hours to free the animal.
Airport reveals weird luggage items
A goldfish, a briefcase full of bricks and a frozen turkey are among the strangest items officials at Cardiff Airport have found in passengers’ luggage. Well-publicised security checks – significantly tightened after the attacks of September 11, 2001 – have failed to deter many flyers from travelling with bizarre belongings.
Top of the shop, for its seasonal novelty alone, is the 10lb frozen turkey one traveller had in their hand luggage. Airport staff said the bird’s owner was primarily concerned with whether it would be sufficiently thawed when it got to its destination.
Security officials have also uncovered a briefcase filled with 10 bricks, a butcher’s knife – supposedly for gardening – and life-jackets. One flyer tried to take a goldfish as hand luggage and when they were told this was not allowed, tried to check it in. This request was also politely declined.
One passenger tried to check in a palm tree which was planted into a sand bag. An airport spokeswoman said the tree had already come halfway across the world as it belonged to a passenger who was en route from Dubai when their aircraft got diverted to Cardiff. Other items which have been refused access to an aircraft hold include a chainsaw, a bowling ball and two unpackaged armchairs.
Top of the shop, for its seasonal novelty alone, is the 10lb frozen turkey one traveller had in their hand luggage. Airport staff said the bird’s owner was primarily concerned with whether it would be sufficiently thawed when it got to its destination.
Security officials have also uncovered a briefcase filled with 10 bricks, a butcher’s knife – supposedly for gardening – and life-jackets. One flyer tried to take a goldfish as hand luggage and when they were told this was not allowed, tried to check it in. This request was also politely declined.
One passenger tried to check in a palm tree which was planted into a sand bag. An airport spokeswoman said the tree had already come halfway across the world as it belonged to a passenger who was en route from Dubai when their aircraft got diverted to Cardiff. Other items which have been refused access to an aircraft hold include a chainsaw, a bowling ball and two unpackaged armchairs.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Here's a one-man Village People
YouTube link.
Other than that this gentleman's name is Christopher, I know nothing about him.
Apart from he also does The Beatles, Michael Jackson and Kiss.
New Zealand court rules teenager's sock fire not arson
A bored teenager who made a habit of setting fire to the socks on his feet had to hot-foot it when a fuel-splashed garage caught alight. The 14-year-old said that unlike the other times he had lit his sock, when he did it on April 14 in the garage belonging to a friend's family the flame did not go out by itself so he stomped his foot on the ground to extinguish it. A fuel-spattered carpet ignited and the fire quickly spread. He and a friend tried to stop the fire but in the end had to flee, with the friend grabbing his Xbox as he went. The garage was destroyed.
The boy admitted his mother's partner had been a fireman and had talked to him "heaps" about fires and fire safety. He was found to have committed arson by recklessly damaging the garage but an appeal to the High Court at Wellington succeeded and the arson finding has been quashed. Justice Jill Mallon said it was not proved the teenager appreciated that what he was doing was reckless. "[He] was 14 years old, and although his intelligence appeared to the [Youth Court] judge to be average, average 14-year-old boys may do things without any thought of the risks involved, even when they have been told about the risks on other occasions," she said.
On the evidence given in the Youth Court, it was possible the boy did not appreciate the risk that the garage would be damaged, she said. Petrol had been spilt in it earlier in the day while the teenager and his friends "hung out". But the teenager said he did not think of the spilled petrol when he lit his socks, which he had done many times before without apparent damage. "He explained that he uses black 'business' socks for this," the judge said. "He said that the sock has 'a little mini flame' and 'it looks mean how it runs across the sock'.
The boy's mother confirmed his sock-lighting habit and said she had never seen any damage to the socks or anything else until the garage fire. "She said she called the boys clowns but it had not concerned her because the flame was tiny and did not last long before it went out," Justice Mallon said. A senior fire service officer, who oversees a programme for children and teenagers fascinated by fire, said he had not heard of sock-lighting but some young people would experiment with anything.
