A bizarre, psychedelic fish that bounces on the ocean floor like a rubber ball has been classified as a new species, according to a scientific journal.
The frogfish - which has a swirl of tan and peach zebra stripes that extend from its aqua eyes to its tail - was first discovered by scuba diving instructors off Ambon island in eastern Indonesia.
They contacted Ted Pietsch from the University of Washington, who submitted DNA work on the fish to the journal Copeia this month. The fish - which the University of Washington professor has named 'psychedelica' - is a frogfish of the genus, Histiophryne. The fish's stripes were probably intended to mimic coral.
It has fins on both sides of its body that have evolved to be leg-like. But it has several behavioral traits not previously known to other frogfish, Professor Pietsch said.
Each time the fish strike the seabed, for instance, they push off with their fins and expel water from tiny gill openings to jet themselves forward. Coupled with an off-centered tail, it causes them to bounce around in a bizarre, chaotic manner. Mark Erdman, a senior adviser to the Conservation International's marine program, said it was an exciting discovery.
'I think people thought frogfishes were relatively well known and to get a new one like this is really quiet spectacular. It's a stunning animal,' he said.
'It also speaks to the tremendous diversity in this region and to fact that there are still a lot of unknowns here - in Indonesia and in the Coral Triangle in general.'
The fish, which has a gelatinous fist-sized body covered with thick folds of skin that protect it from sharp-edged corals, also has a flat face with eyes directed forward, like humans, and a huge, yawning mouth.
Two hotel chefs today claimed to have toppled the record for the world's tallest pancake stack.
Sean McGinlay and Natalie King of Glasgow's Hilton Grosvenor hotel measured their pancake tower at 29.5 inches (75cm) - beating the current title by 0.4in.
The chefs mixed about 100 eggs, more than 17 pints of milk, 11lbs of flour and 6.6lbs of butter for the challenge, a hotel spokeswoman said.
The hotel's general manager Stuart Nelson said: 'It was a bit shaky towards the end but somehow we managed to pull it off.
'Special thanks must go to Sean McGinlay and the kitchen team, who have spent a great deal of time this week perfecting their pancake recipes and stacking techniques.'
According to Guinness World Records, the current official record stands at 29.1in (74cm), achieved in Slovenia in August 2008.
It seems like only yesterday every film to hit the big screen contained a compulsory parkour sequence. Maybe now, though, the French-born art of movement (l’art du déplacement) is going back where it belongs – to its roots, to the streets. But there’s a reason why parkour became such a craze so quickly. With stripped-down simplicity, and no props necessary, it’s the ultimate activity for rewarding a heightened awareness of the spaces and environments we inhabit. Or not, as the case may be. When it’s executed well, parkour is like the archetypal poetry in motion, its practitioners exercising sublime balance and athleticism as they overcome obstacles with efficient ease. On the other hand, when it goes wrong it shows us up for the supremely bungling apes we are. Now, we sincerely hope for the sake of the guy performing a face plant here that this video is a stunt – and parkour traceurs may contest that it’s very bad example of their art – but sometimes you’ve just got to marvel at the folly of urban life.
Of all the flukes seen on a golf course, greenkeeper Richard Mitchell can claim one of the strangest.
As he took his chainsaw to a leylandii tree, he hit the exact spot where a ball was embedded in the wood and sliced through it.
The ball apparently lodged in a fork of the tree many years ago when a golfer hooked a drive on the first tee. The conifer grew around the ball and it remained hidden in the screen of 15 trees. Trimmed, sanded and varnished, it is to become a rather unusual trophy board at Eaton Golf Club in Norwich.
Mr Mitchell discovered the ball last month after he felled the 40ft trees, planted 37 years ago, and began cutting the timber into 4ft lengths for firewood.
The piece of wood with the half ball visible is being preserved and varnished by former club captain Jim Cook who is a skilled woodworker.
