In this photo released by Gerry Charlebois of Birds in Paradise Flight School, a humpback whale is seen in the waters off the Hawaiian island of Kauai.
Whale experts believe the sick whale spotted off Kauai last week may be suffering from scoliosis or curvature of the spine.
It’s a rare disorder but scientists say they have seen it in other marine mammals like dolphins.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s marine mammal response coordinator, David Schofield, says the may have been born with the condition.
Wrong embryo mother
A US woman who gave birth to another woman’s baby after a getting the wrong embryo implanted by a fertility clinic says she can accept not having any more children.
Carolyn Savage said in a Dateline NBC interview that she has no regrets about carrying the baby boy and giving him to his biological parents, who live in Michigan, after giving birth in September 2009.
Ms Savage and her husband live in the Toledo suburb of Sylvania with their three children, and she said: “We’re to a point now that if we don’t have any more children, I think we’re good.”
The Savages have written about their experience in an upcoming book, Inconceivable. (PA)
‘I’ll be back’ – Schwarzenegger
After seven years in the California governor’s mansion, Arnold Schwarzenegger is returning to his old day job: acting.
Schwarzenegger wrote on Twitter that he is ready to start considering film roles again.
The former governor tweeted: “Exciting news. My friends at CAA have been asking me for seven years when they can take offers seriously. Gave them the green light today.”
Creative Artists Agency is a leading Hollywood talent agency.
Schwarzenegger’s personal aide, Daniel Ketchell, confirmed the tweet. (PA)
Life for killer trapped by phone
A US man convicted of killing his wife in a crime that was recorded because he had accidentally called her mobile phone has been sentenced to life in prison.
A Florida judge sentenced 45-year-old Ronald Earl Williams. A jury had found him guilty of second-degree murder.
Prosecutors had been seeking a first-degree murder conviction and a possible death sentence.
Prosecutors said Williams activated his mobile phone, which then called his wife’s mobile phone while he was killing her.
Voicemail recorded Williams saying he was going to kill her, followed by 31-year-old Mariama Williams’ terrified screams.
The defence acknowledged that Williams killed his wife but argued that it was not premeditated. (PA)
More Muslims ‘good for UK’
The sister-in-law of former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair today said a rise in the number of Muslims in Britain would be “good for the country”.
Journalist Lauren Booth – sister of Mr Blair’s wife Cherie – converted to Islam last year.
And she told a conference in Colchester, Essex, that since becoming a Muslim she was a “better worker” and a “better mother” to her two daughters.
She told the University of Essex’s annual Islamic Conference that Britons were “seeking not to be afraid” of Muslims and wanted Muslims “to be happy”.
Ms Booth was asked how Mr and Mrs Blair had reacted to her conversation.
“My sister... recognises that it is a great faith that people follow,” she said. “Tony Blair is Tony Blair.” (PA)
Racehorses die in freak incident
Two horses collapsed and died after apparently being electrocuted in a freak incident at Newbury racecourse in the UK yesterday.
The meeting had to be abandoned after Fenix Two and Marching Song were killed as a result of what is believed to have been an electric shock emanating from underneath the paddock.
A further two horses were seen to “wobble” and a lead rein on one of the dead animals was rumoured to have shown traces of burning.
The racing was cancelled after the first run due to health and safety concerns.
Newbury chairman Christopher Spence said: “It’s a nightmare for everybody. We can’t be certain what it is, we all think it’s electric, but we don’t know.” (PA)