Click for bigger.
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Thunder keeps man indoors after lightning zaps genitals
A man in Croatia has admitted that he has not gone outside after hearing thunder since lightning struck his penis in 2007.
Zoran Jurkovic, 35, from the eastern town of Vukovar, has recovered and says his penis functions well despite that lightning passed through it while he was riding a bicycle close to the village of Perkovci during a thunderstorm.
"My friends used to tease me, and I used to tease them back saying my penis might have extraordinary ability, but it doesn’t", Jurkovic said. He is very happy to have a functioning penis.
"Most of the bike melted. The doctors said that I must have been hit by tens of thousands of volts, but that the rubber in the tyres saved my life," he said at the time. He lives with his mother and has never been married.
Zoran Jurkovic, 35, from the eastern town of Vukovar, has recovered and says his penis functions well despite that lightning passed through it while he was riding a bicycle close to the village of Perkovci during a thunderstorm.
"My friends used to tease me, and I used to tease them back saying my penis might have extraordinary ability, but it doesn’t", Jurkovic said. He is very happy to have a functioning penis.
"Most of the bike melted. The doctors said that I must have been hit by tens of thousands of volts, but that the rubber in the tyres saved my life," he said at the time. He lives with his mother and has never been married.
6-year-old suspended from school for making gun with hand
To the little boy's mother, it was just a 6-year-old boy playing around. But when Mason Jammer, a kindergarten student at Jefferson Elementary in Ionia, curled his fist into the shape of a gun on Wednesday and pointed it at another student, school officials said it was no laughing matter.
They suspended Mason until Friday, saying the behaviour made other students uncomfortable, said Erin Jammer, Mason's mother. School officials allege Mason had displayed this kind of behaviour for several months, despite numerous warnings.
"I do think it's too harsh for a six-year-old," said Jammer, who was previously warned that if Mason continued the practice he would be suspended. "He's six and he just likes to play."
Jammer says her son isn't violent, and there are other, more effective ways of teaching him not to make a gun with his hand. "Maybe what you could do is take his recess away," suggested Jammer, adding her son doesn't have toy guns at home. He's only six and he doesn't understand any of this."
They suspended Mason until Friday, saying the behaviour made other students uncomfortable, said Erin Jammer, Mason's mother. School officials allege Mason had displayed this kind of behaviour for several months, despite numerous warnings.
"I do think it's too harsh for a six-year-old," said Jammer, who was previously warned that if Mason continued the practice he would be suspended. "He's six and he just likes to play."
Jammer says her son isn't violent, and there are other, more effective ways of teaching him not to make a gun with his hand. "Maybe what you could do is take his recess away," suggested Jammer, adding her son doesn't have toy guns at home. He's only six and he doesn't understand any of this."
Australian teenager arrested for playing 'offensive' rap music from car
A teenager has been arrested for listening to what police have deemed offensive rap music.
In what could be a legal test case, 19-year-old Nathan Michael Wilkie faces a charge of offensive behaviour after police arrested him when he was listening to music by underground rapper Kid Selzy on his car stereo.
Mr Wilkie was parked outside a Timboon supermarket, waiting for his mother, when he was arrested.
The Warrnambool Magistrates' Court heard he was listening to lyrics such as "shut your f------ mouth bitch, f------ motherf-----".
The court was told the arresting officers found the music offensive and derogatory to females. Mr Wilkie allegedly told officers: "You're a joke, go do some real police work."
The teenager is believed to be the first person charged under Australian law with offensive behaviour for listening to music. Through his lawyer, Amanda Chambers, Mr Wilkie plans to plead not guilty when his case continues on June 11.
In what could be a legal test case, 19-year-old Nathan Michael Wilkie faces a charge of offensive behaviour after police arrested him when he was listening to music by underground rapper Kid Selzy on his car stereo.
Mr Wilkie was parked outside a Timboon supermarket, waiting for his mother, when he was arrested.
The Warrnambool Magistrates' Court heard he was listening to lyrics such as "shut your f------ mouth bitch, f------ motherf-----".
The court was told the arresting officers found the music offensive and derogatory to females. Mr Wilkie allegedly told officers: "You're a joke, go do some real police work."
