WEIRD STUFF

Goldfish sets driving record

A goldfish's 'driving' skills have earned it a spot in the Guinness World Records.

Computer engineer Thomas de Wolf designed a custom-built vehicle that responded to his pet Blub's movements inside a water tank, directing the car's wheels. Blub managed to travel 40ft 3.46in in 60 seconds, securing the record for the greatest distance covered in a motion-sensing vehicle by a goldfish in one minute.

Thomas brought Blub and his invention to the Italian TV show Lo Show dei Record, where the feat was witnessed by host Gerry Scotti and a GWR adjudicator. He said:

"Normally, my job is quite monotonous, so I wanted to create something that would entertain people, turning my 'serious' job into something fun. The objective is to show people what is possible to achieve with this kind of technology."

Looking ahead, Thomas hopes his invention can have a meaningful impact. He added:

"I would love to maybe one day be able to help people with mobility issues."

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PTSD survivor vindicated after intruder found

A woman in Kent, England was prescribed anti-psychotic medication after her concerns about someone living in her loft were dismissed -- but she was later proven right.

Chloe, now 31, reflected on her time in a top-floor apartment in her 20s. She noticed the loft hatch open one day and became convinced someone was inside, watching her. In a TikTok video, she said:

"I rang my friend who lived below me in the flats and told her there's someone in my flat. No one would believe me. I'm laying in bed that evening, I'm hearing footsteps and someone up there."

Despite repeatedly voicing her concerns, friends and doctors dismissed her claims as "all the voices in your head". She eventually agreed to see a doctor and was prescribed medication after friends assumed she was experiencing a psychotic episode.

Two months later, Chloe was shocked. She recalled:

"This person [was] opening the latch blatantly in front of my eyes one night and staring at me."

Police were called and confirmed someone was living in her loft. Chloe explained:

"There was someone there. He was living there and he had loads of bags and backpacks, and he came down."

The intruder was a friend of a neighbour, believed to be homeless. Chloe said:

"He put him there and was giving him food, and that's why he was talking down to everyone saying, 'I can't hear anything', and he knew there was someone there."

Despite being disbelieved at the time, Chloe doesn't blame anyone, noting she was struggling with PTSD and mental health issues.

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Most Brits prefer sofa over social life

A new survey finds that more than a fifth of Brits secretly rejoice when social plans are cancelled.

Lamb Weston's poll of 2,000 UK adults revealed that 62 per cent prefer a night on the sofa over going out, though over-65s buck the trend, with only 57 per cent choosing to stay home. Women were more likely than men to enjoy a quiet night in, with Cardiff residents topping the list at 74 per cent.

Downtime is also defined by "small wins" -- over a third cited an easy meal at home as a little life victory, and 31 per cent appreciated an early night.

Interestingly, 21 per cent admitted counting social plans falling through as a small win.

Alecia Brown, marketing manager at Lamb Weston, said:

"Evenings look different for many people today, with busy schedules meaning people increasingly value time to switch off and enjoy simple moments at home. Our research shows that small things like an easy dinner or a quiet evening can feel like real wins after a busy day. Meals that are quick to prepare but packed with flavour like Lamb Weston chips can transform mid-week meals into a moment of indulgence that genuinely feels like a small win."