Friday, April 30, 2010
Creator to unveil hotel in the clouds
Feast your eyes on the latest idea for adventurous travellers - a vast, diamond-shaped floating hotel that could one day take you over Sydney Harbour, Uluru and around the world. It's called the Aircruise and it's the brainchild of UK-based designer Nick Talbot, who'll formally unveil his revolutionary concept at a tourism conference in Brisbane in July.
This vertical air ship - complete with penthouse, four duplex apartments, five smaller ones and glass viewing floors - will be lifted by hydrogen and propelled by solar power, leaving no carbon footprint. But it's not for those in a screaming hurry.
This 30-metre tall "clipper in the clouds'' will get along at a relatively leisurely 145k/h, meaning a travel time of 37 hours from London to New York. The emphasis is firmly on the luxurious journey and not the destination.
The Aircruise, which will carry a maximum of 100 passengers, will take off with the aid of four envelopes on the outside, each containing modular self-sealing bags. The design ensures safe flight even if there's a major tear in the external skin.
Technical plans have been drawn up for the air ship and Mr Talbot believes it's possible to build the craft. Mr Talbot will detail his concept at the Tourism Futures conference in Brisbane from July 5 to 7.
Conference convenor Tony Charters hopes his vision will inspire others to think outside the square about what travel might look like in the future.
This vertical air ship - complete with penthouse, four duplex apartments, five smaller ones and glass viewing floors - will be lifted by hydrogen and propelled by solar power, leaving no carbon footprint. But it's not for those in a screaming hurry.
This 30-metre tall "clipper in the clouds'' will get along at a relatively leisurely 145k/h, meaning a travel time of 37 hours from London to New York. The emphasis is firmly on the luxurious journey and not the destination.
The Aircruise, which will carry a maximum of 100 passengers, will take off with the aid of four envelopes on the outside, each containing modular self-sealing bags. The design ensures safe flight even if there's a major tear in the external skin.
Technical plans have been drawn up for the air ship and Mr Talbot believes it's possible to build the craft. Mr Talbot will detail his concept at the Tourism Futures conference in Brisbane from July 5 to 7.
Conference convenor Tony Charters hopes his vision will inspire others to think outside the square about what travel might look like in the future.
House cat adopts 3 newborn bobcat kittens
The three newborn bobcat kittens, orphaned in the woods of Alabama, had no chance of surviving without a mother. Bobbi, a black and white housecat from Pinellas County, stepped in to that role. Bobbi is nursing the 2-week-old wild kittens at Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, guiding them through a critical period where the newborns need more exposure to felines than humans, the sanctuary's officials said.
"It's been amazing to see her taking them in as her own," Big Cat Rescue founder Carole Baskin said of Bobbi. The baby bobcats — two females named Midnight and Rain, plus a male, Storm — will be fed by Bobbi for up to four weeks, Big Cat Rescue president Jamie Veronica said. The kittens were given those names because "we drove through a midnight rain storm to get them," Veronica said.
A hunter brought the kittens to a veterinary clinic in Alabama earlier this month, Baskin said. Vets said they think the hunter shot the kittens' mother. It is legal in many states, including Florida, to hunt bobcats for sport, Baskin said. "He walked in with a shotgun in one hand and a bag of kittens in the other," she said.
Along with nursing the newborns, the housecat is also cleaning them and providing warmth, Veronica said. Bobbi's own kittens will teach the bobcats how to socialize with other felines and soon the trio will eventually be taught how to hunt live prey. Baskin said they will be returned to the wild within a year to 18 months. "They are one of the most wicked, deadly animals that you could ever come into contact with," she said. "They never get tamed."
There's a news video here.
"It's been amazing to see her taking them in as her own," Big Cat Rescue founder Carole Baskin said of Bobbi. The baby bobcats — two females named Midnight and Rain, plus a male, Storm — will be fed by Bobbi for up to four weeks, Big Cat Rescue president Jamie Veronica said. The kittens were given those names because "we drove through a midnight rain storm to get them," Veronica said.
A hunter brought the kittens to a veterinary clinic in Alabama earlier this month, Baskin said. Vets said they think the hunter shot the kittens' mother. It is legal in many states, including Florida, to hunt bobcats for sport, Baskin said. "He walked in with a shotgun in one hand and a bag of kittens in the other," she said.
Along with nursing the newborns, the housecat is also cleaning them and providing warmth, Veronica said. Bobbi's own kittens will teach the bobcats how to socialize with other felines and soon the trio will eventually be taught how to hunt live prey. Baskin said they will be returned to the wild within a year to 18 months. "They are one of the most wicked, deadly animals that you could ever come into contact with," she said. "They never get tamed."
There's a news video here.
Australian court gives sex toys to police
A court has awarded control of a brothel's sex toys to SA Police, although prosecutors have admitted they are unsure what officers will do with them.
The former manager of Snoopy's brothel, Georgia Nicola, 45, of Unley, yesterday pleaded guilty to keeping a brothel, living on the earnings of prostitution, and receiving money paid in a brothel.
Henry Cleland, prosecuting, told Adelaide Magistrates Court that an undercover policeman had entered the South Rd brothel in November, 2008, and paid Nicola $140.
Police then raided the house and seized cash and "numerous articles to do with sexual acts" before arresting Nicola.
Mr Cleland asked Magistrate Terence Forrest order Nicola forfeit the items, but admitted he "did not know what police would do with them."
Mr Forrest fined Nicola $1000, recorded a conviction against her and ordered she forfeit the sexual items.
The former manager of Snoopy's brothel, Georgia Nicola, 45, of Unley, yesterday pleaded guilty to keeping a brothel, living on the earnings of prostitution, and receiving money paid in a brothel.
Henry Cleland, prosecuting, told Adelaide Magistrates Court that an undercover policeman had entered the South Rd brothel in November, 2008, and paid Nicola $140.
Police then raided the house and seized cash and "numerous articles to do with sexual acts" before arresting Nicola.
Mr Cleland asked Magistrate Terence Forrest order Nicola forfeit the items, but admitted he "did not know what police would do with them."
Mr Forrest fined Nicola $1000, recorded a conviction against her and ordered she forfeit the sexual items.
Woman accused of having sex with horse, dog and pig
An Indiana County woman has been charged with having sex with a horse, state police at Indiana said on Tuesday.
Dovie Lee Kerner, 46, of Plumville also allegedly had sex with other animals including a dog and a pig, court documents state.
The investigation began in November 2008 when it was reported by two officials from the Humane Society of Indiana County, police said.
One of the officials said she received a phone call from a confidential informant who asked her if it was illegal to have sex with an animal. When told yes, the informant said he had a video on his cell phone of Kerner having sex with a horse, court documents state.
Because of Kerner's alleged sexual activities with other men and animals, the informant, who had dated the woman, and his Jack Russell terrier both contracted sexually transmitted diseases, court documents state.
Kerner is charged with two counts each of obscene and other sexual materials and performances and disorderly conduct and one count of sexual intercourse with an animal.
Dovie Lee Kerner, 46, of Plumville also allegedly had sex with other animals including a dog and a pig, court documents state.
The investigation began in November 2008 when it was reported by two officials from the Humane Society of Indiana County, police said.
One of the officials said she received a phone call from a confidential informant who asked her if it was illegal to have sex with an animal. When told yes, the informant said he had a video on his cell phone of Kerner having sex with a horse, court documents state.
Because of Kerner's alleged sexual activities with other men and animals, the informant, who had dated the woman, and his Jack Russell terrier both contracted sexually transmitted diseases, court documents state.
Kerner is charged with two counts each of obscene and other sexual materials and performances and disorderly conduct and one count of sexual intercourse with an animal.
Brian McFadden told Australia's Got Talent contestant to 'f*** off back to England'
Brian McFadden is facing calls to be thrown off Australia's Got Talent after he told a contestant to "f*** off back to England" in an ugly spat, cut from the show. McFadden attacked Brisbane mother-of-two Anne Ferguson-Howe after her comedy routine flopped on the Channel 7 talent program. "It was horrific. If I saw him (McFadden) again, I'd whack him. I'd spit on him," a distraught Ferguson-Howe says.
McFadden laid into the 50-year-old after she had already endured a humiliating put-down by Kyle Sandilands about her weight. Things got really ugly when she decided to bite back. "Kyle said something personal and I thought 'no, this isn't appropriate," British-born Ferguson-Howe says. "That's when I said "It's easy for you to sit there and have a cheap laugh - when was the last time you had a chat about rape? Well, my God, everyone went mental.
"Brian said 'get off, get off" in a really nasty tone. I then said to Brian "listen pal, if you're going to dish it out, you've got to learn to take it back. If you're going to get personal, I'm going to get personal. Brian pulled his mike off, climbed on stage and very cleverly, without anyone hearing, said "why don't you just f*** off back to England."
"I'm a thick-skinned woman of 50 who loves a laugh but if it had been a 20-year-old girl the size I am with low self-esteem I think I would have gone home and shot myself," Channel 7 has admitted that the ugly exchange took place and was deleted from Tuesday night's show. Ferguson-Howe, a relative newcomer to stand up comedy, is livid that Seven chopped the footage. "I'm spewing that (they've edited it) in their favour," the comedian says.
McFadden laid into the 50-year-old after she had already endured a humiliating put-down by Kyle Sandilands about her weight. Things got really ugly when she decided to bite back. "Kyle said something personal and I thought 'no, this isn't appropriate," British-born Ferguson-Howe says. "That's when I said "It's easy for you to sit there and have a cheap laugh - when was the last time you had a chat about rape? Well, my God, everyone went mental.
"Brian said 'get off, get off" in a really nasty tone. I then said to Brian "listen pal, if you're going to dish it out, you've got to learn to take it back. If you're going to get personal, I'm going to get personal. Brian pulled his mike off, climbed on stage and very cleverly, without anyone hearing, said "why don't you just f*** off back to England."
"I'm a thick-skinned woman of 50 who loves a laugh but if it had been a 20-year-old girl the size I am with low self-esteem I think I would have gone home and shot myself," Channel 7 has admitted that the ugly exchange took place and was deleted from Tuesday night's show. Ferguson-Howe, a relative newcomer to stand up comedy, is livid that Seven chopped the footage. "I'm spewing that (they've edited it) in their favour," the comedian says.
Driver backs through wall of 6th floor parking garage
A driver is extremely lucky after backing a car through the wall of the sixth floor of a Tulsa parking garage, leaving the back end of the vehicle jutting out of the building. It happened at about two o'clock on Wednesday afternoon at the Bank of America building near 6th and Boulder. Apparently the driver of a Mercedes got his foot stuck.
"What we've learned is that the gentleman was parked on the other side of the building and his foot got stuck under the gas, between the gas and the brake," says Tulsa Police Corporal David Crow. "And, he was backing uncontrollably and couldn't stop. So, apparently he picked up a bit of speed and backed all the way into this east wall enough to bust through the wall. And, luckily he didn't come out." The driver of the Mercedes was not injured.
With news video.
