Thirty-nine-year-old Debbie Bird claims she is allergic to modern living and says mobile phones, microwaves and cars are banned from her house.

Bird said she is sensitive to electromagnetic fields (emf) or "smog" created by computers, microwave ovens, mobile phones and some cars, and that she develops skin rashes and her eyelids swell to three times their normal size if she gets exposed to them.

Jilted by his girlfriend, a former New York corrections officer started stealing expensive cars like Mercedes Benz and BMW. However, a judge took pity on Charles James Jr. and imposed only a six-month stretch in jail.

James, who lives in the New Brighton neighborhood on Staten Island, was first charged with stealing a Mercedes-Benz in Manhattan. He also stole a BMW after he was free after bailing out of jail. The Staten Island Advance reported that the BMW was being used for test drives at a charity event on Long Island.

Thanks to its extra space, the wide-bodied but boring-looking Volvo Estate has been voted as the best car for having sex in the back seat by British car owners. According to a survey, the car has seen more action than any other.

The multi-purpose Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van came in second place.

For the coming holidays, luxury retailer Neiman Marcus' holiday catalogue offers a varied selection from a $25 crystal desk bell to a $1.76 million space charter for six passengers via the Virgin Galactic spaceship to a $139,000 limited edition black 2007 BMW M6 convertible with a V-10 engine.

Published since 1926, the book draws publicity for the firm as well as brisk sales.

According to Russian police an offended motorist who held the hand of a traffic police officer through his window, and drove off for five yards will face criminal charges in court.

The police spokesman told Reuters, "The officer's injuries were not too bad but he is still on sick leave." The accused has dismissed the accusation and told a Russian paper that he was the victim of a set up by a rival businessman who has police connections.