News Briefs

Drunk officer risks lives of others

A police officer in Austria cut emergency phone lines so he could sleep off his hangover without being bothered. He also switched off the radio, leaving the police station unable to receive emergency calls for the night. The officer was charged with criminal damage, suspended from duty and fined.

UFO or electrocuted cat?

Reports of a UFO sighting in Norway could have been nothing more than an electrocuted cat. People said they saw a fireball explode in the sky and fall down to Earth. Investigators think they found the mysterious flying object when they came upon the charred body of a cat. They think the cat climbed up an electrical mast and touched a live wire. People most likely saw the cat as it was exploding into the air.

Reverting to childhood in China

A new fashion craze among students is sweeping China. They are drinking milk from babies’ bottles, which has caused psychologists in the country to be concerned. They say it demonstrates the students’ yearn for their childhood and the comfort of their mother’s bosom. The students say it’s simply a soothing, stylish and convenient way to drink milk.

Men’s sweat and women’s souls

Researchers say that men’s sweat relaxes women’s souls. The pheromones found in male perspiration can boost a woman’s mood and stimulate the release of a hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle. In a study, women who had men’s sweat applied to their lips reported feeling less tense and more relaxed. The sweat also prompted a shift in blood levels of a reproductive hormone called luteinizing hormone.

No driver’s licenses for illegal aliens

Illegal aliens in Virginia will no longer be able to obtain driver’s licenses as Gov. Mark Warner has agreed to sign the respective legislation. Supporters say the bill will improve homeland security, pointing out that most of the Sept. 11 terrorists obtained identification that allowed them to move throughout the country. Immigration advocates say the bill could result in civil-rights violations. Twenty-seven other states have already banned illegal immigrants from obtaining driver’s licenses.

Update on Monroe Park protesters

Three people were arrested after Sunday’s anti-war rally in Monroe Park. The protesters marched down Monument Avenue after anti-war speeches in the park. When they returned to the park, police asked them to leave because it was after dark. The protesters then dispersed into the city. This is when the arrests occurred, one of which was for being drunk in public. Police reported vandalism, which included broken windows at a National Guard recruiting office on West Broad Street. Those arrested, however, say they were not part of the violent acts. Officers were forced to use pepper spray on several protesters.

Tourism drops at Colonial Williamsburg

At Colonial Williamsburg last year, the number of visitors dropped to its lowest number in 40 years. A spokesman of Williamsburg blamed the drop in tourism to a slow economy, the Washington area sniper shootings and travel concerns. About 931,000 people came to site in 2001, whereas, only 840,000 came last year. At the same time, however, the number of contributions to Colonial Williamsburg Foundation reached $100,000 for the first time. This year, so far, the number of visitors is down 15 percent.

Emmitt Smith signs with the Cardinals

An end of an era has passed in Dallas. Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s leading rusher, said he still had a few more running years when the Dallas Cowboys released him late February. The 33-year-old signed a two-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals, reportedly worth $8 million. Included in the contact, is a starting position as running back. Smith, will wear the same #22 with the Cardinals as he did with the Cowboys for 13 seasons.

Two judges killed in Brazil

Two jugded, murdered 10 days apart, are the latest victims in the recent wave of terror in Brazil. Authorities believe the string of crimes were arranged by drugs lords and organized-crime bosses. The slayings have outraged the citizens of Brazil who demanded an end to organized crime. The Brazilian authorities, however, are powerless to stop the crimes. One judge was a member of the Organized Crime Repression Unit in Espirito Santo. The other judge oversaw prisons that house some of Brazil’s top organized-crime bosses.

Fifth victim linked to Louisiana Serial Killer

In Baton Rouge, the police announced Tuesday that the Louisiana State University graduate student, Carrie Lynn Yoder has been linked to the south Louisiana serial killer. Yoder, is the fifth victim of the serial killer. Yoder, 26, disappeared from her home near the campus of LSU on March 3. Her body was found 10 days later near Whiskey Bay, the same area where another serial killer victim was found eight months earlier. Yoder is the fifth known victim linked by DNA from one killer. The cause of Yoder’s death was asphyxiation.