Lucky hyena barely escapes being eaten by hippo!
By Safia Azizi
A lucky hyena narrowly escaped being eaten by an angry hippo - that it mistook for being dead.
Safari guide Carlos Ismail was leading a tour in Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, when he spotted an opportunistic scavenger wading through some water.
Tense footage shows the hyena creeping up on the behind of a seemingly immobile hippo half submerged under the algae.
Suddenly the hyena turned tail and just in time as the hippo swung its huge body around and chased it from the water almost catching it in its powerful jaws.
Carlos said: “This hyena was very lucky. It was on its own and I think it thought that the hippo was dead and would be an easy meal.
“It just managed to escape in time before it was caught in the hippo’s huge jaws. It barely managed to make it to dry land.
“I have been a guide now for nine years and have never seen anything like this before. Although I have seen the same hippo chase after a lioness.
“They are not scared of anything!”
The footage was filmed on November 1 last year.
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Dad wears muzzle in solidarity with his XL bully in protest
By Josie Adnitt
A dad held a one-man protest over new XL bully laws by drinking in his local pub - with a muzzle on.
Eamonn Mcgeady, 51, and six-month-old dog Lexi wore matching protective guards on their visit to the Straw Hat.
Once inside Eamonn sat down at the bar, ordered a pint - and drank it through a straw.
His daughter Elle, 19, said he did it to make a point about new legislation on the breed - and left her feeling proud.
She visited the pub along with her dad and dog on New Year's Day.
Elle, an apprentice engineer from Chester, said: "I just don't agree with the muzzle.
"We’d be happy enough to walk her on a lead but we’re not happy with the muzzle - it’s just not nice to see.
“She hides when going on a walk now because she knows she has to wear it.
"Other dogs want to bully her now that she’s on a lead with a muzzle on.
“Before people would come up and give her a stroke and a pat but now we’re getting more evil looks off people instead.
“We got to the pub and everyone was laughing about it - I was proud [of him] and happy to see him wearing it.
"Dad was drinking pints using a straw through the muzzle and getting on the floor with Lexi to play around with her.
“He wanted to show her there was a person was wearing it and it wasn’t just for her.
"The people we walked past were praising him for it, saying it showed he’s good owner.”
The Government announced a host of law changes around XL bullys after a spate of deadly attacks in 2023.
It became a legal requirement for the dogs to wear a muzzle in public on New Year's Eve.
It is now also illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL bully dogs stray.
And, from February 1, XL bullys will be banned - unless registered before the deadline.
A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs statement said: "Owners are also being urged to apply to register their current XL bully dogs, as the Government takes action to safely manage the existing population of the breed.
"There is only a month left to meet the deadline when the ban comes into force on 1 February.
"Owning an unregistered dog after this date will be a criminal offence, with owners who don’t facing a criminal record and an unlimited fine.
"Owners who do not want to keep their dogs after this date should take them to a vet to have them put down. "
Elle and boyfriend Nathan Morrissey, 18, a plasterer, bought Lexi in August 2023 - just weeks before the new legislation was announced.
And they say the pup used to love visiting the pub and socialising with dogs and humans alike.
But that now Lexi is forced to wear a muzzle, Elle says the pooch no longer wants attention, preferring to be left alone to lie down when visiting their local.
And while she agrees that some restrictions are needed, she says she believes it’s unfair to have to muzzle her family pet.
Elle said: “Every time we take her for a walk she’s hurting herself trying to scratch it off.
“[Dad was wearing the muzzle to] show people who think these dogs have a bad reputation that they’re not actually that bad and it’s not fair.
“We completely disagree with the rules, we agree that something needed to happen because of the amount of attacks that were happening, some action should have been taken.
“We've only had Lexi for about four months, and we want her life to be as playful and joyful as we can make it.
“It’s sad to see that she’s so young and for rest of her life she won’t experience being off lead again.”
Eamonn did not want to be interviewed for the story.
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Woman's 47 ferrets live large in the ultimate 'ferret mansion'
By Samuel Wightwick
A woman owns nearly 50 pet ferrets who all live in their own "ferret mansion" - complete with mini-beds, hammocks and slides.
Rosie Stubbs, 31, has acquired 47 through breeding, rescuing and her own collection.
Rosie has had ferrets ever since she was 12 and once had a staggering 85 of them at her home.
When she left her family's farm five years ago, Rosie moved into a property in Bilsthorpe, Nottinghamshire that had a large outhouse.
