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Thursday, April 28, 2011
Man accidentally leaves boat waiting at traffic lights
A sailor left motorists high and dry when he abandoned ship at a set of traffic lights.
The cruiser was being towed by a car in Bülach, Switzerland, when it became unhitched at a set of pedestrian lights.
One witness said: "As the car drove off, the boat just stayed there and the driver didn't seem to even notice.
"The other drivers were pretty shocked, but police caught the guy who'd been towing it and escorted him back so he could tow it away."
The cruiser was being towed by a car in Bülach, Switzerland, when it became unhitched at a set of pedestrian lights.
One witness said: "As the car drove off, the boat just stayed there and the driver didn't seem to even notice.
"The other drivers were pretty shocked, but police caught the guy who'd been towing it and escorted him back so he could tow it away."
Promotion for Australian submariner drunk at US naval base
An Australian submariner who got so drunk on a US naval base he was rushed to hospital dodged disciplinary action and was promoted. Footage shows the man being restrained by US guards and has prompted a vow by the Federal Government to stamp out alcohol abuse in the Australian Defence Force.
The sailor was half-naked, sprawled on the grass and initially unconscious after a marathon bender. The leading seaman is shown apparently unconscious in a park area while HMAS Waller was docked at Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii in 2008.
LiveLeak link.
Police, ambulance and even fire officers from the famous US port are called to help the man who was allegedly found with another colleague, slumped on the ground. He is seen scuffling with emergency staff as they try to put him on a stretcher.
A whistleblower who saw the saga unfold said: "This guy was a leading seaman, somebody with sailors under his command. It wasn't even midday and he was the second Australian to be taken to hospital by Pearl Harbor emergency services for intoxication that day."
The sailor was half-naked, sprawled on the grass and initially unconscious after a marathon bender. The leading seaman is shown apparently unconscious in a park area while HMAS Waller was docked at Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii in 2008.
LiveLeak link.
Police, ambulance and even fire officers from the famous US port are called to help the man who was allegedly found with another colleague, slumped on the ground. He is seen scuffling with emergency staff as they try to put him on a stretcher.
A whistleblower who saw the saga unfold said: "This guy was a leading seaman, somebody with sailors under his command. It wasn't even midday and he was the second Australian to be taken to hospital by Pearl Harbor emergency services for intoxication that day."
Decoy dogs used to scare geese away from golf course
Canada geese looking for a free lunch on the putting greens of an Elk's Lodge golf course in Salisbury, Maryland, have a new obstacle in their path. Strategically placed on the nine-hole course are silhouettes of dogs, designed to pivot with the wind, making them seem more real to the birds.
The course has three of the wooden decoys at this time and places them on greens near the water. "They have worked. I was not a believer until I saw it with my own eyes," said David Reichenberg, the course manager.
The golf course, next to the Salisbury Zoological Park, has ponds and grasses that make it attractive to geese grazing. The birds' droppings disrupt putting, and the birds eat up grasses by the root, Reichenberg said, adding there has been a 95 percent reduction in the number of geese on the greens since the decoys were installed about two weeks ago.
A member made the decoys after hearing of their use at several PGA Tour courses. "We're hearing from people the trick is to move them around. We put a black and white plastic bag in their mouth to make them look more ferocious," Reichenberg said.
The course has three of the wooden decoys at this time and places them on greens near the water. "They have worked. I was not a believer until I saw it with my own eyes," said David Reichenberg, the course manager.
The golf course, next to the Salisbury Zoological Park, has ponds and grasses that make it attractive to geese grazing. The birds' droppings disrupt putting, and the birds eat up grasses by the root, Reichenberg said, adding there has been a 95 percent reduction in the number of geese on the greens since the decoys were installed about two weeks ago.
A member made the decoys after hearing of their use at several PGA Tour courses. "We're hearing from people the trick is to move them around. We put a black and white plastic bag in their mouth to make them look more ferocious," Reichenberg said.
Paralysed hands don't hold back feet artist
Born with paralysed hands, Zheng Huamei makes a living by selling artistic works created with her feet. In order to make her paintings more vivid and detailed, Zheng practices for hours everyday in her seven-square-metre apartment in southeast China's Fuzhou city. Zheng began to train herself to use her feet for functions normally done with hands when she was young.
As she developed a great interest in painting, her parents poured all their savings into sending her to a school for fine art. To have control of the brush, she must nip the paintbrush with her toes. Zheng said painting gives her deep pleasure and disabilities are a mere test of character. "I think ordeals in life are there to test a person. If you can't go past the basic test, how can you survive?" she said.
Zheng is also able to prepare food, cook and eat with her feet. She was unable to find a job with a salary due to her disability, so she picked up needlework and weaving skills. Now she earns her income by selling 'footicrafts' to tourists in a park in Fuzhou. She creates small toys from beads that are meticulously sewn together.
YouTube link.
Zheng has been able to live independently. However, she said frustration still comes especially when she wants to reach out and help others. "For example, you happen to see someone falling when you are walking on the street, you feel helpless as you really want to give a hand but you are not able to do it," she said. She has also dedicated her energies to charity work and donates some of her income from painting.
As she developed a great interest in painting, her parents poured all their savings into sending her to a school for fine art. To have control of the brush, she must nip the paintbrush with her toes. Zheng said painting gives her deep pleasure and disabilities are a mere test of character. "I think ordeals in life are there to test a person. If you can't go past the basic test, how can you survive?" she said.
Zheng is also able to prepare food, cook and eat with her feet. She was unable to find a job with a salary due to her disability, so she picked up needlework and weaving skills. Now she earns her income by selling 'footicrafts' to tourists in a park in Fuzhou. She creates small toys from beads that are meticulously sewn together.
YouTube link.
Zheng has been able to live independently. However, she said frustration still comes especially when she wants to reach out and help others. "For example, you happen to see someone falling when you are walking on the street, you feel helpless as you really want to give a hand but you are not able to do it," she said. She has also dedicated her energies to charity work and donates some of her income from painting.
Tourist wanting open-mouthed photo threw bricks at captive crocodile
A captive crocodile in Australia is lucky to be alive after a reckless tourist threw bricks at him. Alice Springs Reptile Centre's resident saltwater crocodile, Terry, almost swallowed the brick before he was rescued by staff. The tourist wanted to see Terry open his mouth for a photo - so he jumped over the barricade and threw two bricks at the croc.
Alice Springs Reptile Centre owner Rex Neindorf came to the rescue when he saw a brick in the beast's jaws. "I was walking past on Saturday afternoon and something caught my eye. I went to check on Terry and I saw him with the brick," he said.
"He had his mouth above water so I knew he was about to swallow it. I bashed him on the nose with a pool pole. It was the only thing I could do to make him drop the brick. I had to hit him six times before he let go. I had to hit him so hard that the pole broke. If Terry had swallowed the brick, he would have died."
Terry chipped three or four teeth as a result of biting the bricks. Mr Neindorf said the New Zealand tourist was frightened. "He hadn't thought about the consequences ... People need to think about the consequences before they do silly things around animals," he said.
Alice Springs Reptile Centre owner Rex Neindorf came to the rescue when he saw a brick in the beast's jaws. "I was walking past on Saturday afternoon and something caught my eye. I went to check on Terry and I saw him with the brick," he said.
"He had his mouth above water so I knew he was about to swallow it. I bashed him on the nose with a pool pole. It was the only thing I could do to make him drop the brick. I had to hit him six times before he let go. I had to hit him so hard that the pole broke. If Terry had swallowed the brick, he would have died."
Terry chipped three or four teeth as a result of biting the bricks. Mr Neindorf said the New Zealand tourist was frightened. "He hadn't thought about the consequences ... People need to think about the consequences before they do silly things around animals," he said.
Paraglider left dangling from border observation tower
A hapless paraglider suffered a blow when a gust of wind took him off course landing him on top of a police border observation tower.
43-year-old Wolfgang Dorner, from Feldbach, Austria, was left dangling 100 ft up in the air when his chute and lines became snagged on the structure on the wrong side of the border in neighbouring Slovenia.
"He wasn't badly injured but he was very embarrassed and a bit nervous. It was a shock for him but not as big as the shock he gave the border guards he landed on," said one firefighter.
"But he was a bit worried because while he was waiting for us the lines holding him up were snapping one by one so he was very relieved to see us," he added.
43-year-old Wolfgang Dorner, from Feldbach, Austria, was left dangling 100 ft up in the air when his chute and lines became snagged on the structure on the wrong side of the border in neighbouring Slovenia.
"He wasn't badly injured but he was very embarrassed and a bit nervous. It was a shock for him but not as big as the shock he gave the border guards he landed on," said one firefighter.
