British Airways is aiming to become everyone’s pet airline by introducing an in-flight entertainment channel featuring cute cats and dogs.
Entitled Paws & Relax, the channel is being launched on BA’s long-haul flights next month and will include cartoons, as well as cats and dogs at play.
BA’s in-flight entertainment manager, Richard D’Cruze, said: “It might sound barking, but there’s lots of research to suggest that watching pets can enhance overall well-being.”
Fox crashes through hospital roof
Hearing scuttling sounds across the ceiling when lying in bed is enough to unsettle even the bravest adult.
But for eight youngsters laid up in hospital the experience was made even scarier when a fox crashed through the ceiling into the children’s ward where they were staying.
The animal had crept into North Middlesex University Hospital during building work and was roaming around in a space above the inpatient paediatric ward when it crashed down into a staff area, a hospital spokesman confirmed.
He said that, although the animal fell into the children’s ward, no patients were disturbed by the incident.
Research into sea lion whiskers
A zookeeper in Blackpool has been awarded a masters’ degree for her research into sea lion whiskers, the BBC reports.
Liverpool-born Alyx Milne combined her work as an animal trainer/presenter at Blackpool Zoo with her studies at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Her dissertation on the motor neuron abilities of sea lions’ whiskers earned her a distinction from the university.
The 27-year-old said the animal’s whiskers are very sensitive and can help them to find fish. She said their whiskers pick up vibrations in the water and air, leading them to food.
Seagal’s concert raises eyebrows
American actor Steven Seagal has reportedly performed at a concert in the breakaway region of Crimea on a stage decorated with the flag of pro-Russian separatists fighting in eastern Ukraine.
Seagal, who knows Russian President Vladimir Putin, apparently performed in the Black Sea port city of Sevastopol at a concert organised by a motorcycle gang of Russian nationalists known as the Night Wolves. Russia annexed the Ukrainian region in March.
Reports claim that Seagal was then handed a shirt with Putin’s face on it, which he held aloft as he thanked the crowd.
Bagpipes seized in red tape saga
The US Fish and Wildlife Service is reviewing its rules about ivory imports after two teenage bagpipers from New Hampshire had their instruments seized at the Canadian border.
The discord started when Campbell Webster and Eryk Bean were driving back from Canada after a competition that served as a tune-up for the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow.
Because they crossed at Highgate Springs, Vermont, a “non-designated” crossing, they needed extra permits and inspection fees totalling $576. They did not have the paperwork and the pipes were confiscated. The boys eventually got their instruments back.
Post office full to the top with mail
The post office at the small college where the Pittsburgh Steelers hold training camps has been swamped with mail since wide receiver Antonio Brown vowed on Facebook to autograph anything fans send him.
Brown posted the message on July 28 saying: “If I don’t get a chance to sign something for you at camp just send info to me.” Now Brown’s room is “full to the top with mail”, he told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, which first reported the promise. And Maria Schifano, assistant manager of the post office, said it is still pouring in.