Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Cheeky monkey grabs a spot of breakfast
A monkey in Kandy, Sri Lanka, with baby holding onto her waist, helps herself to breakfast.
YouTube link.
YouTube link.
Mother unhappy after son's teacher allegedly calls being left-handed ‘evil’ and ‘sinister’
A 4-year-old boy from Okemah, Oklahoma, was allegedly forced by his teacher to write with his right hand, even though he’s left-handed.
The child was sent home with a letter about how left-handedness is often associated with evil and the devil.
Zayde is only 4 years old.
It's his first year at Oakes Elementary in Okemah, but his mother kept him home on Monday after a dispute with his teacher over being left-handed.
Zayde is learning how to read and write. And like his mother, Alisha, Zayde is left-handed. “From picking things up to throwing things, to batting, to writing, to just colouring you’d do at home with him, he’s always, always used his left hand,” Alisha Sands said. That was until last week at homework time. Alisha asked him why he was writing with his right hand, not his left. “I just asked ‘Is there anything his teachers ever asked about his hands?’
“And he raises this one and says this one’s bad,” Sands said. Alisha sent the teacher a note and got a strong response. It was an article calling left-handedness “unlucky,” “evil,” and “sinister.” It says: “for example, the devil is often portrayed as left-handed.” Alisha couldn’t believe it. “It breaks my heart for him because someone actually believes that, believes my child is evil because he’s left handed, it’s crazy,” Sands said. She went to the superintendent with the article.
“There was no suspension of any kind. There was basically nothing done to this teacher,” Sands says, “She told them she thought I needed literature on it.” Zayde will likely transfer to another class just two months into the school year. “I don’t feel like the school did what they were supposed to for him,” Sands said. The principal at Oakes Elementary said she’s aware of the situation and the district is investigating. Sands is going to file a formal complaint with the Oklahoma Board of Education.
With news video.
Zayde is learning how to read and write. And like his mother, Alisha, Zayde is left-handed. “From picking things up to throwing things, to batting, to writing, to just colouring you’d do at home with him, he’s always, always used his left hand,” Alisha Sands said. That was until last week at homework time. Alisha asked him why he was writing with his right hand, not his left. “I just asked ‘Is there anything his teachers ever asked about his hands?’
“And he raises this one and says this one’s bad,” Sands said. Alisha sent the teacher a note and got a strong response. It was an article calling left-handedness “unlucky,” “evil,” and “sinister.” It says: “for example, the devil is often portrayed as left-handed.” Alisha couldn’t believe it. “It breaks my heart for him because someone actually believes that, believes my child is evil because he’s left handed, it’s crazy,” Sands said. She went to the superintendent with the article.
“There was no suspension of any kind. There was basically nothing done to this teacher,” Sands says, “She told them she thought I needed literature on it.” Zayde will likely transfer to another class just two months into the school year. “I don’t feel like the school did what they were supposed to for him,” Sands said. The principal at Oakes Elementary said she’s aware of the situation and the district is investigating. Sands is going to file a formal complaint with the Oklahoma Board of Education.
With news video.
Man arrested for choking girlfriend who was reading her ex-boyfriend's obituary
A Florida man assaulted his live-in girlfriend because she was reading an obituary for a former boyfriend, police say.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Jason Tackett, 38, was sitting on the couch with the victim on Thursday when he became curious as to what she was looking at on her phone.
Tackett, officers allege, took the woman’s phone and “noticed she was looking at an obituary of an ex-boyfriend. The defendant became upset that she was looking him up (even though he is deceased).” The 43-year-old victim told police that Tackett then threatened her and “began tearing the house apart.”
When the woman tried to “get her phone back,” Tackett allegedly shoved her to the ground and “held his hands over her mouth and nose.” The woman, police noted, said she was “unable to breathe when he was smothering her.” When Tackett got up, the woman said, she ran from the Bradenton residence and screamed for neighbours to call 911.
Tackett, who has lived with the victim for three months, was later arrested for domestic battery by strangulation, a felony. He was freed from custody on Saturday after posting $10,000 bond. As a condition of his release, Tackett has been ordered to have no contact with the victim. According to court records, Tackett has previous convictions for robbery, fraud, and dealing in stolen property, as well as drunk driving.
Tackett, officers allege, took the woman’s phone and “noticed she was looking at an obituary of an ex-boyfriend. The defendant became upset that she was looking him up (even though he is deceased).” The 43-year-old victim told police that Tackett then threatened her and “began tearing the house apart.”
When the woman tried to “get her phone back,” Tackett allegedly shoved her to the ground and “held his hands over her mouth and nose.” The woman, police noted, said she was “unable to breathe when he was smothering her.” When Tackett got up, the woman said, she ran from the Bradenton residence and screamed for neighbours to call 911.
Tackett, who has lived with the victim for three months, was later arrested for domestic battery by strangulation, a felony. He was freed from custody on Saturday after posting $10,000 bond. As a condition of his release, Tackett has been ordered to have no contact with the victim. According to court records, Tackett has previous convictions for robbery, fraud, and dealing in stolen property, as well as drunk driving.
Elderly man reportedly punched in face by excessive Nutella waffle-sampling shopper
A 78-year-old man was punched in the face at the Costco store in Burbank, California, on Sunday morning.
The man had told another shopper that he had taken too many samples from a Nutella waffle sample cart.
Burbank resident Derrick Gharabighi, 24, had taken several samples when the elderly shopper told him to take just one, said Burbank Police Officer Cindy Guillen.
That’s when Gharabighi reportedly punched the man in the face, leaving him to be hospitalised with a one-inch cut and swelling above his eye. Gharabighi was arrested on suspicion of elder abuse and is due in court later this week.
The man had told another shopper that he had taken too many samples from a Nutella waffle sample cart.
Burbank resident Derrick Gharabighi, 24, had taken several samples when the elderly shopper told him to take just one, said Burbank Police Officer Cindy Guillen.
That’s when Gharabighi reportedly punched the man in the face, leaving him to be hospitalised with a one-inch cut and swelling above his eye. Gharabighi was arrested on suspicion of elder abuse and is due in court later this week.
'Stolen' cemetery gates hunted by police had been taken away for repairs by the council
Detectives launched an appeal to track down thieves who “stole” cemetery gates only to find they had been taken away by the local council for refurbishment.
North Wales Police issued an alert after a member of the public reported that the black wrought iron gates had been taken from St Margaret’s cemetery in Rhewl, Mostyn.
The appeal by officers said: “The gates are made of black wrought iron and are 6ft high and 4ft wide with spikes along the top. This theft, which happened sometime between Thursday, September 17, and 12.30pm on Sunday 20, would have required a vehicle to remove the items.”
However, the mystery was solved by former Greater Manchester Police detective and Flintshire county councillor David Roney. Cllr Roney told how last Monday he had seen council employees working on the gates. It has now emerged that the gates were not in fact stolen, but the council took them away because they were in poor condition and needed to be sandblasted and repaired.
Cllr Roney said: “This could have been a grave concern and it is good that a diligent member of the public took the time to alert police. However it a shame that the police did not check to find out where the gates had gone, before putting out an appeal.” Flintshire County Council later confirmed the gates were removed for repairs.
The appeal by officers said: “The gates are made of black wrought iron and are 6ft high and 4ft wide with spikes along the top. This theft, which happened sometime between Thursday, September 17, and 12.30pm on Sunday 20, would have required a vehicle to remove the items.”
However, the mystery was solved by former Greater Manchester Police detective and Flintshire county councillor David Roney. Cllr Roney told how last Monday he had seen council employees working on the gates. It has now emerged that the gates were not in fact stolen, but the council took them away because they were in poor condition and needed to be sandblasted and repaired.
Cllr Roney said: “This could have been a grave concern and it is good that a diligent member of the public took the time to alert police. However it a shame that the police did not check to find out where the gates had gone, before putting out an appeal.” Flintshire County Council later confirmed the gates were removed for repairs.
Son cleared of attack on mother after court told she bit own finger off in bid to frame him
A son was cleared of attacking his mother after telling a court she bit her own finger off in a "vindictive" bid to frame him.
A jury found Kieran Fletcher not guilty of biting his mother when the two came to blows in April.
The 23-year-old told Perth Sheriff Court that his mother Tracy had turned into “an absolute banshee” and must have ripped off her own finger as they grappled each other on a bed.
He said his mother had been involved in a love triangle and a fight had broken out between them when he branded her parenting skills “a disgrace.” He admitted assaulting a police officer following the incident, and sentence was deferred. Fletcher, from Perth, told the jury at his trial that he had not seen his mother bite her finger, but said it was the only explanation for her injury. He said he had punched her in self-defence after she had bitten him during the argument.
He said: "By a process of elimination the only person who could have done that injury to her was herself. My mum has had plenty years to grow up and act like an adult and stop behaving like an absolute banshee. I can only surmise that she has bitten her own finger. She wants to get her own back. It's vindictive." Fiscal depute Gavin Letford said: "She bit her own finger off just so she could get you into trouble? That's ludicrous." Fletcher replied: "It's completely ludicrous, correct."
Ms Fletcher admitted she had self-harmed in the past, but said she would not have bitten herself during the fight. She said she had blacked out after her son headbutted her, and couldn't remember suffering the injury to her finger. She said: "You're having a laugh - why would anyone bite their own finger off? I can't remember that happening but I wouldn't have done that myself." Fletcher was found not guilty of biting his mother, but admitted assaulting a police officer by butting his shoulder and making threats to officers who had come to deal with the incident on 28 April. He was remanded in custody for reports prior to sentencing.
He said his mother had been involved in a love triangle and a fight had broken out between them when he branded her parenting skills “a disgrace.” He admitted assaulting a police officer following the incident, and sentence was deferred. Fletcher, from Perth, told the jury at his trial that he had not seen his mother bite her finger, but said it was the only explanation for her injury. He said he had punched her in self-defence after she had bitten him during the argument.
