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Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Hungarian priest seeks new faithful from his skateboard
A Hungarian Catholic priest who spreads God's word from a skateboard has become an internet sensation. A video of the Reverend Zoltan Lendvai, 45, in action has attracted almost 300,000 hits on YouTube. The video shows Father Lendvai, clad in full clerical garb, displaying his moves.
It is not clear whether he has mastered the nose-grind or the kick-flip, but his skills have helped attract young people to his church. Father Lendvai, whose first board bore the papal coat of arms, believes skateboarding can pave the way to God for young people.
He says his distinctive method of spreading the word on wheels is inspired by Saint John Bosco. The 19th century Italian priest and teacher dedicated his life to improving the lot of poor young people, using games as part of their education. "Many times I have felt that this is the way I can bring many people a bit closer to Jesus," Father Lendvai, who learned to skateboard at the age of 14 at school, said.
However, it was not until he started to serve as a priest that he realised the switch stance and the shove-it might be more effective than the sermon in turning young people towards the church. Three teenage boys who had never attended church before started coming regularly after he showed off his skateboard tricks, said Father Lendvai, who lives and preaches in Redics, a small village on Hungary's border with Slovenia.
It is not clear whether he has mastered the nose-grind or the kick-flip, but his skills have helped attract young people to his church. Father Lendvai, whose first board bore the papal coat of arms, believes skateboarding can pave the way to God for young people.
He says his distinctive method of spreading the word on wheels is inspired by Saint John Bosco. The 19th century Italian priest and teacher dedicated his life to improving the lot of poor young people, using games as part of their education. "Many times I have felt that this is the way I can bring many people a bit closer to Jesus," Father Lendvai, who learned to skateboard at the age of 14 at school, said.
However, it was not until he started to serve as a priest that he realised the switch stance and the shove-it might be more effective than the sermon in turning young people towards the church. Three teenage boys who had never attended church before started coming regularly after he showed off his skateboard tricks, said Father Lendvai, who lives and preaches in Redics, a small village on Hungary's border with Slovenia.
Did pigeon droppings cause Australian man's death?
An inquest will determine what role pigeon droppings played in the death of a Sydney man who was crushed to death by a shop awning.
Craig Taylor died on December 7, 2007 after an awning he was sheltering under during a storm at Balgowlah, on the Northern Beaches, collapsed. The hollow awning was home to dozens of pigeons and it is thought that the weight of their droppings, combined with the heavy rain, may have contributed to its collapse.
Droppings and nests were found inside the corrugated iron awning and live birds were found in the wreckage after Mr Taylor's death. His death came less than six months after another awning collapsed at Fairlight, which prompted Manly Local Council to ask business owners to carry out safety inspections.
Two assistants from pharmacies under the awning told of seeing "dozens" of pigeons around the area. The inquest before Coroner Hugh Dillon continues.
Craig Taylor died on December 7, 2007 after an awning he was sheltering under during a storm at Balgowlah, on the Northern Beaches, collapsed. The hollow awning was home to dozens of pigeons and it is thought that the weight of their droppings, combined with the heavy rain, may have contributed to its collapse.
Droppings and nests were found inside the corrugated iron awning and live birds were found in the wreckage after Mr Taylor's death. His death came less than six months after another awning collapsed at Fairlight, which prompted Manly Local Council to ask business owners to carry out safety inspections.
Two assistants from pharmacies under the awning told of seeing "dozens" of pigeons around the area. The inquest before Coroner Hugh Dillon continues.
Barcelona using catapults to capture pigeons
Barcelona has declared war on its pigeon population after hiring contractors to catch and kill them using special net catapults and carbon dioxide gas. Barcelona City Council has hired the team to catch and kill a quarter of the pigeons in the Catalonian capital after experts warned the population was 10 times higher than recommended in the old part of the city. The technique involves luring unsuspecting birds into a small area to feed. A large net is then ejected from a catapult with traps dozens of the pigeons in one shot. They are then taken away and asphyxiated.
The council ordered the extermination of 65,000 pigeons during the next 18 months to control the “plague” that is causing damage to the city’s monuments due to the corrosive droppings. A report said the birds, which number 6,500 per square km in Barcelona’s historic quarter, also spread diseases and cause allergies among residents and visitors to the city in northeastern Spain.
Victor Peracho, head of the city council’s pest control unit said that the insistence by some people to feed the birds, despite requests not to, coupled with the warm climate has caused the “population to become uncontrollable”. The move to step up extermination has caused concern among animal rights activists who believe the method is inhumane and ultimately ineffective. Carmen Mendez, president of the Association for the Defence of Animals, (ADDA) argued: “It’s cruel and in the end it will do nothing to curb the pigeon population.”
