Here’s a fresh collection of the truly weird, true and funny news from around the world.
1) This pig drinks frappuccinos and wears designer clothes
Devoted pig-owner Mindi Reinbolt forks out £60 (Rs 6,000) each week on her prized little porker, Penelopi. The 14-month-old piggy spends the night in her own sparkling pink boudoir before accompanying her owner out and about, following her wherever she goes. When out shopping, owner and self-proclaimed-piggy-stylist Mindi, 37, will push Penelopi around the mall in a child’s buggy – before the pair pop into Starbucks to quench the little porker’s thirst. Owner Mindi, from Uniontown, Ohio, said: “She is mummy’s little shopping buddy and even goes in the dressing room with me. She loves Starbucks and often drinks some of my frappuccino when we’re out.”
2) Teenage girl launches career as a professional mermaid
Emily Keat, 19, built her own 6 feet tail and trained for four hours a day to turn herself into a half woman half fish performer. She stitched together old swimsuits to create a glittery outfit - and has even dyed her hair red to resemble her fishy idol Ariel from The Little Mermaid. After leaving college, she’s launched herself as a professional mermaid and makes a living from children’s parties, modelling and special events such as promoting clean beaches. Emily, of Wadebridge, Cornwall, said: “I absolutely love being a mermaid - I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”
3) ‘Go slow’ smartphone lane for dawdlers
Smartphone users glued to their screens can now shuffle along in unison after a Chinese city gave them their own designated walking lane. Tired of people clogging up the pavement at a beauty spot, authorities in Chongqing city divided the pavement into two sections with the warning: “Cell phones - walk in this lane at your own risk”.
Nong Cheng, a spokesman for the company which manages the area, said: “There are lots of elderly people and children in our street, and walking with your cellphone may cause unnecessary collisions here.”
4) Cameroon man jailed for ordering ‘gay’ Bailey’s Irish Cream
A man was arrested in Cameroon after he was caught drinking Bailey’s Irish Cream, an Irish whiskey and cream-based liquor that apparently only gays and women imbibe. Men who drink Baileys are now at risk of up to five years in prison, plus fines. And this isn’t the first time it’s happened, either. In January 2013, a Cameroon court sentenced two men to five years in prison for “looking gay” and ordering Bailey’s Irish Cream.
5) Goldfish has brain surgery
Meet George – he’s a very special goldfish. He’s special because he’s just undergone surgery to remove a tumour from his brain. George, who is otherwise a normal goldfish was said to be ‘really suffering’ and was unable to swim or eat properly due to a large tumour hanging off his face. The lump was also said to be ‘affecting his quality of life’.
That was until hero veterinarian – Dr Tristan Rich took on the case. The fish was admitted to LortSmithAnimalHospital in North Melbourne where Dr Rich said he could either be put to sleep or they could attempt the intricate surgical procedure. The fish was admitted to LortSmithAnimalHospital in North Melbourne where Dr Rich said he could either be put to sleep or they could attempt the intricate surgical procedure.
6) World Garlic Eating champion munches his way into history
The winner of the World Garlic Eating Competition is celebrating after chomping 33 raw cloves of Iberian garlic in 60 seconds. David Greenman, 34, beat the runner-up by two cloves - but missed out on equalling the world record by just one portion. There were 25 participants in the competition held in Chideock, Dorset.
7) Mother shocked after she hears girl’s Barbie using swear words
A talking Barbie doll certainly pulled no punches when she apparently asked her seven-year-old new owner: “What the f**k?” Talina Evans bought the £18 doll for her daughter Demileigh after the little girl spent weeks begging for the toy. But two days later she was horrified to hear the doll utter the colourful phrase. The 25-year-old attempted to return the Mattel toy to the Home Bargains store where she bought it -- but was told there was nothing they could do because she had lost the receipt.
8) Dogs take to the water in barking mad Surf-A-Thon competition
California went barking mad as 80 charitable dogs took part in the Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon competition. The ninth annual contest -- in aid of the HelenWoodwardAnimalCenter -- is the largest of its kind and even features four different weight classes to sort the pro-pooches. Spawning hilarious photos of dogs on surfboards, the competition takes place on the well-named DogBeach, in Del Mar, on the southern California coast. The daring dogs – many of whom are from rescue centres – are judged on their ability to keep their soaking paws planted on the surfboard, ride the waves and have fun.
9) Artist paints celebrity portraits entirely in toothpaste
Cristiam Ramos spends more than 200 hours on each of his artworks, which use up to 30 tubes of toothpaste and feature famous faces such as Sir Elton John, Miley Cyrus and Emma Watson. The 34-year-old is set to have his work displayed in US galleries, although he admits spending 10 hours a day in his studio can mean the minty-fresh smell of toothpaste can be “quite overwhelming”. He added: “It is very difficult to make these as the toothpaste becomes very sticky and dries quickly. Depending on the size of the artwork, I will use anywhere between 20 and 30 tubes of toothpaste.”
The artist’s latest minty masterpiece is a portrait of the late actor Robin Williams – who died last month – which is set to be auctioned for charity with all of the money raised to go to support those suffering from depression.
10) Funeral home offers drive-thru viewing
While consumers are accustomed to drive-thru service at banks and fast-food restaurants, a funeral home in Michigan is raising eyebrows by offering a new viewing option. Paradise Funeral Home in Saginaw has built a special drive-thru window display so the deceased loved one can be viewed by mourners from the comfort of their car.
