New York  - A large US fitness studio chain is attracting members with a full cinema experience in its studios.

Instead of comfortable plush seats, treadmills are installed in the studio's Cardio Cinema areas, which are dark, just like regular cinemas. While exercising, members can watch movies such as Superman Returns or The Love Guru on a large screen. The programme changes daily, but for health reasons, no popcorn is served.

New York  - Instead of blowing their money in the New York Stock Exchange, Americans can now invest in the careers of models in the hope that they will someday become a top star on the catwalk.

Rome  - Colourful tartans well-known in Scotland currently are all the rage in Italy. Anyone with a sense of style from Milan to Messina and from Pordenone to Palermo is wearing plaids.

Wuerzburg, Germany  - Some people have a long list including the names of their spouse, uncles, nephews, neighbours and even acquaintances they have made at the gym, for whom they intend to buy Christmas presents.

Before heading to the shops, people should take a few minutes to think about what they want to give. A Christmas gift, after all, is a statement about their relationship with the recipient. A suitable gift delivers maximum pleasure.

Hamburg  - People who work in the hotel and restaurant industries often are the target of sexual harassment on the job, says a report by a Bilbao-based European agency for security and health in the workplace.

Nearly 8 per cent of hospitality employees complain about sexual harassment on the job, according to the report, which was referenced by a German professional association for food and restaurants based in Mannheim. In other branches about 2 per cent complain.

In addition, about 12 per cent see themselves as the target of intimidation and 6.5 per cent have been confronted with physical violence. In other sectors, the figures are 8.5 per cent and 3.5 per cent, respectively.

Tokyo  - Japan's hottest new idols are busy not only brushing up their appearances, but also their inner beauty by cramming on East Asian history to maintain the title of reki-doru or history-buff idols.

The erudite idol genre grew from the popularity of a Japanese video game focusing on the nation's 15th and 16th centuries war-time era and popular manga comics depicting China's Romance of Three Kingdoms. This has helped boost clientele, according to Japan's business daily, The Nikkei.