Offbeat
The most recent Offbeat stories.
Putin given tiger cub for birthday
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has been given a tiger cub on his 56th birthday.
Sex a hassle, says 105-year-old virgin
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A British woman who celebrated her 105th birthday this week said the secret to long life was celibacy, adding that she imagined sex was a "lot of hassle".
Desperate developer makes 2-for-1 house offer
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A Spanish property developer is giving away two homes for the price of one in a bid to find takers on the collapsed market.
'Undignified' human billboards banned in Spain
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The Spanish capital of Madrid has banned the use of human billboards, calling them an "assault on people's dignity".
Croc lurking in Darwin suburb 'may have been a pet'
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Parks and Wildlife rangers have confirmed there's a small crocodile lurking in a suburban Darwin waterway.
Scientists search for flock with less fart
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Australian researchers have begun looking at how to breed sheep that produce less methane gas.
Online sweethearts 'lived on same street'
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A British couple who met on a dating website turned out to be neighbours who had lived only a few houses apart for 17 years, a local news report said.
Briton freed after stripping off at palace
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Japanese police have released a British tourist who shocked onlookers by swimming naked in the moat of the country's Imperial Palace, concluding he had mental problems.
Obama, McCain star as comic book heroes
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John McCain and Barack Obama have been given a comic book makeover.
Restaurant turns to monkey business
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A Japanese tavern has turned to two monkeys for help with its table service.
Tama the purr-fect antidote to financial gloom: study
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As the economic might of Japan faces up to the global banking crisis, a single cat has boosted the finances of a small Japanese city by millions of dollars, according to a study.
Deniliquin says you-beaut to ute record
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Deniliquin, in southern New South Wales, has done it again by attracting a world record number of utes and blue singlet-wearing patrons at its annual Ute Muster at the weekend.
Porsche boss steers around shares
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Porsche boss Wendelin Wiedeking has managed to steer clear of the immediate fallout of the global financial crisis, telling a German newspaper he has avoided investing in shares.
Skydivers make unprecedented jump over Everest
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Three skydivers made the first ever parachute jump over Mount Everest on Sunday, organisers and participants said, culminating years of preparation.
Tasmanian sheepdog trainers to head interstate
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Two Tasmanians have been re-selected in the Australian team to compete at the national sheepdog championships to be held next year.
House of Assembly furniture and fittings up for auction
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People will soon be able to own a piece of the Tasmanian Parliament.
Political candidate punches TV host
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An underdog in Sunday's election for governor of Bangkok has punched and kicked a television journalist, saying he was provoked by tough questions during a live interview.
Mao's personal plane up for sale
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Mao Zedong's personal aeroplane has been put up for sale by the owner of a shopping centre in southern China to make more space for parking.
Dog fleas, string star in whacky science prizes
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Scientists who discovered the inner workings of dog fleas, crisps and tangled string swept the tongue-in-cheek 2008 Ig Nobel Prizes.
Wall St women wanted for Playboy
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Lads mag Playboy wants laid-off Wall Streeters to bare all for an upcoming issue.
Russia loses 215,000 guns
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Police in Russia say they are searching for more than 215,000 guns that have gone missing from arsenals around the country.
Learner reverses car into swimming pool
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A learner driver reverses a car into a swimming pool in Adelaide.
World's fattest man loses 200kgs to get married
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Mexican Manuel Uribe, the world's fattest man in the 2007 Guinness Book of Records, said Wednesday that he would wed this month, after losing nearly half his original weight.
Dutch initiative seeks TV channel for pets
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Dutch animal lovers have launched a national campaign to establish a public TV channel for animals and their owners.
Superman's house saved
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Superman's home planet Krypton was destroyed, but his house on Earth will live on thanks to loyal fans and an online auction that raised $US100,000 to restore the rotting home where the Man of Steel was created.
