While Hendrik Helmer was sleeping, and more

last updated 8 January 2015

While Hendrik Helmer was sleeping

An Australian man was forced to seek medical help after an inch-long cockroach burrowed into his ear while he was sleeping. Hendrik Helmer said he was awakened by a sharp earache, and tried to suck out the intruder with a vacuum cleaner. When that strategy failed, he rushed to the hospital, where doctors yanked out the cockroach with forceps. “They said they’d never pulled an insect this large out of someone’s ear,” he said.

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Jennifer Lopez is insisting that her young boyfriend, Casper Smart, prove his love by buying her a $250,000 engagement ring with his own cash, says the National Enquirer. The pop star’s demand has panicked the 26-year-old dancer, whose main source of income is his multimillionaire girlfriend. “Casper is beyond stressed because he really can’t afford a 5-carat diamond ring,” said a source. But Lopez, 44, wants Smart to rustle up the money out of modeling and dancing gigs. “If he dips into his own pocket,” said the source, “it will show how serious he is about her.”

Chihuahua-driven car ends in fender bender

A Washington state woman had a shock when a car with a Chihuahua behind the wheel crashed into her car. The dog had been left in the running car by its owner as he popped into a store, and somehow put it into Drive. The car then slowly drove down the street and into Tabitha Ormaechea’s vehicle. “[There was] just a little dog up on the steering wheel peeking over, looking at me,” she said. “I didn’t know if I was crazy, or if this dog had taken a joyride.” No human or canine was injured in the fender bender.