Thursday, February 28, 2013
Helicopter blew deer to safety after it became stranded on ice in frozen harbour
A Nova Scotia man is sharing the story of an amazing animal rescue after a mother deer and her baby became trapped on the frozen waters of Antigonish Harbour. Ian Waugh, a retired biologist from Alberta, says he spotted the deer struggling on the thin ice last month.
“It caught my eye that the female was down on the ice and every time she tried to get up, she would fall back down and she was splayed out in just, one of those positions that makes you go ‘ugh,’” he says. Waugh, who now lives in Lanark, called the Department of Natural Resources, but after checking the ice, officials determined it was too thin to risk going out to rescue the deer.
A few hours later, Waugh spotted a DNR helicopter near the deer. The fawn ran to shore and the chopper came down close to the mother. “The wash, because the ice was so smooth … the wash was so powerful that it actually started to push the deer,” says Waugh. He says the deer eventually stopped struggling and went with the flow, while a DNR officer and the pilot directed the animal to shore.
YouTube link.
Department officials say it’s not always practical to help wild animals in distress, but that they will assist on a case-by-case basis if it’s appropriate and safe. Waugh captured the scene on video and is now sharing the incredible story. Waugh says he is especially impressed with the ingenuity shown by the pilot. “It was just brilliant…it was a solution exactly tailored to the situation.” Waugh isn’t certain where the deer are now, but says they were spotted walking in the woods together shortly after they were rescued.
With additional news video.
“It caught my eye that the female was down on the ice and every time she tried to get up, she would fall back down and she was splayed out in just, one of those positions that makes you go ‘ugh,’” he says. Waugh, who now lives in Lanark, called the Department of Natural Resources, but after checking the ice, officials determined it was too thin to risk going out to rescue the deer.
A few hours later, Waugh spotted a DNR helicopter near the deer. The fawn ran to shore and the chopper came down close to the mother. “The wash, because the ice was so smooth … the wash was so powerful that it actually started to push the deer,” says Waugh. He says the deer eventually stopped struggling and went with the flow, while a DNR officer and the pilot directed the animal to shore.
YouTube link.
Department officials say it’s not always practical to help wild animals in distress, but that they will assist on a case-by-case basis if it’s appropriate and safe. Waugh captured the scene on video and is now sharing the incredible story. Waugh says he is especially impressed with the ingenuity shown by the pilot. “It was just brilliant…it was a solution exactly tailored to the situation.” Waugh isn’t certain where the deer are now, but says they were spotted walking in the woods together shortly after they were rescued.
With additional news video.
Mystery of alien from outer space appearing on photo
An employee of the Bacolod City Treasurer’s Office in the Philippines was surprised to see a
2-foot tall figure that looks like an extra terrestrial creature standing
beside her in her photo taken by a fellow city employee in front of the Bacolod
City Government Centre at about 4pm on Tuesday.
The employee, identified as Emily Santodelsis, had requested her co-worker, Arian Ponce, to take a solo picture of her using her cellphone. When she looked at the photo later she saw a strange looking creature that looked like an alien from outer space standing beside her.
In another photo of Santodelsis taken on the same day there appeared a streak that looked as if she was being hit by lightning in the head. One of her co-workers prayed over her after the experience because she was scared and shaken by what she saw on her cellphone.
Several personnel of the Public Order and Safety Office, who were on duty to secure the vicinity of the government centre for the arrival of the Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines, as well as other city employees who were preparing to go home, saw Emily while her picture was being taken but did not see any creature beside her. Some employees have claimed that they had seen about four of these “extra terrestrial beings” in the area.
The employee, identified as Emily Santodelsis, had requested her co-worker, Arian Ponce, to take a solo picture of her using her cellphone. When she looked at the photo later she saw a strange looking creature that looked like an alien from outer space standing beside her.
