■ United States
New gum for hunters
A deer hunter in Wisconsin is marketing a new type of chewing gum he claims can mask human-smelling breath and help hunters move closer to their prey. Neil Bretl says his Gum-o-Flage helps fool the animals' hypersensitive noses to human scent. Hunters already can use special soap, shampoo and clothing detergent to eliminate human smell. Some even pay US$300 for scent-control coveralls or rub themselves with horse manure. Now, for US$4.99, hunters can get 12 olive green, Chiclet-style tablets in a blister pack. "Its sugar-free, by the way," said Bretl, 35, whose license plate reads "GUM GUY."
■ Croatia
POWs talk about massacre
Two former Croat prisoners of war who narrowly escaped a 1991 massacre of more than 200 fellow POWs at a pig farm in eastern Croatia testified Monday at a landmark trial of 17 Serb paramilitaries charged in the slaughter. The appearance of Emil Cakalic and Dragutin Berghofer before Serbia's special war crimes court is the first time that any of the survivors of the Ovcara massacre -- which took place in November 1991 -- were called in to testify since the proceedings opened in March. The trial is considered a key test of whether Serbia is able to prosecute Serb war crimes suspects.
■ United States
Judge gives fugitive a party
A Dallas judge welcomed a fugitive back to her court, throwing him a party that included balloons and a cake. Then, she sent him to prison for life. "You just made my day when I heard you had finally come home," Criminal Courts Judge Faith Johnson told Billy Wayne Williams, who was captured Thursday by a fugitive task force after nearly a year on the run. Williams, who was accused of choking his girlfriend until she was unconscious, failed to appear for his November trial and was convicted and sentenced in absentia. Johnson sentenced Williams to life in prison for aggravated assault. "It seems like everyone wants to have a party, and it's fun for you people, but not for me," Williams said.
■ United States
Acclaimed baritone dies
Acclaimed singer Robert Merrill, the opera baritone who felt equally comfortable on opening night at the Metropolitan Opera House or opening day at Yankee Stadium, has died. Merrill died Saturday at his home in suburban New York City, family friend Barry Tucker said Monday. Reference books gave conflicting ages for Merrill, 87 or 85. Merrill, once described in Time magazine as "one of the Met's best baritones," became as well-known to New York Yankees fans for his season-opening rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner.
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