odd news stories

[Slydragon]

The body of Wang Diange, from the Chinese province of Inner Mongolia, was found in the wreckage of a house where he had been overseeing the wake of a previous family funeral, after mourners felt a loud explosion which took off half the roof.

As it was raining and thundery, they decided that the house, and Mr Wang in particular, had been struck by lightning. The police came to the same conclusion.

Further inquiries were made a few days later after Mr Wang's own funeral. As his body was being put into the cremation chamber, it blew up spectacularly, bursting the doors off the oven.

When the fire had been put out, the only clue as to what had happened was a small twisted piece of metal, which seemed to be the glowing remnants of a screw.

At first, local metallurgists were unable to determine what it was, though they noted it bore a military serial number. After a lengthy investigation, however, it was suggested it might be part of a shell casing.

Inquiries revealed that the rainfall on the day of the original disaster was triggered by the local weather bureau, which had been firing shells into the atmosphere to break up hail in order to protect the local tobacco crop.

Inside the shells were silver iodide, a chemical that helps to break up hail into rain.

Their own investigators concluded that one shell must have failed to explode, hit the house, and lodged in Mr Wang's body. There it passed unnoticed because of his extensive injuries, according to local newspaper reports.

As a result, and three years after Mr Wang died, his family have now received 80,000 yuan (£8,000) in compensation from the weather bureau.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3793982/Weather-rocket-kills-man-and-blows-up-his-body-at-cremation.html

[Slydragon]

Colorado Doctor Finds Foot In Newborn's Brain
Infant Recovering After Surgery

POSTED: Wednesday, December 17, 2008
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- A Colorado Springs family is part of one of the strangest cases in medical history.

Dr. Paul Grabb, a pediatric brain surgeon, said he discovered a small foot growing inside the brain of 3-day-old Sam Esquibel, reported KMGH-TV in Denver.

The appendage threatened the newborn's life.

When Grabb performed the life-saving surgery at Memorial Hospital for Children in Colorado Springs, he was in for another surprise: he also found what appeared to be parts of an intestine in the folds of the infant's tiny brain, in addition to another developing foot, hand and thigh. (See image. Warning: graphic content)

"I've never seen anything like it before," Grabb told the Colorado Springs Gazette. "It looked like the breach delivery of a baby coming out of the brain."

Sam was delivered on Oct. 1, within hours of an ultrasound that showed what appeared to be a tumor developing in the brain of the fetus.

Three days later, Grabb performed the surgery to remove it.

Grabb was unavailable Wednesday for further interviews. He is the only pediatric brain surgeon in southern Colorado.

Erin Emery, a spokeswoman for Memorial Hospital, confirmed details of the amazing surgery that took place at the hospital on Oct. 3.

The reason for the strange growth is not known. It may be a teratoma -- a congenital brain tumor composed of foreign tissue such as muscle, hair or teeth. Those types of tumors do not usually grow as complex as a foot.

It could also be a case of fetus in fetu, which is a developmental abnormality in which a fetal twin begins to form within the other.

Grabb told the paper he sees a teratoma once every few years but it doesn't compare to Sam's.

"You show those pictures to the most experienced pediatric neurosurgeons in the world, and they've never seen anything like it," Grabb told the Gazette.

Mom Says Baby A Miracle

Sam's mom, Tiffnie, told KMGH on Wednesday that her son is doing well but that she didn't want to appear on camera because she doesn't want to exploit her child and make him appear like a freak in the eyes of the world.

"This is our baby," Tiffnie explained, in tears.

She said when she first talked to the Gazette, she thought the story would only appear in the small-town paper. But it has circled the globe and she is getting calls from national and international media outlets.

"I am so overwhelmed right now ... We've been bombarded with calls," Tiffnie said.

KMGH reporter Jane Slater held the baby boy and said he is "the cutest baby I've ever seen." Sam is at a healthy weight, with pudgy arms and legs, which explains why family members call him the "Michelin Man," Slater said.

He was alert and happy, with a barely visible inch-long scar which stretched from his hairline to the top of his cheek.

Sam is still recovering from the surgery and shows weakness on one side of his body and some trouble with higher-level eye functions. He is already undergoing rehabilitation.

Tiffnie had said that her pregnancy was easy and there were no signs of complications until the ultrasound on Oct. 1. The couple had given up on the idea of having any children after years of trying and then Sam was conceived. Tiffnie said she doesn't mind driving to the hospital every week or month for Sam's MRI and blood checks, considering that he is healthy and happy.

