dipity

From the unusual to the funny and the downright bizarre, we bring you a sample of weird news from around the world, along with cartoons, blogs and games... because news doesn't have to be serious.

Created by Telegraphfinance on 27/09/2008

Last updated: 20/10/10 at 13:23

• The woman who shoots herself: Ria van Dijk's yearly self portrait at a fairground shooting gallery
  18 Oct 2010 17:46

  Ria van Dijk's yearly self portrait at a fairground shooting gallery.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/8071569/The-woman-who-shoots-herself-Ria-van-Dijks-yearly-self-portrait-at-a-fairground-shooting-gallery.html

• Toddler with incredible memory recalls every capital city
  23 Feb 2010 16:03

  A three-year-old boy from Surrey demonstrates his incredible memory.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newsvideo/weirdnewsvideo/7298880/Toddler-with-incredible-memory-recalls-every-capital-city.html

• Britain's dirty bedrooms: some people 'wash their sheets three times a year'
  17 Feb 2010 1:21

  Half a million dirty Britons wash their bed sheets only three times ayear, a survey discloses laying bare the disgusting bedroom habits of the nation.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7253872/Britains-dirty-bedrooms-some-people-wash-their-sheets-three-times-a-year.html

• Man stabbed through the eye by girlfriend's stiletto
  11 Feb 2010 1:50

  A woman stabbed her boyfriend through the eye with a stiletto during a row in a taxi, it has emerged.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/7209784/Man-stabbed-through-the-eye-by-girlfriends-stiletto.html

• School bans Valentines Day cards
  10 Feb 2010 16:10

  A primary school has banned Valentine's Day cards from the premises because of concerns that young pupils spend too much time talking about boyfriends and girlfriends.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/relationships/valentines-day/7206374/School-bans-Valentines-Day-cards.html

• Man banned from carrying daughter on shoulders in Tesco
  8 Feb 2010 12:42

  A father was banned from carrying his daughter on his shoulders during a shopping trip to Tesco.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/7188243/Man-banned-from-carrying-daughter-on-shoulders-in-Tesco.html

• New Zealand teenager beats off shark in bloody attack
  2 Feb 2010 0:08

  A 14-year-old New Zealand girl beat a shark with a body board after it had clamped its jaws on her hip, managing to scare off the creature and escape serious injury, it was reported Tuesday.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/newzealand/7132638/New-Zealand-teenager-beats-off-shark-in-bloody-attack.html

• Former soldier smashes world treadmill record
  16 Jan 2010 14:51

  Mike Buss, a former soldier, has run into the record books by covering more than 500 miles in a week on a treadmill.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/7004136/Former-soldier-smashes-world-treadmill-record.html

• Women take lead in Trivial Pursuit battle of the sexes
  14 Jan 2010 1:04

  Women have overtaken men in an online Trivial Pursuit battle to prove which sex is most intelligent.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6985220/Women-take-lead-in-Trivial-Pursuit-battle-of-the-sexes.html

• The children's questions that parents find it toughest to answer
  7 Jan 2010 13:23

  "Where does water come from?", "why is the sky blue?" and "what is infinity?" are among the questions that parents struggle to answer for their children.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6945976/The-childrens-questions-that-parents-find-it-toughest-to-answer.html

• Oscar the dog visits most famous landmarks
  20 Dec 2009 19:30

  A dog called Oscar visited famous landmarks around the world.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/6850970/Oscar-the-dog-visits-most-famous-landmarks.html

• Women banned from wearing trousers in Paris
  16 Nov 2009 17:46

  A decree banning women from wearing trousers in Paris is still technically in force it emerged on Monday making the laissezfaire French capital theoretically stricter than hardline Sudan in the fashion stakes.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/fashionnews/6583074/Women-banned-from-wearing-trousers-in-Paris.html

• Thatcher death text sparks diplomatic flurry among Canadian Conservatives
  13 Nov 2009 22:28

  A text message reading "Thatcher has died" set off a diplomatic flurry among members of Canada's parliament at a black tie dinner this week local media reported on Thursday.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/canada/6563676/Thatcher-death-text-sparks-diplomatic-flurry-among-Canadian-Conservatives.html

• Tasteless extravagance of Russian gangsters' tombstones revealed
  9 Nov 2009 12:09

  A series of tasteless graves with expensive marble headstones mark the final resting places of men thought to be Russian gangsters.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/6530027/Tasteless-extravagance-of-Russian-gangsters-tombstones-revealed.html

• Kissing was developed 'to spread germs'
  31 Oct 2009 0:51

  Scientists believe kissing was developed to build up immunity to illness.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6471483/Kissing-was-developed-to-spread-germs.html

• Is the Loch Ness monster on Google Earth just a boat?
  27 Aug 2009 11:04

  A Google Earth image which was said to have shown the Loch Ness monster could have been a boat which regularly tours the loch.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/google/6097513/Is-the-Loch-Ness-monster-on-Google-Earth-just-a-boat.html

