News Lens

Possible skeleton of 'musketeer' found in Netherlands

A skeleton which could belong to d'Artagnan, the French soldier who inspired the novel The Three Musketeers, has been discovered in a church in the Dutch city where he died centuries ago, local media reporte.

First woman installed as Archbishop of Canterbury

The first woman to become Archbishop of Canterbury has said her teenage self could not have imagined making history as the top bishop in the Church of England.

Tiny Caribbean island faces wildlife showdown

600-year-old pinot noir grape found in French toilet

A 600-year-old grape seed discovered in the toilets of a medieval French hospital is genetically identical to the grapes still being used to make pinot noir wine, scientists said.

Catholics can get animal tissue transplants - Vatican

The Vatican has said that Catholics can receive transplants of animal tissues to address ⁠medical conditions, as procedures involving genetically modified pig or cow organs continue to advance.

Arrests in Brazil after 'brutal' attack on capybara

Rio de Janeiro police have said they had arrested eight people for brutally beating a capybara.

Russia launches first rocket from repaired Baikonur site

Russia has launched a rocket from Site 31 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome for the first time since it was damaged during a lift-off last November, video from Russia's Roscosmos space agency showed.

Endangered monkey gives birth after pioneering operation

An endangered monkey whose foot was saved from amputation thanks to pioneering surgery has given birth.

Tokyo's dazzling cherry blossom season officially begins

Meteorologists in Japan have declared the start of the much-loved cherry blossom season in Tokyo, as residents prepare to host outdoor picnics under dazzling floral displays.

Russia to refer women not wanting kids to psychologists

Russia will refer women who do not want to have children to psychologists under new health guidelines designed to address a systemic demographic crisis.

Cash returns to Sweden in case of emergency

Years after leading the revolution towards a cash-free society, Sweden is now urging inhabitants to keep banknotes on hand in case of emergency.

Trespasser caught in viral hippo Moo Deng's Thai zoo pen

A Thai man broke into the zoo enclosure of Moo Deng, an endangered baby pygmy hippo and internet sensation, police have said, as the zoo filed a trespassing complaint.

Sweden's prisons prepare to house young teens

North of Stockholm, the Rosersberg prison is making preparations to house children as young as 13 in response to a much-criticised juvenile judicial reform expected to take effect in July.

72% of infants have daily screen time, UK study finds

Nearly three in four (72%) nine-month-old babies have at least some screen time each day, a study has found.

Watch: Chicago River goes green for St Patrick's Day

The Chicago River has been dyed green ahead of St Patrick's Day.

In sea-change, UK may abandon homes to coastal erosion

In an English seaside village, researchers discuss options for relocating a graveyard threatened with slipping into the sea or moving back a car park perilously close to a cliff edge.

Dig at medieval castle reveals lost nuclear bunker

An archaeological dig at a 12th-century castle has unearthed a lost relic from the Cold War dubbed a "concrete bunker watching for Armageddon".

Police chase boar through home decor store in Berlin

A wild boar wandered into a Berlin shopping centre's home decor shop, sparking a police response that drew in officers and veterinarians equipped with an anaesthetic gun, wooden shields and even a blowgun but ended peacefully.

Sly fox stows away on ship from Britain to New York port

A red fox that managed to slip onto a US-bound ship in Britain was discovered by customs officers in the Port of New York, a zoo in the city has said.

Red fox sails from Britain to New York port

A red fox that managed to slip onto a US-bound ship in Britain was discovered by customs officers in the Port of New York, a zoo in the city has said.

Watch: North Korea's Kim and daughter test fire handguns

North Korean leader Kim ⁠Jong-un visited a munitions factory, state media KCNA reported, releasing photographs that showed him touring the facility with his teenage daughter and the pair test-firing handguns.

Pooh turns 100: Hunny-loving bear marks a milestone

Winnie the Pooh, the self-described bear of "very little brain" who has charmed generations with his homespun and heartfelt wisdom, is turning 100.

Ig Nobel prizes moving to Europe as US 'unsafe' to visit

The tongue-in-cheek Ig Nobel awards will be held in Europe for the first time this year because the United States has become "unsafe" for international prize-winners to visit, the organisers have announced.