Kiddie cocktails a Japanese trend

Sangaria, a Japanese beverage company, is doing what in most countries would be unthinkable: manufacturing pretend beer and other such beverage products for children.

Japan's drinking culture, which includes educating young people in the practices, is well known and the company says using such products allows children to more fully participate in family celebrations.

"Kodomo no nomimono," for example, comes in cans, bottles and six-packs. It looks like beer, tastes like apple juice and foams in a glass. The product line also includes fake champagne, wine and cocktails.

There's even a TV ad you can watch featuring kids downing these drinks.

Ridiculous stuff.

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Oil shortage stops Islay whisky making

What's happening on the water has halted the making of whisky at the Bruichladdich distillery on the Scottish island of Islay.

Other distillers on Islay also face the possibility of a stoppage -- ironically in the midst of the island's annual music and whiskey festival -- due to a shortage of oil.

A pier extension was built on Loch Indaal to allow an oil tanker to dock, but low tides and silting have prevented it from visiting regularly and the company that supplies the oil said it could not guarantee deliveries.

In addition, bad weather prevented the tanker from unloading on Sunday,

With the tanker only only holding one-tenth of its possible load to keep it from going aground, the oil will last only until Wednesday.

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