LEAD STORY -- Creme de la Weird

Rangueil Hospital's emergency department in Toulouse, France, had to be evacuated on Jan. 31 after a man showed up with a World War I-era explosive ... in his rectum. The Irish Star reported that the 24-year-old man was complaining of discomfort because of an "inserted object," but doctors didn't realize what it was until they had begun to treat him. Hospital staff alerted police, who locked down the facility until bomb disposal experts determined that the device was harmless. Surgery proceeded, and the 8-by-2-inch shell was successfully removed. [The Irish Star, 2/2/2026]

In (Probably Not) Related News ...

KRCG-TV reported on Jan. 30 that Fort Leonard Wood in Pulaski County, Missouri, is offering a $5,000 reward for recovery of an explosive device that was stolen from the base's Ammunition Supply Point late last year. The "demolition shaped charge" uses "a specially shaped, explosive-filled cavity to focus the effect of the explosion," according to the U.S. Marines website. [KRCG, 1/30/2026]

Bright Idea

If you really want to make an impression on your Valentine, check out the McDonald's McNugget Caviar Kit. USA Today reported on Feb. 2 that the burger chain is offering a free kit when you sign up online, which includes chicken nuggets (of course), a 1-ounce tin of caviar, a $25 McDonald's gift card, creme fraiche and a mother of pearl caviar spoon. Sign-ups begin on Feb. 10 at 11 a.m. Eastern time. The combo was inspired by a dish served at the U.S. Open in August. That kit, however, set diners back $100. You can get in on the action at mcnuggetcaviar.com. [USA Today, 2/2/2026]

The Continuing Crisis

At the University of Alaska Fairbanks, master's student Nick Dwyer submitted 160 images made through collaboration with AI to an art show, The Sun Star reported on Jan. 14. Dwyer said his work "explores identity, character narrative creation and crafting false memories of relationships ... after a state of AI psychosis." Fellow student Graham Granger, 19, however, wasn't a fan. On Jan. 13, Granger was found "ripping artwork off the walls and eating it in a reported protest," the UAF police department said. He chewed and spit out at least 57 of the 160 images in Dwyer's exhibit. Granger said he opposed Dwyer's use of ChatGPT and the school's AI policy. "I'm surprisingly fine," Granger said after chewing up the photos. "I've eaten paper on, like, dares before, so I've learned a method, like, over the course of my life." Granger was arraigned on charges of criminal mischief and will appear in court in March. [The Sun Star, 1/26/2026]

Awesome!

Thirteen-year-old Austin Appelbee is being called a hero after he swam through rough waters off the coast of Western Australia to summon help for his family, CNN reported. The family had gone out on Jan. 30 to paddleboard and kayak, but the waves swept them out to sea. Austin, who has been swimming since he was young, decided to swim the 2.5 miles back to shore to get help. "The waves were massive. I hit the bottom of the beach and I just collapsed and then after that I had to sprint 2 kilometers to go get the phone," he said. Volunteer marine rescuers found his mom and two siblings clinging to a paddleboard, and they were rescued and returned to shore. Marine Rescue commander Paul Bresland called Austin's feat a "superhuman effort." [CNN, 2/3/2026]

It's a Mystery

If you are the woman who dropped off a human skull at the Goodwill Donation Center in Chelsea, Michigan, on Jan. 26, the Chelsea Police Department would like a word. CBS News reported that a woman, who was caught on the store's surveillance camera, brought in a skull wrapped in a shirt. The skull appeared to be intact and didn't have any "visible damage." Officers turned it over to the county medical examiner, who forwarded it to the anthropology department at the University of Michigan for further study. [CBS News, 2/4/2026]

That Calls for a Bronze Medal

Just four minutes into the mixed doubles curling competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics, the lights went out, the Associated Press reported on Feb. 4. Four matches came to a halt as the athletes waited for the power to come back on. Olympic officials said the interruption was "due to an energy-related issue" (really?), and the lights were back on within about three minutes. [AP, 2/4/2026]

