You may have missed . . . The man who had his prayers answered in cash and other tales from last week's news

Fit week for fat cats

A device made with pulleys, a rope and a dead rabbit has been designed to provide exercise for the cheetahs at Edinburgh Zoo. It had been feared that the sedentary lifestyle of the cats in the zoo could result in damage to their livers.

Sexy week for snails

A rare snail species has been saved from possible extinction by the discovery, at Nottingham University, that porridge boosts their sex lives. Since the partula snails have been given two bowls of porridge a day, their breeding rate has improved enormously.

Good week for knitting

An elderly New Zealander accidentally pushed his car, with his wife inside, down a hill and over a 100ft bank. When the police arrived, they found the woman still contentedly knitting in the car. She suffered only bruising to one arm.

Lucrative week for prayer

A Spanish businessman was the surprised beneficiary of over pounds 1m after passing through a church in Spain, praying over a coffin and leaving his name in the condolence book. The deceased had left everything to "whoever prays for my soul".

Relieved week for Filipinos

Japan has made a pounds 20,000 contribution to the Philippines to enable 26 public toilets to be built in the Cordova district. The donation is part of a campaign to "improve public hygiene" and "discourage Filipinos from relieving themselves in the street."