Click for bigger.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Police cover murder suspect's man boobs for the sake of public decency
You would think that the Los Angeles Police Department had seen it all before. But murder suspect Eduardo Ibarra Perez stands out from the rest on their 'Most Wanted List' - quite literally.
The 29-year-old's bare-chested mugshot was considered so offensive that the authorities decided to cover his saggy man boobs with a flesh-coloured bar.
The police department's website states Perez had a history of domestic violence and that, during an argument, he threatened to kill his wife.
The suspect then shot his victim in the head. Why they photographed him naked, however, remains a mystery.
The 29-year-old's bare-chested mugshot was considered so offensive that the authorities decided to cover his saggy man boobs with a flesh-coloured bar.
The police department's website states Perez had a history of domestic violence and that, during an argument, he threatened to kill his wife.
The suspect then shot his victim in the head. Why they photographed him naked, however, remains a mystery.
Off-duty trooper arrests Vaseline-carrying pantsless man
A man who police said was running through a neighborhood naked from the waist down was arrested early Saturday morning after a group of teens awakened an off-duty Indiana State Police trooper. Senior Trooper Todd Wallace said the teens came to his home at 12:20 a.m. to alert him to the man, who they said was running up and down a street.
"As Wallace approached and identified himself, the man took off running down the middle of the residential street," said ISP Sgt. John Bowling. "He was naked from the waist down and was carrying a towel and a jar of Vaseline."
The man was arrested shortly after Wallace began chasing him on foot. New Castle police arrived and arrested Kelly Malkemus, 44, of New Castle, on charges of public indecency and resisting law enforcement, both misdemeanors.
Police aren't sure why the man was wearing only a fleece vest. "There have been reports recently of a peeping tom in the neighbourhood," Wallace said, but police aren't sure if this incident is related.
"As Wallace approached and identified himself, the man took off running down the middle of the residential street," said ISP Sgt. John Bowling. "He was naked from the waist down and was carrying a towel and a jar of Vaseline."
The man was arrested shortly after Wallace began chasing him on foot. New Castle police arrived and arrested Kelly Malkemus, 44, of New Castle, on charges of public indecency and resisting law enforcement, both misdemeanors.
Police aren't sure why the man was wearing only a fleece vest. "There have been reports recently of a peeping tom in the neighbourhood," Wallace said, but police aren't sure if this incident is related.
Flavio Briatore's wife says yacht seizure made her breast milk dry up
The wife of Flavio Briatore, the flamboyant former head of the Renault Formula One team, has denounced Italian police for the way they seized his yacht in a dispute over allegedly unpaid tax. Elisabetta Gregoraci, a one-time Wonderbra model, said she had found the raid so shocking that she could no longer breastfeed their baby.
A judge ordered the chartered £17m Force Blue to be impounded on suspicion that Briatore, 60, the part-owner of Queens Park Rangers football club, was guilty of tax-dodging. The raid on the triple-decked, 203ft vessel — which has six suites, a spa, a gym, a swimming pool and a disco — came days after Briatore had appeared in an F1 paddock for the first time since he was banned from operating in motorsport until 2013 for his role in Nelson Piquet’s deliberate crash in the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
Gregoraci, 30, a former television showgirl, was on board with Falco, their two-month-old son, on May 20 when three patrol boats of the Guardia di Finanza, who deal with tax offences, circled the yacht off La Spezia, northwest Italy, with sirens blaring. More than a dozen officers came aboard and told her she had to leave.
“I burst into tears, what else could I do? I grabbed a couple of things for Falco and I left. I had to leave the cot, the baby-changing unit, the medicine, the special products for cleaning him,” Gregoraci said.
The yacht, whose chandeliers and napkins among other furnishings are stamped with the initials “FB” for Force Blue — they also match Flavio Briatore — had become the baby’s home while the family waited to move to a new apartment in Monte Carlo.
“It was a trauma for me and for the baby,” Gregoraci said last week. “I lost my milk. And my son had to get used to artificial milk in a big hurry. The paediatrician suggested a good one to me, but no artificial milk will ever be the same as a mummy’s. It’s not as if we were running away. The yacht was already on its way to port.”
A judge ordered the chartered £17m Force Blue to be impounded on suspicion that Briatore, 60, the part-owner of Queens Park Rangers football club, was guilty of tax-dodging. The raid on the triple-decked, 203ft vessel — which has six suites, a spa, a gym, a swimming pool and a disco — came days after Briatore had appeared in an F1 paddock for the first time since he was banned from operating in motorsport until 2013 for his role in Nelson Piquet’s deliberate crash in the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
Gregoraci, 30, a former television showgirl, was on board with Falco, their two-month-old son, on May 20 when three patrol boats of the Guardia di Finanza, who deal with tax offences, circled the yacht off La Spezia, northwest Italy, with sirens blaring. More than a dozen officers came aboard and told her she had to leave.
“I burst into tears, what else could I do? I grabbed a couple of things for Falco and I left. I had to leave the cot, the baby-changing unit, the medicine, the special products for cleaning him,” Gregoraci said.
The yacht, whose chandeliers and napkins among other furnishings are stamped with the initials “FB” for Force Blue — they also match Flavio Briatore — had become the baby’s home while the family waited to move to a new apartment in Monte Carlo.
“It was a trauma for me and for the baby,” Gregoraci said last week. “I lost my milk. And my son had to get used to artificial milk in a big hurry. The paediatrician suggested a good one to me, but no artificial milk will ever be the same as a mummy’s. It’s not as if we were running away. The yacht was already on its way to port.”
Foetus found in school turns out to be vegetable matter
An analysis has determined that a suspected 7-week-old foetus discovered in a stairwell at Southmoreland High School was some sort of "vegetable matter and not human remains," according to forensic pathologist Cyril Wecht of Pittsburgh. "I can't be further specific," said Wecht. He notified the Westmoreland County Coroner's office of his finding earlier this week.
State police at Greensburg and the coroner's office were summoned by district officials to the school in Alverton after a female custodian discovered the material in a stairwell near a girl's lavatory on the evening of May 19. She became concerned because she had earlier found blood in a toilet in a girls restroom. School officials contacted state police and the state Department of Health.
Superintendent John Halfhill said he learned of Wecht's findings on Thursday. "The coroner's office notified us that Dr. Cyril Wecht had investigated the material and found it was some kind of vegetable-based material," Halfhill said. "Unfortunately, a lot of conclusions were jumped to before confirmation was made."
Wecht said he couldn't be sure of the exact origin of the material because that would require too many unnecessary tests. "The important thing is that it is not human foetal tissue," Wecht said.
State police at Greensburg and the coroner's office were summoned by district officials to the school in Alverton after a female custodian discovered the material in a stairwell near a girl's lavatory on the evening of May 19. She became concerned because she had earlier found blood in a toilet in a girls restroom. School officials contacted state police and the state Department of Health.
Superintendent John Halfhill said he learned of Wecht's findings on Thursday. "The coroner's office notified us that Dr. Cyril Wecht had investigated the material and found it was some kind of vegetable-based material," Halfhill said. "Unfortunately, a lot of conclusions were jumped to before confirmation was made."
Wecht said he couldn't be sure of the exact origin of the material because that would require too many unnecessary tests. "The important thing is that it is not human foetal tissue," Wecht said.
Strip poker contest set to go global
Organisers of Germany's first national strip poker contest say it was such a success they now want to make it an international event.
The final of the event was staged in Hamburg after regional heats had taken place across the country including Berlin, Dresden and Cologne.
The contest included professional poker players and amateurs, although not all those that reach the final were prepared to use their option of trading in their underwear to gain more chips.
The Texas hold'em unlimited tournament was held in front of hundreds of spectators who said it was "a lot more interesting" than regular poker. In total, 54 players qualified for the final which was won by Marcel Langkebel with model Jasmin Sun coming in second.
The final of the event was staged in Hamburg after regional heats had taken place across the country including Berlin, Dresden and Cologne.
The contest included professional poker players and amateurs, although not all those that reach the final were prepared to use their option of trading in their underwear to gain more chips.
The Texas hold'em unlimited tournament was held in front of hundreds of spectators who said it was "a lot more interesting" than regular poker. In total, 54 players qualified for the final which was won by Marcel Langkebel with model Jasmin Sun coming in second.
Man proposes to girlfriend with tattoo on leg
Joe Wittenberg has been designing tattoos for nine years. So when it came time to ask the woman he loves to marry him, he put the machine to his own skin. "It seemed pretty apt for how me and Rachel are," he said.
It's one thing to get a tattoo designed by someone else, but could you imagine doing all the work on yourself? That's exactly what Joe did. "I made a stencil and put the stencil on my leg and then just followed it along," he explained.
"I was already down on one knee, so I pulled up my pants and she saw the tattoo," Joe said. As Rachel stared at the tattoo, she says everything went from shocking to fitting. And she gave an answer: Yes.
And while some might find a proposal through a tattoo somewhat risky, this bride-to-be-says Joe traced his ink just right. "He scored some points for putting my name on there for sure," said Rachel.
With news video.
It's one thing to get a tattoo designed by someone else, but could you imagine doing all the work on yourself? That's exactly what Joe did. "I made a stencil and put the stencil on my leg and then just followed it along," he explained.
"I was already down on one knee, so I pulled up my pants and she saw the tattoo," Joe said. As Rachel stared at the tattoo, she says everything went from shocking to fitting. And she gave an answer: Yes.
And while some might find a proposal through a tattoo somewhat risky, this bride-to-be-says Joe traced his ink just right. "He scored some points for putting my name on there for sure," said Rachel.
With news video.
Latvian blondes hold festival to beat recession blues
Hundreds of blonde Latvian women have been marching through the capital Riga to try to bolster the national spirit in time of recession. Most of the participants dressed in pink and wore high heels.
The blonde parade began last year and was planned as a one-off but it is back by popular demand and is now a two-day festival.
Latvia has been hit badly by recession. Its economy shrank by 18% in 2009 and it has Europe's highest unemployment. Marika Gederte, president of the Latvian Association of Blondes, said the idea came out of the economic gloom.
"I was so tired, you know, every day opening the computer and reading the newspapers and just reading about problems. We decided... let's do something nice. And I asked myself the question: what can I do for my country? And this is what I did... We are very proud to be blonde."
The blonde parade began last year and was planned as a one-off but it is back by popular demand and is now a two-day festival.
Latvia has been hit badly by recession. Its economy shrank by 18% in 2009 and it has Europe's highest unemployment. Marika Gederte, president of the Latvian Association of Blondes, said the idea came out of the economic gloom.
"I was so tired, you know, every day opening the computer and reading the newspapers and just reading about problems. We decided... let's do something nice. And I asked myself the question: what can I do for my country? And this is what I did... We are very proud to be blonde."
Border agency staff seize 26,000 euros in woman's bra
Port officials have confiscated 26,000 euros, which they found inside a woman's bra as she arrived at the Port of Holyhead on a ferry from Dublin. The Romanian woman claimed to UK Border Agency staff that the money was from the sale of a business in Ireland. The money was concealed in 500 euro notes.
"Where we suspect cash may be linked with criminal activity, we have the power to seize it," said the agency. Officers had been carrying out checks at the ferry terminal on Anglesey.
Helpful graphic from here.
