Odd News

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The sagging popularity of Edinburgh, Scotland's world-famous Hogmanay New Year's celebrations had organizers considering not charging for the event.

Rare pearl found in restaurant clam … Man proud of personal garbage collection … Bill to license strippers unappealing … FBI has 'reignited' Cooper hijacking case ... UPI Quirks in the News.

ROYAL PALM BEACH, Fla., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A Royal Palm Beach, Fla., couple discovered a rare purple pearl in a clam purchased at a restaurant.

MIAMI, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The 26th King Mango Strut Parade in Miami was headlined by acts and floats poking fun at current events and politics.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A Santa Barbara, Calif., program that allows people to live in their cars in selected parking lots is being considered as a model for Los Angeles.

PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The FBI is resurrecting the mysterious case of D.B. Cooper, who 36 years ago hijacked a plane and parachuted near Portland, Ore., with $200,000 in stolen loot.

GALWAY, Ireland, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- An ancient site in Ireland is believed to have once been a brewery and two archaeologists tried to prove the theory by using it to brew up a batch of ale.

BERKELEY, Calif., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A California man who saved every piece of trash he generated in the last 12 months said he's proud of his bin-filled home, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

GARY, Ind., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- State officials in Indiana said national figures claiming Hoosiers produce more garbage than any other state amount to trash talk.

ALBANY, N.Y., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A New York state legislator said he is frustrated his bill to license strippers hasn't made it to center stage for the past seven months.

N.Y. police official loses animal trophies … Ex-partners' numbers kept 'just in case' … Three Maryland dogs rolling in it … Family jailed over baggy pants incident … Watercooler stories from UPI.

Baby shares birthday, minute with sister … Diamond, found in fudge, back with owner … Confetti's 'air worthiness' tested in N.Y. … Grease used in eatery parking battle … The world as we know it from UPI.

UPI Almanac for Monday, Dec. 31, 2007.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., Dec. 30 (UPI) -- An Indiana woman has recovered a diamond ring she accidentally sold in a batch of fudge.

BUFFALO, N.Y., Dec. 30 (UPI) -- When Claire Wargo was born Friday in Buffalo, N.Y., she came into the world at precisely the same minute as her sister did exactly one year earlier.