Torn From The Headlines: It's A Weird, Weird World After All...

Gateway to Hell: The Darvaza gas crater, Karakum Desert, Turkmenistan 

This week's collection of assorted links to potentially inspirational news articles and features has a bit of a quirky flavour.

As ever, although primarily aimed towards Doctor Who RPG gamesmasters, many of these can probably be used as launchpads for scenarios, vignettes, interesting settings, or memorable non-player characters across a variety of systems and genres.

CLOSING THE GATES OF HELL: The president of Turkmenistan has declared his desire to see the mysterious fiery tourist attraction known as the "gateway to Hell" extinguished.

SANTA ANNA'S LEG: Having lost his leg to a cannon blast during 1838 Battle of Vera Cruz, extravagant Mexican general and politician Antonio López de Santa Anna held a state funeral for his lost limb. When he later fell out of favour, the leg was dug up and dragged through the streets of Mexico City. In 1847, at the Battle of Cerro Gordo, he managed to mislay his false leg and American soldiers took it as a trophy. It is now on display in the Illinois State Military Museum.

MAN'S BEST FRIEND: Before we'd even heard of the Lupari, mankind already had a canine best friend in the shape of brave and loyal doggy companions. Here are 10 whose dedication and friendship have been celebrated with statues - each worthy of, at least, a belly rub from your Time Lord of choice.

CHERRY BLOSSOM SEASON: Japan's world-famous cherry blossoms are expected to bloom even earlier in 2022 (starting March 15).

ARCTIC LIGHTNING: Climate change is causing a drastic increase in the frequency of lightning strikes in the High Arctic.

MECHANICAL TREES: Mechanical trees capable of sucking C02 out of the atmosphere a thousand times faster than real ones are to be trialled at Arizona State University.

FOURTEEN SCORE YEARS AND TEN: Scientists believe, even with medical advances, the oldest age a human body could reach is around 150.

IT'S YOUR TURN: A 4,000-year-old stone gameboard has been discovered by archaeologists working in the village of Ayn Bani Saidah, Oman.

INTERERSTING PEOPLE:

HASSAN KHAN (1841-1876): An Indian mystic who claimed to have control of seven djinn. Initially not a showman, when fame sought him out he lapsed into a life of debauchery, spending some time - and eventually dying - in an insane asylum.