Global Oddities

An escaped criminal dubbed “the Facebook fugitive” has become an Internet hit, taunting police via the online social networking site and notching up nearly 30,000 “friends” by Thursday. Craig “Lazie” Lynch, 28, absconded from prison in Suffolk, in September, where he had been serving a seven-year term for aggravated burglary.
Over the Christmas holiday season, he has posted pictures of himself posing with turkey and tinsel — as well as a profile shot of him raising his middle finger in defiance and hints about his location.
On Christmas Day itself, he left a status update saying: “Merry xmas i made it.” while on December 27, he wrote: “WAKE UP PEOPLE ITS THE WEEKEND WHERE’S THE PARTY AT?”
But despite a large global following, extensive coverage in the press — where he got his nickname — and plans to get special T-shirts made in his honour, some Facebookers are turning against Lynch.
Several groups have been set up with names like “Sightings of Craig ‘Lazie’ Lynch and “We Hate Craig Lynch”, attracting hundreds of members.
He was even moved to add a recent posting defending his reputation: “I got respects and havent touched or robbed no old lady. now move on and find a life.”
Police confirmed details of his sentence and escape, adding that they were confident the Craig Lynch featured on Facebook was the on-the-run convict.
“We have got ongoing enquiries to trace him but we’re renewing appeals for anyone with information about his physical location to come forward,” a police spokeswoman said.
“Facebook is not necessarily a reliable indicator of where he is.”
Source: AFP, December 31, 2009

Wife No. 3 is 2nd from left

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma is set to marry his third wife on today, according to reports.
Mr Zuma, a Zulu, was meant to marry his fiance Thobeka Mabhija, 36, earlier this year but the wedding was postponed due to Mr Zuma’s political commitments.
He married his second wife, Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma, two years ago. He is also divorced from Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
Polygamous marriages are common in the Zulu culture especially in rural areas.
When Mr Zuma, 66, was inaugurated as president in May, speculation was rife about who would be the first lady.
Mr Zuma has attended some high-profile events with all his wives, including Ms Mabhija.

Inkosi Bhekumuzi Zuma, leader of Mr Zuma’s clan in his home area of Nkandla, and a relative of the president, said the wedding ceremony would take place on Monday 4 January, reports the Sapa news agency.
Mr Zuma paid ilobolo (dowry) to the Mabhija family two years ago.
Earlier this year, the Mabhija family sent gifts to the Zuma family, an indication that all matters regarding the wedding, including a date, had been set, reports say.
The wedding will be a “private affair” attended by “close friends, family and locals”, according to reports in the Sowetan newspaper.
The BBC’s attempts to get comment from the presidency have been futile.
This will be Mr Zuma’s fifth wedding.
He has been married to Sizakele Khumalo since 1973.
Kate Mantsho-Zuma died in 2000.

Source: BBC news online, December 30, 2009

A survey of more than 1,000 men in India has concluded that condoms made according to international sizes are too large for a majority of Indian men.
The study found that more than half of the men measured had penises that were shorter than international standards for condoms.

It has led to a call for condoms of mixed sizes to be made more widely available in India.

The two-year study was carried out by the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Over 1,200 volunteers from the length and breadth of the country had their penises measured precisely, down to the last millimetre.

The scientists even checked their sample was representative of India as a whole in terms of class, religion and urban and rural dwellers.

“ It’s not size, it’s what you do with it that matters ”
Sunil Mehra
The conclusion of all this scientific endeavour is that about 60% of Indian men have penises which are between three and five centimetres shorter than international standards used in condom manufacture.
Doctor Chander Puri, a specialist in reproductive health at the Indian Council of Medical Research, told the BBC there was an obvious need in India for custom-made condoms, as most of those currently on sale are too large.

The issue is serious because about one in every five times a condom is used in India it either falls off or tears, an extremely high failure rate.

And the country already has the highest number of HIV infections of any nation.

‘Not a problem’

Mr Puri said that since Indians would be embarrassed about going to a chemist to ask for smaller condoms there should be vending machines dispensing different sizes all around the country.

“Smaller condoms are on sale in India. But there is a lack of awareness that different sizes are available. There is anxiety talking about the issue. And normally one feels shy to go to a chemist’s shop and ask for a smaller size condom.”

But Indian men need not be concerned about measuring up internationally according to Sunil Mehra, the former editor of the Indian version of the men’s magazine Maxim.

“It’s not size, it’s what you do with it that matters,” he said.

“From our population, the evidence is Indians are doing pretty well.

“With apologies to the poet Alexander Pope, you could say, for inches and centimetres, let fools contend.”

Source: BBC news online, Deember 29, 2009

A Nevada couple travelling through Eastern Oregon are safe at home after spending three days stuck in snow because their SUV’s navigation system sent them down a remote forest road.

Klamath County Sheriff Tim Evinger says after John Rhoads and his wife, Starry Bush-Rhoads, got stuck on Christmas day, atmospheric conditions apparently changed enough for their cellphone to get a weak signal and relay GPS co-ordinates to a Klamath County dispatcher.