"What we've learned is that the gentleman was parked on the other side of the building and his foot got stuck under the gas, between the gas and the brake," says Tulsa Police Corporal David Crow. "And, he was backing uncontrollably and couldn't stop. So, apparently he picked up a bit of speed and backed all the way into this east wall enough to bust through the wall. And, luckily he didn't come out." The driver of the Mercedes was not injured.
With news video.
Space balloon crashes on take off in Australian outback
The launch of a giant space balloon in the Australian outback went badly wrong yesterday when it broke from a mooring and dragged across the desert, overturning a four-wheel drive vehicle and narrowly missing bystanders.
One witness said she felt lucky to be alive after the balloon's car-sized, unmanned gondola, carrying a heavy load of scientific equipment, careened into the vehicle parked next to hers at the launch site near Alice Springs in central Australia.
The balloon was part of a research project by academics and students at the University of California, Berkeley, and several Taiwanese universities to study gamma rays in space from 25 miles (40km) above the Earth.
As the huge balloon filled with air, it ripped from its mooring, crashing into and upturning a parked car and strewing debris across a wide area before coming to a halt. No one was injured in the accident.
One witness said she felt lucky to be alive after the balloon's car-sized, unmanned gondola, carrying a heavy load of scientific equipment, careened into the vehicle parked next to hers at the launch site near Alice Springs in central Australia.
The balloon was part of a research project by academics and students at the University of California, Berkeley, and several Taiwanese universities to study gamma rays in space from 25 miles (40km) above the Earth.
As the huge balloon filled with air, it ripped from its mooring, crashing into and upturning a parked car and strewing debris across a wide area before coming to a halt. No one was injured in the accident.
Pilot runs off after plane crashes into car
A small plane crashed into a moving car on Wednesday in Boulder right before it made a crash landing in a field.
No one was hurt in the surprising incident, but the pilot got out of his plane afterwards and ran away towards the Boulder Municipal Airport.
The aircraft was apparently trying to land at the airport but had trouble navigating in heavy winds and came down right onto the car. The driver and passenger, a married couple who live in Boulder, said they were shocked to see the plane heading their way.
The collision broke the side back window of the Toyota Prius and dented the rear back panel. It didn't appear the plane had much damage.
The couple said that after landing the plane in the field the pilot hopped out of the plane, grabbed a large bag and took off.
Police said they think they know who the pilot is and they were working to locate him.
No one was hurt in the surprising incident, but the pilot got out of his plane afterwards and ran away towards the Boulder Municipal Airport.
The aircraft was apparently trying to land at the airport but had trouble navigating in heavy winds and came down right onto the car. The driver and passenger, a married couple who live in Boulder, said they were shocked to see the plane heading their way.
The collision broke the side back window of the Toyota Prius and dented the rear back panel. It didn't appear the plane had much damage.
The couple said that after landing the plane in the field the pilot hopped out of the plane, grabbed a large bag and took off.
Police said they think they know who the pilot is and they were working to locate him.
Man claims to have had no food or drink for 70 years
Indian military scientists are studying an 82-year-old who claims he has not had any food or drink for 70 years. Prahlad Jani is being held in isolation in a hospital in Ahmedabad, Gurjarat, where he is being closely monitored by India's defence research organization, who believe he may have a genuine quality which could help save lives.
He has now spent six days without food or water under strict observation and doctors say his body has not yet shown any adverse effects from hunger or dehydration.
Mr Jani, who claims to have left home aged seven and lived as a wandering sadhu or holy man in Rajasthan, is regarded as a 'breatharian' who can live on a 'spiritual life-force' alone. He believes he is sustained by a goddess who pours an 'elixir' through a hole in his palate. His claims have been supported by an Indian doctor who specializes in studies of people who claim supernatural abilities, but he has also been dismissed by others as a "village fraud."
India's Defence Research Development Organisation, whose scientists develop drone aircraft, intercontinental ballistic missiles and new types of bombs. They believe Mr Prahlad could teach them to help soldiers survive longer without food, or disaster victims to hang on until help arrives.
"If his claims are verified, it will be a breakthrough in medical science," said Dr G Ilavazhagan, director of the Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences.
"We will be able to help save human lives during natural disasters, high altitude, sea journeys and other natural and human extremities. We can educate people about the survival techniques in adverse conditions with little food and water or nothing at all."
There's a news video here.
He has now spent six days without food or water under strict observation and doctors say his body has not yet shown any adverse effects from hunger or dehydration.
Mr Jani, who claims to have left home aged seven and lived as a wandering sadhu or holy man in Rajasthan, is regarded as a 'breatharian' who can live on a 'spiritual life-force' alone. He believes he is sustained by a goddess who pours an 'elixir' through a hole in his palate. His claims have been supported by an Indian doctor who specializes in studies of people who claim supernatural abilities, but he has also been dismissed by others as a "village fraud."
India's Defence Research Development Organisation, whose scientists develop drone aircraft, intercontinental ballistic missiles and new types of bombs. They believe Mr Prahlad could teach them to help soldiers survive longer without food, or disaster victims to hang on until help arrives.
"If his claims are verified, it will be a breakthrough in medical science," said Dr G Ilavazhagan, director of the Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences.
"We will be able to help save human lives during natural disasters, high altitude, sea journeys and other natural and human extremities. We can educate people about the survival techniques in adverse conditions with little food and water or nothing at all."
There's a news video here.
Widow makes life-size cut-out of dead husband and even takes him to his own funeral
A grieving widow has kept the memory of her dead husband alive for their two children - by creating a life-sized cardboard cut-out to keep in the family home.
Father-of-two Paul Challis died from cancer at the age of 38 - just weeks after being diagnosed with two brain tumours.
Wife Maria, 36, and their two children Jack, seven, and Molly, nine, were left devastated by their loss but Mrs Challis was determined he would never be forgotten.
Now a 6ft 1ins cardboard cut-out of Paul stands in the family home he once shared with them.
The cut-out even made an appearance at his own funeral and attended his best friend's wedding weeks after his death.
He is pictured at one of his happiest moments holding a bottle of champagne and laughing while onboard a QE2 cruise with Maria. The cut-out was made for Paul's funeral but afterwards his grieving wife could not bear to get rid of it.
Father-of-two Paul Challis died from cancer at the age of 38 - just weeks after being diagnosed with two brain tumours.
Wife Maria, 36, and their two children Jack, seven, and Molly, nine, were left devastated by their loss but Mrs Challis was determined he would never be forgotten.
Now a 6ft 1ins cardboard cut-out of Paul stands in the family home he once shared with them.
The cut-out even made an appearance at his own funeral and attended his best friend's wedding weeks after his death.
He is pictured at one of his happiest moments holding a bottle of champagne and laughing while onboard a QE2 cruise with Maria. The cut-out was made for Paul's funeral but afterwards his grieving wife could not bear to get rid of it.
Man warns of pothole danger on road
A Sutton on Sea man is warning others about the dangers of crossing a cracked, pot-hole ridden road after tripping and injuring himself.
Dave Seddon said: "I was crossing the road on my way into town last Saturday and my foot went down into this big hole and I fell and hit my head on the road. I banged my chin and broke my glasses, with the frame snapping and digging into my eyebrow."
Dave Seddon said: "I was crossing the road on my way into town last Saturday and my foot went down into this big hole and I fell and hit my head on the road. I banged my chin and broke my glasses, with the frame snapping and digging into my eyebrow."
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Bali 'Gigolos' arrested for selling sex to tourists
Indonesia has detained 28 "beach boys" accused of selling sex to female tourists on Bali after a documentary on the resort's "gigolos" hit the internet. The round-up of Bali's so-called "cowboys" began as tourism officials fretted over the impact of the film on the holiday island's image as a family destination.
"We've rounded up 28 men we suspect might be gigolos. They're young, fit-looking and tanned, mostly surfer beach boys," I Gusti Ngurah Tresna, the chief of security on Bali's main Kuta beach, said. "We're still questioning them. If we have good reason to suspect they may be involved in shady activities we'll hand them over to the police," he said, adding that the raids were ongoing.
The documentary, Cowboys in Paradise by Singapore-based writer and director Amit Virmani, was released at a film festival in South Korea last week. Segments of the film, which contains candid interviews with "beach boys" and the foreign women who fall for them, have appeared on YouTube.
Bali Tourism Board chief Ida Bagus Ngurah Wijaya said the "cowboys" had been fixtures on Bali's tourist beaches for some time but had not attracted much attention until now. "The film is over the top and only focuses on this group of people on the beach, but that's not what Bali is about. If the film is shown to the world, Bali's image will be tarnished," he said.
"We've rounded up 28 men we suspect might be gigolos. They're young, fit-looking and tanned, mostly surfer beach boys," I Gusti Ngurah Tresna, the chief of security on Bali's main Kuta beach, said. "We're still questioning them. If we have good reason to suspect they may be involved in shady activities we'll hand them over to the police," he said, adding that the raids were ongoing.
The documentary, Cowboys in Paradise by Singapore-based writer and director Amit Virmani, was released at a film festival in South Korea last week. Segments of the film, which contains candid interviews with "beach boys" and the foreign women who fall for them, have appeared on YouTube.
Bali Tourism Board chief Ida Bagus Ngurah Wijaya said the "cowboys" had been fixtures on Bali's tourist beaches for some time but had not attracted much attention until now. "The film is over the top and only focuses on this group of people on the beach, but that's not what Bali is about. If the film is shown to the world, Bali's image will be tarnished," he said.
Unhappy customer moons bridal boutique employees
A Lehigh Township woman allegedly mooned the employees and customers of a Lower Nazareth Township store on Sunday because she was dissatisfied with her experience, Colonial Regional police said.
Jean Golomb, 46, allegedly got out of her car and exposed her buttocks in front of Foot Lights & Co., 3712 Easton-Nazareth Highway, at about 4:30 p.m., police said.
Employees provided police with a description of the car and the licence plate number, police said.
Police contacted Golomb, who allegedly admitted to the act, and told her she would be sent a citation for disorderly conduct through the mail.
Video.
Jean Golomb, 46, allegedly got out of her car and exposed her buttocks in front of Foot Lights & Co., 3712 Easton-Nazareth Highway, at about 4:30 p.m., police said.
Employees provided police with a description of the car and the licence plate number, police said.
Police contacted Golomb, who allegedly admitted to the act, and told her she would be sent a citation for disorderly conduct through the mail.
Video.
Goose with 26-inch arrow in chest lands in vet's garden
A Canada goose with a hunter's 26-inch arrow sticking out of its chest landed in the garden of a vet.
Bernard Levine, a retired veterinarian from Toms River, New Jersey, helped capture the goose, perform life-saving surgery and then transport it to the state's largest bird rehabilitation facility.
"This is a smart goose," said Dr Levine, 82. "He happened to come into the yard of a veterinarian that could take care of him."
After it recovered at The Raptor Trust, the goose was released last week into a stream in a wooded area on the trust's property. "It feels great to see him free and liberated, enjoying life the way a goose should," Dr Levine said, as the goose preened and waded downstream.
Bernard Levine, a retired veterinarian from Toms River, New Jersey, helped capture the goose, perform life-saving surgery and then transport it to the state's largest bird rehabilitation facility.
