Here's our weekly collection of this weird, weird world — from Milan proposing a new no-food-or-drinks-after-midnight rule to deter noise complains, to an AI-generated Vladimir Putin soiling himself.
Milan's very own "Gremlin rule"
WHERE?
Milan, Italy
WHAT?
No feeding after midnight? After a barrage of noise complaints, Milan is proposing a Gremlin-sounding ban on all late-night snacks to protect the “peace and health” of residents. The city government would ban takeaway food, pizza, beverages, and ice cream after 12:30 a.m. on weekdays and after 1:30 am on weekends to prevent noisy revelers to disturb residents. Although locals complaining about the noise favor the ban, vendors who serve tourists late-night treats are unhappy with the law’s potential effect on the business.
Paris' world-famous "Lin Rouge"
WHERE?
Paris, France
WHAT?
Parisians and tourists alike were saddened to discover a partially destroyed Moulin Rouge front on Thursday morning. The sails of the iconic cabaret's windmill fell overnight, taking a few neon letters with them, no longer spelling the Moulin Rouge but instead the Lin Rouge. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the incident, while the cause of the collapse remains unclear.
AI Vlad gets debut movie
WHERE?
Poland
WHAT?
Polish director Patryk Vega has announced the release of his latest movie, featuring an AI-powered version of Russian President Vladimir Putin, salted for Sept. 26, 2024. Inside The Mind Of Putin was originally scheduled for May 2022 but it took Vega two years to develop the AI technology to picture Putin. The film's trailer includes shots of Putin wearing a soiled diaper, practicing his martial arts skills, and confronting his predecessor Boris Yeltsin.
Hippo? No, she poops
WHERE?
Osaka, Japan
WHAT?
For years, Osaka Tennoji Zoo vets have scratched their heads as to why Gen-Chan, their male hippopotamus, had "unmanly" toilet habits: a male hippo will usually splatter its feces while defecating, using its tail as a propeller to mark its territory — but not Gen-Chan. The mystery of Gen-Chan's behavior came to an end when the zoo requested a DNA test, which revealed that their male hippo was actually a female hippo.
Oh, you meant "Caesar" salad?
WHERE?
New Orleans, United States
WHAT?
The Audubon Insectarium is getting creative with the periodical return of cicadas, by featuring a new Cicada salad on their menu. Just down the street from French Quarter fine dining, Audubon Insectarium has served an array of bug-based treats like “cinnamon bug crunch”, chili fried waxworm, and crispy cajun spiced crickets. Zack Lenman, the Insectarium curator of animal collections, is the proud creator of this nightmarish dish.
Uber's lost and found
WHERE?
United States
WHAT?
If you’ve left something in an Uber in the last year or vaguely lost something after riding in an Uber, then you might have made Uber's 2024 lost & found index, which tallies what, where and when users of the ride-sharing app have forgotten their stuff in vehicles. The most forgetful city was Miami, Florida; and be extra mindful of your belongings on Jan. 21, as it was found to be the most "forgetful" day. Meanwhile, some of the weirdest items reported as left in an Uber include a “fart sensor” (whatever that is), a “small box containing a gnome”, and a a “live pet animal turtle”.
No dove for EU peace
WHERE?
Europe
WHAT?
In a gesture meant to symbolize peace, Slovakian Member of the European Parliament Miroslav Radacovsky released a dove in Brussel's European Parliament Chamber, saying “We need peace.” His decision was met with dismay as multiple colleagues felt it violated Parliament rules while showing little regard toward animal rights.