Funniest story of the day

Thanks to conflict blotter for this. Is the Depleted Uranium producing mutations in the local wildlife?

BASRA, Iraq, July 11, 2007 (AFP) - The Iraqi port city of Basra, already prey to a nasty turf war between rival militia factions, has now been gripped by a new fear — a giant badger stalking the streets by night.

Local farmers have caught and killed several of the beasts, but this has done nothing to dispel rumours of a bear-like monster that eats humans and was allegedly released into the area by British forces to spread panic.

“I was sleeping at night when this strange animal hit me on my head. I have not seen such an animal before. My husband hurried to shoot it but it was as swift as a deer,” said Suad Hassan, a 30-year-old housewife.

“It is the size of a dog but his head is like a monkey. It runs so quickly.”

“I believe this animal appeared following a raid to the region by the British forces,” said Ali Mohsen, a farmer in his 40s from Karmat Ali, near the air base used by the multinational force.

You know you’re in trouble when your public affairs folks have to issue statements like this one from the British army spokesman in Basra:

“We have not released giant badgers in Basra.”

Time to call in the supergerbils methinks.