Topsail Beach | An alligator spotted in the surf at Topsail Beach on Wednesday was captured overnight by members of the town police and volunteer fire departments. About 10 people from the two departments restrained the animal after it was spotted by a police officer at 4 a.m., said Police Chief Sam Gervase.
“I taped his mouth shut once they got him restrained,” Chief Gervase said, adding that neither the animal nor any of the officers were injured.
Officials kept the 6-foot alligator until  … Details & picture
 The National Trust is tapping into the enthusiasm of surfers to help protect hundreds of miles of south-west coastline, including Godrevy Island in Cornwall.
Robyn Davies, the five-times British women’s champion surfer, parks her vividly painted VW van on the beach car park at Godrevy in north Cornwall. A little later Britain’s number one male surfer, Alan “Stokesy” Stokes rolls up, all tanned face, designer shades and blond curly hair.
Not, perhaps, the sort of people you would normally associate with Britain’s keeper of historic stately homes and peaceful gardens … Details
KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan — The water skiing competition opened at the World Games Wednesday at the picturesque Lotus Pond in Kaohsiung, with traditional water ski powerhouse the United States leading in five of the seven events contested.Â
Elaine Heller had a remarkable run to take the lead in the women’s barefoot slalom, while Raimi Merritt and Dallas Friday topped the first round of the women’s wakeboard and Caroline Hensley was leading in the women’s ski tricks event.
In the men’s preliminary round events, American Andrew Adkison held the lead at  … Details
Defending driver world champion Briton Lewis Hamilton confirmed that McLaren Mercedes are back on form by clocking the fastest time in Friday afternoon’s second free practice for Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
Earlier, his team-mate Finn Heikki Kovalainen had topped the times in the morning’s opening session. Kovalainen was second fastest in a McLaren one-two in the afternoon.Â
Williams put in another solid practice performance as…Â Details