Here is another set of links of random stories from the last few weeks:
- Heavy metal monk in second album: A 62-year-old monk from a small friary near Milan has just released his second heavy metal album.
- Paper ‘reveals Banksy’s identity’: A national newspaper claims to have discovered the true identity of guerrilla artist Banksy.
- Algae cleared from Olympic venue: Chinese officials use nets and a boom to clear thick algae from the Olympic sailing venue in Qingdao.
- Queen Victoria’s bloomers on sale: A pair of Queen Victoria’s bloomers that have a 50-inch waist are set to go on sale.
- Hospital puts clamp on ambulances: A hospital admits clamping ambulances for parking infringements and charging £50 for their release.
- Squaddie makes Miss England final: A female soldier who once fought off a suspected Iraqi insurgent has won a place in the final of Miss England.
- Last cat saved from Olympic site: The last remaining stray cat is rescued from the Olympic Park site after eluding capture for months.
- ‘Rubbish’ golfer hits hole-in-one: A self-confessed “rubbish” golfer flukes a shot that wins a £15,000 car during a round where he lost 23 balls.
- Woman in India ‘has twins at 70’: A woman said to be aged 70 years of age gives birth to twins after undergoing IVF treatment.
- Tourists’ flight to wrong country: A family realise they are on the wrong plane only when the air hostess says “welcome to Turkey”.
- Rock drummers ‘are top athletes’: Playing the drums for a rock band requires the stamina of a Premiership footballer, research suggests.
- Campaigner ‘glues himself to PM’: A campaigner against Heathrow’s third runway attempts to stick himself to Gordon Brown at a Downing Street reception.
- Huge sand hotel open for business: The world’s first ever sand hotel is made in Dorset and is accepting its first guests for £10 a night.
- NZ judge orders ‘odd’ name change: A judge in New Zealand makes Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii a ward of court so she can change her name.