We have a suggestion for local municipalities who battle to get their cash from ratepayers.
Time magazine reports that tax officials in the southern Indian city of Rajahmundy sent a team of drummers with tax collectors on a door-to-door collection drive. Drummers pounded outside the offenders' homes, refusing to stop until the harried residents settled their bills. In less than a month 75% of the money owed had been collected.
The insult of the year award goes to the Chronicle, a government-owned newspaper in Zimbabwe. The paper described the archbishop of Bulawayo, Pius Ncube, a well-known critic of the Mugabe government as "Satan possessed by the demon of Judas Iscariot".
It gets extra points for being on the front page of the Easter Sunday edition.
Ever get the feeling that some forms of protest may have the opposite effect to what the dissatisfieds hope?
SAfm reported last week that nurses are planning to protest against "skimpy" uniform budgets by wearing "skimpy" outfits in the wards, which "leave the belly out".
Frankly that strategy seems more likely to arouse something other than sympathy for their cause.
For journalists, the Freedom of Information Act can be a handy tool. But we've recently been thinking about more interesting applications of the act, following this story:
A woman in the UK filed a request with police headquarters for the details of "eligible bachelors within Hampshire constabulary between the ages of 35 and 49 and their e-mail addresses, salary details and pension values".
Officials said that the constabulary had 266 eligible bachelors, but added that any personal information about the officers was exempt from release.
Stung with disbelief at Zanu-PF's "victory" at the polls, urban Zimbabweans have been circulating the following SMS about Robert Mugabe and his supporters :
FOR SALE - buy one of my rural relatives (except my mom and dad) and get 20 free. Hurry while stocks last.
NB: stock to be disposed of before the presidential elections
It's hard to believe, but true according to the British tabloids.
British journal The Week reports that a Slovenian TV programme that aimed to prove models were brainless bimbos had to be cancelled after one of its participants was found to be a genius. Iris Mulei was tested on her problem-solving abilities and spatial awareness. She scored 156 - higher than some of the scientists testing her, and well above the national average of 100. The producers are now hoping to do a different show, about the world's cleverest model.
Rumour has it that before last weekend's wedding, the horsy Camilla was asked if she would like a "bridle suite".
Apparently, Camilla quite calmly replied to Charles. "Don't worry my dear, if the going gets rough I will just have to hang onto your ears!"
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