World Briefs

UK villagers said they will not relent in their fight against an energy company which has permission to conduct exploratory drilling using the “fracking” process. The technique involves using high-pressure liquid pumped deep underground to fracture rocks and force out gas and oil resources.

Energy company Cuadrilla Resources has permission to conduct exploratory drilling at a site near Balcombe but villagers are deeply opposed to any plans to conduct hydraulic fracturing at an existing well. Opponents have pointed to the risks linked to the fracking process, including minor earthquakes, the use of chemicals and the potential contamination of drinking water.

Fracking has proved controversial in the US, where shale gas is already being exploited and where footage has been captured of people able to set fire to their tap water.

Homeless man returns €7,000

Homeless Austrian man Hermann Schleichert had 80 cents (one dollar) and an empty packet of cigarettes in his pocket on a cold Boxing Day evening when he found €7,000 on the pavement.

But instead of seeing the cash as a late Christmas present, the 48-year-old, who was staying in a Vienna homeless shelter for recovering alcoholics, tookhis find to the police.

“I picked up the envelope and saw there was a bundle of cash inside. All €500 notes!,” he said. “Not even for a second did I think about keeping the money”

The real owner later reported his loss to the police and got his cash back – but is yet to thank Mr Schleichert.

‘Sex on duty’ policeman

A sacked police officer has denied having sex with women while on duty at a UK police station and intends to appeal against his dismissal.

PC Troy Van-Eda, 44, was dismissed for gross misconduct on Monday by Greater Manchester Police following a prolonged investigation.

It is alleged he had sex with five women while on duty, including a liaison with one woman in the boiler room at Littleborough Police Station, the day after stopping her for not wearing a seat belt and asking for her telephone number. The man also faced claims he had sex at two police stations as well as at the women’s homes.

PC Van-Eda, a father-of-three who has split up from his wife, denies the claims and plans to appeal his dismissal.

Third time unlucky for cat

A pet cat has managed to escape death by a whisker after being shot with an airgun for the third time.

Sandy, a 12-year-old ginger tom from North Shields, North Tyneside, had already used up two of his nine lives after being shot in his stomach and rump a few years ago.

But he now faces having a leg amputated after being hit in the shoulder by a pellet fired from an air rifle. Sandy was shot in the left shoulder on New Year’s Eve and was rushed to the vet’s where he was kept in overnight.

An RSPCA Inspector said, “These pellets may be tiny but can do so much internal damage and perhaps people who shoot animals do not realise the suffering they are causing.”