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'Big Ben bongs for Brexit' battle turns pricey

Britain's bewildering battle to get Big Ben to bong for Brexit is becoming brutal -- and big-budget to boot as public cash donations flooded in Friday for a celebratory peal. Big Ben has been mostly silent since restoration work on parliament's Elizabeth Tower, which houses the clock, began in 2017. Parliamentary authorities say the floor in the tower workers use to look after the bell has been removed and the ringing devices taken out.

Fri, 17 Jan 2020 10:04:44 -0500

As Brexit clock ticks, UK in ding-dong over Big Ben bongs

The question exercising Britons as they face their last few days of EU membership is not about trade or sovereignty but whether Big Ben should ring out for Brexit. The world famous bell in parliament's Elizabeth Tower has been largely silent since August 2017 while undergoing repairs, but some Brexit supporters want it to sound on exit day on January 31. The House of Commons authorities rejected the idea after being told it could cost up to £500,000 (585,000 euros, $653,000), which Speaker Lindsay Hoyle noted was about "£50,000 a bong".

Thu, 16 Jan 2020 10:50:24 -0500

Mexico gets 'Chapo' beer

Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman may be serving a life sentence in prison, but the Mexican drug kingpin can now boast to having his own beer. El Chapo Mexican Lager was launched by Guzman's daughter Alejandrina, who runs a fashion and lifestyle company built around her father's brand. The company, Chapo 701, unveiled the craft beer Tuesday at a fashion trade show in Guadalajara, Mexico's second largest city.

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:15:51 -0500

US chief justice lobs an 'OK Boomer' in age case

Chief Justice John Roberts cracked up the normally somber US Supreme Court on Wednesday by dropping an "OK Boomer" reference while hearing a case involving age discrimination in the workplace. "So calling somebody a 'boomer' and considering them for a position would be actionable?" he asked as the courtroom erupted in laughter. Justice Stephen Breyer also made an age joke during the court session while talking about someone being considered for promotion.

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 18:11:31 -0500

Swedish military duped by 'officer' with faked diploma

A Swedish man who got a job in the military using forged credentials was promoted to work as staff officer at NATO's headquarters and served in a UN mission, the military and media said on Wednesday. The man lied about his experience and forged a diploma from the officers' academy, according to the Dagens Nyheter newspaper. The Swedish Armed Forces conceded that the man had been "wrongfully employed" and confirmed in a statement he had served at NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium.

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 14:55:00 -0500

French forensic police hold gory protest for equal rights

French forensic investigators on Wednesday set up a gruesome but staged crime scene in Paris complete with bloodied bodies and dismembered limbs, in an eye-catching protest to demand the same labour benefits as their regular, armed police colleagues. The job is "extremely difficult" with "many strains", said Soazig Henrio, of the Snipat union for forensic and scientific police.

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 12:06:40 -0500

Pet sounds: Spotify unleashes podcast for lonely UK dogs

Online music giant Spotify on Wednesday launched a podcast for dogs left home alone in Britain, after its polling suggested most owners believe audio recordings help calm their canines. The playlists utilise the vocal skills of "Game of Thrones" actor Ralph Ineson and Jessica Raine, the lead actress in the BBC series "Call the Midwife". The pair offer "dog-directed praise, stories, affirmation messages and reassurance", Spotify said as it unveiled its new "My Dog's Favourite Podcast" offering.

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 09:18:56 -0500

'Bung a bob for a Big Ben bong': Boris floats Brexit bells crowdfunder

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday said the government was working on a crowdfunding plan to get the currently silent Big Ben to chime when Britain leaves the European Union. Some eurosceptic lawmakers have been pushing for a celebratory peal to mark Brexit at 2300 GMT on January 31, despite the tower in which the world-famous bell is housed being closed for repairs. Former House of Commons speaker John Bercow rejected the request, but hopes were raised when he was replaced just before last month's general election.

