UPI NewsTrack Quirks in the News

Bra unrolls into putting mat

TOKYO, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- A Japanese lingerie maker said its latest bra caters to women seeking to golf on the go with the capability to unroll into a 5-foot-long putting mat.

Triumph said the Nice Cup in a Bra can be removed and unrolled into a putting mat that says "Nice shot" through a speaker when a ball sinks into the cup, The Daily Telegraph reported Wednesday.

The bra, which contains pockets for extra golf balls and tees, comes with a skirt bearing the words "Be Quiet" on the rear, the British newspaper said.

Triumph releases novelty bras in Japan twice a year to highlight social trends. Previous releases include a chopstick bra and a mail carrier bra with pockets for letters.

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McDonald's crooners sing chain's praises

OAK BROOK, Ill., Nov. 11 (UPI) -- McDonald's says it's looking for stars among its employees to sing the fast-food chain's praises in a worldwide karaoke contest.

The third annual "Voice of McDonald's" drew about 10,000 entries from 51 countries, the chain said on its Web site. McDonald's chose 30 semifinalists in October and made high-quality videos of each, which appear, along with biographical information, on the company's Web site, Advertising Age reported.

The chain created plenty of buzz by publicizing the contest through its Web site as well as on Facebook, Twitter and social-networking sites outside America.

"I've always felt that our employees are our biggest assets," said Dean Barrett, the chain's senior vice president for global marketing. "So to allow our employees to have the fun and excitement and to have talent come through a unique and different way has been a lot of fun for me and McDonald's."

Online voters will determine which 12 semifinalists will appear at McDonald's global conference in Orlando in April. The winner will get $25,000 -- and maybe start crooning, "I'm lovin' it."

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Legal delays can't wash away shampoo hopes

ORMOND BEACH, Fla., Nov. 11 (UPI) -- U.S. actor John Martino said he is set to try to sell 13,000 bottles of shampoo he was finally reunited with after years of legal delays.

Martino, known best for his role as Paulie Gatto in "The Godfather," said he initially was going to sell the shampoo more than two years ago as part of his Florida business, Hollywood Movie Hair Products, The Daytona Beach (Fla.) News-Journal said Tuesday.

Gatto said his business was derailed by a complaint filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission against Michael J. Naste, the man whose New Smyrna Beach building housed Gatto's business.

With Naste facing lawsuits and debts, the complaint resulted in all assets in businesses connected to Naste being locked down as part of his legal battle.

Martino said when authorities began liquidating those assets as part of a $5.3 million judgment against Naste, he rejected the opportunity to buy back his bottles of shampoo.

The News-Journal said the shampoo bottles were finally given back to Martino after no new buyers could be found. Now the former "Godfather" actor is set to give his hair product sales another go.

"We might be selling it at the flea market, but we will be looking to turn it over," Martino said.

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'Too realistic' riot exercise called off

GRONINGEN, Netherlands, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Police in the Netherlands said a soccer riot exercise was called off when the extras playing hooligans became "too realistic."

A representative from Groningen emergency services said the exercise at Euroborg stadium, home of the FC Groningen soccer club, was called off by officials Tuesday when the extras hired to act as hooligans began throwing rocks at police instead of the planned tennis balls, Radio Netherlands reported Wednesday.

"The exercise got a bit too realistic," the representative said.

The exercise was inspired by an April 2008 incident involving a riot that led to a series of small fires at the stadium, police officials said.

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