Sideswipe: June 26: Fashion police!

It's a dog of a fashion statement.

Send it or you can't spend it

A reader writes: "The Motor Trade Association has a great idea to get us to take the bait. Encourage people to spend $100 on a gift card. Great for our grandma ... she thought it was a terrific idea. Such a wonderful way to give without worrying that naughty cash will disappear. However, the sting in the tail is if you take too long to send the 'money' ... POOF it's gone. Money that expires. Morally wrong and reprehensible. That's what I said to them."

Arduous journey for bank card

An Australian man has flown thousands of kilometres trying to withdraw money from his bank account, after a security upgrade rendered his cash machine card invalid. Education consultant Robert Lewis tried to use his HSBC bank card, issued in Hong Kong in 2011, in Wagga Wagga, Australia, the South China Morning Post reports. He was told he would have to make a 10-hour round trip to the HSBC branch in Sydney to fill out a change of address application form in person to get an internet security device. But then the Hong Kong branch rejected the application, saying his signature didn't match their records. Lewis was left with no choice but to fly another 7400km to Hong Kong to show bank officials his passport and identity card, where the blunder was finally sorted out. "Hong Kong could have spoken to Sydney and faxed a copy of the documents," says Lewis.

Toddler upstages babysitter

A 17-year-old babysitter in the US state of Washington is accused of concocting a story about two armed black men breaking into a home. The teenager told police the intruders ordered her and the three children, aged 1 to 4, to leave as they ransacked the house. She told police the African-American neighbour fitted the description, and he ended up under suspicion for a few hours. But her charge, 4-year-old Abby Dean, told police the thieves were white and from there the story led to a confession. "She's not a good babysitter," Abby observed.

Foxes to resume flying soon

Update on the missing flying foxes from Auckland Council: "This popular equipment is checked weekly and it's an unfortunate coincidence that four of the 14 flying foxes in the central area need maintenance at once. Auckland Council's parks team is working on having these flying foxes back in service as soon as possible."

A fleet of ride-on mowers off to groom the centre strip at Wiri Station Rd.

Tweet goodness: Woman objects to the God twitter account...

Local: Following yesterday's Major Toms Ground Control as a name for a lawn maintenance service, this Hamilton firm has an upfront, stand out name.

Video: Step aside Wendy! Here's the world's first android newsreader

Video: This kayaker was filming orcas in the distance while near Hornby Island in British Columbia, when suddenly...

Video: Remember the clip where a bunch of beautiful people who didn't know each other, had to pash each other? Well now check out the same premise, except this time the slap each other... (Features the kid from the movie Sixth Sense. Can you pick him?)

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Got a Sideswipe? Send your pictures, links and anecdotes to Ana at ana.samways@nzherald.co.nz