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29 March 2024

Crazy World: Man cooks and eats own finger...

Published
By Staff & Agencies

Depressed man cooks and eats own finger

(AGENCY)

WELLINGTON: A depressed New Zealander cut off a finger, cooked it with vegetables and then ate it in a rare case of self-cannibalism, according to a report in the Australasian Psychiatry publication.

The 28-year-old man had not taken drugs or alcohol at the time, the report authors, forensic psychiatrist Erik Monasterio and clinical psychologist Craig Prince, said.

It was one of only eight documented cases of self-cannibalism recorded in the world, Monasterio and Prince said in their report which was published online Saturday.

After eating one finger the man planned to dine on two more before deciding instead to seek medical treatment where he was diagnosed with moderate symptoms of depression.

The patient was said to suffer "episodes of low mood" and once while depressed he was assaulted by two men.

"He felt extreme anger and for the first time fantasised about not only killing his assailants, but of eating them too," said the authors who are based at Hillmorton Hospital in the main South Island city of Christchurch.
 
Exhibition of airline sick bags takes off

(AGENCY)

AUSTRALIA: Hold on to your seats - a new exhibition has put a sickening twist on aviation history.

More than 200 airline sick bags have gone on show in the Fully Sick! exhibition at the Museum of the Riverina in Wagga Wagga, NSW.

If the thought of staring at a collection of white paper bags designed to catch passengers' vomit sounds about as  thrilling as watching paint dry you'll be happy to learn that there are some surprising examples of creativity on display.

For example, one of the highlights of the display is a limited edition Star Wars bag by Virgin Atlantic.

Creative and colourful designs by Yangon Airways, Air India, KLM, Emirates, Cebu Airlines and Air Afrique are also featured.

The sick bags are on loan from Sydneysider Danny Cahalan, who has amassed an impressive collection over a period of more than 20 years.
 
Towel thieves - there's no hiding now

(AGENCY)

US: Think twice next time you consider nicking a towel from your hotel room.

A US company has invented a washable microchip to track frequently “souvenired” items like robes, towels and bed linens, costing the hospitality industry billions each year.

The radio-frequency identification chips, designed by Linen Technology Tracking, are already being used by three hotels in New York, Miami and Honolulu and according to the company have already successfully helped to bust thieves.

The Honolulu hotel, which introduced the technology last year, has reduced theft of its pool towels from 4000 a month to just 750 - a saving of more than $15,200 a month.

"After being in the industry for many years, I understand the challenges hotels face in monitoring linen," Linen Technology Tracking Executive Vice President William Serbin told CNN.

"Any given month, they can lose 5 to 20 per cent of towels, sheets and robes. That gets expensive with the rising cost of cotton."

Mr Serbin said the inspiration for the device came from toll road technology and the key challenge was making the chip waterproof. The device is able to last for more than 300 wash cycles.

He said the device also helps hotels manage stock rooms and supplies more effectively.

China slaps ban on time travel TV

(AGENCIES)

CHINA: It'S the basis for some of the greatest sci-fi movies of all time - 'The Terminator', 'Back to the Future', 'Black Knight', just to name a few.

But if you ever find yourself in China wanting to check out what Bill and Ted will be up to last week, forget it. Time travelling is banned.

In a bogus move by the Cultural Revolution-loving dudes at China's State Administration for Radio, Film and Television, it has been decided that TV shows that deal with changing history "lack positive thoughts and meaning".

"The time-travel drama is becoming a hot theme for TV and films," it says.

"But its content and the exaggerated performance style are questionable."

Some observers claim the real reason behind the ban is that the recent rash of TV time travel dramas focus too much on perceived happier times in the past for its citizens.