There are fears a ghost ship full of diseased cannibal rats could be about to crash into the coast of Devon or Cornwall, the Western Morning News reports.
The abandoned Lyubov Orlova has been missing since it cut adrift while being towed from Canada nearly a year ago. Coastguards fear the 40-year-old liner has been driven across the Atlantic by high winds and is now close to the UK shore.
Based on emergency beacons activated last year aboard the ship, it is feared the 40-year-old Yugoslavian liner registered to Russia could now crash into the shore of Devon, Cornwall, Ireland or Scotland. Those searching for the ship say there are likely to be thousands of disease-ridden rats on board with no source of food except each other. (PA)
Sun ‘cuts blood pressure’
Exposing skin to sunlight may help to reduce blood pressure and cut the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Research carried out at the universities of Southampton and Edinburgh shows that sunlight alters levels of the small messenger molecule, nitric oxide (NO), in the skin and blood, reducing blood pressure.
Martin Feelisch, professor of experimental medicine, said: “NO, along with its breakdown products, known to be abundant in skin, is involved in the regulation of blood pressure. When exposed to sunlight, small amounts of NO are transferred from the skin to the circulation, lowering blood vessel tone; as blood pressure drops, so does the risk of heart attack and stroke.”
While limiting sunlight exposure is important to prevent skin cancer, the study suggests that minimising exposure may be disadvantageous by increasing the risk of conditions related to cardiovascular disease. (PA)
Fan calls Sir Alex on 999
A drunken Manchester United supporter dialled 999 to “report a crime” and demanded to speak to Sir Alex Ferguson moments after his team’s shock defeat in the league cup.
Greater Manchester Police received the emergency call at 10.30pm on Wednesday night just after the final whistle, when United were knocked out of the Capital One Cup by Sunderland, who won 2-1 on penalties after extra time. In an audio clip the supporter asks to speak to the Red Devils’ former boss to discuss the “total and utter rubbish” result. When told it would not be possible to speak to Sir Alex, he said he was calling 999 to report the crime of his team being “completely knackered”.
Sir Alex managed Manchester United from 1986 until he retired last May. During his 26 years at the club, he won 38 trophies, including the European Cup, 13 Premier Leagues and two Uefa Champions League titles. (PA)
Fry ideal holiday companion ion
Broadcaster Stephen Fry has been named Britain’s ideal holiday companion.
The QI presenter – who has hosted a number of travel documentaries – jetted ahead of other TV travellers such as Michael Palin and Joanna Lumley in the poll for RadioTimes.com.
Second place in the search for a perfect getaway friend went to David Beckham. Palin – soon to rejoin Monty Python for a series of shows to be staged this year – was third. Jade Bremner, Radio Times travel editor, said: “I’m not surprised at all, Stephen Fry is a born traveller. (PA)
and would charm the pants off anyone you’d meet on your trip. The last thing you want when you’re travelling is to be stuck with someone who can’t laugh when things, often inevitably, go wrong.”