Our pick of the strange but true stories from around the world.
Fat penguins fall over more
Researchers in Antarctica have released a study into how weight effects king penguins' ability to walk and evade predators – and discovered that fatter animals fall over more than their thinner counterparts. Ten king penguins weighing more than 22lbs were caught by scientists and put on treadmills, with their weight monitored closely to study the effects of bulking up for mating season.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_original","fid":"91416","attributes":{"class":"media-image"}}]]
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Girl scout sells cookies outside pot shop
An enterprising girl scout in the United States has found a novel way of boosting business for her cookie sales - by setting up shop outside a legal marijuana dispensary to help customers "deal with the munchies". The store owners cut a deal with the girl and were reportedly selling a "Girl Scout Cookie" strain of the drug to go with the biscuits. The Girl Scouts of the USA association is reportedly unhappy about the arrangement. However, the girl's aunt told reporters that "they don't condone this, but it's not against the rules".
Man changes name to 'Bacon Double Cheeseburger'
Bacon Double Cheeseburger has revealed he changed his name after a night at the pub with his friends. Originally named Sam Smith, he chose his new moniker because "it was the first thing that came up" during a conversation about names. "My mum was furious but my dad thinks it's hilarious," 33-year-old Cheeseburger told reporters. "He's more than happy to use my new name. I've no regrets at all."
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Home Office worker accused of spiking mistress’s drink with abortion drugSpeed Read Darren Burke had failed to convince his girlfriend to terminate pregnancy
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In hock to Moscow: exploring Germany’s woeful energy policySpeed Read Don’t expect Berlin to wean itself off Russian gas any time soon
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Were Covid restrictions dropped too soon?Speed Read ‘Living with Covid’ is already proving problematic – just look at the travel chaos this week
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Inclusive Britain: a new strategy for tackling racism in the UKSpeed Read Government has revealed action plan setting out 74 steps that ministers will take
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Sandy Hook families vs. Remington: a small victory over the gunmakersSpeed Read Last week the families settled a lawsuit for $73m against the manufacturer
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Farmers vs. walkers: the battle over ‘Britain’s green and pleasant land’Speed Read Updated Countryside Code tells farmers: ‘be nice, say hello, share the space’
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Motherhood: why are we putting it off?Speed Read Stats show around 50% of women in England and Wales now don’t have children by 30
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Anti-Semitism in America: a case of double standards?Speed Read Officials were strikingly reluctant to link Texas synagogue attack to anti-Semitism
