Placeholder Content Image

Wacky pet laws that will make you laugh

<p>There are laws to protect people from harm, animals from cruelty and to keep the animal-human relationship harmonious. But then there are those wacky laws that will make you scratch your head and wonder how they became laws in the first place.</p> <p>1. In some areas of Oklahoma dogs must have a permit signed by the mayor in order to congregate in groups of three or more on private property.</p> <p>2. In Chicago, you cannot bring your French poodle to the opera.</p> <p>3. In Berea, Ohio, any pet that goes out after dark must wear a tail light.</p> <p>4. In Creskill, New York, all outside cats must wear three bells to warn birds of their approach.</p> <p>5. In Madison, Wisconsin dogs are forbidden from harassing squirrels in the public park next to the capital.</p> <p>6. In Denver Colorado an animal control officer must notify dogs of any impending impounds three days before it’s due to happen. They do this by posting notices on trees in the public parks and along the road running next to the park.</p> <p>7. In Memphis, Tennessee, if a frog's croaking keeps you awake at night, you can have that frog arrested.</p> <p>8. In Turin, Italy owners can be fined up to $650 for not walking their dog at least three times a day.</p> <p>9. In Reed City, Michigan, you cannot own a pet cat and bird simultaneously. </p> <p>10. In French Lick Springs, Indiana, all black cats must wear bells on Friday the 13th.</p> <p>11. In certain areas of Oklahoma it is against the law to make “ugly” or “mean” faces at a dog.</p> <p>12. In Honolulu, Hawaii, it’s unlawful to annoy birds at any public park. </p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

MasterChef's Poh finally explains wacky habit

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>MasterChef's Poh Ling Yeow has captured hearts during the latest season of <em>Masterchef: Back to Win</em> with her endearing habit of watching her food cook in the oven.</p> <p>She was sadly eliminated on Sunday but during every cook would peer into the oven and many fans thought she was willing her food to cook faster.</p> <p>She explained the "method to her madness" on Monday night's episode of <em>The Project</em> and admitted she's often asked why she looks into the oven.</p> <p>“Everyone says – are you trying to make it cook faster?” she told guest panellist Steve Price, who joked she’d turned him into “an oven starer” too.</p> <p>“There is actually a purpose to it, because I’m watching to see if I need to crank it up,” she explained.</p> <p>“If I see it’s browning too much, I lower the temperature again. So I’m actually watching to see how I can keep adjusting, because of course, the time frames are always a little bit unrealistic. So I am actually … I am actually doing it for a reason,” she said.</p> <p>The season one star was surprised by the outpouring of support that came from fans after her surprise elimination on Sunday night.</p> <p>“What I’m really moved by is that people really get my wackiness,” the Adelaide artist said.</p> <p>“Like from the messages that people are sending me. They’re quite detailed and they do get what I’m trying to do, which is really lovely that that punches across through the chaos. Through my Captain Chaos cape!” she joked.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CB-XVSYht4x/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CB-XVSYht4x/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">We live here now 😂 #MasterChefAU @pohlingyeow @fooderati</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/masterchefau/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> MasterChef Australia</a> (@masterchefau) on Jun 28, 2020 at 2:53am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Fans of the show were in tears as judge Melissa Leong gave a touching farewell to Poh.</p> <p>“Poh, you are a national treasure,” Leong said. “Every day we could be guaranteed we’d get all of your heart, all of your soul, all of your love and all of your commitment.</p> <p>“You’ve absolutely won our hearts all over again. You’ve always fought to show and represent who you are and to be proud of your heritage, and I think millions of people around the world see that and understand that and love you for that even more.”</p> <p><span>Poh took the elimination in stride, saying: “I’ve had such a fantastic time. It’s been such a joy to cook with these guys and it’s really humbling to be around them.”</span></p> <p>She revealed to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/what-masterchef-s-poh-ling-yeow-plans-to-cook-up-next-20200706-p559c8.html" target="_blank" class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtflink"><em>Sydney Morning Herald</em></a> that she was "relieved" to leave the competition.</p> <p>“There’s a kind of relief when you’re let go,” she said.</p> <p>“You’re sitting with that pressure for so many months. But I do want to thank the people who’ve supported me and understood my madness and embraced me for who I am. I know I’m hard to watch,” she added,</p> <p>“The message I want to put out there is whatever is making you feel different on the outside now, you can learn to harness that. It’s going to make you unusual and outshine the rest. Be yourself. At 46 I think I can actually lay claim to having done that.”</p> </div> </div> </div>

