Friday, November 05, 2010
Dog catches salmon swimming across road
Usually when roads turn to rivers, you don't expect the fish to come along for the ride.
But near Seattle earlier this week, a bunch of salmon got a little confused when the Skokomish River flooded.
One clever dog wasn't confused at all about how to catch them.
Honey just grabs one of the fish right as it jumps onto the road and slowly walks away with her prize.
But near Seattle earlier this week, a bunch of salmon got a little confused when the Skokomish River flooded.
One clever dog wasn't confused at all about how to catch them.
Honey just grabs one of the fish right as it jumps onto the road and slowly walks away with her prize.
Indian woman completes 'ten year hunger strike'
A human-rights activist in northeast India who is dubbed the "Iron Lady of Manipur" has completed 10 years on hunger strike and vowed to continue her protest, her supporters said on Wednesday. Irom Chanu Sharmila, from the remote state of Manipur, which borders Burma, began her fast on November 2, 2000 after witnessing the killing of 10 people by the army at a bus stop near her home.
Now 38, she was arrested shortly after beginning her protest – on charges of attempted suicide – and was sent to a prison hospital where she began a daily routine of being force-fed vitamins and nutrients via a nasal drip. Ms Sharmila is frequently set free by local courts, but once outside she resumes her hunger strike and is rearrested. She is campaigning for the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) that enables security forces to shoot on sight and arrest anybody without a warrant in impoverished and heavily militarised Manipur.
"She decided to continue with her fast-unto-death mission until the draconian legislation is repealed by the government," said Babloo Loitongbam from local human rights group Human Rights Alert. "She made her intentions pretty clear as she completed 10 years of hunger strike," Babloo said after visiting Ms Sharmila on the 10th anniversary of the start of the fast on Tuesday. "Militancy is still thriving. In other words, the Special Powers Act has miserably failed."
AFSPA was passed in 1990 to grant security forces special powers and immunity from prosecution to deal with raging insurgencies in the northeast of India and in Kashmir in the northwest. The act is a target for local human rights groups and international campaigners such as Amnesty International, which says the law has been an excuse for extrajudicial killings. Amnesty has campaigned vociferously against the legislation, which it sees as a stain on India's democratic credentials and a violation of international human rights law.
Now 38, she was arrested shortly after beginning her protest – on charges of attempted suicide – and was sent to a prison hospital where she began a daily routine of being force-fed vitamins and nutrients via a nasal drip. Ms Sharmila is frequently set free by local courts, but once outside she resumes her hunger strike and is rearrested. She is campaigning for the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) that enables security forces to shoot on sight and arrest anybody without a warrant in impoverished and heavily militarised Manipur.
"She decided to continue with her fast-unto-death mission until the draconian legislation is repealed by the government," said Babloo Loitongbam from local human rights group Human Rights Alert. "She made her intentions pretty clear as she completed 10 years of hunger strike," Babloo said after visiting Ms Sharmila on the 10th anniversary of the start of the fast on Tuesday. "Militancy is still thriving. In other words, the Special Powers Act has miserably failed."
AFSPA was passed in 1990 to grant security forces special powers and immunity from prosecution to deal with raging insurgencies in the northeast of India and in Kashmir in the northwest. The act is a target for local human rights groups and international campaigners such as Amnesty International, which says the law has been an excuse for extrajudicial killings. Amnesty has campaigned vociferously against the legislation, which it sees as a stain on India's democratic credentials and a violation of international human rights law.
Mother bear and three cubs in tree surprise Florida neighbourhood
A mother bear and three cubs took up residence in a Florida neighbourhood. Neighbours spotted the black bears up in a pine tree near the community pool in the Parkers Landing subdivision off Whispering Pines Boulevard in Navarre. “This is the most excitement in quite a few years here,” said resident Sandy Hill. “I’ve heard of them here, but I have never witnessed any until today.”
