News OF THE World

JAPAN

Japanese travell providerid Moving Inn has begun offering clients a novel new service — an ice-cold plunge into the freezing waters of Obihiro in the Hokkaido Prefecture.

The adventure is little more than a cut hole in the ice of a frozen river. Winter temperatures in Japan’s coldest region can be as low as 4 degrees Fahrenheit.

A mobile sauna on site has also been set up for the intrepid to warm up afterward. The package includes a free bathrobe.

RUSSIA

Moscow subwayb authoritieshi are begging locals to refrain from touching statues in the metro.

The statues have become discolored over the years as passersby rub them for good fortune.

“After many years of making your dreams a reality, the sculptures now need help themselves — many of them have been worn down and lost their authentic look,” the Moscow Transport Department said.

CHINA

An intrepidid power-company worker became the first to work on an ultra-high-voltage transmission line with the power on.

The highly dangerous maintenance gig earned Hu Hongwei a national model-worker award at a ceremony attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

ITALY

Residents off Milan’sil Bosco Verticale are living in a modern treehouse.

The affectionately dubbed “mutant building” is covered top to bottom in shrubs and stands out in the busy Italian metropolis.

Locals say it’s a pleasure to live there and reduces their carbon footprint.

CANADA

Residents off northernh British Columbia are facing a shortage of soy sauce.

It’s completely sold out of stores and Amazon, while prices on eBay have risen sharply.

The sudden shortage has been spurred by false rumors that the Canadian factory that produces the China Lily Soya Sauce has shut down for good.

Devotee Judy Howard recently shelled out $50 for a six pack of soy sauce and says she came out better than most.

“I don’t think it was extortion,” she said.