Trump says he is ‘most persecuted person’ in US history
And other stories from the stranger side of life

Donald Trump has described himself as the most persecuted person in US history. The Independent said that “following a WWE-style entrance onto the stage”, the former president appeared at a student conference to “run through his well-worn list of gripes about the climate crisis, the media, trans people, and Nato”. He then told the audience he was “the most persecuted person in the history [of] our country”.
Diner leaves $3,000 tip on $13 meal
A waitress in a US restaurant was surprised after a diner left a $3,000 (£2,505) tip on a $13.25 (£11) bill. Eric Smith, an out-of-town customer, enjoyed a homemade stromboli at Alfredo’s Cafe in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and was so impressed with it and his service that he wrote in a $3,000 tip for his server, Mariana Lambert. “I’m happy to see that people are giving back,” the restaurant manager told CNN. “It’s a very hard industry to be involved in, especially during Covid.”
Public square from ancient world discovered
Sicilian archaeologists have uncovered what they believe to be the largest public square from the ancient world. The agora in the Greek colony of Selinunte was discovered after vegetation was cleared, The Times reported. Experts believe it was used for public meetings and religious ceremonies by people who had moved to southwest Sicily from Greece. The remains of stone structures and animal bones suggest ritual animal sacrifices in the settlement that was founded in the 7th century BC.
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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
England’s ‘dysfunctional’ children’s care system
In the Spotlight A new report reveals that protection of youngsters in care in England is failing in a profit-chasing sector
-
Cider farms to visit this autumn
The Week Recommends With harvest season fast approaching, spend an afternoon at one of these idyllic orchards
-
Endangered shark meat is being mislabeled and sold in the US
Under the radar It could cause both health and ecological problems
-
Air strikes in the Caribbean: Trump’s murky narco-war
Talking Point Drug cartels ‘don’t follow Marquess of Queensberry Rules’, but US military air strikes on speedboats rely on strained interpretation of ‘invasion’
-
Calls for both calm and consequences follow Kirk killing
TALKING POINTS The suspected assassination of far-right activist Charlie Kirk has some public figures pleading for restraint, while others agitate for violent reprisals
-
Why does Donald Trump keep showing up at major sporting events?
Today's Big Question Trump has appeared at the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500 and other events
-
‘Democracy is under threat globally’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Former top FBI agents sue, claiming Trump purge
Speed Read The agents alleged they were targeted by a “campaign of retribution”
-
Why does Trump keep interfering in the NYC mayoral race?
Today's Big Question The president has seemingly taken an outsized interest in his hometown elections, but are his efforts to block Zohran Mamdani about political expediency or something deeper?
-
Judge lets Cook stay at Fed while appealing ouster
Speed Read Trump had attempted to fire Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to Trump
Speed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump