Sunday, May 04, 2008
A kitten sneaking up on a fennec fox
Nothing much happens. It's just a kitten sneaking up on a fennec fox.
Naturmobil: Cart runs on ‘horse power’
Abdolhadi Mirhejazi’s friends thought he was off his rocker when he told them of his idea for the Naturmobil – but he wasn’t bucking around.
His plan was to create a vehicle which really does put the cart before the horse.
And once he’d got the bit between his teeth, wild stallions couldn’t tear him away from his favourite hobby.
The result of his labours is a one horsepower, space age all-weather buggy powered by, a horse.
Unlike traditional horse-drawn vehicles, the horse rides inside, behind the driver, protected by an all-weather canopy.
And thanks to a lightweight polycarbonate frame and complex gearing, it can reach speeds of up to 80km/h – although its cruising speed is a more sedate 20km/h.
Full story, with large photo gallery, here.
His plan was to create a vehicle which really does put the cart before the horse.
And once he’d got the bit between his teeth, wild stallions couldn’t tear him away from his favourite hobby.
The result of his labours is a one horsepower, space age all-weather buggy powered by, a horse.
Unlike traditional horse-drawn vehicles, the horse rides inside, behind the driver, protected by an all-weather canopy.
And thanks to a lightweight polycarbonate frame and complex gearing, it can reach speeds of up to 80km/h – although its cruising speed is a more sedate 20km/h.
Full story, with large photo gallery, here.
Couple who lost 3 children in car crash have triplets
Lori and Chris Coble of Ladera Ranch, who lost three children in a freeway accident almost one year ago, announced the birth of triplets on Wednesday night.
The babies - two girls and a boy - are listed in good condition at Children's Hospital at Mission. They were born each one minute apart.
The Cobles have named their new children Ashley, Ellie and Jake.
Lori Coble is listed in good condition after undergoing a C-section according to Denise Almazon, spokeswoman for Children's Hospital of Orange County.
Lori Coble gave birth to the new triplets during her 32nd week of pregnancy. Reports say the kids are "a good size" and "in good health." The kids are about 4 lbs each.
On May 4, 2007 Kyle, 5, Emma, 4, and Katie, 2, Coble died after their family's car was struck by a big-rig on the I-5 in Mission Viejo.
With news video.
The babies - two girls and a boy - are listed in good condition at Children's Hospital at Mission. They were born each one minute apart.
The Cobles have named their new children Ashley, Ellie and Jake.
Lori Coble is listed in good condition after undergoing a C-section according to Denise Almazon, spokeswoman for Children's Hospital of Orange County.
Lori Coble gave birth to the new triplets during her 32nd week of pregnancy. Reports say the kids are "a good size" and "in good health." The kids are about 4 lbs each.
On May 4, 2007 Kyle, 5, Emma, 4, and Katie, 2, Coble died after their family's car was struck by a big-rig on the I-5 in Mission Viejo.
With news video.
Amputee goat finds a friend in amputee animal activist
They are both amputees: She lost part of her right leg to bone cancer at the age of 10, and he lost part of his left leg four months ago because of an injury he most likely suffered at a Brooklyn slaughterhouse.
Her name is Jenny Brown, and she is a 36-year-old television producer-turned-animal rights activist. His name is Albie, and he is a goat of unknown age and undetermined breed.
They met last August, after Albie was plucked from Prospect Park and brought to the animal sanctuary Brown has owned since 2004. He was sickly and malnourished at the time. Brown believes Albie had been hogtied before he broke free.
Brown said that she tried to save Albie's leg, treating it with ointments and homeopathic remedies. But the wound would not heal. In December, Albie's leg was amputated just above the knee.
Albie is now awaiting a prosthesis, a very rare indulgence for a farm animal like him. And the same technician who fitted Brown with a new artificial leg is also designing Albie's.
"I've been an amputee for most of my life, but I can run a farm, I can wrestle animals, I can carry bales of hay, thanks to modern prosthetics," Brown said. "I thought it would be only fair to give Albie the same chance to live a normal life."
Her name is Jenny Brown, and she is a 36-year-old television producer-turned-animal rights activist. His name is Albie, and he is a goat of unknown age and undetermined breed.
They met last August, after Albie was plucked from Prospect Park and brought to the animal sanctuary Brown has owned since 2004. He was sickly and malnourished at the time. Brown believes Albie had been hogtied before he broke free.
