Reuters Odd News Summary
Following is a summary of current odd news briefs.
Note to the U.S. Congress: No gladhanding the Pope
The four leaders of the U.S. Congress asked members on Thursday to refrain from one of Washington's favorite rituals when Pope Francis visits the Capitol next week: no trying to grab a handshake as he makes his way in. On Sept. 24, Pope Francis will become the first pontiff to address a joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives, and lawmakers have been looking for guidance on how to behave during the visit.
Now you see it, now you don't: invisibility cloak nears reality
A cloak of invisibility may be common in science fiction but it is not so easy in the real world. New research suggests such a device may be moving closer to reality. Scientists said on Thursday they have successfully tested an ultra-thin invisibility cloak made of microscopic rectangular gold blocks that, like skin, conform to the shape of an object and can render it undetectable with visible light.
China to prosecute former official for 'crazily luxurious' club
China's ruling Communist Party will prosecute a former senior city government official who connived with businessmen to build a "crazily luxurious" private club modeled on Beijing's famous "Water Cube" Olympics swimming venue. Since President Xi Jinping began his sweeping campaign against corruption, waste and extravagance three years ago, the government has released details of the sometimes luxurious lives of officials who are supposed to live on modest sums and lead morally exemplary lives.
Russia summons Polish ambassador to protest removal of Soviet era statue
Russia summoned Poland's ambassador on Thursday to protest at the removal of a Soviet-era statue in a Polish town on the 76th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Poland, highlighting increased tensions between the neighbors. Katarzyna Pelczynska-Nalecz, Warsaw's envoy in Moscow, was called to the Russian Foreign Ministry to explain the dismantling on Thursday of a statue of Soviet General Ivan Chernyakhovsky in the Polish town of Pieniezno.
Studies on kissing, the word 'huh?' among Ig Nobel award winners
Researchers who studied the consequences of intense kissing, the global use of the word "huh?" and how badly bee stings hurt on different parts of the body were among the winners of this year's Ig Nobel prizes for comical scientific achievements. The annual prizes, meant to entertain and encourage global research and innovation, are awarded by the Annals of Improbable Research as a whimsical counterpart to the Nobel Prizes, which will be announced next month.
Florida woman arrested in 'booby trapped' home with more than 3,700 blades
A Florida woman living in a mobile home that was "booby trapped" with more than 3,714 swords, knives and other bladed weapons was in jail on Thursday after attacking officers who had come to arrest her, police said. Nickcole Dykema, 47, was being held without bond on charges including assaulting an officer and resisting arrest, said Hernando County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Denise Moloney.