The agency said the woman could not prove she had earned the money from the sale of a business or give any reason why she was carrying a large sum of money inside her bra. The cash - an equivalent of £22,600 - will only be returned if the woman can provide proof to a court that the money came from a legitimate source. Earlier this month, the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) announced the 500 euro note would no longer be available over the counter in the UK.
It followed evidence that more than 90% of UK demand for it was linked to criminality. The seizure was under the Proceeds of Crime Act, which allows the UK government to recover the proceeds of criminal activity without requiring a criminal conviction.
"Where we suspect cash may be linked with criminal activity, we have the power to seize it," said the agency. Officers had been carrying out checks at the ferry terminal on Anglesey.
Helpful graphic from here.
The agency said the woman could not prove she had earned the money from the sale of a business or give any reason why she was carrying a large sum of money inside her bra. The cash - an equivalent of £22,600 - will only be returned if the woman can provide proof to a court that the money came from a legitimate source. Earlier this month, the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) announced the 500 euro note would no longer be available over the counter in the UK.
It followed evidence that more than 90% of UK demand for it was linked to criminality. The seizure was under the Proceeds of Crime Act, which allows the UK government to recover the proceeds of criminal activity without requiring a criminal conviction.
Britain's Got Talent faces suicide warning over humiliation of performers
Mental health charities are calling for ITV and Simon Cowell to re-examine urgently how they select contestants for their talent shows, warning that a tragedy is "inevitable". It comes after a 60-year-old man with a history of severe mental health problems, who was placed in a secure psychiatric unit after being judged a suicide risk, said that he believes he was selected by the producers of Britain's Got Talent specifically because they expected he would be jeered and ridiculed. Alyn James, a retired dentist from Neath, South Wales, appeared on the talent show two weeks ago but was buzzed off before he could finish his song, to shouts and boos from the audience.
James told the producers of the show that on seven occasions he had been judged to be a serious risk of suicide, but they chose to put him through to the televised auditions in front of Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden. James was screened by a psychologist before the show, a measure introduced after one of the show's stars last year, Susan Boyle, suffered a breakdown after the final. He was not deemed to be a risk. A researcher questioned him on his medical history. "That was what he [the researcher] was most interested in," James said. "We spent an hour and a half on the phone and he made me list all the drugs I've been on. I'm not on any now but at one point I made Pete Doherty look tame."
He told the researcher how, in 1988, he was struck off the dental register without warning, a decision he is still trying to appeal against. He was then sectioned and placed in a secure psychiatric unit where he was considered a suicide risk as he has been on six later occasions. Despite this, he was selected to go through to televised auditions in Cardiff arena. James said: "I think they have the best and the worst on, and I was there to be the worst. I was like that old man who break-danced last year. I was invited on to be laughed at and ridiculed.
"I had no idea beforehand. Because I know I'm good. I know all musicians say that but I am. I know I can perform. But there I was looking like a complete and utter idiot." After performing at the auditions, James has again been in crisis care and judged to be a suicide risk. The head of the Mental Health Foundation, Andrew McCulloch, said James's evidence raised extremely serious questions and warned that subjecting vulnerable people to such abuse would "inevitably" lead to tragedy.
James told the producers of the show that on seven occasions he had been judged to be a serious risk of suicide, but they chose to put him through to the televised auditions in front of Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden. James was screened by a psychologist before the show, a measure introduced after one of the show's stars last year, Susan Boyle, suffered a breakdown after the final. He was not deemed to be a risk. A researcher questioned him on his medical history. "That was what he [the researcher] was most interested in," James said. "We spent an hour and a half on the phone and he made me list all the drugs I've been on. I'm not on any now but at one point I made Pete Doherty look tame."
He told the researcher how, in 1988, he was struck off the dental register without warning, a decision he is still trying to appeal against. He was then sectioned and placed in a secure psychiatric unit where he was considered a suicide risk as he has been on six later occasions. Despite this, he was selected to go through to televised auditions in Cardiff arena. James said: "I think they have the best and the worst on, and I was there to be the worst. I was like that old man who break-danced last year. I was invited on to be laughed at and ridiculed.
"I had no idea beforehand. Because I know I'm good. I know all musicians say that but I am. I know I can perform. But there I was looking like a complete and utter idiot." After performing at the auditions, James has again been in crisis care and judged to be a suicide risk. The head of the Mental Health Foundation, Andrew McCulloch, said James's evidence raised extremely serious questions and warned that subjecting vulnerable people to such abuse would "inevitably" lead to tragedy.
Change your cat's bell to save birds
The age-old technique of attaching a bell to a cat's collar to warn birds of its approach is losing its effectiveness because cats are learning to walk without ringing them. Wildlife experts have told cat owners they need to regularly change their cat's bell to stay one step ahead of their pet.
They are also calling for owners to give their cats garishly coloured collars and to install sonic devices in their gardens to scare their pets indoors. The advice is contained in a new guide produced by the British Trust for Ornithologists (BTO) which aims to reduce the impact of cats on garden birds.
Cats are believed to be responsible for the deaths of 55 million birds in Britain every year and have been blamed for contributing to the long term declines of garden birds like the house sparrow. Populations of other garden birds, such as the robin and dunnock, are also said to suffer from predation by cats.
Dr Tim Harrison, from the BTO, said cats were able to reduce the effectiveness of bells through careful movements. By keeping their heads still as they stalk, the sound of the bell is reduced. "It is fascinating that you have this animal that can try to compensate for this bell put round its neck. It also couldn't harm to try a colourful collar on the cat. Birds are predominantly visual foragers with keen eyesight so anything like that wouldn't do any harm."
They are also calling for owners to give their cats garishly coloured collars and to install sonic devices in their gardens to scare their pets indoors. The advice is contained in a new guide produced by the British Trust for Ornithologists (BTO) which aims to reduce the impact of cats on garden birds.
Cats are believed to be responsible for the deaths of 55 million birds in Britain every year and have been blamed for contributing to the long term declines of garden birds like the house sparrow. Populations of other garden birds, such as the robin and dunnock, are also said to suffer from predation by cats.
Dr Tim Harrison, from the BTO, said cats were able to reduce the effectiveness of bells through careful movements. By keeping their heads still as they stalk, the sound of the bell is reduced. "It is fascinating that you have this animal that can try to compensate for this bell put round its neck. It also couldn't harm to try a colourful collar on the cat. Birds are predominantly visual foragers with keen eyesight so anything like that wouldn't do any harm."
Midges ‘prefer big targets’
It may not rank among the world’s most illuminating discoveries but scientists have found that fat and tall people are more likely to be bitten by midges — because they present a bigger target. This less-than-sensational finding has come from a wide-ranging study into the feeding habits of the Highland midge. It follows similarly questionable scientific revelations, such as that men with body odour are less attractive to the opposite sex, and people with low self-control tend to be fatter.
The research, partly funded by the Scottish government, set out to identify those at greatest risk from the midges plaguing our countryside. Academics from Aberdeen University and Rothamsted Research in Hertfordshire asked 300 people in the Highlands how often they had been bitten, and information was also gathered about their health and lifestyle. All the women who were overweight or obese had been bitten. There was no such correlation between fat men and the frequency of bites.
Among men, height was the main factor. Of those who were taller than 6ft, 90% had been bitten, compared with just 70% of those under 5ft 8in. The study, published in the journal BioMed Central Public Health, concluded: “Midges are known to rest in trees after they have emerged from pupae and are found in greater numbers with increasing height. It is, therefore, possible that midges searching for a suitable host would be descending from above and would encounter taller people, within a group, first. Additionally, larger people would provide a more substantial visual target for host-seeking midges as well as greater amounts of heat, moisture and attractant chemicals such as carbon dioxide.”
While the findings may seem obvious to lay observers, the scientists behind the study believe it could help them develop an effective repellent for midges and mosquitoes. “This helps us understand how midges interact with us and gives us clues about how to find people who are naturally repellent,” said Dr James Logan, an honorary research fellow at Aberdeen University and lead author of the study. Contrary to popular belief, people who consume alcohol, garlic, chilli or onions are no less likely to be bitten. Smoking, exercise and diet were also ruled out as factors.
The research, partly funded by the Scottish government, set out to identify those at greatest risk from the midges plaguing our countryside. Academics from Aberdeen University and Rothamsted Research in Hertfordshire asked 300 people in the Highlands how often they had been bitten, and information was also gathered about their health and lifestyle. All the women who were overweight or obese had been bitten. There was no such correlation between fat men and the frequency of bites.
Among men, height was the main factor. Of those who were taller than 6ft, 90% had been bitten, compared with just 70% of those under 5ft 8in. The study, published in the journal BioMed Central Public Health, concluded: “Midges are known to rest in trees after they have emerged from pupae and are found in greater numbers with increasing height. It is, therefore, possible that midges searching for a suitable host would be descending from above and would encounter taller people, within a group, first. Additionally, larger people would provide a more substantial visual target for host-seeking midges as well as greater amounts of heat, moisture and attractant chemicals such as carbon dioxide.”
While the findings may seem obvious to lay observers, the scientists behind the study believe it could help them develop an effective repellent for midges and mosquitoes. “This helps us understand how midges interact with us and gives us clues about how to find people who are naturally repellent,” said Dr James Logan, an honorary research fellow at Aberdeen University and lead author of the study. Contrary to popular belief, people who consume alcohol, garlic, chilli or onions are no less likely to be bitten. Smoking, exercise and diet were also ruled out as factors.
Wasp nest in pub the size of a double mattress
When pest controller Sean Whelan was called to a break out of wasps at a Southampton pub it didn’t take long to find the source of the problem. In a corner of the watering hole’s loft he found the biggest wasp nest he had ever seen.
In fact the nest was so large it was the size of a double bed mattress and was home to up to half a million killer wasps. Built around a chimney stack the six foot by five foot nest was 15 times bigger than a typical one and is thought to be one of the biggest in the UK.
“The wasps were buzzing all over the place. There was enough to kill someone if they weren’t wearing the right clothing,” said Sean.
“It was without doubt the biggest nest I have ever seen. It was an amazing sight – I couldn’t believe my eyes.” Using a telescopic pole, Mr Whelan cracked open the top of the nest and squirted the megacolony with a powerful insecticide.
In fact the nest was so large it was the size of a double bed mattress and was home to up to half a million killer wasps. Built around a chimney stack the six foot by five foot nest was 15 times bigger than a typical one and is thought to be one of the biggest in the UK.
“The wasps were buzzing all over the place. There was enough to kill someone if they weren’t wearing the right clothing,” said Sean.
“It was without doubt the biggest nest I have ever seen. It was an amazing sight – I couldn’t believe my eyes.” Using a telescopic pole, Mr Whelan cracked open the top of the nest and squirted the megacolony with a powerful insecticide.
Crow only attacks blonde joggers
Women joggers are under attack from a vicious crow with a long memory and a grudge against blondes. Five runners in the space of ten days have fallen victim to the bird which has been diving down from the heavens to peck at their heads. But Colin Jerwood, who runs the cafe and clubroom at Eltham Park South where the crow lives, claims it only has an eye for blonde females, attacking just one brunette so far.
He said: “At first I thought it was just a one off. But then it started attacking another blonde girl who was just running along. The rest of the time it just sits there looking menacing.” So far the bird has only left one jogger with a minor scratch, but Mr Jerwood is concerned it could cause more harm.
