A man who opened two brothels in China ‘staffed’ by sex dolls says he has been forced to close them. Customers paid 188 yuan (about £20) for an intimate hour with the saucy silicone models, until police in Shenzen entered the building to shut the operation down. Customers have not taken the news well. One phoned the owner and asked: “Is playing with dolls illegal now?”
Brits want Arnie to protect us from aliens
The British public would choose Arnold Schwarzenegger to lead Earth in the event of an alien invasion, according to a landmark poll. Will Smith came a close second thanks to his role in Independence Day, with Bruce Willis also in the running. A pollster said: “It’s worrying to see that so many celebrities with fictional alien experience are considered better candidates than our current crop of world leaders.”
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Goats roam around Welsh town
Goats who missed out on their annual contraceptive programme are causing havoc in the Welsh town of Llandudno. The animals are now getting locals’ goats by causing chaos, with kids roaming the streets and arriving in neighbourhood gardens for lunch.
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Will latest Russian sanctions finally break Putin’s resolve?Today's Big Question New restrictions have been described as a ‘punch to the gut of Moscow’s war economy’
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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