It will then be kept behind the bar and used to record the names of everyone who gets a hole-in-one on the 198-yard ninth hole. Peter Johns, the manager of the £675-a-year club, said: 'It is just an incredible find.
'We think it came off the first tee. It must have lodged in a fork or embedded itself in the trunk and the tree grew round it.
'If Richard had cut the trunk an inch or two either way we'd never have known it was there.'
Jaws outstretched, this hungry hippopotamus seems to have found an easy target.
But with extraordinary skill, the wildebeest appears to outmanoeuvre his 3,300lb attacker at the very last moment.
However the stricken animal is frozen by fear in the next picture as the hippo catches it and bites it on the rear. Although the wildebeest looks doomed it apparently escaped the attack which took place on the banks of the Mara river in the Masai Mara game reserve, Kenya.
The hippo would not have been attempting to satisfy its hunger as they are in fact vegetarians.
It is much more likely the grumpy-looking beast was angry that its territory had been encroached.
The wildebeest is one of 1.5 million on the final stretch of their migration south from Tanzania in search of fresh grazing.
What is this? Get a graffiti artist week? In the space of seven days, one of the world’s most famous street artists has been in various brushes with the law. Late last week, Shepard Fairey, creator of the ‘Hope’ portrait of Barack Obama that showed up everywhere in the election campaign, was arrested in Boston. The charges of vandalism relate to Fairey’s earlier, equally iconic work, the ubiquitous ‘Obey’ street art campaign. The arrest came just days after Fairey was in the headlines for allegedly illegally using a photo of Obama owned by the Associated Press.
Not keeping the peace: ‘Obey’-based Fairey piece in Boston Fairey was arrested on the graffiti charges while on his way to Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art for the opening night of his first major museum exhibition in the US last Friday. He is suspected of damaging property with graffiti derived from the ‘Obey’ street art imagery, and one of the warrants dates back to 2000.
From street art campaigns… Stickers and stencils of the ‘Obey’ design, which show an image of famed professional wrestler Andre the Giant, began to appear in major cities in the US and beyond in the 80s and 90s. With no clear political message, ‘Obey’ was nevertheless, as Robert L. Pincus pointed out, “suggestively antiauthoritarian”. The propaganda-like sloganeering and wink towards corporate commercialism resonated with a generation of young people.
…To election campaigns Obey’ seems a far cry from the more mainstream and explicitly political ‘Hope’, which some say was a powerful enough symbol to be instrumental in Obama’s election success. The stylised portrait, which appeared on thousands of posters and t-shirts and now hangs in the US National Portrait Gallery, drew a personal note of thanks to Fairey from the now President.
Spot the difference: the AP original and the new ‘Hope’ But this was no help to Fairey as earlier last week the Associated Press demanded compensation for alleged copyright infringement. The AP claims that because the original photo of Obama was theirs, Fairey needed permission to use it. Fairey’s lawyers have countersued, saying that the use of the image falls under ‘fair use’, whereby the public can copy work without permission for purposes such as parody or education.
Institutionalised? Fairey in the Institute of Contemporary Art Whatever the outcome of this legal wrangling, it doesn’t seem to have been Fairey’s week – and people could be forgiven for seeing this as more than mere coincidence. The arrest in particular has led to speculation that there are those in Boston’s establishment who aren’t best pleased that a known purveyor of graffiti should be getting the cultural acclaim of his own exhibition in their city. But Fairey – who has had countless run-ins with the police, and also has a track record as a guerrilla marketer – must by now be used to getting it in the neck for his activities.
No Protection? Orr’s take on the giant image
Fairey is not without his less conventional opponents either. Other artists have criticised him for being something of a magpie who simply appropriates the work of others without adding enough to make his pieces original. Ironic, then, that last year Fairey threatened his own legal action against designer Baxter Orr for using ‘Obey’ in a parody called ‘Protect’, in which the graphic of the giant is covered with a respiratory mask. It’s difficult to tell who’s right and who’s wrong while people appear to rip images off like so many layers of wheatpasted posters. One thing seems sure, though: when street art goes mainstream, the knives come out from one place or another.
