An eccentric British millionaire has put his entire life up for sale on the Internet - including his title of Lord of the Manor of Warleigh - in the hope of converting his assets into cash.
David Piper, a hotelier who made headlines six years ago after advertising for a wife to become his "lady of the manor", wants to sell his west of England existence on the auction site eBay and move to London to be closer to his children.
He is selling two hotels, two Bentleys, a collection of paintings and his title of Lord of the Manor - which he bought along with a large estate for one million pounds ($2 million).
"This sale is brought about as the present lord has been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer," the advertisement for the sale explains.
"For sale as a whole or in part... can include David, the existing eccentric lord of the manor, physically as well to a suitable purchaser."
Piper, who is well known in his hometown of Plymouth for his antics, is hoping to raise up to 4 million pounds, although he estimates that the total value of the estates was as much as 6 million before property prices fell.
More than 100 bids have been received so far, with the current offer standing at 1.3 million pounds. Bidding closes on August 11.
Piper's move follows that of Ian Usher, a British-born man living in Perth, Australia who earlier this year auctioned off all his worldly goods, including his home. He ended up raising much less than he had hoped - barely making $380,000.
Piper's attempt six years ago to find a bride ended in minor disaster.
More than 2,000 young women answered his advertisement in the International Herald Tribune newspaper and he chose a 32-year-old American divorcee to try out to be his lady. She arrived with her two young children, but fled the manor after only a few days, unable to go through with the union.
As part of his new venture, Piper said he was offering to introduce whoever purchased his life to some of the women whose applications he turned down.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Cat's yowling saves owner from fire
INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI: A 97-year-old woman says her cat's early morning yowling saved her from a house fire.
Grace George, of Independence, said her cat Boo Boo's yowling from an open bedroom window early morning on July 30th woke her up from a sound sleep.
``I got so aggravated,'' George said. ``I didn't know why she was doing that.''
George picked up the black and gold brindle, a stray she had taken in about 15 years earlier, and felt her way through the dark house until she reached the kitchen.
It was just 4 a.m., and she wanted more sleep. So she started to put the cat outside.
Then she smelled smoke. ``I knew I had to get out of the house,'' said George, seated Thursday on a sofa in her daughter's house, just down the block.
George ran toward the street in the rain, and flagged down the third car she saw.
``Thank God it was a lady,'' she said. ``All I had on was bikini underwear and a tank top.''
Firefighters got Boo Boo out of the house safely and administered oxygen.
For now, George and her heroic cat are staying with George's daughter.
George told her daughter, ``I'm going to get her a special treat, a can of salmon. That's $2.''
``No,'' Patty Young said. ``It's up to five.'' The Independence Fire Department believes lightning caused the fire.
Grace George, of Independence, said her cat Boo Boo's yowling from an open bedroom window early morning on July 30th woke her up from a sound sleep.
``I got so aggravated,'' George said. ``I didn't know why she was doing that.''
George picked up the black and gold brindle, a stray she had taken in about 15 years earlier, and felt her way through the dark house until she reached the kitchen.
It was just 4 a.m., and she wanted more sleep. So she started to put the cat outside.
Then she smelled smoke. ``I knew I had to get out of the house,'' said George, seated Thursday on a sofa in her daughter's house, just down the block.
George ran toward the street in the rain, and flagged down the third car she saw.
``Thank God it was a lady,'' she said. ``All I had on was bikini underwear and a tank top.''
Firefighters got Boo Boo out of the house safely and administered oxygen.
For now, George and her heroic cat are staying with George's daughter.
George told her daughter, ``I'm going to get her a special treat, a can of salmon. That's $2.''
``No,'' Patty Young said. ``It's up to five.'' The Independence Fire Department believes lightning caused the fire.
Israeli parents forget daughter at airport...
An Israeli couple going on a European vacation remembered to take their duty-free shopping and their 18 suitcases, but forgot their 3-year-old daughter at the airport, police said on August 4.
The couple and their five children were late for a charter flight to Paris on Sunday and made a mad dash to the gate. In the confusion, their daughter got lost.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said a policeman found her wandering in the duty-free area at Ben-Gurion airport, Israel's bustling main international air portal. He said the officer alerted airline staff, but the flight had already taken off.
Israeli media said the parents were an ultra-Orthodox Jewish couple but did not give their names.
Rosenfeld said the parents were unaware they had boarded the aircraft with only four children instead of five until they were informed by cabin staff after 40 minutes in the air.
The child, accompanied by an airline staffer, took the next flight to Paris where she was safely reunited with her parents.
Rosenfeld said police would question the couple when they return from vacation, on suspicion of parental negligence.
The couple and their five children were late for a charter flight to Paris on Sunday and made a mad dash to the gate. In the confusion, their daughter got lost.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said a policeman found her wandering in the duty-free area at Ben-Gurion airport, Israel's bustling main international air portal. He said the officer alerted airline staff, but the flight had already taken off.
Israeli media said the parents were an ultra-Orthodox Jewish couple but did not give their names.
Rosenfeld said the parents were unaware they had boarded the aircraft with only four children instead of five until they were informed by cabin staff after 40 minutes in the air.
The child, accompanied by an airline staffer, took the next flight to Paris where she was safely reunited with her parents.
Rosenfeld said police would question the couple when they return from vacation, on suspicion of parental negligence.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Naked war breaks out between Germany and Poland
Decades after the Second World War, the Germans and Poles are at war again. This time, it's a “naked” battle.
A resort shared by Germany and Poland has sparked a row between citizens of the two countries after Polish sunbathers objected to Germans stripping off on the famous Usedom beach.
While Germans love nothing more than letting it all hang out in the sunshine, it's the opposite for the Poles who prefer to cover up and keep their modesty.
According to leading German website BILD.com , the liberal Germans are outraged by their Polish neighbours and their conservative ways. They have vowed to hang on to their freedom by simply refusing to cover up any of their white bits.
“It's a nudist beach. It's terrible that the Poles come overdressed and stare,” British newspaper Daily Star quoted 44-year-old German Elke Bernholz as telling the popular portal.
Added fellow German Ines Mller: “You feel like an ape in a zoo. The Poles come with their binoculars, stare and swear.”
But, Poles think that the proud Germans have no shame. “It's horrible. We would never bathe naked. We are Catholic,” said 28-year-old Anja, a resident of Poland.
However, authorities hope to put an end to the saucy war by displaying signs in both languages clearly explaining which areas are naked and which are not.
A resort shared by Germany and Poland has sparked a row between citizens of the two countries after Polish sunbathers objected to Germans stripping off on the famous Usedom beach.
While Germans love nothing more than letting it all hang out in the sunshine, it's the opposite for the Poles who prefer to cover up and keep their modesty.
According to leading German website BILD.com , the liberal Germans are outraged by their Polish neighbours and their conservative ways. They have vowed to hang on to their freedom by simply refusing to cover up any of their white bits.
“It's a nudist beach. It's terrible that the Poles come overdressed and stare,” British newspaper Daily Star quoted 44-year-old German Elke Bernholz as telling the popular portal.
Added fellow German Ines Mller: “You feel like an ape in a zoo. The Poles come with their binoculars, stare and swear.”
But, Poles think that the proud Germans have no shame. “It's horrible. We would never bathe naked. We are Catholic,” said 28-year-old Anja, a resident of Poland.
However, authorities hope to put an end to the saucy war by displaying signs in both languages clearly explaining which areas are naked and which are not.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Love candles set hotel ablaze
A Taiwanese man's show of love for his girlfriend backfired, well, literally, after an arrangement of candles reading I Love You started a blaze in a hotel.
The couple found their room aflame when they walked in 40 minutes after the man called Lin had set the candles alight, according to local media reports.
"Lin was arrested later and brought to trial," the China Post newspaper said. He was charged with endangering public safety.
Lin, a frozen-food deliveryman, agreed to pay the suburban Taipei hotel T$120,000 ($35,400) for damage caused by the blaze on May 31, media reported.
A county prosecutor later suspended the indictment in exchange for an apology letter and a donation of T$30,000 to a family and children fund, media and a county spokesman said.
The couple found their room aflame when they walked in 40 minutes after the man called Lin had set the candles alight, according to local media reports.
"Lin was arrested later and brought to trial," the China Post newspaper said. He was charged with endangering public safety.
Lin, a frozen-food deliveryman, agreed to pay the suburban Taipei hotel T$120,000 ($35,400) for damage caused by the blaze on May 31, media reported.
A county prosecutor later suspended the indictment in exchange for an apology letter and a donation of T$30,000 to a family and children fund, media and a county spokesman said.
Japanese woman wins over thief with tea
A Japanese woman and her six-month-old baby escaped unhurt from a knife-wielding thief this week after the mother calmed him down with a cup of tea and a chat.
The 30-year-old Tokyo woman was walking along a corridor in her apartment building with her daughter on Monday when a man brandishing a knife demanded money, a newspaper report said.
When the housewife told him she had none, the man barged into her apartment.
Hoping to calm him, the woman made the thief a cup of tea, whereupon he put his knife away and began a 20-minute monologue about his life.
The woman then gave the man 10,000 yen ($93.34) and ran outside to call the police from a pay phone, the report said.
Police rushed to the scene, but the thief had fled and is still being sought.
The 30-year-old Tokyo woman was walking along a corridor in her apartment building with her daughter on Monday when a man brandishing a knife demanded money, a newspaper report said.
When the housewife told him she had none, the man barged into her apartment.
Hoping to calm him, the woman made the thief a cup of tea, whereupon he put his knife away and began a 20-minute monologue about his life.
The woman then gave the man 10,000 yen ($93.34) and ran outside to call the police from a pay phone, the report said.
Police rushed to the scene, but the thief had fled and is still being sought.
Woman passes driving test after 27 years and 450 lessons
A 62-year-old woman has finally passed her driving test - 27 years after her first lesson.
Teresa Clarke, of Wroxham, Norfolk, UK, spent 15,000 pound in fees, had 450 hours of tuition from 20 instructors and failed 12 previous tests and cancelled a further 35 and had 50 mock exams.
She had her first lesson in 1981 shortly before American president Ronald Reagan was shot and Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer.
However, Clarke was lucky for the 13th time, thanks to the help of her stepson, who runs a driving school, she finally was allowed to ditch her L-plates last month.
"It took a long time for it to sink in when I was told I had passed. I was so happy I kissed the woman instructor," the Telegraph quoted her, as saying.
Clarke, a former shop assistant who is 5ft tall and has to sit on a cushion to reach the steering wheel, has admitted that she was a hopeless learner because she found it very difficult to concentrate for long period of time.
She was such a disaster that many instructors refused to carry on teaching her after a few lessons - either too scared or too frustrated to continue.
However, then Richard Minkler, her stepson from her first marriage, stepped in and offered her his best instructor.
She was given 56 hours instruction in a two week intensive course and told to give up coffee and tea to aid her concentration.
"I was little upset after I failed my first couple of tests - but I never really got disheartened," she said.
"I was very persistent and I always knew I would pass one day. Now my dream has come true and I am just delighted.
"I used to fail my tests on all sorts of different things although my main problem was my lack of concentration.
"I used to have at least three cups of strong Italian coffee every day and when I stopped it really improved my driving by helping me to concentrate."
"My previous one three years ago ended up refusing to teach me anymore after I failed my test with him.
"He just said, 'I am awfully sorry, but you are no good. You will never pass'. His comments upset me and I am delighted to have proved him wrong," she added.
Teresa Clarke, of Wroxham, Norfolk, UK, spent 15,000 pound in fees, had 450 hours of tuition from 20 instructors and failed 12 previous tests and cancelled a further 35 and had 50 mock exams.
She had her first lesson in 1981 shortly before American president Ronald Reagan was shot and Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer.
However, Clarke was lucky for the 13th time, thanks to the help of her stepson, who runs a driving school, she finally was allowed to ditch her L-plates last month.
"It took a long time for it to sink in when I was told I had passed. I was so happy I kissed the woman instructor," the Telegraph quoted her, as saying.
Clarke, a former shop assistant who is 5ft tall and has to sit on a cushion to reach the steering wheel, has admitted that she was a hopeless learner because she found it very difficult to concentrate for long period of time.
She was such a disaster that many instructors refused to carry on teaching her after a few lessons - either too scared or too frustrated to continue.
However, then Richard Minkler, her stepson from her first marriage, stepped in and offered her his best instructor.
She was given 56 hours instruction in a two week intensive course and told to give up coffee and tea to aid her concentration.
"I was little upset after I failed my first couple of tests - but I never really got disheartened," she said.
"I was very persistent and I always knew I would pass one day. Now my dream has come true and I am just delighted.
"I used to fail my tests on all sorts of different things although my main problem was my lack of concentration.
"I used to have at least three cups of strong Italian coffee every day and when I stopped it really improved my driving by helping me to concentrate."
"My previous one three years ago ended up refusing to teach me anymore after I failed my test with him.
"He just said, 'I am awfully sorry, but you are no good. You will never pass'. His comments upset me and I am delighted to have proved him wrong," she added.
Monday, June 30, 2008
A gathering of Elizabeths
The world's most famous Elizabeth didn't show, but about 400 others did.
The northern Illinois community of Elizabeth tried, on June 28, to set a world record for the largest Gathering of Elizabeths. Women with Elizabeth in any part of their name were allowed in; one participant has Elizabeth as a last name.
The event drew women from more than 20 US states. Those participating had to show a copy of a birth certificate or driver's license.
"We did invite Queen Elizabeth II, but she politely declined," said Susan Gordy, who helped organize the event.
Elizabeth Taylor was also invited but did not reply, Gordy said. The event was designed to celebrate the community and honor famous Elizabeths, including one of the women for whom the community of about 700 people was named.
In 1832, Elizabeth Armstrong, one of at least three Elizabeths living in the Apple River Fort settlement, played a prominent role in defending the community during an attack in the Black Hawk War, a battle between Native Americans and settlers for land in the area, according to Gordy, who works at the Apple River Fort Historic Site.
Armstrong and the other Elizabeths were praised for their courage and honored in the naming of the town, Gordy said.
Gordy said the community plans to submit an application to Guinness World Records.
The northern Illinois community of Elizabeth tried, on June 28, to set a world record for the largest Gathering of Elizabeths. Women with Elizabeth in any part of their name were allowed in; one participant has Elizabeth as a last name.
The event drew women from more than 20 US states. Those participating had to show a copy of a birth certificate or driver's license.
"We did invite Queen Elizabeth II, but she politely declined," said Susan Gordy, who helped organize the event.
Elizabeth Taylor was also invited but did not reply, Gordy said. The event was designed to celebrate the community and honor famous Elizabeths, including one of the women for whom the community of about 700 people was named.
