Jockstrip: The world as we know it.

NORAD to keep tabs on Santa's progress

COLORADO SPRINGS, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Those needing to know where Santa Claus is at any given time this holiday season can once again check with the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

As part of the group's "NORAD Tracks Santa" effort, the defense group will offer curious individuals real-time progress of Santa's sleigh as he travels the world delivering his holiday gifts, The Independent on Sunday said.

NORAD first began the holiday tradition 52 years ago after a U.S. colonel received an errant call from a young child wanting to talk with Santa Claus.

Apparently a local store had accidentally placed the NORAD number in an advertisement for its Santa phone line and the colonel was shocked when the curious child asked for the location of Santa.

The British newspaper said as technology has improved, so has NORAD's tracking of the Christmas icon and this holiday season, people can use the Google Earth application to find the jolly old elf and his sleigh anywhere in the world.

Britain set to release secret UFO files

LONDON, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- The British government will soon release previously classified details regarding hundreds of reported sightings of unidentified flying objects.

The Sunday Telegraph said Sunday that this coming spring, the Defense Ministry will release to the general public 160 files about alleged UFO sightings.

Since the British government department began keeping records about the unusual reports in 1950, more than 10,000 sightings have been recorded.

With officials failing to explain 5 percent of those sightings, a growing number of Freedom of Information requests prompted the release of the classified information.

A former head of the Defense Ministry UFO project told the newspaper that no matter what an individual believes regarding UFOs, the released files should prove to be interesting reading.

"Whatever people think about UFOs, these documents are fascinating and show how the MoD has researched and investigated this mystery for nearly 60 years, without an answer," former department official Nick Pope said.

Woman keeping reindeer away from Santa

OXFORD, England, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- A woman in Britain has had her reindeer tagged with tracking microchips to find the animals should they run away with Santa Claus.

Reindeer owner Sarah Crane said she chose to have her two reindeer fitted with microchips so she can find them if they suddenly join a passing sleigh and leave her Oxfordshire home, Sky News reported Sunday.

Crane said the loss of her reindeer, Snowflake and Prancer, would be particularly difficult for the children whom the animals visit at local parties.

She had the reindeer tagged by Petlog, a company that can track them down via the microchips.

"Snowflake and Prancer have been with us a few months now and have made a big impact on the children," Crane told Sky News.

"We would be devastated if they went missing, but now should they decide to fly away, we know Petlog will be on hand to bring them back for Christmas."

Harrods offering $83 a jar honey

LONDON, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- The ritzy London department store Harrods is offering a reportedly healthy type of honey for $83 a jar, possibly the highest cost for honey in the world.

While the price for little more than four ounces of Life Mel honey may seem excessive, Harrods said it has already been endorsed by pop singer Kylie Minogue and film actress Sienna Miller, Sky News reported Sunday.

Harrods press and product manager Andre Dang said the honey has been used as both a sweet spread and as a health product.

"This is the newest product that has just launched," Dang said.

"People are tending to use it more as an alternative therapy rather than spreading it on toast."

The honey's reported health benefits may be due to the fact it is made without artificial ingredients and was produced by bees fed herbs such as Siberian ginseng and echinacea.

Sky News said because of the honey's reported health benefits, jars of the costly product will not simply adorn Harrods' shelves, but will be sold in the store's pharmacy.