Bratislava  - Slovakia has partially relaxed its controversial law requiring the ending "ova" to be added to women's name on official documents.

Until now, a Slovak woman who married a German national by the name of Mueller, for example, had to list herself on all official Slovak documents as Meuellerova.

This will change conditionally in early 2009 under the new law. From then, a woman in such a situation can use the simple name, Mueller, on her driver's licence and other Slovak documents.

However, this will only be permitted if in addition to her Slovak citizenship she has citizenship in another country in which the "ova" ending is not used.

Washington  - Lawmakers in the US state of Nebraska learned a few lessons earlier this year after a law they passed to protect newborn babies resulted in an unexpected number of teenagers being handed over to state custody.

After only five months of being in effect, the state's so-called safe haven law was revised on November 21 by the state legislature - meeting in emergency session - and immediately signed by the governor.

The revision limits the age of children that can be turned over to the state to 30 days.

The legislature acted at the behest of officials who said the law was always meant to protect newborns in immediate danger of being harmed.

Hamburg  - Perfect make-up all day, every day, remains the goal of many women. Some even strive for perfection after swimming or coming off a long day of work.

While eyeshadow and blush fade far too quickly, permanent make-up promises a fresh tone and a perfectly made-up face. The permanent make-up business is booming, but anyone considering having the procedure should inform themselves well in advance.

Johannesburg  - Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe has a new calling in South Africa ... as a fly swatter.

Bremen, Germany  - A Bremen-based designer is turning heads with hats that look like grandma herself made them, while giving the wearer a light, airy feel.

New York  - There was a time when people lit a candle in a church, if they wanted their prayers answered. But in the 21st century, that is so 1990.