WEIRD NEWS

Sabotage in Space?

We could have some serious drama in outer space! The small leak found on the International Space Station was initially said to have been caused by a meteorite, but now the chief of Russia's space agency says the hole was drilled by human hand - apparently intentionally! There are traces of a drill sliding along the surface. The hole was found not on the ISS itself but on a Soyuz spacecraft docked there. Demitry Rogozin says, "It could be evidence of sabotage, but it could also be an "accidental defect" from the craft's construction. NASA previously announced a commission had been formed to determine the leak's source and has not commented on Rogozin's statement. The leak, which caused a small and not life-threatening loss of pressure, was sealed last week. A Russian MP and former cosmonaut suggested to Russia's RIA Novosti, per AFP, that an astronaut on board may have drilled the hole in order to force an early return home. (NBC News)

When the Teacher Gives You a "Disturbing" Assignment?

At Roberts Middle School in Cuyahoga Falls in Ohio, eight-grade students received an assignment that one parent calls, "disturbing all the way around." The assignment involved an Earth that was "doomed for destruction." Students were tasked with choosing who would have a seat on a spaceship that would transport passengers to another, presumably safe planet. There were 12 people to choose from, and students had to select eight. But it's the profiles of the potential passengers that had some parents upset. They included "a Hispanic clergyman who is against homosexuality"; "a 21-year-old female Muslim international student"; a "60-year-old Jewish university administrator"; and "a homosexual male professional athlete." Mom Bernadette Hartman said, "This paper divides. What does her being Muslim have to do with it?" In a Facebook post, local city Councilman Adam Miller says he had a "sincere conversation" with the teacher, who will "be removing this particular assignment from future lessons," adding that the assignment implants "prejudicial thoughts in these young impressionable minds." Ironically, the lesson came from the Center for Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Houston. The center's director says the goal of the assignment is to help students understand their biases, though the center's assignments are usually geared toward college-age students. (New York Times)

Oh, By the Way... I Once Saved Your Life

A neonatal intensive care nurse in California recently realized a fresh-faced pediatric neurology resident she's working alongside was once one of her patients. Vilma Wong said it was Dr. Brandon Seminatore's name that got her thinking because she remembered being the primary nurse to a baby with the same last name. Wong, 54, said, "To confirm my suspicion, I asked him if his dad was a police officer. And there was a big silence. Then he asked me if I was Vilma. I said yes!" Per a statement from the hospital, Seminatore was born at just under 2.5 pounds in 1990 and spent 40 days in the NICU unit, where he now knows Wong was among the team that helped keep him alive. Dr. Seminatore said, "Meeting Vilma was a surreal experience. I've come full circle and I'm taking care of babies with the nurse that took care of me." Also thrilled about the reunion were Seminatore's parents, who attended reunions for patients of the NICU unit for several years after their only son got his clean bill of health. They even provided a photo that was snapped all those years ago of Seminatore sitting on Wong's lap. (Mercury News)

How to Get Rid of Monica Lewinsky

Well if you ever want to know how to get rid of Monica Lewinsky, we have the answer. Ms. Lewinsky was giving a talk on the perils of the internet Monday night at a conference in Jerusalem. At one point she was interviewed by Israeli moderator Yonit Levi who asked her whether she still expected a personal apology from former President Clinton. Apparently that question was off limits and Lewinsky left the stage saying, "I'm so sorry. I'm not going to be able to do this." Lewinsky later explained in a tweet: "There were clear parameters about what we would be discussing and what we would not. When she asked me it on stage, with blatant disregard for our agreement, it became clear to me I had been misled. To the audience: I'm very sorry that this talk had to end this way." However, a rep from Levi's company said, "The question asked was legitimate, worthy and respectful and in no way deviated from Ms. Lewinsky's requests." (USA Today)

Rosanne - Going to Israel... Forever?

Roseanne Barr has had plenty of the controversial limelight as of late, and her answer may just be to go to Israel to stay. Barr, whose recent reboot of her highly successful eponymous series was canceled following her infamous tweet about Obama aide Valerie Jarrett, made the announcement on celebrity rabbi Shmuley Boteach's podcast. She said, "I have an opportunity to go to Israel for a few months and study with my favorite teachers over there. And it may even be permanent." Barr, a vocal supporter of President Trump said she made a "fatal mistake" when she decided to apologize for the tweet in which she compared Jarrett, who is black, with a character from Planet of the Apes. She added, "Once you apologize to them they never forgive, they just try to beat you down until you don't exist." (TMZ)

Hey Ya'll Watch This!

In Pittsfield, Florida, police say a joyride on a tractor has resulted in multiple drug-related charges against 38-year-old Anthony W. Waters. Chief Kenneth Yelliott said police were called about a tractor that was taken without the owner's consent. Officers saw the tractor being driven on Lakeview Drive about noon and pulled over the driver. Waters was arrested on charges of driving under the influence and driving while license was revoked. He was taken to the Pike County Jail as officers continued an investigation into possible drug use found methamphetamine, hydromorphone and cannabis during a search of his home. Hydromorphone is an opiate pain reliever. (My Journal Courier)

Let Me Introduce You to My Little Wet Friend

The world loves a good water gun. More than 200 million Super Soakers alone have been sold, totaling more than $1 billion in sales over the years, according to the National Toy Hall of Fame, which inducted it in 2015. Now meet the Spyra One - a $133 water pistol that's raised more than $400,000 over its funding goal on Kickstarter. It has a sleek, almost unibody appearance and charges with a USB cord. But the real difference is rather than shooting a water stream, emits 30-milliliter water "bullets." "Technology-wise, shooting water bullets across long distances without letting the water break up is really, really tricky and requires a specifically designed nozzle-valve combination," according to Spyra co-founder Rike Brand. Its ideal shooting distance is 15 to 25 feet, but it can hit a target up to 40 feet, according to its Kickstarter page. Since its water reservoir isn't clearly visible, it includes a digital ammo counter to let you know how many shots you've got left till you need to refill. The Spyra One has generated plenty of buzz and renewed interest in a toy space that's suffered from a drought of innovation. (Slate)

What the What?

In Germany, a father wants a murder conviction and serious jail time for the man he says killed his daughter by sprinkling cocaine on his private parts before she had oral sex with him. The woman, identified only as Yvonne M, 38, allegedly took an overdose of cocaine during the sexual romp with her doctor, 42-year-old Andreas David Niederbichler. According to court testimony - while the sex was consensual - Yvonne had no idea about the cocaine. Her 64-year-old father claims his daughter was also Niederbichler's patient and that he is convinced the doctor deliberately chose her as his alleged victim. Niederbichler has been in custody since his arrest and has been accused of grievous bodily harm resulting in death. He is believed to have tried the same stunt with at least two other women, none of whom died but reported feeling lightheaded afterward. (Metro)

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