Wicked Thoughts

A new sweater for the doggie too. Doggie not so pleased

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THE NEWS

Odd news from around the world

An orgasm a day can slash a man’s cancer risk: Regular sex lowers the ‘chance of prostate tumors by 20%’: “Men who have regular orgasms – once a day – are less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, a study has found. Regular ejaculation throughout their lives reduces the risk of the disease, scientists discovered. The researchers, from Harvard Medical School, said they could not explain why orgasms could lower prostate cancer risk, adding further research is necessary. The researchers found that men in the 40 to 49 age bracket who ejaculate 21 or more times a month reduced their risk of prostate cancer by 22 per cent. This was compared to men who ejaculate four to seven times a month.” According to a study, men who sleep with multiple women are almost a third less likely to develop the disease. Researchers at the University of Montreal found men who have more than 20 notches on their bedpost slashed their risk of prostate cancer by 28 per cent.”

Wedding is halted when priest asks if anyone objects to the union… and the groom’s WIFE stands up: “It is almost unheard of for wedding guests to object to the union. But at one South African ceremony, a couple had a startling interruption – from the groom’s wife. Ndodana Chifamba, 42, and his bride, known only as Phindile, were preparing to exchange vows at their wedding in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, when the pastor asked if anyone objected to their marriage. Incredibly, a woman swiftly got to her feet and announced she was married to the groom. As other guests looked on in amazement, Josephine Mhlanga, 46, then declared she had two children with her husband of 20 years – and had only found about his secret wedding that day. She said Chifamba – who was, by now, stammering – could not marry again while she was still alive. Following the explosive revelation, the pastor halted the wedding.”

A real magic mushroom: “A farmer from Liaoning, north-east China, has come into an unexpected bit of luck when he stumbled on a giant mushroom in the mountains near his home. The enormous fungus, weighing a total of 70kg (155 lb.) is a Tai Sui, or Ganoderma lucidum, a rare mushroom that’s considered to be the medicine for immortality in traditional Chinese medicine, according to People’s Daily Online. At an average price of 10,000 Yuan (£1,000) for 500g (1.1lbs), the farmer is expected to make 1.4 million Yuan (£140,000) in total. has been described by Chinese news site QQ as having multiple layers, ranging from a tough, yellow exterior to a delicate, pale cream interior. he delicate interior is considered the most prized part and commands the highest prices. Some active compounds isolated from the mushroom were shown to have anti-cancer properties in human trials according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information.”

Four-year-old boy gets new trash cans for Christmas – and he’s overjoyed: “For a four-year-old boy obsessed with sanitation, the new trash cans his parents bought for the house were the best thing he could possibly have hoped for. Jobiah Wells first started taking an interest in the garbage collections when he was just two years old, and now he takes the whole street’s cans to the curb – 17 homes in total. The boy, from Folsom, California, cheers and waves the sanitation men whenever they come, and his interest grew when they started waving back. This year, as other children were asking for toys, he requested new garbage cans for the house, and his mother and the sanitation workers teamed up to help give him what he had asked for. Aaron Wilson, a sanitation worker for the City of Folsom, said he is flattered by the fact that Jobiah thinks they are heroes.”

POTATOES are bad for you?? The Irish should all be dead: “Doctors have warned potatoes may raise the risk of type 2 diabetes. Eating seven or more servings of spuds a week increases the risk of the disease by 33 per cent, compared to less than one full serving, a study found. And even two to four portions increases the risk by 7 per cent, researchers say. Unsurprisingly, French fries are the worst culprit compared with baked, boiled or mashed potatoes. However replacing three servings of potatoes a week with wholegrains – such as rice, quinoa, wheat and corn – could lower the risk of type 2 diabetes by 12 per cent, researchers concluded. The study’s author, Dr Isao Muraki, of the Osaka Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, told HealthDay that although potatoes are considered a vegetable in some countries, they should ‘not be regarded as a key component of a healthful diet’. Rather, they should be thought of as similar to a refined carbohydrate.”

And don’t forget to catch up with all the Strange Justice before you go.

Tried and tested

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THE NEWS

Odd news from around the world

Bright sparks: “Two teenagers were run over and killed by a truck driver after lying on a dimly lit road outside Antayla Airport in Turkey, trying to photograph the planes flying overhead. They were among a group of five young men who rented a car and drove from Alanya to Antayla, an 83-mile stretch along the Mediterranean coast. Çağlar Savaşçı, 19, and Muhammet Bozkurt, 17, were killed when a 27-year-old truck driver failed to spot the teenagers and ran them over. he three others managed to roll out of the way at the last minute. Uğur Üstündağ, the truck driver, called the police, who later said the five had been drinking. Blood alcohol tests have been ordered.”

