Click for bigger.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Porpoises save Dick Van Dyke
Mary Poppins star Dick Van Dyke says porpoises saved his life - by pushing him back to shore after he fell asleep on his surfboard.
The veteran actor, 84, told reporters how his ordeal began during an ill-fated trip to his local beach.
"I woke up out of sight of land," he said. "I started paddling with the swells and I started seeing fins swimming around me and I thought 'I'm dead!' They turned out to be porpoises. And they pushed me all the way to shore."
As well as Mary Poppins, Van Dyke's film credits include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Dick Tracy. In recent years he has appeared on screen in Night at the Museum and its 2009 sequel.
The veteran actor, 84, told reporters how his ordeal began during an ill-fated trip to his local beach.
"I woke up out of sight of land," he said. "I started paddling with the swells and I started seeing fins swimming around me and I thought 'I'm dead!' They turned out to be porpoises. And they pushed me all the way to shore."
As well as Mary Poppins, Van Dyke's film credits include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Dick Tracy. In recent years he has appeared on screen in Night at the Museum and its 2009 sequel.
Caiman attacks BBC wildlife presenter filming in Argentina
A spectacled caiman attacked wildlife presenter Steve Backshall during filming for the BBC in Argentina. Backshall was looking for yellow anacondas as he waded through wetlands but was taken by surprise by the crocodilian reptile. The presenter was treated for puncture wounds to his calf before completing filming. Presenter Steve Backshall witnessed first-hand the powerful bite of the spectacled caiman when he surprised one in the marshes of northern Argentina, close to border of Paraguay.
The wildlife presenter's mission for the day was to find yellow anacondas, one of the largest species of snake. The film crew were travelling by horseback, searching for snakes from a safe height. As they traversed the marshes, one of their horses reacted to something in the water. Video footage captured the moment when Backshall investigated what had caused the animal's panic.
"I jumped down into the water to try and catch it, and waded around in the muddy water trying to find it. Suddenly, my foot hit what felt like a log lying on the bottom of the swamp," he said. The caiman struck the wildlife presenter in the left leg, tearing his trousers and puncturing his flesh. "It was purely acting in defence, and trying to drive me away, and made no attempt to follow up the attack," he said, confirming reports that spectacled caiman are not known to attack unprovoked.
Photo by Charlie Bingham.
"However, it left a series of deep gashes running down my calf, which were pretty gory looking," the presenter added. The crew immediately radioed for back up and Backshall was taken to the nearest medical clinic for stitches, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. "This is the biggest thing I've ever been bitten by - well, apart from my sister's horse when I was a kid!" he said. Backshall and the crew were able to complete filming after a short break for recuperation.
The wildlife presenter's mission for the day was to find yellow anacondas, one of the largest species of snake. The film crew were travelling by horseback, searching for snakes from a safe height. As they traversed the marshes, one of their horses reacted to something in the water. Video footage captured the moment when Backshall investigated what had caused the animal's panic.
"I jumped down into the water to try and catch it, and waded around in the muddy water trying to find it. Suddenly, my foot hit what felt like a log lying on the bottom of the swamp," he said. The caiman struck the wildlife presenter in the left leg, tearing his trousers and puncturing his flesh. "It was purely acting in defence, and trying to drive me away, and made no attempt to follow up the attack," he said, confirming reports that spectacled caiman are not known to attack unprovoked.
Photo by Charlie Bingham.
"However, it left a series of deep gashes running down my calf, which were pretty gory looking," the presenter added. The crew immediately radioed for back up and Backshall was taken to the nearest medical clinic for stitches, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. "This is the biggest thing I've ever been bitten by - well, apart from my sister's horse when I was a kid!" he said. Backshall and the crew were able to complete filming after a short break for recuperation.
Japanese firm hopes to boost tourism with 'welcome' bra
A Japanese lingerie maker has unveiled a truly intimate welcome for visitors -- a "Welcome to Japan" bra, complete with greetings in three different languages.
