British school teachers are advocating for education reforms, including a return to an early 1980s style of teaching, characterized by a strong liberal education. In essence, teachers are calling for more hours for play and less rigid methods in teaching young Britons how to read. Steve Sinnott, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, told Guardian Unlimited, "Teachers want a return to a system which is liberal and flexible and not top-down and imposed by government. We want a return to a time when there was a potential for magic moments in the classroom. "

A Chihuahua became a local spectacle at a Japanese temple, after the dog began to imitate the worshipers by clasping his front paws together, a position similar to hands placed together in prayer. The dog, a two-year old long-haired Chihuahua named Conan, would reportedly assume the praying position taken by temple worshipers, as a way of asking for doggie treats.

Excitement, enthusiasm, and national pride are running high among local Chinese in anticipation of the Beijing 2008 Olympics Games, a survey released Monday revealed. The survey 'Project 2008 Poll, conducted for public relations and advertising company Ogilvy in China and Milward Brown ACSR, showed that 74 percent of Chinese were "excited or very excited" about China hosting its first Olympics and a high degree of "national pride" in the games, prevails among 72 percent who said they were proud of China.

Young children could be encouraged to join in citizenship ceremonies and swear allegiance to the Queen in an effort to rekindle enthusiasm on "Britishness". Former Attorney General Lord Goldsmith is expected to call for a greater role for children in the citizenship ceremonies to encourage them to understand and embrace their nationality.

earing their best stiletto heels, around 150 young women dashed in Amsterdam's 'Stiletto Run', in a bid to win the $15,000 (10,000 euros) cash prize. The annual race on PC Hooft street, on its third run, has fast grown in popularity and has been imitated in Germany, Sweden, Poland and Russia. The race's motto is "Shopping is a Sport" and friendly competition is encouraged, but usually not practiced by the aggressive participants.