The weekly weird

Published July 18, 2015

A plot on Sun, anyone?

IT seems that property business is really going out of this world as Spanish woman Maria Angeles Duran who, back in 2010, declared that she owned the Sun and intended to bill all solar users for its use (yes, that really did happen). Incredibly the Spanish courts recognised her claim now, but as of yet no solar panel owners have received any invoices from her.

So just when Maria started to sell plots of the Sun on eBay, the company blocked her account after realising she was selling plots of our local star for one Euro per metre square.

However, a magistrate’s court in Madrid declared that Maria has the right to take them to court. Ms Duran claims she is using a loophole in the ‘Outer Space Treaty’ that states no countries may claim sovereignty over celestial bodies, however, it doesn’t specify individuals cannot stake a claim to planets and stars.

Maria claims she has received 600 orders worth 1,200 Euros (£883) before the page was closed by eBay who deemed it a scam. She is now claiming 10,000 Euros (£7357) compensation from the company.


enter image description here
enter image description here
A cute Pokemon-like octopus

SCIENTISTS have found a tiny, pink octopus which looks like a cross between a Pokemon and a puppy. In fact, he’s melted so many hearts at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, California that they now want to call him ‘Adorabilis’ — which actually sounds like a Pokemon, too.

Postdoctoral researcher Stephanie Bush says, “As someone that’s describing the species you get to pick what the specific name is. One of the thoughts I had was making it Opisthoteuthis Adorabilis — because they’re really cute.”

Opinion

Editorial

Business concerns
Updated 26 Apr, 2024

Business concerns

There is no doubt that these issues are impeding a positive business clime, which is required to boost private investment and economic growth.
Musical chairs
26 Apr, 2024

Musical chairs

THE petitioners are quite helpless. Yet again, they are being expected to wait while the bench supposed to hear...
Global arms race
26 Apr, 2024

Global arms race

THE figure is staggering. According to the annual report of Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace...
Digital growth
Updated 25 Apr, 2024

Digital growth

Democratising digital development will catalyse a rapid, if not immediate, improvement in human development indicators for the underserved segments of the Pakistani citizenry.
Nikah rights
25 Apr, 2024

Nikah rights

THE Supreme Court recently delivered a judgement championing the rights of women within a marriage. The ruling...
Campus crackdowns
25 Apr, 2024

Campus crackdowns

WHILE most Western governments have either been gladly facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, or meekly...