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/begin my translation N. Korea: Kim Jong-il Giving Field Guidance at a Chewing Gum Factory (Pyongyang KCNA = Yonhap News) N. Korean leader Kim Jong-il gave field guidance at Pyongyang Chewing Gum Factory, according to KCNA report on Jan. 15. 2009.1.16 / (filed by) Chin Sung-chol /end my translation

This is disturning on many levels - LAX passenger hides objects in his body; bomb squad called His plane was diverted but deemed safe. The Iraqi national, a legal U.S. resident, said he was trying to ease stress. He is turned over to ICE. By Andrew Blankstein, Times Staff Writer March 7, 2007 Authorities called in the bomb squad early Tuesday and diverted a flight to Las Vegas after Los Angeles International Airport security screeners found hidden wires and other objects in a body cavity of a Philadelphia-bound passenger. Fadhel Al-Maliki, a 35-year-old Iraqi national living in Atlantic City, N.J.,...

Almost unnoticed at home, Chicago-based Wm Wrigley Jr Co, the world's largest maker and marketer of chewing gum, has quietly built a dominating presence in the Chinese market. With a 60% market share and a jaw-dropping one million sales outlets, Wrigley may have come closer than any other US company to actually realizing the China dreams of American business. - Todd Crowell

A chewing gum which the makers say can help enhance the size, shape and tone of the breasts has proved to be a big hit in Japan. B2Up says its Bust-Up gum, when chewed three or four times a day, can also help improve circulation, reduce stress and fight ageing. The gum works by slowly releasing compounds contained in an extract from a plant called Pueraria mirifica.

A tax on chewing gum is needed to help meet the £150m annual cost of cleaning it off streets, council representatives from across the UK are expected to say. A first national "gum summit" in London will call for a penny-a-packet tax. The Liberal Democrats have also called for anti-litter messages on packs, and the development of biodegradable gum. Gum maker Wrigley's says £5m research on that has been unsuccessful. Cardiff, Westminster, Edinburgh and Belfast representatives are due at the summit. Lib Dem London Assembly member and environment spokesman Mike Tuffrey said: "Chewing gum that is irresponsibly spat on to...

THE Government will today publish proposals for a 5c levy on every packet of chewing gum. The cash collected will go towards the massive cost of cleaning more than 500 million tonnes of the sticky gum now clinging to Irish streets. The detailed plan will be revealed by Environment Minister Martin Cullen in a 100-page report by consultants McIver Consulting, engaged by the Government to examine how to introduce the levies. The report will also outline plans for levies on polystyrene fast foot wrapping and ATM receipts, but will say these can be avoided by negotiation if the industries involved...

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore may partially lift its decade-long ban on chewing gum as part of a new trade deal with the United States but locals say the ban should be scrapped entirely. The United States and Singapore said Tuesday they had largely finalized a free trade agreement which covered services, telecommunications, investments, tourism -- and even modifications to the curb on gum imports. "There's a compromise agreed between the two countries, where sugarless gum prescribed by doctors and dentists as having therapeutic benefits will be sold by pharmacists," Singapore's chief negotiator, Tommy Koh, told local media. U.S. Trade Representative...

Survivor V kicks off on Thursday September 19th, and since a lot of us Freepers had fun speculating on Marquesas, I thought it would be fun to start a thread on the upcoming series. The bios are out, which you can check out here, and there's already been scandal associated with two of the castaways. First there's Brian, an actor/used car salesman, who neglected to tell the show that he had a few "blue" movies in his past. They cast a porn star! Then there's Tonya. Her story could have a lasting impact on the outcome of the show. Shortly...