The teenager is believed to be the first person charged under Australian law with offensive behaviour for listening to music. Through his lawyer, Amanda Chambers, Mr Wilkie plans to plead not guilty when his case continues on June 11.
Japanese woman starved son, 5, to death because he looked like husband
A 26-year-old Nara Prefecture woman who was arrested together with her husband on Wednesday for allegedly starving their 5-year-old son to death has told investigators she could not feel any affection for him because of his resemblance to his father.
Mami Yoshida, a part-time worker, also told investigators her relationship with her husband, Hiroshi, 35, a corporate employee, had soured. The investigators reckon the couple's worsening relations led to the abuse of their son, Tomoki. Yoshida said she felt affection for the couple's other child, a daughter, 3, who shows no signs of having been abused. Her husband was quoted as saying he was aware their son had been getting weak, but did nothing to protect him.
They are suspected of having failed to give sufficient food or provide necessary medical care for their son since early January. On Wednesday, the boy was found unconscious by a municipal official who visited the family home after Yoshida called a child counselling centre. The boy was lying on a futon wearing a diaper and looking emaciated, the city said.
The official called an ambulance to take the boy to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Although the average height of a 5-year-old is 110 cm, their son was only 85 cm tall and weighed just 6.2 kg, a third of the average weight.
Mami Yoshida, a part-time worker, also told investigators her relationship with her husband, Hiroshi, 35, a corporate employee, had soured. The investigators reckon the couple's worsening relations led to the abuse of their son, Tomoki. Yoshida said she felt affection for the couple's other child, a daughter, 3, who shows no signs of having been abused. Her husband was quoted as saying he was aware their son had been getting weak, but did nothing to protect him.
They are suspected of having failed to give sufficient food or provide necessary medical care for their son since early January. On Wednesday, the boy was found unconscious by a municipal official who visited the family home after Yoshida called a child counselling centre. The boy was lying on a futon wearing a diaper and looking emaciated, the city said.
The official called an ambulance to take the boy to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Although the average height of a 5-year-old is 110 cm, their son was only 85 cm tall and weighed just 6.2 kg, a third of the average weight.
Firefighters rescue duck stuck in chimney
A woman heard a bird in her fireplace on Wednesday, so she started a fire to flush the fowl away, a fire official said. The attempt, however, backfired. “She lit a fire, thinking the smoke would chase him out,” Santa Fe Fire Chief Tommy Anderson said. “Well, it didn’t chase him out, and it filled her house with smoke.”
Firefighters were called to the woman’s residence in the 6300 block of Avenue M, Anderson said. “The logs were out of it, and there was no fire at that point,” Anderson said. “We got the damper open, and a wing was hanging out.”
The bird, which is believed to be a Muscovy duck, was too big to flap its wings or fly from the chimney, Anderson said. “Firefighter Jim Cargile put on gloves, reached into the damper, grabbed hold of the duck’s legs and moved the wings over to one side, so he could pull him out,” Anderson said.
Cargile took the duck outside and released it, and it flew away, Anderson said. “I don’t know who was more scared, Jim or the duck,” Anderson said.
Firefighters were called to the woman’s residence in the 6300 block of Avenue M, Anderson said. “The logs were out of it, and there was no fire at that point,” Anderson said. “We got the damper open, and a wing was hanging out.”
The bird, which is believed to be a Muscovy duck, was too big to flap its wings or fly from the chimney, Anderson said. “Firefighter Jim Cargile put on gloves, reached into the damper, grabbed hold of the duck’s legs and moved the wings over to one side, so he could pull him out,” Anderson said.
Cargile took the duck outside and released it, and it flew away, Anderson said. “I don’t know who was more scared, Jim or the duck,” Anderson said.
Underwear made from bananas launched in Australia
Australian underwear company AussieBum has been monkeying around and the result is a range of men's underwear made with bananas.
AussieBum's Lloyd Jones said on Friday that the new eco-friendly banana range of undies incorporated 27 percent banana fibre, 64 percent cotton and nine percent lycra.
He said the banana fibre used in the underwear was made from a bark weave from the banana plant, which made the underwear not only lightweight but also very absorbent.
"Naturally you can't really add any more banana fibre than that because it might be a bit squishy," said Jones, adding that wearers did not have to worry about real monkeys because the underwear did not smell like a banana.