In another photo of Santodelsis taken on the same day there appeared a streak that looked as if she was being hit by lightning in the head. One of her co-workers prayed over her after the experience because she was scared and shaken by what she saw on her cellphone.
Several personnel of the Public Order and Safety Office, who were on duty to secure the vicinity of the government centre for the arrival of the Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines, as well as other city employees who were preparing to go home, saw Emily while her picture was being taken but did not see any creature beside her. Some employees have claimed that they had seen about four of these “extra terrestrial beings” in the area.
Woman allegedly drowned her son due to the size of his genitals
Police in Jakarta, Indonesia, are conducting psychological tests on a woman who allegedly drowned her son due to the size of his genitals, a spokesman said on Wednesday. Retno Purwati, 38, was arrested on Tuesday after she went to the East Jakarta police and admitted to killing her eight-year-old son, Vicky Riska, at her house in Cakung, East Jakarta.
“It seems like she committed the murder consciously. She filled up a bathtub with water, tied the kid up and drowned him. Afterward, she dressed him. It was all done very neatly, but we still recommend for her to undergo a psychological examination,” Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said.
Photo from here.
After Retno forced her son’s head underwater, she picked her oldest daughter from school and asked her to go home to look after her brother, while Retno went to the police station to report herself. She explained to the police what she had done and asked them to check if her son was still alive. However, when the police arrived at the scene, the boy had already died.
Rikwanto said the mother told the police that she killed her son because after he was circumcised, his penis shrank. “We haven’t found another motive. So far, the only thing we know is that she killed her son because she was ashamed of the size of his genitals and she was afraid that he would not have a good future,” he said. Retno was charged and faces 15 years in jail if proven guilty.
“It seems like she committed the murder consciously. She filled up a bathtub with water, tied the kid up and drowned him. Afterward, she dressed him. It was all done very neatly, but we still recommend for her to undergo a psychological examination,” Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said.
Photo from here.
After Retno forced her son’s head underwater, she picked her oldest daughter from school and asked her to go home to look after her brother, while Retno went to the police station to report herself. She explained to the police what she had done and asked them to check if her son was still alive. However, when the police arrived at the scene, the boy had already died.
Rikwanto said the mother told the police that she killed her son because after he was circumcised, his penis shrank. “We haven’t found another motive. So far, the only thing we know is that she killed her son because she was ashamed of the size of his genitals and she was afraid that he would not have a good future,” he said. Retno was charged and faces 15 years in jail if proven guilty.
Duty prosecutor arrested by Swedish police for buying sex from prostitute
Police in Stockholm were surprised on Monday to find that a man they had arrested for buying sex from a prostitute was the duty prosecutor to whom they were obliged to report the crime.
The chief prosecutor spent Monday evening with a female prostitute in a central Stockholm hotel. A police squad, however, had been tipped off and was waiting for him in the staircase outside the room. Officers were surprised to learn of the man's status while arresting him, as he was the prosecutor on duty to whom they should report the crime. The man paid 1,500 kronor (£153, $232) for the sex.
He had allegedly found the escort online, when "surfing around on his iPhone" during a train trip, during which he consumed half a bottle of wine and a beer. "And then I did what I am suspected of - I went out into the staircase and the police arrested me there," the prosecutor said. He has confessed to the crime, and his family has been notified.
"My wife will leave me and my children think I have behaved like a pig. Even my friends think the same," he said. The man said that in his experience as a prosecutor, he knew that the "stupidest thing" he could do was to lie. "I have done what I've done, I'm standing with my pants down. The worst is what I have done to my family and friends," he said. The arrested man explained that another prosecutor would take care of the case, and that he was unaware of his punishment, or when it would likely be determined.
The chief prosecutor spent Monday evening with a female prostitute in a central Stockholm hotel. A police squad, however, had been tipped off and was waiting for him in the staircase outside the room. Officers were surprised to learn of the man's status while arresting him, as he was the prosecutor on duty to whom they should report the crime. The man paid 1,500 kronor (£153, $232) for the sex.
