Gays and lesbians marching in the northern city of Hamburg on Saturday reportedly set a new world record for a group hug, with 16,000 people embracing each other for 10 seconds. Drag queen Olivia Jones, one of organizers told local media that the "march should bring people together, regardless of whether people are homosexual or heterosexual. "

Dan Freeman is a retired computer consultant with a mission: To visit 1000 bars in a single year. The 60-year-old began his journey on January 1, 2005, and since then has managed to hit the halfway mark, visiting his 500th bar, The Gate in Brooklyn.

William Hawley had been on the run since May 10 when he managed to escape from a Martin Correctional Institution work crew and got rid of his prison clothing. He then hitched a ride with Charlotte Yoder, telling her his wife was having a baby, his car broke down and he needed a ride to the hospital.

A cigarette butt representing life before New Zealand's smoke-free laws became effective last year, is being auctioned off online. New Zealand extended its smoke-free laws on Dec. 10, 2004, banning smoking in most indoor venues, sparking complaints from smokers and bar and cafe owners. The cigarette butt was witnessed being smoked at 11:59pm on Dec. 9, 2004 by the owners of an Auckland bar. Bids on the cigarette are currently exceeding $5,400, on the New Zealand-based action site, TradeMe (www. trademe. co. nz). The auction closes Thursday and will reword the top bidder with the butt, a certificate of authenticity, and a mounting case. The partially smoked cigarette was described on the Web site as a "priceless Kiwiana collector's item. "

22-year old would-be Apprentice, Chris Shelton, may here that famous phrase "You're fired!" from "the Donald" after this arrest at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Shelton is one of six remaining contestants on the popular NBC reality show. Hotel officials say the millionaire real estate mogul was taken into custody for disorderly conduct and released after posting $250 bond. Tribal police spokesman Gary Bitner says Shelton was being unruly in the hotel lobby, "He was loud and he just wouldn't calm down. " Officials say Shelton was apparently upset about a $20 hotel bar charge and began "causing a scene" in the lobby. The police report indicates several patrons were visibly shaken by the incident in which Shelton allegedly used profanity. Shelton was staying at the hotel with friends celebrating his success on the show. NBC is not commenting on the arrest incident, calling it a private matter. It is not known if Shelton makes it to the final show, which has yet to be taped.