This week's wackiest stories from the web: Stupid evolution and the first burger in space
If you have sex in public, but no one is watching, is it still obscene? Plus bones of ancient giant discovered and that regrettable Romney face tattoo
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.
The Dumb Shall Inherit the Earth
In a two-part paper published in the journal Trends in Genetics, Stanford University researcher Gerald Crabtree suggest that evolution is, in fact, making us dumber and that human intelligence may have actually peaked before our hunter-gatherer predecessors left Africa. newser.com
Outdoor activities
Italy court rules Italy's highest court on Wednesday rejected an appeal by a couple who said they should not have been convicted of obscene acts in public because they had sex outside while the rest of their town was inside watching a soccer match. reuters.com
The world's 'poorest' president
It's a common grumble that politicians' lifestyles are far removed from those of their electorate. Not so in Uruguay. Meet the president - who lives on a ramshackle farm and gives away most of his pay. bbc.co.uk
14A meets 20F
Britain’s first speed-dating flight is due to take off this weekend – with two of the protagonists of ‘The Only Way is Essex’ on hand to dispense romantic tips. If that won't get you laid, nothing will. telegraph.co.uk
Tattooed Romney supporter faces defeat
So, maybe that Romney face tattoo wasn’t such a good idea...politico.com
Why did Lincoln bother?
More than 100,000 Americans have petitioned the White House to allow their states to secede from the US, after President Barack Obama's re-election. bbc.co.uk
China and Japan declare (pretend) War!
At the Eighth Route Army Culture Park in Shanxi province visitors can dress up as either Chinese or Japanese troops and pretend to blast away at each other with toy guns. theatlantic.com
Not such an evil twin
What happens when one identical twin is accused of killing the other? washingtonpost.com
Halloween decorations for the truly committed
The United States Postal Service acknowledged on Friday that one of its mail carriers did not report a corpse at a Denver home because he mistook the body for a Halloween display. reuters.com
Nice legs, shame about the face
The leggiest creature on Earth lives in California. But it's not a movie star or a model. In fact, it's smaller than
Oops, wrong kid!
A man narrowly escaped abduction charges after he mistakenly picked up the wrong girl from a New Jersey school. Both the girl he picked up and the girl he was supposed to pick up were called Courtney. nbcnews.com
Bones of an ancient giant discovered
Oldest Complete Skeleton With Gigantism At 6 feet, 8 inches (202 centimeters) tall, the man would have been a giant in third-century A.D. Rome, where men averaged about 5 and a half feet (167 centimeters) tall. By contrast, today's tallest man measures 8 feet, 3 inches (251 centimeters). nationalgeographic.com
Not without Morgan Freeman narrating!
A University of Texas play about two male penguin parents has ruffled feathers at the Austin school district, prompting the cancellation of 10 scheduled performances at Austin elementary schools. statesman.com
I can haz spaceburger?
Harvard Students Send First Burger Into Space. abcnews.com
Love rat? Blame it on your hormones
Too late for Petraeus, scientists discover 'don't cheat' hormone. A 'fidelity' hormone that keeps men from straying has been discovered by scientists. telegraph.co.uk
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments