News – Truth in Advertising Wanted

Europe

The EU has new rules in effect that will ban any food called a ‘superfood’ unless such claims are verified. Superfoods are those edibles that some believe to have positive health benefits exceeding those of the norm. Such as blueberries and soy, spinach and dark chocolate. In a way it makes sense. People shouldn’t be claiming these foods are ‘super’ unless they can back that up with some proof. It will also require markings such as ‘low in salt’ or ‘light’ to meet EU defined standards. Companies will have two years to adjust to these new standards.

While some of this is questionable, I do think that it has a positive aspect that can’t be ignored. Having set standards for what is low in this or light in that means that the consumer can be 100% certain of what they’re getting when they look at a label. People that make foods, especially those who market them as healthy, should have to prove that this is truth rather than be given wide wiggle room to make claims that might not be 100% true.

Middle East

Latest acusations against Iran have it using Hezbollah fighters to help Shia militants attack forces in Iraq. This info apparently comes from a high ranking militant of the same group recently captured.

Numbers say the death toll on Iraq’s civilians is dropping. This could be because of many factors, though those not necessarily purported by the administration could include an overall diminishing of the population at large due to death and fleeing the country.

Iran launches a 24 hour English channel with 26 correspondents around the world and promises that it will have unbiased news.

Africa

The AU summit discusses a pan-African government on its second day. Honestly, I can’t see Africa becoming a sort of mirror of the US in that way, all territories led by a central government.

Kenya has a lot of deputy ministers with nothing to do. There go the promises of no government bloat.

Asia/Pacific

China is upset by a US ban on their seafood, after it was discovered that they use antibiotics banned in the US on them.

The IAEA says it has a plan agreed upon with North Korea on how it will monitor the closing of their main nuclear reactor. Good to hear. Now lets see it implemented.

Americas

Bush plays nice with Putin. Won’t do crap all for relations, though. The issues that cloud things will linger even after some personal time.

The US puts more air marshals on flights from the US to the UK in the wake of several failed bombings attempts there. Security will be tightened ahead of July 4th as well.

Castro takes shots at the US in the wake of the release of CIA papers detailing past dirty deeds. But who needs past admissions to know the same is true today?

General

Piranha, not as scary as once thought.

Claims of over 500k iPhones sold in the first weekend of its launch. If correct, I’d say Apple has another solid success in the making. I hope the provider scale and cost drops soonish, I wouldn’t mind having one of those bad boys. Here’s a pretty good and balanced look at it. Far from perfect, but not bad at all. I’m sure that Apple will be improving the device over time, though. And more reviews. And another.

Mechanical finger replacements. It has no electronics in it, responding purely to the hand’s motor functions. It has a video embedded that shows the finger in action. Looks very nice.

A review of Sicko and what Michael Moore missed.

The Blogs look at the failed London car bomb plot and Bush with Putin in Kennebunkport last weekend.

Today’s Papers has an anniversary look at how slowly the Freedom of Information Act is heeded by some government agencies, Obama’s funding successes, Pnetagon plans to increase the supply of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles by 600 percent and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Gay Pride parade has it all: Presidential candidate with hot wife, spectator busted for throwing beer on protesters, protesters arrested for out-of-fashion signs. (with video goodness)

According to a proposed law in Texas, if an engaged couple takes an eight-hour “successful marriage” course approved by the state they get a free marriage license. Those who don’t pay a doubled fee of $60

Pro-life fanatic apologizes for torching women’s clinic after discovering that they did not actually perform abortions

Hard hitting, compassionate journalism: ten ways to get back at your ex during a flood

With world peace announced and the recent cure for cancer, AP publishes the finalists for “America’s best restroom.”

Step 1: Ask your wife to have sex with another man. Step 2: Sue man for stealing your wife. Step 3: Profit

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these battling knights

Fark Photoshop Challenge: The soon-to-be-nation of Kosovo has announced an international contest to come up with a flag and symbols for the country. Surely Farkers are up to the task? Difficulty: Must be better than the current Albanian flag

Fark Photoshop Challenge: They are soliciting designs for the George W. Bush presidential library (see linked story). Do your patriotic duty, Photoshop-Americans, and design an appropriate one