Inspired by a Monty Python sketch, a charity fund-raiser in London with an odd-ball sense of humour submitted himself on Saturday to being slapped in the face with a couple of wet fish. Ben Fillmore (24) turned up as promised at high noon to be publicly humiliated with two fresh Scottish rainbow trout at the hands of student Lucy Berry (23).
Austria said on Saturday it has asked the Tanzanian government for an explanation after filmmaker Hubert Sauper accused it of targeting people who took part in his award-winning documentary Darwin’s Nightmare, an indictment of the pitfalls of globalisation in Africa.
The eruption of Tungurahua in Ecuador has left 20 000 people living in the shadow of the volcano in urgent need of assistance, Red Cross officials said on Saturday. Ecuadorean President Alfredo Palacio has appealed to the international community for donations of money and material aid.
Thousands beamed into Las Vegas, Nevada, this weekend to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Star Trek, the enduring science-fiction television franchise whose cult appeal transcends boundaries of space and time. Star Trek has proven to be one of Hollywood’s most durable products.
Flooding, landslides and lightning have killed 15 people and left one missing since Friday night in Vietnam, bringing the country’s toll in a week of torrential rain to 42, reports said on Sunday. Thousands have been evacuated to higher ground as water levels in the northern region’s main rivers were expected to continue rising.
It looks like a heap of rubbish, feels like flaky pastry and has been linked to aliens. For decades, scientists have puzzled over the complex collection of cogs, wheels and dials. But 102 years after the discovery of the calcium-encrusted bronze mechanism on the ocean floor, hidden inscriptions show that it is the world’s oldest computer.
Arnold Schwarzenegger stood, his hands folded in front of his muscular frame, looking as if he had stepped directly out from the big screen. In the same intimidating pose as the Secret Service men hovering in the background, California’s celebrity Governor cuts a beefier figure than his erstwhile bodyguards.
John Oosterhuizen carried on South Africa’s javelin tradition at the IAAF World Junior Championships, becoming the third man from his country to get a gold medal in the event in Beijing on Saturday. Oosterhuizen sent the javelin out to a championship record 83,07m in the second round to kill the competition as a contest.
Reading overturned a two-goal deficit on Saturday and beat Middlesbrough 3-2 in their first-ever English Premiership match on the opening day of the season. Sheffield United were denied a victory over Liverpool, and Arsenal needed an equaliser from Gilberto Silva six minutes from the end to capture a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.
Gilberto spared Arsenal a nightmare housewarming at their new Emirates Stadium on Saturday as his dramatic late goal secured a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa in their English Premiership opener. Villa had seemed intent on marking the new arena’s competitive debut with a shock win.