Sideswipe: Lookalikes

Local pop star Dane Rumble (left) is definitely taking style tips from 90s flavour-of-the-month Vanilla Ice.

Demonstrators drop dead

Shoppers and office workers in Zurich were left confused and a little terrified when, all at once, hundreds of people collapsed on to the street around them. All across the city, green demonstrators simulated dropping down dead at exactly the same time to protest at a series of proposed nuclear power stations. But many onlookers were frightened by the mass pass-out similar to events in television's FlashForward, currently screening on TV2. Some responded by trying to help "victims" but most, perhaps aware of the flash-mob phenomenon, simply stepped over the bodies. (Source: Newslite.tv)

Twitter snap fails to sparkle

Newly elected British Labour MP Liz Kendall found herself in hot water after posting a photo on Twitter from inside the House of Lords during the Queen's Speech, reports the Telegraph. The novice MP, 38, posted the blurry smartphone image on Twitter before discovering that new technology and ancient tradition do not mix. "Haven't quite managed to capture sheer number of diamonds & tiaras," the Cambridge-educated MP told around 600 of her followers.

Any ride will do on Vanuatu

Further to the alleged lackadaisical drink-driving rules in Vanuatu, a reader writes: "I was there a couple of years ago. A friend, after a few drinks, drove home. He was pulled over by the police. Needless to say, aforementioned friend started stressing out. After a conversation with the policeman, he ascertained that all they wanted was a ride back to the police station. He kindly obliged!"

Smoking ban bit of a zoo

"I was pleased to hear about the introduction of a smoking ban at the Auckland Zoo," declares a reader. "After all, the Auckland City Hospital smoking ban appears to have done wonders - I constantly see people smoking directly adjacent to no-smoking signs. One would think the hospital would be embarrassed by this non-enforcement of the smoking ban, but that doesn't seem to be the case."

Grape expectorations

The Grape Debate: "Are food items covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act?" asks a reader. "Because I have bought grapes - which I've ended up throwing because they were sour and nasty. Surely if they are not able to be eaten then they don't fit the purpose for which they are intended and can be returned?"
Megabucks found at Sylvia Park

For the poor soul who lost a significant amount of money in Sylvia Park mall on Tuesday, a reader writes: "Please contact the information desk at the mall. I left it there just in case someone showed up for it. Please be ready to describe the exact amount, denominations of the amount and the method of concealment of the money to collect it."