Sticky Trouble
Turkish authorities accused two men of making counterfeit popsicle sticks, which could be used to claim free ice cream bars from vendors. The manufacturer making the legitimate offer complained to police that it received more free-popsicle sticks than it originally produced. Investigators who raided an office in Istanbul seized thousands of fake popsicle sticks marked “free” and arrested suspects Ahmet A., 35, and Cem S., 27. (Turkey’s Dogan News Agency)
Anchors Away
Canada’s National Defence decided to decommission a 45-year-old navy supply ship without a replacement because mechanics in Halifax were spending a “disproportionate amount of time” keeping the vessel operating, according to official documents, by trying to locate spare parts, “some of which have been procured via eBay.” The original manufacturers long ago stopped making the parts; some were reportedly “beyond acceptable limits” because corrosion was compromising structural integrity. The vessel, HCMS Preserver, had been scheduled for decommissioning but was kept afloat after the government canceled funding for its replacement in 2008. Building a new one will take at least eight years. (The Canadian Press)
Gone Bananas for Hannah Montana
After Carl McCoid, 42, got divorced in 2010, he covered his body with 29 Miley Cyrus tattoos. But after the performer told an American interviewer, “There’s a dude that holds a record of the most pictures of my face, he has like 18 pictures of my face and they’re really ugly,” the disappointed father of four in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, decided to have the tattoos removed by laser. “Right now, I have 29 tattoos done and have spent 2,800 pounds (U.S. $4,300),” McCoid said. “I never thought I would regret it.” (Britain’s Daily Mail)
Problem Solved
Iran’s religious authorities banned spiky hairstyles, declaring that they encourage homosexuality and Satanism. “Any shop that cuts hair in the devil-worshiping style will be harshly dealt with and their license revoked,” said Mostafa Govahi, the head of Iran’s barbers’ union. “Tattoos, solarium treatments and plucking eyebrows are also forbidden.” (Britain’s The Local)
