Texas school forced to abandon birthday spankings

A small school in northern Texas has announced that it will stop a tradition of celebratory spankings for children on their birthday. Principal Bridget Williams has reportedly been smacking each child on their birthday for the past eight years, before giving them “candy and a special pencil”. However, following complaints from some parents, the practice has been discontinued.

Zoo fined for taking bear out for ice cream

Staff at the Discovery Wildlife Park in Alberta, Canada, have been fined after they took a bear out for ice cream, and posted a video of the outing to social media. Footage of Berkley the bear sitting in a pick-up truck eating an ice cream went viral, leading to wildlife authorities to issue the fine for moving the animal without local police permission.

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Driver issued ticket for breaking speed limit by 600km/h

A Belgian driver was shocked to be sent a penalty notice for driving at 654km/h in a 50km/h zone. The penalty notice included a fine of £5,753. When the driver launched an appeal, officials admitted there had been a malfunction – and then issued a new penalty notice for driving at 60km/h, which carries a £44 fine instead.