Magnets help keep crocodiles at bay

MIAMI, Florida: Scientists are trying to keep crocodiles away from residential neighbourhoods by taping magnets to their heads.

Reuters reported researchers from Mexico’s Crocodiles Museum have been successful in deviating crocodiles from their usual track by temporarily taping magnets to their heads to counteract their inherent homing devices.
Now, Florida experts are following in their steps.

Crocodiles are a territorial species. In Florida, many relocated from the rural everglades areas to residential locations.

While crocodiles captured in urban neighbourhoods are transported to more natural habitats, they often find their way back to the capture location.

American crocodiles are a threatened species; however, their numbers have rebounded in Florida.

African president arrested for corruption

BLANTYRE, Malawi: Ex-President Malawi Bakili Muluzi was recently arrested and charged for stealing over $11 million in donations.

According to the International Herald Tribune, the ex-president is accused of siphoning the funds directly to his personal bank account.

The former president denies any wrongdoing and his supporters view the charge as politically motivated.

Muluzi was Malawi’s president from 1994 to 2004.

He faced similar charges in 2006, which were thrown out of court.

Hungry criminal begs police to return him to prison

TAIPEI, Taiwan: An unemployed criminal asked police to return him to prison so that he could have shelter and eat again.

Police found the 45-year-old convicted arsonist sleeping in the streets. After police roused him, the former criminal begged them to take him back to jail.

The man had already spent 10 years in prison for his crimes.

According to Reuters, the man had previously contacted police seeking re-incarceration.

The police officers bought the man lunch and encouraged him to continue looking for work.

Bouncing fish species revealed

JAKARTA, Indonesia: A new species of fish has been identified off the coast of Ambon island.

Dubbed psychedelica by researchers, the fish is a type of frogfish that stays close to the ocean floor.

BBC reported the fish was spotted before, but not recognized as a different species.

The fish does look unique: it is covered in swirling white and blue stripes on a peach background. It has a flat face and forward placed eyes.

Psychedelica moves along the bottom of the sea floor by hopping or bouncing, using its pelvic fins to push it off the ground.

Authorities searching for a radioactive fugitive

LONDON: Police are on the lookout for a man undergoing radiation who failed to appear in court on child pornography charges.

Thomas Marius Leopold has been deemed radioactive after treatment for what is likely a thyroid problem.

The judge warned arresting officers to take caution while apprehending Leopold, since his radioactivity could harm them.

The Associated Press reported Leopold seemed to be receiving radioactive iodine to treat an overactive thyroid problem, a routine treatment.

Normally people receiving that form of treatment are recommended to refrain from close contact with family and friends and keep others at a safe distance.

Published in Volume 63, Number 22 of The Uniter (March 5, 2009)