Odd News - UPI.com

Man: House vandalism a 'nightmare'

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:48:46 -0500

ST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 7 (UPI) -- A Minnesota man said vandalism at his home allegedly perpetrated by a former friend is proving costly months later.

Whiskey collector to keep most bottles

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:11:50 -0500

GOODLETTSVILLE , Tenn., Jan. 7 (UPI) -- A Jack Daniel's collector said he has reached a deal with Tennessee liquor control authorities that will allow him to keep most of his 2,400-bottle collection.

Would-be ID thieves create holy mess

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:08:43 -0500

NEW YORK, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Priests may take vows of poverty, but a New York bishop didn't want his finances drained because of identity theft and potential credit card fraud.

Teen forced to change hairstyle

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:45:04 -0500

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C., Jan. 7 (UPI) -- A North Carolina 8th grader said he was forced to get a haircut after school administrators said a star shape in his hair was a gang symbol.

Canada claims baby born in plane

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:25:40 -0500

OTTAWA, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- A baby born to a Ugandan woman while on an international flight over Canada is the first airborne newborn ever granted Canadian citizenship, officials say.

Seal caught at Mass. fish hatchery

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:16:11 -0500

SANDWICH, Mass., Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Massachusetts wildlife officials said a seal that found its way to the state fish hatchery was caught and released at a beach 20 miles away.

Woman gets to keep allegedly stolen puppy

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:58:42 -0500

STANTON , Calif., Jan. 7 (UPI) -- A California woman who unwittingly received a stolen dog as a Christmas present has been allowed to keep the dog after paying in full, authorities said.

Blue bigwigs urge bailout funds for porn

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:34:21 -0500

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- The porn business apparently needs a little boost, as two industry bigwigs are asking the U.S. Congress for some economic stimulus money.

Woman plans to sue over knife left in head

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:04:51 -0500

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 7 (UPI) -- A Florida woman who claims part of a knife was left inside her head after she was stabbed three years ago said she plans to sue the hospital that treated her.

Blagojevich burger topped with bologna

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:28:21 -0500

CHICAGO, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- A Chicago restaurant's burger named for embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich comes complete with a thick slice of bologna and a negotiable price.

Robbers snatch gems using 'Snatch' script

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:26:17 -0500

NEW YORK, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- The daylight heist in which robbers dressed as Hasidic Jews relieved a New York Diamond District wholesaler of his jewels reads like a movie script.

UPI NewsTrack Quirks in the News

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:12:56 -0500

6-year-old took car after missing bus ... Man allegedly stole $800 in change ... N.Y. vendor pays $362,201 for prime corner ... Sweet smell an elusive New York mystery ... UPI Quirks in the News.

'Star Wars' The Force toy uses brain waves

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:51:00 -0500

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Jan. 7 (UPI) -- A California toymaker says a new "Star Wars" toy that harnesses a user's brainwaves to emulate The Force is due in stores this fall.

6-year-old took car after missing bus

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:50:11 -0500

HEATHSVILLE, Va., Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Authorities in Virginia said a 6-year-old boy who missed his school bus drove his mother's car for more than 10 miles and crashed into a utility pole.

Sweet smell an elusive New York mystery

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:23:26 -0500

NEW YORK, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- New York inspectors say they have no clue as to what has caused a sweet smell to occur randomly in Manhattan during recent years.

Police: Man dropped crack in store

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:20:46 -0500

FREDERICK, Md., Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Police in Maryland said they have arrested a man who allegedly dropped a bag of crack cocaine at the cash register of a grocery store.

N.Y. vendor pays $362,201 for prime corner

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:10:10 -0500

NEW YORK, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- A hot dog vendor who paid $362, 201 for the food-vending rights for a New York corner says the prime position is worth every penny.

Man allegedly stole $800 in change

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:07:05 -0500

SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Police in Salt Lake City said they have arrested a man who allegedly broke into a home and stole $800 in change.

Lawyer: God-and-partying remark distorted

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:02:03 -0500

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- A minister saying on a national comedy show that God isn't opposed to a hardy party distorts the defunct Pittsburgh church's image, attorneys say.

5-foot snake found near Fla. school

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:43:09 -0500

OCOEE, Fla., Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Florida police said an officer caught a 5-foot-long boa constrictor that was spotted by residents about 100 feet from a school.

Parade wrangler deals with toilets, buses

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:44:58 -0500

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- The man organizing President-elect Barack Obama's inaugural parade said he hoped the prospect of record crowds will not scare people away from Washington.

Watercooler Stories

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:30:00 -0500

Atheists take out ads on London buses ... Man dangles without pants from ski lift ... Woman rescued from floor vent ... City admits mistake in towing parked cars ... Watercooler stories from UPI.

Jockstrip: The world as we know it.

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:00:00 -0500

Bidens thwarted by sold-out movie ... Webcam shows 24 hours of lava lamps ... Stolen candy-cane man returned ... Police: Kids tried to elope to Africa ... The world as we know it from UPI.

Your Daily Horoscope

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:00:00 -0500

By D.DONOVAN KINSOLVING
UPI Features Writer
UPI horoscopes for Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009.

The almanac

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:30:00 -0500

By United Press International
UPI Almanac for Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009.