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

At a high school boys' basketball game in Frederick, Oklahoma, on Jan. 29, an official made the unusual move of ejecting the home team's entire fan section, KFOR-TV reported. The game between Frederick and Mangum was late in the fourth quarter when an official called a foul. One fan stood up to yell at the official, then left. The referee conferred with the school administrator on hand, who announced, "The officials ask that the whole side clear." Play didn't resume until all the fans had cleared the gym, but radio announcer Chad Fox said some were standing outside the doors, trying to peek inside. "The official might have been called a few names for a while," he said. The Frederick superintendent provided a statement, saying the district "reaffirms its commitment to upholding sportsmanship standards." [KFOR, 2/3/2026]

The Tech Revolution

Tasmania Tours website owner Scott Hennessy admitted that "Our AI has messed up completely" after the technology hallucinated some tourist destinations in Tasmania, Australia, that do not exist. ABC reported on Jan. 21 that the site had directed travelers to the Weldborough Hot Springs, offering a "peaceful escape" and "authentic connection to nature." One small issue: The website did not provide directions, so many people stopped at a pub for guidance. Pub owner Kristy Probert set them straight: "The Weld River, which runs through Weldborough, is freezing cold. It's definitely, definitely not a hot spring." Hennessy said the company had outsourced its marketing materials, and that company used AI to produce some of the content. "We're not a scam, we're a married couple trying to do the right thing by people," he said. [ABC, 1/21/2026]

The Entrepreneurial Spirit

On Feb. 1, as a freak snowstorm blanketed parts of North Carolina, former Little Caesars employee Jonathon Hackett, 41, broke into a Little Caesars store in Kinston and started making pizzas to sell, the Charlotte Observer reported. Correction: Hackett broke in TWICE. The first time, he made and sold pizzas to customers, keeping the proceeds for himself. The second time, employees were still in the store and tried to stop him from entering, police said. Hackett was charged with three felonies. [Charlotte Observer, 2/3/2026]

Least Competent Criminal

An unnamed Passaic County, New Jersey, man who got a ticket on Jan. 28 called the police department on Jan. 29 to complain about it, NJ.com reported. Because of the disturbing comments the 38-year-old made on that call, East Rutherford police went to his location for a welfare check. The man was sitting in his car and saw officers approaching; "the driver accelerated at a high rate of speed illegally, passing several vehicles, putting the motoring public at risk," police said. Police declined to chase him, and shortly afterward, the suspect "made several phone calls to the East Rutherford Police Department, bragging about being able to elude the officers," Capt. Jeff Yannacone said. The next day, the man was arrested at his home and charged with third-degree eluding police, along with many traffic citations. [NJ.com, 2/3/2026]

Kevin Westerhold, 51, was arrested on Jan. 27 at his home in Oviedo, Florida, ClickOrlando reported. Westerhold was sought after an incident on Jan. 22 at Windsor Hills Resort, near Disney World, in which "a male, partially clothed ... engaged in a sexual performance with a vacuum cleaner," the Osceola County Sheriff's Office said. Witnesses provided a cellphone recording of the act, but the suspect had left by the time officers arrived. Other residents of the area had reported similar occurrences to the HOA in December. Westerhold was charged with exposure of sexual organs. [ClickOrlando, 1/29/2026]

Awesome!