"This is a smart goose," said Dr Levine, 82. "He happened to come into the yard of a veterinarian that could take care of him."
After it recovered at The Raptor Trust, the goose was released last week into a stream in a wooded area on the trust's property. "It feels great to see him free and liberated, enjoying life the way a goose should," Dr Levine said, as the goose preened and waded downstream.
Sandwich shop sign turning heads
The owner of Angie's Subs in Jacksonville Beach turned many heads with a sign posted outside the business. The marquee outside the sandwich shop read the owner is a "Bible thumpin', gun totin' capitalist pig owns this joint."
Ed Malin said: "I figured out my taxes, and 65 percent of my income was going to some taxing district. Federal, state, local, 65 percent! That's not America. That's not why I work 90 hours a week."
Malin said he has been changing the sign almost every day in the past 11 years. He said he has never had so many responses about a sign since he put the quote up last week. There are some who agree, and some who do not.
"I think he went a bit too far," one customer said. "I pulled my car up and I went, 'Yes! The truth!' The truth will set you free," said John Tipton, a longtime shop customer.
Malin said he's sure some people would not come to the shop because of the sign.
"Oh well, I lost some customers," he said. "I also gained some customers. I maybe doing the wrong thing, but we'll see."
Ed Malin said: "I figured out my taxes, and 65 percent of my income was going to some taxing district. Federal, state, local, 65 percent! That's not America. That's not why I work 90 hours a week."
Malin said he has been changing the sign almost every day in the past 11 years. He said he has never had so many responses about a sign since he put the quote up last week. There are some who agree, and some who do not.
"I think he went a bit too far," one customer said. "I pulled my car up and I went, 'Yes! The truth!' The truth will set you free," said John Tipton, a longtime shop customer.
Malin said he's sure some people would not come to the shop because of the sign.
"Oh well, I lost some customers," he said. "I also gained some customers. I maybe doing the wrong thing, but we'll see."
Intruder found reading antique Bible, wearing home owner's boots, also tries to plant potted plants
An Elizabethton man was arrested on Monday after he reportedly entered the house of a Hampton woman without her permission and began acting strangely. Michael Gordon Vest, 36, 107 Timber Ridge Lane, was arrested by Deputy Jon Frazier on a charge of aggravated burglary.
Penny Williams said she was in the rear of her residence shortly before 6 p.m. when she heard someone enter the front door. When she went to check, she found Vest, who was not known to her, standing in the living room holding a small house plant and reading from Williams’ antique Bible.
Williams ordered the man to leave, but she said he began to come further into the house. She retreated toward the rear of her house and Vest went outside, she said. When he got outside, she said, he attempted to plant several potted plants in the ground. Vest was taken into custody by sheriff’s deputies shortly after that.
Lt. Patrick Johnson said Vest was wearing a pair of boots taken from Williams’ residence and had a pair of her glasses. During the encounter inside the house, the antique Bible Vest was reading was damaged and the front cover was torn off. A pair of household scissors was also fond sticking out of the exterior wall to the left of the front door. Vest was taken to Sycamore Shoals Hospital for an evaluation, then taken to the Carter County Jail.
Penny Williams said she was in the rear of her residence shortly before 6 p.m. when she heard someone enter the front door. When she went to check, she found Vest, who was not known to her, standing in the living room holding a small house plant and reading from Williams’ antique Bible.
Williams ordered the man to leave, but she said he began to come further into the house. She retreated toward the rear of her house and Vest went outside, she said. When he got outside, she said, he attempted to plant several potted plants in the ground. Vest was taken into custody by sheriff’s deputies shortly after that.
Lt. Patrick Johnson said Vest was wearing a pair of boots taken from Williams’ residence and had a pair of her glasses. During the encounter inside the house, the antique Bible Vest was reading was damaged and the front cover was torn off. A pair of household scissors was also fond sticking out of the exterior wall to the left of the front door. Vest was taken to Sycamore Shoals Hospital for an evaluation, then taken to the Carter County Jail.
Puerto Rico funeral home embalms man on motorbike
A controversial Puerto Rican funeral home has embalmed a shooting victim onboard a motorcycle in a hunched over racing position.
David Morales Colón, who was shot last Thursday, was dressed casually wearing a black baseball cap, black sunglasses and a long-sleeved black T-shirt.
He was positioned onboard his Repsol-liveried Honda CBR600F4 on request from his family, as the motorcycle was a gift from his uncle.
The Marin Funeral Home made news headlines two years ago after it embalmed a man and kept the body standing upright for during a three-day wake.
David Morales Colón, who was shot last Thursday, was dressed casually wearing a black baseball cap, black sunglasses and a long-sleeved black T-shirt.
He was positioned onboard his Repsol-liveried Honda CBR600F4 on request from his family, as the motorcycle was a gift from his uncle.
The Marin Funeral Home made news headlines two years ago after it embalmed a man and kept the body standing upright for during a three-day wake.
Chinese tycoon donates a billion dollars to charity
Real-estate tycoon Yu Pengnian has now moved his entire $1.2 billion fortune into his charity to help China's poor.
He made a fortune in real estate, and now he's giving it back. The 88-year-old tycoon has slowly been transferring his wealth to his Yu Pengnian Foundation, and now he's gone the final step, pledging his final $470 million in cash and property to the charity. This makes $1.2 billion he has put into his charity since he opened it in 2003.
"This will be my last donation. I have nothing more to give away," he said at a press conference announcing the final donation.
Photo from here.
The Yu Pengnian Foundation funds cataract surgeries for people in China. More than 150,000 surgeries have been performed in the last seven years. It also provides other monetary support for people in China's poorest regions.
Yu has several children, none of whom will inherit any of his fortunes, a move he says his children agree with. "If my children are more capable than me, it's not necessary to leave a lot of money to them. If they are incompetent, a lot of money will only be harmful to them," he said.
Yu started out poor, and suffered from cataracts, which inspired him to start his charitable foundation.
Many thanks Casey!
He made a fortune in real estate, and now he's giving it back. The 88-year-old tycoon has slowly been transferring his wealth to his Yu Pengnian Foundation, and now he's gone the final step, pledging his final $470 million in cash and property to the charity. This makes $1.2 billion he has put into his charity since he opened it in 2003.
"This will be my last donation. I have nothing more to give away," he said at a press conference announcing the final donation.
Photo from here.
The Yu Pengnian Foundation funds cataract surgeries for people in China. More than 150,000 surgeries have been performed in the last seven years. It also provides other monetary support for people in China's poorest regions.
Yu has several children, none of whom will inherit any of his fortunes, a move he says his children agree with. "If my children are more capable than me, it's not necessary to leave a lot of money to them. If they are incompetent, a lot of money will only be harmful to them," he said.
Yu started out poor, and suffered from cataracts, which inspired him to start his charitable foundation.
Many thanks Casey!
Chinese man marries cardboard cut-out of himself
Liu Ye, 39, from Zhuhai in China, married a life sized foam cut-out of himself.
"There are many reasons for marrying myself, but mainly to express my dissatisfaction with reality," he said.
"This marriage makes me whole again. My definition of marriage is different from others."
The ceremony was attended by more than 100 guests. The cut-out was wearing a red bridal dress.
"There are many reasons for marrying myself, but mainly to express my dissatisfaction with reality," he said.
"This marriage makes me whole again. My definition of marriage is different from others."
The ceremony was attended by more than 100 guests. The cut-out was wearing a red bridal dress.
Hunt on for serial sex killing elephant in India
Wildlife experts in southern India are hunting a rogue bull elephant who is thought to have gored 12 female tuskers to death because they spurned his sexual advances. A 15-member taskforce has been set up to catch the aggressive male, called Alpha, who has been on the run in the jungles of Kerala state for the last three years.
Kerala's chief wildlife warden, K.K. Srivastava, said eight female elephants were found dead in the vast Periyar reserve between February and June last year. "Post-mortem reports and other evidence suggested that these were caused by the same tusker. Two more females were found dead on March 12 and 21 this year. The nature of injuries point to the same culprit," he said.
Two other deaths have been blamed on 25-year-old Alpha, he added, without specifying when the females were found. Alpha's behaviour has been blamed on "musth," a surge in the male reproductive hormone testosterone in bull elephants that leads to aggressive behaviour.
Forensic tests have shown that all the victims had puncture marks, indicating that they resisted a male who tried to force himself on them. The wounds matched the dimensions of Alpha's tusks. The former deputy director of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, P.P. Pramod, said Alpha needs to have his tusks trimmed but they had to catch and tranquilise him first, which was risky. If it fell flat on its chest it will die instantly. So we need to follow it and lift it as soon as he collapses," he said.
Kerala's chief wildlife warden, K.K. Srivastava, said eight female elephants were found dead in the vast Periyar reserve between February and June last year. "Post-mortem reports and other evidence suggested that these were caused by the same tusker. Two more females were found dead on March 12 and 21 this year. The nature of injuries point to the same culprit," he said.
Two other deaths have been blamed on 25-year-old Alpha, he added, without specifying when the females were found. Alpha's behaviour has been blamed on "musth," a surge in the male reproductive hormone testosterone in bull elephants that leads to aggressive behaviour.
Forensic tests have shown that all the victims had puncture marks, indicating that they resisted a male who tried to force himself on them. The wounds matched the dimensions of Alpha's tusks. The former deputy director of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, P.P. Pramod, said Alpha needs to have his tusks trimmed but they had to catch and tranquilise him first, which was risky. If it fell flat on its chest it will die instantly. So we need to follow it and lift it as soon as he collapses," he said.
Church defends £10k confession box deal with gambling firm
A church has defended a decision to allow one of its confession boxes to be sponsored by a betting firm in a £10,000 deal. It is understood the confession box at Our Lady and St Etheldreda church, in Newmarket, is the first globally to be sponsored by a business.
Irish bookmakers Paddy Power paid £10,000 for the privilege of having its name on the new box – now called a sin bin – at the Catholic church. Top jockey Frankie Dettori, who was married there, performed the official opening.
Last night, gambling support charity GamCare said it would be speaking with the priest in charge to find out more about the deal and said it would be concerned if the sponsored name plate did not also carry information about the support available for addicted gamblers.
Paddy Power – which has 200 betting offices in Ireland and almost 100 in the UK and a turnover of £2billion – only became involved after it was contacted by the priest at the church.
Father Michael Griffin said: “It was suggested by a parishioner that we asked Paddy Power for help because of their horseracing connections and we were very pleased when they generously agreed.
“We were happy to put a plaque up on the side of the box – which we refer to as a reconciliation room – and I have mentioned Paddy Power in a sermon. There has been no adverse reaction from anyone to the fact that the sponsorship has come from a bookmakers.”
Irish bookmakers Paddy Power paid £10,000 for the privilege of having its name on the new box – now called a sin bin – at the Catholic church. Top jockey Frankie Dettori, who was married there, performed the official opening.
Last night, gambling support charity GamCare said it would be speaking with the priest in charge to find out more about the deal and said it would be concerned if the sponsored name plate did not also carry information about the support available for addicted gamblers.
Paddy Power – which has 200 betting offices in Ireland and almost 100 in the UK and a turnover of £2billion – only became involved after it was contacted by the priest at the church.
