It's been a good week for -squatters' rights
It's an unpredictable life being a squatter, but one Glasgow family has demonstrated a fail-safe way of ensuring your needs are catered for. While "getting in the family way" is often criticised by rabid right-wing types when discussing council housing lists, if you are a rare bird, they can't touch you.
Two lovestruck peregrine falcons shunned the city's natural habitats in favour of an airy pad on the 24th floor of Petershill Court in Glasgow's Red Road flats as the ideal spot to raise a family.
As the high rise was soon to be demolished, a local twitcher raised the alarm. Glasgow Housing Association and demolition contractor Safedem immediately constructed a swanky new crib nearby to tempt the family to vacate the flats, but the birds were having none of it. So demolition was delayed, CCTV was installed to ensure their personal safety and access to the building was controlled to ensure their privacy.
The result? One peregrine falcon chick, believed to be the first hatched in the city, which flew the nest earlier this month.
It's been a bad week for -
airport security
"You'll be sorry when I'm gone" is a warning lobbed at parents up and down the land by truculent offspring contemplating direct action.
In the arsenal of childhood threats, running away is surely the ultimate in making your grievances known. The drill is well-worn; raid cupboards for non-perishables, grab favoured toy, make dramatic exit. For maximum impact, repeat step three.
This week, however, 11-year-old Liam Corcoran from Manchester, displayed breath-taking ambition when taking juvenile rebellion to new levels.
The youngster was out shopping with his mother when he made a run for it and headed straight for the nearest airport. While casually hob-nobbing with various holiday-bound families, Liam managed to slip through not one but five identity checks without so much as a library card.
Suspicions were only raised when the young pretender, happily ensconced on a flight to Rome, attempted to order a G&T and packet of nuts.
Meanwhile, at a secret location somewhere in central London, recruitment bods at MI6 sat up and took note of a potential new talent.
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