It's the 40th anniversary of Super Bowl XX, when the Chicago Bears won their one and only Vince Lombardi Trophy. So, WGN-TV reported on Jan. 26, what better way to celebrate than with a piece of Bears memorabilia? Up for sale at Goldin Auctions is the iconic sweater vest that became a uniform for Bears coach Mike Ditka. It comes with a letter of provenance from Ditka. (Bring your piggy bank: As of this writing, the bidding was up to $82,000.) "This wasn't Nike or Reebok or someone telling a coach what to wear," said Darren Rovell, founder of media site Collect Media. "He was going to wear it every time." Fans of the team still wear replica vests at games; the size of the original is XXL. [WGN, 1/26/2026]

People With Issues

After a romantic relationship ended, Eyvan Collins of Burnaby, British Columbia, "just needed to do something with it," they said. Thus was born the Museum of Personal Failure at the Kingsgate Mall in Vancouver. United Press International reported that Collins posted signs around the region seeking exhibits, with the headline "Failures wanted." The museum has a "wall of reject" with job application rejections and firing notices. A knife maker with Lynn Valley Forge donated a knife he had made that was unable to be sharpened because of the chemical properties in an oil he used. Also on display are tie rods from a failed car repair, failed songs from a local music producer, and Collins' mother's wedding gown, which she named "Threads of Innocence." [UPI, 1/26/2026]

It's Come to This

CNN reported on Jan. 23 that in advance of the winter storm affecting much of the nation, FEMA was warned not to use the word "ice" in any of their messaging or signage because doing so could spark confusion or online mockery. The Department of Homeland Security allegedly delivered the directive on Jan. 22. However, a FEMA spokesperson said in a statement: "FEMA will use correct and accurate descriptors of weather conditions to communicate clearly to the American people." [CNN, 1/23/2026]

And So It Begins

A chain pub in Tokyo called Tori Yaro has drawn a line in the sand: No geezers are welcome at their Shibuya location, Japan Today reported on Jan. 25. A posted sign reads: "This is an izakaya (pub) for younger generations. Pub for under-40 only." The sign goes on to specify that as long as one person in the group is 39 or under, others will be admitted with them. "With older customers, they tend to make a lot of complaints about the restaurant being too noisy and such, so we decided to limit who's coming in," said Toshihiro Nagano, a PR spokesperson for the chain. But here's a secret: Tori Yaro will admit over-40s who are "OK with the noise level" and "have the spirit of a 20-something." Whew. [Japan Today, 1/25/2026]

Next Up: Cow Tools

Veronika, a Swiss brown cow who lives in Austria, has been documented using a tool, Live Science reported on Jan. 19. Witgar Wiegele, Veronika's owner, had seen her picking up sticks with her mouth occasionally over about nine years, but then Alice Auersperg, a cognitive biologist at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, raised the bar. Auersperg and a colleague visited Veronika and placed a broom near her. The cow used the broom to scratch her back, employing the brush end about 2.5 times more than the handle end. She learned to use the handle end to scratch more delicate areas, like her udder or navel. She would also readjust her grip on the broom for a better angle. "It showed the kind of a behavior I would expect from the stricter definitions of tool use," Auersperg said. [Live Science, 1/19/2026]

The Tech Revolution

First, we had to be afraid that students would use AI to write papers and otherwise cheat their way through school. Now, NBC News reported on Jan. 28, AI is helping students "dumb down" their work so that it's more believably original. New generative AI tools, some costing about $20 per month, "humanize" text so that it doesn't seem to be created by AI. But there's more! Other software will detect text that has been reviewed by a humanizer. "So where are we? We're just in a spiral that will never end," said Erin Ramirez, an associate professor of education at California State University. Aldan Creo, a graduate student from Spain, said he sometimes turns in his original work with a few misspelled words or using Spanish structures that aren't proper English, just so he won't be accused of using AI. "Long term, I think it's going to be a big problem," he said. [NBC News, 1/28/2026]

Yeah, That'll Work

The Independent reported on Jan. 29 that the Royal Navy is cracking down on boozy sailors. Under the new policy, crewmembers will be restricted to 14 "units" of alcohol (about 6 pints) per week, and ships will be dry on certain days. The change is in response to "significant concerns" about alcohol consumption. For their part, sailors are worried that the move is a slippery slope toward banning booze altogether. One retired rear admiral says the rule could affect morale. "You can screw down a system too much," Chris Parry said. "Sailors take great risks and make big sacrifices." [Independent, 1/29/2026]

