A South Korean golfer has paid a heavy price for an embarrassing shot that landed his caddy in hospital.
The golfer, identified by the country's Supreme Court only as "Jung," was fined 2 million won (£911) for the incident, which occurred at a club in Gunsan Province more than two years ago.
Media reports said Jung had wound up a huge swing at the third hole but when his left foot slipped, the ball rocketed off in the wrong direction and struck his caddy - standing eight metres behind him - in the stomach. The caddy needed seven weeks of hospital treatment.
The Supreme Court recognized lower courts' ruling that Jung had violated the duty of due care to prevent injury to others while playing a sport.
"In events such as boxing or judo, injury to the opponent is to be expected so there is that mitigating circumstance," the court said.
"But in golf, it is unreasonable to expect a caddy should anticipate injury to him or herself."
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Australian pub accused of serving ice cream contaminated with human excrement
A Sydney pub has been accused of serving ice cream contaminated with human excrement to a family of five.
The Whyte family claim they were served a large bowl of ice cream covering what looked like "compacted chocolate". They claim that when Jessia Whyte tasted the dessert she immediately became "violently ill".
Mrs Whyte claims to have been emotionally scarred by the episode, and is now anxious about eating out.
Photo from here.
"The minute I put the spoon to my lips the stench went through my nostrils. I retched and spat it into the napkin," Mrs Whyte said.
"My friend thought I was over-reacting, but when she smelt it, she started screaming 'Oh my god, they've served us s***'."
The Coogee Bay Hotel on the city's southern beaches has strongly denied the accusation. General manager Tony Williams offered the family AUS$5,000 (£2,000) without admitting liability, but the offer was rejected. The family are now said to be suing the pub for AUS$1,000,000 (£400,000).
The Whyte family claim they were served a large bowl of ice cream covering what looked like "compacted chocolate". They claim that when Jessia Whyte tasted the dessert she immediately became "violently ill".
Mrs Whyte claims to have been emotionally scarred by the episode, and is now anxious about eating out.
Photo from here.
"The minute I put the spoon to my lips the stench went through my nostrils. I retched and spat it into the napkin," Mrs Whyte said.
"My friend thought I was over-reacting, but when she smelt it, she started screaming 'Oh my god, they've served us s***'."
The Coogee Bay Hotel on the city's southern beaches has strongly denied the accusation. General manager Tony Williams offered the family AUS$5,000 (£2,000) without admitting liability, but the offer was rejected. The family are now said to be suing the pub for AUS$1,000,000 (£400,000).
Reluctant groom sets hotel on fire
A Japanese man set fire to the hotel where he was due to get married at the weekend, rather than go through with the ceremony later the same day.
Tatsuhiko Kawata, 39, had gone along with wedding plans despite already having a wife.
"I thought if I set a fire I wouldn't have to go through with the wedding," Kawata was quoted as telling police.
Guests at the hotel were evacuated and no one was injured when he set the fire in the early hours of Sunday morning at the resort hotel in Yamanashi Prefecture, west of Tokyo.
Kawata and his fiancee had been set to get married before 80 guests. He was arrested after suddenly cancelling the event and behaving suspiciously.
Tatsuhiko Kawata, 39, had gone along with wedding plans despite already having a wife.
"I thought if I set a fire I wouldn't have to go through with the wedding," Kawata was quoted as telling police.
Guests at the hotel were evacuated and no one was injured when he set the fire in the early hours of Sunday morning at the resort hotel in Yamanashi Prefecture, west of Tokyo.
Kawata and his fiancee had been set to get married before 80 guests. He was arrested after suddenly cancelling the event and behaving suspiciously.
Family reported for cruelty to dummy animal
An ornamental garden dog sparked an animal cruelty probe — after it was mistaken for a neglected pooch. A passer-by called the SSPCA after spotting the life-size “whippet” tied to a fence with an empty food bowl and a cigarette stuck in its mouth.
But incredibly, they failed to notice the brown mutt was actually a statue, and an SSPCA inspector was sent round to owner Anne Wright’s house to probe the neglect allegations.
