Our pick of the strange stories from around the world.
Fishy signs at the Rio Olympics
The Week
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'Painted turtles' turning up in Florida
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has reminded residents that it is illegal to paint the shells of turtles and tortoises after a number of animals turned up in recent weeks sporting newly painted shells. Officials say painting the turtles is not a "harmless prank" as it makes them easier to spot as prey and may have long-lasting health effects.
Italian police cook pasta for lonely OAPs
Four police officers cooked pasta and parmesan for an elderly couple in Rome after neighbours reported crying coming from their home. Jole, 84, and Michele, 94, said nobody had visited them for months and were feeling sad by the state of the world. In a poetic post on Facebook, police said: "It is not always an easy life. Especially when the city is empty and the neighbours are away on vacation. Sometimes the loneliness melts into tears. Sometimes it's like a summer storm. It comes suddenly and overtakes one."
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The world’s most romantic hotelsThe Week Recommends Treetop hideaways, secluded villas and a woodland cabin – perfect settings for Valentine’s Day
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Democrats push for ICE accountabilityFeature U.S. citizens shot and violently detained by immigration agents testify at Capitol Hill hearing
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The price of sporting gloryFeature The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics kicked off this week. Will Italy regret playing host?
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Epstein files topple law CEO, roil UK governmentSpeed Read Peter Mandelson, Britain’s former ambassador to the US, is caught up in the scandal
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Iran and US prepare to meet after skirmishesSpeed Read The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East
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Israel retrieves final hostage’s body from GazaSpeed Read The 24-year-old police officer was killed during the initial Hamas attack
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China’s Xi targets top general in growing purgeSpeed Read Zhang Youxia is being investigated over ‘grave violations’ of the law
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Panama and Canada are negotiating over a crucial copper mineIn the Spotlight Panama is set to make a final decision on the mine this summer
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Why Greenland’s natural resources are nearly impossible to mineThe Explainer The country’s natural landscape makes the task extremely difficult
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Iran cuts internet as protests escalateSpeed Reada Government buildings across the country have been set on fire
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US nabs ‘shadow’ tanker claimed by RussiaSpeed Read The ship was one of two vessels seized by the US military
