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The skinny

By TIME SWIRES
Published April 12, 2007

IS IT OR ISN'T IT?

IF YOU WANT TO SELL COCAINE, GET FDA'S OKAY

Cocaine is a drug, federal health officials say. So what's the news? This Cocaine is an energy drink produced by a Las Vegas company. It contains no actual cocaine but is being marketed as the "legal alternative" to the illegal drug, according to its Web site. The Food and Drug Administration said Redux Beverages LLC is illegally marketing the drink as both a street drug alternative and a dietary supplement, according to a warning letter publicly released Wednesday. The three-page letter says the beverage, as a drug, needs FDA approval to be sold.

BETTER OFF AT HOME

In the future, keep beer runs local

Parched from fishing for sea urchins in the Russian-administered southern Kuril chain, a Russian mariner thought he would sail his inflatable boat the few miles to Japan for a pick-me-up. Sergei Vashkevich, 29, landed on the island of Hokkaido on Saturday and trotted to a highway rest stop for a case of beer. He probably would have been better off if he had waited until he got home. Japanese police arrested him on the way back on charges of entry without necessary documents.

Guns off streets and into homes

If the kids want to play cops and robbers, they should keep it at home. The city of Oshawa on Tuesday became the first in Ontario to ban toy guns in public places. "It's about intimidation," Mayor John Gray said. "Whether it be a bank teller facing down an imitation gun, or students in high school." Those who break the ban can face a fine up to $150 Canadian.

BET THEY'LL CATCH HIM

Go-cart menace ditches passenger

A man in a go-cart with beer in hand outmaneuvered authorities in a wild chase through Grand Junction, Colo., on Monday. The driver took off around buildings and in and out of alleys, and another car got into an accident while swerving out of his way. The driver made a run for it and escaped, but police suspect they'll find him yet. Besides a stash of tools that may have been used for burglaries, he left in the go-cart a young boy, who police believe may be his son.

CATCH AND RELEASE

Lobsters freed until next time

Three hundred lobsters have a new lease on life thanks to an anonymous group of youths who shelled out nearly $3,400 to a Maine dealer to save them from the dinner table. The young people arrived at New Meadows Lobster Pound in Portland declaring that lobsters are "God's creatures" and deserved a shot at freedom, said owner Pete McAleney. But apparently it's now up to the spared lobsters to stay away from traps. "We told them they're going to get caught again, and they said, 'That's okay. We just want them to have a chance before they get caught again,' " McAleney said. "I don't know if they go around and free chickens and cows or what."

Compiled from Times wires and other sources.

[Last modified April 12, 2007, 01:41:23]