Antsy

Millions fear losing life savings in Chinese ‘aphrodisiac ant farm’

KIM HUNTER GORDON

IT WAS an offer too good to refuse. A guaranteed 30 per cent annual return – Chinese government approved and promoted by the nation’s best-known comic – on a novel scheme to raise giant ants for use in the production of an aphrodisiac.
Laid-off workers and pensioners in the poor Liaoning province believed what they were told and put their money into the scheme promoted by the Yilishen company.
But with payments frozen for the past two months, China has now ordered a complete media blackout on coverage of a burgeoning scandal, raising suspicions of negligence and corruption at some of the highest levels of government.
The company is rumoured to have collected ten billion yuan (£650 million) from three million people in north-eastern Liaoning – some of whom put their life savings into the scheme they now fear to be on the brink of bankruptcy.
Each participant in the scheme had put a minimum of 10,000 yuan (£650) in the scheme to become “ant farmers”, with a guaranteed annual dividend of 3,250 yuan (£210).
The Yilishen Group first ran into trouble in 2004 when its main product was banned from sale in the United States after the Food and Drug administration discovered it contained sildenafil – the active ingredient in Viagra – despite being sold as a natural health supplement.
New Scotsman
Last updated: 29-Nov-07 00:06 GMT

Beauty queen braves dirty tricks to secure crown

REBECCA BANUCHI

PUERTO Rican beauty contest organisers are investigating who doused a contestant’s evening gowns with pepper spray and spiked her make-up, causing her to break out in hives.
Beauty queen Ingrid Marie Rivera beat 29 rivals to become the island’s 2008 Miss Universe contestant this weekend, despite applying make-up and wearing evening gowns that had been coated with the spray, said contest spokesman Harold Rosario.
Ms Rivera was composed while appearing before cameras and judges throughout the competition. But once backstage, she had to strip off her clothes and apply ice bags to her face and body, which swelled and broke out in hives twice. “We thought at first it was an allergic reaction, or maybe nerves,” Mr Rosario said. “But the second time, we knew it couldn’t have been a coincidence.”

New Scotsman

Slightly charred

(Q) How many cuppas does it take to build a house? (A) 9,500

MOST people will agree that nothing gets done without a cup of tea.
From climbing out of bed in the morning to making it through the busy working day, a cuppa helps keep Britain on its toes. But now a study has revealed exactly how much tea it takes to get a job done.
Building the average three-bedroom semi-detached home takes about 9,500 cups of tea.

New Scotsman