The couple were rescued Sunday afternoon when a deputy reached them and winched their vehicle out of the snow.

Evinger says they are now home safe in Reno, Nev.

Source: Canadian Press, December 28, 2009

An elderly state governor has resigned in India after a video emerged apparently showing him in bed with three young women.
N D Tiwari, 86, a member of the ruling Congress Party and the senior representative in Andhra Pradesh state, quit after a television channel aired the compromising footage.
He said the footage was doctored, but an embarrassed Congress party asked the governor to resign.
The three-and-half minute footage was the most watched video on YouTube in India over the weekend and newspapers splashed front page stories on the scandal that has sparked online debates on the conduct of politicians in India.
The Congress Party welcomed Tiwari’s resignation and said it might take more action.
Tiwari’s office said the veteran politician, who has held positions of Congress chief minister in the past, resigned on health grounds.
“Whatever the reasons, this comes at a very bad time for the Congress party in Andhra Pradesh,” said Amulya Ganguli, a New Delhi-based political analyst.
“This incident adds to the problems of the Congress party and the government will now have to look for a replacement who they will hope can control the political turmoil and keep the house in order in Andhra Pradesh,” said N. Bhaskara Rao of the Centre for Media studies.
Source: Daily Telegraph, UK. December 27, 2009

Prosecutors will review the case of a woman authorities claim has called 911 30 times over six months for non-emergency reasons, including a call to complain that her husband refused to eat his dinner. Last Friday, the woman allegedly made a pair of calls to 911, including a hang-up and another where a woman was heard screaming.

Police were dispatched to the residence and officer Paul Gonzales said police were told by her that “her husband did not want to eat his supper.” A police report said the 53-year-old woman was also yelling “about things that happened two weeks ago.”

The woman now faces charges of 911 abuse.

Source: Reuters, December 23, 2009

A Northwest Airlines passenger from Nigeria, who said he was acting on al-Qaida’s instructions, set off an explosive device Friday in a failed terrorist attack on the plane as it was landing in Detroit, federal officials said.

Flight 253 with 278 passengers aboard was 20 minutes from the airport when it sounded like a firecracker had exploded, witnesses said. One passenger jumped over others and tried to subdue the man. Shortly afterward, the suspect was taken to a front row seat with his pants cut off and his legs burned.

The White House said it believed it was an attempted act of terrorism and stricter security measures were quickly imposed on airline travel, but were not specified.

Law enforcement officials identified the suspect as Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab. Others had slightly different spellings.

One law enforcement source said the man claimed to have been instructed by al-Qaida to detonate the plane over U.S. soil.

“It sounded like a firecracker in a pillowcase,” said Peter Smith, a passenger from the Netherlands. “First there was a pop, and then (there) was smoke.”

At least one passenger acted heroically.

Smith said the passenger, sitting opposite the man, climbed over passengers, went across the aisle and tried to restrain the man. The heroic passenger appeared to have been burned.

The incident was reminiscent of convicted shoe bomber Richard Reid, who tried to destroy a trans-Atlantic flight in 2001 with explosives hidden in his shoes, but was subdued by other passengers. Reid is serving a life sentence.

U.S. Rep. Peter King, ranking Republican member of the House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee, said the flight began in Nigeria and went through Amsterdam en route to Detroit.

A statement Delta, which acquired Northwest, said, “Upon approach to Detroit, a passenger caused a disturbance onboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253. The passenger was subdued immediately and the crew requested that law enforcement meet the flight upon arrival.

“The flight, operated by Northwest using an Airbus 330-300 aircraft with 278 passengers onboard, landed safely. The passenger was taken into custody and questioned by law enforcement authorities.”

The FBI and the Homeland Security Department issued an intelligence note on Nov. 20 about the threat picture for the 2009 holiday season from the American Thanksgiving holiday through Jan. 1. At the time, intelligence officials said they had no specific information about attack plans by al-Qaida or other terrorist groups. The intelligence note was obtained by The Associated Press.

President Barack Obama was notified of the incident and discussed it with security officials, the White House said. It said he is monitoring the situation and receiving regular updates from his vacation spot in Hawaii.

There was nothing out of the ordinary about Flight 253 on Friday until it was on final approach to Detroit, said Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory. That is when the pilot declared an emergency and landed without incident shortly thereafter, Cory said. The plane landed at 12:51 p.m. EST (1751 GMT).

One U.S. intelligence official said the explosive device was a mix of powder and liquid. It failed when the passenger tried to detonate it.

The passenger was being questioned Friday evening. An intelligence source said the Nigerian passenger was being held and treated in an Ann Arbor, Michigan, hospital.

All the sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was continuing.

The official said an official determination of a terrorist act would have to come from the attorney general. The official added that additional security measures were being taken without raising the airline threat level, but declined to describe them.

The White House was co-ordinating briefings for the president through the Homeland Security Department, the Transportation Security Administration and the FBI.
Source: AP, December 25, 2009

A shaken Pope Benedict has said Christmas Mass in St Peter’s Basilica shortly after being knocked over by a spectator who jumped barriers.

