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This week in weird news: A look at strange happenings from around the world
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This week in weird news: A look at strange happenings from around the world

  • The Associated Press
  • Apr 1, 2023
  • Apr 1, 2023 Updated Aug 6, 2023
  • 0

Here's a look at some of the strangest news stories from the past week.

(0) updates to this series since Updated Aug 6, 2023

0 Comments

As featured on

Dozens of customers are stuck in England's highest pub after being cut off by a blizzard

Dozens of customers are stuck in England's highest pub after being cut off by a blizzard

They have been unable to leave since Friday, when a late autumn storm brought snow and heavy winds that felled power cables and blocked roads.

Texas man gets prison for using COVID relief funds on Lamborghini

Texas man gets prison for using COVID relief funds on Lamborghini

A man got more than nine years in prison after being accused of using COVID-19 relief funds on a Lamborghini, a Rolex watch and trips to strip clubs.

Truck with 100 monkeys crashes in Pennsylvania, plus more weird news

Truck with 100 monkeys crashes in Pennsylvania, plus more weird news

The last of the escaped monkeys from the crash of a truck towing a trailer load of 100 of the animals was accounted for by late Saturday.

Texas woman offered $500,000 to buy another woman's baby at Walmart, police say

Texas woman offered $500,000 to buy another woman's baby at Walmart, police say

A Texas woman offered $500,000 to another woman at a Walmart in exchange for her child while standing in line at self-checkout this month, according to police.

‘All I wanted was some steak’: Video shows brawl at Pennsylvania Golden Corral

‘All I wanted was some steak’: Video shows brawl at Pennsylvania Golden Corral

Watch now: See video of a brawl involving dozens of people throwing chairs and punches at a Golden Corral restaurant in Pennsylvania.

This week in weird news: Brussels drugs raid reveals trove of tarantulas, scorpions

This week in weird news: Brussels drugs raid reveals trove of tarantulas, scorpions

Belgian police searching for drugs in a Brussels apartment have discovered 37 cannabis plants — as well as a collection of dozens of poisonous spiders, scorpions and desert-dwelling lizards.

Los Angeles nun, 80, gets prison for $835,000 school theft

Los Angeles nun, 80, gets prison for $835,000 school theft

A Los Angeles nun and school principal who stole more than $800,000 to pay for a gambling habit was sentenced Monday to a year in federal prison.

A daughter worried when her mother didn't send her Wordle update. She was being held hostage, police say.

A daughter worried when her mother didn't send her Wordle update. She was being held hostage, police say.

An Illinois woman held hostage in her home by a naked man was rescued after her daughter noticed she had not sent her Wordle score and alerted local authorities.

Emotional support or hogwash? Man fights to keep his pet pig

Emotional support or hogwash? Man fights to keep his pet pig

The case has already caught the attention of pig partisans who believe the animals should be respected more as companions instead of just a food source.

Russian gallery says guard added eyes to avant-garde work, and more of this week's weirdest news

Russian gallery says guard added eyes to avant-garde work, and more of this week's weirdest news

The painting, dating from the 1930s, shows three torsos and heads with hair but no facial features; the vandal drew eyes on two of them with a ballpoint pen.

Ohio mayor quits after saying ice shanties may bring prostitution

Ohio mayor quits after saying ice shanties may bring prostitution

An Ohio mayor who suggested that allowing ice fishing shanties on a lake could lead to prostitution resigned Monday after days of being mocked.

Middle schoolers launched a boat from New Hampshire in 2020. It was found in Norway 462 days later

Middle schoolers launched a boat from New Hampshire in 2020. It was found in Norway 462 days later

The boat was covered in Gooseneck barnacles, had lost its mast, and its hull and keel were no longer attached, but its precious cargo was still safe.

A predator could have sent hundreds of blackbirds crashing suddenly to their death

A predator could have sent hundreds of blackbirds crashing suddenly to their death

Watch now: Viral video shows hundreds of blackbirds crash suddenly to their death in Mexico.

Big bear Hank the Tank breaks into dozens of Lake Tahoe homes, eludes capture

Big bear Hank the Tank breaks into dozens of Lake Tahoe homes, eludes capture

Hank the Tank strikes again. The 500-pound black bear has damaged more than 30 Lake Tahoe properties and last week broke into yet another home.