The blue, bustier-style garment by Triumph aims to promote tourism and has a holder on the stomach for images of major tourist spots such as Mt. Fuji. A matching skirt flips up to reveal a map of Japan.
Buttons on the bustier, when pushed, play messages saying "Welcome to Japan" in English, Korean or Chinese. "A new international airport terminal has just opened in Tokyo, and the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan has been increasing recently," said Triumph spokeswoman Yoshiko Masuda.
"We came up with this bra in the hopes of further boosting tourism, and the economy, in Japan." The bra, whose Wednesday launch came just before 20 world leaders fly into Japan for this weekend's APEC meeting, is the latest concept design for Triumph. It is not for sale.
Video.
The blue, bustier-style garment by Triumph aims to promote tourism and has a holder on the stomach for images of major tourist spots such as Mt. Fuji. A matching skirt flips up to reveal a map of Japan.
Buttons on the bustier, when pushed, play messages saying "Welcome to Japan" in English, Korean or Chinese. "A new international airport terminal has just opened in Tokyo, and the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan has been increasing recently," said Triumph spokeswoman Yoshiko Masuda.
"We came up with this bra in the hopes of further boosting tourism, and the economy, in Japan." The bra, whose Wednesday launch came just before 20 world leaders fly into Japan for this weekend's APEC meeting, is the latest concept design for Triumph. It is not for sale.
Video.
Woman attacked police officer with 'rigid female pleasure device'
Carolee Bildsten of Gurnee was charged on Wednesday after she allegedly threatened an officer with what police called a “rigid female pleasure device.” Bildsten, 56, was charged with one misdemeanor count of aggravated assault and theft of labour, Gurnee police Cmdr. Jay Patrick said.
Bildsten allegedly walked out on a tab at Joe’s Crab Shack in Gurnee on Tuesday. Officers found her at her home in Gurnee, where she allegedly threatened to batter the officer with a sex toy, Patrick said.
The officer was not injured and Bildsten was taken into custody, Patrick said. She also faces an ordinance violation for pedestrian under the influence.
Bildsten was released on a personal recognizance bond and issued a court date of Dec. 6 at the Lake County courthouse, Patrick said. It was apparently the second time Bildsten had walked out on a tab at the restaurant.
Bildsten allegedly walked out on a tab at Joe’s Crab Shack in Gurnee on Tuesday. Officers found her at her home in Gurnee, where she allegedly threatened to batter the officer with a sex toy, Patrick said.
The officer was not injured and Bildsten was taken into custody, Patrick said. She also faces an ordinance violation for pedestrian under the influence.
Bildsten was released on a personal recognizance bond and issued a court date of Dec. 6 at the Lake County courthouse, Patrick said. It was apparently the second time Bildsten had walked out on a tab at the restaurant.
Panic as Ohio tower falls in the wrong direction
Explosive experts say they are "extremely thankful" that no-one was hurt after an 83m tower they were demolishing collapsed in the wrong direction. The Mad River Power Plant tower in Springfield, Ohio, was intended to fall into a cleared area to its east.
Instead the tower fell south-east, knocking out two power lines and smashing another building that houses power generators, cutting electricity to 4000 homes in the city. Power plant staff, demolition crews and members of the media filming the event were forced to scatter as the live lines hit the ground around them.
The family that owned the demolition company had even brought their children to the site. "It just started leaning the other way and I thought, 'Holy cow' — It was terrifying for a little bit," local fire chief John Roeder said. Advanced Explosives Demolition president Lisa Kelly said an undetected crack on the tower caused it to fall backwards.
"Nobody's happy with things that go wrong in life, and sometimes it's out of our hands and beyond anybody's prediction," she said. The power outage knocked out nine traffic light intersections in the city, causing a minor crash, police said.
Instead the tower fell south-east, knocking out two power lines and smashing another building that houses power generators, cutting electricity to 4000 homes in the city. Power plant staff, demolition crews and members of the media filming the event were forced to scatter as the live lines hit the ground around them.
