KEY POINTS:
SHOCK VALUE: Agakhan Sharief wants to get elected and has resorted to using his nickname to get voters' attention in the Philippines. The 35-year-old local council candidate has splashed "Bin Laden" across his campaign posters. Sharief wears a long beard, turban and neck scarf similar to that worn by Osama bin Laden and while he condemns the killing of innocent people in the September 11 attacks, he is not convinced of bin Laden's involvement. (Source: Washington Post)
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Michael Laws told his Radio Live listeners on Friday morning that he was planning to try a lift on the next episode of Dancing With the Stars. He said executive producer Tony Holden tried to dissuade him, claiming any mishap wouldn't be covered by the show's insurance. Undeterred, the wiry, middle-aged Laws says he will be lifting his very tall dance partner, Lauren de Boeck, on Tuesday's show and that the production team has arranged for a St John Ambulance team to be on standby, just in case.
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A British protective clothing company has launched a knife-proof hoodie, made from the same material as the body armour used by Britain's troops. The hoodies will be lined with Kevlar, a knife-resistant fibre, that does not melt, ignite or conduct electricity. A spokesman for the manufacturer, Bladerunner, told mpdclick news he wanted to do something to help kids protect themselves. The company is also talking to schools about the possibility of putting the Kevlar lining into school uniforms.
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Like father like son? Jane Day writes: "In an English exam my husband sat years ago, one question required you to give an antonym for the words listed. One word was malevolence. Having no idea what it meant, my husband punted for femalevolence.Years later, my son sat a geography exam and was asked to give the name of the structure built in the sea to prevent erosion of the sand. The correct answer was groyne. He knew the answer had something to do with the genital area and he knew it began with a 'g'. Now he was in unknown territory, but very happily wrote down gonads."
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Jesse Stevens, Kingsland, writes: "Last Tuesday evening right around dinner time I had a man come to my door selling Sky digital, a pair of Mormons offering salvation, a woman collecting for charity and then a guy from a holiday camp in Paihia called out of the blue asking if I needed a holiday. All in 15 minutes. I think I need a holiday from people interrupting my dinner."
Competition
Sideswipe is turning five so we decided it was time to give something back to you, the readers, who've made the daily swipery a must read. The best local contribution published next week will win a trip for two to the Gold Coast flying Air New Zealand with five nights accommodation at the Marrakesh Resort north of Surfers Paradise. If you've been meaning to take that bizarre picture or share that amusing yarn, now's the time to send them in. Finally, to all those readers who have sent in contributions to Sideswipe during the past five years, our sincere thanks. Because of the sheer volume of emails, it has not been possible to publish all the worthy stories and pictures or reply to each contributor individually. But thank you and keep'em coming.
Send the entries, via email or by post to Sideswipe, c/- NZ Herald, P O Box 32, Auckland.
Entries must be original local content and published in the week beginning April 16 and ending on April 21, 2007. The winner will be announced on Monday, April 23, in Sideswipe. For full terms and conditions of the prize offered please go to www.nzherald.co.nz/promotions next week.
