Customs officers at Cairo's airport Thursday detained a man bound for Saudi Arabia who was trying to smuggle 700 live snakes on a plane, airport authorities said.
The officers were stunned when a passenger, identified as Yahia Rahim Tulba, told them his carry-on bag contained live snakes after he was asked to open it.
Tulba opened his bag to show the snakes to the police and asked the officers, who held a safe distance, not to come close. Among the various snakes, hidden in small cloth sacks, were two poisonous cobras, authorities said.
The Egyptian said he had hoped to sell the snakes in Saudi Arabia. Police confiscated the snakes and turned Tulba over to the prosecutor's office, accusing him of violating export laws and endangering the lives of other passengers.
According to the customs officials, Tulba claimed the snakes are wanted by Saudis who display them in glass jars in shops, keep them as pets or sell them to research centers.
The value of the snakes was not immediately known.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Books by email in snippets
Never had time to read Moby Dick and want something weightier than spam to read on your Blackberry on the way to work?
A new Web site is offering to send classic books in bite-size instalments to your handheld device or email every morning before you go to work, or whenever you want, for free.
The emails from www.dailylit.com are designed to be read in under five minutes. Jules Verne's "Around the World in 80 Days" comes in 82 parts while Leo Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina" could take nearly two years of working days to read at 430 parts.
"Our audience includes people like us, who spend hours each day on email but can't find the time to read a book," DailyLit co-founder Albert Wenger said.
The company was launched in May with a list of around 370 mostly classic titles, though the Web site has been operating on a trial basis for several months. Wenger said 50,000 people had signed up, registering for over 75,000 titles.
Since the books are out of copyright the company can offer them for free, but it plans to expand and start charging a fee for newer titles licensed by major publishers within four or five weeks. The emails are free of advertising and the revenue model will depend on fees, sharing revenues with publishers.
A new Web site is offering to send classic books in bite-size instalments to your handheld device or email every morning before you go to work, or whenever you want, for free.
The emails from www.dailylit.com are designed to be read in under five minutes. Jules Verne's "Around the World in 80 Days" comes in 82 parts while Leo Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina" could take nearly two years of working days to read at 430 parts.
"Our audience includes people like us, who spend hours each day on email but can't find the time to read a book," DailyLit co-founder Albert Wenger said.
The company was launched in May with a list of around 370 mostly classic titles, though the Web site has been operating on a trial basis for several months. Wenger said 50,000 people had signed up, registering for over 75,000 titles.
Since the books are out of copyright the company can offer them for free, but it plans to expand and start charging a fee for newer titles licensed by major publishers within four or five weeks. The emails are free of advertising and the revenue model will depend on fees, sharing revenues with publishers.
Dopey tourists
Two tourists got a big surprise when they spoke in French so a police officer would not know they had marijuana after they had been stopped on the outskirts of Broken Hill in far western New South Wales.
The policeman also spoke French.
The pair were travelling in a hired van and were stopped for a random breath test on the Barrier Highway, west of the city. Police say when one of them was asked for his licence, his companion said in French, "Don't pull it out when you show him".
The officer replied in French that he understood what they were saying and asked what it was they did not want taken out.
The pair apparently looked at each other in surprise.
Police took 13 grams of marijuana in resealable plastic bag from them and they were taken to the police station.
The 23-year-old and 24-year-old gave police an address in France and were given a cannabis caution and sent on their way. Cautions are issued to people of good character when only small amounts of the drug are found.
The policeman also spoke French.
The pair were travelling in a hired van and were stopped for a random breath test on the Barrier Highway, west of the city. Police say when one of them was asked for his licence, his companion said in French, "Don't pull it out when you show him".
The officer replied in French that he understood what they were saying and asked what it was they did not want taken out.
The pair apparently looked at each other in surprise.
Police took 13 grams of marijuana in resealable plastic bag from them and they were taken to the police station.
The 23-year-old and 24-year-old gave police an address in France and were given a cannabis caution and sent on their way. Cautions are issued to people of good character when only small amounts of the drug are found.
Cat grows wings
A Chinese woman claims her cat has grown wings .Granny Feng's tom cat has sprouted two hairy 4ins long wings, reports the Huashang News.
"At first, they were just two bumps, but they started to grow quickly, and after a month there were two wings," she said.
Feng, of Xianyang city, Shaanxi province, says the wings, which contain bones, make her pet look like a 'cat angel'.
Her explanation is that the cat sprouted the wings after being sexually harassed.
"A month ago, many female cats in heat came to harass him, and then the wings started to grow," she said.
However, experts say the phenomenon is more likely down to a gene mutation, and say it shouldn't prevent the cat living a normal life.