He had allegedly found the escort online, when "surfing around on his iPhone" during a train trip, during which he consumed half a bottle of wine and a beer. "And then I did what I am suspected of - I went out into the staircase and the police arrested me there," the prosecutor said. He has confessed to the crime, and his family has been notified.
"My wife will leave me and my children think I have behaved like a pig. Even my friends think the same," he said. The man said that in his experience as a prosecutor, he knew that the "stupidest thing" he could do was to lie. "I have done what I've done, I'm standing with my pants down. The worst is what I have done to my family and friends," he said. The arrested man explained that another prosecutor would take care of the case, and that he was unaware of his punishment, or when it would likely be determined.
Flaming bag of dog poo on doorknob started blaze
The old flaming-bag-of-dog-poo prank got out of control early on Saturday
morning and set a Pennsylvania family's front door on fire. That's probably because the pranksters made a fundamental error.
For those unfamiliar, it involves putting dog faeces in a paper bag, setting it in front of a target's door, settng it on fire, then ringing the doorbell and running. The idea is for the target to stomp on the bag.
But in this case, the flaming bag of faeces was hung from the front doorknob of a home in Dover County, Northern York County Regional Police said. Residents of the home awoke to their smoke alarms sounding and realized their home was filled with smoke.
One of the residents was able to extinguish the blaze. Damage is estimated at $2,000. Anyone with information on who left the burning bag is asked to call police.
For those unfamiliar, it involves putting dog faeces in a paper bag, setting it in front of a target's door, settng it on fire, then ringing the doorbell and running. The idea is for the target to stomp on the bag.
But in this case, the flaming bag of faeces was hung from the front doorknob of a home in Dover County, Northern York County Regional Police said. Residents of the home awoke to their smoke alarms sounding and realized their home was filled with smoke.
One of the residents was able to extinguish the blaze. Damage is estimated at $2,000. Anyone with information on who left the burning bag is asked to call police.
Man reported car stolen 21 times in 13 years to avoid traffic fines
A retired Australian electrician successfully avoided paying thousands of dollars in traffic camera fines by falsely reporting his car stolen 21 times in 13 years, a court has heard. Geelong court was told each of the reports to police coincided with Mario Hili receiving a traffic fine through the post. It also meant Hili did not lose one demerit point for his offending, which included speeding and going through red traffic lights.
Hili, 64, of North Geelong, pleaded guilty in Geelong Magistrates Court on Tuesday to seven counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception and three counts of making a false document. Police Prosecutor Leading Sen-Constable Siobhan Daly said the defendant reported his car stolen to police on January 20, 2012. "Police discovered it was the 21st time since 2000 that Hili had reported his car stolen," Sen-Constable Daly told the court.
"Each time he would find it himself at various locations around Geelong and each report coincided with him having received a traffic infringement notice through the mail." She said that on this occasion police fingerprinted Hili's car and found only his prints on the vehicle. The prosecutor said that in August 2000, Hili reported his car had been stolen the previous December, which coincided with the date a traffic fine had been issued. Sen-Constable Daly said similar incidents happened in December 2002, May 2003, July 2011 and November 2011.
Shane Balkin, for Hili, said his client, had made some poor decisions. "It was some sort of twisting of our system," Mr Balkin said. "He got away with it the first time and the thing kept rolling along." Magistrate Stephen Myall said Hili had taken advantage of a technique which enabled him to avoid his obligations. Mr Myall said Hili had not only escaped paying the fines but also avoided losing any demerit points as a result of his prolonged and planned offending. He took into account Hili's age, lack of prior convictions and plea of guilty, before convicting and fining him $2500. No order was made in regard to Hili's licence.