Michigan woman turning 100 adds another tattoo

Michigan woman turning 100 adds another tattoo

Also, check out more of this week's stranger news stories (like a man getting arrested for trying to enter a tiger enclosure after breaking into Boston’s Franklin Park Zoo).

Hank the Tank turns out to be 3 bears ransacking Lake Tahoe homes

Hank the Tank turns out to be 3 bears ransacking Lake Tahoe homes

Hank the Tank is actually a three-bear battalion. DNA evidence shows the bear is, in fact, at least three bears who have damaged Lake Tahoe properties.

This week in weird news: Kansas woman wins traditional pancake race against England

This week in weird news: Kansas woman wins traditional pancake race against England

Contestants must carry a pancake in a frying pan and flip it at the beginning and end of the 415-yard race. The event began in Olney, England in the 15th century.

New York City man rescued twice in 2 days on Arizona hikes

New York City man rescued twice in 2 days on Arizona hikes

A New York City man needed to be rescued twice on consecutive days while hiking in a northern Arizona mountain range, authorities said.

Border authorities find 52 reptiles hidden in man's clothing

Border authorities find 52 reptiles hidden in man's clothing

Agents found 52 live reptiles tied up in small bags "which were concealed in the man's jacket, pants pockets, and groin area," the statement said.

Nice try but no potato for New Zealand couple's giant garden find

Nice try but no potato for New Zealand couple's giant garden find

A New Zealand couple who thought they dug up the world's largest potato had their dreams turn to mash after Guinness said it isn't a potato after all.

A receipt for 'invisible' art could fetch $500K, and more of this week's weirdest news

A receipt for 'invisible' art could fetch $500K, and more of this week's weirdest news

Almost 60 years after artist Yves Klein's death, a receipt he wrote to prove ownership of his invisible artwork is up for sale, with Sotheby's estimating that it could fetch up to$551,000.

Florida man dies after crashing his car into an 11-foot alligator

Florida man dies after crashing his car into an 11-foot alligator

The man and the alligator were both deceased when detectives arrived on the scene.

Flamingo that escaped Kansas zoo in 2005 spotted in Texas, and more of this week's weirdest news

Flamingo that escaped Kansas zoo in 2005 spotted in Texas, and more of this week's weirdest news

One of two flamingos that escaped from a Kansas zoo during a storm 17 years ago has been spotted on the coast of Texas, wildlife officials said.

Fox that bit congressman in DC tests positive for rabies, euthanized

Fox that bit congressman in DC tests positive for rabies, euthanized

A fox that bit a congressman and at least eight others near the U.S. Capitol has tested positive for rabies and was euthanized, authorities said.

In Rio, rescue dogs watch out for their rescuers

In Rio, rescue dogs watch out for their rescuers

In Rio de Janeiro, two rescue dogs have turned local mascots and budding online influencers after joining their rescuers' ranks, wooing their growing audience, one bark at a time.

Georgia man accused of leaving grandmother in freezer to die

Georgia man accused of leaving grandmother in freezer to die

Police say a northwest Georgia man killed his grandmother by stuffing her in a freezer while she was still alive.

Kentucky man awarded $450,000 after employer celebrated his birthday against his wishes

Kentucky man awarded $450,000 after employer celebrated his birthday against his wishes

The man's supervisor chastised him for "stealing his co-workers'" joy and "being a little girl," according to a lawsuit.

Man inhales drill bit during dental visit, and more of this week's weirdest news

Man inhales drill bit during dental visit, and more of this week's weirdest news

The man who inhaled the drill bit said he now keeps the it on a shelf at home.

Police: 4-year-old girl dies after grandmother forced her to drink bottle of whiskey

Police: 4-year-old girl dies after grandmother forced her to drink bottle of whiskey

A 4-year-old Louisiana girl is dead after her grandmother allegedly forced her to drink a bottle of whiskey while her mother watched, Baton Rouge Police said.

Woman rescued after falling in toilet trying to get phone, and more of this week's weirdest news

Woman rescued after falling in toilet trying to get phone, and more of this week's weirdest news

After accidentally dropping her phone into an Olympic National Forest outhouse, a woman used dog leashes to tie herself off so she could reach it. She ended up falling into the toilet headfirst.

Illegally killed alligator was so big, it damaged poachers’ pickup, Georgia cops say

A photo shared by the Law Enforcement Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources shows the reptile fit only after the tail had been folded — and the snout was precariously propped up against the busted window.

