Faces in things: Scared switchless. (Via @FacesPics)
Man in a mask
Scammers used a silicone mask to impersonate France's former Minister of Defence, Jean-Yves Le Drian, and fleece wealthy victims of €80 million ($138m). Le Drian, now minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, is an important but relatively obscure political figure. The scammers would pose as a
member of Le Drian's inner circle and convince businessmen to have a conversation with the esteemed "minister" — first by phone, then via Skype. The fake minister was seated far from the camera, in a poorly lit room, to make it harder for victims to realise he was just a guy in a mask. Wealthy businessman thought they were being approached by Le Drian for financial help to pay the ransoms of journalists captured by Islamists in the Middle East. Because France officially does not pay ransoms to hostage-takers, the scammer requested that the money be sent to an account in China, which meant the payments could not be traced.
New flag
Michele Daly writes: "When looking at the IPCC [cricket world cup] official results website I found that they have conveniently and very helpfully redesigned our flag for us. Do you think John Key had something to do with this?"
Strange coincidences