‘SPIDERCAR’ can climbs walls and even drive on the ceiling: “Disney’s latest invention redefines the understanding of what ‘drives you up the wall.’ The wall-climbing robot called VertiGo is equipped with four wheels and two propellers, which allow it flip upward and move from the ground to the wall. It can drive smoothly on a vertical surface, maintaining its hold even when perpendicular to the ground. In order to drive up walls, VertiGo has two propellers mounted on its back; while the rear propeller thrusts toward the wall, the other thrusts upward. Using integrated servomotors, the inner and outer rings of the thrusters can be moved independently, giving the robot its gravity-defying abilities. This concept, born of Disney Research Zurich and ETH, aims to make robots more versatile for both urban and indoor environments. The unique design allows the robot to drive over grass, hard ground, and even indented surfaces.”

Man jumps on an alligator’s back and straps her jaws shut: “A mother alligator is seen hissing and thrashing to protect her young as Australian wildlife staff try to collect her eggs in a nest raid to help with the incubation process. Fifty-one eggs were taken from the American female alligator named ‘Betsy’ at the Australian Reptile Park on the Central Coast of New South Wales during an annual nest raid on Tuesday. The careful collection involved lifting each egg ‘without rolling it’ so as not to drown the babies developing inside. Footage released from the park shows Head of Reptiles, Billy Collett and Tim Faulkner, the General Manager at the park prodding the mother alligator with a stick and jumping on her back to clamp her jaw shut with yellow electrical tape. This is done so that the collection process of the eggs is ‘safe’ for the trainers. Mr Collett said: ‘Betsy was all fired up protecting her nest proving for a very dangerous and difficult capture.'”

Pink hippo!: “This rare pink hippo may look out of place against its herd – but it has developed unique ways of surviving in the wild. The hippo – which was pictured at a Kenyan nature reserve – is not an albino but is in fact leucistic, a condition where the pigmentation of cells in an animal fail to develop properly. Leucism can often affect an animal’s chances of survival as it makes them visible to predators – and also leaves them at risk of sunburn. But hippos have an advantage in that they are big enough to defend themselves against attackers as well being able to use their sweat as sun screen. This particular hippo was seen in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve this winter and was photographed by French couple Laurent and Dominique Renaud”.

Fatguts gets stuck in sportscar: “A man was in need of some help when he attempted to get out of a BMW sports car. But instead of lending a hand, his son and friends stood around laughing hysterically as he rolled about in the passenger seat while struggling to exit the vehicle. The video was captured in an unconfirmed location in England. The clip begins with the man looking rather pleased with himself as he opens the door of the low-slung sports car – believed to be a BMW i8. He takes off his belt and grabs the roof of the car with his left hand while manoeuvring his feet outside the vehicle. At first everything appears to be going to plan but after struggling to get his right foot out from under the seat he loses his balance and falls backwards. The man struggles to exit to car for a little while longer and appears to be defeated by the low roof, which prevents him from sitting up. Eventually the man is able to shuffle more of his body out of the car however, freeing up enough room for him to sit up in the seat. He then squeezes his head out of the small gap – his face continues to wear a smile – and exits the vehicle.”

And don’t forget to catch up with all the Strange Justice before you go.

A true story from Quora

When my father turned 13 years old he was woken early by his mother. She silently led him downstairs to the dark kitchen where she lit a light and started making him a big breakfast. His father was sitting at the table silently. My dad was confused at the situation and even more so when his mother put a big plate of bacon and eggs on the table in front of him – and not his father.

His father reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of Camel cigarettes and a box of wooden matches and pushed them across the table to the boy. “I have tuberclusosis,” he said to the boy, “You’re the man of the family now.” It was 1930 and he had 12 younger brothers and sisters plus his parents to feed.

My father was forced to grow up fast and hard. He knew he couldn’t quit school but he was now the main breadwinner for the family. He got a job as a milk delivery boy. Every night at three AM he got up and went to the livery to get the horse and cart, then to the ice house where he shoveled ice into the wagon. Finally he had to ride the cart to the train yard where the cart was loaded with milk from the Milk Train. Then, until six AM he made the route with another man and delivered milk all through South Boston. After putting the horses away he took the streetcar back home, got cleaned up and went to school.

The first week he went home his brothers and sisters were running roughshod over the family. His father was sick in bed. Because he was training to be a carpenter, he silently went into cellar and formed a 2 x 4 into a bat. Then he went upstairs and beat his brothers and sisters into line. It didn’t take them long to figure out who was boss.

When I was growing up I noticed that my aunts and uncles treated my father differently. When he showed up, the head of the table was prepared for him. Everything he wanted was provided for him without him having to speak, and he rarely spoke. A bottle of Seagrams 7 and an ashtray appeared and he sat silently smoking his Camels and sipping his whisky while family life went around him. I noticed that his brothers often kissed his ring. They absolutely adored and respected him.

“You don’t understand what a great man your father is,” my Aunt said once, “He was thirteen years old and he put food on our table every day. He made sure we had clothes. He kept his brothers out of jail. And he never lost his faith in God or his fundamental honesty.”

My father died of emphysema in 1992 at aged 74, the result of smoking two – three packs of unfiltered Camel cigarettes every day.

To this day, if I want to conjure up my father, I light up a cigar and fill my workshop with smoke and he is there — because that was how I knew him and I refuse to smoke cigarettes.

