1 million cribs recalled
Federal regulators Friday recalled about 1 million cribs made by Simplicity because the drop rail on some of the nation’s best-selling models can detach from the crib, creating a dangerous gap that has led to the deaths of at least three children. Following a Chicago Tribune investigation to be published this weekend, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of cribs sold under both the Simplicity and Graco name.
Do Not Call list to expire
The cherished dinner-hour void of telemarketers could vanish next year for millions of people when phone numbers begin dropping off the national Do Not Call list. Some lawmakers think it is a hassle to expect people to re-register their phone numbers every five years. Numbers placed on the registry, begun in June 2003, are valid for five years. People who signed onto the list in its early days will have their numbers automatically drop off beginning next June if they do not enroll again.
Student: Fake bomb was art
An MIT student wearing what turned out to be a fake bomb was arrested at gunpoint Friday at Logan International Airport in Boston and later claimed it was artwork, officials said. Star Simpson, 19, had a computer circuit board and wiring in plain view over a black hooded sweat shirt she was wearing, said State Police Maj. Scott Pare. Simpson was charged with disturbing the peace and possessing a hoax device. She was to be arraigned later Friday.
Mattel apologizes to China
U.S.-based toy giant Mattel issued an extraordinary apology to China on Friday over the recall of more than 21 million Chinese-made toys, taking the blame for design flaws and saying it had recalled more lead-tainted toys than justified. On Friday, Thomas Debrowski, Mattel’s executive vice president for worldwide operations, acknowledged that the “vast majority of those products that were recalled were the result of a design flaw in Mattel’s design.”
AND FINALLY …
7-year itch
Bavaria’s most glamorous politician — a flame-haired motorcyclist who helped bring down state premier Edmund Stoiber — has shocked Germany’s Catholic state by suggesting marriage should last just 7 years. Gabriele Pauli (above) is standing for the leadership of Bavaria’s Christian Social Union (CSU) in a vote next week. She told reporters at Wednesday she wanted marriage to expire after seven years and accused the CSU of nurturing ideals of marriage which are wide of the mark.
