Watercooler Stories

Russian cabbie loses license for 49 years

KEMEROVO, Russia, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- A Russian taxi driver with a history of drunken driving arrests and failure to pay 55 fines has been banned from driving for almost half a century.

Artem Belyakov of Kemerovo can get his license back in the year 2055, if he is still around and up to driving, Itar-Tass reported. The 49-year suspension is believed to be the longest one ever in the country.

Police in the district say that Belyakov received a total of 55 tickets with fines totaling 60,500 rubles ($2,273). The offenses involved included drunken driving, failing to take alcohol tests and driving without a valid license.

Authorities say that Belyakov also owes back rent and utility charges.

Statue becomes focus of Norwegian debate

OSLO, Norway, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- A statue commissioned to honor King Olav V of Norway has become the center of a political controversy over the way it portrays the esteemed former leader.

The granite statue has been criticized by both Norwegian citizens and politicians for the way 83-year-old artist Knut Steen portrayed the much-liked king, and now the statue may never be publicly displayed, the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten reported Sunday.

While Steen made minor changes to the artwork that had a budget of more than $313,000, the artist could not alter its overall appearance and has declared the work completed.

Socialist Left politician Knut Even Lindsjorn said that it was unclear which way the final decision would ultimately go.

"It's not clear yet how this will be settled," Lindsjorn said to Aftenposten.

"I registered the strong reactions last year, and understood them," he said regarding the numerous complaints against the statue. "On the other hand, this is a piece of art, and there always are divided opinions on art."

Postal worker loses funny tie battle

SOLDOTNA, Alaska, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- A postal worker in Soldotna, Alaska, has officially lost his attempt to keep a series of amusing ties as part of his work uniform.

During his 10-year career with the small Alaskan city's post office, Steve Adams was known for the comical neckties he wore each day and which are now forbidden by his superiors in the U.S. Postal Service, said the Anchorage Daily News.

Adams spent the last 18 months attempting to keep his SpongeBob SquarePants and Three Stooges ties as part of his uniform, but ultimately the local Postal Service chose to veto his non-uniform wardrobe.

While Postal Service employees are required to wear a base uniform, the wearing of other clothing items is determined by local postal authorities and Adams' bosses chose to limit the neckties.

The Daily News said that Adams will now attempt to express himself with clothing items such as his suspenders.

Remote island lures hundreds of dreamers

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- A remote Scottish island down to its last 15 residents has attracted 350 applicants for two rental properties.

The National Trust of Scotland, which has owned Canna for 25 years, decided to put the houses up for rent to increase the population, The Scotsman reported. The trust has been overwhelmed by the interest from people around the world.

"The phone has been red hot, the response has been amazing," said Peter McHugh, the trust's manager for the Inner Hebrides.

McHugh and Canna's current residents plan to eliminate most of the applications during the few weeks, creating a pool of 25 to 30 for the selection of six finalists. Among other things, they are looking for proof that applicants know what they are getting into.

Canna may be too remote for some. Buying groceries involves a long ferry trip to Mallaig, and the island has no pub. Even the doctor lives on a nearby island.

But McHugh said that with 30,000 visitors a year, Canna does have work for people with construction skills. He also hopes that the larger rental property, a five-bedroom Victorian, becomes Canna's first B&B.