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Saturday, September 18, 2010
Parrot arrested for aiding drug cartel
A parrot in Colombia has been arrested after it was seized during a police drugs raid. According to environmental authorities, Lorenzo the parrot was trying to tip-off a local drug cartel when officers conducted an undercover raid early on Wednesday.
"This parrot was sending out alerts," said police officer Hollman Oliveira. "You could say he was some sort of watch bird." Authorities claim Lorenzo is one of nearly 1700 parrots seized by officials after being trained by drug traffickers to act as lookouts.
Lorenzo caused quite the stir on Wednesday as he was presented to journalists. The well trained creature even showed off his look out skills as he yelled out: "run, run you are going to get caught." "He spent the whole morning saying that," police Colonel Freddy Veloza said.
Despite Lorenzo's attempts, Veloza's officers still managed to seize more than two-hundred weapons, a stolen motorcycle and a large quantity of marijuana. At least four men and two other birds were also arrested in the raids.
"This parrot was sending out alerts," said police officer Hollman Oliveira. "You could say he was some sort of watch bird." Authorities claim Lorenzo is one of nearly 1700 parrots seized by officials after being trained by drug traffickers to act as lookouts.
Lorenzo caused quite the stir on Wednesday as he was presented to journalists. The well trained creature even showed off his look out skills as he yelled out: "run, run you are going to get caught." "He spent the whole morning saying that," police Colonel Freddy Veloza said.
Despite Lorenzo's attempts, Veloza's officers still managed to seize more than two-hundred weapons, a stolen motorcycle and a large quantity of marijuana. At least four men and two other birds were also arrested in the raids.
Wallpapers from National Geographic
A young hawk sitting on a tortoise on the Galapagos Island of Isabela, photographed by Chris Sasaki.
A yellow-crowned night heron trying to down a crawfish at Brazos Bend State Park south of Houston, Texas, photographed by Vivienne Shen.
There are many more wallpaper size high-quality photographs at National Geographic's Your Shot Weekly Wrapper.
Many thanks Marilyn!
A yellow-crowned night heron trying to down a crawfish at Brazos Bend State Park south of Houston, Texas, photographed by Vivienne Shen.
There are many more wallpaper size high-quality photographs at National Geographic's Your Shot Weekly Wrapper.
Many thanks Marilyn!
Baby escapes death after playing in traffic
A baby has had a lucky escape after crawling onto a busy motorway in Antalya, Turkey, narrowly missed oncoming traffic.
His mother had left him sleeping under the bushes and did not notice when her boy woke up.
A passing truck driver noticed the toddler on the road and slowed traffic to alert other drivers of the danger.
When she saw her baby crawling on the highway, the distressed mother rushed to the road to pick up her son. The toddler was unscathed in the incident. Police have questioned the mother.
His mother had left him sleeping under the bushes and did not notice when her boy woke up.
A passing truck driver noticed the toddler on the road and slowed traffic to alert other drivers of the danger.
When she saw her baby crawling on the highway, the distressed mother rushed to the road to pick up her son. The toddler was unscathed in the incident. Police have questioned the mother.
Man gets 99 years in prison for stealing a carton of cigarettes
A central Texas jury has sentenced a man to 99 years in prison for stealing a carton of cigarettes from a smoke shop.
The McLennan County jury sentenced 55-year-old Leon Willis Wilkerson in Waco on Thursday after finding him guilty of robbery on Wednesday.
Wilkerson was charged as a habitual criminal. He had a record of eight previous felony convictions and 12 misdemeanors.
According to court documents, Wilkerson stole the cigarettes in July 2008, tucked them in his jacket, then shoved to the ground a man who tried to stop him. The fallen man was injured, allowing prosecutors to upgrade the charge against Wilkerson from theft to robbery.
The McLennan County jury sentenced 55-year-old Leon Willis Wilkerson in Waco on Thursday after finding him guilty of robbery on Wednesday.
Wilkerson was charged as a habitual criminal. He had a record of eight previous felony convictions and 12 misdemeanors.
According to court documents, Wilkerson stole the cigarettes in July 2008, tucked them in his jacket, then shoved to the ground a man who tried to stop him. The fallen man was injured, allowing prosecutors to upgrade the charge against Wilkerson from theft to robbery.