Hill and her husband, Lenny, decided to walk down the street and see the bears after a neighbour said it was a mother and three cubs. The couple said they are used to seeing bears at their home in New Hampshire but were intrigued when they heard how many cubs there were. “Three cubs is not normal,” Lenny Hill said.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologist Alan Knothe agreed with Hill’s conclusion but said three cubs definitely is not unheard of in the area. “Three is a little bit less common, one and two are more common, but three is fairly common,” Knothe said. Word about the bears spread through the neighborhood quickly, and by 10 a.m. a number of residents made their way to the pine tree to see the creatures.
The bears were sitting on branches in the tree, with the cubs stacked up on the higher branches and the mother below. “It is so cool, especially four (bears),” said resident Mike Williams who came out to snap photos of the bears to send to his grandchildren. “That’s smart how the mama is the first line of defence at the bottom.”
Hill and her husband, Lenny, decided to walk down the street and see the bears after a neighbour said it was a mother and three cubs. The couple said they are used to seeing bears at their home in New Hampshire but were intrigued when they heard how many cubs there were. “Three cubs is not normal,” Lenny Hill said.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologist Alan Knothe agreed with Hill’s conclusion but said three cubs definitely is not unheard of in the area. “Three is a little bit less common, one and two are more common, but three is fairly common,” Knothe said. Word about the bears spread through the neighborhood quickly, and by 10 a.m. a number of residents made their way to the pine tree to see the creatures.
The bears were sitting on branches in the tree, with the cubs stacked up on the higher branches and the mother below. “It is so cool, especially four (bears),” said resident Mike Williams who came out to snap photos of the bears to send to his grandchildren. “That’s smart how the mama is the first line of defence at the bottom.”
Sri Lanka to build park for romantic young lovers
The Sri Lankan government says it will construct a park for romantic young couples who want freedom to be together without being victimised by police. Earlier this year hundreds of couples in two towns were arrested for associating with each other in public. The government expressed some embarrassment about the arrests.
Sri Lanka is a conservative country where public displays of affection have traditionally been frowned upon. There have recently been a series of arrests. The aim of this scheme is simple - to let young people show their feelings for each other. That is according to the chairman of the National Youth Services Council, Lalith Piyum Perera.
He said that for several years there had been plans for what he called a youth park or even a "lovers' park". But the plans gained momentum after police arrested hundreds of young couples for being out together, or possibly cuddling or kissing, in the towns of Kurunegala and Matara. Mr Perera said that among those picked on by the over-zealous police were young engaged couples, even married ones.
He said that the youth affairs minister had felt partially responsible for this as the authorities had not provided areas where lovers could comfortably associate. The new park, opening next year, will be on the banks of a river near parliament. Children will not be admitted - but other than that, there will be no strict age limits, although it will be targeted at young people. There are plans for more such parks in future although some people will perhaps worry that they will become a target for voyeurs.
Sri Lanka is a conservative country where public displays of affection have traditionally been frowned upon. There have recently been a series of arrests. The aim of this scheme is simple - to let young people show their feelings for each other. That is according to the chairman of the National Youth Services Council, Lalith Piyum Perera.
He said that for several years there had been plans for what he called a youth park or even a "lovers' park". But the plans gained momentum after police arrested hundreds of young couples for being out together, or possibly cuddling or kissing, in the towns of Kurunegala and Matara. Mr Perera said that among those picked on by the over-zealous police were young engaged couples, even married ones.
He said that the youth affairs minister had felt partially responsible for this as the authorities had not provided areas where lovers could comfortably associate. The new park, opening next year, will be on the banks of a river near parliament. Children will not be admitted - but other than that, there will be no strict age limits, although it will be targeted at young people. There are plans for more such parks in future although some people will perhaps worry that they will become a target for voyeurs.
Elephants forced to walk across tightropes at Thai tourist attraction
An elephant is forced to walk across a metal tightrope at a tourist attraction in Thailand. The animals are being trained to teeter across reinforced ropes in front of hordes of tourists at the Safari World on the outskirts of Bangkok.
Trainers make the elephants climb on to a raised platform before they make their way gingerly across using their tails to balance.
Safari World, who also train orangutans to kickbox, is one of many animal parks in Thailand teaching elephants to perform for tourists. Since the ban on logging in the country, most elephants employed in the industry have been put out of work.
