America’s annual pumpkin chucking contest returns to Delaware in November 2016 after a two year absence. First held in 1986, ‘Punkin Chunkin’ is the World’s premier event for those who feel the urge to propel a pumpkin long distances using giant air cannon, trebuchets and catapults. The sport is governed by the WCPCA (World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association), and aims to promote innovative thinking in science and technology. ‘In our 30th Anniversary year, we’re delighted to return to Delaware and hope this year’s event will be the best ever’, said...

The 1986 Challenger Space Shuttle disaster claimed the lives of seven astronauts.  And one pigeon. According to an anonymous NASA contractor ‘the video tapes of that launch have pretty much been worn out, having been scrutinised so closely over the years’. ‘But in 2005, new digital enhancement kit allowed us a better view than ever before – and we got a surprise’. ‘Clinging to the side of the right hand booster rocket was a medium-sized bird – later identified as a pigeon by The Audubon Society’. Evidently the bird was in some difficulty, not flying away...

City’s radical plan to reduce its year-round crime wave – by having it all on one day. One day next Summer, the famous Las Vegas Strip will echo not to the sound of tourists, casino attractions and live bands – but screeching tires and automatic gunfire. ‘We’re rolling the dice on this one’ admitted LVMPD Sheriff Joseph Lombardo.  ‘It’s a new innovation for Vegas, and indeed for any city, but we feel that with proper policing and co-operation between law enforcement, the public and the criminal community it will pay long-term dividends in making our city...

Newly-released court papers reveal the band’s determination that people listen to Floyd albums in full. Long before the days of the internet and rows over whether individual tracks could be downloaded, Pink Floyd were already hot on the heels of their less committed fans. In April 1973, the band attempted to sue a student at NYU who had confided to a friend that he had only listened to the first half of ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ before going to the kitchen to make a cup of tea. Word of the incident soon reached executives at Capitol Records, and they agreed with the band to ‘sue...

  ‘Natural extension to our product portfolio’ say Britain’s favourite over-populated narcissistic celeb couple. There is no doubting the pulling-power of the Beckham brand, with customers having queued for up to three weeks at garden centres around the country to have ‘first dibs’ on the dynamic duo’s latest creation. However, the much-anticipated selection of chairs and tables garnered mixed reactions from the public and media.  Some felt that the furniture had a certain naïve charm with its simple – almost utilitarian – design cues. Others tended more...