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Thursday, March 04, 2010
Stray cat credited in cancer diagnosis
When a cat showed up on her doorstep one night, a Winnipeg woman thought it was just another stray. But the cat may have saved Judy Danchura's life. "About 3:00 in the morning, we heard this meowing outside the side door. I went down and let him in. He wandered around for a little while in the house I guess. I went back to bed," said Danchura.
After she let the cat into her house, he jumped on her bed and crawled up her side. He stopped at her breast which Danchura says was unusually painful. She felt a lump, which doctors confirmed was cancer. Danchura says she might not have found the lump without the cat whom she's adopted and named Sumo.
"I know I certainly would be far worse off. I would probably be having to take chemotherapy that's for sure. I don't know what my chances would have been without him," she said. Now she's taking anti-cancer medication and going through radiation therapy. Doctors say her chances of survival are 96%.
Danchura says Sumo is her furry four-footed angel. "I sometimes feel overwhelmed. I feel humbled because I can't understand why this animal turned up for me, let's say. There are so many people who have cancer. And I think to myself, why would he show up at my doorstep?"
With news video.
After she let the cat into her house, he jumped on her bed and crawled up her side. He stopped at her breast which Danchura says was unusually painful. She felt a lump, which doctors confirmed was cancer. Danchura says she might not have found the lump without the cat whom she's adopted and named Sumo.
"I know I certainly would be far worse off. I would probably be having to take chemotherapy that's for sure. I don't know what my chances would have been without him," she said. Now she's taking anti-cancer medication and going through radiation therapy. Doctors say her chances of survival are 96%.
Danchura says Sumo is her furry four-footed angel. "I sometimes feel overwhelmed. I feel humbled because I can't understand why this animal turned up for me, let's say. There are so many people who have cancer. And I think to myself, why would he show up at my doorstep?"
With news video.
21-day erection leaves 55-year-old Indian man impotent
A 55-year-old Kolkata businessman found out what it would perhaps be like to have an overdose of Viagra. The father of two, ended up with a prolonged erection that lasted for a full 21 days.
And the exasperated gentleman, who found the situation too hot to handle, had not consumed the magic pill. His predicament resulted from a neurological disorder. It took an emergency surgery to relieve him but the man might have lost his ability to resume sexual activity, said doctors at the Wockhardt Hospitals. The man had been suffering from a problem called priapism — triggered by a peripheral nervous system disorder.
While for normal individuals, penile erection subsides once sexual excitement has ceased, victims of priapism fail to return to a normal state. Prolonged erection usually leads to a permanent damage to the penis and could even cause death. It has to be treated within six hours, but doctors in this case managed to save his life.
"It was too late by the time he sought treatment," said Avishek Mukherjee, urosurgeon at Wockhardt.
Priapism prevents blood from draining out of the penis. There are two penile cylinders (corpora and cavernosa) inside which blood accumulates and that leads to a stiffening of the organ. During erection, the blood flow stops. So, if erection persists for more than an hour, the supply to penis is reduced, which can damage the organ. If the supply remains cut off for a long time, the penis can even be gangrenous.
To treat the disorder, blood needs to be drained out to allow fresh blood to flow in. For this, a passage or a shunt is created. The tip of the penis, called glans pens, has an outlet for the blood to be drained out. "We created a passage between corpora and cavernosa by perforating the walls separating the cylinders. It drained the choked blood out and relieved him," explained Mukherjee.
And the exasperated gentleman, who found the situation too hot to handle, had not consumed the magic pill. His predicament resulted from a neurological disorder. It took an emergency surgery to relieve him but the man might have lost his ability to resume sexual activity, said doctors at the Wockhardt Hospitals. The man had been suffering from a problem called priapism — triggered by a peripheral nervous system disorder.
While for normal individuals, penile erection subsides once sexual excitement has ceased, victims of priapism fail to return to a normal state. Prolonged erection usually leads to a permanent damage to the penis and could even cause death. It has to be treated within six hours, but doctors in this case managed to save his life.
"It was too late by the time he sought treatment," said Avishek Mukherjee, urosurgeon at Wockhardt.
Priapism prevents blood from draining out of the penis. There are two penile cylinders (corpora and cavernosa) inside which blood accumulates and that leads to a stiffening of the organ. During erection, the blood flow stops. So, if erection persists for more than an hour, the supply to penis is reduced, which can damage the organ. If the supply remains cut off for a long time, the penis can even be gangrenous.
