Phrases for fans

Leipzig, Germany, Dec. 11 (Reuters): The British embassy in Germany has launched a new website for the 2006 World Cup that includes handy German phrases for England fans, such as “He was sick as a parrot” or “He puked his guts up”.

The website, www.britishembassyworldcup.com, is designed to help the estimated 100,000 English fans expected to travel to Germany for the 32-team tournament that starts in Munich on June 9 and concludes with the July 9 final in Berlin.

Age record

London (Reuters): A 116-year-old Ecuadorean woman has been declared the oldest person in the world, lifting the title from a US woman previously thought to be the oldest person alive. Maria Esther Capovilla was confirmed as the oldest living person after her family sent details of her birth and marriage certificates to the Guinness Book of World Records. “She’s in very good health, she’s got good sight, is able to read the papers and watch TV, and doesn’t walk with a stick,” said Kate White, brand manager at the records publisher.

Dyke bike

San Francisco (Reuters): Lesbian motorcycle enthusiasts in San Francisco have won their fight to trademark the name “Dykes on Bikes”. The US Patent and Trademark Office had denied the phrase to be used, arguing it would be perceived as disparaging to lesbians. But the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the Brooke Oliver Law Group said the word “dyke” is no longer viewed as derogatory.