He said: "By a process of elimination the only person who could have done that injury to her was herself. My mum has had plenty years to grow up and act like an adult and stop behaving like an absolute banshee. I can only surmise that she has bitten her own finger. She wants to get her own back. It's vindictive." Fiscal depute Gavin Letford said: "She bit her own finger off just so she could get you into trouble? That's ludicrous." Fletcher replied: "It's completely ludicrous, correct."
Ms Fletcher admitted she had self-harmed in the past, but said she would not have bitten herself during the fight. She said she had blacked out after her son headbutted her, and couldn't remember suffering the injury to her finger. She said: "You're having a laugh - why would anyone bite their own finger off? I can't remember that happening but I wouldn't have done that myself." Fletcher was found not guilty of biting his mother, but admitted assaulting a police officer by butting his shoulder and making threats to officers who had come to deal with the incident on 28 April. He was remanded in custody for reports prior to sentencing.
Firefighters rescued cat and teenager from tree
When a teenager decided to rescue a cat from a tree, he was the one who needed help.
Bradley Gander scaled the tree near his home in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, to try to save his neighbour's cat but had to be rescued by the fire service after getting stuck.
The cat, called Tilly, had been in the tree for a day and the 13-year-old decided to act after he heard her mewling.
His mother Lorraine Gander said the day turned into a "nightmare" as it took fire crews more than two hours to remove Bradley. She said: “He said he was going to shop and then two minutes later a neighbour up the road came running down and saying ‘Bradley is up a tree’. He has ADHD and he was 40 something feet up a skinny flimsy tree – every time he tried to climb down the branches would snap.
“We said ‘what are you doing up a tree?’ and he said he had heard a cat.” Ms Gander, 31, praised the firefighters who spent nearly two and a half hours rescuing her son on Friday afternoon. They used different vehicles and pieces of equipment as they tried to scale the tree to reach him and the cat. West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (WSFRS) initially attended with ladders but could not prop them up on the unstable treeas the tree was too unstable.
They then drafted in another team from East Sussex with a cherry picker but they could not get close enough. In the end the team from WSFRS used rope rescue units to retrieve Bradley and Tilly. Ms Gander said: “I was shocked he had managed to climb that high, it was only a thin tree. Everyone was relieved when he was back down and there was a big crowd. Everyone was worried about him but all he was worried about was the cat and he was like ‘yeah, but what about the cat?’.”
His mother Lorraine Gander said the day turned into a "nightmare" as it took fire crews more than two hours to remove Bradley. She said: “He said he was going to shop and then two minutes later a neighbour up the road came running down and saying ‘Bradley is up a tree’. He has ADHD and he was 40 something feet up a skinny flimsy tree – every time he tried to climb down the branches would snap.
“We said ‘what are you doing up a tree?’ and he said he had heard a cat.” Ms Gander, 31, praised the firefighters who spent nearly two and a half hours rescuing her son on Friday afternoon. They used different vehicles and pieces of equipment as they tried to scale the tree to reach him and the cat. West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (WSFRS) initially attended with ladders but could not prop them up on the unstable treeas the tree was too unstable.
They then drafted in another team from East Sussex with a cherry picker but they could not get close enough. In the end the team from WSFRS used rope rescue units to retrieve Bradley and Tilly. Ms Gander said: “I was shocked he had managed to climb that high, it was only a thin tree. Everyone was relieved when he was back down and there was a big crowd. Everyone was worried about him but all he was worried about was the cat and he was like ‘yeah, but what about the cat?’.”
Buddhists at retreat came to blows over cup of tea
A weekend of peace and tranquillity at a Buddhist retreat in the Scottish Highlands boiled over into violence following a row over a cup of tea.
Two followers of the religion, Robert Jenner, 50, and 47-year-old Raymond Storrie, from Glasgow, joined fellow worshippers travelling from the Central Belt to enjoy a calming weekend retreat near Nairn.
However Inverness Sheriff Court that there was animosity between the pair before they arrived at fellow Buddhist Andrew Newlands’ home at Hazelwood, Laikenbuie, in May.
The acrimony continued on the morning of May 9 while Mr Jenner was in the kitchen making a cup of tea and Mr Storrie walked in.
Then row about the cup of tea then escalated into violence and Mr Jenner was accused of assaulting Mr Storey by punching him in the face.
He denied the charge, saying he had acted in self-defence. Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood found the charge not proven. Mr Storrie told Sheriff Fleetwood: “He poured boiling water into his cup but not mine. I swore at him and called him ignorant. I grabbed his cup and poured the water into mine, spilling some of it. I didn’t see him again until later that night when he came up to me wanting to talk about the incident. I was calm by that time although I must have still been upset. I was having another cup of tea and a smoke of my e-cigarette and didn’t want to talk to him. I did not swear at him and moved back towards the building. It was then that he assaulted me. He punched me several times on the head. I had swelling on my face and my lip was burst. It later required stitches.
“I hit him over the head with my cup and asked him, is this how you practise the dharma? (In Buddhism, dharma is the doctrine of universal truth practised by all). “Then he said that I had attacked him. I showed no aggression towards him whatsoever.” Mr Storey later told police: “It must have been ego-driven insecurity. I am a bit intellectual and Robert is dyslexic. I have always felt he had a bit of an issue towards me.” But Mr Storrie later admitted to defence lawyer Raymond McIlwham that he had threatened to “kill” Mr Jenner while he was on the way to hospital for treatment after the alleged assault. He added: “I was still very, very angry at this point.” Their host for the weekend, Mr Newlands, told the court that his home, Hazeldean, is not an official Buddhist retreat.
Instead, he said he invited “people of like mind” to his home. Mr Jenner, of Glasgow, denied assaulting Mr Storrie, lodging a special defence of self-defence, claiming that he was first attacked by Mr Storey with the teacup. He declined to give evidence on his own behalf. No-one else witnessed the alleged assault and Sheriff Fleetwood found the charge not proven. He said: “How can I be sure I know what happened outside the house and that it was the accused who was the aggressor? The charge has to be not proven.” After the case, Mr Jenner refused to comment. Mr Storey said: “It is unusual to have a violent incident at a Buddhist retreat. I have been going to them for over 20 years seeking some peace and tranquillity but it didn’t work out that way on this occasion.”
He denied the charge, saying he had acted in self-defence. Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood found the charge not proven. Mr Storrie told Sheriff Fleetwood: “He poured boiling water into his cup but not mine. I swore at him and called him ignorant. I grabbed his cup and poured the water into mine, spilling some of it. I didn’t see him again until later that night when he came up to me wanting to talk about the incident. I was calm by that time although I must have still been upset. I was having another cup of tea and a smoke of my e-cigarette and didn’t want to talk to him. I did not swear at him and moved back towards the building. It was then that he assaulted me. He punched me several times on the head. I had swelling on my face and my lip was burst. It later required stitches.
“I hit him over the head with my cup and asked him, is this how you practise the dharma? (In Buddhism, dharma is the doctrine of universal truth practised by all). “Then he said that I had attacked him. I showed no aggression towards him whatsoever.” Mr Storey later told police: “It must have been ego-driven insecurity. I am a bit intellectual and Robert is dyslexic. I have always felt he had a bit of an issue towards me.” But Mr Storrie later admitted to defence lawyer Raymond McIlwham that he had threatened to “kill” Mr Jenner while he was on the way to hospital for treatment after the alleged assault. He added: “I was still very, very angry at this point.” Their host for the weekend, Mr Newlands, told the court that his home, Hazeldean, is not an official Buddhist retreat.
Instead, he said he invited “people of like mind” to his home. Mr Jenner, of Glasgow, denied assaulting Mr Storrie, lodging a special defence of self-defence, claiming that he was first attacked by Mr Storey with the teacup. He declined to give evidence on his own behalf. No-one else witnessed the alleged assault and Sheriff Fleetwood found the charge not proven. He said: “How can I be sure I know what happened outside the house and that it was the accused who was the aggressor? The charge has to be not proven.” After the case, Mr Jenner refused to comment. Mr Storey said: “It is unusual to have a violent incident at a Buddhist retreat. I have been going to them for over 20 years seeking some peace and tranquillity but it didn’t work out that way on this occasion.”
Buses fitted with jukeboxes and Lego tables in bid to encourage university students to use them
Buses in Reading, Berkshire, have been decked out with jukeboxes, a mini library and Lego play tables in a bid to encourage more university students to use the service.
Four buses on the 21a route from Reading Station to Whiteknights campus will have top decks kitted out with a "pioneering on-board experience".
Reading Buses boss Martijn Gilbert said he hoped the buses would create a "buzz" among students and staff. The buses will be on the road during term time from October. The Claret Spritzer fleet will include a "plush lounge area", a gaming zone and a micro library with an honesty book exchange service as part of a trial service.
The fully-carpeted upper deck also includes a juke box that customers sitting in the rear lounge seats can connect to via Bluetooth or a cable. The lower decks will remain as standard. Mr Gilbert said: "We hope that by pushing the boundaries of seating layouts and harnessing the latest technologies these rather different buses will create quite a buzz about bus travel in Reading.
"We want people to be enthused about buses around the university and encourage even more students, staff and visitors on board." The buses were withdrawn from other routes and refurbished at a cost of £20,000 each to "give them a new lease of life". Discussing the inclusion of Lego tables to attract adults, a bus spokesman said: "There is evidence of Lego being appreciated by all ages these days, however it only occupies one table and will be monitored to see how it is perceived."
Reading Buses boss Martijn Gilbert said he hoped the buses would create a "buzz" among students and staff. The buses will be on the road during term time from October. The Claret Spritzer fleet will include a "plush lounge area", a gaming zone and a micro library with an honesty book exchange service as part of a trial service.
