The Austrian Supreme Court denied a petition by a British woman to have her chimpanzee elevated to human status. Paula Stibbe, who assumed guardianship over Hiasl, a chimp who was left money by an unidentified benefactor to ensure his future after the animal house he used to call home went bankrupt, argued the ape should enjoy the same rights as any human child as Hiasl loves watching TV, playing games, on top of his being very affectionate.

After disappearing five years ago, a canoeist reportedly walked into a police station in central London, identifying himself as missing person John Darwin. Darwin had disappeared in 2002 after going on a canoe trip and failing to return. He was last seen setting off towards some rocks at around 9 a. m. in March, 2002. When he did not turn up during the night shift at his job at the Holme House prison, a search spanning 16 hours was started along the coast of the Seaton Carew beach, where his shattered canoe washed up, followed up his paddle weeks after.

American novelist Norman Mailer, who at 84 died due to renal failure just last month, became the recipient of the annual Bad Sex in Fiction Award, which identifies authors responsible for tasteless depictions of sexual acts in novels. The late author was given the award for his work on his literary description of the incestuous physical encounter between Adolf Hitler's parents.

A simple key that experts believe could have saved the legendary Titanic from sinking, will go up for auction in Britain next month. The key belonged to the crow's nest locker that held the binoculars crew members could have used to search for dangerous icebergs. Titanic hit an Atlantic iceberg resulting in sinking of the ship 95 years ago. The Guardian reported Wednesday that the key failed to make it to the ship's 1912 maiden voyage because second officer David Blair, who held the key, was taken off at the last minute and he forgot to turn it over to the ship crew.

Mayor Gianluca Buonanno of Varallo announced plans to give 50 euros ($70) to all the men who lose 4 kg (9 pounds) in a month, while the women will be rewarded the same amount for shedding 3 kg (7 pounds). A doctor must verify that participants are considered "overweight" prior to beginning their diet. If this was not enough to motivate the people to lose weight, Buonanno also announced to pay an additional 200 euros ($280) to anyone who can keep the weight off for 5 months.