UPI NewsTrack Quirks in the News

Palin implant rumors hit blogs

ELMONT, N.Y., June 11 (UPI) -- Rumors of Sarah Palin receiving breast implants have been circulating in U.S. Web sites since pictures were taken at a New York state horse race.

Palin, the former governor of Alaska and 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate, appeared last month at the Belmont Stakes race in Elmont and many bloggers said the photos taken at the event appear to depict Palin with a larger than usual chest, the New York Daily News reported Friday.

"Sarah Palin sure looks like she was trotting out some new work at the horse races," blogger Wonkette joked.

"Now that her maternal bosom is gone, what is causing this new situation? Weight gain? Menstrual bloat? The never-before-seen combination of a padded bra with a flimsy tee?" Gawker bloggers theorized.

A Google search for "Sarah Palin Breast Implants" returned nearly 93,000 items.

Philippine leader says Obama quit smoking

MANILA, Philippines, June 11 (UPI) -- Philippine President-elect Benigno Aquino says U.S. President Barack Obama told him in a phone call he has finally won his oft-reported battle against smoking.

Aquino said Obama, who has famously struggled with his tobacco addiction, told him during a recent phone call that he has finally quit the habit completely, The Daily Telegraph reported Friday.

"At some point I attempted some humor, saying 'Mr. President, I understand we have the same issue with smoking,'" Aquino said of his recent conversation with the U.S. leader. "He told me, 'I kicked the habit, so you are going to have to work on that one yourself. I can give you advice, though.'"

Aquino said Obama pledged to give him advice about quitting "at the time that you decide to quit."

The incoming Philippine president had pledged to quit on the campaign trail but later said he planned to continue smoking to help him deal with the stress of the job.

Man pinned to chair by buffalo head

KEY WEST, Fla., June 11 (UPI) -- Authorities in Florida said deputies were called to a man's home to free him from beneath a large animal head that fell from his wall.

Monroe County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Becky Herrin said the man, whose name was not released, was able to call 911 on his cellphone at about 1:20 a.m. after a stuffed water buffalo's head fell and pinned him to his recliner, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Friday.

"All the male caller could do is yell his address and tell them he was 'crushed,'" Herrin said.

Deputies arrived and lifted the head from the man. He was taken to Mariner's Hospital with minor injuries and released.

Alleged prostitute had $600,000 cash

MERIDEN, Conn., June 11 (UPI) -- Police in Connecticut said a woman who allegedly ran a prostitution business at her home had $600,000 in profits stored in a safety deposit box.

Meriden police Sgt. Leonard Caponigro said police set up surveillance and obtained a search warrant for the residence of Kim Wroblewski, 54, at Britannia Commons Condominium after neighbors complained about men frequently stopping by for hourlong visits, The Hartford (Conn.) Courant reported Friday.

Caponigro said they found several items believed to have been used in the sex trade in Wroblewski's home and a search warrant for a local bank uncovered $600,000 in the woman's safety deposit box.

Wroblewski was arrested and charged with prostitution, promoting prostitution, possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics in a school zone and failure to obtain a tax permit. She is due in court June 14.