McDonald’s Japan is hoping to spark a gold rush by giving away an 18-karat gold chicken McNugget, valued at around $2,000, as part of a social media contest featuring a bizarre new character. And apparently it's working. The offbeat contest has blow.....»»

6 offbeat obituaries that caught our attention 6 offbeat obituaries that caught our attention.....»»

The next time you call the man in your life an “idiot,” know that science — if not compassion — is on your side. A new tongue-in-cheek analysis published in the typically offbeat Christmas edition of the distinguished British Medical Journal exa.....»»

An Arizona animal shelter has a rather large cat on its hands. The Maricopa County Animal Care and Control recently received a 36-pound cat at one of its shelters in the Phoenix area......»»

A man in Italy is accused of adopting 15 plump cats from pet shelters so he can eat them, sometimes "in the company of friends," according to video from geobeats. The man spent about two years searching for the cats, usually preferring black ones that wer.....»»

A Tennessee woman who had recently been arrested of a DUI charge is accused of spitting on the pizza of the arresting officer at a Pizza Hut where she works, according to video from geobeats. The officer, Frank Rogers, was off duty when he arrived early a.....»»

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Metro-North Railroad says an employee has been arrested on a charge of public indecency following a complaint from a passenger on a train from New York City to Connecticut. Manny Ramos, an engineer trainee, was arrested by Metro-Nort.....»»

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Police in Portland, Ore., say a man suspected of shooting a neighbor shot himself in the groin while trying to leave the scene of the crime. Sgt. Pete Simpson tells The Oregonian the 40-year-old man's wound is "consistent with somebody p.....»»

A man in China scammed an airline of almost a year of free meals by buying a first-class ticket, using a voucher from the ticket for free meals and drinks at the VIP lounge, then changing his itinerary so he can do the same thing the next day, according t.....»»

PITTSBURGH -- An employee of a McDonald's restaurant in Pittsburgh was charged Wednesday with selling heroin in Happy Meals to customers using the coded request "I'd like to order a toy." Allegheny County authorities made the arrest after an informant tol.....»»

SANTA ANA, Calif. -- A California schoolteacher was arrested Wednesday after at least 300 living and dead pythons were found in plastic bins inside his stench-filled home in suburban Orange County, police said. Officers found the snakes as well as mice an.....»»

A raging bull that escaped a canned-beef factory in China is shown charging a motorcylist on a highway in video provided by Zoomin.tv. The biker, who immediately got to his feet, did not suffer any serious injuries, but the bull wasn's so lucky......»»

A calf named "Hero," who was found with frostbite on both of his legs and tail in Virginia last April, has received two prosthetic legs, according to video from KCEN.Animal lover Kitty Martin adopted "Hero" and took him to her all-animal rescue ranch to n.....»»

The tumbleweed problem is so bad in Clovis, N.M., that the military is now involved, according to video from KOB.Tumbleweeds took over Clovis after a storm Sunday carried thousands of tumbleweeds into town, covering streets and filling back yards to the b.....»»

ROSWELL, N.M. -- Authorities say a New Mexico woman called in a fake report of a gunman near a convenience store to help a friend avoid a traffic ticket over a taillight. Roswell police say 22-year-old Savana Jimenez called 911 Sunday morning hoping the o.....»»

A man in New Zealand fought off a shark with a knife, stitched himself, then had a beer at a pub before heading to a hospital, according to video from geobeats. James Grant, a doctor, was spearfishing with friends when he felt a tug at his leg, which he i.....»»

PITTSBURGH -- A man tried to shoot his friend, then held state troopers at bay for hours after an argument fueled by alcohol and a disagreement over how to discipline a dog that had urinated inside the man's apartment, state police said Tuesday. Matthew P.....»»

BERLIN -- A herd of dairy cows nearly lifted the roof off their barn in central Germany when methane released by the animals caused an explosion. Police in Hesse state said in a statement that a static electric charge apparently triggered the detonation,.....»»

A German woman who won almost $555,000 in the lottery tore up the cash and flushed it down the toilet after celebrating with a few bottles of champagne, according to video from geobeats. Angela Maier had been drinking when she opened a bill from a hospita.....»»

A woman in Nigeria disowned her cat for being gay, saying the feline had been making passes at other male cats in the home, according to video from geobeats. The unidentified woman, who has owned the cat, named Bull, for seven years, said he was exhibitin.....»»