A woman driver had a hair-raising – not to mention car-raising - experience today when her vehicle got stuck on an opening drawbridge.
She stalled on the bridge at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and was still stationary as the giant structure swung open to allow a ship through.
Thanks to a good set of brakes and decent tyres, her vehicle defied gravity and stayed put as the giant hinges yawned to a 45 degree angle. As the Maple-Oregon Bridge swung shut again, the uninjured woman restarted her engine and continued her journey safely across the water.
The incident happened about 6pm last Thursday.
But police didn’t learn about it until after local newspaper reporters began calling to confirm the authenticity of the photos they received.
Captain Arleigh Porter, of Sturgeon Bay Police Department, said: ‘At first we thought someone was just playing around with Photoshop. It really is amazing.’
She described the photo as being like scene one might be better expected to witness at a theme park. This car was rising, similar to a ride at Great America,’ – a massive park in California, she said.
‘Apparently the bridge tender noticed, lowered the bridge and after a short conversation she goes on her way.’
‘It appears to be human error,’ said Captain Porter, adding that she hoped the motorist will contact police.
‘She’s not in any trouble,’ she said. ‘We just want to talk to her and find out how this happened so we can make sure that it doesn’t happen again.
‘I want to ask her what was going through her mind and how hard she had that brake pushed down.’
Known as the 'Crocodile Man', Costa Rican animal lover 'Chito' swims, plays and even feeds 'Pocho' the giant crocodile in what is one of the world's most unlikely friendships. Wading chest-deep through the green water in a 100 sq/m lake in Siquirres, this bizarre and dangerous spectacle draws tourists from around the world. Calling quietly for his five metre long 'companion' before thrashing around, lifting his tail and head above the water. This is a very dangerous routine but Pocho is my friend and we have a good relationship,' says 52-year-old Chito. 'He will look me in the eye and he does not attack me. 'It is too dangerous for anyone else to come in the water. It is only ever the two of us.' The bizarre friendship began nearly 20 years ago when Chito rescued the 980-pound crocodile after finding him close to death on the shore of the Parismina River, in the Caribbean province of Limsn. Shot in the left eye by a cattle farmer after preying on a herd of cows, Chito enlisted the help of several friends to load the massive reptile into his boat, Naming him 'Pocho' (meaning strength), the fisherman says he healed the reptile with medicine, food, and, more importantly, lots of care and attention. When I found him in the river after he was dying so I put him in my boat and I brought him into my house,' recalls Chito. 'He was very skinny, weighing only around 150 pounds, so I gave him chicken and fish and medicine for six months to help him recover.' During the recovery process, Chito stayed by Pocho's side, even sleeping with him at night. 'I just wanted him to feel that someone loved him, that not all humans are bad,' Chito says. 'I love all animals, especially ones that have suffered. It meant a lot of sacrifice. I had to be there every day.' After Chito felt that Pocho had bonded with him, he started to get closer and closer to the animal. 'After 10 years I started to work with him,' he says. 'At first it was slow, slow and I started to play with him a little, touching him a little bit and then slowly doing more. Then I found that when I called his name he would come over to me.' Today tourists travel from all over the world to see the unusual spectacle. 'I am happy because I rescued him and he is happy with me because he has everything he needs," says Chito.
Tiffany lamps are a special kind of Art Nouveau lamp made with glass shades. Their history begins in 1895, when the first lamp was produced by the Tiffany Glass Company—later known as Tiffany Studios. They were not, however, designed by stained glass artist and company founder Louis Comfort Tiffany, as has been thought until recently. Clara Driscoll, head of the “Tiffany Girls,” was the mastermind behind the entirely handmade Tiffany lamps.
In 1997, one of those lamps became the most expensive lamp in the world.
The Tiffany ‘Lotus’ lamp, circa 1906, is made of bronze with leaded stained glass set in a mosaic pattern. The eight lotus flowers made of Tiffany’s patented favrile glass overlap to form the shade for this exquisite lamp.
While the world’s most expensive lamp originally sold for $750—almost $18,000 in modern currency—it was sold at a Christie’s auction in 1997 for an unprecedented $2.8 million.
A Chinese man has become a contender for the title of the world's tallest man, after measuring in at more than 8ft. Zhao Liang, 27, entered the Tianjin hospital for an operation to relieve pain from an old muscle tendon injury on his left foot. His height caused a stir among hospital staff who urged him to get measured properly.
They discovered that Mr Zhao is 8.07 ft tall (2.46m), making him 3.9 inches (10cm) taller than Bao Xishun, the current tallest man, who is 7.9ft (2.36m).