The boy admitted his mother's partner had been a fireman and had talked to him "heaps" about fires and fire safety. He was found to have committed arson by recklessly damaging the garage but an appeal to the High Court at Wellington succeeded and the arson finding has been quashed. Justice Jill Mallon said it was not proved the teenager appreciated that what he was doing was reckless. "[He] was 14 years old, and although his intelligence appeared to the [Youth Court] judge to be average, average 14-year-old boys may do things without any thought of the risks involved, even when they have been told about the risks on other occasions," she said.
On the evidence given in the Youth Court, it was possible the boy did not appreciate the risk that the garage would be damaged, she said. Petrol had been spilt in it earlier in the day while the teenager and his friends "hung out". But the teenager said he did not think of the spilled petrol when he lit his socks, which he had done many times before without apparent damage. "He explained that he uses black 'business' socks for this," the judge said. "He said that the sock has 'a little mini flame' and 'it looks mean how it runs across the sock'.
The boy's mother confirmed his sock-lighting habit and said she had never seen any damage to the socks or anything else until the garage fire. "She said she called the boys clowns but it had not concerned her because the flame was tiny and did not last long before it went out," Justice Mallon said. A senior fire service officer, who oversees a programme for children and teenagers fascinated by fire, said he had not heard of sock-lighting but some young people would experiment with anything.
Skating calf rescued from frozen pond
A calf stranded on a frozen pond has been carried to safety by the draught generated by a rescue helicopter.
YouTube link.
The chopper flew above the terrified calf, as it tried in desperation to gain its footing on the Oklahoma pond.
The effects of the high wind from the helicopter's blades pushed the frightened animal across the ice.
YouTube link.
But the temperatures were just at freezing, so the ice broke under the flailing hooves of the animal - but it was able to make it to dry land safely. The calf received a welcome reception from people waiting by the shore.
YouTube link.
The chopper flew above the terrified calf, as it tried in desperation to gain its footing on the Oklahoma pond.
The effects of the high wind from the helicopter's blades pushed the frightened animal across the ice.
YouTube link.
But the temperatures were just at freezing, so the ice broke under the flailing hooves of the animal - but it was able to make it to dry land safely. The calf received a welcome reception from people waiting by the shore.
'Amorous' Australian woman attacks taxi after driver rejects offer of sex
A woman has smashed a taxi window after the driver knocked back her advances. The 26-year-old lady approached the taxi outside the Parap Tavern, Darwin, at around 10.45pm on Boxing Day. She got into the taxi and asked the male driver, "Do you want to have sex?"
The taxi driver who requested only his first name be printed refused the lady's advances. "I told her no I'm not interested," Dean said. "She then asked me for a cigarette. I said no I'm not giving you any cigarettes and please get out of my car." The lady began swearing, slammed the passenger door and started kicking the cab.
Dean said the lady then picked up a bottle and threw it at the taxi smashing the rear passenger window. Police arrested the lady a short time later. "It would appear that she was a bit amorous at that time of the evening," Duty Superintendent Daniel Shean said. The affair cost the taxi driver a night's earnings and Dean has to pay to fix the broken window.
"I just started driving for the owner three days ago," he said. The 41-year-old driver is engaged to be married and had no thoughts of cheating on his future wife. "If you saw the girl you'd have to be pretty desperate. She was a very big fat ugly woman, she got in the car and stunk it out," the taxi driver said. The woman has been charged with having an offensive weapon and criminal damage.
The taxi driver who requested only his first name be printed refused the lady's advances. "I told her no I'm not interested," Dean said. "She then asked me for a cigarette. I said no I'm not giving you any cigarettes and please get out of my car." The lady began swearing, slammed the passenger door and started kicking the cab.
Dean said the lady then picked up a bottle and threw it at the taxi smashing the rear passenger window. Police arrested the lady a short time later. "It would appear that she was a bit amorous at that time of the evening," Duty Superintendent Daniel Shean said. The affair cost the taxi driver a night's earnings and Dean has to pay to fix the broken window.
