World briefs

US TV star Kim Kardashian was the scent-er of attention yesterday as she launched her new perfume.

The curvy socialite was at an Oxford Street branch of Debenhams in London as she promoted True Reflection, which will be exclusive to Debenhams.

Ms Kardashian, 31, wore a knee-length scarlet lace dress and sleek pony tail as she met and posed with fans. The reality TV celeb is in London at the same time as her boyfriend Kanye West, who was performing at the O2 Arena last night on a bill with Jay-Z.

A $20,000 ‘waiting game’

Canadian police are holding a man who allegedly swallowed a $20,000 dollar diamond for as long as it takes for him to produce the evidence.

It has been nearly a week since Richard Mackenzie Matthews, 52, is alleged to have switched a diamond at a jeweller’s in Windsor, Ontario, and swallowed the real one. Mr Matthews has been held while police wait for the 1.7-carat stone to pass through his system.

Sergeant Brett Corey said Mr Matthews has been to the toilet numerous times, but the diamond has not passed despite him being fed laxative foods.

Tajikisan outlaws Cohen’s Dictator

The Central Asian state of Tajikistan has refused to show British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen’s satirical comedy The Dictator in its cinemas, claiming they are all full.

The film depicts a Middle Eastern-style camel-riding tyrant played by Baron Cohen. It went on release worldwide this week.

“We do not have space to show it... We just cannot show all the films,” said the director of a Tajik film distribution company, who asked not to be named. But critics suggested the decision was down to the film’s provocative content.

Tightly-controlled Tajikistan is the poorest of the ex-Soviet states, with much of its working age population earning a living abroad in construction and agriculture. It has been ruled by strongman President Emomali Rakhmon since 1992.

Invasion of red baby crabs

Hundreds of thousands of red baby crabs are invading the Cayman Islands in a seasonal migration that residents say is unusually heavy this year.

The crabs are blanketing roads, scurrying across yards and scratching their way up homes and buildings in a process that scientists say will last about a month.

“People living in the coast will have them everywhere,” said Tim Austin, deputy director of the Cayman Islands’ environment department.

Frog found in an asparagus

A couple had a surprise when they found a tree frog nestling in some asparagus tips they bought in a supermarket.

Ann and Jim MacFarlan made the discovery after buying the Peruvian vegetables at a supermarket in Portsmouth. The couple did not have far to find a new home for the frog as their daughter Jenna works as an aquarist specialising in tropical frogs.

Now Miss MacFarlane has taken the frog to be looked after at the Blue Reef Aquarium in Southsea where she works.