Our pick of the strange stories from around the world.
Fishy signs at the Rio Olympics
US Olympic basketball competitor Elena Delle Donne has revealed some unusual signage outside some of the bathrooms at the Rio Games, with one urging visitors to refrain from fishing in the toilets. The sign also asks them not to vomit in the toilet, squat on top of the bowl or urinate like a dog in the sink. "Guess I won't be toilet fishing today," Delle Donne posted on her Instagram.
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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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Should you add your child to your credit card?The Explainer You can make them an authorized user on your account in order to help them build credit
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Cracker Barrel crackup: How the culture wars are upending corporate brandingIn the Spotlight Is it 'woke' to leave nostalgia behind?
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'It's hard to discern what it actually means'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
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The Strait of Messina: a bridge too far?Talking Point Giorgia Meloni's government wants to build the world's longest suspension bridge, fulfilling the ancient Roman vision of connecting Sicily to the Italian mainland
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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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Superyachts are getting caught up in spy scandalsThe Explainer China and Russia have both been accused of spying maneuvers on the open sea
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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
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Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across SyriaTHE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
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'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weaponsThe Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