When I look at what my father had to do to be a man I realize that any complaints I had growing up were incredibly pitiful in comparison.

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THE NEWS

Odd news from around the world

German man kills himself trying to blow open and rob a CONDOM MACHINE: “A German man has died after blowing up a condom machine with a home-made explosion in a robbery-gone-wrong on Christmas Day. The 29-year-old had tried to destroy the machine with two accomplices, according to police, in an attempt to get to the cash inside. They attached their explosive to the machine in the nothern city of Munster before running for cover in their car nearby. But the unfortunate thief, who hasn’t yet been named, wasn’t able to get the car door closed in time and was hit in the head with a flying piece of shrapnel. Although his friends took him to hospital in the nearby town of Schoppingen, he later died from his wounds. Officers, who confirmed that none of the money or condoms from inside the machine had been taken, caught up with the group at the hospital.”

Out with the birdbath; In with the flute: “Corks were popping up and down the country on Christmas Day as people toasted the festive season with a glass of champagne. But French scientists have discovered that type of glass you were drinking from might have limited the flavour of the fizz. A study by the University of Reims in the heart of the French Champagne region found champagne flutes were the best glasses to use to enhance the flavour of the drink. While wider coupe glasses, less of the aromatic compounds that give Champagne its distinctive flavour is released, meaning the taste is different. According to the analysis by researchers, they found that as bubbles rise and burst from the liquid, they release tiny droplets that produce Champagne’s aroma and flavour. In a narrower glass such as a champagne flute, the bubbles mix together more, creating a strong flavour in the glass. However, in a wider coupe glass, the bubbles spread out more meaning the they do not mix as much and the flavour is not as strong.

Man fell 60ft to his death off cliff while ‘looking at his phone’: “A man who fell 60 feet to his death off a cliff while using an electronic device on Christmas Day has been identified. Joshua M Burwell, 33, from Sheridan, Indiana, was strolling along Sunset Cliffs in San Diego when he tumbled over the edge, NBC San Diego reported. His family confirmed his identity on Facebook and paid tribute to him. Sharyle Burwell, his mother, said: ‘Hug your kids and always tell them you love them. Glad my last words to Josh were “love you”! Bill Bender with San Diego Lifeguards at Sunset Cliffs told NBC San Diego: ‘Witnesses stated seeing someone distracted by an electronic device and he just fell over the edge’ ‘(He) wasn’t watching where he was walking, he was looking down at the device in his hands.’ Fire crews arrived a few minutes later, but the man was pronounced dead by medics.”

Butcher claims Vikings invented haggis and it should be made with venison, not sheep innards: “A butcher has described Scotland’s national dish as an ‘impostor’ and says haggis should be made with venison and not sheep. Joe Callaghan, of Callaghan of Helensburgh in Argyll and Bute has been researching the history of haggis for three years and has revealed it originates from the Vikings. Mr Callaghan, 50, is hoping to rebrand Scotland’s national dish – traditionally made using sheep’s stomach stuffed with sheep’s liver, lungs and heart, oatmeal, onion, suet and seasoning – as staggis. The award-winning butcher told The Sunday Telegraph: ‘The Vikings brought haggis to Scotland, we are sure of this. My recipe is based on the original Viking recipe. Throughout the ninth century, the Vikings arrived in Scotland to raid, pillage, trade and settle. ‘Traditional haggis is made from sheep plucks that come from an animal that was the commercial driving force behind the Highland clearances that has left a deep wound in Scotland’s history that still reverberates to this day.”

The total crap above sold for $47 million: “Money may not be able to buy you happiness, but if you had several million pounds to spare you could have splashed out on Sotheby’s most expensive auction lots of the year. A Cy Twombly painting sold for a staggering £47million last month. Cy Twombly’s masterpiece became Sotheby’s top selling lot when it sold for a mind-blowing £47million at a Contemporary Art Evening Auction in New York on November 11. The oil-based house paint and wax crayons on canvas is signed, and inscribed with NYC and dated 1968 on the back. It was produced by the artist as part of his acclaimed Blackboard series. The former army cryptographer painted six bands of repeated loopy lines on a gray background, which was sold by a prominent US collector to benefit a reform temple in Los Angeles”

And don’t forget to catch up with all the Strange Justice before you go.

A report from Poland

There is an old Polish tradition that says that at midnight on Christmas Eve animals can speak with human voices (this being a gift from baby Jesus as animals proved far more hospitable and welcoming to him on his day of birth than humans). I can now officially, in a world exclusive, confirm this is not true; Caesar just kept purring. It is true, however, that in Poland, due to a large consumption of alcohol during Christmas Eve dinners, by midnight many humans can speak with animal voices. Small miracles.