To treat the disorder, blood needs to be drained out to allow fresh blood to flow in. For this, a passage or a shunt is created. The tip of the penis, called glans pens, has an outlet for the blood to be drained out. "We created a passage between corpora and cavernosa by perforating the walls separating the cylinders. It drained the choked blood out and relieved him," explained Mukherjee.
New York airport jets 'directed by child'
US officials are investigating how a child was apparently allowed to direct planes at New York's JFK airport - one of the country's busiest. The probe comes after an audiotape caught the boy directing several pilots preparing for take-off last month.
In one exchange, the boy is heard saying: "JetBlue 171 contact departure." The pilot responds: "Over to departure JetBlue 171, awesome job." The boy was apparently with his father - a certified air traffic controller.
The incident happened on 17 February, when many New York pupils were on a week-long break. The age and name of the child and the adult on the audiotape were not immediately known.
The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement: "Pending the outcome of our investigation, the employees involved in this incident are not controlling air traffic. This behaviour is not acceptable and does not demonstrate the kind of professionalism expected from all FAA employees."
In one exchange, the boy is heard saying: "JetBlue 171 contact departure." The pilot responds: "Over to departure JetBlue 171, awesome job." The boy was apparently with his father - a certified air traffic controller.
The incident happened on 17 February, when many New York pupils were on a week-long break. The age and name of the child and the adult on the audiotape were not immediately known.
The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement: "Pending the outcome of our investigation, the employees involved in this incident are not controlling air traffic. This behaviour is not acceptable and does not demonstrate the kind of professionalism expected from all FAA employees."
Man without a lawn pleads not guilty
An Orange resident pleaded not guilty on Tuesday in Superior Court to charges that he and his wife failed to maintain their lawn according to city law.
Quan Ha, 36, is facing the possibility of a misdemeanor fine of up to $1,000 and the possibility of up to six months in jail because city of Orange officials say his front lawn violates city law because less than 40 percent of the yard is landscaped. Commissioner Vickie Hix set a pre-trial hearing date for March 16.
Ha and his wife, Angelina, had their front lawn removed to save water in 2008. Ha, an IT manager, said his water bill went from $180 every two months to $48 every two months and his water usage went from approximately 300,000 gallons of water a year to about 58,300 gallons a year.
"We live in a desert," Ha said. "We're doing something to beneficial by not using all the water that we don't have."
Quan Ha, 36, is facing the possibility of a misdemeanor fine of up to $1,000 and the possibility of up to six months in jail because city of Orange officials say his front lawn violates city law because less than 40 percent of the yard is landscaped. Commissioner Vickie Hix set a pre-trial hearing date for March 16.
Ha and his wife, Angelina, had their front lawn removed to save water in 2008. Ha, an IT manager, said his water bill went from $180 every two months to $48 every two months and his water usage went from approximately 300,000 gallons of water a year to about 58,300 gallons a year.
"We live in a desert," Ha said. "We're doing something to beneficial by not using all the water that we don't have."
Rescuers capture hairless raccoon
A virtually hairless raccoon caught near the Dry Gulch USA camp has caused quite a stir for a Claremore animal rescue.
"This is the first time I’ve ever had a mange raccoon. The very first time I saw her she did look odd,” said Annette King Tucker, president at the Wild Heart Ranch in Claremore.
"She looks like a little demon. She’s freakish. But you look at the feet, and you look at the snout and eyes, and if you just focus on the skeletal structure, then it’s definitely, no question, a raccoon.”
Mange is common in dogs, but this is the first time workers have seen a raccoon with it, Tucker said. Mange is treatable and the raccoon isn’t in pain. Workers expect hair regrowth to start in 30 days and look normal in about four months.
Others weren’t so easily convinced. Some have angrily called the rescue and argued against Tucker’s identification.
"I have a lot of people calling me, arguing that it’s a chupacabra,” Tucker said. "We’ve been doing this for 14 years and have 15,000 wild animals here, and I’ve never had anything that’s been considered a mythical animal.”
"This is the first time I’ve ever had a mange raccoon. The very first time I saw her she did look odd,” said Annette King Tucker, president at the Wild Heart Ranch in Claremore.
"She looks like a little demon. She’s freakish. But you look at the feet, and you look at the snout and eyes, and if you just focus on the skeletal structure, then it’s definitely, no question, a raccoon.”