AussieBum's Lloyd Jones said on Friday that the new eco-friendly banana range of undies incorporated 27 percent banana fibre, 64 percent cotton and nine percent lycra.
He said the banana fibre used in the underwear was made from a bark weave from the banana plant, which made the underwear not only lightweight but also very absorbent.
"Naturally you can't really add any more banana fibre than that because it might be a bit squishy," said Jones, adding that wearers did not have to worry about real monkeys because the underwear did not smell like a banana.
Nun 'cured' by Pope John Paul II reported ill again
It was the miracle that set Pope John Paul II on the road to sainthood and provided faithful followers with proof of his holy powers. But hopes that the former pope's canonisation would be fast-tracked by Sister Marie Simon-Pierre's recovery from Parkinson's disease have been set back by reports that the French nun has fallen ill again.
Simon-Pierre described three years ago how she regained her health after a night of prayer to the then recently deceased Polish pontiff. John Paul also suffered from Parkinson's disease, which is incurable.
"It's like a second birth," she said at the time. "I feel like I've discovered a new body, new limbs."
In 2007 Simon-Pierre could barely move her left side, could not write legibly, drive or move around easily and was in constant pain.
Her disease worsened after the Pope's death, and her order prayed for his intervention to ease her suffering. Then after writing his name on a paper one night, she woke up the next day apparently cured and returned to work as a maternity nurse with no traces of the disease.
But according to the Polish daily newspaper Rzeczpospolita, one of the doctors charged with scrutinising the nun's case believed she might have been suffering from a similar nervous disease, not Parkinson's, which could go into sudden remission. A report on the paper's website went further, saying that the 49-year-old nun had become sick again with the same illness. The Vatican was making no comment on the grounds that the late Pope's case was still under examination.
Simon-Pierre described three years ago how she regained her health after a night of prayer to the then recently deceased Polish pontiff. John Paul also suffered from Parkinson's disease, which is incurable.
"It's like a second birth," she said at the time. "I feel like I've discovered a new body, new limbs."
In 2007 Simon-Pierre could barely move her left side, could not write legibly, drive or move around easily and was in constant pain.
Her disease worsened after the Pope's death, and her order prayed for his intervention to ease her suffering. Then after writing his name on a paper one night, she woke up the next day apparently cured and returned to work as a maternity nurse with no traces of the disease.
But according to the Polish daily newspaper Rzeczpospolita, one of the doctors charged with scrutinising the nun's case believed she might have been suffering from a similar nervous disease, not Parkinson's, which could go into sudden remission. A report on the paper's website went further, saying that the 49-year-old nun had become sick again with the same illness. The Vatican was making no comment on the grounds that the late Pope's case was still under examination.
US to charge tourists $10 for permission to visit
The US yesterday passed a new law designed to boost dwindling numbers of foreign tourists – it will start charging them for the privilege of entering the country.
The bizarre move has prompted controversy on both sides of the Atlantic and warnings that it could backfire. Under the Travel Promotion Act signed into law by Barack Obama yesterday, a new national marketing body will be set up to promote US holidays abroad, a job that until now has only been done piecemeal by individual states.
However the money to pay for the "multi-channel marketing campaign" is to be raised in part from visiting tourists, by charging them $10 for permission to enter. The rest of the funding will be raised in private sector contributions.
Currently visitors from Britain and the EU do not need a visa to visit the US on holiday, but must complete an ESTA (Electronic Scheme for Travel Authorisation) application online, giving detailed personal information. Filling in the form has been free, but it will now cost of $10 per person. The date for the introduction of the fee has not yet been announced, but officials estimate it will take between five months and a year to set up a system to collect the money.
The bizarre move has prompted controversy on both sides of the Atlantic and warnings that it could backfire. Under the Travel Promotion Act signed into law by Barack Obama yesterday, a new national marketing body will be set up to promote US holidays abroad, a job that until now has only been done piecemeal by individual states.
However the money to pay for the "multi-channel marketing campaign" is to be raised in part from visiting tourists, by charging them $10 for permission to enter. The rest of the funding will be raised in private sector contributions.