"I just started driving for the owner three days ago," he said. The 41-year-old driver is engaged to be married and had no thoughts of cheating on his future wife. "If you saw the girl you'd have to be pretty desperate. She was a very big fat ugly woman, she got in the car and stunk it out," the taxi driver said. The woman has been charged with having an offensive weapon and criminal damage.
Woman accused of using cough medicine and water to try to set boyfriend on fire
A South Fort Myers woman whose boyfriend said she poured water and cough medicine on him and tried to set their bed and Christmas tree on fire was arrested early on Monday. Ting Ting Perng, 36, of the 16000 block of Via Solera Circle, was charged with battery.
According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report: Just after midnight deputies were called to the Via Solera apartment that Perng and her boyfriend shared. He said that while the couple argued, she poured water and Nyquil on him then tried to set the bed on fire.
She ran downstairs and grabbed a knife, he said. He overheard her saying she was going to set the tree on fire so he called deputies and tried to leave the house. But when she grabbed a knife he fled back upstairs. A deputy saw the spilled Nyquil on the bed, along with burn marks, and he "was drenched in cough medicine and water and had large scratches running across his chest.”
Perng told deputies her boyfriend choked her, but she had no marks on her. According to the report she "appeared to be intoxicated and extremely angry. It was obvious that she was, without a doubt, the aggressor.” While deputies spoke with the couple, she also stated that "she did not try to burn the bed. She would rather set him on fire.’”
According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report: Just after midnight deputies were called to the Via Solera apartment that Perng and her boyfriend shared. He said that while the couple argued, she poured water and Nyquil on him then tried to set the bed on fire.
She ran downstairs and grabbed a knife, he said. He overheard her saying she was going to set the tree on fire so he called deputies and tried to leave the house. But when she grabbed a knife he fled back upstairs. A deputy saw the spilled Nyquil on the bed, along with burn marks, and he "was drenched in cough medicine and water and had large scratches running across his chest.”
Perng told deputies her boyfriend choked her, but she had no marks on her. According to the report she "appeared to be intoxicated and extremely angry. It was obvious that she was, without a doubt, the aggressor.” While deputies spoke with the couple, she also stated that "she did not try to burn the bed. She would rather set him on fire.’”
Spanish woman arrested for faking her own kidnapping to test whether husband would pay ransom
Spanish police have detained a woman who faked her own kidnapping to test whether her husband would pay ranson, sending him a photograph of herself with bound hands and feet, police said on Monday.
The man received the photo on his mobile phone from someone claiming to be one of the kidnappers along with a text message demanding a ransom of 20,000 euros (26,000 dollars) for her release, they said in a statement.
The ransom request was repeated in later text messages as well as warnings that the man not go to police, which he ignored. Police launched a search and spotted her car, which they followed to a shopping mall in the town of Gandia on the Mediterranean coast.
"The woman, who was travelling alone and was in perfect health, was the supposed victim of the kidnapping," the police statement said. At first she told police that she had been released that morning but later confessed to faking her abduction "to find out what her husband would be willing to do for her".
The man received the photo on his mobile phone from someone claiming to be one of the kidnappers along with a text message demanding a ransom of 20,000 euros (26,000 dollars) for her release, they said in a statement.
The ransom request was repeated in later text messages as well as warnings that the man not go to police, which he ignored. Police launched a search and spotted her car, which they followed to a shopping mall in the town of Gandia on the Mediterranean coast.
"The woman, who was travelling alone and was in perfect health, was the supposed victim of the kidnapping," the police statement said. At first she told police that she had been released that morning but later confessed to faking her abduction "to find out what her husband would be willing to do for her".
Five teenagers found dead inside Florida motel room of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide might be to blame for the deaths of five people at a Hialeah hotel on Monday afternoon, according to investigators. "Apparently they all died peacefully, but it seems to lead to carbon monoxide poisoning," said Hialeah Police spokesman Carl Zogby. A maid found the bodies inside one of the hotel rooms at the Hotel Presidente, 1395 S.E. Eighth Court off Okeechobee Road, at around 2 p.m. on Monday and called 911.