They argue that extermination methods only result in the pigeons laying more eggs to compensate. “If a quarter of the population is killed then within two years it will return to original density in a rebound effect.” The charity is instead calling for special lofts to be installed to encourage the birds to roost and where the population can be controlled by taking away newly laid eggs and putting fake ones in their place.
The council ordered the extermination of 65,000 pigeons during the next 18 months to control the “plague” that is causing damage to the city’s monuments due to the corrosive droppings. A report said the birds, which number 6,500 per square km in Barcelona’s historic quarter, also spread diseases and cause allergies among residents and visitors to the city in northeastern Spain.
Victor Peracho, head of the city council’s pest control unit said that the insistence by some people to feed the birds, despite requests not to, coupled with the warm climate has caused the “population to become uncontrollable”. The move to step up extermination has caused concern among animal rights activists who believe the method is inhumane and ultimately ineffective. Carmen Mendez, president of the Association for the Defence of Animals, (ADDA) argued: “It’s cruel and in the end it will do nothing to curb the pigeon population.”
They argue that extermination methods only result in the pigeons laying more eggs to compensate. “If a quarter of the population is killed then within two years it will return to original density in a rebound effect.” The charity is instead calling for special lofts to be installed to encourage the birds to roost and where the population can be controlled by taking away newly laid eggs and putting fake ones in their place.
Man claims he has developed female genitals
A distressed man in Malawi claims he has developed female genitals and his testicles keep disappearing. 25-year-old Jali Mateyu says his wife confirmed that female genitalia had grown out of his anus. “Two years ago I developed strange human flesh on my anus and my wife confirmed to me that they were female genitals but they disappeared.” Mateyu explained.
“But in June this year they reappeared just between the anus and the genitals. My member shrunk and later disappeared. There were only female genitals,” he continued. Mateyu immediately sought the assistance of a traditional healer who cut the alleged female genitals with a knife and sprinkled herbs on them. “They were cut and herbs were applied. Now male genitals have resurfaced but they are too weak; I can’t perform in bed,” Mateyu said.
Mateyu blames his suffering on black magic, and has accused both his mother-in-law and his second wife’s ex-husband for bewitching him and turning him into a woman. Mateyu’s first wife ran away after he stole his second wife from another man, he believes that this is the motive for his first wife’s mother and his second wife’s ex-partner for using black magic against him. The young man, who now has three wives explained how his second wife had been with her husband for many years but had not been able to produce children. Believing it was the husband who was seedless the couple looked for a suitable donor to sire a child. At first the husband brought home an old man to impregnate his wife, but she wasn’t happy with this choice and subsequently began paying Mateyu regular visits for hanky-panky.
After a short while the woman decided not to return to her barren husband and stayed with Mateyu instead, that is when his first wife left and the alleged female genitals arrived. Mateyu also revealed that his new female parts itch a lot and sometimes bleed after they are scratched. His wife told him he is most likely menstruating. Dr Vincent Moyo from the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital gave a statement saying it was not possible for a man to develop female sexual organs.
“But in June this year they reappeared just between the anus and the genitals. My member shrunk and later disappeared. There were only female genitals,” he continued. Mateyu immediately sought the assistance of a traditional healer who cut the alleged female genitals with a knife and sprinkled herbs on them. “They were cut and herbs were applied. Now male genitals have resurfaced but they are too weak; I can’t perform in bed,” Mateyu said.
Mateyu blames his suffering on black magic, and has accused both his mother-in-law and his second wife’s ex-husband for bewitching him and turning him into a woman. Mateyu’s first wife ran away after he stole his second wife from another man, he believes that this is the motive for his first wife’s mother and his second wife’s ex-partner for using black magic against him. The young man, who now has three wives explained how his second wife had been with her husband for many years but had not been able to produce children. Believing it was the husband who was seedless the couple looked for a suitable donor to sire a child. At first the husband brought home an old man to impregnate his wife, but she wasn’t happy with this choice and subsequently began paying Mateyu regular visits for hanky-panky.
After a short while the woman decided not to return to her barren husband and stayed with Mateyu instead, that is when his first wife left and the alleged female genitals arrived. Mateyu also revealed that his new female parts itch a lot and sometimes bleed after they are scratched. His wife told him he is most likely menstruating. Dr Vincent Moyo from the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital gave a statement saying it was not possible for a man to develop female sexual organs.
Cow tongue delays trains
A cow tongue with nails embedded in it stopped the MetroRail in its tracks on Monday morning after the package was discovered between the tracks in East Austin.
