Miss France keeps title despite photos

"PARIS - Miss France 2008 will keep her crown, despite racy photos that appeared recently in a gossip magazine, but will not compete in the Miss World or Miss Universe pageants. Valerie Begue, 22, will not be...

Montreal closes two-thirds of outdoor pools due to contamination

"Montreal's mayor has ordered two-thirds of the city's 73 outdoor pools to immediately close after a news report said they failed lab tests. Gerald Tremblay said today the pools will remain closed until they pass...

LACKING CONTROL

"Cock!". "What did you say?!", I replied, slightly unsure as to whether this tubby 4-year old said what I heard. "Nothing", he responded following up by spitting water in my face. It is not uncommon for the...

Check Your Swimming Pool, There May Be a "Lady in the Water"

"What could be creepier than bedtime story creatures coming to life? How about having to protect these creatures from evil bedtime story villains?"

QUALITY CONTROL

"Uncle Mehdi... [inaudible squeal of a young child]?", asked one of the unruly children while another four stood beside also squealing for my attention. "No, I'm Uncle Daveed", I corrected before attempting to...

MATERNAL INSTINCTS

"Take some more film", my father instructed me, "Did you get a picture of this?", he irritatingly repeated, "Make sure I'm in the photo" he went on, making certain that his presence would be known just in case anyone...

KNOWING SMILE

"We're gonna put them with you, they can stay at your place for the two weeks", announced my father regarding an impending visit from two English engineers. Searching his face for cracks that would eventually bare a...

Woman Finds Crocodile in Swimming Pool

"AP - A woman found a small crocodile in her backyard swimming pool in Sydney, a zoo spokeswoman said Monday, just weeks after another crocodile was found in a nearby pond."