SPEED RACER

Speeding drivers in southern China are getting away with it thanks to machines that switch their licence plates in seconds. The price of the remote-control device starts at about $120. Or if you dont mind spending a bit more, you can pick up a more advanced apparatus with the ability to flip over the numbers in less than three seconds.

SUNDAY DRIVERS

The world's longest cross-sea bridge has opened in China with the aim of cutting travel time between two major ports. The problem is that hundreds of drivers have been fined already for driving too slowly to enjoy the view. Since opening on 1st May, police have fined more than 300 drivers, most for driving too slowly or illegal parking on the emergency lanes while enjoying the ocean view and taking photos.

BEAD DONATIONS

The head of Germany's Social Democrats is thinking about donating his beard to charity. Kurt Beck, who has a strong claim to lead the SPD into next year's national election, said in a panel discussion that he might shave off his beard to raise 1 million euros for charity. However, whether anyone would want to buy his beard is another matter as Mr Beck recently told reporters that his wife had said he had hair like a guinea pig.

SAUCY CIVIL SERVANT

A city bureaucrat in Japan has been suspended from his job after officials discovered he visited porn websites at work. The 57-year-old man surfed for porn almost every day for eight months from June 2007, spending up to three hours a day on the sites. The authorities only found out about his activities when they noticed that his computer had picked up the same virus repeatedly from the sites. Apparently angered citizens called city hall all day, saying the suspension wasnt enough.