Father Michael Griffin said: “It was suggested by a parishioner that we asked Paddy Power for help because of their horseracing connections and we were very pleased when they generously agreed.
“We were happy to put a plaque up on the side of the box – which we refer to as a reconciliation room – and I have mentioned Paddy Power in a sermon. There has been no adverse reaction from anyone to the fact that the sponsorship has come from a bookmakers.”
Motorist who went into police station to report crime told to phone instead
A motorist who walked into his local police station to report that his car had been vandalised was told he should call the police instead. Andy Bevan, a retired chemist, 57, had gone to his local police station, Peeler House, in Hessle, East Yorks, to report the crime. But he was told he would have to make a phone call to report the incident.
Mr Bevan left the station and was outside talking on his mobile phone when an officer went outside and told him he could use a police phone inside the station to contact the command centre. Mr Bevan said: "I told the PCSO at the counter my car was vandalised last night. He said words to the effect: 'Have you rung?' I said I'd just popped in to report it, and he said, 'You can't just pop in, you have to ring.'
Photo from here.
"I said it was absolutely outrageous and if I saw bank robbers going into a bank I couldn't come in and tell them that it was happening? They said that was different as it was a crime in progress. He said you have to ring in and gave me a card and that was it. He was being officious - in fact I'd give him 10 out of 10 for bedside manner. But I just think it's ridiculous that you can't report a crime in a police station - end of story."
Mr Bevan said he had not bothered to ring as he did not simply want a crime number so that he could claim on his insurance policy. He said: "I haven't claimed on the insurance. I actually wanted someone to be caught and punished but I don't think it's the police's remit any more."
Mr Bevan left the station and was outside talking on his mobile phone when an officer went outside and told him he could use a police phone inside the station to contact the command centre. Mr Bevan said: "I told the PCSO at the counter my car was vandalised last night. He said words to the effect: 'Have you rung?' I said I'd just popped in to report it, and he said, 'You can't just pop in, you have to ring.'
Photo from here.
"I said it was absolutely outrageous and if I saw bank robbers going into a bank I couldn't come in and tell them that it was happening? They said that was different as it was a crime in progress. He said you have to ring in and gave me a card and that was it. He was being officious - in fact I'd give him 10 out of 10 for bedside manner. But I just think it's ridiculous that you can't report a crime in a police station - end of story."
Mr Bevan said he had not bothered to ring as he did not simply want a crime number so that he could claim on his insurance policy. He said: "I haven't claimed on the insurance. I actually wanted someone to be caught and punished but I don't think it's the police's remit any more."
Lost sailor circling isle thought he was circumnavigating UK coast
A lost sailor has had to be rescued after running out of fuel circling a small island when he thought he was sailing around the UK coast. The Sheerness lifeboat and the Thames Coastguard assisted the man who ran aground off the Elmley Marshes on the Isle of Sheppey on 19 April. With only a road map for directions, he set off on the river Medway, from Gillingham, and headed for Southampton.
But the RNLI said the man had "ended up travelling round the Isle of Sheppey". A spokesman said: "This guy had run aground after running out of fuel. He was attempting to travel around the UK from Medway to Southampton and somehow lost his bearings and ended up travelling around the Isle of Sheppey. The man told the rescue team he had been keeping the coast to his right and had ended up sailing in circles around Sheppey.
The motor cruiser was towed to Queenborough and officers gave him advice on fuel usage. Neville Crane, of the Isle of sheppey HM coastguard rescue team, said the man had owned the boat for less than a day and seemed very surprised that its fuel consumption was greater than his car. He added: "He was very short on expertise, even shorter on safety equipment and had no navigational equipment whatsoever on board.
"He was absolutely aghast that he had used three tanks of fuel to get from Gillingham to Elmley, which was only the very first part of his journey to Southampton... when he could do the whole journey by car in less than one tank. He had no idea of the magnitude of the journey he was undertaking." It is understood the man later attempted to continue his journey to Southampton.
With news audio.
But the RNLI said the man had "ended up travelling round the Isle of Sheppey". A spokesman said: "This guy had run aground after running out of fuel. He was attempting to travel around the UK from Medway to Southampton and somehow lost his bearings and ended up travelling around the Isle of Sheppey. The man told the rescue team he had been keeping the coast to his right and had ended up sailing in circles around Sheppey.
The motor cruiser was towed to Queenborough and officers gave him advice on fuel usage. Neville Crane, of the Isle of sheppey HM coastguard rescue team, said the man had owned the boat for less than a day and seemed very surprised that its fuel consumption was greater than his car. He added: "He was very short on expertise, even shorter on safety equipment and had no navigational equipment whatsoever on board.
"He was absolutely aghast that he had used three tanks of fuel to get from Gillingham to Elmley, which was only the very first part of his journey to Southampton... when he could do the whole journey by car in less than one tank. He had no idea of the magnitude of the journey he was undertaking." It is understood the man later attempted to continue his journey to Southampton.
With news audio.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Man robs store wearing toilet paper disguise
A police dog tracked the scent of a suspected convenience store robber on Saturday night and uncovered some telltale pieces, or, more specifically, squares, of evidence.
Whether the evidence was two-ply or one-ply remained unknown.
Lincoln Police Officer Katie Flood said Monday that police are still looking for a man who robbed Kabredlo's Convenience Store, 1445 S. 17th St., with a knife - and toilet paper wrapped around his head to conceal his identity.
LPD received a call from around 10:30 Saturday night. The suspect came into the store with a knife and demanded money, according to LPD. He took an undisclosed amount of money from the safe, said Capt. David Beggs.
Beggs said the suspect is a 25- to 33-year-old white male, about 6-foot-2, 180 pounds with blue eyes and a skinny face.
The suspect left on foot, and Flood said Brix, an LPD police dog, tracked a scent westbound through the alley for about half of a block. The toilet paper was found on the north side of 1612 Washington St., Flood said. But the man remains at large.
With news video.
Whether the evidence was two-ply or one-ply remained unknown.
Lincoln Police Officer Katie Flood said Monday that police are still looking for a man who robbed Kabredlo's Convenience Store, 1445 S. 17th St., with a knife - and toilet paper wrapped around his head to conceal his identity.
LPD received a call from around 10:30 Saturday night. The suspect came into the store with a knife and demanded money, according to LPD. He took an undisclosed amount of money from the safe, said Capt. David Beggs.
Beggs said the suspect is a 25- to 33-year-old white male, about 6-foot-2, 180 pounds with blue eyes and a skinny face.
The suspect left on foot, and Flood said Brix, an LPD police dog, tracked a scent westbound through the alley for about half of a block. The toilet paper was found on the north side of 1612 Washington St., Flood said. But the man remains at large.
With news video.
Man attacked by women for not holding door
A Roxbury man who apparently didn’t show enough chivalry was hit with a plate of pasta, punched, kicked and beaten with handbags by two women who told investigators they needed to “teach him a lesson” for not holding an elevator door for them, Boston police said.
Kenyana McQuay, 27, and Waltia Funches, 28, told officers Mohammed Warsame “was rude to them” because he didn’t keep the elevator door open when it started to close on them.
The women told police “they had to use their fists, their bags and their feet to teach him a lesson,” according to the police report. In fact, when officers arrived at the Tremont Street building late on Saturday night they said they found noodles dripping off the back of Warsame.
"Officers noticed the back of his shirt was covered with what looked like the remains of a pasta dish," the report said. Both women have been charged with assault and battery.
With news video.
Kenyana McQuay, 27, and Waltia Funches, 28, told officers Mohammed Warsame “was rude to them” because he didn’t keep the elevator door open when it started to close on them.
The women told police “they had to use their fists, their bags and their feet to teach him a lesson,” according to the police report. In fact, when officers arrived at the Tremont Street building late on Saturday night they said they found noodles dripping off the back of Warsame.
"Officers noticed the back of his shirt was covered with what looked like the remains of a pasta dish," the report said. Both women have been charged with assault and battery.
With news video.
Japan holds annual baby-crying contest
Wailing and crying as loudly as possible is not something most new mothers actively encourage in their babies. However, at the annual Naki Sumo (crying baby contest) in Japan, that is precisely the aim of the game.
Eager mothers bring the babies to the event where Sumo wrestlers and high priests are on hand to coax babies into a maddened state of wailing. The event, which marks the high point of spring, is held each year at the Sensoji Temple in Tokyo.
The baby to cry loudest and longest wins the contest. The competition is also intended to generate good health for the babies. This year Sumo wrestlers coaxed 80 babies, all less than a year old, to cry.
Participating Japanese parents believe the Sumo-induced cries are beneficial. As the babies are held high, mothers pray for their good health. The 400-year old ritual is also believed to ward off evil spirits.
Eager mothers bring the babies to the event where Sumo wrestlers and high priests are on hand to coax babies into a maddened state of wailing. The event, which marks the high point of spring, is held each year at the Sensoji Temple in Tokyo.
The baby to cry loudest and longest wins the contest. The competition is also intended to generate good health for the babies. This year Sumo wrestlers coaxed 80 babies, all less than a year old, to cry.
Participating Japanese parents believe the Sumo-induced cries are beneficial. As the babies are held high, mothers pray for their good health. The 400-year old ritual is also believed to ward off evil spirits.
Firefighters rescue dog from reclining chair
Ebonyzer the Jack Russell terrier wasn't his typically frisky, exuberant self on Friday afternoon at his home at the Sunrise of Naperville Senior Living center east of the city's downtown. Hobbled by an injured right hindquarter, it was about all the 5-year-old dog could do to limp from the facility's garden to the room of his master, Ken Makris.
The affectionate and popular pooch was recovering from the pain and indignity inflicted in a freak accident — becoming trapped between the footrest and base of his master's electric-powered reclining chair.
His predicament was dire enough that three Naperville Fire Department firefighters had to be summoned to the center. And after trying to release Ebonyzer with the "jaws of life" extrication device typically reserved for traffic crashes, his rescuers finally freed him by cutting away part of the recliner's frame with a power saw.
Makris took the dog to his veterinarian on Friday morning. The veterinarian prescribed medication for the muscle damage Ebonyzer sustained to his right rear leg and hindquarter. The normally happy and energetic canine spent Friday as sad-eyed as any Basset Hound, despite being fussed over all day by the center's residents and staffers.
The affectionate and popular pooch was recovering from the pain and indignity inflicted in a freak accident — becoming trapped between the footrest and base of his master's electric-powered reclining chair.
His predicament was dire enough that three Naperville Fire Department firefighters had to be summoned to the center. And after trying to release Ebonyzer with the "jaws of life" extrication device typically reserved for traffic crashes, his rescuers finally freed him by cutting away part of the recliner's frame with a power saw.
Makris took the dog to his veterinarian on Friday morning. The veterinarian prescribed medication for the muscle damage Ebonyzer sustained to his right rear leg and hindquarter. The normally happy and energetic canine spent Friday as sad-eyed as any Basset Hound, despite being fussed over all day by the center's residents and staffers.
Brazilians told to have more sexual intercourse to avoid illness
Brazilians can fight off chronic illness by engaging regularly in physical exercise, and particularly in sexual intercourse, the country's health minister said.
