TopFinds: Benny Hinn's divorce, Winnipeg's school lap-dance

Televangelist Benny Hinn is facing a divorce. South Africa intercepts weapon parts bound from North Korea to Congo. Winnipeg teachers are suspended after they lap-dance in school. These are the top stories from around the world.

"As one listens to heartbeats in a piece of America's heartland, the sounds are mostly conversations about local events and the weather." That was a standout line from one of Carol Forsloff's special reports on small-town America. In this piece, she finds out how the media affects various communities across the U.S. Carol takes us to South Bend and Bellingham, describing the news trucks she spots pulling up to courthouses. Check out her photos, too, to see how this feature takes advantage of multimedia resources. Alessandro Di Maio is becoming known on Digitaljournal.com for his photo-rich well-written feature articles. He dazzles us again with a comprehensive article on anti-Semitic acts striking Strasbourg, France, and the government reaction. He's on scene at a defaced Jewish cemetery during Yom HaShoah, a day of Holocaust remembrance in the Jewish faith. If you haven't seen any of his outstanding pics, see below for a sample.

Alessandro Di Maio

Desecrated Tombstones at the Jewish Cemetery of Strasbourg, France (28 January 2009) Photo: Alessandro Di Maio

image:63824:10::0

Perhaps you've been to Toronto but have you ever been to the Allan Gardens Conservatory? This popular garden-house nestled in the east end of Toronto is profiled by KJ Mullins. Her photos do the site justice, and she reports on the origins of the Gardens and what you can check out. Who needs Yelp when you have Digital Journalists as your travel guides? A selection of other notable stories include: • Japan offers Iran access to nuclear power to enrich uranium by Andrew Moran: It's a shocking headline for a shocking story -- Japan may be giving Iran enriched uranium, even though Iran has yet to agree to the deal. Andrew reports the "uranium would be used at Tehran’s research reactor to produce medical isotopes" but critics are skeptical of this claim. • South Africa Intercepts North Korean Arms Shipment by Christopher Szabo: In more international news, Christopher tells us about North Koran tank parts bound for the Congo intercepted by South African officials. Evidently, this is a violation of Security Council resolution 1874, "which bans all types of arms sales as well as weapons imported by the isolated Stalinist state." Tsk tsk, North Korea. • Severe flash floods, landslides kill dozens in Portugal by Andrew Moran: Always on top of breaking news, Andrew told us about the floods engulfing parts of Portugal, only moments before the world took notice. He digs around and finds various sources to get the most comprehensive info about this disaster. Great work, Andrew. • Actor Andrew Koenig's body found in Vancouver park by Gordon K. Chan: Remember Boner from the '80s show Growing Pains? Well, the Vancouver actor who played him has left this mortal coil, and police suspect he committed suicide. In a letter to the press, Koenig's father admits his son was depressed. • Suzanne Hinn, wife of televangelist Benny Hinn, files for divorce by Cynthia Trowbridge: All is not heavenly for preacher Benny Hinn. His wife Suzanne is filing for divorce citing "irreconcilable differences." As Cynthia reports, "the Hinns separated on Jan. 26, and Hinn and his family said they were shocked by the news of papers being filed for divorce." Carol Forsloff speculated on the marital spat: "Preachers who sensationalize themselves for their own self-aggrandizement often are seen as having some personal problems." • Lap Dance Earns Winnipeg Teachers Suspensions by Bob Gordon: How's this for a head-turner - two teachers in Winnipeg, Canada, were suspended for lap-dancing with each other at a school event. Some of the kids believe it's no big deal, some parents are outraged. Bob also includes the video of the controversial dance, so check out below for a big bowl of WTF. • French anti-smoking poster links habit to performing oral sex by Chris Dade: The images of this ad are raising hackles in France for linking cigarette smoking with oral sex. Complaints include scathing critique such as this one, as reported by Chris: "This campaign gives the impression of being more about sexuality than about anti-smoking. This is what bothers us." • Giant George the tallest dog ever by Cynthia Trowbridge: Cynthia makes another appearance in TopFinds with her delightful story about the tallest dog on record. George stands at seven feet three inches long from nose to tail. He's getting some immense publicity, but there's also a downside to owning the mammoth dog: George eats about 110 pounds of food a month at a cost of $300. • Skater Joannie Rochette's mother dead of heart attack by KJ Mullins: There have been many powerful story lines in the Winter Games, but in Canada none is more shattering than the death of Joannie Rochette's mother. Her mom's sudden heart attack suddenly thrust the figure skater into a spotlight, and Canadians wondered if she would continue to skate. Well, skate she did and she recently won the bronze medal for an inspiring performance that won't soon be forgotten. The Top Blog Post of the Week is awarded to Joseph Boltrukiewicz for another one of his stellar photo posts. This time, he takes us to the Troodos Mountains, in the mid-western part of Cyprus, and showcases an almost-deserted village. The photos are complemented by descriptions of what we're seeing. We look forward to more awesome photojournalism, Joseph! Also, this is your final reminder to enter February's Cover Your Community contest, where you can win $250 for your photojournalism or feature writing. The contest ends Feb. 28 at midnight so get publishing! The winner will be announced next week, and will also be prominently featured in TopFinds.