And other stories from the stranger side of life
A flatulent barrister who tried to sue the Crown Prosecution Service has won £135,000 after his request to work from home was denied. An employment tribunal was told that Tarique Mohammed’s farts were caused by medication and therefore asking him to stop breaking wind violated his dignity. The tribunal found it was a reasonable request of his colleague to make, given the size of their office and the “repetitive nature of the flatulence”, but awarded Mohammed £135,862 for successful claims against the CPS, reported The Telegraph.
Beethoven’s DNA reveals disease
Beethoven had a genetic predisposition to liver disease and a hepatitis B infection months before his death, DNA tests have suggested. A team of researchers led by Cambridge University analysed five locks of hair to sequence the composer’s genome and concluded that genetic risk factors, coupled with Beethoven’s high alcohol consumption, may have contributed to his condition. The study also “debunked” an investigation in 2007 that suggested lead poisoning could have accelerated his death, said Fox News.
‘Longest-range’ goal scored in Chile
Goalkeeper Leandro Requena scored “one of the most outrageous goals you are ever likely to see” during his Cobresal side’s 3-1 win over Colo-Colo in Chile’s top soccer league, reported CNN. In the 77th minute, Requena took what “initially looked like a fairly innocuous goal kick” but with Colo-Colo goalkeeper Brayan Cortés well outside of his penalty area, the ball bounced over his head and into the net. The goal was scored from a distance of 101 metres. If ratified by Guinness World Records, it would break the record for the longest-range goal in history.
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