Hili, 64, of North Geelong, pleaded guilty in Geelong Magistrates Court on Tuesday to seven counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception and three counts of making a false document. Police Prosecutor Leading Sen-Constable Siobhan Daly said the defendant reported his car stolen to police on January 20, 2012. "Police discovered it was the 21st time since 2000 that Hili had reported his car stolen," Sen-Constable Daly told the court.
"Each time he would find it himself at various locations around Geelong and each report coincided with him having received a traffic infringement notice through the mail." She said that on this occasion police fingerprinted Hili's car and found only his prints on the vehicle. The prosecutor said that in August 2000, Hili reported his car had been stolen the previous December, which coincided with the date a traffic fine had been issued. Sen-Constable Daly said similar incidents happened in December 2002, May 2003, July 2011 and November 2011.
Shane Balkin, for Hili, said his client, had made some poor decisions. "It was some sort of twisting of our system," Mr Balkin said. "He got away with it the first time and the thing kept rolling along." Magistrate Stephen Myall said Hili had taken advantage of a technique which enabled him to avoid his obligations. Mr Myall said Hili had not only escaped paying the fines but also avoided losing any demerit points as a result of his prolonged and planned offending. He took into account Hili's age, lack of prior convictions and plea of guilty, before convicting and fining him $2500. No order was made in regard to Hili's licence.
Trainee nannies taught paparazzi avoidance and self defence
Trainee nannies at a college in Bath
are being taught self-defence and paparazzi avoidance skills as part of their BA
Honours degree course. Norland College has been training professional nannies since 1892.
But to meet the needs of modern parents the college has added skid pan training and Tae Kwon-Do to its degree course. Emily Ward, from Norland, said the activities ensure students are "fully prepared for the environment that they're going out into". Norland nannies still wear the traditional Mary Poppin's style uniforms, brown felt hat and white gloves.
In addition to everyday skills such as first aid and fitting car seats, the nannies' three-year degree programme now includes lessons in self-defence and how to deal with potential kidnappers. Abigail Harris, a Norland student, said: "They [the children] are your number one priority and you have to know that you can protect them against anything. So it's really important to be able to do this - it's a really important skill."
YouTube link. Original BBC video.
College training for 21st Century childcare also includes driving on a skid pan at the Castle Combe Racing Circuit in Wiltshire. The class teaches students how to deal with icy roads and how to safely get away from pursing photographers trying to take pictures of the children in their care.
But to meet the needs of modern parents the college has added skid pan training and Tae Kwon-Do to its degree course. Emily Ward, from Norland, said the activities ensure students are "fully prepared for the environment that they're going out into". Norland nannies still wear the traditional Mary Poppin's style uniforms, brown felt hat and white gloves.
In addition to everyday skills such as first aid and fitting car seats, the nannies' three-year degree programme now includes lessons in self-defence and how to deal with potential kidnappers. Abigail Harris, a Norland student, said: "They [the children] are your number one priority and you have to know that you can protect them against anything. So it's really important to be able to do this - it's a really important skill."
YouTube link. Original BBC video.
College training for 21st Century childcare also includes driving on a skid pan at the Castle Combe Racing Circuit in Wiltshire. The class teaches students how to deal with icy roads and how to safely get away from pursing photographers trying to take pictures of the children in their care.
Three-legged dog giving disabled boy a new lease on life nominated for Crufts award
A three-legged dog which helped a
disabled seven-year-old Hampshire boy become more confident has been nominated
for an award at Crufts 2013. (Video). Haatchi, an Anatolian shepherd, had to have his back left leg and tail
amputated after someone tied him to a railway line and he was hit by a
train.
He was adopted by the family of seven-year-old Owen Howkins, of Basingstoke, who has a rare genetic condition. Owen said: "Haatchi has changed my life." The seven-year-old has Schwartz-Jampel syndrome, which causes his muscles to be permanently tense, and uses a wheelchair. He said: "I used to be scared of strangers, then Haatchi came along and now I'm not and that's how he changed my life.