He said: “It could really hurt you if it scratched your eyes.” Park staff been trying to lure the crow down from its tree by making bird noises but so far the tactic has failed. Mr Jerwood admitted: “It didn’t even bat an eyelid.”
Tim Webb from the RSPB charity said a recent American study shows crows have a long memory. He said: “If they’re disturbed or upset by any person they’ve encountered, the image will stay in their minds. “At some point in the past this crow may have had a bad experience with a blonde female.”
He said: “At first I thought it was just a one off. But then it started attacking another blonde girl who was just running along. The rest of the time it just sits there looking menacing.” So far the bird has only left one jogger with a minor scratch, but Mr Jerwood is concerned it could cause more harm.
He said: “It could really hurt you if it scratched your eyes.” Park staff been trying to lure the crow down from its tree by making bird noises but so far the tactic has failed. Mr Jerwood admitted: “It didn’t even bat an eyelid.”
Tim Webb from the RSPB charity said a recent American study shows crows have a long memory. He said: “If they’re disturbed or upset by any person they’ve encountered, the image will stay in their minds. “At some point in the past this crow may have had a bad experience with a blonde female.”
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Man was 'too good looking' to enter pub
A man in Australia who says he was kicked out of a pub for being too good looking has had his complaint upheld. Bouncer Gene Hocking has been given a formal warning by the NT Licensing Commission for using undue force on Colin Belle when refusing him entry to Shenannigans Irish Bar in Darwin's CBD last year. Mr Belle claimed he was being "unfairly victimised" for talking to too many women.
He said before the hearing that the bouncers were targeting him because he was black. "When I go in a bar I guarantee you I stand there - not moving - and 15 women come up to me," he said. "I'm a friendly person, of course I'm going to talk to them." Mr Hocking told the commission hearing that Mr Belle had a history of sexual misconduct against female patrons, and he had previously denied him entry to two other Mitchell St venues.
In the commission's decision, published on Wednesday, chairman Richard O'Sullivan said Mr Belle had returned to the pub to "debate his eviction" with Mr Hocking. The commission watched surveillance footage of the incident, and said the force used by Mr Hocking was inappropriate. "On two occasions Mr Belle was pushed to the ground," Mr O'Sullivan said in the decision. "The commission does not accept Mr Hocking's submission that Mr Belle's actions at the time constituted a threat to his safety or that physical force was necessary at all to remove Mr Belle from the premises."
Mr Hocking had his hands around Mr Belle's throat at one point. Mr O'Sullivan said the commission took into consideration Mr Hocking's good record and reputation into account, as well as Mr Belle's "argumentative and at times somewhat annoying nature".
He said before the hearing that the bouncers were targeting him because he was black. "When I go in a bar I guarantee you I stand there - not moving - and 15 women come up to me," he said. "I'm a friendly person, of course I'm going to talk to them." Mr Hocking told the commission hearing that Mr Belle had a history of sexual misconduct against female patrons, and he had previously denied him entry to two other Mitchell St venues.
In the commission's decision, published on Wednesday, chairman Richard O'Sullivan said Mr Belle had returned to the pub to "debate his eviction" with Mr Hocking. The commission watched surveillance footage of the incident, and said the force used by Mr Hocking was inappropriate. "On two occasions Mr Belle was pushed to the ground," Mr O'Sullivan said in the decision. "The commission does not accept Mr Hocking's submission that Mr Belle's actions at the time constituted a threat to his safety or that physical force was necessary at all to remove Mr Belle from the premises."
Mr Hocking had his hands around Mr Belle's throat at one point. Mr O'Sullivan said the commission took into consideration Mr Hocking's good record and reputation into account, as well as Mr Belle's "argumentative and at times somewhat annoying nature".
Toronto police warn of faeces squirting scam
A foul twist on a notorious scam from the chaotic streets of New Delhi in India has reached Toronto. In the past week, four people have been robbed after withdrawing money from downtown bank machines by a team of thieves who furtively squirt faeces on their clothing and then distract them by trying to clean up the mess. In the process, their cash disappears.
Police warned the public of the thefts Friday and released photos of four suspects. “It’s disturbing and there’s obviously security and health issues and we want to identify who they are and we want to let people know this is what's happening so they can safeguard themselves,” said Constable Tony Vella, who added this is the first he has heard of such a swindle.
Const. Vella said the four-member team watches people withdraw money from cash machines and then follows them to secluded areas, such as elevators, where they assume they will evade security cameras. Each scammer plays a different role: One person stealthily squirts the victim's clothing with faeces, another points out the offending spot, a third tries to remove it while the fourth surreptitiously grabs their cash. Const. Vella said the thieves make sure to soil their targets' clothes without them realizing.
"If it was overt, then their guard would be up and they would know there's an issue here. But if it's done secretively, the victim will think these four people are there to help them," he said. The suspects are described as Hispanic. Police said they “could be in possession of squeeze bottles or containers of faeces.”
Police warned the public of the thefts Friday and released photos of four suspects. “It’s disturbing and there’s obviously security and health issues and we want to identify who they are and we want to let people know this is what's happening so they can safeguard themselves,” said Constable Tony Vella, who added this is the first he has heard of such a swindle.
Const. Vella said the four-member team watches people withdraw money from cash machines and then follows them to secluded areas, such as elevators, where they assume they will evade security cameras. Each scammer plays a different role: One person stealthily squirts the victim's clothing with faeces, another points out the offending spot, a third tries to remove it while the fourth surreptitiously grabs their cash. Const. Vella said the thieves make sure to soil their targets' clothes without them realizing.
"If it was overt, then their guard would be up and they would know there's an issue here. But if it's done secretively, the victim will think these four people are there to help them," he said. The suspects are described as Hispanic. Police said they “could be in possession of squeeze bottles or containers of faeces.”
Puppy survives 30-mile drive trapped in car engine
A woman rushing to see her husband in the emergency room was forced to pull over when she heard an animal whining under the hood of her car.
Darlene Broome was following the ambulance for about 30 miles when she heard a strange noise coming from her car.
She pulled over and lifted the hood to see an 8 week old female lab pup stuck in the motor on top of the transmission. Broome started to flag down cars to help her.
Photo from here.
Mechanic Matt Baxley was on his way to work, saw Darlene waving and pulled over to help.
The puppy was so stuck, they had to use tools and take parts of the car apart to get her out. The puppy's belly was burned. They rushed her to the vet and now she is doing fine.
They never found the puppy's owner. One of Baxley's friends adopted her. Darlene Broome's husband is fine as well.
With news video.
Darlene Broome was following the ambulance for about 30 miles when she heard a strange noise coming from her car.
She pulled over and lifted the hood to see an 8 week old female lab pup stuck in the motor on top of the transmission. Broome started to flag down cars to help her.
Photo from here.
Mechanic Matt Baxley was on his way to work, saw Darlene waving and pulled over to help.
The puppy was so stuck, they had to use tools and take parts of the car apart to get her out. The puppy's belly was burned. They rushed her to the vet and now she is doing fine.
They never found the puppy's owner. One of Baxley's friends adopted her. Darlene Broome's husband is fine as well.
With news video.
Zoo in fear of potato poisoner after death of camel and elephant
A killer may be stalking the animal enclosures at Kiev zoo after a camel became the fourth victim of a suspected poisoning attack. The four-year-old white camel died a month after the zoo’s only Asian elephant suffered a similar fate. Two yaks fell ill earlier this month but vets managed to save them.
The zoo said in a statement that a middle-aged man had been seen loitering near the enclosure where the camel, named Maya, lived. Her keepers found boiled potatoes near by that somebody had apparently attempted to feed to her. The camel had refused food and drink for five days before she died. “There are strong reasons to believe it was a premeditated poisoning,” the statement read.
The zoo’s chief vet, Vitaliy Kobylinski, said that the yaks suffered similar symptoms after eating food thrown into their enclosure and survived only after receiving emergency resuscitation. The 39-year-old elephant, named Boy, died on April 26 in an incident that the zoo’s director, Svitlana Berzina, said bore all the hallmarks of a deliberate poisoning. Boiled eggs were found in the enclosure on the day he died, although they were not part of his diet. “The animal was in stable condition and nothing indicated any trouble,” she said.
Ms Berzina suggested that the attacks could be part of a plot by rivals to have her dismissed from her post as director so that they could take control of ticket sales and snack concessions at the establishment. The zoo, which opened in 1910, has a collection of about 2,000 animals but needed a subsidy of £860,000 from the city council last year to balance its books.
The zoo said in a statement that a middle-aged man had been seen loitering near the enclosure where the camel, named Maya, lived. Her keepers found boiled potatoes near by that somebody had apparently attempted to feed to her. The camel had refused food and drink for five days before she died. “There are strong reasons to believe it was a premeditated poisoning,” the statement read.
The zoo’s chief vet, Vitaliy Kobylinski, said that the yaks suffered similar symptoms after eating food thrown into their enclosure and survived only after receiving emergency resuscitation. The 39-year-old elephant, named Boy, died on April 26 in an incident that the zoo’s director, Svitlana Berzina, said bore all the hallmarks of a deliberate poisoning. Boiled eggs were found in the enclosure on the day he died, although they were not part of his diet. “The animal was in stable condition and nothing indicated any trouble,” she said.
Ms Berzina suggested that the attacks could be part of a plot by rivals to have her dismissed from her post as director so that they could take control of ticket sales and snack concessions at the establishment. The zoo, which opened in 1910, has a collection of about 2,000 animals but needed a subsidy of £860,000 from the city council last year to balance its books.
Cambodian 'jungle woman' flees back to wild
Cambodia's "jungle woman", who spent 18 years living in a dense forest, has fled back to the wild after struggling to adapt to society. Rochom P'ngieng, now 29-years-old, first disappeared into thick hilly jungle in 1989 when she was a little girl. She was "discovered" in early 2007 and reunited with her family.
However, attempts to reintegrate her have failed. She has not learnt either of the local languages, Khmer or Phnang, prefers to crawl rather than walk, refuses to wear clothes and has made several attempts to return to the forest where she grew up. Her father, Sal Lou, a policeman, said that she had been making progress recently, disappeared on Tuesday evening. "She took off her clothes and ran away from the house without saying a word to any of our family members," Mr Lou said.
"Even the day before she fled the house, she still helped the family pick vegetables. She must have gone back to the forest and we still cannot find her." The dramatic reappearance and attempted reintegration of the "jungle girl" has gripped Cambodia, where she is also known as the "half-animal girl" because of her hunched appearance and the fact she makes animal noises rather than speaking.
Mr Lou blames his daughter's second disappearance on "forest spirits". In a society shrouded in mystic beliefs, he has also enlisted a fortune teller to help with the search. He is saving up for an offering of one wild ox, one pig, one chicken and four jugs of wine, which, the mystic assures him, will secure his daughter's return.
Rochom P'ngieng three years ago.
A separate theory was offered by local rights group, Ad hoc, which believes that the woman struggled to readapt to society and suffers from stress. "She must have experienced traumatic events in the jungle that have affected her ability to speak," said Penn Bunna.
Rochom first disappeared in 1989 while herding water buffalo with her sister in the province of Ratanakkiri, 400 miles north-east of Phnom Penh. Her sister has never been found, but Rochom emerged from the jungle, filthy, naked, scared and "looking like a monkey" in February 2007.
