News Weird News Compilation

  • Thread starter Thread starter Evo
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    News Weird
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around sharing unusual and funny news stories. One highlighted case involves artist Peter Doig, who is being sued for $5 million by a man claiming a painting is his, despite Doig's insistence that he did not create it. Another story features inmates in Texas who broke out of their cell to save an unconscious guard, raising questions about their behavior. Additionally, a couple of dogs in the UK were caught damaging cars, leading to their eventual capture and a search for adoptive homes. The thread showcases a variety of bizarre incidents, emphasizing the oddities found in everyday news.
  • #1,551

 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #1,552


That's a big fish.
 
  • #1,553
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/weird-news-compilation.878428/post-6915482

AirTag works again - A teen who lost his $12,000 bike while flying from Europe found it in an airport with an AirTag, but said neither United nor Brussels Airlines would help him retrieve it

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/ne...rlines-would-help-him-retrieve-it/ar-AA1giXDN
A 16-year-old cyclist who remotely located a $12,000 bike he lost during a flight from Europe said he and his family found frustration trying to get it back.

Luke Barnett and his son Gray, a cyclist with the EF Pro Cycling team's junior development program, spoke to CNN about how, after traveling back from Europe — where he raced over the summer — Gray's bike did not return with him.

However, using an Apple AirTag, the son quickly found his bike in the Brussels Airport, where Gray hopped on a connecting flight. This set off days of speaking to the two airlines he flew with — United and Brussels — who Barnett said were unhelpful with his requests.
 
  • Like
Likes BillTre, collinsmark and berkeman
  • #1,554
1694190843899.png


That footage obtained by The Associated Press showed Ruddy apparently attempting to leverage his position to blunt the fallout from a Fourth of July crash in which he is accused of drunkenly striking another vehicle and leaving the scene.


But despite being charged, the 59-year-old Ruddy remained on the job for two months, representing the United States in court as recently as last week to notch another win for the sprawling task force he helped create two decades ago targeting cocaine smuggling at sea.

On Wednesday, a day after the AP asked the Justice Department about Ruddy's status, the veteran prosecutor was pulled off three pending criminal cases. A Justice Department spokesman would not say whether he had been suspended but said that Ruddy, while still employed, had been removed from his supervisory role at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tampa. The case also has been referred to the Office of Inspector General.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/federa...-cops-business-card-dui-crash-arrest-bodycam/
 
  • Wow
  • Informative
  • Haha
Likes Astronuc, nsaspook and e_jane
  • #1,556
Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha' gonna do...

1694817813837.png
After initiating the traffic stop, the trooper asks where McKee is headed, and McKee informs him he’s heading home from the Huck’s gas station with a can of gas, as he gestures to the back of the plastic Jeep.

“Where’s your gas can at?” The officer asks.

“Oh man, I left it back there!” McKee responds.

After checking with dispatch regarding the situation the trooper then administers field sobriety tests, which McKee fails.
 
  • #1,558
I don't know which is weirder: whether a pet python enjoys surfing, or that this guy got fined by the Aussie government for taking his pet snake surfing (which she seems to enjoy)...

1695242255654.png

https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/18/aust...hon-snake-fine-gold-coast-intl-hnk/index.html

A surfer who rode the waves with his pet python has been fined by Australian authorities for taking the snake out in public after a video of the duo’s unusual adventures aired on local media.

Higor Fiuza and his carpet python Shiva were frequently seen at beaches on the Gold Coast, a tourist hotspot on the country’s east coast, according to CNN affiliate Nine News.

Shiva, who would wrap herself around Fiuza’s neck or dangle on the edge of his board, appeared to enjoy the sport, her owner told Nine News earlier this month.

“She goes for a swim a little bit and then comes back to the board. She’s just cruising waiting for a wave … for the perfect wave,” he said.

But the good times weren’t to last as Fiuza has been slapped with a fine of around $1,500 for breaching the terms of his pet’s license, according to a statement from Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science.

While he held the correct permit to keep the reptile, he was not allowed to remove it from its licensed premises, the statement said.

