NAME MOCKED
A New Zealand television host whose comments about an Indian official sparked a diplomatic protest of racism from India has resigned from his job.
Controversial presenter Paul Henry resigned from state broadcaster Television New Zealand after he caused official complaints over mocking the last name of New Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
Giggling uncontrollably, Mr Henry repeatedly mocked the last name of Chief Minister Dikshit on the breakfast show. He also called her name "so appropriate because she's Indian".
ANGER MANAGEMENT
TV licence fee staff have been issued with a manual advising that customers who use the words "idiots", "shambles" or "useless" are likely to be making a complaint.
Other indications that a viewer may be unhappy include use of capital letters or the phrases, "When will you people listen?", "Who do you think you are?" and "Sort yourselves out!"
The 964-page official handbook, which was released following a Freedom of Information request, also reveals quirks in the rules about who needs a licence - the Queen, prisoners and diplomats do not, but all other Royals and prison officers who live in the grounds of a jail do.
CAR-SIZED PUMPKIN
A giant pumpkin failed to become a world-beater when it weighed in more than 200lb (90kg) short of the target.
The vegetable, which is the size of a small car, beat the British record when it was put on the scales, reaching 1,504lb (682kg), but it could not reach the world record weight of 1,725lb (782kg) set by a US pumpkin or the European record.
Twin brothers Ian and Stuart Paton, 49, reared the monster at their nursery in Lymington, Hampshire.
CAT CRUELTY
Two women were cited for animal cruelty in the US state of Vermont after police found 77 cats living in two cars.
Prosecutors will consider whether to upgrade the civil citations to criminal charges against 54-year-old Regina Millard and 61-year-old Bertha Ryan. Police said one of the cats was found dead in the boot of one of the cars.
Bennington police chief Paul Doucette said the women owned two of the cats and were apparently looking for homes for the rest.
ASKING FOR TROUBLE
Police in the US arrested a woman after she flagged an officer down and asked if there were any warrants out for her arrest.
After police officer Dan Lyons informed 44-year-old Selma Elmore she did have an outstanding warrant, the woman ran off. The chase ended when Elmore pushed Mr Lyons into a building, injuring his elbow.
Other officers responding to a call for backup later apprehended the woman in Cincinnati, Ohio. Elmore, wanted for allegedly failing to pay a fine as a result of a drug conviction, now faces a charge of resisting arrest.
ROBBER CLOBBERED
A US funeral home owner said his daughter drove off an armed man during a robbery of the family business by throwing empty urns at his head.
Police said 32-year-old Teresa Mayes was opening Mayes Family Services in Morristown, Tennessee, on Friday morning and found a man armed with a knife waiting for her.
Her father, Buddy Mayes, said the robber demanded money and she responded by throwing urns from a display. He said one of them obviously landed because the urn was smashed.The man got away with some cash, but his daughter was not injured.