Free Republic

Novartis, makers of a wide array of OTC drugs, has announced a recall of several of its best-selling brands over concerns some bottles might contain the wrong meds or contain broken or chipped tablets. Subject to the recall: Excedrin and NoDoz caplets with expiration dates of Dec. 20, 2014 or earlier. Bufferin and Gas-X with expiration dates of Dec. 20, 2013 are also affected. Consumers are asked to check the company’s website Monday for the latest updates: www.novartisOTC.com. Novartis customers can also call the company at 1-888-477-2403 Monday to Friday 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.

Hong Kong - A primary school in China is fining pupils five yuan each time they fart in class, a news report said on Friday. Hu Zhuang Elementary School in Beijing has begun imposing the fines as part of a crackdown on bad hygiene habits in the wake of the Sars outbreak, according to the South China Morning Post. No one has been fined so far at the school which has also introduced rules banning pupils from dropping litter or coughing without covering their mouths.

  U.S. President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell arrive at Rome's Ciampino airport May 27, 2002. President Bush and other leaders of NATO's 19 member states with Russia's President Vladimir Putin will participate in a 'NATO-Russia' summit on Tuesday to highlight the alliance's cohesion and downplay currents of dissent between Europe and the United States. REUTERS/Gianpiero Sposito Email this Powell: "The Texas chili served on Air Force One is killing me..."