Mange is common in dogs, but this is the first time workers have seen a raccoon with it, Tucker said. Mange is treatable and the raccoon isn’t in pain. Workers expect hair regrowth to start in 30 days and look normal in about four months.
Others weren’t so easily convinced. Some have angrily called the rescue and argued against Tucker’s identification.
"I have a lot of people calling me, arguing that it’s a chupacabra,” Tucker said. "We’ve been doing this for 14 years and have 15,000 wild animals here, and I’ve never had anything that’s been considered a mythical animal.”
Calls to castrate Knut to prevent incest
An animal rights group has called for a zoo's famous polar bear to be castrated to avert incest with his cousin.
Knut the polar bear shot to global stardom as a cub in 2007. The three-year-old darling of Berlin Zoo was given a female companion, Giovanna, last year but the German chapter of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals warned against their mating.
PETA's zoo expert, Frank Albrecht, said Knut and Giovanna, known as Gianna for short, had the same grandfather.
Any offspring would threaten the genetic diversity of the polar bear population in Germany and risk susceptibility to a condition known as incest depression, he said. "Knut fans need to know that only Knut's castration would allow a long life together with Giovanna," Mr Albrecht said.
Knut the polar bear shot to global stardom as a cub in 2007. The three-year-old darling of Berlin Zoo was given a female companion, Giovanna, last year but the German chapter of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals warned against their mating.
PETA's zoo expert, Frank Albrecht, said Knut and Giovanna, known as Gianna for short, had the same grandfather.
Any offspring would threaten the genetic diversity of the polar bear population in Germany and risk susceptibility to a condition known as incest depression, he said. "Knut fans need to know that only Knut's castration would allow a long life together with Giovanna," Mr Albrecht said.
Australian recluse rigged his home with 50 fake bombs
A Sydney man fortified his home with numerous electronic and explosive devices to create a scene similar to that from an action movie, police say. Bomb specialists spent most of Tuesday at a residential property in Meagher Avenue at Maroubra after being alerted by neighbours to a number of suspicious devices.
Nearby residents had become concerned about the man who lived at the address after not seeing him for several days. In fact, the man had been in hospital where he died last week of natural causes.
Detective Superintendent Gavin Dengate says very little is known about the 69-year-old man. "We do know that he was a recluse," Superintendent Dengate told reporters in Sydney today. About 50 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found in and around the home, including a pressure switch linked to two gas cylinders in a car parked in the carport.
None of the devices had the potential to cause damage or injury, police said when they concluded investigations at the address. "All of the devices were inert ... they weren't capable of actually detonating," Superintendent Dengate said.
He added that some of them seemed to have been in place "for months", and that they appeared to have been expertly constructed, in keeping with findings that the man was an electrician. "I have no doubt that he was not there to randomly injure people," Superintendent Dengate said.
"He was a recluse and he wanted to remain that way." Inquiries to date have not found the man's next of kin.
Nearby residents had become concerned about the man who lived at the address after not seeing him for several days. In fact, the man had been in hospital where he died last week of natural causes.
Detective Superintendent Gavin Dengate says very little is known about the 69-year-old man. "We do know that he was a recluse," Superintendent Dengate told reporters in Sydney today. About 50 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found in and around the home, including a pressure switch linked to two gas cylinders in a car parked in the carport.
None of the devices had the potential to cause damage or injury, police said when they concluded investigations at the address. "All of the devices were inert ... they weren't capable of actually detonating," Superintendent Dengate said.
He added that some of them seemed to have been in place "for months", and that they appeared to have been expertly constructed, in keeping with findings that the man was an electrician. "I have no doubt that he was not there to randomly injure people," Superintendent Dengate said.
"He was a recluse and he wanted to remain that way." Inquiries to date have not found the man's next of kin.
Two Russian men boil to death in sauna mishap
Two Russian men died in a sauna after jumping into a plunge pool that had accidentally been heated to boiling point. The two men jumped into the pool to cool down after sweating in a steam room.
A third man tried to save the victims but was unable to pull the men out of the boiling water. The two men's bodies were discovered in the sauna in the city of Kirov in central Russia on February 18 and "their death was caused by overheating", the Kirov regional investigative committee confirmed in a statement.
The water in the pool was "overheated due to an error by one of the victims," investigators said. Saunas usually include a cold plunge pool.
The men were named by investigators as the director of an old people's home and the director of a residential home for people with psychiatric problems.
