Ferret Fraud Wednesday, May 8

A vendor at Buenos Aires' largest bazaar has recently been selling knockoff “toy poodles” — actually artistically groomed ferrets raised on steroids. A news item from June 2012 …

My Dog Ate My Money Wednesday, May 8

Wayne Klinkel’s golden retriever Sundance, locked in a car while Klinkel, of Helena, Mont., went to dinner in December. Sundance then ate whatever he found, including five $100 bills …

Faithful Hurt by Fireworks Explosion Wednesday, May 8

At least 11 people were killed and 36 injured on March 15 in Tlaxcala, Mexico, when a truck full of fireworks exploded as Catholic celebrants gathered. Rather than remain in the safety of their …

Call Him Spanky Wednesday, May 8

The man who was “citizen of the year” in Waynesville, Ohio, in 2006, businessman Ron Kronenberger, 53, was charged in January with belt-whipping one of his tenants on his bare …

Puke Test Dummy Wednesday, May 1

Since gastrointestinal noroviruses are so infectious and can be fatal in countries with marginal hygiene, scientists at the U.K. government's Health & Safety Lab in Derbyshire needed to study the "reach and dispersion" of human "vomitus," especially …

Fairer Fish Friends Wednesday, May 1

Research published in February by Britain's Royal Society science association found that male guppies in mating mode prefer to congregate with plainer, less colorful males, probably to look better by comparison. Said Italian researcher Clelia …

Moles with Moves Wednesday, May 1

Hottentot golden moles live underground — not so bad because they're blind and navigate by smell and touch. Still, some scientists spend years studying them, and in a recent Mammalian Biology issue, South African researchers disclosed females …

Inauthentic Ambulances Wednesday, May 1

Wealthy Russians recently found a way around the nation's horrid traffic jams: fake ambulances, outfitted with plush interiors and specially trained drivers using unauthorized lights and sirens to snake through busy streets. In March, London's Daily …

Watch Out, Wall Street Wednesday, May 1

After a trial on fraud charges, the Iranian judiciary sentenced four bankers and their collaborators to death in February, and several others to public floggings for forging loans to buy government properties. The total amount involved reportedly …

Failed to Free Him of Flatulence Wednesday, May 1

In April, Romanian lawyer Madalin Ciculescu, 34, said the next stop for his lawsuit is the European Court of Human Rights after two Romanian courts turned down his claims against Orthodox bishops who failed to exorcize demons causing his flatulence. …