Here is a rundown of the top stories in pseudoscience, paranormal and anomaly news from the past week courtesy of

Doubtful News.  

Two disturbing vaccine-related stories came out last week, both outwardly reject the body of scientific knowledge about vaccination. First, a Muslim cleric says the polio vaccine administered by a team of health workers is un-Islamic and must be rejected  and an Italian court rules in favor of an autism-MMR vaccine link.  

The work of James Randi is highlighted by Professor Chris French where he reviews the parapsychology-themed movie Red Lights.  

Here’s one freaky story that turned out to be true about eating squid and one that was not true about melanistic or black lions.  

In a really lame hoax involving a story of a child's death, a couple tells the news about a ghost photographed in their home. Turns out it was a smartphone application.

We are constantly reminded that superstitious beliefs are prevalent in other places but they affect us greatly in the U.S. as well. A teacher is arrested for involving teens in her religious practices relating to cutting to release evil spirits inside them. 

A Kansas state official is unfamiliar with the problem of his religious beliefs being inappropriate for science class.

Calling the police and making serious criminal accusations against someone based on your angelic visions may not get you arrested but, for this women, it got her dragged into court for defamation.

Television is a vast wasteland of garbage programming these days. It’s not getting better as a casting company is asking parents to volunteer their troubled kids for a reality TV show.  

Finally, here is a story that deserves a star for "people really believe this stuff", a school invites a hypnotist to give a demonstration and it goes wrong. They may have learned a lesson about these stage performers but not for the right reason.

 Visit Doubtful News for more stories, updated every day. Be sure to check out the comments on the stories for some additional info and add yours!  

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Sharon Hill runs Doubtful News, a unique feed of news stories about the paranormal, pseudoscience, the weird and the unexplained with questioning commentary.