Britain’s favourite conspiracy theory is revealed
And other stories from the stranger side of life

Britain’s most widely believed conspiracy theory has been revealed - and it concerns the coronavirus. In a new poll, two-fifths of those surveyed said the coronavirus pandemic was the result of a lab experiment gone wrong. Other popular theories include the idea that aliens have been seen in the top secret air base at Area 51 and that Covid-19 is a ruse for Bill Gates to implant microchips into people.
Cocoa snow falls on a Swiss town
Residents of a Swiss town were confused when it started snowing cocoa powder after the ventilation system at a chocolate factory failed. Lindt & Sprungli said there was a minor defect in the cooling ventilation for a line for roasted “cocoa nibs” in its factory in Olten, between Zurich and Basel.
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.
See-through public toilets in Tokyo
Transparent public toilets have been installed in a park in Tokyo. The idea behind the novel conveniences is that prospective users can check the cleanliness of the facilities and make sure no one is lurking inside. They are made from coloured “smart glass” that turns opaque when the cubicles are occupied.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Can Trump ban overseas students from US universities?
Today's Big Question President's decision to revoke Harvard's access to database for admitting international students 'drastically escalates' the dispute
-
Quiz of The Week: 17 – 23 May
Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
-
North Korea's army of fake IT workers
The Explainer Using AI and stolen information to craft false identities, they are becoming an 'increasing menace' to top tech companies in the US and UK
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
-
Who is the Hat Man? 'Shadow people' and sleep paralysis
In Depth 'Sleep demons' have plagued our dreams throughout the centuries, but the explanation could be medical