Anne, 45, of Blantyre, Lanarkshire, said: “The ornament, which I call Priscilla, looks realistic, but this is hilarious. I can’t believe someone actually thought I’d abandoned a real dog. I don’t even have a real dog. I have a cat called Elvis.”
“My son Gary found a card from the SSPCA behind our door last Friday morning. It turns out someone had reported me for leaving a dog in my garden without food or shelter.” Gary, 24 — who tied the pooch to the garden fence — added: “At first, I thought someone was at it. Then I phoned the SSPCA and was told an Inspector had been out.
“The woman took my details and I told her we don’t have a dog — we have an ornament that sits outside in the garden with a broken ear and a food bowl. She burst out laughing.”
Anne bought the £17 stone statue from a TV shopping channel three years ago. It originally sat under the window in her living room, but she moved it outside three months ago when its ear broke off. SSPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: “We investigate all allegations of cruelty.”
But incredibly, they failed to notice the brown mutt was actually a statue, and an SSPCA inspector was sent round to owner Anne Wright’s house to probe the neglect allegations.
Anne, 45, of Blantyre, Lanarkshire, said: “The ornament, which I call Priscilla, looks realistic, but this is hilarious. I can’t believe someone actually thought I’d abandoned a real dog. I don’t even have a real dog. I have a cat called Elvis.”
“My son Gary found a card from the SSPCA behind our door last Friday morning. It turns out someone had reported me for leaving a dog in my garden without food or shelter.” Gary, 24 — who tied the pooch to the garden fence — added: “At first, I thought someone was at it. Then I phoned the SSPCA and was told an Inspector had been out.
“The woman took my details and I told her we don’t have a dog — we have an ornament that sits outside in the garden with a broken ear and a food bowl. She burst out laughing.”
Anne bought the £17 stone statue from a TV shopping channel three years ago. It originally sat under the window in her living room, but she moved it outside three months ago when its ear broke off. SSPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: “We investigate all allegations of cruelty.”
The Leopard Man of Skye changes his spot
A man made famous for his leopard-spot tattoos has left his life in the wild for the comfort of a one-bedroom house.
For the past 20 years, Tom Leppard, known as the Leopard Man of Skye, has lived in a remote bothy under a roof made from plastic sheeting.
The cabin, on a stretch of shoreline near Kyleakin, had no electricity or furniture and he had to canoe three miles for his weekly shopping. Mr Leppard, 73, said: "I'm getting too old for that kind of life."
The London-born pensioner said he was slowly adjusting to his new life in Broadford, on Skye. "It's certainly very strange being surrounded by four walls and a roof but I'll get used to it," he said.
"I'm getting bits of furniture together all the time and I'm getting used to sleeping in a bed at night - it's certainly more comfortable than I'm used to and electricity is very convenient."
Mr Leppard, who spent £5,500 covering his body in leopard-like spots, was the world's most tattooed man - a crown he held until recently.
For the past 20 years, Tom Leppard, known as the Leopard Man of Skye, has lived in a remote bothy under a roof made from plastic sheeting.
The cabin, on a stretch of shoreline near Kyleakin, had no electricity or furniture and he had to canoe three miles for his weekly shopping. Mr Leppard, 73, said: "I'm getting too old for that kind of life."
The London-born pensioner said he was slowly adjusting to his new life in Broadford, on Skye. "It's certainly very strange being surrounded by four walls and a roof but I'll get used to it," he said.
"I'm getting bits of furniture together all the time and I'm getting used to sleeping in a bed at night - it's certainly more comfortable than I'm used to and electricity is very convenient."
Mr Leppard, who spent £5,500 covering his body in leopard-like spots, was the world's most tattooed man - a crown he held until recently.
Forestry Commission scraps Magna Carta right to collect woods from forests
The right of people to collect wood from Britain’s forests that was created under the Magna Carta has been overturned due to health and safety fears. The Forestry Commission has scrapped the right, enshrined in the “Great Charter” at Runneymede in 1215, in order to stop people picking firewood from woodland.