She filled the 35 sq ft building with everything a ferret could wish and dubbed it the "ferret mansion".
She said: “The mansion’s got mini-beds, hammocks, slides, tubes and swings. Anything you can think of!
“It’s split into two sections. One side is full of hutches for when rescues come in and the other half is where my ferrets live.”
Rosie said her love for the animal came from her father, who used them on his farm.
"I just love them. They can be so loving," she added.
Even with all of these luxuries, she said it is hard to stop them getting bored so is always looking for ways to keep them entertained.
She said: "I'm very up for going to car boot sales and finding things second hand for the ferrets to play with.
"It helps the environment and you can always find quirky things for the ferrets to enjoy.
"I found this bean bag for £3 and thought they would like it
"Then when it got all grimy, I decided to take all of the beans out and have a ball party. They loved it!
“We tried feathers too, but they didn’t like them as much.”
As well as having her own group of ferrets, Rosie has been breeding the rarer variety of Angora ferrets for 17 years.
Angora ferrets are pretty much the same as their regular counterparts aside from their coat, which makes them much more sought after.
Rosie said: "The thing people like them for specifically is their coat. Angora ferrets are so much fluffier than regular ferrets.
"I love breeding them and seeing what kind of coats they are going to come out with. It's cool when you get some unusual ones."
Rosie spends approximately £200 a month on upkeep but it can go up and down depending on how many she has.
She added: "They're great pets for working people as they actually sleep 20-22 hours a day.
"Having said that, they do go to toilet about 10-12 times a day and I have to clean their cages out very often."
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Hero saves woman and girl, three, from trapped sinking car
By Adam Dutton
A hero dad has told how he saved a woman and her three-year-old daughter after he saw their car being swept away in a flooded river.
Liam Stych, 28, leapt into the raging torrent after hearing the woman screaming “Help me, help me, please save my baby!”
Dramatic video shows the woman’s car being dragged under a footbridge as floods surged through Hall Green in Birmingham.
The fearless dad dangled off the bridge and smashed the rear passenger window and used ratchet straps to lash the woman’s Fiat Punto to railings to stop it sinking.
Incredibly, he saved the little girl by "hurling" her into the lap of his pregnant partner Tia Draper, 27, who was standing on the bridge.
West Midlands Police hailed Liam a “local hero” but the modest dad-of-two insisted he just acted “on instinct”.
He said: “My partner is five months pregnant so we went out for a walk for some exercise.
“We were walking over a bridge and I heard a woman screaming from inside a car.
“She was shouting ‘Help me, help me, please save my baby she’s in the back!’
“The front of her car was pointing down into the water so I dangled off the bridge but was careful not to put any more weight on the car in case it sank.
“I told the woman to remain calm and unwind her window and to hand me her child.
“I said to her ‘Give me babbie’s hand, I’ll get her out’.
"The woman could only get her window half-way down so I took the babbie and literally hurled her behind me and into the lap of Tia who was on the bridge.”
The roadworks engineer and traffic manager then sprinted back to his work van and grabbed a set of 3.5 tonne ratchet straps.
He said: “Once the babbie was safe I ran to get the straps and climbed back to the car and smashed the back passenger window.
“I secured the car to the bridge with the ratchet straps so it wouldn’t drift any further under the bridge.
“I then told the woman to climb into the back and get out the window.
“She managed to get out and we then held hands and just jumped together into the water after a count of three.
“It was about 5ft deep but was really strong and I dragged her out of the water.
“The ambulance crew turned up and checked her and the child over.
“I think if I hadn’t done what I did the car would have been dragged under the bridge and there would have been no way of getting them out.”
Liam, who has two children from a previous relationship, said he wanted people to understand the lethal danger of floods.
He said: “It was pure luck that we were there when it happened.
"I didn't think about what I was doing, I just acted on instinct.
“The poor lady has lost her car and her shopping which was in the back but she and her daughter could have lost their lives.
“People don’t understand how powerful floods can be.
“It’d been raining heavily but the roads suddenly turned into rivers and the streams turned into raging rivers.
“I just managed to stay calm and thought clearly about what needed to be done.
“I didn’t want to make the situation worse by panicking and sinking the car with my weight. My only thought was to get them both out safely.”
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"Annual strategy meetings transformed our marriage"
By Leo Black
A couple who have annual strategy meetings to plan the year ahead say their marriage has never been better.