In 1832, Elizabeth Armstrong, one of at least three Elizabeths living in the Apple River Fort settlement, played a prominent role in defending the community during an attack in the Black Hawk War, a battle between Native Americans and settlers for land in the area, according to Gordy, who works at the Apple River Fort Historic Site.
Armstrong and the other Elizabeths were praised for their courage and honored in the naming of the town, Gordy said.
Gordy said the community plans to submit an application to Guinness World Records.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Laughing over comedy show lands man in jail
A man who fell off the sofa while laughing too hard at a comedian on TV had to spend a night naked in a cell.
Chris Cocker from Blackburn, Australia, laughed so hard while watching a BBC TV's Have I Got News For You that he fell off the sofa, but the thud vexed a neighbour, who in turn called the police.
"I fell off the settee in hysterics and hit the floor and got myself up and started carrying on watching the telly and the next thing I know there was a knock on the door," Brisbane Times quoted Cocker, as telling BBC.
It was the police, but Mr Cocker was not happy to see them and refused to co-operate.
"The bit where I lost it the most was when I shut the door and the policeman had stuck his foot in the doorway and was refusing to let me shut my own front door," he added.
The police was forced to pepper-sprayed Cocker, bundled him into a police van and take him to a police station where he said he was stripped naked and made to spend a night in a jail cell
However, Lancashire Police said the officers used the pepper spray after fearing for their safety when Mr Cocker became aggressive.
Chris Cocker from Blackburn, Australia, laughed so hard while watching a BBC TV's Have I Got News For You that he fell off the sofa, but the thud vexed a neighbour, who in turn called the police.
"I fell off the settee in hysterics and hit the floor and got myself up and started carrying on watching the telly and the next thing I know there was a knock on the door," Brisbane Times quoted Cocker, as telling BBC.
It was the police, but Mr Cocker was not happy to see them and refused to co-operate.
"The bit where I lost it the most was when I shut the door and the policeman had stuck his foot in the doorway and was refusing to let me shut my own front door," he added.
The police was forced to pepper-sprayed Cocker, bundled him into a police van and take him to a police station where he said he was stripped naked and made to spend a night in a jail cell
However, Lancashire Police said the officers used the pepper spray after fearing for their safety when Mr Cocker became aggressive.
Friday 13th safer than an average Friday
Unlucky for some?
Dutch statisticians have established that Friday 13th, a date regarded in many countries as inauspicious, is actually safer than an average Friday.
A study published on Thursday by the Dutch Centre for Insurance Statistics (CVS) showed that fewer accidents and reports of fire and theft occur when the 13th of the month falls on a Friday than on other Fridays. “I find it hard to believe that it is because people are preventatively more careful or just stay home, but statistically speaking, driving is a little bit safer on Friday 13th,” CVS statistician Alex Hoen said.
In the last two years, Dutch insurers received reports of an average 7,800 traffic accidents each Friday, the CVS study said. But the average figure when the 13th fell on a Friday was just 7,500.
Dutch statisticians have established that Friday 13th, a date regarded in many countries as inauspicious, is actually safer than an average Friday.
A study published on Thursday by the Dutch Centre for Insurance Statistics (CVS) showed that fewer accidents and reports of fire and theft occur when the 13th of the month falls on a Friday than on other Fridays. “I find it hard to believe that it is because people are preventatively more careful or just stay home, but statistically speaking, driving is a little bit safer on Friday 13th,” CVS statistician Alex Hoen said.
In the last two years, Dutch insurers received reports of an average 7,800 traffic accidents each Friday, the CVS study said. But the average figure when the 13th fell on a Friday was just 7,500.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Vandals taught a lesson...with verse
Call it poetic justice: More than two dozen young people who broke into Robert Frost's former home for a beer party and trashed the place are being required to take classes in his poetry as part of their punishment.
Using ‘The Road Not Taken' and another poem as jumping-off points, Frost biographer Jay Parini hopes to show the vandals error of their ways — and redemptive power of poetry.
"I guess I was thinking that if these teens had a better understanding of who Robert Frost was and his contribution to our society, that they would be more respectful of other people's property in the future and would also learn something from the experience," said prosecutor John Quinn.
The vandalism occurred at the Homer Noble farm in Ripton, Vermont, US, where Frost spent more than 20 summers before his death in 1963. Now owned by Middlebury College, the unheated farmhouse on a dead-end road is used occasionally by the college and is open in the warmer months.
On December 28, a 17-year-old former Middlebury College employee decided to hold a party and gave a friend $100 to buy beer. Word spread. Up to 50 people descended on the farm, the revelry turning destructive after a chair broke and someone threw it into the fireplace.
When it was over, windows, antique furniture and china had been broken, fire extinguishers discharged, and carpeting soiled with vomit and urine. Empty beer cans and drug paraphernalia were left behind. The damage was put at $10,600.
Twenty-eight people were charged, mostly with trespassing. About 25 entered pleas — or were accepted into a program to wipe their records clean — provided they underwent the Frost instruction.
Using ‘The Road Not Taken' and another poem as jumping-off points, Frost biographer Jay Parini hopes to show the vandals error of their ways — and redemptive power of poetry.
"I guess I was thinking that if these teens had a better understanding of who Robert Frost was and his contribution to our society, that they would be more respectful of other people's property in the future and would also learn something from the experience," said prosecutor John Quinn.
The vandalism occurred at the Homer Noble farm in Ripton, Vermont, US, where Frost spent more than 20 summers before his death in 1963. Now owned by Middlebury College, the unheated farmhouse on a dead-end road is used occasionally by the college and is open in the warmer months.
On December 28, a 17-year-old former Middlebury College employee decided to hold a party and gave a friend $100 to buy beer. Word spread. Up to 50 people descended on the farm, the revelry turning destructive after a chair broke and someone threw it into the fireplace.
When it was over, windows, antique furniture and china had been broken, fire extinguishers discharged, and carpeting soiled with vomit and urine. Empty beer cans and drug paraphernalia were left behind. The damage was put at $10,600.
Twenty-eight people were charged, mostly with trespassing. About 25 entered pleas — or were accepted into a program to wipe their records clean — provided they underwent the Frost instruction.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Chinese cabbie helps thief rob own home...
A Chinese cabbie unwittingly became the getaway car driver for a thief who robbed his own home.
Shen, of Huainan city, picked up the passenger at a bus stop at around 3 am and helped him load the things he was carrying into the boot of the cab.
That was when he noticed the man also had in his possession a fish without a tail - just like the one waiting in the freezer at Shen's home, reports the Daily Telegraph.
"I noticed he had a fish without a tail, and I thought how much it looked like the fish in my freezer at home. But then I laughed at myself for even having the thought," he said.
He put it down to freaky coincidence.
However, when he returned home, he was not prepared for the sight waiting for him.
He revealed that he had found his house broken into and his possessions - including the tail-less fish - missing.
Police later arrested a 56-year-old man who faces charges of burglary and theft.
Shen, of Huainan city, picked up the passenger at a bus stop at around 3 am and helped him load the things he was carrying into the boot of the cab.
That was when he noticed the man also had in his possession a fish without a tail - just like the one waiting in the freezer at Shen's home, reports the Daily Telegraph.
"I noticed he had a fish without a tail, and I thought how much it looked like the fish in my freezer at home. But then I laughed at myself for even having the thought," he said.
He put it down to freaky coincidence.
However, when he returned home, he was not prepared for the sight waiting for him.
He revealed that he had found his house broken into and his possessions - including the tail-less fish - missing.
Police later arrested a 56-year-old man who faces charges of burglary and theft.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
A homeless woman sneaked into a man's house and lived undetected in his closet for a year...
A homeless woman who sneaked into a man's house and lived undetected in his closet for a year was arrested in Japan after he became suspicious when food mysteriously began disappearing.
Police found the 58-year-old woman on Thursday, May 29th, hiding in the top compartment of the man's closet and arrested her for trespassing, police spokesman Hiroki Itakura from southern Kasuya town said yesterday.
The resident of the home installed security cameras that transmitted images to his mobile phone after becoming puzzled by food disappearing from his kitchen over the past several months.
One of the cameras captured someone moving inside his home Thursday after he had left, and he called police believing it was a burglar. However, when they arrived they found the door locked and all windows closed.
"We searched the house ... checking everywhere someone could possibly hide," Itakura said. "When we slid open the shelf closet, there she was, nervously curled up on her side."
The woman told police she had no place to live and first sneaked into the man's house about a year ago when he left it unlocked.
She had moved a mattress into the small closet space and even took showers, Itakura said, calling the woman "neat and clean."
Police found the 58-year-old woman on Thursday, May 29th, hiding in the top compartment of the man's closet and arrested her for trespassing, police spokesman Hiroki Itakura from southern Kasuya town said yesterday.
The resident of the home installed security cameras that transmitted images to his mobile phone after becoming puzzled by food disappearing from his kitchen over the past several months.
One of the cameras captured someone moving inside his home Thursday after he had left, and he called police believing it was a burglar. However, when they arrived they found the door locked and all windows closed.
"We searched the house ... checking everywhere someone could possibly hide," Itakura said. "When we slid open the shelf closet, there she was, nervously curled up on her side."
The woman told police she had no place to live and first sneaked into the man's house about a year ago when he left it unlocked.
She had moved a mattress into the small closet space and even took showers, Itakura said, calling the woman "neat and clean."
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Thief crawls through mail flap
A thief broke into the headquarters of Austria's ruling political party last month by wriggling through a post flap in the front door.
The burglar squeezed through the 35x35cm hole early on April 17th and stole laptops, mobile phones, notebooks and cash before crawling out, Catherina Straub, spokeswoman for the Social Democrats, said. "It is such a tiny door for post and newspapers, he must have obviously been extremely small," she said, adding that the culprit had not been caught.
She said it was unlikely the robbery was politically motivated and that the data stolen was not sensitive.
The burglar squeezed through the 35x35cm hole early on April 17th and stole laptops, mobile phones, notebooks and cash before crawling out, Catherina Straub, spokeswoman for the Social Democrats, said. "It is such a tiny door for post and newspapers, he must have obviously been extremely small," she said, adding that the culprit had not been caught.
She said it was unlikely the robbery was politically motivated and that the data stolen was not sensitive.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Nagging really does wonders on men
Women who think that they are wasting their time and energy nagging their husbands should reassess their opinion, for a new study has found that nagging does work on men.
The study by US researchers found that the mental fatigue generated by a continuous stream of questions or orders leaves men susceptible to persuasion.
In other words, the researchers say, it leaves most males too tired to oppose.
In one experiment, the researchers tried to convince a group of students to sanction one month's summer holiday rather than three.
Half the students came to the study fresh, while the other half given a mentally-draining task ahead of time were more willing to sacrifice two months of holiday, the researchers found.
The team says that other tips to win over your man include not wavering when making your pitch ums and ahs sound less convincing not giving too many choices and meeting face to face.
Moreover, flattery and mirroring the body language of the person being persuaded also helps in convincing the person.
"Avoid engaging in argument or doing battle with sales people when your mental batteries are low. Or, if you are trying to be persuasive, strike when your target is low on mental energy," New Scientist quoted the researchers, as saying.
The study by US researchers found that the mental fatigue generated by a continuous stream of questions or orders leaves men susceptible to persuasion.
In other words, the researchers say, it leaves most males too tired to oppose.
In one experiment, the researchers tried to convince a group of students to sanction one month's summer holiday rather than three.
Half the students came to the study fresh, while the other half given a mentally-draining task ahead of time were more willing to sacrifice two months of holiday, the researchers found.
The team says that other tips to win over your man include not wavering when making your pitch ums and ahs sound less convincing not giving too many choices and meeting face to face.
Moreover, flattery and mirroring the body language of the person being persuaded also helps in convincing the person.
"Avoid engaging in argument or doing battle with sales people when your mental batteries are low. Or, if you are trying to be persuasive, strike when your target is low on mental energy," New Scientist quoted the researchers, as saying.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Drivers fined for slow-drive
China opened the world's longest cross-sea bridge last week aiming to cut travel time between two major ports, but hundreds of drivers have been fined already for, unexpectedly, driving too slow to enjoy the view.
The 36-km (22.4 miles) structure spans Hangzhou Bay in the booming province of Zhejiang, designed to slash travel time between its port city of Ningbo and the financial hub Shanghai from four hours to two and a half.
But since its opening on May 1, police have fined more than 300 drivers, most for driving too slowly or illegal parking on the emergency lanes while enjoying the ocean view and taking photos, local media reported on Monday.
"I just wanted to drive a bit slowly and enjoy the sea breeze. Is that wrong?" Zhejiang's official news portal (www.zjol.com.cn) quoted an unnamed driver as complaining.
Long lines of cars carrying whole families eager to see the bridge and sea vista have caused serious traffic problems and led to a series of accidents, the news portal said.
The 36-km (22.4 miles) structure spans Hangzhou Bay in the booming province of Zhejiang, designed to slash travel time between its port city of Ningbo and the financial hub Shanghai from four hours to two and a half.
But since its opening on May 1, police have fined more than 300 drivers, most for driving too slowly or illegal parking on the emergency lanes while enjoying the ocean view and taking photos, local media reported on Monday.
"I just wanted to drive a bit slowly and enjoy the sea breeze. Is that wrong?" Zhejiang's official news portal (www.zjol.com.cn) quoted an unnamed driver as complaining.
Long lines of cars carrying whole families eager to see the bridge and sea vista have caused serious traffic problems and led to a series of accidents, the news portal said.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
300-pound jail inmate complains being ill-fed
BENTONVILLE, ARKANSAS: An inmate awaiting trial on a murder charge is suing the county, complaining he has lost more than 100 pounds (45 kilograms) because of the jailhouse menu.
Broderick Lloyd Laswell says he isn't happy that he's down to 308 pounds (140 kilograms) after eight months in the Benton County jail. He has filed a federal lawsuit complaining the jail doesn't provide inmates with enough food.
According to the suit, Laswell weighed 413 pounds (187 kilograms) when he was jailed in September. Police say he and a co-defendant fatally beat and stabbed a man, then set his home on fire.
"On several occasions I have started to do some exercising and my vision went blurry and I felt like I was going to pass out," Laswell wrote in his complaint. "About an hour after each meal my stomach starts to hurt and growl. I feel hungry again."
But Laswell then goes on to complain that he undertakes little vigorous activity.
"If we are in a small pod all day (and) do next to nothing for physical exercise, we should not lose weight," the suit says. "The only reason we lost weight in here is because we are literally being starved to death."
The suit also asks that the county be ordered to serve hot meals. The jail has served only cold food for years.
The meals, provided through Aramark Correctional Institution Services, average 3,000 calories a day, jail Capt. Hunter Petray told The Morning News of northwest Arkansas for a story last week.
A typical Western diet consists of 2,000 to 3,000 calories a day. Laswell's suit was filed without a lawyer in US District Court in Fayetteville.