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THE NEWS

Odd news from around the world

‘Modern dance is like the jerking legs of a galvanised frog,’ says philosopher: “Modern dancing has lost its sense of connection and consists mainly of people jerking at each other ‘like the legs of a galvanised frog’, an eminent philosopher has claimed. In a collection of essays to be published in the spring, professor Roger Scruton laments the way people now dance ‘at’ each other instead of ‘with’ a partner. The 71-year-old claims dancers in clubs and bars across the country now also avoid eye contact due to a loss in understanding of what form of contact should occur during the interaction. According to The Observer, he writes: ‘They are dancing at each other. The difference between ‘at’ and ‘with’ is one of the deepest psychological differences we know. He went on to describe the dances of his youth, in which the opportunity of physical contact unlike that of other social conventions was the basis of dancing’s allure.”

Technology helps find lost ring: “A New Jersey man was reunited with his wedding ring this month after it fell off his finger and sank to the bottom of the ocean while he was fishing. Bradford, 27, and boat captain Nick Barsa returned to the spot four days later with salvage diver Mark Thompson. Barsa steered the boat using GPS coordinates to the exact spot where the ring was lost, while dealing with 35-mile-per-hour winds and a big southeast swell. Thompson, who said he has found people’s lost cellphones and watches in the ocean, dove in and searched rock ledges and sifted through thousands of mussels. He said he found the ring resting on a rock about 30 feet down after only ten minutes of searching.

New treasure unearthed by archaeologists at 2,000-year-old royal tombs in China: “Gold plates are among the valuable items unearthed at the tomb of a Chinese emperor who died thousands of years ago. Archaeologists digging at the royal tombs of the Marquis of Haihun State of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24) uncovered large quantities of gold over the festive period. The cemetery, which contains eight tombs and a chariot burial site, has been studied for five years and has produced Wuzhu bronze coins, jade and thousands of other gold, bronze and iron items. According to China Daily, the royal tombs are the best preserved of the Western Han Dynasty ever found in the country. Other items found at the site include gold coins, hoof-shaped ingots, jade pendants, a distiller, horse-drawn vehicles, a board game and 2,000-year-old bronze lamps. The goose-shaped lamps, which would have been filled with water, were designed to dispose of the smoke inside the tomb.

Floods in Australia are different — with CROCS in the water: “Deadly floodwaters have claimed the life of an elderly woman and forced almost 500 residents in the Northern Territory’s Daly River community to evacuate their homes, with reports crocodiles have entered the community in the rising waters and dragging away local dogs. An elderly woman tragically drowned in Beswick on Sunday – an hour and a half west of Katherine – when the car she was travelling in with four other occupants became stranded in a floodway on Dook Creek. Locals also claim they saw a saltwater crocodile drag away two dogs in the Daly River region and there have been reported sightings of crocodiles near homes by people evacuating on helicopters. One of the creatures was spotted in the middle of a footy field”

Revealed: The obscure law that allows Prince Charles to set off nuclear bombs: “An obscure law allows the Prince of Wales to set off nuclear bombs without fear of punishment, a new study has revealed. Prince Charles is also exempt from punishment for breaching the Data Protection Act and has better legal protection over his properties than other landowners. According to The Sunday Times, Dr Kirkhope went through government archives, met with officials and used the Freedom of Information Act to discover the information, which looks closely at Prince Charles’ role as the Duke of Cornwall. The title comes with a 700-year-old estate that grants the heir to the throne an income, but also provides special quirks, such as power over ‘crown roads’ – thoroughfares that cannot be altered without the Duchy’s permission. Dr Kirkhope also found the Duchy excludes the prince from criminal liability on a number of laws including the Nuclear Explosions (Prohibition and Inspections) Act 1998, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Data Protection Act 1998.”

And don’t forget to catch up with all the Strange Justice before you go.

Tarzan frog

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THE NEWS

Odd news from around the world

British Greenies need instructions on how to open a door: “Civil servants have been given a safety guide that instructs them how to use doors after a shocking 14 members of staff were hurt walking through them in five years. A step-by-step memo was sent to 2,440 people at the Department of Energy and Climate Change, run by energy secretary Amber Rudd. The vital instructions include ‘open the door slowly’ and if the door has a ‘vision panel’ look through to ‘judge if there’s someone on the other side’. The guide was issued because of the number of accidents staff had experienced in recent years. However, it has left others raising their eyebrows, with criticism over it being a waste of time and resources. Jonathan Isaby, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘This is patronising rubbish of the highest order and proof that there remains plenty of fat to trim at Whitehall departments. ‘Perhaps it’s those responsible for producing this ‘advice’ who should be shown how to use the door.’

Why rich men live much longer: “The link between wealth and health in Britain is well established, with the richest living up to eight years longer than the poorest. Now scientists have announced a possible reason — and it all comes down to our hormones. Researchers found that men from poor and uneducated backgrounds have lower levels of testosterone than their well-off counterparts. The study at University College London showed that those with the lowest household income — defined as less than £6,000 a year — had 10 per cent lower testosterone levels than men earning £30,000 or more. Low testosterone has been linked to depression, osteoporosis, weight gain and loss of muscle. The study of 1,880 British men and women also revealed that women whose parents were unskilled workers have testosterone levels 15 per cent higher than women whose parents had professional jobs. That leaves them more at risk of early puberty, infertility and polycystic ovaries”.