Husband and wife Durelle and Samantha Bailey, both 29, go to an industrious office space every year in Washington, D.C. and hold a two-hour strategy session.
In the meetings, they each set out their goals and lay out plans on how to complete them.
Both Durelle and Samantha, who live in the US capital, say their annual strategy meetings have improved their relationship and their marriage.
Durelle said: "It's been overwhelmingly positive.
"It's something we've been doing for years and we're seeing other couples and single people do the same thing.
"We've done well at quite a young age and we attribute this to the mentality behind the meetings."
The meetings, which are their fourth year running, were initially inspired by the couple's corporate life.
They focus on finance, travel, family and personal and professional development.
The couple even have a spreadsheet, which is complete with categories and budget calculations.
Samantha, who owns a marketing company with Durelle, said: "Working in corporate, I was able to see how businesses do it.
"I liked the direction and accountability. Everyone has a piece of the business they own. They know what is expected of them and what the plan is to achieve the goal."
The couple's plans are set out in advance, which prevents clashes in their schedules, which means they are always able to support each other.
Durelle said: "It's an opportunity to get in lock-step with each other, offer support and ask: 'how can I help you achieve your goals'."
Samantha added: "It’s made for a healthier relationship between us. It helps save our quality time and avoid conflict."
The couple also pitch their ideas to each other and ensure they set themselves 'SMART' goals - a known acronym to guide the setting of goals.
Durelle said: "We challenge each other to make sure we don't overextend ourselves.
"We try to make sure we have 'SMART' goals: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely."
While the meetings may seem sterile and clinical from the outside, Samantha says they are in practice very positive.
She said: "If anything, this prevents conflict. The majority of these meetings have been very positive and fun.
"We have a lot of exciting things going on in our lives and the meetings are a great way to stay on track and continue progressing every year
"We don't run our marriage like a business.
"Our marriage is very intimate and loving but you have to be intentional and strategic in this economy and with the way the world is going."
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Newly public domain Mickey Mouse appears in horrifying video game
By Dean Murray
Mickey Mouse may have only just become public domain, but the character has already appeared in a horror video game.
Steamboat Willie, a 1928 cartoon featuring an early version of the iconic rodent, entered the public domain in the United States on January 1, 2024.
Game developers have been quick to capitilise with a gruesome take on the mouse in the title Infestation: Origins.
The game sees a terrifying version of Mickey lurking in the shadows of a warehouse facility.
Up to four players are tasked with acting as exterminators tackling an "outbreak of vermin in various locations".
Game company Nightmare Forge Games say the title "places players in the role of specialist exterminators responding to infestations in various locations."
They add: "The 1928 Steamboat Willie animation short entering the public domain has allowed us to include our own derivation of the film's starring character in our game, which fits perfectly as an antagonist causing an infestation.
"However, rather than focusing on any one particular antagonist, the game will include multiple twisted versions of classic characters and urban legends. For example, another infestation players will need to overcome is caused by the Mothman, inspired by the urban legend popularised in West Virginian folklore."
Despite Steamboat Willie becoming public domain, later versions of Mickey Mouse are still protected by copyright law.
Disney said in a statement: "More modern versions of Mickey will remain unaffected by the expiration of the Steamboat Willie copyright, and Mickey will continue to play a leading role as a global ambassador for the Walt Disney Company in our storytelling, theme park attractions, and merchandise.
"We will, of course, continue to protect our rights in the more modern versions of Mickey Mouse and other works that remain subject to copyright."
Infestation: Origins is available to pre-order on gaming platform Steam.
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Penguins steal the show in adorable "parade march"
By Safia Azizi
This video shows a group of penguins being taken on a "parade march" through a zoo.
Adorable footage shows the curious penguins waddling out of their enclosure one by one at Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium in Pennsylvania, USA - much to the delight of spectators.
The event is held from December to February and lets visitors get "up-close and personal" with the aquatic birds.
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Toddler's heartwarming first meet with baby brother
By Samuel Wightwick
This is the sweet moment a young girl is introduced to her baby brother for the first time.
An adorable video shows Mallory Parsons, two, excited to meet her new baby brother Rhodie.
The video shows the two-year-old peering into the basket at her brother before giving him a cuddle and a kiss on the cheek for the first time.
Mum Blaise Dyer, 32, a nanny from Warmley in Bristol, said that she always knew she wanted to capture this moment on camera.
She said: “So I love filming stuff, just for memories really and for my to keep. So I knew it was a moment that I had to get on film.