Capital Metro Interim Manager of Security John Jones and security guards described the disturbing contents of the paper bag, which also had writing on the butcher paper.
Someone spotted the package at around 7 a.m. on the tracks just west of the intersection of Fifth and Chicon streets .
The Austin Police Department bomb squad arrived on scene to investigate the package - meat wrapped in a plastic bag - after Austin police did the initial observation and decided to move the package off the tracks.
Capital Metro spokesman Adam Shaivitz said earlier on Monday morning that he could only say the suspicious package was a bag and that there was not a bomb inside.
Austin police have determined the package is not dangerous in nature, and crime scene detectives are still investigating. Meanwhile, Jones said there is a meat market just down the street at Seventh and Chicon streets that sells cow tongues.
Capital Metro Interim Manager of Security John Jones and security guards described the disturbing contents of the paper bag, which also had writing on the butcher paper.
Someone spotted the package at around 7 a.m. on the tracks just west of the intersection of Fifth and Chicon streets .
The Austin Police Department bomb squad arrived on scene to investigate the package - meat wrapped in a plastic bag - after Austin police did the initial observation and decided to move the package off the tracks.
Capital Metro spokesman Adam Shaivitz said earlier on Monday morning that he could only say the suspicious package was a bag and that there was not a bomb inside.
Austin police have determined the package is not dangerous in nature, and crime scene detectives are still investigating. Meanwhile, Jones said there is a meat market just down the street at Seventh and Chicon streets that sells cow tongues.
English professor 'thrown out of Starbucks after objecting to corporate language'
An English professor claims she was thrown out of Starbucks after refusing to use the chain’s corporate language, in a dispute that will strike a chord with anyone who has balked at ordering a “grande” or “venti” coffee. Lynne Rosenthal was ejected by three police officers after clashing with a barista about the firm’s ordering rules, which require customers to adopt marketing speak that many find artificial and cloying.
The academic, who is in her early 60s, particularly resented being to forced to state that she did not want butter or cheese on her bagel. Many cafes ask customers whether they would like such extras with their orders in an attempt to boost takings. She said: "I refused to say 'without butter or cheese.' When you go to Burger King, you don't have to list the six things you don't want. Linguistically, it's stupid, and I'm a stickler for correct English."
Prof Rosenthal added: "The barista said,'You're not going to get anything unless you say butter or cheese!' " She claims the manager of the Starbucks on the Upper West Side of Manhattan called the police as the spat escalated. Officers threatened the customer with arrest unless she left the shop and agreed not to return. Prof Rosenthal, who described the incident as “very humiliating”, said she had previously clashed with Starbucks staff over the terminology for specifying the size of her coffee – an issue that riles the chain’s customers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Instead of small, medium and large, Starbucks labels its cups tall, grande and venti. The lexicon so annoys some coffee drinkers that McDonalds made a point of dropping the terms when it made a push into the hot drinks market in 2008. A Starbucks staff member who witnessed the clash accused Prof Rosenthal of taking an aggressive tone. They said: "She would not answer. It was a reasonable question."
The academic, who is in her early 60s, particularly resented being to forced to state that she did not want butter or cheese on her bagel. Many cafes ask customers whether they would like such extras with their orders in an attempt to boost takings. She said: "I refused to say 'without butter or cheese.' When you go to Burger King, you don't have to list the six things you don't want. Linguistically, it's stupid, and I'm a stickler for correct English."
Prof Rosenthal added: "The barista said,'You're not going to get anything unless you say butter or cheese!' " She claims the manager of the Starbucks on the Upper West Side of Manhattan called the police as the spat escalated. Officers threatened the customer with arrest unless she left the shop and agreed not to return. Prof Rosenthal, who described the incident as “very humiliating”, said she had previously clashed with Starbucks staff over the terminology for specifying the size of her coffee – an issue that riles the chain’s customers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Instead of small, medium and large, Starbucks labels its cups tall, grande and venti. The lexicon so annoys some coffee drinkers that McDonalds made a point of dropping the terms when it made a push into the hot drinks market in 2008. A Starbucks staff member who witnessed the clash accused Prof Rosenthal of taking an aggressive tone. They said: "She would not answer. It was a reasonable question."
Man sheds his clothes during bomb threat at airport parking lot
It was a fairly routine morning at the economy parking lot at the Albany International Airport. That's according to the people who work there. That was until one of the drivers who parked in the lot didn't have the five dollars necessary to pay his way out. Police say that's when he told the parking attendant he had a bomb. "Obviously bomb and airport don't belong in the same sentence," said Albany County Undersheriff Craig Apple who was there during the incident.
