“Stroppy Alex Karpenko has told cosmetics giants to shove their big bills for fancy razors – after teaching himself to shave with a spade. The 35-year-old English teacher – from Nizhny Novgrod, Russia – learned how to shave with everyday objects from his World War II veteran grandfather. ‘Razors are an expensive, unnecessary luxury. He told me that during the war he used to shave using anything. I was so impressed I decided to do the same,’ said Alex.” w/ photos

“Hotel worker Natalie Thomas’ bottom is so good at detecting lumps in beds she is having her prize asset insured for $5.3million. The 39-year-old from Luton, Bedfordshire, tests about 24 guest beds a day as ‘director of bed bouncing’ for budget hotel chain Premier Inn. Natalie is tasked with testing how comfortable each of the chain’s 46,000 beds is, spending around 20 minutes on each one.” w/ photo

“One of the world’s rarest monkeys has given birth to a super cute baby covered in bright ginger fur at London Zoo. The rare primate – nicknamed Tango – was born at the world-famous zoo on September 1 to first-time mother Lu Lu and father Neo. Although both parents have jet black fur little Tango stands out from the crowd because he is bright orange. The youngster, who is yet to be sexed, spends most of its time cosied up with its mother but also has its auntie Lee Lee around keeping an eye out. Unfortunately the cheeky ginger wont retain its coloring forever. Zookeeper Kathryn Sanders explained: ‘Baby Tango is currently rocking the redhead look, but it won’t actually be ginger for very long. ‘Its fur will begin to darken at around three months of age, and they are usually completely black by the time they reach six months old.” w/ photo

“The Catholic church said something that should be a symbol of love has been adopted and abused by gang influences. A sixth-grade girl said she was told that she can’t wear a necklace that resembles a rosary because it violates the dress code at the Fremont Public Schools. Elizabeth Carey, 12, said the school adopted a policy last year banning the necklaces. “The principal said I couldn’t wear my necklace at all because gangsters were wearing it,” she said. She said the necklace is part of an outfit that she hopes expresses her faith. “I’m wearing a cross necklace, a cross T-shirt and a cross bracelet,” she said. “I’m thinking of how Jesus died on the cross and how he gave up all his sins for us.” Superintendent Steve Sexton said the policy is for student safety. “We had information from law enforcement that there were documented instances of gang activity in the area and we had information that states that the rosary was being used as a symbol of gang affiliation,’ Sexton said.” w/ photo + video

“It was late in the evening when the owners of Blue, a 12-week-old grey Pit Bull with sad brown eyes and a curious nose, found that he had somehow swallowed a garden flag post. “They were terrified,” said Dr. Caroline Rehm. The owners tried unsuccessfully to pull the black metal post out of Blue’s throat, but because of his gag reflex, Blue kept swallowing the post and it worked its way deep in his stomach. “Blue was gasping. He was agitated… He couldn’t breathe,” said Dr. Chris Rehm. The owners, who declined to speak to FOX10, rushed Blue to Rehm Animal Clinic on Hillcrest. Lucky for Blue’s owners, Rehm Animal Clinic takes cases until midnight. Dr. Caroline Rehm said, “Blue was going to die, but the owner wanted us to try and save him.” Rehm said the surgery took about 90 minutes, and her only thought was that the dog was not going to make it. They used bolt cutters to break off a crossbar from the 15 inch shaft, which prevented Blue from completely ingesting the post. “Had he swallowed it. He would have died,” says Dr. Chris Rehm.” w/ photo + video

“The Gold Coast’s beaches and bikinis have long been world famous – now they’re world record holders too. More than 350 bikini babes yesterday gathered on the Glitter Strip to set a Guinness World Record for the biggest-ever bikini parade. In all, 357 women wore bikinis to strut their stuff in a parade from Cavill Avenue on to the Surfers Paradise beach. Four had to be disqualified for being overdressed. The feat smashed the previous record of 331 set in the Cayman Islands last year. Surfers Paradise councillor Susie Douglas said it was fitting the Gold Coast held the record.” w/ photo + video

“For the man who has everything, this year’s prize bauble in China is a $1.8 million sheep bred in the ancient Silk Road city of Kashgar. Only 1,000 Dolan sheep exist in the world, according to breeders, and their extraordinary features have made them the latest collectors’ item for ultra-rich Chinese. “Big bosses come here in their luxury cars and load the sheep into the back seat,” said Liu, a 48-year-old sheep breeder in the city of Aksu, in the far western region of Xinjiang. “Usually the bosses are Uighur Muslims who have made their money in the sheep industry and want a prize sheep for a pet,” he added. The Dolan breed has a distinctive curved nose and twin tails, as well as a long floppy ears. Originally bred from sheep in Kashgar to grow quickly and to yield more meat, the breed has since become ornamental. “The price depends on the pedigree,” said Mr Liu. “The darker the fleece, the better. The bigger the ears the better. The more curved the face, the better, like an eagle’s beak. The best ones have a dark body and white tail.” w/ photos

“A rare albino squirrel nicknamed Snow White will have to spend the rest of her life in captivity – because she will be killed by her cousins in the wild. The squirrel was found bloodied after being attacked by two grey squirrels and taken to an animal rescue center. Nicknamed after the Grimms’ fairy tale character because she enjoys staring at her reflection in a mirror, Snow White has now recovered after three days on painkillers and antibiotics. The chances of an albino squirrel being born are one in 100,000, so with a grey squirrel population of 2.5million it is thought there are only 25 with the genetic mutation alive at any one time. ‘She had blood coming from her nose and was in a very poor way when she came in,’ said Crag Hunter, senior clinical assistant at the HART wildlife center near Alton, Hampshire. ‘We put a mirror in her cage so we could keep an eye on her and she loves looking at herself in it. I’m sure she is asking the mirror, “Who is the fairest of them all?”, like in the fairy tale.” w/ photo

“Holidaymakers are now being offered the chance to stay in hotel rooms – made from oil rig survival capsules. The bright orange pods have undergone an incredible transformation and are now available to visitors to Den Haag, Holland, for about $66 a night. They have been kitted out with lights, a survival suitcase and sleeping bags and guests can choose between simple hammocks or a normal bed. Creator Denis Oudendijk even made one with a James Bond theme, which comes complete with silk sheets on the bed, champagne and a vodka martini bar. He said: “Since we launched them the pods have been very popular – they’ve even saved some relationships!” w/ photo

“A Polish farmer saved a four-legged duck from the dinner table and welcomed it into his family instead after developing a bond with his quacky new friend. Krzystof Makles initially thought the unusual ugly duckling that was born in his hatchery would die. However, the doting farmer took the vulnerable creature under his wing and nurtured it until it was old enough to look after itself. The 42-year-old from Swiecie is quackers about the new addition to his family and claims his feathered friend follows him everywhere on the farm, just like a dog. ‘We found him among a load of other newborn chicks and to be honest I thought he would die, but he got stronger and pulled through and I admired his guts,’ he explained.” w/ photo