Are we hardwired to be religious because of EVOLUTION?: “Religion is often seen as being at odds with the science of evolution, but according to a growing area of research, it may actually be a product of this fundamental biological process. Fear of incurring the wrath of God, or a range of gods, may have played a key role in the development of our species, according to a leading expert in the evolution of human co-operation. He argues that belief in a divine being who will punish bad behaviour may have allowed humans to co-operate in a way our relatives in the animal kingdom do not. Fear of punishment by divine beings may have played a key role in the evolution of our species by helping enforce moral rules that allowed our ancestors to co-operate. Co-operation, even among strangers, is a defining feature of our species compared to other animals”

The most destructive dogs in the world are ….? “Beware of the (teeny weeny) dogs: They’re the cute must-have accessory for style-conscious women. But as these owners found to their cost, chihuahuas are the kings of canine carnage. New report claims chihuahuas cause average £866 of damage over lifetime. More destructive than any other breed and vet says they are hard to train

Werewolf cats: “With their bizarre, supernatural looks, these ‘werewolf’ cats will certainly stand out among neighbors’ pets. The Lykoi felines get their spooky features from a naturally-occurring Sphynx cat mutation mixed with black domestic shorthair. They have no hair around their eyes, noses, ears and muzzles – but have consistently patchy coats of fur on the rest of their bodies. And remarkably, they behave like dogs as they hunt for prey and toys. The cats’ unusual appearance has led to a new trend in breeding the type. However, there are still only seven Lykoi breeders registered globally.”

And don’t forget to catch up with all the Strange Justice before you go.

A well received Christmas gift

Little Ruby Ryan really wanted those “Frozen” dolls

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THE NEWS

Odd news from around the world

Why 3pm is the best time for making love: “The best time of day to make love is 3pm – when most of us are at work. That’s apparently when men and women are most in tune with each other’s desires. In the afternoon, women have high levels of the hormone cortisol, which helps alertness, and are at their most energetic. Around the same time, men have elevated levels of oestrogen, making them ‘more emotionally present’ during sex. Hormone expert Alisa Vitti, described 3pm as the ‘afternoon delight’, saying it was the perfect compromise for both sexes’ satisfaction, with men giving women the ‘emotional support’ they crave while still getting plenty of enjoyment. However, the late afternoon is another good time for men to have sex because, while their testosterone levels go down, their oestrogen levels rise.

Embarrassing: “A woman who walked in on her boss kissing a male co-worker at an office Christmas party was paid thousands of dollars to leave her job. The New Zealand woman was pressured to leave her job by her embarrassed boss and his wife, who also works at the company, offered her a lump sum payment just weeks after the mistletoe mishap, according to the New Zealand Herald. The payment, believed to be a couple of thousand dollars, was agreed upon during a disciplinary meeting but no one walked away happy, a source said. After hearing rumours fluttering around the office the man’s wife insisted she partake in the negotiations and appeared to be less than pleased during the negotiations. ‘[Her husband] looked very sheepish the whole time. He wasn’t very happy either. No one wins in this situation,’ the source said.

School lunch lady fired for giving free meal to hungry kid is offered her job back: “AN AMERICAN school cafeteria worker who said she was fired for giving a student a free meal costing $1.70 has her job back after a national outcry. Dalene Bowden, from Idaho, received a termination letter from the Pocatello School District last week after she gave a tray of food to a 12-year-old student who said she didn’t have money for the meal. The letter cited theft as the reason for her dismissal. Ms Bowden, who worked at Irving Middle School in Pocatello in the south east of the state, said a supervisor placed her on leave after witnessing what she had done. However, the district said in a statement on Wednesday night that it doesn’t fire workers for single events and offered Ms Bowden her job back in the spirit of the holidays. It’s not clear if she will return.”

British Pub called the Blackcock Inn has its Facebook page suspended for ‘racist or offensive language’: “A pub called the Blackcock Inn has had its Facebook page banned for ‘racist or offensive language’ due to its name, according to its manager. The watering hole has served customers in Llanfihangel Talyllyn in the Brecon Beacons, Wales, under the name since 1840 – but the social media giant banned its page after a complaint from a member of the public. Manager Lee Garrett said he had tried to explain the situation to Facebook but had not had a reply and was not expecting the ban to be lifted. He added: ‘We live in a historically agricultural area and there are plenty of cockerel based names for pubs around here. We have the Three Cocks, the Cock Inn, the Cock Hotel; it’s just a name.’

Selfie craze sends make-up sales soaring: “Selfies have driven a soar in make-up sales as women constantly touch up their faces to look camera-ready, a new report claims. The craze, started by celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, has boosted sales of cosmetics by £59.3million in the past year. Growth from selfies, as well as other factors including industry innovations and video bloggers, brought total sales to £816.4million. Trade magazine The Grocer said yesterday: ‘The culture of snapping one’s self at every turn is one of the trends that has contributed to the cosmetic category’s good looks.’ Cosmetic market data from analysts Nielsen shows that the concealer sector has been the biggest contributor to growth adding £12.1 million to sales. In addition, eyebrow make-up added £10.6 million and lip colour £10.3 million.

