Selfies from the disaster zone: how TV show changed Chernobyl tourism
The hit TV series “Chernobyl” has attracted a new generation of tourists to the zone but guides say that many are more interested in taking selfies than learning about the accident.
'Vagina Monologues' slams Nepal
A young actress bathed in the spotlight pleads “leave me, I will go home... please!” in her role as a 13-year-old girl brutally raped and killed in Nepal last year, in an adaptation of the renowned play The Vagina Monologues.
Catholic school priest bans 'Harry Potter' books on exorcist advice
Exorcists advised a Nashville school priest to ban the Harry Potter books, over fears the popular children's novels could be used to summon spirits.
Banksy work stolen from outside Pompidou Centre in Paris
A stencilled work by the elusive British street artist Banksy has been stolen from outside the Pompidou Centre in Paris, the museum announced Tuesday.
French ducks in the dock for noisy quacking
Less than two months after the owner of a French rooster was hauled before a court over his rowdy crowing, the owner of a gaggle of geese and ducks is in the dock over their boisterous quacking.
Denmark to purchase and retire its last four circus elephants
The government of Denmark will buy the country's last four circus elephants in order to retire them, a minister said Saturday.
No-fly boys: New Russian space suit clashes with pee ritual
Russia on Thursday unveiled a new space suit for a future spaceship, but the design may have to be changed to continue a decades-old tradition: Peeing on the way to the launch.
Smuggler caught in customs web
Customs officials caught a Polish man after he tried to smuggle nearly 100 tarantula spiders in his luggage, at Cayenne airport, French Guiana, regional officials told AFP Saturday.
Pakistan's surprise hip-hop hub
Haunted by gang violence and poverty for decades, Lyari was once considered one of Pakistan's most dangerous areas, but those grim realities also inspired a generation of artists and spawned a burgeoning hip-hop scene.
Endangered tapirs thriving on former drug cartel ranch
Almendra, a young tapir, is fed with a bottle at the Joya Grande zoo in the mountainous north of Honduras, which the government confiscated from drug traffickers six years ago.
German town evacuates buildings after deadly cobra escapes
A deadly cobra was on the loose in the German town of Herne on Tuesday, with local residents told to keep their windows closed and steer clear of long grass.
Berlin Zoo's panda is preggers
Berlin Zoo panda Meng Meng is pregnant, with her cub expected to be born within two weeks, it was announced Tuesday.
Austrian police hunt for thieves who are stealing iconic cow bells
Austrian police said Monday they are hunting for thieves who stole over a dozen bells from cows grazing in the west of the country.
Lovers of Tuscany's 'paradise' beach have factory to thank
Holidaymakers splash in the turquoise waters of the Rosignano Solvay beach in Tuscany and laze on its pristine white sands – most of them fully aware that the picture-perfect swimming spot owes its allure to a nearby factory.
Paris parade marks 75 years since liberation
Flag-waving Parisians in period costume thronged the streets Sunday as armored vehicles rumbled through the city in a re-enactment of the liberation of the capital from Nazi Germany 75 years ago.
900 Mexicans set folk dance record
Nearly 900 people twirled and stamped their feet to mariachi music in the Mexican city of Guadalajara to set a Guinness record for the world's biggest folk dance.
Man held for 82 days for bringing honey into US
A Jamaican national was detained for nearly three months in the US after bringing in bottles of honey from the Caribbean island that customs agents mistakenly believed to be liquid methamphetamine.
US 'Marquis' snares air guitar battle
Twenty hopefuls from around the world donned glitter, make-up and outrageous costumes to face off in an epic, virtuoso guitar battle onstage on Friday - but without an instrument in sight.