The undersheriff said a bomb squad, hazmat crew and investigators rushed to the scene. Meanwhile, the man they were dealing with 49 year-old James Buccigrossi of Clifton Park, had jumped into a fire truck that was on its way into the parking lot. "He says I'm an air marshall get driving. Guy goes a short way and realizes something is not right. Then he jumps out of the truck. The guy is running, he's naked," Apple said.
But police were still worried about his car that was parked near the ticket booths They thought there was ticking bomb in it. They shut down the parking lot. The scene was far away enough from the airport's terminals that no flights were cancelled. Police say the situation was scary. They were dealing with a possible bomb while trying to calm Buccigrossi down. At that point they say he was running around yelling stand back. "What it was was, he took his underwear off and said stand back and he threw it out the window," Apple said.
It turns out there was no bomb. Buccigrossi was taken to Albany Medical Center for an evaluation. Apple said he's not going to get off easy. "I don't care what the situation is. You don't yell bomb at an airport and expect to walk away and say I didn't know what I was doing." Investigators don't know why Buccigrossi acted the way he did. They say he might have been a financial advisor. He was driving a black 1993 BMW and had a Blackberry on him. Police say he has no criminal record.
With news video.
The undersheriff said a bomb squad, hazmat crew and investigators rushed to the scene. Meanwhile, the man they were dealing with 49 year-old James Buccigrossi of Clifton Park, had jumped into a fire truck that was on its way into the parking lot. "He says I'm an air marshall get driving. Guy goes a short way and realizes something is not right. Then he jumps out of the truck. The guy is running, he's naked," Apple said.
But police were still worried about his car that was parked near the ticket booths They thought there was ticking bomb in it. They shut down the parking lot. The scene was far away enough from the airport's terminals that no flights were cancelled. Police say the situation was scary. They were dealing with a possible bomb while trying to calm Buccigrossi down. At that point they say he was running around yelling stand back. "What it was was, he took his underwear off and said stand back and he threw it out the window," Apple said.
It turns out there was no bomb. Buccigrossi was taken to Albany Medical Center for an evaluation. Apple said he's not going to get off easy. "I don't care what the situation is. You don't yell bomb at an airport and expect to walk away and say I didn't know what I was doing." Investigators don't know why Buccigrossi acted the way he did. They say he might have been a financial advisor. He was driving a black 1993 BMW and had a Blackberry on him. Police say he has no criminal record.
With news video.
Lovelorn Hong Kong `Spiderwoman' lands in jail
A jilted "Spiderwoman" who broke into the flat of her former live-in partner after scaling down from the roof of a nine- story building was yesterday jailed for 15 months. Cookery teacher Berry Chan Sau- har, 25, put a knife to the throat of her ex-boyfriend Terry Chan Tat-fu, 28, to demand that they get back together in December last year, the District Court heard. Chan was convicted of aggravated burglary two weeks ago.
Describing the case as "unusual" during sentencing, Deputy District Judge Amanda Jane Woodcock said Chan's acts and speech at the time of the offense proved she had an intent to wound her ex- boyfriend. The court was told the woman, who had no criminal record, had been assessed to be suffering from schizophrenia in September last year, or about three months before the incident. But Woodcock said an up-to-date psychiatric report showed otherwise.
The judge also said Chan appeared calm when giving a statement under caution to the police after her arrest. Woodcock said Chan's attack was premeditated as she had bought a knife the day before the offence. The judge also said she believed Chan's act was made out of anger, jealousy and disappointment. Defence lawyer Jonathan Acton-Bond asked the court to hand down a community service order instead of a jail term. However, Woodcock said the case was so serious that community service would be inappropriate.
But the judge said she believed Chan's chance of repeating the offence was low with family support. The pair had lived together since December 2008 but broke up in October last year. The court heard that on the morning of December 23 last year, Chan shimmied down from the roof of a Cheung Sha Wan building with a rope and took off the window grille of her ex-boyfriend's flat with a screwdriver. Terry Chan awoke to find his ex-girlfriend - wearing a wig, gloves and black outfit - holding a knife to his neck. She urged him to get back together but he did not reply. After seeing her wave the knife in her right hand, he managed to disarm her by pinning the woman's hand to the mattress. Chan bit her former boyfriend's right arm during the ensuing struggle. He was taken to hospital where he received treatment to an abrasion on his neck.
Describing the case as "unusual" during sentencing, Deputy District Judge Amanda Jane Woodcock said Chan's acts and speech at the time of the offense proved she had an intent to wound her ex- boyfriend. The court was told the woman, who had no criminal record, had been assessed to be suffering from schizophrenia in September last year, or about three months before the incident. But Woodcock said an up-to-date psychiatric report showed otherwise.
