World Briefs

Police are investigating the deaths of two giraffes from Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch.

Freddie and Tom Hancock of Page, Arizona had acquired the giraffes as part of a plan to build a wildlife preserve on city property they leased in 2008 that also would house exotic birds, reptiles and a camel. However, the animal rights group Peta is calling on authorities in Page to confiscate and relocate other remaining giraffes, fearing they are mistreated.

The group also asked police to determine whether the Hancocks violated animal cruelty laws in relation to the deaths of the giraffes.

Page Police Chief Charlie Dennis said it is unusual to have two giraffes die within a short period - one died on November 20 and the other on January 2 - but nothing at the scene was cause for suspicion. Post mortem results are pending. (PA)

Internet 'clowns' get the last laugh

Pictures of clowns are popping up all over Paris, but the joke is on you if you've ever mocked France's internet entrepreneurs.

Underneath the face paint, funny noses and fright wigs are internet start-up business founders who were lampooned for their early online enthusiasm. Now they're having the last laugh in an advertising campaign showcasing their success.

"We are serious people," said Jean-Pierre Villaret, founder of communications consultancy June21 who came up with the idea for the campaign, www.jesuisunclown.com.

"We all left our old companies to set up our own firms. Each time it was the same thing. People tell you it won't work. There's a saying in French: "Your idea is just a clown's thing'," Mr Villaret said.

The site www.jesuisunclown.com receives thousands of hits per day. It has also spawned a Facebook fan club with nearly 700 fans. (Reuters)

BBC rapped U2, Coldplay

BBC's editorial watchdog body criticised the British broadcaster yesterday for breaching its own guidelines by appearing to promote the bands U2 and Coldplay in its coverage of them.

The BBC's Editorial Complaints Unit slammed an on-screen slogan "U2=BBC" used during its coverage of U2's last album as "inappropriate," while a "Radio 1 presents Coldplay" website broke guidelines about links to external sites.

The findings came after RadioCentre, the trade body for commercial radio firms in Britain, complained about the BBC's coverage of a Coldplay tour and U2's launch of its "No Line On The Horizon."

The U2 coverage last February included a performance by the band on the rooftop of the BBC's Broadcasting House head office in central London which briefly brought traffic to a standstill. (PA)

Army hits at supermodel

Israel's army has launched a campaign against Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli and called for a boycott of products she promotes, after she asked to be listed as a foreign resident to pay less taxes, media reported yesterday.

The boycott call was issued by armed forces human resources director Avi Zamir when he addressed students in Herzliya, near Tel Aviv.

"I can't take on Bar Refaeli, but you can," the mass-circulation Yediot Aharonot newspaper quoted him as saying in urging Israelis not to buy products she promotes - including lingerie.

Bar Refaeli, 24, who is reported to have recently rekindled her romance with US actor Leonardo DiCaprio, already stirred anger in the army because she got an exemption from military service when she got married in 2007. She divorced soon after. (AFP)

Steam from veggies

Veteran insurance executive Maurice "Hank" Greenberg bristles ever so slightly when asked about his upcoming 85th birthday.

"There are two types of birthdays - chronological and biological. Doctors tell me biologically I am 25 years younger," the former AIG chief executive, who is now the insurer's biggest private shareholder, says with a smile.

Mr Greenberg, who turns 85 in May, said a daily lunch of salad and a strict no-meat, no-dairy diet at home (his wife Corinne is a vegan) keep him fighting fit.

He also works out pretty much daily in his home gym, and makes a weekly visit to New York gym "Serious Strength", where he follows a regimen of weight-bearing exercises.

"I'm doing all the things that I have always done," said Mr Greenberg. "You can interpret that in many ways," he laughs. (Reuters)

Celebrities burgled

A US woman suspected of being the mastermind behind a series of break-ins at the homes of Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan was charged with felony burglary and receiving stolen property.

Rachel Lee, 19, joined five other young men and women charged with burglaries at the homes of celebrities including Orlando Bloom, Rachel Bilson, Ashley Tisdale, Megan Fox and Audrina Patridge.

Ms Lee turned herself in yesterday and was quickly released after posting $150,000 US bail.

She is charged with the burglaries at the Hollywood Hills homes of Hilton, Lohan and Patridge. (PA)