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Sunday, August 23, 2009
Turtle gets new legs
There was a point a few days after Lucky the turtle had his front legs chewed to bloody stumps when his owner was ready to let him “go home.”
Beyond the violent assault, he'd lost a lot of blood and was now bandaged and shot up with pain medications and antibiotics.
Sally Pyne, 60, thought maybe her Lucky had endured enough.
But after finding a resourceful veterinarian with lots of reptile experience, and inspired by the feisty turtle's own vigor, Pyne, an in-home care provider, decided the pet deserved a second chance, even if it meant a $900 bill.
Lucky is now back home and living it up, thanks to four plastic discs of the sort usually applied to chair and table legs affixed to his breast plate with double-sided tape.
The sliders, stacked two high, raise his shell to its proper level and allow him to scoot wherever he wants, powered by his back legs.
With video.
Beyond the violent assault, he'd lost a lot of blood and was now bandaged and shot up with pain medications and antibiotics.
Sally Pyne, 60, thought maybe her Lucky had endured enough.
But after finding a resourceful veterinarian with lots of reptile experience, and inspired by the feisty turtle's own vigor, Pyne, an in-home care provider, decided the pet deserved a second chance, even if it meant a $900 bill.
Lucky is now back home and living it up, thanks to four plastic discs of the sort usually applied to chair and table legs affixed to his breast plate with double-sided tape.
The sliders, stacked two high, raise his shell to its proper level and allow him to scoot wherever he wants, powered by his back legs.
With video.
Fury as Denmark proposes cull of mongrel dogs
A proposal in Denmark to cull all mongrel dogs has provoked a furious response from owners, animal welfare groups and MPs.
Denmark is considering a new law that would ban aggressive breeds, such as pit bulls and mastiffs, but an MP has gone one step further and suggested that all cross-breeds should be killed. An estimated 40,000 mongrels are born in Denmark each year and a general cull would sentence to death hundreds of thousands of animals.
But Flemming Moller, from the governing Liberal Party, is steadfast in his calls for a mass slaughter. "We will surely see lots of press photos of sweet little puppies being put down but we must be determined," he said.
His proposal has caused an outcry and other MPs have distanced themselves from it.
It seems almost certain that the government will ban pure-bred dogs that it considers dangerous, amid alarm over a spate of attacks on people and pets. The Danish Kennel Club estimates that in the past five years, the number of mastiffs, rottweilers, pit-bull terriers and other "muscle dogs" has grown from 1,000 to 20,000.
Lars Lokke Rasmussen, the prime minister, said he was not prepared to live in a country where "you cannot go walking with your child or your poodle without risking an attack".
Denmark is considering a new law that would ban aggressive breeds, such as pit bulls and mastiffs, but an MP has gone one step further and suggested that all cross-breeds should be killed. An estimated 40,000 mongrels are born in Denmark each year and a general cull would sentence to death hundreds of thousands of animals.
But Flemming Moller, from the governing Liberal Party, is steadfast in his calls for a mass slaughter. "We will surely see lots of press photos of sweet little puppies being put down but we must be determined," he said.
His proposal has caused an outcry and other MPs have distanced themselves from it.
It seems almost certain that the government will ban pure-bred dogs that it considers dangerous, amid alarm over a spate of attacks on people and pets. The Danish Kennel Club estimates that in the past five years, the number of mastiffs, rottweilers, pit-bull terriers and other "muscle dogs" has grown from 1,000 to 20,000.
Lars Lokke Rasmussen, the prime minister, said he was not prepared to live in a country where "you cannot go walking with your child or your poodle without risking an attack".
Man diagnosed with clinical depression caused by girlfriend dragging him round on shopping trips
A man has been diagnosed with clinical depression caused by his girlfriend constantly dragging him round on shopping trips.
Psychiatrists are treating Wu Cheng, 28, who told them: "I can't even look at a shop now.
"Every time she tries to drag me to a mall my heart starts to pound, I'm short of breath and I feel sick. We have been going out for two years and at least 12 months of that time have been spent in shops. She is obsessed."
Wu's girlfriend Zhang Keyi said from her home in Chongqing, central China: "When he's better I promise we'll only go to the shops once a week. Except when the sales are on."
Psychiatrists are treating Wu Cheng, 28, who told them: "I can't even look at a shop now.
