News of the Weird
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A daily update on some of the odder news stories from around the world.
Fruit flies on crack: According to research carried out in Bethesda, near Washington, fruit flies show the same "reverse tolerance" to crack cocaine as humans do - over time, the same dosage elicits an increasingly strong response. Low doses of cocaine resulted in the flies continuously grooming themselves; higher doses made them walk backwards, sideways and in circles; and at the highest levels they developed tremors or paralysis, or even died. The research may help uncover the molecular basis for cocaine addiction.
Religious ecstasy: A man was detained when he resisted police efforts to put a stop to what they called "obscene acts" in a church in Valladolid, Spain. "They weren't actually having sex but the girl's trousers were down around her ankles and they were very touchy-feely," said a police spokesman.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments