Magpie News Collector

Virginia Zoo responds to gorilla escape rumors: 'we don't have those'

By United Press International, Inc. | | 3/14/2025 4:20 PM

The Virginia Zoo responded to rumors of an escaped gorilla in Norfolk by confirming that not only were all of its animals accounted for, but the zoo doesn't even have gorillas. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Brother picks up a $1 million lottery ticket for California woman

By United Press International, Inc. | | 3/14/2025 4:11 PM

A California woman said she is going to buy her brother a new car after she gave him some money to buy her a lottery ticket and he came back with a $1 million winner. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Pi Day: British boy lists 280 digits of pi from memory in one minute

By United Press International, Inc. | | 3/14/2025 11:50 AM

A 10-year-old British boy celebrated the run-up to the math-themed holiday Pi Day by breaking a world record for the most decimal places of pi recalled in one minute. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Watch: Florida man finds alligator in his kitchen

By United Press International, Inc. | | 3/14/2025 11:35 AM

A Florida man who left his patio door open for some fresh air ended up coming face-to-face with an alligator in his kitchen. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

CCTV shows shoplifters using pythons to distract cashier before stealing from petrol station

By Sky News | | 3/14/2025 10:40 AM

Police are hunting for four suspects who used two pythons to distract a cashier before stealing $400 worth of CBD oil from a petrol station. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Sloth gives birth to healthy pup at San Diego Zoo

By United Press International, Inc. | | 3/13/2025 4:17 PM

The San Diego Zoo announced the birth of a sloth pup, the first of its species to be born at the facility since 2022. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Night at bar earns Michigan man record-breaking lottery jackpot

By United Press International, Inc. | | 3/13/2025 4:03 PM

A Michigan man cut his night out at the bar short when he won a record-breaking $677,141 jackpot from the Michigan Lottery's Club Keno The Jack. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Watch: First brown bear to undergo brain surgery wakes from hibernation

By United Press International, Inc. | | 3/13/2025 2:08 PM

A zoo in England said the first brown bear to undergo brain surgery has awakened from hibernation and appears to be back to his old self. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Look: Escaped pet monkey captured after home burglary spree

By United Press International, Inc. | | 3/13/2025 1:43 PM

Authorities in Peru apprehended an unusual burglary suspect responsible for ransacking multiple homes -- an escaped pet monkey. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Look: TSA finds live turtle in traveler's pants at New Jersey airport

By United Press International, Inc. | | 3/13/2025 12:51 PM

The Transportation Security Administration said an officer at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey found a live turtle concealed in the crotch of a traveler's pants. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Watch: Police officer steps in when alligator blocks pizza delivery in Florida

By United Press International, Inc. | | 3/13/2025 12:19 PM

A Florida police officer ended up delivering a pizza to a resident's back door after the delivery driver arrived to find an 8-foot alligator in the driveway. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Watch: Antique ambulance's 3,200-mile trip breaks world record

By United Press International, Inc. | | 3/12/2025 4:28 PM

The oldest licensed ambulance in the United States earned a Guinness World Record when two men drove it more than 3,200 miles from Hollywood, Calif., to Hollywood, Fla. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Maryland man wins his second big lottery prize in 3 years

By United Press International, Inc. | | 3/12/2025 4:06 PM

A Maryland man with a favorite set of horses in the lottery's Racetrax virtual racing game scored a five-figure prize for the second time. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Watch: Dog rescued from Ohio River in Pittsburgh

By United Press International, Inc. | | 3/12/2025 4:05 PM

Emergency responders in Pittsburgh came to the rescue of a dog that fell over a hillside and wound up in the Ohio River. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Watch: Doctors note increase in cases of glue mistaken for eye drops

By United Press International, Inc. | | 3/12/2025 1:55 PM

Doctors with a Colorado hospital system are urging eye drop users to read labels carefully after noting an uptick in cases of people accidentally putting glue into their eyes. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Watch: African serval captured after 2 days on the loose in Oklahoma

