The Black Widow has been outeaten: two-time defending champion Sonya Thomas (left) has lost her hot dog eating title to 28-year-old Miki Sudo (right) of Las Vegas, who wolfed down 34 franks and buns in 10 minutes to win the women's division of the annual Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island.
The 47-year-old Thomas, from South Korea but who now lives in Alexandria, Virginia, was only able to devour 27 complete hot dogs and buns. She ate a record 45 dogs and buns last year. (Reuters)
Ground in the Highlands shakes
An earthquake has caused houses in an area of the Highlands to ‘rattle and shake’.
The 2.9-magnitude tremor was recorded just outside Fort William at around 6.30pm on Thursday. The British Geological Survey (BGS) received around 200 reports of the incident from people in the town and surrounding areas, including Spean Bridge and Kinlochleven.
It is the strongest recent earthquake felt in the area, with the islands of Arran, Jura and Islay experiencing minor tremors in the last few weeks. A statement on the BGS website said: “Most people described the shaking strength of the earthquake to be moderate with a trembling effect, and described the sound strength as moderate to loud. Many reports stated that windows rattled.” (PA)
Pet nearly dies after poisonous bite
Dog owners are being urged to stay vigilant after a much-loved family pet nearly died when it was bitten by a poisonous snake.
The mouth of Cookie, the eight-year-old greyhound bitch, swelled up to the size of a tennis ball after she was struck on the snout by an adder at Cannock Chase, a Staffordshire beauty spot. Owner Lynn Pallatina said Cookie was lucky to be alive, after vets managed to get anti-venom into the dog.
Cookie is now recovering at home with her owner in Hednesford, but Pallatina said there was still a chance the venomous bite had caused permanent damage to the dog’s organs. “Cookie has been incredibly lucky,” she said. (PA)
Letter delivered 83 years later
A letter written by a US school teacher in 1931 to her mother 150 miles away has finally been delivered – 83 years later.
Twenty-three-year-old Miriam McMichael sent the nine-page letter from Houlton in Maine to Dollena McMichael in Pittsfield. Both women have since died.
The letter was lost and only recently found at the Pittsfield post office. The postmaster and town officials tracked down the family, and the letter is now in the hands of 69-year-old Ann McMichael, of Cornville, Miriam’s niece and Dollena’s granddaughter. The spelling of the family name has changed. (PA)
Yoga may tackle violence
In one of Chicago’s most dangerous neighbourhoods, a small group is trying a new tactic to curb the violence: teaching yoga.
A non-profit organisation called I Grow Chicago is offering yoga classes on the street in Englewood. Teacher Tameka Lawson says yoga’s meditative focus could help cooler heads prevail the next time violence or vengeance looms.
The idea has also caught the attention of police. At least one officer has made Lawson’s class part of an anti-violence programme for at-risk young people. (PA)
Robber tries to flee on kayak
Police used a boat to catch a burglary suspect who made his getaway in a kayak in southern Minnesota.
The 31-year-old man from Austin, Minnesota, was arrested as he tried to the kayak away from a restaurant with allegedly stolen items.
Police got a fire department boat and, with a firefighter driving, were able to catch the kayaker. Authorities recovered cleaning supplies and lighters apparently taken from the restaurant. (PA)