Oddities and Humor

(NEWSER) – First the great maple syrup heist, now this: Police in Canada have sniffed out a large-scale cheese-smuggling ring involving a serving police officer, an officer who resigned this summer, and an American accomplice. Cheese is a lot cheaper in the US than it is in Canada, and officials believe the trio bought at least $200,000 worth of the American stuff and sold it to Canadian pizzerias and other restaurants for a profit of $165,000, the Toronto Sun reports.

The men have been charged with conspiracy, smuggling, and other violations of customs law. Smugglers bringing cases of cheese across the border can make up to $2,000 a trip if they can find a buyer, reports the CBC. "We get all our stuff legit," says one pizzeria owner who was questioned by police. "We thought it was a joke at first. Who is going to go around trying to sell smuggled cheese?"

An Italian man has eluded Vatican security and scaled the 130-meter-high (142-feet-high) dome of St. Peter's Basilica to protest Italian government and European Union policies

....which yielded approximately 5,000 single-serve samples for fair attendees.

Stir It Up!
World's largest Fritos Chili Pie
Frito-Lay celebrates the 80th birthday of its humble corn chip with a record-breaking chili pie.
http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Food/Stir-It-Up/2012/1001/World-s-largest-Fritos-Chili-Pie