April Fools' Day 2014 round-up: Best spoofs and fake articles from around the world

Tuesday 01 April 2014 09:18 BST

Elsewhere it appears those japesters at Vegemite have decided to have a crack at the energy drinks market, unveiling their 'NEW Vegemite iDRINK 2.1' drink. Although judging by some of the comments, there may actually be a market for it

In pictures: April Fools' Day 2014 round-up: Best spoofs and fake articles from around the world

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1/15In pictures: April Fools' Day 2014 round-up: Best spoofs and fake articles from around the world

In pictures: April Fools' Day 2014 round-up: Best spoofs and fake articles from around the world

'NEW Vegemite iDRINK 2.1'

Elsewhere it appears those japesters at Vegemite have decided to have a crack at the energy drinks market, unveiling their 'NEW Vegemite iDRINK 2.1' drink. Although judging by some of the comments, there may actually be a market for it

In pictures: April Fools' Day 2014 round-up: Best spoofs and fake articles from around the world

Alex Salmond to replace the Queen on new Scottish pound coin

The Daily Telegraph has "reported" that plans have been unveiled for a new Scottish pound coin in the event of a victory for the Yes campaign in September's referendum. "The plan,", according to their reporter Flora Poli, "which would be introduced on April 1, 2015, would see the head of Scotland’s First Minister replace that of the Queen if the country votes for independence"

In pictures: April Fools' Day 2014 round-up: Best spoofs and fake articles from around the world

Union Jack without the blues

The Mail said 'an aide' had accidentally revealed the plans while stepping out of a car in Downing Street

In pictures: April Fools' Day 2014 round-up: Best spoofs and fake articles from around the world

Chickens lay square eggs

ITV deserve high marks for craftsmanship with their reporting on 'square eggs'

In pictures: April Fools' Day 2014 round-up: Best spoofs and fake articles from around the world

Scotland switches to the right

The Guardian produced a video 'explainer' for the new system

In pictures: April Fools' Day 2014 round-up: Best spoofs and fake articles from around the world

Google Japan's 'Magic Hand'

Google has also got involved. First up is the Magic Hand, which Google Japan claims will mean even the laziest smartphone user won't have to go to the trouble of using their own fingers. The - entirely made-up - device functions a a thumb, cat paw and even a back scratcher

In pictures: April Fools' Day 2014 round-up: Best spoofs and fake articles from around the world

Pokemon Master

Those brainiacs at Google also came up with a nice little Pokemon wheeze. In a video posted by Google Maps, the company said it was creating a new job - Pokemon Master. The search giant wants people to search the globe looking for 150 of Nintendo's fictional characters. Anyone who finds them all will be invited top the company's headquarters for a final interview. Or not. A cute idea, but one that might have been better for April Fool's 2008

In pictures: April Fools' Day 2014 round-up: Best spoofs and fake articles from around the world

Ban on selfies

Metro included a feature today on the development that the Government is trying to ban people from taking selfies. It included an interview with the "poster boy for a growing anti-selfie movement in the US", Louie "Bull" Geary". And the newspaper said it "has learned" that "a new branch of the Department for Culture, Media & Sport has drafted proposals for a ban on selfies, which could come into force as early as the end of next year"

AP

In pictures: April Fools' Day 2014 round-up: Best spoofs and fake articles from around the world

Piers Morgan to advise Lib Dems

Nick Clegg has made a "surprise appointment", according to the Huffington Post, by hiring Piers Morgan in a media-consulting role ahead of the next general election

In pictures: April Fools' Day 2014 round-up: Best spoofs and fake articles from around the world

One Direction North Korea ban

The Mirror revealed that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has drawn up plans to challenge the worldwide dominance of One Direction. He has banned them from entering the country unless "the boys opt for the short-back-and-sides hairdo he models." And in a bid to provide competition for Harry Styles and co the leader will set up an X Factor-style talent show to find his own hit band, "dubbed Un Direction"

In pictures: April Fools' Day 2014 round-up: Best spoofs and fake articles from around the world

Frackingham Palace

According to the Sun (£), the Queen has given "her royal seal of approval" to prospectors for fracking in the grounds of Buckingham Palace

In pictures: April Fools' Day 2014 round-up: Best spoofs and fake articles from around the world

First shark sighting in a Midland canal

An 8ft shark has been "spotted" in the Birmingham canal, the Birmingham Mail reported. The predator was seen by a "quick-thinking passerby" - a Mr S Harks - who filmed the spectacle on his smartphone. The footage, a snapshot of which can be seen above, is indeed shocking

In pictures: April Fools' Day 2014 round-up: Best spoofs and fake articles from around the world

Joey Essex is set to be immortalised in a large statue

According to the Brentwood Gazette, plans are underway to create a "bizarre juxtaposition" by placing a six-foot bronze statue of Joey Essex in the grounds of the town's 14th century Chapel Ruins. Brentwood Borough Council will be "investing up to £300,000" in immortalising the The Only Way is Essex star

In pictures: April Fools' Day 2014 round-up: Best spoofs and fake articles from around the world

An extraordinary archaeological find

In the north-east, the Hartlepool Mail reported that a joint team of archaeologists from France and England have discovered the skeleton of a monkey famously hanged in the early 19th century for being a French spy

In pictures: April Fools' Day 2014 round-up: Best spoofs and fake articles from around the world

A dodo

The Bristol Post, meanwhile, has discovered "recent archaeology and documents" which suggest the last of the Dodos was actually fried and served up with chips in the city. The birds apparently may have been eaten in the west of England more than 50 years after the last previously recorded sighting

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