Our pick of the strange but true stories from around the world.
Man drives for miles with wife on roof
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A Florida man has been charged with several offences after he drove six miles with his wife on the roof of his car. Richard Addy, 69, told police that he and his wife, Elizabeth, had "consumed several drinks" before beginning to argue, but insisted he had no idea she was on the roof when he drove off. When he realised what had happened, he said, he chose not to stop immediately but to drive around town in search of a police officer to help deal with the situation. He was eventually pulled over by officers, six miles from the bar where he had been drinking.
Handgun that looks like a mobile phone comes under fire
A Minnesota company has provoked outrage with its new product – a double-barrelled handgun that folds up to resemble a mobile phone, complete with fake camera. Its inventor, Kirk Kjellberg, says he came up with the idea when he inadvertently scared a seven-year-old with his gun in a restaurant. Police have said that any weapon that can be concealed in such a fashion is "a concern". Kjellberg hopes to have the gun on the market in October, selling for $350 (£242).
'World's sexiest police force' launched in Mexico
In an attempt to bolster tourist confidence in local officers, Acapulco police chief Manuel Flores has launched a women-only unit that he says is "the sexiest in the world". Only women between the ages of 18 and 28 will be accepted into the Tourist Assistance Brigade. Flores denied the proposal demeaned female police officers and women in general. "It's not sexist," he said. "We have fat chicks, too."
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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
