Abusive passenger ‘booted off’ flight
And other stories from the stranger side of life

A United Airlines passenger was “booted off” a flight for complaining about the quality of business class food and calling a staff member a “douche” said the Daily Star. The near 10-hour flight from Houston to Amsterdam was diverted and “landed safely following a passenger disturbance”, said the airline. The abusive passenger was then take off the flight. “Guy wants a meal? Boom! Off the plane,” said the man, as he was led away.
Man reunited with his teddy
A “globetrotting teddy” that was accidentally left behind on a mountain in Scotland will be reunited with his relieved owner after being rescued by a hiker. Alastair Tyson thought that Mini Tyson would be lost forever after leaving the bear behind on the summit of Buachaille Etive Beag near Glencoe. “He’s been on my honeymoon, so he’s been to Italy,” Tyson told Sky News. The 33-year-old won Mini Tyson at a school fete about 10 years ago when he was a teacher.
Has umbrella-balancing record fallen?
A US man has attempted to break a world record by balancing an umbrella on his finger for three hours, 46 minutes and 16 seconds. David Rush, who already has more than 250 Guinness World Records to his name, said the biggest challenges to his latest bid were overcoming fatigue and the boredom of standing and sitting still. His time of three hours, 46 minutes and 16 seconds outdid the current record of three hours, 31 minutes, and 43 seconds. His attempt must still be reviewed by Guinness World Records, noted UPI.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
For more odd news stories, sign up to the weekly Tall Tales newsletter
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Chas Newkey-Burden has been part of The Week Digital team for more than a decade and a journalist for 25 years, starting out on the irreverent football weekly 90 Minutes, before moving to lifestyle magazines Loaded and Attitude. He was a columnist for The Big Issue and landed a world exclusive with David Beckham that became the weekly magazine’s bestselling issue. He now writes regularly for The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Independent, Metro, FourFourTwo and the i new site. He is also the author of a number of non-fiction books.
-
John Kenney's 6 favorite books that will break your heart softly
Feature The novelist recommends works by John le Carré, John Kennedy Toole, and more
-
Book reviews: 'Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America' and 'How to Be Well: Navigating Our Self-Care Epidemic, One Dubious Cure at a Time'
Feature How William F. Buckley Jr brought charm to conservatism and a deep dive into the wellness craze
-
What are Pell Grants and who do they benefit?
The Explainer These are grants, not loans — meaning students do not have to repay the funds, but they must first meet certain conditions
-
Pine Trees Hotel: a tranquil hideaway in Perthshire
The Week Recommends This boutique bolthole is set amid spectacular scenery in the heart of the Scottish Highlands
-
The Torridon: a luxury retreat amid Highland splendour
The Week Recommends Deep in Scotland's mountainous northwest, this boutique hotel is a stirring contrast between five-star elegance and rugged natural grandeur
-
Escape to the Scottish countryside at Dunkeld House Hotel
The Week Recommends Roam, revive and relax at this luxury hotel in a wooded riverside Perthshire estate
-
Fonab Castle: a regal stay in the Scottish Highlands
The Week Recommends Prepare for the royal treatment in Pitlochry
-
Scottish hospitality shines at these 7 hotels
The Week Recommends Sleep well at these lovely inns across Scotland
-
The dark side of salmon farming
In the Spotlight Scottish salmon is the UK's biggest global food export, but concern is growing over record-high death rates, escapes and environmental impact
-
Schloss Roxburghe: a quiet country retreat in the Scottish Borders
The Week Recommends Hyatt has added a collection of self-catering cottages to its destination hotel
-
Outer Hebrides: a top travel destination
The Week Recommends Discover 'unspoiled beauty' of the Western Isles