“The man was brought to our attention when he appeared in local media taking his python into the surf,” said senior wildlife officer Jonathan McDonald. “We do not want permit holders to be displaying their native animals in public unless it is done for a specific approved purpose and in a way that best provides for the welfare of the animal, the safety of the public and complies with the relevant codes.”
 
  • #1,559
If its a non-native species, then that might be the reason for the large fine.
Once a reproducing population of non-native animals is established, it can be difficult to get rid of them.
Otherwise, don't know why it would be in their pet license.
 
  • #1,560
A few weeks ago, I ordered nachos at a restaurant and there was a thin strip of plastic melted in with the cheese. Now there's a story about Kraft recalling American Cheese slices due to a thin strip of individual film that may remain on the slice after the wrapper has been removed. I guess that I know what they made my nachos with. :rolleyes:
 
  • Wow
Likes collinsmark
  • #1,561
I couldn't find the Weird News thread this morning because the title changed. That's weird.

WeirdNews.jpg


Looks like the thread's title got changed to the description of the first story that was posted on page one.
 
  • #1,562
Now for the reason that I was looking for the thread. Introducing the Florida Man Games.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.— It ain’t the Olympics, but a group of Floridians plan to host competitions themed according to the collective antics of the beer-loving, gator-possessing, rap-sheet heavy, mullet-wearing social media phenomenon known as “Florida Man.”

Among the contests planned for next February in St. Augustine, Florida, according to organizers, are the Evading Arrest Obstacle Course in which contestants jump over fences and through yards while being chased by real police officers; the Category 5 Cash Grab in which participants try to grab as much money in a wind-blowing booth; and the self-explanatory beer-belly wrestling.

While reading it, I ran across a web site dedicated to Florida Man news stories - https://floridaman.com/. That's a rabbit hole of crazy there. o_O
 
  • #1,563
Definitely a weird morning. Now my posts are time traveling and being posted in the future!

TimeTravelingFuturePosts.jpg
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Likes berkeman, OmCheeto, BillTre and 1 other person
  • #1,565
1698630942903.png

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roadog
Roadog is a motorcycle built by engineer and motorcycle enthusiast Wild Bill Gelbke between 1962 and 1965. A total of two were built. Gelbke, who had attended engineering school in Wisconsin and at University of Southern California, had worked for McDonnell Douglas and also owned two motorcycle shops in Chicago and Hammond, Indiana. He wanted to create a motorcycle that was dependable and was able to cruise at highway speeds comfortably for long periods.[2] Gelbe constructed and welded the frame himself using 4130 chrome-molybdenum tubing, and equipped the machine with a Chevrolet 153 engine and GM powerglide transmission.[1] The shaft drive was constructed from a Chevrolet 1-ton truck differential that was cut in half.[1] The complete bike is 17 feet (520 cm) long and weighs 3,280 pounds (1,490 kg).[1] Its great size and weight make the bike impossible for most people to steer until it is moving at a speed of at least 15 miles per hour (24 km/h), and when at rest it is held up by hydraulic rams that are deployed by the driver.
 
  • Wow
  • Like
Likes collinsmark, BillTre, Hornbein and 1 other person
  • #1,566


The real investment question.
How much to get the meth lab running again?
 
  • Wow
Likes jack action and Borg
  • #1,567
nsaspook said:


The real investment question.
How much to get the meth lab running again?


Surely, the goodwill alone would be worth a tidy sum?
 
  • #1,568
Swamp Thing said:
Surely, the goodwill alone would be worth a tidy sum?

A few gallons of this and it's as good as new.
https://safetyexpress.com/apple-environmental-meth-remover-part-1-4l/
1698805063504.png
1698805113864.png

Meth is also known as crank, ice, crystal, chalk and is a white, odorless crystalline powder. Meth users often have a transient lifestyle, meaning they move frequently. This creates issues since once meth is used in a location, or even worse, cooked in a location, it can linger for years after the initial use. This presents serious concerns for individuals and families that rent or purchase these homes after meth contamination. Because of the high use of methamphetamines it is highly recommended that all prospective home buyers/renters get their house tested for meth contamination. The test is relatively inexpensive and quickly done.
The effects of those exposed to a house that is contaminated by methamphetamine are dangerous and documented. Residents living in a meth-contaminated house increase their risk of developing cancer and damaging the central nervous system, liver and kidneys.
Beyond the health dangers, it’s important to properly decontaminate a property since those living in a meth-contaminated house can test positive for meth use when a urinalysis or hair test is performed.
 
