Chiba Prefecture, Japan — Japanese TV stations have been quite excited about a tree that, when viewed from the correct angle, resembles Godzilla. The tree’s owner insists that the tree’s growth is completely natural and that no alterations have been made in its form to increase its resemblance to the cinematic lizard.

Vienna, Austria — As part of an effort by Public Art Vienna to revitalize and enhance the urban space surrounding Austria’s capital, a giant skull has been installed near a busy intersection.

Known as the “Wellness Skull,” and standing about 15 feet high, the skull is constructed of wood and synthetic materials.

Designed by Dutch artist Joep van Lieshout, this unique sculpture has a built-in sauna, bath and shower.

Tourists have called it “the most random thing I’ve seen in Vienna,” as well as “really strange.”

Unfortunately, the functionality of the skull will be limited to the first Saturday of every month or by appointment, depriving many of the hygienic functions of the sculpture, as well as the opportunity to witness the steam issuing forth from the eye sockets, which only happens when the eight-person sauna is in use.

Australia — A car race in Australia’s Northern Territory came to a halt when a 19-year-old man decided to streak across the track. After jumping the six-foot fence, the man sprinted across the Downes Park Top End Mud Racing track before diving and splashing in a mud puddle.

Officials stopped the race moments before the vehicles reached the puddle with the streaker, and report that had they not interrupted the race, there would have been no way for the drivers to see the man with enough time to stop. It is believed that alcohol was a factor in this event.

St. Petersburg, Russia — A woman has been given a one-year suspended sentence after being charged for manslaughter.

Vera Lukyanova, 55, closed her husband inside a folding couch during a drunken argument in July.

Her husband was smothered between the mattress and back cushions when Lukyanova was unable to free him after checking on him three hours after the initial entrapment. Rescue workers had to saw the couch apart to remove his body. Lukyanova could have faced up to two years in prison.

Reach columnist Matthew Jackson at news@dailyuw.com.