The family that owned the demolition company had even brought their children to the site. "It just started leaning the other way and I thought, 'Holy cow' — It was terrifying for a little bit," local fire chief John Roeder said. Advanced Explosives Demolition president Lisa Kelly said an undetected crack on the tower caused it to fall backwards.
"Nobody's happy with things that go wrong in life, and sometimes it's out of our hands and beyond anybody's prediction," she said. The power outage knocked out nine traffic light intersections in the city, causing a minor crash, police said.
Man's happy snap of cannabis plants lands him in trouble
It was the happy snap that caught an Australian man out in a lie. Officers found this photograph of Adam Shane Anderson posing with his cannabis crop despite denying he had grown the drug before. But when Cairns police found this photo of Adam Shane Anderson on his digital camera, during a raid at his Edmonton home on his 21st birthday, it was the least of his problems. They were there to arrest him for threatening to kill a man's dog and harm his family for a $3000 drug debt.
Police also found 17 cannabis plants during the January 9 raid, but Anderson told them it was the first time he had successfully grown the drugs. Then they found the photo of him posing with an earlier, healthy and thriving crop. Yesterday, Anderson pleaded guilty in Cairns Supreme Court to six charges, including extortion and producing dangerous drugs.
The court heard Anderson had threatened a man who had allegedly shortchanged a mate in a drug deal. Anderson, as the broker of the deal, felt personally responsible and pursued the money vehemently, going as far as kidnapping the man's father's dog. The man who owed the debt left town before the dog's kidnapping after Anderson threatened to harm his wife and children.
Police became involved on January 9, and raided Anderson's house to seize his phone from which he had sent a number of threatening text messages. It was there they found the cannabis and photos, Crown prosecutor Roger Griffith said. Defence barrister Barry Murray said Anderson felt ashamed for what he had done. Anderson has been remanded in custody since January and Justice Stanley Jones will sentence him today.
Police also found 17 cannabis plants during the January 9 raid, but Anderson told them it was the first time he had successfully grown the drugs. Then they found the photo of him posing with an earlier, healthy and thriving crop. Yesterday, Anderson pleaded guilty in Cairns Supreme Court to six charges, including extortion and producing dangerous drugs.
The court heard Anderson had threatened a man who had allegedly shortchanged a mate in a drug deal. Anderson, as the broker of the deal, felt personally responsible and pursued the money vehemently, going as far as kidnapping the man's father's dog. The man who owed the debt left town before the dog's kidnapping after Anderson threatened to harm his wife and children.
Police became involved on January 9, and raided Anderson's house to seize his phone from which he had sent a number of threatening text messages. It was there they found the cannabis and photos, Crown prosecutor Roger Griffith said. Defence barrister Barry Murray said Anderson felt ashamed for what he had done. Anderson has been remanded in custody since January and Justice Stanley Jones will sentence him today.
Dash-cam captures deer jumping over police car
A police officer was driving through a residential area in Knoxville, Iowa when a deer ran up to his car. The officer was able to stop just as the deer jumped over it and then pranced away between a couple of houses.
The deer wasn't cited for jaywalking. Officers don't know the animal's identity but she could be called "Jane Doe."
The deer wasn't cited for jaywalking. Officers don't know the animal's identity but she could be called "Jane Doe."
Chinese man's shackles have grown into his skin
Astonished doctors are trying to save the hands of tormented Zhang Chuanqiu who was chained so tightly in an illegal prison that his flesh grew over his shackles.
Zhang, 27, had been chained to a cowshed in Hunan, southern China, in 2005 after falling out with village officials over a loan to build his house. But his chains had been so agonisingly tight that Zhang's own flesh began to absorb them.
"The only person who did not give up on me was my mother who waited for her time and rescued me," he explained. Now Zhang is trying to raise the £1,000 surgeons have told him he needs for an operation to remove the chains and save his hands from further infection.
