The "And In Other News" Thread After Hours

[Crabtree]

In Switzerland, it's illegal to own just one guinea pig because they're considered social animals that need companionship to thrive.

Keeping a single guinea pig is viewed as harmful and classified as animal abuse under Swiss law. This reflects the country's broader commitment to animal welfare, which includes mandatory pet care courses for dog owners and humane fishing practices for anglers.

To help with guinea pig companionship issues, Swiss animal lover Priska Küng runs a matchmaking service to pair lonely guinea pigs.

Since they often outlive their partners, her service offers temporary companions or helps find a good fit. The law ensures these animals have the social interaction they need to stay happy and mentally healthy.

 

[David76]

"It was only a Lidl accident"

A supermarket has been closed after a car crashed through a window at the front of the store.

The silver hatchback crushed bollards separating the car park and the Lidl store on Taunton's Roman Road, before breaking the windows.

Avon and Somerset Police said there had been no injuries or arrests, describing it as a "one-person road traffic accident".

The store is expected to remain closed until a structural engineer can assess the damage. Lidl and the police have been contacted for further comment.

In a statement, Lidl said: "We can confirm that emergency services were alerted to an incident involving a car at our Taunton store this morning.

"Thankfully, no one in the store was injured. The store is currently closed to reopen as soon as possible, once measures have been implemented to secure the store and ensure customer and colleague safety."

The vehicle has since been removed from the store.

Taunton Lidl supermarket closed after car crashes through window

Police said there were no injuries in the incident at the Lidl store on Roman Road in Taunton.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Black Sheep]

A man who was posing as a real lawyer won 26 cases but finally got caught by the authorities.⁠
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Authorities also accused the man of stealing the real identity of lawyer Brian Mwenda Ntwiga.⁠
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The Nigerian Tribune reported that the attorney had won dozens of cases and handled them all in front of Magistrates, Court of Appeal Judges, and High Court judges.⁠
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The man accessed the Law Society of Kenya portal and identified the account of the man with a name corresponding to his and tampered with the details.⁠
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He then uploaded his own photo before claiming to be trained in law.⁠
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A real-life Catch Me If You Can

 

[Scottish Batman]

Reports reveal the Louvre's video surveillance password was simply "Louvre" during last month's $102 million jewel heist

The theft, completed in just seven minutes, exposed major security flaws, including limited camera coverage and weak perimeter protection due to underinvestment.

Louvre director Laurence des Cars admitted a "terrible failure" and pledged improvements. Four suspects: ataxi driver, a delivery worker, a garbage collector, and his partner have been charged, though the stolen jewels remain missing. Investigators continue searching, with at least one accomplice still at large.

 

[Bad Gizmo]

Every year in Finland, couples take part in the quirky Wife Carrying World Championship, where men race through obstacle courses with their wives on their backs.

The event began as a local joke but has grown into a globally recognised competition that draws participants from around the world.

The grand prize? The wife's weight in beer. Beyond the laughs, it's seen as a fun celebration of teamwork, strength, and humour, proving love can literally be a balancing act.

 

[Black Sheep]

In Japan, there's a new bar designed for people who are thinking about quitting or changing their jobs, and the drinks are free.

It's called "Tenshoku Sodan Bar," or "Job Changing Consultation Bar," and it's located near Yokohama Station. Instead of a typical night out, the focus is on talking through work worries and career options in a relaxed setting.

The bartenders are actually career counselors from staffing service LIA, and consultations happen one on one in private rooms. The bar says most sessions last around 60 to 90 minutes, and there's no need to bring a resume or show up in a suit.

 

[Ghost]

Supermarkets in France have been legally required to donate unsold food rather than throw it away, in a move aimed at tackling both waste and food poverty.⁠
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The law, introduced in 2016, means larger supermarkets must partner with charities to redistribute edible food that would otherwise be binned. Those who fail to comply can reportedly face fines, pushing retailers to rethink how they handle surplus stock.⁠
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Since coming into force, the policy has been widely credited with increasing donations to food banks and cutting down waste, with France often cited as setting the standard for how governments can step in to address the issue.

 

[Black Sheep]

A Chinese court has ruled that companies cannot fire workers just to replace them with AI purely for cost cutting.

The decision came after a case where a tech company tried to reassign and drastically cut a worker's pay after his role was automated, and ultimately terminated him when he refused. The court ruled the dismissal unlawful, saying AI adoption is a business choice, not a valid legal reason to fire someone without proper alternatives.

The ruling also reinforces that companies have a responsibility to retrain or reasonably reassign employees instead of just cutting them out when automation is introduced.

A reminder that even as AI grows fast, the human side of work still matters.

 

[Best]

Drinking a beer after a workout could apparently rehydrate you just as well as water, according to some studies.⁠
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Researchers have suggested that low-alcohol beer containing electrolytes and carbohydrates may help the body recover fluids after exercise in a similar way to certain sports drinks.⁠
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Experts still say water remains the best option for hydration overall, especially after intense workouts, as alcohol can affect recovery and muscle repair if consumed in larger amounts.⁠
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So while cracking open a pint after the gym might not completely undo your session… it probably shouldn't replace your water bottle either.

 

[hannah]

A man has been fined after climbing onto the roof of a hospital dressed in a Grim Reaper style costume and appearing to stare down at staff and visitors.⁠
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The incident happened at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd hospital in St Asaph, Wales, where emergency services were called after the man was seen standing on the roof while holding what appeared to be a scythe.⁠
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Leon Gillespie, 26, pleaded guilty to causing a nuisance at the hospital and refusing to leave when asked by police. He was fined and ordered to pay compensation and costs.⁠
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No reason for his actions was given in court.⁠