Reuters: Oddly Enough

Cuban dons full-body cardboard shield against coronavirus

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 10:04:33 -0400

Ever since the novel coronavirus reached Cuba, a tall cardboard box with arms and legs can be seen tottering around a Havana suburb, popping into the bakery or butchers, or browsing the newspaper stand.

Balloon-like object in Japanese sky sets Twitter afire with talk of UFOs, Godzilla

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 03:48:05 -0400

The appearance of a mysterious white object in the sky over northern Japan on Wednesday set social media ablaze, with speculation ranging from UFOs to coronavirus and North Korean propaganda.

Thailand's roving dog groomer back in business

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 11:48:52 -0400

Volunteer pet groomer Kriengkai Thatwakorn is thrilled to be back helping out stray dogs in Thailand, some in urgent need of a shearing after waiting three sweltering months for a trim.

Animal baby boom at Palestinian zoo after people disappear

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 13:32:12 -0400

Peacocks, ostriches and baboons joined in an animal baby boom at a Palestinian zoo during the coronavirus closure as they let nature take its course free from human distractions.

Police remove emaciated lion from French circus

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 11:11:18 -0400

French police have taken away an emaciated lion from a circus in Vironvay, western France, following complaints from an animal rights organization.

Russian chefs in naked lockdown protest after virus strips them of income

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 09:14:01 -0400

Russian restaurant owners stripped of their income by the coronavirus lockdown are campaigning for their businesses to be allowed to reopen by posting pictures of themselves naked on social media.

Move over James Bond; India returns alleged bird spy to Pakistan

Fri, 29 May 2020 15:43:06 -0400

Indian police have released a pigeon belonging to a Pakistani fisherman after a probe found that the bird, which had flown across the contentious border between the nuclear-armed nations, was not a spy, two officials said on Friday.

Night at the museum: Australian police arrest German student over break-in

Mon, 18 May 2020 08:35:20 -0400

Australian police on Monday charged a German student with breaking into a Sydney museum as security footage showed him allegedly taking selfies next to dinosaur exhibits.

Clawing back normality: Bangkok cat cafe reopens after virus shutdown

Fri, 08 May 2020 05:20:12 -0400

As Thailand's capital cautiously reopens many restaurants shuttered over coronavirus fears, the feline "employees" of the Caturday Cafe are back at work.

Five-year-old stopped on U.S. highway wanted to buy Lamborghini, police say

Wed, 06 May 2020 05:51:54 -0400

A trooper stopping a car with a suspected "impaired driver" on a U.S. highway on Monday was bemused to find a 5-year-old in the driver's seat, the Utah Highway Patrol tweeted.

Thailand's pet groomer reopens as new coronavirus cases slow

Tue, 05 May 2020 07:36:18 -0400

Chewy and Miley, both two-year-old Schnauzer dogs, are getting their hair cut at a groomer in Bangkok for the first time since the new coronavirus outbreak began in Thailand in January.

'Darth Vader' enforces lockdown in Philippine village

Mon, 04 May 2020 09:02:48 -0400

Dressed as "Star Wars" characters, local officials in the Philippines are out and about to enforce strict quarantine measures while also handing out relief packages.

President queries Tanzania coronavirus kits after goat test

Mon, 04 May 2020 07:21:37 -0400

Coronavirus test kits used in Tanzania were dismissed as faulty by President John Magufuli on Sunday, because he said they had returned positive results on samples taken from a goat and a pawpaw.

Superheroes, from near and far, join Indonesia's coronavirus battle

Mon, 04 May 2020 01:58:57 -0400

Volunteers clad as Superman and Spider-Man sprayed disinfectant against the coronavirus on Indonesia's island of Java, flanking a colleague wearing the winged helmet of local superhero Gatotkaca who shouted, "Wear masks, wash hands and stay alert."

Do your bit for farmers and eat more fries, Belgians urged

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 05:14:32 -0400

With potato farmers and processors struggling, Belgians are being urged to eat more fries to offset a slump in demand during the coronavirus pandemic.

Sex toy sales take off amid Colombia's coronavirus quarantine

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 15:02:50 -0400

Gerson Monje holds up his cellphone to proudly show off his online sex shop. A red banner reading "sold out!" is plastered across half of the products.

Novelty toilet roll cakes keep Finnish baker in business

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 11:55:30 -0400

A quick-thinking Helsinki bakery has saved itself from financial ruin due to the new coronavirus pandemic by creating a cake that looks like a toilet roll.

Eat it: Hanoi chef spreads joy with 'Coronaburger'

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 13:04:35 -0400

You've got to eat it, to beat it: That's the philosophy of one Hanoi chef who is attempting to boost morale in the Vietnamese capital by selling green, coronavirus-themed burgers.

Who let the dogs out? A few Spaniards defy coronavirus lockdown

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 15:35:39 -0400

Under partial lockdown due to the spiraling coronavirus pandemic, Spaniards are allowed to leave home only for essential outings, walking a dog being one of them.

British vicar catches fire waiting for God's answer

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 01:07:42 -0400

A British vicar got more than he expected from his first attempt at an online sermon when he leaned too close to a candle on a cross and his sweater caught fire.