And don’t forget to catch up with all the Strange Justice before you go.

Some creative busking in NYC

Too Many Zooz is the name of the group

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THE NEWS

Odd news from around the world

Australia: Bemused taxi customer posts disclaimer online mocking the company: “AS RIDE sharing app Uber enjoys legalisation in the ACT and NSW, those within the taxi industry fighting the disruptive technology look like they’re losing the battle. A photo posted to Reddit last weekend sums up perfectly why Uber has had so much success in supplanting the traditional taxi industry. A user identified as being from Wollongong posted the screenshot of a disclaimer they received after ordering a taxi using a local taxi company’s app. “No Uber in my home town so I downloaded the local cab app. What a reassuring disclaimer …” they posted with the image. The disclaimer doesn’t exactly inspire a lot of confidence as it informs the customer that there is no guarantee the booking will be processed or that the fare estimate will be accurate.”

China’s vanishing mail-order brides: The imported wives who won’t stick around: “CHINA’S singles have it tough, battling a deep wealth divide and gender imbalance that makes it harder than ever to find true love. With desperate young men advertising themselves on billboards and hiring professional matchmakers to find the right person, one tactic has proved unsurprisingly popular: mail-order brides. But the dream weddings have turned into nightmares, with beautiful overseas spouses disappearing in hordes. Vietnamese brides have been pouring into rural villages with a surplus of men over the past decade, and bachelors will pay as much as $25,000 to secure a match. Last November, the unthinkable happened: up to 100 wives from Hebei province vanished all at once. With them went the matchmaker who had collected the cash, and provided a money-back guarantee. Bloomberg called it a “peculiarly Chinese instance of fraud”.

Vanishing yearbooks at an Australian school: “PARENTS of Bray Park State High School students say they are disgusted after being told printed copies of the school’s yearbook will be scrapped. “I think it’s disgusting. It will mean the kids don’t have a memory they can hold onto and look back on,” Mrs Large said. Ms Ferdinands said last year the school spent $3000 printing 500 yearbooks and only about 20 were collected. “The realistic part is we are moving towards the electronic era,” she said before adding the yearbooks would be available online and possibly archived for the future.”

Armed father saves his son from killer doctors: “A father took a gun into hospital to stop doctors taking his son off life support – and during the three-hour stand-off the young man squeezed his hand. The sign that he wasn’t brain dead meant he was kept alive – and he is now recovering and doing well. His father, 59-year-old George Pickering II, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after marching into Tomball Regional Medical Center in Texas with a gun. His 27-year-old son, George III, had been declared brain dead after suffering a massive stroke in January. After doctors declared there was no more hope for him, they ordered a ‘terminal wean’ – whereby life support is slowly withdrawn to end a life. But Pickering Sr told KPRC: ‘They were moving too fast. The hospital, the nurses, the doctors. I knew if I had three or four hours that night that I would know whether George was brain-dead.’ During the standoff, Pickering’s faith that his son had been misdiagnosed never wavered and after he finally got the response he wanted from his boy, he surrendered peacefully to authorities.”

Good doggie: “A SEARCH team has located a two-year-old girl who wandered off from her home in the state’s east with the family dog. The girl, wearing nothing but a T-shirt and nappy, went missing from the family home on Bloomfield Rd in Crossover, near Warragul, at 7.30pm. The girl wandered off with her dog. She was located safe and well at 2.15am, after search teams first found the dog, which led them to the girl, who was nearby. A police helicopter was in the air from 11pm, searching the area for signs of the lost girl. A police spokeswoman said it was a “wonderful outcome”. “The dog stayed with her the whole time, and she was found soon after search teams spotted the dog,” she said.

And don’t forget to catch up with all the Strange Justice before you go.

Shepherding

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THE NEWS

Odd news from around the world

Tiny British firm wins $74million payout from Caterpillar: “A tiny British firm has won a legal victory – and a huge payout – from U.S. construction giants who stole the secret of a vital piece of heavy machinery. Miller UK, based in Cramlington, Northumberland, has been awarded $74million (around £50million) by a U.S. federal court, which found that Caterpillar had ripped off their product and made millions from it. Jurors found that Miller had stolen the idea behind the Miller Coupler Bug – a piece of heavy machinery which connects the arms of construction vehicles to attachments like buckets and demolition equipment. Caterpillar used to sell Miller’s under a licensing agreement which made both of the companies huge amount of cash. But after Caterpillar scrapped the arrangement in 2008, their own version of the device soon started rolling off the production lines. Miller UK was awarded $74million in exemplary damages by the Chicago court – but the total cost to Caterpillar is expected to exceed $100million after interest and legal fees.”

Parrot travels through rush hour traffic clinging to a steering wheel: “This parrot shows she has got a thing for the fast and furious after a video emerged showing her clinging onto the steering wheel during rush hour traffic. Lili, a black-headed caique from Israel, enjoys spinning upside down and around as she travels through city streets. Her antics began when her owners, Dafna and Udi Ben nun, took her on outings in the car near their home in Tel Aviv. She used to be content with sitting on their heads or shoulders – but one day she clambered onto the steering wheel and hung on for dear life. And now, she insists on assuming the same position every time they are in the car – even while they are driving and turning corners. Lili does not appear fazed as she is repeatedly spun upside-down when the car turns sharp bends.”

