The Odd Files

A pensioner has reportedly been stabbed in the penis outside a Pound Pub in Manchester.The 63-year-old also suffered injuries to his testicles after an assailant apparently plunged a blade into his groin on Monday night at the establishment in Market Street, Atherton. The Leigh Journal reported the victim had been lured outside the pub by the attacker, who said he wanted to speak to him. Despite the alleged brutal attack, the pensioner was said to have not suffered life-threatening injuries.The victim was attended to by paramedics at around 9.15pm and transferred to the Royal Bolton Hospital. ‘He suffered minimal lacerations and was wounded in a central location,’ said an ambulance spokesman. ‘He was stabbed in the private parts. The hospital was informed prior to his arrival but staff were not on standby. The man suffered minimal bleeding.’ The Pound Pub chain offers heavily discounted alcohol with pints of beer costing around £1.50. Source: Metro UK

A headteacher had to apologise after a giant ‘alien’ egg terrified primary school pupils. The 1m (3ft) white egg scared some of the 250 children at Holy Trinity as rumours spread that a teacher received burns after handling it and of scratch marks on a wall. Headteacher Jon Smith told parents of an ‘amazing discovery’ but insisted it was safe. But as panic mounted, he was forced to issue an apology and explain it was a project to promote investigation. A ‘scientist’ was called to the school in Halstead, Essex, on Monday to prove the egg was safe. Source: Metro

Raju the elephant was beaten, abused and forced to go hungry until animal charity workers rescued him last week For 50 years Raju the elephant was held in chains, beaten and abused – a pitiful site with his legs bleeding from spiked shackles and living on ­handouts from passing tourists, writes Sarah Arnold in the Sunday People. He was so hungry he would eat plastic and paper to fill his empty stomach. But last week animal charity workers swooped to save him in a daring midnight rescue ­operation on the streets of India. Some experts believe elephants cry when overcome with emotion, just like humans. And Raju’s rescuers insist the giant animal wept as he realised his ordeal was coming to an end. Pooja Binepal, of Wildlife SOS-UK, said: “Raju was in chains 24 hours a day, an act of ­intolerable cruelty. The team were astounded to see tears roll down his face during the rescue. “It was incredibly emotional. We knew in our hearts he realised he was being freed. “...