Food & Wine

Placeholder Content Image

Weirdest things passengers try to take on a plane

<p>Packing for a holiday can sometimes turn out to be a stressful process as you frantically make sure you have everything on your list before you leave.</p> <p>Not to mention the fear that your luggage could exceed your weight restriction. However, the problems you have encountered with your luggage are slight compared to the wacky items these passengers tried to get through customs.</p> <p>Research by Virgin Atlantic has revealed the weirdest things passengers have attempted to check-in on flights, here are some of the strangest ones.</p> <p><strong>1.  Live fish</strong></p> <p>A passenger on a flight to Barbados attempted to check-in four live goldfish in a plastic bag filled with water.</p> <p><strong>2. A fridge</strong></p> <p>At Nevada airport, someone tried to check-in an entire fridge freezer. Perhaps they still had leftovers?</p> <p><strong>3. Car parts</strong></p> <p>Tyres are actually a common discovery in people’s luggage, especially on flights from Lagos. A passenger also tried to fly a car bumper from London Heathrow.</p> <p><strong>4. Bed head</strong></p> <p>On a flight from Delhi, a group of travellers attempted to check-in the headboard of a bed. The survey also found that brooms are a popular check in item in that region.</p> <p><strong>5. Bathtub</strong></p> <p>A passenger wanted to check-in a full-size bathtub for a flight from London to Johannesburg.</p> <p><strong>6. A whole dead cow</strong></p> <p>A traveller attempted to check-in a butchered cow wrapped up in bubble wrap. The flight was from JFK to London; however, the request was declined.</p> <p>Have you ever seen someone try to check-in something a bit wacky at the airport? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

Travel Insurance

Placeholder Content Image

Is this wacky accessory the future of hands-free luggage?

<p>Multitaskers around the world are rejoicing at the invention of a wacky new travel accessory that allows people to drag luggage around the airport hands-free.</p> <p>My Hitch, a double-ended plastic hook that clips onto a traveller’s waistband, is the brainchild of 53-year-old pilot Robert Lian, who wanted to find a way to free up traveller’s hands so they can carry additional luggage, a phone or even a cup of coffee.</p> <p>Retailing for $23 ($18 US) the My Hitch reportedly lets the traveller perform a range of movements, allowing the user to easily perform U-turns or even walk in circles when pulling a roller bag that weights 11kg or less, only feeling a slight tug on their waistline.</p> <p>And while you’d think this invention would be a pickpocket's dream, Lian contends you’d quickly notice, writing on the <a href="http://www.mybaghitch.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>My Hitch website</strong></span></a>, “Even with your bag directly behind you, if someone tried to unzip your bag, you would definitely feel it. Another option is to wear My Hitch off to one side, and glance at your bag every so often as you walk.”</p> <p>It’s hard to say who the My Hitch is marketed at exactly, but you’d have to think it would be skewing towards business travellers who wear pants that have belts. As Lian writes, the My Hitch has a risk of unnecessary exposure (dragging your pants down) when wearing casual attire, “If you are wearing an elastic waistband, then it certainly would.”</p> <p>Whether this is a sign of humanity is achieving a higher plan of existence or not we don’t know, but you have to say we’re living through some pretty interesting times.  </p> <p>What’s your take on the My Hitch? Could you see yourself walking around the airport with one? Or do you think it’s a bit too ridiculous for your taste?</p> <p>Let us know what you think in the comments. </p> <p><em>Video credit: YouTube / Robert Lian</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/07/the-real-reason-your-luggage-is-lost-in-transit/"><strong>The real reason your luggage is lost in transit</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/06/10-travel-accessories-you-really-dont-need-to-pack/"><strong>10 travel accessories you really don’t need to pack</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/travel-insurance/2016/07/5-smart-ways-to-prevent-your-luggage-getting-lost/"><strong>5 smart ways to prevent your luggage getting lost</strong></a></em></span></p>