"Every time she tries to drag me to a mall my heart starts to pound, I'm short of breath and I feel sick. We have been going out for two years and at least 12 months of that time have been spent in shops. She is obsessed."
Wu's girlfriend Zhang Keyi said from her home in Chongqing, central China: "When he's better I promise we'll only go to the shops once a week. Except when the sales are on."
Australian man refuses to pay prostitute child support
A man who paid a woman for sex is resisting child support requests after the prostitute had his baby.
The married Melbourne man argues the child is potentially a breach of the Trade Practices Act. He told a federal magistrate he shouldn't have to pay for the inadvertent offspring given the circumstances of the conception.
The accidental dad - who can be referred to only by the pseudonym Mr Lilley - told magistrate Grant Riethmuller he'd had "a consumer transaction" with the child's mother.
Mr Lilley argued an implied term of the "contract" between clients and sex workers was that women would take measures to avoid pregnancy. Mr Lilley told the court he was not disputing paternity.
The prostitute - known only by the pseudonym Ms Logan - did not appear in court, and details of her employer were not publicly revealed.
Sex without a condom is illegal in licenced Victorian brothels and escort agencies.
The married Melbourne man argues the child is potentially a breach of the Trade Practices Act. He told a federal magistrate he shouldn't have to pay for the inadvertent offspring given the circumstances of the conception.
The accidental dad - who can be referred to only by the pseudonym Mr Lilley - told magistrate Grant Riethmuller he'd had "a consumer transaction" with the child's mother.
Mr Lilley argued an implied term of the "contract" between clients and sex workers was that women would take measures to avoid pregnancy. Mr Lilley told the court he was not disputing paternity.
The prostitute - known only by the pseudonym Ms Logan - did not appear in court, and details of her employer were not publicly revealed.
Sex without a condom is illegal in licenced Victorian brothels and escort agencies.
Man stole Virgin Mary painting to pay for abortion
Aurelio Vallerillo-Sanchez, 39 of Omaha, Nebraska pleaded “no contest” on Friday for stealing a painting of the Virgin Mary to pay for an abortion. The abortion was to cover up a crime Vallerillo-Sanchez committed.
In September, 2006, Vallerillo-Sanchez repeatedly raped a 14 year old girl. From these sexual assaults she became pregnant. Vallerillo-Sanchez then stole the “Virgin Immaculata” painting from the St. Cecilla Cathedral in Omaha. He then took the painting and the girl to Mexico to sell the painting to pay for an abortion.
In Mexico Vallerillo-Sanchez was able to sell the 300 year old artwork that is valued around $100,000 for $3,000. He was not able to get the abortion. When Vallerillo-Sanchez took her to a doctor, it was determined an abortion would have been dangerous due to the stage of development of the baby.
In a desperate attempt to get rid of the evidence linking him to the crime, Vallerillo-Sanchez tried to have the baby given away through adoption. He then threatened the girl not to tell anyone that the baby was his.
This February police arrested him for the sexual assault and the theft of the Virgin Mary artwork. Vallerillo-Sanchez’s kids cooperated with the police by giving details of the theft. His son told the police he was the lookout when the Virgin Mary painting was stolen.
Vallerillo-Sanchez will face up to 70 years in prison for first-degree sexual assault and felony theft. His sentencing is in October. He was also linked to other thefts, but no charges were filed for those thefts as part of his plea deal.
In September, 2006, Vallerillo-Sanchez repeatedly raped a 14 year old girl. From these sexual assaults she became pregnant. Vallerillo-Sanchez then stole the “Virgin Immaculata” painting from the St. Cecilla Cathedral in Omaha. He then took the painting and the girl to Mexico to sell the painting to pay for an abortion.
In Mexico Vallerillo-Sanchez was able to sell the 300 year old artwork that is valued around $100,000 for $3,000. He was not able to get the abortion. When Vallerillo-Sanchez took her to a doctor, it was determined an abortion would have been dangerous due to the stage of development of the baby.
In a desperate attempt to get rid of the evidence linking him to the crime, Vallerillo-Sanchez tried to have the baby given away through adoption. He then threatened the girl not to tell anyone that the baby was his.
This February police arrested him for the sexual assault and the theft of the Virgin Mary artwork. Vallerillo-Sanchez’s kids cooperated with the police by giving details of the theft. His son told the police he was the lookout when the Virgin Mary painting was stolen.