By United Press International, Inc. | | 3/12/2025 12:52 PM

An exotic African serval cat was safely returned home after a days-long search involving social media and a number of concerned neighbors. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

TSA Catches Man Smuggling Live Turtle In His Pants At NJ Airport

By HuffPost.com | | 3/11/2025 7:23 PM

An officer conducting a pat-down on the man man figured out he was hiding somethin in the groin area of his pants. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Watch: Gamer beats 'Super Mario Bros.' in 4 minutes, 54.565 seconds

By United Press International, Inc. | | 3/11/2025 4:30 PM

A dedicated gamer broke a Guinness World Record by beating 1985's classic "Super Mario Bros." with a time of 4 minutes and 54.565 seconds. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Maryland woman changes routine, wins $248,208 lottery jackpot

By United Press International, Inc. | | 3/11/2025 4:14 PM

A Maryland woman who felt like her favorite lottery game was letting her down decided to mix up her routine and ended up winning $248,208. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Air India asks passengers to stop flushing clothes down plane toilets

By United Press International, Inc. | | 3/11/2025 1:48 PM

Air India is urging travelers to "use lavatories only for purposes they are meant for" after a flight to Delhi returned to Chicago due to eight of its 12 toilets becoming clogged. ... Read full Story

auto

SPIED: Why Is BMW Testing A Non-Hybrid M5 On The Nürburgring?

by carbuzz.com | Apr 01 2025

book

Ray Nayler knows that “total, knowledgeable engagement” is the only way forward

by BookPage | Apr 01 2025

connecticut

Reject unsustainable spending: Defend CT’s fiscal guardrails

by CT Mirror | Apr 01 2025

entertainment

Star Sightings: Doechii Performs in a Denim Outfit in Florida, Edgar Ramirez Gets Pampered Before the Oscars

by ET Online | Mar 31 2025

exercise

Office Chair Butt: Cleveland Clinic Experts on How To Prevent It

by thehealthy.com | Mar 31 2025

fashion

Lauren Sanchez’s $5.7K Balenciaga coffee-cup clutch blasted by budget fashionistas: ‘Too much money and zero taste’

by NY Post | Apr 01 2025

FFNEWS

Deutsche Bank eyes industrial rebound, endorses these transportation stocks

by FreightWaves | Mar 07 2025

football

Giants benching of QB Daniel Jones spotlights NFL-wide issue

by ESNY | Nov 18 2024

knowledge

Here’s Why Only Some Pickles Have Ridges

by Reader's Digest | Mar 20 2025

lifestyle

Jenna Bush Hager talks 'challenges' on Today without Hoda Kotb — exclusive

by Hello! Magazine | Apr 01 2025

nutrition

I Ate Pineapple Every Day—Here’s What Happened

by thehealthy.com | Mar 31 2025

politics

Live updates: House Republicans thwart leadership's effort to block proxy voting plan

by The Hill | Apr 01 2025

religion

What do we know about the brothers and sisters of Jesus?

by Christian Post | Oct 20 2024

shopping

This Tiny Travel Gadget Has a Standout Feature for the Apple Watch

by Gear Patrol | Apr 01 2025

upstate

Schumer slams Trump tariffs on eve of 'Liberation Day'

by NEWS10 ABC | Apr 01 2025

Word of the Day

cynosure

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 1, 2025 is:

cynosure • \SYE-nuh-shur\ • noun

A cynosure is a person or thing that attracts a lot of attention or interest. As a proper noun, Cynosure may refer to the North Star or its constellation Ursa Minor.

// He was the cynosure of all eyes as he walked into the room.

See the entry >

Examples:

"Look at any picture of Kashmir and you'll understand why it is called heaven on earth. And Srinagar, framed by the majestic Zabarwan Mountains, is the cynosure of all travel itineraries, offering a mix of breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and spirituality." — Mallika Bhagat, Times Now (Mumbai, India), 17 Dec. 2024

Did you know?

