October 29 in Rock: Pat Benatar’s ‘Get Nervous,’ Rock Hall’s 25th Anniversary Concert, and Remembering Duane Allman

1. Weird news: A man drove across Europe with a fridge for charity

In 2018, a man named Tony Phoenix-Morrison decided to drive across Europe with a refrigerator strapped to his back to raise money for charity. Starting in the UK, he carried the fridge to various cities, aiming to support local hospitals and promote awareness for heart health. His journey, which spanned multiple countries, attracted widespread media attention. Despite the physical strain, Tony managed to complete his mission, raising thousands of dollars. His quirky campaign highlighted the lengths people are willing to go for a good cause, inspiring people across Europe to contribute to his charity efforts.

2. Koalas sleep for up to 22 hours a day

Koalas are known for their lazy, laid-back lifestyle, and they sleep more than almost any other animal, up to 22 hours a day. This extreme sleep schedule is due to their diet, which consists almost entirely of eucalyptus leaves. Eucalyptus leaves are low in nutrients and tough to digest, so koalas conserve energy by sleeping. When they’re awake, koalas spend their time slowly munching on leaves. Their unique lifestyle and diet have adapted them to survive in Australian forests, but it also makes them highly vulnerable to habitat loss and environmental changes.

3. Weird news: A city in Canada is haunted by mysterious humming

Residents of Windsor, Ontario, have reported a strange humming sound that has been plaguing the city for years. Known as the “Windsor Hum,” this low-frequency noise has been heard across the city, disturbing residents and sparking numerous investigations. The source of the hum remains a mystery, though some speculate it may be linked to industrial activity across the Detroit River. Despite government efforts to trace it, the hum persists, making Windsor a unique case of unexplained environmental noise. The phenomenon has sparked theories ranging from secret military operations to natural underground sounds.

4. Cows have regional accents

Just like humans, cows have regional accents that differ depending on where they’re raised. Studies show that cows in different parts of the world “moo” with distinct variations in pitch and tone, similar to regional dialects in human speech. This trait is believed to develop from their environment and social interactions within the herd. Farmers have reported noticing these subtle differences, with cows mimicking the vocal patterns of others around them. This surprising discovery highlights the complexity of animal communication, suggesting that even livestock can adapt their calls to reflect their unique social groups.

5. Weird news: A man accidentally swallowed a live fish

In 2020, a fisherman in the UK was shocked when a fish he had just caught jumped out of his hand and into his mouth, lodging itself in his throat. The man started to choke and struggled to breathe as the fish blocked his airway. He was quickly taken to the hospital, where doctors were able to remove the fish, saving his life. The bizarre incident made headlines and served as a strange reminder of how unpredictable life can be. The fisherman made a full recovery, but his experience left him with an unforgettable fish tale.

6. Some frogs can survive being frozen solid

Wood frogs have an incredible ability to survive freezing temperatures by essentially turning into “frog-sicles” during winter. Their bodies freeze completely, with ice forming in their organs and tissues, stopping their heart and breathing. The frogs enter a state of suspended animation until temperatures rise in spring. When they thaw, their bodies start functioning normally again. This process is made possible by glucose in their cells, which acts like antifreeze to prevent damage. This unique adaptation allows them to survive in freezing climates without needing to dig underground for warmth.

7. Weird news: A man faked his own kidnapping to avoid work

In Arizona in 2021, a man staged his own kidnapping to get out of work. He tied himself up, left himself by the roadside, and claimed two masked men had abducted him. However, upon investigation, police discovered inconsistencies in his story, and he eventually admitted to fabricating the entire incident to avoid going to his job. He was charged with filing a false police report. The story amused the public but also highlighted the lengths some people go to skip work, and the case remains one of the most unusual “sick days” on record.

8. Penguins propose with pebbles

When a male penguin wants to mate, he finds a smooth pebble and offers it to a female. If she accepts, they become a pair and use the pebble in building their nest. This ritual is common among species like Gentoo and Adélie penguins. The “pebble proposal” helps them build a sturdy nest, especially in harsh Antarctic conditions. Penguins are known for their unique courtship behaviors, and the pebble exchange has captivated scientists and animal lovers alike. This gesture is one of the sweetest in the animal kingdom, demonstrating the importance of bonding and family-building.

9. Weird news: A town in Spain hosts a baby-jumping festival

Every year, the small town of Castrillo de Murcia, Spain, celebrates El Colacho, a festival where men dressed as devils leap over rows of babies lying on mattresses. The tradition, which dates back to the 1600s, is believed to cleanse the babies of original sin and protect them from evil spirits. Though unusual, the ritual attracts tourists from around the world. The town takes every precaution to ensure safety, and no injuries have ever been reported. The baby-jumping festival remains one of Spain’s most unique and curious cultural celebrations.