Woman says boyfriend beat her with a cat
A 49-year-old Hoboken man was arrested on Tuesday after he beat his girlfriend with a cat and punched her in the back and back of her head, according to police reports. Around noon, Hoboken police were dispatched to the 300 block of Marshall Dr., and a 20-year-old Jersey City woman was crying and told police that her boyfriend punched her a few times and hit her with a "feline cat." She said she had pain to her lower back and the back of her head.
Police then arrested her boyfriend Lasalle Davis with a simple assault charge for domestic violence. The woman told police that they had been dating for two years and he became mad when she did not call him the night before. When she came to Hoboken to visit her sister, he showed up, yelled at her and grabbed her right arm.
She told him she no longer wanted to date him, and that’s when he picked up the cat and hit her. She declined to speak to a member of the Domestic Violence Team but did want to file a restraining order against Davis in Hudson County Superior Court.
Police did not know the whereabouts or the condition of the cat. The victim did not immediately respond to inquiries about the cat. Davis' court date is set for Oct. 27 in Hoboken Municipal Court.
Police then arrested her boyfriend Lasalle Davis with a simple assault charge for domestic violence. The woman told police that they had been dating for two years and he became mad when she did not call him the night before. When she came to Hoboken to visit her sister, he showed up, yelled at her and grabbed her right arm.
She told him she no longer wanted to date him, and that’s when he picked up the cat and hit her. She declined to speak to a member of the Domestic Violence Team but did want to file a restraining order against Davis in Hudson County Superior Court.
Police did not know the whereabouts or the condition of the cat. The victim did not immediately respond to inquiries about the cat. Davis' court date is set for Oct. 27 in Hoboken Municipal Court.
Man gets spare rib stuck in anus
A Taiwanese man who swallowed a piece of spare rib had a painful few hours before doctors helped him relieve his pain.
Lion and meerkat friendship echoes The Lion King
A lion who was rejected by its mother has stuck up a friendship with a meerkat. The pair have been inseparable since new-born lioness Zinzi was rescued by being taken into the home of zoo and safari ranch owner Marcell Tournier, 33. The friendship echoes the partnership between Simba, the lion cub hero of Disney classic The Lion King and Timon.
Mr Tournier added: "Bob the meerkat seems to have a "Hakuna Matata" problem-free philosophy and taught Zinzi how to relax." Zinzi was brought in at just one day old when Marcell realised her mother was refusing to feed her a harsh reality of nature that could have meant the end of adorable Zinzi.
But almost as soon as the lion had moved in to the home, near Sun City, South Africa, Mr Tournier quickly realised he wasn't Zinzi's only fan. Lively two-year-old Bob instantly took a shine to his new playmate. Amazingly Bob began following his much bigger friend day and night and would even snuggle in at nap time.
Bob likes having anything cute and cuddly around," said Mr Tournier. "If it'll lie down and cuddle him he will love it. The pair quickly formed an unlikely friendship and were soon doing everything together. The pair live on the sprawling Predator World Zoo and Game Farm, which covers 1,000 hectares in the country's north-west.
Mr Tournier added: "Bob the meerkat seems to have a "Hakuna Matata" problem-free philosophy and taught Zinzi how to relax." Zinzi was brought in at just one day old when Marcell realised her mother was refusing to feed her a harsh reality of nature that could have meant the end of adorable Zinzi.
But almost as soon as the lion had moved in to the home, near Sun City, South Africa, Mr Tournier quickly realised he wasn't Zinzi's only fan. Lively two-year-old Bob instantly took a shine to his new playmate. Amazingly Bob began following his much bigger friend day and night and would even snuggle in at nap time.
Bob likes having anything cute and cuddly around," said Mr Tournier. "If it'll lie down and cuddle him he will love it. The pair quickly formed an unlikely friendship and were soon doing everything together. The pair live on the sprawling Predator World Zoo and Game Farm, which covers 1,000 hectares in the country's north-west.
Greek customs find human skulls in luggage of US tourists
Police in Athens have charged two American tourists after they discovered six human sulls in their luggage as they travelled through an airport.
The two young travellers have been charged with desecrating the dead after officials at Athens international airport spotted the six skulls in their hand luggage at, authorities said.