The fully-carpeted upper deck also includes a juke box that customers sitting in the rear lounge seats can connect to via Bluetooth or a cable. The lower decks will remain as standard. Mr Gilbert said: "We hope that by pushing the boundaries of seating layouts and harnessing the latest technologies these rather different buses will create quite a buzz about bus travel in Reading.
"We want people to be enthused about buses around the university and encourage even more students, staff and visitors on board." The buses were withdrawn from other routes and refurbished at a cost of £20,000 each to "give them a new lease of life". Discussing the inclusion of Lego tables to attract adults, a bus spokesman said: "There is evidence of Lego being appreciated by all ages these days, however it only occupies one table and will be monitored to see how it is perceived."
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Retirement party held for cat who spent 17 years as ship's self-appointed rodent control officer
Ever since he was rescued off the streets in 1998, Erik the Red has been patrolling the harbour in Halifax, Canada, and making as many friends as possible. He quickly assumed the position of rodent control officer aboard CSS Acadia, a former surveying vessel at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.
But after a long career, Erik’s days on the docks have finally come to an end. On Sunday, museum staff and members of the public said farewell to their feline friend with a retirement party.
“We are celebrating the retirement of a crew member and co-worker,” said Stephen Read, CSS Acadia’s ship keeper. “His name is Erik the Red, and he is a cat.”
Erik had the job every cat dreams of - hunting down and destroy as many mice as possible. The rodents running wild aboard the Acadia were never safe when Erik was on the scene. “No pest-control company could ever do the kind of job Erik does,” Read said. “There are too many nooks and crannies on this ship. He would eat them (the mice) most of the time. Sometimes a small bit might be missed, and, much like his predecessor, he would occasionally leave some of the choicest bits in the bottom of a shoe, just to say thanks.” Unfortunately, Erik’s health and old age forced him into retirement. He recently had his left eye removed after being diagnosed with melanoma last spring. “Erik has just gotten a little bit too old to be comfortable on board in the winter,” said Read.
“There’s no amount of heat you can pump through the radiators and no amount of sweaters you can put on to really ease the cold and dampness below deck in the wintertime.” Read said Erik is moving to a friend’s house in north-end Halifax and that everyone aboard the Acadia will miss him dearly. “It won’t be the same down here on the waterfront,” he said. “Erik developed the tradition of leaving the ship in the morning to catch the first wave of commuters off the ferry, and no matter what, he would greet those same people on the way back, constantly looking for a treat. He may find the odd field mouse up in the north end, but he won’t have the same company.” Sunday’s celebration made Erik’s final day on the docks a memorable one, and dozens of people showed up to say goodbye. There was cake, sidewalk art, a book reading and even a hotline so people could call in and tell their favourite stories about Erik.
“This was not just to acknowledge his service, or we would have just had a staff party, ” said Read. “It was to acknowledge the fact that he is so popular and has such a tremendous following.” Renate Wegner, one of Erik’s biggest fans, was on board the Acadia to scratch his ears for the last time on Sunday. Wegner and her husband live in New York but spend their summers in Halifax. “We come to the wharf every day, and we met Erik a few years ago,” she said. “He recognised us after a while. We would call him and he would always come. Then we’d sit on a bench, he’d rub around a little bit, we’d talk and I’d give him a couple treats.” Wegner said spending time with Erik always made her days in Halifax enjoyable. “The fact he would remember us year-to-year and always come say hello was really special. There are a lot of people around here that have the same relationship with Erik as we do. We’ll miss him.”
Erik had the job every cat dreams of - hunting down and destroy as many mice as possible. The rodents running wild aboard the Acadia were never safe when Erik was on the scene. “No pest-control company could ever do the kind of job Erik does,” Read said. “There are too many nooks and crannies on this ship. He would eat them (the mice) most of the time. Sometimes a small bit might be missed, and, much like his predecessor, he would occasionally leave some of the choicest bits in the bottom of a shoe, just to say thanks.” Unfortunately, Erik’s health and old age forced him into retirement. He recently had his left eye removed after being diagnosed with melanoma last spring. “Erik has just gotten a little bit too old to be comfortable on board in the winter,” said Read.
“There’s no amount of heat you can pump through the radiators and no amount of sweaters you can put on to really ease the cold and dampness below deck in the wintertime.” Read said Erik is moving to a friend’s house in north-end Halifax and that everyone aboard the Acadia will miss him dearly. “It won’t be the same down here on the waterfront,” he said. “Erik developed the tradition of leaving the ship in the morning to catch the first wave of commuters off the ferry, and no matter what, he would greet those same people on the way back, constantly looking for a treat. He may find the odd field mouse up in the north end, but he won’t have the same company.” Sunday’s celebration made Erik’s final day on the docks a memorable one, and dozens of people showed up to say goodbye. There was cake, sidewalk art, a book reading and even a hotline so people could call in and tell their favourite stories about Erik.
