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Friday, March 16, 2012
Scottish guinea pig makes world record jump
An unassuming Fife guinea pig is jumping for joy after being confirmed among the world's elite as a new Guinness world record holder. Truffles, lured only by the temptation of his favourite cucumber snack, has smashed a world record for the longest jump ever recorded by a guinea pig.
While it may be some way off human world record of over 29ft, Truffles showed his class by vaulting 30cm with ease, breaking the existing record by nearly 10cm. Now the galloping guinea pig is a star in the making — much to the delight of his owner Chloe Macari, 13. Scout Chloe roped in everyone from the 41st Scouts to witness Truffles in action.
With detailed requirements for setting a record, official witnesses appointed, cameras and camcorders at the ready, a hush descended on the James Spence Hall as Truffles limbered up. With everyone making sure he jumped of his own free will, and was in no way pushed, prodded or coerced, he took a running leap — straight into the record books.
YouTube link.
Chloe's mum, Angela said: ''I never thought I'd ever have a world champion in my house!'' She added: ''It was a great night — you should've seen the faces of the Scouts — and my dad, John, was the proud granddad, parading around with Truffles. It was absolutely lovely.'' A Guinness World Records spokeswoman said: "The longest jump by a guinea pig was achieved by Truffles, who cleared a gap of 30 cm (12in) in Rosyth, Fife, UK."
While it may be some way off human world record of over 29ft, Truffles showed his class by vaulting 30cm with ease, breaking the existing record by nearly 10cm. Now the galloping guinea pig is a star in the making — much to the delight of his owner Chloe Macari, 13. Scout Chloe roped in everyone from the 41st Scouts to witness Truffles in action.
With detailed requirements for setting a record, official witnesses appointed, cameras and camcorders at the ready, a hush descended on the James Spence Hall as Truffles limbered up. With everyone making sure he jumped of his own free will, and was in no way pushed, prodded or coerced, he took a running leap — straight into the record books.
YouTube link.
Chloe's mum, Angela said: ''I never thought I'd ever have a world champion in my house!'' She added: ''It was a great night — you should've seen the faces of the Scouts — and my dad, John, was the proud granddad, parading around with Truffles. It was absolutely lovely.'' A Guinness World Records spokeswoman said: "The longest jump by a guinea pig was achieved by Truffles, who cleared a gap of 30 cm (12in) in Rosyth, Fife, UK."
Man tried to strangle pet goat after losing house keys
A New Zealand man who tried to strangle a pet goat in a rage because he couldn't find his house keys has been sentenced to community detention. Mathew Batt, 26, a Westport fisherman, has been sentenced to four months' community detention, 200 hours community work and 12 months supervision, after he flew into a rage.
He pleaded guilty to breaching the Medicines Act, three charges of threatening speech and charges of animal cruelty. Westport District Court was told that Batt became angry at losing his house keys and started smashing windows.
He was so loud and abusive that neighbours called the police. Batt then went to his mother's house where he was "threatening and irrational". In an enraged state he began strangling the pet goat and smashed its head against a wall. Fortunately, he released the goat before more harm was done.
Turning his attention to his sister, he threw a glass at her, showering her in glass, pushed her to the ground and started punching her. His grandmother sprayed him with oven cleaner in an effort to subdue him. He then began smashing and punching objects around the property. "Your behaviour is a disgrace," said Judge Raoul Neave.
He pleaded guilty to breaching the Medicines Act, three charges of threatening speech and charges of animal cruelty. Westport District Court was told that Batt became angry at losing his house keys and started smashing windows.
He was so loud and abusive that neighbours called the police. Batt then went to his mother's house where he was "threatening and irrational". In an enraged state he began strangling the pet goat and smashed its head against a wall. Fortunately, he released the goat before more harm was done.
Turning his attention to his sister, he threw a glass at her, showering her in glass, pushed her to the ground and started punching her. His grandmother sprayed him with oven cleaner in an effort to subdue him. He then began smashing and punching objects around the property. "Your behaviour is a disgrace," said Judge Raoul Neave.
