Keeper goalless

Brussels, Aug. 22 (Reuters): Belgian women’s soccer team SK Berlaar had to stomach a 50-1 defeat against rival KV Mechelen on Saturday because their goalkeeper had opted to attend a music concert instead, a local newspaper said.

“Our keeper went to Pukkel Pop. That’s why,” substitute goalkeeper Charlotte Jacobs told Het Laatste Nieuws daily today. KV Mechelen scored their first goal after only four seconds.

“At half-time the score was 27-0. But after half-time we were able to recover. We had to stomach only 23 goals and we scored once ourselves, right at the end. They allowed us to score. That was sweet of them,” Jacobs added.

Mud mess

Belgrade (Reuters): Security guards protecting what is left of Serbia’s once mighty Bor mining and smelting complex are being overrun by thieves stealing mud that contains traces of gold, silver and platinum, a Belgrade newspaper said. Bor police have filed charges against persons unknown for the theft of about 700 kg of valuable anode mud from the bankrupt company in southern Serbia, Danas said in its weekend edition. The thieves stopped at nothing to get at the mud, carrying it off in bags, sacks, bottles, clothing and even in pockets.

Japan biz

Tokyo (Reuters): Spurred by the success of a “Cool Biz” campaign this summer that encouraged men to dress down to save energy, Japan plans to continue conservation efforts this autumn and winter by promoting “Warm Biz” fashion. Government workers and politicians have been encouraged to leave off coats and ties between June 1 and September 30 so that air conditioner thermostats can be set higher to help fight global warming. From October 1, however, public sector thermostats will be turned down to 20 Celsius and workers urged to layer up. “There are various combinations of dress that we envision, but thermal underwear is definitely going to be crucial,” an official at the environment ministry said.

Virgin tops

Los Angeles (Reuters): Female moviegoers fell for the charm of The 40-Year-Old Virgin, starring Steve Carell and Leslie Mann, propelling the comedy to the top of the North American box office in its first weekend of release. Women also accounted for a majority of attendees at the number two film, the suspense movie Red Eye, marking the second consecutive weekend that the top two films appealed to a distaff crowd ? a paradoxical turn given that the studios generally target young males.