"It's a miracle," she said.

In the meantime, Grabb wonders about the possibilities for medical science.

"How does the body form complete extremities? Who is to say we can't grow a heart, leg or foot?" Grabb asked the Denver Post earlier. "This could show a window of what's possible.

pic in link

http://www.news4jax.com/health/18300617/detail.html#-

[Slydragon]

I want one

The ultimate boys' toy: The giant radio-controlled tank that's SO powerful it could pull your car

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1096548/The-ultimate-boys-toy-The-giant-radio-controlled-tank-thats-SO-powerful-pull-car.html

[Taco]

how do you find this stuff Slyd ?

:lol

[stretch]

OMG these are odd

[Slydragon]

how do you find this stuff Slyd ?

:lol

The internet

[phyzik]

Boy's heart grows outside his body

Doctors in China are trying to treat a four-year-old boy whose heart is growing on the outside of his stomach.

http://www.ananova.com/images/web/1456904.jpg

Zhang Weiyuan's heart is covered in only a layer of skin under which it can easily be seen beating, reports the Northeastern News Network.

Zhang, of Hetai village, Panjing, has been taken to Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, where doctors are weighing up their options.

"We are not sure if we can perform surgery to put his heart back, but we'll try our best," said a hospital spokesman.

His parents wrap him up in clothes with extra padding to protect his heart and stop him playing with other children in case of accidents.

His father, Zhang Xianzhen, a rubbish collector, said he feels guilty for not taking his son to see a doctor earlier.

"My wife and I are both garbage collectors, and we don't make much money. So we didn't take our son to the doctor because we couldn't afford the fees.

"He never cries even though he suffers all the time, which makes us feel even more guilty."


__________________________________________________ _____________________

I win.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

Boy's heart grows outside his body

Doctors in China are trying to treat a four-year-old boy whose heart is growing on the outside of his stomach.

http://www.ananova.com/images/web/1456904.jpg

Zhang Weiyuan's heart is covered in only a layer of skin under which it can easily be seen beating, reports the Northeastern News Network.

Zhang, of Hetai village, Panjing, has been taken to Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, where doctors are weighing up their options.

"We are not sure if we can perform surgery to put his heart back, but we'll try our best," said a hospital spokesman.

His parents wrap him up in clothes with extra padding to protect his heart and stop him playing with other children in case of accidents.

His father, Zhang Xianzhen, a rubbish collector, said he feels guilty for not taking his son to see a doctor earlier.

"My wife and I are both garbage collectors, and we don't make much money. So we didn't take our son to the doctor because we couldn't afford the fees.

"He never cries even though he suffers all the time, which makes us feel even more guilty."


__________________________________________________ _____________________

I win.


i hope this boy never comes across as being cold.


















































he clearly shows a lot of heart.

[The Reckoning]

its all the nuclear testing

[Slydragon]

Shark jumps out of aquarium into swimming pool

The female reef shark, one of various exotic creatures in the popular Mayan Temple aquarium at the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas, tumbled down the slide – known as the Leap of Faith – after vaulting the one foot high and 18 in wide barrier around its pool.

Although the creature survived the journey its body could not cope with the chlorinated water in the swimming pool at the bottom of the slide. Rescuers managed to return the 12-year-old shark to its own pool but it died shortly afterwards.

Staff at the Atlantis resort said that guests were never at risk as the water park had yet to open for the morning. The shark posed no threat to humans and regularly swam with guests in its aquarium

"The Atlantis Aquarists believe the shark was startled by an unusual circumstance that we have no way of defining completely. In the over ten years guests have experienced the Leap of Faith, the reef shark itself, harmless to humans as it is fed regularly by our staff, had shown no previous incidences of leaping out of the water in the marine habitat," the resort said in a statement to the TMZ website.

"Once the shark fell onto the slide and into the chlorinated water, it was in significant distress.

"The Marine Aquarium Operations team responded immediately and was able to retrieve the animal at the bottom of the slide and return the animal to the main marine habitat in an attempt to resuscitate her. Despite the team's best efforts to recover the animal, it died shortly after the occurrence.

"The entire team at Atlantis is truly saddened by the loss of this animal who had resided in the Atlantis marine habitat for over ten years."

The Atlantis resort describes itself as a "unique, ocean-themed destination", with 20 million gallons of pools and lagoons, waterfalls, and a marine habitat filled with water filtered from the Atlantic Ocean

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3849256/Shark-jumps-out-of-aquarium-into-swimming-pool.html

[Slydragon]

Mice suspected in fire that killed cats


OSHAWA, Ontario, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Preliminary investigation into a Canadian Humane Society shelter fire that killed almost 100 cats suggests it was caused by mice gnawing on wires.