10. Sharks are older than trees

Sharks have been around for over 400 million years, predating the existence of trees, which emerged around 350 million years ago. These ancient predators have survived multiple mass extinctions and have adapted to various oceanic environments. Despite their evolutionary success, many shark species are now endangered due to overfishing and habitat loss. Sharks’ ancient lineage and resilience make them one of the most fascinating and vital components of the ocean ecosystem, as they play a crucial role in maintaining marine biodiversity.

3. Weird news: A man ordered 50 pizzas to a neighbor’s house as revenge

In 2021, a man in the Netherlands found a creative way to get back at his noisy neighbors—by ordering 50 pizzas to be delivered to their house. The unsuspecting neighbors were confused when delivery after delivery arrived at their door, all unpaid for and unwanted. The man behind the prank was eventually caught and fined for harassment. This unusual form of revenge left both the neighbors and pizza delivery workers baffled. The story serves as a reminder that while pranks can be funny, they can also go a little too far.

4. The planet Uranus smells like rotten eggs

Astronomers discovered that the upper atmosphere of Uranus contains large amounts of hydrogen sulfide—the compound responsible for the smell of rotten eggs. This was confirmed in 2018 using data from the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii. While no one will ever get close enough to Uranus to smell it, this discovery provides insight into the planet’s composition and how it formed. The presence of hydrogen sulfide also distinguishes Uranus from other gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn, which contain more ammonia in their upper atmospheres. This stinky fact adds to Uranus’s already quirky reputation.

5. Weird news: A man tried to board a plane with 35 lizards in his pants

In 2021, a man was caught attempting to smuggle 35 live lizards through airport security in Thailand by hiding them in his pants. The reptiles, including geckos and iguanas, were discovered when security officers noticed the man behaving suspiciously. Upon inspection, they found that his clothing was stuffed with wriggling creatures, which he had planned to sell illegally. The man was arrested, and the lizards were safely returned to authorities. The bizarre smuggling attempt made headlines for its sheer oddity and raised concerns about the illegal wildlife trade in Southeast Asia.

6. Bees can recognize human faces

Bees are incredibly intelligent creatures, capable of recognizing human faces. In experiments, scientists trained bees to associate specific human faces with sugary rewards. The bees learned to distinguish between different faces by processing visual information similarly to how humans do. While bees use this ability mainly for navigating and identifying flowers, their capacity to recognize faces highlights their advanced cognitive skills. These findings suggest that bee brains, despite being tiny, are surprisingly adept at complex tasks, including facial recognition, which is typically thought to require more advanced neurological systems.

7. Weird news: A town used “Baby Shark” to drive away homeless people

In 2019, the city of West Palm Beach, Florida, adopted a controversial tactic to prevent homeless people from sleeping in its parks: blasting the song “Baby Shark” on loop. The repetitive, catchy tune was played all night long in an attempt to deter people from camping out in the area. City officials claimed it was a temporary measure while they worked on a more permanent solution. The use of children’s music as a deterrent sparked public debate, with some criticizing it as cruel and ineffective, while others saw it as a quirky but harmless approach.

8. Octopuses have three hearts and blue blood

Octopuses are remarkable creatures with three hearts and blue blood. Two of their hearts pump blood to the gills, while the third pumps it to the rest of the body. Their blood is blue because it contains copper-based hemocyanin instead of the iron-based hemoglobin found in humans. This copper compound is more efficient at transporting oxygen in cold and low-oxygen environments, making it ideal for life under the sea. Octopuses are also known for their intelligence, problem-solving skills, and ability to camouflage, adding to their mystique as some of the most fascinating animals in the ocean.

9. Weird news: A man legally changed his name to “Nobody” to run for office

In 2020, a man from Keene, New Hampshire, legally changed his name to “Nobody” and ran for mayor. His campaign slogan was “Nobody tells the truth, Nobody cares about you, and Nobody will fix the system!” Despite his unconventional approach, Nobody’s candidacy was a serious protest against government corruption and inefficiency. Although he didn’t win the election, his campaign attracted media attention and highlighted the lengths some individuals are willing to go to in order to make a political statement. His name change is now a permanent part of his unique identity.

10. Peanuts are not nuts—they’re legumes

Despite their name, peanuts aren’t technically nuts. They belong to the legume family, which includes beans, lentils, and peas. Unlike tree nuts such as almonds and walnuts, peanuts grow underground in pods. They form when the peanut plant’s flowers grow down into the soil, where the peanuts mature. This botanical distinction often surprises people, but it explains why peanuts share more characteristics with legumes than with tree nuts. Peanuts are rich in protein and used in a variety of dishes worldwide, making them one of the most popular and versatile foods, even if they’re not true nuts.