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Saturday, March 13, 2010
Chinese girl's lonely heart advert attracts mob
When Zhang Mengqian announced that she was looking for a boyfriend on a "wish wall" at her university in south-west China, she must have been hoping that she'd get a few eligible responses.
All potential suitors had to do, her message said, was complete a couple of simple tasks – turn up outside her dorm building on a certain date and time and shout her name.
Imagine her surprise then, when she looked down from her window at the appointed hour to find a scene more akin to a football crowd than the tender balcony moment from Romeo and Juliet.
Her message had touched the hearts – or something – of not just a few potential suitors, but thousands. Perhaps the enormous response was entirely predictable. The University of Electronic Science and Technology of China in Chengdu, Sichuan province, has a male to female ratio of 25:1.
Mengqian had announced her search for love as part of the university's "girls' day". Each female student was given a blank card and asked to write their wish and place it on the wall.
Of the thousands of young men who made the effort of turning up, however, surprisingly only a few were brave enough to complete the last part of her challenge and shout out Mengqian's name.
All potential suitors had to do, her message said, was complete a couple of simple tasks – turn up outside her dorm building on a certain date and time and shout her name.
Imagine her surprise then, when she looked down from her window at the appointed hour to find a scene more akin to a football crowd than the tender balcony moment from Romeo and Juliet.
Her message had touched the hearts – or something – of not just a few potential suitors, but thousands. Perhaps the enormous response was entirely predictable. The University of Electronic Science and Technology of China in Chengdu, Sichuan province, has a male to female ratio of 25:1.
Mengqian had announced her search for love as part of the university's "girls' day". Each female student was given a blank card and asked to write their wish and place it on the wall.
Of the thousands of young men who made the effort of turning up, however, surprisingly only a few were brave enough to complete the last part of her challenge and shout out Mengqian's name.
Mumbai firefighters to give up Raj-era uniform
With their heavy woollen tunics and shiny brass buttons, Mumbai’s firefighters would not look out of place tackling a blaze in Victorian London. Now the brigade is about to update its antiquated uniform for the first time in a century.
The current woollen outfits, which date back to the days of the Raj, will be replaced by new suits constructed from the same synthetic material that protects fighter pilots and Nasa space capsules from extreme heat and explosions.
“The uniform was basically 125 years old,” said P. S. Rahangdale, the divisional fire chief for South Mumbai. “A lot of progress has been made since then.”
Modern helmets with protective visors and in-built radios will replace the plumed current ones, which are made from compressed cork. The leather belts, gleaming brass buckles and shining epaulettes will finally be consigned to history.
The current woollen outfits, which date back to the days of the Raj, will be replaced by new suits constructed from the same synthetic material that protects fighter pilots and Nasa space capsules from extreme heat and explosions.
“The uniform was basically 125 years old,” said P. S. Rahangdale, the divisional fire chief for South Mumbai. “A lot of progress has been made since then.”
Modern helmets with protective visors and in-built radios will replace the plumed current ones, which are made from compressed cork. The leather belts, gleaming brass buckles and shining epaulettes will finally be consigned to history.
New Zealand man accidently run over by wife twice
A "cushioning" gravel driveway probably saved Opoutama contractor Terry Telford from more serious injury after he was accidentally run over twice by his wife. As it was, 69-year-old Mr Telford was airlifted to Hawke's Bay Hospital with head, chest and back injuries. He is now recovering in a general ward where his condition was listed as "stable".
The accident happened about 8.30 yesterday morning when his wife Sandy was leaving the couple's Waikokupu Rd property in her small 4WD vehicle. Mr Telford had earlier left the house and was walking on the long driveway when it is understood Mrs Telford ran into him while reversing.
A Lowe Corporation rescue service spokesperson said it appeared Mrs Telford was not immediately aware of what had happened, and drove forward. Unfortunately she struck her husband, who had been knocked to the ground, a second time.
Although in shock, she quickly managed to call for help. Mrs Telford comforted her husband, who remained conscious and able to talk with her, until police and St John Ambulance arrived.
The accident happened about 8.30 yesterday morning when his wife Sandy was leaving the couple's Waikokupu Rd property in her small 4WD vehicle. Mr Telford had earlier left the house and was walking on the long driveway when it is understood Mrs Telford ran into him while reversing.
A Lowe Corporation rescue service spokesperson said it appeared Mrs Telford was not immediately aware of what had happened, and drove forward. Unfortunately she struck her husband, who had been knocked to the ground, a second time.
Although in shock, she quickly managed to call for help. Mrs Telford comforted her husband, who remained conscious and able to talk with her, until police and St John Ambulance arrived.