The blaze broke out at the unmanned Durham Region Humane Society shelter in Oshawa, east of Toronto, around 2 a.m. Wednesday. Firefighters were only able to rescue nine dogs and two cats because the fire was well-developed when they arrived.

Initially, officials said 180 cats died of smoke inhalation, but after a body count the number was lowered to about 100, along with three dogs, several rabbits and rodents, the Toronto Star reported Friday.

Damages were estimated at $250,000, shelter manager Ruby Richards told the newspaper from a temporary office. She said there has been a national outpouring of support with donations streaming in to the Web site, along with offers of temporary locations, food and supplies.

"It's been crazy here," Richards said. "People are very upset and some people have just been crying on the phone."

She said it appears the fire started in the ceiling, and investigators believe an electrical short was caused by mice chewing on electrical wires.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/12/19/Mice_suspected_in_fire_that_killed_cats/UPI-97981229696041/

[Slydragon]

Pierced kittens removed from home

ROSS TWP. – Three kittens with ear, neck and tail piercings were removed from a home by humane officers on Wednesday.



Wayne Harvey, SPCA kennel attendant, holds a kitten that was taken from a home in Ross Township on Wednesday.

Don Carey/The Times Leader

One of the officers from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Luzerne County said the pierced kittens were being sold as “gothic kittens” on an Internet auction site.

“This is a first,” said Officer Carol Morrison. “It’s unbelievable anybody would do this to kittens.”

Morrison said the investigation began about a week ago when a man from another state noticed “gothic kittens” being sold on eBay. The kittens were also being sold on a pet classified Web site with an attached picture of a pierced kitten.

“You’re not allowed to sell live animals on eBay,” Morrison said.

The man called the phone number that was listed with the kittens, and traveled to the home at 71 Dobson Road, where he saw the pierced kittens, Morrison said.

“He called us and explained what he saw,” Morrison said.

Morrison and two humane officers obtained a search warrant for the home from District Judge John Hasay in Shickshinny at about 3:30 p.m.

Assisted by the state police at Shickshinny, the humane officers traveled to the home located at the end of a long driveway in a remote area of Ross Township.

Humane officers and troopers were inside the home for more than an hour before removing three kittens and a cat just before 5:30 p.m.

“She (the homeowner) thought it was a great idea (to pierce kittens),” Morrison said.

Morrison said charges are likely to be filed against the homeowner.

A dog inside the home was also found with pierced ears, Morrison said.

Morrison said the homeowner has a pet grooming business in the basement of the residence. Several signs advertising “Pawside Parlor” were along Dobson Road and in front of the home.

The kittens also had submission rings placed in their tails, Morrison said, explaining that the rings would prevent blood flow, causing the tails to fall off.

The homeowner and a young girl were inside the home. After humane officers removed the kittens in cages, the window shades were closed and interior lights were turned off.

Morrison said the kittens will be checked by a veterinarian before deciding if the kittens will be placed for adoption.

http://www.timesleader.com/news/Pierced_kittens_removed_from_home_12-17-2008.html

EOPNbh6p2dw

[Slydragon]

Man dies after retirement party hijinks

OKYO (Reuters) – A 60-year-old man who was thrown into the air in celebration at his retirement party died after his colleagues failed to catch him and he fell to the floor, a Japanese newspaper reported on Tuesday.

The case came to light after the man's wife filed a police complaint against colleagues who threw the man up into the air, accusing them of gross negligence, the Mainichi paper reported on its website.

The man died in September, 10 months after the party attended by around 40 people at an unnamed transport company at an inn in Ritto, near the ancient capital of Kyoto in central Japan.

The fall damaged his neck and backbone, leaving him paralyzed, and he eventually died of blood poisoning, the paper said.

"He worked until the retirement age. We had been looking forward to going to various places as a couple and were excited that we would be able to spend a relaxing time together," the paper quoted the man's wife as saying.

"No matter what I say he won't come back, but I want to find out why this happened."

(Reporting by Rodney Joyce; Editing by Jerry Norton)


http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081216/od_nm/us_party;_ylt=ApRTue3vbiVAetTmuJrCdvbtiBIF

[Slydragon]

Hot gold puts Mich. postal worker in hot water

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – A Detroit-area postal worker has been charged with stealing gold from the mail after he tried to pawn his treasure to the shop that had shipped it.

