May 9, 2007
National Security Threat Leads to Cypriot Vibrator Ban
The Love Bug 2, a radio-controlled vibrator made by Ann Summers, has been declared a threat to national security in Cyprus. This stunning declaration comes following fears that the sex toy’s electronic waves may disrupt military radio frequencies.
According to an Ann Summers spokesman in the UK, the Love Bug 2 only has a range of six meters - and at present, the device is still on sale in Cyprus but the product literature has been updated to include the phrase “Not for use in Cyprus”.
Though military officials on the island have refused to comment on their reasons for banning the device, a spokesman from the government’s Communications and Works Ministry said: “They were banned before we even had a chance to check them, but if issues of national security are at stake, then it is not surprising.”
“It’s a shame, but we have to honor the request and we’ve made it clear that the Love Bug is not for sale in Cyprus,” says Lizzie Eddleston from the Ann Summers press office in the UK. “We have told locals that we have a lot of other devices that are not banned which will satisfy their needs. After all, it’s better to make love, not war.”
Big Hangover for Malaysian Beer Smugglers
Yesterday, customs officials in Kuala Lumpur announced that nearly 200,000 cans of beer smuggled into the country over the weekend will be popped open and poured away.
Authorities would typically auction the seized material, but in this case, the sheer quantity of booze involved would have a negative impact on the price of beer in the region. Two people were detained following the customs raid on Tuesday.
The beer, worth around $84,000, would’ve been subject to taxes and duty in the region of $293,000. Each case of 24-cans would’ve been sold for just $8.80, about 60% below market price.
The smuggling syndicate, according to Federal Territory Customs Chief Madrina Alwi, had been operating for over six months by working with freight forwarding firms and haulage companies to get duty-free beer consignments meant for Hong Kong, Singapore and local duty-free retailers.
