February 28, 2006

Egg Throwing Epidemic: Police in Picton, NSW, Australia are facing a new poultry product problem: Egg throwing teens. Bored youths who have "nothing better to do" have taken up lobbing eggs at homes, businesses, cars and even the elderly. In order to combat the growing messy menace police have asked shops in Picton to ban young people from purchasing eggs, particularly on weekend nights and especially if the buyer appears suspicious. IGA supermarket manager Robert Khan understands the need for the vigilance and is happy to obey the egg edict. According to Detective Inspector Paul Albury, the egg tossing problem has long plagued the town. In related news, Picton Station was recently targeted by tomato tossers.
Full Story→(NEWS.com.au)
Listen to this story on MP3→(Powered by Audio Read)

February 24, 2006

Village Knee Deep in.... The Bavarian village of Elsa was flooded by 240,000 litres of liquid pig manure after a tank containing it burst, according to German Police. The green-brown liquid rose to levels of 50cm (19.69 inches) in the streets and courtyards. Police spokesman Rainer Prediger of the nearby town of Coburg referred to the goo as "the mother of all muck." Damage was estimated at 100,000 euros (US$118,745). ...poor town will probably be the brunt of jokes for years to come.
Full Story→(NEWS.com.au)

February 22, 2006

Full-Time Drunks Less Injury Prone: Swiss researchers have found that weekend drunks are more likely to wind up in the emergency room than experienced drinkers. An 18-month study of admissions at the Laussanne University Hospital concluded that part-time bingers were significantly more accident prone that their full-time counterparts. A further finding of the study, published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, indicated that, obviously, non-drinkers were many times less likely to wind up injured.
Full Story→(The Register)

February 21, 2006

Dead Man Phones Home: Serbian Bogoljub Topalovic rang his daughter's cell phone as his supposed coffin was being lowered into the ground. Eager to cash in on a commission paid for info on new deaths, a nurse had jotted down the wrong name when calling the funeral home by mistake. Workers at the funeral home then picked up somebody else's body after the nurse's incorrect corpse call. After Topalovic's family suffered days of mourning for their non-expired kin, the nurse faces disciplinary charges, The Australian reported.
Full Story→(Fox News)

February 20, 2006

Darwin Doper: A German dope smoker who couldn't get a refund for some "un-usable" marijuana from his dealer went to the police for help. The police then charged the 52 year-old man with violating drug possession laws and confiscated the 200g of marijuana he brought with him to the police station. Amounts of up to 30g of marijuana are allowed in most German states for private consumption. ...might of been better stuff than he thought.
Full Story→(The Australian)

February 19, 2006

Aircraft Carrier for Sale: A former Russian Navy aircraft carrier, the Minsk, is going on the auction block on March 22nd in Shenzhen, China. The decommissioned relic of the Soviet era was purchased by a Chinese firm for scrap metal in 1998. It was then sold to an entertainment company and turned into a floating theme park, complete with military exhibits and a Russian dance troupe that performed folk dances. Minsk World Industries Co. Ltd., the operator of the "park", was declared bankrupt by a Shenzen court last March. Bidding is expected to start at US$16,000,000. ...would make the perfect gift for the man who has everything.
Full Story & pic→(Reuters)

February 18, 2006

Aphrodisiac Ringtones for Cell Phones: From the land of controversial cartoons, Denmark, comes a new electronic weapon of love: Pherotones. The melodies are described as "the ringtone secret that can make you irresistible to the opposite sex". Pherotones were discovered by Myra Vanderhood, a world-traveled intimacy expert. The tones come in various "flavors" for men and women. Matter of fact, you can submit your own research video on the Pherotones website to qualify for a US$6,000.69 grant.
Full Story→(The Register)

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Mutant Toads on Rampage in Australia: Researchers have been studying the toxic pests in the Northern Territory, clocking them hopping up to 2km in a single night. Evidently the search for juicier grubs has propelled their development dramatically, including longer and faster legs. Locals are being urged to check their yards and nearby parks for cane toads on March 14 - the official "Not in My Backyard Day" of action.
Full Story & pic→(NEWS.com.au)
Listen to this story on MP3→(Powered by Audio Read)

February 17, 2006

Man Coughs Up Nail after 35 Years: In 1970 Guy "Bud" Hart felt something sting his neck while he was mowing his yard in Minnesota. The next day his family took him to the hospital with a 105 degree temperature. There, doctors found the culprit, a small nail that had dropped down inside Hart's body cavity and nestled inside his ribcage. Anti-biotics got him back to normal and doctors felt the nail would seal itself off in Hart's body and that surgery was unnecessary. Then three weeks ago during a routine check-up it was discovered that the nail was actually in his lung and would have to be removed. Prior to surgery, however, Hart coughed up the nail while brushing his teeth. He now keeps the nail in a small plastic bag but doesn't have any long-term plans about what to do with the strange artifact.
Full Story & pic→(news10.net)

