Crazy world: Odd tales from around the globe

Sep 1 2010

A round-up of some of the wackier stories from around the world.

HANKOU, China: A hotel recruited a new chef by inviting applicants to slice a melon on a woman’s stomach. A volunteer laid on a table, while would-be chefs chopped up their melons. Chef Hu Gua won the job by cutting the fruit in less than a minute without harming the girl.

ANKARA, TURKEY: Turkish Airlines has grounded 28 flight attendants for being overweight and given them six months to slim down or face reassignment. The employees, 13 of whom are women, are on unpaid leave until they comply.

MICHIGAN, USA: A pet owner has told how his dog saved his life – by biting off his infected toe after he passed out drunk. Jerry Douthett, 48, says the terrier must have sensed the infection festering in his foot. When he went for a check-up it emerged he had diabetes.

MICHIGAN, USA: A pet owner has told how his dog saved his life – by biting off his infected toe after he passed out drunk. Jerry Douthett, 48, says the terrier must have sensed the infection festering in his foot. When he went for a check-up it emerged he had diabetes.

ARIZONA, USA: A French tourist has survived after falling into the Grand Canyon. The unnamed 18-year-old man slipped while taking pictures near the rim, park rangers said. He plummeted 75 feet before landing on a ledge. He’s in a stable condition with a neck injury.