A third man tried to save the victims but was unable to pull the men out of the boiling water. The two men's bodies were discovered in the sauna in the city of Kirov in central Russia on February 18 and "their death was caused by overheating", the Kirov regional investigative committee confirmed in a statement.
The water in the pool was "overheated due to an error by one of the victims," investigators said. Saunas usually include a cold plunge pool.
The men were named by investigators as the director of an old people's home and the director of a residential home for people with psychiatric problems.
Australian woman 'decapitated during freak lawnmower accident'
An Australian woman walking to work was killed during a freak accident after she was struck in the head by flying metal thrown up by a grass cutter, which left her decapitated.
The 42 year-old woman, who has not been named, is believed to have been struck by a 60cm piece of steel pipe, in what witnesses described as a “freak accident”.
Workplace safety officials have launched an investigation into the accident, which occurred on Wednesday morning in the north Queensland town of Townsville.
It is understood the woman was decapitated and died instantly at the scene after walking past an empty block of land just after 8am. Police said a tractor pulling a grass cutter ran over a steel pipe that had been lying in the long grass, which was then sent flying through the air at great speed.
Initial reports suggested she had been hit by a lawnmower blade due to the horrific nature of her injuries. Police are investigating whether it was a blade that struck her.
The male tractor driver, an unnamed 48 year-old private contractor, is in hospital suffering shock.
The 42 year-old woman, who has not been named, is believed to have been struck by a 60cm piece of steel pipe, in what witnesses described as a “freak accident”.
Workplace safety officials have launched an investigation into the accident, which occurred on Wednesday morning in the north Queensland town of Townsville.
It is understood the woman was decapitated and died instantly at the scene after walking past an empty block of land just after 8am. Police said a tractor pulling a grass cutter ran over a steel pipe that had been lying in the long grass, which was then sent flying through the air at great speed.
Initial reports suggested she had been hit by a lawnmower blade due to the horrific nature of her injuries. Police are investigating whether it was a blade that struck her.
The male tractor driver, an unnamed 48 year-old private contractor, is in hospital suffering shock.
Cheese thief jailed for 7 years in California
On Monday, more than a year after a man was arrested outside a market in California with a $3.99 bag of Tillamook shredded cheese in his pants he had not paid for, a judge decided to go relatively easy on him, sentencing him to seven years and eight months in jail.
Prosecutors in Yolo County, Calif., outside Sacramento, had originally asked for a life sentence under the state’s “three strikes” law, arguing that the man, Robert Preston Ferguson, was a menace to society because of prior burglary convictions.
A deputy district attorney “said Ferguson was a career criminal who wouldn’t change.” The prosecutor added that Mr. Ferguson, who is in his 50s, had 13 previous convictions and had been in jail for 22 of the past 27 years but still took the cheese. Ten days before the cheese theft, Mr. Ferguson had also stolen a woman’s wallet from a 7-Eleven as she tended to her sick child, who had just thrown up on the floor.
Because of Mr. Ferguson’s prior convictions, he had been charged with felonies for both of those petty thefts.
Mr. Ferguson’s defence lawyer, Monica Brushia, argued that his six other burglary convictions had taken place three decades ago and noted that his conviction for misdemeanor assault came when he was a teenager and had thrown a can of soda at one of his siblings. She also noted that the psychologist’s report had concluded that Mr. Ferguson was mentally ill. He has biploar syndrome and struggles to control his impulses to steal during manic phases, she said.
She concluded that his most recent thefts were petty. “We’re talking about a pack of cheese,” she said. Leaving aside concerns about whether the long sentence was just, some observers in California asked if the cash-strapped state should really be spending between $50,000 and $100,000 a year to lock up a cheese thief.
Prosecutors in Yolo County, Calif., outside Sacramento, had originally asked for a life sentence under the state’s “three strikes” law, arguing that the man, Robert Preston Ferguson, was a menace to society because of prior burglary convictions.
A deputy district attorney “said Ferguson was a career criminal who wouldn’t change.” The prosecutor added that Mr. Ferguson, who is in his 50s, had 13 previous convictions and had been in jail for 22 of the past 27 years but still took the cheese. Ten days before the cheese theft, Mr. Ferguson had also stolen a woman’s wallet from a 7-Eleven as she tended to her sick child, who had just thrown up on the floor.
Because of Mr. Ferguson’s prior convictions, he had been charged with felonies for both of those petty thefts.
