The Best of "From the Fringe"

Fatherly Loew Tightens Reins on Players Ahead of Euro 2008

No beer, no dancing and absolutely no room service; national soccer team coach Joachim Loew has pulled the plug on his players' fun ahead of this summer's 2008 European Championships. (26.03.2008)  

Jail Time for Persistent Fare Dodger

A man who just couldn't stop himself from riding trains without buying a ticket will see the wrong side of a jail cell after fines and suspended sentences failed to put him on the straight and narrow. (25.03.2008)  

Hamburg's Historic Brothel to Switch Off the Red Light

Sex will always sell but the way it is sold is changing rapidly. In a world of instant gratification, the traditional approach to prostitution seems archaic to some. The changing times are not welcomed by all. (20.03.2008)  

New Parents Find Loaded Pistol in Second-Hand Pram

These days nearly every purchase comes with a special bonus -- like free fries with your burger or 20 percent more in the shampoo bottle. One German couple got a bonus with their buggy that they weren't expecting. (19.03.2008)  

Catholic-Owned Drugstore Sends Condom Clients to Rivals

A drugstore owned by the Catholic Church in the German city of Fulda is compelled to send clients asking for condoms to the competition down the road because of a clause in the rental agreement. (18.03.2008)  

Traveling Skull, Bones Discovered at Munich Airport

It's not unusual for customs officers to have to deal with the occasional body. Usually, the deceased turn up in coffins. Two ladies, who recently stopped at Munich Airport, chose another container for a dead relative. (12.03.2008)  

Suitcase Bomb Not Included

What would the world look like if grade-schoolers were put in charge of airport security? Thanks to the German toy maker Playmobil, the sky's the limit. (11.03.2008)  

Sunbed Slur Almost Causes International Incident

Passengers on a two-week Caribbean cruise in February should have been quaffing cocktails and bonding by the pool. But they ended up drawing lines in the sand instead. (10.03.2008)  

Supplying the Really, Really Small Farmer

A Berlin man hoped he could turn his peculiar hobby into a profitable business. He opened the Antstore, a shop selling 60 species of the insect and all the accessories needed to set up a successful farm. (09.03.2008)  

It Pays to Give up Smoking, at Least in Bavaria

Psychologists would all agree that it's important to reward good behavior, but is quitting smoking really worth almost 2 million euros? (07.03.2008)  

Couple Takes Never-ending Naming Fight to Court

A German couple can't agree on whether to give their not-so-newborn son's a fifth first name. A judge said they can take their time. (06.03.2008)  

Germans Work Three Billion Over-Time Hours Without Complaint

German worked an estimated three billion overtime hours last years, according to a new study, but were only compensated for half of them. It's no wonder they're also the world champs in vacationing. (04.03.2008)  

Movie Star Knut Shows Young Pretenders Who's Boss

It seems that polar bear cubs are a little like London buses: you can wait for ages for one to come along and then three turn up at once. (03.03.2008)  

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