News OF THE World

ITALY

Risot-Oh no! Italy is facing a crisis as rice fields have been decimated by droughts, leaving its signature creamy dish, risotto, in danger.

Most of the country’s rice fields are up north, in the Po Valley, where varieties used in the classic meal, such as arborio and carnaroli, are grown.

In 2022, the worst drought in 200 years hit the Po, Italy’s longest river, and it lost 64,000 acres of rice fields. Italy is the largest rice producer in Europe, growing 50% of the crop in the European Union.

ENGLAND

A lopsided 18th century British pub that was illegally bulldozed after a mysterious fire was ordered to be rebuilt and keep its original quirky dimensions.

The Crooked House, located in the village of Himley in central England, is known for its leaning walls and tilting foundation, with one side standing 4 feet lower than the other.

A local council said it must return “back to what it was prior to the fire” by February 2027 or its owners would face prosecution.

NEW ZEALAND

A leap day computer glitch shut down gas stations for 10 hours.

Allied Petroleum, Gull, Z, Waitomo and BP reported problems with credit card payments Thursday because their software systems were not programmed with the onceevery-four-years Feb. 29.

FRANCE

Animal-rights activists wreaked havoc at Victoria Beckham’s Paris Fashion Week show to protest her brand’s use of animal products like leather.

Protesters stormed the catwalk donned in vests that said “turn your back on animal skins” and “animals aren’t fabric” and held signs reading “Viva vegan leather,” before being led away by security.

SINGAPORE

Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” arrived in Singapore on Saturday amid reports the nation’s Tourism Board paid as much as $3 million for the pop star’s six appearances in the country.

The board said it “supported the event through a grant,” but did not reveal how much was paid to host it.

Singapore is Swift’s second stop in Asia, after Japan, and more than 300,000 tickets have been sold.