Today's wacky stories from the web: gangster guns, cryogenics and Amityville horror house for sale
A wikipedia for hip hop, Italy's most tyre-rannical politician, frost-bitten penis, snake bite vs. morphine and the brand new Taj Mahal
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Amityville horror house for sale
Just in time for Halloween, the owners of the home made famous in the spooky 1970s film The Amityville Horror have slashed the asking price on their Toms River, New Jersey, colonial. Apparently there aren't too many takers for a notoriously haunted house that gives you the willies just to look at it. Weird. cnn.com
You talking to me?
It turns out movie gangsters and movie gangster-wannabes aren't just posing. According to a former Marine Corps marksmanship instructor, there's a very good reason to discharge a firearm sideways on. gizmodo.com
Cryogenics: Family album from the future
Stats are hard to come by, but it's estimated about 2,000 people have signed up to be cryogenically frozen after death, in hopes of returning to life in a technologically advanced future. Wired has some fascinating pictures from the lab. Approximately 250 people, and over 100 pets are currently cryo-preserved in vats of liquid nitrogen. wired.com
Wiki-rap
Founded in 2009 by a trio of Yale University graduates, Rap Genius is a community-driven site dedicated to explaining and providing the context behind the lyrics to rap songs. Rap Genius says its serious, academic take on rap lyrics will help elevate the genre to the level of poetry. venturebeat.com
Identity crisis
A $1bn (£621m) project to build a replica of the Taj Mahal has been unveiled in the Gulf emirate of Dubai. The Taj Arabia complex will be much bigger than the original monument to love and include a 300-room hotel, shops and commercial buildings, developer Arun Mehra said. bbc.co.uk
Tyre-rannical
Just when it seemed the behaviour of Italy's political class could get no worse, a member of Silvio Berlusconi's party has been forced to resign after being caught slashing the tyres of a car owned by a disabled man. telegraph.co.uk
Frostbitten penis
Michael D. Nash of Louisville says ice packs nurse used after surgery gave him frostbite, gangrene, and ultimately caused him to have part of his penis amputated. nydailynews.com
High times
Huge Marijuana Field Found On Chicago’s South Side. cbclocal.com
Anyone for a snake bite?
A painkiller as powerful as morphine, but without most of the side-effects, has been found in the deadly venom of the black mamba, say French scientists. bbc.co.uk
Why we are so rude online
Jennifer Bristol recently lost one of her oldest friends -thanks to a Facebook fight about pit bulls. wsj.com
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments