An anonymous donor who took France's annual "yellow coins" hospital appeal literally handed over about 300 19th century solid gold coins. The collection is worth an estimated 15,000 euros ($27,500).

Friday January 31, 2003

A Norwegian politician, caught playing war games on his pocket computer during a parliamentary debate on the looming war in Iraq, has apologised, saying his "fingers slipped".

Friday January 31, 2003

A German circus director is on the run with his elephant after defying a local authority who banned him from moving the distressed animal, which was mourning another dead elephant. "It's easier to hide an elephant than you might think," police said.

Thursday January 30, 2003

A surgeon being sued for branding a patient's uterus with the initials of his alma mater - the University of Kentucky - said his actions were a routine part of a hysterectomy.

Wednesday January 29, 2003

In New Mexico the locals know it as "Satan's Highway" and it is notorious for its high death toll - which explains why the state governor wants to change the highway's num ber: 666. "We don't want it to be associated with our state," an official said.

Tuesday January 28, 2003

The theological congress that opened the World Meeting of Families in Manila late last week ended with a special delivery: a Philippine delegate gave birth to her 10th child.

Monday January 27, 2003

The parents of a seven-year-old Pennsylvania boy made about $A1200 by dressing him in a Cub Scout uniform, knocking on doors and asking for donations for his troop. The scam was uncovered when someone noticed the boy's neckerchief was not tied with a woggle.

Saturday January 25, 2003

A Danish bomb squad shot to pieces a teddy bear left on the doorstep of a Jehovah's Witness hall with a note saying it contained a bomb.

Friday January 24, 2003

A British motorist, 60, has been banned from driving for a year after she was convicted for careless driving with one dog on her lap, four on the front passenger seat and 22 in the back.

Thursday January 23, 2003

Firefighters had to cut free a woman who slipped into an erotic lingerie store in England for a quick look around but got her hands stuck in a pair of handcuffs.

Wednesday January 22, 2003

German scientists have found that Botox injections into the armpit can help to protect against body odour. Volunteers, asked to sniff each other before and after an injection of the chemical, usually used to smooth wrinkly skin, found a definite improvement.

Tuesday January 21, 2003

A small Bible college in Kentucky is fighting to change its telephone number because the 666 prefix is disturbing to Christians, who recognise it as the mark of Satan.

Monday January 20, 2003

A stake through the heart is not the only way to kill Dracula. A negative PricewaterhouseCoopers report has killed the plans of the Romanian town Sighisoara for a Dracula theme park.

Saturday January 18, 2003

A US travel agency has chartered an all-nude flight between Miami and a nudist resort in Cancun, Mexico. Passengers may discard their clothes, but not their inhibitions, the agency owner said.

Friday January 17, 2003

Health workers in rural areas of the predominantly Catholic Philippines have been using birth control pills to fertilise orchids instead of distributing them to curb the country's runaway population.