Public urinaters in for a shock at Cheltenham Festival

“Brazen” punters who urinate in public at this year’s Cheltenham Festival may get more than they bargained for as the town employs liquid-repelling paint, reported The Telegraph. The town’s borough council says it has had enough of rowdy racegoers ignoring temporary toilets and “shamelessly” relieving themselves on the street. Hydrophobic paint is being made available to residents and businesses ahead of next month’s meet. It splashes back any liquid, causing anyone attempting a public pee to get wet trousers and shoes.

Professor calls for ‘mass suicide’ of elderly

A Yale university professor has said that “mass suicide” of the elderly is “the only solution” to the growing state burden. After official data in Japan revealed that over-75s accounted for 15% of the country’s population for the first time, Yusuke Narita, an assistant professor of economics, said: “I feel like the only solution is pretty clear. In the end, isn’t it mass suicide and mass ‘seppuku’ of the elderly?” – referring to the act of disembowelment employed by dishonoured Samurai in the 19th century. However, the 37-year-old has told the New York Times that his remarks were taken out of context.

Owl closes Georgia library

An owl that caused a Georgia college to close its library for several days has been successfully evicted from the premises. The Agnes Scott College’s McCain Library in Decatur said the owl flew down the chimney and perched out of reach in the rafters, prompting officials to close the facility to students. A master falconer was eventually able to capture the owl in a net and release it outside, where it promptly flew away. “Hopefully he’s off hunting somewhere for a field mouse,” a college spokesperson told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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