Religious snail mucus makes people sick
US authorities are investigating a Miami man who smuggled in large African snails and made his religious followers drink large quantities of its mucus. Practitioners of the faith he presided over became ill after ingesting the bio-matter from the illegally smuggled snails.
Charles L. Stewart who practiced the African faith known as El Africano which is a blend of Yoruba and Catholic practices is now having his practices scrutinized.
The snails which Stewart illegally smuggled in can grow up to ten inches long and are an extreme nuisance to the local ecosystem. The snails can reproduce on their own, eat more than 500 plant species and are even known to eat plaster and stucco.
Some of the victims of the "healing" treatment began to complain of violent illnesses, lumps in their stomachs, and loss of weight. Stewart hasn't been charged yet however he could face numerous smuggling or customs violations in additional to civil penalties.
Charles L. Stewart who practiced the African faith known as El Africano which is a blend of Yoruba and Catholic practices is now having his practices scrutinized.
The snails which Stewart illegally smuggled in can grow up to ten inches long and are an extreme nuisance to the local ecosystem. The snails can reproduce on their own, eat more than 500 plant species and are even known to eat plaster and stucco.
Some of the victims of the "healing" treatment began to complain of violent illnesses, lumps in their stomachs, and loss of weight. Stewart hasn't been charged yet however he could face numerous smuggling or customs violations in additional to civil penalties.
Hospital confuses live patient with dead one
A New York hospital could face a malpractice suit after it allegedly confused a living patient with a dead one.
In a press release issued on Thursday, personal injury lawyer David Perecman said the 93-year-old woman went to Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center because she was having trouble breathing.
Her relatives called to ask how she was doing, but a hospital employee surprised them by saying she had died, he said.
The family discovered the mistake when they arrived at the hospital to make funeral arrangements.
The woman's great-granddaughter went to touch the "dead" woman and was shocked when her great-grandmother moved, the lawyer claims.
Perecman said although it's a case of mistaken identity, the family was traumatized and is considering suing.
In a press release issued on Thursday, personal injury lawyer David Perecman said the 93-year-old woman went to Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center because she was having trouble breathing.
Her relatives called to ask how she was doing, but a hospital employee surprised them by saying she had died, he said.
The family discovered the mistake when they arrived at the hospital to make funeral arrangements.
The woman's great-granddaughter went to touch the "dead" woman and was shocked when her great-grandmother moved, the lawyer claims.
Perecman said although it's a case of mistaken identity, the family was traumatized and is considering suing.
Golf ball fractures Australian taxi passenger's skull
Six weeks ago, mother of two Natasha Cossell packed up her belongings and moved to Melbourne to start a new life. She wasn't expecting to undergo quite the upheaval and life-threatening drama that has enveloped her for the past two weeks after she ventured out for her first social night in Melbourne.
Sitting in the front of a taxi with the window wound down as it drove through Central Lakes Boulevard on February 28, she was just one minute from her new home when she felt something strike her on the side of the head. The taxi driver found a golf ball lying on the ground when he stopped the car.
By the time Ms Cossell reached home, the pain was so bad that the taxi driver phoned 000. Paramedics suggested taking her to hospital but she refused. Next morning, the pain was so intense and her hearing was gone in one ear that she changed her mind about hospital. She was found to have a fractured skull that was pushing up against her brain, causing a brain leak. She underwent emergency surgery that night.
Ms Cossell, who was discharged from hospital on Thursday, had to have therapy to fully regain her speech and to walk, and continues to suffer headaches.
Detective Senior Constable Arnaud Lenferna from Werribee CIU said: ''The likelihood of a ball which has been hit at a car without it being aimed at the car, landing through a open window of a car and striking Natasha in the head, is bizarre and highly unlikely and that is why police are investigating this as suspicious.''
''The injuries she sustained are consistent with either a fairly hard hit or a throw and considering it was 2am in the morning, we don't suspect anyone was playing golf, so all we can assume is that people were throwing golf balls in the paddock there.''
Sitting in the front of a taxi with the window wound down as it drove through Central Lakes Boulevard on February 28, she was just one minute from her new home when she felt something strike her on the side of the head. The taxi driver found a golf ball lying on the ground when he stopped the car.
By the time Ms Cossell reached home, the pain was so bad that the taxi driver phoned 000. Paramedics suggested taking her to hospital but she refused. Next morning, the pain was so intense and her hearing was gone in one ear that she changed her mind about hospital. She was found to have a fractured skull that was pushing up against her brain, causing a brain leak. She underwent emergency surgery that night.
Ms Cossell, who was discharged from hospital on Thursday, had to have therapy to fully regain her speech and to walk, and continues to suffer headaches.