Investigators discovered a vehicle parked in the adjoining garage was still running and a door leading inside the hotel room wasn't completely closed. "The car was giving them problems," a friend of the victims said. "I jumped the car last night before they came here - like an hour before they came here. That's why they left the car running."
Investigators said the five victims checked in on Sunday night. Friends said that 19-year-old Evan Charles, 19-year-old Junchen Martial, 17-year-old Peterson Nazon, 18-year-old Jonas Antenor and 16-year-old Jean Pierr Ferdinand were inseparable. They said the friends went up to room 112 to celebrate Martial's 19th birthday.
YouTube link.
A crowd gathered, and emotions ran high, as news spread about what happened to these teens, who according to investigators, appeared to be doing nothing wrong. "There was no drug paraphernalia found in the room, no signs of alcohol, and no signs of trauma on any of the victims," according to Caesar Espinosa with Hialeah Fire Rescue. "All that was found in the room were bags of food from a fast food restaurant. The medical examiner will determine exact cause of death," Espinosa said.
Investigators discovered a vehicle parked in the adjoining garage was still running and a door leading inside the hotel room wasn't completely closed. "The car was giving them problems," a friend of the victims said. "I jumped the car last night before they came here - like an hour before they came here. That's why they left the car running."
Investigators said the five victims checked in on Sunday night. Friends said that 19-year-old Evan Charles, 19-year-old Junchen Martial, 17-year-old Peterson Nazon, 18-year-old Jonas Antenor and 16-year-old Jean Pierr Ferdinand were inseparable. They said the friends went up to room 112 to celebrate Martial's 19th birthday.
YouTube link.
A crowd gathered, and emotions ran high, as news spread about what happened to these teens, who according to investigators, appeared to be doing nothing wrong. "There was no drug paraphernalia found in the room, no signs of alcohol, and no signs of trauma on any of the victims," according to Caesar Espinosa with Hialeah Fire Rescue. "All that was found in the room were bags of food from a fast food restaurant. The medical examiner will determine exact cause of death," Espinosa said.
English teachers replaced by dancing robots in South Korea Institute of Science of Technology project
Almost 30 robots have started teaching English to youngsters in a South Korean city in a pilot project designed to nurture the nascent robot industry. Engkey, a white, egg-shaped robot developed by the Korea Institute of Science of Technology (KIST), has begun taking classes at 21 elementary schools in the south eastern city of Daegu. The 29 robots, about 1m-high with a TV display panel for a face, wheeled around the classroom while speaking to the students, reading books to them and dancing to music by moving their head and arms.
The robots, which display an avatar face of a Caucasian woman, are controlled remotely by teachers of English in the Philippines - who can see and hear the children via a remote control system. Cameras detect the Filipino teachers' facial expressions and instantly reflect them on the avatar's face, said Sagong Seong-Dae, a senior scientist at KIST. "Well-educated, experienced Filipino teachers are far cheaper than their counterparts elsewhere, including South Korea," he said.
Apart from reading books, the robots use pre-programmed software to sing songs and play alphabet games with the children. "The kids seemed to love it since the robots look, well, cute and interesting. But some adults also expressed interest, saying they may feel less nervous talking to robots than a real person," said Kim Mi-Young, an official at Daegu city education office. She said some may be sent to remote rural areas of South Korea shunned by foreign English teachers.
She said the robots are still being tested. But officials might consider hiring them full time if scientists upgrade them and make them easier to handle and more affordable. She stressed the experiment was not about replacing human teachers with robots. "We are helping upgrade a key, strategic industry and all the while giving children more interest in what they learn."
The robots, which display an avatar face of a Caucasian woman, are controlled remotely by teachers of English in the Philippines - who can see and hear the children via a remote control system. Cameras detect the Filipino teachers' facial expressions and instantly reflect them on the avatar's face, said Sagong Seong-Dae, a senior scientist at KIST. "Well-educated, experienced Filipino teachers are far cheaper than their counterparts elsewhere, including South Korea," he said.