The postal worker sold the gold on Nov. 7 to G&S Brokers pawn shop for $320. Authorities told The Detroit News that jeweler James Zelinske recognized the gold because he had melted and mailed it to a business in Ann Arbor.

Zelinske had insured the parcel of gold for $1,000.

The postal worker has been charged with embezzling mail from the Mount Clemens post office. He appeared Thursday in federal court in Detroit. Court records did not identify his lawyer.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081219/ap_on_fe_st/odd_wrong_pawn_shop;_ylt=AvmJYA_G29q35QILDGQmPPzti BIF

[Slydragon]

This just funny, the 1:40 mark makes me LMAO

fTKhEPj8LdE

[Slydragon]

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/6668/omgfunnyta3.jpg

[Slydragon]

http://media1.break.com/dnet/media/2008/12/58%20Apology.jpg

[IronMexican]

Man dies after retirement party hijinks

OKYO (Reuters) – A 60-year-old man who was thrown into the air in celebration at his retirement party died after his colleagues failed to catch him and he fell to the floor, a Japanese newspaper reported on Tuesday.

The case came to light after the man's wife filed a police complaint against colleagues who threw the man up into the air, accusing them of gross negligence, the Mainichi paper reported on its website.

The man died in September, 10 months after the party attended by around 40 people at an unnamed transport company at an inn in Ritto, near the ancient capital of Kyoto in central Japan.

The fall damaged his neck and backbone, leaving him paralyzed, and he eventually died of blood poisoning, the paper said.

"He worked until the retirement age. We had been looking forward to going to various places as a couple and were excited that we would be able to spend a relaxing time together," the paper quoted the man's wife as saying.

"No matter what I say he won't come back, but I want to find out why this happened."

(Reporting by Rodney Joyce; Editing by Jerry Norton)


http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081216/od_nm/us_party;_ylt=ApRTue3vbiVAetTmuJrCdvbtiBIF

That one is just sad.

[Slydragon]

Dead man receives calls in grave

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- New York defense lawyer John Jacobs continues to receive voice-mail messages three years after he was buried with his beloved cell phone.

Jacobs' family buried him with his fully charged Motorola T720 phone after he died of pancreatic cancer, the New York Post reported Sunday.

His wife, Marian Seltzer, also a defense lawyer, continues to pay his monthly $55 phone bill and his cell number is etched into his gravestone under the words "Rest in Peace."

The first call after death came during the funeral from Jacobs' son, Simon. "The poor grave diggers. I thought they'd have a heart attack," Seltzer said.

Seltzer and her two sons, who regularly leave messages, hear this when they dial his number: "Hi. You've reached the voice mail of John Jacobs. After you hear the beep, leave a voice mail and I will return your call."

Seltzer said she keeps her husband up to date on sports news and how their sons are doing.

"Some people talk to God," Seltzer said. "I talk to my deceased husband."

http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2008/12/21/Dead_man_receives_calls_in_grave/UPI-33961229889731/

[BruceBowenFan]

http://media1.break.com/dnet/media/2008/12/58%20Apology.jpg

:lmao:lmao

[phyzik]

http://media1.break.com/dnet/media/2008/12/58%20Apology.jpg

that......is......awesome........ :rollin

[Slydragon]

Maryland youths faking out traffic cameras

ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Some teenage drivers in Maryland are covering their car license plates with numbers belonging to teachers and others to fake out traffic cameras, a parent says.

The DailyTech Web site reported Monday the unidentified parent told the Montgomery County Sentinel a few young drivers in the county print authentic-looking numbers on glossy paper and tape them over their plates. They then race past the traffic cameras, which record the infraction and produce citations based on the fraudulent plate numbers.

They call the prank "pimping," the parent told the newspaper, and teachers and fellow students are the most popular targets.

"This game is very disturbing," the parent said. "Especially since unsuspecting parents will also be victimized through receipt of unwarranted photo speed tickets."

Montgomery Country police and education officials said it was a new one on them but told the Sentinel they would keep an eye out for violators.

"It is unfortunate that kids have a lot of time on their hands that they can think of doing such a thing," said Edward Owusu, an assistant principal at Wootton High School, where the prank allegedly started.

http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2008/12/22/Maryland_youths_faking_out_traffic_cameras/UPI-18331229963428/

[Slydragon]

Pair realise son missing, 14 hours later

A Melbourne couple have told police they had so many children with them, it took them 14 hours to realise their five-year-old son had been left at a Christmas lights display late at night.