'The skulls were found in a scanner check during a stop-over in Athens on their way back to the United States,' said a police official who requested anonymity. 'The coroner confirmed they were human skulls.'
According to reports, the tourists told police that they had bought the skulls in a souvenir shop on the island of Mykonos, off the south-east coast of Greece. They claimed that they had believed that the skulls were fake, the official said. The pair have been released pending their trial.
The two young travellers have been charged with desecrating the dead after officials at Athens international airport spotted the six skulls in their hand luggage at, authorities said.
'The skulls were found in a scanner check during a stop-over in Athens on their way back to the United States,' said a police official who requested anonymity. 'The coroner confirmed they were human skulls.'
According to reports, the tourists told police that they had bought the skulls in a souvenir shop on the island of Mykonos, off the south-east coast of Greece. They claimed that they had believed that the skulls were fake, the official said. The pair have been released pending their trial.
Oktoberfest turns to microbe to hide stink of stale beer
The Munich Oktoberfest may be the world's most famous beer festival, but for the first time in its 200-year history, the organisers are planning to use bacteria to eliminate its more pungent odours. The organisers claim that a smoking ban, which will come in to force at the festival this year, will remove the usual stench of cigarette smoke which previously hid the unpleasant smell of stale beer. The extraordinary measures are to be enforced in the Oktoberfest's renowned Hofbräu beer tent and at least two other tents when the festival opens this weekend. The aim is to kill off the smell left by the gallons of beer routinely spilled on to the wooden floors of the tents, leaving a stale odour behind.
The Oktoberfest's organisers have dismissed charges that they have become fastidious or absurdly politically correct. Ricky Steinberg, the manager of the Oktoberfest's Hofbräu tent, says the experience of Munich pub and club owners following the introduction of a state-wide smoking ban last month shows the threat posed by the odour of stale beer should not be underestimated. "The night club owners say the smell has become very bad since the smoking ban was enforced," he said.
From today, when the Oktoberfest opens for three weeks and marks its 200th anniversary, a special odour killing bacteria called Elbomex will be poured on to the floorboards of the Hofbräu and other festival tents. It will be the first Blitzkrieg against stale beer odour in German history. Elbomex, which is sometimes used to rejuvenate garden soil, is produced by a Bavarian company which sells commercial dishwashers. However the company insists that the bacteria are also useful in eliminating smells caused by cesspits and compost heaps and will be effective in combating stale beer smells.
The Hofbräu brewery hopes that the bacteria will provide a fresher atmosphere in which festival goers will feel encouraged to drink the Oktoberfest's traditional one litre measures of beer and eat the spit roasted chickens, grilled pigs' trotters and roast ox which are favourite food offerings at the event.
The Oktoberfest's organisers have dismissed charges that they have become fastidious or absurdly politically correct. Ricky Steinberg, the manager of the Oktoberfest's Hofbräu tent, says the experience of Munich pub and club owners following the introduction of a state-wide smoking ban last month shows the threat posed by the odour of stale beer should not be underestimated. "The night club owners say the smell has become very bad since the smoking ban was enforced," he said.
From today, when the Oktoberfest opens for three weeks and marks its 200th anniversary, a special odour killing bacteria called Elbomex will be poured on to the floorboards of the Hofbräu and other festival tents. It will be the first Blitzkrieg against stale beer odour in German history. Elbomex, which is sometimes used to rejuvenate garden soil, is produced by a Bavarian company which sells commercial dishwashers. However the company insists that the bacteria are also useful in eliminating smells caused by cesspits and compost heaps and will be effective in combating stale beer smells.
The Hofbräu brewery hopes that the bacteria will provide a fresher atmosphere in which festival goers will feel encouraged to drink the Oktoberfest's traditional one litre measures of beer and eat the spit roasted chickens, grilled pigs' trotters and roast ox which are favourite food offerings at the event.
Acid attack victim admits injuries were self-inflicted
An American woman who gained sympathy after she claimed a random assailant threw acid in her face has admitted that her injuries were self-inflicted. Clifford Cook, police chief in the Washington state town of Vancouver, said Bethany Storro admitted under police questioning to fabricating a story about the attack, in which she suffered severe burns. Mr Cook said he did not know a motive for Ms Storro's actions, but added she is "very remorseful."