There are baby bumps and then there are baby bumps.
But there must be few women in history who have ever had a baby bump quite like octuplets mother Nadya Suleman.
These extraordinary pictures show the 33-year-old baring her stomach eight days before having her brood. Smiling proudly, the mother-of-14 hoists her green patterned smock to show off her hugely distended stomach to the camera.
The photographs, which first went up on tmz.com, show the strain her body was under as she reached the end of her record-breaking pregnancy.
Single mother Suleman, who already had six children by IVF, used a fertility doctor to give birth to her babies.
The new pictures surfaced on the day it emerged she had fled her house in Whittier, California, to go into hiding with her older children after receiving death threats.
She has even taken on the services of a security firm to ensure the safety of her family.
Her publicist Michael Furtney said: 'There has been some really nasty stuff about wanting to physically harm Nadya, and outrageous statements about both her and her children.
'We have a security firm that we've been working with and they have certainly made contact with the police about the threats. I don't know where that will go, but we'll see'
Much of the anger surrounds the eight babies' conception by IVF. Yesterday, Suleman launched a website, encouraging readers to give her money via credit cards and send parcels.
The American mother, who already receives a raft of state handouts to care for her growing brood, also left a message to well-wishers.
'We thank you for the love and good wishes sent to us from around the world,' she said.
And she adds that the octuplets, born on January 26, are 'all healthy and growing stronger by the day.'
The babies have been named Noah, Maliah, Isaiah, Nariah, McCai, Josiah, Jeremiah and Jonah.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that Miss Suleman has three disabled children
Despite previously insisting that she will not be claiming benefits, her publicist confirmed that she already receives food stamps and child disability payments to help feed and care for her six other children.
But he would not disclose the nature of the disabilities, or the type or sum of the payments.
The news came as it was revealed that all of Suleman's children were conceived with help from the same fertility doctor - Dr Michael Kamrava.
The 57-year-old, who runs a clinic on glamorous Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California, is being investigated by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Dr Kamrava, who helped pioneer embryo implantation, is a controversial figure in the field.
'He's tried some novel techniques and some of those methods have been controversial,' said Dr John Jain, founder of Santa Monica Fertility Specialists.
He criticised the decision to implant so many embryos, saying: 'I do think that this doctor really stepped outside the guidelines in a very extreme manner, and as such, put both the mother and children at extra high risk of disability and even death.’
Dr Jeffrey Steinberg, a professional acquaintance of Dr Kamrava's, said he worked to develop an embryo transfer device that allows doctors to implant an embryo - or sometimes sperm with an unfertilised egg - directly into the uterine lining.
In Leonardo Da Vinci's original Mona Lisa, the painting's subject stands quietly alone, hands folded, with that famously enigmatic smile gently playing around her lips.
But in a bizarre new version of the timeless masterpiece - made entirely out of Lego - the expression has become a cheerful smirk while her carefully shaded skin tone has been replaced with a uniform sheen of yellow.
This rather odd take on the classic artwork is the idiosyncratic hobby of Italian artist Marco Pece, who uses the iconic plastic bricks to recreate versions of the world's great paintings.
But whether his creations do justice to the originals or not, the former banker has become an internet hit with his instantly recognisable Lego versions of the classics.
Tens of thousands of people from around the world have viewed the modern interpretations of the classic works made out of the simple plastic bricks.
He posts his work on Flickr under the pseudonym Udronotto.
The former bank worker has recreated Da Vinci's Last Supper, with Christ and his disciples suitably attired and bearded.
While he has done his best to capture Mona Lisa's famous enigmatic smile his use of the distinctive yellow-faced Lego characters to recreate Grant Wood's American Gothic is considerably more effective.