The boy, Alexander, was discovered wandering alone at 11.30pm (AEDT) on Sunday in a street in Vermont South after his family had gone to look at the lights.

However, it took his parents until lunchtime on Monday to realise he was missing and contact police.

Alexander spent the night in the watch house at Nunawading police station and was then taken into the care of the Department of Human Services (DHS) on Monday morning.

The DHS will speak to the parents to determine how they could have left him behind.

Sergeant Wayne Williams, from Nunawading police, said the family took two cars from their Dandenong home with their eight children, as well as a neighbour's children, to the lights.

Each parent thought the other had Alexander in their car for the trip home, he said.

"They've got home and all piled out and the kids have gone straight to bed and they didn't realise anything was amiss until lunchtime today," The Age quoted Sgt Williams as saying.

Sgt Williams said Alexander slept well at the police station.

"He curled up and went to sleep. He was a little bewildered and not used to the surroundings but adapted pretty quickly," he said.

About 1.45pm on Monday, police said Alexander's parents had been found.

"We understand that they had taken the family in two cars to visit the display and due to having a large number of children with them they have accidentally left Alexander at the location," police said in a statement.

A police spokeswoman said she was unaware of why it took more than 14 hours to reunite Alexander with his parents.

Alexander was spotted by a passer-by on the corner of Narracan Drive and Ensay Court in Vermont South, in Melbourne's east.

He told police his name was Alexander but could not tell them his surname or where he lived.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/702756/lost-boy-gazing-at-christmas-lights

[marini martini]

That damn Alexander!!! Sure is good to have our son back!!!:toast

[Slydragon]

Man shoots talker at movies, police say

A man angry that a family was talking during a movie threw popcorn at the son and then shot the father in the arm, according to police in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
James Joseph Cialella was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons charges.

James Joseph Cialella was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons charges.

James Joseph Cialella, 29, was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons violations, a police report said.

Cialella told the family sitting in front of him in the theater on Christmas Day to be quiet, police said.

An argument ensued while others at the Riverview Movie Theatre watched "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Cialella then approached the family from the left side of the aisle and shot the father, who was not identified, as he was standing between Cialella and his family, according to the police report.

The victim was taken to Jefferson Hospital with a gunshot wound to his left arm, police said.

Cialella was carrying a Kel-Tec .380-caliber handgun clipped inside his sweatpants, police said. He was arrested and taken into custody

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/12/27/movie.shooting/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

[Slydragon]

Rubik's Cube finally solved after 26 years by avid fan

Delighted Graham, 45, from Portchester, Hants, has been tirelessly trying to solve the riddle of the Cube since he bought the toy in 1983.

Married dad-of-one Graham has endured endless sleepless nights and after more than 27,400 hours he finally managed to conquer his personal Everest.

Builder Graham said: "I cannot tell you what a relief it was to finally solve it. It has driven me mad over the years - it felt like it had taken over my life.

"I have missed important events to stay in and solve it and I would lay awake at night thinking about it.

"Friends have offered to solve it for me and I know that you can find solutions on the web but I just had to do it myself.

"I have had wrist and back problems from spending hours on it but it was all worth it.

"When I clicked that last bit into place and each face was a solid colour I wept."

Long-suffering wife Jean, 47, said the cube has frequently put a strain on their marriage, causing blazing rows between the pair.

Jean even admits at times it has felt as though there has been three people in their marriage for the past 26 years.

Understanding Jean said: "When I met Graham he was already obsessed with the cube - spending hours on it every day.

"I have often thought about getting rid of it but I knew he would not rest until he had solved it, which thankfully he has done."

Ray Hodgkin of the governing body for Rubik's Cube competitions, the World Cube Association (WCA), said: "I think this is definitely the longest it has ever taken someone to complete a Cube.

"I am impressed by Graham's dedication - the Rubik's Cube can be a very frustrating thing. The WCA would like to congratulate him on his achievement."

The Rubik's Cube was invented in 1974 by Hungarian sculptor Erno Rubik but was originally called the Magic Cube.

More than 300 million have been sold worldwide and there are an astonishing 43 quintillion different possible configurations and only one solution.

Support group 'Cubaholics' was set up in 1980 to help addicts kick the habit and Rubik's cubes are so compulsive they have given rise to two medical conditions - Cubist's Thumb and Rubik's Wrist.

Erik Akkersdijk of the Netherlands holds the record for a single solve with a time of 7.08 seconds.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/4217732/Rubiks-Cube-finally-solved-after-26-years-by-avid-fan.html