This cat has visited 43 states in America with her truck driver owner
Image by: David Durst
A 'trucking' cat which has travelled across 43 states in America in her owner's cab has built up a loyal following on Instagram.
Tora is a one-year-old Scottish Straight cat who loves riding in the passenger seat of her owner David Durst's truck.
David, 24, struggled to adopt a cat because agencies did not believe that a feline would have a good quality of life on the road.
Just as he was about to give up, a breeder sent him a picture of the then eight-week old Tora and David knew he had just found the purrfect co-pilot.
Together the pair have visited 43 of the 50 states in the USA, sharing the snaps and videos of their adventures on social media along the way.
The 'Tora The Trucker Cat' Instagram page has built up 12,700 followers.
David said: “We got Tora when she was just eight weeks old and hit the road just three days later.
"She was the bravest little kitten I've ever seen and took to the truck instantly. She loved looking out the window and taking in all the new sights. It was an instant fit.”
“We've been very overwhelmed by the amazing reception Tora has received on social media.
"It's been nothing but an outpouring of love and support, we never imagined such a great response.
"We're very thankful for all of the friends she's made along the way and we can't wait to make even more!”
Image by: David Durst
Image by: David Durst
Image by: David Durst
Image by: David Durst
Image by: David Durst
The pair have visited cities such as Sacramento, Austin, Houston, Dallas, and Orlando and plan to visit the remaining five continental states this year.
David said: "Tora loves to get out of the truck and explore, especially in big cities!
“My favorite memory with Tora isn't one of the many places we've been or one of the things we've seen together, it's actually the first time she walked confidently on a leash.
"Getting a cat used to walking on a leash is a daunting task on its own, add in the loud sounds of a truck stop and for some it becomes impossible.
"We were at a truck stop in Zuber, Florida, three weeks into having Tora on the road and took her outside to do some daily harness training.
"As soon as her feet hit the ground, she was exploring! We were outside for nearly two hours waiting for her to get tired. T
"That day was a big step towards all of the adventures the future held.”
Tora has a litterbox in the sleeper of the cab which is twice daily.
"This is the question we get asked the most by far," joked David.
Keep up to date with Tora and Dave’s adventures by following them on Instagram @toratravels
Image by: David DurstVideo by: David Durst
Amazing photos show extreme close-up pictures of the insides of precious gem stones - with colourful patterns that look like tropical seas or photos from space
Image by: Alberto Ghizzi Panizza
These stunning close-up photographs show the colourful patterns found inside precious gemstones - which look like tropical seas or photos taken from space.
The amazing, swirly patterns, in shades of yellow, orange, red, purple and blue, were found on the polished insides of a series of colourful rocks.
One photo, in different shades of purple, shows the jagged edges of an amethyst stone.
And another, in dappled hues of blue and white, resembles ocean waves breaking.
Image by: Alberto Ghizzi Panizza
Image by: Alberto Ghizzi Panizza
Image by: Alberto Ghizzi Panizza
Image by: Alberto Ghizzi Panizza
Image by: Alberto Ghizzi Panizza
Image by: Alberto Ghizzi Panizza
Image by: Alberto Ghizzi Panizza
Image by: Alberto Ghizzi Panizza
Image by: Alberto Ghizzi Panizza
Image by: Alberto Ghizzi Panizza
Image by: Alberto Ghizzi Panizza
Image by: Alberto Ghizzi Panizza
The microscopic photographs were captured by photographer Alberto Ghizzi Panizza, 44, who specialises in macro photography.
The technique allows a photographer to take extremely close-up photographs of their subjects.
His latest photos show the insides of agate rocks which have formed over millions of years due to the cooling of lava covering them.
Alberto said: "Nature always surprises with its wonder. It seems that tropical seas, remote islands and universes can be found set inside these stones."
A disgruntled painter and decorator who claims he is owed £500 for his work has taken revenge - by daubing a message on the side of an old pub he had worked on
Image by: Lee Mclean SWNS
A disgruntled painter and decorator who claims he is owed £500 for his work has taken revenge - by daubing a message on the side of an old pub he had worked on.
Dean Reeves, 50, wrote in large black letters: "Want your house painting? Don’t be like Terry, pay the bill! Now you will!” over the cream exterior he had painted.
Dean claims builder Terry Taylor paid him just £650 of the £1,150 agreed price for the work, but refused to pay the rest until he had done additional work on the building.
He claims he worked through his lunch for a week to get the job done on time on the former North Star Club in Bolsover, Derbs, which is being converted into flats.