Apart from reading books, the robots use pre-programmed software to sing songs and play alphabet games with the children. "The kids seemed to love it since the robots look, well, cute and interesting. But some adults also expressed interest, saying they may feel less nervous talking to robots than a real person," said Kim Mi-Young, an official at Daegu city education office. She said some may be sent to remote rural areas of South Korea shunned by foreign English teachers.
She said the robots are still being tested. But officials might consider hiring them full time if scientists upgrade them and make them easier to handle and more affordable. She stressed the experiment was not about replacing human teachers with robots. "We are helping upgrade a key, strategic industry and all the while giving children more interest in what they learn."
Swedish wheelchair-bound thieves tracked in the snow
A trio of Boxing Day thieves in southern Sweden were caught red-handed after police followed the tracks that the two wheelchair-bound members of the group had left in the snow. Two men and a woman were caught on Sunday at 7pm after cleaning out two basement storage areas of an apartment block on Larmvägen in Helsingborg in southern Sweden.
"People had seen them at the spot, but they had managed to escape. However, since two of them were in wheelchairs, they did not get very far. The tracks were not difficult to follow in the snow. We did not even need a dog," Leif Nilsson, an internal officer in command of the Helsingborg police, said.
The three were arrested a short distance away on Minörgatan. The suspects were all previously known to police, but none were known to have used wheelchairs before. The 44-year-old woman and the two men, aged 26 and 39, were taken to police headquarters in Helsingborg, where they were questioned through the evening and night.
The police have not yet recovered some of the stolen goods. "However, we have recovered a pipe wrench in the seizure, which we presume was used as a theft tool," Nilsson said.
"People had seen them at the spot, but they had managed to escape. However, since two of them were in wheelchairs, they did not get very far. The tracks were not difficult to follow in the snow. We did not even need a dog," Leif Nilsson, an internal officer in command of the Helsingborg police, said.
The three were arrested a short distance away on Minörgatan. The suspects were all previously known to police, but none were known to have used wheelchairs before. The 44-year-old woman and the two men, aged 26 and 39, were taken to police headquarters in Helsingborg, where they were questioned through the evening and night.
The police have not yet recovered some of the stolen goods. "However, we have recovered a pipe wrench in the seizure, which we presume was used as a theft tool," Nilsson said.
Three-year-old Rosie saves Mr Onions thanks to Fireman Sam
Little Rosie Birula saved a neighbour’s life in a house blaze thanks to her love of cartoon hero Fireman Sam. Three-year-old Rosie was looking out of her bedroom window when she saw smoke coming from the home of Hedley Onions, 98. Rosie ran to dad Nick screaming: “There’s smoke just like Fireman Sam.” Nick said: “I asked her if it was steam from a chimney or smoke from a car exhaust. But she said, ‘No, Daddy, it’s coming from Mr Onions’ bedroom window’.
“So I looked out and could see flames in the front room – I told Rosie ‘Well done’ and raced across the road.” The fire started when an old electric blanket caught fire, setting the bed alight. Rosie’s mum Nicola called emergency services to the house in Penarth. Nicola said: “I was across the road, trying to be calm, but I was a bag of nerves.” Nick raced to Mr Onions’ front door and found him at the bottom of the stairs, ready to return upstairs to fetch belongings.
Environment Agency worker Nick said: “I got there just in time. He has breathing difficulties anyway and if he had gone back upstairs he might not have come back down.” Civil servant Nicola said: “Rosie loves Fireman Sam. She’s not allowed to watch much TV, but we always let her watch her favourite programme. She knows everything that’s going on because she can see everything out of her bay window.”
Mr Onions’ bedroom was gutted in the blaze, which firefighters took an hour to bring under control. He was taken to hospital for checks, and his family sent Rosie a thank you card to show their appreciation. Nicola added: “She’s a nosy little thing, and just as well really. She’s a proper little hero and we are so proud of her.” Mr Onions’ son Richard said: “She’s a clever little girl, which is very lucky for us.” Rosie beamed: “I’m glad Mr Onions is OK.”
