Here’s a weekly roundup of unusual stories from around the world.
Possum found among toys
Shoppers at an airport gift shop in Australia discovered a wild possum sheltering among cuddly toys.
Staff at Hobart Airport in Tasmania said the marsupial had blended in with toy kangaroos and bears.
“We always knew our plushie toy collection was life-like, but it seems we finally got the ultimate seal of approval,” said store manager Liam Bloomfield.
Abandoned macaque draws crowds
A baby macaque that was photographed clutching a monkey toy after being abandoned by its mother has become a popular attraction at Ichikawa City Zoo outside Tokyo.
The zoo has reported 10 times the usual number of visitors coming to see the animal, known as Punch.
However, other macaques at the facility continue to avoid interaction with the newcomer. Zoo official Takashi Yasunaga said that in the hierarchical world of Japanese macaques, it is not uncommon to “scold” newcomers.
Trump Pearl Harbour remarks
Donald Trump compared his surprise attack on Iran to Pearl Harbour during a White House meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
When asked by a Japanese reporter why he did not inform allies before the strikes, Trump responded, “Who knows better about surprise than Japan?”
He added, “Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbour?”
The Japanese attack on the US fleet at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii in 1941 brought America into World War II and led to the defeat of Imperial Japan.
Ski resort sued over hot chocolate temperature
A California family is suing a ski resort, claiming their five-year-old daughter was scalded by hot chocolate.
The Burns family alleges the drink served at Heavenly Mountain Resort was “excessively and unnecessarily hot.”
Their lawyer, Roger Dreyer, said that while skiers assume a level of risk, they do not expect danger from refreshments.
Last year, Starbucks was ordered to pay a customer $50 million over injuries from a cup of tea.
Senate confirmation hearing features personal clash
A tense exchange occurred between Markwayne Mullin and Rand Paul during a Senate committee hearing to approve Mullin’s nomination as ICE and Homeland Security chief.
Mullin, a former wrestler and mixed martial arts fighter, had previously called Paul a “freaking snake” and said he “understood” why the senator’s neighbour assaulted him in 2017.
Paul opened the hearing by saying, “Tell me to my face why you think I deserved it. And while you’re at it, explain to the American public why they should trust a man with anger issues to set the proper example for ICE.”
Mullin maintained composure during the hearing. Three years ago, he challenged a union leader to a fight during a Senate committee session.
Donald Trump has stated he plans to host an ultimate fighting event at the White House for his birthday in June.