Broderick Lloyd Laswell says he isn't happy that he's down to 308 pounds (140 kilograms) after eight months in the Benton County jail. He has filed a federal lawsuit complaining the jail doesn't provide inmates with enough food.
According to the suit, Laswell weighed 413 pounds (187 kilograms) when he was jailed in September. Police say he and a co-defendant fatally beat and stabbed a man, then set his home on fire.
"On several occasions I have started to do some exercising and my vision went blurry and I felt like I was going to pass out," Laswell wrote in his complaint. "About an hour after each meal my stomach starts to hurt and growl. I feel hungry again."
But Laswell then goes on to complain that he undertakes little vigorous activity.
"If we are in a small pod all day (and) do next to nothing for physical exercise, we should not lose weight," the suit says. "The only reason we lost weight in here is because we are literally being starved to death."
The suit also asks that the county be ordered to serve hot meals. The jail has served only cold food for years.
The meals, provided through Aramark Correctional Institution Services, average 3,000 calories a day, jail Capt. Hunter Petray told The Morning News of northwest Arkansas for a story last week.
A typical Western diet consists of 2,000 to 3,000 calories a day. Laswell's suit was filed without a lawyer in US District Court in Fayetteville.
Monday, May 5, 2008
When diamonds become girls' worst friends
Diamonds may be forever. But what's a girl to do when she gets dumped or divorced and those rings, necklaces and love gifts lose their emotional sparkle?
Help is just a click away on new Web sites that provide an outlet for selling jewelry from past relationships, sharing break-up stories and helping broken hearts heal.
"You go through a divorce. What do you do with that ring? Maybe you have a child you can pass it on to. Maybe you don't. It just sits there," said Marie Perry of Los Angeles, who with her stepdaughter Megahn Perry runs such a website.
"We wanted to create a platform in the community where people can get in contact with others with similar needs," Perry told. Three months after its launch with the slogan "You Don't Want It. He Can't Have It Back," the Web site has 3,000 registered users and more than 600 postings of rings, bracelets and earrings for sale -- all with a personal tale attached.
"Studs from a Dud," rites one woman, selling a pair of cubic zirconia earrings given to her three years ago. Six months later, she says, the boyfriend dumped her over the phone -- while she was recovering from brain surgery.
"Oops," writes another, selling a white gold wedding band. "Hey, Mom and Dad, remember that time I got married really young? Sorry about that. I can't pay you back for the wedding, but I'll split whatever I get for these with you. Deal?"
"We wanted to keep the tone fun and tongue in cheek. There are some bitter women but most stories are really light-hearted although a few are about people who have been in an abusive situation. But now they are ready to move on," said Perry.
The idea was born when Megahn Perry, a Los Angeles actress and writer, was looking for a safe, reliable place to sell a wedding set after an amicable divorce and realised others might have boyfriend jewelry languishing in drawers or with attendant memories that make them too painful to wear.
The local pawn shop proved an unattractive option. So she teamed up with her stepmother Marie, researched the market and found a gap in it. New Orleans students, Allison Wasserman and Elizabeth Rothbeind, set up a similar venture in April after a teary afternoon sorting out photographs, jewelry and other mementos of an ex-boyfriend.
With the motto "Don't Get Mad - Break Even," it offers independent appraisals of jewelry, matches buyers with sellers, and provides a social network.
Although aimed at women, the Web sites welcome men. "Some men thought it was going to be another male-bashing site but that's not what we're trying to do," said Perry. But she admits the "He Can't Have It Back" slogan has rankled some who believe jewelry should be returned to the giver.
"Etiquette says that if the engagement is broken off, you should absolutely give the ring back. But sometimes the man says no, and sometimes it depends on circumstances," she said.
As one woman posting a diamond ring for $3,500 wrote: "Beautiful ring came with the wrong man. Decided to sell to regain the money that I spent finishing payments on the ring that my ex didn't."
Help is just a click away on new Web sites that provide an outlet for selling jewelry from past relationships, sharing break-up stories and helping broken hearts heal.
"You go through a divorce. What do you do with that ring? Maybe you have a child you can pass it on to. Maybe you don't. It just sits there," said Marie Perry of Los Angeles, who with her stepdaughter Megahn Perry runs such a website.
"We wanted to create a platform in the community where people can get in contact with others with similar needs," Perry told. Three months after its launch with the slogan "You Don't Want It. He Can't Have It Back," the Web site has 3,000 registered users and more than 600 postings of rings, bracelets and earrings for sale -- all with a personal tale attached.
"Studs from a Dud," rites one woman, selling a pair of cubic zirconia earrings given to her three years ago. Six months later, she says, the boyfriend dumped her over the phone -- while she was recovering from brain surgery.
"Oops," writes another, selling a white gold wedding band. "Hey, Mom and Dad, remember that time I got married really young? Sorry about that. I can't pay you back for the wedding, but I'll split whatever I get for these with you. Deal?"
"We wanted to keep the tone fun and tongue in cheek. There are some bitter women but most stories are really light-hearted although a few are about people who have been in an abusive situation. But now they are ready to move on," said Perry.
The idea was born when Megahn Perry, a Los Angeles actress and writer, was looking for a safe, reliable place to sell a wedding set after an amicable divorce and realised others might have boyfriend jewelry languishing in drawers or with attendant memories that make them too painful to wear.
The local pawn shop proved an unattractive option. So she teamed up with her stepmother Marie, researched the market and found a gap in it. New Orleans students, Allison Wasserman and Elizabeth Rothbeind, set up a similar venture in April after a teary afternoon sorting out photographs, jewelry and other mementos of an ex-boyfriend.
With the motto "Don't Get Mad - Break Even," it offers independent appraisals of jewelry, matches buyers with sellers, and provides a social network.
Although aimed at women, the Web sites welcome men. "Some men thought it was going to be another male-bashing site but that's not what we're trying to do," said Perry. But she admits the "He Can't Have It Back" slogan has rankled some who believe jewelry should be returned to the giver.
"Etiquette says that if the engagement is broken off, you should absolutely give the ring back. But sometimes the man says no, and sometimes it depends on circumstances," she said.
As one woman posting a diamond ring for $3,500 wrote: "Beautiful ring came with the wrong man. Decided to sell to regain the money that I spent finishing payments on the ring that my ex didn't."
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
US woman uploads divorce rant to YouTube...
YouTube sure has entered people's lives in a 'big' way - a woman has uploaded her divorce rant to the video-sharing website, making it the world's first YouTube divorce writ to millions of people.
The video, by New York's sometime actor and playwright Tricia Walsh-Smith, 52, has attracted 2.9 million viewers and offers to appear on US TV shows such as Today and The View.
The video, in which Walsh-Smith shows tearful ranting about her sexless marriage to a man 24 years her senior, attracted more than 7000 comments on YouTube, which were almost all scathing.
Many comments criticize her as a narcissistic gold-digger who has given her husband ample grounds for divorce.
Her emotional and tearful six-minute rant was apparently recorded in a fit of pique in an attempt to humiliate her estranged husband, Broadway producer Philip Smith.
"We never had sex. He said it was because he had high blood pressure," News.com.au quoted her, as stating.
"Then last year I found Viagra, porn movies and condoms," she added.
She complains bitterly that her husband plans to leave his 64 million dollars fortune to his adult daughters and that he wants to evict her from their nine-room Manhattan apartment.
"I am an idiot, I am the biggest f...ing idiot in the world," she cried.
Walsh-Smith found "a girl with a camera" in the phone book and taped the YouTube monologue after being served with an eviction notice.
"I decided that if I was going to go down, I'd go down screaming," she said.
The video, by New York's sometime actor and playwright Tricia Walsh-Smith, 52, has attracted 2.9 million viewers and offers to appear on US TV shows such as Today and The View.
The video, in which Walsh-Smith shows tearful ranting about her sexless marriage to a man 24 years her senior, attracted more than 7000 comments on YouTube, which were almost all scathing.
Many comments criticize her as a narcissistic gold-digger who has given her husband ample grounds for divorce.
Her emotional and tearful six-minute rant was apparently recorded in a fit of pique in an attempt to humiliate her estranged husband, Broadway producer Philip Smith.
"We never had sex. He said it was because he had high blood pressure," News.com.au quoted her, as stating.
"Then last year I found Viagra, porn movies and condoms," she added.
She complains bitterly that her husband plans to leave his 64 million dollars fortune to his adult daughters and that he wants to evict her from their nine-room Manhattan apartment.
"I am an idiot, I am the biggest f...ing idiot in the world," she cried.
Walsh-Smith found "a girl with a camera" in the phone book and taped the YouTube monologue after being served with an eviction notice.
"I decided that if I was going to go down, I'd go down screaming," she said.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Cross-dressing maids add spice to Tokyo cafes
"Welcome home, Master," a group of French maids sings out, bowing deeply to a customer entering their maid cafe.
This could be any of the dozens of maid cafes dotting Tokyo's Akihabara district, where geeks engage in role-play with girls dressed as French maids. But don't be fooled by the frilly pinafores: all of the maids here are men.
In this novelty-hungry market catering to Japan's free-spending computer and comic book fans, cafe owners are coming up with ever more exotic formulas to satisfy booming demand.
"I do this for a change since I have an ordinary job," Miyuu Kurusu, one of the cross-dressing maids working at the cafe, said. "I love talking to people, enjoy wearing cute costumes and get a kick out of it when people tell me I'm pretty."
It all started when the manager of "Hibari Tei" cafe, named after a bird, asked a few cross-dressing men to fill in for women working at a different maid cafe. To his surprise, no customer found out they were being served by a male waiter.
Maid cafes generally do not offer sexual services. Customers order typical cafe fare as coffee, tea and sandwiches, served by girlish maids.
Maid cafes first emerged in Akihabara some six years ago. They have grown into a booming business and are a core part of the Japanese "otaku" or "nerd" industry believed to be worth nearly $2 billion.
This could be any of the dozens of maid cafes dotting Tokyo's Akihabara district, where geeks engage in role-play with girls dressed as French maids. But don't be fooled by the frilly pinafores: all of the maids here are men.
In this novelty-hungry market catering to Japan's free-spending computer and comic book fans, cafe owners are coming up with ever more exotic formulas to satisfy booming demand.
"I do this for a change since I have an ordinary job," Miyuu Kurusu, one of the cross-dressing maids working at the cafe, said. "I love talking to people, enjoy wearing cute costumes and get a kick out of it when people tell me I'm pretty."
It all started when the manager of "Hibari Tei" cafe, named after a bird, asked a few cross-dressing men to fill in for women working at a different maid cafe. To his surprise, no customer found out they were being served by a male waiter.
Maid cafes generally do not offer sexual services. Customers order typical cafe fare as coffee, tea and sandwiches, served by girlish maids.
Maid cafes first emerged in Akihabara some six years ago. They have grown into a booming business and are a core part of the Japanese "otaku" or "nerd" industry believed to be worth nearly $2 billion.
A jumbo 'brake'
Need to halt an unruly elephant. Apply the 'brake'.
That's what a smalltown innovator in Kerala province of India has come out with: a metallic 'brake' to halt unruly elephants, which the mahout (elephant keeper) can apply sitting atop the jumbo to stop the animal from running amok.
Bhaskaran, who designed the elephantine brake, claims that the device could rein in even the mightiest of tuskers but elephant experts are sceptical of its efficacy.
The device consists of an iron lock to be put on the forelimbs of the animal with a cable linked to it which can be used as a lever by the mahout when necessary.
The device will not be a hitch for the jumbos to move freely in normal circumstances, Bhaskaran claimed.
A furniture shop supervisor in Vadakkancherry, Kerala, Bhasksaran said he was prompted to work on the device following reports of increasing cases of elephant violence in Kerala, especially during the temple festival season in summer.
Though he had written to India's Ahmedabad-based National Innovation Foundation about his invention, he was asked to first get the device approved by recognised veterinarians in the state.
On contacting some vets, they found some flaws in the device, which Bhaskaran is now trying to improve to make it suitable for all types of jumbos.
That's what a smalltown innovator in Kerala province of India has come out with: a metallic 'brake' to halt unruly elephants, which the mahout (elephant keeper) can apply sitting atop the jumbo to stop the animal from running amok.
Bhaskaran, who designed the elephantine brake, claims that the device could rein in even the mightiest of tuskers but elephant experts are sceptical of its efficacy.
The device consists of an iron lock to be put on the forelimbs of the animal with a cable linked to it which can be used as a lever by the mahout when necessary.
The device will not be a hitch for the jumbos to move freely in normal circumstances, Bhaskaran claimed.
A furniture shop supervisor in Vadakkancherry, Kerala, Bhasksaran said he was prompted to work on the device following reports of increasing cases of elephant violence in Kerala, especially during the temple festival season in summer.
Though he had written to India's Ahmedabad-based National Innovation Foundation about his invention, he was asked to first get the device approved by recognised veterinarians in the state.
On contacting some vets, they found some flaws in the device, which Bhaskaran is now trying to improve to make it suitable for all types of jumbos.
UK cops hand out gun permits to 7-yr-olds
Police have given gun licences to children aged just seven. A Daily Mirror investigation discovered 5,343 under-18s got permits in last two years because of a legal loophole. All youngsters have to do is fill in a form and attend a routine police interview to get a licence.
These include permits for .22 rifles, .243 rifles, .410 pistols, .410 shotguns and 12-bore semi automatic shotguns. Anti-gun campaigners branded the figures "scandalous." Sussex police handed out most gun licences to kids. It issued 403 permits to children - including four nine-year-olds, three 10-year-olds and 20 11-year-olds.
These include permits for .22 rifles, .243 rifles, .410 pistols, .410 shotguns and 12-bore semi automatic shotguns. Anti-gun campaigners branded the figures "scandalous." Sussex police handed out most gun licences to kids. It issued 403 permits to children - including four nine-year-olds, three 10-year-olds and 20 11-year-olds.
Fed up with politics, man eats vote...
Ballot stuffing took on a new meaning in Italy's parliamentary election on Sunday, April 13, when a man ate his ballot paper in protest at the country's politicians.
Police in Naples said they had charged the 41-year-old businessman with destroying election materials.
He said all Italian politicians and politics "are crap" and that he was protesting "against the system."
Police in Naples said they had charged the 41-year-old businessman with destroying election materials.
He said all Italian politicians and politics "are crap" and that he was protesting "against the system."
Thief deposits loot with victim
Three days after stealing a rare collection of coins, a thief in Germany took them to the bank for safe keeping -- and delivered them into the hands of the man he had robbed.
"I don't think the thief was expecting that," said a spokesman for police in the western city of Dortmund on April 15th. Soon after the thief made the deposit, a bank worker handling the coins recognized them as the set worth some 50,000 euros ($80,000) that had been stolen from his house.