Currently visitors from Britain and the EU do not need a visa to visit the US on holiday, but must complete an ESTA (Electronic Scheme for Travel Authorisation) application online, giving detailed personal information. Filling in the form has been free, but it will now cost of $10 per person. The date for the introduction of the fee has not yet been announced, but officials estimate it will take between five months and a year to set up a system to collect the money.
John Lennon's son Sean defends use of footage of his dad in car ad
John Lennon's son Sean has defended the decision to licence footage of his father for use in a car advert. The advert for French firm Citroen sees the former Beatle ponder on "copying the past" and "looking backwards".
Sean Lennon said the ad was "not for money" but was intended to keep his father "out there in the world". "Having just seen [the] ad I realize why people are mad," he wrote. "But [the] intention was not financial."
Many have criticised Lennon's widow Yoko Ono for allowing the interview footage to be linked to a commercial product. But her 34-year-old son defended his mother, saying she was merely "hoping to keep dad in [the] public consciousness".
The ad, he said, meant "exposure to [the] young". "Not many things as effective as TV," he continued. When the advertisement for the Citroen DS3 was launched, the car company said Lennon had been chosen for his "universal, timeless and iconic status".
Sean Lennon said the ad was "not for money" but was intended to keep his father "out there in the world". "Having just seen [the] ad I realize why people are mad," he wrote. "But [the] intention was not financial."
Many have criticised Lennon's widow Yoko Ono for allowing the interview footage to be linked to a commercial product. But her 34-year-old son defended his mother, saying she was merely "hoping to keep dad in [the] public consciousness".
The ad, he said, meant "exposure to [the] young". "Not many things as effective as TV," he continued. When the advertisement for the Citroen DS3 was launched, the car company said Lennon had been chosen for his "universal, timeless and iconic status".
Cat survives four weeks eating frozen peas in chilled warehouse
A lucky cat has survived after being trapped for four weeks in a chilled food warehouse - by eating frozen peas.
The feline managed to survive temperatures of -2C (-28F) for a month in the warehouse before it was finally rescued by the RSPCA.
The cat, nicknamed 'Frosty', is believed to have been trapped in the warehouse after entering in the back of a lorry, was first spotted by staff in the warehouse early last month but escaped numerous attempts to catch him.
The 12-month-old black and white tabby cat, is believed to have survived by eating frozen peas and licking moisture off icy food packets.
However, Frosty did not manage to escape frostbite during his time in the freezing temperatures, and had to have both ears and his tail amputated following his ordeal at the frozen food distribution centre in Northamptonshire last month.
He is now recovering at the RSPCA Woodside Animal Centre in Leicester and is expected to make a full recovery.
The feline managed to survive temperatures of -2C (-28F) for a month in the warehouse before it was finally rescued by the RSPCA.
The cat, nicknamed 'Frosty', is believed to have been trapped in the warehouse after entering in the back of a lorry, was first spotted by staff in the warehouse early last month but escaped numerous attempts to catch him.
The 12-month-old black and white tabby cat, is believed to have survived by eating frozen peas and licking moisture off icy food packets.
However, Frosty did not manage to escape frostbite during his time in the freezing temperatures, and had to have both ears and his tail amputated following his ordeal at the frozen food distribution centre in Northamptonshire last month.
He is now recovering at the RSPCA Woodside Animal Centre in Leicester and is expected to make a full recovery.
Cambridge students read news naked in online video
Two students at Cambridge University have posted a video on the internet showing them reading the news naked.
The man and woman, nicknamed John Tucker and Jane Doe in the clip, are seen walking around the historic buildings of King's College in Cambridge.
The pair start the first episode of the 'Naked News' programme wearing graduation gowns but soon strip off.
They then stumble over their words as they give a brief round-up of university news wearing nothing but a pair of glasses.
The couple, who filmed the programme at 6am before the campus became too crowded, then finish by cycling naked through the streets of Cambridge.
The programme was put together by the university student TV channel CU:TV and is expected to be broadcast weekly.
The man and woman, nicknamed John Tucker and Jane Doe in the clip, are seen walking around the historic buildings of King's College in Cambridge.
The pair start the first episode of the 'Naked News' programme wearing graduation gowns but soon strip off.
They then stumble over their words as they give a brief round-up of university news wearing nothing but a pair of glasses.
