The Week December 4,2009

Caveman in modern China

A man has emerged from a cave after spending 132 days writing a 400,000 word letter to his mother.

The precise contents of the letter have yet to be revealed of letter. But it is thought to include a detailed laundry list.

Historians have flocked to the area, excited by reports of a "caveman" in contemporary China. The man is called Huang, who is thought his English name is Fred Flintstone.

GRRRRR-UB

Police have arrested two men after they allegedly caught a tiger and cooked it for its meat in a village in Yunnan province. Conservationists are worried this is going to spark a trend for using endangered animals as ingredients in dishes. An internet campaign is expected called SayNoToPandaKebabs.com.

Legs of steel

Two doctors have been fired after they fitted a steel plate in the wrong leg of an 84-year-old patient. The doctors put the plate in his left leg – but the fracture was in his right. The incident happened at a hospital in Tongcheng. Other doctors are said to operate to remove the plate from the wrong leg, which is his left leg, and put it into his right leg which is the right leg, the only leg left. Administrators are sure they fired the right men.

Spit-driver causes crash

A man who "spat and drove" has been ordered to pay compensation of 20,000 yuan. The man caused a crash on an expressway in Henan after he protruded his head from the window in order to expectorate unexpectedly. The man behind him was driving a BMW had to swerved and hit a fence. The spit-driver said he had flu, implying an emergency spit was required. But if the size of the compensation award makes him ill, police advice will be don't travel behind him.

Auto tots

Still with cars, vehicles designed by children were unveiled at a creative car competition. One youthful saloon got particular attention. It's thought it can go from 0-60 in ten secs, unlike its designer who is just learning to count.

Half the woman she used to be?

Earlier in its quirky news bits, the China Daily brought you details of the woman who could be China's fattest, Su Huiqing who weighs 150 kg.

She is now getting free treatment and surgery as doctors try to halve her weight from 150 kg to 75.

She won't be able to do this with a staple in her stomach.

In her battle to shed kilos, she may take comfort from the next story on The Week.

Pumpkin obesity shock

A pumpkin which is gaining 1.5kg every day and attracting lots of visitors to an agricultural breeding centre in Guangdong. The pumpkin is now 65 kg in weight.

It's one of a particular breed that could go as high as 1000kg. This pumpkin which is unable to control its weight continues to balloon is hugely popular amongst ex-pats, who refer to it fondly as Britney Spears.