However, he says Mr Taylor told him he wouldn't be getting paid the remainder of the cash until he "gave the back of the house another coat".
But the father-of-two says when he did what was asked, Mr Taylor told him "you're not getting paid a penny until you've done the fascias" - which was not part of the original quote.
Disgruntled decorator Dean lavished the cream coloured rendered building with huge black paint encouraging other people not be "like Terry" and pay the bill.
Dean said: "I gave him a quote for the job and he said he would 'ping me the money straight away'.
"But he tried to change the job halfway through. The job was supposed to be done on scaffolding, he was supposed to have taken all the signs and guttering off.
"But I did the job off ladders, saving him £900 on scaffolding and I took all the signs off myself.
"He changed the job, kept asking me to extra work. He said there was a number of jobs I needed to do before I would get paid.
"I did seven days hard work on it. I didn't have lunch breaks, I worked hard all week to get it done.
"He kept saying, 'I'll pay you tomorrow', but tomorrow never came.
"I did the work and he said if I go back to give the back of the building another coat, he would pay me.
"I went back on Tuesday (14 Jan) and did that, but when I sent him a picture, he just said 'that looks better' with a smiling face.
"I asked him where my money was and he said I wasn't going to get a penny until I did the fascias, which we'd never agreed on."
Image by: Lee Mclean SWNS
Image by: Lee Mclean SWNS
Image by: Lee Mclean SWNS
Dean says he took the drastic action two days after being told he was not going to get the £500 he was owed.
He added: "I went back on tea time on Thursday (16 Jan) and did it off ladders.
"It was my first job back since Christmas, I have bills to pay and need to make money.
"It just got too much and I wanted to prove the point. I don't regret it and I'd do it again if I had to.
"I was never going to get paid, but I wanted to make sure he had to pay something to get it cleared off."
When contacted for comment, Mr Taylor has denied ripping Dean off and said he was going to pay in full once the work had been completed.
Mr Taylor said: "The bloke is a prat. He should have just done the work and he would have been paid in full. It’s standard.
"None of what he says is true. He wasn’t asked to do additional work, it was offset work by other jobs he was meant to do but didn’t.
"It was his idea, he said he would do some other jobs to offset what he wasn’t doing. He was getting paid the same to do less work.
"I wasn’t going to pay him for the whole job until he finished it, no one would.
"At the beginning he even said he’d do the work before getting paid at all, but I said no.
"Then, halfway through the job he blackmailed me and asked for all the money up front.
"I’ve spoken to police now and they will be looking to arrest him. He’s going to be done for criminal damage.
"I found out about it last night but I’m completely unbothered. It’s just paint, the idiot.
"I’m the boss, so I’m just going to go round and paint over it. Do his job for him. It’ll be done by the end of the day.
"I don’t understand why you would waste your time painting that nonsense instead of doing your job, when in that time you could have finished it.
"This is the first and last time I’m working with this man."
A Derbyshire police spokesman said: “We received a call this morning reporting that a property in Welbeck Road, Bolsover had had graffiti painted onto it.
“It appears to be a dispute between two parties and we will be getting in touch with those involved in due course.”
Video by: Ashley Moran
BBC presenter's dress patched up with gaffer tape and clips after bursting open minutes before going live
Image by: Jon Mills
A BBC TV newsreader whose dress burst open minutes before going on air was saved by her colleagues - who patched it up with gaffer tape and bulldog clips.
Points West anchor Liz Beacon, 43, was drafted in at the last minute to present the evening news and rushed home to grab her new and unworn Zara outfit.
But minutes before going live the zip 'popped', leaving the black fitted dress gaping all down her back.
Without time to change, the quick-thinking crew pulled it together using big metal bulldog clips and black gaffer tape - and took a photo to show Liz.
Viewers had no idea of the outfit malfunction when they tuned in to watch the live broadcast just 20 minutes later.
Liz, from Bristol said: "I hadn't worn the dress before and it was a bit sticky when I did the zip up, but I just thought that was because the dress is quite a tight style anyway.
"Never in a million years did I imagine it would burst open half an hour later!
The dress, bought at Cabot Circus shopping centre in Bristol, was a birthday gift from her mother in December.
Liz was looking forward to debuting it on the programme because it was different to her usual presenting outfits.
Image by: Jon Mills
Image by: Jon Mills
Image by: Jon Mills
She managed to stay composed for the entire 30 minute programme with her dress haphazardly taped and clipped closed behind her.