"They cause me a lot of pain. They are always inflamed and ooze pus all the time. But we have no money so I have to rely on charity or the good heart of a hospital or doctor to save my hands," he said.
Zhang, 27, had been chained to a cowshed in Hunan, southern China, in 2005 after falling out with village officials over a loan to build his house. But his chains had been so agonisingly tight that Zhang's own flesh began to absorb them.
"The only person who did not give up on me was my mother who waited for her time and rescued me," he explained. Now Zhang is trying to raise the £1,000 surgeons have told him he needs for an operation to remove the chains and save his hands from further infection.
"They cause me a lot of pain. They are always inflamed and ooze pus all the time. But we have no money so I have to rely on charity or the good heart of a hospital or doctor to save my hands," he said.
Flood-hit policemen patrol on stilts
Police in a flood-hit region of China have been issued with stilts so they can go out on the beat.
Officers in Haikou, southern China, were struggling to go out on patrol after freak flash foods left streets under two feet of water.
But one enterprising local policeman had the bright idea of putting his woodwork skills to good use.
Patrolman Li Keying explained: "We are only a country police force and there aren't many waders to go round so I started making stilts and they're very popular. You keep your feet dry and you can see over a lot of walls and hedges to things that would normally be hidden from you."
Officers in Haikou, southern China, were struggling to go out on patrol after freak flash foods left streets under two feet of water.
But one enterprising local policeman had the bright idea of putting his woodwork skills to good use.
Patrolman Li Keying explained: "We are only a country police force and there aren't many waders to go round so I started making stilts and they're very popular. You keep your feet dry and you can see over a lot of walls and hedges to things that would normally be hidden from you."
Unholy conversion as church becomes a Tesco
Tesco is hoping to rake in some extra pennies from heaven - after opening its latest branch in an old church. Biblical characters depicted in ornate stained glass windows now look down on shoppers browsing the aisles in the historic building near Bournemouth. But the conversion of the former Westbourne Methodist Church has divided opinion.
Christians opposing the scheme have highlighted a passage in the Bible detailing Jesus' efforts to rid the Temple of Herod, saying 'Get these out of here! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise'. A Tesco spokesman would not reveal whether the firm planned to target the increasing numbers of derelict churches across the UK for new branches. But he did say the Westbourne store was "proving to be extremely popular with our customers".
Permission for the shop was granted only after Bournemouth Council agreed to a 'change of use' application to allow a retail operation in the building. Sandra Jones, manager of the nearby Help The Aged charity store, said: "If the church could have been used for something else I would have been delighted but who else has the money to bring it up to scratch?
"The building looks beautiful now and they've really cleaned it up, but it's just a shame it's Tesco." The Rev Dr Bob McKinley, ex-minister at the church, which had lain empty for three years, was also sad about the unusual conversion. He said: "You could say it is not appropriate to have a Tesco Express in a church but once it is sold it is no longer under our control."
Christians opposing the scheme have highlighted a passage in the Bible detailing Jesus' efforts to rid the Temple of Herod, saying 'Get these out of here! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise'. A Tesco spokesman would not reveal whether the firm planned to target the increasing numbers of derelict churches across the UK for new branches. But he did say the Westbourne store was "proving to be extremely popular with our customers".
Permission for the shop was granted only after Bournemouth Council agreed to a 'change of use' application to allow a retail operation in the building. Sandra Jones, manager of the nearby Help The Aged charity store, said: "If the church could have been used for something else I would have been delighted but who else has the money to bring it up to scratch?
"The building looks beautiful now and they've really cleaned it up, but it's just a shame it's Tesco." The Rev Dr Bob McKinley, ex-minister at the church, which had lain empty for three years, was also sad about the unusual conversion. He said: "You could say it is not appropriate to have a Tesco Express in a church but once it is sold it is no longer under our control."
25st man can't give blood in case he breaks the bed
A gentle giant has condemned the NHS after they refused to take his blood under health and safety rules because — he is to big. Jamie Knight, 20, has donated blood for three years without any problems since his grandmother received a life-saving transfusion.