International Travel

Placeholder Content Image

Wild, wacky weather for Christmas Day

<p>In recent times we’ve become accustomed to odd weather in Australia, and while Christmas Day is looking mostly mild, parts of the country have been warned to brace for wild conditions. </p> <p>The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has warned that there is a high chance of a tropical cyclone forming in the Gulf of Carpentaria before Christmas, which could potentially strike Queensland but at this stage the likelihood of it making landfall (and the strength at that point) is unclear.</p> <p>Senior forecaster Sally Cutter said, “We're starting to see the development of the low which increases our confidence where [a cyclone] may form. If a cyclone were to form it would start off as a Category One and strengthen. Depending on how long it spends over water and the environmental conditions surrounding the cyclone will dictate how strong it becomes before it makes landfall.”</p> <p>Weather forecasts for Australia’s major cities seems at this stage to be relatively mild, although Sydney and Melbourne can expect some showers and Perth an afternoon storm.</p> <p>But weather around the world seems to be pretty odd for this time of year, with forecast for eastern and central United States predicting one of the warmest Christmas Days in living memory.</p> <p>According to the Huffington Post, weather forecasts are predicting Christmas Eve temperatures as high as 20 degrees Celsius in New York City and 22 degrees Celsius in Washington, D.C. So our friends in the US might only be dreaming of a White Christmas this year, instead of having one.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2015/12/adorable-kitten-rescue-story/"><strong>Adorable kitten saved in nick of time</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2015/12/spot-the-panda-in-this-picture/"><strong>Can you spot the Panda hidden in this picture?</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2015/12/mother-teresa-officially-recognised-as-saint/"><strong>Mother Teresa officially recognised as a saint</strong></a></em></span></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

8 wacky Australian events not to miss

<p>Travellers will scour the globe in pursuit of the weirdest, strangest, most-unique events. Turns out we actually have a lot in our backyard. Here are 8 weird Australian events you have to see to believe.</p><p><strong>Wife Carrying, Singleton</strong></p><p><img width="497" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10584/1_497x280.jpg" alt="1 (98)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></p><p>While the practice of wife carrying as a sport originated in Finland, it’s the town of Singleton that has taken it to the next level. Each year as part of the Annual Singleton Show men carry their better halves through a tough obstacle course including sand, water and hurdles. A must watch!</p><p><strong>Birdman Rally, Moomba</strong></p><p>Melburnians fly (fall) straight into the Yarra River in the annual Birdman Rally that is held every Labour Day long weekend as part of the Moomba Festival. This famous even sees garishly dressed gliders in all types of human-powered aircraft attempt (and often fail) to soar for a good cause.</p><p><strong>Elvis, Surfer’s Paradise</strong></p><p><strong><img width="500" height="334" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10585/2_500x334.jpg" alt="2 (102)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></strong></p><p>Who said Elvis was dead? Every July Elvis-impersonators and general aficionados descend upon Surfer’s Paradise to perform and enjoy a variety of shows in tribute to the late, great King of Rock and Roll. This is the closest you’ll get to experiencing The King outside of Memphis, Tennessee!</p><p><strong>Morning Glory Cloud, Burketown</strong></p><p>This awe-inspiring, if somewhat unfortunately named, meteorological phenomenon is a one kilometre cloud stretching from horizon to horizon, observable from Burketown in Queensland. The cloud can be up to 1000 kilometres long and is often only 100 to 200 metres above the ground.</p><p><strong>Cockroach World Championship, Brisbane</strong></p><p><strong><img width="394" height="260" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10586/3.jpg" alt="3 (100)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></strong></p><p>Where else in the world can you race cockroaches in public and not be shunned from society? The Cockroach World Championship sees 7000 people watch cockroaches race around a circular track. Roach trainers can bring their own cockroach or purchase one on the day for just $5.</p><p><strong>Beer Can Regatta, Darwin</strong></p><p>Never have discarded beer cans be put to better use. The Beer Can Regatta is an annual boat race in Darwin, where the vessels have to be made out of beer cans. To be fair, most vessels sink before they make the finish line at Mindi Beach, leading to a rowdy even that’s a lot of fun to watch.</p><p><strong>Henley-on-Todd Regatta, Alice Springs</strong></p><p><strong><img width="497" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10587/4_497x280.jpg" alt="4 (92)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></strong></p><p>Here’s another boat race, but one with a difference (as you probably imagined by the fact that it’s taking place in Alice Springs). The Henley-on-Todd Regatta sees residents cut out the hull of boats and race them Flintstones-style through the desert. Crazy, but a lot of fun to watch!</p><p><strong>Camel Cup, Alice Springs (<em>Pictured above</em>)</strong></p><p>Forget the Melbourne Cup, this is the race that stops the nation (well, at least in parts of Alice Springs). The Camel Cup sees some of the Northern Territory’s finest racing camel’s hell for leather through sweltering desert heats. Goes without saying this is not your ordinary day at the races.&nbsp;</p>