The police chief said that "during the course of the investigation, several discrepancies began to emerge regarding the alleged attack," leading police to search her home and interview her. "During the interview, Ms Storro admitted the injuries were self-inflicted," Mr Cook said. Police had been seeking a black woman with a ponytail after Ms Storro described the Aug. 30 attack. She had said the woman asked her, "Hey, pretty girl, want something to drink?" then threw acid in her face.
After the incident, Ms Storro made several media appearances, but a planned interview on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" was cancelled. She said she had received correspondence from people around the world concerned for her well being and donations. Vancouver police Commander Marla Schuman said detectives were working on a way to return any donated funds. She said the alleged attack had stretched the resources of Vancouver's small police department.
"It's been hundreds of hours," she said about the time invested in the investigation. "It really took a toll on the department and the resources that we have." Mr Cook said any decision to charge Ms Storro with a crime would be left to the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. "She is extremely upset," Ms Schuman said. "In many ways, this got bigger than she expected."
The police chief said that "during the course of the investigation, several discrepancies began to emerge regarding the alleged attack," leading police to search her home and interview her. "During the interview, Ms Storro admitted the injuries were self-inflicted," Mr Cook said. Police had been seeking a black woman with a ponytail after Ms Storro described the Aug. 30 attack. She had said the woman asked her, "Hey, pretty girl, want something to drink?" then threw acid in her face.
After the incident, Ms Storro made several media appearances, but a planned interview on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" was cancelled. She said she had received correspondence from people around the world concerned for her well being and donations. Vancouver police Commander Marla Schuman said detectives were working on a way to return any donated funds. She said the alleged attack had stretched the resources of Vancouver's small police department.
"It's been hundreds of hours," she said about the time invested in the investigation. "It really took a toll on the department and the resources that we have." Mr Cook said any decision to charge Ms Storro with a crime would be left to the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. "She is extremely upset," Ms Schuman said. "In many ways, this got bigger than she expected."
Irish judge tells man to climb mountain
A County Donegal judge has ordered a man who swore at a policeman to climb up Ireland's holiest mountain. Milford District Court heard Joseph McElwee, 38, of Aughavennan, Rathmullan, was one of three people who approached two officers outside a pub. The court heard the tirade of abuse included foul language when he told a garda to go back to Mayo.
Judge Seamus Hughes asked him if he had ever climbed Croagh Patrick in the officer's native County Mayo. "I want you to come back in a month's time with evidence that you did the four stations of Croagh Patrick, and say a few prayers," he said. "You then might have a different impression of County Mayo and its people, and it will be in recognition to your fellow Irish people especially those in the line of duty."
Mr McElwee's solicitor told the court drink was behind the actions of his client, who had personally apologised to the officer. He said the public gallery were finding the pilgrimage remarks funny but he assured the judge they were taking it seriously.
He asked the judge how Mr McElwee would be able to prove he had climbed Croagh Patrick. Mr McElwee is due to appear in court again next month, and the judge warned he would have questions prepared. "You better have the answers, and I will know whether you are telling the truth or not," he said.
Judge Seamus Hughes asked him if he had ever climbed Croagh Patrick in the officer's native County Mayo. "I want you to come back in a month's time with evidence that you did the four stations of Croagh Patrick, and say a few prayers," he said. "You then might have a different impression of County Mayo and its people, and it will be in recognition to your fellow Irish people especially those in the line of duty."
Mr McElwee's solicitor told the court drink was behind the actions of his client, who had personally apologised to the officer. He said the public gallery were finding the pilgrimage remarks funny but he assured the judge they were taking it seriously.
He asked the judge how Mr McElwee would be able to prove he had climbed Croagh Patrick. Mr McElwee is due to appear in court again next month, and the judge warned he would have questions prepared. "You better have the answers, and I will know whether you are telling the truth or not," he said.
Spray-on clothing in a can to be launched
Tight-fitting t-shirts and hipster jeans could get even more snug if you could just spray them on. That idea just got a little less far-fetched. A liquid mixture developed by the Imperial College London and a company called Fabrican lets you spray clothes directly onto your body using aerosol technology. After the spray dries, it creates a thin layer of fabric that it can be peeled off, washed and re-worn.