Search for Alabama corrections officer, inmate enters 7th day as officials piece together clues

Search for Alabama corrections officer, inmate enters 7th day as officials piece together clues

The latest: Vicky White, who was set to retire the day she went missing, made some major financial moves leading up to the escape.

Woman finds 2,000-year-old bust of Roman general at a Goodwill for $34.99

Woman finds 2,000-year-old bust of Roman general at a Goodwill for $34.99

For only $34.99, the 50-pound sculpture seemed like a deal to a Texas antique dealer. She was right.

Driver caught with SUV hanging out back of U-Haul truck in Washington state

Driver caught with SUV hanging out back of U-Haul truck in Washington state

"I suppose it's moving season," the Washington state trooper said after pulling over the U-Haul.

Man dies of heart attack while burying woman in his SC backyard, authorities say

Man dies of heart attack while burying woman in his SC backyard, authorities say

A 60-year-old man who strangled his girlfriend died of a heart attack while burying her body in their South Carolina backyard, investigators said.

Morning jolt? Swiss find cocaine stash amid coffee bean bags

Morning jolt? Swiss find cocaine stash amid coffee bean bags

Also, check out more of this week's weird news, including a Goodwill find in Texas that turned out to be an ancient Roman bust and a film about fancy public restrooms in Japan.

Indian couple longing for grandchild sues son and his wife, demanding a baby

Indian couple longing for grandchild sues son and his wife, demanding a baby

An Indian couple is suing their son and daughter-in-law, demanding they produce a grandchild within a year or pay them 50 million rupees ($675,000).

Johnny Cash mural is leaking from a crude spot after Arkansas water tower gets shot

Johnny Cash mural is leaking from a crude spot after Arkansas water tower gets shot

An Arkansas town is upset after someone shot a hole in their water tower in a very specific, and unfortunate location.

550-pound alligator goes for a dip in Florida family's swimming pool

550-pound alligator goes for a dip in Florida family's swimming pool

"I signed up to fight crime, here I am fighting dinosaurs," an officer said.

329 years later, last Salem 'witch' who wasn't is pardoned

329 years later, last Salem 'witch' who wasn't is pardoned

Lawmakers agreed to reconsider her case last year after a curious eighth-grade civics class took up her cause.

'Bewitched' statue in Salem vandalized with red paint

'Bewitched' statue in Salem vandalized with red paint

In the wiggle of a nose, a man covered the "Bewitched" statue in Salem, Massachusetts with red paint, police said.

Missouri woman says she caught STD in car. Auto insurance to pay out $5.2 million

Missouri woman says she caught STD in car. Auto insurance to pay out $5.2 million

The woman claimed she unwittingly caught a sexually transmitted disease from her former romantic partner in his car.

Two people rescued after falling in tank full of chocolate at M&M factory in Pennsylvania

Two people rescued after falling in tank full of chocolate at M&M factory in Pennsylvania

Two people were rescued after falling into a tank full of chocolate at the Mars M&M factory in Pennsylvania on Thursday, officials said.

Uber's lost and found report includes tater tots, teeth and a bucket of slime

Uber's lost and found report includes tater tots, teeth and a bucket of slime

Uber's list of the 10 most commonly forgotten items won't surprise anyone (think phones, wallets, keys). Where things get strange is its list of the 50 most unique lost items

Five guys take the same photo for 40 years

Five guys take the same photo for 40 years

They took photo No. 9 on Wednesday after fears it could be a photo of four.

Watch now: World's largest recorded freshwater fish caught in Cambodia

Watch now: World's largest recorded freshwater fish caught in Cambodia

Scientists say the world's largest recorded freshwater fish, a giant stingray, was caught in the Mekong River in Cambodia. See photos and video here.

Man loses USB flash drive with data on entire city's residents after night out

Man loses USB flash drive with data on entire city's residents after night out

Drinks after work probably seemed like a good idea — but for one worker in Japan the hangover is likely to last for some time.

X-ray finds 109 live animals in women's luggage at Bangkok airport, Thai officials say

X-ray finds 109 live animals in women's luggage at Bangkok airport, Thai officials say

Wildlife officials called to the scene discovered two white porcupines, two armadillos, 35 turtles, 50 lizards and 20 snakes in the two pieces of luggage.

States with the most UFO sightings

States with the most UFO sightings

The vast majority of UFO sighting reports in the United States occur between 4 p.m. and midnight, peaking between 9 and 10 p.m. Food for thought next time you’re out scoping for alien life.

