Reuters: Oddly Enough

Pooches are pampered ahead of dog show

Reuters — 13 Feb 2012 17:45:00 +0000

February 13- Some of the world's top canines really live a dog's life at a spa for the Westminster show. Andrew Schmertz reports.

Political style: the link between fashion and votes

Reuters — 10 Feb 2012 20:03:00 +0000

Feb. 10 - Fashion experts say the candidates fashion choices mimic their messages to voters. Alicia Powell reports.

Can’t keep a good runner down

Reuters — 9 Feb 2012 21:02:00 +0000

Feb. 9 - Runners from all over the world take on 86 flights of stairs for the 35th annual Empire State Building Run-Up in New York. Tara Cleary reports.

Simpsons fans celebrate 500th episode

Reuters — 9 Feb 2012 19:44:00 +0000

Feb. 9 - Fans of "The Simpsons" series gather in Los Angeles for a viewing marathon, hoping to watch all 500 episodes of the show back to back. Tara Cleary reports.

Has Iceland’s Nessie shown itself?

Reuters — 8 Feb 2012 19:58:00 +0000

Feb. 8 - Icelandic television reports on the buzz around footage possibly showing Iceland's version of the Loch Ness monster, the Lagarfljot river worm. Tara Cleary reports.

Flimsy rhino attempts zoo escape

Reuters — 8 Feb 2012 19:25:00 +0000

Feb. 8 - Keepers at a Tokyo zoo round up a life-sized paper mache rhino in a training drill to help staff deal with potential animal escapes. Tara Cleary reports.

Huge baby shocks parents

Reuters — 7 Feb 2012 22:36:00 +0000

Feb. 7 - A baby boy weighing 7.04 kilograms or 15.5 pounds, is born in central China. State media reports that it may be the heaviest baby on record in China. Tara Cleary reports.

"Sky villages" plan elevates debate over tsunami security

Reuters — 7 Feb 2012 19:36:00 +0000

Feb. 7 - Nearly one year after the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan, a Japanese architect is proposing a novel solution to the ongoing problem of how and where to rebuild villages destroyed by the disaster. Keiichiro Sako says the answer lies in what he calls "sky villages." Rob Muir reports.

Old fat still good

Reuters — 7 Feb 2012 21:25:00 +0000

Feb. 7 - A German pensioner opens a 64-year-old container of pork lard, which he received as a student following World War II. Tara Cleary reports.

Phone app stops driver texting

Reuters — 7 Feb 2012 19:18:00 +0000

Feb. 7 - A new cell phone application limits distracted driving by prohibiting the ability to text or email when the device is traveling more than 15 miles per hour. It can also track the mobile user's location using GPS. Tara Cleary reports.

Man aims to cheer up father with Hello Kitty haircut

Reuters — 6 Feb 2012 21:16:00 +0000

Feb. 6 - One way to lift your father's winter blues may be with a haircut designed like Hello Kitty. That's what one man in Taiwan decided to do. Andrew Schmertz reports.

Taiwanese celebrate year of the dragon by launching paper lanterns into the sky

Reuters — 6 Feb 2012 19:15:00 +0000

Feb. 6 - Paper lanterns light up the sky in Taiwan as a symbol of good wishes and protection. Andrew Schmertz reports.

Police go on wild-goose chase to track down runaway goat

Reuters — 6 Feb 2012 19:09:00 +0000

Feb. 6- A runaway goat hoofed it around Melbourne police for hours. Eventually, the goat- named "Houdini"- was captured. Andrew Schmertz reports.

Taiwanese celebrate year of the dragon by launching paper lanterns into the sky

Reuters — 6 Feb 2012 17:22:00 +0000

Feb. 6 - Paper lanterns light up the sky in Taiwan as a symbol of good wishes and protection. It's part of an annual celebration marking the new year. This year is the "year of the dragon." Andrew Schmertz reports.

Floating cities proposed as havens of future happiness

Reuters — 3 Feb 2012 22:13:00 +0000

Feb. 3 - From Russia and the Middle East to western Europe and the United States, dissatisfaction with politics and politicians has led to protest, conflict and, in many cases, violence. But it doesn't have to be that way, according to a U.S. think-tank called The Seasteading Institute. Backed by wealthy donors, the non-profit group believes future peace and prosperity lies far out at sea. Ben Gruber reports.

Brussels statue too cold to ‘go’

Reuters — 2 Feb 2012 20:54:00 +0000

Feb. 2 - The Manneken-Pis, a bronze statue of a young boy urinating that is a symbol of Brussels and a major tourist attraction, has had to stop peeing because of sub-zero temperatures. Tara Cleary reports.

Groundhog predicts six more wintry weeks

Reuters — 2 Feb 2012 17:53:00 +0000

Feb. 2 - Continuing a tradition started in 1886, the Pennsylvania town of Punxsutawney celebrates Groundhog Day. Tara Cleary reports.

Snow bath chills Chinese soldiers

Reuters — 1 Feb 2012 21:32:00 +0000

Feb. 1 - Special task force soldiers in northeast China undergo tough winter training including a 'snow bath'. Tara Cleary reports.

Vampire Woman turns heads at tattoo fest

Reuters — 1 Feb 2012 20:17:00 +0000

Feb. 1 - Mexico's 'Vampire Woman' joins international tattoo artists at the Venezuelan 2012 Tattoo Expo. Tara Cleary reports.

Mixology madness as barmen descend on Latvia

Reuters — 1 Feb 2012 19:53:00 +0000

Feb. 1 - Forty bartenders from 13 countries go head to head in Latvia's annual cocktail competition. Tara Cleary reports.

The bigger the better in Brazil pageant

Reuters — 31 Jan 2012 22:40:00 +0000

Jan. 31 - Plus size beauties from Brazil's 26 states grace the stage in Sao Paulo to compete for this year's "fat and beautiful" crown. Tara Cleary reports.

A very big bundle of joy for Iowa couple

Reuters — 31 Jan 2012 21:18:00 +0000

Jan. 31 - An Iowa woman gives birth to a big baby boy weighing more than 13 pounds. Tara Cleary reports.

Gay couple ties knot in Archie comic

Reuters — 31 Jan 2012 19:24:00 +0000

Jan. 31 - The popular comic book company, Archie Comics, features its first gay wedding after over 70 years of publications. Tara Cleary reports.

Crazy coffins at London death festival

Reuters — 30 Jan 2012 22:51:00 +0000

Jan. 30 - A coffin exhibition titled "Boxed: Fabulous Coffins from UK and Ghana," held at the South Bank Centre in London baffles and entertains visitors with customized coffin creations. Elly Park reports.

Bed-mobiles line up for annual race

Reuters — 30 Jan 2012 20:59:00 +0000

Jan. 30 - The annual Pattaya International Bed Race raises money in an unconventional way with competitors racing on beds for charity. Elly Park reports.