Odd News - UPI.com

The almanac

Wed, 16 May 2012 03:30:00 -0400

By United Press International
UPI Almanac for Wednesday, May 16, 2012.

Judge orders suspect to write book reports

Tue, 15 May 2012 17:03:04 -0400

SAN FRANCISCO, May 15 (UPI) -- A San Francisco man accused of trying to sell a grenade launcher was ordered released on bond on the condition he read each day and write book reports.

Man pickets over all-you-can-eat fish fry

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:52:07 -0400

THIENSVILLE, Wis., May 15 (UPI) -- A Wisconsin man said he will picket a restaurant every Sunday until its all-you-can-eat fish fry lives up to its name.

Police: Man asked to be shot

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:42:12 -0400

STOCKHOLM, N.Y., May 15 (UPI) -- Police in New York state said they arrested a man accused of agreeing to do a favor for a friend and shoot him in the leg.

Police: Taxi cab thieves left flower trail

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:38:07 -0400

BOSTON, May 15 (UPI) -- Boston police said they arrested two men accused of hijacking a taxi cab and leaving a trail of flower petals during a foot chase.

Fire alarm pulled during 'The Avengers'

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:04:33 -0400

ABINGDON, Md., May 15 (UPI) -- Authorities in Maryland said a man allegedly pulled a fire alarm because he was angry at the closed captioning at a showing of "The Avengers."

Man arrested for throwing Bible at roomie

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:02:10 -0400

PORT RICHEY, Fla., May 15 (UPI) -- Authorities in Florida said they arrested a man accused of throwing a Bible at the back of his roommate's head.

Oxford invites Nevada Bunny Ranch pimp to debate

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:42:03 -0400

OXFORD, England, May 15 (UPI) -- Britain's Oxford University has invited a famous Nevada brothel owner to participate in a debate about the legalization of prostitution.

Boot-shaped chicken nugget up for auction

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:40:06 -0400

MARATHON, Fla., May 15 (UPI) -- A Florida sheriff's office is selling a chicken nugget shaped like a cowboy boot to benefit its program for children.

Ming vase turned into lamp sells for $881K

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:37:53 -0400

DORCHESTER, England, May 15 (UPI) -- A Ming dynasty vase that experts said would have been worth $6.4 million intact sold for $881,320 in Britain because its former owner converted it into a lamp.

Magnetic implants keep iPod in place

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:17:12 -0400

NEWFIELD, N.J., May 15 (UPI) -- A New Jersey tattoo artist said he implanted four magnets in his wrist so he can wear his iPod Nano without anything else holding it in place.

Woman, 101, fights off thief

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:12:36 -0400

UMEA, Sweden, May 15 (UPI) -- Prosecutors in Sweden said an attempted thief who was foiled by a 101-year-old woman wielding a stick has been charged with aggravated theft and fraud.

Bees trap Texas couple in bathroom

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:42:00 -0400

MARION, Texas, May 15 (UPI) -- Texas firefighters said they received a call about hundreds of bees swarming in a house while they were already out on an identical call.

Chicago police nab suspect in minutes of robbery

Tue, 15 May 2012 10:20:44 -0400

CHICAGO, May 15 (UPI) -- With security in Chicago beefed for this weekend's NATO summit it was absolutely wrong time to rob a bank, a police officer said.

The almanac

Tue, 15 May 2012 03:30:00 -0400

By United Press International
UPI Almanac for Tuesday, May 15, 2012.

Jubilee version of queen at Madame Tussauds

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:13:47 -0400

LONDON, May 15 (UPI) -- The 23rd wax version of Queen Elizabeth II went on public display Monday at Madame Tussauds in London to mark the 60th year of her reign.

'Free hugs' help man with Asperger's

Mon, 14 May 2012 17:34:49 -0400

SAN ANTONIO, May 14 (UPI) -- A San Antonio man who can often be seen offering free hugs across from Alamo Plaza said the project is helping him with his difficulty interacting with others.

Grenade found in radio; police evacuate

Mon, 14 May 2012 17:14:44 -0400

PHILADELPHIA, May 14 (UPI) -- Police in Philadelphia said a building housing two district headquarters was evacuated after a man brought in a grenade he discovered inside a radio.

Son-in-law finds lost ring after 43 years

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:56:56 -0400

CHAPMAN, Ala., May 14 (UPI) -- An Alabama woman who lost her class ring more than 40 years ago said she was shocked when her son-in-law found it after less than 10 minutes of searching.

Sophia, Jacob top names of 2011

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:52:23 -0400

WASHINGTON, May 14 (UPI) -- The U.S. Social Security Administration said Sophia was the most popular female baby name for the first time in 2011, knocking Isabella to No. 2.

Man returns stolen plants after 54 years

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:32:42 -0400

NASHVILLE, May 14 (UPI) -- A Kentucky man has returned two potted hydrangeas he stole from a Nashville park to give to his mom for Mother's Day in 1958.

Student graduates with quadruple major

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:11:49 -0400

DULUTH, Minn., May 14 (UPI) -- A student at the College of St. Scholastica in Minnesota has graduated with a quadruple major and a 4.0 grade point average in just four years.

World's tallest Lego tower built in Seoul

Mon, 14 May 2012 15:51:12 -0400

SEOUL, May 14 (UPI) -- Lego officials in South Korea announced the crown prince of Denmark placed the final brick on the world's largest Lego tower, measuring 104 feet, 8 inches tall.

Dog custody battle costs man $60,000

Mon, 14 May 2012 15:50:40 -0400

NEW YORK, May 14 (UPI) -- A New York man said he is trying to raise funds online after spending more than $60,000 on a legal battle to get his dog back from his ex-girlfriend.

Obscene chocolates given to schoolkids

Mon, 14 May 2012 15:32:54 -0400

WOODBERRY, Australia, May 14 (UPI) -- The Australian school official who handed out chocolates shaped like breasts, penises, posteriors and copulating couples to children resigned Monday.