“This was not just to acknowledge his service, or we would have just had a staff party, ” said Read. “It was to acknowledge the fact that he is so popular and has such a tremendous following.” Renate Wegner, one of Erik’s biggest fans, was on board the Acadia to scratch his ears for the last time on Sunday. Wegner and her husband live in New York but spend their summers in Halifax. “We come to the wharf every day, and we met Erik a few years ago,” she said. “He recognised us after a while. We would call him and he would always come. Then we’d sit on a bench, he’d rub around a little bit, we’d talk and I’d give him a couple treats.” Wegner said spending time with Erik always made her days in Halifax enjoyable. “The fact he would remember us year-to-year and always come say hello was really special. There are a lot of people around here that have the same relationship with Erik as we do. We’ll miss him.”
School uniform and unfinished homework left at scene of break-in
A student from Rosebery Middle School in Australia's Northern Territory left behind their uniform and homework after breaking into a house.
A local landlord suspects a group of students from the school are responsible for breaking into his untenanted house.
They broke into the empty house near the school on Friday night, with one student leaving behind a school uniform and several pages of unfinished homework.
“They cut through the fence, then used a rock from the garden to smash through the window,” said the landlord, who asked not to be named. “I think it’s just a case of kids being kids,” he said. “I just think the parents should be aware that if their kid is missing a T-shirt or some homework, they might want to have a chat.” One of the pieces of homework asks students to describe different kinds of social problems, including “global issues”, “political issues” and “social issues”.
“An example of a social issue might be how to reduce violence on our streets,” the assignment says. The landlord said he had not reported the break-in to police. “There’s really nothing (police) can do,” he said. “But the more that people know about it, the more these little kids will need to think twice about what they get up to after school.’ The landlord said the school uniform was XL-sized. “There can’t be too many kids wearing that big a uniform,” he said.
The landlord said he planned to drop the homework assignment off at Rosebery Middle School this week. “It can’t be too hard for the school to narrow down which kid it belongs to,” he said. A Northern Territory police spokesman said all crime should be reported to police, irrespective of how small the incident was. “All crime should be reported, it might be a small part of a bigger picture, it’s important for police to know every piece of the puzzle when it comes to crime in the community,” he said.
“They cut through the fence, then used a rock from the garden to smash through the window,” said the landlord, who asked not to be named. “I think it’s just a case of kids being kids,” he said. “I just think the parents should be aware that if their kid is missing a T-shirt or some homework, they might want to have a chat.” One of the pieces of homework asks students to describe different kinds of social problems, including “global issues”, “political issues” and “social issues”.
“An example of a social issue might be how to reduce violence on our streets,” the assignment says. The landlord said he had not reported the break-in to police. “There’s really nothing (police) can do,” he said. “But the more that people know about it, the more these little kids will need to think twice about what they get up to after school.’ The landlord said the school uniform was XL-sized. “There can’t be too many kids wearing that big a uniform,” he said.
The landlord said he planned to drop the homework assignment off at Rosebery Middle School this week. “It can’t be too hard for the school to narrow down which kid it belongs to,” he said. A Northern Territory police spokesman said all crime should be reported to police, irrespective of how small the incident was. “All crime should be reported, it might be a small part of a bigger picture, it’s important for police to know every piece of the puzzle when it comes to crime in the community,” he said.
Man buried alive when road constructed over him after he accidentally slipped into pothole
A man who slipped and fell into a pothole on his way home was buried alive on Friday as a road was constructed over him in Katni in Madhya Pradesh, India.
The body of 45-year-old Latori Lal was found when villagers spotted his shirt sticking out of a freshly laid patch of road. It appeared that Latori was drunk when he fell into the pit. Road workers filled the crater with tar and it was levelled with a roller without anyone noticing.
Angry villagers targeted the road workers and blocked traffic with protests as the crushed body was taken out. The police say Latori Lal and his wife had gone out and after a fight, he came back alone at around 8pm. When his wife returned an hour later, she found the house locked and no sign of Latori.
YouTube link. YouTube news video in English.
Neighbours and other villagers took torches and joined her in searching for him. When Latori Lal's shirt was spotted, and people realised he had been crushed by a road roller, they rushed to the police station demanding action against the workers. The police and the administration assured that Latori's family would be compensated. A driver and a road worker have been arrested.
The body of 45-year-old Latori Lal was found when villagers spotted his shirt sticking out of a freshly laid patch of road. It appeared that Latori was drunk when he fell into the pit. Road workers filled the crater with tar and it was levelled with a roller without anyone noticing.
Angry villagers targeted the road workers and blocked traffic with protests as the crushed body was taken out. The police say Latori Lal and his wife had gone out and after a fight, he came back alone at around 8pm. When his wife returned an hour later, she found the house locked and no sign of Latori.
YouTube link. YouTube news video in English.