Teenager shot after bullet bounces off cow's skull
A teenager in New Zealand underwent emergency surgery after being hit by a bullet which ricocheted off a cow's head during a homekill which went wrong in north-west Auckland. Police said the accident happened on a rural farm property in Helensville, when a slaughterman reportedly shot a cow in the head.
The bullet ricocheted off the animal's head and hit the slaughterman's 18-year-old assistant in the shoulder. The victim was flown to Auckland Hospital. A hospital spokeswoman said the teen was in a critical condition.
A police spokesman said the cow did not die from the initial gun shot, but was later shot dead by police. He said the animal was knocked out by the first bullet but was still moving.
The spokesman said the slaughterman did not kill the animal with a second shot because he was concerned about his assistant. He said police had not alerting the SPCA about the incident because the slaughterman "did not have evil intent".
The bullet ricocheted off the animal's head and hit the slaughterman's 18-year-old assistant in the shoulder. The victim was flown to Auckland Hospital. A hospital spokeswoman said the teen was in a critical condition.
A police spokesman said the cow did not die from the initial gun shot, but was later shot dead by police. He said the animal was knocked out by the first bullet but was still moving.
The spokesman said the slaughterman did not kill the animal with a second shot because he was concerned about his assistant. He said police had not alerting the SPCA about the incident because the slaughterman "did not have evil intent".
Tide detergent thefts 'funds US drug habits'
A US man suspected of stealing nine bottles of laundry detergent is being held on $1m bail in California. The arrest is the latest in a nationwide string of detergent thefts that police say are being carried out to fund drug habits. Thieves target Tide, a leading laundry liquid, because large bottles - which cost some $20 (£13) legally - have become a black market currency. Shop workers are increasing security measures around their stocks of Tide. In Washington DC, local branches of the nationwide pharmacy chain CVS have attached anti-theft tags to bottles.
One branch in the Dupont Circle area of the city keeps the the bottles locked up behind glass. In California, police in Orange County said that the $1m bail was imposed on Ronald Ledesma, 54, after his attempt to make off with nine bottles of Tide ended in a car accident near the scene of the alleged crime. He was arrested and charged with 10 counts of related commercial burglary. Orange County sheriff's spokesman Jim Amormino said police were "somewhat baffled" by the Tide-stealing trend.
YouTube link.
Ledesma, who has previous convictions for violent crime, was thought to be under the influence of methamphetamine at the time, which Mr Amormino linked to the pattern of thefts. "Apparently it's used to sell on the street," he said. "They probably get enough to feed small-scale drug habits." The Orange County incident is just the latest in a growing list of Tide thefts. One Safeway supermarket in Maryland was losing thousands of dollars of stock each week before two dozen arrests were made. And a man pleaded guilty in West St Paul, Minnesota, to stealing more than $6,000 of Tide from a Walmart branch. He spent 90 days in jail.
In Washington, one CVS employee said she and her colleagues were in no doubt about the brand's cachet among petty thieves. "It's a hot item! It's gotten out of hand," Charlene Holton said. "They usually take maybe four, whatever they can carry out the door." A CVS spokeswoman said Tide thefts were a known issue, but the detergent's maker, Procter & Gamble, said they were in the dark about its notoriety. "We don't have any insight as to why this has apparently happened, but if so, it is unfortunate," a spokeswoman said.
One branch in the Dupont Circle area of the city keeps the the bottles locked up behind glass. In California, police in Orange County said that the $1m bail was imposed on Ronald Ledesma, 54, after his attempt to make off with nine bottles of Tide ended in a car accident near the scene of the alleged crime. He was arrested and charged with 10 counts of related commercial burglary. Orange County sheriff's spokesman Jim Amormino said police were "somewhat baffled" by the Tide-stealing trend.
YouTube link.
Ledesma, who has previous convictions for violent crime, was thought to be under the influence of methamphetamine at the time, which Mr Amormino linked to the pattern of thefts. "Apparently it's used to sell on the street," he said. "They probably get enough to feed small-scale drug habits." The Orange County incident is just the latest in a growing list of Tide thefts. One Safeway supermarket in Maryland was losing thousands of dollars of stock each week before two dozen arrests were made. And a man pleaded guilty in West St Paul, Minnesota, to stealing more than $6,000 of Tide from a Walmart branch. He spent 90 days in jail.
