World Briefs

A major fire destroyed a 138-year-old pier in the British resort of Hastings yesterday, emergency services said, robbing the country of one of the last relics of its Victorian-era seaside culture.

Police in the faded southern English tourist resort arrested two men on suspicion of arson after the blaze at the wood and iron structure, which had been closed since 2006.

Residents in Hastings had launched a major campaign to restore the town’s pier, which was described as the “peerless pier” when it first opened in 1874 at the height of the Victorian vogue for seaside holidays.

In the 1960s it hosted concerts by rockers including The Rolling Stones, The Who, Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd and until its closure four years ago it featured a mix of funfair rides and slot machines as well as a ballroom. (AFP)

Sing properly or face jail

Philippine MPs have backed a proposed law which could see performers jailed for two years for disrespecting the national anthem by singing off-key or deviating from the song’s original martial tempo.

Members of Parliament were incensed at the way Lupang Hinirang (Revered Homeland) was sung at the boxing matches of seven-time Filipino world champion Manny Pacquiao, Teddy Atienza of the National Historical Commission said.

The proposal aims to toughen up a 1998 flag law under which performing the anthem inappropriately can be punished with a year’s prison and a small fine, officials said. (AFP)

‘Naked Cowboy’ for US President

Watch out, Sarah Palin. There’s a new conservative in town, and he’s (nearly) naked and gunning for the White House.

The Naked Cowboy, a strapping guitar player and Times Square fixture known for busking in his briefs, 10-gallon hat and boots, says he will be donning a normal outfit on his next adventure: a run for the White House.

Robert John Burck, on his website nakedcowboy.com, has put the word out that he will be jumping in the 2012 US Presidential race.

The cowboy unsuccessfully ran for mayor of New York in 2009. (AFP)

No hugs in prison

A Californian prison has banned hugs and kisses through fears they are being used to disguise smuggling contraband.

Four visitors at Lerdo, Bakersfield were found with a knife, a handcuff key, marijuana, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

From now on, guards who see an inmate give a hug or a kiss will end the visit. (PA)

Airline goes Gaga

Flight attendants with a low-cost Philippine airline have developed a Lady Gaga-based dance routine to keep passengers’ attention during the in-flight safety demonstration.

A video of stewardesses performing on a Cebu Pacific has become a YouTube success with more than 6.5 million hits after being posted on the video sharing website.

The Manila-based airline is known for holding party games and singing contests on its low-fare domestic and Asian flights. (AP)

It’s kosher to sleep with the enemy

Jewish law allows women to sleep with the enemy in order to get intelligence vital to Israel’s security, a rabbi was quoted as saying.

The mass-selling Yediot Aharonot quoted an academic article by Ari Shvat, an expert in Jewish law, in which he said it was acceptable to have sex with “terrorists” in order to obtain information leading to their arrest.

His study, which only referred to female agents, appeared under the title Illicit Sex for the Sake of National Security in a journal published by a religious studies institute in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc near Jerusalem. (AFP)

Britain’s love of Indian culture

Britain’s love of Indian culture, that has seen the UK embrace everything from curries to the Punjabi word for knickers, was praised by the Prince of Wales during a four-day tour of India yesterday.

The heir to the throne highlighted the importance of cultural links and how Indian words like loot, pukka, and even chuddies – knickers – had become part of everyday British vocabulary in the military, while chicken tikka was a favourite UK dish.

Prince Charles also paid tribute to the historic military ties between the two nations. (PA)