Mr. Ferguson’s defence lawyer, Monica Brushia, argued that his six other burglary convictions had taken place three decades ago and noted that his conviction for misdemeanor assault came when he was a teenager and had thrown a can of soda at one of his siblings. She also noted that the psychologist’s report had concluded that Mr. Ferguson was mentally ill. He has biploar syndrome and struggles to control his impulses to steal during manic phases, she said.
She concluded that his most recent thefts were petty. “We’re talking about a pack of cheese,” she said. Leaving aside concerns about whether the long sentence was just, some observers in California asked if the cash-strapped state should really be spending between $50,000 and $100,000 a year to lock up a cheese thief.
Captured and bottled 'ghosts' being auctioned online
A pair of "ghosts" which were exorcised from a New Zealand house and captured in bottles have gone on sale. The seller says his house had been haunted for several years until an exorcist from a spiritual church visited and performed an exorcism.
Since then he says there has been no paranormal activity and that the blue "holy water" put them to sleep and trapped them in the glass vials. Writing on the TradeMe site, the seller said: "We have had no activity since they were bottled on July 15th 2009 . So I believe they are in the bottles.
"They are bottled with holy water as apparently the water dulls the spirits energy, sort of puts them to sleep. To revive the spirit, I have been told that you pour into a little dish and let it evaporate into your house.
"I just want to get rid of them as they scare me. But someone might like these to play with." It is claimed one of the spirits is a man named Les Graham who died in the house in the 1920s while the other is that of a little girl.
Since then he says there has been no paranormal activity and that the blue "holy water" put them to sleep and trapped them in the glass vials. Writing on the TradeMe site, the seller said: "We have had no activity since they were bottled on July 15th 2009 . So I believe they are in the bottles.
"They are bottled with holy water as apparently the water dulls the spirits energy, sort of puts them to sleep. To revive the spirit, I have been told that you pour into a little dish and let it evaporate into your house.
"I just want to get rid of them as they scare me. But someone might like these to play with." It is claimed one of the spirits is a man named Les Graham who died in the house in the 1920s while the other is that of a little girl.
Italian football coach banned for taking God's name in vain
Domenico "Mimmo" Di Carlo could not be said to have emblazoned his name on the annals of Italian football – until, that is, last Sunday in the third minute of the second half of Chievo's 2-1 victory over Cagliari in Serie A.
It was at this moment, according to the disciplinary watchdog of the Italian football league, that the Verona club's coach "proffered a blasphemous expression" that was to make him the first victim of a zero-tolerance policy on irreverence.
Di Carlo, whose side narrowly avoided relegation last season, was banned from the touchline for a game after Sunday's outburst. The Italian federation, Federcalcio, decided last month that the time had come for disciplinary action to be taken against players and coaches heard taking God's name in vain.
The president, Giancarlo Abete, declared it would "intervene with official decisions to make clear that blasphemy is within the definition of 'offensive, insulting or abusive language' in the rules [that warrant sending-off]".
It was at this moment, according to the disciplinary watchdog of the Italian football league, that the Verona club's coach "proffered a blasphemous expression" that was to make him the first victim of a zero-tolerance policy on irreverence.
Di Carlo, whose side narrowly avoided relegation last season, was banned from the touchline for a game after Sunday's outburst. The Italian federation, Federcalcio, decided last month that the time had come for disciplinary action to be taken against players and coaches heard taking God's name in vain.
The president, Giancarlo Abete, declared it would "intervene with official decisions to make clear that blasphemy is within the definition of 'offensive, insulting or abusive language' in the rules [that warrant sending-off]".
Luxury car fleet found gathering dust in 'bored' owner's barn
A fleet of luxury classic cars were discovered gathering dust in a Suffolk barn after their “bored” millionaire owner died. An auctioneer brought in to assess the owner’s estate made the “extraordinary” discovery after the hoard of vehicles was hidden for more than 20 years.
The expensive fleet, with some of the finest marques produced in Italy and Britain from the 1970s to the 1990s, had been left gathering dust on the rambling estate near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
It was claimed the owner, who has not been named, became “bored” with his prized collection and continued to purchase more rare cars.
His fleet included a rare Bentley Continental R Mulliner – one of only 46 made during four years of production – one of only six 200-mph De Tomaso Longchamp GTSE sports cars with just 440 miles on the clock and a Maserati Quattroporte III, which has done less than 1,000 miles.