The couple, who filmed the programme at 6am before the campus became too crowded, then finish by cycling naked through the streets of Cambridge.
The programme was put together by the university student TV channel CU:TV and is expected to be broadcast weekly.
Drug gang made so much money it rotted in safes
A gang that became Britain’s biggest importers of high grade skunk cannabis made so much money that they left tens of thousands of pounds to rot in hidden safes. The three "directors" of the organised gang made "grotesque profits" of up to £200 million, so much that they were unable to spend it fast enough. In an undercover surveillance operation involving police in Britain, France, Holland and Switzerland the gang were seen driving to Europe with £500,000 stuffed into sports bags.
Another £11 million was handed to a crooked employee at a currency exchange in East London and officers believe this was wired into accounts in Pakistan and Dubai. When Calais customs officers intercepted members of the gang heading to Spain they found hundreds of thousands of pounds stuffed behind the dashboard of their car.
Senior members of the gang were also seen meeting private bankers in Geneva to discuss hiding their money. Much of it was sent abroad and high-priced villas were bought all over the world. The gang also spent hundreds of thousands of pounds buying land and funding a development of 12 luxury villas in Lanzarote. Detectives say they now plan to seize the gang’s profit.
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Intelligence Section first became aware of the gang in June 2006 and over the next two years noted that they imported £70 million of skunk — up to 250kg (551lb) every week. Terrence Bowler, 40, headed up the operation along with Mark Kinnimont, 40, and Peter Moran, 37, who all pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to conspiracy to import controlled drugs and conspiracy to launder the proceeds of crime.
There's a news video on this page and more photos here.
Another £11 million was handed to a crooked employee at a currency exchange in East London and officers believe this was wired into accounts in Pakistan and Dubai. When Calais customs officers intercepted members of the gang heading to Spain they found hundreds of thousands of pounds stuffed behind the dashboard of their car.
Senior members of the gang were also seen meeting private bankers in Geneva to discuss hiding their money. Much of it was sent abroad and high-priced villas were bought all over the world. The gang also spent hundreds of thousands of pounds buying land and funding a development of 12 luxury villas in Lanzarote. Detectives say they now plan to seize the gang’s profit.
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Intelligence Section first became aware of the gang in June 2006 and over the next two years noted that they imported £70 million of skunk — up to 250kg (551lb) every week. Terrence Bowler, 40, headed up the operation along with Mark Kinnimont, 40, and Peter Moran, 37, who all pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to conspiracy to import controlled drugs and conspiracy to launder the proceeds of crime.
There's a news video on this page and more photos here.
Female ballet teacher 'abducted teenage pupil and had sex with him'
A ballet teacher allegedly abducted a male pupil and had sex with him during a three-month affair. Sarah Pirie, 27, who has choreographed stage shows across Britain and has appeared in TV soaps Hollyoaks and Waterloo Road, is accused of taking the boy, aged 15, to hotels where she seduced him.
Yesterday Scots-born Pirie, formerly of St Annes, Lancashire, appeared before magistrates in Blackpool in relation to the claims. She faces five charges of intentionally sexually touching the boy, who is training to be a ballet dancer, but cannot be named for legal reasons.
Banker's daughter Pirie, formerly a teacher at a dance school on the Fylde Coast, is alleged to have taken the teenager to hotels in Manchester for sex. She is accused of committing the offences between March and June last year and is also charged with abducting the teenage pupil from Blackpool on one occasion in May.
Pirie, who is now living in Mamer, Luxembourg, spoke only to confirm her name and address at the two minute hearing. Her lawyer, Trevor Colebourne, told the court his client would be pleading not guilty to all the charges. Originally from Leuchars, near Dundee, Pirie has starred in and choreographed various musicals and pantomimes across the country.
Yesterday Scots-born Pirie, formerly of St Annes, Lancashire, appeared before magistrates in Blackpool in relation to the claims. She faces five charges of intentionally sexually touching the boy, who is training to be a ballet dancer, but cannot be named for legal reasons.
Banker's daughter Pirie, formerly a teacher at a dance school on the Fylde Coast, is alleged to have taken the teenager to hotels in Manchester for sex. She is accused of committing the offences between March and June last year and is also charged with abducting the teenage pupil from Blackpool on one occasion in May.
