Odd News

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., July 10 (UPI) -- U.S. publisher Merriam-Webster has announced new words added to its Collegiate Dictionary, including "staycation" and "waterboarding."

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, July 10 (UPI) -- A Swedish Saab dealer says an iPod nano is a prime suspect in a fire that engulfed a parked car in the western part of the country.

OSTERFARNEBO, Sweden, July 10 (UPI) -- Residents of a rural district in eastern Sweden said pesticide rules adopted to protect nearby nature reserves have brought swarms of mosquitoes to their homes.

WATERLOO, Ill., July 10 (UPI) -- An Illinois insurance agent said his serial-stowaway cat has ridden more than 300 miles under the hood of his car.

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif., July 10 (UPI) -- The city of Laguna Niguel, Calif., says it is "saying 'NO' to crack" by discouraging participation in an event known as "Moon Over Amtrak."

WASHINGTON, July 10 (UPI) -- Visitors to the 2009 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention in Washington said a rift has formed among doll fans surrounding a key accessory: the box.

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif., July 10 (UPI) -- The Harajuku District in Tokyo topped a California-based travel Web site's list of the top five destinations for people watching.

JERUSALEM, July 10 (UPI) -- The Jerusalem Bible Land Museum will exhibit hand-inscribed Bibles written in different languages as part of a worldwide project, museum officials said.

Internet, globalization shape new words … Well-dressed beggar says good clothes help … Some Calif. stations reject pro-pot ad … Customers decide barbershop price … Watercooler stories from UPI.

Winnipeg, Canada, retains Slurpee title … Chicago's old post office to be auctioned … Sleep Coach offered to aid insomniacs … Woman carrying grasshoppers put off bus … The world as we know it from UPI.

UPI horoscopes for Friday, July 10, 2009.

UPI Almanac for Friday, July 10, 2009.

BEIJING, July 10 (UPI) -- A woman with two cages full of grasshoppers was put off a bus in China because other passengers could not stand the large insects' serenade, the driver said.

BEIJING, July 10 (UPI) -- A barber shop in China has taken customer service to a new level by letting clients determine the price of their haircuts.

NEW YORK, July 9 (UPI) -- New words added to the Merriam-Webster Collegiate dictionary show the influence of the Internet and globalization on U.S. English, its publishers said.