World Briefs

Tentacle of God? An octopus in Germany called Paul who has shot to stardom for his spot-on World Cup predictions yesterday forecast a quarter-final win by his home country over Argentina.

But in view perhaps of the tougher opposition that Diego Maradona's side will pose Germany on Saturday than England did last Sunday, the eight-legged soccer soothsayer took more than an hour to decide.

Ahead of the England game, which saw Germany's young guns demolish Fabio Capello's ageing Premier League stars 4-1, Paul needed just eight seconds to make up his mind.

Sunday's encounter in Cape Town, therefore, might go to extra time - or even penalties.

Two plastic boxes, one with a German flag and one with their opponent's, are lowered into Paul's tank at Sea Life in Oberhausen in western Germany, each with a tasty morsel of food inside. The box which Paul opens first is adjudged to be his predicted winner.

Earlier in the tournament, the eight-legged oracle correctly tip-ped Germany to beat Ghana and Australia in their Group D matches. And proving he is not just attracted by Germany's flag, he also correctly predicted a loss to Serbia. (AFP)

Rubbed the wrong way

A primary school seems to have rubbed parents up the wrong way with its pupil-to-pupil body massage scheme.

Parley First School in Dorset said the national scheme helps pupils become calmer, concentrate better, and have more confidence and self-esteem. The programme includes pupils imitating raindrops with their fingers on each other's heads, shoulders and back, and studies have shown it increases social inclusion and reduces bullying.

But a few parents criticised the programme, with one parent telling the Daily Echo newspaper in Bournemouth: "How can it be justified that six-year-old children can carry out a body massage on each other when good honest sports, mainly conducted out in the fresh air, are being eroded at a fast rate?" (PA)

Rare white elephant captured

A rare white elephant has been captured in the jungles of north-west Burma, a mostly Buddhist country where the animals have been revered for centuries and kept and pampered by monarchs as a symbol of royal power.

Forestry officials found the animal - about 38 years old and seven feet four inches tall - in the jungles of Maungdaw township in Rakhine state. It will be the fourth such animal held in captivity in Burma.

Previous white elephants transported from the jungles have been heralded in lavish ceremonies where the country's military leaders sprinkle them with scented water laced with gold, silver and precious gems. (PA)

Better off in Bulgaria

Britons will be better off financially by holidaying in Bulgaria than Brighton, according to a survey.

Holiday hotspots in Turkey and Cyprus are also cheaper for a UK family of four than a stay on the Sussex coast at Brighton, the survey by Tesco Travel Money found.

While a week in the Bulgarian capital Sofia would cost a family of four £1,221, a seven-night break in Brighton would set them back £2,209. (PA)

Highest gig

Chart-topping star James Blunt has gone from selling records to breaking them - after performing the world's highest gig.

The You're Beautiful singer soared to eight miles above the earth to perform five songs, including new track Heart Of Gold.

His "gig in the sky" show for the Heart radio network aboard a Boeing 767 was watched by more than 150 listeners and invited guests. (PA)

Twin set

People attending graduation ceremonies at a pair of upstate New York high schools could not be blamed for thinking they were seeing double.

Twelve sets of twins graduated from Baker High School in Baldwinsville on the same day seven more sets of twins received their diplomas during ceremonies at nearby Jamesville-DeWitt High School in the Syracuse area.

Representatives from Guinness World Records say Baker High's graduating class with 12 sets of twins breaks the previous record of 10, set by a Massachusetts high school in 2007. (PA)