Award-winning female author is three men
And other stories from the stranger side of life

An acclaimed female author who won a coveted book prize in Spain has turned out to be three men. TV scriptwriters Agustín Martínez, Jorge Díaz and Antonio Mercero shocked guests, including Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia, when they took to the stage to pick up the award and revealed the celebrated crime author, Carmen Mola, did not actually exist. Mola had previously been portrayed as a female university professor who lived in Madrid with her husband and children.
‘Oldest map’ of stars to go on display
The world’s oldest map of the stars is to go on display at the British Museum. Dating from the Bronze Age, the Nebra Sky Disc is widely believed to be 3,600 years old. However, some scholars believe that the bronze disc, which was unearthed in Germany in 1999, may not be authentic. One said: “If you urinate on a piece of bronze and then hide it in the ground for a few weeks you can produce the same patina as on the disc.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Nude photoshoot in Israeli desert
Hundreds of people wearing only white body paint have walked in the desert near the Dead Sea. American photographer Spencer Tunick curated the gathering in the spot in southern Israel as a guest of the tourism ministry to draw attention to the shrinking Dead Sea via nude subjects. One of the models said: “We’re lucky to have clouds today so it’s not too hot.”
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
5 Post Office-approved cartoons about mail-in voting
Cartoons Artists take on reverse logic, Putin's election advice, and more
-
The battle of the weight-loss drugs
Talking Point Can Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly regain their former stock market glory? A lot is riding on next year's pills
-
Sudoku medium: August 24, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
-
Settling the West Bank: a death knell for a Palestine state?
In the Spotlight The reality on the ground is that the annexation of the West Bank is all but a done deal
-
The IDF's manpower problem
The Explainer Israeli military's shortage of up to 12,000 troops results in call-up for tens of thousands of reservists
-
Trump halts Gaza visas as Israelis protest war
Speed Read Laura Loomer voiced her concerns over injured Palestinian kids being brought to the US for treatment and a potential 'Islamic invasion'
-
Israeli security cabinet OKs Gaza City takeover
Speed Read Netanyahu approved a proposal for Israeli Defense Forces to take over the largest population center in the Gaza Strip
-
An ancient Israeli cave teaches new archaeological lessons
The Explainer The cave is believed to be one of the world's oldest burial sites
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
Israeli NGOs have started referring to Gaza as a 'genocide' — will it matter?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION For the first time since fighting began in 2023, two Israeli rights groups have described their country's actions in the Gaza Strip as 'genocide' while famine threatens the blockaded Palestinian territory
-
28 nations condemn Israel's 'inhumane killing' in Gaza
Speed Read Countries including Australia, France, Japan and the U.K. have released a joint statement condemning Israel's ongoing attacks