Strange News

• Topless Western leaders would be 'disgusting', says Putin

  Vladimir Putin says Western leaders would look "disgusting" if they were to undress "above or below the waist".

• A giant step for hamkind: Hamster survives daring trip into the stratosphere on a flying balloon

  It's one giant step for hamkind.

• Comedian investigated by police after audience member complains about joke

  Comedian Joe Lycett has revealed he has been investigated by police - after a person who watched one of his tour shows complained over what they deemed to be an offensive joke.

• 'Absolutely bizarre' spirals of blue light spotted in sky above New Zealand

  The appearance of an extraordinary spiral of blue light in the sky above New Zealand has prompted amazement among stargazers - and theories ranging from aliens to black holes.

• Watch out, Larry: There's a new cat in Westminster - and he's named after a Labour prime minister

  Larry, the Downing Street cat, has made a name for himself after prowling the corridors of power.

• Hampshire wheelie bin found 1,200 miles away in Ukraine

  A Hampshire wheelie bin has been discovered 1,200 miles away in conflict-torn Ukraine.

• Binley Mega Chippy: A (bizarre) timeline of events that took this Coventry chip shop to internet stardom

  This is the story of Binley Mega Chippy.

• Otters killing expensive pet fish in garden ponds, police warn

  Otters are killing expensive pet fish in people's garden ponds, police in Wiltshire have warned.

• Scarecrows of the Queen popping up in English village as locals compete for best Jubilee display

  One village has come up with a novel way of celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee - creating 104 royal-themed scarecrows.

• World's largest Jaffa Cake weighing 80kg is created by Great British Bake Off winner

  What do you get if you mix 160 eggs, 8kg of dark chocolate and 15kg of orange jelly? The world's largest-ever Jaffa Cake, of course.