"But he was a bit worried because while he was waiting for us the lines holding him up were snapping one by one so he was very relieved to see us," he added.
Chinese restaurant food bill handed to man in ambulance
The actions of Chinese restaurant staff in Australia who slapped a customer with the bill as he was being loaded into an ambulance have sparked fierce debate. Onlookers called paramedics when the man fell to the ground suffering an apparent seizure while enjoying dumplings with his friend at Shifu Dumpling Express in Acland St, St Kilda.
As the man was being loaded into the ambulance and his friend was climbing in to join him, a waiter came and handed the friend the bill. Manager Kevin Tian was remorseless about the alleged gaffe and said he did not regret the money grab.
"My opinion is that they ate in our restaurant, they have to pay,'' he said. The incident provoked some to criticise the restaurant's actions.
However, the majority of commenters seemed to support the restaurant's decision to hand the customers a bill. An Ambulance Victoria spokesman confirmed that a man in his 30s was taken to the Alfred Hospital in a stable condition.
As the man was being loaded into the ambulance and his friend was climbing in to join him, a waiter came and handed the friend the bill. Manager Kevin Tian was remorseless about the alleged gaffe and said he did not regret the money grab.
"My opinion is that they ate in our restaurant, they have to pay,'' he said. The incident provoked some to criticise the restaurant's actions.
However, the majority of commenters seemed to support the restaurant's decision to hand the customers a bill. An Ambulance Victoria spokesman confirmed that a man in his 30s was taken to the Alfred Hospital in a stable condition.
Couple's 8,000 goodwill parcels a 'risk to troops'
A couple from Somerset have been urged to stop sending parcels of gifts and letters to troops in Afghanistan. The retired couple, Joanne Goody-Orris and Maurice Benton, has sent 8,000 parcels over the past five years. They received a letter from the Reverend Scott Shackleton of the 45 Commando in Afghanistan saying the parcels are a "logistical burden". Mrs Goody-Orris said the request for them to stop is "only going to make us more determined".
The letter, which was sent on behalf the commanding officer, said: "We have been instructed by HQ 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marine to turn down any further kind offers due to the logistical burden which is placed on the system". Mrs Goody-Orris said: "We send them everything they miss from home. When we get a letter back from them in the post it's like winning the lottery," she added.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said: "While unsolicited parcels are without doubt gratefully received, the delays they inevitably cause to the much more valued personal mail are considerably less welcome." Mrs Goody-Orris said she and her partner, Mr Benton, cut back on parcels over Christmas because they understand families want to get through. The MoD, which has expressed concern in the past over the couples' unsolicited mail, also said it was a risk to safety.
Earlier this month Mrs Goody-Orris and Mr Benton were nominated for an award for their untiring effort in sending gift parcels to British troops in Afghanistan.
YouTube link.
The spokesperson said: "Delivering goodwill parcels to forward operating bases needs additional helicopter re-supply flights and road convoys. [This] can place Service personnel at additional risk in what is already a difficult and dangerous operating environment. Every time an additional convoy is laid on, more troops are put at risk of enemy attack." Mrs Goody-Orris said: "You show me one boy that's been killed because I've sent a parcel over and I'll stop."
The letter, which was sent on behalf the commanding officer, said: "We have been instructed by HQ 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marine to turn down any further kind offers due to the logistical burden which is placed on the system". Mrs Goody-Orris said: "We send them everything they miss from home. When we get a letter back from them in the post it's like winning the lottery," she added.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said: "While unsolicited parcels are without doubt gratefully received, the delays they inevitably cause to the much more valued personal mail are considerably less welcome." Mrs Goody-Orris said she and her partner, Mr Benton, cut back on parcels over Christmas because they understand families want to get through. The MoD, which has expressed concern in the past over the couples' unsolicited mail, also said it was a risk to safety.
Earlier this month Mrs Goody-Orris and Mr Benton were nominated for an award for their untiring effort in sending gift parcels to British troops in Afghanistan.
YouTube link.
The spokesperson said: "Delivering goodwill parcels to forward operating bases needs additional helicopter re-supply flights and road convoys. [This] can place Service personnel at additional risk in what is already a difficult and dangerous operating environment. Every time an additional convoy is laid on, more troops are put at risk of enemy attack." Mrs Goody-Orris said: "You show me one boy that's been killed because I've sent a parcel over and I'll stop."
Bird at nature reserve nests in ashtray
A bird's hopes for a dream home almost went up in smoke after choosing to build its nest in a cigarette bin. The great tit sized up the spot at the RSPB's Fairburn Ings nature reserve in Castleford, West Yorkshire, ahead of breeding season.
The tit has now provided an incentive for visitors to the attraction to kick the habit after it was seen moving in. The ashtray has been put out of bounds for a few weeks until the birds have left the area.
Laura Bentley, RSPB Fairburn Ings visitor manager, said: "We'd seen a few birds checking out the ashtray and we did wonder whether they might be considering it for a nest site. We found moss and nesting material nearby and when we peered through when the bird had left the area it was clear a nest had been built inside.
"Although it might not be an obvious choice, we're delighted they've chosen this spot to try and raise their young. However, smokers beware, we are an ashtray down as obviously we've had to make sure no-one else uses it for a while."
The tit has now provided an incentive for visitors to the attraction to kick the habit after it was seen moving in. The ashtray has been put out of bounds for a few weeks until the birds have left the area.
Laura Bentley, RSPB Fairburn Ings visitor manager, said: "We'd seen a few birds checking out the ashtray and we did wonder whether they might be considering it for a nest site. We found moss and nesting material nearby and when we peered through when the bird had left the area it was clear a nest had been built inside.
"Although it might not be an obvious choice, we're delighted they've chosen this spot to try and raise their young. However, smokers beware, we are an ashtray down as obviously we've had to make sure no-one else uses it for a while."
Sixty black lambs born from flock of all-white sheep
A farmer was left stunned when her flock of 37 white sheep gave birth to 60 lambs - that are all black. Sally Du Toit, 39, and husband Jacob, 29, helped deliver the first black lamb on April 2 this year at their smallholding near Royston, Herts. Since then their flock of 37 white ewes has given birth to a total of 60 black lambs, all sired by a one-year-old ram called Rowley. Incredibly, the South African Dorper ram also has a white fleece, leaving mother-of-one Mrs Du Toit baffled by the freak births.
In sheep, a white fleece is the result of a dominant gene that actively switches colour production off - that is why most sheep are white. This means a black fleece in most sheep is recessive, so if a white ram and a white ewe are each heterozygous (have the black and white forms of the gene for fleece colour), in about 25 per cent of cases they will produce a black lamb.
Photo from SWNS.
This is quite a rare occurrence though, and in most white sheep breeds only a few white sheep are heterozygous for black, so black lambs are usually much rarer than this. That is why this case is so special. Mrs Du Toit said: 'We have had 60 lambs this month and every single one of them is black but all of their parents are white.
'Usually you see just one black sheep in an entire flock and that's where you get the saying from, but all of ours have this jet black coat. It is amazing. We don't know why it has happened. When the first few were born we thought it was great but now lamb after lamb has come out black. We feel blessed. I love the colour. People are stopping on the cycle path and in their cars to look at the lambs and ask us if they are a special kind of breed.'
In sheep, a white fleece is the result of a dominant gene that actively switches colour production off - that is why most sheep are white. This means a black fleece in most sheep is recessive, so if a white ram and a white ewe are each heterozygous (have the black and white forms of the gene for fleece colour), in about 25 per cent of cases they will produce a black lamb.
Photo from SWNS.
This is quite a rare occurrence though, and in most white sheep breeds only a few white sheep are heterozygous for black, so black lambs are usually much rarer than this. That is why this case is so special. Mrs Du Toit said: 'We have had 60 lambs this month and every single one of them is black but all of their parents are white.
'Usually you see just one black sheep in an entire flock and that's where you get the saying from, but all of ours have this jet black coat. It is amazing. We don't know why it has happened. When the first few were born we thought it was great but now lamb after lamb has come out black. We feel blessed. I love the colour. People are stopping on the cycle path and in their cars to look at the lambs and ask us if they are a special kind of breed.'
Police launch manhunt for joker who drew Hitler moustache on poster
A rural police force has been criticised for starting an investigation after a poster making a local councillor look like Hitler was put up on a village notice board. At least four officers are said to have visited residents in the hamlet of Pitcombe, Somerset, after a poster of the Conservative councillor Mike Beech had a Hitler-like moustache drawn on it. After seeing the poster, Mr Beech reported it to the police. Officers began an inquiry under the Public Order Act, saying that the poster could be deemed to cause “harassment, alarm and distress” to the councillor.
