No dressing down for banker in TV supermodel e-mail blunder
SYDNEY: An Australian banker who became an internet sensation after he was caught on live television viewing images of a scantily clad supermodel on his computer will keep his job, Macquarie Bank said Friday. “He will remain an employee of Macquarie,” the bank said in a statement. “Macquarie and the employee apologize for any offense that may have been caused.” David Kiely, who works in Macquarie Private Wealth in Sydney, opened emails Tuesday containing pictures of Kerr, unaware a colleague behind him was doing a live television interview about the Australian economy. The incident became a YouTube hit and sparked an online campaign that urged forgiveness. The financial website “Here is the City News” (http://news.hereisthecity.com/) set up a “Save Dave” page encouraging readers to email the public relations department of Macquarie Bank to save Kiely’s job. The web campaign listed four reasons why Kiely should be allowed to keep his job: he seems like a nice bloke; the photographs were not hardcore; he has suffered enough, and there’s just too much political correctness in this world anyway. Macquarie is known in banking circles as the “millionaire’s club” because of the high bonuses earned by some of its staff.
Sword artist sets world record that’s hard to swallow
SYDNEY: An Australian performance artist set a new Guinness World Record Monday by simultaneously swallowing 18 swords, each nearly as long as two and a half rulers. Chayne Hultgren, also known by his stage name The Space Cowboy, beat the record he had set in 2008 by swallowing the swords, each 72 cm (28.35 inches) long, at an outdoor event in central Sydney. The 31-year-old said he started practicing with swords when he was 16 and has used different methods to perfect the art, including stretching his throat with hoses. He said that while the stunt was not dangerous, he spent many hours training for it. “Wow, I did it, it feels good, thank you very much, it feels really good actually,” he said after setting the record.
Sledder, 62, hurt as improvised rocket blows up
INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP, Michigan: A 62-year-old sledder looking for a burst of power got it when the homemade rocket strapped to his back exploded, burning him over nearly 20 percent of his body. Oakland County Undersheriff Mike McCabe said the man, whose identity hasn’t been released, was hospitalized in stable condition Monday. The man was hosting a Sunday night sledding party when he filled an automobile muffler with gasoline and gunpowder, strapped it to his back and had it lit, seeking what McCabe called “a rocket-launch effect.” The device blew up as the man headed downhill, causing second-degree burns to his face and right side of his body and possible eye damage. No charges have been filed against the man, whom McCabe said is known for doing “outrageous things” at his sledding parties.
Alaska dentist fixes injured eagle’s broken beak
ANCHORAGE: An Alaska dentist has given a bald eagle a unique beak — using a temporary crown, sticky poster putty and yellow highlighter. The bird was found in December with severe damage to its beak, apparently from fishing line that wrapped around it and started cutting into it. Cindy Palmatier at the Bird Treatment and Learning Center says staff there decided to turn to dentist Kirk Johnson, who thought of patching up the beak with the same material used to make temporary crowns for people. The “crown” is being held on with poster putty, and Johnson colored it in using highlighter to give it a yellow tint. The bird center says the eagle is doing just fine but won’t be able to return to the wild.
— Compiled from agencies
