New Philippine President Benigno Aquino has groused over the spartan feel of his chosen official residence, likening it to a “prison”.
The 50 year-old bachelor said he moved into the optimistically named Dream House, a small bungalow that had been used by special guests of previous presidents, after rejecting the nearby Malacanang palace as too big.
“It felt like being in a prison cell,” said Mr Aquino, who comes from a wealthy background. His official one-bedroom house is located inside the headquarters of the presidential security force. He now uses a boat to cross the polluted and foul-smelling Pasig River to reach his office at Malacanang palace, just five minutes away. (AFP)
More people ‘dying alone’
More people are dying alone and lonely each year, UK figures suggested yesterday.
Councils across England and Wales spent £1.56 million last year providing about 2,200 public health funerals, up from £1.46 million the previous year, according the Local Government Association.
David Rogers, of the LGA, said: “These tragic figures speak for themselves. People, mostly elderly, are dying around us with no family or friends nearby to care for them. It is a sad fact that there are thousands of people across the country with no family or friends to arrange, attend or pay for their funeral... Our ageing population is growing rapidly and so is the worrying picture of isolation and loneliness across the country.
“Though little known, providing a funeral with the respect and dignity that people deserve is just one of the services that people in need can rely on their council for,” he added. (PA)
Naked rollercoaster record bid
From bare chests to white knuckles - more than 100 thrill-seekers rode a rollercoaster naked yesterday.
The 102 enthusiasts bared all to take their seats on the Green Scream rollercoaster at Southend-on-Sea, Essex.
Organisers were hoping they had broken a new record after 32 attempted the same feat in 2004 at Alton Towers, in Staffordshire. Event organiser Tracy Jones said the rollercoaster ran three times to accommodate the bumper crowd of nudes. The ride took place at Adventure Island, raising money for Southend Hospital Charitable Foundation’s Bosom Pals Appeal.
Adventure Island boss Philip Miller said: “People have travelled from all over the UK to take part and we’ve heard some amazing stories from so many who have been directly, or indirectly, affected by cancer and wanted to give something back.” (PA)
Lehman artwork under the hammer
Artwork which once adorned the walls of collapsed investment bank Lehman Brothers will go under the hammer next month in a £2 million sale.
PricewaterhouseCoopers will hold the auction at Christie’s on September 29, days after the second anniversary of the bankruptcy which almost triggered a global financial meltdown.
Works by artists including Lucien Freud and Gary Hume will all be up for sale to the highest bidder in the auction.
The sale of the works will however raise a miniscule sum compared with the $613 billion in debts held by Lehman when it collapsed. (PA)
Gun-totting groom kills father
A groom in Turkey has killed his father and two aunts after opening fire into the air with an automatic weapon to celebrate his wedding.
The state-run Anatolia news agency says eight other relatives were injured during yesterday’s celebration in the south-eastern province of Gaziantep.
It says the groom lost control of the weapon and accidentally aimed at guests. He was arrested. (PA)
‘Doughnut’ ride man in propeller horror
A man was seriously injured after being thrown from a rubber ring pulled by a speedboat and struck by the vessel’s propeller.
The man was riding the doughnut in the Aberdovey Estuary, Wales, yesterday when he fell out. He was hit when the boat returned to rescue him and suffered serious gashes to his lower back and legs, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said.
The four occupants of the boat managed to get the man on board and the RNLI towed them back to the beach. They were met by an ambulance and and the victim received medical attention before being airlifted to hospital by an RAF Rescue Helicopter. (PA)