The history of Halloween - how it all started

Halloween began as the festival of Samhain. It was part of the ancient Celtic religion in Britain and other parts of Europe.

At the end of summer, the Celts thought the barrier between our world and the world of ghosts and spirits got really thin.

This meant weird creatures with strange powers could wander about on Earth.

The Celts had a big party. It was all about scaring away the ghosts and spirits.

Later, with the Christian religion, the day became known as All Hallows' Eve - the day before All Saints' Day on 1 November.

America picks up the pace

It's in America that Halloween has really taken off.

Irish immigrants to the United States raised the popularity of Halloween during the 19th century.

During the 20th century it became more and more popular, with traditions like pumpkin carving and trick or treating becoming part of TV shows, books and movies. (CBBC Newsround)

Stray dogs on the rise in Greece

Animal charities are warning that there are now more than one million stray animals on the streets in Greece.

Greece has borrowed loads of money over the last 10 years or so - both from European banks and from other countries' governments.

Now the country owes billions of pounds, and has signed a deal to help try to get it out of debt.

Find out more about Greece's money problems here.

But this has had a knock on effect on the people living in Greece, and has meant that some of them don't have a lot of money.

Animal charities think this might be one of the reasons why there are more stray dogs and cats on the streets in Greece, as their owners can no longer afford to take care of them.

A group of vets from the UK has flown out to try to help rescue some of the stray animals.

From CBBC Newsround

Beard and Moustache Championships

The Championships first started in 1990, and have increased in popularity every year. Now 350 bearded competitors are competing.

Meet the hairy competitors

Bearded competitors from all over the world are gathering in Austria, for this year's annual Beard and Moustache World Championships.

Around 350 contestants from 20 different countries have signed up to show off their hairy facial sculptures, in the hopes of being crowned champions.

Hairy competitors can take part in 18 different categories, including best goatie, best stubble and best fashion beard.

Here is a closer look at some of the whiskered wonders who will be competing...

The championships take place in a different country every year, and the UK even held one in 2007. Take a look at this mighty tusk moustache!

From CBBC Newsround

Sam Smith's James Bond song makes chart history

Singer Sam Smith has made history by topping the charts with his latest single Writing's On The Wall.

The song is the official theme for the new James Bond film called Spectre, and is the first theme from the Bond films to ever get a number one.

It soared straight into the top spot with 70,000 combined sales and streams, pushing it 13,000 ahead of closest competitor, Justin Bieber"s What Do You Mean?

The only other artists who have come close are Adele with Skyfall and Duran Duran's View To A Kill, which both reached number two.

Sam said he was "so proud" of the song, and being number one was "crazy".

From CBBC Newsround

Thirsty leopard gets head stuck in pot for six hours

An unlucky leopard got its head stuck in a metal pot after wandering into a village in India on Wednesday.

Local media reported that the leopard was thirsty and had become stuck after trying to drink water from the pot.

It took forest officials more than six hours to temporarily put the leopard to sleep and then free it from the pot.

The animal was later released back into the wild.(CBBC Newsround)