Weekly Rewind: November 17
A look back at some of the more unusual stories of the week, including a sausage roll-starring Nativity scene, a gap in Trump's wall and a case of potentially mistaken monster identity...
5. Cards Against Humanity takes on Trump
Looks like there might already be a gap in President Trump’s proposed border wall thanks to Cards Against Humanity. As reported in the Independent this week, the company behind the popular party game – which involves matching cards with humorously offensive phrases - has bought a piece of land on the US-Mexico border with “the explicit aim” of hindering the US President’s main election pledge, and hired a fancy-pants law firm specialising in ‘eminent domain’ to contest any attempt by the government to compulsorily purchase the plot. It’s all part of the brand’s holiday promotion, Cards Against Humanity Saves America, which sees donors receive gifts – including a map of the land - in exchange for a $15 donation to the cause.
4. Meet Moz the Monster... or is it actually Mr Underbed?
The new John Lewis ad, released last week, has given most of us a Christmassy glow, but one person who's not feeling very warm towards Moz the Monster is Chris Riddell, reports the Guardian. The children's author/illustrator has accused John Lewis of plagiarism, claiming the retailer 'helped themselves' to his children's book Mr Underbed - which also features a big, hairy monster who lives under a small boy's bed. John Lewis has hit back with the contention that "it's a universal tale which has been told many times over many years". Or perhaps it's proof that, as is so often said, there are no truly original ideas any more...
3. The Pentagon accidentally calls for Trump to resign
Cards Against Humanity may be attempting to thwart President Trump's wall-building plans but it seems elements of his own government, namely the Pentagon, are accidentally attempting to thwart his actual presidency. The BBC today reported that the Pentgon retweeted a tweet calling for Trump, and two other US politicians, to resign. The original tweet came from an anti-Trump account called @ProudResister and was then retweeted by the official Pentagon account, @deptofdefense, to its 5.2 million followers. The retweet was quickly deleted and the chief spokesperson for the Pentagon explained it was "erroneously retweeted content that would not be endorsed by the Department of Defense". But, of course, that didn't stop the Twittersphere taking a different view with one users tweeting; "Are we supposed to believe this was done by mistake? Somebody in @DeptofDefense needs to be fired along with anybody working with them".
2. Massive meatball mountain blocks road
Although they're an invaluable source of sustenance during a trip to IKEA, outside the confines of a plate, meatballs can prove something of a hazard, as motorists found out this week when a 'meatball mountain' blocked a road near Skara, Sweden. According to the BBC, 20 tonnes of the meaty treats had to be offloaded onto the road after the trailer they were being transported in swung into a ditch. Inevitably, the Twitter community sprung into action with numerous offers to help the clean-up operation... by bringing along a knife and fork.
1. Greggs' alternative Nativity scene backfires 
In other food-related news, UK bakery chain Greggs made a marketing boo-boo this week when they launched a new calendar with an 'updated' Nativity scene - recreating the Magi bearing gifts, but replacing baby Jesus with a sausage roll. After a social media backlash, labelling the stunt 'insulting' and 'offensive' to Christians and Jews alike, the brand was forced to issue a grovelling apology, reports the Evening Standard. Talk about leaving a bad taste in the mouth...
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