■ Venezuela
New Zeppelin launched
A Zeppelin was launched on Thursday to patrol Caracas, seeking to fight crime in one of Latin America's most dangerous cities but also raising fears that President Hugo Chavez could be turning into Big Brother. Around the hot-dog stalls of the run-down suburb where the airship took its first flight, most people felt the unmanned eye-in-the-sky could help counter routine hold-ups, shootings and carjackings. "It is a necessity," said street vendor Pedro Marin when asked about the 15m helium-filled blimp. Police will be able to control the blimps remotely, steering them over the city.
■ Canada
Racism shocks couch buyer
Doris Moore was shocked when her new couch was delivered to her Toronto home with a label that used a racial slur to describe the dark brown shade of the upholstery. The situation was even more alarming for Moore because it was her seven-year-old daughter who pointed out "nigger brown" on the tag. "My daughter saw the label and she knew the color brown, but didn't know what the other word meant. She asked: `Mommy, what color is that?' I was stunned. I didn't know what to say. I never thought that's how she'd learn of that word,'' Moore said. The mother complained to the furniture store, which blamed the supplier, who pointed to a computer problem as the source of the derogatory label. Kingsoft Corp, a Chinese software company, acknowledged its translation program was at fault and said it was a regrettable error.
■ United States
Mystery beasts roam Ohio
Wildlife experts haven't been able to positively identify at least three animals spotted roaming the woods in Chester Township, about 32km east of Cleveland, over the past few months. "We're not exactly sure what they are," said Allen Lea of the Ohio Division of Wildlife, which has reviewed photos taken by a resident. "But they're definitely not a native species. They're not where they belong." Police have received calls from residents offering varying descriptions. Sergeant Debbie Davis said her Internet searches have failed to identify the "half deer, half ram" she has seen while on patrol.
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