Police tracked down the 36-year-old suspect and arrested him, securing a haul of other stolen goods in the process.
"I don't think the thief was expecting that," said a spokesman for police in the western city of Dortmund on April 15th. Soon after the thief made the deposit, a bank worker handling the coins recognized them as the set worth some 50,000 euros ($80,000) that had been stolen from his house.
Police tracked down the 36-year-old suspect and arrested him, securing a haul of other stolen goods in the process.
'What are you staring at?'
An Italian man has been given a suspended jail sentence for staring too intensely at a woman sitting in front of him on a train.
A judge sentenced the man in his 30s, whose name was not revealed, to 10 days in prison and a 40 euro ($63) fine after a 55-year old woman filed a complaint for sexual harassment.
His lawyer said on Friday he would appeal the sentence. The court will explain its verdict later.
The two met on two separate occasions in 2005 on a commuter train going from Lecco, a town in northern Italy, to Milan.
The first time, the man sat next to the woman but she felt he had moved too close for comfort. The next day, the man sat in front of the same woman and according to her complaint, stared at her for the whole journey.
The two did not speak.
A judge sentenced the man in his 30s, whose name was not revealed, to 10 days in prison and a 40 euro ($63) fine after a 55-year old woman filed a complaint for sexual harassment.
His lawyer said on Friday he would appeal the sentence. The court will explain its verdict later.
The two met on two separate occasions in 2005 on a commuter train going from Lecco, a town in northern Italy, to Milan.
The first time, the man sat next to the woman but she felt he had moved too close for comfort. The next day, the man sat in front of the same woman and according to her complaint, stared at her for the whole journey.
The two did not speak.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
New Zealand school to ban birthday cakes
A New Zealand school is to ban children sharing birthday cake as the government introduces new guidelines to restrict unhealthy food being sold to pupils, a report said on Friday.
Oteha Valley School in Auckland has told parents not to allow their children to bring birthday cakes to school for friends to share, The New Zealand Herald reported on Friday.
The school said the ban had been introduced because the government was implementing new healthy eating guidelines for schoolchildren in June.
Oteha Valley principal Megan Bowden said many families would consider the number of cakes being brought into classes as unhealthy.
"In a lot of schools, you have gluts of birthdays," Bowden said.
"There are lots and lots of children born in September and October, and you might in a class have four birthday cakes in a week."
A Ministry of Education spokesman said government guidelines only restricted what types of food could be sold from shops at schools and did not include food brought from home.
Oteha Valley School in Auckland has told parents not to allow their children to bring birthday cakes to school for friends to share, The New Zealand Herald reported on Friday.
The school said the ban had been introduced because the government was implementing new healthy eating guidelines for schoolchildren in June.
Oteha Valley principal Megan Bowden said many families would consider the number of cakes being brought into classes as unhealthy.
"In a lot of schools, you have gluts of birthdays," Bowden said.
"There are lots and lots of children born in September and October, and you might in a class have four birthday cakes in a week."
A Ministry of Education spokesman said government guidelines only restricted what types of food could be sold from shops at schools and did not include food brought from home.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Millionaire to keep working as cleaner
A Scottish cleaner who won a record bingo jackpot over the Easter weekend said she would return to work as normal on Tuesday (today).
Soraya Lowell, 38, won the national jackpot of 1,167,795 pounds at a bingo hall in Coatbridge, north Lanarkshire.
"I don't intend to give up my job. I like the girls I work with, and they have already said to me 'don't pack it in,'" she said.
"I haven't slept at all but I will be back at work on Tuesday (March 25th) as usual." The mother-of-four from Hamilton, Lanarkshire, said her husband Frankie didn't believe her when she rang home with the news.
Her oldest children have already asked her to buy them cars. Steve Baldwin, of the National Bingo Game, said Sunday's win was the biggest ever.
"We are thrilled for Soraya and look forward to presenting her with her record-breaking cheque," he said.
Soraya Lowell, 38, won the national jackpot of 1,167,795 pounds at a bingo hall in Coatbridge, north Lanarkshire.
"I don't intend to give up my job. I like the girls I work with, and they have already said to me 'don't pack it in,'" she said.
"I haven't slept at all but I will be back at work on Tuesday (March 25th) as usual." The mother-of-four from Hamilton, Lanarkshire, said her husband Frankie didn't believe her when she rang home with the news.
Her oldest children have already asked her to buy them cars. Steve Baldwin, of the National Bingo Game, said Sunday's win was the biggest ever.
"We are thrilled for Soraya and look forward to presenting her with her record-breaking cheque," he said.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Judge okays college's ban on female teachers
Leaders of a prominent Southern Baptist seminary in Dallas, USA, who believe women are biblically forbidden from teaching men were within their rights when they told a female professor to leave, a federal judge has ruled.
Sheri Klouda was the only female professor teaching at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s School of Theology when officials decided not to renew her contract in 2006.
Klouda claimed seminary officials breached an oral contract guaranteeing she would remain employed if her performance was favourable.
Seminary officials maintain Klouda was not dismissed but was told she would not be granted tenure. They said their actions were based on ecclesiastical decisions protected under the First Amendment’s religion clauses.
US district judge John McBryde agreed, dismissing Klouda’s claims. "I’m disappointed by the outcome but...it wasn’t totally unexpected," Klouda said.
Sheri Klouda was the only female professor teaching at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s School of Theology when officials decided not to renew her contract in 2006.
Klouda claimed seminary officials breached an oral contract guaranteeing she would remain employed if her performance was favourable.
Seminary officials maintain Klouda was not dismissed but was told she would not be granted tenure. They said their actions were based on ecclesiastical decisions protected under the First Amendment’s religion clauses.
US district judge John McBryde agreed, dismissing Klouda’s claims. "I’m disappointed by the outcome but...it wasn’t totally unexpected," Klouda said.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Mustang: Lost in 1970, found in 2008...
A man in Los Angeles is getting his stolen Mustang back 38 years after it was taken.
The vehicle has an extra 300,000 miles (482,780 kilometres) and a different paint job, but Eugene Brakke's 1965 Mustang is evidently running just fine.
Brakke reported the car stolen to Burbank police in May 1970. One month later, a Long Beach teenager named Judy Smongesky received the car as a high school graduation gift from her father, who had bought it at a used car dealer.
Smongesky, who now lives in San Diego, said Thursday she had been driving and maintaining the car for nearly four decades and only learned that it had been stolen when she recently prepared to sell it. San Diego police verified the car was hot.
"It's his car, even though he had it for four years and I had it for 38," Smongesky said. "He seems like a real nice gentleman, though."
Brakke found out Smongesky had twice rebuilt the engine and painted the Mustang from its old gold colour to silver-blue.
"He wasn't too happy with that," Smongesky said. The pair planned to meet up to transfer the car soon. "It was hard but it was the right thing to do," Smongesky said. "I haven't really cried yet, but when he drives it away, I think I'll fall apart."
The vehicle has an extra 300,000 miles (482,780 kilometres) and a different paint job, but Eugene Brakke's 1965 Mustang is evidently running just fine.
Brakke reported the car stolen to Burbank police in May 1970. One month later, a Long Beach teenager named Judy Smongesky received the car as a high school graduation gift from her father, who had bought it at a used car dealer.
Smongesky, who now lives in San Diego, said Thursday she had been driving and maintaining the car for nearly four decades and only learned that it had been stolen when she recently prepared to sell it. San Diego police verified the car was hot.
"It's his car, even though he had it for four years and I had it for 38," Smongesky said. "He seems like a real nice gentleman, though."
Brakke found out Smongesky had twice rebuilt the engine and painted the Mustang from its old gold colour to silver-blue.
"He wasn't too happy with that," Smongesky said. The pair planned to meet up to transfer the car soon. "It was hard but it was the right thing to do," Smongesky said. "I haven't really cried yet, but when he drives it away, I think I'll fall apart."
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Hopes go up the air...quite literally
It is the one moment every man wants to get right -- and which London floor-fitter Lefkos Hajji could hardly have got more wrong.
The luckless 28 year-old's dreams of giving his sweetheart, Leanne, 26, the ultimate proposal have literally vanished into thin air. Hajji, of Hackney, east London, had concealed a $12,000 engagement ring inside a helium balloon.
The idea was that she would pop the balloon as he popped the question. But as he left the shop, on March 14, a gust of wind pulled the balloon from his hand and he watched the ring -- and quite possibly the affections of his girlfriend -- sailing away over the rooftops. "I couldn't believe it," he told The Sun newspaper.
The luckless 28 year-old's dreams of giving his sweetheart, Leanne, 26, the ultimate proposal have literally vanished into thin air. Hajji, of Hackney, east London, had concealed a $12,000 engagement ring inside a helium balloon.
The idea was that she would pop the balloon as he popped the question. But as he left the shop, on March 14, a gust of wind pulled the balloon from his hand and he watched the ring -- and quite possibly the affections of his girlfriend -- sailing away over the rooftops. "I couldn't believe it," he told The Sun newspaper.
Book returned after more than 100 years!
A Finnish library-goer apparently thought 'better late than never' and quietly returned a book on loan for more than 100 years to a library in Vantaa, in southern Finland.
The library had long since lost track of the loan but welcomed back to its collections the bound copy of a 1902 volume of Vartija, an active religious monthly periodical at the time. "We are unclear when exactly it was borrowed and who returned it. There weren't any documents with it," librarian Minna Saastamoinen said.
"There is an old note attached to the book which says there is a fine of 10 pennies a week for late returns," she added. The library sticker inside the cover, and the old-fashioned handwriting on it, showed the book was last officially loaned out at the beginning of the last century, she said.
The library had long since lost track of the loan but welcomed back to its collections the bound copy of a 1902 volume of Vartija, an active religious monthly periodical at the time. "We are unclear when exactly it was borrowed and who returned it. There weren't any documents with it," librarian Minna Saastamoinen said.
"There is an old note attached to the book which says there is a fine of 10 pennies a week for late returns," she added. The library sticker inside the cover, and the old-fashioned handwriting on it, showed the book was last officially loaned out at the beginning of the last century, she said.
Man releases fish, catches it 25 years later...
Some people catch fish and release them. Bill Wengert releases them and then catches them a quarter-century later.
In April 1983, Wengert and other state Game and Fish Department biologists stocked some 12,000 young trout in the Flaming Gorge Reservoir in southwest Wyoming, USA.
Game and Fish spokeswoman Lucy Wold said Wengert was ice fishing recently on the 91-mile (146-kilometer)-long reservoir and caught a 23-inch (58-centimeter) Mackinaw trout, a type of lake trout.
Wengert noticed the trout's right pelvic fin had been clipped, indicating it was a hatchery fish that had been stocked. Examining historical stocking data, Wengert determined the fish was stocked on April 14, 1983.
I may have actually clipped the fins on this very fish, and I know I was driving the barge when the fish were stocked, nearly 25 years ago," Wengert said.
Wengert, a 35-year veteran of the agency, estimated the trout was 26 years old because stocked fish spend a year in a hatchery before being released. But he said it was very skinny, weighing only 2.5 pounds (1.13 kilograms), compared to another trout released at the same time that weighed 17 pounds (7.7 kilograms) when it was caught in 2004.
He said the trout will allow fishery biologists "an opportunity to learn more about fish genetics, age and growth of lake trout in the reservoir."
In April 1983, Wengert and other state Game and Fish Department biologists stocked some 12,000 young trout in the Flaming Gorge Reservoir in southwest Wyoming, USA.
Game and Fish spokeswoman Lucy Wold said Wengert was ice fishing recently on the 91-mile (146-kilometer)-long reservoir and caught a 23-inch (58-centimeter) Mackinaw trout, a type of lake trout.
Wengert noticed the trout's right pelvic fin had been clipped, indicating it was a hatchery fish that had been stocked. Examining historical stocking data, Wengert determined the fish was stocked on April 14, 1983.
I may have actually clipped the fins on this very fish, and I know I was driving the barge when the fish were stocked, nearly 25 years ago," Wengert said.
Wengert, a 35-year veteran of the agency, estimated the trout was 26 years old because stocked fish spend a year in a hatchery before being released. But he said it was very skinny, weighing only 2.5 pounds (1.13 kilograms), compared to another trout released at the same time that weighed 17 pounds (7.7 kilograms) when it was caught in 2004.
He said the trout will allow fishery biologists "an opportunity to learn more about fish genetics, age and growth of lake trout in the reservoir."
Winemaker's nose insured for $8 million...
The Lloyd's of London insurance market has insured the nose of a leading wine maker and taster for 5 million euros ($7.9 million), covering the Bordeaux producer against the loss of his nose and sense of smell.
Lloyd's is famous for creating policies for giant corporations but also for insuring celebrity limbs, from Fred Astaire's legs to the hands of Rolling Stones' Keith Richards.
It said on Tuesday that Ilja Gort, the Dutch owner of Chateau de la Garde in Bordeaux, producer of Tulipe Wines, said his nose could distinguish millions of different scents and was essential to guarantee the quality of his wines. "The nose and sense of smell of a winemaker are as important as the fingers of a chef," Jonathan Thomas, lead underwriter at Watkins Syndicate who co-insured the policy.
Lloyds worked with Allianz Nederland and British reinsurance broker Benfield to create the policy, co-insured by Watkins.
Lloyd's is famous for creating policies for giant corporations but also for insuring celebrity limbs, from Fred Astaire's legs to the hands of Rolling Stones' Keith Richards.
It said on Tuesday that Ilja Gort, the Dutch owner of Chateau de la Garde in Bordeaux, producer of Tulipe Wines, said his nose could distinguish millions of different scents and was essential to guarantee the quality of his wines. "The nose and sense of smell of a winemaker are as important as the fingers of a chef," Jonathan Thomas, lead underwriter at Watkins Syndicate who co-insured the policy.
Lloyds worked with Allianz Nederland and British reinsurance broker Benfield to create the policy, co-insured by Watkins.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Priti and my 18th Wedding Anniversay photographs...taken on Sunday, March 16th, 2008...
Priti and my marriage has entered adulthood today (Sunday, March 16th). We are celebrating our 18th Wedding Anniversary today.
There has been a miraculous improvement in Priti's health between today and exactly eight weeks ago when (on Sunday, January 20th) she was admitted to Apollo Hospital ICU in a very critical condition and put on life support. She was on life support for the next four days.
We are celebrating our marriage anniversary today because of Priti's miraculous recovery caused by the prayers, wishes and support of hundreds of friends, relatives and office colleagues - and due to the dedicated efforts of our team of doctors and the wonders of modern medical science. After five weeks in hospital and three weeks on dialysis thereafter, she is completely cured of septecemia and recovering her strength gradually. Hopefully, her kidneys will also recover in due course.
