Quirky World... World War What?

ENGLAND: Half of people in Britain do not know the First World War began 100 years ago next month, according to The Daily Star.

The centenary of the war declaration is on August 4. However, a study of 10% of 18- to 35-year-olds said they had not even heard of the Great War, which accounted for a 1m British deaths.

The figures were put together by Leger Holidays who organise tours of the main battlefields including the Somme and Verdun.

USA: Police say a man who fled from a Mississippi traffic stop was apparently so focused on getting away he unknowingly ran into a law enforcement academy.

Biloxi Police chief John Miller said 30-year-old Roger Beasley Jr was stopped by officers in the city when he jumped from his vehicle and ran.

Beasley didn’t notice the marked police cars outside the Harrison County Law Enforcement Training Academy and ran into the building while training was in session — and was arrested.

Beasley was booked on charges including possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, resisting arrest, and careless driving.

INDIA: Armed bandits in drought-stricken northern India are threatening to kill hundreds of villagers unless they deliver 35 buckets of water each day to the outlaws in their rural hideouts.

Since the threats were delivered last week, 28 villages on the southern border of central Uttar Pradesh state have been obeying the order — taking turns handing over what the bandits are calling a daily “water tax”.

USA: Black and white are the new orange in a Michigan county where the sheriff has made a wardrobe change for jail inmates after a TV series brought new popularity to the vibrant colour associated with prisoners.

The Saginaw County Jail is replacing its orange prisoner jumpsuits with horizontal black and white striped jumpsuits because the prison life series Orange Is the New Black has led locals to make fashion choices inspired by the behind-bars set.

“For me, it was an easy decision. It was a cost savings and it breaks away from that cultural coolness. It’s not cool to be an inmate of the Saginaw County Jail,” said Sheriff William Federspiel.

Federspiel said the stripes will also help the public differentiate between an inmate and a fashionista.

The decision to change the jumpsuits was spurred by a juror who recently wore all orange during a trial.

ENGLAND: Police are appealing for information after an old human skull was left at a church in Dorset.

The warden of Lady St Mary’s Church on Church Green in Wareham found the skull on July 11. It had been carefully wrapped in tissue paper and placed in a bag before being deposited outside one of the church doors.

Detective Constable Michelle Lawrence, of Dorset Police, said it could have been at the church for more than 24 hours before being found.

“The skull appears to be very old and we are not treating this incident as suspicious at this time. We simply would like to identify where the skull originated from and to clarify in what circumstances it was found.”

GERMANY: Safari park tourists were left terrified when a lion smashed its way through a window of their bus.

The 135kg beast, named Warze, leapt at the vehicle and headbutted the glass and was left hanging from the window frame by his front paw. When the driver accelerated away, the lion ran off at the Serengeto Park in Hodenhagen, Germany.