Horse flu spreads in Australia

Monday, August 27, 2007 The number of horses confirmed to be infected with Equine Influenza in Australia has risen to 47, all in the state of New South Wales. So far none of those confirmed infected have been thoroughbred race horses. The NSW government has confirmed infections at the federal government’s quarantine facility at Eastern…

GAO reveals $1.6 billion spent on public relations by the Bush administration in 2003-2005

Tuesday, February 14, 2006 A new 154-page Government Accountability Office (GAO) report says seven federal departments together spent US$1.6 billion on 343 contracts with public relations firms, advertising agencies, and media organizations, as well as individuals involved in such activities. Congressional Democrats requested the report after several incidents surfaced in which journalists or commentators were…

Possible eruption at Ruapehu Volcano in New Zealand

Thursday, October 5, 2006 A volcano alert has been issued after a moderate 2.8 magnitude earthquake occurred at Mount Ruapehu last night at 10.30 p.m. (NZDT). The quake also broke the Crater Lake cable which generated a call-out from the lahar response team. The New Zealand Department of Conservation has issued a high risk warning…

James Brown dies of pneumonia

Monday, December 25, 2006 James Brown, often referred to as the Godfather of Soul, died in Atlanta due to congestive heart failure, combined with pneumonia. His death at age 73 was announced by his agent. After his dentist noticed something unusual with him, Brown was told to visit a doctor immediately. He was taken into…

US free speech lawyer defends satire of Glenn Beck

Sunday, October 4, 2009 Massachusetts-based First Amendment rights lawyer Marc Randazza is defending a controversial parody website which satirizes American political commentator Glenn Beck. The website was created in September by a man from Florida named Isaac Eiland-Hall, and it asserts Beck uses questionable tactics “to spread lies and misinformation”. The website created by Eiland-Hall…