Vallerillo-Sanchez will face up to 70 years in prison for first-degree sexual assault and felony theft. His sentencing is in October. He was also linked to other thefts, but no charges were filed for those thefts as part of his plea deal.
New Zealand votes against child smack ban
New Zealanders have voted by a wide margin in favour of allowing parents to smack their children, two years after a law banned discipline by force.
The legislation was brought in two years ago to try to lower the country's high rate of child abuse.
The referendum asked: "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?"
The referendum is non-binding, and Prime Minister John Key has said he will not change the existing law.
Based on preliminary results, 54% of the voting population took part in the referendum, with nearly 90% responding No, the election commission said.
The United Nations Children's Fund, Unicef, said in 2003 that New Zealand had the third-worst rate of child abuse and neglect of the OECD group of countries.
The legislation was brought in two years ago to try to lower the country's high rate of child abuse.
The referendum asked: "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?"
The referendum is non-binding, and Prime Minister John Key has said he will not change the existing law.
Based on preliminary results, 54% of the voting population took part in the referendum, with nearly 90% responding No, the election commission said.
The United Nations Children's Fund, Unicef, said in 2003 that New Zealand had the third-worst rate of child abuse and neglect of the OECD group of countries.
The Simpsons get African makeover
The Simpsons, America's best known animated family, have been given an African makeover to celebrate the first time the comedy cartoon is broadcast on the continent.
Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie received a cultural transformation by an advertising agency in Angola to mark the occasion, in which they were given brown skin instead of their usual yellow.
To make them appear more like a typical Angolan family, Marge has also been given a black Afro hairstyle instead of normal blue bouffant, while Lisa's hair is stood up on end in short braids.
The image also shows the family dressed in clothes bearing traditional African designs and they are all wearing flip flops. The programme, in which their original features will be kept, will be shown on Africa's digital satellite television service DStv.
Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie received a cultural transformation by an advertising agency in Angola to mark the occasion, in which they were given brown skin instead of their usual yellow.
To make them appear more like a typical Angolan family, Marge has also been given a black Afro hairstyle instead of normal blue bouffant, while Lisa's hair is stood up on end in short braids.
The image also shows the family dressed in clothes bearing traditional African designs and they are all wearing flip flops. The programme, in which their original features will be kept, will be shown on Africa's digital satellite television service DStv.
Australians 'need more seasons'
An Australian scientist says the continent needs five or six seasons to suit its climate. Tim Entwisle, chief of Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens, says Australia should "unhook" itself from the "arbitrary" four seasons it inherited from Britain.
Mr Entwisle has proposed "sprummer" - the season between spring and summer - and "sprinter" - an early spring.
He says a new system could help people better understand their environment and monitor signs of climate change.
"Having four three-month seasons ... doesn't make any sense in the place we live," he said. "Something with more seasons would work better and something that unhooks us from these arbitrary European seasons," he added.
Aboriginal Australians use up to eight seasons in some parts of the country to capture local conditions.
Mr Entwisle says that for the system to work well, different regions would need a different number of seasons.
Mr Entwisle has proposed "sprummer" - the season between spring and summer - and "sprinter" - an early spring.
He says a new system could help people better understand their environment and monitor signs of climate change.
"Having four three-month seasons ... doesn't make any sense in the place we live," he said. "Something with more seasons would work better and something that unhooks us from these arbitrary European seasons," he added.
Aboriginal Australians use up to eight seasons in some parts of the country to capture local conditions.
Mr Entwisle says that for the system to work well, different regions would need a different number of seasons.
Tourists warned over fake goods
Holidaymakers could be fined thousands of pounds - or even jailed - for buying fake designer goods when abroad, copyright lawyers are warning.
Authorities in France and Italy are not just targeting those who produce and sell fakes but also those who buy them.
In France, the maximum fine is 300,000 euro (£260,000) or three years in jail.
The UK government has decided against criminalising consumers. Instead it has launched an information campaign aimed at people using markets and boot sales.
Intellectual property lawyer Simon Tracey said anyone tempted to bring back items such as fake designer sunglasses, a football top or handbag from their holidays should beware.
He said lots of people have already been fined thousands of euros for owning a fake, and France seemed "a little bit harsher" than Italy.
