We’ll live happily on bread and melon juice

The world’s most powerful man promptly dispatched it to the netherworld with a well-timed swat. Last week, it was the turn of the pope.

Reporters were at a loss what to do when a large arachnid appeared on the pope’s white robes, while he addressed politicians and diplomats in Prague, Czech Republic.

The pope remained unaware of the spider until it crawled on his face, when he brushed it off.

But the spider re-appeared again on his shoulder, but this time it scampered down his robes.

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Confucius say many children good

Two million people are now recognised as being descendants of the Chinese philosopher Confucius, according to a family tree released during the 2,560th anniversary of his birth.

Last updated in 1937, the tree now lists all 83 generations of the philosopher’s descendants.

The latest version, a 43,000-page document spread over 80 books, adds 1.4 million names to the family tree of Confucius, known in China as Kong Fuzi.

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All that glitters is not Tanzania ruby

Just days after miners discovered a 507-carat diamond worth in excess of $20 million at a South African mine, London jewellers last week said that a rare gemstone valued at $18 million that helped to underpin the finances of a UK-based construction company could actually be worthless.

Known as the Gem of Tanzania, the 2.1kg ruby had been mentioned frequently in the British press and appeared in the accounts of the now collapsed Wrekin Construction, which used its exaggerated value to shore up its balance sheet.

Now valuers say the ruby, which as its name suggests was mined in Tanzania, is actually worth about $1,500 — the same as a very, very small diamond.