Father cuts off suitor's hand
A Greek ex-convict sliced off the hand of his daughter's fiance with a sword during a meeting announcing their impending nuptials on the island of Naxos, Greek public television reported Sunday. .. more

Offbeat moments in Russia's elections
As Russian election officials worked to ensure a festive spirit at controversial parliamentary polls on Sunday, several incidents added an extra touch of surrealism. .. more

Court raps granny for assaulting man
A court in southern Norway on Friday dismissed assault claims filed by an 82-year-old woman against a young man, finding instead that she had attacked him first, media reported. .. more

French prison for sale
For sale in former city of popes: one mediaeval insane asylum and prison. .. more

Chilean prostitute offers sex wages for charity
A high-class Chilean prostitute touched by a charity telethon's bid to raise money for handicapped children has stepped forward with her own contribution: 27 hours of sex. .. more

Salzburg 'creche' for Xmas-weary men
Women in Salzburg will this year again be able to pursue their shopping with abandon over the Christmas period, free from sourpuss boyfriends and husbands. .. more

Farmer fined for rooster's crowing
A farmer with a rooster accused of crowing too loud in a northern Italian hamlet was fined 200 euros, the ANSA news agency reported. .. more

Judge is sacked for jailing 46 over mobile phone ring
A judge in New York state lost his job after taking 46 people into custody after they all refused to admit whose mobile phone rang while court was in session, court sources said Wednesday. .. more

Portugal unveils first ever stamp made of cork
The world's first stamp made entirely from cork was issued in Portuga, in a ceremony intended to show how the cork industry is diversifying in a world of screw-top lids. .. more

Lost Lithuanian treks homewards from Germany
A Lithuanian farmer who was left behind at German road stop spent nine days trekking part-way home, living on apples and water from puddles along the route, a Lithuanian newspaper reported. .. more

German court says students may rate teachers on Internet
A German court ruled on Tuesday that students had the right to rate the performance of their teachers and publish their opinions on the Internet, as long as the results were not defamatory. .. more

Frisky couple leave passengers out in cold
Passengers at a Danish train station were left out in the cold on Monday when a couple began having sex in the waiting room, police said. .. more

Journ0 denies slapping Aust candidate
A respected journalist Saturday denied reports that she had slapped a candidate in Australia's election in the face, saying she had pushed him away when he approached her. .. more

Pilot tells of drinking urine to survive jungle ordeal
A helicopter pilot described Friday how he had been forced to drink his own urine and eat leaves to survive for eight days and nights after crashing in the depths of the Kenyan jungle. .. more

Thai police may wear short sleeves to save energy
Thailand may allow its police officers to cool off by wearing a new short-sleeve uniform, a move they hope will also help save energy at police stations, a spokesman said. .. more

No deal with Musharraf: Sharif
Former Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif insisted that he had not cut a deal with President Pervez Musharraf to allow him to return from seven years in exile. .. more