StrangeSights

• Taxidermy can be an odd art at the best of times but now comes an exhibition featuring one of the strangest collections you’re likely to come across. London’s Museum of Everything is hosting a new exhibition which features works by Walter Potter - a Victorian taxidermist who created tableaux of stuff animals in scenes more reminiscent of human life. These include The Death and Burial of Cock Robin, featuring more than 100 birds such as an owl grave-digger and a widow robin, and others in which squirrels are playing cards and kittens are having tea together.

• Nothing like owning your own German U-boat (well, replica anyway). One of narrow canal boats which traverse the UK has reportedly been converted into U-8047, completing with airlock doors, sonar systems, and a periscope. But given the depth of some of the canals, it’s not envisaged the U-boat will be diving anywhere soon.

• A clown has reportedly been elected to the Brazilian parliament, apparently winning 1.3 million votes, more than any other candidate, to win himself a seat in Congress. Francisco Oliveira Silva, also known as Tiririca (’Grumpy’), ran with the slogan “It can’t get any worse”.

• And lastly, a Russian firm has announced it will launch a four room guest house in space by the year 2016. Orbital Technologies has even reportedly said it might employ celebrity chefs to create the meals which will then be sent up to the guests. Good luck trying to eat them in the weightlessness of space!