24-hour cow-smuggling hotline launched

Our pick of the strange stories from around the world.

Cowline launched in India

The Indian state of Haryana has set up a 24-hour emergency hotline for local residents to report the smuggling or slaughter of cows in their area. Officials say the hotline is designed to help police enforce a law enacted last year that punishes the slaughter of cows with up to ten years in prison. The sale and consumption of beef is taboo in many parts of India as the cow is considered a sacred animal by the country's majority Hindu population.

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Trespasser leaves note for homeowner

A woman in Pennsylvania called the police when she returned home to find a note on the door, saying: "Don't be scared when you come in, Bob is here", and a strange man sleeping on her couch. Police arrested 28-year-old Robert Sheets, an acquaintance of the woman's boyfriend - who told police he barely knew "Bob", hadn't spoken to him for years and was unsure how he knew where his girlfriend lived.

Australian journalist trolls bookmakers

Veteran Australian political journalist Laurie Oakes caused bookmaking firm Sportsbet a major headache when he learnt they were taking bets on what colour tie he would wear during the extended coverage of the country's election. Oakes changed his tie six times over the course of the five-hour programme, forcing the bookies to announce it would pay out on all bets.