School bans Harry Potter books because ‘spells are real’

A school in Nashville has removed all of the Harry Potter books from its library after a priest said the curses and spells are real. The school’s pastor, Reverend Dan Reehil, took the step after consulting with exorcists in America and Rome. He said: “These books present magic as both good and evil, which is not true, but in fact a clever deception.”

Man takes his tortoise to the pub

A man in Gloucestershire has started taking his tortoise to the local pub. Jason Smith claims the African sulcata tortoise needs to burn off energy. The creature, which has become famous around Tewkesbury, was bought from a pet shop in Hull. It is called Nancy Drew, even though it is male.

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Pope late for sermon after getting stuck in lift

The Pope was late for his Sunday sermon after getting stuck in lift for 25 minutes. When Francis eventually appeared, he said: “First of all I must excuse myself for being late. I was blocked in an elevator for 25 minutes.” He added: “Thank God the firefighters intervened.”

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