News You Can Use

Having a Super Bowl party? You need this: Heinz revealed on Jan. 27 the KegChup -- a 19.5-inch-tall dispenser full of 114 ounces of that beloved sweet red condiment. KTLA-TV reported that Heinz is hoping to stave off the horror of running out of ketchup at football parties. Jamie Mack, associate director of brand communication for Heinz U.S., said the KegChup is "the ultimate game-day companion that gives people the freedom to dip responsibly." Fans entered to win the KegChup; if you missed the contest, you can sign up for news and updates at heinzkegchup.com. [KTLA, 1/27/2026]

Awwwwww

On Jan. 24, a calf was born on a Mount Sterling, Kentucky, farm during single-digit temperatures, the Associated Press reported. When farmer Tanner Sorrell went out to check on the mother and baby, the calf was "just frozen. Her umbilical cord looked like a popsicle," said Sorrell's wife, Macey. The family made a quick decision to bring the calf into their home to warm up. "I took out the blow dryer and warmed her up, and got her all fluffed out," Macey said. Soon the visitor was curled up on the couch with her young children, and 3-year-old Gregory named her Sally. The next morning, Sally was reunited with her mom, and all are doing well. [AP, 1/29/2026]

On Jan. 14, as Spaniards gathered for the Official Carnival Groups Competition in Cadiz, 12 men dressed as scientist Stephen Hawking performed a choreographed musical number in motorized wheelchairs, the New York Post reported. The men were wearing wigs and outfits typical of the disabled genius, who died in 2018 of ALS, as they performed. "Don't be offended, this is just for laughs," said Miguel Angel Llull, who wrote the lyrics to their songs. After the competition, the group planned to donate the dozen wheelchairs to ALS patients in need. "They are real chairs that cost us 400 euros each," Llull said. [NY Post, 1/17/2026]

Recent Alarming Headlines

-- Police in Yeadon, Pennsylvania, wrapped up a months-long investigation with the arrest on Jan. 6 of Jonathan Gerlach, 34, who was accused of robbing graves in the Mount Moriah Cemetery & Arboretum. The Reading Eagle reported that Gerlach was caught red-handed as he returned to his car from the cemetery carrying a "burlap bag, crowbar and other assorted items." In the bag were "human remains to include two mummified remains of small children, three skulls and other assorted bones," the arrest affidavit states. Gerlach later admitted to stealing about 30 sets of human remains from the cemetery, some of which were in his basement, while others were in a storage unit. Authorities haven't determined what Gerlach was doing with the remains. He faces a total of 574 criminal counts and is held on $1 million cash bond. [Reading Eagle, 1/9/2026]

-- Bus passengers traveling from New York City to Washington, D.C., had a memorable ride on Jan. 19, Fairfax Now reported. The driver was supposed to take passengers from Penn Station to Union Station and Dupont Circle, but instead, he dropped everyone at the Vienna Metro station after police intervened. One passenger said the driver was going really fast and wouldn't listen to reason; "he screamed that he doesn't get paid enough and is refusing," the passenger said. When representatives of the bus company tried to call him, he repeatedly hung up and told passengers he "has family to go home to and doesn't have time to stop in D.C." "I'm the captain of this ship," he said. Passengers stranded at the Metro station were picked up by another bus and refunded their bus fare. [Fairfax Now, 1/20/2026]

Irony

Spending too much time staring at your phone? Olivia Yokubonis would like a word, the Associated Press reported on Jan. 18. Using her screen name, Olivia Unplugged, Yokubonis urges people to stop their mindless use of social media. "People will comment and they'll be like, 'Oh, it's ironic that you're posting.' And I'm like, 'Where else am I supposed to find you, Kyle? Outside? You're not outside. You're here,'" she said. Yokubonis actually works for a screen time app called Opal, which people use to "reclaim their focus." "It's a fine line and a balance of finding a way to be able to cut through that noise but also not adding to the noise," she added. [AP, 1/18/2026]