The wealthy Suffolk-based businessman, who owned a successful engineering firm, refused to drive the cars, instead relying on his £4000 Japanese-built Nissan 4x4 as his daily transport.
The eight cars, some of which have clocked virtually no miles, are expected to fetch up to £160,000 when they go under the hammer next week after the retired enthusiast died just over a year ago.
Full details here. Pdf doc warning.
The expensive fleet, with some of the finest marques produced in Italy and Britain from the 1970s to the 1990s, had been left gathering dust on the rambling estate near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
It was claimed the owner, who has not been named, became “bored” with his prized collection and continued to purchase more rare cars.
His fleet included a rare Bentley Continental R Mulliner – one of only 46 made during four years of production – one of only six 200-mph De Tomaso Longchamp GTSE sports cars with just 440 miles on the clock and a Maserati Quattroporte III, which has done less than 1,000 miles.
The wealthy Suffolk-based businessman, who owned a successful engineering firm, refused to drive the cars, instead relying on his £4000 Japanese-built Nissan 4x4 as his daily transport.
The eight cars, some of which have clocked virtually no miles, are expected to fetch up to £160,000 when they go under the hammer next week after the retired enthusiast died just over a year ago.
Full details here. Pdf doc warning.
Herbal Viagra saves underperforming bull from slaughterhouse
An underperforming bull has been saved from the slaughterhouse after regaining his libido due to a Viagra-style herbal treatment.
The four-year-old, called Boris, had failed to sire a calf for a year. He was given the treatment by owner Dave Joyce for a week. Two days before he was due to be slaughtered the French Limousin's performance improved.
Mr Joyce, 41, from Solihull. West Midlands, said: "He just couldn't perform and we just thought - he's got to go. He was destined for the slaughterhouse.
"But he is such a nice bull and we didn't really want to get rid of him so we started looking into alternative solutions.
"And since we have fed him this herbal Viagra he been rampant. When the cows come out - he's the first in there. Calves are back on the agenda.
"It means we dont have to turn him into burgers. He is on a rigid regime of the herb formula in his daily feed."
The four-year-old, called Boris, had failed to sire a calf for a year. He was given the treatment by owner Dave Joyce for a week. Two days before he was due to be slaughtered the French Limousin's performance improved.
Mr Joyce, 41, from Solihull. West Midlands, said: "He just couldn't perform and we just thought - he's got to go. He was destined for the slaughterhouse.
"But he is such a nice bull and we didn't really want to get rid of him so we started looking into alternative solutions.
"And since we have fed him this herbal Viagra he been rampant. When the cows come out - he's the first in there. Calves are back on the agenda.
"It means we dont have to turn him into burgers. He is on a rigid regime of the herb formula in his daily feed."
Compost link to Legionnaire's cases
Health experts have called for better warning labels on packs of potting compost following three cases of Legionnaire's disease in Scotland.
The cases of Legionella longbeachae disease were said to have occurred between 2008 and 2009.
It is thought the victims inhaled the disease through droplets of water in the compost.
They are the first cases of Legionnaire's disease linked to gardening in the UK. However, the disease has previously been linked to gardening or potting mixes in Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United States.
Legionnaire's disease is usually associated with contaminated water and air conditioning systems.
Environmental health experts have said the cases underline the need for warning labels on potting soil, and that doctors should be alert for Legionnaire's symptoms among gardeners.
The cases of Legionella longbeachae disease were said to have occurred between 2008 and 2009.
It is thought the victims inhaled the disease through droplets of water in the compost.
They are the first cases of Legionnaire's disease linked to gardening in the UK. However, the disease has previously been linked to gardening or potting mixes in Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United States.
Legionnaire's disease is usually associated with contaminated water and air conditioning systems.
Environmental health experts have said the cases underline the need for warning labels on potting soil, and that doctors should be alert for Legionnaire's symptoms among gardeners.
Fake shopfronts built to cover up High St stores that have been closed down
As High Streets are decimated by the recession - fake business facades have been installed to create the illusion that shops are still occupied.
North Tyneside Council is trialling the new window treatment that at first glance gives the impression that units are occupied.
The crumbling facade of a vacant clothing store in the centre of Whitley Bay has made way for a smart shop front with the question 'Delicatessen?' and close by 'This retail space could be yours ...'
