Welcome to your weekly digest of peculiar happenings around the globe, where a pint-sized deer can put a full-grown rhino in its place and an app preoccupies itself with checking whether you’ve kicked the bucket yet. Let’s dive in!
– Deer Me –
In a spectacle reminiscent of a David-versus-Goliath showdown, a miniature deer decided to play the role of a maverick at a Polish zoo, besting a hefty rhino in a bewildering tête-à-tête. Yes, a muntjac stag, not much bigger than a house cat, challenged a 1.7-tonne rhino and emerged with what could only be described as an improbable victory.
When the video of this awkward standoff went viral, Wroclaw Zoo cheekily remarked, “Someone probably forgot to look in the mirror this morning,” clearly referencing the confused rhino being bested by its tiny rival—a creature that could easily fit into its nostril. The female rhino named Maruska initially seemed amused by the deer’s audacity but quickly realized that this was no ordinary display of territoriality. By the end of the clip, her patient demeanor had transformed into a spirited chase around their shared enclosure.
Despite the antics of the hormone-driven young stag, zookeeper Maciej Okupnik assured local reporters that these two species have lived in harmony for years. “This time, Daddy deer got a little carried away,” he quipped, while praising Maruska for her masterclass in handling the delusional bravado of her diminutive friend.
– He Didn’t See That Coming –
In a twist that could only happen in the world of comedic misadventures, a Malian witch doctor found himself in hot water after raking in nearly $39,000 by promising the nation’s victory in the Africa Cup of Nations. Spoiler alert: The Eagles lost to Senegal, and suddenly, our so-called marabout became Public Enemy Number One.
As an angry mob gathered at his doorstep, seeking some form of a justice only a disgruntled football fan could express, the police had to step in. Apparently, making a fortune through prophetic talents is a slippery slope in Mali, where “charlatanism is punishable by law,” according to a cybercrime division official. So much for a quick quid!
– Killer App –
In China, practicality takes on a whole new level with the introduction of the delightful “Are You Dead?” app, now the most downloaded tool in the nation. As solo living becomes the trend—thanks to falling marriage rates and a surge in elderly empty-nesters—this app ensures that if you’re not checking in every couple of days, someone will notice that you’ve joined the ghostly elite.
Despite its alarming name and ominous ghost icon, users are evidently drawn to the app. Yet, not everyone is charmed; IT worker Yaya Song lamented, “If I wanted my grandparents to download this app, I’d struggle to say the name without bursting into laughter.” Following its viral fame, the developers decided to opt for a less haunting title, renaming it “Demumu” for its next release. Because who wouldn’t want a techno-safety net with a name that sounds like a sneeze?
– No Longer ‘All Right’, Man –
And lastly, Hollywood’s laid-back hero Matthew McConaughey is not taking any chances with his image. In a bid to shield himself from potentially botched AI recreations, he’s gone ahead and decided to patent his voice and likeness—effectively making his famous catchphrase “all right, all right, all right” off-limits for wannabe impersonators. Gone are the days where anyone can toss around that charming Texan drawl without facing legal repercussions. Because, clearly, the laidback Texan vibe must remain eternally untainted.
