Odd News

LACOMBE, La., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Louisiana police said a man and his 12-year-old daughter were arrested for a kidnapping hoax that led to at least three 911 calls.

Historian: Lincoln gay claim a hoax ... Police: Teens videotaped their own crime ... ATM too heavy for would-be robbers ... Police: Carjacking escape foiled by woman ... UPI Quirks in the News.

BAGHDAD, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A married couple in the Texas Army National Guard say they synchronized their deployment schedules for what they jokingly call "a nine-month honeymoon" in Iraq.

NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A prominent Abraham Lincoln historian in New York says an activist who claims the 16th president was gay admitted to him the story was fabricated.

LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Britain's justice secretary downplayed claims police are overworked by saying some officers enjoy being "warm" inside filling out paperwork.

ROUND LAKE PARK, Ill., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Police in Illinois said a pair of teenage burglary suspects used a stolen phone to take video of themselves wearing stolen clothing.

CHICAGO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A Chicago man said he was denied entry to one of the city's nightclubs by a bouncer who told him the club did not allow "white boys with braids."

CHICAGO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Police in Chicago said two robbers abandoned their poorly-planned crime when they discovered their target, an ATM, was too heavy for them to steal.

NEW DELHI, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A 22-year-old man in New Delhi allegedly staged his own kidnapping in an attempt to get nearly $43,000 in ransom from his father, police say.

ELLSWORTH, Maine, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Police in Maine said a man who escaped from a courtroom and tried to steal a car was foiled by the fighting skills of a 19-year-old woman.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The Swedish Language Council said it has added 30 new words to the official list, including words translating to "vaginal corona" and "gender contrary."

Rules would ban buggy smoking … 70-year-old charged with slapping teen … Bar sued over falling moose head … Police: Man called 911 for ride to bar … Watercooler stories from UPI.

Man, 71, completes 2,105-mile walk … Vodka byproduct used as road de-icer … Underwear a poor disguise for robber … 3,000 seniors celebrate early New Year … The world as we know it from UPI.

UPI Almanac for Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009.

VALENCIA, Calif., Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Let's face it. Not every member of "The Greatest Generation" returned from saving the world to become a great parent. Many were not good at it. When Johnny came marching home (from WWII), or Henry, or in my dad's case, George, it was via Mason General Hospital with a nasty case of "battle fatigue."