Instead they suggest people buy wood from local firewood merchants allowed into the forest, something critics argue is “carbon intensive” due to the use of vehicles to move the wood.
Mike Kamp, 59, has been collecting cheap fuel for his wood-burning stove for the last 12 years. Previously he was allowed to buy a 30-day licence form the Forestry Commission for £10.50 for access to their land, which would have given him enough wood to last the winter.
The retired builder from Trefriw, north Wales, said: “The Magna Carta states that a common man is allowed to enter forests and take deadwood for firewood, repairing homesteads, fixing tools and equipment and making charcoal.” He added: “Now they’ve stopped issuing licences and they are giving the reason as health and safety issues. But people have walked through the woods collecting firewood for hundreds and hundreds of years without too many safety problems.”
Peter Garson, Forestry Commission Wales Head of Estate Management said: We have a duty of care to the public in our woodlands and a much higher duty of care where we issue permission for particular activities.”
Referring to Mr Kamp, he added: “In the past we have tried to accommodate such requests and we understand his disappointment in this instance. But this is an area where we are subject to increasing constraints in terms of Health and Safety.”
Instead they suggest people buy wood from local firewood merchants allowed into the forest, something critics argue is “carbon intensive” due to the use of vehicles to move the wood.
Mike Kamp, 59, has been collecting cheap fuel for his wood-burning stove for the last 12 years. Previously he was allowed to buy a 30-day licence form the Forestry Commission for £10.50 for access to their land, which would have given him enough wood to last the winter.
The retired builder from Trefriw, north Wales, said: “The Magna Carta states that a common man is allowed to enter forests and take deadwood for firewood, repairing homesteads, fixing tools and equipment and making charcoal.” He added: “Now they’ve stopped issuing licences and they are giving the reason as health and safety issues. But people have walked through the woods collecting firewood for hundreds and hundreds of years without too many safety problems.”
Peter Garson, Forestry Commission Wales Head of Estate Management said: We have a duty of care to the public in our woodlands and a much higher duty of care where we issue permission for particular activities.”
Referring to Mr Kamp, he added: “In the past we have tried to accommodate such requests and we understand his disappointment in this instance. But this is an area where we are subject to increasing constraints in terms of Health and Safety.”
Cigarette drink aims to beat smoking ban
A drink which aims to deliver the same fix as cigarettes is being launched in Britain to help smokers beat the cigarette ban in pubs. The drink, called Liquid Smoking, has already proved a hit in the Netherlands where it has been on sale for a year.
Dutch suppliers United Drinks and Beauty Corporation, hopes the drink will be on sale here before Christmas as they aim to target the opposite end of the energy drinks market.
The manufacturers say it does not contain the drug nicotine, but rather a mix of roots from South African plants which is said to give "a slight energising effect, followed by a euphoric sense of calming and relaxation." It has less than 21 calories per 275ml can and would cost £1.50 in the shops. Although there will be no lower age limit to buy it, the makers believe it should not be drunk by anyone under 15.
United Drinks Chief Executive Martin Hartman said: "The product we have developed has got similar properties to nicotine, so we are trying to help people out who are affected by the ban on nicotine People might use this instead of a cigarette or tobacco to help the cravings. He added: "It will take the edge off of a need for nicotine for between one to four hours.
"I think it will help people who feel the need for nicotine in bars, restaurants, long-haul flights and on the train."
Anti-smoking groups have already expressed their concern however. Amanda Sanford, from Action on Smoking and Health said: "Although we welcome anything which is a genuine alternative [to nicotine], many of these are totally unregulated and we only have the manufacturer's word about what they contain. We would be concerned about any health claims that are unsubstantiated, and at this stage we wouldn't encourage people to buy them."
Dutch suppliers United Drinks and Beauty Corporation, hopes the drink will be on sale here before Christmas as they aim to target the opposite end of the energy drinks market.
The manufacturers say it does not contain the drug nicotine, but rather a mix of roots from South African plants which is said to give "a slight energising effect, followed by a euphoric sense of calming and relaxation." It has less than 21 calories per 275ml can and would cost £1.50 in the shops. Although there will be no lower age limit to buy it, the makers believe it should not be drunk by anyone under 15.
United Drinks Chief Executive Martin Hartman said: "The product we have developed has got similar properties to nicotine, so we are trying to help people out who are affected by the ban on nicotine People might use this instead of a cigarette or tobacco to help the cravings. He added: "It will take the edge off of a need for nicotine for between one to four hours.
"I think it will help people who feel the need for nicotine in bars, restaurants, long-haul flights and on the train."
Anti-smoking groups have already expressed their concern however. Amanda Sanford, from Action on Smoking and Health said: "Although we welcome anything which is a genuine alternative [to nicotine], many of these are totally unregulated and we only have the manufacturer's word about what they contain. We would be concerned about any health claims that are unsubstantiated, and at this stage we wouldn't encourage people to buy them."
Chef is allergic to water
Andy Laughton has been forced to wash his hands of his job as a chef after discovering he is allergic to water.
Mr Laughton started getting itchy hands whenever he was working and soon the itching broke into hives.
The five-star hotel chef started using latex gloves - only to discover he was also allergic to the lanoline and nickel used in their manufacture.
After a battery of hospital tests, the 39-year-old was diagnosed with the rare condition aquagenic urticaria. So, after 23 years in the kitchen, he has hung up his apron for good.
'It felt like I couldn't win. I was using the latex gloves because the hives would break out whenever I was in contact with water,' said Mr Laughton, of Horsham, West Sussex. 'But to then find out I couldn't use them left me with a problem. I even used to wrap sticking plasters all across my hands and then put the latex gloves on top.'
Mr Laughton said he was allergic to water on his hands only and could have baths and showers as long as he kept his hands dry.
Mr Laughton started getting itchy hands whenever he was working and soon the itching broke into hives.
The five-star hotel chef started using latex gloves - only to discover he was also allergic to the lanoline and nickel used in their manufacture.
After a battery of hospital tests, the 39-year-old was diagnosed with the rare condition aquagenic urticaria. So, after 23 years in the kitchen, he has hung up his apron for good.
'It felt like I couldn't win. I was using the latex gloves because the hives would break out whenever I was in contact with water,' said Mr Laughton, of Horsham, West Sussex. 'But to then find out I couldn't use them left me with a problem. I even used to wrap sticking plasters all across my hands and then put the latex gloves on top.'
Mr Laughton said he was allergic to water on his hands only and could have baths and showers as long as he kept his hands dry.
Secret bag checks on travellers at British airports
Customs officers are secretly searching luggage at Heathrow before it reaches the arrivals reclaim area.
New rules which apply to all UK airports have quietly allowed checks to be carried out without travellers' permission or knowledge. The extra searches are being made seconds after flights touch down.
Officers are randomly opening bags before fliers get the option of declaring goods that may require paying duty in the "red channel". The inspected luggage is then collected by the unknowing passengers as usual.
But if anyone with illicit goods goes through the green "nothing to declare" channel, customs staff can then approach them - already aware what is in the luggage.
The unannounced change has caused concern among baggage handlers. One said: "It is strange watching cases opened just after they are offloaded without the owners present. We have even approached officers thinking they are acting illegally.
"But it seems it is now OK for them to lie in wait to nab people when they know they are guilty of duty evasion." The searches are possible following amendments to the powers of Customs staff in this year's Budget report.
New rules which apply to all UK airports have quietly allowed checks to be carried out without travellers' permission or knowledge. The extra searches are being made seconds after flights touch down.
Officers are randomly opening bags before fliers get the option of declaring goods that may require paying duty in the "red channel". The inspected luggage is then collected by the unknowing passengers as usual.
But if anyone with illicit goods goes through the green "nothing to declare" channel, customs staff can then approach them - already aware what is in the luggage.
The unannounced change has caused concern among baggage handlers. One said: "It is strange watching cases opened just after they are offloaded without the owners present. We have even approached officers thinking they are acting illegally.
"But it seems it is now OK for them to lie in wait to nab people when they know they are guilty of duty evasion." The searches are possible following amendments to the powers of Customs staff in this year's Budget report.
Monday, October 27, 2008
German police seek speeding British Muppet
German traffic police have been left looking like proper muppets by a British prankster. An Audi TT with British registration plates has been repeatedly caught speeding on roads in the Bavarian city of Bayreuth. But because continental speed cameras are set up for left-hand drive vehicles, the cameras keep missing the driver’s face.
Instead, they keep capturing clear views of a manic Muppet-like toy which the cheeky Brit has propped up on his passenger seat. But police admit they are even baffled about the identity of the muppet.
Photo from here.
The No.1 suspect is Animal – the manic drummer from The Muppet Show’s house band The Electric Mayhem. But several residents of Sesame Street are also in the frame, including the lovable monster Grover and Bert’s rubber-ducky-loving sidekick Ernie.
Now police have released one of the photographs in the hope someone will recognise the furry speed demon. A German police source said: “The number plate is not enough. We need clear evidence of who is driving the vehicle too.
Click for bigger. Many thanks Hauptkommissar Schulze!
“But because this is a British vehicle we can never get a decent picture. The driver has obviously worked this out because he has placed a large puppet in the passenger seat.
“This may be an example of the famous British sense of humour but it is still dangerous driving. The driver has been caught on camera on several occasions and the puppet is on the passenger seat every time. We suspect he positions the toy deliberately before accelerating past the camera.”
Instead, they keep capturing clear views of a manic Muppet-like toy which the cheeky Brit has propped up on his passenger seat. But police admit they are even baffled about the identity of the muppet.
Photo from here.
The No.1 suspect is Animal – the manic drummer from The Muppet Show’s house band The Electric Mayhem. But several residents of Sesame Street are also in the frame, including the lovable monster Grover and Bert’s rubber-ducky-loving sidekick Ernie.
Now police have released one of the photographs in the hope someone will recognise the furry speed demon. A German police source said: “The number plate is not enough. We need clear evidence of who is driving the vehicle too.
Click for bigger. Many thanks Hauptkommissar Schulze!
“But because this is a British vehicle we can never get a decent picture. The driver has obviously worked this out because he has placed a large puppet in the passenger seat.
“This may be an example of the famous British sense of humour but it is still dangerous driving. The driver has been caught on camera on several occasions and the puppet is on the passenger seat every time. We suspect he positions the toy deliberately before accelerating past the camera.”
Man gets arm stuck in toilet on train
A man trapped his hand in the u-bend of a TGV toilet. Firefighters cut him free after his arm became lodged in the u-bend after he tried to retrieve his mobile phone.
"He came out on a stretcher, with his hand still jammed in the toilet bowl, which they had to saw clean off," said witness Benoit Gigou.
The train was travelling from La Rochelle to Bordeaux on Sunday.
The service was delayed for two hours after the 26-year-old victim, hunting for his lost telephone, fell prey to the powerful suction system which drains the loos on board, the rail network's regional office said.
"He came out on a stretcher, with his hand still jammed in the toilet bowl, which they had to saw clean off," said witness Benoit Gigou.
The train was travelling from La Rochelle to Bordeaux on Sunday.
The service was delayed for two hours after the 26-year-old victim, hunting for his lost telephone, fell prey to the powerful suction system which drains the loos on board, the rail network's regional office said.
Firefighter uses saw for delicate operation
A Newburgh firefighter became an ad hoc surgeon Friday, called upon to use a pneumatic saw to cut a piece of steel pipe off a 73-year-old man's penis.
Firefighters were dispatched to the Newburgh campus of St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital shortly after 9 p.m. for a public service call, Assistant Chief Scott Mandoske said. Hospital personnel asked them for tools to cut off a ring. The fire department has a ring cutter used to clip wedding bands from swollen fingers, but firefighters learned that wouldn't be enough. The pipe was an inch long, an inch in diameter and made of quarter-inch-thick steel. Authorities said the pipe was apparently an erotic aid, but did not elaborate.
