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The Odd Truth, Feb. 25, 2004

The Odd Truth is a collection of strange but factual news stories from around the world compiled by CBSNews.com's Brian Bernbaum. A new collection of stories is published each weekday. On weekends, you can read a week's worth of The Odd Truth.



Suspended For Smooch

BRANSON, Mo. - A schoolyard smooch landed a Missouri third grader a one-day suspension.

Nine-year-old Stephen Fogelman had to do his schoolwork from home for giving a girl a peck on the cheek.

The Branson student handbook defines sexual harassment as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other inappropriate verbal, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature, or creation of a sexually hostile environment.

The Fogelman's say their son doesn't even know what sexual harassment means.

Because of a privacy issue the Branson superintendent said he couldn't talk about the incident.

The mother of the girl involved said she does believe the punishment was fair, because her daughter felt unsafe and afraid. However, she didn't think it should have been labeled sexual harassment, since third graders probably don't know what it is.

Grounded Mile-High Club

HONG KONG - Red-faced airport security officials in Hong Kong are trying to explain a security breach. No, it wasn't a hijacking attempt - but a porn movie.

The hour-long film "Exposure Trip in Hong Kong" features shots in and around the airport. The daily tabloid the Sun reports there's 20 minutes of hardcore action in the video. There's one scene where a porn star bares all in the departure lounge.

Airport Authority spokeswoman Sylvia Chan says if they had known about the filming, authorities would have stopped it. She says the adult video-makers haven't been identified. But she adds if they are, the airports' lawyers may get involved.

Trade You A Kidney For Some Pot?

BUFFALO - It pays to read the labels, especially if you're trying to smuggle dope.

Police in western New York say a pair of drug suspects mistakenly picked up two boxes of human organs at the Buffalo airport. The boxes were clearly labeled "PLEASE RUSH - HUMAN TISSUE FOR TRANSPLANT."

According to investigators, Tabatha Bracken and Dalvan Robinson were busted when they returned the organs to the airport and tried to claim two packages with the marijuana. Airline workers called authorities when the mix-up was discovered. Undercover agents were waiting when they suspects returned to the airport about 12 hours later.

Hungry Hawk Hits Home Depot

NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio - One visitor to Home Depot has been hunting for more than home improvement items.

A Cooper's hawk has been flying above the stocked shelves at a suburban Cleveland store for more than a week while feeding on pigeons that live in the rafters.

The brown bird's three-foot wing span casts a moving shadow across the concrete floor, causing customers and workers to duck and cock their heads toward the 25-foot ceiling.

The hawk entered the store through an open door while chasing a pigeon last Saturday. It caught its prey above the electrical aisle, worker Craig Warth said. Witnesses saw the hawk rip the pigeon apart and feed until nothing was left but feathers and claws.

"It wasn't a pretty sight," said Terry McGuire, assistant manager. "Some of the customers were upset. Some said it was the neatest thing they had ever seen."

Workers said about 15 pigeons were living in the store, but since the hawk arrived, few are left. Cooper's hawks are a protected species, so the bird can't be harmed or killed.

Local wildlife experts say the hawk will likely leave when the pigeons are gone.

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