Brits want to fart freely in public
And other stories from the stranger side of life

One in eight British people want to be able to fart in public without facing the disapproval of passers-by, according to the Daily Star. Researchers, who found that 13% of Brits resented having to hold in gas when they were out in public, also discovered that this feeling was particularly strong in Liverpool, where 22% felt it was “natural” to eject gas and it should be accepted. However, a shop boss in the city said: “I’ve never farted in front of a customer because I worry they wouldn’t want to come back to my shop.”
Chocolates from 1899 sell for £500
A tin of chocolates made during the reign of Queen Victoria in 1899 was sold for more than £500, said Metro. The Rowntree’s bars of chocolate were recently discovered in a box in an attic in Lincolnshire. Auctioneer Paul Cooper, from Eddisons, did not recommend that anyone eat the elderly bars. “I don’t think I’d be tempted to give it a go,” he said. “The experts say that chocolate actually doesn’t becomes hazardous as it ages, but they probably did not have 122-year-old bars of the stuff in mind.”
Conspiracy theories rated
The government’s flagship anti-extremism programme has suggested there are legitimate questions over the circumstances of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. In a training session for school governors, Prevent used a graphic entitled The Conspiracy Chart, which puts conspiracies in categories. Included under the title “We have questions” were the death of Diana, the statement “Epstein didn’t kill himself”, the assassination of John F Kennedy and the death of Marilyn Monroe, said The Times.
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
-
October 13 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Monday's political cartoons include Donald Trump's consolation prize, government workers during shutdown, and more
-
Can Gaza momentum help end the war in Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Zelenskyy’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles hints at ‘warming relations’ between Ukraine and US
-
The Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners being released
The Explainer Triumphant Donald Trump addresses the Israeli parliament as families on both sides of the Gaza war reunite with their loved ones
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of Taiwan
In the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdown
IN 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
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
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
-
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