Brown said that she tried to save Albie's leg, treating it with ointments and homeopathic remedies. But the wound would not heal. In December, Albie's leg was amputated just above the knee.
Albie is now awaiting a prosthesis, a very rare indulgence for a farm animal like him. And the same technician who fitted Brown with a new artificial leg is also designing Albie's.
"I've been an amputee for most of my life, but I can run a farm, I can wrestle animals, I can carry bales of hay, thanks to modern prosthetics," Brown said. "I thought it would be only fair to give Albie the same chance to live a normal life."
Indian man plans air ascent by ponytail
A man in eastern India says he is going to take to the air by hanging from a helicopter suspended by his ponytail.
Earlier this week Shailendra Roy drew large crowds when he pulled the famous Darjeeling toy train with his ponytail.
One end of an iron chain was tied to his foot-long ponytail, and the other to the train engine and three coaches, weighing some 35 tonnes.
He says he keeps the hair strong by rubbing it with mustard oil and pulling cars and other heavy objects. "I am planning to dangle myself from a helicopter", Mr Roy said after pulling the train 10 metres the town of Siliguri where the track is flat.
Earlier this week Shailendra Roy drew large crowds when he pulled the famous Darjeeling toy train with his ponytail.
One end of an iron chain was tied to his foot-long ponytail, and the other to the train engine and three coaches, weighing some 35 tonnes.
He says he keeps the hair strong by rubbing it with mustard oil and pulling cars and other heavy objects. "I am planning to dangle myself from a helicopter", Mr Roy said after pulling the train 10 metres the town of Siliguri where the track is flat.
Sex on Ecuador's political agenda
A woman from the governing party in Ecuador has proposed that a women's right to enjoy sexual happiness should be enshrined in the country's law. Her suggestion has provoked a lively debate in conservative Ecuador.
Maria Soledad Vela, who is helping to rewrite the constitution, says women have traditionally been seen as mere sexual objects or child bearers.
Now, she says, women should have the right to make free, responsible and informed decisions about sex lives.
But her comments have provoked a lively response - mostly, unsurprisingly, from men. Opposition assembly member, Leonardo Viteri, accused her of trying to decree orgasm by law. Another called the proposal "ridiculous" and said that such an intimate topic should stay intimate and not be enshrined in law.
Ms Soledad Vela responded to the criticism, saying she had never requested the right to an orgasm - merely the right to enjoy sex in a free, fair and more open society.
She explained that sex was a difficult subject to discuss in Ecuador and that what she wanted were clearer laws covering life, health and sexual education.
Photo from here.
Maria Soledad Vela, who is helping to rewrite the constitution, says women have traditionally been seen as mere sexual objects or child bearers.
Now, she says, women should have the right to make free, responsible and informed decisions about sex lives.
But her comments have provoked a lively response - mostly, unsurprisingly, from men. Opposition assembly member, Leonardo Viteri, accused her of trying to decree orgasm by law. Another called the proposal "ridiculous" and said that such an intimate topic should stay intimate and not be enshrined in law.
Ms Soledad Vela responded to the criticism, saying she had never requested the right to an orgasm - merely the right to enjoy sex in a free, fair and more open society.
She explained that sex was a difficult subject to discuss in Ecuador and that what she wanted were clearer laws covering life, health and sexual education.
Photo from here.
Man pushes creation of panel to prepare city for space aliens
Denver man, Jeff Peckman, who previously sponsored an offbeat ballot initiative that would have required the city to implement stress-reduction techniques, now wants to ask voters to create a commission dealing with space aliens.
"It is important because if you're driving down the highway and you saw a crash of a small spaceship and a car or a bus full of kids, you really wouldn't know what to do," Peckman said on Thursday. "Do you wait for the hazardous materials experts to show up because of potential contaminants from another solar system? What do you do? People really don't know."
Peckman, 54, who is single and lives with his parents, has submitted to the city a draft of the proposed ordinance, which would require the creation of an Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission.
As required, the city is holding a "review and comment" meeting on the proposed ballot initiative with Peckman on Thursday. Peckman hopes to collect enough signatures - he needs about 4,000 - to get the proposed initiative on the November ballot.
According to the proposal, the 18-member ET commission would "create a responsible, common-sense strategy for dealing with issues related to the presence of extraterrestrial beings on Earth," among other tasks.