"People need to be active. A weekend football game must not be the only physical activity for a Brazilian. Adults need to do exercise: walk, dance and have safe sex," said Jose Gomes Temporao.
The minister gave the advice as he launched a campaign to prevent high blood pressure, which afflicts a quarter of Brazil's 190-million strong population.
After making his unusual comments, Mr Temporao defended his promotion of sexual intercourse to journalists.
"It's not a joke. It's serious. Having regular physical exercises also means sex, always with protection of course," he said.
"Dancing, having sex, keeping weight under control, changing dietary habits, doing physical exercise" all help keep blood pressure down, he said.
"People need to be active. A weekend football game must not be the only physical activity for a Brazilian. Adults need to do exercise: walk, dance and have safe sex," said Jose Gomes Temporao.
The minister gave the advice as he launched a campaign to prevent high blood pressure, which afflicts a quarter of Brazil's 190-million strong population.
After making his unusual comments, Mr Temporao defended his promotion of sexual intercourse to journalists.
"It's not a joke. It's serious. Having regular physical exercises also means sex, always with protection of course," he said.
"Dancing, having sex, keeping weight under control, changing dietary habits, doing physical exercise" all help keep blood pressure down, he said.
Ukraine parliament fills with smoke as members throw eggs
Fighting has broken out and smoke bombs been thrown inside Ukraine's parliament amid massive public protests in Kiev. Thousands furious at a recent naval deal with neighbours Russia stormed the capital's streets, blocking roads and setting up tents around the Verkhovna Rada building.
Clashes then erupted inside after the parliament's speaker was egged from an unknown assailant during a session ratifying the controversial deal. Volodymr Lytvyn took cover behind two black umbrellas after the pelting, before smoke from two hurled bombs billowed inside the chamber.
Parliament cameras showed representatives punching, shoving and pulling each others' hair as the white haze descended. A scramble then emerged for ownership of a giant yellow and blue national flag in the middle of the room as alarms sounded.
Remarkably, order in the notoriously fractious parliament was restored, although some disquiet could still be heard.
Clashes then erupted inside after the parliament's speaker was egged from an unknown assailant during a session ratifying the controversial deal. Volodymr Lytvyn took cover behind two black umbrellas after the pelting, before smoke from two hurled bombs billowed inside the chamber.
Parliament cameras showed representatives punching, shoving and pulling each others' hair as the white haze descended. A scramble then emerged for ownership of a giant yellow and blue national flag in the middle of the room as alarms sounded.
Remarkably, order in the notoriously fractious parliament was restored, although some disquiet could still be heard.
Poisoner kills zoo's elephant
The only elephant in Kiev's zoo, 39-year-old Boy, died on Monday in his enclosure, apparently after being poisoned, the zoo's director said.
"This morning at 10.45 a.m. he let out a terrible cry and fell. I have the conclusions of veterinarians ... It was a poisoning," zoo director Svitlana Berzina said.
Boy, a 6 1/2 metric ton Asian elephant, arrived in Kiev zoo in the mid-1970s.
"It was a tragic and sudden death," she said. "The animal was in stable condition and nothing indicated any trouble. It was an instantaneous death."
Berzina said there had been an earlier attempt to poison Boy in the 1990s. "On that occasion, we managed to save him," she said. The circumstances of this previous attempt to poison Boy were not clear.
"The reasons for his death will be the subject of an investigation by veterinarians and law-enforcement bodies," Maria Azoryan, a Kiev city administration official, said.
"This morning at 10.45 a.m. he let out a terrible cry and fell. I have the conclusions of veterinarians ... It was a poisoning," zoo director Svitlana Berzina said.
Boy, a 6 1/2 metric ton Asian elephant, arrived in Kiev zoo in the mid-1970s.
"It was a tragic and sudden death," she said. "The animal was in stable condition and nothing indicated any trouble. It was an instantaneous death."
Berzina said there had been an earlier attempt to poison Boy in the 1990s. "On that occasion, we managed to save him," she said. The circumstances of this previous attempt to poison Boy were not clear.
"The reasons for his death will be the subject of an investigation by veterinarians and law-enforcement bodies," Maria Azoryan, a Kiev city administration official, said.
Worker forced to leave company in underpants
A Croatian gas worker was told to leave his company - in his underpants.
Alen Rabek, 34, from the western town of Porec, had told his boss that he intended to resign from his 7-year-old job as a gas supplier.
But rather than asking him how much notice he was giving, the boss told him to get his clothes off and get his butt out.
"He wanted me to take off my boiler suit which was company property. So I had to go home in my underpants," Rabek said.
Alen Rabek, 34, from the western town of Porec, had told his boss that he intended to resign from his 7-year-old job as a gas supplier.
But rather than asking him how much notice he was giving, the boss told him to get his clothes off and get his butt out.
"He wanted me to take off my boiler suit which was company property. So I had to go home in my underpants," Rabek said.
German man steals electricity with meat hook
German police are investigating a man for theft after he siphoned electricity off a high-voltage overhead transmission line for one month with the help of an ordinary meat hook.
The 36-year old man from Sibbesse in Lower Saxony concocted the plan to steal electricity after the power company cut him off for failure to pay his bills, police said. The man attached a cable to the meat hook and tossed it onto an overhead power line. He then drew power from the transmission line to his home, located about 150 metres away.
"I've never seen anything like this in my 34-year-career," said Friedrich-Wilhelm Lach, chief executive of regional utility Ueberlandwerke Leinetal GmbH, said. "It's incredibly dangerous and utterly stupid."
An employee of the utility noticed the meathook during a routine check. Lach said the man was lucky he is still alive and warned copycats not to try it: "It will kill you," he said.
The 36-year old man from Sibbesse in Lower Saxony concocted the plan to steal electricity after the power company cut him off for failure to pay his bills, police said. The man attached a cable to the meat hook and tossed it onto an overhead power line. He then drew power from the transmission line to his home, located about 150 metres away.
"I've never seen anything like this in my 34-year-career," said Friedrich-Wilhelm Lach, chief executive of regional utility Ueberlandwerke Leinetal GmbH, said. "It's incredibly dangerous and utterly stupid."
An employee of the utility noticed the meathook during a routine check. Lach said the man was lucky he is still alive and warned copycats not to try it: "It will kill you," he said.
Israel jails man for 'holy semen' sex abuse
An Israeli man has been imprisoned for 10 years for tricking women into sexual acts by claiming his semen was holy and had healing powers. Nissim Aharon, a former employee at the Israeli defence ministry, was convicted of rape, sodomy, indecent acts and aggravated fraudulent acquisition.
Women paid him large sums of money, believing he was a holy rabbi who could heal body and soul, the court said. Judges called his actions "monstrous", exploiting "women young and old". The sentence was the result of a plea bargain, and was handed down at Petah Tikvah district court.
Under it, Aharon will also have to pay 100,000 Israeli shekels ($26,866) to each of five women who filed the complaint against him. Aharon, who was arrested last August, "over many years presented himself as a righteous man, as a saint with healing powers, who exploited the naivity of women and teenage girls, while carrying out appalling sexual acts and obtaining large sums of money by fraud," the Israeli Justice Ministry said in a statement.
He would claim to be a rabbi, and impersonate figures in authority who would then refer women and teenage girls to himself, the ministry said. "He would give these people different explanations: among others, that a holy scent comes from him, and that his semen is a holy fluid, which by contact could heal body and soul," the statement said. He would also claim that his "holiness" could be passed to those who touched him physically, cleansing their bodies, it said.
Women paid him large sums of money, believing he was a holy rabbi who could heal body and soul, the court said. Judges called his actions "monstrous", exploiting "women young and old". The sentence was the result of a plea bargain, and was handed down at Petah Tikvah district court.
Under it, Aharon will also have to pay 100,000 Israeli shekels ($26,866) to each of five women who filed the complaint against him. Aharon, who was arrested last August, "over many years presented himself as a righteous man, as a saint with healing powers, who exploited the naivity of women and teenage girls, while carrying out appalling sexual acts and obtaining large sums of money by fraud," the Israeli Justice Ministry said in a statement.
He would claim to be a rabbi, and impersonate figures in authority who would then refer women and teenage girls to himself, the ministry said. "He would give these people different explanations: among others, that a holy scent comes from him, and that his semen is a holy fluid, which by contact could heal body and soul," the statement said. He would also claim that his "holiness" could be passed to those who touched him physically, cleansing their bodies, it said.
Elephant provides breakdown assistance to zoo keeper
An elephant put its size to good use when it helped a zoo keeper start his car by giving it a shove. Lawrence Bates was all set to call for assistance when his jeep at West Midland Safari Park broke down, until Five the elephant decided to give him a helping hand.
The 18-year-old African Elephant got behind and pushed the car out of trouble and out of the enclosure. Director of Wildlife, Bob Lawrence, said: "The jeep broke down one morning and the lads jumped out to have a look at it, popped the bonnet and had a look at the oil.
"We still couldn't get it to start so gave it a push start, eventually got it going - at this time though its covered with dirty hand marks so Five gave it a quick wash and a hose down. But the jeep broke down again and to our astonishment Five came over and decided to give us a hand.
"She lifted the bonnet up, got the dipstick, and gave it to Lawrence. When we still couldn't get it to start, she went round the back and gave us a push. I've never seen anything like this in my life - it was absolutely incredible."
The 18-year-old African Elephant got behind and pushed the car out of trouble and out of the enclosure. Director of Wildlife, Bob Lawrence, said: "The jeep broke down one morning and the lads jumped out to have a look at it, popped the bonnet and had a look at the oil.
"We still couldn't get it to start so gave it a push start, eventually got it going - at this time though its covered with dirty hand marks so Five gave it a quick wash and a hose down. But the jeep broke down again and to our astonishment Five came over and decided to give us a hand.
"She lifted the bonnet up, got the dipstick, and gave it to Lawrence. When we still couldn't get it to start, she went round the back and gave us a push. I've never seen anything like this in my life - it was absolutely incredible."
Wild squirrel shakes hands with man
This is the moment a squirrel apparently shakes hands with a walker – after he coaxed it to take a hazelnut from his hand.
Bushcraft expert Steve England, 35, waited motionless for 15 minutes in Stoke Park, Bristol, as the grey squirrel slowly moved towards him.
He then lay perfectly still as the animal gathered enough courage to reach out and pluck the hazelnut from his forefinger and thumb.
Father-of-three Steve, who works as a RHS horticulturalist and lives in Lockleaze, Bristol, was stunned because wild squirrels are usually highly secretive animals.
Bushcraft expert Steve England, 35, waited motionless for 15 minutes in Stoke Park, Bristol, as the grey squirrel slowly moved towards him.
He then lay perfectly still as the animal gathered enough courage to reach out and pluck the hazelnut from his forefinger and thumb.
Father-of-three Steve, who works as a RHS horticulturalist and lives in Lockleaze, Bristol, was stunned because wild squirrels are usually highly secretive animals.
Wind farm rejected to help autistic boys
A North Lincolnshire wind farm plan has been rejected because of the "serious effect" it would have on eight-year-old autistic twin boys living nearby. Anita and Trevor Glathorne, whose Burton upon Stather home is already overlooked by one wind farm, said the rotating blades affected their sons.
It would have overlooked the front of the Glathornes' house, so they campaigned to have the application refused because they said it would harm their sons who both have autistic spectrum disorder. A report dismissing the appeal detailed evidence from a clinical psychologist who said the boys had a "fixation with spinning objects", adding that the "time they spend engaged in spinning and observing objects has to be limited in order to allow them to engage in other more meaningful activities".
Mrs Glathorne said the existing Bagmoor wind farm overlooking the back of their home had had a "massive effect" on her sons. "Both boys just stand and scream and flap their arms ecstatically at them spinning and get quite cross when they don't spin... it's unbelievable the effect, really, worse than we could have ever imagined." She said Ross had become so obsessed with the turbines that they had moved his bedroom.
The planning inspectorate dismissed the appeal solely because of the impact the farm would have on Lewis and Ross. Developer Ridge Wind said it was disappointed with the decision.
It would have overlooked the front of the Glathornes' house, so they campaigned to have the application refused because they said it would harm their sons who both have autistic spectrum disorder. A report dismissing the appeal detailed evidence from a clinical psychologist who said the boys had a "fixation with spinning objects", adding that the "time they spend engaged in spinning and observing objects has to be limited in order to allow them to engage in other more meaningful activities".
Mrs Glathorne said the existing Bagmoor wind farm overlooking the back of their home had had a "massive effect" on her sons. "Both boys just stand and scream and flap their arms ecstatically at them spinning and get quite cross when they don't spin... it's unbelievable the effect, really, worse than we could have ever imagined." She said Ross had become so obsessed with the turbines that they had moved his bedroom.
The planning inspectorate dismissed the appeal solely because of the impact the farm would have on Lewis and Ross. Developer Ridge Wind said it was disappointed with the decision.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Is Einstein the world's smallest horse?
Einstein is just three days old, after being born on Friday at a farm in Barnstead, New Hampshire.
It's thought that Einstein could lay a claim to the title of the world's lightest foal - his 6lb weight at birth being normal for a human baby, but not a horse, even a miniature breed like Einstein.
Unlike other miniature horses - notably the current claimant of the world's smallest horse title, Thumbelina - Einstein doesn't show any signs of dawrfism.
Judy Smith, the owner of the Tiz A Miniature Horse Farm where he was born, at first feared that he was dead when his mother, Tiz Fenisse, gave birth.
'I have been at this for 20 years plus but I have never seen one this tiny or even close to it,' she said.
Dr Rachel Wagner, Einstein's co-owner, said: 'Most of the ones that are really tiny are what we call dwarves and they have some sort of dysmorphic features, or features that aren't really normal or healthy. This little guy is like all horses - he's almost all leg.'
It's thought that Einstein could lay a claim to the title of the world's lightest foal - his 6lb weight at birth being normal for a human baby, but not a horse, even a miniature breed like Einstein.
Unlike other miniature horses - notably the current claimant of the world's smallest horse title, Thumbelina - Einstein doesn't show any signs of dawrfism.
Judy Smith, the owner of the Tiz A Miniature Horse Farm where he was born, at first feared that he was dead when his mother, Tiz Fenisse, gave birth.
'I have been at this for 20 years plus but I have never seen one this tiny or even close to it,' she said.
Dr Rachel Wagner, Einstein's co-owner, said: 'Most of the ones that are really tiny are what we call dwarves and they have some sort of dysmorphic features, or features that aren't really normal or healthy. This little guy is like all horses - he's almost all leg.'
Big cat is just a big kid
Hosting a dinner party with children can be quite a saga. But it's near impossible when your ''child'' is a 70-kilogram, 10-month-old tiger that is prone to climbing on the furniture. ''He's often up on the table,'' said Clive Brookbanks, who has raised Kinwah, a hybrid Bengal tiger, at Mogo Zoo on the NSW south coast.
Kinwah was born with a defective hip joint and has lived with Mr Brookbanks and his partner, Sally Padey - the owner of Mogo Zoo - since he was 10 days old. There was a big possibility his mother would reject him, said Mr Brookbanks, so it was decided that Kinwah should be hand-reared. ''Big cats … will reject [their young] if they are not perfect. In the wild big cats [assume] they're not going to survive … Parents either leave or kill disabled young. It is part of nature,'' he said.
Kinwah spends part of his day in the couple's backyard, where he is fed morning and evening and can play with his best friend Rumble, a 20-month-old German shepherd. The pair run, jump and bounce on each other. They even share chew toys. Kinwah also makes himself at home in the kitchen. But he's been getting a bit cheeky of late, said Mr Brookbanks. Last week he stole a frozen chicken from the fridge.
Mr Brookbanks is well aware that Kinwah's present ''freedom'' cannot continue. The tiger has started spending more time in an enclosure next to the house. ''He is a tiger, and he can become unpredictable,'' said Mr Brookbanks. ''You cannot make these animals a pet. He will definitely go into an enclosure, but it will be a gradual process.''
Kinwah was born with a defective hip joint and has lived with Mr Brookbanks and his partner, Sally Padey - the owner of Mogo Zoo - since he was 10 days old. There was a big possibility his mother would reject him, said Mr Brookbanks, so it was decided that Kinwah should be hand-reared. ''Big cats … will reject [their young] if they are not perfect. In the wild big cats [assume] they're not going to survive … Parents either leave or kill disabled young. It is part of nature,'' he said.
Kinwah spends part of his day in the couple's backyard, where he is fed morning and evening and can play with his best friend Rumble, a 20-month-old German shepherd. The pair run, jump and bounce on each other. They even share chew toys. Kinwah also makes himself at home in the kitchen. But he's been getting a bit cheeky of late, said Mr Brookbanks. Last week he stole a frozen chicken from the fridge.
Mr Brookbanks is well aware that Kinwah's present ''freedom'' cannot continue. The tiger has started spending more time in an enclosure next to the house. ''He is a tiger, and he can become unpredictable,'' said Mr Brookbanks. ''You cannot make these animals a pet. He will definitely go into an enclosure, but it will be a gradual process.''
Woman sentenced to life for forcing 13-year-old to touch her breasts
An Elko County woman convicted of forcing a 13-year-old-boy to touch her breasts was sentenced to life in prison. Michelle Lyn Taylor, 34, was convicted of lewdness with a minor under 14 in November.
Taylor’s attorney, Public defender Alina Kilpatrick says it is the harshest sentence ever dealt to a female sex offender in Nevada. Kilpatrick called the sentence unconstitutional.
“This is cruel and unusual punishment,”Kilpatrick said. “She put his hand on her boob while she was wearing a bra, now she’s getting life.”
Elko County District Attorney Gary Woodbury said Taylor was "convicted of precisely of what she did," and under the state’ sentencing guidelines, life in prison was mandatory.
Woodbury says Taylor did not want to negotiate a plea deal because she did not want to have to register as a sex offender. Woodbury says Taylor felt her life would be over if she had to register (as a sex offender) so it wouldn't matter what she was convicted of.
Woodbury says while it might be some adolescent male's fantasy to have sex with a woman, in this case it was a traumatic event. The child has needed, and continues to receive therapy.
Taylor’s attorney, Public defender Alina Kilpatrick says it is the harshest sentence ever dealt to a female sex offender in Nevada. Kilpatrick called the sentence unconstitutional.
“This is cruel and unusual punishment,”Kilpatrick said. “She put his hand on her boob while she was wearing a bra, now she’s getting life.”
Elko County District Attorney Gary Woodbury said Taylor was "convicted of precisely of what she did," and under the state’ sentencing guidelines, life in prison was mandatory.
Woodbury says Taylor did not want to negotiate a plea deal because she did not want to have to register as a sex offender. Woodbury says Taylor felt her life would be over if she had to register (as a sex offender) so it wouldn't matter what she was convicted of.
Woodbury says while it might be some adolescent male's fantasy to have sex with a woman, in this case it was a traumatic event. The child has needed, and continues to receive therapy.
Kitten has run-in with police
A four-week-old kitten that spent two hours stuck in a police highway patrol car bumper could well be Sydney's luckiest cat. The kitten used up one of its nine lives when it leapt into the moving vehicle and got stuck inside the bumper cavity. Senior Constable Tex Tannous says he was patrolling at Cartwright in Sydney's south-west on Friday when he narrowly avoided hitting the kitten.
He braked sharply and assumed the animal had run off. Later, as he set up to breath test drivers for Anzac Day long weekend operations, he heard purring coming from the engine. "It's decided to climb up underneath the car into the engine bay and I couldn't locate it, so I'm walking around trying to find it, I could hear it but couldn't find the little sucker," he said.
He says his colleagues thought it was a practical joke. "One of the other guys from our office come past and I yelled out to him, I said 'I've got a bit of a problem, I've got a cat in the engine bay.' And he sort of looked at me a bit funny." Senior Constable Tannous says he turned the engine off to make sure the cat did not overheat while he breath tested drivers.
"The cars do get hot sitting there while we're conducting our duties and I didn't want to have a fried cat in the engine bay." He then took the car to a nearby mechanic who found the black kitten in the bumper cavity. Senior Constable Tannous says although he has bonded well with the female kitten - nicknamed Cartwright - he will not be adopting it.
With news video.
He braked sharply and assumed the animal had run off. Later, as he set up to breath test drivers for Anzac Day long weekend operations, he heard purring coming from the engine. "It's decided to climb up underneath the car into the engine bay and I couldn't locate it, so I'm walking around trying to find it, I could hear it but couldn't find the little sucker," he said.
He says his colleagues thought it was a practical joke. "One of the other guys from our office come past and I yelled out to him, I said 'I've got a bit of a problem, I've got a cat in the engine bay.' And he sort of looked at me a bit funny." Senior Constable Tannous says he turned the engine off to make sure the cat did not overheat while he breath tested drivers.
"The cars do get hot sitting there while we're conducting our duties and I didn't want to have a fried cat in the engine bay." He then took the car to a nearby mechanic who found the black kitten in the bumper cavity. Senior Constable Tannous says although he has bonded well with the female kitten - nicknamed Cartwright - he will not be adopting it.
With news video.
Max the boxer shows he's tough as nails
Max the boxer might have a thick skull, but nothing that a nail gun can't penetrate.
After brain surgery to remove the nail, one thing is sure - Max has a sore head. Owner Tim Horvat said Max was fascinated by the noise of the gun as he pumped nails into the backyard decking he was building. Just a couple of planks short of finishing the job, he ordered Max to move away. As he resumed work with the nail gun, Max lunged at it and a steel nail blasted into his head.
"At first I thought I had missed him because he ran behind me," Mr Horvat said. "But then I saw the tip just protruding from his head and I started shaking as I realised what had happened." When Max collapsed, Mr Horvat and wife Rose raced him to a local vet before he was transferred to surgeon Simon Kudnig at the Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre.
Dr Kudnig said it was the first time he had seen a dog injured by a nail gun. "I was amazed he was still conscious and alert and I kept thinking it must not have gone into his brain cavity," he said. But stunning X-rays showed the reality: Max had missed death by little more than a hair's width. He knew the nail had to come out, but carefully considered the risks of the delicate surgery.
