Japan's foreign ministry is reportedly going to ban cell phones inside the foreign minister's office and his guest room, in an attempt to avoid secret recording of his conversation. A Japanese newspaper reports that not only visitors, but also ministry employees, will be requested to leave their cell phones before entering. The foreign minister's secretary will reportedly keep the cell phones while the visitors meet with him.

A North Korean music prodigy risked his life to escape the communist country so he could pursue his love of jazz. Reuters reports Kim Cheol-woong, 31, first heard jazz piano while studying overseas. The classically trained pianist wanted to play the less regimented style of music, but could not do so in the dictatorial regime.

No one ever said it was easy being tall. The world's tallest man, who towers at a staggering 7'7", is in search of that special woman who he can fall in love with and one day be his wife. According to the Hong Kong addition of the China Daily, Bao Xishun, 55, has never married or even dated because of his extreme height.

A Chinese soldier stationed in Hong Kong is fined for stealing a Mickey Mouse key chain from Hong Kong Disneyland. Zhang Qinggang, 27, was charged with theft and ordered to pay HK$1,000 (US$129) for nabbing the HK$35 (US$4. 50) item from a gift shop at the theme park in January.

The entire country of China has been left in outrage after viewing a video on the Internet of a woman stomping a kitten to death, according to Chinese state media. Wang Jue, a nurse from northeast China's Heilongjiang province, said she was persuaded into performing for the bizarre video after she had suffered a divorce.