Rocky Aoki, a former wrestler who founded the restaurant chain Benihana, died here Thursday night. Cause of death was not given, but the 69-year-old Aoki has said publicly that he suffered from diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver, as well as hepatitis C that he said he contracted from a blood transfusion.

German authorities are searching for a killer in what is being called one of the worst cases of animal cruelty in the country's history. Since last year, more than 40 pet bunny-rabbits have been killed in the night in their outdoor hutches. Horrified owners found their beloved pets decapitated and drained of all their blood in many cases. The killer takes the head and collects the blood, leading investigators to think that the animal killer is involved in the occult or Satanism.

Watermelon rinds could be the new natural aphrodisiac, new research has shown. Researchers from Texas A&M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center say the fruit's rind can have a Viagra-like effect. The flesh and rind of watermelons contain citrulline, which reacts with the body's enzymes when consumed in large quantities. The compound is changed into arginine, an amino acid that benefits the heart and the circulatory and immune systems. Just like the popular Viagra and other drugs meant to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), it also helps relax and dilate blood vessels.

A man died here Tuesday evening after drinking 23 shots of vodka in 30 minutes, Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies said. Eric Morris, 26, was with a friend at the Angels Show Bar, a topless bar on U. S. Hwy. 92. He and his friend ordered shots of Burnett's Cherry Vodka and started playing a drinking game, according to sheriff's spokesman J. D. Callaway.

It's impossible to know which side drew first blood. For as long as Wimbledon has existed, it has had to contend with the pigeons, invaders hell bent on dive-bombing players, leaving droppings on tables, and even taking a stroll on Centre Court. On Monday, tournament officials escalated the conflict by calling in special forces to cull the offensive. Wimbledon's usual security measures to keep the pigeon offensive at bay were just not cutting it on Monday. It was time to move to more extreme contingencies.