Romantic failure: “A Chinese man hired a group of dancers for an elaborate performance in a bid to woo his girlfriend into accepting his wedding proposal. The woman was so touched that she burst into tears at the scene in Chengdu, south-west China. However, when she saw the ring, she turned and left because the diamond was smaller than her expectation, which was at least one carat. The woman allegedly messaged her friend: ‘Before we agreed on a one carat diamond ring. Why is it so small? Is he so careless or he just doesn’t care?’? It’s not clear when the incident took place but the photographs have been circulating online in China. Since the photos appeared online, the woman, who remains unidentified, has been widely ridiculed online. Many people on Weibo, China’s equivalent of Twitter, said that she didn’t deserve the proposal.

A tiger with no stripes: “A pair of five-month-old white tiger cubs are due to be unveiled to the public for the first time in Qingdao, north-east China, tomorrow. The extremely rare animals are a variation of the Indian Bengal tigers and are a protected species within China. In particular, one of the cubs is pure white with no stripes – a form of genetic mutation that’s thought to occur only one in 100,000 times, according to People’s Daily Online. There are currently around 200 of these ‘snow white’ tigers in the world and just seven in China, according to the report. The snow white male cub was born on July 14 this year along with his twin sister. His sibling has stripes just like their mother. Both tigers have bright blue eyes and a playful character.

The real life ‘Jaws’ beach: “TOURISTS flock to its budget-friendly shores annually and it is known as one of the world’s top surf towns, but New Smyrna Beach in Florida is also the real-life Jaws beach. New Smyrna has reported about 250 shark attacks in its history — making it the beach with the highest number of attacks per square mile in the world. According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), the Florida beach is the “shark capital of the world” — sparking comparisons to the Amity Island beach in the 1975 classic film Jaws. It is estimated that anyone who has swam there has been within 3m of a shark. We guess some ocean lovers are comforted by the fact that most attacks did not result in death; the waters are known for young bull sharks, who are simply confusing humans for marine-life food.”

And don’t forget to catch up with all the Strange Justice before you go.

Some famous last words

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THE NEWS

Odd news from around the world

Denmark defends plans to strip migrants of their jewellery and valuables: “Denmark has defended plans for police to search asylum seekers’ luggage for valuables and cash after they prompted international outrage and drew comparisons to Nazi Germany. The Danish government has proposed to bring refugees in line with unemployed Danes, who can only get social benefits if they sell any valuables and assets above 10,000 kroner (£976). Valuables worth more than 10,000 Danish kroner would be seized upon applying for asylum, and then used to pay for lodging, language classes, health care and job training courses. Stojberg, an immigration hardliner of the ruling right-wing Venstre party, added that ‘in Denmark you have to try for yourself if you can.’ Items of personal significance, such as wedding rings, as well as mobile phones will be exempt, according to the government’s proposal.

Hungry great white shark steals fisherman’s catch in Australia: “Two fisherman had a close encounter with a hungry 3.5 metre great white shark off Dunsborough on Thursday. Ash Roberts and John Borlini were out fishing attempting to catch some dhufish when the great white snapped a 2′ catch off Mr Robert’s line. “As you can see in the video, it took my catch in a single bite,” Mr Roberts said. “It [the dhufish] fell off the release weight and I was rigging up a heavier weight for it when the shark showed up so I decided my limbs were more important. “It hung around and had a little lunge at the boat so we took off.”

Elderly couple live in a WELL for over 10 years to save rent: “An elderly couple from Zhenzhou, the capital of east China’s Henan province, have found a solution to making use of a disused underground space. The duo – known only as Ma Fulai and his wife – have been living in what appears to be a well and they have transformed the old pit into their special home, reports The People’s Daily Online. They reportedly first moved into the 16-foot-deep well over 10 years ago, which is located minutes away from the university where they both work. Report suggested the pit was used by the school as a generator room before the couple moved in. Inside their fully furnished underground haven, the couple share a space that measures around 538 square feet. According to the report, their children occasionally come to visit them, entering down the ladder that leads from the hole in the ground above. Even though the space in their home is small, it’s air conditioned, and they have all the supplies they need inside”

Female staff in hijabs, prayers before take-off and no alcohol: Muslims climb aboard Malaysia’s first Shariah-compliant airline: “Malaysia’s first Islamic-compliant airline Rayani Air has launched, with its maiden flight taking off from the capital to the resort island of Langkawi yesterday. In-flight meals served on board its flights are completely halal, with alcohol consumption strictly prohibited, in compliance with Shariah laws. The dress code is also reflective of Shariah guidelines, as Muslim flight crew must wear the hijab while non-Muslim crew have to be decently dressed. There will also be prayer recitals on the plane before take-off. There are already other shariah-friendly carriers operating around the world, and UK-based Firnas Airways is planning to offer similar flights next year. Muslim-majority Malaysia has long practised a moderate form of Islam but conservative attitudes are rising.”

