And Finally

French authorities have seized over 20 tonnes of Eiffel Tower souvenirs in a bid to crack down on the illegal souvenir trade. Nine people are now being questioned by police and face potential prosecution over their role in shifting the trinkets.

A raccoon who broke into a woman's bathroom was shamed on social media by local police officers.

Police have issued a warning to beachgoers not to take home giant bundles of cannabis that have started washing up on Florida's coast. One 61-year-old man has so far been arrested and charged with possession of cannabis over 20 grams for claiming part of the illegal flotsam.

New research has uncovered incidents of men kissing cobras in a bid to use their venom as a substitute for opioids. The Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine has published a case study of two such men from the northern Indian state of Rajasthan.

Police officers responding to reports of machine-gun fire and screams arrived to find a children's birthday party in the middle of a foam pellet gun battle. Oliver Green, who was celebrating his eighth birthday, told BBC News he "put my hands up and dropped my gun" when officers arrived at his party

A restaurant owner has been fined around £190 for putting up a sarcastic window sign asking people not to let their dogs pee on an outdoor flower pot. Duc's Place, a Vietnamese restaurant in the US state of Connecticut, put up a sign reading: "Attn: dog owners. This is a pay-per-pee flower pot

All 25 prisons in the US state of Pennsylvania were put on lockdown recently after prison staff fell ill from exposure to a mysterious drug. Nearly 30 employees from ten different facilities have reported the symptoms of nausea, dizziness, tingling and a scratchy throat.

Ireland's advertising watchdog has upheld a complaint against a nightclub that lied about fake snow, free Christmas crackers, cheap drinks and an appearance from Santa. The "Snow Rave" at the Pulse Venue in Letterkenny last December was meant to have drinks for 99 cents all night according to a Face

A gin appreciation society has been reprimanded for its adverts including one which read: "Shut up liver, you're fine! Gin?" The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld 10 complaints about Facebook ads from the Scottish Gin Society.

The headteacher of a kindergarten has been fired for welcoming children back for the new term with a performance by a pole dancer. Videos on social media showed a dancer in hot pants performing her routine on the pole to loud music as children in marching band uniforms look on, stunned.

An ice cream seller has been told to stop selling his rum and raisin ice cream as it is too alcoholic. Gavin Murray, 47, opened his Just Ice stall four months ago but he has been told by council chiefs in Derby to apply for a licence, The Telegraph reports.

Police have arrested a man who stole a hearse with a body inside. Forty-year-old Annibal Saúl N admitted to stealing the hearse after discovering the vehicle along with the keys.

A fishmonger has been closed for sticking fake eyes on fish to make them appear fresher.

A man who allegedly ran out on dinner dates with women, leaving them to pay the full bill, is facing up to 13 years in prison. Paul Gonzales, 45, allegedly took financial advantage of at least 10 women he met on dating apps or websites.

A man has filed an $800,000 lawsuit against a construction firm which he claims fired him after he refused to attend weekly Bible study meetings. Ryan Coleman from Oregon was hired as a painter at Albany-based Dahled Up Construction in October 2017 and discovered on the job that he was required to a