  • Wow
Likes collinsmark
  • #1,570

Ukrainians are especially brave these days. Respect!​

A Ukrainian chess champion is prepared to lose her two world titles rather than defend them in a tournament held in Saudi Arabia. Anna Muzychuk said she would skip the lucrative event to protest the treatment of women in that country.

Muzychuk, 27, is the reigning women’s world champion in both rapid and blitz chess. In a recent Facebook post, she said she “decided not to go to Saudi Arabia” because she did not want “to play by someone’s rules,” including being made to “wear [an] abaya,” the loosefitting garment the country usually requires women to cover themselves with while in public.

Muzychuk also said she was opposed to being “accompanied getting outside,” and to being made to feel like “a secondary creature.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...n-saudi-arabia-to-protest-treatment-of-women/
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Care
Likes collinsmark, Borg, jack action and 3 others
  • #1,571
1700869948490.png

https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/north-bay/benicia-car-handwritten-license-plate/3380522/

Benicia police on Friday arrested a person who they found driving a car with a handwritten license plate.

An officer was patrolling in the area of the 5000 block of East Second Street at about 1 a.m. when they spotted the "beautifully handwritten license plate" on the car, police said.

The officer determined that the car had been reported stolen out of Alameda, according to police.
The driver was arrested without incident and booked into jail, police said.

"We know we are not superheroes, but just FYI this is NOT a way to get one over on us," police wrote in a Facebook post.
 
  • Haha
Likes OmCheeto, collinsmark, Tom.G and 2 others
  • #1,575
Some serious karma. :oldlaugh:

Dude, where’s my getaway car?
An armed robbery in Colorado turned awry for the alleged perpetrators when police say someone stole their getaway car in the middle of a heist.
 
  • Haha
  • Love
Likes collinsmark, Tom.G, Astronuc and 6 others
  • #1,578
I was hoping that the cat was chasing the laser from the spacecraft. :oldtongue:
 
Last edited:
  • #1,579
https://news.yahoo.com/tried-cross-ocean-hamster-wheel-103133862.html
He tried to cross the ocean on a hamster wheel. Actually it's a “HydroPod”
. . .
a Coast Guard commander issued him an order under federal navigation laws: No runs without being cleared by a marine inspector and a support ship.

Baluchi set off again in 2016 and 2021 with a similar craft powered solely by his feet. Again his attempts were cut short by authorities who deemed his journeys “manifestly unsafe.”

But he vowed to never give up his dream of “running” across the sea.

Then in August, the Coast Guard spotted him 70 miles off the coast of Georgia, in his floating hamster wheel, trying to cross the entire Atlantic.

Just go to the beach and enjoy like everyone else.
 
  • Love
  • Like
Likes BillTre and gmax137
  • #1,580
A Tesla owner told Reuters part of his EV's suspension broke when he was driving with his family the day after he'd received delivery of the Model Y. The car had 115 miles on its odometer when the suspension issue caused portions of the vehicle to come in contact with the road and Jain to lose steering capabilities, according to the report.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/new...t-s-part-of-a-much-bigger-problem/ar-AA1lNNOZ
The owner paid $55,000 for the car, and then got hit with a $14,000 repair bill for the failed suspension. Tesla claimed prior damage?!

This is beyond weird to surreal.
 
  • #1,582
Borg said:
The look on his face is too funny. Imagine holding a news conference and having to answer questions from yourself. :oldtongue:
Putin asked about AI by Deepfake Questioner.
"A preview of the Russian Presidential Debate"
 
  • Like
Likes diogenesNY, jack action, Vanadium 50 and 1 other person
  • #1,583
PSA -- Let's avoid veering into political commentary please. Thanks. :smile:
 
  • Like
Likes Bystander and nsaspook
  • #1,585
a small-town auto mechanic peddling a green-energy breakthrough pulled off a massive scam, a billion dollar Ponzi scheme that "hooked" Berkshire Hathaway's GEICO and US Treasury - until the SEC and FBI steeped in. :oops::rolleyes:

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/06/dc-solar-power-ponzi-scheme-scandal/673782/

Lots of red flags!

