Presidential hopeful says hyena testicles will erase debt
And other stories from the stranger side of life

A presidential candidate in Kenya said marijuana and hyena testicles are the answers to the country’s economic woes. George Wajackoyah has emerged as a wildcard candidate, with his vow to erase the country’s debt with his “ganja solution”. Sky News said the “grave-digger-turned-law-professor” has promised to wipe out Kenya near $70bn debt by establishing a medical cannabis industry and exporting animal parts to China, where he says hyena testicles are considered a delicacy.
Utah man takes excavator for a joyride
A man in Utah was arrested after he allegedly stole an excavator from a construction site and drove it a mile to a grocery store in Salt Lake City, where he used it to tear up the parking lot. Police said the suspect caused significant damage after hitting a water pipe and ripping out fibre optic utility lines that were recently installed. Fox News said the suspect was taken into custody without incident and was expected to be booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on charges of felony theft and felony criminal mischief.
Calls for ‘offensive’ Dick Turpin ride to be renamed
Parents are calling for a York tourist attraction to change the name of its new Dick Turpin carriage ride to Richard Turpin because they find the word “Dick” offensive. Turpin was a notorious highway robber in the 18th century and leisure giant Merlin Entertainments said it had received “a number of requests for the character to be renamed to Richard due to the apparent rude nature of his nickname”. However, York Dungeon’s general manager gave the requests short shrift, said The Telegraph. “Despite any potentially rude connotations, we’re here to say that Dick is here to stay,” he said.
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.
For more odd news stories, sign up to the weekly Tall Tales newsletter
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Can Starmer sell himself as the 'tough on immigration' PM?
Today's Big Question Former human rights lawyer 'now needs to own the change – not just mouth the slogans' to win over a sceptical public
-
UK-India trade deal: how the social security arrangements will work
The Explainer A National Insurance exemption in the UK-India trade deal is causing concern but should British workers worry?
-
Man arrested after 'suspicious' fires at properties linked to Keir Starmer
Speed Read Prime minister thanks emergency services after fire at his former family home in north London
-
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
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
-
Who is the Hat Man? 'Shadow people' and sleep paralysis
In Depth 'Sleep demons' have plagued our dreams throughout the centuries, but the explanation could be medical