Filling the sky with a mass of colour, these extraordinary pictures show hundreds of balloons taking off during a new world record attempt.

A total of 408 hot air balloons took off from a former Nato base in Chambley, France, in the hope of setting a new record for a mass take-off.

The balloonists are taking part in the Lorraine Mondial international hot air balloon festival, which is held at the Chambley-Bussieres Aerodrome.

They were attempting to beat the previous record, which was only set on Saturday at the same festival when 343 balloons successfully took to the air.

This broke the previous record of 329 balloons, set in 2009.

The popular festival has been taking place in France since 1989 and attracts balloonists from around the world.

Previous record attempts at the festival have been hampered by bad weather. In 2011, hundreds of balloonists had to postpone their attempt while poor conditions cleared.

Hot air balloon festivals are held annually around the world every year.

Pope Francis told reporters today that he would not judge or marginalize gay people within the Roman Catholic Church.

“If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” Francis asked reporters.

Francis’ calls for treating gay people with dignity is a clear departure from the style and approach of his two most recent predecessors.

Francis’ remarks came in a wide-ranging interview aboard a flight back from Brazil in his first foreign trip as pontiff.

Francis, 76, also said in the interview that having Benedict at the Vatican is like having a wise grandfather at home, to whom he turns for advice.

This colourful canopy over the baking hot streets of Agueda in Portugal will not only keep you dry but will certainly put many other art exhibitions in the shade.

The sea of umbrellas brings a shower of colour over the town’s narrow lanes and creates a beautiful scene – while also protecting passers-by from the baking sun.

While they appear to be floating magically in mid-air, the umbrellas are actually held up by string.

In place from July to September, the project has been developed by Umbrella Sky Project of the firm Sextafeira Produgues, who are dedicated to creating various urban installations using low-cost concepts.
The bright idea not only attracts attention but also beautifies everyday life, primarily through the use of colour.

Returning to the town for the second year, images from previous years have travelled the world and many now visit the Portuguese region to see Agueda’s colourful umbrella sky.

The Italian city of Venice has finally made it onto Google Street View – despite being built on water.

Google has finally overcome the obstacle of capturing a city with no streets after strapping 360° cameras to employees who have travelled around Venice on foot.

Normally, Google Street View images are taken by a specially equipped car, but in the case of the popular Italian destination, extreme measures had to be taken.

Employees have made their across Venice’s piazzas and narrow walkways wearing backpacks containing the 33lbs cameras, and images should be available in two weeks.
The cameras, named The Trekker, have been used by Google to capture places only available by foot, such as the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

A French drinks company is launching a red wine that will have the edge on its competitors – by adding a dash of cola.

In a break with tradition Rouge Sucette, French for red lollipop, is made from 75 per cent grapes with the remainder from water, sugar and cola flavouring.

Sure to horrify connoisseurs, it is designed to appeal to the younger ‘Coke generation’.

Winemakers fear that young people who drink endless spirits and mixers but are not so keen on wine will be difficult to attract if they do not adapt to their palette.

The 9 per cent ABV blend is part of a new range by Aquitaine-based firm Haussmann Famille.

The company recommends serving it ice-cold for the summer weather.

It went on sale this week for 2.95 euros a bottle and is hoped to become a feature of French barbeques and summer drinks parties.

Pauline Lacombe, Marketing Director of Haussmann Famille, said: ‘The result is surprising; the balance between the bitterness of the wine and the sweetness of the cola is perfect.’

‘This kind of product is more dedicated to young adults, and women.

‘We have worked closely with a lab in Bordeaux, specialised in aroma.’

(Reuters)- Italian construction magnate Pietro Salini is prepared to donate 20 million euros ($26 million) to help restore and preserve the ancient city of Pompeii, which has been damaged by weather and plagued by the mafia and corrupt management.

“It would be a crime to let Pompeii crumble,” Salini, CEO of Impregilo, said at a press conference on Thursday to present the construction company’s new strategy plan following a takeover of Impregilo by his family owned group.

When the nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, the Roman city of Pompeii was buried in ash for centuries underground. Excavations have uncovered portions of the city, exposing it to the elements and turning it into one of Italy’s top tourist sites.

Salini said his aim was to attract other international donors to help relaunch one of the world’s most treasured archaeological sites.

Italy declared a state of emergency in Pompeii in 2008 after archaeologists complained about poor upkeep, mismanagement and lack of investment.

In February, the European Union launched a 105-million-euro restoration of Pompeii and said it would seek to protect conservation funds from the local mafia.

The EU project began a day after police arrested a restorer on suspicion of pocketing hugely inflated fees for work at the crumbling ancient town.

Salini’s plan echoes similar moves by Italian companies to help the country’s cultural heritage such as the restoration of Rome’s Colosseum sponsored by luxury shoemaker Tod’s.