NPR Topics: Strange News Unlikely stories from around the nation and the world.
- 2 men were found dead from exposure after looking for Sasquatchby Chandelis Duster on December 29, 2024 at 10:08 pm
The bodies of two men looking for Sasquatch were found in a forest in Washington state after a three-day search.
- A post-doctorial student proves the solution to the decades-old 'moving sofa problem'by Gurjit Kaur on December 25, 2024 at 9:23 pm
For decades, mathematicians tried to come up with the optimal sofa shape to move around a corner. Post-doctoral student Jineon Baek posted a 100-page proof that claims to solve the problem.
- A kid found an unusual rock. It turned out to be a rare ax made by Neanderthalsby Christopher Intagliata on December 13, 2024 at 9:26 pm
Ben Witten found an unusual rock on an English beach when he was 6. It turned out to be an exceedingly rare hand ax made by Neanderthals, tens of thousands of years ago.
- Mystery ducks have been taking over a Manhattan neighborhoodby Stephen Nessen on December 8, 2024 at 1:04 pm
For years, residents of a Manhattan neighborhood have discovered tiny ducks and other toys hidden in its nooks and crannies. A determined reporter tries to uncover who is behind the caper.
- Oarfish keep washing ashore in California. Some say that could be a bad omenby James Doubek on November 20, 2024 at 10:00 am
A deep sea oarfish washed up in Southern California. Some accounts say Japanese folklore saw it a bad omen, while others say the fish were seen as saviors.
- From Chalamet to Styles: Why are celebrity lookalike contests suddenly everywhere?by Rachel Treisman on November 18, 2024 at 6:59 pm
After Timothée Chalamet showed up at his own celebrity lookalike contest, similar events have popped up in cities across and beyond the U.S. Here's a look at the winners — and what's behind the trend.
- They told insurers a bear damaged their car. But it was actually a person in a costumeby Rachel Treisman on November 14, 2024 at 7:46 pm
Four LA residents allegedly defrauded multiple insurance companies of over $141,000. A wildlife expert who reviewed footage of the incidents said that the culprit was "clearly a human in a bear suit."
- A man told 911 a bear chased him off a cliff. Weeks later, he was arrested for murderby Rachel Treisman on November 12, 2024 at 5:03 pm
Authorities say Nicholas Hamlett killed a man in Tennessee in an attempt to steal his identity, and reported it to police as a bear attack. He was arrested in South Carolina after a weekslong manhunt.
- Infinite Monkey Theorem is impossible within our universe's lifetime, study showsby Patrick Jarenwattananon on November 4, 2024 at 11:34 pm
It turns out a monkey – given an infinite amount of time and a typewriter – wouldn't be able to write Shakespeare before the universe ends, according to a new study.
- 'I boo': A ghost town opens up for Halloween weddingsby Madison Aument on November 1, 2024 at 8:43 pm
Halloween is one of the busiest wedding days of the year for the San Bernardino county clerk. For the first time, they're performing weddings for couples at Calico Ghost Town.