“So I looked out and could see flames in the front room – I told Rosie ‘Well done’ and raced across the road.” The fire started when an old electric blanket caught fire, setting the bed alight. Rosie’s mum Nicola called emergency services to the house in Penarth. Nicola said: “I was across the road, trying to be calm, but I was a bag of nerves.” Nick raced to Mr Onions’ front door and found him at the bottom of the stairs, ready to return upstairs to fetch belongings.
Environment Agency worker Nick said: “I got there just in time. He has breathing difficulties anyway and if he had gone back upstairs he might not have come back down.” Civil servant Nicola said: “Rosie loves Fireman Sam. She’s not allowed to watch much TV, but we always let her watch her favourite programme. She knows everything that’s going on because she can see everything out of her bay window.”
Mr Onions’ bedroom was gutted in the blaze, which firefighters took an hour to bring under control. He was taken to hospital for checks, and his family sent Rosie a thank you card to show their appreciation. Nicola added: “She’s a nosy little thing, and just as well really. She’s a proper little hero and we are so proud of her.” Mr Onions’ son Richard said: “She’s a clever little girl, which is very lucky for us.” Rosie beamed: “I’m glad Mr Onions is OK.”
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Fun with hula hoops on the streets of London
Argentinian band Sancamaleón have produced this video for their latest release 'Sandro'.
YouTube link.
YouTube link.
World's youngest yoga teacher, six, hailed as a miracle at Indian ashram
At just six, Shruti Pandey is the youngest yoga trainer in the world. The bendy youngster has been teaching adults at an ashram, in northern India, for the last two years. Her trainer, Hari Chetan, 67, set up the ashram 35 years ago and as soon as little Shruti became one of his students, as a tiny four-year old, he spotted her talents. Now she starts her classes at 5.30am every morning, at Brahmanand Saraswati Dham, in the Jhunsi town, dressed in white leggings and a red t-shirt surrounded by 30 eager pupils ranging from businessmen, teachers, housewives to pensioners.
Shruti said: 'It feels good when people follow my instructions, I feel like a real teacher. I got interested in yoga after seeing my brother do it. I tried picking it up myself but it was too hard. So I asked my parents to send me to yoga classes.' Her brother, Harsh Kumar, now 11-years-old, made the Limca Book of Records at the tender age of five by learning all 84 yoga positions - but he's never been interested in being a teacher like his sister. Hari, who Shruti also calls her grandfather, think she's a miracle. 'She's a fast learner and a perfectionist.
'She grasps techniques quickly unlike kids her own age, who get bored with something as patience consuming as yoga. Within just six months of her training, she surprised everyone by doing the toughest positions with ease and perfection. She's a natural.' Shruti can manage some of yoga's most challenging positions. She can easily hold her entire body on the strength of her little arms and hang her legs right over her head backwards.
One of Shruti's fans, 90-year-old Swami Bhanu, a retired teacher, said: 'The best thing about Shruti is she tries to provide an alternative position for the complicated ones that are difficult for an older person like me to do. She's very patient.' Businessman Lokendra Pal Singh, 48, has been attending Shruti's classes for three months and said, 'I have noticed a positive change in my life. I used to be short-tempered, but now I'm able to control my anger to quite an extent and it's all thanks to a little six-year old.'
Shruti said: 'It feels good when people follow my instructions, I feel like a real teacher. I got interested in yoga after seeing my brother do it. I tried picking it up myself but it was too hard. So I asked my parents to send me to yoga classes.' Her brother, Harsh Kumar, now 11-years-old, made the Limca Book of Records at the tender age of five by learning all 84 yoga positions - but he's never been interested in being a teacher like his sister. Hari, who Shruti also calls her grandfather, think she's a miracle. 'She's a fast learner and a perfectionist.
'She grasps techniques quickly unlike kids her own age, who get bored with something as patience consuming as yoga. Within just six months of her training, she surprised everyone by doing the toughest positions with ease and perfection. She's a natural.' Shruti can manage some of yoga's most challenging positions. She can easily hold her entire body on the strength of her little arms and hang her legs right over her head backwards.