Officers even conducted house-to-house inquiries, visiting homeowners at each of the hamlet’s 20 houses. Villagers said the investigation was “an outrageous waste of police and taxpayers’ money”. David Issitt, a 58-year-old carpenter who lives in Pitcombe, said: “Everyone I have spoken to thinks it is completely over the top. Even the constable who visited me told me he had better things to do. The police came to the village three times - it was a complete waste of time by the police. They have far better things to do than following up complaints like that.
Photo for illustrative purposes only.
“The police even came knocking on people’s doors in the evening. If my shed was broken into would I have received such a tenacious response? If Mr Beech is involved in politics, I’d suggest he grows a thicker skin. It was simple lampooning and he needs to learn to laugh at himself.” Mr Beech, a Conservative member of South Somerset district council and former chairman of Pitcombe Parish Council, admitted he had called in the police because he was a “bit offended” by the picture which made him look like the former Nazi leader. “This is something I am trying to forget. Basically the picture was put on the noticeboard and I took advice from the political hierarchy and they said it was probably best to report it.”
Pitcombe is home to an estimated 40 people and only 13 crimes have been reported in the hamlet and surrounding villages all year. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed a complaint had been made about posters put up on the village noticeboard, which is not lockable. A spokesman said: “Police started an inquiry under the Public Order Act that the posters could be deemed to cause 'harassment, alarm or distress’ to an individual. There is no CCTV in the village, although house-to-house enquires have been undertaken. Officers are duty bound to investigate formal complaints of criminal damage.”
Officers even conducted house-to-house inquiries, visiting homeowners at each of the hamlet’s 20 houses. Villagers said the investigation was “an outrageous waste of police and taxpayers’ money”. David Issitt, a 58-year-old carpenter who lives in Pitcombe, said: “Everyone I have spoken to thinks it is completely over the top. Even the constable who visited me told me he had better things to do. The police came to the village three times - it was a complete waste of time by the police. They have far better things to do than following up complaints like that.
Photo for illustrative purposes only.
“The police even came knocking on people’s doors in the evening. If my shed was broken into would I have received such a tenacious response? If Mr Beech is involved in politics, I’d suggest he grows a thicker skin. It was simple lampooning and he needs to learn to laugh at himself.” Mr Beech, a Conservative member of South Somerset district council and former chairman of Pitcombe Parish Council, admitted he had called in the police because he was a “bit offended” by the picture which made him look like the former Nazi leader. “This is something I am trying to forget. Basically the picture was put on the noticeboard and I took advice from the political hierarchy and they said it was probably best to report it.”
Pitcombe is home to an estimated 40 people and only 13 crimes have been reported in the hamlet and surrounding villages all year. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed a complaint had been made about posters put up on the village noticeboard, which is not lockable. A spokesman said: “Police started an inquiry under the Public Order Act that the posters could be deemed to cause 'harassment, alarm or distress’ to an individual. There is no CCTV in the village, although house-to-house enquires have been undertaken. Officers are duty bound to investigate formal complaints of criminal damage.”
Pub singer in 'race' arrest for playing Kung Fu Fighting as Chinese couple walk past
A musician was arrested after a performance of the 1970s song Kung Fu Fighting at an Isle of Wight bar sparked an alleged racism row with a passer-by. Simon Ledger, 34, of Shanklin, said he was playing the Carl Douglas hit at the Driftwood bar, Sandown, on Sunday when the man of Chinese origin took offence.
Police said the passer-by claimed he was then "subjected to racial abuse". Mr Ledger was bailed by police and is expected to be questioned later.
Police said the 32-year-old man was walking past the bar at about 1745 BST when the incident took place. He contacted officers to make a complaint on the same evening.
Keyboardist Mr Ledger said he was later called and was arrested on suspicion of causing harassment, alarm or distress. He was not taken to a police station but was released on street bail to be questioned later. A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: "An investigation into this allegation is continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding what happened."
Police said the passer-by claimed he was then "subjected to racial abuse". Mr Ledger was bailed by police and is expected to be questioned later.
Police said the 32-year-old man was walking past the bar at about 1745 BST when the incident took place. He contacted officers to make a complaint on the same evening.
Keyboardist Mr Ledger said he was later called and was arrested on suspicion of causing harassment, alarm or distress. He was not taken to a police station but was released on street bail to be questioned later. A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: "An investigation into this allegation is continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding what happened."
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