Medical personnel weren't able to perform typical medical procedures, such as forcing blood from one side of the penis to the other in order to pull the pipe off. The man's penis had swollen and turned purple. Mandoske said firefighters chose a "wizzer saw" for the job. The wizzer saw is an automotive tool, powered with air bottles and adopted by emergency responders who frequently deal with car crashes. Firefighters use it more commonly to saw off mufflers. This was to be a more delicate operation.
Hospital staff prepared the man, who was unidentified, by wrapping the skin and sliding a lubricated tongue depressor between the pipe and the man's penis to protect him. A doctor, nurses and a paramedic gathered in the Emergency Room as a firefighter — "one of the new guys" — prepared to begin the operation. "Just don't cut it off," the senior citizen reportedly said.
For more than 90 minutes, the firefighter sawed bit by bit into the pipe, pausing occasionally to cool the saw. The time duration was critical, Mandoske said. Hospital staff worried the man could lose his penis if blood circulation was cut off too long. The wizzer saw emptied the first bottle of air and then a second. Finally, after five air bottles, the saw clipped through the final bit of pipe, and they were able to free the man. He was apparently unharmed by the operation.
Firefighters were dispatched to the Newburgh campus of St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital shortly after 9 p.m. for a public service call, Assistant Chief Scott Mandoske said. Hospital personnel asked them for tools to cut off a ring. The fire department has a ring cutter used to clip wedding bands from swollen fingers, but firefighters learned that wouldn't be enough. The pipe was an inch long, an inch in diameter and made of quarter-inch-thick steel. Authorities said the pipe was apparently an erotic aid, but did not elaborate.
Medical personnel weren't able to perform typical medical procedures, such as forcing blood from one side of the penis to the other in order to pull the pipe off. The man's penis had swollen and turned purple. Mandoske said firefighters chose a "wizzer saw" for the job. The wizzer saw is an automotive tool, powered with air bottles and adopted by emergency responders who frequently deal with car crashes. Firefighters use it more commonly to saw off mufflers. This was to be a more delicate operation.
Hospital staff prepared the man, who was unidentified, by wrapping the skin and sliding a lubricated tongue depressor between the pipe and the man's penis to protect him. A doctor, nurses and a paramedic gathered in the Emergency Room as a firefighter — "one of the new guys" — prepared to begin the operation. "Just don't cut it off," the senior citizen reportedly said.
For more than 90 minutes, the firefighter sawed bit by bit into the pipe, pausing occasionally to cool the saw. The time duration was critical, Mandoske said. Hospital staff worried the man could lose his penis if blood circulation was cut off too long. The wizzer saw emptied the first bottle of air and then a second. Finally, after five air bottles, the saw clipped through the final bit of pipe, and they were able to free the man. He was apparently unharmed by the operation.
Hero dog risks life to save kittens from fire
An Australian dog was hailed as a hero yesterday after it risked its life to save a litter of newborn kittens from a house fire, rescuers said.
In a case which gives the lie to the saying about 'fighting like cats and dogs', the terrier cross named Leo had to be revived with oxygen and heart massage after his ordeal. Fire broke out overnight at the house in Australia's southern city of Melbourne, where he was guarding the kittens.
Fire fighters who revived Leo said he refused to leave the building and was found by them alongside the litter of kittens, despite thick smoke.
"Leo wouldn't leave the kittens and it nearly cost him his life," fire service Commander Ken Brown told reporters.
The four kittens also survived the fire and on Sunday Leo, who firefighters nicknamed 'Smoky', was again back at the house.
There's another video here.
In a case which gives the lie to the saying about 'fighting like cats and dogs', the terrier cross named Leo had to be revived with oxygen and heart massage after his ordeal. Fire broke out overnight at the house in Australia's southern city of Melbourne, where he was guarding the kittens.
Fire fighters who revived Leo said he refused to leave the building and was found by them alongside the litter of kittens, despite thick smoke.
