Some of the quirky stories from around the world.

There’s no knowing what 2015 will serve up but it will start with a bang tomorrow in the US.

Your spoiler free guide to what's on the TV tonight.

Amanda Bynes' psychiatric hold has reportedly been extended by another two weeks.

Amanda Bynes has been hospitalised.

A US student is gaining an internet reputation as a "squirrel whisperer" for befriending, feeding and dressing up a furry little friend she has named Sneezy.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has not been in his position for a week, but he has already made a good impression on Wayne Rooney.

Jazz album: Bruce Barth

Morto for him. Absolutely morto.

Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z appear to be going on tour together.

Marvin Hamlisch, who composed the scores for dozens of films including “The Sting” has died in Los Angeles aged 68.

Hugh Hefner's son, Marston, has been ordered to undergo a 52-week domestic violence programme after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend.

US horse racing series 'Luck' has been axed by HBO chiefs after a third thoroughbred died during the making of the drama starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte.

Michael Lohan is planning to open a woman-only rehab centre.

A TROVE of old glass negatives bought at a garage sale for $45 (€35) have been authenticated as the lost work of famed nature photographer Ansel Adams and are worth at least $200 million, an attorney for the owner said yesterday.

Randy Jackson, brother of the late pop legend Michael Jackson, was taken to hospital in Southern California.

The US-Mexico border has been rocked by a 5.7-magnitude earthquake that rattled nerves in a region still recovering from the deadly Easter tremor, seismologists said today.

Ryan O'Neal is not allowed to visit his son Redmond O'Neal in rehab.

PARIS JACKSON wept as she stepped into the mausoleum where her father, Michael, was to be entombed. Katherine Jackson, overcome by sorrow, turned back when she was faced with her son’s final resting place.

A MASSIVE wildfire near Los Angeles flared up yesterday and a new evacuation order was issued for homes in a remote canyon.

A GROWING wildfire in the mountains above Los Angeles surged north yesterday, forcing more evacuations and threatening some 10,000 homes.

A wildfire in the mountains above Los Angeles has surged in every direction, going in a single day from a modest threat to a danger to some 10,000 homes.

The US and European spacecraft Ulysses ended its more than 18-year mission to explore and research the region of space above the poles of the sun.

Nasa said its powerful Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is safe after being hit by a cosmic ray or solar particle.

Dying winds allowed firefighters to make inroads today on three huge wildfires that have destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands to flee in California.

More residents of Southern California have been urged to leave their homes despite calming winds that allowed a major aerial attack on wildfires.

Firefighters battling wildfires that have destroyed hundreds of homes in Southern California were today aided by calmer winds.

John Cleese has criticised hotel-room technology after he found it impossible to close a pair of curtains.

AT least one of many large, lake-like features on Saturn’s moon Titan studied by the international Cassini spacecraft contains liquid hydrocarbons, making it the only body in the solar system besides Earth known to have liquid on its surface, Nasa has announced.

The strongest earthquake to strike a populated area of Southern California caused buildings to sway, but there were no reports of serious injuries.

A strong earthquake shook Southern California tonight, causing buildings to sway and triggering some precautionary evacuations.

Scientists have sped up their Mars lander mission after a short circuit cast doubt over the future of the probe.

Nasa’s Phoenix Mars Lander spent its first full day in the Martian arctic plains checking its instruments in preparation for an ambitious digging mission to study whether the site could have once been habitable.

A wildfire in southern California that has scorched 270 acres and forced the evacuation of about 100 homes might not be under control for days, officials said today.

California faces an almost certain risk of being rocked by a strong earthquake by 2037, scientists say.

California faces an almost certain risk of being rocked by a strong earthquake by 2037, scientists said today.

Jurors in the Phil Spector murder trial heard expletive-laced phone messages today from the music producer to a former girlfriend, telling her “be careful what you say to me because nothing you say is worth your life.”

US scientists have discovered what appear to be sea-size bodies of liquid, probably methane or ethane, on the surface of Saturn’s largest moon.

Spectators staked out front-row seats for a trip to a galaxy far, far away, as Pasadena's famous Rose Parade prepares to present an otherworldly tribute to Star Wars.

GOOGLE is converting its renowned headquarters to run partly on solar power, hoping to set an example for corporate America.

Actor Haley Joel Osment was rushed to hospital this morning after he apparently lost control of his car while heading to his Los Angeles area home, authorities said.

JENNIFER Lopez is suing her ex-husband, claiming he demanded $5 million (€4.125m) to keep him from publishing a book containing private details about the star and their relationship.

A Nasa spacecraft successfully slipped into orbit around Mars, joining a trio of orbiters already circling the Red Planet after a critical firing of its engA Nasa spacecraft successfully slipped into orbit around Mars, joining a trio of orbiters already circling the Red Planet after a critical firing of its engines.

JITTERY NASA scientists are waiting for the most advanced spacecraft ever sent to another planet to make its risky final approach to Mars, where it is due to return 10 times the data of all previous probes put together.