Pirie, who is now living in Mamer, Luxembourg, spoke only to confirm her name and address at the two minute hearing. Her lawyer, Trevor Colebourne, told the court his client would be pleading not guilty to all the charges. Originally from Leuchars, near Dundee, Pirie has starred in and choreographed various musicals and pantomimes across the country.
Man in gorilla suit swings to the rescue of police woman
A banana-toting hero in a gorilla suit swung into action when he saw a police woman in trouble in Canterbury. Andy Ingham, who was dressed up to help promote his new gym Fit4Less gym to commuters, literally jumped in to help police catch a man they were chasing. Mr Ingham, 30, said: “I was at Canterbury East where the bridge is as you come over to the train station.
“We do gorilla marketing for the gym so one of us, that afternoon it was me, wears a gorilla suit and a green vest and we hand out grab bags with some information, a free guest pass and a banana. Little did Mr Ingham know, police had been called to reports of a fight at the Tesco supermarket in Whitefriars minutes before at 3.20pm on Thursday, February 18. Security guards were already chasing a man through the bus station and along the city wall.
The gym manager said: “We were there just chatting to some people when, all of a sudden, a police car tore up and a lady police officer jumped out. Obviously I had the gorilla suit on and had my hands full of bags as well.
“The policewoman ran up the bridge and there was this guy running over the bridge. The police officer tried to arrest him, at which point he tried to resist – he grabbed her and slammed her into the side of the bridge. Then the man started running towards us and the police officer shouted ‘assistance please!’”
Police say the female officer was pushed in the chest against the bridge railings, which are at least 40 feet above a busy dual-carriageway. The policewoman was not seriously hurt. Mr Ingham said: “When you are in a gorilla suit it is quite hard to see out of it to begin with. You actually have to hold someone’s hand as you walk along otherwise you fall over.
“If I had been able to see I would have rugby-tackled him, but I also had my hands full of bags. So as he ran towards me I jumped in front of him and gave him a really good kick in the legs to try and trip him up so someone else could jump on him. He stumbled and nearly fell over and tried to run off down the road, at which point he was apprehended by the rest of the police and taken away.”
“We do gorilla marketing for the gym so one of us, that afternoon it was me, wears a gorilla suit and a green vest and we hand out grab bags with some information, a free guest pass and a banana. Little did Mr Ingham know, police had been called to reports of a fight at the Tesco supermarket in Whitefriars minutes before at 3.20pm on Thursday, February 18. Security guards were already chasing a man through the bus station and along the city wall.
The gym manager said: “We were there just chatting to some people when, all of a sudden, a police car tore up and a lady police officer jumped out. Obviously I had the gorilla suit on and had my hands full of bags as well.
“The policewoman ran up the bridge and there was this guy running over the bridge. The police officer tried to arrest him, at which point he tried to resist – he grabbed her and slammed her into the side of the bridge. Then the man started running towards us and the police officer shouted ‘assistance please!’”
Police say the female officer was pushed in the chest against the bridge railings, which are at least 40 feet above a busy dual-carriageway. The policewoman was not seriously hurt. Mr Ingham said: “When you are in a gorilla suit it is quite hard to see out of it to begin with. You actually have to hold someone’s hand as you walk along otherwise you fall over.
“If I had been able to see I would have rugby-tackled him, but I also had my hands full of bags. So as he ran towards me I jumped in front of him and gave him a really good kick in the legs to try and trip him up so someone else could jump on him. He stumbled and nearly fell over and tried to run off down the road, at which point he was apprehended by the rest of the police and taken away.”
Council advises families to stock 'hurricane survival kit'
A council has advised families to stock a "hurricane" survival kit usually needed only in foreign countries prone to natural disasters. The kits, which cost £100, have to be bought by residents themselves and are being recommended in case of hurricanes or floods. Items on the survival list suggested by Birmingham City Council include a sleeping bag, camping stove, first aid box and wellington boots
Spare batteries, candles, a battery-powered radio, rubber gloves, waterproof clothing, long-life food and bottled water are all listed as other "essential" items. Survival experts branded the idea ridiculous and said they would be only appropriate for foreign countries prone to natural disasters. Lawrence Clark, 39, who was trained by Ray Mears for five years, said the measures were totally over the top.
