California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill on Wednesday merging two separate state departments into a new agency to combat high-tech identity theft. The California Office of Information Security and Privacy Protection was created to assist consumers, law enforcement, businesses and advocacy groups in compliance with consumer privacy laws. It combines the Office of Privacy Protection in the Department of Consumer Affairs with the state Information Security Office.

It used to be that thousands of Filipinos and foreigners would search the islands, spurred on by myths of Japanese World War II plunder. For decades, fortune seekers have traveled to the archipelago in search of hidden riches stolen by Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamashita and allegedly hidden across the island nation. However a new edict by Environment Secretary Lito Atienza will place all treasure-hunting activities under the watchful eyes of government regulation to protect the nation's natural and cultural heritage.

A top Japanese government spokesman announced Tuesday that he "definitely" believes UFOs exist. The statement was made during a press conference, when the official was asked to comment on an opposition lawmaker's insistence that an investigation be launched into frequent reports of UFO sightings. Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura said that he firmly believed in the existence of UFOs, despite an official statement from the government saying that there are no confirmed sightings of any flying spacecrafts believed to have come from outer space.

A 77-year old pensioner was almost banned from a social club after several members complained he was farting too much with utter disregard to his colleagues. Maurice Fox, admitted he had a problem with breaking wind too often but was quick to add he was "much better" after switching from cider to bitter

South Korea has sparked a gender row following its decision to print banknotes featuring the face of a woman who symbolizes motherhood in the country. The country's Central Bank has chosen to print the new 50,000 won note with the image of Shin Saimdang, the first woman to feature in the country's currency notes.