Rubber duck found 644 km away after 18 years

In a bizarre incident, a rubber duck that escaped a failed world record attempt nearly 18 years ago in Ireland, was found by Filip Miller, 13, nearly 650 kilometres away on the island of Stronsay, in the Orkney archipelago in Scotland.

The duck was part of 150,000 yellow toys launched into the River Liffey in Dublin for the charity World Duck Race in June 2006. The race was meant to take the ducks one kilometre down the river and under five bridges. But several broke into the sea despite the organisers’ best attempts.

Photos posted by the teen show that despite the years at sea, the duck was still in relatively good condition, still having a bright orange beak, dark eyes and the race’s information printed on its front.

Each duck was sponsored, with the first duck to pass under five bridges being declared the winner and the winning sponsor was awarded a trip to the US.

Doctors remove live eel from man’s abdomen

On March 20, a 34-year-old man was admitted to the Hai Ha District Medical Centre in Quang Ninh A 34-year-old man in Vietnam was rushed to the Hai Ha District Medical Centre on March 20 with severe abdominal pain. Doctors discovered a foreign object in his abdomen, later identified as a 12-inch-long live eel. Surgery was performed to remove the eel and repair intestinal damage. The surgery was successful and the man remains in the hospital, currently recovering. Although he still feels a bit uncomfortable, he is expected to get better with time.

Farmers spray rams with deodorant to prevent fights

British sheep farmers have discovered an unexpected tool for keeping their rams calm: Axe body spray (known as Lynx in the UK), according to The Wall Street Journal.

Sam Bryce, a farmer on the Norfolk-Suffolk border, credits a Facebook group for the tip. According to the group, the strong scent of the Africa (Lynx Africa) variety masks the hormones that trigger aggression in rams.

Since using the deodorant, Bryce reports a peaceful coexistence among her rams. Bryce says several farmers across the country, and possibly even worldwide, are adopting this method. The benefits extend beyond preventing ram fights. Ewes identify their young by smell, and the deodorant’s strong scent apparently tricks them into thinking the lamb belongs to them.

To’ak – the world’s most valuable chocolate

Ecuadorian chocolate brand To’ak is offering some of the world’s most expensive chocolate bars, priced at up to $490 for a 50-gram bar. Despite the high cost, To’ak claims its chocolate offers a unique and valuable experience. The brand sources its cacao from ancient Nacional cacao groves and pays top rates to select cacao growers.

To’ak also pioneers’ chocolate aging techniques and experiments with various flavour enhancements like Cambodian Kampot pepper and Ecuadorian Palo Santo wood. Handmade wood packaging adds to the luxury experience.

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 27th, 2024