New York police sued for pepper-spraying 5-month-old baby over subway fare

“The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is being sued by a woman who says that officers violated her civil rights when they pepper-sprayed her entire family — including a 2-year-old child and a 5-month-old baby. Marilyn Taylor accuses Officers Maripily Clase, Suranjit Dey and Jermaine Hodge of overacting when they saw her pushing the stroller through a service entrance instead of going through the subway turnstile. ‘The pepper-spray caused the children to scream out and choked the two-year old, who went into fits of vomiting,’ the lawsuit says. ‘Ms. Taylor was then placed in handcuffs as the minor children cried in fear and pain.'” Continue reading

Continue Reading New York police sued for pepper-spraying 5-month-old baby over subway fare

Greek footballer given lifetime national ban after apparent Nazi salute

“The AEK Athens midfielder Giorgos Katidis has been handed a life ban from all national teams by Greece’s football federation EPO after he appeared to give a Nazi salute to supporters during a match. Katidis denied he gave a Nazi salute. The player said he was simply pointing at Michalis Pavlis in the stands to dedicate the goal to his team-mate as he continues to fight health problems. AEK’s German coach, Ewald Lienen, backed Katidis. ‘He is a young kid who does not have any political ideas. He most likely saw such a salute on the internet or somewhere else and did it without knowing what it means,’ he said.” Continue reading

Continue Reading Greek footballer given lifetime national ban after apparent Nazi salute

Cuba auctions cigars to raise money for health system

“An auction of luxury cigar humidors in Cuba fetched $1.1 million, which will go toward the public health system, the state news agency said Sunday. The sale came at an international cigar festival attended by celebrities such as American actor Danny Glover and German tennis great Boris Becker, Prensa Latina said. Six fancy wooden humidors containing between 350 and 550 cigars each were sold at the auction Saturday night, the report said. Glover received a silver sculpture in thanks for his support for Cuba and for his role in the ‘fight for peace and justice,’ the agency said.” Continue reading

Continue Reading Cuba auctions cigars to raise money for health system

U.S. launches new major anti-smoking campaign

“US health officials launched a hard-hitting offensive aimed at slashing the numbers of smokers across the country following the success of a similar campaign last year. The new campaign encourages smokers to kick the habit with a series of adverts spotlighting the wrenching personal stories of individuals battling smoking-related illnesses or diseases. The number of calls to health services doubled to around 200,000 during the 2013 campaign, which cost $54 million and lasted 12 weeks.” Continue reading

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Major supermarket chains promise not to sell genetically engineered salmon in the U.S.

“The US Food and Drug Administration is in the final stages of deciding whether to allow GM salmon onto the market. If approved, AquaBounty Technology’s salmon would be the first genetically engineered animal to enter the food supply. The GM salmon is the first in some 30 other species of transgendered fish under development, including tilapia. Researchers are also working to bring GM cows, chickens and pigs to market. However, those plans could be blocked by Wednesday’s commitment from national grocery chains, such as Trader Joe’s, Aldi and Whole Foods, as well as regional retailers, not to sell genetically engineered seafood.” Continue reading

Continue Reading Major supermarket chains promise not to sell genetically engineered salmon in the U.S.

Frankenfish and Other Stupid Industrial Food Tricks

“Genetically engineered salmon is one step closer to your unsuspecting plate. First came the farm-raised fish lacking the health benefits of wild-caught fish, and now food culture is taking one more step toward lunacy by creating genetically modified animals in the form of Frankenfish. The FDA will likely approve this untested experiment for human beings for consumption as food, thanks to a biotech company called AquaBounty Technologies. The company created this so-called food product via a new gene construct that combines Chinook salmon growth with a regulator gene from an eel-like fish called an ocean pout.” Continue reading

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Milk Machine Aims to Hook Kids on Chemical Sweeteners

“As a solution to sagging milk sales, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) are petitioning the FDA to ‘amend the standard identity of milk’ and other dairy products. Dairy special interests want to be able to add high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, and other chemicals to milk while bypassing the requirement that the products be labeled ‘artificially sweetened.’ The attempt is to pass this off as a health benefit for children because the chemical sweeteners are not considered to be sugar.” Continue reading

Continue Reading Milk Machine Aims to Hook Kids on Chemical Sweeteners

First Lady Michelle Obama launches new campaign against childhood obesity

“First Lady Michelle Obama took her campaign against childhood obesity to a new level Thursday with a $150 million program to encourage more physical activity in American schools. Let’s Move! Active Schools builds upon the Let’s Move! initiative that the mother-of-two and wife of Barack Obama unveiled three years ago during the president’s first term in the White House. Funded by a public-private partnership, Let’s Move! Active Schools aims within five years to get 50,000 schools across the United States to provide at least one hour of physical activity per day to their youngsters.” Continue reading

Continue Reading First Lady Michelle Obama launches new campaign against childhood obesity