"I didn't really meet many others with disabilities and felt like the odd one out, which made me really sad. But when I saw Haatchi and saw how strong he was, even though he only had three legs, I became stronger myself. I love him so much." Haatchi had been due to be put down, but was saved by a charity. Owen's father, Will Howkins, 34, said the pair were best friends from the moment they met a year ago.
YouTube link.
"It seemed like there was a magical connection between the two of them where they knew something was different between each other - Owen didn't know what was wrong with Haatchi and vice versa." Mr Howkins said Haatchi's story "brings a few tears to a few people" when his son tells it to strangers while out dog-walking. "But I think it's a nice story, that something so horrific and terrible can actually work out good in the long run." Haatchi is one of five dog "heroes" competing in the public vote for the Friends for Life award at next month's Crufts 2013.
He was adopted by the family of seven-year-old Owen Howkins, of Basingstoke, who has a rare genetic condition. Owen said: "Haatchi has changed my life." The seven-year-old has Schwartz-Jampel syndrome, which causes his muscles to be permanently tense, and uses a wheelchair. He said: "I used to be scared of strangers, then Haatchi came along and now I'm not and that's how he changed my life.
"I didn't really meet many others with disabilities and felt like the odd one out, which made me really sad. But when I saw Haatchi and saw how strong he was, even though he only had three legs, I became stronger myself. I love him so much." Haatchi had been due to be put down, but was saved by a charity. Owen's father, Will Howkins, 34, said the pair were best friends from the moment they met a year ago.
YouTube link.
"It seemed like there was a magical connection between the two of them where they knew something was different between each other - Owen didn't know what was wrong with Haatchi and vice versa." Mr Howkins said Haatchi's story "brings a few tears to a few people" when his son tells it to strangers while out dog-walking. "But I think it's a nice story, that something so horrific and terrible can actually work out good in the long run." Haatchi is one of five dog "heroes" competing in the public vote for the Friends for Life award at next month's Crufts 2013.
50cc moped rider tried to outrun police helicopter
A moped rider who failed to outrun a pursuing police helicopter and patrol cars has been handed a suspended jail term. Disqualified driver James Phillips bought the 50cc Piaggio for £200, rode it at speeds of up to 30mph without insurance and panicked when he saw police, Bristol Crown Court heard. He led them on the low-speed, doomed-to-failure chase around Southmead before stopping and declaring: "It's a fair cop."
Phillips, 22, a roofer of Southmead, Bristol, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance. Judge Geoffrey Mercer QC was told by Phillips' barrister it was more a case of stupid driving than dangerous driving. He told Phillips: "You are 22 and you've clearly made a nuisance of yourself quite a lot in the past.
YouTube link.
"You drove dangerously, without insurance, when disqualified. You don't need me to tell you it deserves a prison sentence. I have decided to suspend that sentence. It looks to me as though you are growing up. That's what it's all about, isn't it? You are 22, you have responsibilities, a partner, a child, you have done courses and you work."
Phillips received a nine-month jail term, suspended for 18 months, and was told to do 100 hours of unpaid work and undergo a thinking skills programme. He was disqualified from driving for three years, told to take an extended driving test and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £100.
Phillips, 22, a roofer of Southmead, Bristol, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance. Judge Geoffrey Mercer QC was told by Phillips' barrister it was more a case of stupid driving than dangerous driving. He told Phillips: "You are 22 and you've clearly made a nuisance of yourself quite a lot in the past.
YouTube link.
"You drove dangerously, without insurance, when disqualified. You don't need me to tell you it deserves a prison sentence. I have decided to suspend that sentence. It looks to me as though you are growing up. That's what it's all about, isn't it? You are 22, you have responsibilities, a partner, a child, you have done courses and you work."
Phillips received a nine-month jail term, suspended for 18 months, and was told to do 100 hours of unpaid work and undergo a thinking skills programme. He was disqualified from driving for three years, told to take an extended driving test and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £100.
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