During Baghdad's darkest days, often the only light at night was that of gunfire and mortar rounds. But the Iraqi capital now looks a world apart, with packed restaurants, parks and even the odd nightclub.

Though still a long way from its once-lofty status as one of the region's most dynamic nightspots, and with the social scene out of reach for many Baghdadis, the options after sunset offer a rare bright spot for a violence-wracked country.

Japan's weather agency announced the official beginning of cherry blossom season in Tokyo on Saturday, equaling the record for the earliest ever start.

The national weather service used the capital's central Yasukuni Shrine as a barometer to judge the start of the season, which sees an explosion of colors that last only about a week.

The Canadian commander of the International Space Station delighted schoolchildren in a live question and answer session conducted from space on Friday.

Chris Hadfield, who became the first Canadian to take command of the ISS on Wednesday, thrilled his young audience as he floated around during the grilling before signing off with a somersault.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday launched his new podcast, "Being Biden," to share his behind-the-scenes view of life as number two in the world's biggest superpower.

According to the White House, in each installment the famously jocular VP will tell the story behind a particular photo -- where it was taken, why he thinks it matters and how it fits into the big picture.

"If I don't marry you, I'll become a priest."

They didn't get married. He became a priest. And yesterday, he became the pope.

U.S. federal authorities charged a Reuters social media editor Thursday with conspiring with the hacktivist group Anonymous to break into and alter an online Los Angeles Times article.

Matthew Keys, 26, was indicted in California on three counts of felonies related to hacking before his current Reuters post. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Australia's largest casino has alerted police to a betting scam in which a high-roller reportedly netted Aus$32 million (US$33 million) in an "Ocean's Eleven" style heist.

Melbourne's Herald-Sun newspaper Friday said a foreigner staying at the Crown Casino was involved in the sting which it believes accessed the venue's own surveillance cameras, which are constantly trained on players and croupiers.

A Tokyo zoo put its pandas back on display Friday after keepers decided mating season was over, with wellwishers hoping their two attempts would bear fruit.

Shin Shin and her companion Ri Ri were given privacy earlier this week after they started showing signs of being in season, with managers at Ueno Zoo saying the notoriously shy animals would have more success away from prying eyes.

An Italian hip hop artist has released a song entitled "Letter to the Pope" urging the Catholic world's new leader to reform the Church, allow people to divorce, accept gays and put an end to abuses.

Dino Dispenza or "Dydo" for short said just-elected Pope Francis seemed "nice" but the singer said he still wanted to "try and understand what he is going to do", speaking to the Italian news agency ANSA on Thursday.

Many parents would be delighted to have their son become pope -- not so Eleonore Schoenborn, mother of Austrian candidate Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn.

"Being pope would be too much for Christoph, it would be much too difficult for him," the 92-year-old told Austrian daily Kronen-Zeitung in an interview. "He is too good for the job."