Reuters Video: Oddly Enough

Cheetah robot - a model of speed and efficiency

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:48:00 GMT

May 21 - The cheetah is not only the world's fastest land animal, it is also one of the most energy efficient, expending only what it needs to survive. It's that efficiency that engineers at MIT are working to emulate in a robotic cheetah, already clocked as the second fast robot ever developed. Ben Gruber reports.

J.K. Rowling’s thoughts on Harry Potter go on sale

Tue, 21 May 2013 20:34:00 GMT

May 21 - Sotheby's is auctioning first edition books with handwritten notes by the authors and the top lot is the first Harry Potter novel containing revealing commentary by J.K. Rowling. Tara Cleary reports.

Rhino birth adds to beleaguered world numbers

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:45:00 GMT

May 21 - An Australian zoo hails the birth of a rare white rhino last week as a huge success for the zoo's breading program. Tara Cleary reports.

Elephant-carrying man on show in Hong Kong

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:04:00 GMT

May 21 - A life-size sculpture of an elephant balancing on a man by French artist Fabien Merelle is unveiled in Hong Kong's financial district. Tara Cleary reports.

Lettuce munch watercress

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:28:00 GMT

May 20 - 47-year-old Glenn Walsh munches through two bags of watercress in just 36 seconds to claim a new world record at an annual festival to celebrate the leafy vegetable. Tara Cleary reports.

Camera captures baby gorillas

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:36:00 GMT

May 20 - Scientist videotapes baby gorillas playing at a national park in Rwanda. Tara Cleary reports.

Prisoners stitch up a better future

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:51:00 GMT

May 20 - Brazilian prison inmates take up knitting needles to help propel a local business to success. Tara Cleary reports.

Sandy damaged high school wins its dream prom

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:47:00 GMT

Alicia Powell reports.

Fat blasting routines get creative

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:27:00 GMT

May 16 - New exercise workouts allow you to mentally hit the surf, join the circus or go to space all while getting in shape. Sharon Reich reports.

Rare diamond sells for $26.7 million U.S. dollars at auction

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:24:00 GMT

May 16 - An extremely rare Botswana-mined large diamond sets a new record at Christie's auction in Geneva. Sharon Reich reports.

Monument repairs finally finished

Wed, 15 May 2013 20:50:00 GMT

May 15 - Workers top off scaffolding at Washington Monument to make repairs to earthquake damage. Sharon Reich reports.

A feast for the stars

Wed, 15 May 2013 20:17:00 GMT

May 15 - A preview of the star-studded menu created by Michelin starred chefs for the opening of the Cannes Film Festival. Sharon Reich reports.

Insects: an alternative to meat

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:08:00 GMT

May 14 - Edible insects are being promoted by the United Nations as a low-fat and high-protein food for humans, a new U.N. report says. Sharon Reich reports.

Personal security gets a woman's touch

Tue, 14 May 2013 19:46:00 GMT

May 14 - Women break in to the world of personal protection in Colombia, becoming bodyguards for those whose lives could be at risk. Sharon Reich reports.

Rare Beatles guitar goes up for auction in New York City

Tue, 14 May 2013 18:45:00 GMT

May 14 - The VOX ax was custom-made for John Lennon and used during the British band's "Magical Mystery Tour" period. Sharon Reich reports.

Mosh pit physics sheds light on strategies for crowd control

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:58:00 GMT

May 14 - Mosh-pits at heavy metal concerts may seem chaotic but, according to researchers at Cornell University, they are governed by the same laws of physics that govern the behaviour of gas particles. The researchers say law enforcement officials could apply the lessons of the mosh-pit in creating new strategies for crowd control. Sharon Reich has more.

Canadian astronaut covers Bowie's 'Space Oddity'

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:34:00 GMT

May 13 - Canadian Commander Chris Hadfield becomes a web sensation when he said goodbye to life on the International Space Station by performing a cover version of David Bowie's 'Space Oddity.' Rough Cut (no reporter narration).

Grand Central Terminal returns to its Golden Era

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:31:00 GMT

May 13 - Showcasing the golden era of luxurious travel by rail, an exhibit of historic trains goes on display at Grand Central Terminal in New York. Kilmeny Duchardt reports.

65-year-old crowned Most Beautiful in elderly beauty pageant

Mon, 13 May 2013 17:33:00 GMT

May 13 - Brazilian women compete in a beauty contest for elderly women. Sharon Reich reports.

Building implodes - kind of

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:15:00 GMT

May 13 - The implosion of a four thousand tonnes silo in Australia didn't quite go according to plan. Sharon Reich reports.

Turtle power emerges from shell in South Korea

Sun, 12 May 2013 13:21:00 GMT

May 12 - Remote-controlled turtles are being studied as a potential tool for espionage and surveillance. Scientists in South Korea say they have been able to control the walking paths of live turtles by attaching blinders to their shells, a simple, non-invasive technology that could prompt the animals to go where humans can't. Rob Muir reports.

Surfing's best rides and wipeouts

Thu, 09 May 2013 20:18:00 GMT

May 9 - The best rides and wipeouts are honored at the annual Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards ceremony.

Skydivers fly high over Peru's Nazca lines

Thu, 09 May 2013 18:00:00 GMT

May 9 - Red Bull skydivers Cedric Dumont and Jhonathan Florez jump 8,858ft (2,700 metres) in wing-suits from an airplane over Peru's Nazca lines. Sharon Reich reports.

Sotheby's starts off strong NY spring auction season

Wed, 08 May 2013 20:46:00 GMT

May 8 - Auction season in New York is off to a strong start with Sotheby's bringing in$230 million (USD) for its Impressionist and Modern art sale. Elly Park reports.

Bat's tongue a showpiece of feeding efficiency

Wed, 08 May 2013 18:51:00 GMT

May 8 - Researchers at Brown University have unravelled the secrets of the fruit bat's efficiency in collecting nectar from plants. Using a high speed camera, the scientists have shown that the bat's tongue becomes engorged with blood and changes shape to become a mop-like tool the animal uses to draw nectar into its mouth. Ben Gruber has more.