Tale of loyal terrier carries new poignancy during pandemic
The statue of a loyal terrier that has delighted tourists to Edinburgh for nearly 150 years is taking on new meaning amid the pandemic. The Greyfriars Kirk in the Scottish capital, which maintains the Skye Terrier monument known as Greyfriars Bobby, said its message of friendship has never been more important. The statue was erected in 1873, as a tribute to the faithful dog who slept by his master's grave for 14 years. Speaking on the day that marks the pet's death, Richard Frazer, the minister at Greyfriars, said: “In these times of enforced isolation, those of us fortunate enough to have a dog, or some other pet, appreciate more profoundly than ever the beautiful companionship of a loyal friend. “Bobby's devotion continues to be an inspiration.” According to a report in The Scotsman, the health crisis forced an annual ceremony commemorating the terrier to be cancelled for the first time. It's hoped, however, that the yearly pet blessing service in October, which also celebrates Bobby's story, will go ahead as planned. Bobby was the loyal companion of Edinburgh police watchman John Gray. When Gray died in 1858, the dog refused to leave his master's grave at the Greyfriars Kirkyard, even in the harshest weather, until its own death in 1872. Bobby's collar and licence from 1867 can still be seen at the Museum of Edinburgh.
Monkeys turn to high-end thievery
The thieving monkeys of one Indonesian holiday hot spot have upped the ante in their extortion of visitors, pinching high-end electronics instead of swiping hats and scarves. According to a report in The Royal Society science journal, the macaques that gather at the Uluwatu Temple in Bali have learned they can barter for better treats by stealing luxury items such as iphones. Already a big attraction, the primates have apparently developed a rudimentary understanding of economics as they get older and have more exposure to affluent tourists. Research from the University of Lethbridge, in Alberta, and Udayana University in Indonesia suggests the monkeys are able to weigh the “value” of an item based on what it will earn in return for food. The four-year study identified “clear behavioural associations between value-based token possession and quantity or quality of food rewards.” Smartphones, prescription glasses and wallets were identified as top targets for the cheeky critters. Speaking to the Guardian, Jean-baptiste Leca, of the Alberta university, said: “These behaviours are socially learned and have been maintained across generations of monkeys for at least 30 years in this population.”
China's bullet train can handle frigid climates
One of the fastest trains in the world can now operate at some of the world's coldest temperatures. Officials in China said its new CR400AF-G bullet train, which is capable of speeds up to 350 km/h, is designed to operate in climates where the mercury plunges as low as -40 C. It's part of the Fuxing series of rapid electric trains developed and run by the state-owned China State Railway Group, CNN reported. Unveiled earlier this month in Beijing, the cold-weather bullet train will run between the Chinese capital and northeastern destinations including Harbin, famed for its annual ice and snow festival and rated one of the country's coldest cities. Other destinations will include Shenyang, the largest city in Liaoning province and site of a 17th century imperial palace. No official start date for the services has been announced. But a subsidiary of the state railway company said it had conducted several test runs confirming the train will have “optimized components” to cope with extremely cold temperatures. Zhou Song, director at China Railway, told China Daily: “If the train stops in Harbin for an hour, because of the extremely cold weather, the braking system can easily freeze if it stops moving for a while. The new system will enable the brakes to move from time to time even if the train stops — like a person who stamps his feet to keep warm in cold weather.”