Flap over a BIG flag
A Las Vegas HUMMER dealer, Dan Towbin of Towbin HUMMER, has been ordered to take down a 30' x 60' American flag he's flown 100 feet above his dealership for a year because his neighbors have complained about the sound of the flag flapping and the obtrusiveness of its looming pole.While Towbin claims the the flag is an expression of his patriotism, the dealer's neighbors and other concerned citizens in Las Vegas assert that his intentions are mostly commercial, accusing Towbin of exploiting veterans for his own financial gain. One point of controversy is a war memorial Towbin planned to build at the base of the pole. Towbin, who is an honorary commander at Nellis Air Force Base, said he has not built the memorial because the flag was only approved tentatively pending a six-month review. The six months came and went without the city following up on the matter.
Whatever the circumstances, an interesting component of the battle over the flag is the fact that both sides claim the other is anti-American -- critics of those who wish that the flag be removed say that taking down a flag is unpatriotic, while others say keeping the flag up allows Towbin to commercialize a patriotic symbol. Only Towbin knows for sure his intentions, of course.
Trafalgar Square goes green
Trafalgar Square has been transformed into a green space.
More than 2,000 sq m of turf has been laid as part of Visit London's campaign to promote green spaces and villages in the city.
The grass will cover the square for two days during which visitors will be able to soak up the sunshine in specially laid-out deckchairs or enjoy a picnic.
The turf, which has been sourced from the Vale of York, will then be moved to Bishops Park in Hammersmith and Fulham.
Chief executive of Visit London James Bidwell said: "From the rural feel of areas like Bexley Village and Wimbledon, to urban villages like Marylebone and even Canary Wharf, the campaign will help everyone discover Village London."
Don't use Chinese toothpaste
Health officials in the United States say they are checking all shipments of toothpaste imported from China for contamination with toxic chemicals.
Panama and the Dominican Republic have reported finding diethylene glycol, a chemical used in engine coolants, in toothpaste from China.
The toothpaste scare is the latest involving products from China. Earlier this year, contaminated pet food ingredients killed a number of cats and dogs in North America.
The toxic chemical, melamine, was found in wheat gluten exports from China for use in pet food, prompting a recall of at least 100 pet food brands. The tainted wheat gluten was even thought to have made its way into livestock feed.
Cough syrup containing diethylene glycol originating from China killed more than 50 people in Panama last year.
The New York Times said a Chinese chemical maker had sold the industrial-grade chemical as glycerine, which is often used as a moistener in products from toothpaste to soap and cosmetics.
Panama and the Dominican Republic have reported finding diethylene glycol, a chemical used in engine coolants, in toothpaste from China.
The toothpaste scare is the latest involving products from China. Earlier this year, contaminated pet food ingredients killed a number of cats and dogs in North America.
The toxic chemical, melamine, was found in wheat gluten exports from China for use in pet food, prompting a recall of at least 100 pet food brands. The tainted wheat gluten was even thought to have made its way into livestock feed.
Cough syrup containing diethylene glycol originating from China killed more than 50 people in Panama last year.
The New York Times said a Chinese chemical maker had sold the industrial-grade chemical as glycerine, which is often used as a moistener in products from toothpaste to soap and cosmetics.
Pupils try to sell school
Cheeky pupils put their school up for sale without teachers knowing so they would not have to sit their exams.
The sixth form students erected an estate agent 'For Sale' sign outside the impressive property earlier in the week.
But agents Buckey and Ward alerted Borden Grammar School in Sittingbourne, Kent, after they received several calls from interested people.
A pupil said: 'It was just a joke. But I think some of us were hoping it might get rid of the school so we would not have to sit our exams.'
The sixth form students erected an estate agent 'For Sale' sign outside the impressive property earlier in the week.
But agents Buckey and Ward alerted Borden Grammar School in Sittingbourne, Kent, after they received several calls from interested people.
A pupil said: 'It was just a joke. But I think some of us were hoping it might get rid of the school so we would not have to sit our exams.'
Tramp handed £2m plot of land
A tramp has become the legal owner of a prime piece of land on Hampstead Heath in north London which he has lived on for more than 20 years.Harry Hallowes, 70, was handed the title deeds to the secluded woodland spot, thought to be worth £2m, after developers threatened to evict him.
Mr Hallowes made a successful claim under what is called squatters' rights, a Land Registry spokeswoman said.
He occupies a 12ft by 8ft shack which stands in a 90ft by 90ft garden.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Wrong exam
AN investigation has been launched after 160 pupils sat the wrong exam paper at a north Suffolk school - and now they face the ordeal of taking the exam for a second time.
