| FDA warns about buying prescription meds on Web
Federal health officials say some Internet shoppers who thought they'd bought drugs such as sleep aids and antidepressants were instead shipped a powerful anti-psychotic. In some cases, the unwitting consumers wound up in emergency rooms. The Food and Drug Administration says a preliminary analysis indicates a number of people took a schizophrenia drug called haloperidol. Investigators say the pills were packaged in plain plastic bags and mailed in envelopes that had Greek postmarks. However, the buyers thought they'd gotten other pills, such as Ambien, a sleep aid, or Xanax, an anti-anxiety medication. The FDA says it has reports of several consumers seeking emergency treatment for symptoms such as breathing difficulties, muscle spasms and stiffness.
Area: 9,596,961 sq. km.
The Chinese media mobilised in 2002 to ensure that Jiang Zemin entered the pantheon of great Chinese leaders. The preparations for the 16th Congress of the Communist Party gave rise to intense ideological campaigns and more crackdowns on cyber-dissidents. Self-censorship increased in Hong Kong, which is used to more freedom, and its authorities prepared to pass a "national security" law that bodes ill for freedom of the press and expression.
The end of President Jiang Zemin's mandate and the arrival of Hu Jintao at the helm of the state spawned a vast propaganda campaign in the Chinese media. In June, the government addressed a 32-point memorandum to the main news media defending the line of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on news reporting. The media were required to promote a "suitable climate" in the run-up to the congress and sensitive subjects such as privatisation or class conflict were banned.
Kylie Minogue gives words of wisdom to Britney Spears
AUSTRALIA'S own Kylie Minogue offered troubled Britney Spears some wise words after the pop singer was snapped crying publicly again. As photographs showed Spears sitting on a step crying outside her LA home on Monday in yet another bizarre public show of emotion, Minogue urged her fellow pop singer to seek help."I wish someone would write a manual about fame because it's not easy,'' the Australian star was quoted as saying in Britain's The Sun newspaper."I'm always loath to say that, because there are a lot more difficulties out there that people deal with every day - but when fame is handed to you, it is unique."It's not to the same extreme, but I can remember having a mini-meltdown myself - and unless you've got good people around to support you, you've got a problem.''Minogue also believes 26-year-old Spears, whose career has faltered amid an access battle over her two young sons, will bounce back."Who knows what is going on in her life?'' said Minogue, who turns 40 in May."Britney isn't that young any more."I think she will still come back, but it's like she's taken an extended holiday."Whatever help she needs, she should reach out and get it.''AAP Subscribe to our Email Newsletter .
|