Toward the end:
In early December [2018], the Carpoffs told their office manager, Brian Strickland, that they were going on an unplanned vacation. They needed him to take photos for new passports, which someone was helping fast-track.
Then on December 18, 2023:
While the raids were under way, Carpoff called the office to ask if his and Paulette’s passports were still on his desk. Told no—agents had seized them—Carpoff said, “Oh f***” and hung up.

Over eight years, in at least 34 deals, DC Solar had defrauded more than a dozen corporate customers out of almost $1 billion. Because those corporations had used the investment tax credit to deduct roughly that entire sum from their taxes, DC Solar had effectively robbed the American people.

Of the more than 17,000 generators sold from 2011 to 2018, only about 6,000 would be found to exist.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC_Solar.
DC Solar was founded in 2008 and went defunct in 2018; Seized by the FBI; in Chapter 11 bankruptcy liquidation

Jeff Carpoff is "serving his time (30 years) in a medium-security correctional institution in Victorville, in a sun-scorched patch of California’s High Desert." (The Atlantic) His wife Paulette was sentenced to 11 years, 3 months.

Just - Wow!
 
  • Wow
Likes jack action
  • #1,587
Astronuc said:
a small-town auto mechanic peddling a green-energy breakthrough pulled off a massive scam, a billion dollar Ponzi scheme that "hooked" Berkshire Hathaway's GEICO and US Treasury - until the SEC and FBI steeped in. :oops::rolleyes:

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/06/dc-solar-power-ponzi-scheme-scandal/673782/

Lots of red flags!

Toward the end:

Then on December 18, 2023:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC_Solar.
DC Solar was founded in 2008 and went defunct in 2018; Seized by the FBI; in Chapter 11 bankruptcy liquidation

Jeff Carpoff is "serving his time (30 years) in a medium-security correctional institution in Victorville, in a sun-scorched patch of California’s High Desert." (The Atlantic) His wife Paulette was sentenced to 11 years, 3 months.

Just - Wow!
I was in a country band in Martinez. John Muir's house is there.
 
  • #1,588
Screenshot_2023-12-28-08-40-54-67.jpg

Screenshot_2023-12-28-08-43-19-85.jpg
The passengers from sunken dive boat ^^ There is no proper licensing for boat drivers here or marine safety standards. This dive Boat that was blown over by wind/waves was actually a river boat inappropriately being used for a seagoing vessel
 
Last edited:
  • Sad
  • Wow
Likes berkeman and BillTre
  • #1,591
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/worl...-internet-provider-to-communicate/ar-AA1matyw
WASHINGTON — U.S. intelligence officials have determined that the Chinese spy balloon that flew across the U.S. earlier this year used an American internet service provider to communicate, according to two current and one former U.S. official familiar with the assessment.

The balloon connected to a U.S.-based company, according to the assessment, to send and receive communications from China, primarily related to navigation of the balloon. Officials familiar with assessment said it found that the connection allowed the balloon to send burst transmissions, or high-bandwidth collections of data over short periods of time.
:rolleyes:
 
  • #1,592
Hershey sued for $5M over missing 'cute' face on Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins
JANUARY 5, 2024

Should we take bets on which side wins?

[ref: OPB NPR]
 
  • #1,593
OmCheeto said:
Should we take bets on which side wins?

[ref: OPB NPR]
I am not so optimistic.
 
