World Briefs

Legendary Australian opera singer Joan Sutherland has died at her home in Switzerland, her family said in a statement yesterday.

“The family of Dame Joan Sutherland... wishes to let all her friends and admirers know that she passed away very peacefully in the evening of October 10 at her home in Switzerland after a long illness,” the statement by a family assistant said.

Dame Sutherland, who was 83, was understood to have lived in the Geneva region for many years since her retirement about 20 years ago.

“At her own request the funeral will be very small and private,” the family said. (AFP)

Book thrower questioned after Obama incident

A man threw a book towards US President Barack Obama after a campaign rally in Philadelphia, and was detained by Secret Service Agents, an official said yesterday.

The man was later released without charge, after an investigation found that he had meant no threat to the President, Secret Service spokesman Edwin Donovan said.

TV pictures showed the paperback book sailing through the air close to Mr Obama after the rally on Sunday though the President did not appear to notice it.

The man, who was not named, was described by Mr Donovan as an “over exuberant” supporter who wanted the President to read a copy of a book he had written. (AFP)

‘Perfect’ birth

A baby scored 10 out of 10 as she was born on the 10th second of the 10th minute of the 10th hour of October 10 2010.

Niamh Bond was not due for another eight weeks when she popped out weighing 3lb 7oz at the Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands,UK.

Mother Keelie Hearne, 20, said: “When I looked at the clock and even saw the 10 seconds as well I was gobsmacked.” According to Chinese tradition, the symmetry of the date means the day is “perfect”. (PA)

Tate modern latest

A vast floor within Tate Modern has been carpeted with more than 100 million “sunflower seeds” – the latest commission in the annual Unilever Series.

Visitors will be able to walk on and touch the seeds – the brainchild of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei – which are made of porcelain.

Each imitation seed husk was individually handcrafted by skilled artisans and they cover 1,000 square metres of the London gallery’s Turbine Hall. (PA)

Painting jackpot

A couple who bought an oil painting for less than £100 hope to make at least £100,000 when the Victorian work is sold at auction.

The bustling landscape of Salthouse Dock, Liverpool, has been in their ownership for 50 years since they bought it from a dealer in London’s Burlington Arcade.

Leeds-born artist John Atkinson Grimshaw painted it in 1892 and it has hung on the wall of their Northumberland home, gaining hugely in value as his collectability increased. Auctioneer Jim Railton will sell the picture at his saleroom in Alnwick, Northumberland, on Sunday. (PA)

Handcuffs and all

Police looking for a 26-year-old who escaped from custody also want their handcuffs back.

Eric Lair, 26, jumped from a police car taking him to jail in Washington.

Officers issued a warrant for his arrest on suspicion of escape and for taking handcuffs worth $29. (PA)

Schwarzenegger ‘offered post of Moscow mayor’

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev opened up a new career opportunity to California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday, jokingly offering to him the mayoral seat of Moscow.

“Moscow these days does not have a mayor,” Mr Medvedev said, “I know you will be stepping down shortly. If you had Russian citizenship you could get a job here.”

The mock invitation to make yet another career twist came after Mr Medvedev dramatically sacked Moscow’s mayor of 18 years Yury Luzhkov at the end of September, temporarily replacing him with the mayor’s former deputy Vladimir Resin.

A list of candidates for the job has been announced by majority United Russia party this weekend. The four potential appointees, needless to say, do not include Mr Schwarzenegger.

Mr Schwarzenegger is due to step down as governor of California in January. (AFP)

Lebanon flags up another world record

Having breezed through several world records in the culinary field, Lebanon has now gone for the big one – the world’s largest national flag, and so huge it needed an airfield.

The Lebanese military on Sunday released a picture taken from the air of the massive flag, stitched in Kuwait, assembled in Lebanon and covering 65,000 square metres “unfurled”.

Morocco is the current holder of the Guinness world record for the largest flag, at a mere 60,000 square metres.

Now Lebanon’s bid for the title has been displayed at Rayak air base in the east of the country, in the presence of a representative of the “Guinness World Records” book. (AFP)