Liz said: "We go live on air at 6.30pm and at about 6.10pm I felt this pop and thought, I don’t believe this, I think the zip has just gone.
"I asked the director - another Liz - to come and take a look, and when she saw it, she gasped and said 'Quick, get me some clips and some gaffer tape'.
"I had no other options. There is a dressing room here but I don’t store any dresses in there - that will change from now on!
"There were three people helping me in the end, with fellow presenter David Garmston next to me trying to keep me calm.
"It was all hands to the pump - a director, a fellow presenter and a cameraman, all trying to help me in the 20 minutes we had before going live.
"I was still fiddling with it, reaching behind me, trying to make sure the tape was stuck down, as we went on air.
"I couldn’t relax the entire programme, which is most unlike me! I kept feeling it move, and was completely paranoid that it would ping open again."
She has since spoken to Zara regarding the incident and is liaising with their customer services with the hope of organising a replacement.
This is the moment a turf war between Cornish pasty and burger vans turned violent - with one trying to run over his rival
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
This is the moment a turf war between Cornish pasty and burger vans turned violent - with one trying to run over his rival.
Benjamin Harbour, 38, is filmed deliberately driving his car into Scot Weller (corr) on an industrial estate after the pair began to argue over territory.
Scot had run his business, Over the Top Cornish Pasties, peacefully for years until the arrival of the Scran Van, a company run by Harbour that sells burgers and jacket spuds.
After several incidents where Scot and his staff were threatened to stay away from the site in Launceston, Cornwall, he was advised by police to record any interactions.
And the dispute took a violent twist when on one occasion, while Scot was filming the argument, Harbour got into his car and drove straight into him.
The thug told his victim: 'you didn't like that, did you'.
Harbour, from Tavistock, Devon, was sentenced at Bodmin Magistrates’ Court last week after previously admitting driving without due care and attention and common assault.
Speaking after the case, Scot said: “I run Over the Top Cornish Pasties in Callington. We’re a small family business and looked to expand by delivering to homes and businesses.
“He also had a food van and would drive into the industrial estate, sound his horn and people would come out.
“He sold completely different types of food to us so we never considered ourselves rivals but then me and my staff started receiving messages saying we should leave Launceston.
“We didn’t think much of it but the messages kept coming and there was also negative feedback left online. I just carried on as I didn’t want to be intimidated.”
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
Scot continued visiting the site but kept his phone handy to record any altercations so the footage could be used as evidence.
Then, in June last year, Scot saw Harbour pull into a car park in Launceston behind him so quickly pulled out his phone.
Scot said: “I was delivering to a garage and saw him pull up behind me.
"Police had told me to film anything that happened and when he saw the camera he became aggressive.
“He got into his van and drove at me. Luckily I only scraped my elbow and knee but it could have been a lot worse.”
Scot said that after the incident he and his colleagues stopped delivering to Launceston as they didn’t believe it was safe to do so.
He said: “He’s a bully and I want people to know to keep away. We stopped delivering to Launceston but I wasn’t going to stop the court case.
“In the end he pleaded guilty and luckily our business is doing well. It’s crazy with non-stop orders and we can’t keep up.
"We’ve got nine members of staff in our third year and we might start delivering to Launceston again now if the demand is there.”
As punishment Harbour, who operated under the name The Scran Van, was made subject of a community order consisting of a four-month 5pm to 7am curfew.
He was also told by magistrates to pay costs and a victim surcharge.
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
Scot said that the incident which landed Harbour in court came after an eight month campaign of abuse which included threats of arson and violence.
He added: "It went on for six to eight months. He would ring about five times a day giving us abuse. He would say that he would get gypsies to burn down our van.
"When he would see us driving he would swerve his vehicle at us. He had about 26 Facebook profiles and he would message us abuse from all of them.
"He was constantly giving us abuse, but we didn't want to give in to a bully, we just ignored him.
"We called the police and they said to record everything, and it got to that day in the video.
"I was on my last delivery and he pulled into the car park behind me. He opened the back door of my van so I confronted him and that's when all this happened.
"It seems like he wants Launceston all to himself, we've never had any trouble from anyone else there.
"He came up to the van and shouted through the window, but he's not really a scary guy.
"At the time it was a bit shocking, when he hit me with the car. I just grabbed hold of the bonnet. He was only doing about 5mph but you don't expect someone to actually ram you with their car.
"My hands were a bit shaky afterwards, I think it was all the adrenaline.
"He now runs a vehicle recovery business, but he is just a nuisance.