However, attempts to reintegrate her have failed. She has not learnt either of the local languages, Khmer or Phnang, prefers to crawl rather than walk, refuses to wear clothes and has made several attempts to return to the forest where she grew up. Her father, Sal Lou, a policeman, said that she had been making progress recently, disappeared on Tuesday evening. "She took off her clothes and ran away from the house without saying a word to any of our family members," Mr Lou said.
"Even the day before she fled the house, she still helped the family pick vegetables. She must have gone back to the forest and we still cannot find her." The dramatic reappearance and attempted reintegration of the "jungle girl" has gripped Cambodia, where she is also known as the "half-animal girl" because of her hunched appearance and the fact she makes animal noises rather than speaking.
Mr Lou blames his daughter's second disappearance on "forest spirits". In a society shrouded in mystic beliefs, he has also enlisted a fortune teller to help with the search. He is saving up for an offering of one wild ox, one pig, one chicken and four jugs of wine, which, the mystic assures him, will secure his daughter's return.
Rochom P'ngieng three years ago.
A separate theory was offered by local rights group, Ad hoc, which believes that the woman struggled to readapt to society and suffers from stress. "She must have experienced traumatic events in the jungle that have affected her ability to speak," said Penn Bunna.
Rochom first disappeared in 1989 while herding water buffalo with her sister in the province of Ratanakkiri, 400 miles north-east of Phnom Penh. Her sister has never been found, but Rochom emerged from the jungle, filthy, naked, scared and "looking like a monkey" in February 2007.
US woman develops Russian accent after falling down stairs
Some people fall on their heads and wake up with their memories wiped out. A few revive with their personalities totally changed. Others die. Robin Jenks Vanderlip fell down a stairwell, smacked her head and woke up speaking with a Russian accent.
Vanderlip has never been to Russia. She doesn't remember ever hearing a Russian accent. She lives in Fairfax County, was born in Pennsylvania and went to college on the Eastern Shore. Yet since that fall in May 2007, the first question she gets from strangers is: "Where are you from?" "They say your life can change in an instant," she said in what sounds like a thick Russian accent. "Mine did."
For 42 years, Vanderlip, whose case is being studied at the National Institutes of Health and the University of Maryland, spoke with what NIH neurologist Allen Braun called a typical mid-Atlantic American accent. But since the fall, her clipped way with consonants - dropping the final "s" from some plural words, saying "dis" and "dat" for "this" and "that" or "wiz" instead of "with" - and her formation of vowels - "home" sounds more like "herm," "well" sounds like "wuhl" - identify her more like a transplant from Moscow. The more fatigued she becomes, the thicker her accent grows.
What she has, Braun and other doctors say, is Foreign Accent Syndrome - a legitimate though rare and little understood medical condition that can follow a serious brain injury. "It does sound strange," Braun said. "It certainly does sound like someone has a foreign accent." The syndrome was first described by a neurologist in the closing days of World War II, when a Norwegian woman injured by a shrapnel hit to the head fell into a coma and woke up speaking - most unfortunately for her - with a German accent. (Fellow Norwegians ostracized her as a result, according to the medical literature.) Since then, fewer than 60 cases have been reported worldwide.
Full story with news video here.
Vanderlip has never been to Russia. She doesn't remember ever hearing a Russian accent. She lives in Fairfax County, was born in Pennsylvania and went to college on the Eastern Shore. Yet since that fall in May 2007, the first question she gets from strangers is: "Where are you from?" "They say your life can change in an instant," she said in what sounds like a thick Russian accent. "Mine did."
For 42 years, Vanderlip, whose case is being studied at the National Institutes of Health and the University of Maryland, spoke with what NIH neurologist Allen Braun called a typical mid-Atlantic American accent. But since the fall, her clipped way with consonants - dropping the final "s" from some plural words, saying "dis" and "dat" for "this" and "that" or "wiz" instead of "with" - and her formation of vowels - "home" sounds more like "herm," "well" sounds like "wuhl" - identify her more like a transplant from Moscow. The more fatigued she becomes, the thicker her accent grows.
What she has, Braun and other doctors say, is Foreign Accent Syndrome - a legitimate though rare and little understood medical condition that can follow a serious brain injury. "It does sound strange," Braun said. "It certainly does sound like someone has a foreign accent." The syndrome was first described by a neurologist in the closing days of World War II, when a Norwegian woman injured by a shrapnel hit to the head fell into a coma and woke up speaking - most unfortunately for her - with a German accent. (Fellow Norwegians ostracized her as a result, according to the medical literature.) Since then, fewer than 60 cases have been reported worldwide.
Full story with news video here.
World's largest car dealership in Turkey will let buyers test drive on roof
Drivers with a head for heights will be given the chance to hit the roof when the world’s largest car dealership opens for business.
The futuristic building in Turkey will not only feature 200 showrooms but also an open-air circuit on the top floor, where customers can take their potential purchases for a spin.
Istanbul’s Autopia Europia rooftop track is not an unprecedented innovation – Fiat had the same idea for its Turin factory. The Turkish development will set its own records, however.
The building will cover 66,000sq m (709,000sq ft) and boast 48 service stations, 42 insurance companies and 24 banks.
The showrooms will contain 2,426 models from 400 brands – with 6million visitors expected each year.
The futuristic building in Turkey will not only feature 200 showrooms but also an open-air circuit on the top floor, where customers can take their potential purchases for a spin.
Istanbul’s Autopia Europia rooftop track is not an unprecedented innovation – Fiat had the same idea for its Turin factory. The Turkish development will set its own records, however.
The building will cover 66,000sq m (709,000sq ft) and boast 48 service stations, 42 insurance companies and 24 banks.
The showrooms will contain 2,426 models from 400 brands – with 6million visitors expected each year.
Mother kills herself while driving after daughter, 9, refused to shoot her
It was like the driver had hit the brakes for an animal darting across the road, Dustin Stober said. Except the road was the 75 mph passing lane of Interstate 10. And there was a little girl jumping out of the passenger seat of the black Nissan, waving her hands and screaming that her mother had been shot. Naval Petty Officer 2nd Class Stober knew something was wrong.
"I've never had this happen before," said Stober, 30, of Lancaster, Calif., who was driving to Dallas with his family. "I'd seen the wound before. I've lost officers. I lost a pilot. I've witnessed friends die." Corina Dominguez, 33, of Baldwin Park, Calif., had shot herself in the chest on Thursday morning - after a failed attempt to get her 9-year-old daughter to kill her, said New Mexico State Police Lt. Roman Jimenez. Sgt. Dominguez, a medic with the Army Reserve's 437th Ground Ambulance Company, was driving with her daughter and their two dogs when she began to breathe heavily - possibly from an asthma or emphysema attack - and handed her daughter a 9 mm handgun, Jimenez said.
"She told her to shoot her. And she wouldn't," said Jimenez. "The daughter said she has had these kinds of attacks before, but she'd never been suicidal." After firing the shot, the car rolled to a stop, just slightly in the paved left shoulder of the road, in a construction zone about 25 miles west of Las Cruces. Stober, a Naval contractor who trained in emergency response with the Auxiliary Security Force, immediately pulled in front of Dominguez's car in a blocking maneuver and told his wife to call 911.
Deborah Stober, 25, a daycare worker who had the couple's two sons, ages 9 and 7, in the back seat, rushed the little girl to her car. Inside the black Nissan, Dominguez, suffering from a massive chest wound, struggled to breathe. Her pulse and breathing became slow. "I knew what to do in this situation," Stober said. "And I couldn't do anything." Stober put the car - still in drive - in park and turned it off. He retrieved the handgun from the floor in front of the woman, unloaded it and placed it on the side of the road. He laid the seat back and covered her with a blanket one of the construction workers provided. "I hope the daughter's OK," he said.
"I've never had this happen before," said Stober, 30, of Lancaster, Calif., who was driving to Dallas with his family. "I'd seen the wound before. I've lost officers. I lost a pilot. I've witnessed friends die." Corina Dominguez, 33, of Baldwin Park, Calif., had shot herself in the chest on Thursday morning - after a failed attempt to get her 9-year-old daughter to kill her, said New Mexico State Police Lt. Roman Jimenez. Sgt. Dominguez, a medic with the Army Reserve's 437th Ground Ambulance Company, was driving with her daughter and their two dogs when she began to breathe heavily - possibly from an asthma or emphysema attack - and handed her daughter a 9 mm handgun, Jimenez said.
"She told her to shoot her. And she wouldn't," said Jimenez. "The daughter said she has had these kinds of attacks before, but she'd never been suicidal." After firing the shot, the car rolled to a stop, just slightly in the paved left shoulder of the road, in a construction zone about 25 miles west of Las Cruces. Stober, a Naval contractor who trained in emergency response with the Auxiliary Security Force, immediately pulled in front of Dominguez's car in a blocking maneuver and told his wife to call 911.
Deborah Stober, 25, a daycare worker who had the couple's two sons, ages 9 and 7, in the back seat, rushed the little girl to her car. Inside the black Nissan, Dominguez, suffering from a massive chest wound, struggled to breathe. Her pulse and breathing became slow. "I knew what to do in this situation," Stober said. "And I couldn't do anything." Stober put the car - still in drive - in park and turned it off. He retrieved the handgun from the floor in front of the woman, unloaded it and placed it on the side of the road. He laid the seat back and covered her with a blanket one of the construction workers provided. "I hope the daughter's OK," he said.
Man almost had penis amputated after 27 day erection
A man tried to escape from a hospital in the Dominican Republic where he had been hospitalized for priapism, a condition characterized by a prolonged and painful erection not associated with sexual desire after learning that doctors planned to amputate his penis because he may have gangrene.
Luis RodrÃguez Taveras, 45, had been admitted more than three weeks ago to a hospital of the north of the Dominican Republic because of this problem, which was caused by eating a lot of sexual stimulants. In statements given to local journalists later, Rodriguez declared that he had ingested drugs.
Photo from here.
“In the hospital they told me that they had to cut my penis because I was turning black, and I could not even urinate,” he told to the Dominican media. “That caused me terror. ”Me without a penis? “No” he said. Doctors who attended him found him in the outskirts of Santiago, 160 kilometers north of Santo Domingo.
RodrÃguez Taveras said he warned his wife not to sign the document authorizing the operation because “I could not live without my penis.” He argued that the erection began to subside gradually after treatment provided by an urologist at another hospital, who defined it as a good doctor and a “very human.” Finally, the situation returned to normal and can continue with his sex life, but probably will not attempt again to take as many stimulants.
Luis RodrÃguez Taveras, 45, had been admitted more than three weeks ago to a hospital of the north of the Dominican Republic because of this problem, which was caused by eating a lot of sexual stimulants. In statements given to local journalists later, Rodriguez declared that he had ingested drugs.
Photo from here.
“In the hospital they told me that they had to cut my penis because I was turning black, and I could not even urinate,” he told to the Dominican media. “That caused me terror. ”Me without a penis? “No” he said. Doctors who attended him found him in the outskirts of Santiago, 160 kilometers north of Santo Domingo.