"Leo wouldn't leave the kittens and it nearly cost him his life," fire service Commander Ken Brown told reporters.
The four kittens also survived the fire and on Sunday Leo, who firefighters nicknamed 'Smoky', was again back at the house.
There's another video here.
'Window cleaner' scoops $1m mid-day heist in Milan
Police in Milan are investigating an unusual $1m (£628,420) robbery in the heart of the Italian fashion capital.
It was, said the victim, "a masterpiece of its kind". It was certainly daring - in broad daylight and on one of Milan's swankiest shopping streets.
Staff at Pederzani's, one of the city's exclusive jewellers, thought nothing amiss when a window cleaner went to work on the plate glass display.
Dressed in regulation overalls, he propped his ladder against the window.
But then, instead of using the bucket and squeegee to clean it, he calmly unscrewed it before scooping an estimated $1m-worth of jewels into his bucket and walking off into the Friday shopping crowd.
It was, said the victim, "a masterpiece of its kind". It was certainly daring - in broad daylight and on one of Milan's swankiest shopping streets.
Staff at Pederzani's, one of the city's exclusive jewellers, thought nothing amiss when a window cleaner went to work on the plate glass display.
Dressed in regulation overalls, he propped his ladder against the window.
But then, instead of using the bucket and squeegee to clean it, he calmly unscrewed it before scooping an estimated $1m-worth of jewels into his bucket and walking off into the Friday shopping crowd.
World's heaviest man marries in Mexico - Update
The world's heaviest man has tied the knot.
Manuel Uribe, who hasn't left his bed in six years, married his longtime girlfriend Claudia Solis yesterday in northern Mexico.
Wearing a white silk shirt with a sheet wrapped around his legs, Uribe smiled as Solis, 38, walked down a flight of stairs wearing a strapless ivory dress, a tiara and hot-pink lipstick.
He later broke into tears as a notary declared the couple husband and wife in a civil ceremony attended by more than 400 guests. For the traditional first dance as newlyweds, Uribe and Solis held hands and swayed to a romantic ballad.
Uribe's mother, Orquedia Garza, said the groom steered clear of the five-tier wedding cake. "He didn't break his diet," she said. "His doctors are here and they are watching him very closely."
A flatbed truck was brought in to tow his custom-made bed decorated with a canopy, flowers and gold-trimmed bows to the wedding at a local event hall. Two police patrol cars escorted him ahead of a long line of traffic.
Manuel Uribe, who hasn't left his bed in six years, married his longtime girlfriend Claudia Solis yesterday in northern Mexico.
Wearing a white silk shirt with a sheet wrapped around his legs, Uribe smiled as Solis, 38, walked down a flight of stairs wearing a strapless ivory dress, a tiara and hot-pink lipstick.
He later broke into tears as a notary declared the couple husband and wife in a civil ceremony attended by more than 400 guests. For the traditional first dance as newlyweds, Uribe and Solis held hands and swayed to a romantic ballad.
Uribe's mother, Orquedia Garza, said the groom steered clear of the five-tier wedding cake. "He didn't break his diet," she said. "His doctors are here and they are watching him very closely."
A flatbed truck was brought in to tow his custom-made bed decorated with a canopy, flowers and gold-trimmed bows to the wedding at a local event hall. Two police patrol cars escorted him ahead of a long line of traffic.
Australian scientists say bees can count to four
Researchers have discovered that honey bees can count to four, a report said here on Sunday. A researcher from the University of Queensland put five markers inside a tunnel and placed nectar in one of them.
Honey bees placed in the tunnel flew to the marker with the food, and would still fly to the same marker stripe when the food was removed.
"We find that if you train them to the third stripe, they will look subsequently in the third stripe," researcher Mandyam Srinivasan said.
"If you train them to the fourth stripe, they will look the fourth stripe and so on. But their ability to count seems to go only up to four. They can't count beyond four.
"The more we look at these creatures that have a brain the size of a sesame seed, the more astonished we are. They really have a lot of the capacities that we so-called higher human beings possess."
