How bad is the Japanese economy? The emperor of Japan has started selling copper roof panels from one of his retreats and one of his palaces.

“We learned that naturally oxidized copper is a valuable material,” said a spokesman for the Imperial Household Agency.

Sure beats selling the family jewels.

A North Dakota man found the perfect way to beat the high cost of gas: He’s commuting on horseback.

Jim Jundt of Minot said he joked about riding his 14-year-old quarterhorse, Patty, to work when gas hit $3 a gallon. When it reached $3.20, he headed for the barn instead of the garage.

He was only five minutes late for his job – at a service station.

Want to know the secret of a good duck hunt? Pigs.

After seagulls overwhelmed prime duck-hunting land near Salt Lake International Airport in Utah, members of the Rudy Duck Club brought in four pigs, who quickly sent the interlopers flying.

Although the pigs disrupted the seagulls’ breeding cycle, they steered clear of the ducks and geese – letting hunters enjoy their sport.

Cats are supposed to have nine lives – maybe this one has nine colors.

A couple in Devon, England, couldn’t believe it when their snow white cat returned home – and was a bright pink.

“We went to the vet, but they couldn’t find any reason for it, although they decided it wasn’t toxic,” said dumbfounded cat owner Philip Worth.

Finally, clear evidence that TV can save your life.

A Pennsylvania girl jumped into the Allegheny River and captured a runaway alligator by using a technique she learned from the show “Crocodile Hunter.”

Nicki Hilliard grabbed the croc, which escaped from her neighbor’s yard, by grabbing it tightly by the snout and mouth, making it unable to bite her.

Good thing she wasn’t watching “When Animals Attack!”