Strange News

With publicity campaigns, radio jingles and pinups, the government helped eliminate the parasitic disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is still fighting malaria at home and abroad.

Friday marks the end of the Mayan calendar — and the end of the world if you believe doomsayers. But a rumor circulating online says the village of Bugarach, population 200, will be spared. That has the village bracing for an influx of believers.

Even if you knew that, you may not know how the fictional dinosaur came to star in the prehistoric landscape of popular imagination for so long. The story starts 130 years ago, in a time known as the "Bone Wars."

Weekend Edition Saturday host Scott Simon notes that a new study finds that in addition to twigs and branches, birds are also using cigarette butts to build their nests — and they are actually proving to be helpful.

The floppy brown hat belonged to Bridget Hughes' late mother, who wore it during cancer treatment. Hughes lost it at the Phoenix airport this week, and asked friends on Facebook to help her find it. Her post has been shared over 100,000 times.

The holidays bring out the spirit of giving, and giving back ... what you've pilfered. Like the recent story about a 1930s silver-trimmed teapot returned to the Waldorf-Astoria, this morning brings a tale of toilet paper. Eastern New Mexico University received a gift box filled with 80 rolls of toilet paper, and a Christmas card apologizing for stealing rolls from a dorm years ago.

Looking for that perfect gift for a man who hates to shave? He may reconsider his morning routine with a new product from "Bacontrepreneurs" Justin and Dave of J&D Foods in Seattle (makers of Baconnaise, Bacon Lip Balm and Mmmvelopes). Their latest concoction, Bacon Shaving Cream, has no meat in it but it's the "highest-quality meat-scented shaving cream on the market today."

A couple of bright moments in a city still recovering from a dark storm: On Staten Island, people were startled by the dreamlike spectacle of two men chasing an escaped zebra and pony down the street — with lassos. And in Manhattan, Rockefeller Center lit up with 45,000 lights — on an 80-foot Christmas tree.