• Tunisian woman pregnant with 12 babies eclipses Nadia Suleman's octuplets
  17 Aug 2009 20:26

  A Tunisian woman is reported to be about to eclipse the octuplets of the American mother Nadia Suleman after becoming pregnant with 12 babies.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/tunisia/6044599/Tunisian-woman-pregnant-with-12-babies-eclipses-Nadia-Sulemans-octuplets.html

• Teacher who learnt front crawl in 18 months picked for British triathlon team
  17 Aug 2009 13:41

  A teacher Melanie Ryding who only learned to swim front crawl 18 months ago has been selected to represent Great Britain in the World Triathlon Championships.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/triathlon/6042480/Teacher-who-learnt-front-crawl-in-18-months-picked-for-British-triathlon-team.html

• Student paid to sleep in designer beds
  9 Aug 2009 20:31

  Roisin Madigan a student is being paid to do what student's do best sleep.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6001095/Student-paid-to-sleep-in-designer-beds.html

• One in six Britons 'too lazy to get up to change TV channel'
  9 Aug 2009 10:42

  Some Britons are so lazy they would rather watch a television programme they do not like than get out of their chair to change channels.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/5998253/One-in-six-Britons-too-lazy-to-get-up-to-change-TV-channel.html

• Kangaroo ends romp through French countryside
  7 Aug 2009 14:32

  Wildlife authorities have finally caught up with a kangaroo that has spent the past 10 days hopping around the French countryside.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5988935/Kangaroo-ends-romp-through-French-countryside.html

• Falling over the family dog among most bizarre ways Britons injure themselves
  28 Jul 2009 23:49

  Sneezing choking on a cup of tea and falling over the dog are among the most unusual ways people hurt themselves a poll has found.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5928356/Falling-over-the-family-dog-among-most-bizarre-ways-Britons-injure-themselves.html

• Musician behind antiairline hit video 'United Breaks Guitars' pledges more songs
  23 Jul 2009 8:40

  Canadian Dave Carroll who accused United Airlines of breaking his guitar is to release another song after his first tune got 3.7m hits.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/5892082/Musician-behind-anti-airline-hit-video-United-Breaks-Guitars-pledges-more-songs.html

• US man charged 23 quadrillion for cigarettes
  15 Jul 2009 18:16

  A New Hampshire man has said he swiped his debit card at a gas station to buy a pack of cigarettes and was charged over 23 quadrillion £14 quadrillion.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5836458/US-man-charged-23-quadrillion-for-cigarettes.html

• Christie's auction house launches iPhone app
  15 Jul 2009 17:30

  Christie's the auction house founded in 1766 has launched an iPhone application in a bid to bring art to the digital age
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/apple/5836003/Christies-auction-house-launches-iPhone-app.html

• Man arrested for shooting over heads of crop circle fans
  15 Jul 2009 12:35

  A man was arrested after allegedly firing a shotgun over the heads of crop circle spotters in Wiltshire.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5833631/Farm-worker-arrested-for-shooting-at-crop-circle-fan-s.html

• A vet who lost customer's cat enslists sniffer dog help
  2 Jul 2009 21:29

  A vet who paid for 20000 leaflets to be printed after a customer's beloved cat was lost has now brought in sniffer dogs to track down the missing animal.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5723010/A-vet-who-lost-customers-cat-enslists-sniffer-dog-help.html

• Video: Pulsating alien sewer creature is worm colony
  2 Jul 2009 18:52

  Pulsating blobs filmed in a North Carolina sewer which promted claims they were an 'alien' lifeform are found to be worms.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5723019/Video-Pulsating-alien-sewer-creature-is-worm-colony.html

• Incredible moment shark almost swallows diver
  1 Jul 2009 19:13

  Sam Bester looks like she is about to be swallowed up by a sea monster.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5710103/Incredible-moment-shark-almost-swallows-diver.html

• Polar Bears are not dying out say scientists in book on popular 'scare stories'
  22 Jun 2009 9:59

  Polar bears are not dying out and Turkey Twizzlers are fine according to a new book from scientists wishing to challenge science "scare stories"
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/5599916/Polar-Bears-are-not-dying-out-say-scientists-in-book-on-popular-scare-stories.html

• Happiest day of the year is June 19 according to formula
  19 Jun 2009 8:21

  Britons should have plenty to smile about on Friday June 19 as it's officially the happiest day of 2009.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5575435/Happiest-day-of-the-year-is-June-19-according-to-formula.html

• Mexico's navy finds a tonne of cocaine stuffed inside frozen sharks
  17 Jun 2009 16:42

  Mexico's navy has seized more than a tonne of cocaine stuffed inside frozen sharks authorities said.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/mexico/5560726/Mexicos-navy-finds-a-tonne-of-cocaine-stuffed-inside-frozen-sharks.html

• Alice Cooper reunited with 'beloved' collection of 300 horror films lost at Heathrow
  11 Jun 2009 23:03

  Rock star Alice Cooper is being reunited with his beloved collection of more than 300 horror movies after his bag went missing at an airport.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/5508974/Alice-Cooper-reunited-with-beloved-collection-of-300-horror-films-lost-at-Heathrow.html

• Priest invites parishioners to bring guns to church to celebrate Independence Day
  5 Jun 2009 1:05

  An American pastor has invited his parishioners to bring their guns to church to celebrate America's Independence Day in a show of support for the right to bear arms.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/5448142/Priest-invites-parishioners-to-bring-guns-to-church-to-celebrate-Independence-Day.html

• Jogger injured after using Twitter as he ran
  1 Jun 2009 11:20

  Jogger becomes the first man in Britain to suffer a 'twinjury' an injury sustained while using Twitter.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5421097/Jogger-injured-after-using-Twitter-as-he-ran.html

• 'Feral' child barks and hisses after being raised as a pet
  27 May 2009 12:57

  A "feral" fiveyearold girl who hisses and barks after being forced by her family to live as one of their many pets has been rescued from a home in far eastern Russia.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5393378/Feral-child-barks-and-hisses-after-being-raised-as-a-pet.html

• Dog trapped for 25 days until losing enough weight to crawl out
  27 May 2009 10:55

  A pet dog was trapped underground in a rabbit warren for 25 days until he lost so much weight that he was able to crawl out.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5392528/Dog-trapped-for-25-days-until-losing-enough-weight-to-crawl-out.html

• 'Velcro' petals enable bees to stick to flowers scientists discover
  14 May 2009 23:09

  Bees are able to stick to flowers because petals act as a natural Velcro it has been discovered.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/5325170/Velcro-petals-enable-bees-to-stick-to-flowers-scientists-discover.html

• Steve Jobs portrait made from Apple fonts
  14 May 2009 20:49

  Apple founder honoured with portrait created from fonts used on products.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/apple/5326180/Steve-Jobs-portrait-made-from-Apple-fonts.html

• Twitter's 'worst' 24 hours
  14 May 2009 13:51

  Twitter has experienced one of its worst 24hour periods following row over '@replies' setting which allows people to follow conversations and server failure
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/twitter/5323895/Twitters-worst-24-hours.html

• Children's advisor on healthy eating told son is overweight
  13 May 2009 12:56

  Woman warned her son is overweight and risking cancer because he is one pound over NHS guidelines.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5318131/Childrens-advisor-on-healthy-eating-told-son-is-overweight.html

• Horse rescued after sinking in deep mud
  13 May 2009 11:39

  Firefighter saved a horse from drowning after it got stuck up to its neck in a muddy bog.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5315737/Horse-rescued-after-sinking-in-deep-in-mud.html

• Stately home thief steals thousands of pounds of antiques on fiveday tour
  12 May 2009 20:27

  To those around him the softlyspoken Irishman seemed no different to any of the other tourists enjoying the splendours of some of the nation's finest stately homes.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5313138/Stately-home-thief-steals-thousands-of-pounds-of-antiques-on-five-day-hour.html

• Motorist given £100 fine after car was clamped on own driveway
  12 May 2009 13:44

  A motorist was given a £100 fine after his car was clamped on his own driveway.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5312735/Motorist-given-100-fine-after-car-was-clamped-on-own-driveway.html

• Porridge off the menu at prison restaurant
  9 May 2009 10:17

  High Down prison in Surrey is to launch a corden bleu restaurant where inmates will prepare and serve the food.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5299483/Porridge-off-the-menu-at-prison-restaurant.html

• Chinese ordered to smoke more to boost economy
  4 May 2009 7:45

  Local government officials in China have been ordered to smoke nearly a quarter of a million packs of cigarettes in a move to boost the local economy during the global financial crisis.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5271376/Chinese-ordered-to-smoke-more-to-boost-economy.html

• House of Lords invites public to air views through YouTube
  21 Apr 2009 7:57

  A House of Lords committee has become the first parliamentary body to invite members of the public to submit their views through YouTube.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5192236/House-of-Lords-invites-public-to-air-views-through-YouTube.html

• Gordon Brown to appear on South Park
  20 Apr 2009 6:40

  Gordon Brown is due to feature in a forthcoming episode of the cult cartoon programme South Park.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/5185090/Gordon-Brown-to-appear-on-South-Park.html

• Eightinch long Tilly could be Britain's smallest dog
  19 Apr 2009 13:41

  Tilly the Chorkie measures eight inches from nose to tail.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5182276/Eight-inch-long-Tilly-could-be-Britains-smallest-dog.html

• Husband builds 12seater chapel in back garden for wife
  15 Apr 2009 14:20

  A husband spent £25000 constructing a 12seater working chapel in his back garden for his wife.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/5158712/Husband-builds-12-seater-chapel-in-back-garden-for-wife.html