Detective Senior Constable Arnaud Lenferna from Werribee CIU said: ''The likelihood of a ball which has been hit at a car without it being aimed at the car, landing through a open window of a car and striking Natasha in the head, is bizarre and highly unlikely and that is why police are investigating this as suspicious.''
''The injuries she sustained are consistent with either a fairly hard hit or a throw and considering it was 2am in the morning, we don't suspect anyone was playing golf, so all we can assume is that people were throwing golf balls in the paddock there.''
Sex worker goes to court over 'unfair dismissal' in South Africa
A South African sex worker has gone to court, saying she was unfairly sacked by a Cape Town massage parlour. Known as Kylie, she was dismissed for choosing her clients and spending time with her boyfriend who did not pay for her services.
The judge said he was not sure how a person engaged in an illegal activity could challenge her dismissal in court. But Kylie's lawyer said her case was about unfair dismissal, not whether selling sex should be legalised. Several previous courts have refused to hear the case, on the basis that sex work is illegal.
Three judges at the Labour Appeals Court are now considering whether they can intervene. "When dismissed you are made to stop with something criminal... but then you say: 'Please protect me from someone who is stopping me from doing something criminal' - it doesn't makes sense to me," said Judge President Raymond Zondo.
Kylie has spent seven years trying to seek redress after being sacked in 2003. She is reported to have since left the profession.
The judge said he was not sure how a person engaged in an illegal activity could challenge her dismissal in court. But Kylie's lawyer said her case was about unfair dismissal, not whether selling sex should be legalised. Several previous courts have refused to hear the case, on the basis that sex work is illegal.
Three judges at the Labour Appeals Court are now considering whether they can intervene. "When dismissed you are made to stop with something criminal... but then you say: 'Please protect me from someone who is stopping me from doing something criminal' - it doesn't makes sense to me," said Judge President Raymond Zondo.
Kylie has spent seven years trying to seek redress after being sacked in 2003. She is reported to have since left the profession.
Atheists meet in Melbourne to celebrate lack of faith
More than 2,000 atheists from around the world are gathering in Melbourne, Australia, to celebrate their lack of religious belief. It is thought to be the world's largest gathering of atheist thinkers.
They plan to issue a statement on what they say are the negative effects of religion on society.
All 2,500 tickets were sold out earlier this year, but a religious gathering at the same venue in December attracted three times as many delegates.
The Global Atheist Convention is bringing together scientists, philosophers, writers and comedians.
They will also hear a film proposal, exposing the amount taxpayers spend subsidising religion.
Participants will be urged to avoid "missionary zeal" in their determination to promote their non-religious message to the world.
They plan to issue a statement on what they say are the negative effects of religion on society.
All 2,500 tickets were sold out earlier this year, but a religious gathering at the same venue in December attracted three times as many delegates.
The Global Atheist Convention is bringing together scientists, philosophers, writers and comedians.
They will also hear a film proposal, exposing the amount taxpayers spend subsidising religion.
Participants will be urged to avoid "missionary zeal" in their determination to promote their non-religious message to the world.
Church-goer in incense collapse
A man from Chichester has stopped going to church because he says he is allergic to incense. Ronald Caseby had been attending St Paul's Church in the town for 19 years.
But when incense was used by the Reverend Richard Hunt in November Mr Caseby, 73, had breathing difficulties and collapsed.
Mr Caseby said: "It had never happened before, but my past medical history means I'm susceptible.
"I collapsed and told the vicar my problems, and he promised he would warn me [the next time incense was used].
"But three weeks later, having been in bed for two, I got there and the first thing he announced, although he didn't have to because I'd already collapsed and been dragged out gasping for breath, was 'we're going to have incense'."
Chichester District Council (CDC) said that the churchman would be warning parishioners before burning any incense in future.
But when incense was used by the Reverend Richard Hunt in November Mr Caseby, 73, had breathing difficulties and collapsed.
Mr Caseby said: "It had never happened before, but my past medical history means I'm susceptible.
"I collapsed and told the vicar my problems, and he promised he would warn me [the next time incense was used].
"But three weeks later, having been in bed for two, I got there and the first thing he announced, although he didn't have to because I'd already collapsed and been dragged out gasping for breath, was 'we're going to have incense'."
Chichester District Council (CDC) said that the churchman would be warning parishioners before burning any incense in future.
Gloucestershire's annual cheese rolling cancelled due to health and safety fears
An annual cheese rolling race that attracts thousands of spectators has been cancelled due to health and safety fears.
This year's event, scheduled for May 31st, will not take place because of police and local council concerns about overcrowding on Cooper's Hill, near Gloucester, organisers announced.
