Whistle blown on 'drunk' referee and body blow for mourners

MAGPIE'S ATTENTION has been drawn to a hilarious video clip on the BBC news website

MAGPIE'S ATTENTION has been drawn to a hilarious video clip on the BBC news website. It's all about a football referee in Belarus who has been suspended for allegedly being drunk while officiating a league game.

It was thought at first, says the Beeb, that Sergei Shmolik (43) was suffering from back pain.

However, tests in hospital later revealed he had high levels of alcohol in his system.

Judge it for yourself at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7502968.stm

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A Michigan man has been accused of wearing a "World's Greatest Dad" T-shirt when going to meet a girl he thought was 14 for sex.

Daniel Allen Everett (33) of Clarkston was arraigned on charges of child sexual abuse and using the internet to attempt child sexual abuse.

A spokesman for US attorney general Mike Cox could not confirm whether Everett had children. But Mr Cox said in a statement that the arrest was a reminder that "a parent can pose a threat to our children".

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A family from suburban Chicago said they arrived at a funeral home last Monday to view their grandmother's body, but found another woman in the casket.

Even worse, the family of Lillian Grogan (91) said the stranger was wearing their grandmother's dress and favourite bracelet.

They claim the mix-up happened because the funeral home incorrectly tagged Mrs Grogan and another woman.

By the time it was noticed, Mrs Grogan had already been buried.

Her family obtained a court order to have the body exhumed yesterday, and Mrs Grogan will be reburied.

A spokeswoman for the company that owns the funeral home declined to discuss the incident.

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A Scottish scientist using a mini blowtorch to kill weeds accidentally incinerated his neighbours' front garden.

Robert Gailey (79) watched in horror as sparks from a gas-powered garden tool caused the lawn and shrubs of his neighbours, Stuart and Phyliss McLean, to catch fire.

Mr Gailey had been using a Weed Wand, a £20 (€25) handheld flaming device which burns weeds, to treat the driveway of his semi-detached home in Paisley. But within seconds, the McLeans's lawn and evergreen trees were aflame.

Mr Gailey admitted his embarrassment over the blunder: "I had been using the Weed Wand to get rid of weeds on my driveway. A couple of sparks had come off and before I knew it they had started a blaze in the garden next door."

A Strathclyde fire brigade spokesman urged gardeners to take care. "People should be extremely careful when they use blowtorch devices such as these in their gardens."

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An Indian pensioner has failed his high-school exams for the 38th time in a row - but vows to keep on trying. Shiv Charan (74) scored just 14 per cent in English, 17 per cent in science, 5 per cent in mathematics and 25 per cent in Sanskrit. He scraped a pass in Hindi, scoring 34 per cent.

"As long as I am alive I will go on taking examinations in order to get a wife," he said.