Peckman said the proposed initiative is "a shortcut to disclosure of the knowledge of extraterrestrial beings on Earth and interacting with people on Earth." He said he has never seen an space alien, but that he has seen evidence proving that they exist.
"It is important because if you're driving down the highway and you saw a crash of a small spaceship and a car or a bus full of kids, you really wouldn't know what to do," Peckman said on Thursday. "Do you wait for the hazardous materials experts to show up because of potential contaminants from another solar system? What do you do? People really don't know."
Peckman, 54, who is single and lives with his parents, has submitted to the city a draft of the proposed ordinance, which would require the creation of an Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission.
As required, the city is holding a "review and comment" meeting on the proposed ballot initiative with Peckman on Thursday. Peckman hopes to collect enough signatures - he needs about 4,000 - to get the proposed initiative on the November ballot.
According to the proposal, the 18-member ET commission would "create a responsible, common-sense strategy for dealing with issues related to the presence of extraterrestrial beings on Earth," among other tasks.
Peckman said the proposed initiative is "a shortcut to disclosure of the knowledge of extraterrestrial beings on Earth and interacting with people on Earth." He said he has never seen an space alien, but that he has seen evidence proving that they exist.
Ostrich egg: A family dinner for £15.99
It is "perfect for a very large family" - an ostrich egg 24 times the size of a normal hen's.
Waitrose, the supermarket chain, has just started selling the eggs which can weigh in at almost 4.4lb (2kg).
Diners are advised that a simple tap of a spoon is unlikely to break the shell - a roasting spike or a domestic drill is more suitable.
And those hoping to "go to work on ostrich egg" might think twice and save that particular treat for the weekend, as they can take an hour to boil.
They can also be hard-boiled, scrambled and fried - with a very large frying pan - just like chicken or duck eggs, said a spokesman. "They are also very good for meringues because the white is much lighter than chickens' eggs," she added.
Waitrose has introduced the eggs, which cost £15.99, at 19 stores and hopes to attract cooks looking to experiment.
Waitrose, the supermarket chain, has just started selling the eggs which can weigh in at almost 4.4lb (2kg).
Diners are advised that a simple tap of a spoon is unlikely to break the shell - a roasting spike or a domestic drill is more suitable.
And those hoping to "go to work on ostrich egg" might think twice and save that particular treat for the weekend, as they can take an hour to boil.
They can also be hard-boiled, scrambled and fried - with a very large frying pan - just like chicken or duck eggs, said a spokesman. "They are also very good for meringues because the white is much lighter than chickens' eggs," she added.
Waitrose has introduced the eggs, which cost £15.99, at 19 stores and hopes to attract cooks looking to experiment.
Boy avoids stares with fake ears
A boy born with no ears has had his hearing and appearance restored with the help of several operations and a set of artificial ears.
South Yorkshire schoolboy Joshua Bull was born with small misshapen flaps of skin for ears and blocked ear canals.
Implants in his skull enabled him to hear but doctors also fitted him with realistic plastic ears so he could avoid people staring in the street.
Around one in 7,000 children are born without at least one ear.
Photos from here.
South Yorkshire schoolboy Joshua Bull was born with small misshapen flaps of skin for ears and blocked ear canals.
Implants in his skull enabled him to hear but doctors also fitted him with realistic plastic ears so he could avoid people staring in the street.
Around one in 7,000 children are born without at least one ear.
Photos from here.
Headmaster faces sack over criminal record for an out-of-date fishing rod licence
A headmaster caught fishing with an out-of-date rod licence is waiting to hear if he will lose his job for having a criminal record. Bob Yeomans, 60, described his predicament as 'child protection gone mad' after his conviction for forgetting to renew the £25 permit was referred to a council panel.
Mr Yeomans, the head of St John's Church of England Primary in Walsall for 26 years, was caught by a water bailiff last summer while on a fishing trip on the Dove in Derbyshire. Horrified at his oversight, he immediately pleaded guilty. He later paid a £50 fine and £70 costs and considered it the end of the matter.
But almost a year later the offence was flagged up by the Criminal Records Bureau following a routine background check. "The chair of governors was notified there could be an issue with a CRB check and rang to tell me," Mr Yeomans said. "I said, 'Is it a member of staff?' and he said, 'No, it's you'.
