World Briefs

It could stretch across the clockface of Big Ben and is almost the length of two Hackney cabs - this whale skeleton is believed to be the biggest object found by archaeologists in London.

Remains of the headless North Atlantic right whale, measuring seven metres long and weighing half a tonne, were dug up at Bay Wharf, Greenwich. The skeleton was put on display for the first time at the Museum of London Docklands yesterday.

Francis Grew, senior curator of archaeology at the museum, said: “This is probably the largest single object ever to have been found on an archaeological dig in London.”

The skeleton will be eventually transported to the Natural History Museum, where it will be carbon-dated. (PA)

Deodorant drug-smuggler

Sniffer dogs detected 25 kilograms of cocaine in a man’s luggage even though it was hidden in 801 still-functional deodorant roll-ons, German customs said yesterday.

After being alerted by the two dogs at Frankfurt airport, customs officials opened five suitcases belonging to a 41-year-old Nigerian man arriving from Venezuela and found 30 grammes of the drug in each roll-on.

“It’s really amazing (with the dogs). In the past we have even found opium and heroin hidden in packets of mustard and things,” a police spokesman said.

The drugs have a street value of around €1.25 million and the man now faces several years in prison. (AFP)

Circus cancels fish-swallowing act

A Russian circus performer who swallows a live fish and then regurgitates it has been forced to cancel the act after cruelty complaints in Australia.

The Great Moscow Circus said the so-called “fountain act” had been shelved until further notice and when it reappears, live fish would not be used.

“(Live fish) have only been in the circus for about four or five weeks,” circus general manager Greg Hall told national news agency AAP. “Live fish won’t be used in the act (next time),” he added.

State authorities said “circuses operating in New South Wales must comply with prescribed standards for the welfare of animals”, while animal rights activists were up in arms about the act.

“Circuses continue to claim that performing animal acts are educational,” said Animals Australia executive director Glenys Oogjes.

“Far from educational, this was an inhumane and foolish act which reflected badly on the Moscow Circus.” (AFP)

Thieves wrestle python at McDonald’s

Two “dumb and dumber” alleged pet thieves wrestled a stolen python in a McDonald’s restaurant carpark as astonished customers looked on, Australian police said yesterday.

The men, aged 22 and 24, struggled with the 1.5-metre snake, named Boris, which was “not happy” at being removed from its container after being stolen from a Melbourne pet shop.

“In all honesty, it’s just a case of dumb and dumber,” Detective Sergeant Andrew Beams said.

“Anyone who gets out there with a one-and-a-half metre python in a McDonald’s car park, they’re pretty dumb.”

The owner of the snake said it has a “very nice personality” and was upset at not being handled properly. The two men were arrested and charged with offences including burglary and theft. (AFP)

Glamour model fined

A glamour model was fined £1,000 after admitting claiming benefits while working as a television pres­enter on porn channel Babestation.

Lori Buckby, 25, from Battersea, south London, received a carer’s allowance for looking after her sick father - despite earning up to £4,000 a month on the adult TV station. She was paid £2,406 in benefits, which she has since been forced to give back. As well as the fine, she was ordered to pay £100 towards court costs and a £15 victim surcharge. (PA)

UK Papal fashion

For those with Catholic tastes, this season’s fashion consists of a Pope Benedict XVI T-shirt, offset with matching jacket and baseball cap.

A browse through the new commemorative brochure of the Papal visit shows that kitting oneself out in the latest papal gear ahead of the Pontiff’s visit will set one back by nearly £80 for a complete outfit,

Key rings and fridge magnets go at £5 a pop, with the proceeds going towards the work of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in the UK.

The glossy 40-page booklet was released a week before Pope Benedict XVI arrives in the UK. (PA)