KEY POINTS:
A sheep MRI? Is this why the waiting lists in New Zealand hospitals are so long? This strange picture is actually a sheep in Landcorp's CT scanner, technology which measures the weight of meat and fat ratio of a live animal.
* * *
A regular contributor writes: "OK, this is the last time I take a sideswipe at anything this year because it's my New Year's resolution to be more positive... but hot cross buns in Foodtown in the first week of January? Obviously Christmas was so slow they're already trying to cash in on the next Christian holiday. A tip for those lacking spare money because of the credit crunch, rather than pay upwards of $10 for a box of chocolates, you can now pick up an advent calendar with 25 quality chocolates for next-to-nothing. And if you melt them down and then pour it over a lump of hokey-pokey, you've got a Credit Crunchie!"
* * *
A prisoner released into home detention has begged to go back to jail, because he can't stand living with his parents. Convicted thief Guido Beneventi, 30, had his sentence reduced on condition that he stayed at his mum and dad's home in Palermo, southern Italy. But he said his parents lectured him about his life of crime and then began ordering him around "like a child". After a string of rows, he fled to police headquarters and demanded to be arrested. (Source: Ananova.com)
* * *
Johnathan says Vaughan Harvey - who listed a toothpick that comes with a free son for sale on Trade Me - is correct to believe that there is a law against trafficking in human beings [section 98 of the Crimes Act 1961 bans slavery]. "Unfortunately for Mr Harvey the writer of the law has anticipated his attempt to find a loophole; section 98 prevents any dealing in human beings. It is clear that offering someone as a free gift would be 'dealing' and fall within the act, though perhaps Mr Harvey might argue that a teenager is not a 'person'."
* * *
Auckland lawyer Stewart Germann explains when the oath taken in court officially ends. "Once the witness has finished giving evidence the Judge will say: 'Thank you, you may step down' (or words to that effect) and only then does the oath cease to apply. A few years ago I was giving expert evidence in a case at the High Court at Auckland. During some aggressive cross-examination by a QC, I was asked a tricky question. As I was thinking of my truthful, expert reply the sirens rang out and then 'Evacuate, evacuate' was screamed out so everyone had to leave the building and we all stood outside. The oath I had taken still applied in the street, so I was not allowed to talk to anyone but by the grace of God I had time to think of my answer before I went back inside."
* * *
Today's Webpick: The internet doesnt get any better than this. Heres a mad 80s music video featuring the best mullet ever, 80s D-listers the Landers sisters and the Chippendales male strippers. (Slightly NSFW due to suggestive placement of a cucumber). Watch it here.
These are the very best online videos from Ana's online magazine Spare Room.
