Our pick of the strange but true stories from around the world.
Crime-scene bird is a definite flight risk
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'Whale vomit beer' brewed in Australia
Brewers in South Australian have released a beer made using ambergris – otherwise known as whale vomit. Maris and Kristi Biezaitis, from Robe Town Brewery, made the brew as an experiment for a beer festival in Melbourne. They describe it as having a "challenging" flavour, which "tastes a little bit like the sea" and is definitely not vegan-friendly.
Man deposits meth at bank
Police in Texas have arrested a 73-year-old man who allegedly deposited nearly a gram of methamphetamine at his local bank. Staff say Louis Kent had used a drive-through bank window and that when the teller opened his deposit tube, they found cash, cheques and a small plastic bag containing 0.91 grams of meth.
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Trump wants to exert control over federal architectureThe Explainer Beyond his ballroom, Trump has several other architectural plans in mind
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6 well-crafted log homesFeature Featuring a floor-to-ceiling rock fireplace in Montana and a Tulikivi stove in New York
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‘The nonviolence resulted from the organizers’ message’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
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Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
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Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
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Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
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China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
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How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
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One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
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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
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Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
