Four-time world footballer of the year Lionel Messi has come under tax evasion charges in Spain. The authorities there allege "La Pulga" and his father of filing fraudulent tax returns to the sum of $5.3 million (£3.37 million) in unpaid bills. Messi, of course, has dazzled soccer fans with his sublime play, having earned records for the most professional goals in a calendar year (86 in 2012) and also the most career wins of the Ballon d'Or with the aforementioned quad of victories.
South African icon Nelson Mandela continues to recover from a hospital stay due an ongoing lung condition. The former president was said to have been "responding better" to recent treatments on this, the 49th anniversary of his original life sentence in prison. Mandela obviously did not serve his life sentence under the country's apartheid regime, but his 27 years 6 months and 6 days of internment is still the longest period of incarceration for a future head of state.
This week, Dubai has inaugurated its latest addition to an epic city infrastructure: the tallest twisted tower. Cayan Tower - whose construction began in 2006 - twists a full 90 degrees from top to bottom and soars 307 meters (1,007 feet) into the Middle Eastern sky. It joins an impressive city skyline that most notably features the Burj Khalifa, which holds seven derivative records earned by being the tallest building, at 828 meters (2,716 ft 6 in) high.
If you're reading this, chances are you've passed a Subway sandwich shop at some point today. That's because with its more than 32,000 locations in 102 countries, Subway is the world's largest single-brand chain restaurant. The chain's recent explosion in growth can be traced in part to one man: Jared Fogle, who this week celebrates a very lucrative 15 years as the face of the brand.
Lastly, we here at GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS are saddened by the news of the passing of Jiroemon Kimura - the oldest person ever verified at age 116 years 54 days. When Kimura was born, Queen Victoria was still on the throne and aspirin had yet to even be invented. Make sure not to miss this look back at an amazing, literally one-of-a-kind life by our book's editor-in-chief, Craig Glenday.