RodrÃguez Taveras said he warned his wife not to sign the document authorizing the operation because “I could not live without my penis.” He argued that the erection began to subside gradually after treatment provided by an urologist at another hospital, who defined it as a good doctor and a “very human.” Finally, the situation returned to normal and can continue with his sex life, but probably will not attempt again to take as many stimulants.
Indonesian police stage checkpoints and raids against jeans and tight skirts
Islamic police in Indonesia's Aceh province have been issued with 20,000 long skirts and ordered to cover up women deemed to have broken Muslim dress codes.
The province on Sumatra island has banned Muslim women from wearing figure-hugging clothing such as tight trousers, under Islamic by-laws that have outraged less conservative parts of the mainly Muslim archipelago.
Photo from here.
Vice and virtue officers in West Aceh district have been told that from yesterday they should ask women wearing the wrong clothes to put on the government-issue skirts on the spot.
" I will hand over some 20,000 skirts to the sharia police in West Aceh," West Aceh district chief Ramli Mansur said. "Female offenders can then immediately change their tight pants to the long, loose skirts if the sharia police catch them."
The province on Sumatra island has banned Muslim women from wearing figure-hugging clothing such as tight trousers, under Islamic by-laws that have outraged less conservative parts of the mainly Muslim archipelago.
Photo from here.
Vice and virtue officers in West Aceh district have been told that from yesterday they should ask women wearing the wrong clothes to put on the government-issue skirts on the spot.
" I will hand over some 20,000 skirts to the sharia police in West Aceh," West Aceh district chief Ramli Mansur said. "Female offenders can then immediately change their tight pants to the long, loose skirts if the sharia police catch them."
Mother knees knife-wielding robber in groin
A brave mother has told how she felt the "cold blade of a knife" pressed to her throat moments before fighting off an armed robber during a terrifying bottle shop heist. Amanda Williams, 40, said she thought of her nine-year-old son Dartanyan as she grabbed her attacker's wrist, pushed the blade of the 25cm kitchen knife from her throat and kneed him twice in the groin. Yesterday, the courageous mum was back at work in the Ravenswood Hotel liquor store, 15km east of Mandurah, Australa, after the attempted robbery on Friday afternoon. Her alleged attacker appeared in court yesterday.
"I'm not a hero - I'm just a single mother who wasn't going to let that guy walk all over me," an emotional Ms Williams said. "I wasn't going to leave my boy without a mother. I felt the cold blade of the knife pressed against my neck and I just fought back. Preservation of life kicked in and I was running on instinct. I've seen the video footage since and I couldn't believe what I did. I'm gob smacked - it hasn't sunk in yet and I'm just reeling from it. I suppose it was a pretty dangerous thing to do, but that's the kind of person I am. I wasn't going to give him anything. I've been beaten up before by blokes and I got so angry and just let him have it."
Ms Williams said she thought it was a joke when the man first demanded money. "I was serving a customer and I felt an arm go round my shoulder and something cold on my throat and I thought it was one of the chefs from the kitchen pulling my leg," she said. "I reached around and pulled off his balaclava. I was laughing, but that's when I realised it was for real and I was in a very, very dangerous situation." After kneeing him in the groin, Ms Williams said she tackled the man to the ground and wrestled the knife from him as customers in the adjacent pub and bottle store came to her aid. She said she now felt only pity for her attacker. "I'm not angry any more - I just feel sorry for him," she said. "He was stupid. He got nothing out of it, he traumatised me, and now he's probably going to go to jail," she said.
Ravenswood Hotel licensee Sherry Connell said Ms Williams was "an absolute champion". "She's a tough cookie, not the sort of girl to sit back and take it," Ms Connell said. "What she did was powerful. You can't always lie down and play dead. She was demanding respect and he got what he deserved." Her alleged assailant appeared in East Perth Magistrates Court yesterday charged with attempted armed robbery. He was not required to enter a plea and will appear in the Perth District Court on Friday.
"I'm not a hero - I'm just a single mother who wasn't going to let that guy walk all over me," an emotional Ms Williams said. "I wasn't going to leave my boy without a mother. I felt the cold blade of the knife pressed against my neck and I just fought back. Preservation of life kicked in and I was running on instinct. I've seen the video footage since and I couldn't believe what I did. I'm gob smacked - it hasn't sunk in yet and I'm just reeling from it. I suppose it was a pretty dangerous thing to do, but that's the kind of person I am. I wasn't going to give him anything. I've been beaten up before by blokes and I got so angry and just let him have it."
Ms Williams said she thought it was a joke when the man first demanded money. "I was serving a customer and I felt an arm go round my shoulder and something cold on my throat and I thought it was one of the chefs from the kitchen pulling my leg," she said. "I reached around and pulled off his balaclava. I was laughing, but that's when I realised it was for real and I was in a very, very dangerous situation." After kneeing him in the groin, Ms Williams said she tackled the man to the ground and wrestled the knife from him as customers in the adjacent pub and bottle store came to her aid. She said she now felt only pity for her attacker. "I'm not angry any more - I just feel sorry for him," she said. "He was stupid. He got nothing out of it, he traumatised me, and now he's probably going to go to jail," she said.
Ravenswood Hotel licensee Sherry Connell said Ms Williams was "an absolute champion". "She's a tough cookie, not the sort of girl to sit back and take it," Ms Connell said. "What she did was powerful. You can't always lie down and play dead. She was demanding respect and he got what he deserved." Her alleged assailant appeared in East Perth Magistrates Court yesterday charged with attempted armed robbery. He was not required to enter a plea and will appear in the Perth District Court on Friday.
Sausage-addicted kookaburra too fat to fly
Too many tasty sausages almost killed this kookaburra. But health worries weren't the threat. She became so obese from barbecue handouts she could not fly when attacked by dogs in a Mosman park.
After weighing in at 540g, 40 per cent heavier than a typical adult bird, the kookaburra has been sent to bird boot camp to shed weight, prompting Taronga Zoo in Australia to warn that people are killing wildlife with kindness.
When she was rescued in Rawson Park and taken to Taronga a broken wing was thought to be why she couldn't fly. But when no fracture was found, the real reason emerged. "I've seen many kookaburras, but never before have I seen one so fat," wildlife hospital nurse Gemma Watkinson said. "It turned out that it was simply too obese to fly."
"I'm almost certain this porky kookaburra found a resident or two who've been treating her with sausages. In the wild she'd eat a whole small animal [and] get a balanced diet. Butchers' sausages are just too much of a good thing."
After weighing in at 540g, 40 per cent heavier than a typical adult bird, the kookaburra has been sent to bird boot camp to shed weight, prompting Taronga Zoo in Australia to warn that people are killing wildlife with kindness.
When she was rescued in Rawson Park and taken to Taronga a broken wing was thought to be why she couldn't fly. But when no fracture was found, the real reason emerged. "I've seen many kookaburras, but never before have I seen one so fat," wildlife hospital nurse Gemma Watkinson said. "It turned out that it was simply too obese to fly."
"I'm almost certain this porky kookaburra found a resident or two who've been treating her with sausages. In the wild she'd eat a whole small animal [and] get a balanced diet. Butchers' sausages are just too much of a good thing."
Vets saddened over dog's tumour
Hardened vets and dog wardens were close to tears when they treated a dog with the biggest tumour they had ever seen, a spokesman said. The dog was discovered in a woman's garden in St Helens, Merseyside, on Thursday. The animal was taken to a vet, who put it down.
The body has been given to the RSPCA who have appealed for information to help launch a prosecution against the owner. A council spokesman said: "Dog wardens and vets were close to tears after one of the most horrendous case of neglect they have ever seen. St Helens Council dog wardens were called out yesterday by a concerned member of the public who had taken a stray into her garden.
"It was suffering from one of the biggest tumours ever seen and was unable to sit or lie down due to the size of the tumour. The wardens took the dog to a local vet who put the dog to sleep to end its suffering. The vet said that due to the size of the tumour and condition of the dog it had taken many months to grow.
"From the look of the dog's claws it had not walked on a hard surface for at least two years. The RSPCA are looking at a prosecution if the owner can be traced. They have taken custody of the dog's body, which had no tag or micro-chip."
The body has been given to the RSPCA who have appealed for information to help launch a prosecution against the owner. A council spokesman said: "Dog wardens and vets were close to tears after one of the most horrendous case of neglect they have ever seen. St Helens Council dog wardens were called out yesterday by a concerned member of the public who had taken a stray into her garden.
"It was suffering from one of the biggest tumours ever seen and was unable to sit or lie down due to the size of the tumour. The wardens took the dog to a local vet who put the dog to sleep to end its suffering. The vet said that due to the size of the tumour and condition of the dog it had taken many months to grow.
"From the look of the dog's claws it had not walked on a hard surface for at least two years. The RSPCA are looking at a prosecution if the owner can be traced. They have taken custody of the dog's body, which had no tag or micro-chip."
'Ghost' at pub 'throws pint of beer off table'
A catalogue of unexplained activity at a Gloucester pub has prompted the Gloucester Active Paranormal Society to investigate. It's claimed that a series of unexplained happenings have occurred at The New Inn in the space of a week, including the sound of ghostly footsteps, rattling doors and even a pint of beer mysteriously lifting itself off a table and on to the floor.
The building in Northgate Street is a bar and hotel, and dates back to the 14th Century. It was originally built to house pilgrims visiting the shrine of King Edward II at nearby Gloucester Cathedral, and is described as having the finest example of a medieval gallery in Britain.
Lyn Cinderey from the Gloucester Active Paranormal Society (GAPS) was in the bar at the time of the 'moving pint' incident, taking part in a pub quiz. "The quiz night was absolutely amazing," she said.
"There were a few people in the bar, and four people saw this glass - a full pint - just lift up and fall on the floor. The glass didn't even break. The rest of us looked around and heard the thud. We just couldn't believe it. It was right there in the middle of the quiz.
"I've been investigating this [reputedly haunted] building for a long time and I've never known it so active. Activity has risen since 1 February when new managers, Mark and Samantha, arrived. Their daughter has been talking to a young girl - there is reputedly a young spirit girl there."
Lyn Cinderey is now planning to do an overnight investigation, with a team of people from GAPS. They will carry out temperature readings, use dictaphones to do EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) recordings, record anything that might be there with camcorders, and take pictures. "We'll hopefully get to the bottom of what exactly is going on," said Lyn.
With longer news video.
The building in Northgate Street is a bar and hotel, and dates back to the 14th Century. It was originally built to house pilgrims visiting the shrine of King Edward II at nearby Gloucester Cathedral, and is described as having the finest example of a medieval gallery in Britain.
Lyn Cinderey from the Gloucester Active Paranormal Society (GAPS) was in the bar at the time of the 'moving pint' incident, taking part in a pub quiz. "The quiz night was absolutely amazing," she said.
"There were a few people in the bar, and four people saw this glass - a full pint - just lift up and fall on the floor. The glass didn't even break. The rest of us looked around and heard the thud. We just couldn't believe it. It was right there in the middle of the quiz.
"I've been investigating this [reputedly haunted] building for a long time and I've never known it so active. Activity has risen since 1 February when new managers, Mark and Samantha, arrived. Their daughter has been talking to a young girl - there is reputedly a young spirit girl there."
Lyn Cinderey is now planning to do an overnight investigation, with a team of people from GAPS. They will carry out temperature readings, use dictaphones to do EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) recordings, record anything that might be there with camcorders, and take pictures. "We'll hopefully get to the bottom of what exactly is going on," said Lyn.
