The Ebone Zone

In this episode we tell the unusual story of an 86-year-old man in Skegness, England, who was fined by local enforcement officers after he spat out a leaf that had blown into his mouth while he was sitting outside. What seemed like a natural reaction to a gust of wind became a £250 littering penalty — later reduced to £150 on appeal — leaving the man to pay a fine for what he insists was a reflexive act. We lay out exactly what hap...

On December 6, GameStop threw out the usual rules and invited people to bring in whatever they wanted for $5 in store credit — no games required. The result was a chaotic mix of the expected and the absurd: over 80,000 items traded nationwide, including things like a Wii Netflix disc, a taxidermized bobcat, a stuffed goose, speed-limit signs, and more bizarre curios that ended up on counters and social feeds. While the stunt got pe...

In this episode, we dive into a controversial appeal from Aalborg Zoo in Denmark, where keepers publicly invited local pet owners to donate small animals — including chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs — to be humanely euthanized and fed to the zoo’s carnivores such as the European lynx. The zoo says the practice helps mimic natural diets and supports animal welfare, while critics view the policy as shocking and troubling. We unpack ...

This episode unpacks the surprising decision by infomercial personality Offer Vince Shlomi — best known nationwide as the “ShamWow guy” — to run for Congress in Texas’ 31st District. We explore how his past fame, controversial moments, and bold campaign message have reshaped his public identity and what this kind of candidacy means in today’s political climate.

This Week’s Featured Hashtag

#IDoTheRightThingExceptWhen

Other Interesting...

A San Francisco woman on her way to the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center unexpectedly gave birth inside a Waymo autonomous taxi after it detected “unusual activity” and contacted emergency services. The robotaxi continued to the hospital, arriving before first responders, and both mother and baby were safely brought inside. In this episode, we explore this rare real-world moment at the intersection of life and...

A drone flying over the Lee Correctional Institution in South Carolina was intercepted by prison staff after dropping a package of contraband that included raw steak, crab legs, Old Bay seasoning, marijuana and cigarettes. Officials seized the drone and are investigating the incident, which highlights how unmanned aerial vehicles are being used in attempts to smuggle contraband into prisons and the challenges authorities face in pr...

In this episode, we bring you one of the most unexpected and awe-inspiring moments in recent skating history. On July 25, 2025, at a rink in Sun Valley, Idaho, Hungarian national-champion figure skater Eszter Szombathelyi pulled off a feat nobody thought possible: she jumped rope on ice skates — not just a few times, but 136 times in 60 seconds, smashing the previous record of 45.

This Week’s Featured Hashtag

#AlternativeJobDescripti...

In this episode, we dig into the recent scandal at Campbell’s — how a high-ranking executive was secretly recorded mocking the company’s own products as “food for poor people,” disparaging customers and employees, and claiming the chicken was “bioengineered.” We unpack the lawsuit filed by former employee Robert Garza, who says he was fired after reporting the comments, and examine the broader issues of corporate culture, accountab...

In this episode, we explore the unlikely legal battle of Andre McKechnie, a life-sentenced prisoner at Port Phillip maximum-security prison in Victoria, Australia, who is suing the state over a ban on Vegemite behind bars. McKechnie argues that withholding this iconic, salty spread violates his cultural rights under Victoria’s Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. Corrections Victoria defends the ban, citing concerns that t...

In this episode, we dive into the viral controversy around TikToker and DoorDash driver Olivia Henderson. After arriving at a customer’s house for a routine delivery, she says she found him passed out—naked—on his couch. She filmed the moment, posted it to TikTok, and claimed she was sexually harassed. But police say her story doesn’t hold up, and she’s now facing felony charges for unlawful surveillance and distributing a private ...

In this episode, we unpack how an Australian Catholic University used AI-powered software to flag nearly 6,000 students for alleged cheating in 2024 — about 90% of the referrals related to AI use. 
 We hear the story of a student named Madeleine, a final-year nursing student who was wrongly accused, had her transcript marked “results withheld,” and waited six months for clearance — meanwhile missing out on graduate job offers. ...

In this episode we dig into a jaw-dropping mix-up in Queensland, Australia — where for years students in Year 12 across the state had been studying the Roman emperor Augustus Caesar… only to discover, just days before their final ancient-history exam, that the real topic for 2025 was his great-uncle Julius Caesar. The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) says the change was communicated more than a year ahead, but ...

In this episode we dig into a startling incident at Kenwood High School in Baltimore County, Maryland — where an AI-powered gun-detection system flagged a student’s empty bag of Doritos as a firearm, triggered a full police response, and left a teenager handcuffed and shaken. Whether you’re interested in the intersection of technology and education, school safety, civil-rights or AI ethics, this episode unpacks a real-world moment ...

A rogue balloon drifting across Lithuanian airspace isn’t just unusual — it’s disruptive. In this episode, we unravel the bizarre story of a balloon smuggling cigarettes into Lithuania, how it triggered massive flight delays, and why 6,000 passengers were left stranded. What began as an offbeat smuggling tactic turned into a case study in national security, air traffic control, and the unexpected fragility of modern travel.

This We...

 What do you do when your Halloween candy is... not scary? That’s exactly what some disgruntled Reese’s customers are asking after filing a lawsuit claiming the brand’s seasonal treats didn’t deliver enough spooky spirit. In this episode, we dig into the case: What are the legal claims? Can “not spooky enough” be a valid consumer complaint? We also explore broader issues of marketing expectations, consumer rights, and the wild worl...

Denmark is making history. Starting in 2030, livestock farmers will be taxed for the greenhouse gases produced by cows, pigs, and sheep—yes, that includes burps and flatulence. The country plans to charge 300 kroner ($43.58 USD) per ton of CO₂-equivalent emissions in 2030, rising to 750 kroner ($117.90 USD) by 2035. There’s a 60% income tax deduction to ease the burden early on. 

The move is part of Denmark’s goal to cut greenhouse ...

Since about 2022, the UK has seen a noticeable shift in how people drink: health, moderation, and mindful consumption have become central to social life and hospitality. Low‐ and no‐alcohol drinks are being embraced more than ever; many consumers are “zebra striping”—alternating alcoholic and alcohol‐free drinks—and some are cutting alcohol out entirely. 

In this episode, we explore one bold restaurant in England that is leaning int...

 What happens when you post an ad for 15 redhead models—and 150 people answer the call? What began in 2005 as a modest artistic experiment by Dutch painter Bart Rouwenhorst turned into something much bigger: a global celebration of identity, pride, and connection. In this episode, we trace the festival’s unlikely origin, its evolution into an annual gathering in Tilburg, and the day it made history—with 1,672 natural redheads posin...

In Prince George, British Columbia, what started as a lazy Slurpee run turned into something you’d expect in a comedy sketch. Kasper Lincoln borrowed a child‑sized pink Barbie Jeep from his roommate and decided to drive it down 15th Avenue instead of walking. In this episode, we walk through how a toy car—capable of speeds up to about 4 mph, with power steering and brakes—became evidence of prohibited driving. We unpack the legal f...