After the Year 11 students at Leiston High School took their GCSE short course in Religious Education (RE) exam last week, it was discovered they had sat the wrong paper. They were supposed to have taken an exam paper called “Religion and Society” but instead took “Religion and Life”.
Now the teenagers will have to sit through an extra exam to take the correct paper. This will be on June 12. Meanwhile, an investigation into the error has been launched.
Ian Flintoff, headteacher, said he did not how the mistake occurred but he said the titles of the two papers were very close. He said: “There are many factors that could have contributed which will be part of the investigation. Our first point of call was the students, they come first, and we let them know on the same day, gave them all a letter to take back to their parents and we've arranged for them to take the correct paper. They will not lose out and they will not be disadvantaged at all.”
Mr Flintoff said there was no need for the school to have both of the papers because the students only sit one exam to gain the qualification.
“Finding out why we had two papers will be part of the process,” he said. “We get whatever we order in and it boils down to GCSE entries. We have to give the paper code and papers come in accordingly.”
The students have been studying for the compulsory exam one lesson a week for more than two years.
After the Year 11 students at Leiston High School took their GCSE short course in Religious Education (RE) exam last week, it was discovered they had sat the wrong paper. They were supposed to have taken an exam paper called “Religion and Society” but instead took “Religion and Life”.
Now the teenagers will have to sit through an extra exam to take the correct paper. This will be on June 12. Meanwhile, an investigation into the error has been launched.
Ian Flintoff, headteacher, said he did not how the mistake occurred but he said the titles of the two papers were very close. He said: “There are many factors that could have contributed which will be part of the investigation. Our first point of call was the students, they come first, and we let them know on the same day, gave them all a letter to take back to their parents and we've arranged for them to take the correct paper. They will not lose out and they will not be disadvantaged at all.”
Mr Flintoff said there was no need for the school to have both of the papers because the students only sit one exam to gain the qualification.
“Finding out why we had two papers will be part of the process,” he said. “We get whatever we order in and it boils down to GCSE entries. We have to give the paper code and papers come in accordingly.”
The students have been studying for the compulsory exam one lesson a week for more than two years.
Toothpaste that rebuilds enamel
British scientists have developed a toothpaste that they claim contains a liquid form of calcium and can help in treating sensitive teeth by rebuilding the tooth enamel.People with sensitive teeth experience pain and discomfort after consuming hot or cold food, liquid or breathing cold air. This problem often occurs when gums recede and the tooth roots are exposed. They are not covered by hard enamel, the protective outer layer of the tooth.
Arm and Hammer's enamel care toothpaste produced by Church and Dwight Co., the world's leading manufactures of a wide range of personal care, household and specialty products is said to contain a liquid form of calcium, the key component of tooth enamel.
The liquid calcium rebuilds the tooth by plugging microscopic gaps in the enamel. The repair stops dental nerves from becoming exposed thereby preventing pain, reported online edition of Daily Mail.
Dentist Graham Barnby, who tested the new product at his clinics in south England, said, "This is a unique product. Current toothpastes aimed at people with sensitive teeth simply mask the pain while this one solves the problem."
Car baby #2
RALEIGH, N.C. - If a pregnant Stephanie Green asks for a ride to the hospital, beware: she has a history of giving birth in cars. For the second time in 17 months, Green had a baby Tuesday while en route to a hospital. Doctors planned to induce labor Thursday, but baby Zaria had other plans.
"I thought I was gonna make it this time, but she changed all that very quickly," Green said.
The first contraction came around 7 a.m. Tuesday, and Green called friend Shanika Lewis for a ride to the hospital. They were on the highway just blocks from a Raleigh hospital about an hour later when the contractions got more intense.
"We saw the exit on Lake Boone Trail and said, 'We are almost there,'" Green said. "But the water broke, and then out came the baby. Yep, we are not going to make it - yet again."
Lewis, who works at WakeMed hospital, helped with the delivery until emergency personnel arrived.
"I didn't have anything to tie the umbilical cord but a rubber band," Lewis said.
Green's other daughter, 17-month-old Semajai, was born in a car after mom got stuck in traffic.
"I thought I was gonna make it this time, but she changed all that very quickly," Green said.
The first contraction came around 7 a.m. Tuesday, and Green called friend Shanika Lewis for a ride to the hospital. They were on the highway just blocks from a Raleigh hospital about an hour later when the contractions got more intense.
"We saw the exit on Lake Boone Trail and said, 'We are almost there,'" Green said. "But the water broke, and then out came the baby. Yep, we are not going to make it - yet again."
Lewis, who works at WakeMed hospital, helped with the delivery until emergency personnel arrived.
