A WOMAN plans to give birth with a pod of dolphins in the hope the animals will bring "peace, comfort and strength to the mother and baby during labour".
US mum-to-be Heather Barrington, 27, and her husband Adam have travelled to Hawaii to meet with the founder of The Sirius Institute, a group which is aiming to "dolphinise the planet", ahead of the dolphin-assisted birth. The couple is currently forming a bond with a pod of dolphins and hopes to be in the water with them when their son Bodhi is born.
And when their baby is born they better not tell young Bodhi he is beautiful, according to UK government minister Jo Swinson who says parents shouldn't compliment their children on how they look. "I know as an aunt, you fall into the trap of turning to your niece and saying, 'you look beautiful' - because of course all children do look beautiful - but if the message they get is that is what’s important and that is what gets praise, then that's not necessarily the most positive message you want them to hear," she said.
In other news, Michael Adebowale, one of two men suspected of killing UK solider Lee Rigby, has been released from hospital and taken into police custody. The family of the second murder suspect, Michael Adebojalo, have expressed "horror" at the soldier's slaying. "We wholeheartedly condemn all those who engage in acts of terror and fully reject any suggestion by them that religion or politics can justify this kind of violence," the family said. There are also concerns an attack on prison guards in the UK may have been inspired by the killing of Drummer Rigby.
A freight train has derailed in the US and burst into flames, Ireland has followed Australia's lead by introducing plain packaging for cigarettes, a woman has been set alight in Burma with allegations a Muslim man was behind the attack, triggering further religious tensions, US officials believe Chinese hackers have compromised a network featuring weapon designs and Nike has cut its ties to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong charity.
PR guru Max Clifford has denied sex charges levelled against him, tseven cops have been killed by two men they invited to dinner, the US says it has uncovered a $6 billion digital currency fraud, and comics are hoping laughter may boost the spirits of Newtown, Connecticut residents after the school shooting there last year.
Also, whale meat is being used for dog treats in Japan, Barack Obama has rekindled his odd couple relationship with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, the entire nation of Kenya has suffered a power outage, PC sales are expected to fall even further this year, a nation's weather service is apologising for naming the deadly Cyclone Mahasen after a revered king, and online fashion retailer Asos is recalling radioactive belts it sold.
In entertainment, Beyonce was too bootylicious for one fan who was almost thrown out of her European concert for slapping her bottom, the title of the new Bridget Jones book has been revealed, a jailed member of Russian punk band Pussy Riot who has been staging a hunger strike has been admitted to hospital, and Keith Urban is working on a new album but remains in the dark on his future as an American Idol judge. To read about Justin Bieber's latest antics check out our Global Goss report.
In sport, Bernard Tomic has pulled out of the French Open with an injury but says he's sticking by his dad, legendary pole vaulter Sergei Bubka has set the bar high and announced his candidacy for the IOC presidency, England's cricketers completed their series sweep of New Zealand, the British and Irish Lions have landed in Hong Kong as they prepare for their Australian tour, Roberto Martinez is waving goodbye to Wigan as he angles for the open Everton job and Olympic windsurfer Nick Dempsey has left the devoted wife who gave up her dream of winning gold to look after their family - and is now dating her replacement on the British sailing team.
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