One of Shruti's fans, 90-year-old Swami Bhanu, a retired teacher, said: 'The best thing about Shruti is she tries to provide an alternative position for the complicated ones that are difficult for an older person like me to do. She's very patient.' Businessman Lokendra Pal Singh, 48, has been attending Shruti's classes for three months and said, 'I have noticed a positive change in my life. I used to be short-tempered, but now I'm able to control my anger to quite an extent and it's all thanks to a little six-year old.'
Man makes living suing email spammers
Daniel Balsam hate spam. Almost everybody does, of course. But he has acted on his hate as few have, going far beyond simply hitting the delete button. He sues them. Eight years ago, Mr Balsam was working as a marketer when he received one too many email pitches to enlarge his breasts. Enraged, he launched a website called danhatesspam.com, quit a career in marketing to go to law school and is making a decent living suing companies who flood his email inboxes with offers of cheap drugs, free sex and unbelievable holiday offers.
"I feel like I'm doing a little bit of good cleaning up the internet," Mr Balsam said. From San Francisco Superior Court small claims court to the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, Mr Balsam, based in San Francisco, has filed many lawsuits, including dozens before he graduated law school in 2008, against email marketers he says violate anti-spamming laws. His many victories are mere rain drops in the ocean considering that Cisco Systems Inc. estimates that there are 200 billion spam messages circulating a day, accounting for 90 percent of all email.
Still, Mr Balsam settles enough lawsuits and collects enough from judgments to make a living. He has racked up well in excess of $1 million in court judgments and lawsuit settlements with companies accused of sending illegal spam. His courtroom foes contend that Mr Balsam is one of many sole practitioners unfairly exploiting anti-spam sentiments and laws. They accuse him of filing lawsuits against out-of-state companies that would rather pay a small settlement than expend the resources to fight the legal claims. "He really seems to be trying to twist things for a buck," said Bennet Kelley, a defence lawyer who has become Mr Balsam's arch nemesis over the years in the rough-and-tumble litigation niche that has sprung up around spam.
"There is nothing wrong per se with being an anti-spam crusader," said Mr Kelley, who has sued Mr Balsam twice for allegedly violating confidentiality terms in settlement agreements. But Dan abuses the processes by using small claims court. A lot of people will settle with him to avoid the hassle," he said. Mr Balsam mostly sues companies he accuses of violating California's anti-spam law. Among other restrictions, the law prohibits companies from sending spam with headers that misleads the recipient into believing the email is noncommercial or comes with offers of "free" products that aren't true.
"I feel like I'm doing a little bit of good cleaning up the internet," Mr Balsam said. From San Francisco Superior Court small claims court to the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, Mr Balsam, based in San Francisco, has filed many lawsuits, including dozens before he graduated law school in 2008, against email marketers he says violate anti-spamming laws. His many victories are mere rain drops in the ocean considering that Cisco Systems Inc. estimates that there are 200 billion spam messages circulating a day, accounting for 90 percent of all email.
Still, Mr Balsam settles enough lawsuits and collects enough from judgments to make a living. He has racked up well in excess of $1 million in court judgments and lawsuit settlements with companies accused of sending illegal spam. His courtroom foes contend that Mr Balsam is one of many sole practitioners unfairly exploiting anti-spam sentiments and laws. They accuse him of filing lawsuits against out-of-state companies that would rather pay a small settlement than expend the resources to fight the legal claims. "He really seems to be trying to twist things for a buck," said Bennet Kelley, a defence lawyer who has become Mr Balsam's arch nemesis over the years in the rough-and-tumble litigation niche that has sprung up around spam.
"There is nothing wrong per se with being an anti-spam crusader," said Mr Kelley, who has sued Mr Balsam twice for allegedly violating confidentiality terms in settlement agreements. But Dan abuses the processes by using small claims court. A lot of people will settle with him to avoid the hassle," he said. Mr Balsam mostly sues companies he accuses of violating California's anti-spam law. Among other restrictions, the law prohibits companies from sending spam with headers that misleads the recipient into believing the email is noncommercial or comes with offers of "free" products that aren't true.
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