“It’s a growing problem, but the success of a firm that specializes in giant coffins has brought America’s obesity epidemic into sharp focus. With over 30 per cent of Americans officially classified as obese, Indiana-based Goliath Caskets has found its niche product steadily become more in demand. Its largest casket is a staggering 4ft-wide and 8ft-long and can hold a person weighing up to 1,008 lbs. Founded in 1985, Goliath Caskets has seen demand for its largest casket rocket from an average of one per year to more than a dozen. The East Lynn firm also sells more than 200 slightly smaller oversized coffins each year.” w/ photos

“Zimbabwe has banned the sale of second-hand underwear. A new law has made it illegal to import or sell used pants, according to the Independent News Day newspaper. It is now forbidden to import ‘second-hand undergarments of any type form or description – whether purchased, donated or procured in any other manner. The hand-me- down knicker band was introduced by finance minister Tendai Biti, who said he was shocked to discover many Zimbabweans in the poverty-stricken country bought used underwear from flea markets or stalls.” w/ photo

“Nightmarish ‘supersoldier’ ants with huge heads and jaws have been created by activating ancient genes. Scientists believe the monster ants may be a genetic throwback to an ancestor that lived millions of years ago. Scientists say they can create the supersoldiers at will by dabbing normal ant larvae with a special hormone – the larvae then develop into supersoldiers rather than normal soldier or worker ants. Supersoldier ants can occur naturally in the wild, but only rarely. In the deserts of America and Mexico, their job is to protect the colony from raids by invading army ants.” w/ photos

“Quite a sight, isn’t it? What I’ve just described to you is the Estilo Colombiano, the hairstyle adopted by the Cholombians of Monterrey in northern Mexico. They are quite well known for their meticulous style of dressing, and the pride they take in their cultural heritage. The cumbia, music brought over from Colombia, is something they are equally famous for. The people of Monterrey have been in love with this music ever since the 1960s. Several Cholombian street vendors sell trinkets that are imported from Colombia – paintings, key chains, flags, hats, t-shirts and bumper stickers, but the most popular of the items are mixed tapes of cumbia. The cumbia of Monterrey has developed a style of it’s own.” w/ photos

“Thousands of dead herring have been discovered washed up on a north Norwegian beach – prompting Doomsday predictors to hail it as another sign the world is set to end. More than 20 tonnes of the fish is currently carpeting the beach of Kvaenes, in Nordreisa, with experts views differing on how they have come to be there. One thing is for sure, it will provide welcome ammunition to those believing the Mayan prophecy that 2012 will bring the end of Earth. Jan-Petter Jorgensen, 44, was walking with his dog Molly when he found the stinky haul. He said: ‘People say that something similar happened in the 80s. Maybe the fish have been caught in a deprived oxygen environment, and then died of fresh water?’ Experts have said the school could have been trapped by tidal waters after predatory fish – such as coalfish – chased them towards the shoreline.” w/ photos

“The passionate artist spends a great deal of time on each of his creations, recreating them in great detail, from the inner chambers, to the spiraling staircases and outside design. Since that’s where most of his work material came from, Ciro soon moved his art studio’s into his sons’ restaurant, making it a favorite attractions for art lovers. He uses all kinds of tools to make his cork masterpieces, including very sharp knives, rulers and glue. To complete a single sculpture, Califano works over a year, using between 5,000 and 10,000 corks. Before actually starting work on his sculptures, he studies the history of each building he’s trying to replicate, decides on the scale, and only then starts sculpting the model.” w/ photos

“Darren Jones wants to check himself into rehab – to cure a bizarre addiction to Diet Cola. Darren, 38, knocks back 42 litres of the drink every week. Now the 35 stone father of two is vowing to get treatment for his $129 a week habit to get fit again and save his relationship with 33-year old mother of two Paula Mullen. Darren, of Stockport, Greater Manchester, said: “I believe what I have is an actual addiction and I start to worry if I’m getting near the end of the bottle. “If I can’t get in touch with Paula to get me some more I start to panic – it’s like a drug or alcohol addiction. “I called up Diet Coke to ask them if it’s addictive and what I should do and she recommended putting water in it to dilute it, but it would taste horrid and I don’t think it would help.” w/ photos + video

“Having eight children is impressive wherever you might be, but in the People’s Republic of China it’s simply unheard of. But a couple from Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, have somehow managed to break the nation’s strict one-child policy by spending nearly a million yuan ($160,000) on two surrogate mothers who bore them four boys and four girls. The incident has highlighted both the use of birth surrogates, a violation of Chinese law, and how wealthy Chinese seem to do as they please, with scant regard for the rules that constrain others. The most common reaction, though, has been simple disbelief.” w/ photos

“The walrus is known for being a relatively placid creature, so a young girl who approached one at an enclosure came in for a shock when the animal squirted a jet of water in her face. Once the youngster got within range, the walrus pursed its lips, ejecting water from its mouth towards the girl who winced with surprise. The massive mammal carried out the cunning attack at the Dolphinarium Harderwijk Zoo in Holland. Visitor Natalia Paklina, 30, was at the zoo to see a show when she spotted the walrus named Snor, which means ‘whiskers’ in Dutch. It was by sheer luck she managed to capture the hilarious act of the playful walrus.” w/ photos

“A huge outdoor escalator has been erected in one of the poorest districts of Colombia’s second largest city. For generations 12,000 people living in Medellin’s tough Comuna 13 – which clings to a hillside – have had to made the arduous journey up hundreds of large steps, which is the equivalent to climbing up a 28-storey building. But now a giant outdoor escalator will cut their journey from 35-minutes to just six, and grateful residents have said ‘it is a dream come true’ The escalator is 1,260ft long but is divided into six sections so people living on all parts of the hillside have easy access to it.” w/ photos