Judith Wallace, North Tyneside Council's deputy mayor, said: 'We need to do whatever we can to support our businesses and our town centres. The recession has forced many businesses to bring down their shutters.
'We need to ensure that the remaining businesses continue to survive and that means ensuring our High Streets look as attractive as possible to both shoppers and potential business investors.
'This is a simple and cost-effective approach that keeps the retail unit available for potential new uses and in the meantime also contributes to the street scene.'
North Tyneside Council is trialling the new window treatment that at first glance gives the impression that units are occupied.
The crumbling facade of a vacant clothing store in the centre of Whitley Bay has made way for a smart shop front with the question 'Delicatessen?' and close by 'This retail space could be yours ...'
Judith Wallace, North Tyneside Council's deputy mayor, said: 'We need to do whatever we can to support our businesses and our town centres. The recession has forced many businesses to bring down their shutters.
'We need to ensure that the remaining businesses continue to survive and that means ensuring our High Streets look as attractive as possible to both shoppers and potential business investors.
'This is a simple and cost-effective approach that keeps the retail unit available for potential new uses and in the meantime also contributes to the street scene.'
Transsexual mechanic's business blighted by bigots
Or as The Sun delicately puts it: Mechanic loses nuts ... and customers bolt.
A woman has been forced to give up running her Leighton workshop after 17 years' hard work because of a lack of understanding into her transsexualism.
Teraina Hird, 66, (previously Terry Hird) is "hurt" and "upset" by some of her customer's reactions to her change in appearance from a man to a woman.
Teraina owns Terry Hird Engines in Harmill Industrial Estate, Leighton, but has had to hand over the running to colleague Mitch after customers started boycotting the business putting it into financial jeopardy.
Her transgender had resulted in rumours and talking behind her back which made her feel uncomfortable. "It is with a heavy heart that I have to cease running my business. I shall no longer work on the premises. Rumours said I had to be a pervert, but that is just lack of understanding. This is about gender not preferences."
A woman has been forced to give up running her Leighton workshop after 17 years' hard work because of a lack of understanding into her transsexualism.
Teraina Hird, 66, (previously Terry Hird) is "hurt" and "upset" by some of her customer's reactions to her change in appearance from a man to a woman.
Teraina owns Terry Hird Engines in Harmill Industrial Estate, Leighton, but has had to hand over the running to colleague Mitch after customers started boycotting the business putting it into financial jeopardy.
Her transgender had resulted in rumours and talking behind her back which made her feel uncomfortable. "It is with a heavy heart that I have to cease running my business. I shall no longer work on the premises. Rumours said I had to be a pervert, but that is just lack of understanding. This is about gender not preferences."
Bow tie wearing man climbs on crisp shelf for Tesco complaint
Police were involved in an hour-long standoff with a man who had climbed the crisp shelf in Tesco to protest against the store.
During the protest at Merthyr Tydfil Tesco, the 57-year-old, who claimed to have been falsely accused of shoplifting, stripped to the waist, donned a bow tie, took a police helmet from an officer and unsuccessfully tried to climb on to the store’s roof.
Tesco security staff used trolleys and stock cages to cordon off the snacks aisle while police negotiated with the man, who entered wearing a green jump suit.
He addressed the stunned shoppers with a megaphone while helping himself to drinks from the neighbouring aisle.
Customers shrieked when he stripped to the waist, gasped when he tried scaling a building support and applauded when he was finally brought down by a police officer who used a store ladder to get up onto the aisle.
A spokesman for South Wales police said: “We received a call at 12.30pm to say a 57-year-old man had climbed onto an 8ft shelf. Officers attended and the man was brought down at around 1.20pm.”
During the protest at Merthyr Tydfil Tesco, the 57-year-old, who claimed to have been falsely accused of shoplifting, stripped to the waist, donned a bow tie, took a police helmet from an officer and unsuccessfully tried to climb on to the store’s roof.
Tesco security staff used trolleys and stock cages to cordon off the snacks aisle while police negotiated with the man, who entered wearing a green jump suit.
He addressed the stunned shoppers with a megaphone while helping himself to drinks from the neighbouring aisle.
Customers shrieked when he stripped to the waist, gasped when he tried scaling a building support and applauded when he was finally brought down by a police officer who used a store ladder to get up onto the aisle.
A spokesman for South Wales police said: “We received a call at 12.30pm to say a 57-year-old man had climbed onto an 8ft shelf. Officers attended and the man was brought down at around 1.20pm.”
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