Authorities in France and Italy are not just targeting those who produce and sell fakes but also those who buy them.
In France, the maximum fine is 300,000 euro (£260,000) or three years in jail.
The UK government has decided against criminalising consumers. Instead it has launched an information campaign aimed at people using markets and boot sales.
Intellectual property lawyer Simon Tracey said anyone tempted to bring back items such as fake designer sunglasses, a football top or handbag from their holidays should beware.
He said lots of people have already been fined thousands of euros for owning a fake, and France seemed "a little bit harsher" than Italy.
Red, green, blue and yellow Arrows
A Red Arrows aerobatics display was upstaged yesterday when this magical rainbow lit up the sky.
The spectacular arc of coloured light appeared above the coast of Fowey in Cornwall just as the RAF team was about to perform.
Thousands were treated to the extravaganza as the jets shot overhead at more than 400mph.
There are more photos here.
The spectacular arc of coloured light appeared above the coast of Fowey in Cornwall just as the RAF team was about to perform.
Thousands were treated to the extravaganza as the jets shot overhead at more than 400mph.
There are more photos here.
Identical twins born 51 hours apart have different birth signs
After giving birth to her son Ryan, Hayley Phillips thought it wouldn't be too long before his twin brother followed.
In fact, it took a further 51 hours - and a second labour for Miss Phillips - before Lewis eventually made his way into the world.
The twins - who as well as being born on different days also have different star signs - are now set to mark their first birthday, with Ryan, a Leo, celebrating today and Lewis, a Virgo, two days later on Tuesday.
Miss Phillips, 24, said: 'There were two separate labours, with Ryan being born at home and Lewis in hospital, they have different birthdays, different star signs and if Lewis had been born a few days later he would be in a different school year. 'They look the same but they couldn't be any more different.'
In fact, it took a further 51 hours - and a second labour for Miss Phillips - before Lewis eventually made his way into the world.
The twins - who as well as being born on different days also have different star signs - are now set to mark their first birthday, with Ryan, a Leo, celebrating today and Lewis, a Virgo, two days later on Tuesday.
Miss Phillips, 24, said: 'There were two separate labours, with Ryan being born at home and Lewis in hospital, they have different birthdays, different star signs and if Lewis had been born a few days later he would be in a different school year. 'They look the same but they couldn't be any more different.'
Boy, 6, lands dream job
A six-year-old boy has landed a dream job at the National Railway Museum after applying for a post he saw advertised in a newspaper. Sam Pointon sent a handwritten letter headed "Application for director" asking for an interview at the centre, in York.
The letter listed his credentials for the role, including his expertise on his train set and the fact that he had been on "lots of trains including Eurostar and some trains in France".
"I am only six but I think I can do this job," wrote Sam. "I have an electrick (sic) train track. I am good on my train track. I can control two trains at once."
Staff were so impressed they appointed Sam an honorary "Director of Fun" and invited him and his family to a VIP day at the museum, which is home to 280 locomotives including the Mallard and the Flying Scotsman.
Sam, from Leicester, said: "It is the best job in the world. I love it. My favourite is the steam engine, I like it when the wheels go round."
The retiring director Andrew Scott said Sam's letter of application was a real delight to read. "It's always fantastic to see such young children with a real passion for trains, just like I had when I was a boy," he said.
There's a news video here.
The letter listed his credentials for the role, including his expertise on his train set and the fact that he had been on "lots of trains including Eurostar and some trains in France".
"I am only six but I think I can do this job," wrote Sam. "I have an electrick (sic) train track. I am good on my train track. I can control two trains at once."
Staff were so impressed they appointed Sam an honorary "Director of Fun" and invited him and his family to a VIP day at the museum, which is home to 280 locomotives including the Mallard and the Flying Scotsman.
Sam, from Leicester, said: "It is the best job in the world. I love it. My favourite is the steam engine, I like it when the wheels go round."
The retiring director Andrew Scott said Sam's letter of application was a real delight to read. "It's always fantastic to see such young children with a real passion for trains, just like I had when I was a boy," he said.
There's a news video here.
Bard folio theft accused in bizarre court entrance
There was a whiff of the Highlands about a crown court on Friday, as a flamboyant book dealer accused of stealing a £3m Shakespeare folio arrived in trademark bizarre style.
