Seven-time champion Michael Schumacher may extend his Formula One comeback beyond the current three-year contract he has signed with Mercedes.

The head of Germany's Social Democrats, who has ambitions to be his country's next leader, is thinking about donating his beard to charity, but is not quite sure. Kurt Beck, who has a strong claim to lead the SPD into next year's national election, said he might shave off his beard to raise €1-million for charity.

Johannes Heesters, the world's oldest stage performer, turned 104 in Berlin on Wednesday, with the Dutch-born operetta singer set to do a birthday special in the evening in a city theatre. Heesters kept to his habit of rising late and breakfasting on cappuccino while phone calls of congratulation had to wait, his wife said.