News of the World

BHUTAN

After Bhutan’s king amended the penal code decriminalizing homosexuality last year, residents nestled in the Himalayas have embraced the LGBTQ community.

Last month, an openly lesbian woman, Tashi Choden Chombal, was crowned Miss Bhutan 2022, and will represent the nation in the Miss Universe pageant in December.

“There has been tremendous support for the first queer Miss Bhutan,” said Namgay Zam, director of the Journalists’ Association of Bhutan and an LGBTQ rights activist. “She has become a queer icon now.”

RUSSIA

The restaurant chain that replaced McDonald’s after the burger giant left Russia over the invasion of Ukraine has run out of french fries.

“Tasty and That’s It” says a shortage of “rustic potatoes,” caused in part by the invasion, has led the restaurant to suspend fries from the menu until the fall.

PAKISTAN

A goat born with long ears has become a viral sensation.

The animal, named Simba, was born last month in Karachi with ears that measure 21 inches long.

“Within 10 to 12 days of his birth, he was already appearing in all the national and international media and won a beauty contest,” said breeder Mohammad Hasan Narejo.

CHINA

Archeologists have unearthed 14 ancient tombs in central China that date back to the Han (25-220 AD) and Tang (618-907 AD) dynasties.

The tombs were discovered in the city of Leiyang in Hunan province. The tombs included pottery and elaborate bronzeware.

MEXICO

The Catholic Church has turned to Interpol, the international policing organization, to find an ancient sculpture of Joseph and the baby Jesus stolen from a church in San Luis de Potosi.

The 18th century Guatemalan wood sculpture was one of the most revered in the church, where a valuable chalice was also stolen.

Archbishop Jorge Albert Cavazos Arizpe said Wednesday that although local authorities had contacted Interpol, he is hopeful that the relics have not yet left the country.