I am thankful for all the support my family has received that has enabled us to see this day...and enabled our family to be together to take the attached photographs.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Standing tall...
Eight feet tall and one of the world’s tallest men, Dharmendra Singh, poses in front of the Taj Mahal in Agra, India.
16-year-old delivers second set of triplets!
A 16-year-old girl from Argentina is now a mother to seven children after giving birth to triplets for the second time.
Pamela, who comes from the remote town of Leones in the central Argentine province of Cordoba, had her first set of triplets at the age of 15, when she was already having a son, whom she gave birth at 14, reports BBC .
Both sets of triplets are all girls and were born prematurely.
Pamela's case has now triggered a debate across Argentina, with the teenager's promiscuity being talked about in the South American country's cafes and bars.
Provincial authorities have supported Pamela's family by donating land and building them a house when the first set of triplets was born.
However, Pamela's mum, who supports her daughter and grandchildren by cleaning houses, said that they would now have to seek more assistance from the government.
According to some Argentines, Pamela needs more advice on contraception.
Pamela, who comes from the remote town of Leones in the central Argentine province of Cordoba, had her first set of triplets at the age of 15, when she was already having a son, whom she gave birth at 14, reports BBC .
Both sets of triplets are all girls and were born prematurely.
Pamela's case has now triggered a debate across Argentina, with the teenager's promiscuity being talked about in the South American country's cafes and bars.
Provincial authorities have supported Pamela's family by donating land and building them a house when the first set of triplets was born.
However, Pamela's mum, who supports her daughter and grandchildren by cleaning houses, said that they would now have to seek more assistance from the government.
According to some Argentines, Pamela needs more advice on contraception.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
My wife has returned home this evening...
After 36 days in hospital (out of which 13 days were in ICU - the first 4 days of which were on life-support systems), Priti has returned home this evening (at 8 p.m.).
Priti is completely cured of septicemia and all her major organs, excepting for her kidneys, are functioning normally. By God's grace, her kidneys will also recover - until then she will be on twice a week dialysis.
Five weeks ago, this time, we had no assurance from the doctors whether Priti would leave the ICU alive. The marvels of modern medical science, coupled with prayers and good wishes from innumerable friends, relatives, office colleagues, SOS-India children and mothers and countless well wishers have brought Priti back to her family. My thanks to all of you.
My thanks also to the relatives and friends who have donated the innumerable pints of blood that were required during the early days of the crisis. Thanks also to all those who extended moral and physical help (including night stay duty) - and to the relatives and my Campus Law Centre friends for their direct and indirect financial support.
God bless you all!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Priti's Septicemia is almost cured...she has moved from bed to wheelchair...
Happiness...Priti's TLC count, this morning, has come down below the critical 11,000 mark - it is now 10,700. The blood poisoning seems to have been cured, though we will observe the count for a couple of days more for stability.
Priti is clear that her kidneys have started functioning a bit. The doctors have to confirm. A biopsy is planned.
Yesterday, after three and a half weeks of being in a horizontal position, Priti moved from bed to wheelchair.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Priti is making slow but steady progress...
Priti is making slow but steady progress. Her TLC count had come down to 14,800 three days ago - but then shot up to 16,200 the next day (after dialysis), giving us a bit of a scare. However, it came down to 13,300 the day after, and, this morning, after a very early morning dialysis, has come down further to 12,700. We are within reach of normalcy - which will be indicated by a TLC count of 11,000.
Doctors have discovered a thyroid problem - this could have been the reason for her sluggishness and lethargy and lack of appetite. It is being treated...in fact, this morning, Priti is extremely chirpy, God bless her! She is also eating well.
The prayers and wishes of all our friends, relatives and well wishers are working very well...I request you all to keep up the good work. I thank the children and mothers of SOS Children's Villages around the country and my co-workers for their regular prayers for my wife recovery.
Priti's kidneys are showing some movement towards recovery (in terms of urea and cretinine indicators). It is early days yet - but I am convinced that they will recover.
Priti's stay in hospital has been extended. She will not come home this week but, maybe, early next week. The antibiotic treatment will continue until the TLC count stabilises below 11,000. The alternate day dialysis will continue until the kidneys show stronger recovery.
Priti's BP, platelet count and HB count are stable and normal.
Thank you so much for your support. And those who gave blood - thanks again.
Doctors have discovered a thyroid problem - this could have been the reason for her sluggishness and lethargy and lack of appetite. It is being treated...in fact, this morning, Priti is extremely chirpy, God bless her! She is also eating well.
The prayers and wishes of all our friends, relatives and well wishers are working very well...I request you all to keep up the good work. I thank the children and mothers of SOS Children's Villages around the country and my co-workers for their regular prayers for my wife recovery.
Priti's kidneys are showing some movement towards recovery (in terms of urea and cretinine indicators). It is early days yet - but I am convinced that they will recover.
Priti's stay in hospital has been extended. She will not come home this week but, maybe, early next week. The antibiotic treatment will continue until the TLC count stabilises below 11,000. The alternate day dialysis will continue until the kidneys show stronger recovery.
Priti's BP, platelet count and HB count are stable and normal.
Thank you so much for your support. And those who gave blood - thanks again.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Priti's septicemia is almost cured...she is talking and eating normally...
Priti's TLC count is now down to 14,300 - just 3,300 points away from absolute normalcy. At this rate, she should be cured and out of the hospital by Tuesday/Wednesday. Her HB count is a normal 9.3. Her platelet count is 1,20,000...which is also high enough and good.
Priti's urea and cretinine counts are high - her kidneys are still not doing the job they are supposed to do. Therefore, alternate day dialysis continues - the next one being today.
We are hoping and praying that her kidneys resume functioning in a week or two.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Update on my wife's condition...
Priti is making steady progress, thanks to the wishes and prayers of innumerable friends and well wishers. Her TLC is down to 17,100 - down from 80,000 over two weeks ago. The requirement is 11,000 - this will show that the septicemia (blood poisoning) is out of her system. Hopefully, she will reach this figure in 3/4 days. Her BP is steady at 130. Her platelet count is maintained at an excellent 1,50,000. Her HB count is 9.8 - better than her normal count of just 7.4 earlier. She has stopped vomiting out bile - her liver seems to have recovered and she has started eating reasonably from yesterday.
Priti was slightly depressed for a couple of days - she was not talking, eating or opening her eyes. This has changed a bit yesterday - she is responding to family and friends. All that is now needed is for her kidneys to resume functioning. Until then she is on alternate day dialysis - to remove toxins from her system.
If the TLC count comes down to 11,000 in 3/4 days, she could be discharged from hospital and return home by middle/end of next week.
Family, friends and well wishers (including the vast SOS family worldwide - the organisation I work for) have rallied behind my daughters and me in our hour of crisis with prayers, blood donations and even financial support. I would like to place on record my thanks to my law college friends, some of who are now leading judges and lawyers of India, who organised a collection drive to help meet a part of Priti's hospitalisation costs. May God bless all my family members and friends for caring so much.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Priti is out of ICU...
Priti being transferred to her room...
Priti has been moved out of ICU after a 13 day stay and is now comfortably settled in her own private room in Apollo Hospital.
The prayers and wishes of friends, relatives, office colleagues, neighbours, acquaintances and well wishers (not to mention the large numbers of blood donations) have ensured that she is out of danger - she is no longer critical.
Priti's TLC is down to 24,000 (it was 80,000+ last week). This means that the septicemia is slowly but surely receding.
Her platelet count has gone up from under 20,000 to 1,77,000 (without the support of any plasma or platelet transfusion in the last 3 days). Her blood pressure is finally stable (it has gone up to 120+ from under 70).
Priti's HB is 8.9 - it was only 7.4 yesterday, but a blood transfusion in the evening has pushed it up.
We are now waiting for her kidneys to start functioning again. A MR scan two days ago indicated that the collapse has been "acute" - so the recovery may take a little longer. She needs dialysis every alternate day. Please pray for her complete recovery.
I thank all friends, relatives, office colleagues, neighbours, acquaintances and well wishers for their support and prayers.
Priti has been moved out of ICU after a 13 day stay and is now comfortably settled in her own private room in Apollo Hospital.
The prayers and wishes of friends, relatives, office colleagues, neighbours, acquaintances and well wishers (not to mention the large numbers of blood donations) have ensured that she is out of danger - she is no longer critical.
Priti's TLC is down to 24,000 (it was 80,000+ last week). This means that the septicemia is slowly but surely receding.
Her platelet count has gone up from under 20,000 to 1,77,000 (without the support of any plasma or platelet transfusion in the last 3 days). Her blood pressure is finally stable (it has gone up to 120+ from under 70).
Priti's HB is 8.9 - it was only 7.4 yesterday, but a blood transfusion in the evening has pushed it up.
We are now waiting for her kidneys to start functioning again. A MR scan two days ago indicated that the collapse has been "acute" - so the recovery may take a little longer. She needs dialysis every alternate day. Please pray for her complete recovery.
I thank all friends, relatives, office colleagues, neighbours, acquaintances and well wishers for their support and prayers.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Priti is critical...
On Saturday, January 19th, Priti - my beloved wife of 18 years - underwent a minor gynecological operation in a reputed hospital near our home. The operation was a success. Priti was scheduled to return home the next morning.
While Priti rested in her room with my mother-in-law sitting by her bedside, my two daughters and I went to a nearby restaurant for a celebratory lunch.
Our happiness was terribly premature. Destiny has not been kind to us. On Saturday evening, hours after the operation, Priti had to be rushed to the ICU in a critical state. Apparantly, a blood transfusion post-surgery caused a severe reaction in Priti's body - some of her organs (kidneys and lungs) had shut down and her blood had got badly infected - she had become a victim of blood poisoning (septicemia).
On Sunday morning, she was shifted to one of the best hospitals in Delhi (Apollo) - and she has been in the ICU there ever since, on life-support. She remains extremely critical. Please please pray for her.
She may have a surgery tomorrow morning.
Friends, relatives and office colleagues have overwhelmed us with their support. We have received innumerable pints of blood - more has been committed.
Priti's life hangs on a thread - my daughters Piya and Panvi and I need your prayers.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Lost man survives a week by eating snow
A Japanese climber lost in the mountains for more than a week in frigid conditions survived by eating snow before making his way down to a ski resort on January 11, Japanese media said.
Masayuki Nakamura headed into the Azuma mountain range about 240 km (150 miles) north of Tokyo on December 30, saying he planned to be back on January 2. But he became disoriented in the snow and wandered the area for more than a week, reports said. He had no mobile phone and his food supply ran out after a few days. A ski resort employee found Nakamura walking along a road close to the ski hills Friday, Kyodo news agency said.
He was taken to hospital suffering from mild frostbite. "I really thought I was done for, so I was truly happy that I made it," Kyodo news agency quoted him as telling a reporter. "I never want to climb a mountain again."
Masayuki Nakamura headed into the Azuma mountain range about 240 km (150 miles) north of Tokyo on December 30, saying he planned to be back on January 2. But he became disoriented in the snow and wandered the area for more than a week, reports said. He had no mobile phone and his food supply ran out after a few days. A ski resort employee found Nakamura walking along a road close to the ski hills Friday, Kyodo news agency said.
He was taken to hospital suffering from mild frostbite. "I really thought I was done for, so I was truly happy that I made it," Kyodo news agency quoted him as telling a reporter. "I never want to climb a mountain again."
Stressed? Go for e-curse
Greeks fed up with their pesky neighbours, old flames, the government, or society in general can find release in a new Internet site that posts e-curses for free.
"Have you been dumped, harassed or angered? Why not unload with a curse?" offers e-curse.com , which currently has more than 150 entries.
Most postings on the site are from jilted lovers but there are also contributions aimed at Greek taxi drivers - a favourite target - banks, the public sector and even Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.
"May his next pasta meal give him salmonella poisoning," one user rants against the premier, whose love of food is a popular barb among opposition media.
In Athens, locals usually relieve stress through a variety of offensive hand gestures, most frequently whilst caught in one of the capital's trademark traffic jams.
"Studies by Eurostat show that Greeks have gone from being positive and relaxed to having the worst stress in Europe over job uncertainty and the collapse of traditional social structures," sociology professor George Piperopoulos told the daily Ethnos , which publicised the site on January 12.
"Have you been dumped, harassed or angered? Why not unload with a curse?" offers e-curse.com , which currently has more than 150 entries.
Most postings on the site are from jilted lovers but there are also contributions aimed at Greek taxi drivers - a favourite target - banks, the public sector and even Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.
"May his next pasta meal give him salmonella poisoning," one user rants against the premier, whose love of food is a popular barb among opposition media.
In Athens, locals usually relieve stress through a variety of offensive hand gestures, most frequently whilst caught in one of the capital's trademark traffic jams.
"Studies by Eurostat show that Greeks have gone from being positive and relaxed to having the worst stress in Europe over job uncertainty and the collapse of traditional social structures," sociology professor George Piperopoulos told the daily Ethnos , which publicised the site on January 12.
Boss fires staff for not smoking...
The owner of a small German computer company has fired three non-smoking workers because they were threatening to disturb the peace after they requested a smoke-free environment.
The manager of the 10-person IT company in Buesum, told the Hamburger Morgenpost newspaper that he had fired the trio because their non-smoking was causing disruptions.
Germany introduced non-smoking rules in pubs and restaurants on January 1, but Germans working in small offices are still allowed to smoke.
"I can't be bothered with trouble-makers," Thomas was quoted saying. "We're on the phone all the time and it's just easier to work while smoking. Everyone picks on smokers these days. It's time for revenge. I'm only going to hire smokers from now on."
The manager of the 10-person IT company in Buesum, told the Hamburger Morgenpost newspaper that he had fired the trio because their non-smoking was causing disruptions.
Germany introduced non-smoking rules in pubs and restaurants on January 1, but Germans working in small offices are still allowed to smoke.
"I can't be bothered with trouble-makers," Thomas was quoted saying. "We're on the phone all the time and it's just easier to work while smoking. Everyone picks on smokers these days. It's time for revenge. I'm only going to hire smokers from now on."
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Man finds diamond ring inside candy!
A woman in Lafayette, USA, whose diamond ring vanished while she was making fudge for a bake sale was despondent after scouring her home and finding no sign of it.
But Linda Vancel recently got a sweet surprise: A relative of the woman who bought the fudge found the ring when he bit into a piece of the candy.
``It's a very sentimental ring,'' Vancel said of the white gold ring her mother, who died 15 years ago, wore for 50 years before passing it on.
Linda Rhoades bought the fudge during a bake sale in West Lafayette. She took some of it to her sister-in-law's father, Charles ``Red'' Matson, in hopes of cheering him up after recent health problems.
When Matson snacked on a piece of the fudge, he bit into something hard - the ring.