The research was carried out jointly with Swedish researcher Marie Dacke.
Honey bees placed in the tunnel flew to the marker with the food, and would still fly to the same marker stripe when the food was removed.
"We find that if you train them to the third stripe, they will look subsequently in the third stripe," researcher Mandyam Srinivasan said.
"If you train them to the fourth stripe, they will look the fourth stripe and so on. But their ability to count seems to go only up to four. They can't count beyond four.
"The more we look at these creatures that have a brain the size of a sesame seed, the more astonished we are. They really have a lot of the capacities that we so-called higher human beings possess."
The research was carried out jointly with Swedish researcher Marie Dacke.
Ravens to stave off credit curse
Four extra ravens are being drafted into the Tower of London because of the financial crisis — to prevent a 350-year-old curse coming true.
King Charles II decreed there must be at least six ravens otherwise a disaster would strike the nation and the Royal Family.
And up to now, bosses have kept just one spare bird in residence to act as a “super sub”.
But with the UK facing credit crunch meltdown, they ruled an extra four must now be acquired.
Two six-month-old birds Gundolf and Hugine have just arrived and are about to complete their four-week quarantine period. Another two will be delivered next week.
Raven Master Derrick Coyle, 64, said: “I believe in the curse. It was said that if the number ever fell below six, the Tower would fall and great harm would befall the nation. We certainly feel more secure now.”
King Charles II decreed there must be at least six ravens otherwise a disaster would strike the nation and the Royal Family.
And up to now, bosses have kept just one spare bird in residence to act as a “super sub”.
But with the UK facing credit crunch meltdown, they ruled an extra four must now be acquired.
Two six-month-old birds Gundolf and Hugine have just arrived and are about to complete their four-week quarantine period. Another two will be delivered next week.
Raven Master Derrick Coyle, 64, said: “I believe in the curse. It was said that if the number ever fell below six, the Tower would fall and great harm would befall the nation. We certainly feel more secure now.”
Conman 'deserved' prison attack
A bogus workman who was beaten up in prison has been told "you deserve anything you receive" by a sheriff. Eddie Newlands, 37, from Perth, was sent to jail for 10 months on Thursday after conning a 91-year-old woman out of £5,500 of her savings.
Perth Sheriff Court heard he had been "significantly assaulted" twice in custody by inmates angry at his crime. Sheriff Margaret Gimblett said she had no sympathy and described what he had done to the pensioner as "despicable."
Newlands and another man had carried out "repairs" to Mary Hogg's house in Auchterarder between 18 and 22 July. Afterwards, they told her they needed £5,500 in cash and made her go to the bank to withdraw the money.
The pensioner's family called the police after hearing what had happened. They were told that the wrong spray had been used on the roof and that it would cost more than £4,000 to fix.
Newlands' solicitor John McLaughlin said: "He has been significantly assaulted in prison on two separate occasions. "This is the type of crime which is not looked upon favourably in custody and he realises he will have an exceptionally difficult time during his period in custody."
While passing sentence, Sheriff Gimblett replied: "You deserve anything you receive while in prison. What you did to this old lady was despicable."
Perth Sheriff Court heard he had been "significantly assaulted" twice in custody by inmates angry at his crime. Sheriff Margaret Gimblett said she had no sympathy and described what he had done to the pensioner as "despicable."
Newlands and another man had carried out "repairs" to Mary Hogg's house in Auchterarder between 18 and 22 July. Afterwards, they told her they needed £5,500 in cash and made her go to the bank to withdraw the money.
The pensioner's family called the police after hearing what had happened. They were told that the wrong spray had been used on the roof and that it would cost more than £4,000 to fix.
Newlands' solicitor John McLaughlin said: "He has been significantly assaulted in prison on two separate occasions. "This is the type of crime which is not looked upon favourably in custody and he realises he will have an exceptionally difficult time during his period in custody."
While passing sentence, Sheriff Gimblett replied: "You deserve anything you receive while in prison. What you did to this old lady was despicable."
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