This means many owners are forced to take their elephants around the big cities begging or training them to do tricks. Without the income from tourism to feed and support them, most of Thailand's elephants would struggle to survive.
Trainers make the elephants climb on to a raised platform before they make their way gingerly across using their tails to balance.
Safari World, who also train orangutans to kickbox, is one of many animal parks in Thailand teaching elephants to perform for tourists. Since the ban on logging in the country, most elephants employed in the industry have been put out of work.
This means many owners are forced to take their elephants around the big cities begging or training them to do tricks. Without the income from tourism to feed and support them, most of Thailand's elephants would struggle to survive.
Poodle found in ditch had live cockroaches in fur
Its hair was so matted and overgrown, the poodle had to be sedated just to be groomed. Veterinarians found live and dead cockroaches snared in the kilogram of fur they cut from the dog. The two-year-old poodle was found on Oct. 19 in a ditch in LaPlace, Louisiana, with no identification.
He was taken to Tracy Lapeyrouse, who runs My Heart's Desire animal shelter in Houma, La., about 100 kilometres from New Orleans. Lapeyrouse named him Ripley. "He didn't know he had ears. When his ears would touch his skin, he would shake his head," Lapeyrouse said.
"It took a week before he could walk normally." The dog was skinny but not malnourished, and no one could figure out how he ate because his mouth was blocked by overgrown hair. He has packed on some weight since his rescue and now weighs 2.5 kilograms.
Sores hidden beneath the fur healed once they were exposed to the air. "Now he's a social butterfly," Lapeyrouse said. "We have to go slow, but he wags his nub of a tail and is seeking interaction with people."
He was taken to Tracy Lapeyrouse, who runs My Heart's Desire animal shelter in Houma, La., about 100 kilometres from New Orleans. Lapeyrouse named him Ripley. "He didn't know he had ears. When his ears would touch his skin, he would shake his head," Lapeyrouse said.
"It took a week before he could walk normally." The dog was skinny but not malnourished, and no one could figure out how he ate because his mouth was blocked by overgrown hair. He has packed on some weight since his rescue and now weighs 2.5 kilograms.
Sores hidden beneath the fur healed once they were exposed to the air. "Now he's a social butterfly," Lapeyrouse said. "We have to go slow, but he wags his nub of a tail and is seeking interaction with people."
Dog survives being shot twice in the head
A dog was shot twice in the head and left to die in a ditch in Halifax County. After four long days, his owner found him alive. Charlotte Long looked everywhere for her dog Wrinkles. She says finally, one of her neighbours told her he'd shot the dog, because it was being aggressive. "It took a cruel person to do this to him, a really cruel person," she said. "He was shot right here and right here."
Long told her neighbour she wanted her dog back, so she could bury him on her property. Her son, Justin Wilburn, couldn't believe Wrinkles was still alive. "You just don't see a dog or any kind of human being or animal living being shot in the head twice," said Wilburn. Animal Warden Todd Moser says he didn't think the dog would be able to walk again.
"It was just laying there looking up it couldn't move it was basically paralyzed and you just wonder why somebody would do something like that to an animal," said Moser. When Long took Wrinkles to the vet, they wanted to put him down. She asked them to wait just one more day. "I didn't want him to die, but I didn't want him to suffer either, so I had to make up my mind of what I wanted to do, so finally I decided to put him down," she said.
On her way to the vet, she says she got a phone call, saying Wrinkles was ready to come home. She says it's unbelievable to see how Wrinkles continues to beat the odds. "I just freaked out. I says you got to be kidding. I was crying. I said that fast, that fast he healed up?" she said. "He was determined to get home to us. He fought he fought really hard." Animal Control officials say Long has been cited for no tags and no shots. They're still investigating to see whether there will be any charges.
Long told her neighbour she wanted her dog back, so she could bury him on her property. Her son, Justin Wilburn, couldn't believe Wrinkles was still alive. "You just don't see a dog or any kind of human being or animal living being shot in the head twice," said Wilburn. Animal Warden Todd Moser says he didn't think the dog would be able to walk again.