Rhoades said Matson called her and said, ``Well, Linda, it's got chocolate all over it, but it doesn't look adjustable. It's got a stone that's really shiny.''
Vancel said she had looked all over her home, even dumping the trash can on the kitchen floor to sort through the rubbish for the ring. Finally she thought to track down Rhoades and sent her a long-shot e-mail, which Rhoades returned as soon as she got back from vacation.
``It renews your faith in people,'' Vancel said. ``Sometimes there's so much negative in the world, to hear a story like this is reassuring.''
But Linda Vancel recently got a sweet surprise: A relative of the woman who bought the fudge found the ring when he bit into a piece of the candy.
``It's a very sentimental ring,'' Vancel said of the white gold ring her mother, who died 15 years ago, wore for 50 years before passing it on.
Linda Rhoades bought the fudge during a bake sale in West Lafayette. She took some of it to her sister-in-law's father, Charles ``Red'' Matson, in hopes of cheering him up after recent health problems.
When Matson snacked on a piece of the fudge, he bit into something hard - the ring.
Rhoades said Matson called her and said, ``Well, Linda, it's got chocolate all over it, but it doesn't look adjustable. It's got a stone that's really shiny.''
Vancel said she had looked all over her home, even dumping the trash can on the kitchen floor to sort through the rubbish for the ring. Finally she thought to track down Rhoades and sent her a long-shot e-mail, which Rhoades returned as soon as she got back from vacation.
``It renews your faith in people,'' Vancel said. ``Sometimes there's so much negative in the world, to hear a story like this is reassuring.''
Robbery suspect has an identity crisis...
A burglary suspect in the United States who gave a false home address to police after his arrest didn't count on one thing, getting robbed himself.
Daniel Cabral, 22, was arrested on December 26 and charged with burglarising a University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth building, police said. He was arraigned and released until his next court date.
Hours later, he was robbed at gunpoint while walking home from a bar. He reported the robbery to police, this time giving them his real address instead of the phony one he reported earlier in the day, according to authorities.
Police arrested two suspects and a man accused of being an accomplice after the fact. They also obtained a search warrant for Cabral's real address and found computer equipment that had been taken from the UMass building as well as power tools that had been reported missing from a local theater.
Cabral was released on his own recognizance. Police were not sure if he had an attorney, and there was no telephone listing for him in New Bedford.
Daniel Cabral, 22, was arrested on December 26 and charged with burglarising a University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth building, police said. He was arraigned and released until his next court date.
Hours later, he was robbed at gunpoint while walking home from a bar. He reported the robbery to police, this time giving them his real address instead of the phony one he reported earlier in the day, according to authorities.
Police arrested two suspects and a man accused of being an accomplice after the fact. They also obtained a search warrant for Cabral's real address and found computer equipment that had been taken from the UMass building as well as power tools that had been reported missing from a local theater.
Cabral was released on his own recognizance. Police were not sure if he had an attorney, and there was no telephone listing for him in New Bedford.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Dead father wins girl concert tickets
An essay that won a 6-year-old US girl four tickets to a Hannah Montana concert began with the powerful line: "My daddy died this year in Iraq”.
While gripping, it was not true - and now the girl may lose her tickets after her mom acknowledged to contest organisers it was all a lie.
The sponsor of the contest was Club Libby Lu, a Chicago-based store that sells clothes, accessories and games intended for young girls.
The saga began this Friday (December 28th) with company officials surprising the girl at a Club Libby Lu at a mall in suburban Garland, about 20 miles (30 kilometres) northeast of Dallas. The girl won a makeover that included a blonde Hannah Montana wig, as well as the grand prize - airfare for four to Albany, New York, and four tickets to the sold-out Hannah Montana concert on Jan. 9.
The mother had told company officials that the girl's father died April 17 in a roadside bombing in Iraq, company spokeswoman Robyn Caulfield said.
She had identified the soldier as Sgt Jonathon Menjivar, but the Department of Defense has no record of anyone with that name dying in Iraq. Caulfield said the mother has admitted to the deception.
"We regret that the original intent of the contest, which was to make a little girl's holiday extra special, has not been realised in the way we anticipated," said Mary Drolet, the CEO of Club Libby Lu.
Drolet said the company is reviewing the matter, and is considering taking away the girl's tickets.
While gripping, it was not true - and now the girl may lose her tickets after her mom acknowledged to contest organisers it was all a lie.
The sponsor of the contest was Club Libby Lu, a Chicago-based store that sells clothes, accessories and games intended for young girls.
The saga began this Friday (December 28th) with company officials surprising the girl at a Club Libby Lu at a mall in suburban Garland, about 20 miles (30 kilometres) northeast of Dallas. The girl won a makeover that included a blonde Hannah Montana wig, as well as the grand prize - airfare for four to Albany, New York, and four tickets to the sold-out Hannah Montana concert on Jan. 9.
The mother had told company officials that the girl's father died April 17 in a roadside bombing in Iraq, company spokeswoman Robyn Caulfield said.
She had identified the soldier as Sgt Jonathon Menjivar, but the Department of Defense has no record of anyone with that name dying in Iraq. Caulfield said the mother has admitted to the deception.
"We regret that the original intent of the contest, which was to make a little girl's holiday extra special, has not been realised in the way we anticipated," said Mary Drolet, the CEO of Club Libby Lu.
Drolet said the company is reviewing the matter, and is considering taking away the girl's tickets.
Dead man 'sends' holiday greetings!
This one is from Ashland in USA. An Oregon man known for his sense of humour gave his friends and family a start recently when they received Christmas cards from him two months after he died.
Chet Fitch died in October at age 88. Weeks later Christmas cards, 34 of them began arriving- written in his hand with a return address of "Heaven".
The greeting read: "I asked Big Guy if I could sneak back and send some cards. At first he said no but at my insistence he finally said, 'Oh well, what the heaven, go ahead but don't (tary) there.' Wish I could tell you about things here but word cannot explain."
"Better get back as Big Guy said he stretched a point to let me in the first time, so I had better not press my luck. I'll probably be seeing you (some sooner than you think) Wishing you a very Merry Christmas. Chet Fitch."
A friend for nearly 25 years, Debbie Hansen Bernard said, "All I could think as, 'You little stinker."
"It was amazing," she said. "Just so Chet, always wanting to get the last laugh."
The mailing was a joke Fitch worked on for two decades with his barber, Patty Dean, 57.
Chet Fitch died in October at age 88. Weeks later Christmas cards, 34 of them began arriving- written in his hand with a return address of "Heaven".
The greeting read: "I asked Big Guy if I could sneak back and send some cards. At first he said no but at my insistence he finally said, 'Oh well, what the heaven, go ahead but don't (tary) there.' Wish I could tell you about things here but word cannot explain."
"Better get back as Big Guy said he stretched a point to let me in the first time, so I had better not press my luck. I'll probably be seeing you (some sooner than you think) Wishing you a very Merry Christmas. Chet Fitch."
A friend for nearly 25 years, Debbie Hansen Bernard said, "All I could think as, 'You little stinker."
"It was amazing," she said. "Just so Chet, always wanting to get the last laugh."
The mailing was a joke Fitch worked on for two decades with his barber, Patty Dean, 57.
Pigeon falls head over heels for a man!
A pigeon in England has fallen head over heels in love with a British man.
Andy Maw of London brought a pigeon into his home after taking pity on the bedraggled bird when it turned up on his doorstep after a storm.
And now Pokey, the little pigeon has fallen in love with its rescuer.
"It sounds crazy but she's fallen head over heels for me." The "Sun" quoted Andy as saying.
The 42-year-old, who is also a dad of four, revealed that the pigeon literally attacks his wife Trude if she goes near him; sits on Andy's car dashboard for drives; uses the family toilet if it needs to go indoors; settles on Andy's knee when he takes a bath and stalks him if he tries to spend time alone.
"When Pokey is on her mating cycle and lays her eggs on her little bed in the bathroom, she sits on them for three weeks," he said.
"But when that part of the cycle is over and she wants a mate she comes after me and sexually harasses me.
"She will fly over for me to caress her beak, peck my fingers and strut about puffing up her chest to deter females," he added.
Pigeon expert Prof Danial Haag-Wackernagel, of the University of Basel in Switzerland, said: "Pokey is 'imprinted' to Andy as a mate."
Andy Maw of London brought a pigeon into his home after taking pity on the bedraggled bird when it turned up on his doorstep after a storm.
And now Pokey, the little pigeon has fallen in love with its rescuer.
"It sounds crazy but she's fallen head over heels for me." The "Sun" quoted Andy as saying.
The 42-year-old, who is also a dad of four, revealed that the pigeon literally attacks his wife Trude if she goes near him; sits on Andy's car dashboard for drives; uses the family toilet if it needs to go indoors; settles on Andy's knee when he takes a bath and stalks him if he tries to spend time alone.
"When Pokey is on her mating cycle and lays her eggs on her little bed in the bathroom, she sits on them for three weeks," he said.
"But when that part of the cycle is over and she wants a mate she comes after me and sexually harasses me.
"She will fly over for me to caress her beak, peck my fingers and strut about puffing up her chest to deter females," he added.
Pigeon expert Prof Danial Haag-Wackernagel, of the University of Basel in Switzerland, said: "Pokey is 'imprinted' to Andy as a mate."
Monday, December 17, 2007
Christmas card arrives 93 years late...
A postcard featuring a colour drawing of Santa Claus and a young girl was mailed in 1914, but its journey was slower than Christmas. It has just arrived in northwest Kansas.
The Christmas card was dated December 23, 1914, and mailed to Ethel Martin of Oberlin, apparently from her cousins in Alma, Nebraska.
It’s a mystery where it spent most of the last century, Oberlin postmaster Steve Schultz said. "It’s surprising that it never got thrown away," he said. "How someone found it, I don’t know."
Ethel Martin is deceased, but Schultz said the post office wanted to get the card to a relative.
The Christmas card was dated December 23, 1914, and mailed to Ethel Martin of Oberlin, apparently from her cousins in Alma, Nebraska.
It’s a mystery where it spent most of the last century, Oberlin postmaster Steve Schultz said. "It’s surprising that it never got thrown away," he said. "How someone found it, I don’t know."
Ethel Martin is deceased, but Schultz said the post office wanted to get the card to a relative.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Man in Guinness for getting hit by car...
Matthew McKnight hopes nobody manages to top his feat in the Guinness Book of World Records. That's because McKnight holds the record for "Greatest Distance Thrown in a Car Accident" in the book's 2008 edition.
The 29-year-old record-holder lived to tell about being thrown 118-feet by a car that hit him while travelling about 70 mph. He was struck on Oct 26, 2001, while trying to help accident victims along Interstate 376 in Monroeville, about 15 miles east of Pittsburgh, USA.
He suffered two dislocated shoulders plus a broken shoulder, pelvis, leg and tailbone. He spent two weeks in the hospital and 80 days in rehab before returning to work in April 2002.
McKnight is a volunteer firefighter and paramedic, though he wasn't on duty when he stopped to help the accident victims. He works full-time as a communications specialist at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh.
McKnight's emergency room physician, Dr Eric Brader, submitted paperwork for the record, which Guinness recognized in 2003. It was not listed in the book until the 2008 edition, however.
"I thought it was a big joke. Dr Brader is known for joking around a lot," McKnight told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "But when he brought (the paperwork) to me, I saw how serious he was."
The 29-year-old record-holder lived to tell about being thrown 118-feet by a car that hit him while travelling about 70 mph. He was struck on Oct 26, 2001, while trying to help accident victims along Interstate 376 in Monroeville, about 15 miles east of Pittsburgh, USA.
He suffered two dislocated shoulders plus a broken shoulder, pelvis, leg and tailbone. He spent two weeks in the hospital and 80 days in rehab before returning to work in April 2002.
McKnight is a volunteer firefighter and paramedic, though he wasn't on duty when he stopped to help the accident victims. He works full-time as a communications specialist at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh.
McKnight's emergency room physician, Dr Eric Brader, submitted paperwork for the record, which Guinness recognized in 2003. It was not listed in the book until the 2008 edition, however.
"I thought it was a big joke. Dr Brader is known for joking around a lot," McKnight told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "But when he brought (the paperwork) to me, I saw how serious he was."
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Thieves steal ham, leave Christmas message...
Thieves who stole 16 metric tonnes (17.6 short tonnes) of ham and bacon from a warehouse in Australia left behind a message taunting the business just weeks before the holiday season.
``Thanks ... Merry Christmas,'' the crooks daubed on a wall of the Zammit Ham and Bacon Curers warehouse in suburban Sydney as they made off with their haul.
Owner Anthony Zammit said that when he arrived for work on December 3rd he found a hole in a wall of the building where the thieves appeared to have entered. The stolen meat was worth up to 100,000 Australian dollars (US$88,000; euro 60,000), he said.
It appeared the thieves had manhandled the meat _ several fully loaded pallets worth of it _ through the hole and onto a refrigerated truck, local media reported.
Police Inspector Rodney Ormes said the crime should not be taken lightly. ``You're talking about a business that's been a victim of a serious crime, it's lost a significant amount of Christmas stock.''
Zammit said he was offering a A$5,000 (US$4,420; euro3,000) reward for anyone who helped to recover the meat, and that his company would work overtime to make sure all its Christmas orders were filled.
``We're working 24 hours a day, seven days a week and (have) put on extra staff,'' he said. ``We won't let anyone down.''
``Thanks ... Merry Christmas,'' the crooks daubed on a wall of the Zammit Ham and Bacon Curers warehouse in suburban Sydney as they made off with their haul.
Owner Anthony Zammit said that when he arrived for work on December 3rd he found a hole in a wall of the building where the thieves appeared to have entered. The stolen meat was worth up to 100,000 Australian dollars (US$88,000; euro 60,000), he said.
It appeared the thieves had manhandled the meat _ several fully loaded pallets worth of it _ through the hole and onto a refrigerated truck, local media reported.
Police Inspector Rodney Ormes said the crime should not be taken lightly. ``You're talking about a business that's been a victim of a serious crime, it's lost a significant amount of Christmas stock.''
Zammit said he was offering a A$5,000 (US$4,420; euro3,000) reward for anyone who helped to recover the meat, and that his company would work overtime to make sure all its Christmas orders were filled.
``We're working 24 hours a day, seven days a week and (have) put on extra staff,'' he said. ``We won't let anyone down.''
German woman becomes mom at 64
A German woman aged 64 has given birth to a healthy baby girl, her first child after years of unfruitful attempts and false pregnancies, a news portal reported on December 2nd.
"Mother and child are doing well," said doctor Elias Karam at the Aschaffenburg clinic in southern Bavaria, quoted by the Internet site of the Der Spiegel weekly.
The baby was born on Thursday and weighed two kilograms (4.4 pounds), the report said.
While the woman became the oldest German to give birth to a child, it was far from a world record.
At the end of 2006, a Spanish woman aged 67 gave birth to twins, breaking the record made the year before by another twin-bearer, this time a 66-year-old Romanian.
The German gave birth after a 25-year-old lady donated ovules but used the sperm of her husband, who is also aged 64, Spiegel Online reported.
The ovule operation happened abroad because it is banned in Germany, the report said.
"This woman came to me because she needed my help. As a doctor, I gave it without question," said Karam.
"Mother and child are doing well," said doctor Elias Karam at the Aschaffenburg clinic in southern Bavaria, quoted by the Internet site of the Der Spiegel weekly.
The baby was born on Thursday and weighed two kilograms (4.4 pounds), the report said.
While the woman became the oldest German to give birth to a child, it was far from a world record.
At the end of 2006, a Spanish woman aged 67 gave birth to twins, breaking the record made the year before by another twin-bearer, this time a 66-year-old Romanian.
The German gave birth after a 25-year-old lady donated ovules but used the sperm of her husband, who is also aged 64, Spiegel Online reported.
The ovule operation happened abroad because it is banned in Germany, the report said.
"This woman came to me because she needed my help. As a doctor, I gave it without question," said Karam.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Judge jails everyone in court
A judicial panel in the US has removed an "egregious" judge, who objected to the ringing of a cell phone in the courtroom and ordered the arrest of 46 defendants present on the premise.
The ringing of a cell phone annoyed Judge Robert M Restaino in New York State's Niagara Falls so much that he asked the person whose instrument had made the noise to come forward.
Otherwise, everyone in the court room could take a week in jail. "Please do not tell me I am the only one who heard that," Restaino had said.
When no one came up voluntarily, the judge carried out his threat.
According to New York State Commission on judicial conduct, Restaino ordered 46 defendants to be held in custody and they were ultimately placed in holding cells.
The Commission was not amused by the judges conduct and recommended his removal, describing his action as "egregious and unprecedented abuse of judicial power."
The Commission found that while the judge "chastised" at length the defendants who claimed ignorance about the ringing phone's owner and accused the culprit of being "self-absorbed" for not coming forward, he never questioned "any of the prosecutors, defence attorneys, court personnel, programme representatives or others who were present in the courtroom" on March 11, 2005.
Restaino, for his part, attributed his behaviour to "certain stresses in his personal life," according to the report.
"It is tragic that in a crowded courtroom, only the individual wearing judicial robes, symbolizing his exalted status and the power it conferred, seems to have been oblivious to the enormous injustice caused by his rash and reckless behaviour," the Commission said.
The ringing of a cell phone annoyed Judge Robert M Restaino in New York State's Niagara Falls so much that he asked the person whose instrument had made the noise to come forward.
Otherwise, everyone in the court room could take a week in jail. "Please do not tell me I am the only one who heard that," Restaino had said.
When no one came up voluntarily, the judge carried out his threat.
According to New York State Commission on judicial conduct, Restaino ordered 46 defendants to be held in custody and they were ultimately placed in holding cells.
The Commission was not amused by the judges conduct and recommended his removal, describing his action as "egregious and unprecedented abuse of judicial power."
The Commission found that while the judge "chastised" at length the defendants who claimed ignorance about the ringing phone's owner and accused the culprit of being "self-absorbed" for not coming forward, he never questioned "any of the prosecutors, defence attorneys, court personnel, programme representatives or others who were present in the courtroom" on March 11, 2005.
Restaino, for his part, attributed his behaviour to "certain stresses in his personal life," according to the report.
"It is tragic that in a crowded courtroom, only the individual wearing judicial robes, symbolizing his exalted status and the power it conferred, seems to have been oblivious to the enormous injustice caused by his rash and reckless behaviour," the Commission said.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Survivor meets savior after 62 years...
Golda Bushkanietz is not religious but when Irena Walulewicz helped save her from death at the hands of the Nazis, she thought an angel saved her.
After 62 years, the two met at JFK International Airport in New York City at an event sponsored by The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, a group formed in 1986 to give financial assistance to people who rescued Jews during World War II. Bushkanietz, who lives in Tel Aviv, Israel, hugged Walulewicz and spoke to her in Polish as Walulewicz, who is deaf and mute, wept. "Don't cry, don't cry," Bushkanietz said in Polish. Bushkanietz, 94, is a Jew from Swieciany, Poland who hid in the Walulewicz's home in 1943 when the Nazis were rounding up and killing millions of Jews in Europe and North Africa. "She knocked on the window and they opened up the door. She thought that there was an angel up there who saved her," said her son Joseph More, 59, translating for his mother, who spoke also spoke in Hebrew and Yiddish at a press conference. "My mother is not religious." Bushkanietz and her husband Szymon were rounded up in 1941 and sent to a slave labour camp.
Later, Szymon fled and joined up with partisans. Zofia Walulewicz and daughter Irena, then 17, hid Golda in their attic, bringing her food and regularly emptying a bucket that she used for a toilet. "It's in her religion that she needs to help somebody," said Anna Varshavskaya, her translator.
In November 1943, Golda joined her husband and the partisans, living in underground tunnels and shacks for the rest of the war. She saw Walulewicz once more in 1945. She and Szymon spent three years in a refugee camp in Germany and moved to Israel in 1949. Szymon died 33 years ago. Bushkanietz said she sent the family money over the years but did not visit Poland because they did not have enough money for traveling, More said. It is uncertain how many Jews were rescued by neighbors and other supporters. The Righteous Among the Nations programme at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem counts 21,310 people as helping to rescue Jews and 8,000 rescue stories. "She's very happy to meet (Irena)," More said. "She never forgot."
After 62 years, the two met at JFK International Airport in New York City at an event sponsored by The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, a group formed in 1986 to give financial assistance to people who rescued Jews during World War II. Bushkanietz, who lives in Tel Aviv, Israel, hugged Walulewicz and spoke to her in Polish as Walulewicz, who is deaf and mute, wept. "Don't cry, don't cry," Bushkanietz said in Polish. Bushkanietz, 94, is a Jew from Swieciany, Poland who hid in the Walulewicz's home in 1943 when the Nazis were rounding up and killing millions of Jews in Europe and North Africa. "She knocked on the window and they opened up the door. She thought that there was an angel up there who saved her," said her son Joseph More, 59, translating for his mother, who spoke also spoke in Hebrew and Yiddish at a press conference. "My mother is not religious." Bushkanietz and her husband Szymon were rounded up in 1941 and sent to a slave labour camp.
Later, Szymon fled and joined up with partisans. Zofia Walulewicz and daughter Irena, then 17, hid Golda in their attic, bringing her food and regularly emptying a bucket that she used for a toilet. "It's in her religion that she needs to help somebody," said Anna Varshavskaya, her translator.
In November 1943, Golda joined her husband and the partisans, living in underground tunnels and shacks for the rest of the war. She saw Walulewicz once more in 1945. She and Szymon spent three years in a refugee camp in Germany and moved to Israel in 1949. Szymon died 33 years ago. Bushkanietz said she sent the family money over the years but did not visit Poland because they did not have enough money for traveling, More said. It is uncertain how many Jews were rescued by neighbors and other supporters. The Righteous Among the Nations programme at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem counts 21,310 people as helping to rescue Jews and 8,000 rescue stories. "She's very happy to meet (Irena)," More said. "She never forgot."
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Fancy dress party for dogs in Britain
Darth Labrador. Dogzilla. Elvis the hound dog. No outfit is too outrageous for man's best friend. The British do love a party animal -- they have gone crazy dressing up their dogs for costume parties. Sales soared by 300 per cent over Halloween. Now costumiers have lined up a festive big seller -- the one-size-fits-all Santa pet hat for the dog determined to have a great Christmas. "Some cynics would say the British love their dogs more than they do other people," said Benjamin Webb, spokesman for Angels Fancy Dress, who have been supplying costumes for humans since 1840 and are now on a canine winning streak. "It's an American tradition that the British have made their own."
In Britain, the quiet man in accounts comes to a party dressed as Superman whereas the Americans go for crazy costumes. "The British are so quiet and reserved. That is why it's more like wishful thinking," he told Reuters. The costumes range in price from 10 to 20 pounds. Humans can hire outfits, canines are not allowed to. "Dogs can't put down a deposit," Webb explained.
At the Angels Fancy Dress shop in Shaftesbury Avenue, situated in the heart of London theatreland, proud pet owners bring in their dogs to pick a suitable outfit. If the demand keeps soaring, the shop may consider putting in a special fitting room complete with mirrors. Webb said "They use dressing up as an extension of their own personality. We have clients who have identical costumes for themselves and their dogs. It's the whole situation of -- Love me, love my dog." Appalling puns are clearly compulsory in the canine costume business -- as well as Dogzilla, owners can dress their dogs as football "Howligans" to celebrate "Happy Howloween."
One of the biggest sellers is the rock superstar dog -- for anyone who fancies bedecking their immaculately bred golden retriever in a diamante Elvis-style cape, collar and flared trousers. Webb is as bemused as anyone that the British have lifted silliness to new heights. "Nobody would have seen this coming. They really have taken this to their hearts. We love our animals and we have these secret desires we want to fulfil." But he said felines do draw the line at dressing up. "This is a canine fashion. Cats are far too single-minded and refuse to follow fashion," he said.
Couple divorce 4 days after wedding
An Israeli couple has sought divorce just after four days of tying the nuptial knot, making it the world's fastest divorce.
The couple arrived at the Rabbinical court yesterday asking for divorce less than a week after their wedding with the husband arguing that his wife refused to live in his parents house and the wife claiming that he had promised to rent an apartment and live on their own.
The newly weds apparently also had some financial disputes as the wife claimed that she should get a larger share of the wedding gifts and that the husband's family gave cheap gifts.
The rabbis, who failed to convince the couple to reconsider their decision, granted the wife her wish and gave both the divorce papers.
Latest data available from the Rabbinical courts have shown that five per cent of the marriages last only a year in Israel. Last year, 10,000 couples filed for divorce in Israel, an increase of 4 per cent compared to the previous year, with Tel Aviv leading the tally with 723 cases, the report said.
Jerusalem, with a large segment of religious population, surprisingly also showed 10.4 per cent increase in divorces.
One of the findings reveal that about 17 per cent of the total number of divorces in 2006 were filed less than three years after the knot was tied, the portal said.
However, if the marriage survives six years of matrimonial bliss the risk of divorce decreases although 17.5 per cent of the applicants looking for divorce were those who had spent 20-30 years together, it said.
The couple arrived at the Rabbinical court yesterday asking for divorce less than a week after their wedding with the husband arguing that his wife refused to live in his parents house and the wife claiming that he had promised to rent an apartment and live on their own.
The newly weds apparently also had some financial disputes as the wife claimed that she should get a larger share of the wedding gifts and that the husband's family gave cheap gifts.
The rabbis, who failed to convince the couple to reconsider their decision, granted the wife her wish and gave both the divorce papers.
Latest data available from the Rabbinical courts have shown that five per cent of the marriages last only a year in Israel. Last year, 10,000 couples filed for divorce in Israel, an increase of 4 per cent compared to the previous year, with Tel Aviv leading the tally with 723 cases, the report said.
Jerusalem, with a large segment of religious population, surprisingly also showed 10.4 per cent increase in divorces.
One of the findings reveal that about 17 per cent of the total number of divorces in 2006 were filed less than three years after the knot was tied, the portal said.
However, if the marriage survives six years of matrimonial bliss the risk of divorce decreases although 17.5 per cent of the applicants looking for divorce were those who had spent 20-30 years together, it said.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Man forgets car at gas station
A German man forgot his car after filling it up at a petrol station, police said on November 9th.
"He just forgot about it and walked off home," said a spokesman for police in the western city of Wuppertal.
After the car had sat blocking the pump for about an hour, a woman working at the petrol station became suspicious and alerted authorities.
Officers contacted the 63-year-old from Remscheid, who came straight back to fetch the vehicle. He had paid to fill up the car before walking off.
"He just forgot about it and walked off home," said a spokesman for police in the western city of Wuppertal.
After the car had sat blocking the pump for about an hour, a woman working at the petrol station became suspicious and alerted authorities.
Officers contacted the 63-year-old from Remscheid, who came straight back to fetch the vehicle. He had paid to fill up the car before walking off.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
New Yorkers rally to help online Romeo...
A tale of online love inspired usually cynical New Yorkers this last week to help a young man find the girl of his dreams after he spotted her on a crowded subway train.
For Web designer Patrick Moberg, 21, from Brooklyn, it was love at first sight when he locked eyes with a rosy-cheeked woman while riding in Manhattan on last Sunday night. She was writing her journal. The train was so full that he lost her in the crowd when they both got off, so he set up a website dedicated to finding the mystery woman.
He drew a picture of the girl, who was wearing blue shorts, blue tights, and a red flower in her hair, and posted his cell phone number, e-mail address and an appeal for help finding her. It worked. Within hours Moberg's inbox was overflowing with e-mails and his phone ringing non-stop. He told the New York Post that he even received e-mails offering him love. "Some people said I'm not the girl but you're so adorable, pick me instead."
On Tuesday night a friend of the woman contacted him and sent him a picture so he could confirm her identity. "Found Her! Seriously!" a notice on his website said. "We've been put in touch with one another and we'll see what happens." The mysterious subway brunette was named on Thursday as Camille Hayton, an intern at magazine BlackBook from Melbourne, Australia, who also lives in Brooklyn. "This is crazy. I can't believe it's happening," Hayton, 22, told the New York Post. But Moberg said he is now pulling the shutters on his love life, scribbling out the cell phone number on his Web site and leaving a message on his phone saying he will do no more interviews. "In our best interest, there will be no more updates to this website," he wrote. "Unlike all the romantic comedies and bad pop songs, you'll have to make up your own ending for this."
Some New Yorkers may already, wondering if Moberg had made it sound too easy to find a needle in a haystack in this city of eight million people.
For Web designer Patrick Moberg, 21, from Brooklyn, it was love at first sight when he locked eyes with a rosy-cheeked woman while riding in Manhattan on last Sunday night. She was writing her journal. The train was so full that he lost her in the crowd when they both got off, so he set up a website dedicated to finding the mystery woman.
He drew a picture of the girl, who was wearing blue shorts, blue tights, and a red flower in her hair, and posted his cell phone number, e-mail address and an appeal for help finding her. It worked. Within hours Moberg's inbox was overflowing with e-mails and his phone ringing non-stop. He told the New York Post that he even received e-mails offering him love. "Some people said I'm not the girl but you're so adorable, pick me instead."
