UK-Odd Summary (Reuters)

Kentucky Derby champion loses his libido

TOKYO (Reuters) - The Japanese owners of former KentuckyDerby winner War Emblem are struggling to explain why theAmerican thoroughbred has lost his libido. Even a private haremand a limitless supply of Viagra have failed to pep up the lovelife of a stallion his handlers freely admit has some personalissues.

Blogger exposes life on the Underground

LONDON (Reuters) - Annie Mole's blog about the LondonUnderground rail system began as a New Year's resolution toteach herself how to make an Internet Web site and hasblossomed into a popular slice of commuter life. Thecriticisms, witticisms and daily observations posted on her"London Underground's Blog" since she first began writing it in 2003 have struck a chordwith commuters and the people who operate the rail systembeneath the capital that is affectionately known as the "Tube".

Venice to fine tourists who feed pigeons

VENICE (Reuters) - The days when Venice tolerated touristsfeeding pigeons in St. Mark's Square are over. Starting onWednesday, it's illegal.

Ancient meteorite goes unsold in NY as dung sells

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Some dinosaur dung was snapped up atauction in New York even as a 4.5 billion year old meteoritewhich was supposed to top the sale went unsold. The two chunksof 130-million-year-old coprolite, otherwise known asfossilized dinosaur dung, fetched $960 (482 pounds) at Bonhamsin New York on Wednesday, the auction house said.

It's just not cricket! Cheerleaders shake India

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Cheerleaders are taking Indiancricket by storm, but some are wondering if this conservativeSouth Asian nation is ready for dancers with bulging breastsand gyrating bellies parading in packed stadia. Many foreigncheerleaders have been imported to India with this month'sinauguration of the India Premier League (IPL), a shortenedform of traditional cricket that transforms the game into amore glitzy U.S.-style sponsored sport event.

Angry mother slams writer Houellebecq

PARIS (Reuters) - If anyone was wondering where Frenchavant-garde novelist Michel Houellebecq got his talent forcharacter assassination, the answer is clear: his mother. Inhis seminal 1998 novel "Les particules alementaires", known inEnglish as "Atomised", Houellebecq vented a lifetime of angeragainst his mother by portraying her as an egocentric, sexuallypromiscuous hippie who neglected her children.

What's a Roman earn? Find out on the Internet

ROME (Reuters) - Italians were surprised, and in some casesoutraged, on Wednesday to discover that their income levelswere available for public viewing on an Internet site. As partof a crack-down on tax evasion, the outgoing centre-leftgovernment made public every citizen's declared taxable incomeon the state's tax website, a decision attacked by consumergroups and some politicians.

Tokyo panda death a chance for China diplomacy?

TOKYO (Reuters) - The last giant panda at Tokyo's main zoohas died, raising the question of whether Chinese President HuJintao might engage in some panda diplomacy when he visits nextweek. Ling Ling, a 22-year-old male giant panda popular amongzoo visitors, died overnight at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, anofficial at the zoo said on Wednesday.

France's Le Pen selling bullet-proof car on eBay

PARIS (Reuters) - French far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Penis looking to make a bit of extra cash by putting his oldbullet-proof car up for sale on eBay. Le Pen, who stunnedFrance in the 2002 presidential election when he finishedsecond, put his party headquarters up for sale earlier thisyear after humiliating defeats in presidential and legislativeelections last year left his group deep in the red.

Mystery Shanghai billboard ban irks ad companies

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Advertising companies in China'scommercial capital Shanghai are confused and angry after cityauthorities placed a sudden and mysterious ban on billboards,state media reported on Tuesday. Shanghai authorities last weekordered a halt on the approval and review of outdoor commercialadvertising, the China Daily said, leaving local advertisersblind-sided and searching for an explanation.