For all those of us who regularly read the newspapers, there is always some news that is curiously eccentric, not only by the sheer fact that it happened but that it actually makes for news! These bizarre news articles range from kooky to peculiar and are highly entertaining. Get ready to tickle your funny bone as here is a list of the top 10 bizarre news reported not just by the incredulous local media channels but even involved a few channels from the global news network.
1. Man auctions life, but disappointed at bid price
As this guy proved, you really can sell anything! Reported by USA Today on the 30th of June 2008, a British immigrant to Australia Ian usher decided to auction his life on eBay which included everything he owned as well as his job and introduction to his friends. He said he decided to do it following a painful breakup with his wife post which he wanted to have a fresh start and apparently a brand new life! The final bid closed at $384000 which Usher said was a disappointment since he had expected at least $480000, but also added and I quote, “But I am committed to selling and moving on and making a fresh start.” I guess human life isn’t so precious after all.
2. Hungary bans homelessness
Before the people could blame the government for inadequate funding and assistance for the poor driven to the streets, this intelligent ruling conservative party of Hungary banned homelessness on the grounds that that Budapest was finding itself helpless in coping with the large number of homeless people which is estimated to be about 10,000. This news was reported by BBC On 11th December 2011 that homelessness in Hungary is an offence punishable by a fine of $600 or prison. Initially a warning is to be given to the people living on the streets and if found again they would be charged. So for all of those living on the streets, they might just find shelter in prison after all.
3. Cat has been mayor of Alaska town for 15 years
Making the feline family proud, Stubbs the cat has been serving as the mayor of Talkeeta, Alaska for the past fifteen years. The residents who didn’t like the then candidates running for the post of mayor encouraged enough people to elect Stubbs instead and since then he has been serving as a honourary mayor doing what he does best-nothing. What started out as a joke 15 years ago became one of the best decisions the town has ever taken by making it a popular tourist destination all thanks to Stubbs, who is nothing short of a celebrity with maximum tourists requesting to visit him, and receiving gifts and letters in his honour. Wonder if there is a law prohibiting dogs from chasing cats in talkeeta?
4. Train passenger arrested for a 16-hour loud cell phone conversation
Published on 19th may 2011 by the daily mail reporter, Lakeysha Beard of Tiggard, Oregon was arrested by the police on the charges of disorderly conduct after complaints from fellow passengers. The 39 year old Lakeysha is said to have talked on the phone for 16 hours during the journey from Oakland, California to Salem, Oregon and refused to put the phone down even after repeated requests by the passengers as well as announcements by the staff to stop using cell phones. The train then made a stop about two miles from Salem station for twenty minutes where Lakeysha was arrested. When she gets her one phone call from prison, for the sake of the police I hope it isn’t as long as this one.
5. Egyptian man named daughter Facebook
An exceptional way to celebrate the 2011 Egyptian revolution, an Egyptian father Gamal Ibrahim named his daughter ‘Facebook’ to commemorate the role facebook played in ushering about the uprising in Egypt and leading to the ouster of the 30 year old Mubarak regime. Reported by Al- Ahram, one of the most popular newspapers of Egypt, Gamal is said to have given the name to and I quote, “express his joy at the achievements made by the January 25 youth.” So the next time you wish your parents had given you a better name, think of facebook. She may not ‘like’ adolescence much!
6. Town mandates 3-cat limit
Sad news for all you cat lovers out there who just can’t get enough of these feline beauties, according to an article published by Worcester Telegram & gazette on the 4th of November 2009, a town in Massachusetts announced that it would levy a limit of 3 for owning of cats without a license. The law was approved by voters after a town meeting was held at Dudley which would impose a fine of $100 per day for violations. The need for this strange law originated after a complaint from a local man about his lawn being destroyed by some 15 cats owned by a woman named Mary Ellen Richards. The cat lady Mary was reported as saying she planned to sell her house and move to a more cat loving community!
7. Man in UK convicted for having obese dog
Turns out too much love and food for your dog might actually get you arrested. According to this bizarre news published in the guardian on 13th may 2009, Ronald west aged 62 from Brighton was convicted under the animal welfare act of 2006 due to his absence in court on the hearing for failing to provide proper care to his pet collie Taz. The five year old Border collie was twice his ideal weight and despite visits and warnings from welfare officers to Ronald, he failed to clean up the flat and take Taz to the vet for advice to be put on a diet. The dog was taken away and put into the council kennels in March after the visiting officer reported that the house was in a dreadful state and a case of Neglect was brought up against Ronald. Expressing genuine love for Taz, Ronald attempted to argue his case by saying Taz’ s regular diet consisted of a tin of dog meat along with a few dog treats, and he did take him out on daily walks but after an attack by a Rottweiler in the park he had stopped. The verdict of the court sentenced him to either six months imprisonment, a fine of 5000 Euros or being disqualified from keeping an animal.
8. Brazilian environmentalists tell residents to urinate in shower to save water
Yes you read it right! Reported in the Brazil sun news on the 5th of august 2009, the staunch environmentalists in Brazil really meant it when they urged the country’s residents to develop a new habit to urinate while in the shower to conserve the country’s scarce water resources and help protect the rainforests. According to the statistics as aired on the advertisements, the nation could end up saving up to a thousand gallons of water per household yearly. The ad campaign which was reportedly run by SOS Mata Atlantica attempted to spread this message among the people by using comedy. The advertisement was narrated by kids and depicted various people including an alien, dancers as well as a trapeze artist showering together and peeing in the shower. At the end of it the ad states,” Pee in the shower! Save the Atlantic rainforests!” Strangely, a similar campaign attempt was made in 2006 by the former mayor of London, England Ken Livingstone. He went as far as to call urine “green waste” which did not require a flushing since it was a waste of water! Maybe next time a new campaign will insist bathing is a waste of water; bathe once a week save water!
9. Heavy metal music saves Norwegian boy from wolves
This bizarre news was reported by RIA Novosti, Norwegian on the 10th of March 2011. According to RIAN a 13 year old boy who was attacked by 4 wolves while he was returning home from school escaped unhurt by playing heavy metal. Apparently the harsh music playing on his phone which belonged to the band Megadeth scared away the wolves. When asked, the boy said that he had been advised to attack wolves instead of running away from them when confronted, which he did by using music. Looks like metal really saved his life even if it wasn’t a weapon!
10. New Jersey capital city running out of toilet paper
Of the entire crisis’ to be reported, BBC news on 12th march 2012 published an article writing about the crisis in Trenton, New jersey on the subject of ‘toilet paper’ shortage. It all started when the city council refused to approve the contract for paper products after they found the price quoted for paper cups to be unreasonably high. Even after the paper cups were removed from the bidding, the council voted down the contract three separate times, hence the crisis!
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