On Tuesday night a friend of the woman contacted him and sent him a picture so he could confirm her identity. "Found Her! Seriously!" a notice on his website said. "We've been put in touch with one another and we'll see what happens." The mysterious subway brunette was named on Thursday as Camille Hayton, an intern at magazine BlackBook from Melbourne, Australia, who also lives in Brooklyn. "This is crazy. I can't believe it's happening," Hayton, 22, told the New York Post. But Moberg said he is now pulling the shutters on his love life, scribbling out the cell phone number on his Web site and leaving a message on his phone saying he will do no more interviews. "In our best interest, there will be no more updates to this website," he wrote. "Unlike all the romantic comedies and bad pop songs, you'll have to make up your own ending for this."
Some New Yorkers may already, wondering if Moberg had made it sound too easy to find a needle in a haystack in this city of eight million people.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Best wishes on the occasion of Diwali - the Festival of Lights...
Today, India celebrates Diwali - the Festival of Lights...
On this auspicious day, may you be blessed with peace and prosperity...
On this auspicious day, may you be blessed with peace and prosperity...
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
45 minutes in a bathtub with 87 snakes!
Jackie Bibby from Texas has spent 45 minutes in a bathtub with 87 rattlesnakes to create a new Guiness World Record.
Nearly 3,500 Chinese named 'Olympics'
The upcoming Beijing Olympics is more than just a point of pride for China - it's such an important part of the national consciousness that nearly 3,500 children have been named for the event, a newspaper has reported.
Most of the 3,491 people with the name "Aoyun," meaning Olympics, were born around the year 2000, as Beijing was bidding to host the 2008 Summer Games, the Beijing Daily newspaper has reported, citing information from China's national identity card database.
The vast majority of people named Aoyun are male, the newspaper said. Only six live in Beijing. The report didn't say where the others live.
Names related to the Olympics don't just stop with "Olympics." More than 4,000 Chinese share their names with the Beijing Games mascots, the "Five Friendlies."
The names are Bei Bei (880 people), Jing Jing (1,240), Huan Huan (1,063), Ying Ying (624) and Ni Ni (642). When put together, the phrase translates to "Beijing welcomes you!"
Chinese have increasingly turned to unique names as a way to express a child's individuality.
In a country with a population of 1.3 billion, 87 percent share the same 129 family names. That's why 5,598 people have the same name as basketball player Yao Ming and 18,462 share a moniker with star hurdler Liu Xiang, according to the Beijing Daily report.
Parents have turned to unusual combinations of letters, numbers and symbols when choosing their child's name, Li Yuming, deputy director of the National Language Commission, told the Xinhua News Agency in an August interview.
At least one couple wanted to call their child "1A," he said, while others use the e-mail address symbol (at), which in Chinese is pronounced "Aita," meaning "love him".
Most of the 3,491 people with the name "Aoyun," meaning Olympics, were born around the year 2000, as Beijing was bidding to host the 2008 Summer Games, the Beijing Daily newspaper has reported, citing information from China's national identity card database.
The vast majority of people named Aoyun are male, the newspaper said. Only six live in Beijing. The report didn't say where the others live.
Names related to the Olympics don't just stop with "Olympics." More than 4,000 Chinese share their names with the Beijing Games mascots, the "Five Friendlies."
The names are Bei Bei (880 people), Jing Jing (1,240), Huan Huan (1,063), Ying Ying (624) and Ni Ni (642). When put together, the phrase translates to "Beijing welcomes you!"
Chinese have increasingly turned to unique names as a way to express a child's individuality.
In a country with a population of 1.3 billion, 87 percent share the same 129 family names. That's why 5,598 people have the same name as basketball player Yao Ming and 18,462 share a moniker with star hurdler Liu Xiang, according to the Beijing Daily report.
Parents have turned to unusual combinations of letters, numbers and symbols when choosing their child's name, Li Yuming, deputy director of the National Language Commission, told the Xinhua News Agency in an August interview.
At least one couple wanted to call their child "1A," he said, while others use the e-mail address symbol (at), which in Chinese is pronounced "Aita," meaning "love him".
Couple from 'Hell' wins lottery...
Life in Hell (Michigan) just got a little easier for John and Sue Wilson. The couple, who live in the small town of Hell, 45 miles west of Detroit, were blessed with a $115,001 windfall from the Michigan Lottery.
They won the big prize in the Fantasy 5 drawing held on Wednesday, October 31st - that is, Halloween.
"How cool is that?" said Sue Wilson, 43, a teacher's aide. Her husband is an electrician.
The couple said they plan to use their winnings to pay off bills, make some home improvements, buy a video game system for their 13-year-old son and possibly visit relatives in Georgia.
They won the big prize in the Fantasy 5 drawing held on Wednesday, October 31st - that is, Halloween.
"How cool is that?" said Sue Wilson, 43, a teacher's aide. Her husband is an electrician.
The couple said they plan to use their winnings to pay off bills, make some home improvements, buy a video game system for their 13-year-old son and possibly visit relatives in Georgia.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Parking Mishap...
Picture of a car that pulled a bit too far into its parking space on the third level of a garage.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Pets and their owners share traits: Study
Believe it or not, pets and their owners are just like married couples and they get more alike over a period of time, a study has indicated.
In a survey, Prof Richard Wiseman of the University of Hertfordshire asked about 2,500 people to complete online questionnaires about their characters and those of their pets.
The survey found that many dog lovers, cat owners and even reptile keepers said they shared many of the same traits - such as happiness, intelligence, independence and sense of humour - as their pets.
Wiseman also discovered that the longer an animal had been with its owner, the more likely it were to have picked up his/her characteristics.
Prof Wiseman told The Daily Telegraph : "For years, owners have insisted their pets have a unique personality.
"Not only does this work suggest they might be right, it also reveals people's pets are a reflection of themselves."
He said: "Similarity promotes liking in humans. Research has shown couples that are like each other stay together longer.
"Extending this to the animal kingdom, I think it is likely someone who is fun and playful is more likely to go for a dog, for example", Wiseman said.
In a survey, Prof Richard Wiseman of the University of Hertfordshire asked about 2,500 people to complete online questionnaires about their characters and those of their pets.
The survey found that many dog lovers, cat owners and even reptile keepers said they shared many of the same traits - such as happiness, intelligence, independence and sense of humour - as their pets.
Wiseman also discovered that the longer an animal had been with its owner, the more likely it were to have picked up his/her characteristics.
Prof Wiseman told The Daily Telegraph : "For years, owners have insisted their pets have a unique personality.
"Not only does this work suggest they might be right, it also reveals people's pets are a reflection of themselves."
He said: "Similarity promotes liking in humans. Research has shown couples that are like each other stay together longer.
"Extending this to the animal kingdom, I think it is likely someone who is fun and playful is more likely to go for a dog, for example", Wiseman said.
Crocodile arrested for chasing fishermen...
An "aggressive" crocodile spent a night behind bars at a remote Australian police station after being "arrested" for having a go at a group of fishermen.
The fisherman told police they were retrieving their vessel from a boat ramp at the Nhulunbuy Yacht Club in eastern Arnhem Land when they spotted the crocodile in the water on November 1st.
The aggressive animal then "had a go at them", the fishermen were quoted as saying.
They alerted police in the small mining town on the Gove Peninsular east of Darwin and warnings were broadcast on local radio until the reptile was captured by wildlife officers in shallow water about 30m from the ramp.
The fiesty animal was then put in the Nhulunbuy police station watch house for the night, police said, adding the reptile was to be released from its cell shortly and moved to a crocodile farm.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
German teen escapes prison in a suitcase!
A 19-year-old German woman has escaped from prison by hiding in a friend's suitcase.
The fugitive hid inside the large case when her 17-year-old fellow inmate was released from the youth prison in northwest Germany on Friday, Lower Saxony ministry spokesman Dennis Weilmann said on October 29th.
The girl simply walked out of the building with her friend concealed in her luggage, Weilmann said.
"Our staff are going to make sure they inspect big suitcases more carefully in the future," Weilmann said.
Neither of the teenagers has since been caught. Both had been jailed for theft. The escaped prisoner had less than two weeks left to serve.
The fugitive hid inside the large case when her 17-year-old fellow inmate was released from the youth prison in northwest Germany on Friday, Lower Saxony ministry spokesman Dennis Weilmann said on October 29th.
The girl simply walked out of the building with her friend concealed in her luggage, Weilmann said.
"Our staff are going to make sure they inspect big suitcases more carefully in the future," Weilmann said.
Neither of the teenagers has since been caught. Both had been jailed for theft. The escaped prisoner had less than two weeks left to serve.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Graveyard marriage for Ohio couple...
As well-wishing zombies and witches looked on, a couple got married at a haunted house where they work in Berea, Ohio, USA.
Tina Milhoane, 22, and Robert Seifer III, 24, exchanged vows on October 24th at the entrance to the haunted house's outdoor cemetery.
The groom made his entry in a hearse, emerging from a coffin borne by six pallbearers.
"It's weird watching your son get out of a coffin," said his father, Robert Seifer II. "Usually when you see someone in a coffin, they're going the other way - in, not out."
The minister, clad as the Grim Reaper, read The Lord's Prayer from a scroll clutched in bony-gloved hand.
"This is the sweetest wedding that I've ever been to," said co-worker Tim Perrien, his face caked in make-up. His date, Jessica Repas, was dripping with blood as the lead character in the horror move "Carrie".
The last word on the subject (see comment) has come in from the bride: "This was a very 'typical' wedding in a very 'unique' location"...Here's wishing the the newly weds a very long and happy married life!
Tina Milhoane, 22, and Robert Seifer III, 24, exchanged vows on October 24th at the entrance to the haunted house's outdoor cemetery.
The groom made his entry in a hearse, emerging from a coffin borne by six pallbearers.
"It's weird watching your son get out of a coffin," said his father, Robert Seifer II. "Usually when you see someone in a coffin, they're going the other way - in, not out."
The minister, clad as the Grim Reaper, read The Lord's Prayer from a scroll clutched in bony-gloved hand.
"This is the sweetest wedding that I've ever been to," said co-worker Tim Perrien, his face caked in make-up. His date, Jessica Repas, was dripping with blood as the lead character in the horror move "Carrie".
The last word on the subject (see comment) has come in from the bride: "This was a very 'typical' wedding in a very 'unique' location"...Here's wishing the the newly weds a very long and happy married life!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
New York seeks help of 720,000 ladybugs to kill pests
Ladybugs, 720,000 of them, have been released in the middle of New York City to help protect one of the city's biggest apartment complexes from pests. In the next days and weeks, they will crawl into plants, flowers and shrubs in the Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village complex in search of insects whose smell attracts them - soft-bodied, leaf-sucking aphids and mites. Buying the bugs - at $16.50 (euro11.5) for 2,000 - means the complex's owner, Tishman Speyer, can avoid using chemical insecticides.
``In most cases, we reach for a can of pesticide - and we kill not only the 'bad guys,' but the 'good guys,''' said Eric Vinje, owner of Planet Natural, which supplied the pest-killers.
``All we're doing here is putting more of the 'good guys' to tip the scale, to get some kind of pest population control.''
He said a ladybug can eat up to 50 pests a day, plus insect eggs.
A church on the move in Germany
A 660-tonne stone church was lifted lock stock and barrel on to a giant rolling platform in eastern Germany on October 22nd to make the 12-kilometre journey to its new home. The church in the village of Heuersdorf had to be moved because it was sitting on extensive deposits of lignite, or brown coal.
Mining work to extract the lignite, a fuel used in power generation plants, is expected to start soon. Packed tightly into a cradle of wooden supports, the 750-year-old church complete with tiled bell tower was separated from its foundations and lifted 1.5 metres to be placed on the rolling platforms.
It started its painstakingly slow journey to the village of Borna on October 24th and is expected to arrive by October 31st, said Regina Messinger of the Mibrag mining company that is moving the church in a project costing $4.2 million.
After 27 years, US couple gets wedding photos...
Karen and Mark Cline of Mansfield, USA, were teenagers when they got married and didn't have $150 to pay a photographer for their wedding photos.
But now they have the pictures, just in time for their 27th anniversary on Thursday.
Their photographer located Karen Cline last week at the diner where she works and surprised her with a photo album.
"About a month ago, I was just cleaning out some of my old things and I found it," said photographer Jim Wagner, who is now 80. "I knew she didn't have any money back then, and I just thought she might like to have it."
It was too much for Karen Cline. "I just stood there and cried and cried and hugged him," she said.
She said she was 18 at the time, and felt heartsick because she and her husband, who was 19, could not afford to pay Wagner. All they had was a single photo that someone else took.
Wagner said he was able to track down Karen Cline after running into her stepfather a few weeks ago. He said she immediately wrote him a check for $150 (euro 105.41).
But now they have the pictures, just in time for their 27th anniversary on Thursday.
Their photographer located Karen Cline last week at the diner where she works and surprised her with a photo album.
"About a month ago, I was just cleaning out some of my old things and I found it," said photographer Jim Wagner, who is now 80. "I knew she didn't have any money back then, and I just thought she might like to have it."
It was too much for Karen Cline. "I just stood there and cried and cried and hugged him," she said.
She said she was 18 at the time, and felt heartsick because she and her husband, who was 19, could not afford to pay Wagner. All they had was a single photo that someone else took.
Wagner said he was able to track down Karen Cline after running into her stepfather a few weeks ago. He said she immediately wrote him a check for $150 (euro 105.41).
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
With less dentists, Britons get desperate; extract own teeth themselves...
Falling numbers of state dentists in England has led to some people taking extreme measures, including extracting their own teeth, according to a new study released recently.
Others have used superglue to stick crowns back on, rather than stumping up for private treatment, said the study. One person spoke of carrying out 14 extractions on himself with pliers.
More typically, a lack of publicly-funded dentists means that growing numbers go private: 78% of private patients said they were there because they could not find a National Health Service dentist, and only 15% because of better treatment. “This is an uncomfortable read for all of us, and poses serious questions to politicians from patients," said Sharon Grant of the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health.
Overall, 6% of patients had resorted to self-treatment, according to the poll of 5,000 people, which found that one in five had decided against dental work because of the cost. One expert involved in compiling the study — carried out by England's Patient and Public Involvement Forums — came across three people in one morning who had pulled out teeth themselves.
Others have used superglue to stick crowns back on, rather than stumping up for private treatment, said the study. One person spoke of carrying out 14 extractions on himself with pliers.
More typically, a lack of publicly-funded dentists means that growing numbers go private: 78% of private patients said they were there because they could not find a National Health Service dentist, and only 15% because of better treatment. “This is an uncomfortable read for all of us, and poses serious questions to politicians from patients," said Sharon Grant of the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health.
Overall, 6% of patients had resorted to self-treatment, according to the poll of 5,000 people, which found that one in five had decided against dental work because of the cost. One expert involved in compiling the study — carried out by England's Patient and Public Involvement Forums — came across three people in one morning who had pulled out teeth themselves.
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