Hip-hop star Wyclef Jean has been released from a hospital in Haiti after being treated for a gunshot wound to his hand, his spokesman said.
Joe Mignon, senior programme director for Jean’s Yele Foundation, said the star was shot in the hand after late on Saturday in Delmas, just outside the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince.
Mr Jean’s brother Samuel confirmed the musician was shot. Neither he nor Mr Mignon had additional details.
The shooting came on the eve of presidential elections in Haiti. Mr Jean is supporting fellow musician Michel Martelly. (PA)
Left overs
A false leg, a week’s worth of shopping and 200 jars of jam are among items that have been left in cars.
An ATM cashpoint machine even turned up in a vehicle that was stolen and then involved in a robbery, according to insurance company Churchill.
Other items discovered in vehicles when they have been recovered after an accident included a wedding ring and secret documents found in a diplomat’s car. (PA)
Pets’ warning
North Korea advised its citizens yesterday to use their pets as an early-warning system for earthquakes, amid heightened fears following Japan’s quake-tsunami disaster.
While Pyongyang has also told North Koreans about the technology it has in place to anticipate disasters, state media urged the public to take note when animals behave oddly.
The Sunday edition of Rodong Sinmun, a newspaper of the North’s ruling party, and a report from the official Korean Central News Agency warned that people should beware if they see dogs barking incessantly, cattle refusing to eat or horses constantly trying to storm out of stables.
It is thought that low-frequency electromagnetic signals may cause animals to behave unusually before an earthquake. (AFP)
Sausage status
A famously coiled British sausage has joined Parma ham and champagne in having its name protected across Europe after being granted special status, the UK government has said.
The Cumberland sausage, produced in the north-west county of Cumbria since the 16th century, has gained Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, meaning only sausages made to strict standards will be able to carry the coveted EU logo.
The regional delicacy will have to be produced, processed and prepared in Cumbria, contain at least 80 per cent meat and be at least 20 millimetres thick to display the PGI mark.
The coarse-textured banger is the 44th British food and drink product to have its name protected throughout Europe, joining products such as Cornish clotted cream and Stilton cheese. (AFP)
Depressed worker
A top manager for design house Elie Tahari is demanding $2 million for “anguish” and “depression” he says was caused by driving to sadly unstylish New Jersey on a weekly basis.
Thomas Horodecki, who works as a manager for Tahari’s Saks Fifth Avenue shop, alleges his supervisor, Sagit Halperin, forced him to travel to New Jersey at least once a week as part of his assignment to co-ordinate six retailers there.
“It was depressing driving to Jersey,” Mr Horodecki said. “New York City has everything when it comes to fashion, especially Saks. And when it comes to styling, let’s just say Jersey is difficult. Fashion it is not!” (PA)
Dream holidays
Holidaymakers have high expectations of just where their travels will take them in the near future, according to a survey.
As many as eleven per cent believed that holidays to the moon will be possible by 2020, the survey by online travel agent www.sunshine.co.uk found.
And 16 per cent reckoned a Channel Tunnel-style rail link between the UK and the US could be installed by 2020. (PA)
Space for Kate
Britain will grind to a halt next month for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, but in one London pub, the Windsor Castle bar, Kate faces severe competition to find a spot among the enamel plates featuring Princess Diana and the commemorative nicknacks which completely cover the walls and ceiling.
“I’ve got some memorabilia on its way,” said Edward Wheeler, the barman. “I’ve already been promised some plates.”
But glancing up at the packed walls, the 64-year-old admits it will take some planning to squeeze in the latest addition to the royal family.
This veritable mini-museum of royal memorabilia in Marylebone traces the royal line from the present day back to Queen Victoria’s reign which dominated 19th century Britain. (AFP)
Massive marathoner
A 28 stone 13lb American sumo wrestler is trying to officially become the heaviest person ever to finish a marathon.
Kelly Gneiting is said to have completed the Los Angeles Marathon in 2008 in 12 hours, but didn’t alert Guinness.Now he’s taking part in another LA marathon, and plans to have it certified by the world-record keepers. (PA)