The Odd Column

Prime Minister Zapatero has jokingly said that he fears for the safety of Paul, the octopus at SeaLife in Germany who predicted that Spain would win the semi-final match against the Germans. Paul has successfully guessed the winners of matches in this World Cup six times. Zapatero has asked that a team be sent to Germany to protect the octopus.

The Odd Column

A BRISTOL artist planted 60 pianos around the city of New York after finding inspiration in the launderette. Every Saturday morning Luke Jerram would see the same people washing their underwear but no one would talk to one another. He had the idea of putting pianos on the streets to act as a catalyst to get people communicating.

The Odd Column

AN Australian thief has been undone by his habit of stealing treats from his victims' fridges, after police used the DNA found on a half-eaten doughnut and empty bottles to catch him.

"It is not surprising that he was not concerned about leaving his DNA at the scene. After all, he had committed 154 offences without apprehension," Justice Peter McClellan said.