Neighbours and other villagers took torches and joined her in searching for him. When Latori Lal's shirt was spotted, and people realised he had been crushed by a road roller, they rushed to the police station demanding action against the workers. The police and the administration assured that Latori's family would be compensated. A driver and a road worker have been arrested.
Lucky pedestrian narrowly avoided falling sheet of glass
A Saudi man somehow walked away unscathed after a huge sheet of glass grazed his head before exploding on the ground beside him.
CCTV of the incident shows the man stepping out of the building in High Street in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh on August 18.
As the man slowly passes an outside dining area he can be seen looking over his shoulder seconds before the glass pane comes crashing down.
YouTube link. LiveLeak link.
The impact knocked the man down but he quickly stood up, felt his head and put his Ghutra back on his head before walking away as nothing has happened. Two workers then emerged from the building and called him back for a medical checkup.
CCTV of the incident shows the man stepping out of the building in High Street in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh on August 18.
As the man slowly passes an outside dining area he can be seen looking over his shoulder seconds before the glass pane comes crashing down.
YouTube link. LiveLeak link.
The impact knocked the man down but he quickly stood up, felt his head and put his Ghutra back on his head before walking away as nothing has happened. Two workers then emerged from the building and called him back for a medical checkup.
Teenage refugee carried his puppy hundreds of miles
A Syrian refugee who refused to leave his pet puppy behind in the war-torn country has carried the dog more than 300 miles (500 kms) to safety in Greece.
17-year-old Aslan, told the UNHCR he left Damascus with his small Husky, Rose, virtually his only possession.
The teenager made his way to the Greek island of Lesbos, after first reaching Turkey.
YouTube link.
He was told to leave the dog behind, but rather than abandon him, Aslan made him a passport and put him in a carry case. "I love this dog, I need him," he said.
Watch the original UNHCR Facebook video here.
17-year-old Aslan, told the UNHCR he left Damascus with his small Husky, Rose, virtually his only possession.
The teenager made his way to the Greek island of Lesbos, after first reaching Turkey.
YouTube link.
He was told to leave the dog behind, but rather than abandon him, Aslan made him a passport and put him in a carry case. "I love this dog, I need him," he said.
Watch the original UNHCR Facebook video here.
Cat fitted with heart pacemaker at same time as his owner was warned he may need one too
Snooks the cat has been fitted with a tiny heart pacemaker in a unique operation.
Family pet Snooks would collapse eight times a day as his heart stopped beating.
Now, however, he has one of his nine lives back after a team at the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine fitted him with a £3,000 pacemaker. It is the first such device implanted into a cat at the school, said heart specialist Valentina Palermo.
She said: “He had a history of heart blockages over three weeks and collapsed multiple times each day. Giving him a pacemaker was his only chance. We have placed pacemakers many times in dogs but Snooks was the first cat to have a pacemaker at our hospital.”
By coincidence Snooks’ owner, Ian Anderson, 70, from Kilwinning, Ayrshire, underwent treatment at the same time as Snooks. “My heart went into overdrive and Snooks’ heart slowed to a stop,” said Ian. “Snooks got a pacemaker and I was treated with drugs at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock. Doctors warned me I may have to get a pacemaker, too. Neither of us is getting any younger but thankfully there’s treatment for Snooks and me.”
Now, however, he has one of his nine lives back after a team at the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine fitted him with a £3,000 pacemaker. It is the first such device implanted into a cat at the school, said heart specialist Valentina Palermo.
She said: “He had a history of heart blockages over three weeks and collapsed multiple times each day. Giving him a pacemaker was his only chance. We have placed pacemakers many times in dogs but Snooks was the first cat to have a pacemaker at our hospital.”
By coincidence Snooks’ owner, Ian Anderson, 70, from Kilwinning, Ayrshire, underwent treatment at the same time as Snooks. “My heart went into overdrive and Snooks’ heart slowed to a stop,” said Ian. “Snooks got a pacemaker and I was treated with drugs at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock. Doctors warned me I may have to get a pacemaker, too. Neither of us is getting any younger but thankfully there’s treatment for Snooks and me.”
Cocker Spaniel learnt basic Gaelic in 3 weeks
A clever Cocker Spaniel has stunned members of a conversational Gaelic speaking class by mastering the necessary basics, for a dog, of the notoriously difficult-to-learn language in three weeks.
Four-year-old Ginger responds to “suidh” (sit) “fuirich” (stay) and “trobhad” (come here) and understands when his owner, retired Neil Smith, praises him with “cu math” - good boy.
Mr Smith, 67, who is profoundly deaf, said he was amazed by how quickly Ginger, a hearing dog, learned to understand the native tongue of Mr Smith’s great-grandmother. It can take months or even years for people to grasp the tongue.
