Nicotine may be addictive, but it can help boost memory and learning, a new study suggests. In a research done by scientists from the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College London, the findings showed that the increase in concentration felt by smokers could help fight dementia.

German authorities have returned an infant to its parents after a joke went afoul about selling the baby boy on eBay for $1. The twenty-something parents' admission halted a days-long probe into potential baby trafficking. In a May 24 auction that was online less than three hours, a writer advertised the baby was for sale because it "has gotten too loud. " Internet auction giant eBay quickly removed the ad.

A Colorado hiker lost in southern Germany's Bavarian Alps for almost three days used her white bra to signal for help and it led rescuers to the ledge where she was stranded. Jessica Bruinsma, 24, was hiking with a friend near the Austrian border on June 16 when she lost her way due to bad weather and fell to a narrow ledge.

A famous author offered her $1. 25 million mansion in Ocala, Florida as top prize for a pet essay writing contest. The generous donor is Clementina Marie Giovannetti, who has several bestsellers including "Clementina's Love Story: Diary of a Healer", "Caesar: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told By A Dog," "Oh Fair Maiden" and "The Best-Selling Guide To Dream Interpretation. "

A video ad for the rail line in Washington, D. C. that showed a bobble-head version of Pope Benedict XVI was pulled after religious officials complained that it depicted a "misdressed" pontiff. According to the Archdiocese of Washington, the bobble-headed pope, which was shown riding a Metro train, did not correctly depict the actual appearance of the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. "Our concern is that this was a bad bobble-head," said archdiocese spokeswoman Susan Gibbs, according to UPI.