Malaysia — A Malaysian man was accused of attempting to attack his neighbor last Friday. Following an argument, news reports indicate R. Prabakaran, 21, released four centipedes along with other insects in the bed of his neighbor, K. Rajama, 30.

Though the species of centipede was unreleased, Prabakaran could face up to three years in prison, as some varieties are poisonous. Prabakaran pleaded not guilty.

Lancashire, England — In an attempt to improve the image of taxis, transport chiefs in Lancashire have banned the practice of honking outside houses to indicate their presence for pickup.

Also in progress are dress and behavior codes, though these changes are not going down well with the drivers.

Taxi drivers argue that being forced to ring doorbells instead of beeping the horn leaves them vulnerable to violence in some of the more questionable districts.

Dayton, OHIO, USA — A man called the police after discovering the vandalism of the chairs on his porch. The chairs were smashed amidst an argument between the couple living next door.

Their argument was reportedly over walnuts from their backyard, and though the couple was charged by police, it is still unclear what the argument was really concerning.

New Zealand — A man was charged with hit-and-run for intentionally running his mobility scooter into a group of girls playing in an open field in New Zealand, injuring one.

The reason behind his attack is unknown and the girl was treated for bruising on the arms and legs.

Next week he is due to appear in court.

France — While traveling on a high-speed train between La Rochelle and Paris, a 26-year-old French man got his arm trapped in the train’s toilet.

Attempting to retrieve his cellular phone, the powerful suction system pulled his arm into the toilet.

The high-speed train was stopped for more than two hours while firemen cut through the toilet, rushing it, with the man still attached, to the hospital. Eventually, the toilet was sawed apart in order to free the man.

It was not indicated whether or not his cell phone was retreived in the incident.

Brazil — A Web site aiming to provide resources for career development to prostitutes is being “toned down” after being found too lewd for the Internet.

Brazil, with legalized sex workers, featured the Web site as a way to aid prostitutes in performing erotic fantasies, seducing people with affectionate nicknames and communicating in foreign languages. The page was developed by prostitutes in 2002, and also offers advice on contraception, violence-free working situations and STDs.

Critics suggested the change so as not to give the appearance of encouraging prostitution.

The site will tone down the language and moderate some of the more explicit tips by the end of the year.

Reach columnist Matthew Jackson at news@dailyuw.com.