A Catholic priest says he performs up to 20 exorcisms every week because demand for the service has “grown exponentially” over the past ten years. He points the finger at technology, explaining that some victims have been attacked by demons through unsettling messages. The texts are “typical demonic rants,” he explained. He advises people to do more to protect themselves from demonic attack - by buying crucifixes and religious statues and having holy water handy.
Hot dog chomper breaks own record
The world champion hot dog eater has broken his own world record, devouring 76 hot dogs and buns in ten minutes during a niche annual contest. It was the 14th time that Joey Chestnut won the title in the last 15 years. Miko Sudo, the defending seven-time women’s champion, sat out this year’s contest as she’s expecting her first child later this month.
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Cows doing a favour for butterflies
Cattle are helping rare butterflies to thrive in a Scottish forest. A herd of belted galloways have been allowed in to keep the grass from getting too long and to create the sort of wet habitat and muddy hollows that the butterflies adore. Numbers have gone from the 145 recorded in 2017 up to more than 400. An expert said butterflies and moths are “really, really fussy”.
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Scorching hot sauces that pack a punchThe Week Recommends The best sauces to tingle your lips and add a fiery kick to your food
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Syria’s strange post-Assad electionThe Explainer Sunday’s limited vote ‘suited the phase Syria is undergoing’, says interim president
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Why did the China spying case collapse?Today’s Big Question Unwillingness to call China an ‘enemy’ apparently scuppered espionage trial
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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
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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
