Our pick of the strange stories from around the world.
Fishy signs at the Rio Olympics
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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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Exploring ancient forests on three continentsThe Week Recommends Reconnecting with historic nature across the world
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How oil tankers have been weaponisedThe Explainer The seizure of a Russian tanker in the Atlantic last week has drawn attention to the country’s clandestine shipping network
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The rise of the spymaster: a ‘tectonic shift’ in Ukraine’s politicsIn the Spotlight President Zelenskyy’s new chief of staff, former head of military intelligence Kyrylo Budanov, is widely viewed as a potential successor
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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
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How Bulgaria’s government fell amid mass protestsThe Explainer The country’s prime minister resigned as part of the fallout
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Femicide: Italy’s newest crimeThe Explainer Landmark law to criminalise murder of a woman as an ‘act of hatred’ or ‘subjugation’ but critics say Italy is still deeply patriarchal
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Brazil’s Bolsonaro behind bars after appeals run outSpeed Read He will serve 27 years in prison
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Americans traveling abroad face renewed criticism in the Trump eraThe Explainer Some of Trump’s behavior has Americans being questioned
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Nigeria confused by Trump invasion threatSpeed Read Trump has claimed the country is persecuting Christians