Marco, 45, has also redone Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring and Edward Hopper's Nighthawks in his own inimitable style.
But Marco has also come right up to date by recreating contemporary Scots artist Jack Vettriano's Bluebird classic, complete with a Lego car.
The artist gave up his job in a bank three years ago to concentrate on his Lego interpretations of existing masterpieces.
He said: 'I wanted to combine my love of art with a modern and unusual expressive technique.
'These reconstructions are done with a lot of attention to detail using Lego materials.
'The various stages of reconstruction are photographed individually then combined on a computer.'
He added: 'A reconstruction in Lego usually takes me about nine days in total.
'I have taken part in five exhibitions and have sold several photos of my work and this is because of the success I've had on the web.
For those who just can’t live without a cold one within reach at all times, the latest in the long line of food and drink themed phones is the Bud phone.
Now, as one sharp commentator pointed out - have one of these in your room and your friends will never be in doubt of your taste in phones, however your taste in beer will be in question - well, brand squabbles aside, this phone does everything any other novelty phone does and for $11.99 is pretty decent value. Just imagine pulling it out at the bar… And whilst talking on the phone and driving may now be illegal in the UK, do it with this one and you can guarantee a night in the slammer.
After he developed an aggressive form of childhood cancer in 2006, Connah Broom's body came under relentless attack from the disease.
Eleven tumours spread from his neck to his knees and his case appeared hopeless.
In 2007, doctors told his family there was nothing more they could do. They said they should take him home to enjoy his final months.
But Connah's family refused to give up hope. His grandparents began treating him with alternative therapies and, remarkably, he survived.
Latest scans on Connah, now aged seven, show that ten of his 11 tumours are shrinking, have no blood flow and may be dead.
The family are preparing for new scans which they hope will reveal the last tumour is also in retreat.
His grandparents are convinced their treatments, including a strict organic diet and a daily sauna, are helping him beat his disease.
But cancer experts are more sceptical, warning that the tumours could return at any moment.
Last night they cast doubt on whether the alternative therapies had made any difference.
Connah lives with his father Chris, 27, and his grandparents Debbie, 53, and Jim, 56, in Gronant, North Wales.
Debbie Broom said: 'There are times when we've broken down and thought "Why Connah?" and wanted to lash out at someone. But we've coped by turning our frustration into positive energy to help him.'
The family's nightmare began in August 2006 when Connah was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma at Alder Hey children's hospital in Liverpool.
Neuroblastoma is a cancer of the nervous system that can spread round the entire body. Doctors found tumours stretching from his neck, through his chest near his heart, in his stomach close to several organs including the kidney and intestine, and down his left leg. Mrs Broom said: 'They told us Connah had 11 tumours which were at the most advanced and aggressive stage. It was like a bolt out from the blue.
'Connah had been suffering sharp pains in his stomach now and again for about a year. But our local surgery could not find anything wrong. We never expected something like this.'
He was put on chemotherapy for seven months, and doctors considered surgery. But they concluded the cancer was too widespread and close to vital organs for it to be successful. Mrs Broom said: 'A doctor told us to take Connah home and enjoy our remaining time with him.'
They were given the option of putting Connah on an experimental drug called Tapotecan – but were told it could damage his kidneys and heart, meaning he would have only a 50 per cent chance of surviving the treatment.
The Brooms decided the risks were too high. Instead, they turned to alternative therapy. After surfing the internet they decided on an organic diet and filtering his water, after reading it would help reduce harmful toxins in his body.
The results, according to Mrs Broom, were amazing. 'Once we did this, Connah stopped becoming ill,' she said.
However, experts say levels of toxins in food and drink are unlikely to be high enough to cause cancer.
The next alternative treatment the Brooms deployed was reiki. The family had set up a website for the 'Connah Appeal' and among those who sent messages of support was a man who described himself as a reiki healer.