International Travel

Placeholder Content Image

8 wacky Australian events not to miss

<p>Travellers will scour the globe in pursuit of the weirdest, strangest, most-unique events. Turns out we actually have a lot in our backyard. Here are 8 weird Australian events you have to see to believe.</p><p><strong>Wife Carrying, Singleton</strong></p><p><img width="497" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10584/1_497x280.jpg" alt="1 (98)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></p><p>While the practice of wife carrying as a sport originated in Finland, it’s the town of Singleton that has taken it to the next level. Each year as part of the Annual Singleton Show men carry their better halves through a tough obstacle course including sand, water and hurdles. A must watch!</p><p><strong>Birdman Rally, Moomba</strong></p><p>Melburnians fly (fall) straight into the Yarra River in the annual Birdman Rally that is held every Labour Day long weekend as part of the Moomba Festival. This famous even sees garishly dressed gliders in all types of human-powered aircraft attempt (and often fail) to soar for a good cause.</p><p><strong>Elvis, Surfer’s Paradise</strong></p><p><strong><img width="500" height="334" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10585/2_500x334.jpg" alt="2 (102)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></strong></p><p>Who said Elvis was dead? Every July Elvis-impersonators and general aficionados descend upon Surfer’s Paradise to perform and enjoy a variety of shows in tribute to the late, great King of Rock and Roll. This is the closest you’ll get to experiencing The King outside of Memphis, Tennessee!</p><p><strong>Morning Glory Cloud, Burketown</strong></p><p>This awe-inspiring, if somewhat unfortunately named, meteorological phenomenon is a one kilometre cloud stretching from horizon to horizon, observable from Burketown in Queensland. The cloud can be up to 1000 kilometres long and is often only 100 to 200 metres above the ground.</p><p><strong>Cockroach World Championship, Brisbane</strong></p><p><strong><img width="394" height="260" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10586/3.jpg" alt="3 (100)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></strong></p><p>Where else in the world can you race cockroaches in public and not be shunned from society? The Cockroach World Championship sees 7000 people watch cockroaches race around a circular track. Roach trainers can bring their own cockroach or purchase one on the day for just $5.</p><p><strong>Beer Can Regatta, Darwin</strong></p><p>Never have discarded beer cans be put to better use. The Beer Can Regatta is an annual boat race in Darwin, where the vessels have to be made out of beer cans. To be fair, most vessels sink before they make the finish line at Mindi Beach, leading to a rowdy even that’s a lot of fun to watch.</p><p><strong>Henley-on-Todd Regatta, Alice Springs</strong></p><p><strong><img width="497" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10587/4_497x280.jpg" alt="4 (92)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></strong></p><p>Here’s another boat race, but one with a difference (as you probably imagined by the fact that it’s taking place in Alice Springs). The Henley-on-Todd Regatta sees residents cut out the hull of boats and race them Flintstones-style through the desert. Crazy, but a lot of fun to watch!</p><p><strong>Camel Cup, Alice Springs (<em>Pictured above</em>)</strong></p><p>Forget the Melbourne Cup, this is the race that stops the nation (well, at least in parts of Alice Springs). The Camel Cup sees some of the Northern Territory’s finest racing camel’s hell for leather through sweltering desert heats. Goes without saying this is not your ordinary day at the races.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Related links:</strong></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/travel/domestic-travel/2015/10/great-aussie-spots-reachable-only-by-foot/">Spectacular places in Australia you can only reach on foot</a></strong></em></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/travel/domestic-travel/2015/10/unesco-world-heritage-list-australia/">Australia’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed attractions you should visit</a></strong></em></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/travel/domestic-travel/2015/09/great-aussie-train-trips/">3 great Aussie train trips</a></strong></em></span></p>

Domestic Travel

Our Partners