Bemused tourists are flocking to a giant maze erected in London’s Trafalgar Square.
The labyrinth of hedges, erected just for this week, is designed to encourage visitors to discover some of the hidden gems of the capital’s West End area, famous for its theatres and shops.
The maze is divided into sections that each carry the name of a West End street
Some 5,000 people visited the maze, which measures 30 by 20 metres, on its opening day Monday, and hundreds more queued for the chance to get lost amongst the shrubs before it closes tomorrow. (AFP)
‘Hitler’ on the run after prison break
Indian police were yesterday hunting a double murderer called Hitler who escaped from a prison toilet in Goa state with two other men.
“They escaped by drilling a hole in the toilet,” said Levinson Martins, the head of the high-security Sada jail in Vasco da Gama, in the south of the former Portuguese colony.
Police said 46-year-old Hitler Fernandes was serving a life sentence for murder and had a history of escaping prison. A second man, Seby Ferrao, has also previously broken out of jail. He was serving time for robbery.
The third escapee was awaiting trial for allegedly stabbing his former girlfriend to death at a bus stand. (AFP)
Police on cruise
Hundreds of police officers drafted in to protect the 2012 Olympic Games in the UK could be stationed on a cruise ship.
Organisers are discussing plans to spend up to £6.6 million mooring a private boat at Portland Harbour for the sporting extravaganza.
The 432-room vessel could be filled by around 800 officers working to protect competitors in the Weymouth sailing events, but officials are split over the proposal because they fear officers may misbehave and a public backlash against the use of a holiday vessel. (PA)
Sole mate
A woman left bound and gagged by a robber was able to use her feet to type a message to her boyfriend on her laptop computer asking for help.
Amy Windom, from Atlanta, Georgia, persuaded the thief to leave the computer by telling him it had a tracking device.
She propped up the laptop and got her boyfriend’s attention with an instant message and he sent the police. (PA)
Dogged by diabetes
A US man said he was grateful to his dog which ate his toe while he was comatose with drink because it helped uncover an undiagnosed diabetic condition.
Jerry Douthett, 48, had resisted seeking care for a nagging foot complaint.
He went out drinking, then came home and passed out. When he awoke, his terrier was beside him and the toe was missing. Doctors later diagnosed a bone infection. (PA)
Vuvuzelas to the rescue
South African police said vigilantes used whistles and vuvuzelas to raise a mob which attacked suspected thieves.
Police said three men were burned to death in their truck after being cornered by the crowd.
They were suspected of stealing power cables in the Lenasia district of southern Johannesburg. The area is plagued by power cuts blamed on theft. (PA)
Kama sutra as audio book
Historic sex guide the Kama Sutra is being published as an audio book for the first time this week.
The book, believed to have been written around 1,600 years ago, is read by actress Tanya Franks, who plays Rainie Cross in EastEnders.
She said: “When I was asked to read the Kama Sutra I felt nervous and excited at the thought of it. When we finally did it I was completely relaxed and we had a great time. The only thing missing was the cigarette afterwards.”
The book is based on ancient Indian Hindu philosophies and was first translated into English in 1883 under the guidance of Victorian explorer Richard Burton. (PA)
‘Forgotten’ passengers on return journey
Around 20 Eurotunnel passengers travelled to France and back again without being able to get off their shuttle train.
The “forgotten” passengers, going through the Channel Tunnel from Folkestone to Calais, were in seven vehicles which were loaded behind a wagon that had been left empty after an earlier fuel spill. Eurotunnel staff at Calais unloaded the front vehicles on the train but did not realise there were seven cars behind the empty wagon.
The unfortunate passengers - who were given a full refund - ended up travelling back to Folkestone where red-faced Eurotunnel management staff met them, apologised and got them to Calais on the next available train. (PA)