Monkeys escape with coronavirus samples

And other stories from the stranger side of life

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(Image credit: CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP/Getty Images))

Thieving monkeys in India triggered fears of a further spread of the new coronavirus after snatching blood samples from Covid-19 tests. The monkeys grabbed the three samples from a health worker in Meerut, near Delhi, and then escaped up nearby trees. The theft sparked worries that the stealing simians could spread the pandemic in the local area, but the authorities have since confirmed that the sample boxes have been recovered undamaged.

Cobbler sells long shoes for social distancing

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Scorpion hides in bunch of bananas

A Hampshire couple were shocked to discover a scorpion native to Florida hiding in a bunch of bananas they had purchased in their local Lidl supermarket. “I realised it was a scorpion straight away and was a bit freaked out,” Matt Fry told The Sun. “I put it in a jar and made a bit of a home for it in the spare bedroom and gave it some food just in case. I even named it Simon the Scorpion.” Simon was taken in by Surrey and Hampshire Reptile Rescue.

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