"I didn't have anything to tie the umbilical cord but a rubber band," Lewis said.
Green's other daughter, 17-month-old Semajai, was born in a car after mom got stuck in traffic.
Orangutan goes bananas
A hulking orangutan escaped from his cage and terrified restaurant patrons Wednesday, at the same Taiwan zoo where a crocodile recently chomped off a veterinarian's arm. The latest incident at the Shaoshan Zoo in the southern city of Kaohsiung began when the orangutan pushed his way out of his cage and wandered into a nearby restaurant courtyard.It was captured on camera by Taiwanese cable news station TVBS.
As zoo officials scurried to bring the animal under control, he gleefully overturned picnic tables and motorbikes, forcing terrified diners to cower inside the eatery.
The orangutan was finally subdued when an official shot him in the upper body with a a stun gun. He was then carted off for treatment in the scoop of a small bulldozer.
Video-cams for wardens
Manchester traffic wardens will issue tickets with miniature cameras strapped to their heads from next week. Wardens in Salford, Greater Manchester, will become the first in Britain to record their work on video.
NCP Services, which supplies the attendants in the city, hopes the initiative will be adopted by councils throughout the country if it proves successful. The technology has been introduced to help resolve disputes over tickets and to provide evidence against motorists who assault or abuse staff.
The cameras, already used by police and community support officers, will also aid wardens with their new powers of issuing fixed penalties for littering, flyposting, graffiti and dog fouling in the street.
James Pritchard, communications manager of NCP Services, said: "The cameras will be crucial in gathering evidence on the circumstances of why a fixed penalty has been issued. In many disputes it can often boil down to one person's word against another. We will now have the video evidence to help clear up any doubts. The technology will also act as a deterrent against attendants being assaulted or abused."
He explained that a small number of workers would initially use the devices in the city next week before the programme is rolled out to all parking staff working on behalf of Salford Council. "We are hoping that other councils will decide to use the technology after seeing how well it works in Salford," he said
NCP Services, which supplies the attendants in the city, hopes the initiative will be adopted by councils throughout the country if it proves successful. The technology has been introduced to help resolve disputes over tickets and to provide evidence against motorists who assault or abuse staff.
The cameras, already used by police and community support officers, will also aid wardens with their new powers of issuing fixed penalties for littering, flyposting, graffiti and dog fouling in the street.
James Pritchard, communications manager of NCP Services, said: "The cameras will be crucial in gathering evidence on the circumstances of why a fixed penalty has been issued. In many disputes it can often boil down to one person's word against another. We will now have the video evidence to help clear up any doubts. The technology will also act as a deterrent against attendants being assaulted or abused."
He explained that a small number of workers would initially use the devices in the city next week before the programme is rolled out to all parking staff working on behalf of Salford Council. "We are hoping that other councils will decide to use the technology after seeing how well it works in Salford," he said
Drive-thru sleep
CAMDEN, Arkansas - A man who was a little slow in picking up his fast food has been charged with drunk driving.
Police said they found Terrance Forte, 32, asleep behind the wheel in the drive-through lane at a McDonald's restaurant. Restaurant employees called police about 12:30 a.m. local time Saturday after waiting 15 minutes for Forte to drive from the first window to the second window in the drive-through.
In a police report, Officer William Mahon said he found Forte asleep inside the car with the engine running and his right foot on the brake. The report said Forte offered Mahon US$10 for his food order when Mahon tried to wake him.
Forte's blood alcohol level was registered at 0.19, more than twice the legal limit.
Forte was cited for his third drunk-driving charge and was later released.
Police said they found Terrance Forte, 32, asleep behind the wheel in the drive-through lane at a McDonald's restaurant. Restaurant employees called police about 12:30 a.m. local time Saturday after waiting 15 minutes for Forte to drive from the first window to the second window in the drive-through.
In a police report, Officer William Mahon said he found Forte asleep inside the car with the engine running and his right foot on the brake. The report said Forte offered Mahon US$10 for his food order when Mahon tried to wake him.
Forte's blood alcohol level was registered at 0.19, more than twice the legal limit.
Forte was cited for his third drunk-driving charge and was later released.
Policeman over-dressed
A police officer was asked to leave a court because he was wearing his full uniform, including body armour, baton and handcuffs.
The incident took place at Mold Crown Court on Monday during a sentencing.
Judge John Rogers QC saw the officer at the side of the room and said: "You can't come to court dressed like that. Will you please leave."
A North Wales Police spokesman said a force policy was in place.
"Operational uniform should be worn when on operational duties, including attendance at court," he added. "This is necessary in order to ensure that officers are fully equipped to deal with any situation which may arise while they are on duty, whether in or outside the court."
