Sideswipe

Graeme McDermott writes: "On TV One's Good Morning the rather annoying food lady (Astar) was educating us about eating with fibre, considering the incidence of bowel cancer in New Zealand. She proceeded to make a soup full of goodies like onions, celery, mushrooms and then linked the brain and the stomach as part and parcel of the eating experience. She then pronounced: ' ... After all, the stomach is just a big suppository!' Too big for my liking - I'll just take castor oil thanks."

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In Maine, Lewiston High School added a new twist to the prom. Officials brought in a device supposedly able to detect alcohol in the air up to 2m away. It's supposed to curb drinking at the dance, but mouthwash and perfume that contains alcohol will also trigger a positive reading. Officials said those who test positive would be pulled aside and given a second test . (Source: reason.com)

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Following yesterday's swipe at the ANZ, a reader suggests if you are running a competition for worst customer service it would be pretty hard to beat Xtra. "Eleven phone calls over two days at different times, including twice hanging on for half an hour. Nothing except message saying they were busy. An email sent first thing Tuesday got an immediate automated reply saying they were too busy to reply for two days. Today (Thursday) still no reply. And this is an internet service provider in the communications business?"

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Richard Gregory, from Wellington, writes: "What jingoistic nonsense, suggesting Australia waits for New Zealand to act in East Timor before it will take action. With Australia pouring in peacekeepers, such fatuousness belittles your anonymous correspondent more than he/she tries to belittle Australians. New Zealand is a small country doing what it can to help Australia bring normality to East Timor - snide, wrong comments are both pointless and damaging".

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A flock of singing sheep have recorded their own World Cup song, in a bid to cheer England on to victory. The Baarmy Sheep, from Cumbria's Lake District, have released a version of English classic Land of Hope and Glory to unite the country behind their team. Record producer Charley Darbishire, from Bright Blue Studios in Ulverston, recorded the sheep bleating and mixed it with the original song to create the single.