"I was shocked. In effect, I was being asked if I was fit to work with children for forgetting to renew my rod licence."
Although Mr Yeomans, who is married with two children and has an unblemished 38-year career, has not been suspended the school is still waiting to be told he can definitely stay on. "It's a bit of a joke in the school now," he said. "But you'd have thought someone would have had some common sense at an earlier stage. It was just child protection gone mad. It was clear the offence was irrelevant."
A spokesman for Education Walsall, part of the Serco group which runs education with the council, said the panel dealing with such cases looked at factors including "the seriousness of the offence or allegation, the history of offences and time since the event in question."
Mr Yeomans, the head of St John's Church of England Primary in Walsall for 26 years, was caught by a water bailiff last summer while on a fishing trip on the Dove in Derbyshire. Horrified at his oversight, he immediately pleaded guilty. He later paid a £50 fine and £70 costs and considered it the end of the matter.
But almost a year later the offence was flagged up by the Criminal Records Bureau following a routine background check. "The chair of governors was notified there could be an issue with a CRB check and rang to tell me," Mr Yeomans said. "I said, 'Is it a member of staff?' and he said, 'No, it's you'.
"I was shocked. In effect, I was being asked if I was fit to work with children for forgetting to renew my rod licence."
Although Mr Yeomans, who is married with two children and has an unblemished 38-year career, has not been suspended the school is still waiting to be told he can definitely stay on. "It's a bit of a joke in the school now," he said. "But you'd have thought someone would have had some common sense at an earlier stage. It was just child protection gone mad. It was clear the offence was irrelevant."
A spokesman for Education Walsall, part of the Serco group which runs education with the council, said the panel dealing with such cases looked at factors including "the seriousness of the offence or allegation, the history of offences and time since the event in question."
Kinky boots fetishist stalks workmen
A former shop assistant harassed random workmen for three years in Britain's most bizarre stalking case. For Martin Turner had a fascination for workmen wearing big boots, a court was told.
This resulted in him picking tradesmens' numbers at random from Yellow Pages and bombarding them with texts and calls. Turner would ring the workmen and plead with them to come round and stand on parts of his body with their boots. The 39-year-old, of Lord Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to four offences of harassment.
His victims were plumber, John Elrick, roofer, Ray Morris, gardener, Keith Urwin, and property developer, Peter Leonard. The offences took place between September 2005 and April this year. Prosecutor, Martine Connah, said all the workmen received numerous texts and calls from Turner of an inappropriate nature.
The messages included Turner asking the men what kind of boots they had on and requesting they stand on his fingers, face and genitals with their boots. All the workers asked Turner to stop making the calls, but he carried on.
When interviewed Turner told police that some men he called, not the complainants, did visit him for what he called "fun". Michael Ball, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, now realised his behaviour had been wrong and there would be no repetition of it."
Mr Ball added: "He has something of a thing for men who work in the construction industry and it seems work boots feature large in this fantasy. I understand it has something to do with domination. Unless any of these workmen were very sensitive souls, I do not think they would have been caused extreme upset. I would think they would find the calls laughable."
Magistrates bailed Turner for reports.
This resulted in him picking tradesmens' numbers at random from Yellow Pages and bombarding them with texts and calls. Turner would ring the workmen and plead with them to come round and stand on parts of his body with their boots. The 39-year-old, of Lord Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to four offences of harassment.
His victims were plumber, John Elrick, roofer, Ray Morris, gardener, Keith Urwin, and property developer, Peter Leonard. The offences took place between September 2005 and April this year. Prosecutor, Martine Connah, said all the workmen received numerous texts and calls from Turner of an inappropriate nature.
The messages included Turner asking the men what kind of boots they had on and requesting they stand on his fingers, face and genitals with their boots. All the workers asked Turner to stop making the calls, but he carried on.
When interviewed Turner told police that some men he called, not the complainants, did visit him for what he called "fun". Michael Ball, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, now realised his behaviour had been wrong and there would be no repetition of it."
Mr Ball added: "He has something of a thing for men who work in the construction industry and it seems work boots feature large in this fantasy. I understand it has something to do with domination. Unless any of these workmen were very sensitive souls, I do not think they would have been caused extreme upset. I would think they would find the calls laughable."
Magistrates bailed Turner for reports.