Activists glue themselves to copy of Leonardo's 'The Last Supper,' adding to string of similar protests

Activists glue themselves to copy of Leonardo's 'The Last Supper,' adding to string of similar protests

A group of climate activists who have disrupted major galleries this week to send a message to the UK government have struck again — this time at the Royal Academy of Art in London.

Florida man attempts to escape deputies on a riding lawnmower

Florida man attempts to escape deputies on a riding lawnmower

It didn't work.

This mushroom-shaped ring broke the world record for most diamonds in a single ring

This mushroom-shaped ring broke the world record for most diamonds in a single ring

A jewelry company broke a Guinness World Records title for the most diamonds set in one ring with a whopping 24,679 diamonds.

Troopers: Drunk woman drove golf cart on Florida highway

Troopers: Drunk woman drove golf cart on Florida highway

A police report says a woman with an open bottle of Jack Daniel's in a bag was arrested for driving a golf cart on a Florida interstate while drunk.

Florida man filming sunrise killed when sand dune collapses

Florida man filming sunrise killed when sand dune collapses

A 35-year-old Florida man who was recording the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean died when a sand dune collapsed on top of him, sheriff's officials said.

Umbrella swept by wind kills woman at South Carolina beach

Umbrella swept by wind kills woman at South Carolina beach

A beachgoer was killed Wednesday after a loose beach umbrella impaled her in the chest, authorities said.

What takes 4 years to make and costs $20K? A San Francisco trash can

What takes 4 years to make and costs $20K? A San Francisco trash can

San Francisco began its search for the perfect trash can in 2018 when officials decided it was time to replace the more than 3,000 public bins that have been on the streets for almost 20 years.

Police: Pennsylvania man tried to buy stolen human remains

Police: Pennsylvania man tried to buy stolen human remains

On a Facebook page under his name, Pauley has posted pictures of bags and stacks of femurs, one captioned, "Picked up more medical bones to sort through."

Watch now: Tesla owner has car key implanted in his hand

Watch now: Tesla owner has car key implanted in his hand

Are you the type who has trouble keeping track of your car keys? A Michigan man has solved that problem by turning himself into a key.

Oscar Mayer is now selling frozen wiener pops

Oscar Mayer is now selling frozen wiener pops

Two summer staples — hot dogs and popsicles — are coming together. For whatever reason.

Feds nab baby wipes shipment that turns out to be $11.8M worth of cocaine

Feds nab baby wipes shipment that turns out to be $11.8M worth of cocaine

A shipment of baby wipes at the U.S.-Mexico border turned out to be something quite different: $11.8 million worth of cocaine.

Beyond Meat exec accused of biting man's nose outside football game

Beyond Meat exec accused of biting man's nose outside football game

An executive of a vegan food company has been charged after a fracas outside a football game in which he's accused of biting a man's nose, officials said.

Florida highway covered in beer after semi crash

Florida highway covered in beer after semi crash

A Florida highway had to temporarily close after a semi carrying cases of Coors Light crashed and turned the roadway into a silver sea of beer cans.

Bargain hunter scores 700-year-old medieval times document

Bargain hunter scores 700-year-old medieval times document

He was looking for a KitchenAid mixer. He found a medieval treasure.

Herd the news? Wild boar piglet adopted by cows

Herd the news? Wild boar piglet adopted by cows

A cow herd in Germany has gained an unlikely following — after adopting a lone wild boar piglet.

Tyson Foods CFO arrested after falling asleep in wrong house, police say

Tyson Foods CFO arrested after falling asleep in wrong house, police say

A fourth-generation member of the Tyson family faces charges of public intoxication and criminal trespass after authorities say he was found sleeping in someone else’s home.

Thieves break into truck filled with $750,000 in dimes in Philadelphia

Thieves break into truck filled with $750,000 in dimes in Philadelphia

Authorities say the thieves apparently fled with at least $100,000. It's not yet known how they carted off the mounds of dimes.

Hundreds of pounds of pasta dumped near New Jersey stream

Hundreds of pounds of pasta dumped near New Jersey stream

Authorities in a central New Jersey town say they're no longer noodling over the mystery of how hundreds of pounds of pasta were dumped near a stream.

Beloved New York swan babies rescued after mother was eaten by family, police say

Beloved New York swan babies rescued after mother was eaten by family, police say

The cygnets, or baby swans, were recovered, but officials say the mama swan was eaten.

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