Rising metal prices mean Australia’s five-cent coin now costs more to make than it is worth, the government has admitted.
The Royal Australian Mint in Canberra, which produces the copper and nickel coins stamped with the native echidna, or spiny anteater, has reportedly complained that they are so expensive to make they should be scrapped.
“With the rising prices of metals and some of the ingredients which go into the five-cent coin, they’ve certainly reported that it’s more expensive to make the five-cent coin than five cents,” Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten said.
Mr Shorten said it was too early for the coin, worth about 5.25 US cents, to go the way of the copper-based one and two cent pieces which were withdrawn in the early 1990s after inflation reduced their buying power. (AFP)
Dog meat festival
A South Korean dog meat festival has been cancelled following growls of protest from animal rights activists.
The Korea Dog Farmers’ Association had scheduled for Friday a festival aimed at promoting traditional dog meat consumption. The association had said the festival, to be held in a traditional open-air market in Seongnam, south of Seoul, would showcase various canine delicacies including barbecued dog, sausages and steamed paws. The event would also have featured products such as cosmetics and spirits with canine ingredients. The planned festival stirred fury from South Korean animal rights groups and many internet users. (AFP)
No pony express
A pony who escaped from a circus in Germany tried to board a tram in its getaway attempt, only to be prevented by the driver and other passengers, police said yesterday.
The stallion was “waiting patiently” with other guests at a tram stop in Nordhausen, central Germany, “and wasn’t bashful about trying to board when the doors opened,” a police statement said.
“Other passengers and the tram driver took exception to this and held the animal back, however. It later became clear that the pony had just escaped from a circus that was in Nordhausen. Circus employees were already on their way to put an end to the pony’s adventure.” (AFP)
Ugly title
Yoda’s short tufts of hair, protruding tongue, and long, seemingly hairless legs were enough to earn it the World’s Ugliest Dog title at a Northern California fair.
The 14-year-old Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix won the honour at the 23rd annual contest at the Sonoma Marin Fair. Owner Terry Schumacher of Hanford, California, said the 900-gram dog has come a long way since she was found abandoned behind an apartment building. She said she first thought the pooch was a rat. (PA)
Phones in tins
A German chemicals company said yesterday its managers have begun keeping their mobile phones in biscuit tins during meetings in order to guard against industrial espionage.
“Experts have told us that mobile phones are being eavesdropped on more and more, even when they are switched off,” a spokesman for Essen-based speciality chemicals maker Evonik, said.“The measure applies mostly when sensitive issues are being discussed, for the most part in research and development.”
Biscuit tins have a so-called Farraday cage effect, blocking out electromagnetic radiation and therefore preventing people from hacking into mobile phones, not only for calls but also to get hold of e-mails. (AFP)
Insult to Islam
Egyptian tycoon and politician Naguib Sawiris has come under fire for posting a picture of Mickey and Minnie Mouse in Islamic dress.
Several lawyers have filed complaints to the public prosecutor accusing Mr Sawiris – who founded the liberal Free Egyptians party after an uprising that toppled president Hosni Mubarak in February – of “insulting Islam”.
The magnate, a Christian, had posted a picture on his Twitter account of Disney character Mickey Mouse wearing a traditional Arabic robe and sporting a thick beard, next to a Minnie Mouse donning a niqab, or full face veil. (PA)
Pilots quizzed
Two British Airways pilots have been questioned by police after a mobile phone was allegedly thrown from a plane onto an airport runway.
The alleged incident happened shortly before the London-bound flight was due to take off from Edinburgh Airport. The BA2945 flight to Gatwick, carrying 149 people, was ultimately delayed by three hours. British Airways bosses have since apologised to passengers on board the Boeing 737 aircraft for the hold-up. (PA)