With pints of thick black Guinness passing over a dark wooden bar, the Pogues’ Christmas melody blasting out of speakers and revelers noshing on bangers and mash, the pub feels like it could be in downtown Dublin — or even Southie in Boston. But this drinking hole sits in the heart of Mexico City; it is one of dozens of European-style bars and pubs that have sprung up in the capital in recent years. Read more»

The Rogue Theatre’s new permanent home is helping boost attendance for their avant garde productions. According to Joe McGrath, artistic director of the company, attendance at this season’s first project, Animal Farm, was up by 30 percent over previous shows. Read more»

After years of pointing out the trials and tribulations of others, David Letterman's got a bit of a problem himself Read more»

MEXICO CITY — Pilar Blanco and her family sit down to dinner in what looks like an age-old meal time ceremony. But when she serves up the food, there is one major difference from tradition: instead of tortillas and beans, the family eats instant noodle soups, potato chips and fizzy soda. Read more»

When a Chicago couple grew dangerously ill two years ago after eating a home-cooked fish dinner, Canadian scientists figured out what had sickened them by using a new genetic test. The Chicago couple — who recovered — had dined on poisonous puffer fish that had been mistakenly labeled as a safe monkfish. Read more»

Italians have long grown accustomed to the din in a country divided politically. Harder to shrug off is a recession that has them feeling more worried and depressed. 33 percent say they're having sex less often. That apparently isn't the case with Italy's prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi. For the past year, his alleged sexual exploits have been the stuff of widespread media coverage, café chatter and, most recently, tape-recorded pillow talk. Read more»

Get all the latest on the Michael Jackson case Read more»