■ United Kindom
Longevity preferred to sex
A large number of Britons would be prepared to give up sex if it meant they would live to be 100, according to a survey yesterday. The Mori research found that 40 percent would pass on the passion for longevity, although far more women (48 percent) were willing to make the sacrifice than men (31 percent). However nearly all (94 percent) would not give up their friends or family in order to reach their century while a half thought scientists should keep trying to prolong people's lifespans. Private health care provider BUPA commissioned the survey as part of a debate on the aging population.
■ Canada
Package still a mystery
An investigation into the origins of a suspicious package found on an Air India flight this week has stumped police, now forced to enlist help from British and Indian authorities, officials said on Thursday. Air India Flight 188 was ordered back to the Toronto airport late on Monday after a passenger found the package in the aircraft's bathroom about an hour after takeoff, police said. "We're still trying to determine how the package got onboard with all the security measures in place," Constable Jennifer Bryer said. "And, we're contacting other agencies in Britain and India to assist in the investigation."
■ United States
Town set to disappear
Within days, the tiny town of Elkport will be wiped off the map. It is rare that a 150-year-old community disappears, but the heavy rains that caused Elk Creek to swell and breach its dike in May 2004 were anything but ordinary. Within hours, the northeast Iowa town was consumed by floodwaters that left homes under as much as 4.6m of water, prompting a disaster declaration by President George W. Bush. The northeast Iowa town has been deserted ever since. Despite efforts to mow lawns, keep weeds down and fly the American flag at the community center, Elkport has the feel of a ghost town. Workers prepared structures for demolition this week.
■ Canada
Blueberry patch pinched
Thieves stole an entire blueberry patch, or 20,000 bushes worth about C$75,000 (US$65,000), amid skyrocketing berry prices, police said on Thursday. The bandits struck overnight earlier this week and left a "large mess in the field," Constable Casey Vinet of the Abbotsford police in British Columbia province said on Thursday. The farmer had the blueberry bushes delivered and intended to have them planted, but when his laborers showed up, the plants were gone, he said. "I've been here 13 years and it's the first time I've ever heard of blueberries being stolen," Vinet said. "Sometimes folks are caught stealing a few stalks of corn for personal use, but never an entire field."
■ South Africa
Unions back Zuma
The main labor federation demanded yesterday that Jacob Zuma be reinstated as the country's deputy president after a judge threw out a graft case against the veteran leader. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), a key ally of the ruling African National Congress party, also said all charges against the former leader, who was sacked last year, should be scrapped "once and for all." "The COSATU ... has reiterated its earlier demand for all charges to be permanently dropped," spokesman Patrick Craven said.
RSS