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No worries. I didn’t list the renaming of lakes, buildings, etc but instead found sniffing Koala bears and buried underwear. I am loving this. It gets me away from the drama, the negativity, and the political nonsense noise we have to endure on a daily (hourly) basis.
Europe
Switzerland — Please Bury Your Underwear
More than 1,000 Swiss volunteers buried cotton underwear in their gardens and fields for a scientific soil experiment. The more thoroughly soil organisms ate the underwear, the healthier and more biologically active the soil proved to be.
France — Oscar Wilde Needs Protection From Kisses
Oscar Wilde’s Paris tomb is back in the news for its peculiar history: admirers spent years covering the monument with lipstick kisses. Authorities eventually installed a glass barrier around it to protect the stone.
Denmark — The Bronze Age Girl and Her Strange Drink
The famous Egtved Girl, buried about 3,500 years ago, was found with a fermented drink made from ingredients including honey and berries, unusual clothing and the cremated bones of a child. Modern research continues to investigate who she was and where she travelled before her death.
Spain — Surprise Python
A resident in Manlleu, Catalonia, spotted a python loose in town and called authorities. Rural Agents captured the exotic snake and delivered it to a wildlife centre; officials reminded owners that allowing such an animal to escape can carry criminal liability.
And Spain apparently had a two-snake day: police in Albacete were called after another large snake turned up inside someone’s garage. Officers removed it and released it outside the city.
Netherlands — The Fly Invasion
Parts of the Netherlands are experiencing such extraordinary numbers of flies that residents are describing it as a “plague.” Homes and outdoor areas have been inundated.
England — Bella’s Nose Knows
Police dog Bella followed a missing elderly man’s scent for nearly a mile on the Isle of Wight. She eventually found him wedged in brambles in a field, unable to free himself; police rescued him and he was taken to hospital.
Greece — Midnight at the Ruins
More than 120 archaeological sites and museums across Greece are opening free of charge tonight for the August moon, with concerts and cultural events taking place among ancient monuments after dark.
Asia
India — Crocodile Under the Furniture
A roughly four-foot crocodile turned up underneath furniture at a home in Bihar, prompting a rescue operation to remove the unexpected visitor.
Macao — Tourism, But Make It a Soap Opera
Instead of another tourism commercial, Macao has produced a six-episode multilingual mini-drama specifically to persuade Southeast Asian viewers to visit. The series is being released in several languages across the region.
Japan — Electricity From Dirt
Japanese researchers are experimenting with technology that can harvest tiny amounts of electricity directly from soil, using naturally occurring microbial activity underground.
Thousands of people helped move part of a Japanese castle using ropes, turning a major preservation project into an enormous public event.
South Korea — What Is My Dog Thinking?
Some South Korean pet owners are turning to tarot readers and animal communicators to find out what their dogs and cats supposedly think, want or feel.
China — Officer Robo
Chinese cities have been testing robot traffic police, including machines capable of directing traffic and assisting human officers at intersections.
Japan — Please Leave Your Shoes Messy
Japanese emergency workers have asked people not to stop and neatly arrange their shoes during an emergency evacuation. The culturally ingrained habit of tidying footwear at entrances can waste valuable seconds.
Australia & Pacific
Australia — Alpaca Security
Australian police responding to a property discovered that the resident guard animal was an alpaca. The alpaca confronted the officers and apparently took its security responsibilities seriously.
Thieves stole approximately A$250,000 worth of oysters from an Australian producer — an unusually expensive haul of shellfish.
Australia — A Detective With a Very Specific Nose
Bear, Australia’s well-known koala detection dog, has retired after roughly a decade of using his nose to locate injured and displaced koalas, including animals hidden after bushfires.
Africa
South Africa — Definitely Not in the Training Manual
A South African police officer had to be airlifted from a river during an investigation involving a crocodile. Police said human remains were subsequently recovered from the animal.
A South African vineyard uses a large flock of Indian Runner ducks as natural pest control. The ducks patrol the vines eating snails and insects.
North America
Canada — The Town That Smelled Like Rotten Fish
A Canadian town is finally getting rid of containers of rotting fish sauce whose smell has plagued residents. Authorities have begun removing the decomposing material.
United States — A Lioness Wearing… a Harness?
Police in Indiana spent hours searching with thermal drones after witnesses reported seeing a 300-pound lioness and a cub wandering through farmland. The strangest detail: the alleged lioness was reportedly wearing a blue harness. Police have not confirmed that the animals were actually lions.
These are such a welcome refresher in good news.
a great respite from all of the current craziness – ty
Thank you. This is much better than the regular news.
Would have loved to be in Greece for the August moon . . . and have read about China’s utter fascination with robots . . . surely they have enough poor people used to low wages . . . ?
Thanks so much! I particularly like the animal stories. 🥰