Mr Zhao, who lives in Henan province, had been training as a basketball player when he sustained the debilitating foot injury over a decade ago.
He was unemployed until 2006, when an art troupe in Jilin province enrolled him to perform magic tricks and play the saxophone and flute.
Mr Zhao's parents are of a more usual height, with his father measuring 5.9ft (1.8m) and his mother, 5.5 ft (1.68m).
Wang Keyun, Mr Zhao's mother, said he has a big appetite and can easily eat eight hamburger-sized steamed buns and three dishes for dinner.
"But I am so worried about his marriage, job and his health that my hair has turned white," she said.
Liu Yuchen, a surgeon at the hospital, declared the operation a success. He said Mr Zhao will be able to walk normally two months after his surgery but advised against any intense physical exercise.
Dr Liu said he is in good health and has no complications related to his height. Bao Xishun (known as the Mongolian mast) is currently recognised by the Guinness World Records as the world's tallest man. Mr Zhao's height has not yet been independently verified by the Guinness judges, but doctors at Tianjin Anjie Hospital measured his height as part of a medical checkup under the glare of the media and he is now seeking official recognition.
It's a rather dubious honor to be considered the ugliest of just about anything at all, but according to many, the 105-story Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea appears to be the winner of the ugly building contest. The Ryugyong Hotel with its 3,000 rooms has been described as a hideous and distorted version of a fairy-tale castle that dominates the city's skyline and is so ugly that it is frequently air-brushed out of publicity shots of the city.
Construction began in 1987 (although no one knows why) but stopped in 1992. It is unlikely that it will ever be finished due to the fact that North Korea ran out of money and there is no tourist industry in the region. Ryugyong Hotel remains an eyesore that should not to be viewed after eating. There it stands and will for many years to come, unfinished, unwanted, and very, very ugly!
What you guys think about this hotel? Is it really ugly or kinda nice work?
In a weird and very unusual twist of medical fate, Rashida Khatoon, a young girl from northeast India cries tears of blood instead of water.
She and her unusual medical condition have been transformed into a holy shrine where worshipers come to watch in awe as blood drips from her eyelids several times a day.
Doctors in the region of Patna, northeast India, have no medical explanation as to the cause of this most unusual anomaly, but local Hindu holy men have declared Rashida a miracle. Followers bow in deference as they stand before her, showering her family with holy offerings.
"I do not feel any pain when it happens, but it's a shock to see blood instead of water," said Rashida of her most unusual situation.
What could be the cause of this weird occurrence? Some have suggested a brain tumor or malfunctioning of tear ducts, but there is no medical evidence to support that. No one in authority in fact, seems to know or will even venture a guess, which is even more disconcerting than to watch the phenomenon, which occurs every few hours.
Could Rashida be suffering from a case of a rare phenomenon known as Haemolacria? Little is known about this medical condition other than the fact that it occurs when a person produces tears, which are partially composed of blood. This can manifest as anything from red-tinged tears to those, which appear to be entirely blood.
Bleeding from the eyes is most certainly weird and creepy. It may be the result of a very rare medical condition, but whatever it is, it is not likely to be a gift of any sort from the holier powers that be. If you think about it, how could bleeding from the eyes be a gift except from a very creepy donor?
Mr. Ripley, where are you when we need you anyway?
His startled expression and pleading eyes say it all.
Left stranded in a rather undignified position, this poor baby elephant was in need of some urgent help after he managed to wedge himself in a manhole in Thailand.
After missing his footing and falling down the gaping manhole of a drainage ditch the poor animal was left well and truly stuck. The unfortunate accident took place while the elephant was out walking in the street with its owner in Rayong province, in the east of the country.
The baby had been taken out to work in the street by a mahout - the men who drive the elephants - but must not have been looking where he was going.
Rescuers spent three hours freeing the elephant, who was unharmed, by using a bulldozer to widen the hole.
While elephants are used to move large heavy objects in Thailand, many of the animals in Rayong province are trained to carry tourists on elephant treks through the jungle.
Mahouts also use elephants to beg on the streets of many large Thai cities and baby elephants, with their cute eyes and hairy heads, are among the most sought after.
Baby elephants are often taught tricks to appeal to tourists and, although it is illegal in many cities, work the streets with their owners from early in the morning to late at night.
Mahouts control the elephants using a small number of commands and a sharp hook, known as an angkus.
Last month a 14-year-old female elephant was electrocuted in Rayong when she accidentally brushed against a naked electrical cable.
