Actor mistaken for terrorist
Alexander Scheer, a German actor, caused a terrorist alert after forgetting to remove his fake gun before leaving the set of a movie. The 28-year-old man was trying to catch a train and the weapon was spotted by a ticket inspector. The conductor then called police who entered the train on the next stop and forcibly removed Scheer even though he told them who he was. The actor was soon set free after the mistake was discovered. A railway spokesman said they had no choice and had to play it safe.
Man awarded for eating cockroach
A patron at a German restaurant was given monetary compensation after putting a live cockroach in his mouth. The man was eating at a Chinese restaurant when he accidentally plucked the insect out of a bowl of peanuts and bit down. Health inspectors were called to the restaurant and discovered an infestation of cockroaches in the kitchen and ordered the restaurant closed until it was fumigated. Courts made the restaurant pay almost $775 to the man for the incident.
Farmer gives body to animals
An Indian farmer has indicated in his will that he wishes to have his body left to wild animals. The 46-year-old man wants to feed the animals with his dead body and wrote that he has decided do this to demonstrate that he has given his life to animals. The will has been described by officials as “unique.”
Man steals Bibles at knifepoint
A Brazilian man was arrested for stealing two Bibles from a priest at knifepoint. The 18-year-old man threatened the priest with a butter knife before stealing the Bibles and running away. The priest told a policeman and the man was quickly apprehended.
Man must share lottery winnings
A man was ordered to share the lottery jackpot he won with his ex-wife. The ex sued after she learned he won the $2.6 million dollar jackpot while they were still married. The man did not tell the woman about the winnings until after the divorce was finalized. The courts have ruled, though that the man acted shamefully and he now must split the pot. The ex became suspicious after she saw her former husband, a construction worker, buying new cars and clothes frivolously.
England’s youngest black belt
Six-year-old Alfie Byrne has just achieved the level of black belt in karate. Byrne is Britain’s youngest black belt. The boy endured a grueling 90 minute examination of his skills to achieve the title. The boy’s father, who also was his karate teacher, said he had begged them to let him learn karate since the time he could walk.
Police use bells to ward off robberies
Police in Essex, England, have given women cat bells to hang on their purses so they can hear if they are being pickpocketed. Police said the pickpocket incidents have been cut in half since they introduced this new method. Although thieves may still try to take a purse with a bell on it, the noise alerts the robbery victim so they can shout for help.
Headboard saves woman
Susan Grant survived a gas explosion at her home. The only thing that saved her was her headboard. As she slept the blast occurred, and the headboard took the full force of the explosion and protected her. The woman escaped with only cuts and bruises.