Rounding off the week with an eclectic bundle of upbeat news stories.
Juvenile And Adult
A pair of prehistoric skeletons, which date back approximately 150 million years, have sold for more than £8m ($10) at Christie's in London. The Allosaurus skeletons were excavated from the same site in Carbon County, Wyoming and travelled to London in crates, where they were rebuilt. James Hyslop, Head of Science & Natural History at Christie's, said: "It is humbling to stand in the presence of these ancient giants and marvel at the wonders of our Earth's past."
The Allosaurus, often seen as a precursor to the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex), was a paramount predator in its day, notable for its sharp claws and a powerful bite.
Best Present Ever
Three children were overjoyed after receiving ‘the best Christmas present in the world’ -bionic arms. The kids were given their new ‘life-changing’ Hero Arms earlier this week thanks to the fundraising work of a woman whose own child needed a prosthetic years ago. Advanced, intuitive, robust, and light, the Hero Arm is “the world’s most affordable advanced multi-grip prosthetic arm,” according to the Open Bionics Foundation. The Hero Arm is available in over 801 locations across the US for below-elbow amputee adults and children aged 8 and above - and throughout the UK, where it is manufactured.
Surfing Santa
A surfer with an inflatable reindeer attached to his board competes in the annual Surfing Santa Competition at Salt Creek Beach in California. Hundreds of contestants dressed as Christmas-themed characters battled it out in the waves.
The Right to Smile?
The Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic has rejected a complaint by a man who wanted a photo of himself smiling on his ID card. The Prague authorities refused to accept such a photo in issuing the ID, pointing to a decree that stipulates that people on ID card photographs must have a neutral expression and a closed mouth for identification purposes. The man tried to defend his case by stating that he was a member of the Church of Laughter (Ecclesia Risorum) and that smiling was a manifestation of his religion. When his request was refused, he filed a complaint to the Municipal Court in Prague, which dismissed the lawsuit on the grounds that the ID photo requirements did not interfere with the man's fundamental rights and freedoms and that it was not necessary to grant him an exemption on grounds of conscientious objection. The verdict was later upheld by the Supreme Administrative Court and the Constitutional Court, the highest court in the land.
Strange But True
A pensioner who keeps getting traffic tickets even though she stopped driving four years ago is blaming her love of Star Trek. New York resident Beda Koorey's old licence plates had the same number as the Starship Enterprise: NCC-1701, which also features on novelty plates bought by some of the show's fans - and their accumulated tickets from all over the US are being posted to Koorey. "I've run out of ink. I've run out of stamps," she told CBS News about her quest to answer every summons. A lawyer is meeting her to sort out the misunderstanding.
Hospital Heroes
In Sandy Springs, Georgia the fire department is once again spreading some holiday cheer to children who can't be home for the holidays this year. The emergency workers along with Blooper (the Atlanta Braves mascot) and Superman rappelled off the roof of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Scottish Rite Hospital, waving to the little patients as they traveled down the side of the building. After the rappel the Sandy Springs firefighters went inside and joined Santa to give presents to all of the children. This is the third year the Sandy Springs Fire Department has rappelled from the 5 story hospital to spread holiday joy to the children, many of whom can't leave their hospital rooms.
"December has the clarity, the simplicity, and the silence you need for the best fresh start of your life." Vivian Swift
On This Day
20 December 1946: Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life, a drama starring Jimmy Stewart, premiered and later became a holiday classic.
Today's Articles
Tempted? Miller High Life has launched a cologne that will let you "proudly wear" the scent of dive bars.
Mood Boosting Video
Banned Marmite Commercial: Classic British humour that the regulator didn't approve of.