This week, a potential new Banksy artwork graced the wall of Reading Prison, showing a prisoner escaping using knotted bed sheets and a typewriter — it is thought to represent one of the former prison’s most famous inmates, Oscar Wilde. We’re waiting with bated breath for the Bristolian artist to confirm that it’s an original, but in the meantime, here are some more weird and wonderful snippets from the around the world this week.
Chariot of Fire
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A four-wheel ceremonial chariot has been uncovered in excellent condition in Pompeii, where the eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried the city in 79 AD. A statement by the archaeological team described the chariot, which may have been used to transport brides, as having “iron components, beautiful bronze and tin decorations” as well as ropes and floral decoration.
Scottish Lavender
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A two-week old badger cub was rescued by the Scottish SPCA and is the youngest ever badger to be cared for by the team at the animal welfare charity. The cub, named Lavender, will be reared for the next ten weeks, then weaned at 12 weeks, before being released in autumn alongside other badger cubs that are being looked after at the centre.
Hidden Figure
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Mary Winston Jackson, the subject of the book and film Hidden Figures, has been given another posthumous honour. Jackson was NASA’s first African American female engineer and she played a key role in the early development of space travel, however her achievements were often overlooked. Her name now adorns the space agency’s headquarters in Washington, and follows a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal in 2019.
The Future’s Orange
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When we think of Seville, we think, of course, of the beautiful, bitter oranges that the city is renowned for — those that you probably enjoy in your morning marmalade. But have you ever wondered what happens to the unwanted fruit that the trees shed? A new scheme hopes to produce electricity from the methane produced by unused rotting oranges, which will in turn help to keep the streets clean of sticky orange pulp and fruit flies.
Prize Puzzle
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A woman in Ontario claims to have broken a Guinness World Record by completely the largest commercially available jigsaw puzzle in 150 hours. The fastest known completion time of the Ravensburger Memorable Moments puzzle, a 10-panel collection of interlocking puzzles depicting characters from Disney animated movies, is 423 hours.
Cherry Blossom World
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People travel thousands of miles across the world to witness the incredible Hanami celebration in Japan, when the trees blossom and create a clouds of petals, which are often juxtaposed against urban landscapes. The National Trust in the UK is now planning a huge project that will see blossoming trees planted in towns and cities on our own isle, including Newcastle, Plymouth and Nottingham. The City of London will also welcome a circle made up of 33 trees — one to represent each borough.
It Could Be Brew
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The National Lottery has teamed up with a Walsall brewery in an attempt to find the winner of an unclaimed EuroMillions Millionaire Maker jackpot, which was bought in the area in September 2020. The Backyard Brewhouse has created a beer called Just the Ticket, to help get the word out about the £1m prize before it expires on March 17. We hope the lucky winner claims their prize in time! Watch this space!
And Finally…
Check out the work of Finnish origami artist Juho Konkkola. His mesmerising figures are all folded from just one sheet of paper — perhaps you could give the Japanese practice a go yourself this week!
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