Reuters: Oddly Enough

Bulgarians name brandy after PM after tax victory

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:24:34 -0500

SOFIA (Reuters) - Bulgarian villagers have named their home-made rakia brandy "Borisovka," playing on the name of Prime Minister Boiko Borisov to thank him for stopping parliament from raising taxes on alcohol.

Canada, Australia ranked best places for expats

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:33:36 -0500

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Looking to work overseas? Head to Canada, Australia or Thailand, according to an annual global survey which found recession-hit Britain was one of the worst locations to live for expatriates.

Irish use strike day to shop across border

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:43:51 -0500

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Irish workers caused traffic jams on Tuesday as hundreds made use of a one-day public sector strike to do some Christmas shopping in the cheaper stores across the border in Northern Ireland.

"Coffee police" fight fraud on shop shelves

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:35:24 -0500

GUARAJUBA, Brazil (Reuters) - Brazil's coffee industry is engaged in a tireless battle against rogue roasters who cut corners and costs by bulking up their products with corn, soy or even wood, the ABIC industry association says.

Man robbed of $2 million bank withdrawal

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:17:21 -0500

TAIPEI (Reuters) - A man in Taiwan was robbed of more than $2 million in cash that he had just withdrawn from the bank, a police official said on Tuesday.

Using your plastic for plastic surgery..

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:18:08 -0500

CARACAS (Reuters) - Unfazed by a recession and rampant inflation, image-conscious Venezuelans show no signs of cutting back on the facelifts, liposuction, and breast augmentation that have become de rigueur beauty treatments.

Hitler's favorite car makes comeback?

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:49:53 -0500

BERLIN (Reuters) - A car expert says he has tracked down Hitler's favorite Mercedes to a garage near the town that helped the Austrian-born Fuehrer become a German citizen.

Cops on trail of "gingerbread town" vandals

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:00:23 -0500

OSLO (Reuters) - The people of Bergen rolled out the cookie dough Monday as local police tried to sniff out vandals who destroyed the Norwegian city's traditional Christmas decoration -- a town of gingerbread houses.

Judge blocks law allowing guns in bars

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:00:58 -0500

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) - A judge on Friday blocked a Tennessee law that allowed people to bring handguns into restaurants and bars.

Don't kiss Santa, he may have the flu

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:54:41 -0500

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Santa Claus should avoid kissing children and shaking their hands to prevent spreading the flu and should get vaccinated against the illness, Hungary's state health authority said.