15/12/18

[Maik]

Parrot tries to order strawberries and watermelon from Amazon's Alexa

A mischievous parrot was caught ordering strawberries, watermelons and ice-cream after ‘falling in love’ with Amazon’s voice-activated device Alexa.

Rocco, a homeless African grey, keeps using the personal assistant to order his favourite treats, as well kites and light bulbs, and likes to set the mood by playing romantic music.

The clever bird was taken in by the National Animal Welfare Trust’s Berkshire centre earlier this year after he was found as a stray.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/african-grey-parrot-rocco-orders-strawberries-watermelon-amazon-alexa-berkshire-a8684671.html

 

[Maik]

Greece's Tourism Growth to 'Level Off in 2019'

Greece’s extraordinary growth in tourist arrivals over the last years is likely to level off in 2019, the President of the Association of Greek Tourist Enterprises (SETE) Yiannis Retsos warned on Friday.

He announced that in 2018, Greece attracted about 33 million foreign visitors and tourism revenue rose to 16 billion euros.

Retsos said that the rapid recovery of Turkey as an alternative destination and Brexit will not leave Greek destinations unaffected.

https://greece.greekreporter.com/2018/12/15/greeces-tourism-growth-to-level-off-in-2019/

[Maik]

All animals safe after major fire sweeps through Chester Zoo's Monsoon Forest attraction

All animals are safe after a major fire ripped through Chester Zoo's rainforest habitat, forcing all visitors to be evacuated.

The Cheshire zoo was closed as the fire brigade tackled the blaze in the Monsoon Forest before confirming "all animals are accounted for".

https://www.itv.com/news/2018-12-15/chester-zoo-fire/

[Maik]

'Exceptionally well-preserved' 4,400-year-old priest’s tomb uncovered in Egypt

https://www.itv.com/news/2018-12-15/4-400-year-old-priests-tomb-uncovered-in-egypt/