"We've been telling Mallory for a while that she was going to have a baby brother so I knew I needed to get her reaction when she finally met him.
"I'm mainly an Instagram user, that's where I post all of my mum content.
"But, I decided to upload this to TikTok, and everyone really loved it- the comments have been so nice."
Mallory's reaction was just as her mum had hoped.
Blaise said: "I was hoping she was going to take an interest and she definitely exceeded my expectations.
"Some adults aren’t as confident handling babies as she was in the video.
"I knew it was going to be a lovely moment regardless of how she reacted anyway."
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Massive brawl between restaurant staff and customers - over undercooked biryani
By Emma Dunn
A bizarre mass brawl broke out in India as staff attack customers with sticks - after they complained about an undercooked biryani.
The family were eating at the Grand Hotel in Abids, Hyderabad, when they complained to staff about the quality of Biryani they were served.
They discovered the food had just been reheated and given back to them when they asked for it to be replaced.
An argument broke out before they began to fight each other.
The waiters claim customers threw chairs at them while they were videoed running out of the restaurant with sticks and hitting people.
The family filed a complaint and the police took down contacts for the waiters and customers involved in the fight.
Six people were also arrested following the incident.
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"My little girl had spinal surgery while in the womb - now she can walk and run"
By Elizabeth Hunter
A little girl whose parents were told she would never walk is now running around - after £9k spinal surgery - while still in the womb.
Georgia Axford and Tyler Kelly, then just 19 and 21, were told their unborn baby had spina bifida after the 20-week scan.
The condition causes weakness or paralysis in the lower limbs - and the parents were told it was likely their child wouldn't walk.
The couple decided to travel to Germany for treatment, which saw the unborn baby operated on in the womb - at a cost of £9,000.
Piper-Kohl Kelly was then born health in July 2018 - and named after surgeon Dr Thomas Kohl.
Now five, she can walk and run - and has even taken part in her school's sports day.
Mum Georgia, now 24, said: "Seeing her run on the tracks was amazing.
“I never thought she’d be able to do something like that.
“Sometimes it doesn’t feel real. I think back to what we were told, and they were really negative about Piper’s diagnosis.
“We were prepared to give Piper whatever support she needed.
“I can’t believe it – we’re so lucky to see Piper achieve what she does.”
Spina bifida can leave sufferers dependent on supports or crutches, and in severe cases, they can be wheelchair-bound.
Doctors were confident that this would be the case for Piper-Kohl, who goes by Piper.
Georgia, from Yate, South Glos., said: "I had Piper at thirty weeks.
“She was in intensive car for 52 days, and then we came home and began living our life like normal.
“Doctors always said there could be a possibility of Piper needing a shunt, so that was a waiting game to see if she was showing signs.
“At about six months, she did have one fitted. She’s had that for the last four years and we’ve never had any problems with it.
“When she was around two, her physio gave her a walking frame – she doesn’t use it anymore, but we have it in case she needs the support.
“She used it for about a year while she was starting to walk, but now she walks completely independently.
“She does get really tired and can’t go for really long distances, but she does so well, especially considering what we were told."
The family also keep in touch with Dr. Thomas Kohl, the surgeon who performed the miracle surgery – and the namesake for Piper-Kohl.
The pair even share a birthday, with the family providing regular updates when Piper has a milestone.
Georgia said: “I think our experience was a lot easier because of Piper’s surgeon, Thomas Kohl,”
“We still speak to him! Piper’s name is double-barrelled, after him – Piper-Kohl.
“She was actually born on his birthday, which is a really funny coincidence.
“We send him updates a couple of times a year. On their birthday, they always FaceTime or send a message.
“Whenever Piper does something which we didn’t think she was going to be able to do, I send him a quick update.
“He’s always been so lovely to us.”
While the family’s journey hasn’t been easy by any means, Georgia and Tyler are filled with pride over their daughter’s progress – and are hoping to continue to witness her do anything she puts her mind to.
“It hasn’t been all rainbows and sunshine,” said Georgia.
“Piper went through a major surgery at six months old and it’s been hard over the years with all her physio and doctors.
“It’s a miracle that she’s been through it and is who she is today. She’s been through a lot in her life.
“She loves colouring and anything to do with arts and crafts. She loves school, and she has a really good group of friends.
“She’s so clever, and she’s such a kind and caring little girl.
“She beats the odds all the time – and whatever she does, I’ll be so proud of her.”
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