"We have had to cancel on the advice of the police and local authorities this year because of the issues of health and safety and other aspects," said Richard Jefferfies of the organising committee.
"Last year fifteen thousand spectators came to the event, by far the most we have ever seen, and we just could not cope.
"As well as concerns about the safety of the crowd and the competitors, local landowners were also worried by the amount of damage done by people climbing over fences and that sort of thing."
Following a 200 year old tradition, competitors run down the treacherous 1:2 gradient hillside in pursuit of bouncing 7lb Double Gloucester cheeses. Injuries are common and the sheer volume of spectators jams roads, prompting complaints from locals.
This year's event, scheduled for May 31st, will not take place because of police and local council concerns about overcrowding on Cooper's Hill, near Gloucester, organisers announced.
"We have had to cancel on the advice of the police and local authorities this year because of the issues of health and safety and other aspects," said Richard Jefferfies of the organising committee.
"Last year fifteen thousand spectators came to the event, by far the most we have ever seen, and we just could not cope.
"As well as concerns about the safety of the crowd and the competitors, local landowners were also worried by the amount of damage done by people climbing over fences and that sort of thing."
Following a 200 year old tradition, competitors run down the treacherous 1:2 gradient hillside in pursuit of bouncing 7lb Double Gloucester cheeses. Injuries are common and the sheer volume of spectators jams roads, prompting complaints from locals.
Man wins parking ticket battle over bee attack
A motorist who received a parking ticket after pulling into a bus lane to swat away a bee has been let off the fine. Paul Winston was issued with the £60 ticket after stopping in a bus stop in north London when the bee started attacking him in his vehicle last July.
He veered into the bus lane and opened his window – shooing the bee out to stop it from stinging him. After months of fighting Camden Council has now agreed to withdraw the ticket after independent adjudicators at the Parking and Traffic Appeals Service (PATAS) ruled in his favour.
He said: "I only stopped there for 57 seconds and I was just trying to get a bee out of my car. I pulled over so I was not a danger on the road – which is exactly what I would have been had I kept driving with the bee in my car."
He added: "I had to go through the whole appeals process which took eight months just to get this ticket cancelled. It's such a waste of the council's money – it should never have happened."
He veered into the bus lane and opened his window – shooing the bee out to stop it from stinging him. After months of fighting Camden Council has now agreed to withdraw the ticket after independent adjudicators at the Parking and Traffic Appeals Service (PATAS) ruled in his favour.
He said: "I only stopped there for 57 seconds and I was just trying to get a bee out of my car. I pulled over so I was not a danger on the road – which is exactly what I would have been had I kept driving with the bee in my car."
He added: "I had to go through the whole appeals process which took eight months just to get this ticket cancelled. It's such a waste of the council's money – it should never have happened."
Racist rant sends killer back to jail
A convicted killer was back behind bars last night after launching a racist tirade at a ticket inspector.
Moustachioed Charles Law was trying to avoid paying for a ticket when he was challenged by Zimbabwe-born Hilton Materke.
The 50-year-old grabbed the rail worker at Elstree and Borehamwood station in Hertfordshire last July and told him that a black man should not ask a white man for a ticket.
He said: ‘You’re a f*****g ******. You have no right to ask me for a ticket. You are a black man. I am white. You ******.’
Law, of Borehamwood, was found guilty at St Albans Crown Court of racially aggravated assault by beating, and remanded in custody until sentencing.
He was jailed for four years in 2002 after stabbing his brother to death.
Moustachioed Charles Law was trying to avoid paying for a ticket when he was challenged by Zimbabwe-born Hilton Materke.
The 50-year-old grabbed the rail worker at Elstree and Borehamwood station in Hertfordshire last July and told him that a black man should not ask a white man for a ticket.
He said: ‘You’re a f*****g ******. You have no right to ask me for a ticket. You are a black man. I am white. You ******.’
Law, of Borehamwood, was found guilty at St Albans Crown Court of racially aggravated assault by beating, and remanded in custody until sentencing.
He was jailed for four years in 2002 after stabbing his brother to death.
Psychic show cancelled due to unforseen circumstances
The stage version of TV's Most Haunted, due at the Pavilions in May, has been cancelled. The complex said it had received notification from the producers of Yvette Fielding's Night of Fright that due to unforeseen circumstances and events beyond their control the tour had been cancelled, including the May 22 Plymouth date.
A spokesperson for Plymouth Pavilions apologised for the disappointment and inconvenience and said fans who had bought tickets would be contacted shortly and receive a full refund.
A spokesperson for Plymouth Pavilions apologised for the disappointment and inconvenience and said fans who had bought tickets would be contacted shortly and receive a full refund.
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