February 16, 2006

Giant Pillow Fight in San Francisco: A shadowy group called the Pillow Fight Club staged the first ever large scale pillow fight at 6 p.m. on Valentine's Day in the center of Justin Herman Plaza. The event drew 1000+ participants and lasted for 30 minutes. The rules for the affair were simple: Tell everyone about the upcoming pillow fight, show up with a concealed pillow, and don't hit people without pillows. By the time the Ferry Building's clock tower clanged the half-hour, the plaza and hundreds of people were covered in white down that gave the scene a wintry lustre."No injuries, no cops and lots of smiles," Pillow Fight Club member Amacker Bullwinkle said after it was all over.
Full Story→(Fox News)

February 15, 2006

Slam, Bam, You're Busted Ma'am: Detectives in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, have the unique job perk of on-the-clock tickle time with massage parlor "employees" before making an arrest. Only unwed detectives are allowed to take part in the pre-arrest evidence gathering (they'll probably remain unwed after this story gets around). County detectives let women at the Moon Spa provide them with their illegal sexy services four times last month, once leaving a juicy $350 tip, according to court documents. Sheriff Howard Smith says that detectives are only doing what has to be done in order to put a case together and nail down a conviction. NBC12 legal analyst Steven Benjamin said "I can't believe the sheriff is still defending this policy, I promise you, he won't be defending it much longer."
Full Story→(Fox News)

February 14, 2006

Man Found Dead after 6 Months: An as yet to be identified man was found dead in his apartment at the Sydney, Australia, housing commission block in Surry Hills. Police said the man had been dead for up to six months. Even though his mailbox was full and his door open at a 45 degree angle for months no one bothered to check on him because, in the words of neighbors, "it's dangerous not to mind your own business." The man is believed to be of Eastern European decent with no relatives in Australia. Residents discovered his skeleton while investigating a strong odor coming from his unit.
Full Story→(Herald Sun)

February 13, 2006

$Billion+ Quest for "Spanish Fly": Pharmaceutical companies are delving deeply into their pockets to become the first to produce a female equivalent of Viagra. Female demand is predicted to be strong, particularly from exhausted career women. Currently more than 20 drugs are being developed to enhance the female sex drive. While Viagra type drugs work well on men, they have little or no effect on women as they work by chemical stimulation of the male sexual organs. The treatments being devised for women act on receptors in the brain.
Full Story→(The Australian)

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Airborne Romantic Refuge: For $US200, you can book a 45 minute ride in a romantically decorated bedroom at 30,000 feet. An Israeli company is now offering the flights out of Tel Aviv. The pilot, Tamir Harpaz, also runs an erotic website.
Full Story→(NEWS.com.au)

February 12, 2006

21st Century Medicine Man: Want to convert your car to run on pickle juice instead of gasoline? How about supplying free electicity to your home using magnets? Ever heard of drinkable nontoxic Insect-a-shield bug repellent? If you're interested New Jersey businessman Dennis Lee knows how to do these things and much more. However, Attorneys General in at least nine states say Lee's claims are fraudulent. Lee is currently on a nationwide tour d/b/a Better World Alternatives promoting cheap solutions to pretty much everything while blasting the government and touting his Christianity. One of Lee's distributors says that Attorneys General try to stop Lee because they don't want his products to get out. Free electricity, cars that run without gasoline and other products would threaten major industries.
Full Story→(Seattle Times)
More→(Phact.org)

February 11, 2006

Robbers Drive into Bank: Stunned customers looked on as two bank robbers drove a car through the front door of the Piraeus Bank in Athens, Greece, then got out and robbed it. The criminals then got back in the stolen Fiat and made their getaway. No one was injured in the bizarre heist.
Full Story→(Reuters)

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New "Crop Circles" in Rural England: A forty meter profanity has been spotted from space near Billingley in Yorkshire, England. Perhaps the local folks know who Eddie is.
Full Story & pic→(The Register)

February 10, 2006

Communists Change Tune on Smokes: Years ago Mao Tse-Tung promised that the communist revolution would bring food, shelter and cigarettes to China. Now, decades later, China's current leadership has decided that the part about cigarettes was not so great of an idea. The Chinese government is now banning the construction of cigarette factories and plans to control existing tobacco production. Currently, one in four Chinese smoke (320million). ...sounds like Marlboro Country.
Full Story→(The Australian)

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Trekkie Turns Home into Starship Voyager: Tony Alleyne of Hinckley, Leicestershire, England, turned the inside of his flat into a replica of the Starship Voyager hoping that it would turn into a business with other fans paying him to design their homes. He has now had to declare bankruptcy. He told The Sun "I'm proud of what I created but it's been a financial disaster."
Full Story with link to pics→(The Register)

February 9, 2006

Pubs Open Longer, Violence Down: Since licensing laws were changed in November to allow extended drinking hours at pubs in England and Wales there has been an 11% drop in violent crimes. Authorities attribute this drop to a six-week period when the police were given £2.5m (US$4,359,125) to target alcohol-related crime. However, Mark Hastings of the British Beer and Pub Association says "Communities are seeing a reduction in violent crime and the pub trade is seeing positive changes in drinking patterns and behaviour." Many predicted American Wild West style behavior once the pub hours were extended.
Full Story→(BBC)

