IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Members of a California family say they saved an elderly woman from losing her life savings of $10,000 she had hidden in a box of crackers.
VASTERVIK, Sweden, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- A 33-year-old Swedish man suffered serious injuries when he poured gasoline on his arm and set it on fire as a party trick, police said.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- A group of protesting snowmen carrying signs like "Snowpeople have rights" made a brief appearance at city hall in Anchorage, Alaska, this week.
EDINBURGH, Scotland, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- The manager of a pet adoption site in West Lothian, Scotland, says a Labrador puppy likely used as a holiday gift was handed in Christmas Day.
JONKOPING, Sweden, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- A manger scene in Jonkoping, Sweden, has lost its baby Jesus for a second time this holiday season after vandals stole the statue again, an official says.
HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Hollywood, Fla., may join Opa-locka, Fla., St. Louis and Masaka, Uganda, in naming streets after President-elect Barack Obama.
MURRAY, Utah, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Workers at a Murray, Utah, grocery store said surveillance video recorded a dog walking into the store and taking a rawhide bone.
LANGLEY, British Columbia, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- A retailer in Canada's British Columbia province said a sales promotion he announced earlier could cost him tens of thousands of dollars.
LONDON, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Britain's Advertising Standards Authority said 196 billboards in the London area promising "longer lasting sex" provoked a flood of complaints.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Officials said a scheme to outfit elephants at Kenya's Ol Pejeta conservancy with text-messaging collars has been successful in protecting crops.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Officials at the Cranbrook Institute of Science in suburban Detroit said the world's oldest known bat in captivity celebrated his 23rd birthday Friday.
Afghan warlords said partial to Viagra ... Tobacco spit leads to burglary suspect ... County seals newspaper, Twinkie for 2058 ... Comedy writer authors test prep book ... UPI Quirks in the News.
PASCO, Wash., Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Workers at a courthouse in Franklin County, Wash., said they sealed items including a county budget and a Twinkie inside a time capsule.
TAHLEQUAH , Okla., Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Oklahoma authorities said they used DNA from tobacco spit stains at multiple crime scenes to identify a suspected serial burglar.
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- A comedy writer in Los Angeles has authored an SAT-preparation book that aims to use humor to help students get ready for the exam.
KABUL, Afghanistan, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- U.S. intelligence operatives are using the Viagra "male enhancement" drug to gain favor among aging Afghanistan warlords with multiple wives, sources say.
Woman gets $4,700 water bill … Reverend defends Jesus clothing campaign … Christmas names a burden for some … Adult daughters keep posing with Santa … Watercooler stories from UPI.
Comedian allegedly smashed fan's phone … Australian cat survives 34-story fall … Irish robot to attempt Rubik's record … Fiscally, Santa is not in the red … The world as we know it from UPI.
NEW YORK, Dec. 25 (UPI) -- Santa Claus, for his trademark laugh, nose-poking poses and marketplace counseling services, made about $8 million this year, U.S. accountants said.
GOLD COAST, Australia, Dec. 25 (UPI) -- An Australian couple said their 7-year-old cat survived a 34-story fall from their penthouse to the ground below.
HOUSTON , Dec. 25 (UPI) -- An elderly Houston woman received $4,700 water bill that claimed she used 495,000 gallons of water in a single month -- a feat plumbers called impossible.
Mads Mikkelsen kisses "Best Performance By An Actor" trophy after winning the prize for his role in the film "Jagten (The Hunt)" during the 65th annual Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 27, 2012. UPI/David Silpa