It is claimed that this Japanese healing works by focusing electromagnetic energy at the frequency needed to destroy cancer cells. However, no trials have shown it can reduce tumours, although in some people it can help reduce stress and pain. The healer now carries out weekly sessions at the Broom family home. Connah's retired grandfather went back to work for an oil company to help his son, a chef, raise money.
They also sold some property to raise funds. The thousands raised have largely been spent on trips to Poland to have scans not available on the NHS.
They also went to a cancer clinic in Mexico which offers a sound and light therapy not available in the UK or even the U.S.
Sono Photo-Dynamic Therapy is a controversial technique, which is rejected by mainstream medical science. It involves Connah swallowing a capsule containing algae.
He is then placed under light of a certain wavelength, which apparently 'activates' the algae to create a powerful oxidant which can kill the cancer.
After visiting Mexico, they rebuilt the equipment at home and now repeat the technique every night.
Mrs Broom also uses an ultrasound machine she got in Mexico to rub over the affected areas after she was told this would also help.
This is followed by laser therapy, which is meant to act like a low dose of radiotherapy. Then Connah has a sauna, to 'sweat out' the toxins. The entire procedure takes two and a half hours.
Mrs Broom said: 'We're not under any illusions and we know that all this could change at any time. Each day is like the turn of a card. You don't know what hand you're going to be dealt.
'The Power Above has been watching over Connah and we just pray every day that his good health will continue and he will keep getting better. We can't pinpoint exactly which part of what we are doing is making Connah so well, so we'll just keep doing it all.
'If what we're doing stops working, then we'll look for another treatment. We'll never give up doing everything in the world to help our little boy.'
But experts are sceptical that the alternative therapies have had much effect. They say cancers often go into remission for unexplained reasons – and can come back.
Dr Julie Sharp, of Cancer Research UK, said: 'Two thirds of children with neuroblastoma can be successfully treated but unfortunately some types of the disease are more difficult to treat.
'Some parents of children that don't respond well to treatment decide to seek alternative therapies and often these are still in an experimental stage.
'It's important to remember that all proven treatments for neuroblastoma are available in this country and that the standard treatment here is equal to anywhere else in the world.'
Connah's GP Dr Eamon Jessop said: 'The thing with this cancer is that it can suddenly flare up again and when it comes back, it can come back rapidly.
'The family are aware of this and, if it does happen, we will have to look again at whether traditional medical treatments should be considered.'
But he added: 'When it was decided two years ago that his tumours were inoperable, we would have expected just a short time before he became very ill.
'But sometimes unexplainable things happen that we have to call a miracle. The excellent care given to Connah by his grandparents can only have helped him. They really are amazing people.'
It may not be the most common of bear necessities.
But when faced with a scorching heatwave, this incredibly cute koala decided a bath in a large white bucket filled with icy water was the only way to cool down.
Unfortunately, there is a sad story behind the endearing picture. This baby koala had actually been abandoned by its mother and had to be rescued from the scorching heatwave that has wrecked havoc across Australia.
Tracey Young found him huddled beneath a her veranda, shaking and looking very sick.
'The mum had become distressed and disorientated by the heat so she left the baby on its own,' she said.
'They're normally up the tree together, in a pair, and we see them all the time.
'I had to scoop water up in my hand to get it to drink and at first it wasn't very responsive. 'Eventually it realised the water was in the bowl and it just climbed in itself.
'The kids, being very protective, circled the koala until the wildlife lady came and took it.' The koala is being cared for by animal welfare staff until it is strong enough to be released.
Mrs Young, who lives in Maude, a town between Melbourne and Geelong, said its mother had returned to their backyard, apparently waiting for its baby to come back.
Bizarrely, the little koala has now become an internet star after pictures of it in the bucket were emailed around the world.
The heat has had a devastating effect on Australia's wildlife.
With temperatures in some parts of the country staying above 40C for six days in a row, many animals have perished while others have needed the attention of wildlife officers.
