Following is a summary of current odd news briefs. Man avoids jail time in $10 million caviar smuggling caper NEW YORK (Reuters) - A man who evaded authorities for 23 years on charges he unlawfully imported more than $10 million worth of caviar into the United States was spared jail time at his sentencing on Monday. Instead, a judge in U.S. District Court in Manhattan imposed a punishment of time already served on Isidoro "Mario" Garbarino, 69, who has been in custody since September 10.

By Brian Homewood ZURICH, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi, still only 25, was named the world's best player for the fourth time in a row on Monday after a year in which finally produced his best form for Argentina as well as Barcelona. Messi was handed the FIFA Ballon D'Or award after a typically cheesy ceremony which featured a performance from a giant dancing armadillo named Fuleco, the mascot for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Following is a summary of current people news briefs. Actor Depardieu denies leaving France for tax reasons

* Thousands of firefighters battle hundreds of blazes * Residents evacuate homes in face of out-of-control fires * Record temperatures bake Sydney * Cooler change hoped to end incendiary conditions (Updates with latest on fires, fresh quotes) By Rob Taylor