Sunday, March 9, 2008

Small Bits of News

Pet hamsters banned in Vietnam
Hamsters are one of many items imported illegally
Vietnam has banned the sale and possession of hamsters, whose popularity has been soaring.
Owning a hamster in Vietnam could cost you two years' wages
The Ministry of Agriculture says anyone caught with a hamster will be fined up to 30m dong ($1,900) - almost double the average annual wage in Vietnam.
Traded illegally over the Chinese or Thai borders, the hamsters are unlicensed and unchecked.
The authorities say the creatures are a potential source of disease.
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Waiter mistakenly used caustic soda for salt
It boasts the “world’s most extravagant cocktail” at £5,000 a pop and has become the Alpine playground of royalty and celebrities since opening two months ago. But the British-owned Club Coco in the Swiss resort of Verbier is facing damaging legal claims over a humble shot of tequila. Seven British holidaymakers are seeking compensation from the club after being given caustic soda instead of salt to accompany their après-ski drinks. The waiter is believed to have mistaken the chemical for salt after it was left on the bar by cleaning staff.
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It’s legal for Italian women to lie
Italian women can lie about their adultery, says appeal court
Italy's highest appeal court has ruled that married Italian women who commit adultery are entitled to lie about it to protect their honor. The court gave its landmark ruling after hearing the case of a 48-year-old woman, convicted of giving false testimony to police by denying she had lent her mobile phone to her lover. The appeal court did not agree that she had broken the law. It said bending the truth was justified to conceal extra-marital relationships.

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