Rock veterans Iron Maiden have launched their own beer.
The band teamed up with Stockport brewer Robinsons to create real ale Trooper, named after one of their most popular songs.
Lead singer Bruce Dickinson helped develop the flavour of the 4.8 per cent strength beer with several visits to the firm.
He said: “I’m a life-long fan of traditional English ale. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven when we were asked to create our own beer.” (AP)
Sumatran tiger mauls young farmer
A rare Sumatran tiger has mauled a farmer to death on Indonesia’s Sumatra island, prompting terrified villagers to call for the animal to be killed. The same animal is suspected of attacking five other people.
An official at Batang Gadis National Park said 32-year-old Karman Lubis was killed while working near the park in North Sumatra province. His body was found less than a kilometre from the plantation. Fearful farmers have asked authorities to shoot the tiger which is protected by law. The local government plans to try to trap and relocate it.
Indonesia is home to some 400 Sumatran tigers, which are on the brink of extinction. The World Wildlife Fund says their numbers have dwindled to about 400, down from about 1,000 in the 1970s. (AP)
Library book returned 69 years late
An Estonian man has returned a library book after 69 years, partly blaming a World War II bombing that damaged the library for the late return.
Tallinn Central Library said the man in his mid-80s returned the book – which was checked out on March 7 1944, while Estonia was occupied by Nazi Germany – along with an apology and an offer to pay a fine.
But the library waived any penalty for the novel by Estonian author Eduard Vilde. (PA)
5.5 metre deep sinkhole swallows golfer
Golfer Mark Mihal is recovering after a sinkhole opened up beneath him on the fairway at the 14th hole of an Illinois golf course.
The pit was 5.5 metres deep and 3.1 metres wide. The 43-year-old was lifted to safety suffering from a disloc-ated shoulder.
He said he still considers the course one of his favourites, but is having second thoughts about returning. (PA)
‘Batman’s butler’ turns 80 today
Sir Michael Caine, who has been nominated for an Oscar for films made in each decade from the 1960s up to the 2010s, turns 80 today.
Sir Michael, one of Britain’s most famous actors, got a birthday present last week when he was made a freeman of the City of London. That was the latest honour for the man who became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, appearing in more than 100 films and winning two Academy Awards.
The south-Londoner got his big break when he played Lieutenant Bromhead in the 1964 war epic Zulu. He was reportedly disliked by studio executives and vomited with nerves on seeing the rushes. However, he has not let up in his later years, continuing to star in some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters including Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. (AP)