WEIRD STUFF

Guest forgets prosthetic leg at hotel

A prosthetic leg and a PS10,000 painting are among the strangest items left in hotel rooms.

Hyatt Hotels revealed that they had discovered several unusual possessions left behind in bedrooms long after the guests had left over the past year.

Other things left behind include 20 traffic cones and 10 bishops' cassocks and the hotel chain has now introduced a 'Finder Keepers' service in an attempt to reunite owners with their lost property.

Housekeeping boss Regina Urban said: "One guest, rushing to catch a plane home to the US, left a cherished ring behind - but only realised it was missing mid-flight.

"Following an email to the hotel, I tracked down the ring and made sure it found its way back to the guest as they landed in New York.

"Days later, a heartfelt message arrived from the guest Stateside, showing tearful gratitude for reuniting her with a priceless heirloom from her grandmother."

Urban added: "Nothing beats the joy of getting treasured belongings back where they belong."

-----------

Naked chickens parade in historic church

A bizarre stage performance featuring raw chickens in nappies has caused uproar in Germany, after it was hosted inside a historic Catholic cathedral.

The avant-garde show was held last month in Paderborn Cathedral, Westphalia - watched by the country's president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and local archbishop Udo Bentz - and sparked fury among worshippers who branded the act a "desecration".

More than 22,000 furious citizens have now signed a petition demanding that Archbishop Bentz apologise and carry out penance. They also want him to reconsecrate the cathedral after it was "desecrated by this performance".

The production, by experimental theatre group Bodytalk, saw plucked chickens displayed on stage in baby nappies. It formed part of a cultural event focused on Westphalia's rural history.

But many viewers failed to see the message behind the odd display and the backlash was so strong that the archdiocese and regional leaders were forced to apologise that the show "hurt religious feelings".

-------------

Bees take over Washington

Millions of bees caused chaos in Washington state after a lorry hauling around 70,000 lbs of hives overturned, unleashing a buzzing swarm near the Canadian border.

Locals were warned to steer clear as around 14 million honey bees escaped from the crashed truck when it tipped over on a road in Whatcom County.

The Whatcom County sheriff said: "The goal is to save as many bees as possible."

Emergency crews worked alongside more than two dozen master beekeepers who scrambled to re-hive the insects and track down their queen.

The officers explained: "The plan is to allow the bees to re-hive and find their queen bee."

They added that the area would stay shut "until the rescue is complete".

In a later update, police praised the "wonderful community of beekeepers" who turned up to help.

The driver of the truck was not injured.

------------------

Experts probe Jesus' midwife tomb

A sacred cave in Israel long believed to be the burial site of "Jesus' midwife" may actually hold the remains of Salome, sister of King Herod the Great.

Located about 30 miles southwest of Jerusalem, the so-called 'Cave of Salome' has drawn Christian pilgrims for centuries who believed it was the tomb of the woman who helped deliver baby Jesus. But fresh digs suggest the site may have links to royalty.

Experts from the Israel Antiquities Authority, Vladik Lifshits and Nir-Shimshon Paran, believe that the cave's grand design and relics point to it being the burial spot of someone from Herod's royal clan.

Lifshits told Live Science: "It's not that I think it must be the tomb of Salome, the sister of Herod. I'm suggesting that this is one of the possibilities."

The cave comes with a grand entrance courtyard, carved burial spots and ancient inscriptions - the kind of setup that hints it was made for a top-tier figure in first-century BC Judaea, back when it was under Roman control.

The name "Salome" is carved into the rock but researchers warn against jumping to conclusions.

They said: "Following the new excavation at the site, and findings at nearby sites, it is suggested that the grandeur burial estate belonged to a member of the royal family."

-------------