Now toddlers know how to use a touchscreen by the age of two: “It will come as no surprise to many parents – but scientists have discovered that most toddlers can use a touchscreen gadget by the age of two. Some gifted youngsters are even using smartphones or tablet computers when as young as 12 months old, the researchers found. A team of scientists analysed the ability of toddlers to swipe, unlock or search on a modern touchscreen device. They found that the average age at which most toddlers could carry out the tasks was at their second birthday. Health officials for years have warned that parents should limit the time that children spend staring at a screen. But the authors of the new study, from Cork University Hospital in Ireland, suggest that instead of being unhealthy for a child, time spent on touchscreen devices could actually benefit their development.”

And don’t forget to catch up with all the Strange Justice before you go.

Baby-sitting – Daddy’s Way!

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THE NEWS

Odd news from around the world

Veiled woman hits back when a pervert pinches her bottom at a Moroccan market sending him flying: “This is the hilarious moment a pervert got his comeuppance after he pinched a large woman on the bottom and was sent flying into a market stand in retaliation. The sex pest victim was covered up from head to toe in an olive coloured veil when she suddenly felt a sharp pinch to her bottom as she bent down near a motorbike. The middle-aged man is sent crashing into the nearby shopping stand by the furious woman in Inezgane near Agadir. In one swift moment, the shocked woman turns round and lashes out with all her force at the vile pervert, sending him flying. Captured on CCTV, the woman’s impressive right hook leaves the man on the ground as he collides with a nearby market stall. It initially looked as if the mystery bottom pincher had made a conscious decision to stay down and not risk a second whack by getting up. But local reports said he was unconscious for more than two hours after hitting his head on the pavement as he fell.”

Amazon customers incensed as even the tiniest of items are delivered in huge packages: “Frustrated Amazon customers have taken to Twitter to voice their frustration at the excessive amount of packaging that the online retailer uses. One Twitter user Sabine Heinlein showed off the huge cardboard box that Amazon used to send her a packet of camera lens protector rings. She tweeted the company: ‘What an incredibly wasteful way of packaging a tiny unbreakable item.’ In response, a member of Amazon’s customer service team tweeted back: ‘I’ll be happy to pass this picture along to our Shipping Department for you.’ Other shoppers who expressed just how fed-up they were over the huge boxes flagged up that Amazon also stuffs large brown wrapping paper along with the item. The excessive amount of packaging on display goes against the pledge Amazon made in 2008 when it promised to slash the amount of packaging it used. In 2008, following complaints, Amazon signed up to the Frustration Free Packaging initiative under which it vowed to cut back on excess wrapping. But these images suggest that it has not been entirely successful.

Pastors give drunk women thongs to wear: “Pastors who give away flip-flops to drunken women in high heels are set to hand out their 10,000th pair this weekend – in celebratory gold. Police started dishing out the free beach shoes in 2008 to worse-for-wear revellers who were struggling to totter home in Torquay, Devon. Three years later, the scheme was handed over to Church charity Torbay Street Pastors. Co-ordinator Trevor Staveley said: ‘Flip-flops save the recipients from stepping on broken glass and possibly ending up at A&E – not the best end to a night out.’

That old vase on the shelf? It’s a £363k Chinese treasure made for Emperor Qianlong: “A vase kept on the mantelpiece of a four-bedroom suburban house has sold for £363,000 – after it was found to have been made for a Chinese emperor. The value of the 12in-high vase was discovered only after its owner died and auctioneers were called in to look over the estate. They noticed the vase, kept above the fireplace of the Leicestershire home, had a red six-character seal mark showing that it had been made for Emperor Qianlong between 1736 and 1795. It had been valued at £30,000 but sold for £300,000, with fees taking the price to £363,000. ‘It is well-known that the Chinese are very keen on buying back their lost heritage, much of which ended up in Britain, and the vase was purchased by an agent acting on behalf of a Chinese buyer.’ The vase is decorated in polychrome enamels with seven good-luck symbols.

His restaurant is so popular he only has to open it twice a week: “Masaaki Koyoma is the face behind Tasmania’s favourite sushi bar, with customers travelling hours just to taste his mouth-watering Japanese cuisine. The chef moved to Australia from Japan for a girl, and fell head-over-heals for a tiny country town called Geeveston, and introduced them to his hometown cuisine. ‘At first many people didn’t know what sushi was,’ he said. ‘I really wanted to show them Japanese cuisine but they weren’t ready for raw fish. So I started with cooked fish, and then pickled and tempura,’ he said. The sushi chef and his restaurant Masaaki’s is so well renowned in Tasmania that he only needs to work three days a week. ‘First I started with seven, then six then four days, but it was too busy I had too much preparation so now I just open Friday and Saturday and do the market on Sunday. ‘If I did anymore I would have to start making sushi the night before, but it is only best fresh. ‘The markets have been really good for publicity, people come from Hobart just for my sushi.'”

And don’t forget to catch up with all the Strange Justice before you go.