He credits Ginger, who is an English Cocker Spaniel (working breed), with encouraging him to continue going to weekly Gaelic speaking class classes at Strone Church of Scotland near Dunoon in Argyll. Mr Smith, who lives in Strone, attends the group every Friday along with 23 other people. He said: “”Ginger learned Gaelic because he has been coming with me to the drop-in centre and I thought it would be good fun. He has picked it up really quickly - it only took him about three weeks. It is great because I can show off that he is a bi-lingual dog - people think it is amazing that he can do that and it is a wee bit of added interest to the class.”
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Right Rev Dr Angus Morrison, who has officially announced that the group had changed its name from Strone Gaelic drop-in centre to Ionad na Ceilidhe - the meeting place to talk - said he was “very impressed” by Ginger’s grasp of the language that he also speaks. Dr Morrison said: “It is great to see an older person enjoying such a good relationship with his dog where Gaelic is the medium of communication.” Elma McArthur, who grew up in Tiree in the Inner Hebrides but now lives in Dunoon and leads the conversation class, said she, also, was impressed by the speed Ginger had picked up the complex language.
YouTube link.
She said: “He is a very, sharp clever dog. I have never heard of a dog learning it as a second language before.” Mr Smith said Ginger’s “unique” ability had encouraged him to continue his studies. He said: “He has given me a lot of confidence because I used to be a very shy person and often felt quite isolated in company, even with family and friends.” Mr Smith said his deafness meant he tended to shy away from conversations but Ginger had “broken down barriers” for him. He said: “Going to the Gaelic class gets me out and about to meet people and I have always wanted to learn the language because my great-grandmother spoke it but it was not passed down through the family. Ginger is helping to lead a family revival.”
He credits Ginger, who is an English Cocker Spaniel (working breed), with encouraging him to continue going to weekly Gaelic speaking class classes at Strone Church of Scotland near Dunoon in Argyll. Mr Smith, who lives in Strone, attends the group every Friday along with 23 other people. He said: “”Ginger learned Gaelic because he has been coming with me to the drop-in centre and I thought it would be good fun. He has picked it up really quickly - it only took him about three weeks. It is great because I can show off that he is a bi-lingual dog - people think it is amazing that he can do that and it is a wee bit of added interest to the class.”
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Right Rev Dr Angus Morrison, who has officially announced that the group had changed its name from Strone Gaelic drop-in centre to Ionad na Ceilidhe - the meeting place to talk - said he was “very impressed” by Ginger’s grasp of the language that he also speaks. Dr Morrison said: “It is great to see an older person enjoying such a good relationship with his dog where Gaelic is the medium of communication.” Elma McArthur, who grew up in Tiree in the Inner Hebrides but now lives in Dunoon and leads the conversation class, said she, also, was impressed by the speed Ginger had picked up the complex language.
YouTube link.
She said: “He is a very, sharp clever dog. I have never heard of a dog learning it as a second language before.” Mr Smith said Ginger’s “unique” ability had encouraged him to continue his studies. He said: “He has given me a lot of confidence because I used to be a very shy person and often felt quite isolated in company, even with family and friends.” Mr Smith said his deafness meant he tended to shy away from conversations but Ginger had “broken down barriers” for him. He said: “Going to the Gaelic class gets me out and about to meet people and I have always wanted to learn the language because my great-grandmother spoke it but it was not passed down through the family. Ginger is helping to lead a family revival.”
Children’s playground equipment fetish man banned from visiting anywhere that has a slide
A man with a fetish for children’s playground equipment has been banned from going anywhere that has a slide. Coventry
Christopher Johnson, aged 46, of Stoke in Coventry, was arrested after simulating a sexual act with a slide at Stoke Green Park.
He pleaded guilty at Coventry Magistrates Court to outraging public decency by behaving in an indecent manner and received a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order. The order bans him from attending any location, including parks, leisure centres, swimming baths, lidos or recreation grounds were there is a slide.
Johnson also received a three-year community order, which includes having sex offender treatment for 18 months, and a rehabilitation activity requirement. He was fined £55 and had to pay a £60 victim surcharge, £85 costs and a £180 criminal courts charge.
Police were called to Stoke Green Park at 10.45pm on Wednesday, August 18, after four people spotted what he was doing. The court heard Johnson had a previous conviction for a similar offence. On July 1 last year, Johnson outraged public decency by undressing and performing a sexual act on the top of a slide at Coundon Hall Park in Waste Lane, Keresley.
He pleaded guilty at Coventry Magistrates Court to outraging public decency by behaving in an indecent manner and received a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order. The order bans him from attending any location, including parks, leisure centres, swimming baths, lidos or recreation grounds were there is a slide.
Johnson also received a three-year community order, which includes having sex offender treatment for 18 months, and a rehabilitation activity requirement. He was fined £55 and had to pay a £60 victim surcharge, £85 costs and a £180 criminal courts charge.
Police were called to Stoke Green Park at 10.45pm on Wednesday, August 18, after four people spotted what he was doing. The court heard Johnson had a previous conviction for a similar offence. On July 1 last year, Johnson outraged public decency by undressing and performing a sexual act on the top of a slide at Coundon Hall Park in Waste Lane, Keresley.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)