A man has been jailed after a bid to steal a rhino head worth up to £500,000 (€617,000) was foiled by museum staff and visitors. Patrick Kiely, 29, of Eleanor Street, Bow, east London, admitted attempted theft at Norwich Crown Court.
Prosecutor Peter Gair told the court Kiely was one of a gang of four who smashed a glass case as they attempted to steal the artefact from Castle Museum, Norwich, on February 20. They targeted the head because of the high value of rhino horns, which are used as an aphrodisiac.
Nostalgia has a warm glow
Feeling nostalgic about days gone by can make us feel warmer, new research suggests.
The study investigated the effects of nostalgic feelings on reaction to cold and the perception of warmth.
The volunteers, from universities in China and The Netherlands, took part in one of five studies.
Dr Tim Wildschut, senior lecturer at the University of Southampton and co-author of the study, said: “Our study has shown that nostalgia serves a homeostatic function, allowing the mental simulation of previously enjoyed states, including states of bodily comfort; in this case making us feel warmer or increasing our tolerance of cold.”
Hymn book for auction
Members of one of America’s oldest churches have voted to auction a 372-year-old hymn book expected to fetch up to $20,000,000 (€15,310,000).
The Old South Church in Boston authorised the sale of one of its two copies of the Bay Psalm Book, which was published in 1640. It is among the first books published in North America, and only 11 copies remain. Trustees said the church wanted to continue growing its endowment and take care of some “critical capital needs”.
Emu detained
An escaped emu was detained by police after it was spotted walking through a town during rush-hour.
Devon and Cornwall Police were called to Barnstaple in north Devon after the four-foot bird was seen on St George’s Road, near Pilton Park. Acting Sergeant Zoe Parnell and PCSO Stephen Huxtable found the emu in nearby Riddell Avenue.