A car crash victim left in a coma for six weeks has awoken to find that he is no longer from Ayrshire but from various countries in Europe - according to his accent, that is. Tom Paterson, 39 from Largs, believes he now suffers from Foreign Accent Syndrome, a rare condition that affects those subjected to brain injuries or who have had strokes, the Glasgow Evening Times reports. "I've been Portuguese, German, Spanish, French, even Israeli! The most common are Belgian, Norwegian or German," he remarked, adding that when he awoke from his coma he thought his voice sounded funny.

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:06:48

The syringe believed to have been used to dispense a fatal dose of drugs to Michael Jackson is reportedly going on sale in Las Vegas, in time for the first anniversary of the king of pop's death. It is thought that the item will be put on the auction block on June 25th, in spite of the fact that the star's family are allegedly desperate to put a stop to it. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, a source said: "This is one of the sickest lots ever put up. The syringe is no longer needed in the inquest … but the moral implications don't bear thinking about."

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:27:36

A woman in the US has vowed to become the fattest lady in the world, after securing the Guinness World Record title of biggest mother. Donna Simpson from New Jersey weighed 520lbs when she gave birth and is now 600lbs. "I'd love to be 1,000lbs," Ms Simpson - who wears XXXXXXXL clothes and runs a website where spectators pay to watch her feed - remarked.

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:00

A dog in the US made dinner of a $20,000 (£13,295) diamond when the three-ct gem fell on the floor while being looked at by its owner. Sollie, a golden retriever, scooped up the stone while in Robert Bernard Jewellers, the premises of George Kaufmann and business partner Robert Rosin. Upon watching his pet swallow the diamond, Mr Kaufmann whisked him off to the vet and then had to wait three days for it to resurface.

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:00:00

Drivers in a village in Romania are being warned about the possibility of hitting inebriated pedestrians, with authorities erecting triangular warning signs bearing the slogan 'attention - drunks'. They also feature a picture of a person crawling on his hands and knees, clutching a bottle. Peter Antal, mayor of the township in question - Pecica - said that the community was in despair after numerous accidents involving merry residents occurred and came up with the idea after visiting a German town that had taken similar action.

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:51:07

A rundown of some of the stranger listings to appear on internet-based bazaar eBay has been compiled by one website, with items such as a vampire-killing kit included. According to iAfrica, keen shoppers were once able to get their hands on the meaning of life - sent to the buyer in a sealed envelope - and an acre of land on the moon has also gone under the hammer, fetching $10.50 (£7), in spite of the fact that the seller was adamant it was worth $39. Citing a report in the BBC, the news provider noted that a British man sold his soul for under £12, bought by a chap from Oklahoma who lost his in a bet.

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:18:40

A woman on a skydiving adventure in South Africa managed to survive a 3,000 ft drop after her parachute failed to open properly. Mother-of-one Lareece Butler was rushed to hospital in King William's Town following the incident, which was witnessed by her boyfriend on the ground. Skydive manager of EP Skydiving Club Joos Vos stated that Ms Butler - who was not an experienced jumper, having only done one or two before - was lucky to be alive.

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:24:50

A clutch of hens and one cockerel have fought back against years of persecution by foxes, pecking to death one that broke into their coop. The cockerel - Dude - and his companions Izzy, Pecky and Pongo were able to wreak their revenge after a table appeared to have fallen on the creature and knocked it unconscious. Owner of the brave birds Michelle Cordell remarked: "I was shocked. When I opened up the door, the chickens came running out happy as anything. I went inside and the fox was laying there."

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:00:00

A policeman in Otaki in Japan suffered burns to his hands and face after a toilet in the stall he was occupying exploded. The 51-year-old apparently used a cigarette lighter while in the men's room, which led to the incident, resulting in a seven sq m hole in the ceiling, the Mainichi Daily News reports. Another officer who attended the scene immediately after the accident told how he had witnessed a 1.5 m column of flame shooting up from the drain in the floor.

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:00:00

A New Jersey-based family has had to hide their snow sculpture's modesty with a bikini and sarong after the breast-baring snowlady prompted an anonymous complaint. It took Elisa Gonzalez and her relatives hours to complete the version of the Greek statue Venus de Milo but, although some people on the street were complimentary, a police officer later arrived to ask for her to be covered up. Mrs Gonzalez remarked: "I thought she looked more objectified and sexualised after you put the bikini on," adding that the snow homage was "curvaceous, bodacious and booty-licious", even if she did come with a six-pack.

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:41:06