The judge also said Chan appeared calm when giving a statement under caution to the police after her arrest. Woodcock said Chan's attack was premeditated as she had bought a knife the day before the offence. The judge also said she believed Chan's act was made out of anger, jealousy and disappointment. Defence lawyer Jonathan Acton-Bond asked the court to hand down a community service order instead of a jail term. However, Woodcock said the case was so serious that community service would be inappropriate.
But the judge said she believed Chan's chance of repeating the offence was low with family support. The pair had lived together since December 2008 but broke up in October last year. The court heard that on the morning of December 23 last year, Chan shimmied down from the roof of a Cheung Sha Wan building with a rope and took off the window grille of her ex-boyfriend's flat with a screwdriver. Terry Chan awoke to find his ex-girlfriend - wearing a wig, gloves and black outfit - holding a knife to his neck. She urged him to get back together but he did not reply. After seeing her wave the knife in her right hand, he managed to disarm her by pinning the woman's hand to the mattress. Chan bit her former boyfriend's right arm during the ensuing struggle. He was taken to hospital where he received treatment to an abrasion on his neck.
'Biker's ghost' makes Australian motorists speed
It could be one of the most bizarre reasons ever offered by a speeding driver - "A ghost made me do it''. But that is exactly the story being put forward by superstitious motorists hitting speeds of up to 180km/h on a road north of Newcastle, supposedly to conjure a ghost. Port Stephens police have issued a warning to drivers after it emerged that young people were driving at dangerously high speeds along a stretch of Lemon Tree Passage Rd to conjure the spirit of a 20-year-old motorcyclist killed in a crash with a speeding driver in the area three years ago.
A handful of videos have been posted on YouTube, allegedly showing a ghostly bright light appearing in the rear windscreen of cars that start driving at dangerous speeds. Some locals are convinced the light is that of the motorcyclist's ghost, in pursuit of people who drive dangerously. It might sound far-fetched but speeding to summon the ghost has become such a concern that police have issued a warning about the behaviour.
Contains NSFW language.
"It's alleged that if you drive at speed in a manner dangerous, a bright white light comes in behind you and that's what they are calling the Lemon Tree Passage ghost,'' a police spokeswoman said. "There have been several phone calls that people are going out there and while attempting to get footage for YouTube these cars are travelling at excessive speed.''
The YouTube videos posted so far do show a bright light clearly visible, sometimes close to the car and other times in the far distance. But the source of the light is unclear. "We want speeding drivers to know that the only bright light they'll be seeing in their rear windows will be the red and blue lights of a police car,'' the police spokeswoman said.
A handful of videos have been posted on YouTube, allegedly showing a ghostly bright light appearing in the rear windscreen of cars that start driving at dangerous speeds. Some locals are convinced the light is that of the motorcyclist's ghost, in pursuit of people who drive dangerously. It might sound far-fetched but speeding to summon the ghost has become such a concern that police have issued a warning about the behaviour.
Contains NSFW language.
"It's alleged that if you drive at speed in a manner dangerous, a bright white light comes in behind you and that's what they are calling the Lemon Tree Passage ghost,'' a police spokeswoman said. "There have been several phone calls that people are going out there and while attempting to get footage for YouTube these cars are travelling at excessive speed.''
The YouTube videos posted so far do show a bright light clearly visible, sometimes close to the car and other times in the far distance. But the source of the light is unclear. "We want speeding drivers to know that the only bright light they'll be seeing in their rear windows will be the red and blue lights of a police car,'' the police spokeswoman said.
Church warns Egyptian sinners who dial-a-confession risk prison
Egyptian Christians should stop confessing their sins over the phone or risk going to jail, the head of the Coptic Church has warned.
Pope Shenuda III warned Egyptian Copts - who often use the telephone to maintain contact with their local parish priest when they are abroad - that the security services were tapping calls.
Shenuda III said: "Beware not to admit your sins over the telephone, because all phone conversations are recorded by the state security services. Otherwise, you will have to go seek absolution in prison, from the police, rather than from your local priest."
The cleric reportedly issued the warning to hundreds of worshippers during a sermon in Alexandria on Sunday. Copts are the Middle East's largest Christian community and make up about 10 percent of Egypt's largely Muslim population of 80 million.
Pope Shenuda III warned Egyptian Copts - who often use the telephone to maintain contact with their local parish priest when they are abroad - that the security services were tapping calls.
Shenuda III said: "Beware not to admit your sins over the telephone, because all phone conversations are recorded by the state security services. Otherwise, you will have to go seek absolution in prison, from the police, rather than from your local priest."
The cleric reportedly issued the warning to hundreds of worshippers during a sermon in Alexandria on Sunday. Copts are the Middle East's largest Christian community and make up about 10 percent of Egypt's largely Muslim population of 80 million.
Kenyan held in albino sale sting
Police in Tanzania say they have arrested a Kenyan national who was attempting to sell an albino man. The arrest was made in a sting operation as police pretended to be businessmen buying albino body parts. Police say they struck a deal equivalent to more than $250,000 (£159,000) for the 20-year-old man.
Albino body parts are prized in parts of Africa, with witchdoctors claiming they have special powers. The Tanzanian government has promised to take action. According to the Tanzanian police a 28-year-old Kenyan man, Nathan Mutei, was arrested just outside the town of Mwanza as he attempted to sell an albino man. The regional police commander, Simon Siro, said that Mr Mutei had tricked a fellow Kenyan into believing he would secure a job in Tanzania as a truck driver's assistant.
But the police said Mr Mutei had secretly tried to find businessmen willing to buy 20-year-old Robinson Mkwama. The police commander said they had posed as potential buyers in order to make the arrest. Mr Mutei is due in court on Wednesday accused of human trafficking. In Tanzania, the body parts of people living with albinism are used by witchdoctors for potions which they tell clients will help make them rich or healthy.
Over the last three years more than 50 albino adults and children have been killed. The Tanzanian government promised to take action, and there have been some court cases. But justice is slow. So far, just seven men have been given death sentences. The number of albino killings has fallen, but the fear is still strong. African albinos are also under threat from skin cancer and for that reason they rarely live beyond the age of 40.
Albino body parts are prized in parts of Africa, with witchdoctors claiming they have special powers. The Tanzanian government has promised to take action. According to the Tanzanian police a 28-year-old Kenyan man, Nathan Mutei, was arrested just outside the town of Mwanza as he attempted to sell an albino man. The regional police commander, Simon Siro, said that Mr Mutei had tricked a fellow Kenyan into believing he would secure a job in Tanzania as a truck driver's assistant.
But the police said Mr Mutei had secretly tried to find businessmen willing to buy 20-year-old Robinson Mkwama. The police commander said they had posed as potential buyers in order to make the arrest. Mr Mutei is due in court on Wednesday accused of human trafficking. In Tanzania, the body parts of people living with albinism are used by witchdoctors for potions which they tell clients will help make them rich or healthy.
Over the last three years more than 50 albino adults and children have been killed. The Tanzanian government promised to take action, and there have been some court cases. But justice is slow. So far, just seven men have been given death sentences. The number of albino killings has fallen, but the fear is still strong. African albinos are also under threat from skin cancer and for that reason they rarely live beyond the age of 40.
Teddy bear placed in quarantine by Australian customs officers
A teddy bear sent from England to Australia has been quarantined in case it was bringing diseases or exotic pests into the country. The soft brown Stoke City bear, complete with red jumper and matching red woolly hat, was sent as a new baby gift. Caroline Rothwell, 26, posted the toy from her home in Stoke, Staffordshire, to childhood best friend and Stoke City fan Natalie Kinnaird, in her new home of Perth, in Western Australia.
But when the parcel, which also included baby clothes, arrived at Natalie's home the bear was missing - except for a note stating it was quarantined and not allowed into the country. Now Natalie has been informed she must pay 41 Australian dollars to send the bear back to Britain. Stunned support worker Caroline explained: 'The bear was a gift from my one-year-old daughter Isabelle to Natalie's new baby son James.
'Natalie has been over to visit me in Stoke a few times and I thought it would be nice to send the new baby something from here. But when Natalie told me she had received the parcel she said there was a note saying the bear had been quarantined because it could release dangerous exotic pests or diseases into the country.
'I couldn't believe it. It seems ridiculous to think that a stuffed teddy bear could present such a danger.' The bear is still with customs officials in Australia. Quarantine rules stipulate that animal matter - including wool and furs, as well as stuffed animals - are not allowed into the country.
But when the parcel, which also included baby clothes, arrived at Natalie's home the bear was missing - except for a note stating it was quarantined and not allowed into the country. Now Natalie has been informed she must pay 41 Australian dollars to send the bear back to Britain. Stunned support worker Caroline explained: 'The bear was a gift from my one-year-old daughter Isabelle to Natalie's new baby son James.
'Natalie has been over to visit me in Stoke a few times and I thought it would be nice to send the new baby something from here. But when Natalie told me she had received the parcel she said there was a note saying the bear had been quarantined because it could release dangerous exotic pests or diseases into the country.
'I couldn't believe it. It seems ridiculous to think that a stuffed teddy bear could present such a danger.' The bear is still with customs officials in Australia. Quarantine rules stipulate that animal matter - including wool and furs, as well as stuffed animals - are not allowed into the country.
BBC sorry over weatherman's one finger salute
The BBC was forced to apologise after one of its weathermen was caught making a rude gesture live on air.
Tomasz Schafernaker flipped his middle finger at presenters Simon McCoy and Fiona Armstrong after McCoy said his weather forecast would be "100% accurate and provide all the detail you could possibly want".
The flustered meteorologist then realised he had been caught on camera and tried to cover up what he was doing by pretending to scratch his chin.
A BBC spokesman said: "Tomasz was not aware that he was on air, and whilst the gesture was only shown for a second, it was not acceptable. The News Channel presenter live in the studio acknowledged a mistake had been made, and we apologise for any offence caused."
The Polish-born weatherman began presenting on BBC Southeast Today in 2001 before joining the main BBC channels in 2006.
Tomasz Schafernaker flipped his middle finger at presenters Simon McCoy and Fiona Armstrong after McCoy said his weather forecast would be "100% accurate and provide all the detail you could possibly want".
The flustered meteorologist then realised he had been caught on camera and tried to cover up what he was doing by pretending to scratch his chin.
A BBC spokesman said: "Tomasz was not aware that he was on air, and whilst the gesture was only shown for a second, it was not acceptable. The News Channel presenter live in the studio acknowledged a mistake had been made, and we apologise for any offence caused."
The Polish-born weatherman began presenting on BBC Southeast Today in 2001 before joining the main BBC channels in 2006.
Man who covered sleeping flatmate's face with nail varnish jailed
A man who covered his sleeping flatmate's face with nail varnish has been jailed. His victim said that she "freaked out" and was unable to open her eyes the morning after Ian Mahoney, 32, had covered her face and hair with the nail varnish, Vicks vapour rub and KY Jelly.
He told police that it was a joke and no malice was intended. The court heard Mahoney had already admitted a charge of actual bodily harm at an earlier hearing. The court heard that Mahoney and victim Nicola Parle were guests at the home of a mutual friend in Teignmouth when the offence happened on March 23.
The two had been sharing a drink before Miss Parle took two sleeping pills and retired to bed. Prosecutor James Taghdissian told the court: "When she woke at 6am she was unable to open her eyes and she panicked. She touched her face and hair and felt grease and other things.
"She managed to get to the bathroom and washed her face so she could open her eyes then she phoned a friend to come to her assistance. Mahoney was identified as he was the only other person in the house that could have committed the assault." Mahoney, of Hammersmith, London, was given a 10-month sentence.
He told police that it was a joke and no malice was intended. The court heard Mahoney had already admitted a charge of actual bodily harm at an earlier hearing. The court heard that Mahoney and victim Nicola Parle were guests at the home of a mutual friend in Teignmouth when the offence happened on March 23.
The two had been sharing a drink before Miss Parle took two sleeping pills and retired to bed. Prosecutor James Taghdissian told the court: "When she woke at 6am she was unable to open her eyes and she panicked. She touched her face and hair and felt grease and other things.
"She managed to get to the bathroom and washed her face so she could open her eyes then she phoned a friend to come to her assistance. Mahoney was identified as he was the only other person in the house that could have committed the assault." Mahoney, of Hammersmith, London, was given a 10-month sentence.
Driver's 30-hour protest over clamped car
A man sat in his car for 30 hours to prevent it being towed away after it was clamped. Haroon Zafaryab began the protest in Wembley on Wednesday when he returned from Ramadan prayers to find his car clamped and was asked to pay £365.
He said that, as he sat in the vehicle, all four wheels were clamped and about 40 tickets were stuck to its window, amounting to £3,565 in fines. Mr Zafaryab, 27, of Kingsbury, who owns a nursery and works in a medical supplies company, said he was willing to pay the £100 fine for parking on private land, without permit, behind a parade of shops in Copeland Mews.
He said he carried out his vigil on behalf of "everyone who's ever got a ticket". "I sat in my car when I got the initial clamp," he said. "They tried charging me £365 for the initial clamp. I questioned why and they said because I've been here more than two hours and in my heart of hearts I knew it was wrong.
"They were using scaremongering tactics and kept on plastering the stickers. I even sought legal advice. They (lawyers) said 'what does it say on the board' and I read it out and they said 'these stickers they mean nothing. They are just trying to scare you so just be patient.' The father-of-one added: "I was saying that this is just a test and I've got to be patient. People were bringing us food because I had to break my fast at sunset and before sunrise I had to eat again.
So the community and the Wembley mosque committee were bringing me food, milk with rose syrup and dates and my wife brought some food from home." He added: "The number of tickets I counted was approximately 40 so if you imagine each ticket costs £80 and it goes up every half-an-hour. Two tow trucks also turned up, keeping an around-the-clock watch on Mr Zafaryab.
"I'm not a spiteful person and at one point we even offered them food because we feel bad for them," he added. On Thursday evening, Mr Zafaryab's car was finally released after he paid £100. He said he planned to challenge the fine in court. Details of the incident emerged as ministers announced plans to ban clampers from all private land in England and Wales.
With news video.
He said that, as he sat in the vehicle, all four wheels were clamped and about 40 tickets were stuck to its window, amounting to £3,565 in fines. Mr Zafaryab, 27, of Kingsbury, who owns a nursery and works in a medical supplies company, said he was willing to pay the £100 fine for parking on private land, without permit, behind a parade of shops in Copeland Mews.
He said he carried out his vigil on behalf of "everyone who's ever got a ticket". "I sat in my car when I got the initial clamp," he said. "They tried charging me £365 for the initial clamp. I questioned why and they said because I've been here more than two hours and in my heart of hearts I knew it was wrong.
"They were using scaremongering tactics and kept on plastering the stickers. I even sought legal advice. They (lawyers) said 'what does it say on the board' and I read it out and they said 'these stickers they mean nothing. They are just trying to scare you so just be patient.' The father-of-one added: "I was saying that this is just a test and I've got to be patient. People were bringing us food because I had to break my fast at sunset and before sunrise I had to eat again.
So the community and the Wembley mosque committee were bringing me food, milk with rose syrup and dates and my wife brought some food from home." He added: "The number of tickets I counted was approximately 40 so if you imagine each ticket costs £80 and it goes up every half-an-hour. Two tow trucks also turned up, keeping an around-the-clock watch on Mr Zafaryab.
"I'm not a spiteful person and at one point we even offered them food because we feel bad for them," he added. On Thursday evening, Mr Zafaryab's car was finally released after he paid £100. He said he planned to challenge the fine in court. Details of the incident emerged as ministers announced plans to ban clampers from all private land in England and Wales.
With news video.
Burglar’s bottom too big for the job as he gets stuck in window
A burglar had to be freed by firemen after getting stuck in a window for six hours. The man tried to climb headfirst through an opening measuring just 12 inches by eight inches between 2am and 3am this morning and was not freed until 8.30am. Police, ambulance and fire crews were called to the address in Bow after a resident at the house came downstairs for breakfast and spotted him stuck in the window.
One neighbour, who did not want to be named in case the perpetrator returned, said: “It was hilarious. All of the neighbours came outside to take a look at his legs and backside sticking out of the window. He must have felt a right idiot. Most people wanted him to be left there. There is one neighbour who is a surgeon, and he told the emergency services he'd be able to get the burglar out without damaging the window. But they politely declined, saying they would rather get him out in one piece.”
Two fire engines attended after being called at 7.30am and three firemen used a ladder to support the man's legs and bolt-cutters to slice through the downstairs window frame to free him. His indignity was complete as he was led handcuffed, wearing just trainers and a grey tracksuit, into a waiting ambulance, as his top had to be removed during his ordeal.
After briefly being checked by paramedics, the man — described as white and thin (although evidently not thin enough) — was given the all clear and taken away in a police van. A spokeswoman for the Met police said: “A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of burglary and is being held at an east London police station.”
One neighbour, who did not want to be named in case the perpetrator returned, said: “It was hilarious. All of the neighbours came outside to take a look at his legs and backside sticking out of the window. He must have felt a right idiot. Most people wanted him to be left there. There is one neighbour who is a surgeon, and he told the emergency services he'd be able to get the burglar out without damaging the window. But they politely declined, saying they would rather get him out in one piece.”
Two fire engines attended after being called at 7.30am and three firemen used a ladder to support the man's legs and bolt-cutters to slice through the downstairs window frame to free him. His indignity was complete as he was led handcuffed, wearing just trainers and a grey tracksuit, into a waiting ambulance, as his top had to be removed during his ordeal.
After briefly being checked by paramedics, the man — described as white and thin (although evidently not thin enough) — was given the all clear and taken away in a police van. A spokeswoman for the Met police said: “A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of burglary and is being held at an east London police station.”
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