With longer news video.
Council bans Dwile Flonking under health and safety laws
The traditional East Anglian pub sport of “Dwile Flonking” has been banned by a council because it breached health and safety drinking laws. The sport’s inaugural world championships were due to be held on Saturday at the Dog Inn pub, in Ludham, Great Yarmouth. But its future is in doubt after Norfolk District Council outlawed the game because it contravened laws aimed at banning speed drinking.
Event organisers are locked in crisis talks to find a way for teams, who are visiting from all over the country, to participate. It was hoped it could have become a local tourist attraction. During the game, ''flonkers'' use a pole to launch a beer-soaked cloth at opponents, with the aim of giving them a hearty wet slap in the face. Rules state if their soggy missile misses its target twice in a row, the competitor must down a pot - or half - of ale as quickly as possible.
But after reading about the planned tournament online Tony Gent, the council’s licensing officer, told Mrs Clinch she would be breaking the law. ''I was completely taken aback. It seems the law is the law… but is does seem over the top,” said the pub’s landlord, Lorraine Clinch, 49. ''Everyone is a willing participant and we are not expecting hordes of people turning up to take part. It is just a bit of fun and we are only talking about drinking half a pint of real ale.”
New laws introduced in April banned drinking games, including time limit, all-you-can-drink offers, free alcohol prizes and binge drinking promotions. Breaches of the new code could lead to pubs losing their licences, fines of up to £20,000 for landlords and even six months in prison.
Event organisers are locked in crisis talks to find a way for teams, who are visiting from all over the country, to participate. It was hoped it could have become a local tourist attraction. During the game, ''flonkers'' use a pole to launch a beer-soaked cloth at opponents, with the aim of giving them a hearty wet slap in the face. Rules state if their soggy missile misses its target twice in a row, the competitor must down a pot - or half - of ale as quickly as possible.
But after reading about the planned tournament online Tony Gent, the council’s licensing officer, told Mrs Clinch she would be breaking the law. ''I was completely taken aback. It seems the law is the law… but is does seem over the top,” said the pub’s landlord, Lorraine Clinch, 49. ''Everyone is a willing participant and we are not expecting hordes of people turning up to take part. It is just a bit of fun and we are only talking about drinking half a pint of real ale.”
New laws introduced in April banned drinking games, including time limit, all-you-can-drink offers, free alcohol prizes and binge drinking promotions. Breaches of the new code could lead to pubs losing their licences, fines of up to £20,000 for landlords and even six months in prison.
Escaped parrot flies into the lions' den at Longleat
A lost pet parrot was finally captured seconds from the jaws of death – after thinking he was back in Africa and landing in a lion enclosure. Naughty Lalji, a nine-year-old African Grey parrot, had managed to open the door of his cage in his owner, Pie Chambers’ garden in Corsley and escaped. But as hope was fading Mrs Chambers got a phone call she will never forget. It was Ian Turner, deputy head warden of Longleat to tell her that lalji had been found – surrounded by seven lionesses.
Mrs Chambers said she could not believe her ears when Mr Turner called to tell her the news. She said: “I was on my way to Longleat to drop off a poster when I got the call to say what had happened. I had a feeling he would have gone over that way and thought I would never see him again. It certainly was a shock when I was told the lengths the staff had gone to get him out of the lions’ reach.” The intrepid bird had flown above the lion enclosure and spotted the seven female lions with their keepers, before landing on a fence to take a closer look.
As the lionesses eyed him beadily, Lalji swooped around the enclosure before sitting stubbornly on the fence as a huge rescue operation swung into action. Concerned keepers rounded the pride up into a pen before trying to coax Lalji down with a long stick. Resident parrot expert, Jon Ovens, from Longleat’s Animal Adventure was then called in to help. Attempts to woo the parrot down using a resident female parrot failed and it wasn’t until Mr Ovens fetched a large net that the hapless parrot was plucked to safety and returned to his worried owner.
Mr Turner said: “I don’t know what possessed the parrot to land among the lions – they say that parrots are blessed with intelligence; I think I‘d question that with this one. We realised that we had to catch the bird before the lions did. It took eight people, four cars and over an hour for us to catch the bird safely in a net.” Mrs Chambers added: “He is exhausted, obviously traumatised and very quiet but I am absolutely delighted that I have got him back. It’s the fifth time he has done this and the last time, fingers crossed.”
Mrs Chambers said she could not believe her ears when Mr Turner called to tell her the news. She said: “I was on my way to Longleat to drop off a poster when I got the call to say what had happened. I had a feeling he would have gone over that way and thought I would never see him again. It certainly was a shock when I was told the lengths the staff had gone to get him out of the lions’ reach.” The intrepid bird had flown above the lion enclosure and spotted the seven female lions with their keepers, before landing on a fence to take a closer look.
As the lionesses eyed him beadily, Lalji swooped around the enclosure before sitting stubbornly on the fence as a huge rescue operation swung into action. Concerned keepers rounded the pride up into a pen before trying to coax Lalji down with a long stick. Resident parrot expert, Jon Ovens, from Longleat’s Animal Adventure was then called in to help. Attempts to woo the parrot down using a resident female parrot failed and it wasn’t until Mr Ovens fetched a large net that the hapless parrot was plucked to safety and returned to his worried owner.
Mr Turner said: “I don’t know what possessed the parrot to land among the lions – they say that parrots are blessed with intelligence; I think I‘d question that with this one. We realised that we had to catch the bird before the lions did. It took eight people, four cars and over an hour for us to catch the bird safely in a net.” Mrs Chambers added: “He is exhausted, obviously traumatised and very quiet but I am absolutely delighted that I have got him back. It’s the fifth time he has done this and the last time, fingers crossed.”
Couple ordered to kill pet squirrel or face prosecution
A couple who took in a squirrel have been warned they face prosecution unless they allow him to be put down. Patricia Faulkner and Dave Armitage built a run in their Colchester back garden for the squirrel they have named Squeaky. Although he cannot climb trees, he is able to run about.
Squeaky has been with them for about seven years, but they are moving to a smaller home in Norfolk and had to call in the RSPCA as they will not have room for him. The animal charity told the pair they had broken the law by keeping a wild animal without a licence and said Squeaky would have to be put down. If they defy officials, they could face prosecution.
Ms Faulkner, 50, who works as a medic on film sets, said: “I can’t believe they would want to get rid of him. It’s like they are the Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals, except squirrels.
“He can’t climb, but he’s fat and healthy and he’s not like a pet. I’ve tried to keep him wild and he would take your finger off if you went near him. I wish I hadn’t got the RSPCA involved now, because there is just no good reason to put him down.”
RSPCA spokeswoman Katy Geary confirmed the couple had unwittingly broken the law by keeping a grey squirrel, as a licence was required under restrictions laid down by Natural England. She said it would also be illegal to release Squeaky, in the knowledge that he was not fit to survive in the wild.
That means the RSPCA’s only option, other than to put him down, is to find a sanctuary which does have a licence to keep squirrels. The restrictions are tougher than for many other species as moving grey squirrels into certain areas of the country could put native red squirrels under threat.
Squeaky has been with them for about seven years, but they are moving to a smaller home in Norfolk and had to call in the RSPCA as they will not have room for him. The animal charity told the pair they had broken the law by keeping a wild animal without a licence and said Squeaky would have to be put down. If they defy officials, they could face prosecution.
Ms Faulkner, 50, who works as a medic on film sets, said: “I can’t believe they would want to get rid of him. It’s like they are the Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals, except squirrels.
“He can’t climb, but he’s fat and healthy and he’s not like a pet. I’ve tried to keep him wild and he would take your finger off if you went near him. I wish I hadn’t got the RSPCA involved now, because there is just no good reason to put him down.”
RSPCA spokeswoman Katy Geary confirmed the couple had unwittingly broken the law by keeping a grey squirrel, as a licence was required under restrictions laid down by Natural England. She said it would also be illegal to release Squeaky, in the knowledge that he was not fit to survive in the wild.
That means the RSPCA’s only option, other than to put him down, is to find a sanctuary which does have a licence to keep squirrels. The restrictions are tougher than for many other species as moving grey squirrels into certain areas of the country could put native red squirrels under threat.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Elderly cat has interesting drinking technique
This is 17-year-old Babycat and apparently she's always done this.
Hungarian lady recollects incident
I think it's about people falling off a stool and one of them being crapped on the head by a Manilow, or something. But there are times when language has no barriers and here the story really isn't that important.
There's a clear as mud translation below mind, for those that care.
You know what has happened? Csaba is sitting on the chair and at a stool, chair overbalance. I said to him: Csaba not you be so stupid! Lülök go out on the bench, the same player, sit down, share ...
Today, as much as I could, to specifically address all the crap is dropped, Manilow appeared as a Mother, flies toward your head. Even a good scraper, not even a scratch can not be good.
There's a clear as mud translation below mind, for those that care.
You know what has happened? Csaba is sitting on the chair and at a stool, chair overbalance. I said to him: Csaba not you be so stupid! Lülök go out on the bench, the same player, sit down, share ...
Today, as much as I could, to specifically address all the crap is dropped, Manilow appeared as a Mother, flies toward your head. Even a good scraper, not even a scratch can not be good.
Pigeon held in India on suspicion of spying for Pakistan
A pigeon from Pakistan suspected to be on a "spying mission" was caught on Thursday near the Indo-Pak border, police said. The white pigeon carrying a Pakistani phone number and address on its body besides a rubber ring in its feet was found by border resident Harbans Lal Saini near his house and taken to a police station 40 kms from Amritsar.
SHO Police station Ramdas Jagjit Singh Chahal said that he has informed his superiors who have directed that nobody should be allowed to visit the pigeon and an update would be passed to the SSP office at least thrice in day.
Police suspect that the pigeon, which landed in Indian territory, may be on "special mission of spying" and might have been pushed by Pakistan intelligence agency ISI. The pigeon is being kept in an air conditioned room which is being guarded by policemen. A medical examination of the bird was carried out by the doctor from the state animal husbandry department.
Chahal said he has been asked by his seniors not to leave the police station or to proceed on leave until the fate of pigeon was decided. The number '303-6284620' was written in red on the pigeon's feathers along with a rubber stamp – Islamabad Wazirabad-Pakistan.
Chahal said they suspected that the pigeon must have landed on Indian soil from Pakistan with a message, which has not be traced so far. The SHO said that Pakistani pigeon are easily recognisable as they have a "different look".
"There are five to six families on Indo-Pak border village that have keen interest in keeping pigeons in their houses. They have told us about the difference between Indian and Pakistani birds," he said.
SHO Police station Ramdas Jagjit Singh Chahal said that he has informed his superiors who have directed that nobody should be allowed to visit the pigeon and an update would be passed to the SSP office at least thrice in day.
Police suspect that the pigeon, which landed in Indian territory, may be on "special mission of spying" and might have been pushed by Pakistan intelligence agency ISI. The pigeon is being kept in an air conditioned room which is being guarded by policemen. A medical examination of the bird was carried out by the doctor from the state animal husbandry department.
Chahal said he has been asked by his seniors not to leave the police station or to proceed on leave until the fate of pigeon was decided. The number '303-6284620' was written in red on the pigeon's feathers along with a rubber stamp – Islamabad Wazirabad-Pakistan.