But the 6ft 9ins man mountain was stunned when nurses turned him away from a clinic claiming they could not guarantee the beds would support his well-built frame. Jamie, who weighs around 25 stone, even offered to bring in own blow-up bed or lie on the floor – but the blood nurses refused to budge. He said: ”I am probably a little bit heavier than I ought to be, but I am a very big bloke. I am not massively overweight for my height.
”All I want to do is give blood. I have given at least six pints in the past and have never had a problem. But last week they sat me down and said if I could not assure them I was under 25-stone, then I could not give blood. They were worried the bed would not take my weight. I said I had not weighed myself, so could not guarantee it.
”I told them I was prepared to do it whatever the consequences – at my own risk – but they weren’t having it. I was gutted – especially as they are always appealing for people to give blood. I called the helpline to see if there was a bigger bed anywhere in the country where I could go – but I was told there was nowhere they were aware of.”
But the 6ft 9ins man mountain was stunned when nurses turned him away from a clinic claiming they could not guarantee the beds would support his well-built frame. Jamie, who weighs around 25 stone, even offered to bring in own blow-up bed or lie on the floor – but the blood nurses refused to budge. He said: ”I am probably a little bit heavier than I ought to be, but I am a very big bloke. I am not massively overweight for my height.
”All I want to do is give blood. I have given at least six pints in the past and have never had a problem. But last week they sat me down and said if I could not assure them I was under 25-stone, then I could not give blood. They were worried the bed would not take my weight. I said I had not weighed myself, so could not guarantee it.
”I told them I was prepared to do it whatever the consequences – at my own risk – but they weren’t having it. I was gutted – especially as they are always appealing for people to give blood. I called the helpline to see if there was a bigger bed anywhere in the country where I could go – but I was told there was nowhere they were aware of.”
Man ran over his wife then crushed himself to death against a wall rushing to her aid in freak accident
A pensioner ran over his wife then crushed himself to death against a wall rushing to her aid. Tony Murphy, 78, was backing out of the driveway when his car suddenly lurched and knocked over his wife Fay.
Tony tried to climb out of the car but accidentally stood on the accelerator causing the automatic Ford Focus to shoot forward and crush him between the car and a wall. Devastated Fay, 76, of Spalding, Lincs, who suffered severely bruised legs, said: "He was my carer from the day we married. I miss him terribly. He was popular with all the darts teams he played with and everyone around here."
The couple had been married for 56 years before the tragic accident on October 27. When they met Tony, a retired builder, nursed Fay through tuberculosis and in recent years helped her live with crippling arthritis.
Fay's brother Geoffrey Bagnall, 61, said: "He normally reverses out very slowly, but he came out fast and knocked her down and ran over her left leg. Tony was hanging half out of the car. He realised what had happened but his left leg and left hand were still inside. He must have gone for the brake but missed and got the accelerator because the car shot forward. As the car went forward it left six inches between the wall and it crushed his chest. It was a freak accident."
Tony tried to climb out of the car but accidentally stood on the accelerator causing the automatic Ford Focus to shoot forward and crush him between the car and a wall. Devastated Fay, 76, of Spalding, Lincs, who suffered severely bruised legs, said: "He was my carer from the day we married. I miss him terribly. He was popular with all the darts teams he played with and everyone around here."
The couple had been married for 56 years before the tragic accident on October 27. When they met Tony, a retired builder, nursed Fay through tuberculosis and in recent years helped her live with crippling arthritis.
Fay's brother Geoffrey Bagnall, 61, said: "He normally reverses out very slowly, but he came out fast and knocked her down and ran over her left leg. Tony was hanging half out of the car. He realised what had happened but his left leg and left hand were still inside. He must have gone for the brake but missed and got the accelerator because the car shot forward. As the car went forward it left six inches between the wall and it crushed his chest. It was a freak accident."