In Washington, one CVS employee said she and her colleagues were in no doubt about the brand's cachet among petty thieves. "It's a hot item! It's gotten out of hand," Charlene Holton said. "They usually take maybe four, whatever they can carry out the door." A CVS spokeswoman said Tide thefts were a known issue, but the detergent's maker, Procter & Gamble, said they were in the dark about its notoriety. "We don't have any insight as to why this has apparently happened, but if so, it is unfortunate," a spokeswoman said.
Zimbabwean Senator says prisoners should be given sex toys to curb homosexuality
Senator Ms Sithembile Mlotshwa says prisoners in Zimbabwean jails should be given sex toys to curb homosexuality. She said prisoners can go without food and clothing as long as they satisfy their sexual needs. She urged the Government to forgo clothes and food and provide “sex gadgets” in prisons to curb homosexuality. She made the remarks when Justice and Legal Affairs Ministry officials appeared before the Parliamentary Thematic Committee on Gender and Development on Monday.
“Considering that some of the same-sex orientation (homosexuality) come from prisons and when those people are out they then spread that orientation, what measures are you putting in place to make sure that vice is stopped?” Sen Mlotshwa asked Acting Secretary for Justice and Legal Affairs Mr Maxwell Ranga. “In other countries they provide sex gadgets and they have also constructed rooms where people go and service themselves when the desire arises.” Mr Ranga said the ministry faced financial constraints which made it impossible to consider providing such gadgets. “If I am struggling to feed and clothe the prisoners, then how can I ask for gadgets?
“The money we get monthly isn’t enough to feed and clothe the prisoners. Improving the prison conditions will remain a dream if resources are not improved.” However, Sen Mlotshwa would have none of it, saying the ministry was trying to find an excuse for its failures. “We can’t say we don’t have money to feed and clothe prisoners because people can stay without food, but they want their sexual desires to be satisfied whether you like it or not. We can’t ignore and say we don’t have money so we won’t provide those gadgets. As the ministry, are you crying out loud so that the issues can be addressed?” Sen Mlotshwa queried.
She asked Mr Ranga if lack of resources also affected sentences meted out to offenders, saying it would be prudent for sentences to be reduced since Government could not provide some of the requirements. Mr Ranga said they were yet to hear of an African country that provided sex gadgets to inmates. “We can’t rush into a certain activity, we will have to carry out a study to see the positives and negatives of providing such gadgets and also to see if it can be implementable,” Mr Ranga said. Last year Sen Mlotshwa told fellow senators that the only avenue left to curb the spread of HIV among married people was by injecting husbands with an “immobiliser” to reduce their sexual desire.
“Considering that some of the same-sex orientation (homosexuality) come from prisons and when those people are out they then spread that orientation, what measures are you putting in place to make sure that vice is stopped?” Sen Mlotshwa asked Acting Secretary for Justice and Legal Affairs Mr Maxwell Ranga. “In other countries they provide sex gadgets and they have also constructed rooms where people go and service themselves when the desire arises.” Mr Ranga said the ministry faced financial constraints which made it impossible to consider providing such gadgets. “If I am struggling to feed and clothe the prisoners, then how can I ask for gadgets?
“The money we get monthly isn’t enough to feed and clothe the prisoners. Improving the prison conditions will remain a dream if resources are not improved.” However, Sen Mlotshwa would have none of it, saying the ministry was trying to find an excuse for its failures. “We can’t say we don’t have money to feed and clothe prisoners because people can stay without food, but they want their sexual desires to be satisfied whether you like it or not. We can’t ignore and say we don’t have money so we won’t provide those gadgets. As the ministry, are you crying out loud so that the issues can be addressed?” Sen Mlotshwa queried.
She asked Mr Ranga if lack of resources also affected sentences meted out to offenders, saying it would be prudent for sentences to be reduced since Government could not provide some of the requirements. Mr Ranga said they were yet to hear of an African country that provided sex gadgets to inmates. “We can’t rush into a certain activity, we will have to carry out a study to see the positives and negatives of providing such gadgets and also to see if it can be implementable,” Mr Ranga said. Last year Sen Mlotshwa told fellow senators that the only avenue left to curb the spread of HIV among married people was by injecting husbands with an “immobiliser” to reduce their sexual desire.
