Ten Uncommon Tales That Slipped Under the Radar This Week (April 22, 2018)
Title: 10 Weird Weekly Headlines You May Have Overlooked
Ready for a laugh and some mindless fun? Here's a weekly roundup of some of the strangest, most peculiar, and downright bizarre news stories you may have missed. Get ready to scratch your head and chuckle!
10. The Mad(ger) Castle Invasion
BBC It seems that even the strong fortresses of the past are no match for some determined intruders! In Scotland, Craignethan Castle, built in the 16th century, had a visit from an unexpected guest - a "very angry badger." Castle staff noticed some excavated earth in the cellar tunnel and, upon closer inspection, spotted the grumpy critter. Despite tempting the badger with cat food and honey, the historic environment service had to close the tunnel. Cryptic details on the badger's motivation were shared but went largely ignored.
9. The Stoned Raccoon
Firefighters in Wayne Township, Indiana got an unusual request: help a raccoon who might have overdosed on marijuana. The raccoon's owner claimed the animal had eaten someone else's weed stash and was suffering serious consequences. The firefighters debated the type of substance involved, with some stating marijuana, while others insisted it was meth or heroin. Regardless, they couldn't assist the raccoon and the owner took the animal home to rest and recover.
8. The Blue Penis Graffiti
standard.co.uk Art is meant to spark conversation and, in Stockholm, a five-story tall blue penis mural did just that. Titled "F**k the World!," the large graffiti image appeared on the wall of an apartment building and riled up neighbors. The artwork was defaced with banners reading "Keep your penis inside" before being claimed by Swedish underwear brand Petters Underwear for advertising purposes. Nonetheless, the building's management decided to cover up the art due to local backlash.
7. The Robot Among Us
The Independent Londoners visiting The Prince Alfred Pub had an unexpected encounter with Fred, an ultra-realistic robot. The indistinguishable android, built by the Engineered Arts robotics company, was stationed in the pub as a stunt by streaming service NOW TV to promote the second season of Westworld. Fred engaged in conversations with patrons and posed unsettling questions about the impending humanoid robot invasion.
6. The Ancient Meme
thisisinsider.com The phenomenon we know as "memes" today has roots in the 1920s! An illustration from a 1921 issue of the satirical magazine Judge shares remarkable similarities with a popular modern meme. The comic strip humorously displayed expectations versus reality, mirroring the structure of today's internet memes. It brings a whole new meaning to "timeless humor!"
5. The Escape Artists
Who needs Houdini when you have a team of ambitious baboons? Four baboons at a research facility in Texas successfully escaped from their enclosure by using a 208-liter barrel for support and jumping over the fence. While three of the escapees were recaptured within half an hour, the toughest member of their gang continued their adventure before returning of its own accord. As their online fame grew, calls to free the baboons from their biomedical research duties emerged.
4. The Snail Ballet
Visitors to Cryptic's Sonica Festival in London will have the opportunity to witness an unusual performance - a snail ballet. The show, titled Slow Pixel, features 176 LED-lit mollusks slithering across the floor to a soothing soundtrack. The performance was inspired by the duo of Elizabeth Saint-Jalmes and Cyril Leclerc who have been using snails in their art since 2011, saving it from a life on a dinner plate.
3. The Clever Robber
abcactionnews.com The unidentified robber of a Gamestop in St. Marys, Georgia tried to disguise himself by wearing a transparent plastic bag on his head. Although his identity was easily visible, the robber left without retrieving any stolen items. The incident led to a lively debate on the ethics of a doctor cancelling a gym membership for medical reasons, as one physician did in Belgium.
2. The Curious Snake Photographer
The Guardian Photographer Chris Weston captured a unique (yet terrifying) scene - a man holding a snake alongside a live electrical wire. The man, identified as Brazilian Paulo Sampaio, claimed to be charging his cellphone with the snake's power. Skeptics pointed out the potential danger in this unconventional method, as snakes are cold-blooded and may not generate enough heat to efficiently power a phone.
1. The Mysterious Blue Frog
A blue-colored frog was discovered in Colombia, surprising local conservationists. The frog was named Atelopus montanus simulans and is known for its vibrant blue color, as well as the striking golden stripes on its back. Researchers plan to study the species in detail to learn more about its distinct characteristics. Its unconventional color and striking appearance make it stand out from other frog species in the region.
- The unexpected guest at Craignethan Castle in Scotland, a "very angry badger," caused a stir and even managed to shut down a cellar tunnel, becoming a peculiar highlight in general-news.
- A raccoon in Wayne Township, Indiana created a scene when it appeared to have overdosed on marijuana, causing firefighters to ponder over its unusual substance ingestion and the owner's unconventional pet care, making it a fun topic in lifestyle and entertainment.
- The blue penis graffiti mural in Stockholm not only riled up neighbors but also sparked controversy over its explicit content and sight, making it a topic of discussion in both art commentary and general-news.
- Londoners were met with an unexpected encounter at The Prince Alfred Pub as they encountered Fred, an ultra-realistic robot from the Engineered Arts robotics company, turning science fiction into reality and adding an element of weirdness to technology and entertainment news.
- The discovery of the vibrant blue Atelopus montanus simulans frog in Colombia not only surprised local conservationists but also caught the attention of the scientific community, making it a notable story in top 10 science and general-news headlines.
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