Mid Day International News |
- Party drug meow meow killing young Britons
- Replica of Pippa's bridesmaid dress goes on sale
- Michael Jackson named top-earning dead celeb
- Winehouse died from too much alcohol
- Putin, Medvedev turn farmers
- Man claims prostitute turned into donkey
- Italy's Berlusconi to step down
| Party drug meow meow killing young Britons Posted: Party drug "meow meow" or mephedrone, used as a replacement for ecstasy or cocaine, and termed Britain's "favourite new drug" has caused nearly 100 deaths of young people in the past two years. Banned last year, mephedrone has been blamed for causing 19 users to commit suicide. At least one person dies every week after taking the drug. The report was published by government drug advisers -- Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, the Daily Mail reported. Les Iversen, chairman of the advisory council, called for new laws to deal with the "uncontrolled market". He said many buying the substances were people who would "never dream of going to a back-street drug dealer, but who are happy to take out their mobile phone and credit card and order it to be delivered to their home". Use of mephedrone -- taken in powder form, often as a substitute for cocaine -- was criminalised last year. The report found mephedrone caused or contributed to 42 deaths between late 2009 and October this year. Tests are still being carried out in another 56 suspected cases. Mephedrone has also been implicated in a number of deaths where users have become depressed and committed suicide. The report also urged ministers to put pressure on countries such as China to crack down on websites known to be smuggling drugs to Britain. The popularity of "meow meow" has been linked to its cheapness and easy availability. Clubbing magazine Mixmag last year christened mephedrone Britain's "favourite new drug". Unlike cocaine, the effects of the drug were unlikely to be cut with baking soda, paracetamol or other substances. It is most often snorted in powder form but can also be obtained in capsules. Side-effects include headaches, palpitations, nausea, high blood pressure, a burning throat, nose bleeds and purple joints, especially the knees and hands.
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| Replica of Pippa's bridesmaid dress goes on sale Posted: A replica of Pippa Middleton's infamous bridesmaid dress went on sale at Debenhams yesterday. The Duchess of Cambridge's sister stole the show at the Royal Wedding in the figure-hugging Alexander McQueen dress which catapulted her - and her bum- to fame.  Pippa Middleton look-a-like Jodie Bredo launches the dress inspired by Pippa's Royal Wedding brides maid dress at Debenhams yesterday And now, brides on a budget will be able to recreate the royal wedding look for themselves, as Debenhams yesterday unveiled its homage to Pippa's �20,000 (Rs 16 lakh) Alexander McQueen gown. The �170 (Rs 13,400) silk, cowl-neck dress goes on sale at the high street department store. Alain Mehada, chief personal shopper at Debenhams, said, "We have been inundated by customers asking if we have anything similar to the dresses worn by Pippa and the flower girls, but the ivory dress worn by Pippa is the most requested by far." Rs 13,400 The cost of the replica of Pippa's Alexander McQueen silk neck dress
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| Michael Jackson named top-earning dead celeb Posted: For a second straight year Michael Jackson is the world's top dead earner, according to a macabre list compiled by Forbes magazine of stars whose earning power remains undiminished beyond the grave. The King of Pop, who died two years ago at the age of 50, brought in $170 million (Rs 840 crore) for his estate over the past 12 months, enough to place him ahead of every other pop music act of the past year both living and dead except for Irish rock band U2.  Elvis came in second place, earning $55 million (Rs 270 crore), thanks to his evergreen songbook and a hit Las Vegas stage production featuring his tunes mounted by Cirque de Soleil. In third place was movie siren Marilyn Monroe, who had $27 million (Rs 133 crore) in earnings over the past year. Peanuts, the cartoon creator Charles Schulz was fourth while Beatles' legend John Lennon tied for fifth place with screen goddess Elizabeth Taylor, both earning $12 million. While much of Lennon's revenues came as payment from other musicians performing his music, Taylor's largely came from her best-selling perfume White Diamonds. Taylor's estate also appears likely to net handsomely from a December sale later this year by the Christie's auction house featuring the late actress's jewels, art work and gowns. The top earners are: Michael Jackson Elvis Presley Marilyn Monroe Peanuts cartoon creator Charles Schulz John Lennon, Elizabeth Taylor Albert Einstein Children's author Theodor Dr Seuss Geisel Jimi Hendrix; Swedish writer Stieg Larsson; Hollywood actor Steve McQueen; and legendary composer Richard Rodgers George Harrison, Bettie Page and Andy Warhol
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| Winehouse died from too much alcohol Posted: Singer Amy Winehouse's death this summer was the result of alcohol poisoning, an inquest ruled yesterday, as it reached a verdict of "death by misadventure." A pathologist told a coroner's court in north London that alcohol toxicity was the cause of the 27-year-old's death, with her blood-alcohol levels measured at more than five times the legal limit for driving.  At the inquest, the coroner said Amy Winehouse's blood-alcohol levels measured more than five times the legal limit for driving The artist, who had battled with alcohol and drug abuse over several years, was found dead at her north London home July 23. Testimony at her inquest showed no traces of illegal drugs in Winehouse's system. Amy's General Physician Dr Christina Romete, who had been treating the star for several years, said she had warned her about the dangers of drink. The doctor, who described the singer as tipsy but coherent the night before she died, said she had been headstrong about the ways she should deal with her drink battle. Andrew Morris, the musician's live-in security guard, said he last spoke to her at 2 am on the day she died. Amy had been heard in her bedroom laughing, listening to music and watching television the night before.
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| Posted: In an attempt to show their unity ahead of upcoming polls, Russia's PM and President harvest corn at a farm Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin have put on a new show of unity ahead of upcoming elections by harvesting corn together at a farm in southern Russia's Stavropol region.
Medvedev and Putin used separate combine harvesters to help workers take in the crops. Russia's ruling tandem collected 6 ton of corn each and simultaneously poured the crop into a KamAZ truck. "It's a good start. The feeling is good and the cabin is comfortable," Medvedev said later at a meeting with farm workers and ruling United Russia party activists. "Super! I liked it!" Putin added. Game on Meanwhile, in another show of unity, both the leaders took to playing badminton two days back. Dressed in a sky blue sports T-shirt and clutching a badminton racquet, Medvedev, told the audience of his video blog that, "badminton is known to everyone because badminton is played at home, on the street and in school and university sports halls." He added, "Those who can really play badminton are few in number." He claimed it is the sport not only of presidents, but of Russia's first cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin.
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| Man claims prostitute turned into donkey Posted: A man in Zimbabwe claims a prostitute he visited turned into a donkey overnight and now he is 'seriously in love' with the animal. Sunday Moyo, who has been charged with bestiality, told a court in Zvishavane that his donkey lover was in fact a hooker whose services he procured from a nightclub.  Police on routine patrol in the early hours of Sunday had stumbled upon the 28-year-old, from Mandava township, performing a sex act on the donkey inside his yard. The animal was lying on the ground with its neck tied to a tree. Moyo admitted to the bestiality offence, but proceeded to tell the magistrates his colourful tale, "Your worship, I only came to know that I was being intimate with a donkey when I got arrested. I had hired a prostitute and paid $20 (Rs 980) for the service at Down Town nightclub and I don't know how she then became a donkey... but I am seriously in love." Moyo has been remanded in custody until October 27 and been ordered to undergo psychiatric tests.
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| Italy's Berlusconi to step down Posted: Italian Prime Minister has drawn up a secret pact under which he will resign in December or January, paving the way for a new government in March Controversial Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has agreed to step down after negotiating a deal with coalition allies, it was reported yesterday just hours ahead of a crucial European Union meeting. Berlusconi (75) is said to have made the agreement with Northern League leader Umberto Bossi, after he agreed to a deal on pension reforms as part of a package to reassure Europe Italy was doing its best to handle the financial crisis.
Steeped in several scandals, many have questioned whether Berlusconi is able to steer the third largest economy in the Eurozone to safety and avoid a Greek-style bailout to save it plunging into the abyss. According to daily La Repubblica, Berlusconi is said to have told Bossi, "Let's avoid an embarrassment in Brussels and I promise you there will be elections in March." La Repubblica also added that Berlusconi had even agreed to step down by January at the latest, in return for Bossi accepting to agreeing for the pension age to be raised to 67-years-old. However, the reports of his intended resignation were denied by his spokesman Paolo Bonaiuti and also by Northern League spokeswoman Nicoletta Maggi who said, "There is no truth in the reports at all." Another source close to Berlusconi also dismissed the reports and said, "This is all part of the theatre of politics and there is nothing in it at all it is all fantasy." Berlusconi is currently facing four trials, including one for having sex with an underage prostitute which resumes next month, as does another for corruption. The other trials are for financial irregularties and abuse of office. In recent months, he has been at the centre of controversy after it emerged that escorts were among women invited to parties he hosted at his official residence in Rome. There were also allegedly wild scenes at his infamous bunga bunga night.
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