Ancient mariners noted that all the stars in the heavens seemed to revolve around a particular star, and they relied on that star to guide their navigation. The constellation that this bright star appears in is known to English speakers today as Ursa Minor, or the Little Dipper, but the Ancient Greeks called it Kynósoura, a term that comes from a phrase meaning "dog's tail." Kynósoura passed into Latin and Middle French, becoming cynosure. When English speakers adopted the term in the 16th century, they used it as a name for both the constellation and the star (which is also known as the North Star or Polaris) and also to identify a guide of any kind. By the 17th century, cynosure was also being used figuratively for anything or anyone that, like the North Star, is the focus of attention or observation.

Virginia Zoo responds to gorilla escape rumors: 'we don't have those'

Brother picks up a $1 million lottery ticket for California woman

Pi Day: British boy lists 280 digits of pi from memory in one minute

Watch: Florida man finds alligator in his kitchen

CCTV shows shoplifters using pythons to distract cashier before stealing from petrol station

Sloth gives birth to healthy pup at San Diego Zoo

Night at bar earns Michigan man record-breaking lottery jackpot

Watch: First brown bear to undergo brain surgery wakes from hibernation

Look: Escaped pet monkey captured after home burglary spree

Look: TSA finds live turtle in traveler's pants at New Jersey airport

Watch: Police officer steps in when alligator blocks pizza delivery in Florida

Watch: Antique ambulance's 3,200-mile trip breaks world record

Maryland man wins his second big lottery prize in 3 years

Watch: Dog rescued from Ohio River in Pittsburgh

Watch: Doctors note increase in cases of glue mistaken for eye drops

Watch: African serval captured after 2 days on the loose in Oklahoma

TSA Catches Man Smuggling Live Turtle In His Pants At NJ Airport

Watch: Gamer beats 'Super Mario Bros.' in 4 minutes, 54.565 seconds

Maryland woman changes routine, wins $248,208 lottery jackpot

Air India asks passengers to stop flushing clothes down plane toilets

SPIED: Why Is BMW Testing A Non-Hybrid M5 On The Nürburgring?

Ray Nayler knows that “total, knowledgeable engagement” is the only way forward

Reject unsustainable spending: Defend CT’s fiscal guardrails

Star Sightings: Doechii Performs in a Denim Outfit in Florida, Edgar Ramirez Gets Pampered Before the Oscars

Office Chair Butt: Cleveland Clinic Experts on How To Prevent It

Lauren Sanchez’s $5.7K Balenciaga coffee-cup clutch blasted by budget fashionistas: ‘Too much money and zero taste’

Deutsche Bank eyes industrial rebound, endorses these transportation stocks

Giants benching of QB Daniel Jones spotlights NFL-wide issue

Here’s Why Only Some Pickles Have Ridges

Jenna Bush Hager talks 'challenges' on Today without Hoda Kotb — exclusive

I Ate Pineapple Every Day—Here’s What Happened

Live updates: House Republicans thwart leadership's effort to block proxy voting plan

What do we know about the brothers and sisters of Jesus?

This Tiny Travel Gadget Has a Standout Feature for the Apple Watch

Schumer slams Trump tariffs on eve of 'Liberation Day'

Word of the Day

10 Odd & Fun

1.April Fools' 2025: 'Silent' Crunch bar, ranch-flavored Olipop

2.Small dog plucked out of 'ruff waters' of New York's East River

3.Gas station trip earns Florida woman $5M lottery jackpot

4.Watch: Chopstick 'ninja' skills earn Idaho man a Guinness World Record

5.North Carolina family reunited with missing dog after 3 years

6.Watch: Freshwater crocodile found far from home in Australia

7.Watch: California woman uses world's longest tongue to play Jenga

8.Watch: Snake handler rescues pet bird from hungry python

9.S.C. man makes lottery run for his wife, wins $200,000

10.Watch: Egyptian diver breaks world record for underwater pull-ups in Red Sea