First a sinister German pope is elected. The very same day, Gunter had an order number 13-666. Now, exploding toads in Germany … Coincidence or is it the end of days?

Thousands of the amphibians have died in recent days in a pond in Hamburg’s Altona district, with their bodies swelling to bursting point.

The toads’ entrails are propelled for up to a metre (3.2ft), in scenes that have been likened to science fiction.

Scientists are baffled.

I love the word baffled. Not used enough. Neither is ‘oaf’.