"He got a heavy sentence for what he did to me but I don't think it has really taught him much."
Video by: Ashley Moran
Dad who recorded his baby son every day for a year creates hilarious montage video of him 'singing' AC/DC's rock classic Thunderstruck
Image by: Matt MacMillan
A dad who recorded his baby son every day for a year has edited the clips together to create a video which appears to show him singing AC/DC's rock classic 'Thunderstruck'.
Matt MacMillan compiled clips of little Ryan making noises before splicing them together in time with the music.
Angus Young's iconic guitar riff from 1990 is instantly recognisable as the video begins - with the one-year-old also providing several other parts as song progresses.
Image by: Steve Chatterley
Image by: Matt MacMillan
Image by: Steve Chatterley
Matt, from New Jersey, USA, manually sorted 83 clips according to pitch then organised each according to note to create the track.
He found 21 notes in total - enough to carry the tune.
Angus then listened to the AC/DC track over and over again, figuring out the notes by ear.
He also used his son's sneeze as a cymbal, a clip of Ryan hitting a sofa with his hand for the drum and the child slapping the floor for the snare.
Video by: Matt MacMillan
Inspirational teen living with Down's syndrome is busting myths about her condition - through DANCING
Image by: Ellis Wylam
An inspirational teenage girl living with Down's syndrome is busting myths about her condition - through DANCING.
Francesca Goff, 18, was born with the condition which affects around 775 babies each year in the UK and wants others to know the condition is nothing to fear.
Her parents, Annemarie and Frank Goff, initially worried about Francesca and the quality of life she would lead - until their daughter discovered dancing.
But fearless Francesca struts her stuff at every opportunity - and now dances at shows throughout the UK.
Francesca, who this year attended the UN in Geneva to speak about her experiences, is part of three dance groups in Cornwall.
She dances with PicNMix, a group by the Cornwall Down’s Syndrome Support Group, and she is part of the Collective Dance Group and TR14ers - a hip hop community dance charity.
Francesca said: "I like to make my family proud and myself proud and I want to work hard as best as I can.
“I like being with my friends having fun and learning to communicate well and learn new dances.”
In her earlier years, Francesca experienced the typical symptoms of a child with Down’s syndrome - with both her walking and speech delayed.
But now her life has completely transformed, and the family travel from their home in Camborne, Cornwall, so Francesca can dance at Public Health conferences.
Image by: Ellis Wylam
Image by: Ellis Wylam
Image by: Ellis Wylam
Annemarie said: “She has always enjoyed dancing.
“Her real love of dancing started in primary school and since then she has performed for local festivals all around Cornwall to raise the profile of Down’s syndrome and show people what they are actually capable of.”
The Goffs have always wanted to spread awareness around Francesca’s life with Down’s Syndrome - but said there is a lot more to be done.
Francesca's father Frank said: “People always ask the question ‘is life tough having a child with Down’s syndrome?’ and my answer is always the same and that is that it is like having any other child.
“But the more people get out there about Down’s syndrome the less afraid of it people are.”
Whilst Francesca knew that she was being treated differently growing up it is not something she says she ever really worried about.
But her sister Cecily, who is two years older, went to the same school as Francesca and said she would notice her sister being treated differently and it would annoy her.
Cecily said: “Sometimes people don’t include her, not because they are nasty people but because they don’t understand and they don’t know how to approach it.
“Down’s syndrome has always been a part of my life so I never thought it was a thing.
“But when I went to secondary schools you get the segregation of kids with special needs but they are fine when they speak to you in the playground.
“It is important that that is exposed and shown as normal and it’s something that needs to be focused on more.”
Helen Laverty, who is the professional lead for Learning Disability Nursing at the University of Nottingham and met Francesca in Geneva, said: “She is never afraid to speak up or out.
“She is the most effective role model for young children and parents with Down’s Syndrome who are just entering the scary world of main stream education.
"Francesca inspires people to dream big.”
Video by: Gabriella Petty
Impressive moment waiter carrying four meals manages to not drop a single plate after falling over
Image by: Jamie Shoebridge
This is the impressive moment a waiter fell to the floor carrying four meals - but didn't drop a single plate.
Jamie Shoebridge, 24, has been waiting tables for three years but may consider a career at a circus after this incredible juggling act.
CCTV cameras captured him crashing to the floor after slipping on peppercorn sauce - taking down a big decorative plant in the restaurant with him.
But bizarrely he somehow managed to keep hold of the plate he was holding in his left hand - and continue to balance three other meals on a tray he was also carrying on his right.
Restaurant supervisor Jamie, from Nottingham, said he jumped back up and delivered the meals as planned with his guests none-the-wiser.
The only casualty of the three roast beef dinners and bangers and mash dish was one sausage and a few peas.
Image by: Jamie Shoebridge
He said: “One minute I was walking along with the plates and the next minute I was on the floor.
“I lost my footing and fell down face first.
“There was some peppercorn sauce on the floor and I slipped on it. It’s all a blur and I’m not sure how it happened.
“It was just an instinct to lift my arms up and try to save the plates. I just got back up and carried on as normal.
“I have no idea how none of the plates got smashed. I’m impressed with myself.
“The only thing that fell off the plate was one sausage and a few peas.”
Jamie’s little accident happened on Sunday afternoon (9) during the lunchtime rush.
He said after falling over and realising three of the meals were still intact, he carried on
Jamie added: “It didn’t hurt but I was very confused as to how it happened.
“We all had a laugh about it in the office.
“It has become a bit of a running joke at work now.”
Video by: Gabriella Petty
This is the hilarious video of a woman who refused to be defeated by windblown gates - as she battled to keep them closed
Image by: Pam Parker
This is the hilarious video of a woman who refused to be defeated by windblown gates - as she battled to keep them closed.
Pam Parker, 38, was trying to close the gates at Auld Mills Farm, Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway but strong winds brought by Storm Brendan kept blowing them back open.
CCTV footage caught Pam as she struggled with these uncooperative gates, closing one side only for the other side to fly open.
But determined Pam refused to give up, battling the wind for nearly two minutes before getting them to shut on January 11.
The owner of the farm Tommy Lockhart, who shared the footage, can be heard saying: “What a legend” when Pam eventually managed to close the gates.
Pam and husband Andrew, 40, are both horse racing photographers but rent land at the farm for some of their 100 head pedigree Dutch Spotted sheep flock.
Image by: Pam Parker
Image by: Pam Parker
Pam, who lives near Dumfries, said: “The video was taken during Storm Brendan two weeks ago.
“We rent some land on the farm where we keep our sheep.
“I was there visiting the sheep. When I arrived I opened the gates and pinned them back but when I tried to shut them the wind just kept blowing them.
“I faffed around for a couple of minutes and then I realised the camera was pointing right at me.
“I was thinking this is ridiculous, I tried a few times to get them shut but once I had closed one side I wasn’t fast enough closing the other side.
“When my husband put the video on Facebook he thought I would kill him, but I saw the funny side, it is hilarious.
“I thought I might as well laugh at myself.”
Video by: Pam Parker
This is the incredible moment water flowed UPWARDS - after waves were caught in a rare sea vortex.
Image by: Samy Jacobsen
This is the incredible moment water flowed UPWARDS - after waves were caught in a rare sea vortex.
Samy Jacobsen, 41, was out walking along the cliffs off Suðuroy in the Faroe Islands when he spotted a whirlwind of water rising from the waves.
He watched as the vortex of spray climbed up the side of the 470m sea cliff - known as Beinisvørð - and billowing on to the cliff top, on Monday.
Weather experts said it was a water spout - a spiralling pillar of air - which forms like a tornado over the water when a cliff edge spins the wind in a circle.
Samy said: "I felt like going for a walk in an area that seldom explore and I also wanted to try out my sister’s Iphone 11 pro max which I knew could take great pictures and videos.
"From home I could see that the scene was definitely set for great pictures since the sky and the sea were almost colliding in the storm.
"I took pictures and shot a few videos and when I shot that one it triggered the wow affect for sure.
"I saw something being blown up into the air from that area before but I have never investigated it though.
"In the vicinity there are many small rivers that defy gravity in stormy conditions and an awful lot of sea water is blown up and travels pretty far up land.
"So it is not always easy to tell what it is.
"I sent it to some friends and they all thought that it was very beautiful and special."
Image by: Samy Jacobsen
Greg Dewhurst senior operational meteorologist at the Met Office described the phenomenon as "spectacular".
He said: "To us here in the operations centre it looks like a water spout (a spiralling pillar of air), which is a little like a tornado but it forms over the water.
"The cliff edge is helping to spin the wind around and we think this is why it forms quite quickly.
"The weather over the area is unsettled with heavy showers and these ingredients together help form the water spouts.
"Water spouts are not too uncommon during unsettled weather but make spectacular videos and photos."
Video by: Gabriella Petty