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 10:28:15 -0500

French 'Spiderman' stages protest climb against pension reform

A daredevil French climber on Monday made his own contribution to a long-running protest against planned pension reforms, scurrying up a towering skyscraper just outside Paris. "People spend 40 years of their lives slaving away, often in a job they don't even like," Alain Robert told AFP before beginning his climb. Robert, known worldwide for scaling landmark towers without ropes -- and usually without permission -- began his ascent of the 187-metre (614-feet) Total building in the La Defense business district at around 10:30 am (0930 GMT).

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 08:44:50 -0500

Two WWII bombs made safe in Germany

Two World War II-era bombs were made safe in the western German city of Dortmund after around 14,000 people were evacuated, the city said Sunday. Officials there warning on Saturday that unexploded bombs dropped by Allied forces during the war might be buried in four sites in a heavily populated part of the city centre. Two unexploded bombs weighing 250 kilogrammes (550 pounds) each, one British and the other American, were found and made safe.

Sun, 12 Jan 2020 20:39:30 -0500

Three dead after French kayak accident in Channel

Lille (France) (AFP) - Three people have died while kayaking off the northern French coast, authorities said Sunday.

Sun, 12 Jan 2020 04:29:24 -0500

Gold bar found in Mexico was Aztec treasure: study

A gold bar found in a Mexico City park in 1981 was part of the Aztec treasure looted by Hernan Cortes and the Spanish conquistadors 500 years ago, a new study says. The 1.93-kilogram bar was found by a construction worker during excavations for a new building along the Alameda, a picturesque park in the heart of the Mexican capital.

Fri, 10 Jan 2020 21:09:47 -0500

Navy brings emergency beer to fire-hit Aussie town

Australia's navy tasked with rescuing bushfire-trapped residents on the southeast coast received a new mission Friday -- delivering beer to a country pub on the verge of running dry. More than a thousand people have been evacuated from the town of Mallacoota, with the military sending landing craft to collect families trapped there since New Year's Eve. Carlton and United Breweries said Friday it had dropped the alcohol at the Cerberus naval base to be delivered to the Mallacoota Hotel, after it was on the verge of running out.

Fri, 10 Jan 2020 02:42:30 -0500

Cardboard beds won't fold under Olympic pressure, says manufacturer

Randy athletes worried that eco-friendly cardboard beds could curtail their sex life at the Tokyo Olympics can breathe easy -- they're sturdy enough, say manufacturers. While the snug singles at the athletes' village underline Tokyo's commitment to sustainability and delivering a 'green' Olympics, fears they could fold under pressure look to be unfounded. "We've conducted experiments, like dropping weights on top of the beds," said a spokesperson.

Fri, 10 Jan 2020 02:16:11 -0500

Too hot: Backlash over Canada coffee chain offer to Harry, Meghan

Montreal (AFP) - A Canadian coffee chain that offered disenchanted British royals Prince Harry and his wife Meghan free coffee for life if they move to Canada has faced an online backlash.

Thu, 09 Jan 2020 20:19:26 -0500

'Pre-school Picasso' shakes up German art world

With his striped jumper, goofy grin and dreams of becoming a professional footballer, Akar seems just like any other seven-year-old boy. Dubbed the "pre-school Picasso" by German media, Akar's paintings now sell for thousands of euros (dollars) to buyers from across the world. Akar senior discovered Mikail's precocious talent by chance several years ago, when he gifted his son a canvas and some handprint paints for his fourth birthday.

Thu, 09 Jan 2020 13:46:59 -0500

Austria's Kurz sworn in with soap opera subtitles in TV re-run gaffe

Austrian television's web replay of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's swearing-in ceremony went viral Wednesday after it mistakenly aired with soap opera subtitles suggesting he was offering the president a job as a housemaid. Kurz was sworn in Tuesday as the world's youngest democratically elected leader at the head of an unlikely coalition with the Greens following the collapse of his Conservatives' previous alliance with the far-right. The subtitles appeared on the ORF public television website in a rerun of the ceremony led by President Alexander Van der Bellen, lending a surreal air to the event in the luxurious Hofburg Palace in Vienna.

