Canada – Tiger attack

A 66-year-old Southwold man has been killed by his tiger, leading to calls for dangerous pets to be banned. The province of Ontario is the only part of Canada where owners do not need a licence to keep dangerous exotic animals. Officials estimate that there are around 500 big cats being kept as pets in Ontario.

Switzerland – Record fine

A Swiss court has given a millionaire “road hog” a record speeding fine. The man was seen driving his Ferrari at 85mph in a 50mph zone, and judges said that the fine should fit the crime and the man’s wealth. He was fined £182,000, more than double the previous Swiss record.

Denmark – Scary ride

A three-year-old boy has been on an accidental ride through Copenhagen Airport’s baggage system. He climbed on while his mother was not looking, and took a trip through the system’s X-ray machine. A baggage handler heard the boy’s cries and saved him.

China – Power problems

The poor winter weather has led to coal shortages across China. Officials have had to bring in electricity rationing in five large areas, and many more power stations are expected to run out of coal soon. Beijing has seen its heaviest snowfalls since 1951.

China – Va-va-voom!

For the first time, China has overtaken the USA in car sales. Officials say that 13.6 million vehicles were sold in 2009, compared to just over ten million in America. The Chinese government has cut taxes to help car makers sell more vehicles.

Australia – Surfing heroes

Two eight-year-old friends have rescued a man who was in trouble in the sea off Queensland. Jake Satherley and Spencer Jeams used their lifesaving training to pull the man onto their board and take him to shore. Jake’s mother was on the beach but didn’t realise what was going on. She said that she gave her son a “big high five and hug”.

Australia – Car trouble

An Australian man has criticised police for confiscating his Lamborghini. A mechanic drove the car at 160km/h while he was supposed to be repairing it.

Australia – Heat danger

While we suffer in the cold, large parts of Australia have received fire warnings from safety officials. Temperatures have been forecast over 40ºC, and Melbourne equalled its record hottest night, with temperatures of 35ºC at midnight. The scorching temperatures have affected power transformers in some areas, causing power cuts.

Zimbabwe – Dodgy diamonds

Human rights workers have criticised Zimbabwe for allowing diamond mines to be run by the army. International diamond sales are governed by the Kimberley Process (KP), which prevents diamond sales being used to fund wars. Global Witness says that Zimbabwe is not obeying the KP.

Egypt – Pyramid proof

An archaeologist claims to have new evidence that the great pyramids were not built by slaves. Zahi Hawass says that small tombs found alongside the pyramids must have belonged to paid workers. This is because slaves could not have been buried near a king.

USA – Marriage test

An important court case has started in San Francisco. Two gay couples are fighting for the right to get married, but many traditionalists are opposing them. The case could help to decide whether gay people all across the US can get married or not.