'Suicide bomber squirrel' hospitalises anti-squirrel politician

Our pick of the strange stories from around the world.

Squirrel 'gets revenge' on US official

A US alderman who made local headlines with a public rant about "aggressive squirrels" has been hospitalised after a run-in with one of the animals. Howard Brookins Jr, of Chicago City Council, says the squirrel was "like a suicide bomber, getting revenge" when it leapt at him while he was cycling. The squirrel became entangled in the front wheel, causing Brookins to fall and fracture his skull. The animal did not survive.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

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.

Sign up

Woman made fake bomb threat to have 'me time', say police

A woman has been arrested after allegedly claiming there was a bomb at the University of Florida so she could leave work early. Jessica Ward, who worked in a coffee kiosk on the campus, left a note in a public toilet to allow her to have some "me time", say police. She is being held on $15,000 (£12,000) bail.

Trucker dumps load after being fired by text

A lorry driver has been arrested for dumping more than £2,500 worth of corn on a motorway after he was fired via text message. Officials in Pennsylvania said Darren Walp opened the rear doors to the vehicle and sped off, spreading corn for more than a quarter of a mile.