World

The statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro has sustained a broken finger from lightning that struck it, informed world agencies Saturday. A heavy electric rainstorm raged over the major Brazilian city on Thursday, causing power cuts for many households. The world famous Jesus statue, rising over a 700 m hill above Rio was damaged by another storm …

Nina Agdal is the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue’s rookie of the year for 2012. A South Beach resident for the past 1 1/2 years, the Denmark native has become one of the world’s top bikini and lingerie models. Her first public appearance since winning the SI title was at last weekend’s Ludus Athletics Model Beach Volleyball Tournament in South Beach, …

Zac Efron’s jaw isn’t wired shut anymore which means he can talk which means he can start getting to work promoting That Awkward Moment. And promote he did. During a Q&A for the film at the Facebook HQ campus, Zac met his biggest Facebook fan. Her name is Kirby and it sounds like her husband wouldn’t even be mad if …

An Ohio killer appeared to gasp several times as a previously unused combination of drugs was used to execute him. It took almost 25 minutes for Dennis McGuire to die after doses of two drugs, the sedative midazolam and the painkiller hydromorphone, were used in the lethal injection. It was one of the longest executions since Ohio resumed capital punishment …

A shocked nun has given birth to a baby boy, and named him after Pope Francis. The 31-year-old nun, who comes originally from El Salvador, was rushed to hospital from her convent in the Italian city of Rieti – only to find, to her huge surprise, that her ‘stomach pains’ were in fact labour pains.

A Pennsylvania couple has drawn national attention for the ad they wrote attempting to sell their house. The four bedroom 1901 Victorian has now become a draw for ghost hunters. The ad for the house at 1217 Marion St. in Dunmore casually tells potential buyers that the building is, “slightly haunted. Nothing serious, though.” Greg and Sandi Leeson go on …

Russian President Vladimir Putin says gays should feel welcome at the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, but they must “leave the children in peace”. Mr Putin told volunteers today that gays visiting Sochi “can feel calm and at ease,” and vowed that there would be no discrimination at the games.

In its ongoing bid to get back on its feet, embattled retailer JC Penney Company, Inc. (JCP) announced after Wednesday’s closing bell that it is shuttering 33 underperforming stores across the U.S., including five stores in Wisconsin, a state where rival Kohl’s (KSS) has a strong presence. With that comes the dismissal of approximately 2,000 employees. Penney’s has shed more …

Jon Gosselin, of Jon & Kate Plus 8 fame, revealed that he won’t be adding any more children to his already extensive brood. Jon Gosselin: ‘I’m Fixed’ Gosselin is currently starring on VH1’s Couple’s Therapy with the new woman in his life, his girlfriend Liz Jannetta. Even if the two survive the therapy, Gosselin says more children won’t be in …

Russell Johnson from Gilligan’s Island, who played the Professor has died aged 89… His death was confirmed by his agent on Thursday — Johnson died at his home in Washington State of natural causes. Only Tina Louise and Dawn Wells are still alive, who were both part of the seven castaways on Gilligan’s Island.

A hunter who paid $350,000 for the right to hunt and kill an endangered African black rhino says he has had to hire full-time security after receiving death threats. Corey Knowlton became a figure of hate after his name was leaked on to the internet after his winning bid at last week’s Dallas Safari Club auction. Speaking on state television, …