Unusual News Highlights: Spy Whale, 'Meow Night,' and the Tomatina Festival

This collection of odd news briefs covers varied topics such as the death of a beluga whale suspected of being a Russian spy, Shanghai Museum's feline-inclusive Egyptian exhibit, Spain's famed Tomatina festival, a South African meteorite discovery, and a Dutch canal vaulting competition keeping a centuries-old tradition alive.

A beluga whale, named Hvaldimir and suspected of spying for Russia, was found lifeless near Norway. Once monitored by a non-profit organization, the whale's body was discovered by fishermen over the weekend, reported Norwegian public broadcaster NRK.

In Shanghai, an exhibit at the local museum celebrates ancient Egyptian relics and feline imagery, allowing visitors to bring their own cats on 'Meow Night.' The exhibition, inspired by Bastet, the goddess of protection, highlights 'The Secrets of Saqqara.'

Meanwhile, in Spain, the Tomatina festival painted the town of Bunol red as 22,000 participants engaged in a tomatoes-throwing extravaganza. The annual event leaves the streets flooded with overripe tomato pulp.

South African scientists proudly showcased a fragment of a motorcycle-sized meteorite discovered recently. Witnesses in three provinces had reported seeing a bright streak in the sky, followed by explosive noise and vibrations.

Over in the Netherlands, the traditional 'fierljeppen' or canal vaulting contest was a major attraction in Polsbroekerdam. The event saw 48 contestants striving to vault the farthest distance across a canal using poles.

(With inputs from agencies.)