Chahal said they suspected that the pigeon must have landed on Indian soil from Pakistan with a message, which has not be traced so far. The SHO said that Pakistani pigeon are easily recognisable as they have a "different look".
"There are five to six families on Indo-Pak border village that have keen interest in keeping pigeons in their houses. They have told us about the difference between Indian and Pakistani birds," he said.
School sex game leads to five teenage pregnancies
Five young female students from the town of Ostroda in Poland became pregnant after engaging in a sex game with male students. The students, who are between the ages of 14 and 15, became pregnant after playing a game called “the sun” or “a star.”
“Girls lay on the floor in a circle with their heads together and eyes closed and boys copulate with them, taking turns,” one of the students revealed. “The winner was the boy who managed to finish the intercourse last.”
Two of the five girls have already given birth, said Anna Czarnocka, the school’s headmaster.
Prosecutors are investigating, but they said the parents and teachers of the teenagers from the northern town of Ostrodo are not willing to cooperate. According to the report, sex education is lacking at the school, with no one to talk to the students about how such games can lead to pregnancy.
“Girls lay on the floor in a circle with their heads together and eyes closed and boys copulate with them, taking turns,” one of the students revealed. “The winner was the boy who managed to finish the intercourse last.”
Two of the five girls have already given birth, said Anna Czarnocka, the school’s headmaster.
Prosecutors are investigating, but they said the parents and teachers of the teenagers from the northern town of Ostrodo are not willing to cooperate. According to the report, sex education is lacking at the school, with no one to talk to the students about how such games can lead to pregnancy.
Man wearing diaper arrested after making 'dirty request'
A 41-year old Stratford man is facing charges after he was seen allegedly wandering around a parking lot wearing only a diaper and sucking a pacifier.
An officer reports finding Thomas Wellington parked in the lot sitting in his SUV and seeing baby pacifiers all over the vehicle. "When he questioned him about what happened he really didn't answer," said Capt. Kenneth Bakalar of the Stratford Police Department. "When he asked why he was wearing a diaper he said he had problems with his intestines."
A woman told police she was in the parking lot with her three young grandchildren when Wellington came over in a diaper, asked her for baby wipes and asked her to wipe him.
When shoppers in the area were asked about the incident where Wellington was spotted wearing 'baby attire', people were totally stunned. "It's totally weird, totally gross," said Mabel Mason of Stratford. "I mean how can you do that?"
"Sheesh!" "I don't know what to say, that's terrible," said Terry Mendoz also of Stratford. "He is an adult man in a diaper!"
Police say Wellington has been similar trouble before with a two prior arrests for breach of peace and public indecency. Wellington is due in court next month.
An officer reports finding Thomas Wellington parked in the lot sitting in his SUV and seeing baby pacifiers all over the vehicle. "When he questioned him about what happened he really didn't answer," said Capt. Kenneth Bakalar of the Stratford Police Department. "When he asked why he was wearing a diaper he said he had problems with his intestines."
A woman told police she was in the parking lot with her three young grandchildren when Wellington came over in a diaper, asked her for baby wipes and asked her to wipe him.
When shoppers in the area were asked about the incident where Wellington was spotted wearing 'baby attire', people were totally stunned. "It's totally weird, totally gross," said Mabel Mason of Stratford. "I mean how can you do that?"
"Sheesh!" "I don't know what to say, that's terrible," said Terry Mendoz also of Stratford. "He is an adult man in a diaper!"
Police say Wellington has been similar trouble before with a two prior arrests for breach of peace and public indecency. Wellington is due in court next month.
Chinese bus company has innovative way to slow down drivers
A bus company in China has launched a new 'drive safely' campaign - by hanging big bowls of water next to their drivers.
The Longxiang Public Bus Company in Changsha, Hunan province, says drivers must drive gently to avoid spilling any water.
Bus drivers are expected to ensure the bowls are still full when they finish their shift.
And the company warns drivers that CCTV footage will be studied to make sure they do not top up the bowls with water.
"Passengers often complain that sudden braking and bad driving makes them really uncomfortable on the buses," said a spokesman of the company.
"Hanging bowls of water in the driver's cab will discourage them from making any jolting starts, sudden braking or bad turns."
The Longxiang Public Bus Company in Changsha, Hunan province, says drivers must drive gently to avoid spilling any water.
Bus drivers are expected to ensure the bowls are still full when they finish their shift.
And the company warns drivers that CCTV footage will be studied to make sure they do not top up the bowls with water.
"Passengers often complain that sudden braking and bad driving makes them really uncomfortable on the buses," said a spokesman of the company.
"Hanging bowls of water in the driver's cab will discourage them from making any jolting starts, sudden braking or bad turns."
Thief knew not to mess with nun
It is a line - well, actually a command - that the petite nun has used on many a student in nearly 50 years in Catholic schools: "You need to give me what you have."
Usually, that yields some contraband gum or rubber bands for Sister Lynn Rettinger, the 5-foot-3 principal of Sacred Heart Elementary School in Shadyside. This time, it yielded a wallet a stranger stole from a parked car.
"I said to him, 'You need to give me what you have.' That's what I say to children if I know they have something they shouldn't. I say, 'You need to give me what's in your pocket.' He gave it to me, and then he apologized," she said.
She said the man said, 'I'm sorry," and then just walked away. "He didn't even run," she said.
Usually, that yields some contraband gum or rubber bands for Sister Lynn Rettinger, the 5-foot-3 principal of Sacred Heart Elementary School in Shadyside. This time, it yielded a wallet a stranger stole from a parked car.
"I said to him, 'You need to give me what you have.' That's what I say to children if I know they have something they shouldn't. I say, 'You need to give me what's in your pocket.' He gave it to me, and then he apologized," she said.
She said the man said, 'I'm sorry," and then just walked away. "He didn't even run," she said.
Baby-and-python snap raises alarm
A Queensland zoo worker has stunned her family after posing her 12-week-old girl with a Burmese python for a photo opportunity. Jenny Cooper said her daughter Lily was well supervised and appeared completely at ease while with the reptile at Australia Zoo.
"They do regular snake photos there — the snakes are really gentle," she said. "I wasn't trying to get her eaten or anything!"
But snake expert Ian Jenkins, who has been handling snakes for 47 years, said the image made him feel uncomfortable. "A child of that size would be food," he said.
The baby’s grandfather John Baran said he was initially stunned to see the image of Lily with the python. "I could see this cute little baby … then someone said, 'that's a bloody snake, is this for real?''' he said. But he said he now loves the image and even uses it as his computer screensaver.
"They do regular snake photos there — the snakes are really gentle," she said. "I wasn't trying to get her eaten or anything!"
But snake expert Ian Jenkins, who has been handling snakes for 47 years, said the image made him feel uncomfortable. "A child of that size would be food," he said.
The baby’s grandfather John Baran said he was initially stunned to see the image of Lily with the python. "I could see this cute little baby … then someone said, 'that's a bloody snake, is this for real?''' he said. But he said he now loves the image and even uses it as his computer screensaver.
Teacher handed out porn DVD to 8-year-old girl
A Florida mother said she was shocked when her 8-year-old daughter was mistakenly given a pornographic DVD by a teacher instead of a DVD full of school photos.
Dana Hill said her daughter, a student at Rock Crusher Elementary School in Homosassa, brought the DVD home after the discs of pictures from the school year were distributed to the class and sat down with her 12-year-old brother to view its contents.
However, Hill said the children quickly noticed something was wrong when a pornographic film started playing. Police say the video was an adult porn commercial.
The teacher claims she was making copies of the school picture DVD from her home when one of her husband's porn DVDs got put in the wrong place. Police say they can't prove criminal intent, so no charges will be filed.
With news video.
Dana Hill said her daughter, a student at Rock Crusher Elementary School in Homosassa, brought the DVD home after the discs of pictures from the school year were distributed to the class and sat down with her 12-year-old brother to view its contents.
However, Hill said the children quickly noticed something was wrong when a pornographic film started playing. Police say the video was an adult porn commercial.
The teacher claims she was making copies of the school picture DVD from her home when one of her husband's porn DVDs got put in the wrong place. Police say they can't prove criminal intent, so no charges will be filed.
With news video.
Man dies of uterine cancer linked to kidney transplant
Vincent Liew waited five years for the kidney that was supposed to change his life. Instead, the organ ended it. The kidney came from a woman who had uterine cancer, but she and doctors didn't know it. Once her disease was discovered after the transplant, Mr Liew's doctors highly doubted it could spread to him. But in seven months, Mr Liew was killed by cancer that his autopsy linked to the transplant. His death, the subject of a medical malpractice trial in which closing arguments were scheduled for today, is believed to be the only reported instance of uterine cancer apparently being transmitted by transplant, medical experts say.
The case has reignited questions about the sometimes hidden risks carried by transplanted organs, risks that transplant experts say they have worked to minimise but can't eliminate - but are worth taking for many patients. Mr Liew, a 37-year-old from Singapore who worked in the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, didn't know the chance he was taking with the February 25, 2002, transplant that held the promise of freeing the diabetic from three-times-a-week dialysis. "He was very excited, very happy," his widow, Kimberly Liew, testified last week. But, she said, he ended up with "a bomb in his body."
Donor Sandy Cabrera had died of a stroke about a day earlier. The 50-year-old had seemed healthy until she collapsed while checking e-mail at her Newburgh, New York, home, and she and her loved ones had no clue about her cancer, said her boyfriend, Michael Daniels. "I feel real bad for the guy who got the kidney, but I'm telling you, no one knew she had cancer," Mr Daniels said. The doctors who treated her at St Luke's Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh didn't know either, until an autopsy found the uterine cancer days after her death, according to testimony.
His autopsy attributed his death to cancer that derived from the transplant and had genetically female cells, though it didn't specify the form of cancer. Dr Robert Gelfand, a NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Centre cancer specialist who reviewed the records for Mr Liew's widow, concluded Mr Liew died of uterine cancer. Kimberly Liew is suing the transplant hospital, NYU Langone Medical Centre, saying doctors there should have removed the kidney as soon as they learned of the donor's cancer.
The case has reignited questions about the sometimes hidden risks carried by transplanted organs, risks that transplant experts say they have worked to minimise but can't eliminate - but are worth taking for many patients. Mr Liew, a 37-year-old from Singapore who worked in the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, didn't know the chance he was taking with the February 25, 2002, transplant that held the promise of freeing the diabetic from three-times-a-week dialysis. "He was very excited, very happy," his widow, Kimberly Liew, testified last week. But, she said, he ended up with "a bomb in his body."
Donor Sandy Cabrera had died of a stroke about a day earlier. The 50-year-old had seemed healthy until she collapsed while checking e-mail at her Newburgh, New York, home, and she and her loved ones had no clue about her cancer, said her boyfriend, Michael Daniels. "I feel real bad for the guy who got the kidney, but I'm telling you, no one knew she had cancer," Mr Daniels said. The doctors who treated her at St Luke's Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh didn't know either, until an autopsy found the uterine cancer days after her death, according to testimony.