"You can't just grab the nail and pull it out," he said. "Craniectomies to remove part of the skull are not uncommon to remove brain tumors, but it was a first to remove a nail," he said. The operation involved removing a piece of Max's skull and then drilling around the embedded nail to loosen and finally pull it free. Within days Max was back to his bouncing best. Despite the $4000 hole in his pocket, Mr Horvat was thrilled. "I love him to death."
After brain surgery to remove the nail, one thing is sure - Max has a sore head. Owner Tim Horvat said Max was fascinated by the noise of the gun as he pumped nails into the backyard decking he was building. Just a couple of planks short of finishing the job, he ordered Max to move away. As he resumed work with the nail gun, Max lunged at it and a steel nail blasted into his head.
"At first I thought I had missed him because he ran behind me," Mr Horvat said. "But then I saw the tip just protruding from his head and I started shaking as I realised what had happened." When Max collapsed, Mr Horvat and wife Rose raced him to a local vet before he was transferred to surgeon Simon Kudnig at the Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre.
Dr Kudnig said it was the first time he had seen a dog injured by a nail gun. "I was amazed he was still conscious and alert and I kept thinking it must not have gone into his brain cavity," he said. But stunning X-rays showed the reality: Max had missed death by little more than a hair's width. He knew the nail had to come out, but carefully considered the risks of the delicate surgery.
"You can't just grab the nail and pull it out," he said. "Craniectomies to remove part of the skull are not uncommon to remove brain tumors, but it was a first to remove a nail," he said. The operation involved removing a piece of Max's skull and then drilling around the embedded nail to loosen and finally pull it free. Within days Max was back to his bouncing best. Despite the $4000 hole in his pocket, Mr Horvat was thrilled. "I love him to death."
US extradites Manuel Noriega to France
The former Panamanian leader, Manuel Noriega, has been extradited to France by the United States after spending more than 20 years in prison there.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signed a "surrender warrant" after all judicial challenges were resolved. French officials later confirmed he was on board an Air France flight to Paris.
A court in France convicted Noriega in his absence in 1999 for laundering money through French banks, though it says he will be granted a new trial.
The 76-year-old had wanted to be sent back to Panama after finishing his 17-year jail sentence in 2007.
But Noriega's lawyer in Miami, Frank Rubino, said he had not been notified and had only learned of his client's transfer from the media.
"Usually the government has - does things in a more professional manner and respects common courtesy and we're shocked that they didn't," he said. "I'm surprised that they didn't put a black hood over his head and drag him out in the middle of the night," he added.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signed a "surrender warrant" after all judicial challenges were resolved. French officials later confirmed he was on board an Air France flight to Paris.
A court in France convicted Noriega in his absence in 1999 for laundering money through French banks, though it says he will be granted a new trial.
The 76-year-old had wanted to be sent back to Panama after finishing his 17-year jail sentence in 2007.
But Noriega's lawyer in Miami, Frank Rubino, said he had not been notified and had only learned of his client's transfer from the media.
"Usually the government has - does things in a more professional manner and respects common courtesy and we're shocked that they didn't," he said. "I'm surprised that they didn't put a black hood over his head and drag him out in the middle of the night," he added.
Blue stork surprises German villagers
A rare blue bird has been ruffling feathers in a German village - rare because the blue bird is a stork enthralling locals and tourists alike.
No one's quite sure how the stork came upon its striking blue plumage.
But experts believe it probably took a bath in some blue paint or coloured water.
Locals say the picture perfect bird has been good for business and they're now selling postcards of the stork, and its white mate.
There's another video here.
No one's quite sure how the stork came upon its striking blue plumage.
But experts believe it probably took a bath in some blue paint or coloured water.
Locals say the picture perfect bird has been good for business and they're now selling postcards of the stork, and its white mate.
There's another video here.
Wealthy Australian socialite leaves daughters $4.50
A former Adelaide Lady Mayoress bequeathed her three daughters ``thirty pieces of silver'' - or $1.50 - each from her $3.5 million estate because she believed they conspired over the death of her mother, court documents reveal.
Valmai Roche left the same amount to her ex-husband John Roche, a former property developer who was Adelaide Lord Mayor from 1975-77, claiming he had killed her mother.
Ms Roche's daughters say their mother was "delusional" and they have mounted joint Supreme Court action.
Ms Roche, who died last year aged 81, left "30 pieces of silver of the lowest denomination of currency" or 30 five cent pieces claiming it was "blood money due to Judas" to each of her daughters.
The daughters Deborah Hamilton, Fiona Roche and Shauna Roche were also left equal shares in their mother's jewellery, on condition they read and correctly answered questions relating to her personal diaries from January 1974 until the date of her will, which was signed in October 1981.
Ms Roche also "specifically excludes" her children and former husband "from any further benefits" because her daughters "have been adequately provided for . . . and because of their estrangement" during her later years.
Valmai Roche left the same amount to her ex-husband John Roche, a former property developer who was Adelaide Lord Mayor from 1975-77, claiming he had killed her mother.
Ms Roche's daughters say their mother was "delusional" and they have mounted joint Supreme Court action.
Ms Roche, who died last year aged 81, left "30 pieces of silver of the lowest denomination of currency" or 30 five cent pieces claiming it was "blood money due to Judas" to each of her daughters.
The daughters Deborah Hamilton, Fiona Roche and Shauna Roche were also left equal shares in their mother's jewellery, on condition they read and correctly answered questions relating to her personal diaries from January 1974 until the date of her will, which was signed in October 1981.
Ms Roche also "specifically excludes" her children and former husband "from any further benefits" because her daughters "have been adequately provided for . . . and because of their estrangement" during her later years.
Brazilian housewife shot then lynched after drunk hit and run
A Brazilian housewife celebrating her 24th birthday was shot and lynched after running over a pregnant woman and her daughter while driving drunk. Pamela de Souza Costa was shot five times after being caught by a group of residents in the town of Macae, 160km northeast of Rio de Janeiro, immediately after the accident on Friday.
The woman she ran into, Silmara Rodrigues, was badly hurt and lost her unborn baby. She may also have to have a leg amputated. Rodrigues' eight-year-old daughter Raissa was killed.
Costa had been driving home after drinking at her birthday party when she lost control of her car and ran into Rodrigues and her daughter, who were slammed against a wall.
She tried to leave the scene of the accident but crashed into a post. A group of angry locals pulled her out of her car and one person shot her several times before running away. Costa, who lived in the neighbourhood, had three children of her own. She was buried on Saturday.
The woman she ran into, Silmara Rodrigues, was badly hurt and lost her unborn baby. She may also have to have a leg amputated. Rodrigues' eight-year-old daughter Raissa was killed.
Costa had been driving home after drinking at her birthday party when she lost control of her car and ran into Rodrigues and her daughter, who were slammed against a wall.
She tried to leave the scene of the accident but crashed into a post. A group of angry locals pulled her out of her car and one person shot her several times before running away. Costa, who lived in the neighbourhood, had three children of her own. She was buried on Saturday.
Boobquake gets off to shaky start - Update
Boobquake founder Jennifer McCreight may have some serious questions to answer.
Her day of action calling on the women of the world to dress scandalously and prove wrong an Iranian cleric who blames natural disasters on cleavage has started, well, disastrously. At 11am local time, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan, no doubt causing thousands of Boobquake fans to hastily button up.
Although she’s claiming it doesn’t count because it happened outside her Boobquake time zone, Ms McCreight admits on her blog that the wobble was significant, but not unusual.
“On avg, 134 magnitude 6-6.9 earthquakes occur annually,” she said: “If we get many of a similar magnitude in the next 24 hours, we might start worshipping the power of immodesty.”
Previously.
Her day of action calling on the women of the world to dress scandalously and prove wrong an Iranian cleric who blames natural disasters on cleavage has started, well, disastrously. At 11am local time, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan, no doubt causing thousands of Boobquake fans to hastily button up.
Although she’s claiming it doesn’t count because it happened outside her Boobquake time zone, Ms McCreight admits on her blog that the wobble was significant, but not unusual.
“On avg, 134 magnitude 6-6.9 earthquakes occur annually,” she said: “If we get many of a similar magnitude in the next 24 hours, we might start worshipping the power of immodesty.”
Previously.
Chimps' emotional response to death caught on film
A video of the reaction of chimps to the death of an elderly group mate challenges procedures for dealing with terminally ill animals in captivity. In the final hour, they huddled around, studied her face and shook her gently as if to revive her. And when the others had drifted away, one stayed behind to hold her hand.
As death scenes go, it has all the poignancy of human loss, but this was no everyday tragedy. The last breath was drawn before scientists' cameras and represents one of the most extraordinary displays of chimpanzee behaviour ever recorded.
Video footage of the death of Pansy, who at fifty-something was the oldest chimpanzee in the UK, was released by scientists yesterday. The film captures for the first time the complex reactions of our nearest evolutionary cousins to the death of a group member.
Pansy, a female who died of old age at Blair Drummond Safari Park at the end of 2008, was one of four chimpanzees being filmed by Anderson's group. When she became ill, vets paid regular visits to give treatment, while her companions – her daughter, a male and another female – looked on from a distance.
When Pansy lay down in a nest that one of the other apes had made, the rest gathered around her and began grooming and caressing her. Shortly before she died, all three crouched down and inspected her face very closely. They then began to shake her gently. "It is difficult to avoid thinking that they were checking for signs of life," said Anderson.
"After a time, it seemed that the chimpanzees arrived at a collective decision that she had gone. Two left immediately, but one, the other adult female, stayed and held her hand," said Anderson. "That evening, her daughter came back and stayed with her mother all night long. She was trying to sleep, but was clearly very disturbed. All three of them were."
As death scenes go, it has all the poignancy of human loss, but this was no everyday tragedy. The last breath was drawn before scientists' cameras and represents one of the most extraordinary displays of chimpanzee behaviour ever recorded.
Video footage of the death of Pansy, who at fifty-something was the oldest chimpanzee in the UK, was released by scientists yesterday. The film captures for the first time the complex reactions of our nearest evolutionary cousins to the death of a group member.
Pansy, a female who died of old age at Blair Drummond Safari Park at the end of 2008, was one of four chimpanzees being filmed by Anderson's group. When she became ill, vets paid regular visits to give treatment, while her companions – her daughter, a male and another female – looked on from a distance.
When Pansy lay down in a nest that one of the other apes had made, the rest gathered around her and began grooming and caressing her. Shortly before she died, all three crouched down and inspected her face very closely. They then began to shake her gently. "It is difficult to avoid thinking that they were checking for signs of life," said Anderson.
"After a time, it seemed that the chimpanzees arrived at a collective decision that she had gone. Two left immediately, but one, the other adult female, stayed and held her hand," said Anderson. "That evening, her daughter came back and stayed with her mother all night long. She was trying to sleep, but was clearly very disturbed. All three of them were."
Ginger wolf nicknamed 'Red Fox on Stilts'
A five-year old wolf is the toast of a wildlife park in Cambridge because of its incredible ginger coat. The rare creature, named Ruby, resembles a giant fox thanks to her bright red hair and is causing quite the storm at her home in Hertfordshire.
