A drawing being mocked as the world's worst e-fit sketch has helped Bolivian police track down a murder suspect.
The picture was released in the South American country following the savage slaying of taxi driver Rafael Vargas.
It was reportedly drawn by a female witness after what police think could be a drug-related killing or a crime of passion.
Bloggers compared the e-fit's egg-shaped face, crudely-drawn features and straw-like hair to the Wizard of Oz's scarecrow, Ninemsn website said.
Mr Vargas' burnt body was found in March with 11 stab wounds. A man had reportedly threatened the victim at his home months before the murder.
Mr Vargas was allegedly accused of having an affair with the aggressor's wife and warned: "You're going to die and you don't know how."
Despite the e-fit being widely ridiculed - along with a video of a Bolivian newsreader soberly appealing for information with the sketch, which has become an internet hit - police have arrested a man over the killing. (AFP)
Love it or hate it but don't steal it
A petrol station manager has been forced to keep his Marmite supplies behind the counter after a spate of thefts of the spread.
The Spar shop at the Northamptonshire petrol station was targeted by a thief who struck several times, each time stealing nothing but a number of jars of Marmite, forecourt manager Jim Keary said.
Mr Keary, 54, from Northampton, has decided to re-stock the spread at the Shell garage in Kingsthorpe after losing £50 from the thefts -but this time will only serve it from behind the till.
"People come in and nick sandwiches and alcohol but Marmite's a strange thing to steal," he said. "We may put it back on the shelves eventually to see what happens." (PA)
China executes two for tainted milk scandal
China yesterday executed two people for their role in a tainted milk scandal that killed at least six children and further sullied the made-in-China brand.
Nearly 300,000 children fell ill last year after drinking milk intentionally laced with melamine, a toxic industrial compound that can give a fake positive on protein tests, sold mainly by the now bankrupt Sanlu Group.
A total of 21 Sanlu executives and middlemen were tried and sentenced in January by a court in the northern city of Shijiazhuang for their involvement in the case.
The official Xinhua news agency, citing a court statement, said Zhang Yujun was executed "for the crime of endangering public safety by dangerous means," while Geng Jinping was convicted of producing and selling toxic food. (Reuters)
Elderly gamblers detained
Police in Cyprus detained dozens of elderly women for gambling, a popular but banned past-time on the east Mediterranean island.
Police alerted by neighbours found 42 women playing poker and gin rummy at a venue in the coastal town of Limassol. Most were aged between 75 and 85, with the eldest 95.
"They were charged with gambling and released," a police spokesman said. (Reuters)
Don't kiss Santa, he may have the flu
Santa Claus should avoid kissing children and shaking their hands to prevent spreading the flu and should get vaccinated against the illness, Hungary's state health authority said.
In a recommendation issued over the weekend and posted on its official website www.antsz.hu, the authority did not ban traditional Santa Claus activities but warned of increased risks of contagion due to a nationwide flu epidemic.
In Hungary, Santa Claus traditionally comes on December 6, when children find gifts in shoes placed on window sills the night before. (Reuters)
Hotel chain to babysit mother-in-laws
A hotel chain offered yesterday to take some of the stress out of Christmas this year with a special room rate in Britain for mother-in-laws.
Families wanting to defuse possible tension in the household this festive season can check their mother-in-law into a Holiday Inn for a 25 percent discount, the hotel chain said.
The rate will be offered between December 23 and 29 for mother-in-laws staying at one of the 194 Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Express hotels in Britain, it said. (AFP)