“When I first began this project I really wanted to make a futuristic, seamless, quick and comfortable material,” says Manel Torres, a Spanish fashion designer and academic visitor at Imperial College in a statement. Torres worked with Paul Luckham, a professor of particle technology at the Imperial College to create the material. “In my quest to produce this kind of fabric, I ended up returning to the principles of the earliest textiles such as felt, which were also produced by taking fibers and finding a way of binding them together without having to weave or stitch them,” says Torres.
The spray-on fabric consists of short fibres that are combined with polymers to bind them together and a solvent that delivers the fabric in liquid form. The mixture evaporates when the spray touches the surface. The fabric is formed by the cross-linking of fibres, which cling to one another to create the garment, says Fabrican. The spray-on fabric can be pretty versatile. It can be created in many colors and and can use different types of fibres ranging from natural to the synthetic, says the company.
The spray can be applied using a high pressure spray gun or an aerosol can. The texture of the fabric changes according to the type of material such as wool, linen or acrylic and how the spray is layered on the body. Fabrican says the technology is not just for fashion but can have some innovative use in medicine to layer bandages on the skin without disturbing the wound. The technology is still in prototype stage and some kinks still need to be worked out, such as the strong smell of solvent around the fabric. The researchers estimate that it will be at least a few years before it can be ready for commercial use.
“When I first began this project I really wanted to make a futuristic, seamless, quick and comfortable material,” says Manel Torres, a Spanish fashion designer and academic visitor at Imperial College in a statement. Torres worked with Paul Luckham, a professor of particle technology at the Imperial College to create the material. “In my quest to produce this kind of fabric, I ended up returning to the principles of the earliest textiles such as felt, which were also produced by taking fibers and finding a way of binding them together without having to weave or stitch them,” says Torres.
The spray-on fabric consists of short fibres that are combined with polymers to bind them together and a solvent that delivers the fabric in liquid form. The mixture evaporates when the spray touches the surface. The fabric is formed by the cross-linking of fibres, which cling to one another to create the garment, says Fabrican. The spray-on fabric can be pretty versatile. It can be created in many colors and and can use different types of fibres ranging from natural to the synthetic, says the company.
The spray can be applied using a high pressure spray gun or an aerosol can. The texture of the fabric changes according to the type of material such as wool, linen or acrylic and how the spray is layered on the body. Fabrican says the technology is not just for fashion but can have some innovative use in medicine to layer bandages on the skin without disturbing the wound. The technology is still in prototype stage and some kinks still need to be worked out, such as the strong smell of solvent around the fabric. The researchers estimate that it will be at least a few years before it can be ready for commercial use.
Pedalling filth with a London hire bike
More than a 1,000 bicycles used in the London cycle hire scheme have had the F-word stuck onto them.
The four-letter stickers have been placed above the Barclays bank logo on the bikes, in an apparent protest.
Click for bigger.
The defaced cycles have been spotted at docking stations across the city.
No one has claimed responsibility.
The four-letter stickers have been placed above the Barclays bank logo on the bikes, in an apparent protest.
Click for bigger.
The defaced cycles have been spotted at docking stations across the city.
No one has claimed responsibility.
Mother's shock at Poundland kids foul word game
A mother was disgusted to find an offensive swear word on a card in a game she bought for her three-year-old boy. Anna Royce got a children's "lucky bag" from a Poundland store for her son Jamie.
It clearly stated that the contents were suitable for tots of his age and over. But mother-of-three Anna, 32, was shocked to find inside a game called Doodlewonker - with one card featuring a monster called the "galloping wanker".
She said: "It was only after Jamie had played with it that I spotted what was written. I couldn't believe it. I was shocked, particularly because it says on the bag it is suitable for children aged three and over." Anna complained to Poundland's head office. But she said that when she returned a week later to her local store in Colchester, Essex, the bags were still on the shelves.
A spokesperson for the bargain-stores firm insisted: "All our products are inspected by our experienced quality assurance department to ensure they are fit for sale. We will, though, further investigate the card game in the lucky bag to ensure that it is suitable for its purpose."
It clearly stated that the contents were suitable for tots of his age and over. But mother-of-three Anna, 32, was shocked to find inside a game called Doodlewonker - with one card featuring a monster called the "galloping wanker".