The woman, said to be mentally unstable, jumped security barriers as Benedict XVI entered the basilica for the traditional Christmas Eve service.

Proceeding with the Mass, he looked shaken and stumbled over some words.

The service started two hours early because officials do not want the 82-year-old pontiff to get tired.

Thousands of pilgrims also gathered in Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas Mass.

Latin Patriarch Foud Twal, the most senior Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, said the region’s aspiration of peace remained out of reach.

“The wish that we most want, we most hope for, is not coming,” he said after passing into Bethlehem in a traditional holiday procession from nearby Jerusalem.

“We want peace.”

The security incident involving the woman at St Peter’s Basilica lasted only a few seconds.

The woman – who was reportedly wearing a red jumper – tried to jump the barrier and the Pope was thrown off balance and fell, prompting shocked gasps among the crowd.

Security officials rushed down the main aisle to detain the woman.

The Pope had to be helped up by the master of ceremonies at his side, the BBC’s David Willey in Rome says.

The theme of his homily was selfishness which, he said, “makes us prisoners of our interests and our desires”.

The woman who pushed the Pope also knocked down Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, who was taken to hospital for a check-up, Vatican spokesman Ciro Bedettini said.

The woman – whose name was not immediately known – was later arrested by police.

During last year’s Mass, a woman also jumped the barriers and got close to the Pope but was quickly restrained by security officials.

It was not immediately known if it was the same woman who pushed Benedict on Thursday.

The Vatican said earlier that the decision to move the midnight Mass to 2200 (2100 GMT) was “to make Christmas a little less tiring for the Pope, who has many engagements”.

The pontiff earlier appeared briefly at nightfall at the window of his studio to light a candle in a sign of peace.

Source: BBC news online, December 24, 2009

A man who killed and ate what may have been the last wild Indochinese tiger in China was sentenced to 12 years in jail, local media reported on Tuesday.

Source: Reuters, December 22, 2009

Kang Wannian, a villager from Mengla, Yunnan Province, met the tiger in February while gathering freshwater clams in a nature reserve near China’s border with Laos. He claimed to have killed it in self-defense.

The only known wild Indochinese tiger in China, photographed in 2007 at the same reserve, has not been seen since Kang’s meal, the Yunnan-based newspaper Life News reported earlier this month.

The paper quoted the provincial Forestry Bureau as saying there was no evidence the tiger was the last one in China.

A local court sentenced Kang to 10 years for killing a rare animal plus two years for illegal possession of firearms, the local web portal Yunnan.cn reported. Prosecutors said Kang did not need a gun to gather clams.

Four villagers who helped Kang dismember the tiger and ate its meat were also sentenced from three to four years for “covering up and concealing criminal gains,” the report said.

Kang was also fined 480,000 yuan ($70,000).

The Indochinese tiger is on the brink of extinction, with fewer than 1,000 left in the forests of Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar.

Flagship stores line London’s Oxford Street. Father Tim Jones said vulnerable people should steal from large national businesses. Photograph: David Levene
In issuing the 10 commandments to Moses atop Mount Sinai, God was pretty unequivocal: “Thou shalt not steal.”
However, there’s good news for anyone whose passion for pilfering has hitherto been tempered by the eighth commandment: according to one Church of England vicar, we can steal after all.
Father Tim Jones, the parish priest of St Lawrence and St Hilda in York, told his congregation on Sunday that certain vulnerable people face difficult situations.
“My advice, as a Christian priest, is to shoplift,” he said. “I do not offer such advice because I think that stealing is a good thing, or because I think it is harmless, for it is neither.”
The reverend did set some parameters for anyone planning a shoplifting binge.
“I would ask that they do not steal from small, family businesses, but from large national businesses, knowing that the costs are ultimately passed on to the rest of us in the form of higher prices,” he said, adding: “I would ask them not to take any more than they need, for any longer than they need.”
Jones, whose description on his church’s website says he has served as chaplain at a prison, said his words should not be “misrepresented as a simplistic call for people to shoplift”. He said some people have little option but to turn to crime.
However, his comments were not endorsed by the Venerable Richard Seed, Archdeacon of York.
“The Church of England does not advise anyone to shoplift, or break the law in any way,” he said.
“Father Tim Jones is raising important issues about the difficulties people face when benefits are not forthcoming, but shoplifting is not the way to overcome these difficulties.”
A spokesman for North Yorkshire police was unconvinced by Father Jones’s advice.
“First and foremost, shoplifting is a criminal offence and to justify this course of action under any circumstances is highly irresponsible. Turning or returning to crime will only make matters worse, that is a guarantee.”
Clarifying his position on GMTV today Jones, who made headlines last year when he protested against the sale of Playboy stationery, said stealing from bigger retailers would have less of an impact than theft from smaller businesses.
“I have never said it is OK to steal. It is a dreadful thing to steal,” he said.
He told BBC Radio York that his intention had not been to encourage theft, rather to urge parishioners to give to charity.
Source: Guardian (UK) online, December 22, 2009