In a tribute to Macbeth and Bonnie Prince Charlie, Raymond Scott was escorted to Durham Crown Court in a horse-drawn carriage, wearing a tartan kilt and drinking a bottle of Drambuie.
The 52-year-old was accompanied by his researcher, a bodyguard named Tiny, a bagpipe player and a Frank Sinatra tribute act, who Mr Scott joined for a pavement rendition of My Way.
Speaking from the carriage, Mr Scott said: “I’m wearing the tartan of Bonnie Prince Charlie. I’m allowed to wear it because I’m a faint member of his bloodline. I recommended that for today I might have a haggis flavoured Pot Noodle, but the people at Golden Wonder did not like that.
“I had thought about Julius Caesar, but I don’t look nice in a toga and it’s a bugger trying to find a chariot. It’s a rather dull, grey world, all in all, and I like to add a little colour. Even if I was accused of stealing a tin of corned beef from Tesco, I’d still arrive in such a fashion.”
Mr Scott, of Sandford Close, Wingate, County Durham, is accused of stealing a 1623 Shakespeare First Folio from Durham University in 1998. He faces charges including theft and handling stolen goods.
With news video, but no sound. There's another video here.
In a tribute to Macbeth and Bonnie Prince Charlie, Raymond Scott was escorted to Durham Crown Court in a horse-drawn carriage, wearing a tartan kilt and drinking a bottle of Drambuie.
The 52-year-old was accompanied by his researcher, a bodyguard named Tiny, a bagpipe player and a Frank Sinatra tribute act, who Mr Scott joined for a pavement rendition of My Way.
Speaking from the carriage, Mr Scott said: “I’m wearing the tartan of Bonnie Prince Charlie. I’m allowed to wear it because I’m a faint member of his bloodline. I recommended that for today I might have a haggis flavoured Pot Noodle, but the people at Golden Wonder did not like that.
“I had thought about Julius Caesar, but I don’t look nice in a toga and it’s a bugger trying to find a chariot. It’s a rather dull, grey world, all in all, and I like to add a little colour. Even if I was accused of stealing a tin of corned beef from Tesco, I’d still arrive in such a fashion.”
Mr Scott, of Sandford Close, Wingate, County Durham, is accused of stealing a 1623 Shakespeare First Folio from Durham University in 1998. He faces charges including theft and handling stolen goods.
With news video, but no sound. There's another video here.
Stinging bees given animal Asbo
A beekeeper has been told to buzz off with his hives after his neighbours took him to court to have an animal anti-social behaviour order imposed on his swarm.
David Dickman was ordered to find a new home for his bees by a court after the family next door were stung repeatedly. A 12-year-old boy was among those attacked by the bees.
Dickman, 45, from Kinnesswood, near Kinross, has been given four weeks to move his hives away under the terms of an "annoying creatures petition."
Tony Dyson and his wife Nessa McHugh had gone to Perth Justice of the Peace Court to have an animal Asbo declared on the swarm being kept in Dickman's garden. Mr Dyson told the court that he and his wife had been stung on numerous occasions by the "black" bees kept in up to four hives by the physiotherapist.
"They continued to attack until you killed them or they stung you," Mr Dyson said. They are aggressive near hives to anything they perceive as a threat. He told me he could do what he liked as it was his own garden and it was none of our business. We were regularly stung and he said we would have to get used to it."
However, Dickman told the court he had been helpful to his neighbours and offered Mr Dyson a bee-suit when he was cutting the hedge.
David Dickman was ordered to find a new home for his bees by a court after the family next door were stung repeatedly. A 12-year-old boy was among those attacked by the bees.
Dickman, 45, from Kinnesswood, near Kinross, has been given four weeks to move his hives away under the terms of an "annoying creatures petition."
Tony Dyson and his wife Nessa McHugh had gone to Perth Justice of the Peace Court to have an animal Asbo declared on the swarm being kept in Dickman's garden. Mr Dyson told the court that he and his wife had been stung on numerous occasions by the "black" bees kept in up to four hives by the physiotherapist.
"They continued to attack until you killed them or they stung you," Mr Dyson said. They are aggressive near hives to anything they perceive as a threat. He told me he could do what he liked as it was his own garden and it was none of our business. We were regularly stung and he said we would have to get used to it."
However, Dickman told the court he had been helpful to his neighbours and offered Mr Dyson a bee-suit when he was cutting the hedge.
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