She said: "It was only after Jamie had played with it that I spotted what was written. I couldn't believe it. I was shocked, particularly because it says on the bag it is suitable for children aged three and over." Anna complained to Poundland's head office. But she said that when she returned a week later to her local store in Colchester, Essex, the bags were still on the shelves.
A spokesperson for the bargain-stores firm insisted: "All our products are inspected by our experienced quality assurance department to ensure they are fit for sale. We will, though, further investigate the card game in the lucky bag to ensure that it is suitable for its purpose."
Binmen take revenge on motorist who blocked their path
When brassed-off binmen found their route blocked by a parked car, they decided to take action against the offender. They dragged dozens of wheelie bins from surrounding streets to give the motorist a taste of his or her own medicine, but their cheeky prank was caught on camera.
The undated footage shows binmen putting more than a dozen empty bins around the car, which is obstructing their passage down a back street.
The street has been identified as Stephenson Street, Horwich. The user who has posted the video has included a description which says the binmen had made the bizarre protest because the car was blocking an alleyway they regularly use as a shortcut.
Town hall chiefs have studied the footage and believe it dates from at least 2006. A council spokesman said: “Despite the fact this took place at least four years ago, we take any incident of this sort of behaviour very seriously, and, had the staff still been in our employment, we would have launched a formal investigation.”
The undated footage shows binmen putting more than a dozen empty bins around the car, which is obstructing their passage down a back street.
The street has been identified as Stephenson Street, Horwich. The user who has posted the video has included a description which says the binmen had made the bizarre protest because the car was blocking an alleyway they regularly use as a shortcut.
Town hall chiefs have studied the footage and believe it dates from at least 2006. A council spokesman said: “Despite the fact this took place at least four years ago, we take any incident of this sort of behaviour very seriously, and, had the staff still been in our employment, we would have launched a formal investigation.”
Schoolchildren banned from playing ball in noise row
Young children have been banned from playing ball at playtime because neighbours have complained they are too noisy. Despite Barlby Community Primary School, in Hill Top, having been there for 100 years, three neighbours have complained to Selby District Council about the noise the children make at playtimes.
The complaints have been met with disgust by local councillor Brian Marshall. He said: “I am fuming. There has been a school on that site for more than 100 years. Why did they buy a house next to a school? For young children to be out playing and laughing, there is nothing nicer. The governors should do nothing and let the children play.”
Coun Marshall said the school had now decided to stop the children playing with balls in the playground and had staggered playtime for the different year groups. In a letter to parents Alistair McCloud, chairman of governors, said the school refuted all suggestions there was a problem with noise. But in an attempt to be a good neighbour he said the school had arranged for an acoustic fence to be erected. However, this did not satisfy the complainers and the moans continued. An offer to erect a further fence this year was rejected by the neighbours who asked that the children’s fun be curtailed.
Mr McCloud said: “We have now also been requested to stop any games in the playground area with hard balls and it is to this end that we have sadly removed the use of hard balls during school hours.” The neighbours have also made official complaints to Selby District Council. A spokeswoman for the council said: “We have a statutory responsibility to follow up complaints of this nature. We have been in contact with the school to discuss this issue and have taken no specific enforcement action at this time.”
The complaints have been met with disgust by local councillor Brian Marshall. He said: “I am fuming. There has been a school on that site for more than 100 years. Why did they buy a house next to a school? For young children to be out playing and laughing, there is nothing nicer. The governors should do nothing and let the children play.”
Coun Marshall said the school had now decided to stop the children playing with balls in the playground and had staggered playtime for the different year groups. In a letter to parents Alistair McCloud, chairman of governors, said the school refuted all suggestions there was a problem with noise. But in an attempt to be a good neighbour he said the school had arranged for an acoustic fence to be erected. However, this did not satisfy the complainers and the moans continued. An offer to erect a further fence this year was rejected by the neighbours who asked that the children’s fun be curtailed.
Mr McCloud said: “We have now also been requested to stop any games in the playground area with hard balls and it is to this end that we have sadly removed the use of hard balls during school hours.” The neighbours have also made official complaints to Selby District Council. A spokeswoman for the council said: “We have a statutory responsibility to follow up complaints of this nature. We have been in contact with the school to discuss this issue and have taken no specific enforcement action at this time.”
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