Jobless mum first bingo millionaire
Saturday September 22 2007
A mother of two became Britain's first bingo club millionaire yesterday -- weeks after losing her job.
Margaret Shearer (46), from Glasgow, scooped the £1m (€1.5m) jackpot at lunchtime at a Mecca club in Glasgow. She was only playing because she had lost her job at a biscuit factory three weeks ago. The win came just weeks after the gaming laws were relaxed to allow such huge prizes in clubs.
Geldof launches web TV channel
Bob Geldof yesterday launched the UK's first county council-funded broadband television channel.
Kent TV, which is available on demand 24 hours a day, provides viewers with information about the county, as well as news. Geldof, who has lived in Kent for more than 20 years, co-founded Ten Alps plc, which won the contract to operate the online channel on behalf of Kent County Council.
Castro cheated death -- Chavez
CUBAN leader Fidel Castro nearly died and underwent several blood transfusions in which almost all his blood was exchanged, but he is now doing well, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said yesterday.
It was not clear if Chavez was talking about a recent relapse in the health of Castro (81) or if he was recounting complications that he suffered after undergoing emergency surgery more than a year ago. "Fidel is well, clearly he has not finished his recovery." Mr Chavez told reporters during a visit to Brazil's Amazon city of Manaus.
Finns put warning on beer bottles
Finland will introduce health warnings on bottles of beer, wine and liquor, following reports that alcohol has become the country's biggest killer, officials said yesterday.
The warnings, to be introduced in 2009, must be clearly displayed on the side of a bottle or packaging and cannot be included on any part that is discarded when an alcohol container is opened.
Politician fined for rival sex slur
A UK Labour politician was yesterday found guilty of falsely branding a political rival a paedophile and telling electors he had sex with teenage boys.
Miranda Grell (29), who stood as a candidate in last year's local election in East London, was fined £1,000 (€1,500) and ordered to pay £3000 (€4,300) costs. She told people that Liberal Democrat rival Barry Smith was gay and had a young Thai boyfriend as she canvassed on doorsteps ahead of the poll.
