Unsinkable replica? Those enamored with the Titanic may be able to actually experience what it was like to sail on the luxurious ship, the original of which sank in North Atlantic waters in 1912. Clive Palmer, a billionaire in Australia, is building a replica of the ship, called Titanic II, that he hopes will be ready to sail from Southampton, England to New York (US) in 2016. The replica will have modern conveniences, such as air conditioning, a 400-seat theatre and a casino. Third-class rooms, with shared bathrooms, will also be available. Thousands of people have already signed up for the voyage.
Big bear: One wouldn’t think that the large city of Los Angeles (US) could be home to a big, wild bear. However, a man who was walking and texting in the quiet suburban neighbourhood of Glendale discovered that it’s quite possible for a bear to roam the city streets. The man looked up from texting to find himself in close proximity to a 400-pound black bear. Apparently, the bear had wandered into the neighbourhood from the nearby forest and had been rummaging around in area garbage bins. Eventually, the bear, dubbed Glen Bearian by the locals, was tranquilized, captured and released deep in the forest.
Success story: A young woman from Chatham in Kent, England, can stand tall and proud, especially in front of her mean classmates who bullied her because she was overweight. Emma Burton used to wear a size 32, but through proper dieting, she now wears a size 10. Her bullies taunted her so badly throughout her school years that some days she would pretend she was sick and stay home. Now, though, those same bullies don’t even recognize her. Burton felt great seeing their surprised reaction to her new look and she was pleased that they apologized for their past behaviour. She hopes her story will be an inspiration to others.
Scary stay: Those who want to get an idea of what it was like to be a prisoner in a military prison can book a room in the Karostas Cietums Prison in Karosta, Latvia. At £10 ($15 US) per night, it is not expensive, but that is because it has not changed much since it was built in 1900. The buildings are no longer used to house prisoners, but guests can take a tour, participate in themed activities, and stay the night in a cell, which includes regular bed checks by “guards” dressed in period uniforms. The stay might be a bit eerie, as the facility is reported to be haunted. Day visitors can book ahead for educational activities that teach about the history of the facility.