Richard Eccles, North Wales Police Federation Secretary, said the incident was "unfortunate."
The incident took place at Mold Crown Court on Monday during a sentencing.
Judge John Rogers QC saw the officer at the side of the room and said: "You can't come to court dressed like that. Will you please leave."
A North Wales Police spokesman said a force policy was in place.
"Operational uniform should be worn when on operational duties, including attendance at court," he added. "This is necessary in order to ensure that officers are fully equipped to deal with any situation which may arise while they are on duty, whether in or outside the court."
Richard Eccles, North Wales Police Federation Secretary, said the incident was "unfortunate."
Get a FREE Virus !
Computer specialist Didier Stevens put up a simple text advertisement on the Internet offering downloads of a computer virus for people who did not have any.
Surprisingly, he found as many as 409 people clicking on the ad saying "Is your PC virus-free? Get it infected here!" during a 6-month advertising campaign on Google's Adword, said the IT security expert.
"Some of them must have clicked on it by mistake. Some must have been curious or stupid," said Mikko Hypponen, head of research at data security firm F-Secure.
There was no virus involved, it was an experiment aiming to show these kind of advertising systems can be used for malicious intent, Stevens said.
Too stressed to quit
Smokers in Britain are trying to kick the habit more often than any other Europeans but many blame the pressures of modern life for failing, a survey of 27 countries showed yesterday.
Almost half of British smokers tried to give up in the past year – much higher than the EU average – and many sought help from their GP. But while Italians blamed their friends for their failure to quit and Austrians said that they could not cope with nicotine cravings, the British overwhelmingly cited stress as the reason why they lapsed.
Antismoking groups said that the British would benefit from counselling to find alternatives to cigarettes whenever they felt under pressure. They also pointed out that cravings generally last only a few minutes and could often be overcome by something as simple as going for a short walk.
A total of 46 per cent of British smokers tried and failed to give up in 2006, according to the Eurobarometer survey published by the European Commission. This was much higher than in France (31 per cent), Germany (27 per cent) and Italy (22 per cent).
A “stressful life” was given as a main reason for failure by almost half of those who tried in Britain, compared with a European average of 33 per cent and only 15 per cent of Italians, who mainly (40 per cent) blamed friends and colleagues for not giving them enough support.
Almost half of British smokers tried to give up in the past year – much higher than the EU average – and many sought help from their GP. But while Italians blamed their friends for their failure to quit and Austrians said that they could not cope with nicotine cravings, the British overwhelmingly cited stress as the reason why they lapsed.
Antismoking groups said that the British would benefit from counselling to find alternatives to cigarettes whenever they felt under pressure. They also pointed out that cravings generally last only a few minutes and could often be overcome by something as simple as going for a short walk.
A total of 46 per cent of British smokers tried and failed to give up in 2006, according to the Eurobarometer survey published by the European Commission. This was much higher than in France (31 per cent), Germany (27 per cent) and Italy (22 per cent).
A “stressful life” was given as a main reason for failure by almost half of those who tried in Britain, compared with a European average of 33 per cent and only 15 per cent of Italians, who mainly (40 per cent) blamed friends and colleagues for not giving them enough support.
Save the Caveman
A squatter who has been living in a ramshackle camp overlooking Bondi Beach for the past seven years was celebrating yesterday after authorities backed down on a plan to evict him.Jhyimy Mhiyles had been given a deadline to move out of his home on a cliff edge, jokingly described as one of the most desirable pieces of real estate in Sydney because of its panoramic views.
The reprieve for the man known as the Bondi Caveman came after more than 400 local residents signed a petition demanding that the local council allow him to stay. "Let the poor old bugger enjoy the rest of his life without having to contend with officious councildom!" wrote one.
Waverley council said Mr Mhiyles could continue his rent-free existence as long as he agreed to abide by some basic rules.
"We became increasingly concerned about Mr Mhiyles's safety because of the expansion of his camp, his proximity to the cliff face and the problems with fires and gas cylinders," said the local mayor, George Newhouse. "If he continues to live on public land, Mr Mhiyles must abide by some house rules."
Mr Mhiyles, also known as Jhyimy Two Hats, is a familiar figure to locals. He has s
aid he came to Sydney during the Olympics in 2000 to try to get work and set up camp overlooking Bondi because he could not afford accommodation.Although some locals complain that his site, crowded with books, paintings, pots and pans and a comfortable chair, is an eyesore, others have embraced his eccentricity. He recites poetry to passersby, feeds seagulls and says he acts as a one-man neighbourhood watch, protecting the possessions of people going for a swim.
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