Berlin: A leading German dictionary publisher plans to launch a guide it says will help men translate the subtext of female conversation.
The Langenscheidt publishing group, best known for its well-respected yellow foreign language dictionaries, will launch sales of a 128-page book to translate such baffling female banter as: "Let's just cuddle" into "No sex tonight, please!"
"Each themed chapter offers men behavioural tips and exposes hidden messages transmitted by women in everyday situations, such as on holiday or during shopping trips," said Silke Exius, chief editor at Langenscheidt.
Tbilisi: Georgia demanded yesterday that Moscow quit part of a military base on the Black Sea, saying the sight of Russian troops drying their underwear was ruining the reputation of its former imperial master.
Russia's two military bases in Georgia are a major irritant in relations.
"They are drying their underwear, and the remains of a once-great army are lying around on their armoured vehicles. I do not think this is good for Russia," President Mikhail Saakashvili said on Georgian television.
San Francisco: California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is holding a giant sale to dispose of unwanted state property from aircraft engines to jewellery. Dubbed the California Garage Sale, it will take place today and tomorrow in the state capital Sacramento and some of the items will also be offered by online auctioneer eBay.
The items include office furniture - most of the state's furniture is made by prisoners - 30lbs of scissors, forklifts, knives, expired colour film, computers, jewellery and a red 1995 Ford Mustang.
Some items at the sale, said to be the first of its kind for the state, were confiscated at airports. Yet much of what is on offer was purchased by government agencies and eventually fell into misuse or was forgotten.
Wellington: New Zealand agriculture officials have threatened to confiscate and burn the olive branch head wreaths awarded to Olympic athletes should any of the country's three medal winners attempt to bring them into the country.
The officials have warned cycle rider Sarah Ulmer and rowing twins Georgina and Caroline Evers-Swindell that the wreaths won with their gold medals will be barred as a security threat.
"Our understanding is that they are made out of olive branches, roses and chrysanthemums - this is plant material and it is considered to be a biosecurity risk," Agriculture Ministry official Veronica Herrera said yesterday.
Neighbouring Australia has told its homecoming Olympic heroes they will have to give up their wreaths - given to all medallists in tribute to the Games' Greek roots - for disinfection.
But none of the three New Zealanders who have won medals has asked if that is a possibility, Ms Herrera said.