Visitors to her enclosure at Shepreth Wildlife Park are left as shocked as the other animals who sport the common grey and white coat. Zoo manager, Haley Kelly, said: 'When people see Ruby the first time they say "what on earth is that." I was the same.
'She is a beautiful specimen but doesn't look like a wolf. She's compared to a large fox or dingo. 'A normal grey wolf would never have met a maned wolf before. It would be quite a shock for both of them if they ever came face to face.'
Dubbed by animal-lovers as the 'Red Fox on Stilts', Ruby's species of maned wolf come from the grasslands of South America. Ruby has arrived as part of the European Endangered Species programme and zoo keepers plan to introduce her to a mate later this year.
Visitors to her enclosure at Shepreth Wildlife Park are left as shocked as the other animals who sport the common grey and white coat. Zoo manager, Haley Kelly, said: 'When people see Ruby the first time they say "what on earth is that." I was the same.
'She is a beautiful specimen but doesn't look like a wolf. She's compared to a large fox or dingo. 'A normal grey wolf would never have met a maned wolf before. It would be quite a shock for both of them if they ever came face to face.'
Dubbed by animal-lovers as the 'Red Fox on Stilts', Ruby's species of maned wolf come from the grasslands of South America. Ruby has arrived as part of the European Endangered Species programme and zoo keepers plan to introduce her to a mate later this year.
Bird whisperer cures angry swan Mr Asbo - Update
Psychic Michelle Childerley claims she had a Dr Doolittle-style chat, to get him to ditch his aggressive ways and move on.
The move comes after rowers in Cambridge called for the Queen to remove the swan, which attacks people using the river.
Ms Childerley claims from talking to the swan she learned he was angry with humans after his cygnets were killed by a rower named 'Gonville' last summer.
Now she hopes to convince him to quit his home and leave river users in peace.
"My recommendation to him was that he migrates to somewhere outside the city," said Ms Childerley, "He's not really flavour of the month around here. He needed to be told what people were saying about him and it hasn't been good.
"When I was communicating telepathically first of all he portrayed a feeling of fear and being quite angry with humans."
Previously.
The move comes after rowers in Cambridge called for the Queen to remove the swan, which attacks people using the river.
Ms Childerley claims from talking to the swan she learned he was angry with humans after his cygnets were killed by a rower named 'Gonville' last summer.
Now she hopes to convince him to quit his home and leave river users in peace.
"My recommendation to him was that he migrates to somewhere outside the city," said Ms Childerley, "He's not really flavour of the month around here. He needed to be told what people were saying about him and it hasn't been good.
"When I was communicating telepathically first of all he portrayed a feeling of fear and being quite angry with humans."
Previously.
Documents show police chief's belief in Loch Ness monster's existence
A police chief believed the existence of a Loch Ness monster was "beyond doubt", according to a historical document. In 1938, the chief constable of Inverness-shire raised concerns about protecting Nessie from hunters. In a letter he wrote: "That there is some strange creature in Loch Ness now seems beyond doubt." The document has been released by the National Archives of Scotland (NAS) as part of an exhibition.
The government file reflects how ministers handled the issue of the existence of Nessie. Reports of a monster in Loch Ness date back to 565 AD, when St Columba was said to have encountered a strange water beast. But alleged sightings gathered pace in the 1930s, with a series of grainy photographs of the "monster" appearing in newspapers. In 1933, the Scottish Office was asked to confirm the existence of a monster or sea serpent in Loch Ness.
A parliamentary question was tabled in the House of Commons asking whether, in the interests of science, an investigation would be launched into the creature's existence, but the question was ridiculed by the press at the time. Ministers and civil servants were sceptical, but the documents show consideration was given to issues such as stationing observers round the loch to capture Nessie on camera and whether it would be possible to trap the monster without injury. In the end it was felt that as the creature was popular with the public, it would be better not to kill either it or the myth. However, this did not stop hunters from flocking to Loch Ness in the hope of capturing the monster.
The letter from William Fraser, the chief constable of Inverness-shire, to the Under Secretary of State at the Scottish Office, raises concern about the arrival of a hunting expedition in Fort Augustus in 1938. It says they are "determined to catch the monster dead or alive". The document goes on to describe how the party claimed they were having a special harpoon gun made and would return with 20 "experienced men" to track the monster down. "That there is some strange creature in Loch Ness seems now beyond doubt, but that the police have any power to protect it is very doubtful," the letter concludes.
The government file reflects how ministers handled the issue of the existence of Nessie. Reports of a monster in Loch Ness date back to 565 AD, when St Columba was said to have encountered a strange water beast. But alleged sightings gathered pace in the 1930s, with a series of grainy photographs of the "monster" appearing in newspapers. In 1933, the Scottish Office was asked to confirm the existence of a monster or sea serpent in Loch Ness.
A parliamentary question was tabled in the House of Commons asking whether, in the interests of science, an investigation would be launched into the creature's existence, but the question was ridiculed by the press at the time. Ministers and civil servants were sceptical, but the documents show consideration was given to issues such as stationing observers round the loch to capture Nessie on camera and whether it would be possible to trap the monster without injury. In the end it was felt that as the creature was popular with the public, it would be better not to kill either it or the myth. However, this did not stop hunters from flocking to Loch Ness in the hope of capturing the monster.
The letter from William Fraser, the chief constable of Inverness-shire, to the Under Secretary of State at the Scottish Office, raises concern about the arrival of a hunting expedition in Fort Augustus in 1938. It says they are "determined to catch the monster dead or alive". The document goes on to describe how the party claimed they were having a special harpoon gun made and would return with 20 "experienced men" to track the monster down. "That there is some strange creature in Loch Ness seems now beyond doubt, but that the police have any power to protect it is very doubtful," the letter concludes.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Orphaned bear cubs hopefully find new mother aided by Vicks VapoRub
The future of two orphaned bear cubs depends on the Vicks VapoRub. Unable to find the mother of the tiny cubs that turned up this week in Plainfield Township, the state Game Commission on Thursday used the smelly ointment in an attempt to trick another mama bear into adopting them as her own.
''If this is successful, it will be the best possible outcome,'' said Kathy Uhler, director of the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, which cared two days for the male and female cubs. Game Commission officers on Thursday located a mother bear in the Poconos for a possible adoption. This mama already had two cubs, but could handle four cubs easily, Uhler said.
The biggest obstacle to the adoption is that a mother bear normally rejects unrelated cubs, primarily because they smell like someone else's. That's where the VapoRub comes in. When the Vicks is rubbed on a stranger's cub, the camphor, eucalyptus oil and menthol vapors disorient a mother bear's senses so thoroughly that she won't notice the cub isn't her own. ''It covers the scent of the natural mother,'' Uhler explained. ''This is something that was pioneered in Pennsylvania, and we think this could be a happy ending to this story.''
On Tuesday afternoon, Game Commission officers tranquilized the big bear and collected the orphans from Uhler. Then they VapoRubbed the cubs and slipped them in with the mother's own cubs while mama slept. ''They want her to wake up and not see that the cubs are being pushed in,'' Uhler said. ''If she wakes up and the cubs are there, she might forget how many were there. It has worked in the past.'' The Game Commission will know within a few days whether the trick worked.
''If this is successful, it will be the best possible outcome,'' said Kathy Uhler, director of the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, which cared two days for the male and female cubs. Game Commission officers on Thursday located a mother bear in the Poconos for a possible adoption. This mama already had two cubs, but could handle four cubs easily, Uhler said.
The biggest obstacle to the adoption is that a mother bear normally rejects unrelated cubs, primarily because they smell like someone else's. That's where the VapoRub comes in. When the Vicks is rubbed on a stranger's cub, the camphor, eucalyptus oil and menthol vapors disorient a mother bear's senses so thoroughly that she won't notice the cub isn't her own. ''It covers the scent of the natural mother,'' Uhler explained. ''This is something that was pioneered in Pennsylvania, and we think this could be a happy ending to this story.''
On Tuesday afternoon, Game Commission officers tranquilized the big bear and collected the orphans from Uhler. Then they VapoRubbed the cubs and slipped them in with the mother's own cubs while mama slept. ''They want her to wake up and not see that the cubs are being pushed in,'' Uhler said. ''If she wakes up and the cubs are there, she might forget how many were there. It has worked in the past.'' The Game Commission will know within a few days whether the trick worked.
Slum clearance, South African-style
Waving iron bars and pickaxes, the Red Ants, a rented mob of thugs in bright red overalls and crimson helmets, used the half-light of dawn for cover as they marched into the slum. Stamping out the first cooking fires of the day with heavy boots, they spread out in a long line. Then they attacked. Bleary immigrant women dropped plastic water containers and ran in panic towards their corrugated iron homes. “Grab the children,” they screamed. By sunrise their shacks on the outskirts of Johannesburg had been razed. They were forced to watch as their few possessions were burnt.
The Red Ants, described as state-sponsored mercenaries by their critics, have become a growing force in the past few months as South African cities have begun a campaign of “beautification” before the World Cup begins in June. This means clearing away unsightly immigrant squatter camps. This month, more than 100 Zimbabweans were beaten and evicted by Red Ants from a derelict building on the main road to Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, one of the football tournament’s main venues.
It followed a series of Red Ant evictions ordered by the provincial department of public transport along main roads within a mile of the stadium, which will host five matches. Hundreds more Zimbabweans were forcibly evicted from properties in central Johannesburg. Red Ants also flattened more than 100 shacks within a two-mile radius of the Mbombela stadium, near the Kruger national park. Most of those evicted were Zimbabwean.
Human rights groups are warning of a return to xenophobic violence that led to the deaths of scores of immigrants during township riots in 2008. According to Braam Hanekom, chairman of Passop, a refugee rights charity based in Cape Town, the Red Ants are doing the government’s dirty work. “They are essentially a militia that ruthlessly and forcefully displaces people from their shelters under government instructions,” he said. “They are notorious for their brutal and violent approach towards the poor.”
The Red Ants, described as state-sponsored mercenaries by their critics, have become a growing force in the past few months as South African cities have begun a campaign of “beautification” before the World Cup begins in June. This means clearing away unsightly immigrant squatter camps. This month, more than 100 Zimbabweans were beaten and evicted by Red Ants from a derelict building on the main road to Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, one of the football tournament’s main venues.
It followed a series of Red Ant evictions ordered by the provincial department of public transport along main roads within a mile of the stadium, which will host five matches. Hundreds more Zimbabweans were forcibly evicted from properties in central Johannesburg. Red Ants also flattened more than 100 shacks within a two-mile radius of the Mbombela stadium, near the Kruger national park. Most of those evicted were Zimbabwean.
Human rights groups are warning of a return to xenophobic violence that led to the deaths of scores of immigrants during township riots in 2008. According to Braam Hanekom, chairman of Passop, a refugee rights charity based in Cape Town, the Red Ants are doing the government’s dirty work. “They are essentially a militia that ruthlessly and forcefully displaces people from their shelters under government instructions,” he said. “They are notorious for their brutal and violent approach towards the poor.”
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