His autopsy attributed his death to cancer that derived from the transplant and had genetically female cells, though it didn't specify the form of cancer. Dr Robert Gelfand, a NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Centre cancer specialist who reviewed the records for Mr Liew's widow, concluded Mr Liew died of uterine cancer. Kimberly Liew is suing the transplant hospital, NYU Langone Medical Centre, saying doctors there should have removed the kidney as soon as they learned of the donor's cancer.
Failure to brush your teeth twice a day increases risk of heart disease
People who have poor oral hygiene have an increased risk of heart disease compared to those who brush their teeth twice a day. That's according to research published in the British Medical Journal. There has been increased interest in links between heart problems and gum disease over the past 20 years.
While it has been established that inflammation in the body (including mouth and gums) plays an important role in the build up of clogged arteries, this is the first study to investigate whether the number of times individuals brush their teeth has any bearing on the risk of developing heart disease, says the research. The authors, led by Professor Richard Watt from University College London, analysed data from more than 11,000 adults who took part in the Scottish Healthy Survey. The research team analysed data about lifestyle behaviours such as smoking, physical activity and oral health routines.
Individuals were asked how often they visited the dentist (at least once every six months, every one to two years, or rarely/never) and how often they brushed their teeth (twice a day, once a day or less than once a day). On a separate visit, nurses collected information on medical history and family history of heart disease, blood pressure and blood samples from consenting adults. The samples enabled the researchers to determine levels of inflammation that were present in the body.
The results demonstrate that oral health behaviours were generally good with six out of ten (62%) of participants saying they visit the dentist every six months and seven out ten (71%) reporting that they brush their teeth twice a day. Once the data were adjusted for established cardio risk factors such as social class, obesity, smoking and family history of heart disease, the researchers found that participants who reported less frequent toothbrushing had a 70% extra risk of heart disease compared to individuals who brushed their teeth twice a day, although the overall risk remained quite low. Professor Watt says:'Our results confirmed and further strengthened the suggested association between oral hygiene and the risk of cardiovascular disease - furthermore inflammatory markers were significantly associated with a very simple measure of poor oral health behaviour.'
While it has been established that inflammation in the body (including mouth and gums) plays an important role in the build up of clogged arteries, this is the first study to investigate whether the number of times individuals brush their teeth has any bearing on the risk of developing heart disease, says the research. The authors, led by Professor Richard Watt from University College London, analysed data from more than 11,000 adults who took part in the Scottish Healthy Survey. The research team analysed data about lifestyle behaviours such as smoking, physical activity and oral health routines.
Individuals were asked how often they visited the dentist (at least once every six months, every one to two years, or rarely/never) and how often they brushed their teeth (twice a day, once a day or less than once a day). On a separate visit, nurses collected information on medical history and family history of heart disease, blood pressure and blood samples from consenting adults. The samples enabled the researchers to determine levels of inflammation that were present in the body.
The results demonstrate that oral health behaviours were generally good with six out of ten (62%) of participants saying they visit the dentist every six months and seven out ten (71%) reporting that they brush their teeth twice a day. Once the data were adjusted for established cardio risk factors such as social class, obesity, smoking and family history of heart disease, the researchers found that participants who reported less frequent toothbrushing had a 70% extra risk of heart disease compared to individuals who brushed their teeth twice a day, although the overall risk remained quite low. Professor Watt says:'Our results confirmed and further strengthened the suggested association between oral hygiene and the risk of cardiovascular disease - furthermore inflammatory markers were significantly associated with a very simple measure of poor oral health behaviour.'
Man crosses English Channel in chair carried by helium balloons
The flight began with a cluster of colourful balloons tied to a wicker chair and it ended in a cabbage patch.
But this was no fairy tale it was a new world record for the first successful cluster balloon flight over the English Channel.
Snipping off one eight-foot helium filled balloon at a time, Jonathan R. Trappe, descended into a field in Dunkirk, northern France, yesterday morning.
The American adventurer used 55 “chloroprene cloudbuster” balloons and an extensive array of ropes to make the crossing. He set off from Kent Gliding Club near Ashford just after 5am and made land over Dunkirk shortly after 8am.
After landing the 36-year-old said it had been a “tremendous” experience. “Isn’t it everyone’s dream?” he said. “Grabbing on to toy balloons and flying off into open space?”
The aviator was able to “have a chat” with a walker on the White Cliffs of Dover during the flight and narrowly avoided crashing into power lines just before landing.
There are photos of the landing here.
But this was no fairy tale it was a new world record for the first successful cluster balloon flight over the English Channel.
Snipping off one eight-foot helium filled balloon at a time, Jonathan R. Trappe, descended into a field in Dunkirk, northern France, yesterday morning.
The American adventurer used 55 “chloroprene cloudbuster” balloons and an extensive array of ropes to make the crossing. He set off from Kent Gliding Club near Ashford just after 5am and made land over Dunkirk shortly after 8am.
After landing the 36-year-old said it had been a “tremendous” experience. “Isn’t it everyone’s dream?” he said. “Grabbing on to toy balloons and flying off into open space?”
The aviator was able to “have a chat” with a walker on the White Cliffs of Dover during the flight and narrowly avoided crashing into power lines just before landing.
There are photos of the landing here.
Crossword clue help internet search sparks porn deluge
A great-grandfather was left shaken after he was bombarded with porn when he looked for help with a crossword clue on the internet.
Retired engineer Jack Sedgewick, 89, typed “Wild Asian ass” into a search engine and was given links to dozens of images of naked women.
Jack, from Basingstoke, Hants, clicked through a number of sites trying to find the answer but was stunned at the results. He said: “I have been left shaken by the whole experience. I did not even know this sort of stuff existed.”
Jack, who was at home with wife Hilda, 86, finally found the answer, “onager”, by changing his search to “donkey sanctuaries”.
Retired engineer Jack Sedgewick, 89, typed “Wild Asian ass” into a search engine and was given links to dozens of images of naked women.
Jack, from Basingstoke, Hants, clicked through a number of sites trying to find the answer but was stunned at the results. He said: “I have been left shaken by the whole experience. I did not even know this sort of stuff existed.”
Jack, who was at home with wife Hilda, 86, finally found the answer, “onager”, by changing his search to “donkey sanctuaries”.
Golf ball lost in England found in Holland
A golfer playing a round in Holland found a lost ball belonging to his friend back in Britain – who had never used the Dutch course. Stunned Basil Williams, 74, was on holiday in Utrecht when he drove his ball into the rough and went in to try and find it with his son.
But instead he found another ball inscribed with the words ”Not lost. Hiding from Bob Scarfe. Happy 80th”. Basil immediately recognised the name of his playing partner at home and assumed he’d lost it on the same course.
But when Basil got back to Britain and returned the ball to its owner he discovered Bob, 82, had never even been to Holland. The balls were given to him as a birthday present two years before and had all been lost on his local course in Thurlestone, Devon.
The two friends believe someone found one of the balls at their club and later used it in Holland – where it was found by Basil. Basil, of Dartmouth Devon, said: ”I was on holiday in Holland when I hit a stray shot straight into the deep rough.
I chopped about but couldn’t find it but then I came across another ball which had a message written on it with Bob’s name. Obviously I assumed he’d played the same course which I thought was coincident enough.
”But when I brought them back to Devon he said he’d he’d never been there. He said he’d lost all the balls at our club ages ago. Someone must have found it at some point and put it in their bag and then used it in Holland. The chances of me finding it must be a million to one.”
But instead he found another ball inscribed with the words ”Not lost. Hiding from Bob Scarfe. Happy 80th”. Basil immediately recognised the name of his playing partner at home and assumed he’d lost it on the same course.
But when Basil got back to Britain and returned the ball to its owner he discovered Bob, 82, had never even been to Holland. The balls were given to him as a birthday present two years before and had all been lost on his local course in Thurlestone, Devon.
The two friends believe someone found one of the balls at their club and later used it in Holland – where it was found by Basil. Basil, of Dartmouth Devon, said: ”I was on holiday in Holland when I hit a stray shot straight into the deep rough.
I chopped about but couldn’t find it but then I came across another ball which had a message written on it with Bob’s name. Obviously I assumed he’d played the same course which I thought was coincident enough.
”But when I brought them back to Devon he said he’d he’d never been there. He said he’d lost all the balls at our club ages ago. Someone must have found it at some point and put it in their bag and then used it in Holland. The chances of me finding it must be a million to one.”
Biting puppy helps save baby's life
A puppy helped save a baby suffering from meningitis when it bit her toe and she failed to respond. Amber-Rose Byland's family noticed their 13-month-old girl was not her normal self but it was not until the dog nipped her toe that they realised something was seriously wrong.
When she failed to react, her family rushed her to hospital and within hours, she had developed a lump the size of a golf ball on her head and was unresponsive. As a group of doctors rushed to treat her, they told the family, who live in Broughton, their quick response had saved Amber-Rose's life.
Her grandmother, Angela Priest, who lives with Amber-Rose's parents Kristie and Ricky, said: "When the dog bit Amber's toe, she didn't move or cry and I just thought, that's not right. We shouted her name but she didn't react. She wasn't sleepy, she just wasn't as responsive as normal.
"Doctors said another 12 hours and she would have been lucky to have survived. The nurses praised us for acting so quickly on our instincts." Tests revealed that Amber-Rose had the worst strain of bacterial meningitis.
When she failed to react, her family rushed her to hospital and within hours, she had developed a lump the size of a golf ball on her head and was unresponsive. As a group of doctors rushed to treat her, they told the family, who live in Broughton, their quick response had saved Amber-Rose's life.
Her grandmother, Angela Priest, who lives with Amber-Rose's parents Kristie and Ricky, said: "When the dog bit Amber's toe, she didn't move or cry and I just thought, that's not right. We shouted her name but she didn't react. She wasn't sleepy, she just wasn't as responsive as normal.
"Doctors said another 12 hours and she would have been lucky to have survived. The nurses praised us for acting so quickly on our instincts." Tests revealed that Amber-Rose had the worst strain of bacterial meningitis.
Britain’s grumpiest pub landlord crowned
A pub owner who has upset dozens of customers with his bad moods has been dubbed Britain’s grumpiest landlord. John Wilkins, 63, took over the Ewe and Lamb pub in Kington, Herefordshire, when he retired two years ago.
But regulars in the tiny village were stunned at John’s short temper and constant moaning when they bought their pints. The miserable landlord refused to serve punters who criticised his ales and told others who asked for help finding things to ”get it yourself”.
Photo from here.
Retired engineer John, who has never married, said: ”I have to work all day without any help so it’s no surprise that I get a bit grouchy. I definitely don’t show the best of myself first thing in the morning then I become more tired throughout the day.
”Customers have asked me about the drinks and sometime I’ve told there shove off, to just shut up and drink. I don’t mind being the grumpiest landlord in Britain. People come to the pub to see me and try and wind me up.”
But regulars in the tiny village were stunned at John’s short temper and constant moaning when they bought their pints. The miserable landlord refused to serve punters who criticised his ales and told others who asked for help finding things to ”get it yourself”.
Photo from here.
Retired engineer John, who has never married, said: ”I have to work all day without any help so it’s no surprise that I get a bit grouchy. I definitely don’t show the best of myself first thing in the morning then I become more tired throughout the day.
”Customers have asked me about the drinks and sometime I’ve told there shove off, to just shut up and drink. I don’t mind being the grumpiest landlord in Britain. People come to the pub to see me and try and wind me up.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)