Wed, 08 Jan 2020 15:54:58 -0500

'Don't bite!' quips pope as he kisses nun

Pope Francis warned a nun not to bite him Wednesday in a joking reference to his run-in with an overly zealous pilgrim last week which saw him slap the woman's hand. The 83-year old Argentinian then bent to kiss her on the cheek, sparking cheers from fellow worshippers in the crowd. It was the pope's first walkabout among the faithful since a pilgrim grasped his arm and tugged him towards her on New Year's Eve, prompting him to angrily swat her away in images that went viral on social media.

Wed, 08 Jan 2020 12:39:57 -0500

Gorilla at San Diego Zoo undergoes cataract surgery

A team of eye doctors in California tested their skills on an unusual patient -- a western lowland gorilla. Working with veterinarians from the San Diego Zoo, an eye surgeon removed a cataract from the left eye of a three-year-old female named Leslie on December 10, zoo officials announced. The surgeon who performed the procedure, Chris Heichel, said that while he had carried out thousands of eye surgeries on human patients, this was his first on a gorilla.

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 16:01:54 -0500

Don't mention the b-word! Britain makes 'Brexit' taboo

After almost four years in which Brexit has dominated British politics, the word itself will be largely banned within government from next month, an official said Tuesday. Parliament is expected to ratify Prime Minister Boris Johnson's plan to leave the European Union in the next two weeks, paving the way for Britain's departure from the bloc on January 31. One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the word "Brexit" would be used as sparingly as possible.

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 09:57:19 -0500

Going meme: Thai shoppers get creative after plastic bag ban

Thai shoppers grabbed baskets, buckets and even a wheelbarrow to skirt a new ban on single-use plastic bags at big retailers, with many posting images of their efforts online. The restriction, introduced at the start of the new year by several major mall operators and the ubiquitous 7-Eleven convenience stores, was a victory for environmental campaigners in a country where individuals use an average of eight plastic bags a day. Make-up artist Acharin Prahausri borrowed food-storage netting from his mother that she normally dries fish with, tossing snacks, milk and juice and posing for a photo at a 7-Eleven in eastern Thailand.

Fri, 03 Jan 2020 06:46:33 -0500

Calling all 'weirdos and misfits': Britain wants you

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's chief adviser is calling for "weirdos and misfits" to apply for jobs in Downing Street, as part of a shake-up of how Britain's government does business. Dominic Cummings outlined what he said was the need to diversify the skills and backgrounds of policy makers and advisers, in a nearly 3,000-word post on his blog on Thursday. The special adviser, who headed the referendum campaign for Britain to leave the European Union, said the government wanted to hire "an unusual set of people with different skills and backgrounds".

Fri, 03 Jan 2020 05:41:41 -0500

Nepal elephant festival scrutinised for beauty and bruises

Hundreds cheered as the three beauty contest finalists strolled out into the middle of the grounds and raised their painted trunks to the judges -- symbols of all that is admired and denounced at Nepal's annual elephant festival. Many outsiders were also looking for signs of abuse at the festival, which has been held in the Chitwan district, home to Nepal's most important conservation area and a lucrative tourist destination, since 2004. Elephants are worshipped as the Hindu god Ganesh in Nepal and big crowds attended the festival -- where over 25 of the creatures took part in football, polo and races, as well as the beauty pageant and a picnic where they were served bananas and sugarcane.

Thu, 02 Jan 2020 19:02:18 -0500

Fired British vegan files landmark discrimination case

A British employment tribunal began a landmark hearing Thursday on whether a strict form of veganism is a philosophical belief that must be protected in law. Jordi Casamitjana says he was fired from an animal welfare charity for raising concerns about its pension fund's alleged investment in companies that use animal testing. The League Against Cruel Sports -- a group that wants to ban fox and other forms of recreational hunting in Britain -- says he was dismissed for gross misconduct.

Thu, 02 Jan 2020 10:23:02 -0500

Ballooning dispute: America's giant inflatable rats under attack

New Yorkers are used to seeing rats on the street but they are not always small, furry ones. American unions use giant balloon rodents as a protest symbol, parking them outside company offices to highlight labor disputes. Inflatable rats were first used by a union in Chicago around 30 years ago.

