US-ODD Summary
Makeup hides neo-Nazi's swastika in court
ST. PETERSBURG, Florida - A neo-Nazi gang member went on trial for murder on Monday with his swastika and other tattoos covered by makeup on the order of a Florida judge who thought they could prejudice jurors. The judge ordered the state to pay for a cosmetologist to apply makeup before trial each day to cover up the tattoos on John Ditullio's face and neck, which include a swastika, barbed wire and an obscene word.
Aussies set for jolly season as corporate parties return
SYDNEY on events -- an increase of 76 percent from last year.
Coffee tax collection costs dwarf revenue
BERLIN in taxes and fees, said Dieter Engels, head of Germany's Federal Accounting Office.
Reality TV stars charged over rat-eating episode
SYDNEY - Australian police have charged two stars of British reality TV show "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here" with animal cruelty after an RSPCA complaint over an episode that involved killing and cooking a rat. Italian chef Gino D'Acampo and British actor Stuart Manning were charged at the weekend in relation to the British TV show that was filmed in northern New South Wales in Australia.
Robbers steal $6 million during soccer finale
RIO DE JANEIRO .
After 50 years, UK ministry shuts down UFO unit
LONDON - Britain's Ministry of Defense has had a close encounter of the credit crunch kind. After more than 50 years of service, the ministry has shut down its UFO investigation unit, saying it could no longer justify the cost of running the service.
Up in arms over kangaroo, emu "Coat of Arms" chips
SYDNEY - Some Australians are up in arms over a new kangaroo and emu flavored chip, horrified that people are encouraged to eat the nation's coat of arms which depicts the iconic Australian animals. Complaints to Australia's Advertising Standards Bureau said the "BBQ Coat of Arms" chips were degrading for native wildlife and sent the wrong message to Australian children, reported the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.
Competitive Britons send nativity costs soaring
LONDON on arctic fur throws for children cast as sheep and ivory bridesmaid dresses for angels, according to department stores group Debenhams.
Groom creates viral storm twittering from altar
NEW YORK - A Maryland groom has created an viral story storm after he interrupted his wedding last month to update his Facebook and Twitter accounts from the altar. Dana Hanna, who works for a pet website, also posted a short video of the ceremony on the Internet. It showed him reaching into his pocket for his phone as the minister was about to pronounce the couple husband and wife.
Fellow Iraqi turns tables on Bush shoe-thrower
PARIS - An Iraqi reporter imprisoned for throwing his shoes at President George W. Bush found himself on the receiving end of a similar footwear attack in Paris Tuesday. Muntazer al-Zaidi, whose flare-up against Bush last December turned into a symbol of Iraqi anger, was speaking at a news conference to promote his campaign for victims of the war in Iraq when a man in the audience hurled a shoe at him.