Unclear on the Concept

As a boat captain in the Florida Keys, Bradford Todd Picariello, 65, is well-placed to (allegedly) find huge amounts of cocaine just floating in the sea. So it was no surprise that Picariello had the goods; his mistake was in selling a kilogram to an undercover officer from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. According to CBS12-TV, Picariello was arrested on Jan. 19 after meeting with the cop, whom he told to bring a cooler to "make it look like he was getting fish." He also bragged he had another 100 pounds of cocaine for future buys. Officers also found $8,000 in cash and a handgun. Picariello faces three felony counts. [CBS-12, 1/20/2026]

That's Creative

On the morning of Jan. 13, a woman in Nassau, New York, found a stray dog, WNYT-TV reported. She took the dog to a veterinarian, who noticed that a GPS monitoring device had been attached to the dog's collar. But the dog wasn't a criminal: The ankle bracelet was assigned to Lamont Alexander Holmes, 47, of Albany, who had been charged with felony possession of a loaded weapon and was scheduled to appear in court that morning. Holmes is still on the lam; no word on the pup. [WNYT, 1/15/2026]

We're Gonna Need a New Category ...

Another robot bites the dust. On Jan. 15 in Miami, a food delivery robot met its ignominious end on a Brightline train track after becoming stuck, Fox5Atlanta reported. Witness Guillermo Dapelo took video as the train struck the robot. "I was walking my dogs ... and that's when I saw the food car standing on the train tracks," Dapelo said. RIP. [Fox5Atlanta, 1/16/2026]

Goals

For the low, low price of $250,000, you can be one of the first to reserve a room at a luxury moon hotel, The Philippine Star reported on Jan. 21. GRU Space, a startup founded by Skyler Chan, hopes to deploy the hotel to the moon by 2032. It will be built on Earth. "The hotel offers views of the lunar landscape and Earth, along with ... surface experiences including Moonwalks, driving, golfing and other activities," GRU claims. The first hotel, which is expected to last 10 years, will be an inflatable habitat. After that, a more permanent and expanded facility will be placed. "We live during an inflection point where we can actually become interplanetary before we die," Chan said. GRU believes likely customers will include adventurers, couples looking to honeyMOON in an exotic locale and recent spaceflight participants. [Philippine Star, 1/21/2026]

The Continuing Crisis

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is nothing if not helpful. On Jan. 20, the group sent a letter to Punxsutawney Groundhog Club President Tom Dunkel, offering to donate a "state-of-the-art" 3D groundhog projection -- a hologram -- for the big event coming up on Feb. 2. "Let Phil and his family retire," the group said, according to Fox News. "Pixelated pop stars are headlining concerts and long-departed celebrities are attending conventions, so why not put that technology to good use: on a hologram that lets the real Phil hibernate in peace," PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk reasoned. "Give Gobbler's Knob a glow-up with a phantom prognosticator." PETA noted that groundhogs are naturally shy and avoid humans. "Every year, this terrified little animal is subjected to loud announcers and noisy crowds." Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro responded with a post on X, featuring a "Don't Tread on Me" flag, but with Phil replacing the snake. [Fox News, 1/21/2026]

News You Can Use

A German practice is making its way to the United States, NBC Los Angeles reported on Jan. 21. "Luften," which translates to "airing out" but is also called "house burping," involves opening doors and windows even in the dead of winter to bring in fresh air. Air quality professional Tony Abate is a fan. He said outside air can decrease concentrations of mold, contaminants and carbon dioxide build-up. Optimal times to burp the house include first thing in the morning, after showering or cooking, and after having visitors. And it doesn't take long: "Ten minutes, no more than that is really necessary," said Abate. [NBC Los Angeles, 1/21/2026]