  • #1,594
Texans cross the North West Passage.
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2275351107703Of course, there has to be someone to spoil the 'fun', and suck the soul right out of you.
Cry baby doesn't like anyone who can accomplish an endeavor.
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/cana...&cvid=03fd5a9c5b594a978a65d61cf9fd4a74&ei=146

The group faces several charges each, including:
-Using public lands in a park contrary to the Canada National Parks Act;
-Possessing a firearm in a park contrary to National Parks Wildlife Regulations;
-Disturbing wildlife in a park contrary to the National Parks Wildlife Regulations;
-Unlawfully entering a park without registering as required by the superintendent, contrary to the National Parks General Regulations;
-Unlawfully entering a restricted area in a park, contrary to the National Parks General Regulations; and
-Camping on public land in a park contrary to the National Parks of Canada Camping Regulations.
 
  • #1,595
IPhone Survives 16,000-Foot Fall, Helps Steer Jet-Panel Hunt
https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/ne...t-fall-helps-steer-jet-panel-hunt/ar-AA1mDgDe

(Bloomberg) -- Among the harrowing details of the blown-off fuselage panel that triggered a sudden decompression event on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, one revelation seemed to defy the laws of physics: one of the mobile phones that had been sucked out of the Boeing Co. 737 Max 9 jet’s cabin remained in functioning condition after a 16,000-foot tumble.

A new-generation Apple Inc. iPhone landed intact, unlocked and with hours of battery life remaining on a Portland, Oregon roadside, according to a post on X by a user calling himself Seanathan Bates, who said he discovered the device. The screen showed an email from Alaska Airlines about a baggage claim for the flight, based on Bates’ photos.

Flight 1282 was forced to turn back minutes after takeoff, when the panel broke loose from the fuselage. None of the 171 passengers aboard the Max 9 jet was seriously injured. It landed safely back in Portland about 20 minutes after takeoff, having reached more than 16,000 feet (4,900 meters) in altitude before turning around.

The fuselage panel that blew off the plane was eventually discovered in the backyard of a Portland-based schoolteacher.
Edit/update
https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/ne...lines-finds-loose-bolts-on-max-9s/ar-AA1mCyXp

Missing part of Alaska Airlines plane is found in Portland, Oregon, NTSB says, as United Airlines finds loose bolts on Max 9s​


Is it sloppy manufacturing, or sloppy maintenance?

:oops: :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
  • #1,596
one of the mobile phones that had been sucked out of the Boeing Co. 737 Max 9 jet’s cabin remained in functioning condition after a 16,000-foot tumble.

I wonder how long it will take for that to get in the advertisements.
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Likes Borg and BillTre
  • #1,597
Tom.G said:
I wonder how long it will take for that to get in the advertisements.
"Takes a licking and keeps on ticking mauling/falling and keeps on calling."
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Likes Tom.G, gmax137 and Borg
  • #1,598
It's happened before. The tumbling of the phone dissipates energy. Here's footage taken by a dropping phone.
 
  • Haha
Likes collinsmark
  • #1,599
Hornbein said:
It's happened before. The tumbling of the phone dissipates energy. Here's footage taken by a dropping phone.
From the comments section:
It's amazing that the pig was able to recover the video and post it on YouTube. Animals these days are really smart.
 
  • Like
Likes collinsmark and BillTre
  • #1,600
1705687733805.png

https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/19/sport/adam-schenk-fan-drink-shot-spt-intl/index.html

CNN — This was a vodka cranberry cocktail with a twist.

Playing the par-5 16th hole at the Pete Dye Stadium Course in La Quinta, California, at The American Express tournament on Thursday, Adam Schenk’s approach shot skewed right of the green towards an uninviting group of small rolling hills. A potentially horror bounce looked imminent.

Quietly observing the action from the comfort of his fold-up chair some 260 yards away was Brad Harmeyer. After feeling a gentle impact on his chest and the sound of a splash, Harmeyer looked down to see a white orb floating in his cocktail.

Uninjured and suffering minimal spill to his drink, Harmeyer raised his glass and sipped from it before greeting an apologetic Schenk, who signed the ball before giving it to him to keep.

“I owe you a drink … I’m very sorry,” Schenk said, according to the PGA Tour, who shared footage of the incident on X.

Insisting the golfer had nothing to apologize for, Harmeyer remarked that – given the free relief he would receive for the shot – Schenk would have “a nice look,” and his evaluation was proven correct when the world No. 48 chipped onto the green before holing out from 10 feet for birdie.
 
Back
Top