Our pick of the strange but true stories from around the world.
Goodwill game turns bad
Members of New York's police and fire services fought it out during a charity football match at Coney Island at the weekend. Several firefighters were hurt during the fight, with one leaving the field with blood "streaming down his face", according to witnesses. It's not the first time the two emergency services have clashed – last year, they were involved in an all-out brawl at a charity ice hockey match.
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Drunk Amish teens arrested in speeding van
Indiana state troopers have arrested five Amish teens after the mini-van they were travelling in was clocked at 110mph. Police say the 17-year-old driver and his four passengers, all aged 16 or 17, appeared to be drunk. The teens were held in custody for a prolonged period as their parents could not be reached by telephone due to their religious beliefs.
Burglar leaves signed note for victim
A man is in custody after allegedly leaving a signed note in a friend's apartment explaining why he had robbed him. Police say Mark Kenady of Austin, Texas, broke into the property and stole a television, cash and other small items. The victim says Kenady left the note explaining that the burglary was a "tax" for failing to lend him $2 (£1.37) the previous day.
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5 hilariously cold cartoons about the Alaska summitCartoons Artists take on the Alaskan totem pole, a peace flag, and more
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Journalists killed in Gaza: a chilling assaultIn the Spotlight Anas al-Sharif and three of his Al Jazeera colleagues were targeted by the IDF
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Crossword: August 16, 2025The Week's daily crossword puzzle
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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