Thu, 26 Dec 2019 21:05:49 -0500

Tutu revolt - French ballet dancers mount artful protest

Dancers in white tutus performed Swan Lake on the steps of a Paris opera house on Tuesday in a show of support for the French strike against the government's pension reforms. Under a grey sky on Christmas Eve, around 40 dancers twirled on point in Act 4 of Tchaikovsky's classic ballet against a backdrop of huge banners saying "Paris Opera on strike" and "Culture is in danger". The dancers, on strike alongside public sector workers, oppose the government's plan to do away with more than 40 separate pension schemes and replace them with a single points-based system.

Tue, 24 Dec 2019 15:47:04 -0500

Police sprinting champ nabs Spanish bag snatchers

Two Spanish robbers who tried to flee on foot after snatching a bag containing 3,000 euros ($3,300) met with more than they bargained for when one of the police officers pursuing them turned out to be a record-holding sprinter. The pair snatched the bag on Friday from a man who had just been to a bank in the southern Spanish city of Seville, the city's emergency services said on its official Twitter feed. After realising the police were on their tail, they abandoned the car and tried to run -- but were quickly outpaced, Seville's ABC newspaper reported.

Tue, 24 Dec 2019 08:01:12 -0500

Winners of world's richest lottery 'El Gordo' celebrate

Winners of Spain's "El Gordo" lottery were celebrating Sunday after more than two billion euros were paid out as the lucky numbers were announced live on national television. "El Gordo", or "The Fat One", is the world's richest lottery, paying out millions of euros every year to multiple winners. A single lottery office in the resort town of Salou in the northeast Catalan region, shared out 320 million euros ($354 million), Spanish television station TVE reported.

Sun, 22 Dec 2019 19:45:36 -0500

For Canadian researcher, it's a microscopic Christmas

There was Tiny Tim, and then the Little Drummer Boy -- but they had nothing on the microscopic gingerbread house believed to be the smallest in the world and unveiled Wednesday by a Canadian researcher. About half the size of one made in France last year, it was cut and etched from silicon, complete with sharply defined bricks and trim, and a Canadian flag for a welcome mat. McMaster University researcher Travis Casagrande said he used a beam of charged gallium ions that acted like a sandblaster.

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 21:45:26 -0500

Cheesed-off neighbour kicks up stink in Alpine village

A woman who lives above a cheese shop in a German Alpine village has kicked up a stink over the smells wafting up to her apartment, forcing a judge to step in on Tuesday. A Munich court ruled that Manuela Kragler, who lives on top of the Toelzer Kasladen shop in Bad Heilbrunn, can no longer display stickers depicting a nose and a warning sign. The feud has been going on ever since the shop moved into the premises in 2016 and, in a separate legal case, shop owner Wolfgang Hofmann is trying to argue that he should be allowed to mature cheese there.

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 13:28:16 -0500

Cheesed-off neighbour kicks up stink in Alpine village

A woman who lives above a cheese shop in a German Alpine village has kicked up a stink over the smells wafting up to her apartment, forcing a judge to step in on Tuesday. A Munich court ruled that Manuela Kragler, who lives on top of the Toelzer Kasladen shop in Bad Heilbrunn, can no longer display stickers depicting a nose and a warning sign. The feud has been going on ever since the shop moved into the premises in 2016 and, in a separate legal case, shop owner Wolfgang Hofmann is trying to argue that he should be allowed to mature cheese there.

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 12:36:32 -0500

Top hat: UNESCO honours Kyrgyzstan's ak-kalpak

Kyrgyzstan hoped for a fillip for its tourism on Tuesday after the distinctive headgear traditionally worn by its men, the ak-kalpak, won UNESCO intangible heritage status. Inclusion on the prestigious global list "has some very positive aspects for us -- including for tourism, to attract tourism to our country," said deputy culture and tourism minister, Maksat Uulu Damir. UNESCO annually announces a list of cultural artifacts that encapsulate the spirit and heritage of their countries.

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 12:12:20 -0500

Paris cyclists beware: Accidents surge in strike gridlock

Thousands of Parisians have turned to bicycles and electric scooters to avoid the commuting chaos during a pensions strike, and many have the bruises and other injuries to prove it. The city's firefighter brigades, the first responders in case of emergencies, have noted a nearly 40 percent surge in accidents since the public transport strike began on December 5.

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 05:24:15 -0500

Bali's drugged, smuggled orangutan headed back to the wild

A baby orangutan that was drugged by a Russian trafficker in a failed bid to smuggle it out of Bali will be released back into the wild. The case made headlines in March when suspicious authorities on the Indonesian holiday island stopped Andrei Zhestkov, who was flying back to Russia, and opened his luggage to find a two-year-old orangutan sleeping inside a rattan basket. Zhestkov, sentenced to a year in prison in July, had packed baby formula and blankets for the orangutan.

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 12:54:05 -0500

Boorish boars hog highways in Israel's Haifa

A man approaches a group of wild boars rooting up roadside grass in Israel's Haifa, shooing them away -- but after lazily trotting a few steps, they resume their activity. Dozens of the beasts have taken up residence in the northern coastal city since it banned culling them. Boars have long entered Haifa at night looking for food and water.

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 09:07:54 -0500

Polling station pooches bring light relief to UK election

Retrievers, beagles, poodles and pugs lined up in the rain at Britain's polling stations on Thursday as thousands of voters brought their canine companions to take part in the general election. Pet owners took to Twitter to post photographs of their dogs next to polling station signs at schools and community centres across the country, using the trending hashtag #dogsatpollingstations. Prime Minister Boris Johnson got into the spirit, nuzzling his dog Dilyn at the polling booth, as did Labour mayor Sadiq Khan, who turned up with his pet Luna.

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 11:20:36 -0500

Cutting edge 'tree' displays Vilnius airport contraband

Vilnius (AFP) - Staff at the Lithuanian airport in Vilnius came up with a sharp idea to remind travellers that safety comes first: a Christmas tree made of confiscated knives and toy guns.

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 09:04:19 -0500

Painting of naked Zapata stirs uproar in Mexico

A controversial painting of Mexican revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata has pitted his family and supporters against the work's artist and the LGBT community in a contentious dispute that erupted in heated protests Tuesday. The protesters, many of them campesinos, or peasant tenant farmers who are sympathetic to the message of Zapata -- himself a campesino from Morelos state -- demonstrated outside the museum for hours. Some shouted homophobic slurs, which prompted a small group of LGBT community members and supporters to gather nearby and push back as tensions rose.

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 00:31:32 -0500

Walmart withdraws Christmas cocaine sweater

It wasn't the type of white powder that makes Christmas complete -- American retail giant Walmart has withdrawn a festive sweater that celebrates cocaine. The sweater depicts Santa Claus with straw in hand, and three white lines laid out on a table before him. The description of the product, marketed by a third-party vendor on Walmart's Canadian site, was explicit.

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 11:26:28 -0500

Christmas repeats: UK PM copies 'Love Actually' spoof

Boris Johnson on Tuesday faced claims of plagiarism after copying a spoof version of a scene from the hit Christmas film "Love Actually" as part of his election campaign. Britain's prime minister is seen in a social media clip taking the part of actor Andrew Lincoln, who turns up to profess his undying love for Keira Knightley by showing her flashcards.

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:03:07 -0500

Artist who ate banana artwork at Basel 'not sorry'

A banana duct-taped to a wall at Art Basel Miami and titled "Comedian" by artist Maurizio Cattelan was removed by fellow artist David Datuna on Saturday, and eaten as a crowd documented it with their phones. (Dec. 9)

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 16:43:11 -0500

The wacky, big-money world of pet influencers

Grumpy Cat, Lil Bub, Boo the Pomeranian and Doug the Pug are just some of the internet's star animals, who do everything from support worthy causes to promote major brands. The death this week of Lil Bub, a cat whose tongue was always hanging out due to genetic anomalies, inspired a wave of emotion that highlighted the internet's power to elevate just about anything to cult status. Lil Bub rose to fame after her adoption in 2011, when her owner, music producer Mike Bridavsky, began posting photos and updates about her online.

