Invercargill, New Zealand (WFN) -- Invercargill, New Zealand, isn't known as a fashion capital -- and with good reason. Locals there have started a new fad of wearing baby sweaters as hats and "neckerchiefs." The style is called "the Brendon," after the local ska musician who created the fashion.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- They're not singing, "Burn, baby, burn" in central Indiana where blood tests of 12 women and their infants reveal high levels of a contaminant commonly used as a flame retardant. Scientists at Indiana University are still trying to figure out why the chemical levels are 20 times above those found in Scandinavian mothers and infants.

LOS ANGELES -- The city of Los Angeles isn't pussy footing around when it comes to gangs. City authorities are removing shoes that dangle from power lines because they are a gang symbol to signify a death sentence to a nearby resident or a sign that a drug dealer does business nearby.

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. -- A Connecticut man has bowed to pressure from his town officials to change the name of his Mexican restaurant, C.O. Jones. Image-conscious officials in West Hartford didn't like the name -- which can be read as "cojones," a Spanish slang word for testicles. Now, the eatery will be called simply, Mexican Restaurant, reports the "Hartford Courant."

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More Weird News From 2003-03-12 The day's offbeat stories from around the world. • World's First Beatbox Convention In London Next Month • Flash Lites: Rip 'N' Read Pop Culture Recap • Domo Arigato Mr. 'Asimo' • Hollywood Brides: A Head-To-Toe Analysis • Andy Rooney: 'Ever Wonder Why My Eyebrows Are So Bushy?' • Mel Blanc's Son Wants Oscar For His Dad • 'Stinking Point' Doesn't Really Stink • For Sale: Recording Equipment Fit For A King • Ron Jeremy Hits Half-Century • Kids, Give Peace A Chance - With Wacky Wallwalkers!?! • Around The Weird: Bizarre News Briefs   « Current Weird News Stories