He said: "These measures seem very extreme for a city, you need this kind of kit if you lived in a country prone to natural disasters. People shouldn't have to spend £100 on equipment that they don't need. I have no idea why they are recommending hurricane lamps, which are very old-fashioned. They're basically just a candle protected by a glass case, and I think it's unrealistic to expect people to fork out for them. It seems like an over-reaction to encourage people in the middle of England to buy expensive things like this. People are becoming more concerned about natural disasters, but telling people to buy this kind of kit is just going too far."
The Preparing For Emergencies leaflet has been issued by Birmingham City Council, and the Birmingham Resilience Team. The kit is designed to help people survive for three days, in case of rioting, hurricanes or floods. But Birmingham rarely suffers any kind of natural disaster. There were minor floods last year and a tornado that hit the city in 2005 caused some damage to property.
Spare batteries, candles, a battery-powered radio, rubber gloves, waterproof clothing, long-life food and bottled water are all listed as other "essential" items. Survival experts branded the idea ridiculous and said they would be only appropriate for foreign countries prone to natural disasters. Lawrence Clark, 39, who was trained by Ray Mears for five years, said the measures were totally over the top.
He said: "These measures seem very extreme for a city, you need this kind of kit if you lived in a country prone to natural disasters. People shouldn't have to spend £100 on equipment that they don't need. I have no idea why they are recommending hurricane lamps, which are very old-fashioned. They're basically just a candle protected by a glass case, and I think it's unrealistic to expect people to fork out for them. It seems like an over-reaction to encourage people in the middle of England to buy expensive things like this. People are becoming more concerned about natural disasters, but telling people to buy this kind of kit is just going too far."
The Preparing For Emergencies leaflet has been issued by Birmingham City Council, and the Birmingham Resilience Team. The kit is designed to help people survive for three days, in case of rioting, hurricanes or floods. But Birmingham rarely suffers any kind of natural disaster. There were minor floods last year and a tornado that hit the city in 2005 caused some damage to property.
Rector throws Tai Chi class out of church hall
An exercise class has been left high and dry following a church minister's sudden decision to oust its members. Members of the Tai Chi class, run by Richard Odell at St Marks Church hall in Little Common, Bexhill, were informed by letter by rector Jonathan Frais that they have to vacate on March 30 because he deemed the relaxation sessions 'inappropriate on a Christian premises'.
Mr Odell, who teaches the class of 12 people and has taught Tai Chi for 19 years, said: "We have been here for quite a few years. It's insulting and effectively saying the church is now not prepared to tolerate our presence. We are particularly angry about this. It's ridiculous.
"Some have written e-mails and letters to the rector saying this is totally wrong. He has even been invited to come to the class to see what we are all about but hasn't been. It's pretty extreme."
Mr Frais said: "Tai Chi is a practise from the Taoist religion and represents a way of finding peace, both mentally and spiritually different than that offered by the Christian faith.
"Although the relaxation techniques of Tai Chi are not teaching a different religion, it advocates practises that come from a different faith. I asked Mr Odell for a copy of his teaching methods and it was enough for me to start on a gentle learning curve about the origins of it (Tai Chi].
"It got to the point where it struck me that it is inappropriate on Christian premises for an expression of another religion to be hosted. I wish the group well in their relocation."
Mr Odell, who teaches the class of 12 people and has taught Tai Chi for 19 years, said: "We have been here for quite a few years. It's insulting and effectively saying the church is now not prepared to tolerate our presence. We are particularly angry about this. It's ridiculous.
"Some have written e-mails and letters to the rector saying this is totally wrong. He has even been invited to come to the class to see what we are all about but hasn't been. It's pretty extreme."
Mr Frais said: "Tai Chi is a practise from the Taoist religion and represents a way of finding peace, both mentally and spiritually different than that offered by the Christian faith.
"Although the relaxation techniques of Tai Chi are not teaching a different religion, it advocates practises that come from a different faith. I asked Mr Odell for a copy of his teaching methods and it was enough for me to start on a gentle learning curve about the origins of it (Tai Chi].
"It got to the point where it struck me that it is inappropriate on Christian premises for an expression of another religion to be hosted. I wish the group well in their relocation."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)