Fake medic had own ambulance
Oddball Ryan Nurse posed as a paramedic for 18 months – with his own ambulance, uniform and forged qualifications, a court heard. Nurse, 22, lived out his teenage fantasy by attending carnivals and sporting events. He even persuaded schools to book him to give first aid lessons to pupils.
Nurse – his real name – set up a company called Medina Emergency Medical Services as part of his scam.
In 2005 he was given an award by the duped St John Ambulance for 500 hours of voluntary medical work in a year. Nurse then bought a secondhand ambulance and some old equipment.
He even turned up to work as a paramedic at the international yachting regatta Cowes Week – although he had been hired only as a car park attendant. Nurse was rumbled after applying to join a firm as a first aider. The boss was suspicious and told police.
The next day he found Nurse on site, without permission, giving medical advice to a pregnant woman. Police raided his home in Cowes, Isle of Wight, where he lived with his mum. They found medical gear and prescription-only medicines.
Nurse admitted deception and making false representations. He was given a six-month jail sentence, suspended for two years.
Nurse – his real name – set up a company called Medina Emergency Medical Services as part of his scam.
In 2005 he was given an award by the duped St John Ambulance for 500 hours of voluntary medical work in a year. Nurse then bought a secondhand ambulance and some old equipment.
He even turned up to work as a paramedic at the international yachting regatta Cowes Week – although he had been hired only as a car park attendant. Nurse was rumbled after applying to join a firm as a first aider. The boss was suspicious and told police.
The next day he found Nurse on site, without permission, giving medical advice to a pregnant woman. Police raided his home in Cowes, Isle of Wight, where he lived with his mum. They found medical gear and prescription-only medicines.
Nurse admitted deception and making false representations. He was given a six-month jail sentence, suspended for two years.
Disabled woman ticketed while she slept in her car
A pensioner who suffers from Parkinson’s disease was slapped with a £35 penalty while she slept in her parked car.
The traffic warden dished out the fine to 82-year-old Jean Raine because her orange disabled parking disc had been accidentally displayed upside down.
Miss Raine, who suffers from advanced Parkinson’s disease, was legally parked in a disabled bay but woke to find a ticket stuck to her windscreen. The retired nurse had taken a quick nap in her Vauxhall Corsa after complaining of feeling unwell during a trip to Kendal.
She said: “I cannot understand why the parking attendant didn’t wake me up. I wouldn’t have got a ticket then.”
A council spokesman said:“We do not comment on individual cases. If anyone feels they have reason to challenge a penalty charge notice then they can appeal to the council in the first instance, followed by an appeal to an independent tribunal if they choose.
“Guidance notes issued with the badge and parking disc clearly state that it should be clearly and correctly displayed at all times.”
The traffic warden dished out the fine to 82-year-old Jean Raine because her orange disabled parking disc had been accidentally displayed upside down.
Miss Raine, who suffers from advanced Parkinson’s disease, was legally parked in a disabled bay but woke to find a ticket stuck to her windscreen. The retired nurse had taken a quick nap in her Vauxhall Corsa after complaining of feeling unwell during a trip to Kendal.
She said: “I cannot understand why the parking attendant didn’t wake me up. I wouldn’t have got a ticket then.”
A council spokesman said:“We do not comment on individual cases. If anyone feels they have reason to challenge a penalty charge notice then they can appeal to the council in the first instance, followed by an appeal to an independent tribunal if they choose.
“Guidance notes issued with the badge and parking disc clearly state that it should be clearly and correctly displayed at all times.”
Parents face driving lessons ban
Parents could be banned from teaching their children to drive in the UK under plans to cut the number of deaths among novice motorists.
Lessons from a government-approved instructor - which cost at least £20 an hour - would become compulsory for all test candidates if the proposals were adopted.
The plans - to be unveiled next week - aim to reduce the 300 deaths a year caused by motorists with less than two years' experience.
However, the Government was understood to have dropped stricter curbs on new drivers, including night-time curfews and a lower drink-drive limit.
Lessons from a government-approved instructor - which cost at least £20 an hour - would become compulsory for all test candidates if the proposals were adopted.
The plans - to be unveiled next week - aim to reduce the 300 deaths a year caused by motorists with less than two years' experience.
However, the Government was understood to have dropped stricter curbs on new drivers, including night-time curfews and a lower drink-drive limit.
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