Homeless man causes morgue to defrost
A homeless man is to blame for defrosting a morgue in Vladivostok, an incident described as a “pending biological disaster,” police said on Thursday. The suspect, a 49-year-old Azerbaijani native, stole pipes transmitting refrigerants to the body storage area in order to sell them for scrap metal, a spokesman for police in the far eastern Russian city.
The incident took place on Monday, but the theft was not discovered until the next day, when temperature in the morgue rose above zero degrees Celsius, causing bodies to spoil. Several corpses had to be buried immediately, said Vladivostok region’s chief forensic expert Alexander Golubev, who described the incident as a “disaster.” Morgue employees had to don hazmat suits to clean up the mess caused by the thawing.
The suspect, who made a living collecting scrap metal, simply entered the unlocked room that housed refrigerator equipment and cut away the metal pipes, letting all the Freon leak from the system before calmly walking away with the loot. The man then sold the pipes to a scrap metal yard next door, from where they were eventually recovered by police.
The man, who previously served prison terms for hooliganism and sexually abusing a minor, now faces up to five years in prison if charged and convicted of theft. Ironically, the suspect, whose name was withheld, is himself a refrigerator repair man by profession, police said.
The incident took place on Monday, but the theft was not discovered until the next day, when temperature in the morgue rose above zero degrees Celsius, causing bodies to spoil. Several corpses had to be buried immediately, said Vladivostok region’s chief forensic expert Alexander Golubev, who described the incident as a “disaster.” Morgue employees had to don hazmat suits to clean up the mess caused by the thawing.
The suspect, who made a living collecting scrap metal, simply entered the unlocked room that housed refrigerator equipment and cut away the metal pipes, letting all the Freon leak from the system before calmly walking away with the loot. The man then sold the pipes to a scrap metal yard next door, from where they were eventually recovered by police.
The man, who previously served prison terms for hooliganism and sexually abusing a minor, now faces up to five years in prison if charged and convicted of theft. Ironically, the suspect, whose name was withheld, is himself a refrigerator repair man by profession, police said.
Passers-by discover skip full of free booze
St.Patrick’s Day came early for revellers in one Irish town yesterday when passers-by found a rubbish skip full of discarded beer. Locals on Main Street in Letterkenny, Donegal, couldn’t believe their luck when they came across the assortment of free booze.
The haul of beer contained dozens of cans and bottles of all brands of beer including Guinness, Fosters and Becks. The booze bullion came from a nearby off-licence premises which was being renovated. It was noticed by a passer-by who soon began to unload the haul on to the footpath.
Other passers-by began to join him in claiming the free beer. Some of the revellers used plastic bags to load their booze into before going off on their merry way. One passer-by said: “It was so funny. Traffic came to a bit of a standstill on the Main Street as these guys unloaded the skip.
“There was one guy on top of all the other discarded rubbish who realised there was a bevvy of booze below. I don’t think they could believe their luck.”
Via Broadsheet.ie.
The haul of beer contained dozens of cans and bottles of all brands of beer including Guinness, Fosters and Becks. The booze bullion came from a nearby off-licence premises which was being renovated. It was noticed by a passer-by who soon began to unload the haul on to the footpath.
Other passers-by began to join him in claiming the free beer. Some of the revellers used plastic bags to load their booze into before going off on their merry way. One passer-by said: “It was so funny. Traffic came to a bit of a standstill on the Main Street as these guys unloaded the skip.
“There was one guy on top of all the other discarded rubbish who realised there was a bevvy of booze below. I don’t think they could believe their luck.”
Via Broadsheet.ie.
Premier League boss fell into hotel water feature after lecturing Qataris about drinking
Sir Dave Richards, the Premier League chairman, fell into a hotel water feature after an off-message rant about Fifa, Uefa, Qatar and drinking.
YouTube link.
Shortly afterwards at a gala dinner the 68-year-old stumbled into an ornamental pool, soaking his suit.
One eyewitness of Richards’s stumble into the ornamental pool reported how his fellow FA board member, the Bolton Wanderers chairman, Phil Gartside had been called upon to fish out the “bedraggled” executive.
