YouTube shuts, Google sniffs, Twitter slims

YouTube is shutting down, Twitter users have to pay for the use of vowels, and the new Google Nose search engine will bring a whiff of wet dog or daisies right to your computer or smartphone.

Smells fishy? These internet giants went all-out to try and bamboozle their users with April Fool's gags on the most mischievous day of the year.

YouTube, the world's largest video sharing site, revealed it had merely been an eight-year contest to find the best video and would be closing to review all entries. The winner would be announced in 2023.

"We are so close to the end. Tonight at midnight, youtube.com will no longer be accepting entries. After eight amazing years, it is finally time to review everything that has been uploaded to our site and begin the process of selecting a winner," said Tim Liston, named as "competition director."

YouTube CEO Salar Kamangar said that "we started YouTube in 2005 as a contest with a simple goal: to find the best video in the world."

In keeping with its prankster reputation, Google also unveiled a complex search engine that would offer "the sharpest olfactory experience available."

The search engine claims to have a database of smells from all over the world. Users can search for "new car smell", or "Egyptian tomb", sniff their screen and even share it with a friend.

Google's "Android Ambient Odor Detection" also allows you to collect smells on your phone.

Meanwhile micro-blogging site Twitter said it had decided to shave off even more characters by providing a new vowel-free service to users.

"Trd th nw Twttr yt? Mr tm fr mr twts" (Translation: "Tried the new Twttr yet? More time for more tweets") the site announced. Of course, vowels would still be available but only to premium users willing to pay five dollars a month.

Several recent newsmakers were targeted in other pranks on April Fool's Day with North Korea cropping up twice.

South Africa's Daily Maverick newspaper carried a story headlined " Exclusive: Oscar Pistorius signs up for North Korea's inaugural Friendship Run."

The paper said the double-amputee paralympian sprint star who is charged with killing his model girlfriend, will lead SA's team in Kim Jong-Un's bid to build bridges between less-understood world regimes and less-understood global figures.

"Just days after being allowed to travel while on bail, Oscar Pistorius has received an unexpected honour: A personal invitation from North Korea's newly-minted and beloved leader, Kim Jong-Un, to join the many worthy celebrities participating in his Friendship Run, a 10km race through the exquisitely manicured streets of Pyongyang.

When he heard of the invitation, Pistorius said: "I'll take it."

On hearing that the race was not going to be his favourite 400m sprint, but 25 times longer at 10km, Pistorius curtly replied: "I'll be fine."

Meanwhile German news website Tagesschau.de reported that television actor David Hasselhoff, known for roles in Baywatch and Knight Rider, had been asked by the US State Department to mediate in North Korea.

"Until now, diplomatic efforts have gotten us nowhere, as have resolutions and sanctions. Why not try less controversial methods for once?" the newspaper cited State Department spokeswoman Victorie Nuland as saying.

Hasselhoff is very popular in Germany where he had a number one hit with his song "Looking for Freedom" which he sang in front of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

He recently sang the song to massive crowds in the German capital protesting the removal of a part of the wall for a construction project.

The Huffington Post news website reported the wealthy Qatari backers of London's new Shard skyscraper were building the "Shlide", a heartstopping thrill ride curving all the way down the 72-floor building.

Providing an image of the slide, the site quotes Project Co-Ordinator, "Dizzy" Lizzy McGovern who said there had been some teething problems in the project.

"We wish Brian, the initial tester, a speedy recovery after the operation to replace both his knees." (AFP)

Sagan rapped for podium 'bottom-pinch'

Highly-rated Slovakian cyclist Peter Sagan was accused of sexism and harassment on Sunday after he was pictured pinching the bottom of a podium girl after the Tour of Flanders.

Sagan, 23, smirked towards the camera as he grabbed the bottom of a blonde hostess, one of two girls giving congratulatory kisses to race winner Fabian Cancellara.

His actions caused an out-pouring of anger on Twitter.

"Shame that Peter Sagan has so much class on a bike and so very little off it," wrote British cyclist Michael Hutchinson on Twitter.

Later, he added: "Im a little surprised that probably 50% of the Sagan-ass-grabbing-gate replies I've got have been pro Sagan. (Maybe I shouldn't be.)."

Jane Aubrey, editor of Australian website cyclingnews.com, also condemned Sagan's actions.

"Anyone excusing Sagan's behaviour due to his age, needs to think again. In the workplace, it's called harassment," she tweeted.

Sagan later took to Twitter to apologise for the incident.

"Was not my intention to disrespect women today on the podium. Just a joke, sorry if someone was disturbed about it," he wrote.(AFP)

Teacher asked female students to send him naked photos

A former teacher at a northwest Indiana high school has been charged with persuading several underage girls to send their naked photos to him by cellphone.

Jon Erik Lilly of Cedar Lake was arrested Wednesday on federal charges of possessing visual depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. He couldn't be reached for comment because his phone number was unlisted.

Lilly allegedly talked four girls into sexting with him when he taught at Morton High School in Hammond.

Court records unsealed Wednesday say a school official caught him sitting with a female student between his leg in November. A mother also reported she believed her daughter was sexually active with the 27-year-old Lilly.

Investigators allegedly found nude photos of at least four underage students on Lilly's computer.(AP)

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