QUIRKY WORLD ... A daily look at some of the world’s stranger stories

USA: A US TV news presenter has apologised for falsely saying that President Barack Obama had offered to pay for the operation of a museum of Muslim culture “out of his own pocket” during the government shutdown.

Fox News Channel’s Anna Kooiman made the remark on Fox & Friends during a discussion about closed facilities. She said it did not seem fair that a Second World War monument in Washington was closed, especially in the context of other things funded.

She did not name her source, but appeared to be influenced by a satirical news site that said Mr Obama would use his own money to keep a Muslim culture museum open.

She tweeted an apology. It is not clear whether the mistake would be addressed on air.

Family appeal child’s suspension for gun keychain

USA: The family of a Rhode Island child who was suspended for three days for having a small toy gun keychain at school is appealing the suspension.

WJAR-TV reports the family of 12-year-old Joseph Lyssikatos is appealing to the superintendent in the town of Coventry.

Joseph was suspended last month after bringing a 2in keychain he won at an arcade to Alan Shawn Feinstein Middle School. Another student found it and showed it off to classmates, and Joseph was suspended.

He has already served the suspension, but his parents hope to get it expunged from his record so Joseph can try for perfect attendance this year.

Mood Warning

ENGLAND: Monitoring the mood of a pet dog could be used as an early warning sign that an elderly owner is struggling to cope, a new report has claimed.

Researchers placed movement sensors on dogs to track their behaviour and identified 17 distinct activities, including chewing, barking, sitting and digging. This allowed them to map the normal behaviour of a healthy, happy dog, which means any changes can be monitored and could indicate an issue with their owner.

Nils Hammerla, part of the team from Newcastle University, said: “A dog’s physical and emotional dependence on their owner means that their well-being is likely to reflect that of their owner.”

Middlesbrough mix-up

ENGLAND: X Factor winner James Arthur announced hometown gigs in Middlesbrough as part of his first national tour — and managed to get the name wrong.

The chart-topping ‘Impossible’ singer posted a message on Twitter about the dates which linked to a page on his website which said he was playing at “Middlesborough” Town Hall.

Arthur will head out on a British tour in January following the release of his debut album on Nov 4.

He recently had to delay his new single ‘You’re Nobody Til Somebody Loves You’ due to a severe throat infection.

ENGLAND: Bad manners top a poll of people’s biggest frustrations, followed by gadgets not working properly, travel hold-ups and a bad night’s sleep.

The survey, carried out for the charity Arthritis Research UK, found 84% of people hate bad manners, 78% get annoyed by gadgets, and 75% are frustrated by travel problems.

While 73% dislike not sleeping, the same number get grumpy when ill, and 69% are upset by arguing with a partner or friend.

Their move

USA: Dozens of people backed by a brass band played chess in San Francisco in protest at a recent crackdown by police on the public games that have been a feature of the city for years.

Earlier this month police confiscated chess gear, tables and chairs used by the mostly homeless players.

Police said the games had begun to attract illegal gambling and drug sales to an area near a popular tourist destination.