YouTube link.
“Gartside helped fish him out and he looked shocked and bedraggled,” said the eyewitness. “He turned tail and left to get changed. He didn’t come back.”
YouTube link.
Shortly afterwards at a gala dinner the 68-year-old stumbled into an ornamental pool, soaking his suit.
One eyewitness of Richards’s stumble into the ornamental pool reported how his fellow FA board member, the Bolton Wanderers chairman, Phil Gartside had been called upon to fish out the “bedraggled” executive.
YouTube link.
“Gartside helped fish him out and he looked shocked and bedraggled,” said the eyewitness. “He turned tail and left to get changed. He didn’t come back.”
Tom and Jerry comes to life as cat has stand-off with fearless mouse
A tiny wood mouse stands up to a cat and scratches it on the nose. Looking like a scene from a Tom and Jerry cartoon, the fight saw 'Jerry' escaping under the fence and back into the woods where 'Tom' had earlier caught him.
The cat had brought the mouse into a garden in Reigate, Surrey, hoping to spend the afternoon chasing him before snacking on the little critter. But he bit off more than he could chew when the mouse turned on him in a battle to survive.
Stephanie Evans said she came outside and saw the mouse in the cat's mouth. He put the mouse down and instead of running away the mouse just fronted him. The cat was so shocked he just stood there.
She says she thinks they must have tussled for about 10 minutes, before the little mouse disappeared under the fence. A neighbour later found the mouse in his greenhouse. He said "he refused to run off. He was probably waiting patiently to smash a flower-pot over the cat's head!"
The cat had brought the mouse into a garden in Reigate, Surrey, hoping to spend the afternoon chasing him before snacking on the little critter. But he bit off more than he could chew when the mouse turned on him in a battle to survive.
Stephanie Evans said she came outside and saw the mouse in the cat's mouth. He put the mouse down and instead of running away the mouse just fronted him. The cat was so shocked he just stood there.
She says she thinks they must have tussled for about 10 minutes, before the little mouse disappeared under the fence. A neighbour later found the mouse in his greenhouse. He said "he refused to run off. He was probably waiting patiently to smash a flower-pot over the cat's head!"
Della the talking dog calls out for attention when she's left alone
When playing with a ball, or jumping up excitedly when she hears the jangling of her lead, Della looks like a normal dog. But it is only when her owners take her for a walk to the shops that her talents become apparent.
Never one for barking, the Staffordshire bull terrier prefers to "chat" to passers-by. "When I first heard her, I ran out because I thought it was a baby crying or a child in trouble," said her owner Ian Suggitt of Hornsea in the East Riding of Yorkshire. "When I realised it was Della, I thought she must be choking herself or hurt.
YouTube link.
"But she wasn't – she just makes the weirdest noise." A cross between a baby crying or a toddler shouting is how most people think she sounds. Although she cannot say words, some of her noises sound like "mama" and "hello". Ian's son Lewis, 10, said: "I think she sounds like a sheep, but without the 'baaa'."
The Suggitt family got Della from an RSPCA rescue centre about three years ago. It was not until Ian, 38, took Della for her first outing to the shops that he noticed the noise. He now says he gets lots of comments about Della, who is about five years old. Despite loving the limelight when she visits the shops, Della does not make any other noises. Unusually, she never barks.
Never one for barking, the Staffordshire bull terrier prefers to "chat" to passers-by. "When I first heard her, I ran out because I thought it was a baby crying or a child in trouble," said her owner Ian Suggitt of Hornsea in the East Riding of Yorkshire. "When I realised it was Della, I thought she must be choking herself or hurt.
YouTube link.
"But she wasn't – she just makes the weirdest noise." A cross between a baby crying or a toddler shouting is how most people think she sounds. Although she cannot say words, some of her noises sound like "mama" and "hello". Ian's son Lewis, 10, said: "I think she sounds like a sheep, but without the 'baaa'."
The Suggitt family got Della from an RSPCA rescue centre about three years ago. It was not until Ian, 38, took Della for her first outing to the shops that he noticed the noise. He now says he gets lots of comments about Della, who is about five years old. Despite loving the limelight when she visits the shops, Della does not make any other noises. Unusually, she never barks.
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