Ocean acidification caused by fossil fuel emissions may be turning fish deaf.

A study has found that when Clownfish are reared in dissolved CO₂ concentrations predicted to occur in the ocean by the end of this century, their hearing is impaired.

This could have “devastating” consequences for the colourful star of the 2003 animated movie Finding Nemo, but scientists are insisting that the findings suggest ocean acidification could also have serious consequences for orientation, habitat selection and survival. (PA)

Cleared of rape

Germany’s best-known TV weatherman has been acquitted of raping a girlfriend in a case that riveted the country and raised questions about media coverage of high-profile trials. The regional court in Mannheim found presenter Joerg Kachelmann, a 52-year-old Swiss national, not guilty of sexually assaulting his partner at knife-point after an argument.

Presiding judge Michael Seidling said as he read out the verdict to applause from the packed courtroom that the prosecution had failed to make its case beyond a reasonable doubt during the eight-month-long trial.

Judge Seidling added that Mr Kachelmann was entitled to compensation for the four months he spent in pretrial detention as well as his legal costs. (AFP)

Religious tattoos

Thailand has ordered a crackdown on foreign tourists having religious images tattooed on their bodies while visiting the kingdom, official media said yesterday.

Tattoos with images such as of the Buddha may offend Thai people, Culture Minister Nipit Intarasombat was quoted as telling reporters.

He said his ministry had asked regional governors, particularly in tourist hotspots, to inspect tattoo studios and ask them not to use religious patterns, according to the state-run National News Bureau.

It said he would push for a law banning people from etching sacred images onto their skin. (AFP)

Carrot sticks

New Zealand prisoners are reportedly being offered carrot sticks to help them overcome nicotine cravings as jails prepare to go smoke-free next month.

A leaked internal memo from Invercargill Prison said prisoners were being supplied with two carrot sticks a day in an effort to make them quit smoking before the total ban comes into force on July 1. The memo said one jumbo-sized carrot could yield 16 carrot sticks.

Corrections Association of New Zealand president Beven Hanlon said when he first heard about the scheme he thought it was a joke. (AFP)

Dress cool

In their stuffy grey business suits, starched collars and boring ties, Japan’s famed “salarymen”.

Now these warriors of the economy are being asked to ditch their sweaty battle attire for cooler T-shirts and trainers in a bid to turn down air conditioning and reduce electricity use after the March 11 disasters.

Since 2005, the government has encouraged office workers to cast off ties and jackets in the stifling summer months as part of a pledge to cut greenhouse gases by six percent under the Kyoto protocol. (AFP)

Depot duck

A mallard duck is sitting on seven eggs in a nest in the lawn and garden section of an American DIY store. The duck is surrounded by plants and potting mix at the Home Depot store in Bangor, Maine, and staff have cordoned the area off, erecting a sign reading “Please do not disturb the duck”.

The duck flies off every day, but returns within an hour and experts say the eggs should be about ready to hatch. (PA)

Stay-at-home cavemen

Early man preferred to stay at home in a comfy cave rather than roam, scientists have learned.

Women, on the other hand, liked to get around two million years ago. The evidence comes from two cave sites in South Africa where adjacent communities of now extinct humans once lived. (PA)

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