Little, Pink Elephants

Man! This has really been a year for oddly-colored creatures! And this one is doubly neat, because of the old saying about alcoholics and little, pink elephants. A little pink elephant is exactly what a wildlife cameraman caught on film while photographing a herd in Botswana.

The calf was among the 80 elephant herd in the Okavango Delta. Experts believe the little guy (or girl) is an albino, which are extremely rare amongst African elephants. Albino elephants are a reddish-pink, not white, and they are more common in Asian elephants.

Check out the pictures and read more about the experience at BBC.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Cage Fights in Texas Highschool

While the principal of the highschool vehemently denies the charges, the superintendent says "some things... happened inside of a cage" and at least one student's mother says she was ignored when she tried to bring the cage fights to light several years ago, after her son came home with a swollen hand and told her students stood around the cage, cheering and clapping, while he and another student fought. The allegations of staged cage fights came to light as the school was being investigated over a grade-fixing scam.

According to some, fights took place inside a steel mesh equipment cage in the boys' locker room between 2003 and 2005, and the principal and other faculty members were aware of it. In fact, the principal is said to have told a staff member to put two students accused of fighting "in the cage and let 'em duke it out." The principal says "it never happened" and calls the whole thing "barbaric."

A 2008 report says the principal and other staff at South Oak Cliff High in Dallas were aware of the fights. It is unclear as to how many "cage fights" occurred, but is certain of at least two. The cage fights came to light when the school was being investigated over a grade-fixing scam, which cost South Oak Cliff High two basketball titles. The principal retired last year.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Bank Robbers Robbed Outside Bank

Two middle-aged men robbed a bank in Milwaukee the other day. On their way out of the bank, they were held-up by two younger men. A fight ensued, followed by a short car chase. In the end, police apprehended all four. However, no loot was found!

If you're like me, you may be thinking, "This one has screenplay written all over it!" Except that this particular story has already been told in movies at least 21309213090 times! I'm not sure if this is a case of life imitating art or just one of those incidents you can point to and say, "See!? It really does happen!"

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Rare Coins

Throughout history, mankind has collected beautiful and/or unusual things. Foremost amongst these items is gold and precious metals. The practice has not changed in all this time, though the means by which it is practiced most certainly have.

These days, companies like Monex can help you purchase gold and silver ingots, while their Monaco Rare Coins branch can help you develop and manage a valuable rare coin collection. These are both great ways to invest in something tangible. Further, precious metals rarely depreciate; in general, you can expect precious metals to increase in value over the years.

Monaco Rare Coins not only carries a wide selection of the finest coins you will find anywhere, they have an impressively knowledgeable staff. Monaco is a member of all the major associations and guilds and is one of the most trusted and experienced leaders in the hard assets market - has been for nearly 40 years, in fact.

So make sure to follow the link provided above to learn more about Monaco and the Monex family and what they can do for you.

Gambian Villagers Kidnapped by Witchdoctors, Police

London-based Amnesty International reports that as many as 1000 Gambian villagers were rounded-up by police and taken to detention centers where witchdoctors forced them to drink "potions" and confess to practicing witchcraft. Many were elderly and many were beaten severely. The "potions" made many sick with diarrhea and vomiting and caused some to hallucinate.

Others were simply arrested and many reports indicate the military is leading this effort or, at the very least, participating alongside the witchdoctors. Hundreds of villagers have fled the area and one reporter who tried to investigate was arrested and charged with spying.

All of this started when the president's aunt died earlier this year. Her death was blamed on witchcraft.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Man Survives Niagara Fall

An unidentified man was taken to the hospital over the weekend after rescue workers pulled him from the icy waters beneath Horseshoe Falls, one of the three waterfalls which make up Niagara Falls. Witnesses say the naked man scaled a wall before leaping over the falls.

When rescue workers appeared, the man swam away from them. One worker said, "I thought he was an idiot..." But workers did not realize he had gone over the falls. A police helicopter was called in. It used the force of its blades to blow him closer to shore, where he was finally pulled from the waters. He was conscious but unable to speak.

The man is suffering from hypothermia and a serious head wound and is listed in critical condition.

Few survive going over any of the three Niagara Falls, though so many tried that officials finally made it illegal. They have not said whether or not the man will be charged.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009