STATUS UPDATES
A week in which Manson’s remains are fought over, Viagra plant’s neighbours perk up and a curious incident dogs ‘Cats’
DISPUTED The rights to Charles Manson’s remains. Relatives and associates are scrambling to claim possession of the murderer’s remains and belongings, and some fear there may be a plan to create a shrine to the cult leader, The Associated Press reports. Manson’s purported grandson, Jason Freeman, is one of those seeking control of the estate. Manson died Nov. 19 in California.
SHUT DOWN An institute teaching Chinese women to be obedient to men. A viral video posted by website Pear Video shows teachers at the Fushun School of Traditional Culture telling women they shouldn’t try to have a career, rather they should “stay at the bottom level,” the BBC reported. Other advice included never arguing and never divorcing.
AROUSED Men in the Irish village of Ringaskiddy, some claim. Villagers say a nearby Pfizer factory that makes Viagra is stimulating local males. “One whiff and you’re stiff,” local bartender Debbie O’Grady told the Sunday Times. The company says this whole idea that there’s something in the air is a myth (or it may be wishful thinking).
REPURPOSED The parking permits of disabled people, who also happen to be dead. A Florida mayor is allegedly behind the scheme, allowing her to park at city hall. Davenport Mayor Darlene Bradley faces felony charges of using a dead person’s identification, The Associated Press reported. She also was charged with possessing an altered or counterfeit decal.
DISRUPTED A Broadway performance of Cats. A service dog attending the musical apparently got a little too enthralled by the costume design and charged toward one of the characters, Bombalurina. The incident during the opening number didn’t lead to any injuries after a quick-as-acat usher at the Neil Simon Theatre intervened.
OPENED A massive Starbucks in Shanghai. The American chain launched a nearly 30,000-squarefoot Starbucks Reserve Roastery, its largest in the world, which includes three coffee bars, the Washington Post reports. It includes a tea bar, an in-house bakery, augmented reality technology and an “immersive” experience.
TURNED OFF Olaf’s Frozen Adventure at theatres, as of Dec. 8. The Disney movie has been screening before Pixar’s animated movie Coco. Disney says this was always the plan. But the 21-minute short has been criticized by some as slow, confusing (to kids expecting the Mexican-themed main attraction), or “interminable,” never good for a short.
NEGLECTED The front page of a British newspaper. The Cambridge News accidentally published “100pt splash heading here” in rather large (100-point) type on its front page, instead of a headline, the BBC reported. A “technical problem” was blamed. Apparently it should have said “£2m for ‘sex lair’ school.” Perhaps the readers should be thankful.