"It was just laying there looking up it couldn't move it was basically paralyzed and you just wonder why somebody would do something like that to an animal," said Moser. When Long took Wrinkles to the vet, they wanted to put him down. She asked them to wait just one more day. "I didn't want him to die, but I didn't want him to suffer either, so I had to make up my mind of what I wanted to do, so finally I decided to put him down," she said.
On her way to the vet, she says she got a phone call, saying Wrinkles was ready to come home. She says it's unbelievable to see how Wrinkles continues to beat the odds. "I just freaked out. I says you got to be kidding. I was crying. I said that fast, that fast he healed up?" she said. "He was determined to get home to us. He fought he fought really hard." Animal Control officials say Long has been cited for no tags and no shots. They're still investigating to see whether there will be any charges.
Artist answers the big question
An artist has launched a one man show in which he paints his national flag on women's crotches while listening to patriotic music. Jiri Boudnik, who is Czech-born but has spent decades living in the US, says he was motivated by philosophy's big question - where do we come from?
He kept asking himself which country he really belonged in and says: "I finally realised that the answer for me is Czech." Now Mr Boudnik has returned to the Czech Republic to perform his art show where he painted the Czech flag on his models while listening to patriotic music played by a string quartet.
After a 50 mile journey along local waterways on a homebuilt raft, the troupe arrived in Prague flying a huge sail made from a photograph of one of his models." This, I hope, will answer many questions for people about where they come from. They come from that space between the legs that was home to us all," he explained.
Now he plans to paint the rest of the world's flags on women from every country to complete his 'Where is my Home?' exhibition.
He kept asking himself which country he really belonged in and says: "I finally realised that the answer for me is Czech." Now Mr Boudnik has returned to the Czech Republic to perform his art show where he painted the Czech flag on his models while listening to patriotic music played by a string quartet.
After a 50 mile journey along local waterways on a homebuilt raft, the troupe arrived in Prague flying a huge sail made from a photograph of one of his models." This, I hope, will answer many questions for people about where they come from. They come from that space between the legs that was home to us all," he explained.
Now he plans to paint the rest of the world's flags on women from every country to complete his 'Where is my Home?' exhibition.
Man dressed as Jesus thrown out of church
A man dressed as Jesus was thrown out of a St. Louis area church on Sunday. Police were even called to get in the middle of the spiritual showdown. "We're called to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ, ambassadors should represent, and that's what I do. I try to represent my Lord and savior Jesus Christ," said Neal Thompson on Monday night, wearing the same white robe and cross, and carrying the same staff he's been using every Sunday for 22 years.
He dresses up like Jesus every week, going to a new church every week, he says, to spread his Christian message. "He said 'Take up your cross, your breastplate, and your staff and follow in Jesus Christ's footsteps and wear a white robe to show your sincerity,'" he said. "That's my job, to spread the word." He says he is questioned most weeks, but then welcomed. But when he tried to enter St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Des Peres, he was not allowed in.
"One of the deacons saw me," he said, "and when I went in the church he met me and he said, 'Can I help you? What do you want?' I said, 'I want to go to church here today.' And he said, 'What do you believe in? Are you Christian? What religion are you?' I said, 'I'm a Christian.'" Thompson said he was not allowed in the sanctuary. Church members told him he'd have to sit in the hallway.
"And I said, 'Well this ain't right, you guys ain't treating me right.' He said, 'We're gonna call the police.' I said, 'Well call them, I don't care. Call them.' So I sat down and the next thing I know four or five police showed up." Des Peres police say Thompson wasn't causing a scene, but they asked him to leave and he did, peacefully. "Oh I forgive them, I forgive them," said Thompson. He said this was only the second time he's been kicked out of a church in the last 22 years.
He dresses up like Jesus every week, going to a new church every week, he says, to spread his Christian message. "He said 'Take up your cross, your breastplate, and your staff and follow in Jesus Christ's footsteps and wear a white robe to show your sincerity,'" he said. "That's my job, to spread the word." He says he is questioned most weeks, but then welcomed. But when he tried to enter St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Des Peres, he was not allowed in.
"One of the deacons saw me," he said, "and when I went in the church he met me and he said, 'Can I help you? What do you want?' I said, 'I want to go to church here today.' And he said, 'What do you believe in? Are you Christian? What religion are you?' I said, 'I'm a Christian.'" Thompson said he was not allowed in the sanctuary. Church members told him he'd have to sit in the hallway.
"And I said, 'Well this ain't right, you guys ain't treating me right.' He said, 'We're gonna call the police.' I said, 'Well call them, I don't care. Call them.' So I sat down and the next thing I know four or five police showed up." Des Peres police say Thompson wasn't causing a scene, but they asked him to leave and he did, peacefully. "Oh I forgive them, I forgive them," said Thompson. He said this was only the second time he's been kicked out of a church in the last 22 years.
'Slaughter porn' animal calendar slammed
Animal rights organisation PETA has condemned a shocking animal slaughter calendar which shows a topless model chopping the head off a pig. In one photo for the calendar, a woman is pictured suggestively bending over a dead pig while chickens peck at the blood-soaked ground. Other images are believed to show lambs being slaughtered and chickens being choked by models.
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) slammed the calendar, calling it ‘slaughter porn.’ 'Only a sociopath could find sexual excitement from the depiction of horrific and violent acts against frightened living beings,' a spokesman said.
‘Such imagery is likely to get the public to consider that real pigs used for meat are sensitive beings who suffer violent, bloody deaths and who do not want to die.’ Diana Kobzanova, a former Miss Czech Republic, is featured wearing stockings and stilettos swinging an axe at a dead pig.
The 27-year-old model has hit back at accusations the calendar promotes animal cruelty, claiming that all the animals featured are models built specifically for the shoot. She explained the calendar is actually for charity, saying: ‘All the proceeds from the calendar will go to the Helppes Associaton which trains guide dogs for the blind and the physically handicapped.’
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) slammed the calendar, calling it ‘slaughter porn.’ 'Only a sociopath could find sexual excitement from the depiction of horrific and violent acts against frightened living beings,' a spokesman said.
‘Such imagery is likely to get the public to consider that real pigs used for meat are sensitive beings who suffer violent, bloody deaths and who do not want to die.’ Diana Kobzanova, a former Miss Czech Republic, is featured wearing stockings and stilettos swinging an axe at a dead pig.
The 27-year-old model has hit back at accusations the calendar promotes animal cruelty, claiming that all the animals featured are models built specifically for the shoot. She explained the calendar is actually for charity, saying: ‘All the proceeds from the calendar will go to the Helppes Associaton which trains guide dogs for the blind and the physically handicapped.’
Mother aged 10 splits from baby's dad, 13 - Update
The girl of 10 who became one of the world's youngest mums has already split from the baby's 13-year-old dad. The youngster, called Elena, gave birth to 6lb 6oz Nicoletta last week. She had apparently been living with the child's teenage dad.
But relatives yesterday revealed he is no longer dating the young mum. The Romanian girl flew to Spain three weeks ago to give birth and attend a family wedding. Grandmother Olimpia said: "They will stay in Spain because her relationship with the baby's father has ended.
"Elena and Nicoletta are very well. We're very happy. For us it's not a drama. These things are normal in our country. Girls get married at 10."
Elena is staying with relatives at a flat in Lebrija, near Seville, southern Spain. Social services are deciding whether to let Nicoletta stay with her mum.
But relatives yesterday revealed he is no longer dating the young mum. The Romanian girl flew to Spain three weeks ago to give birth and attend a family wedding. Grandmother Olimpia said: "They will stay in Spain because her relationship with the baby's father has ended.
"Elena and Nicoletta are very well. We're very happy. For us it's not a drama. These things are normal in our country. Girls get married at 10."
Elena is staying with relatives at a flat in Lebrija, near Seville, southern Spain. Social services are deciding whether to let Nicoletta stay with her mum.
School bans “sexy” trousers which “cling” to girl students
A school has banned tight-fitting trousers which are ”too sexy” for the classroom – and is making students hand over their mobile phones as a deposit for replacement pairs. Teachers say the Miss Sexy branded garments are unacceptable because of the way they ”cling” to girl students – making them ”unhelpful” to learning. The Miss Sexy trousers, which are made from stretchy Bengalin and Polyester material, cost between £10 and £15 and can be bought at local clothes shops and online.
But now the headteacher of Bradley Stoke Community School in Bristol is cracking down on rule breaches and spent £400 on 80 pairs of ‘standard issue’ £5 black trousers. Any girls caught wearing figure-hugging trousers are forced to change into a regulation pair of trousers, which are hanging on racks near the entrance. Pupils are required to hand over something of value – such as their mobile phone – as deposit to ensure they return the pair at the end of the school day.
The measures have been blasted as ”unhygienic” by students, who claim they cannot afford to shell out for tailored trousers. In a letter sent to all parents and guardians, the school said the tight trousers were distracting pupils from lessons. It read: ”The tightness of the trousers and the way they cling to the wearer’s body is unsightly and accentuates body shape in an unhelpful way in a school environment – they are particularly unflattering when worn by some students.
”The trousers are also low-cut which means that undergarments and sometimes more are revealed… and takes attention away from the learning focus of lessons.” Headteacher David Baker said the trousers showed ”too much flesh”. He said: ”When I walk round the classrooms it is hideously embarrassing to see girls leaning over tables and to see flesh and thong hanging out”.
But now the headteacher of Bradley Stoke Community School in Bristol is cracking down on rule breaches and spent £400 on 80 pairs of ‘standard issue’ £5 black trousers. Any girls caught wearing figure-hugging trousers are forced to change into a regulation pair of trousers, which are hanging on racks near the entrance. Pupils are required to hand over something of value – such as their mobile phone – as deposit to ensure they return the pair at the end of the school day.
The measures have been blasted as ”unhygienic” by students, who claim they cannot afford to shell out for tailored trousers. In a letter sent to all parents and guardians, the school said the tight trousers were distracting pupils from lessons. It read: ”The tightness of the trousers and the way they cling to the wearer’s body is unsightly and accentuates body shape in an unhelpful way in a school environment – they are particularly unflattering when worn by some students.
”The trousers are also low-cut which means that undergarments and sometimes more are revealed… and takes attention away from the learning focus of lessons.” Headteacher David Baker said the trousers showed ”too much flesh”. He said: ”When I walk round the classrooms it is hideously embarrassing to see girls leaning over tables and to see flesh and thong hanging out”.
Countdown censored to remove s**tface
Bosses on TV game show Countdown had to edit out part of the show after a contestant submitted an eight-letter expletive. A section of a recent show had to be refilmed after a Cambridge University maths student found an obscene use for the letters: 'DTCEIASHF'.
Audience members erupted in laughter when Jack Hurst, 18, spelt out 'S***face' but producers were less amused. Language expert Susie Dent confirmed to presenter Jeff Stelling that the word, describing a "rude or obnoxious person", was acceptable but Channel 4 ruled the round would have to be filmed again, with new letters.
A source joked: "The bizarre thing was he had a spare D - spelling a concept most students are more than familiar with." Countdown contestants are given a mixture of nine consonants and vowels, and have thirty seconds in which to rearrange them to make the longest possible word.
Earlier this year, Stelling and co-presenter Rachel Riley visibly squirmed when the letter A was followed by U, D, F, C, K and E, potentially creating a six-letter profanity. But on that occasion both contestants tactfully ducked the obvious by opting for shorter words.
Audience members erupted in laughter when Jack Hurst, 18, spelt out 'S***face' but producers were less amused. Language expert Susie Dent confirmed to presenter Jeff Stelling that the word, describing a "rude or obnoxious person", was acceptable but Channel 4 ruled the round would have to be filmed again, with new letters.
A source joked: "The bizarre thing was he had a spare D - spelling a concept most students are more than familiar with." Countdown contestants are given a mixture of nine consonants and vowels, and have thirty seconds in which to rearrange them to make the longest possible word.
Earlier this year, Stelling and co-presenter Rachel Riley visibly squirmed when the letter A was followed by U, D, F, C, K and E, potentially creating a six-letter profanity. But on that occasion both contestants tactfully ducked the obvious by opting for shorter words.
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