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 20:43:30 -0500

Japanese magazine ridiculed for 'Socrates' dating advice

A Japanese magazine that advised women to compliment men on their intelligence by saying "You sound like Socrates" has been ridiculed in the country ranked one of the world's worst for gender parity. "JJ", a major fashion magazine targeted at young women, encouraged readers to compare men to the classical Greek philosopher when they say something complicated. The tips were based on a comic book by a female manga artist, the magazine said, playing on a popular trope where women compliment men and feign stupidity.

Thu, 05 Dec 2019 01:54:07 -0500

Japanese man, 71, arrested for 'making 24,000 complaint calls'

A Japanese pensioner has been arrested after ringing a phone company 24,000 times to complain they had violated his contract, police and local media reported. Tokyo police said they took 71-year-old Akitoshi Okamoto into custody last week after he made hundreds of toll-free calls over eight days to the customer service section of major telephone operator KDDI.

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 02:43:15 -0500

'One Team', '#KuToo' buzzwords for 2019 in Japan

Japan rugby team's slogan "One Team", the "#KuToo" campaign against a de-facto requirement to wear heels at work, and the new imperial era name "Reiwa" were chosen Monday as the most memorable 2019 buzzwords. "One Team" was declared the top buzzword of the year live on national TV, after the Brave Blossoms captured Japan's imagination by reaching the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. Campaigners say wearing high heels is seen as near-obligatory when job hunting or working at many Japanese companies.

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 04:23:04 -0500

Burglars hit East German secret police museum in Berlin

Burglars broke into Berlin's Stasi Museum, which showcases items of East Germany's hated secret police, making off with collectible medals and gold jewellery, authorities said Sunday, days after a spectacular diamond heist in Dresden. The time of the raid was unclear but a museum employee found showcases smashed in the exhibition rooms on Sunday morning. Museum director Joerg Drieselmann told the Tagesspiegel daily that among the medals taken were a gold Patriotic order of Merit, an Order of Karl Marx -- the highest honour awarded in the former communist East Germany and an Order of Lenin.

Sun, 01 Dec 2019 13:36:46 -0500

Taiwan's wheelchair athletes find love on the dance floor

Taiwanese athletes Vincent Kuo and Ivy Huang each discovered an electric talent for wheelchair dancing on their own -- but it was when they were paired up together that the sparks really flew. Currently ranked world number two, the recently-married couple are in Germany this weekend to compete in the World Para Dance Sport Championship. "I have always been interested in sports even if I can't play them because of my disabilities," Kuo told AFP during a break from practicing Latin dance moves with his wife in New Taipei City.

Fri, 29 Nov 2019 22:06:26 -0500

Costly holiday tree scandalises Russian coal town

An expensive holiday tree installed in the centre of an industrial Siberian city has been ridiculed online and on national media as a symbol of corruption, though authorities defended the high-tech purchase. Russian comedian Ivan Urgant, who hosts a show on popular Channel One, ridiculed the Kemerovo tree as having "very expensive ornaments -- real rabbits, bears, cars and planes" and hinted at corruption in the city hall.

Fri, 29 Nov 2019 09:28:19 -0500

Japan store to replace staff 'period badges' after uproar

A Japanese department store has scrapped a "period badge" for employees that let colleagues know they were menstruating, after the policy sparked an internet storm, a spokeswoman said Friday. One of Daimaru's upscale department stores in the western city of Osaka began the programme last month, adopting an idea proposed by female employees.

Fri, 29 Nov 2019 06:25:56 -0500

It's coming home: Karaoke World Championships rocks Japan

Monique is Panama's representative in the Karaoke World Championships, one of 40 amateur warblers selected from 30,000 entrants for the competition, which is being held this year for the first time in its spiritual home of Japan. The final contestants were selected from some 30,000 applicants across the globe, according to Daiichikosho, a Japanese karaoke company backing the event.

Thu, 28 Nov 2019 19:31:33 -0500

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