February 8, 2006

Couple Blows Up Car for Super Bowl: A Colorado couple planned to have some pyrotechnics at their Super Bowl party but blew up their car instead. The Arapaho County Sheriff's Office recieved phone calls about a loud noise or car accident behind a gas station prior to kickoff. Responding to the reports, a deputy found a car with its doors bent out, roof pushed up a foot higher than normal and windows blown out. The couple had inflated a large ballon with acetylene and then static electricity apparently detonated the gas before they left the station. Norman Frey, 46, and a female companion were later found by officers with shrapnel wounds and busted eardrums at a Sheridan residence that came up after tracing the car's license plate. Frey has been charged with possession, use or removal of explosives or incendiary devices, a felony. The unnamed woman was not charged.
Full Story→(Fox News)

February 7, 2006

Odd Auto Insurance Claims: UK insurance company Norwich Union released a list of bizarre automobile accident claims on Monday. Among the most odd: 1) A frozen squirrel dropped out of a tree and crashed through the windshield, 2) A wasp sting on the leg caused a driver to accelerate and bump the car in front, 3) A patato behind the brake pedal caused a motorist to not be able to stop, 4) "As I was driving around a bend, one of the doors opened and a frozen kebab flew out, hitting and damaging a passing car." According to a Norwich spokesman these claims were paid.
Full Story→(Reuters)

February 6, 2006

Sandra Bullock to Demolish $9.4m Dream Home: After lengthy disputes with builders Sandra Bullock has decided to demolish her shoddily built US$9.5 million dream home in Austin, Texas. The lakeside mansion, complete with towers and spires, a spa, library and cinema, has been plagued with water leaks, toxic mold, unsafe fireplaces, faulty wiring and crumbling walls. Bullock won a judgment against builder Benny Daneshjou after a lengthy and expensive legal battle, but has yet to collect. In the meantime she has decided to tear it down and start all over again. Texas authorities have now introduced a new law that has become known as the "Bullock Warranty", obliging builders to guarantee the quality of their work.
Full Story→(The Australian)

February 5, 2006

Russian Army Drafts 1 Year-old: Lyubov Galushkina, grandmother of one-year-old Dima Verenitsin, sure was surprised when her grandson recieved a draft registration notice from the Russian Army's Volgograd enlistment point. She managed to straighten out the matter with the military and added "They could have at least made some kind of joke. No, instead they were rude."
Full Story→(NEWS.com.au)

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Railroad Track Theft in Germany: Some enterprising thieves have made off with 5 kilometers(3 miles) of abandoned railroad track in Weimar, Germany. Railroad Company Deutsche Bahn estimated the loss at 200,000 euros($240,542US). ...heard the old expression that thieves will steal a locomtive if it's not chained down? Guess they'll take the track too.
Full Story→(Reuters)

February 4, 2006

Accountant Burns Feet Firewalking: A senior accountant for international business advisory group Deloitte burned her feet while attending a motivational skills course in Southwark, south London. The course, administered by corporate development firm Si Group, includes a grande finale in which participants walk on hot embers as part of a confidence building exercise. Thousands have made it throught the firewalk without injury, and it is speculated that a pedicure that the woman had a few days prior to the walk left chemicals on her feet that made them more susceptible to burning. Si Group was fined £3000 ($5322US) at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court. ...perhaps they should try walking on water.
Full Story→(The Australian)

February 3, 2006

Man Claims Hearing Loss from iPod: John Kiel Patterson, a Lousiana resident, has filed a lawsuit against Apple Computer claiming that listening to an iPod can cause irreparable hearing damage. The class-action suit was filed Monday in San Jose, CA, federal court. The suit contends that the iPod is limited to 100 decibels in some European countries, whereas in the US its output is not regulated and can reach 115 and 130 -- about the sound level of an air raid siren. The suit admits that the iPod owners manual states that "permanent hearing loss may occur if earphones or headphones are used at high volume", but contends that Apple is still negligent because it does not recommend a safe hearing level. ...must not be a "Volume Control for Dummies" book out yet.
Full Story→(SiliconValley.com)

February 2, 2006

NZ Doctor to Turn Clinic into Brothel: A New Zealand doctor shut down his practice and clinic last April for lack of support from local health officials. In the interim someone in the sex industry inquired about renting the vacant medical center, located in a small seaside town about 220 miles (354km) north of Auckland, for a brothel. Benson then got to thinking that it might be a good idea to run one himself since he was unemployed. He has since gotten a brothel license and plans to open next month."It's about providing a private service and maintaining confidentiality, which is what my medical practice was about - so it's not a big leap, really," Benson told The Northern Advocate.
Full Story→(Fox News)

February 1, 2006

Supercharged Underwear: Australian skivvies maker aussieBum is now marketing vitamain-enriched underwear, with a Viagra version in the works. Sean Ashby, the company's founder, said that the idea for the undies was hatched by "a bunch of us sitting around the pub last year, having a few beers." The undies sell for $24US and have been on the shelves in Australia and Europe since last month. Next month New York's Universal Gear will start selling the invigorating underpants in the US.
Full story→(Fox News)