World Briefs

A poor Filipino blacksmith’s son who stands less than 60 centimetres tall was declared the world’s shortest man by Guinness World Records on his 18th birthday yesterday.

The title was bestowed on Junrey Balawing in Sindangan in the southern Philippines, with his parents, villagers and officials showering the coastal town’s newly famous resident with a feast, cake, balloons and cash gifts.

Mr Balawing measured 60 centimetres during the ceremony attended by about 100 villagers and journalists.

Guinness World Records representative Craig Glenday presented Mr Balawing with official recognition of his status as the shortest adult man in the world.

Mr Balawing took over the title from Khagendra Thapa Magar of Nepal, who is 67 centimetres tall. (AP)

Pregnant trickster

A pregnant woman tricked her way into the home of an 89-year-old and stole her cash, UK police said. The pensioner was standing at the front door of her home in Manchester when the pregnant woman approached her and started chatting.

Police said she was carrying shopping bags which she put down in the victim’s hallway and said she needed the toilet. The thief then said she needed to wash her hair and went into the kitchen.

She returned to the living room and sat next to the woman, who felt uncomfortable and asked her to leave. At this point, the thief rifled through the woman’s pockets and stole her purse containing cash, before fleeing the scene. (PA)

Lucky escape

A 10-year-old girl has had a lucky escape after she was impaled on a fence.

Northumbria Police said the youngster was impaled by two poles as she fell on a fence in Gainsborough Square, Sunderland.

A spokesman said the girl was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital and then transferred to a hospital in Newcastle following the accident. The spokesman added: “Her injuries are not life-threatening and we understand no major damage has been caused.” (PA)

Household Clutter

British people are hoarding 47.5 million cubic metres of clutter, the equivalent of 11 Wembley Stadiums, according to a report.

Unused clothes and sports equipment are among some of the most common items kept in people’s homes, research from home insurer LV found.

Collectively there is nearly £50 billion worth of clutter filling UK homes, with people storing even valuable items such as jewellery, power tools and audio equipment in their lofts, sheds and spare rooms, the report said.

ICM interviewed a random sample of 2,023 adults aged 18 plus online across the country between May 18 and 20. (PA)

Saxophone record

Six-year-olds with saxophones hanging past their knees have joined more seasoned professionals as saxophonists in Australia set a world record by forming the largest ensemble of the jazz instrument in history.

More than 900 saxophone enthusiasts gathered at Sydney’s Cockle Bay wharf to belt out Waltzing Matilda and Happy Birthday in celebration of the opening of the Darling Harbour Jazz and Blues Festival. (PA)

Naked cyclists arrested in Santiago

Seven bicyclists have been arrested for “moral offenses” as Chile saw its first edition of the World Naked Bike Ride, which was taking place in cities around the world on Saturday.

The cyclists began their route fully clothed in a residential neighbourhood and stripped off much of their clothing during the ride, arriving at the Plaza Italia either partially or completely nude. The ride in Santiago was part of the World Naked Bike Ride, a global event created in 2004 to protest oil dependency and call attention to cyclist rights.

Cyclists in Mexico City also celebrated the World Naked Bike Ride, as about 500 riders gathered on Reforma Avenue. The Mexican cyclists also demonstrated to raise awareness about pedal power. Meanwhile,London saw its eighth naked ride as participants decorated their bodies with messages of protest against oil dependency and motor vehicle usage. (AFP)